Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
GAbrIEL
I awake snuggled against Charley’s warm back.
Lying here with my arms wrapped around him is my new favourite place to wake up.
Then I notice the freckles. How did I not know he had freckles dusting his pale skin, not just across his nose?
Probably because until last night I hadn’t seen him naked, and then I had other things on my mind.
They’re beautiful, and I press my lips to them, wanting to kiss each and every one of them.
“Mmmm, that’s nice,” he murmurs and turns round in my arms, so I kiss his nose instead and he smiles lazily. “Good morning.”
“It is, very good.” I kiss him again.
“What are you planning to do today?” he asks.
“Can it be something involving you?” I reply and he laughs.
“Well, I’m going to see Pete, would you like to come with me?”
“I’d love that. Shall we get breakfast from somewhere first?” I feel a warmth that he’s invited me on his family visit. I’m grateful to Pete for letting me know where I could find Charley in Manchester.
“Great. But I need to shower. I didn’t clean up last night and I feel a little crusty.”
“Can I join you?”
“Of course,” he says and pulls himself out of my arms. He rises and goes to the bathroom where I hear him turn the water on. Not wanting to let him out of my sight for any longer than necessary, I follow quickly and step under the hot spray.
I reach for the shower gel and start washing him, enjoying the feel of his skin under my hands, his firm muscles and how he leans into my touch.
I crouch down to wash his legs, which brings my face very close to his cock.
I’ve never seen someone else’s up close before.
I blow a little on it, and it twitches and responds by thickening into a semi.
It looks tantalising and I want to know what it tastes like.
Charley giggles, and I gaze up at him smiling down at me.
“Can I?” I ask and he nods, his cock swelling and becoming hard, as he’s aroused by the thought.
“I warn you that I’ve never done this before,” I whisper.
“As long as you don’t bite it off, it’ll be fine,” Charley says with a chuckle.
I give it a lick, feeling the sensitive skin on my tongue, the veins beneath the surface. I lick over the head and Charley hums gently. I take him into my mouth, trying to remember what Charley did to me last night. I suck my cheeks in and bob my head up and down a few times.
“That’s good,” he murmurs encouragingly, and I take him deeper, trying to see if I can fit him all in. About halfway I almost gag and pull back. Charley strokes his hand through my hair and I try once more, but again I gag and nearly have to stop.
“Easy there,” he whispers, and instead, I wrap my hand round the base and concentrate my mouth on the head. “Yes,” he moans, as I increase the pressure with my mouth while pumping with my hand.
“So fucking good.” His words spur me on faster, and he grips my hair as I hear his ragged breaths.
I keep up the rhythm of my hand and mouth, and I feel him tense before he shoots his load into my mouth.
I instinctively swallow before sitting back on my heels.
He guides me up to standing and kisses me.
“That was amazing, thank you.”
“I didn’t take you all in.”
“One, that isn’t necessary. It’s not a requirement for pleasure. Two, it’s an acquired skill. And three, I’m glad you didn’t choke yourself to death on my cock. Can you imagine the headlines?”
I have to chuckle at that, “Yeah, wouldn’t want to cause a scandal.”
“Exactly, now I’m going to wash you,” he says, grabbing a handful of shower gel. I stand there while he washes me, my torso and arms, across my buttocks. I give a little shudder as he runs his hand down my crease. No one’s ever touched me that intimately before.
“Did you like that?” he asks and I nod. He does it again, grazing across my pucker.
“I don’t know why that feels good but it does,” I say, and he huffs a laugh.
He does it again but this time leaves his finger in place, just at my entrance.
With his other hand he encircles my cock and starts stroking it.
As he slides his hand up and down my shaft I can also feel his finger teasing at my hole.
The twin points of pleasure are exquisite, and I feel blissed out between them.
“Oh my fucking god,” I groan loudly as he continues bringing me towards release. His hand moves faster and I can feel the tingling in my lower spine.
“Gonna come baby,” I pant, and he kisses the back of my shoulder.
I can feel it building, and I want to ride the wave when he pushes his finger into my entrance.
That pushes me over the edge, and I see stars as my orgasm erupts and my knees nearly give way.
He gently removes his finger and I strangely feel its loss.
I pull him to me, wanting his support, wanting to feel his skin against mine and wanting him to know how that made me feel.
“Thank you. I don’t even know if I can describe that,” I whisper into his neck.
“That was just the beginning,” he chuckles and holds me tight. I don’t know if I could bear anything more without exploding, but I’m willing to try.
We finish washing and dry ourselves then get dressed quickly. My legs still feel shaky so I’m glad Charley’s driving. Within ten minutes we’re on the road to Larchdown.
Charley pulls up outside Perks and Pastries.
“Have you been in here before?” he asks. It’s only been open around six months.
“A few times. You’ll like the owners, and Alex has a real skill.”
“Does he? I’m intrigued.”
“You’ll see,” I say and get out of the car. I hold the door to the coffee shop for him, and he gives me a curious look as he passes me, but I just smile.
“Hi, Alex. Hi, Josh,” I call out to the two guys behind the counter.
“Hi, Gabriel,” Alex greets me.
Charley looks at Alex with a curious expression on his face. “Have we met?”
“You probably don’t remember me as I’m a few years younger than you, but I know you’re Old Pete’s nephew. Charley, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’ve been away for a few years.”
“You want coffee, right?” Alex asks, and Charley goes to speak but Alex holds up his hand and Charley closes his mouth.
“Americano with a little semi-skimmed milk and cinnamon syrup,” Alex says, and I watch as Charley’s jaw drops.
“How did you know? I normally go for a latte, but I wanted something stronger today.”
Alex just shrugs in his self-effacing manner.
Though I know he likes to exercise his skill.
Alex chooses a latte with an almond syrup for me, which sounds perfect, and we choose a couple of pastries each to go with our drinks.
A couple of the tables near the counter are already occupied, so I lead the way over to the other side of the coffee shop where we’re on our own.
“Mmmm,” Charley says as he takes his first sip of coffee. “I could become a regular here. Never mind the coffee machine in the staffroom. I might have to send people on coffee runs.”
I laugh, I can well believe it. I know how much Charley loves his coffee.
I take a swig of my own before attacking the Danish pastry I’ve chosen.
Charley eats his almond croissant and moves on to the cinnamon swirl he picked.
I let him get halfway through before I broach a subject I’ve wanted to ask him about for days.
“What do you think about Immy and Oliver’s news?”
“The baby? I think it’s fantastic. They’ll make great parents. They looked so pleased, didn’t they?” He smiles as he talks.
“Have you ever thought about children? Having them I mean.” I lean forward a little, as his answer could change a lot of things.
“I have,” he replies and I hold my breath. “But only for about two minutes. They’re not something I can ever see for me. All credit to those who want them, but I don’t think so. What about you?”
I let out the breath and sit back again, relief washing through me.
“Me neither. But I’m very glad Immy does.”
“Oh, for Monkswood?” Charley asks and I nod.
“There needs to be an heir for the title to pass on to. I’m more than glad Immy has taken on that role.”
“What would happen if she hadn’t?” Charley asks, a serious look on his face.
“Honestly, I don’t know. There’d probably be a second cousin somewhere who’d get it. But now I don’t even have to think about it.”
“Am I—”
“No!” I grab his hand, not letting him finish whatever he was going to say. “Charley, you’ll always be number one for me.”
He gives me a small smile and I hope I can convince him it’s true.
He’s fairly quiet while he finishes his breakfast, so I hope he’s not brooding about it.
When we leave he seems like his usual self, and he says goodbye to Alex and Josh and promises he’ll be back soon.
We drive the short distance to the garage and are soon walking into the cottage kitchen.
It’s smaller than I remember from when I used to occasionally come here with Charley when we were kids.
We’d spent most of our time in the Monkswood grounds and house and I think Charley was embarrassed to bring me here, especially at first. But I never minded.
I especially liked sitting at this kitchen table and listening to Pete.
I don’t have much of an interest in cars, except how they look.
If I did, I might have respected my father’s Bentley a little more.
But listening to Pete, I could tell he had a passion for them and it was always interesting.
Charley pokes his head round the door to the living room, and comes back into the kitchen to tell me Pete’s taking a nap and we’ll surprise him with a cup of tea.
He puts the kettle on and instructs me where to find the tea bags and sugar while he sets out the mugs.
He also puts some biscuits on a plate and finds a tray.
Once we’ve made the tea, I hold open the doors while he carries the tray through.
Pete is slumped in a large comfortable armchair, asleep with a book open across his chest. Charley places the tray down with a little bump, just enough sound to wake Pete up.
“Tea, Pete?” he says brightly.
“Err, um, I was just reading.” Pete sits up straighter, catching the book before it falls onto the floor. “I was just reading.”
“Of course you were.” Charley hands him a mug. “Napping is also good, as you work so hard during the week.”
“Hello, Pete.” I greet him and he nods his hello in return. I take my mug and a biscuit and sit on the sofa, and Charley joins me.
“Have you considered retiring yet?” Charley asks and Pete sighs.
“I’m not that old yet,” he grumbles, but he must be close to retirement age. I know his sister, Charley’s mum, was several years younger than him. “But what would I do with myself?”
“You must have a hobby, something you’ve always wanted to do. Gardening, art, I don’t know.”
“Engines are my hobby, lad. Why would I give up something I enjoy to spend the same amount of time doing something I don’t?” He has a point, and I know Charley understands that as well.
“I just think you work too hard,” he says.
“I have Madsen, he’s a good lad.”
“How about you take on another mechanic as well? Then you can take a step back and rest when you need to.” I can see Pete turning over Charley’s suggestion in his head, but I also know he can be stubborn.
“I’ll think about it,” he mumbles and concentrates on his tea.
Charley grins at me. That’s practically a victory where Pete’s concerned.
Charley tells Pete a bit about the centre, explaining that he won’t be able to visit next Sunday.
I’m pleased with the centre, but I’m very proud of Charley for how he’s taken on the hard task of getting it running.
Hearing how enthusiastic he is about it gives me goosebumps at how dreams can come true, even if there are bumps along the way.
When we’ve finished our tea, Charley gathers up the mugs and takes them through to the kitchen to wash up.
“I want to thank you for letting me know where Charley was, for trusting me.”
Pete looks towards the kitchen as if gauging whether Charley can hear him or not.
“I knew how much he thought of you, and it was hard when he went away. He’s had a rough few years and all I wanted was for him to be happy. I’m glad you found each other again, but don’t break his heart again.”
“I won’t, Pete, I promise,” I vow, and mean every word.