Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
ULRICH
I jump when my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s closely followed by a warmth that spreads through my chest. I know who the message will be from... Nolan. I try to keep the smile from my face—and manage it, just—and finish serving the customer in front of me. An old lady buying flowers for a friend she’s visiting.
Thank you, and have a nice day with your friend,” I say as her payment finishes processing and I hand her the receipt.
“Thank you young man, and for the recommendation of the gerberas. She will like these.” She beams at me and leaves, clutching the bouquet of brightly coloured blooms.
“Shop,” I call to Ross, even though there are no customers at the moment, but just so he’s aware in case anyone does come in. I make it to the kitchen and allow the grin to form as I pull out my phone.
I used to be good at hiding my emotions but it’s been difficult for the two weeks I’ve known Nolan. We haven’t seen each other very much as we’re both busy at work, but we have spent a lot of time talking and texting.
Nolan: Hey cutie. Looking forward to seeing you tonight. I have something special planned.
We’ve met up a few times for coffee, and last weekend he came over and we spent Sunday together. It wasn’t a date as such, as he took photographs of my flower arranging to refresh my website and to make an advert for some of the glossy style magazines. After telling him of my plans on the first night, he said he’d been thinking about a way he could help out. Having photographs that look professional, even if technically Nolan isn’t, will certainly help me reach the type of clientele I need to grow that side of my business.
Ulrich: I can’t wait to know what it is and to see you again
I text back and put my phone down for a minute to fill the kettle and switch it on, planning to make coffee for Ross and me. With another grin plastered on my face, my memory slips back to last weekend again. Along with the fun of creating arrangements and taking photographs we had a pretty heavy make-out session, here in this kitchen. I sat on the counter with my legs wrapped round Nolan while he devoured my mouth. It’s been a long time since I spent so long kissing someone without it leading to more, but he wanted to go slowly and I’m happy with that. I’m letting him set the pace, and I admit it was very hard to stop at just kissing last weekend. I had to have a long jerk off in the shower once he’d gone home. My phone buzzes again and I snatch it up.
Nolan: Don’t make plans for tomorrow
Instantly, my mind turns filthy. Is this his way of asking if I’ll stay over tonight? Who could blame me? My first sight of him was while he was half naked, and I’ve been wanting to see more ever since. I try to think rationally instead of with my cock. Maybe he has a date planned for Sunday—a different date, a separate date. Something that doesn’t involve me staying over. Now I’m aroused with anticipation and definitely can’t go back out into the shop like this. Whilst physically things haven’t got past some pretty intense kissing and pelvic grinding, our texts have been far more flirty.
Ulrich: Why? Are you planning on keeping me up all night?
The answer comes back before I have a chance to put my phone down.
Nolan: Something like that ;-)
Hell! That’s almost a promise in Nolan terms, and excitement as well as nervousness bubble up inside me. I glance at the time. Still two hours until I can close the shop and get home for a quick shower. No, a long shower. No, I want to get there as quickly as possible. A quick but very thorough shower. And to grab a few things. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Five o’clock couldn’t come quick enough, and as soon as I’d shut up the shop I raced back to my cottage to get ready. Thoroughly clean and more than a little prepped, just in case, I hop into my van and head towards Oxford. The sun is just setting as I follow his instructions on how to get to his apartment building.
I find the parking spaces he told me about, surprised to find some available in a busy city, but he’d said they were just for his building, which rises up above me like a tower. It’s all steel and glass and a world away from my little ancient cottage. I walk into the lobby and see a desk with a guy sitting behind it. The building has a concierge service, and I wonder how much money Nolan makes. He said he half owns his business, so I guess it must be successful if he can afford to live here. He does always wear very nice clothes—expensive labels—and his camera is top of the range. I don’t make a lot as a florist, but my cottage is mine and the shop rent is affordable. I make enough to employ Ross and to live comfortably. I don’t need any more than that and money has never been a motivator for me. Nolan has never mentioned any sort of disparity in our incomes, and I put any uneasiness that it might be an issue out of my head. It doesn’t bother me. I guess it doesn't bother him either.
I give my name to the concierge, whose name I learn is John. He looks pleased that I asked. I imagine he’s often nameless and faceless to visitors, and maybe even some of the residents, but he’s still a person and deserves to be treated like one. John tells me Nolan’s apartment number and directs me to the elevators. I ride to floor fifteen, excited but also nervous that this is so far removed from what I’m used to. I feel like a fish out of water, or a weed in a show garden.
Any uneasiness is dispelled when I knock on Nolan’s door and he opens it. The smile on his face is broad and he pulls me in for a kiss, right there before I’ve even crossed the threshold. Then he ushers me into a hallway.
“What do you think?” he asks, walking behind me.
“About the kiss? Top marks,” I say and hear a small snigger.
“No, my place? The building?”
It’s too soon to say, but its opulence will take some getting used to. I decide to be tactful.
“Well, it’s a bit more modern than I’m used to—oh.”
The hall ends at a large open-plan space of a lounge, dining area, and kitchen. The windows are floor to ceiling but what stops me in my tracks is the view. The last of the setting sun can be seen on the horizon, the sky orange and pink fading to dark indigo. I can see out across the city, and the colours of the sunset bathe the limestone buildings of the old city in a pinkish hue that’s both stunning and magical. I stare out across the city, lost for words. Nolan comes to stand beside me.
“It’s a little over the top for me and very expensive, but I bought it for the view.”
“I can see why,” I say when I can find my breath. “That is truly beautiful.”
“I think so,” says Nolan, and I flash a look at him, seeing the final stages of the sunset reflected in his eyes, lending them the same colours, and enhancing his beauty too.
We both watch as the sun dips below the horizon and the light fades. Lights all across the city twinkle on and that is another beautiful sight.
Nolan reaches for my hand and then pulls me to face him.
“You showed me a view. I’m glad you got here in time to see mine.”
“It was worth it,” I say and he kisses me. My stomach flips, and as I lean into the kiss I know I’ve fallen for this gorgeous and surprising man.
“So what have you planned?” I ask when we break from kissing. I could easily spend the night curled up on the very large, comfortable-looking couch I can see now that I’ve had time to look round the room.
“A few things. But I want them to be a surprise,” Nolan says, pulling on his coat and holding out his hand. “Are you ready?”
The first treat of the evening is a river cruise, and before we depart we’re given a choice of a cocktail. I choose a Manhattan while Nolan opts for a Whisky Sour. The boat, wooden and old fashioned, is Edwardian, we’re told. There are eight passengers altogether and we serenely travel the Thames, the buildings lit up against the night sky. We sit side by side and I’m aware of Nolan’s presence, his thigh touching mine.
“How many times have you done this?” I gesture to the boat and the water, imagining it being a frequent activity. Nolan gives me a small smile.
“I’ve lived in this city for twenty years and I’ve never done this before.”
“Never?”
“Nope,” he replies, holding my gaze.
“Then, thank you,” I say and he nods his head in acknowledgement. It makes me feel special and my heart does a little flip.
“Are you hungry?” Nolan takes my hand as we walk away from the landing stage after the cruise.
“I thought you’d never ask?” I joke and he laughs.
“Italian?” He stops outside a small restaurant.
“It’s perfect.”
We’re shown to a small table in the corner of the restaurant. It’s intimate, and I wonder if Nolan asked for it specially as this time the owners seem to know him by name.
During the dinner I ask him about when he was a student in the city. What it was like and whether he got into trouble. He tells me he was very boring and studious, staying away from the usual student antics. He is a serious guy so I believe him.
“What now?” I ask as we leave, wondering if the night is over as it’s around ten o’clock. I’d be very happy to go back to Nolan’s apartment if he’s willing.
“I want to show you a bit more of the city,” he says, taking my hand. As we walk he shows me the college he attended, the libraries, the castle, and the Ashmolean Museum. We walk past the botanical gardens—somewhere I’d like to visit when it’s open during the day.
Eventually, we stop outside a small shop that’s still open. I read the sign: George and Davis. It’s an ice cream parlour.
“Welcome to the famous G and D’s.” Nolan announces, “Because there’s nothing like eating ice cream at eleven p.m.”
“In March?” I ask, because it sounds crazy.
“At any time,” he replies sagely, and I can see this is a tradition for him. “They make the ice cream on site and change the flavours regularly, so you never know what’s available. It’s the best ice cream in Oxford.”
I never figured him for an ice-cream connoisseur but I’m happy to give it a go.
I peruse the flavours menu and choose a honeycomb crunch, and he chooses one called Danger Zone which appears to be coffee with walnut brownies. We walk back to his apartment as we eat, and I can see what he means about it being the best ice cream. When I look at him I see him smirk. He knows I agree.
Despite the cold night air—after all it is the first of March and spring is taking its time to show—and eating ice cream, I don’t feel too cold. Maybe it’s because I feel warm inside. I’ve had the perfect night. I just hope it isn’t over yet. As we approach the entrance to Nolan's apartment building he stops and pulls me close.
“Thank you,” he says quietly. “For allowing me to make up for the first meal we had together and how I behaved.”
“I hadn’t thought you needed to make up for anything, but if it makes you feel better, then okay. But I want to tell you that this has been the perfect evening. I loved seeing some of the sights of your home, so I want to thank you.” I lean forward and kiss him, holding on to his coat and not letting go. He’s smiling as we break apart.
“Would you like to come up for coffee?” he says lightly.
I’ve been very patient with him, and if I really thought he wasn’t ready to go further then I would put the brakes on. But I think he’s ready, and whether or not he needs it I’m going to give him a push.
“Yes, but just so you know, I won’t be going up there for the coffee.”
“Oh no?” he asks. “I have really good coffee.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I reply.
“Then why will you come up?” His attempt at a straight face fails terribly.
“For you,” I say, attacking his mouth and almost dragging him towards the building.