Page 68 of Tough Call

“I still can’t believe how late people eat dinner here.” Connor sat back in his chair, wineglass in hand, and gazed out at the view from the rooftop restaurant. “But considering the sun just went down… I think I get it.”

I nodded and sipped my own wine. “It was hard to get used to the first few times I came here, but yeah, with the heat, it makes a lot of sense.”

Though it was after nine-thirty, the daylight was still fading and taking the day’s heat with it. There were lights strung up around the dining area, which kept everything lit enough to read menus and see each other but didn’t drown out the scenery around us. I’d done some patio dining where the lighting left something to be desire—including a couple where I’d had to use my phone’s flashlight to read the menu—but this was perfect.

A few streets over, the cathedral towered above other buildings, the belltower illuminated by warm floodlights that seemed to make it glow gold. Below us, there was chatter and activity as people filled restaurants and bars.

It was the perfect Andalusian night, as far as I was concerned, and the best part was the man sitting across from me.

Like me, he’d opted for a collared shirt and shorts, toeing that line between not-too-casual and not-too-hot. Some of the locals wore long trousers, but the heat was still just a bit too much for that. The restaurant was casual enough, no one seemed to mind, even if it did make us look like tourists.

Connor’s red hair was still faintly damp. We’d spent part of the afternoon in the pool, and of course we’d showered afterward, which had ended predictably. What could I say? As soon as he was naked in my presence, I wanted him, and from the way he’d kissed me and touched me, that feeling was very mutual.

Now, in the warm light of the overhead lanterns with a glass of white wine in his hand as he gazed out into the evening, he had the look of a man who was thoroughly satisfied and happy. Exactly the way I wanted him.

Fuck me, he was so damn pretty. The cute kid was a distant memory, and he’d grown into this gorgeous man who could drive me wild in bed or make my knees weak with a smile.

And you’re all mine for the next few weeks? How did I get so lucky?

Unaware of me losing my stupid mind over him, Connor looked at something in the distance. “Are those…?” He squinted. “Are those bats coming out of the cathedral?”

I turned, and though we were a couple of blocks away from the cathedral, I could see what he meant—bats were emerging from the belltower and swarming around it like moths around a flame.

Connor laughed softly. “Guess that’s where the expression ‘bats in the belfry’ comes from.”

“Guess so.” I faced him again and picked up my wine. “I’ve been here a million times, but I’ve never seen them.”

“Really?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t look, apparently.”

“Eh, I guess that happens. I knew someone who went to Los Angeles like six times—including going to Hollywood multiple times—before they ever saw the Hollywood sign.”

“They did?”

Chuckling, he nodded. “I’m like… dude, just… look up? It’s right there.”

“I’ve heard that. Isn’t it pretty big?”

“I mean, it’s not, but it’s up on the side of a hill. All you have to do is, you know…” He made an exaggerated gesture of lifting his chin. “Look. Up.”

I laughed. “I could see myself missing that. Especially if I’m trying to drive or figure out where the hell I’m going.”

“Okay, yeah, I could see that. And the few times I’ve driven in L.A….” He grimaced. “I’m not looking at anything but the road and the other cars.

“That bad?”

“It’s… a lot. The freeways are scary as hell.”

“Yeah?”

“Mmhmm. Especially during rush hour. It’s bumper-to-bumper, but still going seventy.” Connor chafed his arms. “That shit is not for the faint of heart.”

“Doesn’t sound like it. I think I’d rather drive on the Autobahn. People drive way too fast out there, but if they tailgate, that’s a nasty, nasty ticket.”

“Good. It should be.” He studied me. “Have you driven on the Autobahn?”

I nodded. “Müller—you’ll meet him when we go to the rink—has family in Germany. I’ve gone with him a couple of times to visit them, and I always wanted to drive out there, so…” I half-shrugged.