Page 27 of Hold On

Maybe he’d find out what was under Dominic’s skin, what made him so…untouchable, remote and therefore, apparently, irresistible to idiots.

Dominic didn’t speak as they walked back and Ren had a change of heart. Why was he bothering when the guy showed no interest in him? The chase was only fun if the prey actually wanted to get caught. “I don’t have to come if you don’t want me to.”

Dominic shot him a look. “It’s fine.”

“You think you could sound a little more enthusiastic?”

There was such a long pause, Ren wondered if Dominic was going to say anything. If he didn’t, Ren was turning round.

“I’d like it if you came for dinner.”

And even though Dominic hadn’t looked at him as he’d said that, Ren’s stupid dick thickened.

“Thank you for that overwhelming show of enthusiasm.”

Dominic gave a short laugh.

Ren tried to think of a topic of conversation that wasn’t going to trigger anything. “You said your brother wanted you to go into business with him… Are you going to?”

“Not sure yet. I have a chance to do something different with my life and I don’t want to rush the decision and end up disappointing him.”

“So we have something else in common. Two things. I’m counting.”

That won him a brief smile.

Dominic unlocked the door in the stable block and gestured for Ren to go in.

“Last chance to tell me to fuck off,” Ren said.

“Last chance to change your mind.”

“Why? What are the three of you going to do to me?”

Dominic opened the door and Ren headed up the stairs.

“Hi!” Theo smiled broadly when he saw him.

Col, who was cooking, looked first to Dominic, as if checking he was okay, before he turned to Ren and said, “Hi.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Ren said. “Sorry I’ve not come with a bottle.”

“No problem,” Theo said. “Hope you’re okay with chicken.”

“Yes, thank you.” Ren looked around the room. “This is great.” It was. White walls, exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling. The kitchen looked new, dark blue units and a marbled white worktop.

“Col did most of the work,” Theo said. “I moaned and painted.”

“Painted and moaned,” Col corrected.

“You did a lot of moaning too.”

“Because you got paint everywhere. Including all over yourself.”

“It’s a gift.”

“More like a ploy so I didn’t ask you to do it again.”

“Yet you did.”

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