Becomes the Rose Read Free Page A

surprised at just how pleased Eric was to be told so.
    “I’m the newest to the household,” he confessed, grinning widely at Tarin. “I didn’t get much of an opportunity to prove my worth before—” He stopped, his hand going to his mouth.
    “Before? Before what?” Tarin asked.
    “Before meeting Boyce.”
    The deep baritone with its hint of Irish brogue had Tarin turn to the doorway to see the man he had last seen stark naked. He could not stop the blush and simply hoped it would go unnoticed.
    “This is Flynn,” Eric said. “He’s my… er… we’re…”
    “I can see.” Tarin smiled, taking pity on the clearly discomforted brunet. The gaze of the two men told its own story with more eloquence than any number of words.
    “Eric can show you around a little, Tarin,” Flynn said. “If he promises not to talk you to death,” he added, giving a knowing look at the smaller man. “Martha asked that you have lunch and dinner at her house. She and her husband would love to chat with you. Boyce asked if you would be free to spend time with him after your meals and spend the night here. We’ll make sure you’re away in the morning. Boyce has said you can use his car to get away. I’m… fixing… it at the moment so it’s not driveable today.”
    Although Tarin was happy enough to comply, he could not help but feel that something was not quite right. However, there was nothing he could put his finger on. He idly wondered if perhaps he could learn something from Eric if he was away from the watchful Flynn.
    “That sounds great,” he said with enthusiasm. “I’ll go clean my teeth and be back in a minute.”
     
     
    Watching until he had gone, Eric worried at his lower lip with his teeth and then turned to his lover.
    “I’m sorry, Flynn. I got carried away. He’s so easy to talk to, and it’s been so long.” Lips pressing against his stemmed the rest of his apologies and he eagerly opened his mouth to accept the demanding tongue of the bigger man. As they broke apart, his chin was cupped tenderly in Flynn’s large hand.
    “I understand, Eric. Just be careful what you say. Take him to the stream and along the orchard. Get him back here within a couple of hours. I’m sure Boyce would spend a short time with him then and we can get him to Martha for the next session. Monique and Jorge will watch their house.”
    “He’s special to Boyce, isn’t he? Like I was to you?” Eric asked.
    “Like you are and always will be to me. Never forget that, my love. Boyce will not go further with the boy. Not while we exist here like this.”
    “But, won’t he hurt?” Eric asked. His heartfelt sorrow for Boyce made it difficult for him to speak.
    “Yes, he will. But in his place, I hope I would have found the same strength to let you go.”
    “I wouldn’t let you,” Eric said vehemently, his arms snaking around Flynn to hold him with remarkable strength. “I love you.”
    “And I love you, imp. But I would never have let you know. Now remember, watch what you say and beware of Anton and his people. They will want Tarin and will not care who is in their way as the day progresses.”
    “I promise,” Eric said and pulled the bigger man down for a long kiss. “We’ll be careful.”
     
    * * * *
     
    They opted to go to the orchard first. Eric kept up a steady stream of small talk, asking questions and soaking up the answers as if he were a sponge. He laughingly scaled a tree and tossed down an apple for Tarin, scrunching his nose up at the suggestion he should have one.
    “No thanks,” he said. “Can’t stand the things.”
    “It’s a very dull and dreary day,” Tarin observed. The day was dark as if there would be a storm.
    “It always is,” Eric said. “At this time of year,” he added at Tarin’s questioning look. “You get used to it.”
    “Have you and Flynn been a couple long?” Tarin asked as he finished off the apple.
    “A while.” Eric smiled dreamily. “I love him so