Laurence and Eduardo have been lovers for ten wonderful years, but in the past few months Eduardo has become distant. Still madly in love with his Brazilian hunk, Laurence tries everything he can think of to win Eduardo back. When he catches Eduardo being unfaithful with one of the young servants, Laurence’s world is turned upside down. An argument ensues and Eduardo disappears during the night.<br><br>On his own for the first time in his life, Laurence decides to escape his memories of Eduardo by visiting Paris indefinitely. He stays at the new, opulent Hotel Regina where he meets Brenton, a fellow Brit. They visit the Moulin Rouge and afterwards, Brenton takes him to a club in the backstreets of Montmatre. Le Cul Noir is a men’s club where Laurence discovers he hasn’t been as outrageous as he previously thought.<br><br>He grows to care for Brenton, but he’s surprised to find himself thinking more and more about Eduardo. He knows he can’t have them both, but does he try to forget all about the love of his life and stay in Paris? Or does he have to find the courage to say goodbye to Brenton and go in search of Eduardo -- a man who may be lost to him forever?

Erotique

“Please, darling. Don’t be so angry.”


I’m still shaking my head. He takes another step towards me. I take a step back. I can’t understand why I’m at a loss for words when there’s so much I want to say to him. I love him, despite his infidelity, but he’s hurt me more than any other person ever has or could ever hope to. I want to kill him. He may not want me anymore, but I sure as hell don’t want anyone else to have him!


“How could you do such a thing to me?” I ask, finally.


My question isn’t very original and I’m not sure I even want to hear the answer.


He drops his hand. And his pathetic excuse for a smile.


“Do you want me to leave, too?” he asks.


Finally the tears spill over again. I’m ashamed and infuriated he gets to see the results of his betrayal. I walk up to him, my hands balled into fists. I punch him squarely in the jaw, knocking him back against the tractor, and walk away.


“Do what you want,” I say as I leave the barn.


Chapter 9