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“You have?” He had expected he’d have been organising that.
“Yes, Ben put me on to it. It belongs to a friend of his and it’s secluded, beach-fronted and perfect for us to escape to. Since you’re from the area I thought it might be nice. I had thought of flying us out to my place in Malibu, but I’m not keen to be back in the US just yet.”
“You’ve a place in Malibu?” He knew movie stars were loaded but he hadn’t dwelt on Dorian’s finances beyond him paying his fee to be his fake boyfriend.
“Yeah, and one in Whistler. Shit. Would you have preferred to have gone to one of them? I should have asked you first.”
“Oh no, I’m more than happy staying in the UK, I was just surprised you organised something.”
Dorian smiled. “You’ve been doing everything, I thought it was the least I could do.”
“I thought me planning our dates was part of the agreement so you didn’t have to but it’s nice you have.”
“Want to see some pictures? Ben took Ashley for a break before Davy arrived.” Dorian handed him his phone.
“Are they going to be all of the bedrooms?” The cottage, which wasn’t a grand enough name for it, was a beautiful house with a path down to a private beach. The inside was just as wonderful and Alex thought it would be a romantic spot if they had been a real couple. “Oh, it’s nice.”
“I’m gonna hire a car, sporty convertible type, since I’ve not got around to buying something yet.”
They had discussed basing a date around being seen going to a Ferrari showroom but in the end Dorian had vetoed the idea as every car he’d ordered he’d never gone to a public viewing. Alex had been a tiny bit peeved as it would be the closest thing he’d have ever got to buying a fancy car.
“Can I drive it too?”
“I don’t see why not. I’ll need your details for the insurance. Any preference on the car itself, I’ve not booked it yet.”
“A red one?” He laughed. “Anything would be great. It’s not like I get the chance to drive anything sporty so I’d be happy whatever you choose.”
“I checked out the area and there’s a lot of walks and pubs and stuff like that. Seems really nice—I can see why you liked it.”
“It’s further down the coast from home, but it is a beautiful spot.”
Alex couldn’t help but look forward to it, but he’d need to rein in some of his excitement. This was not real. Dorian was not his, and he needed to be careful.
“And I was thinking dinner again this weekend, although for afterwards I’ve found a place with a rooftop bar.”
“Youhavebeen busy.”
“I thought I should make an effort. I’ve always relied a lot on other people to do this for me, and you’ve enough on your plate so I should do my part as well.” He drained his glass and stood. “I’d better go. I’ve stolen enough of your evening.”
“Not at all.”
Dorian headed for the door. “Thanks again, Alex. You’ve been such a great help.”
He saw Dorian out, and for a brief moment he wanted to stop his leaving, invite him to stay—perhaps forever—but the moment of madness was fleeting and he waved Dorian away. Closing the door, he told himself he was being an idiot. And he was going to use a large slice of cake to bury his feelings under it.
CHAPTER27
Ben found Ashley sitting on a sofa in one of the reception rooms. “Ah, there you are. Where’s the young master?”
“He’s off with Elena. She’s taken him for a stroll about the grounds and to be cooed over by her coven.”
“Bit harsh calling my mother a witch, Ashley.”
“Elena’s a darling, but some of her friends are paid-up members of the broomstick club.” Ashley yawned, then grabbed his mug. He grimaced after taking a sip. “Urgh, just once I’d like to enjoy a hot cup of coffee.”
With Davy being with his grandmother it was not lost on Ben that they could get some alone time, once he cleared the bachelor auction with Ashley, as he’d received two more emails from Mel. If he didn’t respond soon, he suspected she’d turn up at the hall. “I’ll go get you a fresh cup in a minute. I just need to run something past you first.”
Ashley looked up at him with suspicion, he was tired, the dark circles under his eyes more prominent than ever, and Ben thought maybe offering to run a bath for him might be a better option than a quick fuck.
