Chapter Twenty-One
Freddie
For the second time in as many days, Freddie found himself collapsing on a bed in a post-sex haze of exhaustion. He barely managed to summon enough energy to take the warm, wet flannel from Taine to wipe his bits off. They’d already discarded the used condoms in the trash.
His mouth and throat felt sore. He could only hope that while he’d been voicing his pleasure the other hotel guests hadn’t been disturbed. Gen would find it incredibly hilarious if he got kicked out of the hotel.
And Gen would find out. The doctor had a frighteningly gifted way of extracting information from him. He’d never managed to successfully keep a secret from the woman.
He could picture the smug grin on her face when he returned from Amsterdam. She would be insufferable for weeks. “I set you up with the rugby hottie.” He could all but hear her crowing in his head.
Maybe I can move to the Netherlands? They have cancer patients here, right? We’re still part of the European Union. No one will find it strange.
Everyone will find it strange.
“Think there’s a delivery place open now?” Taine dropped onto the mattress like a boulder, which almost launched Freddie into the air. “I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
Freddie rolled over on his side with a slight wince. His body had relaxed completely, only to tighten up slightly. He’d have to do some stretches before sleeping. “You ate enough to feed a small family at supper. How can you be hungry?”
Taine rubbed his stomach briefly before fumbling blindly on the nightstand for his mobile. “Physical exertion burns calories. Burning calories requires resupplying food.”
“In your professional opinion, Manager Afoa?” Freddie could see how the man would make a good coach for a rugby team. He had the sternness to keep them in line, but a good enough sense of humour not to be too hard on them. “So, what’s this about the Sin Bin? You never did explain fully.”
While Taine explained about the nightclub details, the two perused delivery options on his mobile. They settled on a pizza place that delivered until two in the morning. It had just gone midnight, so they had plenty of time to place the order.
One cheese.
One with meat.
Four beers.
Sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed, Freddie convinced Taine to play a round of never-have-I-ever after the food had arrived. With a grand total of four beers, the game didn’t last long. He’d yet to discover something Taine hadn’t done.
It made him curious. What all could Taine show him about sex? Given the results of the drinking game—a disturbingly large number of things.
Curiosity killed the bunny.
Maybe sex brings the bunny back?
He giggled to himself. Taine lifted his eyebrows at him, but he only shook his head. It would be far too difficult and weird to explain the inner workings of his mind.
Sated with cheese pizza, beer, and knowledge of amazing sex to come, Freddie collapsed back on the bed. He waved a hand without opening his eyes when Taine asked if he intended to return to his room. He dozed off to the sound of a deep chuckle on the other side of the bed.
The next few days of his impromptu vacation passed by in a similar vein, adventures around the city during the day and wildly exhausting buggering by night. Freddie worried it wouldn’t take much to grow far too accustomed to having Taine in his life. He wondered if the rugby player would be interested in going out for dinner in Cardiff—and by dinner, he meant dating and more sex.
Don’t get ahead of yourself.
After all, many people screwed around on holiday only to pretend the person didn’t exist afterwards. Freddie had seen it done. Gen had told him about a woman who’d dropped her like a sack of potatoes after a whirlwind romance in Rome after a medical convention.
Poor Genevieve. The doctor had the worst luck with dates. Freddie had been only slightly more successful, which wasn’t saying much. He tried not to assume maybe this trip to Amsterdam was a sign of a change in his romantic life.
On the train back home, Freddie had found himself instinctively beginning to withdraw. He’d enjoyed the week away. It would be hard to return to his often lonely and always high-pressure life in Cardiff.
His books stayed in his bag. His eyes focused on the scenery speeding by. He refused to glance at the man dozing beside him.
Stop it. You’re winding yourself up over nothing. You’ve enjoyed yourself. Don’t act like a stupid child now that you’re going home.
By the time they’d swapped trains in Lille, Freddie had managed to resurrect his spirits. They’d found a great café near the station to have coffee and a brilliant cheesy pastry. He’d wanted to take a box of them home with him.
Probably wouldn’t travel well.
They grabbed fresh coffee and sandwiches to share on the train. Freddie pulled out a novel he’d picked up in Amsterdam. He might’ve felt better, but not well enough to be social.
Despite his best efforts, Freddie couldn’t help thinking of what he’d left in the Netherlands. I’m not a virgin. I buggered him. Well, he buggered himself on me. Does it count? It counts. I hope it does. It should. Oh God. Why is he staring at me?
“You’re cute when you ramble to yourself.” Taine leaned across the armrest to murmur against his ear. “It definitely counts.”
“Oh, kill me now.” Freddie grabbed his book to shove it closer to his face to hide his reddening cheeks. He didn’t usually blush. “I’ll close my eyes, and none of this will have happened.”