Page 31 of Waiting for a Prince
Sonia stopped dead, her mouth open. “But you were so looking forward to watching them. What happened, sweetie?” The look of concern in her eyes was touching.
Mark tugged at her arm to keep walking. “Let’s just say my plans got changed.”
Sonia lapsed into silence.
Mark stared out across the Solent toward Portsmouth.I could be over there within the hour. And twenty minutes afterthat, I could have my dick buried in some guy’s tight arse.
Sure you could, but is that what you really want?
The thought of calling Sam persisted.
God, why am I so fucking stupid?He groaned quietly.
They reached the car park, but instead of going to her car, Sonia pulled him toward the low wall which ran around the perimeter. She hauled herself up onto it and patted the warm concrete beside her. “Sit. Now.” Her tone made it clear refusal was not an option. Mark stared at her and she returned his stare, unblinking. “I mean it. Stewart hasn’t cooked dinner, because we’re eating with friends tonight and we have plenty of time. So you’re not keeping me from anything.” Her eyes bored into him.
Mark muttered under his breath as he hopped up onto the wall, swinging his legs around until he sat facing out across the Solent. He took off his shoes and placed them beside him. The evening sun was still warm, and he flexed his feet, wiggling his toes. Sonia kept quiet beside him, and he knew she was waiting for him to make the first move.
Except I don’t know where to start.
“Remember Sam’s girlfriend?”
She snorted. “Oh yeah.”
“Well, she turned up that night.” He told her about his meeting with Sam and Rebecca at Cowes, and how Sam had ditched him. Wrong word, of course. They weren’t on a date, right?
Sonia listened intently. When he’d finished, she cocked her head.
“You really like this guy, don’t you?” Her voice was low.
Mark huffed. “Sonia, I can’t explain it. When I first laid eyes on him, all I saw was this gorgeous specimen that I wanted in my bed.” Her rising blush was adorable. “But after that morning on the beach, and then lunch, not to mention the phone calls these last three weeks, the bowling, the karaoke, another day on the beach, the film night…” His words trailed off.
“Phone calls? Bowling? Karaoke?” Sonia stared at him with widened eyes. “I had no idea. He’s really got to you, hasn’t he?”
Mark nodded. “And I don’t have a clue why. I only know he’s great to be with, to talk to. He’s intelligent, warm, funny—not to mention sexy as hell—but undoubtedly straight.”
Sonia chuckled. “Mark, you’re not my only gay friend, you know. I have a few. And Idoknow from talking with them that most gay guys love the fantasy of turning a straight boy gay.” Her eyes twinkled. “So would this be you indulging in that particular fantasy?”
Mark groaned. “Oh God, I don’t know! If you’d asked me that first Saturday, that would have been easy—yes! But since then…” He broke off and stared down at the golden sand. “I can’t get him out of my mind, Sonia. I know it can’t go anywhere, but that doesn’t seem to matter to my brain. Apparently, I have a crush on a straight guy.” Except he knew, even as he said the words, that a crush didn’t come close to how he was feeling.
Unfortunately for him, Sonia’s intuition was in fine working order. Her eyes rounded.
“Oh my God.” Mark stiffened beside her, awaiting her next words. “Wow, Mark… when you fall, you fall fast, don’t you, sweetie?”
“I wouldn’t know,” he murmured, shifting his gaze to the sand. “I’ve never fallen for anyone before.” He heard the hitch in Sonia’s breathing. He kept his eyes lowered, unable to look at her face. He felt her hand against his. “Am I that pathetic? All it takes it for some guy to pay me some attention, and I fall head over heels for him?” He scowled.
“Oh, Mark.” The warm tone of her voice was comforting. At last, he raised his eyes to look at her. Sonia gave a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, sweetie. It must be awful, knowing nothing can come of it.”
Mark shrugged. “I’ll live.” It didn’t stop his chest from tightening every time he thought of Sam. He mentally shookhimself. “I just need to get my arse over to the mainland and get laid, that’s all.” He plastered a bright false smile onto his face.
Sonia regarded him closely. “Sure.”
She sounds as convinced as I feel.
Mark couldn’t blame her. As performances went, it had been pitiful. She glanced at her watch.
Mark swung his legs around, grabbed his shoes, and slipped his feet into them. He got down off the wall and extended a hand toward her.
“Come on. It’s time you went home to the husband. You’re going out tonight. You need time to get yourself even more beautiful than you are normally.” He attempted a grin.
