Saturday, October 12 - Barcelona, Spain, later the same day
Back at the hotel, Ben told Gus that Rob and Sam would return shortly for their ride to the cruise port.
When they got to Ben’s room, Sam used the bathroom to freshen up, then hugged and kissed Ben. “It was wonderful meeting you, Ben. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Have a safe flight home.
“Okay,” she continued, speaking to both of them. “I’m going downstairs to wait for you in the lobby. I don’t need to be here for your goodbyes. Just don’t start something you can’t finish.” She smirked, grabbed her rolling suitcase, and walked out the door.
Ben moved closer to Rob, enveloping him in a hug. They remained like that for a minute, gently swaying. Rob kissed him tenderly, hugging him tighter. He didn’t want to let go. The kisses became more heated—teasing, tasting, trying to memorize each other. Ben could feel Rob’s hard-on against his own. Rob’s shoulders shook with quiet sobs.
Ben was tempted to drop to his knees, but he held back. He knew he needed to calm down and keep Rob from falling apart.
“Hey, look at me, Rob,” he said, staring into Rob’s tear-filled eyes. “This isn’t goodbye. I promise I’ll see you very soon. And in the meantime, we’ll talk. You can call me or text me anytime you want. Time zones be damned.”
“Okay.” Rob agreed with a sniffle. “And you can call or text me, too. I know this isn’t goodbye. I just wasn’t ready for it to feel like this. I know it’s too early to use the L-word, but you’re already in my heart, Ben.”
Rob leaned in for another passionate kiss; Ben could almost feel the love radiating from him.
“And you’re in mine, sweetheart.” Ben echoed in between more kisses. “Now go and wash your face so that Sam doesn’t come back upstairs and beat my ass when she sees you.”
Rob grinned, went into the bathroom, and did as he was told.
Walking back into the room, he embraced Ben one last time, kissing him soundly.
