For more than a decade, renowned chef Alain Tiessart has been married to his restaurant, driven to make it one of the finest in Paris. But time is slipping away. Lonely and ready for a change, he packs up his bags on one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year and drives into the French countryside.<br><br>Retired Brit Simon Hastings is prepared to spend Bastille Day as he always does -- quietly and alone. When his oldest friend arrives on his doorstep prepared to spend the next few days together, Simon is surprised but welcomes him in. He’s even more surprised when Alain suggests they move their relationship to a deeper one.<br><br>Unwilling to jeopardize their friendship, Simon turns him down, a decision Alain accepts gracefully. Until a friendly bet and an eager young man cast Alain in a new light. Now, Simon doesn’t know what he wants. Or who ...

Vintage

Small steps. Careful steps. That was what worked with Simon. Alain had known that from the start. If Simon was willing to take one of those in committing to long weekends, to sharing a bed when they were together, it was as much as he knew he could ask for.


Curling his fingers through Simon’s, Alain lifted his hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the palm. “I would only ask for one more thing.” He didn’t wait for Simon to press. “Exclusivity.”


“Exclusivity?” Simon waited a beat and then nodded. “Absolutely.”


Alain beamed. “You won’t regret it, chéri.” Now that he had Simon’s hand in his, he didn’t want to let go. He nibbled at the heel before using the hold to lean closer. “Though if you find the need to invite young Marc for a little diversion, I can’t say that I’d object.”


Chapter 22