Gently Carmine pushed him away.
“Down, boy. This material won’t hide a hard-on.”
Noah cackled. “Tempting to try.”
“Later. I’m not sure that would be the best way to meet Brockton FC’s finest.”
They got out of the car. Noah took Carmine’s hand as they walked up to the door. Music came from inside. Adam threw great parties and Noah was excited to bring Carmine to one.
Adam opened the door, resplendent in a midnight blue silk two piece.
“Here they are,” he said. “Come on in.”
“Adam. This is Carmine.”
“Stefano’s boy,” Adam exclaimed, shaking Carmine’s hand. “Welcome to the squad.”
Pride tingled up Noah’s spine when he said that.
He placed his hand in the small of Carmine’s back as they walked inside.
“Everyone’s in the den,” Adam explained. “Javier has given us a three-drink maximum, which I will be enforcing. Carmine, obviously that doesn’t apply to you. Drink the house dry if you like.”
“Be careful,” Carmine replied. “I just might. For the nerves.”
Adam clapped him on the shoulder. “No need for those. Come on, I’ll introduce you. Noah, get this man a drink.”
They walked through to an amazing man cave. Noah had been a few times and dreamt of having a house like this one day.
Electronic music boomed from hidden speakers. Most of Brockton FC were sprawled on huge sofas or on the loungers by the indoor pool. With the floor-to-ceiling windows opened fully, it all became one room.
Ewen held court at the bar in Brockton shorts and a vintageJawsT-shirt. It shouldn’t work, yet with Ewen’s floppy hair and cheeky grin, it did.
They went to Jonas, who was looking cute in a Winnie the Pooh onesie and Tito looking obscene in a scandalously tight romper suit.
“Bloody hell, Tito,” Noah said. “Do you have to display yourself quite like that?”
“If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”
“Not one person in here is interested in what you have to offer,” Adam replied.
Tito giggled mischievously. “Don’t be too sure. Goran’s missus hasn’t taken her eyes off me.”
Paloma sat on the sofa with Ingvar’s wife, giggling hysterically.
Noah didn’t have the heart to point out they were amused not aroused.
“Hey, Farman,” Ewen shouted over. “What’ll you have? I’m barman tonight.”
“I’ll take a beer and a red wine.”
Ewen nodded and set about his task.
“I see the hot architect is here,” Tito said. “I knew you’d end up in bed with him.”
Noah jabbed Tito hard in the ribs. “You don’t realise how loud you are. Can it.”
Jonas shook his head. “Ignore him, Noah.”
