Page 33 of At His Wife's Behest

“I understand.”

Kellan drained his glass and stretched for the bottle. “You do, do you?”

“You’ve gotten a taste of freedom and don’t want to let go.” Connor smiled. He wanted to remain there, too. Not just for the beauty of the place, but for Kellan. He needed more, and one final night just wasn’t enough.“Andit’s lovely here. You could probably spend a lifetime seeking its secrets and treasures.”

“Yes, yes… it’s beautiful,” Kellan spat before biting his lip, as if he wanted to say more. He poured himself his third glass and the last of the bottle.

Connor waited a few beats, searching Kellan’s face. When he didn’t add any more, Connor leaned forward. “Maudlin, hmm? Why don’t you save that for tomorrow on the plane home?”

Kellan’s gaze whipped to his. He said nothing, only lifted the glass to his lips for another sip.

“We have one last night,” Connor whispered. “Let’s not waste it.”

A hint of a smile played over Kellan’s lips. “What do you suggest we do with our final hours?”

Connor pushed his plate away as Kellan drained his glass again. “I was thinking we could go back to the villa. Have a celebration of our own.”

“Open another bottle of wine…”

“You’ve had one of your own already,” Connor said, grinning.

“I need liquid courage,” Kellan murmured, lifting his hand for their waiter.

“For?”

Kellan met his stare. There was something there that told Connor all he wanted to know.

Their server returned to check on them. “Anything else I can do for you, gentlemen?”

“No, we just need the check,” Kellan said before pouring the last bit of wine into his glass.

The check appeared and Kellan tossed a few Euros from his wallet, already in his lap.

“Grazie. Have a lovely evening,” the server said, grabbing a few empty plates. “Do you need a box, segnore?”

“No,” Kellan said, pushing from the table. “Thank you.” Kellan turned to Connor. “Let’s go.”

The restaurant they’d chosen was easy walking distance to the villa. He strolled along the old, cobbled street, moonlight lighting their path—but Kellan was speed-walking. “What’s the rush?”

Kellan paused, turning to face Connor. “We don’t have long.”

Connor stopped in from the Kellan, watching how the moonlight cast its glow over the man’s handsome face. “We have all night.”

“It’s not enough,” Kellan whispered.

Connor’s stomach knotted. He felt very much the same.

“Even so, let’s not rush it.” He slid his hand into Kellan’s. Connor glanced down at their joined hands and smiled, lifting his gaze.

“I want you to fuck me,” Kellan said, his voice barely a whisper.

Connor quieted the roar inside him, which took much doing on his part. “Are you asking for what I think you’re asking?”

“I want your dick… inside me.”

Connor did his best to remain cool and calm when he was anything but. “That can be arranged.” He then understood the many glasses of wine that night. Kellan had been building up his courage to ask for what he wanted. Stopping in the middle of the quiet street, he tugged the man close, pressing his lips to Kellan’s. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

“I don’t want careful,” Kellan said, a hint of a slur to his voice.

---