Page 16 of The Mission

“Yes, thanks.”

“I have to wait for my brothers. Come at seven tonight. Okay?”

Conrad nodded. They stepped forward at the same time and kissed. And kissed. Conrad didn’t want to stop. It had been a long time since he’d kissed anyone so much and never like this.

Arlo pulled back, gasping. “Oh shit. We’re going to get arrested. No more locking lips in public.” He dropped his voice. “Because it’s made me want to rip off all your clothes and fuck you in the snow.”

“Are you okay with me fuckingyouin the snow as well?” Conrad mentally crossed his fingers.

“Your new name is Mr Perfect.”

Oh God.Thank fuck his ski jacket and trousers hid what was happening below his waist.

“Too much. Sorry. I get over-enthusiastic,” Arlo said.

Just like a certain part of Conrad’s anatomy. “You’re fun. I like that.”

“Good. Bring your swimming trunks. We have a plunge pool.”

Conrad shuddered. “Aren’t they cold? I’m not sure that sounds very enticing.”

Arlo shrugged. “Well, we have a hot tub and sauna too, but the plunge pool is a rite of passage.”

To what?

“See you later.”

Conrad watched Arlo make his way to one of the cafés before he turned to head for the bus stop. If he’d not been wearing such heavy ski boots, he’d have had a spring in his step, so he made do with the spring in his heart.

That little doubting voice in his head kept trying to tell him that this was just a holiday romance, that there was no future in it, but Conrad shushed it. They had a week to find out if it was going to be more. Though Conrad already knew what he wanted. Time to see if he really was a changed man.

Arlo sighed as he saw his brothers heading towards him. The expression on their faces said he was in for a grilling.

“Can he ski?” Dieter asked.

“Yes.”

“Do you still like him?” Rurik asked.

“Yes.”

“Did you ask him for dinner?” Julian’s turn.

“He said yes.”

“Does he know the extent to which you stalked him?” Benedikt grinned.

Fuck off.“Not yet. He plays the cello.”

His brothers all stared at him.

“That’s interesting,” Rurik said.

“We need a drink before we go back.” Julian led the way to their favourite bar.

“Tell us everything,” Dieter said.

“Fuck off.”

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