Chapter 30

Malachi

The conversation with Kieren hadn't got Malachi hot and bothered but seeing Nick playing with the pets had. He had such a good heart, and it was often taken for granted. Malachi felt a visceral need to show him how much he cared, especially after what he'd done for him with Kieren.

Talking with him had helped tremendously, and though he wasn't ready to explore it yet, he had no qualms about doing it at the club any longer. Kieren had settled those nerves with an explanation of what he'd experienced. If Malachi hadn't already known the royal family were the best people on the planet, he would've been won over by that.

But for the moment, he was more than content with what he had with Nick, and if that ever changed, he knew he would be able to talk to him about it.

He still liked control, though.

"Naked. Bed. Now," he said as soon as they entered the house.

"Yes, Sir."

Nick ran up the stairs, and Malachi stared after him, watching the muscles in his legs and ass, despite being covered up. He couldn't wait to get his hands on him. Following at a more sedate pace and giving him time to do as he was told, Malachi thought back to his life just two months ago, when he believed Nick hated him and he would never be free from Tucker's clutches. What a difference a short time could make. He still had concerns about his mother's or grandmother's health, but losing his soul to a job just for the health benefits was a good way to an early grave. But he was here, and things were definitely looking up.

He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest and dragging his gaze across Nick's exposed skin. The darkness of the tattoos stood out against the tanned skin, and the prominent veins running across his arms, legs and cock were like a map he could use—and maybe would.

"Hands around the headboard," he ordered, licking his lips as Nick's body stretched to obey.

He pushed off the doorframe and wandered closer, stopping beside the bed and meeting Nick's needy gaze. Hopefully, he would love what Malachi had in mind for him. Reaching for the bedside table, he pulled out the supplies, plus something else, hiding it so Nick couldn't see. After the past few days, they both knew each other's bodies like they knew their own, so it didn't take him long to nestle between his legs and start prepping him.

Malachi's cock was hard behind his zip, and he couldn't wait to get it out and buried inside Nick's ass. While he stretched him with the first finger, he stroked his shaft, keeping him on the edge. He added a second and then a third finger, and then Nick pleaded with him.

"You. Please, you."

Malachi unzipped his trousers and pulled his cock free, lubing it quickly. He didn't take the time to undress, just lined himself up and slid home with groans from them both. When he was deep inside, he paused.

"Wrap your legs around me."

As soon as he did, Malachi grabbed the new toy he'd bought online. He squirted some lube onto Nick's cock, smirking at the deep lines on his face as he tried to figure out what was happening, and then slid the cock sleeve onto his dick.

"Holy fuck!" he hissed.

"Move your hips, sweetheart. Fuck yourself on me and the sleeve."

It took him a few seconds to figure out the rhythm, but soon enough, he was dropping onto Malachi's cock and thrusting forward into the sleeve. His fingers were white on the headboard, his muscles bulging with every movement. Malachi could feel himself drawing closer and closer to the edge.

"That's it. Take yourself over the edge, Nick."

Nick increased his speed, and Malachi barely kept hold of the sleeve, but then Nick groaned and worked his way through his climax, the pure, painful pleasure of an orgasm flowing across his face. Chest heaving, Nick slumped to the bed, though his hands remained around the headboard.

Malachi was on the edge. "Nick, keep moving."

Nick opened his eyes and stared at him, licking his lips before continuing his previous movements. Malachi inhaled through his nose as his climax barrelled forward. Three more thrusts, and he flew, gripping Nick's hips as he took over and slammed deeper, coaxing every bit of his orgasm from him. Resting back on his heels, he dropped his head back, wincing when he slid free from Nick's ass.

He peered down at him after a few seconds. "You can let go now, Nick."

Nick unpeeled his hands from the headboard and fisted and stretched them repeatedly. "Ouch."

"Maybe I need to swap it out for some cylindrical ones, rather than square."

Nick's stomach muscles clenched, and he rose, encircling Malachi in his arms. "It's fine. I love you."

Malachi sighed, never tired of hearing that. "I love you."

****

"Mum, please. I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me looking a mess. It's just them. They won't mind! I only donated blood. It's not all over me."

Emily huffed. "Just them, he says. They're important, Malachi! We have to give a good impression."

Malachi smiled. "I think your chocolate cake at Prince George's party was enough of a good impression. More than one person said it was the best they'd tasted, and even Oscar said he'd love to have it in his coffee shop."

Emily flushed, and she busied herself with putting her light jacket on. "Okay. Well, we're as decent as we're going to get. We better not keep them waiting."

Malachi withheld his comment and held the door open for her and his grandmother. Nick waited by the car, opening the doors and helping them in. Sally took the passenger front seat, like he knew she would, and Malachi settled behind Nick. It meant he could meet his gaze in the rearview mirror, too. Nick had offered to take them to dinner, but the king had offered to host them instead, giving Malachi's and Nick's families the chance to meet them properly.

Sally asked plenty of questions of them on the journey, even questions she'd asked several times before. It was her way of settling her nerves because the royal family had been a big part of her life, too. She had grown up with them as much as he had, and it was where his love had come from.

Parking at Windsor Castle was easy enough, and then he and Nick escorted them into the building. The moment they entered, Sally gasped, holding onto Malachi's arm as she looked above her.

"It's so big! The pictures don't do it justice."

"I thought the same when I first came here," Malachi said.

"Mrs Hopkins, Mrs Sanders, I'm so glad to meet you. Malachi has told me a lot about you." Andrew stood before them, and Sally gripped Malachi's hand. "I would love to escort you to dinner if you would let me."

Emily smiled and curtsied. "It's very nice to meet you in person, Your Majesty. Thank you for the escort. Mum?"

Sally visibly pulled herself together. "I would like to say one thing before we go." Malachi winced, wondering what was going to come out of her mouth.

"Of course."

"I'm so dreadfully sorry about your father, your mother and your wife. You've had a life filled with grief and yet you're determined to pull every ounce of happiness from it as you can. I wish I had the same perseverance."

Andrew's expression softened further. "Thank you for your kind words. It hasn't been without a lot of soul-searching and help from my family that I managed to do so. I hope we can help you do the same."

Sally waved her hand. "I'm too old to change my ways now, but thank you for the offer."

Andrew waved his hand towards the corridor. "Shall we?"

Emily asked some questions about the decoration as they walked, and Sally listened intently. Malachi dropped back and walked beside Nick.

"It seems to be going well," he whispered.

Nick smiled. "They already love each other because of what we've told them, so I doubt there will be any problems. The main thing will be keeping an eye on your grandmother and making sure she doesn't go walkabout." He winked.

Sally glanced over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes at Nick, and he tensed.

"Did I forget to mention that she had supersonic hearing?"

Nick glared at him. "Yes."

Malachi laughed and slipped his arm around Nick's, resting his head on his shoulder while they walked. Reaching the royal family's dining room, Andrew held the door for the women, and Nick grabbed it so the king could enter, and then they followed. The rest of the Sutcliffes rose from their chairs, and Sally gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Malachi stepped to her side.

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

She smiled, though it was a little shaky. "I'm just so glad to see the entire family so happy. It's different seeing it on the TV, but in person, it makes everything much clearer." She wiped her eyes, and he led her to the table where Andrew and Emily waited.

Andrew went around the table, stopping at each person and introducing them, even though Malachi's family knew who they were. Then he led them to the chairs next to his and settled them in. Malachi and Nick took the seats at the other end.

"How long before they have to extend the tables again?" he asked.

Nick chuckled. "No idea, but soon, even this room will be too small."

"Unless you add a ‘children's' table," Malachi joked.

"Who would be on it?" Nick asked, his face alight with humour.

"George," three voices said at once.

Malachi looked around Nick to see Oscar, Eddie and Kieren grinning at him. He snorted, covering his mouth before it became too loud. He glanced at the top of the table and received a glare from his grandmother, and he straightened and looked down at his plate, his mouth still twitching.

"That told you," Nick whispered.

"It wasn't just to me," Malachi replied, and Nick glanced up the table before snapping his head back again, eyes wide.

"How does she do that?"

"Magic," Malachi whispered. "It's passed down, generation after generation."

"What's your magic power, then?"

Malachi raised his eyebrows. "If you have to ask, I'm not doing it right."

He kept a straight face for several seconds before Nick's flush cracked his composure, and he burst out laughing.

"You'll pay for that," Nick murmured.

****

A jingling bell announced Malachi's entrance into Book Drunk. The scent of coffee and cake assaulted his nose in the most pleasant of ways, and his stomach rumbled. It was his own fault. He wanted to save his appetite for the coffee shop instead of eating at home with Nick. Plus, he'd been eager to get going that morning, and the choice to meet Felix and Jason at eleven o'clock in the morning was far too late by his standards.

He'd grown close to Felix in the weeks he'd been at Windsor Castle and with Nick. They hadn't had anything to do with each other before that, only in passing at events occasionally. But since his almost assault had taken him into the realm of royalty further than he could have ever imagined, Felix had been talking to him, messaging and calling him to check up on him.

In that time, they'd become friends. Malachi might even go so far as to say best friends, if that could happen in such a short time.

And when Darius had introduced him to Jason, they had hit it off completely, and their surprising trio had been born. Their first coffee date had turned into four hours of chat, laughter, food and drink, and they'd made it a weekly deal from then on.

Nick had been a little uneasy about the three of them getting together, to begin with. Malachi sensed he thought he was being replaced, but once he showed Nick how much he needed him—four hours was nothing to them—he hadn't been worried after that.

And there they were. Felix and Jason were already at what he was coming to think of as "their" table, deep in conversation. Deciding not to interrupt, he went straight to the counter to order their drinks.

"Hey, Oscar. How are you?"

Oscar beamed at him. "Never been better. You?"

"Good, thanks."

"Are you wanting your usual?"

"Yes, please. Have they already ordered?" he asked. Oscar shook his head. "Can I get theirs as well, then, please?"

"No worries. I'll bring it all over once it's done."

"Thanks, Oscar." He held out his card and raised his eyebrows, and Oscar sighed.

"Fine." Oscar rang up their order and huffed as he held out the card reader. The man had a penchant for allowing the royal family and their families, spouses and all, to have free food and drink, but Malachi had been concerned about him tanking his business by doing that so much, especially with how many of them there were, so he'd demanded to pay. It had been a battle of wills in the beginning, but eventually, Malachi had his way. Oscar did get him back a bit because he always made sure to add a hefty discount—but at least he was still making money instead of losing it, so he'd call that a win.

Malachi winked at him and headed for the table. "Have you stopped gossiping yet?" he asked as he settled beside Felix.

Felix nudged him with his elbow. "We don't gossip. We—"

"Deconstruct. Yes, I know, but it's still gossiping no matter what label you put on it," he said with a grin.

"You should talk," Jason said, coming to Felix's defence. "Who was it who brought us the information about The Ports?"

Malachi chuckled. They weren't wrong. "Well, when I get given an exclusive scoop on the lead guitarist, what more could I do?" He held out his hands.

Oscar chose that moment to bring over their drinks, and he must've caught the tail end of his words. "That exclusive was epic! I can't believe they gave you that. Who would've thought? I wonder if Dennis Carter is regretting it now with how much more publicity he's got?"

"I honestly didn't think it could've got bigger, but somehow it has," Malachi said. "But I suppose when he was proven to be in a relationship with a man who died, it was always going to be a story, no matter what he did. At least he was able to get his own version out there for all to see. Poor guy is broken."

"I would be, too," Jason said.

They all shared a moment of silence. It had been a difficult article to write, but it had been a good one. Dennis had been able to get everything onto the page without giving too much of his life—and other people's lives—away. Oscar squeezed his shoulder and left, leaving them to their chat.

"What's the dirt on Randall's party, then?" Felix asked, leaning closer.

Malachi chuckled. "There is no way in hell I'm giving you that information," he said. "It's worth more than my life."

Felix groaned. "Come on! It's not even a week until his party. You can tell me. I won't tell a soul."

Malachi stared at him, eyebrows raised. Just stared because he'd found that Felix got a little uncomfortable when friends met him head-on about something. Give him an interrogation environment with someone who was against him, and Felix could hold his tongue with the best of them, but give him a friend, trying to pry information out of him, and he caved after a while.

"Oh, fucking hell. Fine. Dominic bet me that you wouldn't cave, and I said you would."

Malachi gasped and palmed his chest. "You have so little faith in me. I'm heartbroken." He pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "And I thought you loved me." He fake sobbed into his hand, covering his eyes with the other.

Felix nudged him hard enough to scrape his chair across the floor, and Malachi laughed. "Shut up. I just wanted to win the money. Dominic is far too good at predicting stuff. I would love to get one over on him at least once."

"What's in the pot?"

"One thousand."

"A thousand?" Malachi gaped. "A thousand pounds?" Felix nodded. "Where the hell do you get that amount of money to play with? Jeez." He paused, an idea percolating in his head. "What are the terms of this bet?"

"Whoever gets you to spill details gets the money. If no one does, Dominic gets it," Jason said.

Malachi tilted his head. "And that's it. No other rules or fine print?" Felix shook his head, and Malachi grinned. "So, there's nothing to say I can't give you a little piece of the puzzle because, theoretically, I will have given you some of it. I don't need to ruin the surprise, but I can give you something."

The smile that stretched across Felix's face was nothing short of a sunbeam, and Jason chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're both as bad as each other," he said.

"Half for you and half for me?" Malachi said, holding out his hand to Felix.

"Deal."

They shook.

****