“Jesus,” Chase whimpered as Antonello swallowed him. His experience was limited, but he wanted to make this good for both of them. After everything that had happened and all the water under their bridge, he felt that this was where they were supposed to be. He had been such a fool years ago. “Tio,” Chase said, and he stopped. He hadn’t heard that nickname in so many years. It had been what Chase and Elaine had called him in college, and he’d honestly never thought he would hear it again.
He pulled away, holding Chase right there. Damn, this was a sight: Chase laid out under him, stretched beautifully witheverything possible ahead of them. “Say that again.” He took Chase deeply once more.
“Tio,” Chase whispered, and Antonello damn near swallowed his cock. Chase held tightly to the side of the pool, and when Antonello felt his hold fading, he straightened up, letting Chase’s cock slip from his lips and his legs slide down into the water. “Jesus,” Chase sighed.
Antonello lifted him up onto the side of the pool, spreading his legs. Chase leaned back, and Antonello sucked him even harder, loving the way Chase came unglued under him. He adored the way Chase seemed to let go with complete abandon. And he wanted more, letting his hands wander over Chase’s belly and chest, lightly pinching his nipples, his cock jumping each time.
“I don’t…,” Chase gasped, and Antonello backed away. He was not ready for things to be over, and Chase’s quickening breath told him he was approaching the edge. “Jesus.” He lay back, stretching out on the pool deck.
Antonello slipped under the water to cool himself down and then climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel for each of them. He dried his hair before helping Chase to his feet. “Come on. There’s a nice soft bed waiting for us, and we can make love for as long as we have the energy.” He wrapped the towel around his waist, and once Chase had done the same, he took his hand and led him inside.
“DADDY!” RICKYshrieked at some point in the night. Chase sat straight up with Antonello right behind him. Chase jumped out of bed, pulled on a pair of shorts he’d brought in just in case, and hurried out of the room. “Daddy!”
“I’m here,” Chase said calmly. Antonello got out of bed, dressed, and made his way down the hall. “There’s nothing to be scared of.” Chase rocked Ricky as he held him.
“I woked up and didn’t know where I was and….” Ricky sniffled, and Chase turned on the light.
“Do you remember now? You’re in the room with all the animals.”
Ricky sniffled. “But what if they come to life when it’s dark?”
Antonello smiled. “I used to wonder the same thing,” he said gently from the doorway. “This was where I slept whenever I visited when I was your age. I used to wonder if the animals would come to life, and I tried to stay up to see. But they never did. I didn’t get to meet the juggling bear or the acrobatic racoon. They stayed on the walls because they’re just pictures.” He came closer as Ricky watched him. “I used to dream that they were my friends, but I never got to play with them.”
“Oh. So they were nice? Not like the bad man?”
“We ran into a pickpocket in Florence when we first got here,” Chase said softly. “He didn’t get anything, and I thought Ricky might have forgotten about him.”
Antonello nodded his understanding. “They aren’t at all like the bad man. They smile and laugh and play, just like you do. No biting or growling allowed. I promise.” He ruffled Ricky’s hair. “Are you ready to go back to sleep?”
“No,” Ricky said with a yawn. Chase rolled his eyes and settled Ricky back in bed.
“Here’s your stuffy. He’ll protect you always.” Chase seemed to know exactly what to do. “Now close your eyes and go back to sleep. I’m still here, and I’ll protect you from bad men. I promise.” He leaned over Ricky, kissing him on the forehead, and then quietly left the room. Ricky seemed settled, and Chase padded back to their room. “He should sleep now.”
“Has he mentioned anything about this man that you saw?”
“No, but sometimes you never know. He may seem to forget and then he’ll bring things up weeks later. I suspect it’s because he’s in a strange place and woke and got scared. It happens.” Chase settled in bed, and Antonello did the same, sliding an arm over his chest.
“It’s safe here.”
“Yeah?”
Antonello hummed. “I didn’t turn on the alarms in the house itself, but the ones on the edges of the property are all on and watching. So relax and go to sleep. We’re all safe, and there is nothing to worry about.” He closed his eyes, loving Chase’s warmth as the night breeze cooled the room.
“CAN WEswim again?” Ricky asked at the breakfast table outside near the pool. He looked at the water like it was the most enticing thing in the world.
“Maybe later. But how about we go into Rome to see all the really good stuff? I can tell you stories,” Antonello offered. “And yes, we can get gelato.” He was starting to really get to know this kid. Heck, in a lot of ways, he was just like him. Antonello remembered getting gelato with his dad any number of times. “Okay?”
Ricky ate and nodded. Chase seemed a little dazed, and Antonello wondered if Chase had gotten enough sleep. “You okay?”
“Yes.” Chase smiled. “I’m fine.” He sighed and finished his juice before getting up. “Let’s get ready to have some fun.”
“But remember, no naked people,” Ricky warned.
Antonello lifted the kid out of his chair. “I can’t promise that. This is Rome, and there are statues of naked people everywhere. But you don’t have to look at them, okay? Just put your hands over your eyes, like this.” He demonstrated. “Andyour daddy and I will tell you when it’s gone.” He grinned and set Ricky down. “Now let’s go.” He led them outside and to a waiting car that drove them to the center of the city.
Antonello explained about the Coliseum and what happened there. He also told stories about the other ancient ruins and had the driver get them close to the Pantheon. Ricky was fascinated by the oculus, standing in the middle of what had been the largest dome in the world for a thousand years until the Florence Cathedral was built.
“Daddy, there really is a hole. Why?”
