“I can cope with anything you tell me, Gabby, unless you no longer love me.”
I pull him to a stop, cupping his cheek and looking him in the eyes.
“That will never happen,” I say fiercely and seal my words with a kiss that lasts several minutes as he attacks my mouth with the same fervour and I nearly forget what I was going to tell him. We continue on walking as we catch our breath.
“What is it, honey?” he asks after a few minutes, and a warmth fills me at his endearment. I love this man so much I could burst.
“Apart from yesterday, I’ve only had sex with another guy twice before, and neither were great experiences. I have no clue what I’m doing.”
“Did anyone hurt you?” His eyes flash grey and his face looks stony.
“No, nothing like that. They were both in clubs, and well, I guess I just felt cheap and dirty afterwards.”
“Was this in the Rainbow Room?”
“One time, yes. The other was at a club in Soho.”
“Casual hookups in clubs aren’t supposed to be deep and meaningful.” He gives a little laugh.
“That’s just it. In a weird way, I thought that was kinda just how gay sex was. And I was resigned to that. But last night you showed me that I was very wrong, that it could be an incredible experience, and now I feel daft and very naïve. I’m sorry if that puts you off.”
“Oh, Gabby, my darling.” He turns to face me. “It doesn’t matter to me that you haven’t had much experience, though it pains me to think you only had bad ones and thought that was normal for so long. We’ll go at your pace, okay?”
“Thank you,” I say, though if I have Charley in my lap again like I did last night, it won’t be a slow pace.
“How about we go find the local clinic tomorrow? I got checked out after Miles.” He pulls a face when he says his name. “But it won’t hurt to get tested again and know where the clinic is.”
“Okay, the walk-in clinic is in Oxford, so if we have time, how about I buy you lunch?”
“Or I could buy you lunch.” Charley smiles as we continue our way to the paddocks. Another thought springs to mind, and I voice it without thinking it through first.
“Am I supposed to know what I like? You know. Top or bottom? What do you prefer?” Thankfully, Charley doesn’t seem to mind my clumsy question.
“Unless you have really strong opinions either way, you should try everything first. As for me, I’m vers.” We reach the paddock gate and Charley faces me with a small, coy grin. He leans forward and places his lips close to my ear. “The thought of me fucking you or you fucking me are equally pleasurable.”
His breath across my ear and neck and the way he saysfuckinghas my blood draining south and my cock starts to thicken. It doesn’t feel dirty. It feels good, I feel desirable. I desire him. I grab his hips and push him back against the gate, grinding into him so he can feel the effect he just had on me. He chuckles just before I mash my mouth onto his. Slowly be damned. I want him. I kiss him hard and he responds with just as much force. His tongue swirls against mine and he grabs the back of my head, pulling me deeper into the kiss. I’m lost in him, savouring every second until I feel a large waft of hot breath across my cheek.
“Eww!” Charley exclaims pulling back. I open my eyes and start laughing. Arrow is standing right behind Charley, nuzzling his hair. The horses must have approached while we weren’t looking.
“Your timing sucks, my friend,” Charley laughs and moves out of the way of Arrow’s inquisitive muzzle. But he turns and greets him anyway, stroking Arrow’s neck and face, murmuring words softly to him while I rearrange myself in my jeans. Then I lean on the gate next to Charley, my shoulder up against his but content to be close.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
GABRIEL
“Heads,” calls Charley as I trap the coin on the back of my hand after flipping it. It’s a method we often settled disputes or made decisions with over the years, mostly for who got to choose the film we were going to watch. This time lunch is at stake, and we’re sitting in a cafe in the centre of Oxford after a trip to the clinic. I lift my hand to reveal our sovereign’s head.
“I win!” he shouts triumphantly, lifting both arms into the air. The waitress arrives just at that moment and rolls her eyes.
“I’m his carer. I’ve brought him out as a treat,” I say with mock seriousness, and Charley kicks my ankle under the table. I stifle a giggle like I’m a teenager again. I can’t help it. Charley brings it out in me. We place our orders and the waitress disappears to the kitchen.
“I’m paying for lunch,” Charley announces.
“Seriously? You win and your choice is to pay? You’re a weird one, Charley Marshall.”
“But you love me anyway.” He gives me a goofy grin and pushes his knee up against mine. I shake my head.
“That I do, and the devil may take me for it,” I say in a deadpan tone, and Charley giggles this time.
