Page 35 of Daddy's Pride
I slip my hand up the leg of his jeans and stroke his shin. “I enjoy reading. We used to play football on base.”
“I love football.”
“Playing or watching?”
“Both. I used to be on the school team. And who doesn’t love watching fit men running around a field for ninety minutes?”
I shrug. “I prefer watching rugby.”
Harris hums. “Well, yes. There’s lots more hugging in rugby.”
“Don’t you mean tackling?”
“That’s what I said.” He grins.
“I enjoy jogging.”
Harris mock-gasps. “Me too. We should go jogging together tomorrow. While I’m waiting for a tow truck to arrive.” The enthusiasm in his voice fades during the second statement.
“I’d like that.”
The light returns to Harris’s pretty blue eyes. He empties his glass and stares into it. “Do you have more wine?”
“Yes.”
I stand, lean down to kiss him, take the empty bottle into the kitchen, and collect a full one. I pour each of us a glass and settle on the sofa again. Harris moves so he’s lying between my splayed legs, with his back resting against my chest. He strokes my thigh as he sips the wine. I loop my arm around him and tickle my fingers over his forearm.
“What are your plans for your week in Scarborough?” I ask.
“I didn’t really have any. I needed to get away, and Scarborough was the first place I thought of. We had a few holidays there when I was a kid. We spent most of our time on the beach, building sandcastles and splashing in the water. I’m probably a bit old for that now, and it’s too cold.”
“So your main priority this week is rest and relaxation?” Why am I asking him that?
“Yes.”
“Harris—”
“Hmm?”
“That will be nice for you.” I drink more wine.
“That’s the hope. I’ll jog. Probably not every day, despite my best intentions. Read. I’ll go to the castle. If I want to run the risk of getting lost again, I might drive up the coast to Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby or down to Filey.”
I kiss his temple. “Sounds like you’ll have a lovely week.”
“Yeah.”
I sip more wine.
“And you’ll be decorating, I expect?”
“Yes.” It doesn’t feel appealing.
“And ticking things off the to-do list we created, I hope?”
I chuckle. “Yes, boy.”
“Good.” He snuggles against my chest and drinks his wine.