Page 91 of He's the One

“You’re very tempting.”

“But James isn’t?”

“No.”

“James’s partner died thirty years ago, just before he came to work at Asquith. As far as I know, he’s never been with anyone since. I think he’s made this garden his world. I wish he had someone in his life but he says he’s content. I keep telling him that content’s not as good as happy.”

“You’re right.”

Chapter Fifteen

Col couldn’t help but be impressed by the gardens. Cascades of azaleas and rhododendrons, mini boxwood mazes, unexpected water features, alpine plants… There were surprises around hidden corners, stone archways, tunnels of vines and everywhere leaves were on the turn, autumn colours on the way to their final moments of beauty. Col loved the kaleidoscope of greens and fiery reds amid endless shades of burnt orange, brown and rust. This period when leaves changed never lasted long enough.

“I know you’ve already seen this…” Theo grabbed his hand and pulled him inside the fossil grotto. “But probably not experienced the biggest attraction it offers.”

After giving Col a smile full of hope and excitement, Theo kissed him.

Col’s heart lurched and blood pooled in his dick. Theo clutched him, gripping Col tightly as if worried he was going to pull away. Even if Colhadwanted to, he couldn’t. Kissing Theo was addictive and Col had started to fall from the moment he’d locked eyes with him. Whether he landed safely or kept falling was entirely up to the man in his arms.

Their hard, deep kisses shifted to slow and gentle, segueing back to an almost wild fierceness, time after time. They threaded their fingers in each other’s hair and kissed and kissed and kissed. When they broke apart to catch some air, Col put his hands on Theo’s shoulders and held him back while he still could. They were both hard and this was dangerous. Theo’s beautiful blue eyes were glazed with lust.You are too tempting.

The moment they heard voices, they jerked back to reality.

“And this is historic graffiti,” Theo said loudly. “Look at the— Oh, hello.” Theo smiled at the elderly couple who’d appeared in the entrance to the grotto. “We’ll get out of your way.”

Col followed Theo into the woods. “Hey, I want to see the graffiti.”

Theo laughed. “Later. They’ll be too busy getting up to mischief.”

They’d not walked far before Theo pulled him to a halt. “Look who’s come to say hello.”

The fox was standing by a tree. Theo took a biscuit from his pocket and gave it to Col. “See if she’ll come to you.”

Col crouched down and held it out. Isla didn’t move.

“Come on, Isla,” Theo whispered and crouched at his side.

Col handed the dog biscuit to Theo and the fox trotted towards them. Another fox, a smaller one, came out from behind the tree.

“Her daughter,” Theo whispered.

Isla took the biscuit from Theo and ran off. Col stood up.

“She doesn’t trust me,” Col said.

“Not yet. But she will.”

Theo took his hand and they continued walking.

“Is this another garden?” Col nodded towards a wall of ivy.

“Yes. The hidden garden. The folly is on the far wall. You can just see the conical roof.”

“Where’s the way in?”

“I don’t remember. Somewhere on this side, though.”

Col tugged at a strand of ivy, peeling it away from the stone and Theo caught his hand. “It won’t be a hidden garden if you reveal the way in.”

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