The Olive Grove – Part 2: First Press
Gay Stories·EN·2 min read·Published 2026-11-07, updated 2026-11-07·Part 2 of 2
"I would like that very much," said Jonas.
The kiss was warm and tasted of wine and green olives. Nikolas's hand came up to Jonas's cheek, rough from the harvest, and Jonas laughed softly and pulled him close. Behind them the trees stood dark and silver, and the first stars appeared above the hills. The air smelled of leaves and smoke.
"I should have said something sooner," said Nikolas.
"I should have said something first."
"We are both slow."
"We're very patient."
The next day they took the last crates down to the village press, a stone building with creaking wooden machinery and a stream of green-gold oil running into a great steel tank. The old press-master poured a little into a glass and handed it to Jonas. It was peppery and bright, with a bitter, grassy finish.
"Good?" said Nikolas.
"It's the best thing I've ever tasted."
"You helped make it."
That night the whole crew celebrated with a feast in the farmhouse courtyard, long tables, roast lamb, laughter, a bonfire in the yard. Afterwards, when the singing began, Nikolas took Jonas's hand and led him quietly round the side of the house to a stone cottage at the end of the grove.
"It is small," he said. "It is mine. It has a lamp, a bed and no one to interrupt."
"Are you sure?"
"I have never been surer."
They undressed slowly by lamplight, laughing at sticky fingers and straw-flecked hair, and under the blue wool blanket their love-making was gentle, unhurried and full of soft laughter. The courtyard music drifted faintly through the window. The lamp burned low.
On Sunday morning, Jonas's bag stood by the door. He sat on the cottage step with a cup of coffee in his hand, looking down the valley at the silver trees.
"I called my company," he said. "I asked if I could work remotely. From Greece."
"And?"
"They said yes." He grinned. "I'll need a very good desk."
Nikolas laughed, delighted. "The grove has many tables," he said. "And, in the spring, a great deal of pruning."
More gay romance stories: Morning Run · Night Telescope · The Tailor's Apprentice
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