Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Mercury woke and grinned. Nick was planting kisses on the back of his neck. So lightly his spine almost crackled with electricity.

"Good morning," Mercury said.

Nick slung his muscular arm over Mercury's hips.

Fuck that feels good.

"Good morning," Nick replied, pulling him closer.

Mercury spun around to face Nick. Their faces inches from each other. That was when the headache kicked in.

"Oh, God," Mercury said. "The pain is real."

"Feeling a little delicate?"

"How are you not?"

"I've barely moved. I'm sure that will change. In fact, I think I'm still a little drunk. What the hell does the Professor put in that punch?"

Mercury shook his head, which again set off the brass band that seemed to be marching across his brain.

"Most of the contents of his liquor cabinet, I think."

Nick kissed Mercury's forehead. "They're great. I think I'm good enough to go on a quiz show about Dickens now."

Mercury chuckled. "It is rather a hobby of the Professor's. Sorry."

Nick lay back and Mercury settled his head on Nick's chest. It was solid and so bloody tempting.

Absent mindedly, playing with Nick's nipple, Mercury made a mental note to thank Mrs Wimpole. Whatever bad feeling Bobby had created, she had obliterated.

"Mrs Wimpole was so kind to me," Nick said. "I'm afraid I may have told her about your friend."

With his fingertip, Mercury lightly traced the outline of Nick's six-pack. Despite his Grade A hangover, things were stirring inside him.

"Don't worry about it. She'll give him a lesson he badly needs. I'm so sorry he can be such an arse."

Mercury worked his way underneath the covers.

"He's not your responsibility," Nick said. "I hope you intend finishing whatever you plan on starting under there. The hangover horn is a dangerous beast once woken."

"More than the tipsy monster I had the good fortune of experiencing last night?"

Nick grabbed Mercury's hand and pushed it down. Once again, Nick's impressive cock was rock solid.

"Far more difficult to tame."

Before they could have a rematch from the previous night, a door closed on one of the floors below.

"What the fuck?" Mercury said.

"Is it a burglar?"

"Well, I don't think it's Mrs Wimpole popping round to share hangovers. I'm sure I put the alarm on."

A toilet flushed.

"A burglar with the shits?" Nick asked.

"Worse than that," Mercury said with a shudder. "I reckon it's my mother."

"You might have said you were coming home."

"I'm so sorry for using a break in filming to see if my pride and joy is surviving," Madeline replied. "I hope you aren't this mean to your mother, Nick."

Mercury hated that he sounded like a child who had been busted. That was so not a good look in front of Nick.

"It's very lovely to see you," Mercury said.

They were in the huge drawing room that dominated the first floor. Madeline reclined on one couch. Mercury made sure Nick sat next to him on the other. He would act as a human shield when the inevitable interrogation began.

"Seems like you had quite a night."

They had left a couple of bottles of champagne in the room as well as food wrappers. It did resemble very posh student digs.

"Mrs Wimpole forced us into sampling the Professor's summer punch," Nick explained. "My apologies for us leaving things in this state. It won't take a minute to clear up."

He went to move when Madeline held her hand up. "Nonsense. Mercury can do it. I'm having some friends over for a late lunch."

"Who?"

"Josh and Arvid."

Mercury turned to Nick. "Arvid is the one who met that busker and now they're head over heels. He's even moved in."

" Warm Hearts ?" Nick asked.

"That's the one," Madeline replied.

"I couldn't get that song out of my head all Christmas," Nick said. "And who's Josh?"

"Another neighbour," Mercury explained. "He's been going through a tough time. His husband has had cancer."

"Of the balls," Madeline chimed in.

"Yes, thank you, Mother. Testicular cancer. Thankfully, it appears they've caught it in time."

Madeline stretched. "Poor sod. The radiotherapy has really kicked his ass. Thank goodness chemo wasn't needed."

They lapsed into silence. Mercury was impressed that Nick appeared to be taking this in his stride. Usually, when Mercury brought a guy home, they would fawn all over Madeline, asking for behind-the-scenes gossip.

"I suppose I'd better ask. What's going on with you two?" Madeline asked.

She'd gained a reputation for being fiercely direct. It was one of the many things he adored about her.

"I'm being terribly unprofessional and becoming involved with Mercury," Nick said, equally as forthright. Mercury's heart soared when Nick took hold of his hand.

Madeline grinned. "I'm sure it happens in all walks of life. I've had the odd dalliance with a colleague in my time."

"I'm fully aware of that," Nick said.

"No doubt," Madeline replied. "I would prefer the press not to get hold of this. Mercury has had quite enough of their intrusion in his life this year."

Mercury hadn't even considered that his and Nick's romance would be of interest to the newspapers.

"It may be a little late for that," Mercury said. "Bobby ran into us yesterday."

Nick straightened up at the mention of Mercury's friend's name.

"And he was his usual viper-tongued self, I presume," Madeline said. "That boy is a walking stereotype."

"No need to worry," Mercury continued. "We grassed him up to Mrs Wimpole."

Madeline cackled. "Then I don't fancy his chances. She may be a horrific gossip but she loves Mercury here. Me, not so much. Will you stay for lunch?"

Mercury shook his head. "I've got to take Nick home."

"It's an early start tomorrow morning. We're holding a barbecue for the kids," Nick said.

"They're so excited," Mercury said. "We took them to Brighton on Friday. Honestly, Mum, one of the boys, Eddie, had never seen the sea before. His face when he took it all in. I could have cried."

"Mercury has bonded well with all the kids, Mrs Morrison. He and Eddie have something special."

"Madeline, please. Mrs Morrison makes me sound like an old fart. I'm pleased you're getting on there. I can't pretend I wasn't worried."

Mercury got up. "No need. It's having the desired effect. I might even call up that magistrate and thank them."

Nick also stood. "Perhaps leave the law out of it."

"Hear, hear," Madeline added. "Mercury, darling, can you find me the number of The Bluebird? I wonder if they'll deliver."

Mercury breathed a sigh of relief that Madeline wasn't going to attempt cooking. Last time, Gwen had spent the whole day trying to get the cooker clean.

Mercury parked two streets away from the House. Cath and Gavin were running things today. Mercury had no intention of letting the latter's beady eyes clock them. Madeline's car remained fairly prominent in the area.

"Do you want to come in?" Nick asked.

"Is that wise?"

"It is if you want to finish what we started this morning."

Mercury had no intention of refusing that offer.

"What if one of the kids sees us?"

"Then you called in with that thing you were going to lend me."

"Fine, although I think we may need to be a little more specific."

"Okay, you brought an emergency flask of badly brewed tea. I don't know. We haven't even been spotted yet."

They got out of the car and walked toward Nick's place.

"Some of the kids are on to us anyway," Mercury said. "Eddie was the reason I sorted my head out."

Nick raised his eyebrows. "Really? He hasn't said anything to me. Speaking of Eddie, I have a theory about him and Brooke."

Mercury tried to adopt his most innocent expression. "Oh really? In what way?"

"I think they're an item."

It was going to come out soon enough. "Very perceptive."

"You know something, don't you?"

"I'm not prepared to reveal my secrets, Nick Campbell."

Nick stopped. "Are you serious? You weren't going to tell me?"

"I told Eddie I wouldn't. I keep my word, thank you."

Mercury followed Nick down the garden path to the adjoining house. Over the fence, some of the kids were lazing around in the house.

They should be out enjoying the weather. Fuck, how old am I getting?

As he stepped over the threshold, Mercury was intrigued to see what Nick's home would be like. He found himself pleasantly surprised.

It was slightly smaller than Bodhi House, with the same hallway leading through into a lounge and dining room.

"If you're wondering, the previous owner extended next door in the eighties. I'm glad the owners of this place didn't. I don't think I'd know what to do with that much space."

"This is lovely though."

The walls were a light grey. Nick had wooden floors covered with large rugs. Two midnight-blue sofas dominated the room. It was very cosy. Mercury instantly visualised snuggling up in here on a winter's night, watching a movie.

Slow down.

"Seeing as I showed you my bedroom, I think it only fair you show me yours."

Nick pushed Mercury down onto the couch before straddling him. Mercury's cock sprang instantly to life.

"I can feel that," Nick said with a grin.

In the panic of discovering his mother had made an unscheduled trip home, Mercury had put on a pair of tracksuit bottoms and a hoody. Nick had scrubbed up exceptionally in a black T-shirt and black shorts.

Nick pulled the zip down on Mercury's hoody, exposing his chest. He leant forward and teased Mercury's nipple with his teeth. He was highly sensitive there and Nick's nibbles made him grasp for the cushion next to him.

"Oh god," he murmured.

Nick shifted and lowered himself onto the ground between Mercury's legs. He ran his tongue over the sweatpants that his cock was tenting. A damp patch of pre-cum had already appeared.

"You sexy bastard," Nick said, glancing up at him.

Mercury gasped as Nick tugged at the trousers. They easily slid to the floor, exposing Mercury's erection.

The need rising in Mercury had become familiar now. Whenever Nick was involved, Mercury yearned for contact. They had spent the whole night familiarising themselves with each other's bodies and it still wasn't enough.

Nick clearly had the same problem. He plunged Mercury's cock into his mouth, sending shockwaves rushing through Mercury. He groaned and lifted his leg onto Nick's shoulder. Pressing down with his heel, he fucked Nick's mouth.

"Fuck you're good," Mercury gasped.

Nick matched his movement now, his head bucking up and down. They were a mere stone's throw from where Mercury had spent his time thinking this would never happen. Now, they were working up a sweat next door.

Mercury squirmed away from Nick. He didn't want this over until he'd had a chance to feast on Nick's cock. He stood and, with his foot, pushed Nick so he lay flat.

Kicking off the trousers and letting the hoody fall, a naked Mercury crawled up Nick's body. They crashed together. They entwined their limbs as Mercury dove his tongue into Nick's mouth.

Mercury sat up and dragged Nick's T-shirt over his head and arms. Once again that magnificent body was revealed. Mercury ran his hands all over Nick, stopping at his nipples to tease them. Nick closed his eyes, seemingly giving himself in to the sensation.

Mercury shifted off Nick and undid the buttons on Nick's shorts. He almost ripped them apart to get to what lay beneath. Impatiently, he pulled Nick's shorts and boxers down in one motion.

Not bothering to get them all off, Mercury took the whole of Nick in his mouth.

"Mercury. Fuck," Nick stammered.

Mercury gorged on Nick's cock, sliding his lips up and down the shaft. The salty taste of pre-cum danced over his tongue as he sucked. He could never tire of this body.

Nick reached for Mercury's cock, squeezing it as Mercury continued to suck. His whole body tensed as he took Nick in and out of his mouth.

Then Nick grabbed hold of his shoulders and rolled him over.

"Come for me," Nick said.

They had already established the night before that Nick enjoyed watching Mercury. Giving a show that was quite clearly appreciated turned Mercury on too.

He held his dick and slowly squeezed. Nick wriggled out of his clothes and kneeled by Mercury's side. He licked his lips as he watched him.

With his free hand, Mercury reached for Nick's cock but was gently batted away.

"I want to see you," Nick said.

Mercury trusted Nick so implicitly he didn't feel at all self-conscious. He tugged harder at his cock while resting his other hand on Nick's thigh. He had to have some form of contact.

His breath came in sharp bursts now. He ran his hand up Nick's thigh and gripped onto his hard butt cheek. Everything about Nick was hard. Except his heart.

Mercury was going to come. He stretched his whole body out as he tugged furiously. Catching Nick's eye, he never lost eye contact.

He let out a cry. His vision blurred when the release fell out of him. The orgasm seemed to last for an age.

When the tremors had died down, and he opened his eyes, Mercury saw Nick working his own cock. He crouched over Mercury.

"Come," Mercury said.

No sooner had he uttered that word than Nick grunted. He came in thick bursts, falling onto Mercury. Nick's body shuddered and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut.

When he'd settled, he opened his eyes and grinned.

"That's hot," he said, nodding to their cum intermingling on Mercury's body.

"And very uncomfortable," Mercury replied with a laugh.

Nick leapt up and padded into the kitchen. He returned with a tea towel.

"It's clean," he said, throwing it down onto Mercury.

"Not for long," Mercury replied. He cleaned himself up.

Nick flopped down on the sofa. "Come here."

"You're very authoritative," Mercury said. He snuggled into Nick. Luxuriating in the feel of his naked body again.

"Don't you like it?" Nick asked, kissing his forehead.

"It's hot," Mercury replied. "Maybe I'll exert my dominance one day."

Nick seemed more than interested.

"Be my guest," he said.