Page 29 of Waiting for a Prince (Island Tales #1)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Rebecca stood with her back to them, immaculately dressed in a linen jacket and pants. Even from the rear, her body language was plain: She was clearly not in a good mood.

Mark glanced around the salon. There were only a few ladies being seen to. He puffed out a sigh of relief. This was not going to be pretty, and the fewer observers, the better.

He walked slowly toward her, Sam behind him. As they drew nearer, Rebecca whirled around, her eyes gleaming when she caught sight of Mark. When Sam stepped into view, she gave him an intense, fevered stare.

“I might have known you’d be here,” she spat out.

Sam opened his mouth to speak but Mark laid a warning hand on his arm. He could already see the expression on Marie’s face from the doorway of the kitchen. She stared at Rebecca in astonishment.

“How can I help you, Rebecca?” Mark struggled to keep his tone polite, although his hands itched to slap her when he thought about how she’d treated his Sam. It was on the tip of his tongue to address her as Becky, only because he knew it would piss her off.

Don’t. She looks as if she’s about to explode any second now.

Rebecca walked slowly across to Mark, until she was standing so close to him that he let out an involuntary shiver. She leaned closer, her breath puffing into his face. “I’ve come to warn you to stay away from Sam.” Her eyes were cold. “You leave him alone, or else.”

Mark held himself straight and looked her in the eye. “Or else what? Is that a threat?” He kept his voice low. In his peripheral vision he saw Marie moving toward them. Every eye in the place was focused on them.

“I could make life very difficult for you here,” Rebecca said through gritted teeth. “You might think differently about being with Sam if you lost your job because of him.” Her eyes glittered. “I could make that happen, y’know. I know people on this island.”

Mark wanted to laugh at this deluded woman who clearly believed she wielded that much power. Before he could say another word, Sam stepped in.

“Rebecca, you need to leave now.” He spoke quietly, but Mark picked up on the slight tremor in his voice. “I’ve already told you—we’re through.” The decisive edge to Sam’s voice made Mark’s chest swell with pride. This was not the same Sam who had sat in the salon all those weeks ago.

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed. “I will talk with you later.”

Sam met her gaze head on. “We have nothing to talk about. I made my feelings clear on Saturday night and nothing has changed.”

She removed her phone from her pocket. “Think again. Because you know who I’m about to call.”

He gave her a sad smile. “I spoke with Dad this morning. Your bargaining chip is useless.” Then his face hardened.

“I’ll be sure to give my regards to Jack when I call him later today.

I’m sure he’s going to be very interested in what I have to tell him about his daughter.

I’ll have something to show him, too. The photos we took on Saturday of my face should prove useful when I visit the police station, too. ”

Rebecca blanched.

Inside Mark was singing. Oh, you beautiful man …

She swallowed. “Sam, you wouldn’t….” Her words trailed off. She gazed beseechingly at him, all trace of anger melted away.

Mark glanced across at Marie, who inclined her head toward Sam and Rebecca.

“Sort this out, please.”

Her expression told him there was a conversation coming.

To Mark’s surprise, Sam took hold of Rebecca’s arm and led her away from Mark toward the door of the salon. Marie’s face cleared. She was obviously relieved to see the back of Rebecca.

Mark could understand that. He never wanted to lay eyes on Rebecca again for as long as he lived. He followed the pair to the door.

No way am I letting Sam go through this alone.

Rebecca tried to break free of Sam’s grasp, but he held her arm firmly.

Way to go, Sam .

This was not the same man who’d sat on that red leather couch two months ago.

This Sam was free.

Sam reached around Rebecca to open the door. He let go of her arm and gestured to the street. “Goodbye. I don’t expect to see you again, but it’s a small island. You never know.”

Rebecca stumbled into the street, her face white. “Are you really going to talk to Daddy?” Her panicked tone was lightyears away from how she’d spoken a moment ago.

Sam had never seen her so rattled.

He was conscious of Mark standing behind him, but he focused his attention on Rebecca. He nodded.

“I’m sorry, but I have to. You need help.” When her eyes widened, he gestured toward his face. “Doesn’t this tell you something?” Her gaze dropped and she flushed. “You know I’m right.”

She mumbled under her breath, unable to look him in the eye.

Sam wasn’t about to let her go with an acknowledgment. “You do know, don’t you?”

Rebecca pulled her linen jacket tightly around her body.

He sighed. Stubborn to the last.

Sam gave her a final nod. “Goodbye, Rebecca.” Then he turned to go back into the salon. Mark stood aside for him, and once the door closed behind him, Sam’s shoulders sagged.

“It’s over.”

Mark regarded him with shining eyes. “I am so proud of you.”

Sam flushed and opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He pulled it from his jacket pocket and peered at the screen.

OMG.

He clicked on Answer, his hands shaking. “Mum?”

“Is it okay to talk? I’m not disturbing you, am I?”

Relief swamped him to hear her voice. “Not at all. I’m surprised to hear from you, though. It’s been a while.”

Too long, in fact, but whenever he called to speak to her, his dad answered.

“I should have called before now.” There was a pause. “I heard what your dad said to you this morning.”

His stomach clenched. “I don’t really want to be reminded of it, to be honest.”

Another pause. “So what you told him was true? You’re gay?”

“Yes, Mum.”

“But what about Rebecca? How can you have a girlfriend if you’re gay?”

He took a moment before answering. “It’s a long story, and I’m not going to get into it now, but… she was never really my girlfriend.”

He caught her huff. “Good. Because I never liked her, no matter how suitable your dad said she was.”

Sam had to stifle his gasp. “Mum?”

“Well, if you’re not going out with her, I can say what I like, can’t I? Is this going to make things awkward between your dad and Jack? Those two can be thick as thieves.”

“Not once I’ve spoken with Jack.” A conversation Sam wasn’t looking forward to.

Mum sighed. “Okay. Here’s what you need to know. Your dad is who he is, and I think we both know he isn’t going to change—unless he has some kind of Biblical moment, and I don’t think that’s likely, do you? But whatever he says, however he rants… it won’t change the way I feel. I love you, Sam.”

“I love you too,” Sam croaked. “Mum? There’s someone I want you to meet. His name’s Mark—and he is my boyfriend.”

Mum caught her breath. “Oh, that’s great. I’d love to meet him. Actually, I’d love to visit.”

“Whoa, slow down.” Sam laughed. “Sure, we’ll work something out. Mum… thanks. I really needed to hear this. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

“Yes, sweetheart.” They said goodbye, and Sam ended the call. He turned to face Mark, beaming. “That was amazing.” He relayed Mum’s words, and Mark let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Oh, that’s great. At least you’re not cut off from your family entirely. Does she think your dad will come around?”

Sam shrugged. “To be honest, I’d be surprised if he did.

He’s not one to change his mind once he’d made it up.

Knowing that Mum’s in my corner makes it more bearable, though.

” He stepped closer to Mark. “But having you by my side?” Sam reached out his hand and cupped Mark’s cheek tenderly, and Mark leaned into his touch. “That makes my life perfect.”

Before Mark could say a word, Sam drew Mark to him and kissed him.

Mark closed his eyes and melted into the kiss, dimly aware of noises from the people around, soft gasps and murmurs of surprise.

He couldn’t have cared less. Sam was kissing him, not holding back as he deepened the kiss, and the rest of the world simply faded into the background.

Until he heard Sonia’s heartfelt exclamation. “Oh my God, that’s so beautiful .”

Mark let out a low murmur as Sam pulled away, a sheepish grin on his face. “I think we’re creating a scene,” Sam whispered, “so maybe it’s time I got out of here.”

Mark felt a stab of disappointment. “Do you have to go?” The last thing he wanted to do right now was work. Even as he said the words, however, he knew he was being unreasonable.

Sam chuckled. “Er… yes? I have to start looking for a new job, for one thing. And then start looking for a new place for us.” He leaned in and kissed Mark once more, his lips warm and soft. “I have a favour to ask.”

“Name it.” Mark was in such a good mood, he’d agree to anything right now.

“Would it be all right if I moved in with you ’til then? I don’t want to waste another second being apart from you.” Those breathtaking eyes pleaded with him.

Mark beamed. “Oh God, yes.” The thought of Sam moving in filled him with elation.

And then he had an idea.

He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out his keyring. He fiddled with the ring for a moment as he worked two door keys off it. Mark opened Sam’s palm and pressed the keys into it. “Key to the main door. Key to my flat. There’s a spare set at home.”

There was no mistaking the look of joy on Sam’s face.

His hand tightened around the keys. “Thank you.” He leaned in and kissed Mark lightly on the lips.

“In which case, I’ll be waiting for you when you get home.

” He smiled. “So hurry home to me, okay? I’ll have dinner waiting.

” He leaned closer to whisper in Mark’s ear.

“And after dinner, I have something special planned.”

Mark’s pulse raced as he considered what that might be. Sam’s gaze was smoking hot, leaving him in no doubt that whatever he had in mind, Mark was going to enjoy every minute of it. Sam’s eyes glittered and Mark’s cock hardened.

Oh God . Sam had the power to make Mark weak at the knees.

And with that, Sam turned to the customers who were watching and gave them a cheery wave.

“Bye, ladies.” He grinned as he stepped out into the street, waving through the window at Mark as he set off down the street.

Mark watched him until he was no longer in sight, feeling so light, he could have floated across the salon.

Oh hell.

He suddenly remembered where he was.

Mark glanced around at the faces that regarded him, all of them smiling, even Marie. Sonia was beaming at him, her eyes sparkling. She winked at the staff.

“Looks like our Mark finally found his Prince Charming after all.” Snickers and chuckles greeted her words.

Mark reddened and then gruffly cleared his throat. “Okay, time I did some work, I think.” He glanced up at the clock. Five hours to go until he could go home—to Sam’s arms.