Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
NOAH
Carmine’s apartment overlooked one of the canals running through the centre of Manchester. Far in the distance, Noah saw the Old Trafford stadium where United played.
The first time Noah had walked out onto that iconic pitch had been one of the scariest things he’d ever done. It was up there with Wembley as a professional milestone.
His father had dreamt that Noah would one day play for Manchester United. The familiar stab of sadness lodged in his heart. God he wished his parents had seen his career soar.
Turning from the window, Noah sat on the dark green velvet couch. The flat was open plan and he watched Carmine busying himself in the kitchen area, loading up the dishwasher.
“I don’t know why I can’t do that,” Noah said.
“Because you wait on me when I’m at yours,” Carmine replied. “Let me spoil you when you’re here.”
Noah shrugged.
“Put the TV on if you like. I won’t be long. I want to scrub these tins. My father drilled into us that you never relax until everything is as it was.”
He could easily imagine Stefano saying that to his children. Noah sneaked a glance at Carmine.
I bet he was the cutest kid.
Carmine had cooked an incredible meal that the nutritionist at Brockton would have been impressed with. A whole chicken beautifully seasoned and a ton of roasted vegetables to go with it. Noah had had seconds.
He appreciated the effort that Carmine had gone to.
Instead of switching on the television, Noah grabbed his phone. Steven had sent some YouTube clips of Canonbury. Ironically, they were probably going to be Brockton’s biggest rivals in the FA Cup. They hadn’t met yet, but Canonbury were cutting through their opposition on the road to the final too.
The first clip was of ex-Brockton striker, Shaun Riggs. A divisive figure in the Brockton locker room. Some of the lads were still on friendly terms with him. Most weren’t after the way he had treated Udo during the previous season.
Either way he remained a danger on the pitch.
Noah would have to watch him like a hawk when they met.
In the video, Shaun was tearing up the right wing.
He dodged at least three players on his quest for the goal.
Once lined up he jettisoned the ball into the back of the net. He would be a formidable foe.
Carmine perched on the arm of the sofa.
“Do you ever take time off?”
“You’re passionate about what you do. It’s only the same thing.”
“I don’t watch construction videos on Valentine’s Day.”
One minute Carmine was telling him to put the TV on, the next he was complaining when he actually watched something.
“You’re as bad as Ashley,” he said, putting his phone on the coffee table.
“Maybe you’ll listen to her then,” Carmine replied.
The pout that followed annoyed Noah. If Carmine was threatened by Noah’s commitment to the game, he would have to get over it and quickly. There was no way that Noah wasn’t giving one hundred percent.
Noah didn’t want to quarrel. Especially with the effort that Carmine had put in.
He pulled Carmine off the arm of the sofa so he fell into his lap. Noah kissed him. Long and hard. He craved that closeness.
“That’s more like it,” Carmine said, stroking Noah’s hair.
“I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”
“We should probably take this to the bedroom.”
Noah didn’t need any more persuading. They both shed their clothes as they moved through.
They fell onto the bed. Kissing hungrily. One minute Noah was on top of Carmine, then they rolled and it went the other way. Grinding their cocks against each other, the passion was electric.
“Can I fuck you?” Noah whispered.
Carmine nodded. Since they’d taken this step, fucking had been high on their agenda, yet Noah couldn’t get enough. Either way.
They kissed. Noah crouching over Carmine, one hand still massaging his cock.
“Get on top,” Noah instructed.
As he straddled him, Carmine’s hole brushed against Noah’s cock.
Noah ran his hands down Carmine’s body, resting on his hips. The passion ignited as Noah probed Carmine’s mouth with his tongue. Noah was desperate for more.
He sighed as Carmine planted light kisses on his neck. He made his way down to Carmine’s nipple, playing with it between his teeth.
Noah’s body bristled with anticipation as he writhed underneath Carmine.
Sitting back on his heels, Carmine looked at him. “Fuck you are perfect,” he whispered.
“Show me.”
Carmine reached across and grabbed condom and lube sachets from the side of the bed. He took Noah’s cock in his hand. Furiously he ripped open the wrapper with his teeth.
Still massaging Noah’s dick, he rolled the condom on.
Next, he applied lube to Noah and himself before getting into position. Carmine lowered himself onto Noah’s hard-on. Noah groaned as Carmine’s body wrapped itself around him made him tingle.
“Oh shit, that’s good.”
Carmine sat for a second. Tweaking his nipples and his eyes closed. It was as though he’d gone into a trance.
“Are you okay?” Noah asked.
“Perfect.”
Carmine ground his hips. Evidently choosing to go for it rather than build up, he rode Noah hard.
Reaching forward, Carmine grabbed Noah’s hands. Holding on for balance, he gyrated his hips even more.
Noah matched him move for move.
“I won’t last long,” Noah panted.
“I don’t care,” Carmine replied.
“Make me come, baby.”
Noah’s words made Carmine more determined. He bounced up and down on Noah’s dick. Taking him to the edge before plunging down again.
“Oh, shit, Carmine,” he stammered.
The orgasm exploded into his system. Every buck of Carmine’s hips bringing more waves of pleasure.
“Come for me,” Noah managed.
Carmine held the wall for support and climaxed over Noah’s body. Then he shuddered to a halt.
“Shower.”
He hopped off the bed and dashed through to the en-suite.
Noah pulled the condom off and threw it in the bin. He chuckled when Carmine started to sing in the shower. He was terrible of course. Strangely that made it more comforting to Noah.
The week ahead was an important one. To be fair, when wasn’t a week important?
Carmine returned from the bathroom. Noah couldn’t take his eyes off him. Clothed, Carmine was a knockout. Naked, he was perfection. They might have just had sex but Noah was already in the mood for round two.
“Shall we do something tomorrow?” Carmine asked as he applied moisturiser to his face.
“I can’t,” Noah replied.
Carmine stopped and stared. “You’ve got plans on a Sunday?”
“I’m going to see Malcolm.”
Carmine nodded. An atmosphere had descended out of nowhere.
“Is that a problem?” Noah asked.
“Of course not.”
“It feels like it is.”
Carmine sighed. “There are so many parts of you that I will never have access to.”
This felt unfair considering Carmine lived so far in the closet to his family he could put his address down as Narnia.
“Carmine. We’ve only been seeing each other a few weeks,” Noah said. “Malcolm has a tendency to get very attached to people.”
He didn’t want to go to sleep with cross words.
“Please come here,” he continued.
Seemingly finished with his skincare routine, Carmine came over and lay down next to Noah.
“I’m being unreasonable,” Carmine said. “I know it. If I don’t share how I feel with you, what’s the point?”
Noah snuggled into him.
“Then get it all out, my sweetness.”
“I think I’m really falling for you,” Carmine began.
Hearing that sent shockwaves of joy through Noah’s system.
“Good.”
“At some point we’re both going to have to open up our lives to each other completely,” Carmine continued. “All this compartmentalising isn’t healthy.”
“I think I’ve done that a lot more than you.”
Carmine raised his head. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you’ve socialised with my teammates, you know about Adam and Jonas and you’ve met Ashley. All you’ve given me is your assistant.”
To his credit Carmine did appear a touch shamefaced.
“I’m being a hypocrite.”
Noah smiled. “A hypocrite who’s falling for me.”
Carmine blushed. “Absolutely. It’s just… I’m terrified.”
Noah took his hand. He was trembling.
“Carmine. No.”
“I’m sorry…I…”
“Hush,” Noah said. “You don’t have to do anything until you’re ready. Please don’t think it makes any difference to me.”
Carmine sighed. “It’s well overdue. I’ll do it soon.”
They cuddled for a little longer. Noah would introduce him to Malcolm but not until he was absolutely sure. That felt like giving the last part of his heart. One where his parents still lived. He’d never shared that with anyone.
“Why don’t you come to the match next weekend,” Noah said.
“Really?”
“Definitely.”
“Can I bring Samantha?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I’ll need someone to tell me what’s going on.”
Noah kissed the top of his head. Calm had been restored. It wasn’t lost on him that he’d had to make the effort to do that.
Being in a relationship was exhausting.
Carmine wrapped his arms around Noah’s waist and held him tightly.
Exhausting and worth it.