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

We feast on pheasant, quail’s eggs, camembert, olives, fresh bread, grapes and apples. There’s champagne and a little pate de foie gras. When I’ve finished I feel bloated. Brenton sits up against a tree and I rest my head in his lap. We’re both still naked and I can feel sleep is not far away.


“Have you ever been in love?” he asks.


I’m surprised by such a question appearing from out of the blue.


He doesn’t answer immediately, but I’m so sleepy I don’t care whether he answers or not.


“I’ve never had a relationship with another man.”


“That’s not the question,” I say and adjust my position as my arm, trapped between the ground and my body, is getting sore.


“I’d say I’ve been in love, but love can mean many things. And you. Tell me about the men you’ve been in love with.”


Chapter 21