They all laughed, even Rebecca, who knew that the term referred to the cyclists who won the mountain stages of the big cycling races like the Tour de France, the Giro D’Italia and the Vuelta a Espãna.
The good-natured teasing and jockeying for position continued. They were all so friendly and warm that Rebecca felt included and she was surprised when Felipe touched her arm, interrupting a conversation between her, Walker and Alfonso.
‘We have a dinner reservation in half an hour, but we can stay and eat here if you like.’
Rebecca was torn for a moment. They were all so nice, but a thought blossomed in her head: it would be even nicer to have Felipe to herself.
‘It’s really up to you,’ she whispered back to him. ‘They’re your friends. It doesn’t sound like you get to spend much time together.’
Felipe grinned. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time with these guys over the years– I roomed with Walker, Alfonso and Giorgio. I’d far rather spend the rest of the—’ he paused and traced a finger up her back again, making a small circle at the nape of her neck under her hair which she’d left loose for a change ‘—night with you.’
‘Would you?’ she asked, peeping flirtily up at him from under her lashes.
‘Oh definitely,’ he murmured into her ear, his warm breath fanning over her skin, sending a quick clutch of heat through her system.
‘Mmm, that is good,’ said Rebecca, taking the first sip of her gin and tonic. The restaurant, Taberna Moderna, had over eighty gins and selecting just the one had been quite the headache, until she’d finally settled on the bitter orange gin.
‘Would you like to try mine?’ asked Felipe, offering her his drink. He held the glass as she took a sip through the straw. He watched her and she felt a frisson flutter through her at the soft tenderness in his gaze.
He’d opted for a gin from Alentejo, Black Pig. It had a hint of lemon and rosemary and it slipped down nicely.
‘Nice, but this is nicer,’ she said and held out her glass for him to sample.
He tried it and immediately shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Mine is definitely better.’
She rolled her eyes and laughed. ‘You’re just saying that. You know mine is much nicer.’
He shook his head again, laughing back at her. ‘Not so. I don’t think either of us is going to win this one.’
‘I’m not trying to win. I’m just stating a fact,’ Rebecca replied, with a cocky smile, enjoying the light-hearted exchange. Felipe was so easy to be with and she didn’t have to take him too seriously.
‘Okay, so I dare you to let me choose dinner tonight.’ Felipe smirked at her.
Rebecca wrinkled her nose at him. ‘Playing hardball now.’ He already knew food was a weak spot. ‘Exploiting my weakness.’
‘Challenging you,’ he argued, with a devilish grin that reminded her of a marauding pirate about to steal away the treasure.
‘What do I get in return?’ she asked.
Felipe’s eyes strayed to her mouth and his eyes darkened. For a moment her heart stilled and then her pulse picked up, beating hard.
Eventually– it felt like seconds later– he said in a low voice that she had to strain to hear, ‘I can think of lots of things,’ he paused, his expression suddenly intent. ‘One of them begins with O. And we’re not talking octopus.’
He sat back in his seat, his mouth curving in a slow, self-assured smile.
She wasn’t about to let him have things all his own way. ‘Promises, promises,’ she said, holding his gaze. ‘Let’s see if you can deliver.’
‘I promise.’ The smile he gave her made her toes curl with quick anticipation.
Ever the pro, he moved on seamlessly. ‘I suggest the burrata with orange jam, almonds and pepperoni, along with the tempura prawns– I’ll give you a break there, because I know you love your prawns– followed by the special pork tenderloin.’
‘That sounds acceptable,’ she said. ‘I have no idea what burrata is, but you had me at pepperoni.’
Once again he laughed, and Rebecca was grateful the sexual intensity had been dimmed because she was worried she might spontaneously combust on the spot. She loved how they spent so much of their time laughing; it really was so easy. Will, understandably, given his grief, was often sombre. He didn’t laugh easily. Or maybe he never had. The thought gave her pause but then Felipe asked her about wine.
‘You’re the one that was at a wine tasting today. I’m completely happy to concede that job to you, in view of your considerable expertise. How was the tasting? Was it very hard work?’
‘Terribly arduous,’ said Felipe, straight-faced. ‘I’m exhausted.’
