Free Close the Distance by T.A. Chase

waitress along with what they wanted to drink. Once she left, he went back to what they’d been talking about. “Was it difficult for them to adjust?”
    “Mama said learning English was the hardest for her and she doesn’t always get the words right. Or she’ll just speak in Romanian. We spoke a lot of it in our house.” Ion’s fond expression told Adrien he liked those memories.
    “That’s marvellous,” Adrien said. “I can speak Chinese and Japanese fluently, and make myself understood in a couple other languages, but it’s not something that was easy for me to learn. I kind of wish I’d learned it at a much younger age than I did.”
    “But being fluent in some foreign languages is always good for the CEO of an international company.”
    The waitress returned to decant the wine and while she did so, Adrien placed his hand on Ion’s thigh then slid it up to brush his pinkie against the zipper of Ion’s pants. Ion jerked, but didn’t look at him. Adrien tasted the wine before nodding and she poured out some for each of them. He turned his hand to press his palm to the growing bulge while taking another sip.
    Once she left, Ion turned to glare at him. “What are you doing?”
    “Just having a little fun,” he murmured as he leaned closer to place his lips a few inches from Ion’s ear. “I thought I’d keep the lust simmering, so we have something to look forward to when we get home.”
    “Just remember that simmering can turn to boiling. I might embarrass you by dropping to my knees and giving you a blow job under the table.”
    Just the thought of Ion on his knees in front of him made Adrien harder than he’d ever been. He inhaled sharply as he shifted in his chair. Ion’s grin held a bit of evil in it.
    “That wasn’t very nice.” Adrien pouted for a second, then he matched Ion’s grin with one of his own. “Maybe I’ll be the one to do it. I think I can fit under here.”
    Flexing his fingers, he felt Ion’s erection twitch slightly in his hand. Before Ion could say anything to that comment, a throat being cleared got them both to look up. Adrien stood, offering his hand to the older man standing next to the table.
    “Bill, nice to see you.”
    “And you as well, Adrien. How are your parents doing?” Bill shook Adrien’s hand then tilted his head to Ion.
    “They’re doing well. Father has been caught up in his racing team and Mother still enjoys her charities.” Adrien gestured towards Ion. “This is my boyfriend, Ion Vasile. Ion, this is Bill Pater, a dear friend of my parents.”
    Ion stood and Bill shook his hand as well. Adrien had never known Bill to care about Adrien’s sexual preference. He’d always treated him the same.
    “Wonderful to meet you, Ion. I’ll let you two get back to your meal. I just wanted to say hello, and please let your parents know I asked after them.”
    “I will.” He waited until Bill had walked away before he sat. Ion slowly sat and Adrien glanced at him and saw the rather stunned expression on Ion’s face. “What?”
    “He didn’t even blink when you introduced us,” Ion pointed out.
    “Yes. So?” He acknowledged the waitress as she set their appetiser in front of them.
    Ion took a bite of the Beef Tartare then chewed and swallowed before he replied. “I guess I never thought people in your circle of society would be as open minded as they seem.”
    “The thing is, I don’t think Bill would be nearly as open minded if it was his son or daughter who was gay. He can be accepting because I’m not related to him. For some people, it’s perfectly fine if someone else’s child is different, but they don’t want their own to be.” Adrien shrugged. “I don’t do business with Bill, so I don’t have to give a fuck what he thinks about me.”
    “He isn’t a friend of yours?”
    “No. He and his wife play tennis with my parents from time to time, and since they’ve already met you and love you, we don’t have to worry about what he