Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
STEVEN
Udo’s bedroom was an oasis in white. The springtime sunshine made it dazzle. Steven lay with his body wrapped around Udo.
“We should move,” Udo said.
“Why?”
“It a beautiful day out there. Seems a shame to waste it.”
“I guess,” Steven replied. “What do you want to do?”
Udo rolled onto his back and stretched. “How about a run?”
Steven ran his hands under the duvet and took hold of Udo’s cock that hardened immediately.
“There are other ways to exercise.”
Udo laughed. “Is that my assistant coach talking?”
Steven climbed on top of Udo and straddled him. “You’d better believe it.”
They stared into each other’s eyes. Steven could lose himself in Udo’s gaze. He kissed him hungrily.
“Lie on your back,” Udo whispered.
Steven obeyed. He was already rock-hard, but Udo ignored that as he got to his knees. Steven had no idea what Udo had in mind. He didn’t care.
He sighed. Allowing his body to relax.
When Udo ran his fingers along his thighs, a shiver went up Steven’s spine. This man’s touch was spectacular.
Udo must’ve seen the goosebumps appear on Steven’s skin. He smiled to himself as he made longer strokes. From Steven’s calves to the top of his thighs.
The room was total silence. Steven watched him. The obvious satisfaction he was getting from giving pleasure was a total turn-on.
Intent on his mission, Udo traced his nail over Steven’s hipbone and onto his torso. Steven gasped as the tingles swept over him. Udo paused to give Steven’s hard nipple some attention. Then he lazily continued his journey.
He gently stroked his chest, neck, then over his forehead. Steven closed his eyes. He was putty in this man’s hands.
“Keep them closed,” Udo whispered.
Steven nodded his compliance.
With one sense locked down, Udo’s contact was way more pronounced. Steven’s cock twitched as Udo traced down Steven’s torso. He shivered even though the room was warm.
Then Udo quickly changed course to Steven’s other hip.
Suddenly Udo’s other hand was on Steven’s stomach. The doubled sensation making him cry out.
“Oh yeah,” he said.
Udo was covering Steven’s body slightly faster now. Yet he avoided Steven’s crotch.
Then he grazed Steven’s balls. They were so sensitive at this point he moaned. His cock was aching for Udo’s touch. He raised his hips. Desperate for more.
Clearly Udo wasn’t in the mood to make him wait today. He responded to the signal by lightly taking hold of Steven’s cock.
“Udo,” Steven whispered. “Make me come. Please.”
Udo slowly stroked his cock.
“Watch me,” he replied.
Steven opened his eyes to find Udo staring at him. They locked eyes. Trust reflected in his gaze.
“You’re amazing,” Steven said.
He leant his hand on Udo’s thigh.
“Let me show you.”
Udo increased speed. With his free hand, he fondled Steven’s balls.
“Relax,” Udo whispered.
Steven couldn’t do that when the most handsome man he’d ever met was bringing him to orgasm. His system flushed with desire, passion and the anticipation of release.
With his other hand, he gripped the headboard. It wouldn’t take him long.
Udo sped up.
Steven clenched all his muscles. The orgasm hit him like a truck. Sweet pain flooding his system and making him yell. No words were formed. A primal, guttural noise. Accepting of the most ancient form of pleasure.
He came hard in Udo’s hand.
When Steven opened his eyes, Udo was watching him.
“Fuck you’re sexy,” he said.
Steven could barely register. He was floating on a cloud of afterglow.
Everything they were risking was worth this. Everything.
The next day, Steven found himself in Javier’s office with the man himself and Howard, who had dressed sharply in a pinstriped suit. He was always so well turned out. Steven lived in trackies at home and at work.
“Okay,” Howard said, prodding his iPad. “Next on the agenda is Holtmann.”
Steven snapped to attention. “What about him?”
“He’s not gelling with the fans. The temperature on social media is sub-zero.”
Steven glanced out of the window. A few of the lads were having a kickabout.
“What do you suggest, Howard?” Javier asked.
“I think a PR splurge,” Howard replied. “We’ll get a glossy to do a feature of him at home. He’ll look mighty fine reclining on a sofa. Then I’ll do a spotlight on the club website. It wouldn’t hurt if he went out on the town in Brockton. Show he’s happy to be here and not missing London.”
That would be Udo’s idea of hell. Steven made a note to warn him at the earliest opportunity.
“Of course, a significant other would be very helpful right at this moment.”
“I don’t think that’s on his agenda,” Steven said.
“He’s a young man, isn’t he?” Howard replied. “There wasn’t a male in a ten-mile radius that was safe when I was his age.”
“He’s thirty-four. He’s hardly a teenager.”
Howard raised an eyebrow. “Honey, I’m staring fifty straight in the eye. Thirty-four is practically a baby.”
Javier snorted. “I’m not far behind, Howard.”
“I’ll get a list of things together. I suppose I’ll have to let his agent know. I’ve not had many dealings with Rob Baron. Udo’s crazy for dropping Max.”
Steven managed to keep his mouth closed. It was simply Howard rambling.
“Thank you, Howard.”
Howard got up and nodded. Steven watched him leave the room. Howard didn’t walk. He strode.
After the door closed, Steven turned to Javier.
“Seems like he’s on top of things. I’m pleased he’s helping Udo.”
“Are you?”
Steven frowned. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“How pleased?”
What the fuck is he talking about?
“If you have something to say, it’s probably best if you spit it out.”
“Are things going deeper with you and Udo than football?”
Steven gripped the laptop he had on his knee. “What?”
“You heard me, Steven.”
“Of course not.”
He hated lying to Javier. However, at the moment, Steven had no choice.
“Okay.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Forget it,” Javier said. “You always say I go with my gut instinct too much. I’m obviously losing my touch. Now, let’s get the formation sorted for Saturday. I want Canonbury to beg for mercy.”
Steven let him ramble on about who to play in the starting line-up. He needed a second to let his heartrate return to normal. Now he really did need to speak to Udo.
They were walking through the market in the centre of Brockton.
If Howard wanted Udo to be seen by the locals, Steven couldn’t think of a better opportunity.
A few people acknowledged them. The butcher had complimented Udo on his goal, which had made him beam.
Steven’s heart felt fit to burst. When Udo had that expression on his face, Steven saw the young boy he’d once been.
He led Udo toward the fruit and vegetable stall.
“This is much more fun than the supermarket,” Udo said.
Steven nodded at a couple of guys as they passed. It had been a big news story when he’d come to Brockton. Thankfully the fans had taken him to their hearts almost immediately. His record now spoke for itself.
It was vital that Udo got them on side. Once those cheers were his, Jamie wouldn’t have a problem with his place in the squad.
“Howard was talking to me and Javier today,” Steven replied. “He wants you to be seen out and about a bit more.”
Udo raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Oh brace yourself. He’s got a whole PR plan for you.”
“Ugh. I hate that shit.”
“You should probably do it.”
They reached the stall.
“Hiya, Mike,” Steven said. “How’s business?”
“So-so. You brought me a new customer?”
“Absolutely. Mike, this is—”
“Udo Holtmann,” Mike said. “He needs no introduction.”
Poor Udo blushed.
“Pleased to meet you, Mike,” he mumbled.
One of the other lads on the stall gawped. The expression on his face suggested Udo wasn’t totally welcome.
Shit, is this a bad idea?
“How about putting us one of your veg boxes together?” Steven asked.
“You got it.”
Mike set about the task.
“I get one a week,” Steven explained. “Mike puts whatever he likes in it. The trick is finding recipes to use them all.”
Udo nodded. “Keeps things fresh.”
“Everything’s fresh on this stall,” Mike shouted over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” Udo stammered. “I meant dishes. We all get stuck in a rut.”
Mike had a glint in his eye. “Relax. I was only joking.”
Udo exhaled. “Sorry. Yes. I understand.”
After they had finished at Mike’s stall, they wandered to Steven’s car.
“You need to chill out,” Steven said.
“I know. I suppose I’ve hidden myself away since I came here. I can understand some of the scowls we got today. I did notice them by the way.”
“It’s only the first step. You’ll do it. Howard will make sure of that. Have no fear.”
When they reached the car, Steven popped the boot. Udo put the vegetables in. He pulled out one from the top.
“What the hell is that?”
“It’s a celeriac,” Steven replied, chuckling.
“What do I do with it?”
“Google is your friend.”
They got into the car.
“Yes but you’re my lover,” Udo said. “Can’t you help?”
“I will cook you something with celeriac, I promise.”
Udo pecked him on the cheek. “My hero.”
Steven took his hand. “There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”
The smile fell from Udo’s face.
“What?”
“Javier asked me about us today.”
“You’re joking?”
“Nope. Just right out of the blue.”
“What did you say?”
“I denied it. I don’t like lying. In fact, I hate it.”
Udo stared out of the window. The car park lay on the outskirts of town. An abandoned warehouse loomed above them.
“I wonder how he guessed,” he mused.
“God knows. We’ll have to be more careful.”
“Should we have been seen together today?”
Steven stroked his arm. “Of course. I work on nutrition with the other players. Why not you?”
“You’re not having sex with them.”
“If I pretend you don’t exist, that will instantly confirm Javier’s fears.”
Udo scrubbed his eyes and sighed. “I hate this.”
“Me too, hon. We knew there would be pressure. It’s not too late to back out, you know. I wouldn’t hold it against you.”
Udo wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
“Hey now,” Steven said.
“I’m sorry. Spending the afternoon with the lads the other day showed me how simple life is for some people. They can do what they want within reason.”
“There’s no point in wishing for things we can’t have.”
Udo turned to him. “I know its early days but I’m convinced this is something really special.”
“I agree,” Steven replied. “Hey, it’s the first of May today.”
“And?”
“The season ends this month. Then we can have some time off.”
Udo raised an eyebrow. “Are you propositioning me?”
“Absolutely. How do you fancy coming to the villa in the south of France. You and me for a couple of weeks?”
“That sounds amazing.”
Steven stole a kiss. “Then let’s stick it out for a few weeks.”
He fired the car into action and sped off out of the car park. Things were moving fast. He didn’t care and it appeared neither did Udo. They were going into the future together.