“As much as I love to watch you pair kissing, can we get a wiggle on? My parents are always early for everything.”
Kendrick glanced at his watch and groaned at seeing they were indeed going to be late. “Why didn’t either of you shout me earlier?” he questioned, taking Monty’s hand to rush him down the remaining stairs.
“I was boxing up the Nutella cheesecake I’d made for Lane and Derick.”
“What about us?” blustered Rue, looking outraged at the suggestion he wasn’t getting any, causing Kendrick to smirk. But he swallowed the laughter seeing how serious Rue was at being denied.
Monty skipped to Rue and patted his shoulder as he passed to pick up the box he’d left on the table in the hallway. Kendrick’s attention went to the impeccable cut of the expensive jacket Rue wore. It moulded to his shoulders and tapered down to his waist, highlighting the leanness of his hips. Kendrick cursed, realizing he should have bought a new damn suit, too!
“I made two, so don’t fear. You’ll getdessert later.” Monty’s comment brought his attention to him.
How he said it suggested he’d be dessert, and Kendrick wished they could stay home.
“Ready to head?” he said instead, holding out a hand to Rue. When he met Rue’s gaze, his apprehension made it impossible to consider doing anything else.
He came to him, and Kendrick kissed him as he had done to Monty, reaffirming his feelings. To leave Rue in no doubt he was in this relationship so deep there was no sky to be seen.
“Aren’t we leaving?” Monty’s laughter brought them apart.
“Yep, I just needed to even the kissing balance.”
A look of interest appeared as Monty glanced between the two of them. “There’s a kissing balance? No one told me. Now I’ll need to keep track. I wouldn’t want to be missing out.”
Heading out the door, Rue rolled his eyes. “There’s no chance of that. You miss nothing.”
The easy banter continued as Kendrick drove them up into the mountains, a road he’d rarely traveled, paying attention to road signs.
A rustic building with traditional style Italian shutters sat far away from the main house, where the Vaughn brothers lived together. The hotel was a later addition but remained in keeping with the older buildings. The small cottages they’d also added for anyone wanting a more private stay were at the back of the property and overlooked the vines.
Kendrick parked his truck in the designated area. He’d barely taken a breath to calm down his erratic, beating pulse when Lane and Derick strolled into sight. He admired the striking couple, their ease with each other as they strolled towards the truck, hands linked. Though both men were in their sixties, and despite silver hair, both appeared youthful and full of life.
Kendrick got out of the truck as Rue and Monty opened their doors.
Lane’s attractive smile widened and his pace increased, pulling, it seemed, his husband with him in his eagerness. Derick’s gaze was assessing as it met Kendrick’s, and he gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.
It removed some of the tension within him for reasons he’d explore later. “Good evening, lovely to see you both again.” Kendrick stepped forward with confidence, offering his outstretched hand.
Lane ignored it and came in for a hug, their size difference obvious as he barely reached the middle of Kendrick’s chest. When he spoke, Kendrick blushed hard enough to feel it travel down his chest. “My, aren’t you big.”
Kendrick froze, his gaze darting to Derick’s, who wore an amused expression. “My love, stop teasing Kendrick.”
“Dad, please let go of my boyfriend. You’re going to scare him off.”
Kendrick’s eyes darted to Rue at the ease of his declaration. “No, he won’t. No one will do that, honey.” If they were setting out intentions, then he was on board—fully.
The light in Rue’s eyes made his heart thud painfully against his ribs. Lane surely felt it.
He patted Kendrick’s chest after letting go, his eyes twinkling with laughter. “I believe you and I will be great friends.” He glanced away at the group standing watching them. “Vaughn has the most amazing champagne, a 72 vintage. I think we need a bottle to celebrate.”
“I’ve ordered a bottle for the table,” replied Rue.
Lane hooked his arm through Kendrick's, guiding him towards the door like the force of nature he was. “Tell me about yourself, Kendrick. How long have you lived in Bayfield?”
“And we’re off,” Rue muttered loud enough for Kendrick to catch before they stepped into the plush reception area of the restaurant, the scent of perfume and wealth greeting them.
Kendrick heard laughter, but he couldn’t say who it belonged to. “Twenty years, and I’ve worked for Trey most of that time,” he explained before Lane could ask. “I’ve always known any relationship I was in would be a throuple. I bought my four bedroomed house with that in mind,” he confessed, mentally ticking off what he deemed important questions.
He was distracted from saying more when they were met by the maître’d, who greeted them with warm enthusiasm. “Good evening, gentlemen. Can I take the name of the booking, please?”
