Chapter 33

"Hi Gran, how are you?" I call, when I enter the kitchen and walk through to the front room.

"Hello dear," she answers, then seeing I'm alone follows it with, "Where's that lovely boyfriend of yours?"

I can't stop the grin—which probably looks really sappy—from spreading across my face when she uses the word "boyfriend." As Darcy has been a part of my life for nearly half of it, I can't imagine life without him. But it still catches me unawares to hear the evidence that our relationship has changed, said out loud. I haven't had many people in my life that could use that title, so it feels really special and causes a warmth to flood through me.

"He'll be around later," I reply.

I've left Darcy having a shower and I would've loved to join him, but not in my parents' house. There's not a lot we can do either, the walls are far too thin and we're never alone in the house. But I have a plan so we can spend some time together.

"How was the house you went to look at yesterday?" she asks.

"Urgh, it was awful. There was rising damp in every room. Now I know why it was so cheap."

"You'll find something, love." I'm glad she's optimistic, but I'm not so sure. They're all either too expensive, falling down, or in an area I don't want to live in.

"Are you ready for your appointment today?" I ask, to change the subject. She's due to have the cast removed from her leg which means she'll be able to move around a lot easier. She reminds me we're also going to see a retirement village later.

"It's not a home, dear." She must have seen my face at the mention of it. "It's still independent living, just with some assistance. I don't like that you all have to do so much for me. I can do some of it myself, but you know I can't manage those stairs."

"Can't you move into a bungalow?" I ask peevishly, still reluctant to think that anyone else should be helping with my gran.

"It's more than that, Nicholas." She fixes me with her steely glare. "I enjoy seeing you every day. There's nothing I like more. But if I'm honest, since I lost Reggie, I've been lonely. I'd like some company my own age. Plus, I have to ask your mum, your dad, or you if I want to go anywhere or get anything. This place has a shop, a hairdresser's, a cinema, and even a spa. I'd like to be able to enjoy those things while I still can."

I sigh. She has a point, of course, and it's not like she'll be far away. She does deserve to be able to enjoy life, and I hadn't thought how confining it must be for her here. But still, I will miss her a lot.

"Well, you won't be able to stop me from visiting you every spare moment I get," I say, trying to lighten my mood a little.

"I can't wait to show off my handsome grandson to everyone." She beams at me and I rise, kissing her cheek, telling her that Dad will be around soon to take her to the hospital.

I want to catch Darcy before he has to leave. He has a couple of lessons today, including Justin and Mark's final rehearsal.

"Mmm, are you sure you have to go out?" I put my arms round him as he's looking in the mirror, running his fingers through his damp hair. He looks gorgeous, and his hair is wonderfully tousled. I can't help but nuzzle into his neck, one of my favourite things to do, pressing soft kisses where his neck meets his shoulder. I inhale the clean citrus scent from his shower gel. I want to keep kissing him, undressing him as I go, rather than letting him out of my grasp right now. In fact, we haven't done much apart from kissing and cuddling in the few days he's been here. He needed comfort after the shock and emotion of the last few days, and I didn't want to pressure him. But I know I have a higher libido than Darcy and I'm already struggling, ready to blow half the time. Maybe when he's gone out, I'll take matters into my own hands.

His reflection smiles back at me. "I won't let my clients down, not even as tempting as you are."

I show him my best pout and then pull back, reluctantly releasing him.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" I ask, even though I know the answer as I'd asked him several times already. But the protective instinct is strong.

"I'm fine, babe. It'll be okay."

I know it will. His speech to his parents a few days ago proved that. Showed me he was stronger than I thought he was, and I feel bad for underestimating him. It doesn't stop me wanting to help, though.

"Alright, and I hope it goes well for Justin and Mark. I can't wait to see them on Saturday." I'm looking forward to their wedding and a surprise I have planned for Darcy. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw him down on the bed and not let him out of the room, not until he's come, screaming my name. But well, parents. And now I can't stop thinking about it, and the semi I'm sporting just from kissing him a minute ago is thickening. I adjust myself in my jeans.

"What's got you all hot and bothered?" Darcy asks with a smirk, looking pointedly at my crotch.

"As if you need to ask that," I say, trying not to look at him as it's making matters worse.

"Do you need help?" He steps closer and places his hand over mine, which is ineffectually attempting to make it more comfortable.

I glance at him and see him nibble his bottom lip, with a question in his dark verdant eyes. I'm doomed.

I swallow.

"Er, that isn't helping, D." My voice is thick and I'm on a hair trigger. But a huge part of me doesn't want him to stop at all, delighted that he seems to know what I need.

He gives me a sly smile and bats my hand away, unbuttoning my jeans before I can stop him. He pulls my trousers and boxer briefs down, allowing my cock to bounce free of its constraints.

"Um, D. Honey?" No, this isn't really helping, and I utter a curse under my breath as he wraps his hand round my length.

He presses his lips to mine, questing with his tongue while he starts slow strokes with his hand, his thumb brushing over the tip. Then he walks me backwards until I'm up against the wall.

"Shhh now," he whispers, before he drops to his knees.

I have to tip my head back and squeeze my eyes shut, as the sight of his lips engulfing my cock is too much, and I'm going to be coming within a few seconds. Instead, I give myself over to the feeling of his tongue swirling around my end and the exquisite sensation of his mouth. I try to steady my breathing and keep quiet, letting out a series of fucks under my breath. I feel rather than hear him chuckling round me at my struggle to hold on, and it's enough to push me over the edge. I let the wall support me when my knees almost give way as I shoot straight to the back of his throat. He slowly slides his mouth off me and stands in one deft movement, always elegant.

I'm still recovering, unable to stand unaided and staring at him with a mixture of love and wonder.

"That was amazing, D," I say, eventually managing to pull my jeans back on. "Thank you."

"You looked like you needed that," he says bluntly, and I mock-frown at him.

"That obvious, huh?"

"I can read you like a book." His eyes are full of mirth. "But I need to go or I'll miss the bus." He presses a quick kiss to my lips and then he's gone, and I'm still leaning against the wall trying to get my breath back.

When I've recovered, I go down to the kitchen, seeking out my parents. My dad is just off to take Gran to her appointment. He isn't working today, either. I've asked for the rest of the week off to be with Darcy. Alan is still helping my dad as the job he wanted at the steelworks didn't go his way, so taking time off isn't difficult. But there is a big job planned for next week that will need all three of us. Until then, there's something else I need to do, especially after what just happened. I need to double my efforts to find somewhere for Darcy and I to live.