Page 21 of At His Wife's Behest

“Your sexual identity is your private business, I get that,” Connor said, struggling to relate. Telling the world wouldn’t have been a hardship to him, but then he’dalwaysbeen out. He’d told his parents he had a crush on a boy on his soccer team at eight and they’d simply rolled with it. When he told them he was gay as a teen, they’d welcomed him into their arms and loved him no matter what. Not that it had all been easy but having his parents in his corner had been everything to him.

He couldn’t judge Kellan’s journey when he hadn’t had the same experiences or support. “It must’ve been hard growing up with a parent like that.”

“I’ve spent twenty years hiding. Nearly forty having his morality shoved down my throat.” A shine formed in Kellan’s eyes. “A childhood—” He sighed, shaking his head. “You don’t need to hear that.” Kellan chuckled. “I doubt you were paid enough.”

Connor nearly opened his mouth to tell the man to continue. To get it off his chest. Airing the bullshit could help, but he also knew that the dark places could swallow you whole if you weren’t careful. As far as he knew, Kellan had come to Italy for anescape. Not a week-long therapy session. “I’m here if you need someone to listen.Withoutjudgement.”

Kellan met his gaze. “I appreciate it, but… no.” Kellan turned for another lap and that’s when Connor noticed multiple scars on the man’s back. He frowned. They looked like whip marks.

Who hurt you?He immediately sensed it had been the Senator.

Connor clenched his fists, suddenly wanting to punch Norman Rhodes square in the jaw. More so than usual. He dragged his thoughts from the violence swirling in his head and looked up to the night sky. Lights glittered all around the edges of the lake, sparkling over the surface of the water along with the stars above. A speedboat passed, the motor revved high, pushing through the illumination, and sending it wafting outwards.

When Kellan finally came up for air, he eyed Connor.

“Sun’s down. Maybe we should get some dinner and call it a night?” Connor asked. “I don’t know about you, but the jet lag seems to be settling in.”

“Yeah,” Kellan murmured. He followed Connor out, quickly bundling up in his robe and covering his body.

“Ana Maria said she left food.”

Kellan smiled. “If memory serves, her cooking is incredible.”

Once in the house, Kellan passed Connor on the way to the kitchen. Connor found him digging in the fridge. Glancing down, he noticed a note on the island along with a key. He scanned the note before Kellan came out with a small pot in his hands.

“La zuppa, the sign says. Sounds good. You?”

“Sounds wonderful.” He lifted the key. “Seems the key was here.” He pointed to the note. “And this has all the alarm codes, too.”

“Perfect.” Kellan hefted the pot. “I’ll put this on low. We can wash up and change while it warms up.”

“I’ll meet you back here in ten,” Connor replied, smiling.

While Kellan started the soup, he climbed the stairs. After a speedy shower to rinse off the chlorine, he threw on some sweats and returned to the kitchen. In one corner, there was a small table beside a wide window with an excellent view of the gardens and the lake. Along one wall was a stone fireplace stocked with wood and kindling. Even after the warmth of the shower, he still felt a bit of chill. He knelt and built a small fire to fend it off.

Once it came to life, the embers cast an orange, flickering glow over the room. He ambled over to the stove and gave the pot a stir. It was lukewarm, so he brought up the flame before searching the kitchen for bread to serve with the soup. He found a small, round crusty loaf in a breadbox, a perfect accompaniment. By the time Kellan reappeared, he had the table set and a wine picked from a selection in the pantry.

“You’ve been busy,” Kellan remarked before eyeing the fire. “Oh, great idea.” He walked closer and warmed his hands. “Is it almost dinnertime?”

Connor stirred the bubbling soup. “I think so. This smellsamazing.”

He poured them two bowls and headed for the table. Kellan sat opposite him, wearing pajama pants and a Allton Academy t-shirt under a beige cardigan. The firelight danced over his handsome face, casting shadows and light. It made his full lips seem fuller. More kissable.

Connor wondered what they’d feel like against his.

“I hope you don’t mind that I opened a bottle of wine?” he asked, pouring a glass for Kellan.

“When in Rome…” He laughed. “Or rather… when at Lake Como.”

He reached for the glass, his fingertips grazing Connor’s. It wasn’t the first time they’d touched, yet there was an electric spark there he hadn’t noticed earlier in the bedroom. There was something in Kellan’s eyes that took a simple caress and made it more.

Muchmore.

Desire radiated from Kellan. Connor wrestled with his own.

He poured himself a glass and lifted it, holding Kellan’s gaze.“Salud.”

“Salud,”Kellan repeated, his gaze locked on Connor’s.

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