Chapter 15

Eddie was going through his contacts. He'd tried most of them to see if they would buy a ridiculously large amount of dildos. It appeared the warm weather had seen a drop off in sales.

"Fuck this heat," Eddie said. "No one is shagging."

Kat stared over at him. "You're still in the lead, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but it's narrow."

Brad came wandering over. Instantly, Eddie's back was up. Brad only conversed with him to talk about the competition. It had already become very tiresome.

"How's it going?" Brad asked.

"Great, thanks," Eddie replied. "You?"

"Brilliant. A shop in Manchester is interested in some leather stuff. That shit never sells in bulk."

Eddie knew how impressed James would be by that. The leather section of Pleasure Seekers generally sold individually on the website. Stockists were rare.

"Well done," Eddie said through gritted teeth.

"I'm catching you," Brad replied.

"You haven't got a brand-new store. Right here in Brighton," Kat said.

Brad shot her an evil glare. "That's true. It's not gone through yet, has it? It's just potential sales."

"It'll go through," Kat replied. "Won't it, Ed?"

"Sure. It's only a formality."

Brad scowled. "Don't rely on that on its own, Channing."

He stomped to his desk.

"Dick," Kat said.

"Agreed," Eddie replied.

He saw Tyler approaching him from a few desks away.

"Fancy a brew?" he asked when he reached Eddie's desk.

"You three are ridiculous," Kat said with a cheeky grin on her face. "Don't you spend enough time together at home?"

"I can't get enough of him," Tyler said.

Kat pulled a face and resumed working, her fingernails tapping against the keys on her laptop.

Eddie got up.

"Tyler," Kat said. "Did you say we have some new stock coming in?"

"Correct. We have some male butt fleshlights en route."

Kat frowned. "How is a male arsehole different to a female?"

"It comes in a grey metal canister. Very masculine."

Kat shook her head. "Email me when they arrive. We'll do a campaign on the socials."

Eddie was taking all this in.

"When are they here? I reckon I know a few places that would be interested."

"They're stuck at customs," Tyler replied. "Another month."

"Bollocks."

He followed Tyler into the common room area. Tyler set about making the drinks while Eddie leant against the kitchen counter. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to dissuade the impending tension headache from ruining his afternoon.

"Not going well then?"

"Nope. I'm still beating that slimy twat but only with Billy's money."

Tyler stopped and looked at Eddie. "You haven't told him about the five percent then?"

"No. I'm trying to fill it with something else. Failing as well. Plus, knobhead Brad has scored a decent new client up north."

"Why don't you give Billy the discount and see what happens?"

"Because he'll know I've sat on it this long. I'm in too deep now."

Tyler handed him a mug of tea. They found a table and sat down. The headache was winning. Eddie's skull seemed to be splitting in two. Caffeine was probably a terrible idea but he needed the boost.

"No luck on finding other clients?"

Eddie shook his head.

"This is fucking bullshit. I've been single forever. The minute a decent guy appears and I fuck it up in record time."

Tyler reached forward and took his hand. "Don't say that. We'll find a way through it. Are you seeing him tonight?"

Eddie nodded. "I'm going over after football practice. Another predicament I have no idea how I found myself in."

"Can't you drop out of that now you've played in a match?"

"I don't think so. It's giving Barry life."

"Bless him."

"I hope he's okay."

"What do you mean?"

Eddie shrugged. "The other night, after the game, he was odd."

"Odd how?"

"A bit lonely. Like he had no one to share his victory with and it had got to him."

Tyler took a sip of his drink. "Has he ever had anyone?"

"Don't think so," Eddie replied. "Not since I've been here anyway."

"Maybe it's you he's after," Tyler suggested.

Eddie cackled. "I think not. Never has a man been straighter, in every way, than our Barry."

The practice had gone well. Eddie had even scored a goal which wasn't easy for defence players.

"All right, everyone," Barry hollered. "Let's take five. Then I want you to do five laps of the pitch."

The group gave out a collective groan.

"You're a hard taskmaster, Barry," Eddie said.

"I've a taste for winning now."

It made a nice change to see a different side to Barry.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

They sat on the grass. It was still warm from the day's sun.

"I love it," Barry said, taking a swig from his water bottle that clipped to the waistband of his shorts. "Am I doing, okay? Not too much? I can get a little carried away."

The earnestness in his eyes made Eddie's heart melt a little.

"You're doing great."

"Thanks. Is everything all right with you? You don't seem to have been yourself at work. Is this Brad competition getting to you?"

Getting to him? It was all anyone could talk to him about. Eddie seriously contemplated handing the victory to Brad and walking away.

Eddie sighed. "Not really. I mean Pleasure Seekers isn't the centre of the universe."

He wanted to rip his tongue out. Barry had worked there since time began. Perhaps it was the centre of his universe.

"Is that all that's bothering you?"

"I can see nothing gets past you," Eddie replied. "Got some worries of the romantic nature too. Nothing major."

Barry clipped the water bottle to his waistband once more. "Ah yes, the man who came to watch us the other night. Was that his daughter?"

"Sister. He raises her."

"That's a plus point in his favour then."

"He has many of those."

Barry frowned. "So what's the problem then?"

"I'm not sure I'm good enough for him."

Barry sat up. His face grave. "Listen to me very carefully, Eddie. I once had a chance of love. A wonderful woman."

Eddie had never heard this. "What happened?"

"Me," Barry replied. "I got so caught up in day-to-day things, I lost sight of the bigger picture. I fear I broke her heart."

Eddie could not picture Barry as a heartbreaker.

"What happened?"

"I told her I needed to focus on work. The truth being I was absolutely terrified."

"Oh, Barry…"

Barry waved him away. "Ancient history now. What I'm trying to say is that these opportunities seldom come up. Grab it with both hands, Eddie."

"Really?"

"Yes. Love is more important than anything."

"Wow."

"Except for one thing."

"Oh yes?"

"Doing five laps of the football pitch is your number one priority right now. Then you can go in search of this man."

By the time Eddie got to the marina, he was stinky. Those five laps had made him sweat like never before.

Crystal opened the door. She went to hug him.

"Stand back," Eddie warned. "I give a new meaning to B.O."

"Coach says that's a sign of hard work."

"Then I'm excelling. Bloody Barry is a demon."

Crystal let him in.

"Where is he?" Eddie asked.

"Here," Billy called from the kitchen.

Eddie went over and kissed him.

"You weren't wrong," Billy said. "You stink."

"Gee thanks."

"Right, I'm off," Crystal shouted through.

Eddie frowned. "Where are you going?"

"Harry's picking me up," she replied. "We're going to Manchester."

Despite his obvious aroma, Eddie gave her a bear hug. "All the luck in the world, little one. You got this."

"I hope Old Trafford have baths," Crystal said, pushing him away. "I can't believe you came on the bus."

Eddie cackled. "I did get some strange looks."

Billy came over and drew her close. "You are amazing," he said, kissing the top of her head. "I'm so sorry I can't take you myself."

Crystal shrugged. "I don't mind. Keep your phone close. Just in case I have a meltdown."

"Always here for you."

Eddie watched the scene with a tender heart. Their relationship was very special.

"Now scoot. You need to get the bus to Harry's."

Crystal sighed. "I'll be a millionaire footballer soon. I expect I'll have a driver when that happens."

"That's exciting," Billy replied. "Until then, scoot."

Crystal stuck her tongue out and walked away.

She let the door slam behind her.

"That child," Billy said.

Eddie inspected the food. "What's cooking?"

"Only salad and salmon. Nothing fancy. Are you hungry?"

After sweating his arse off on the pitch, Eddie was ravenous. Yet he had a different primal need he wanted to focus on.

"I will be after we've had a shower."

"I'm not dirty."

Eddie scanned the countertop. He took hold of a bottle of mayonnaise and squeezed some onto his palm.

"And what do you think you're up to?" Billy asked.

Gleefully, Eddie put his hand against Billy's face. Covering him in the white substance.

"Oh no," he said. "You're dirty too."

Billy took a step back and wiped his eyes. "You little shit," he said, giggling. "Get your sexy arse into that bathroom."

Eddie went into the family bathroom. Billy also had an en-suite off his bedroom but it was tiny. He dropped his bag down and pulled his shirt off.

Billy came in, still with remnants of mayo on his face. He activated the huge walk-in shower. The monsoon jets instantly springing into life.

"Good job there's room for two," Eddie said.

"First time as well."

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "I'm honoured."

They raced out of their clothes. Eddie kissed Billy, pushing him backwards so the water cascade over both their bodies. Billy looked up and let the shower get rid of the last remaining bits on his face.

As a rule, he wasn't a fan of shower sex. Yet, he would find it difficult to find any location where he wouldn't enjoy Billy's body.

They pawed at each other as they kissed. Eddie had Billy pressed against the wall, grinding his groin against him.

Maybe it was the exercise. Maybe the fact it was Billy. Either way, Eddie hadn't been this horny since his teenage years. It was intoxicating.

Eddie took a step away. He grabbed the shower gel and squeezed a generous portion into his palm. He rubbed it gently over Billy's body.

Billy held his hand out. Eddie gave him some and he returned the favour. His hands travelling over Eddie's body made him relax like nothing else. When Billy was around, he felt more at peace than he'd ever done before.

Turning around, Billy glanced over his shoulder. "Do my back."

Eddie reloaded with gel and ran his hands over Billy's muscles. They were so prominent and he would never get enough of the feel as he traced their outline with his fingers.

He reached the base of Billy's spine. Billy spread his legs, inviting him to go farther. Eddie was more than happy to oblige.

Eddie stroked Billy's crease before finding his hole. As he teased the pucker, Billy gasped. From their previous encounters, Eddie had presumed Billy to be a top. It appeared that he might be versatile.

"Did you bring anything?" Billy said.

"I certainly did."

The last time he'd stayed, Eddie had been dismayed to find that Billy didn't have condoms or lube.

"Fuck me," Billy said.

"That would be my pleasure," Eddie replied.

Using the gel as lube, he slid his finger inside Billy. He was so tight that Eddie worried Billy wouldn't be able to take his cock. Billy enthusiastically rode Eddie's finger. Seeing how horny Billy was clearly feeling mainlined straight to Eddie's cock.

"You want me to fuck you in here?" Eddie asked.

"Yes," Billy panted. "I can't wait."

To have a tall handsome man almost begging for his cock was more persuasion than Eddie needed. Dripping with water, he rummaged in his bag and found the items.

As he got himself ready, he used his free hand to stroke Billy's smooth ass cheeks. He'd spent longer than he should wondering what it would be like to sink his cock inside this gorgeous man. Now he was about to find out.

"Bend over, baby," he said softly.

They had a distinct height difference that would make standing sex a physical impossibility. Eddie had no intention of humiliating himself by fucking on tippy toes.

Billy complied. In the process exposing his hole for Eddie. He teased it with his fingertip. With his other hand, he squeezed his own balls.

After lathering lube over his goal, Eddie positioned himself. Billy pushed back from the wall.

God he really wants this.

With adrenalin pumping through his system, Eddie breached Billy, the head of his cock pushing inside him. Billy let out a cry.

"Okay?" Eddie asked.

"Don't stop."

Eddie gripped Billy's shoulder with one and his waist with the other. The water still ran over both their bodies. Eddie slid deep inside Billy.

"Oh fuck," Billy said with a grunt. "Fuck, that feels good. Don't wait. Just fuck me."

So he did. Eddie bucked his hips in time to an imaginary beat. The sensation of Billy's tight ass contracting around Eddie's solid cock was almost too much.

He pumped him hard. All the stresses of the week disappearing. All he could focus on was pleasure.

Billy reached below them.

"Come while I'm fucking you," Eddie instructed.

"I won't take long."

"Come."

Billy jerked off while Eddie fucked him with all his might.

"Oh god," Billy managed. "I'm going to come."

Billy's body tensed as his words turned into grunts. Once Billy's ass tightened around the head of Eddie's cock, it was all over for him.

He came as though a truck had smashed through the wall. His body falling against Billy's, he cried out. With each wave of pleasure, he thrust hard into Billy.

"Fuck," he stammered. "You're incredible."