12. Edward #2
Edward pulled his underwear and T-shirt back on.
The cabin was warm, so he needed nothing else while he sussed out what food they had.
Derek had made it clear the cabin would be well stocked, so they could focus on “fucking and talking.” The emphasis had very much been on the latter, but they could talk tomorrow.
He opened the fridge, which was stocked with everything he could think of. They definitely would not go hungry. He wondered what he could make that would be quick for dinner, and that wouldn’t bloat them. He wasn’t missing out on another dicking from Milo.
He closed the fridge, and that’s when he noticed the casserole dish on the side, with a note from Inger welcoming them both and leaving her number in case they needed anything.
She’d made lapskaus, which was a hearty stew.
Edward had raved about it the last time he was here.
Knowing Derek, he’d probably asked Inger to make it for them.
That guy forgot nothing. It had meat, potatoes, and root vegetables, and was perfect for what they needed.
It just needed warming up, and there were some freshly baked rolls to accompany it – perfect.
By the time Edward had the stew warming in the oven, the bread buttered, and the table set, Milo was out of the shower.
“What smells so good? How did you cook something so quickly?”
“Can’t take the credit. It was the neighbour, Inger. She left it for us.”
He showed Milo the note. He looked at it and smiled.
“How do you know Derek?”
“I used to work with him when I was a lawyer. I became a politician, and he bought The Back Room.”
“What? That massive guy with the beard and tattoos?”
“Yeah. He didn’t look like that when he was a corporate lawyer, but when he divorced his ex-wife, that was his new look.”
“Ex-wife, and he bought The Back Room?”
“He’s got an ex-husband as well.”
Milo laughed. “I used to chat to him when I was leaving. I thought he was just being friendly, but I guess he was checking I wouldn’t fuck you over?”
“I wouldn’t say it that bluntly, but he is protective of me. Like the big brother I never had.”
“I have that with Liam, although we’re the same age, but that doesn’t stop him trying to protect me. There were a few arseholes at uni, and he’s got the whole lumberjack farmer vibe to him.”
“Is he a farmer?”
“No. The thought of cleaning up horse shit would horrify him. His family owns a bakery in Heartwood, but people come from miles away to buy stuff.”
“Is that where you’re supposed to be now?”
“No, it’s Lexie’s year to host the orphan.”
Edward smiled. “Well, we can have our orphan pity party here. Are you okay for five minutes while I get a shower? I’ll be out before the food’s ready.”
Milo nodded and Edward gave him a quick kiss.
He grabbed their bags on the way to the bedroom so he could change into something comfortable.
The shower looked like something out of a sci-fi show, with so many buttons and knobs.
A big green button looked promising, so he pressed that and hoped for the best. It was instantly the perfect temperature, so he undressed and stepped under the spray.
As he cleaned himself, his mind wandered to what he wanted to get out of this break, other than to have Milo inside him as often as possible.
They needed to talk. Edward wanted a relationship with Milo, but he knew there was a risk if he came out.
If Hargreaves became PM, Edward could not carry on in the party, let alone the cabinet, although he suspected he’d be sacked immediately.
But if he held off from saying anything, was that fair to Milo?
And would people really think they’d been conned if he spoke out after he was in the top job?
In Hollywood, actors had often waited until they were at the top of their craft before coming out.
Athletes waited until after they retired.
The House of Commons had one of the highest proportions of LGBTQ+ members of parliament in the world.
Why couldn’t he make that leap? He just couldn’t get it out of his head that he’d lose everything.
Rather than keep catastrophising when he was here to spend time with Milo, he finished washing himself before turning the shower off.
The towel was big, fluffy, and warm. This place was definitely set up as a pamper retreat for Derek.
He could be quite intimidating when you looked at him, but he was also a big softie who loved his luxuries.
Once Edward was dry, he pulled on some sweats and a clean T-shirt before going back into the living area.
It was all open plan, but zoned off as a cosy lounge, kitchen, and dining area.
It was just the bedroom and bathroom that were separated.
Milo was lying on the sofa, absentmindedly stroking his flat belly.
There was a smattering of dark hair on his happy trail, and it immediately made Edward’s mouth water, even more so than the smell of the delicious stew that was warming in the oven.
“What are you looking at?” asked Milo with a smile.
“My dessert.”
“Wow. That was bad,” he laughed. “Do you have someone to write your speeches?”
“Piss off!”
Milo laughed before opening his arms, inviting Edward to lie on top of him. He glanced at the kitchen.
“Another fifteen minutes. Come and give me a cuddle.”
He couldn’t resist, so he lay on top of Milo, being mindful of not putting his full weight on him.
“Lie on me properly, Eddie. I want a real cuddle.”
He relaxed more, resting his head on Milo’s chest, and Milo kissed the top of Edward’s head. The whole thing felt even more intimate than when other body parts were involved. It felt wonderful and was something he could happily get used to.