“Yes.” Henry glanced around the busy reception area, at restaurants and cafes with every available seat taken, and shuddered. “You’re telling me people actually come back for more?”
“It’s only like this on changeover days. On a Monday and Friday, everyone gets kicked out of their villas by ten, and you have all the new people coming in, so it gets a bit busy.”
“A bit?”
“Well, all the Christmas decorations are up now, so that adds to it, I guess. But it’ll be a lot quieter from tomorrow.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Trust me. I come here a lot.”
Henry wanted to ask,why would you do that?but decided that would probably be rude. “Okay, I have just under six hours before I can get in my villa. What do you suggest I do until then, since you’re such an expert?” he asked instead and winced at his tone. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to sound like a twat.” He waved at the people around them. “I’m not keen on crowds.”
Dom shrugged. “Who is?” He went to put his hand on Henry’s arm, then looked up. “Can I?”
Henry nodded, a little amazed. The first time he’d met Kyle, he’d manhandled Henry up against the bar without even asking his name first.
With a gentle touch, Dom guided him over to a display board that housed a map of the park and photos of various activities. “On changeover days, the dome area gets really busy, especially when the weather is shit. So the pool is out, and so are the restaurants unless you’ve pre-booked. But the pool gets a lot emptier between three thirty and four thirty while all the newbies rush to get into their villas.”
“Good to know.” Henry would most likely be one of those newbies.
Dom pointed to the lake on the map. “You’ve got the sports area down there. The bar and café are probably just as busy as up here, but the sports facilities are usually okay if you want to book a badminton or tennis court.”
“It won’t be much fun playing with myself.” Henry laughed, then immediately flushed when he realised what he’d said.
Dom cocked an eyebrow. “I quite enjoy playing with myself. Although doing it with a partner is preferable, I agree.”
Henry stared at him, opening his mouth, then shutting it again before letting out words that had no business leaving his lips. “And, um... will your partner be joining you soon?”Omg Henry, you’ve only just met the man.
The sudden silence seemed to last an age as Dom studied his face, and Henry mentally crossed his fingers that his lame attempt at flirting hadn’t landed him in trouble.
Dom finally sighed as though deciding something and ran a hand through his hair. “My partner and I were supposed to be coming here together, but we’re no longer a couple, so I’m here on my own.”
It reminded Henry of his own situation and he bit his bottom lip, flirting forgotten. “Sorry. I know how shitty that feels. I was supposed to be going skiing with my boyfriend, but I found him fucking his neighbour, so here I am instead.” The shocked gasp from behind him had Henry clapping a hand over his mouth in horror. “I’m so sorry,” he said quickly to the woman and two small children walking past him. When he glanced back at Dom, he found him grinning back, eyes alight with laughter.
“Well, my story isn’t as colourful as yours. I’m still good friends with him. We just weren’t working anymore together.” Dom edged them further into the corner out of the way, but Henry was too busy trying not to get excited about the fact that Dom had saidhimto be offended.
Dom licked his lips, and Henry’s eyes took on a life of their own, watching the swipe of Dom’s pink tongue without his approval. He had full lips. Kissable lips.
Henry liked kissing.
Missed it since he’d broken up with Kyle.
“So I was thinking...” Dom said, snapping Henry’s gaze back to his. “I know we’ve only just met and everything, but I was about to see if they’ve got any slots free at the spa—it’s normally quite empty on changeover days—and I wondered if you fancied joining me?”
“Um...” Henry wasn’t often lost for words, but he’d come away to be on his own for a week. To collect his thoughts and concentrate on himself for once. Not jump on the first hot guy he met.Oh, who am I kidding? They’re El’s words, not mine.“Yeah, okay. Sounds great.” Not that Henry had ever been to a spa, but he figured they’d both be nearly naked, so how bad could it be?
Not to mention Dom’s answering smile sent a welcome little flutter through his stomach that he hadn’t felt in a while.
Ella had said to enjoy himself, after all.
With Dom doing the talking, they managed to book a slot from noon to three.
Luckily Henry had packed his towel and swimming shorts in his rucksack because he’d only remembered them at the last minute.
Once they’d paid, Henry shoved his hands in his pockets, not knowing what to do next. They had about another hour until their slot started, but he had no idea whether Dom wanted to go off and do something else on his own first.
“There’s a café down near the lake. We could walk down, get a coffee, and sit outside if you want. Since we’ve got an hour to kill.” He frowned and glanced outside where the sky had turned an ominous grey colour. “I know it’s a bit chilly—”
