Page 36 of Hold On

“So much quicker with sand,” Col said.

“Unless you have Theo helping,” Ren added.

“Hey, I heard that,” Theo shouted out as he took his phone back to the cart. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed that no one has complimented my lion cub.”

No one spoke and Theo growled.

“I want to make a lion out of stone now,” Col said.

Theo came running back down the sand only to trip and land on top of Dominic and Ren’s sculptures.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry,” Theo said.

“Was it good for you?” Ren asked.

Theo grinned and began to writhe. “Oh…ooohhh…oohhhhhhh.”

Col hauled him up. “Well, at least no one’s going to freak out anymore, Destroyer of Dicks.” He put Theo over his shoulder and set off for the water.

Dominic and Ren joined them. The four of them kicked around in the surf and Dominic dared to feel that his happiness might last.

Chapter Six

The day had gone so much better than Ren could have hoped for. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been out with friends and done stupid things. Though these three weren’t really his friends and what they’d done today wasn’t stupid. Swimming with Dominic had been fun. Messing around in the sea had been fun too and Ren would have used a surfboard if he’d been fit enough. But even swimming that short distance had tired him out, and he’d taken a risk body surfing in, though he’d been unable to resist.

He’d enjoyed playing in the sand, and the picnic had been delicious. Theo had kept taking more and more out of the cool box: homemade sausage rolls, beef, cheese and smoked salmon sandwiches, sweet cherry tomatoes, crisps, grapes, strawberries and brownies along with cans of flavoured sparkling water. When he’d handed out linen napkins everyone had laughed at him, but actually, they’d stopped the sand getting everywhere.

But best of all, Dominic had warmed up, chilled out or whatever magic had happened. He was smiling, laughing and talking more. Not about anything significant, but Ren liked his droll sense of humour, and that the guy could laugh at himself was a huge plus. Ren had missed being with men who could do that. He’d spent too long with guys who were more likely to take offense at a joke than laugh. Levan’s idea of fun had been a long way from Ren’s. Ren didn’t find pain, his or anyone else’s, amusing.

Maybe his interest in Dominic showed he was getting better.

On the journey back to Asquith, Ren’s thigh lay against Dominic’s and stayed like that for the entire journey. Ren’s cock wasn’t behaving itself, but it was hidden by the towel he’d pulled onto his lap. Theo was chattering away about the new things he wanted to add to Asquith’s Autumn Show. Col and sometimes Dominic had chimed in, but Ren was wondering about the best way to handle Dominic, how to push things forward.

The guy reminded him of a skittish horse from his childhood. Will had assured him that Jamie was an easy ride, that he’d never misbehaved or thrown him when he’d had a lesson at the stables, but Jamie had bucked Ren off before he’d even made a circuit of the paddock. Will thought it was hilarious, but had been told off by their mother and the riding instructor.

Ren needed to be careful handling this particular animal. Obviously, Dominic was hiding something, just as he was. Ren didn’t need to know all his secrets, only those that stood between the two of them getting together. Dominic was a quiet, reserved guy and Ren wondered if he was the same in bed. He hoped not. But he intended to find out.

Why?Screamed the voice in his head.You’ll only freak out.

Maybe I won’t!

When they were back at Asquith, Ren helped unpack everything. He even offered to hoover out Theo’s car because it was full of sand, an offer that was so out of character that he’d shocked himself. As he vacuumed, thinking how to ask Dominic if he could see him later, apart from the obvious—Can I see you later?—Dominic had come up to him and said quietly, “When you’ve done, can I walk you back?”

“Sure.”

There was something in Dominic’s tone that put Ren on edge, made him nervous about what was to come. He suspected he was being dumped without them having done more than a bit of hand-holding and thigh-touching, and he was relieved, irked and amused—all at the same time.

Eventually, everything was clean and tidy and there was no reason to hang around until Theo said, “Like a shower?”

“I’d love one,” Ren said quickly.

“What are the mobile showers like down there?” Theo asked.

“Okay, but not as nice as a proper bathroom.”

And nowhere near as nice as the bathroom he was shown to. Ren luxuriated in the rainfall showerhead, the hot water soothing his aching muscles. He’d overdone it today. He missed being fit, but he had to take it steady to regain what he’d lost. He changed into the jeans, T-shirt and trainers he’d had in his backpack, and wiped down the shower with the towel he’d brought with him. When he emerged, Dominic was waiting in the living room. There was no sign of Col or Theo.

Ren headed down the stairs with Dominic on his heels. He picked up the buckets and tools, then headed back towards the dig.

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