“Right.”
River took the phone from him. “No more Dila.”
Max gave a heavy sigh. “After you’ve been plastered all over the papers and social media looking lovey-dovey? Give it a couple of months. See if you can wait until we know that part is yours.”
“Too long. And itismine.” River stared at Newt. “Don’t want to wait.”
“If Misha heard you now, would he give you the role? You need to be sure you’re fit for it in all ways. Harry Gardner is snapping at your heels. His agent has spoken to Misha, and now Misha wants to see you, check on your progress. I’ve kept putting him off but… The premiere forMedway Boysis next Thursday. You’re expected to attend. I’ve assured everyone that you’ll be going but I’d also always intended to make last minute apologies.”
“I’ll go,” River said.
Max was quiet for a few moments. “It would be a great way to make it clear you’re fine. Almost fine. I can stage manage a conversation with Misha. We can stipulate no interviews, just have you seen with Dila on your arm. You can have a few sentences practised. Dila can protect you from more questions thrown your way. You don’t need to stay and watch the film. We can sneak you out fairly promptly. No after party. What do you think?”
River took a deep breath. “Yes. Newt comes too. B…body…guard.”
“Good idea. Send your measurements, Newt. You’ll need a suit. I’ll arrange a car to take you to the George Hotel on Thursday afternoon. You’ll go from there to Leicester Square with Dila. I’ll plant questions with a couple of members of the press and send you copies so you can work on answers.”
“Okay,” River said.
“Good job.” Max ended the call.
“When police come, I need you with me,” River said.
“All right.”
“I need you now too.” River leaned in and put his mouth on Newt’s throat. He wanted to feel what happened when he said the next words. “It’s your turn.”
Newt’s Adam’s apple rose and fell under his lips. River felt the vibration against his mouth as Newt let out a long groan.
“My turn…to empty the dishwasher?” Newt asked.
“Hmm.”
“My turn to check everywhere is locked up?”
“I’m thinking…your turn to give me…fabulous…blowjob.”
River worked his way down Newt’s chest, his hands mapping Newt’s upper body, trailing his fingers over the curves of his shoulders, while he mouthed his nipples through the material of his T-shirt.
“Then your turn to fuck me.” River pushed to his feet. “But dishwasher and locks first, sl…slave.”
Newt grinned.
By the time Newt walked into the bedroom, River had stripped, prepped in the bathroom and had lube and condoms ready, along with a tape measure. And an erect cock.
“Er…” Newt raised his eyebrows at the tape measure.
“Suit.”
“Oh right. And you needed to take measurements while you’re naked?”
“Yes. Get your phone.” River wrapped the tape around Newt’s chest, then his waist. Newt tapped in the measurements after River had shown him the tape to check the number.
“We need to work on numbers,” Newt said.
River measured his sleeve length, neck and shoulders. When he wrapped the tape around Newt’s hips, Newt’s breathing faltered.
“Hope for best. You have a lumpy bit.” River ran his hand down the front of Newt’s jeans. “Inseam next.”
