“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. Hegrabbed 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.
CHAPTER 13
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 thatsomeoneelse.
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 wassnowing 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.”
