13. Milo
MILO
It was Christmas Eve, and Milo was enjoying the warmth of the bed, although he’d have preferred it if his .
. . his . . . What was he? They still had another six nights here together, just the two of them.
They’d been up late, with Milo delivering on his promise.
It hadn’t felt like fucking; it was deeper than that.
Milo snorted at the pun in his head. Was Edward his boyfriend?
He knew he’d always come second to his career, but it wasn’t like Edward did just any job.
It was more like a calling. Milo enjoyed his job, but if he won the lottery tomorrow, he’d be gone.
He doubted Edward would do the same. Would Milo be okay with coming second to something else?
He supposed it was better that someone else.
The smell of bacon made his mouth water.
The one thing he knew for certain was that he’d be hitting the gym again hard in January if Edward kept feeding him all the time.
He was a complex man with a natural caretaker quality to him, yet in bed he gave up complete control.
They couldn’t be more perfect for each other.
It was just a shame that if the public knew of their relationship, they’d want to dissect it.
He threw the cover off before he procrastinated any longer about getting up.
He was in a cabin in Norway, it was snowing outside, and there was a sexy man in the kitchen making bacon.
There was no reason for him to still be in bed.
He sat up and was just about to stand when Edward walked back in carrying a breakfast tray.
“What are you doing out of bed?” he asked.
There was a concerned look on his face, and it was totally adorable. Milo couldn’t help but chuckle as he got back into bed and pulled the duvet back over himself. Edward put the tray in front of him, which had eggs benedict with bacon, perfect-looking poached eggs, and vivid hollandaise sauce.
“I didn’t see any hollandaise sauce in the fridge or cupboard.”
Edward mumbled something.
“What was that?”
“I made it.”
“Not that I don’t appreciate all this deliciousness, but you didn’t have to go to so much fuss.”
“Aren’t I allowed to spoil my boyfriend?”
The room went deathly silent as neither of them spoke. Edward wouldn’t look at Milo, and as soon as the tray was in place, he took off.
“Enjoy your breakfast.”
“Eddie, wait . . .”
He was out the door, and Milo couldn’t move because of the tray, which also had coffee and orange juice on it. He’d spill something.
“Edward Chivington, get your arse in here, unless you don’t want me paying it any more attention for the rest of the week.”
A few seconds later, Edward poked his head through the door. His face was bright red.
“I’m sorry. It just slipped out.”
“I’m glad it did.”
“Really?” He looked like an excited puppy, not a high-flying politician in his forties.
“Yes, I’d be honoured to be your boyfriend.”
“I’ve never had one before,” he said, blushing again.
“Get over here and give me a kiss, or I’m going to throw this tray off me.”
Edward walked over to the bed and leaned down to give Milo a kiss. It wasn’t as heated as it usually was between them, but there was still an excitement and sense of promise about it.
“Now, eat your breakfast. We’ve got plans.”
“Plans?”
“We’re going out.”
“Where?”
“There’s a bigger town about a forty-minute drive away. We can hopefully get something to decorate the cabin for tomorrow.”
“You want to go out together? What if someone sees us?”
“Nobody is going to know us here, but we can be cautious. I want us to do something like a normal couple before we go back home.”
Milo didn’t want to think about that. They’d been here less than twenty-four hours, and he would happily stay in this bubble forever. No press, public, or flatmates with an opinion.
“Okay. What about your breakfast?”
“Already eaten.”
“How long have you been up?”
“Couple of hours. You needed the sleep.”
“Aren’t I the younger one.?”
“Yeah, but you exerted more energy than I did last night.”
Milo laughed. Edward kissed him again and left him to eat his breakfast, which was divine.
He was definitely on board with the boyfriend thing if this was the perk.
This was a new side of Edward, which Milo loved.
It felt domesticated and just . . . right.
There was no other way to describe it. If people only knew what a considerate man he was, why wouldn’t they want him as their prime minister?
The drive to the next town ended up taking just over an hour.
Roads were treacherous, even though it had stopped snowing.
The roads were being ploughed quickly – something that wouldn’t happen in rural UK – and they were even more isolated out here.
It was strange driving into the town and seeing other cars and people after being at the cabin for a day. Edward found them a place to park.
“Wrap up before we get out. Don’t let the bright sun fool you. It’s still below freezing, even during the day.”
He was such a fusspot. It was adorable that this was the same guy who’d been begging for Milo’s cock last night.
He did as he was told, though, with hat, scarf, and gloves, before he got out.
The ground was slippery, so he held on to the car door and eased himself up onto his feet.
The last thing he wanted was to go arse over tit and break something.
That would be a shitty Christmas present.
They headed for a cosy-looking cafe. Edward looked familiar with his surroundings, so he must have been here before with Derek.
It was impossible for Milo to walk fast, as his entire body had gone into shock from the cold.
How did people live here all the time? The entire landscape was beautiful, and there was something different about the air.
It was clean for one, but you somehow felt healthier when you breathed it in.
But Milo wasn’t sure he could spend months on end feeling like his balls were going to fall off even with three layers on, and it wasn’t even the heart of winter yet.
They walked into the cafe, and the heat was wonderful, as was the aroma of freshly baked pastries.
Who didn’t love that smell? He’d still been full from breakfast, but now his mouth was watering.
Edward suggested Milo find a seat and trust him to order, so he did.
The cafe had a nautical vibe, Viking decor, and dark wood panelling on the walls and ceiling. It shouldn’t work as a mix, but it did.
Edward came over, pulling off his scarf and gloves but leaving his hat on.
He had such gorgeous salt and pepper hair that he looked quite different when it wasn’t on display.
He was also clean-shaven this morning, much to Milo’s disappointment, but it would grow back.
Milo wondered if Edward was into rimming.
He’d always avoided that area, given Milo was a strict top, but he enjoyed having a tongue in there.
“I got us Kakao, and a slice of Julekake to share,” said Edward.
“What’s that? I’m guessing a cake and a chocolate drink?”
“The cake is actually more like a Christmas bread. It’s got raisins, candied peel, and cardamom pods in it. The trick is to have it with butter.”
“Butter?”
“Yeah. I had it when I was in Oslo around this time of year, and that’s what the locals suggested. The drink is basically hot chocolate, but rich, so I just got us regular ones or we’ll be wanting to go back to bed rather than shopping.”
“I wouldn’t object to that.”
“Oh. Did you not want to . . .” Edward stopped once he caught on to the joke, and his blush was back.
“Has anyone ever told you how cute you are when you blush?”
Edward groaned and put his head in his hands, but then his shoulders shook with laughter. Milo had to keep reminding himself that Edward might be twelve years older than him, but as far as relationships went, Milo was the one with the experience, and that was a low bar.
The server brought their order over. The hot chocolate had whipped cream and marshmallows on it and looked heavenly, and the cake looked delicious as well.
“Tussen tak,” said Edward.
She smiled at them and left.
“You speak Norwegian?” asked Milo, impressed.
“No, but whenever I visit a country, I always learn a few words and phrases to be polite.”
“Is that a politician thing?”
He shook his head. “It’s something I’ve always done.” He leaned forward and whispered, “Most of them think it’s everyone else’s duty to learn English if they want to speak to us.”
“Wow. I won’t share that anecdote with Kieran.”
“Kieran’s the one who thinks we should all be hung, drawn, and quartered?”
“Pretty much.”
“Can’t wait to meet him.”
“Meet him? What do you mean?”
“Well, eventually. These guys are important to you. Of course I’m going to meet them.”
“Does that mean . . .” Milo leaned forward this time. “Does that mean you’re going to come out?”
Edward nodded as he slathered the cake with butter before cutting it in half and passing it to Milo. He gave Edward a look that made it clear he required a follow-up statement.
“Have you ever been to London Pride?” asked Edward.
“That’s a random topic change, but yes. I go every year.”
“Okay, well, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll march with you at London Pride next year, as your boyfriend.
That gives you a definite end date. As for when, I need to work a few things out when we get back, so can we park the million questions I know you want to ask until then?
I just want to enjoy this time with you. ”
Milo felt himself get choked up. When had Edward decided all this?
Milo loved how many sides there were to him.
In the bedroom, he gave up complete control.
He could be all shy and vulnerable, and then, at times like now, direct and decisive, which was a side he wouldn’t mind exploring in a more private setting.
Milo grabbed a napkin to wipe his eyes. Edward smirked.
“What?”