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Marc rested his palm there—he could probably hear it from where his cheek lay on the other side of Royce’s chest. His fingers brushed over the hair around Royce’s nipple. Yet, he didn’t look away. So serious. His expression was just so serious.
Royce had never felt this connected to anyone. Not even Michael. That revelation felt so utterly profound, it froze the breath in his lungs.
This beautiful man was going to break what was left of his shattered heart.“Every time I come here, I think of staying permanently,” Marc said as he steered the rented Porsche 911 S Coupe north. Damn, he’d missed driving one of these. His still wasn’t out of the shop. Focusing on the scenery, he took in the budding cherry blossoms and the hints of colors in the fields as flowers began to poke their heads into the sun. The US shared a spring with Italy, so this was a gorgeous time for them to be visiting. Even if their reasons were anything but gorgeous. “Too bad it isn’t next month because that’s when the flowers really show off. It’s incredible. Or June, when the sunflower fields are this sea of yellow, orange, and green. I love it here. Think about finding an old place and fixing it up.”
“Like that Diane Lane movie?”
Marc grinned because it was one of his favorites. “You watched that? Don’t tell me—big, macho bodyguard and romantic movies are your secret jam?”
“Not so big.”
“Trust me, Royce, your presence is large.” He glanced at Royce in the passenger seat, biting back another grin when he saw him rubbing his hands over the leather seat. “So, do you watch romances, Royce?”
“Maybe.” Royce drew the word out, then shrugged. “I used to watch them with Michael. Some were good. I liked the one with Diane Lane coming here.” He ran his hand over the dashboard. “I think I want to fuck this car.”
That low, rumbling groan of a sentence got to Marc even more than the words. “Maybe later, we can find some private spot and fuck in the car.”
Royce looked around, then lifted his eyebrow at Marc. “It would be a tight fit in here. Especially with your legs.”
“You’d be surprised at how small a space I can fit in if the payoff is right.”
Royce made a noise in his throat that sent Marc’s blood to his dick. He would sure as hell find a country backroad somewhere while they had this car, and he’d climb onto Royce’s lap and give him a memory of Tuscany he’d never forget.
One of many, hopefully.
It was better to focus on that than on the other thing he had planned. Before he could break out into a cold sweat, he forced himself to keep the conversation going. He’d been picking up on odd moments from Royce. Fleeting, but difficult to see. Things he would have missed if he hadn’t been staring at him every chance he got. Their conversation had pulled painful memories to the surface. He desperately wanted to give Royce some better ones.
“Wait until you see the bed and breakfast we’re staying in. I adore it. The couple who runs it came into my gallery while on vacation in London. They bought one of my favorite pieces and invited me to come out and see their place. I took them up on that offer and fell in love. It’s this two-story, renovated farmhouse, and they grow their own vegetables and have their own olive orchard. They’re Americans who also had that dream of moving here and starting over.” He pulled off the main road, knowing he was being unusually chatty and unable to shut up. “I’ve been here in November twice now to help with the olive harvest. It’s so fun, and there are two other couples who vacation at that time of year to help as well. I’ve become friends with them all. It’s almost like a family gathering.”
“That sounds nice, Marc.”
He glanced over to find Royce frowning at the scenery. The man wore a scowl like armor. And he was devastatingly sexy in it. “It is. I stay here whenever I come to Italy. It’s a bit of a drive from the airport but worth it. You’ll see.”
“I already do.” He put his hand on Marc’s thigh. “It’s beautiful here. I can see why you think of being here permanently.”
“I’ve been thinking about it more lately.” He shot Royce a glance. “With what’s going on with my family.” He tapped his fingers on the wheel, then ran his palms over the supple leather, loving the way it felt under his hands. “But I love my family, Royce. It’s killing me that one of them may be doing this. When you told me what Quinn found out about them, it’s had me watching everything they do. I hadn’t known about Lilah’s money problems. I figured Gabriel is good at investing. Plus, he makes an excellent salary, so expensive vacations aren’t that suspicious. Oh, and he’s always had a sixth sense when it comes to making money from money. Richard, too. If this is about money, it makes little sense.”
