Chapter 24

I flip through the pile of mail Brodie had put on the table while Brodie fills me in on the progress at the farmhouse. It’s obvious he enjoys being involved, getting his hands dirty.

“You’ll have it done in no time. I can’t wait until we can be together.”

“Don’t you have to go back today?” Brodie runs his hand down my back, rests it on my waist, and kisses my neck.

“No, I’m done. They don’t need me anymore. We cracked on and got so many of the inspections done. They can finish without me.”

“And you tell me this after we showered and got dressed? We could’ve had a lazy morning naked in bed,” he grumbles in my ear as he snakes his hand around and cups my junk, giving it a less-than-gentle squeeze. “It’s not too late.” His teeth graze over the skin below my ear. A shiver runs down my spine.

He fumbles with my belt and fly, and my blood starts to sing as he unzips my jeans, keeping his lips on my neck. “I’m gonna make you scream out my name.” With a twist, he has me facing him, my back pressed to the wall. “Watch.”

Brodie sinks to his knees, buries his nose into my groin, and inhales deeply. My fingers find their way into his hair and weave through the strands. He nuzzles deeper as he pulls down the front of my briefs, exposing the head of my rock-hard shaft.

“Fuck, I love your cock.” He licks over the tip, humming at the salty taste of my pre-cum.

Before I can think straight, Brodie has swallowed my dick, his nose pressing to the short hairs at the base. His amateur status at sucking my dick has long gone, and he’s now a skilled master. He grips my thighs as he works up and down, sucking, licking, and swallowing around me. It’s not going to take him long to make me come. Tingles run down my spine as my balls tighten and draw up higher. My orgasm builds like one of the waves I spend my summer chasing.

My head thuds back against the wall. “Christ, baby, you’re so fucking good at this. I’m not gonna last.”

He’s going to make me come, using just his mouth, swirling his tongue around the crown, licking to capture more pre-cum. He pulls off. “Come, babe.”

He sucks again, working me relentlessly until, with a shout, I cry out his name and pour my copious load into his mouth and down his throat. As he suckles the remnants of my climax and my brain, my knees buckle. Only his strong arms are holding me upright.

I lean against the wall as Brodie tucks my flaccid dick back in my pants, zips up my jeans, and stands. “Fuck. You’re so bloody good at that.”

“It’s my pleasure.” He presses his mouth to mine. I lick over the seam of his lips, and he opens immediately. I stroke over his tongue, tasting myself. He moans, his hands back on my hips.

The ringing of the bloody doorbell breaks us apart. I stalk to the door and yank it open.

“Hi, Ivan, I’ve got one you need to sign for.” The postman holds out an electronic device with a touch screen for me to attempt a signature with my fingertip.

“Cheers, mate.” I close the door, dump the letter on the table, and return to Brodie. “Where were we?”

“I need to get back to the house. Drew says the furniture I ordered has arrived.” He shoves his phone into his pocket. “We can get back to this later.”

“You’re the one with blue balls, baby.” Grinning, I pick up my keys.

On the drive to his place, Brodie flips through screens on his phone, chewing the nail on his thumb. He has something on his mind.

“Are you going to share what’s bothering you?” I ask.

Startled, he fumbles with his phone. “I kind of told Drew we hooked up in London,” he blurts out.

“Okay. Is that a problem? I’m amazed we haven’t told them already. What did he say?”

“Honestly, he didn’t say anything. The idea of turning the barns into a gym jumped out at me, and we changed the subject.”

“The barns? You hadn’t told me that. That’s a brilliant idea.”

“I’m sorry. You coming home put everything out of my mind. It was just an idea. I need to find out if I can get planning permission, but I want to get the farmhouse finished before anything else. Plus, I don’t know what the cost would be. It may turn out to be too expensive.”

We pull up outside the house, and Brodie reaches across the console. “Are you ready to see what it looks like now?”

We exit the car at the same time as Drew comes out of the house.

While Brodie gets inside, I shove my hands into my pockets and wait for Drew to reach me. “Hello, stranger, how long are you back for?” He hooks his thumb over his shoulder. “He’s missed you.”

“I’ve been home. He’s seen me.”

“Getting into the same bed and then out of it before daylight isn’t the same.”

“Hey, don’t give me shit for something you don’t know about. Brodie and I are rock solid.” Why is he giving me this crap?

Drew holds up his hands. “Whoa! Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Brodie told you we met back last year when I was away working.” I may as well get this over with.

“Yeah, he did, but not any details. It’s pretty weird. I mean, what are the chances? Did you recognise him from the summer?”

“No, we didn’t even exchange names. But it was the best night of my life. Until now, of course. I couldn’t believe it when I saw him. I’m happy again, Drew. He makes me want to live again. I love him.”

“I know you do. I’m pleased for you, but a friendly word of warning. If you hurt him, you’re gonna have to deal with Merrick.”

“That’s never gonna happen. Brodie’s it for me. I want to go and see what he’s done. This is going to be my home too.”

“Yeah, Brodie told me.”

I walk into the boot room but stop in the doorway. The flagstone floor shines as if it’s been here forever. The rustic but modern kitchen is warm and inviting. I can see us both here, with a glass of wine while we cook.

“What do you think?” Brodie comes up to me and wraps an arm around my waist.

“It’s incredible. I love it. Show me some more. How long before it’s finished?” I run my hand over the back of the large L-shaped sofa. The shelves on either side of the log burner are already filling up with books, giving the room a homey and comfortable vibe, just like a home should.

“Honestly, I think about a week or two. It’s just fixtures and fittings. We could move in now if you want.”

Excitement fills me. This is it—the fresh start to a new life.