Page 52 of Playing to Win

“Lots of things.” Colin wanted to break their gaze, but didn’t. “Anyone who says they’re fearless is a liar.”

“But what are you afraid ofmost?”

Colin considered deflecting with a joke like,I’m afraid you’re burning the fish, but anything less than the truth would be cowardly.

“Being at the mercy of people like you.”

Andrew’s brows dipped together, and Colin could swear his eyes grew wet, but that might have been from the pan’s smoke and spices. His lower lip tugged down, then up, like he wanted to speak but had misplaced the words.

So Colin kissed him again, to taste that lip and its companion, and to show that despite all his fears, he was here.

= = =

“You have to Instagram every course?” Colin asked as he returned from the loo.

“My followers expect it.” Andrew carefully positioned his phone over his plate of Asian sea bass in curry sauce, wondering whether he should have used a different garnish. There was far too much green.

“It looks delicious.”

“I know.” He snapped a shot, quickly chose a flattering filter, then uploaded the photo with the captionHe said it looks delicious! Wish me luck. :)Then he placed the phone over on the coffee table so he wouldn’t be tempted to check his notifications while they ate.

“Found my toothbrush in your bathroom,” Colin said as he took his seat across from Andrew. “The one I left at the hotel?”

“I hoped you’d notice.” Andrew lifted his wine for a toast. “Here’s to you staying long enough to use it again. Because as delicious as my dinners are, they pale in comparison to my breakfasts.”

Colin toasted with him, looking more relaxed already. Andrew was relieved. It was one thing to invite a man for dinner and quite another to ask him to stay over before they’d even reached the bedroom. But Colin seemed to need that security, to know his welcome wasn’t conditional on him saying or doing the proper thing at every moment. Andrew wanted him here, no matter what. Tonight, tomorrow…and perhaps even beyond.

The western clouds cleared in time for sunset. The sky turned a glorious scarlet and tangerine as Colin and Andrew took their espresso and mini chocolate soufflés—which Andrew didnotInstagram—to the living room, where they sat on small cushions beside the coffee table.

“That’s fucking gorgeous,” Colin said, gaping up at the windows.

“Thank you. I ordered the sky especially for tonight. Cost a fortune.”

Colin laughed out loud, nearly spilling his espresso. He set the cup and saucer on the table, then, picking up his spoon, he regarded Andrew from the corner of his eye. Andrew found it adorable Colin was watching him to see how to properly eat each course.

Colin took a bite, then uttered a blissful noise that made Andrew’s mouth water more than the chocolate itself.

Letting out a deep breath, Colin scanned the room again. “Your place is all right, you know. I expected some sort of mini-mansion, not a two-bedroom flat.”

“It meets my needs.” Andrew slipped off his shoes and sat cross-legged. “Which, sadly, include three walk-in wardrobes. Four, if you include the one in the second bedroom. But I like to leave most of it for my guests.”

“‘Most of it.’” Colin shook his head, smiling, then peered through the coffee table’s glass top to its shelf beneath. “What’s all these magazines?Toff Weekly?”

“Toff Monthly, actually. It’s my collection of unreadTatlers. My mother would have my head if she knew I wasn’t devouring each one the moment it came in the post.” Of course he always immediately checked out the Bystander pages’ photo spreads to see if he was in them, and to see who’d been to which parties wearing what.

“Can I look at them? Then I’ll have something to talk to her about at the reeling party.”

Andrew’s heart leaped. “So you’re coming?”

“Maybe.” Colin pulled the stack onto his lap, the July issue on top. “Ooh! ‘You too can have a killer butt.’” He angled a glance at Andrew. “Is that how you got yours? I’ve been meaning to ask.”

“Hardly.” Andrew caressed his own arse, an act he rather enjoyed. “I’ve been working on this masterpiece for years.”

“I can tell.” Colin set aside July, then mock-squealed at the June issue. “‘Your own Kate fashion doll, free inside’! So is she naked and you dress her? Better yet, is her brother-in-law naked?”

“Ah, so you’re a Harry fan.”

“It’s purely sexual.” Colin jerked his head to look at him. “Have you met Prince Harry?”

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