It’s a heady thought—like the feeling I get when I see an image emerge under my pencil.
And he’ll be there today. Brightening, I leap out of bed and rifle through my case to find the sluttiest outfit I can find.
Reuben
I sigh and tap Jez’s leg, which is bouncing frantically. We’re sitting in the hotel bar and his vibrating is rocking the table. “Do you mind?” I say. “You’re making me dizzy.”
“I can’t help it. I hate this.”
“Hate what exactly?”
In response, he makes a weird, all-encompassing gesture.
I narrow my eyes. “The hotel? The bar? The food? The weather? The Cotswolds?”
“This whole situation.” He glares at me. “It’s a joy suck.”
Anger stirs. “Then maybe you should have kept your dick wrapped, twat.”
“Oh, nice.” His voice is wounded. “I thought you’d be on my side. That’s why I brought you with me.”
“Oh, what bad luck for you. I think I’m coming down on the side of a boy who’s never known his father and is now getting a really shitty impression of him.”
“Why are you always sticking up for him?”
“Always? I’ve known him for twenty-four hours.” And during that time, I've snogged the fuck out of him, exchanged blowjobs, and became aware of how much I love the taste of his come. Iforce the guilt away and sigh. “Come on, Jez. I know you hate being made to do anything?—”
“I do.”
“But this is a little different. You’re not being fair to the kid. Give him a chance, and I think you’ll really like him.”
“He’s a smart-arse, and what Ireallythink is that he’s taking the piss out of me.”
I do too, but refrain from adding fuel to the fire. “He’s not,” I say. “He’s just nervous and trying to cope with everything.”
His eyes slide past me, and he growls. “Andthisis the method he’s chosen.”
I turn to see Xavier striding towards us. His hair is loose, and he’d decided to dress to torment. He’s wearing a pair of jeans that I presume are being held together by willpower because it’s not the fabric. There are holes all over them, and through them, his skin glows golden. He’s also wearing a T-shirt that’s so tight I can see his nipples and the gold bar in one of them. Emblazoned across the front of the shirt are the words.My Other Daddy is a Sugar Daddy.
My lip twitches, and I suck in a breath, trying not to laugh.
Jez huffs. “I’m not letting him go out like that.”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t have you turning into a Victorian maiden aunt on my bingo card for this year.”
“Oh, shut up.” He stands up as Xavier reaches us.
“Alright?” Xavier says cheerily.
“Are you going out likethat?” Jez demands.
Xavier gives him a crooked smile laced with far too much charm. “I thought so, yes. Why?”
Jez waves a hand. “Well, I’m thinking you don’t particularly look very shy.” He rubs his neck. “That’s all.”
Xavier’s eyes narrow. “Shy? Why did you think I was shy?”
“Well, erm, your grandmother.”
