Page 42 of Waiting for a Prince
That was easy. He wouldn’t have agreed to this whole unhealthy scheme.
And he’d have kept Rebecca as far away from the drawer of his bedside cabinet as it was possible to get.
Chapter Fourteen
“Where are you taking me?”Sam demanded.
Mark chuckled. “We’re almost there. I can’t believe you don’t know about this place.” He led Sam down the steeply sloping path, trees and ivy-covered banks to the right, and wooden fences to the left, behind which sat the cove’s holiday homes and beach properties.
“I’ve been past the cricket ground and the Ventnor Botanic gardens plenty of times,” Sam admitted. “But I never knew there was anything else.”
They turned left, and the path grew steeper. Ahead of them, the sunlight sparkled on the sea, and children’s voices competed with the sea gulls and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks.
Mark stopped at the bottom of the path, pointing to the grey exterior of the Beach Shack café. “This is it.” He loved coming down to the south coast of the island. The café was nestled at one end of Steephill Cove, a quiet little bay comprised of a collection of cafés and holiday homes. Below the railing of the café, waves crashed onto the green, algae-covered rocks. The bay was a horseshoe of shingle-covered beach, surrounded by a perimeter of similar rocks over which children and adults alike clamberedin search of rock pools. At the other end of the bay stood a structure which resembled a lighthouse. The holiday home wouldn’t have looked out of place in New England, its white boards and white picket fence glaringly bright in the morning light.
Sam’s smile told Mark he’d be back.
He led Sam through to the rear of the café that was open to the elements. Thankfully, a couple was about to leave, so they waited patiently until the table was free. Sam sat with his back to the painted wall, gazing out at the beach.
“This is beautiful,” he murmured.
“And very popular. We were lucky to get a table so fast.” Mark smiled when Richard approached, a notepad in his hand.
Richard grinned. “I don’t have to ask what you want, do I? Will that be one bacon sandwich, or two?”
“Two, please,” Mark confirmed. “And two lattes.”
“Got it.” Richard scribbled on his pad, then headed toward the kitchen. It wasn’t long before two cups of coffee sat in front of them.
“I love it down here,” Mark said with a happy sigh. “I think it’s the sound of the sea that draws me.” He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the music made by the waves as they frothed onto the rocks below.
Sam nudged him, and he opened his eyes.
“Two bacon sandwiches,” Richard said with a flourish, placing them on the table. “Anything else you want, Mark?”
Mark shook his head. “No, that’s all for the moment, thanks.”
“Then I’ll be back when you’ve finished, with your second cup of coffee.” Richard grinned at Sam and winked. “Never known Mark to ever stick at one cup of coffee.”
Mark chuckled. “You know me far too well.” He indicated Sam with a nod of his head. “This is my friend Sam. It’s his firstvisit down here.” Richard dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “How’s business?”
“Can’t grumble,” Richard said with a smile. “Andy’s pleased, so it can’t be bad.” Andy was the owner. “Anyway, I’ll leave you to your breakfast.” He flashed them another quick smile and walked away, pausing to collect cups and plates.
“How long have you been coming here?” asked Sam. He took a bite out of the sandwich and moaned. “Oh, that’s good.”
Mark stifled a groan of his own as the sounds Sam made went straight to his dick. It was no use—as attracted as he was to Sam, it was now clear nothing was going to happen between them, so hereallyneeded to organize a trip across the Solent one day soon. “About three years,” Mark replied. “Since Andy took over the place.” He bit into his sandwich, savouring the crisp bacon. The taste was divine. In no time at all the sandwiches were demolished.
Mark drained his cup of coffee, knowing Richard wouldn’t be long in bringing another one. He glanced across at Sam who was looking out to sea with a contented expression. Mark could understand that. He suspected his face wore the same look every time he came here.
“Was that what you wanted to tell me last night?” he prodded gently. “That you were gay?”
Sam nodded. “I felt awful, lying to you for the past three weeks. You were so open with me, and yet there I was, hiding. It felt so wrong.” Misery replaced contentment.
“There’snothingwrong with that,” Mark stressed. “It’s no shame to be in the closet, especially if coming out would spoil your relationship with your dad.” Heaven knew, Mark wishedhe’dstayed in there longer. Coming out had made his already strained relationship with his mother ten times worse.
Sam tensed. “There’s more to it than that, but it’s not something I can really talk about, okay?” Mark gave him a nod of reassurance, relieved when Sam relaxed into his seat.
“I know you said you and Rebecca have been together about six months. Was there anyone before that?” Mark itched to know more about what Sam was doing with Rebecca in the first place, but he didn’t push.
