Naked Hero - The Journey Away

and one that Lewis could fully embrace if he had a partner in his bed to satisfy him there. Scott Taylor was Lewis’s idol - a man who had been worshipped, so he was a shoe-in for the part. And he was the right age to be a sort of father figure, but a lover as well – a lover who’d be loyal and not play away, which was what Lewis would need, and what Lee suspected he really wanted.
    It was sickening but true. If ever there was a man who could fill the void in Lewis’s life then Scott Taylor had all the credentials. There was a problem of course – and it wasn’t ginger hair! It was the fact the Scott seemed entrenched in the closet, and if he swung both ways then there was no burning need to break out of it!
    As Lee was pondering this whilst finishing his coffee, he was observed by two people. The Herald reporter was the less astute of the two, having missed the subtle changes in Lee’s expression, but they were not lost on Marie Clement.
    She had been halted in her tracks as she returned from breakfast alone, Chantal having departed earlier for a training session. Marie was intrigued to spot the ‘two men’ in Lewis’s life sitting together, and wondered what was transpiring between them.
    ‘Pistols at dawn perhaps. How romantic,’ she’d mused.
    Curious, Marie had taken a chair at a discrete distance and pretended to busy herself with her notebook. But her attention had never wavered from the potential duellists. She’d waited with baited breath on a glove being produced and struck across a cheek. But honour was not to be violently satisfied - the matter appeared to get resolved amicably. It was only when Scott Taylor had left the arena that a thirst for blood was finally displayed. Marie had lapped it up, and she wanted more. So once the coast was clear, she brazenly walked over to where Lee Porter was seated and renewed their brief acquaintance.
    “Good morning! It’s Mr. Porter, isn’t it? I don’t know if you remember me, we met in Sydney a few weeks ago. I’m Marie Clement.”
    Immediately on guard, Lee stood up and shook hands with her. “Of course I remember you. The party, you were with Chantal. How are you?”
    “Well, thank you. Do you mind if I join you?”
    “Please do! Would you like some coffee? It’s Americano, I’m afraid.”
    Marie smiled knowingly. “Of course, it’s what most American’s prefer. Sorry - I couldn’t help but notice. I’m sure at least one reporter did as well.” And having laid a few cards on the table, she helped herself to a cup, despite her aversion to the insipid brew. She wanted to prolong this as long as possible.
    “Reporters - do you think so?” asked Lee. “I had hoped we wouldn’t be noticed.”
    Marie gave him an endearing smile that was the mirror image of the one he’d used on Scott. “They find out everything!” she assured. “Trust me - I’ve had years of experience... Poor Lewis! Yesterday it was Scott. Today it is you... And tomorrow: a ménage à trois no doubt!”
    Lee laughed at the idea. He liked her sense of humour. “Should I warn them?” he asked.
    Marie dismissed the notion with a flick of her small hand. “No. You might be lucky.”
    Lee grinned naughtily. “It wouldn’t bother me either way. Scott, however... well, he knew the risk in coming down to meet me in public. But I would prefer it if Lewis didn’t know that we had met.”
    Marie nodded. “ My lips are sealed. So, are you are arranging a surprise party, and Scott is the guest of honour? I do hope that Chantal and I are next on the list of invitees. That’s one little function I’d be loathed to miss,” she said, trying to tease some information out of him.
    “I needed to ask him a favour,” replied Lee obligingly.
    “That couldn’t have been easy. I hope he responded favourably.”
    “He did, eventually.”
    “Good!” declared Marie then she looked at Lee intently. “So he will help Lewis again. I was very disappointed in him. Had it not been for Chantal insisting otherwise, I would have spoken to him myself. Thank you.” She paused and gave him the merest smile, before daring to enter dangerous ground with the gentlest of steps. “I’m surprised, though. I would have thought that you might prefer to keep them apart.”
    Lee didn’t blink. “It doesn’t matter to me. Lewis and I are just friends, and Scott is just a coach.”
    “Just friends? Just a coach?”
    Lee saw the ground himself now, and approached it just as cautiously as