Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Everyone stared at him.

“Are you going to share it with the group?” Granny said. She had an edge to her tone that warned there was only one answer to that question.

“We can have it in the front gardens,” he announced proudly.

All three opened their mouths to say something then stopped. He was relieved that it was an idea for consideration at least. Now he’d verbalised it, he was convinced this to be the perfect solution.

“What if it rains?” Granny said.

“We’ll hire a reserve marquee,” Aron fired back. “In fact, we put it up then take it down if the weather is good. That will protect everything.

“Is it allowed?” Paul asked.

“Yes. It’s a humanist ceremony. It can be done anywhere and I can’t see the residents’ association having a problem with us using the gardens,” Aron replied.

“They wouldn’t dare,” Granny added.

“Now can we get this show on the road?” Aron asked. “We’ve a lot to get through. Granny, maybe we need Edwin and Anais.”

She shuddered. “Only give them simple tasks. I’m doing them a favour really.”

“There is one more question,” the Professor said. “The most important of all, in fact.”

“What is it?” Aron asked, irritably.

The Professor took Granny’s hand. “Is this where you would like to get married, Beatrice?”

She beamed. “I can’t think of anywhere more perfect, my love. Just think, every day of our married life we can look out of the window and be reminded of where it all began.”

Aron glanced at Paul, who appeared to be misty-eyed. His heart melted. Was it too much to hope that they might finally get their act together?

Paul caught his eye and grinned.

Then reality came rushing in like Santa on his sleigh.

“Right then,” Aron said, clapping his hands together. “We’ve got a wedding to organise.”

“We can’t possibly do it in time,” the Professor said.

Aron was still one step ahead of him.

“Granny’s right. We’re going to work Edwin and Anais into the ground,” Aron replied. “By the time they get their arses over here, we’ll have a to-do list that will make them pale.”

The Professor scurried off into the dining room to make the call.

“Paul. You can be notetaker.”

Obediently, Paul got his phone out. “One sec,” he said, sticking his tongue out as he fiddled with the device.

Adorable.

Ugh what am I doing?

“Okay,” Paul said. “Ready when you are.”

He turned to Granny. “Let’s really go for it. We can edit it later.”

She took his hand. “I still want everything cream.”

“Right. Cream umbrellas, cream tarp, cream taffeta for the marquee if used.”

“Slow down,” Paul said.

Aron winked at Granny, who gazed at him with absolute adoration.

“Cream flowers,” she said. “Then pops of pink.”

“Pops of pink,” Paul repeated. “Anything else?”

“Designer rain ponchos. Just in case,” Aron added. “Paul, can you go and get the chairs from the registry office? It’s the least they can do. Take Edwin when he gets here.”

Paul raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly will you be doing while I’m lugging them over this way?”

“I will be by my grandmother’s side, of course,” Aron said. “As well as supervising Anais. She’s got a lot of phone calls to make.”

He had no intention of leaving Anais to make any creative decision. This was now a family affair. Plus, he didn’t trust her not to paint the houses of Queens Crescent peach.

“Tell you what, Granny.”

“What’s that, dear?”

“You should probably get dressed before they arrive.”

Granny clutched her robe. “Oh you’re right. I’d clean forgotten. Paul, I’m so sorry. Whatever must you think of me? I kept your father here overnight and I’m still in my nightwear.”

Paul reddened across the kitchen table. He made a great performance of sipping coffee from his noticeably empty cup. Granny shot Aron a gleeful beam.

“You’re a terrible woman, Beatrice Wimpole,” the Professor said as he came into the room.

She swept out of the room with an air that suggested she didn’t really care.

Not thirty seconds later, the Professor edged toward the door.

“I think I left my cufflinks upstairs.”

He dashed after his fiancée.

“Oh fuck,” Paul said. “If they’re doing it while we’re in the house, I am out of here. This is not what I signed up for.”

“So what?” Aron replied, enjoying Paul’s discomfort. “We’ve done it in both houses, as I recall.”

“Not with their knowledge.”

Aron collapsed into giggles. “You’re punishing them for being honest?”

“Yes!”

This time they both laughed until their sides hurt. Partially because it was funny and partially to drown out any noises they didn’t want to hear.

It had gone nine at night and Aron’s eyes were drooping. Once most of the tasks had been completed, they had decamped to the Professor’s drawing room for a change of scene. Granny and Aron were putting sweets in linen bags. Paul and the Professor were tying said bags with ribbon. They were an effective production line.

“These will be lovely on the chairs,” Aron said.

“It was a wonderful idea of yours, dear,” Granny replied. “I have to say, I’m flagging. There are only a few more left. Would you all mind if I said my goodnights?”

They probably still about twenty to do but Aron wanted this experience to be magical for her. Not endless work.

“Of course not, Granny. Are you okay?”

“Just tired. It’s been quite a day.”

Aron helped her to her feet. She might be a powerhouse, but she was also in her late seventies.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, no,” she said.

Even so, he guided her to the door. At least she only had a few doors to go until home.

“Goodnight, Mrs W,” Paul called out.

“Mrs H soon,” Aron said.

“I think you can call me Beatrice now.”

Paul screwed his face up.

“Beatrice,” he said, gingerly. “That will take some getting used to. How about Bea?”

Granny beamed. “That’s what they used to call me at school. I would love it.”

“Bea it is then.”

With that she went down the stairs.

“I won’t wait up,” she called after her. “Come on, Parkin.”

Aron still wondered if she suspected something. He wouldn’t put it past her.

He went into the drawing room as the little terrier charged after Granny.

“Hurry,” Paul said. “We’re nearly running out. The pipeline is wavering.”

Aron slumped down. “It’s unfair. Two to one now. I’ll have to work double hard.”

“Ah,” the Professor said, putting down a little bag on the pile. “I think I should turn in. I don’t want to look too ancient on my wedding day.”

He stood.

“Thank you both. For everything you have done today. It is so appreciated.”

He squeezed each of them on the shoulder before wandering over to the door. Once more in Granny’s slipstream.

“Professor,” Aron said.

“Yes?”

“Would you like to sleep elsewhere tonight? I’ll crash here.”

Paul’s leg jolted. Aron stifled a giggle.

“Are you sure?” the Professor asked.

“Go on,” Aron said. “Please take your own robe this time.”

The poor Professor reddened. “Paul. The spare room is made up,” he said. “I’d better grab a few things.”

The Professor scurried off. His footsteps sounding on the stairs as he went up to his bedroom.

“Nice move,” Paul said. “Two nights in a row. I’m honoured.”

Aron resumed filling the bags.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting,” he replied with a sniff.

He was simply rewarded with a smirk for his answer.

That smirk will get you everywhere.

They worked on at the wedding favours. Aron would be seeing these little bags in his dreams. It was a nice companionable silence though. The clock ticking and the fake fire crackling. His colleagues in New York would see this as a very traditional Christmas scene. Especially with all the trinkets and furniture surrounding them.

“You were magnificent today,” Paul said.

Aron stopped filling the latest bag.

“Magnificent?”

Paul nodded.

“Wow,” Aron said. “No one’s ever called me magnificent before.”

Paul shrugged. “It’s true.”

They both shut up as the Professor came back in.

“I’ll be off then. See you in the morning,”

“Bye, Prof.”

“Bye, Dad.”

He set off in pursuit of Granny. Paul still stared at the door long after the Professor had closed it.

“Are you expecting Rudolph to come through next?” Aron asked.

With a sigh, Paul resumed his work.

“No but Dad’s not getting any younger. It got me thinking…”

Aron shuddered. Paul’s thoughts generally meant anguish.

“What about?”

“Getting a London base,” he replied. “I can work from anywhere and my visa is running out in Australia. Why not come home? It would make life a lot simpler.”

Aron’s insides did a double somersault with a backflip thrown in for good measure. He immediately wanted to blurt out his news from the British Library. Something inside stopped him. This was Paul’s news. Plus, if he landed that on him, he’d probably renew his Australian visa as soon as possible.

“That sounds amazing,” Aron said.

Is this a sign though?

Was the universe conspiring to get them both back to London? Aron shook those ideas from his mind. He didn’t believe in all that fate mumbo jumbo anyway.

He filled the last bag and threw it to Paul.

“Tie that bitch up,” he said, stretching. “Then how about we get naked?”

A nude Paul crawled up the bed toward him. Aron sighed as their skin made contact, Paul’s cock nestled against his. The kiss that followed was intense. It was as if they had an even deeper passion. That the Nickleby had been only a prelude to the fire that had raged inside Aron ever since setting eyes on Paul again.

Aron wrapped his arms around Paul’s lithe frame, exploring every part within reach. He ran his hands down so they rested at the top of Paul’s arse.

God he needed him. Paul sat up, straddling Aron’s groin. His cock pressed against Paul’s hole.

Taking in the sight of Paul looking down at him, Aron ran his fingers all over Paul’s torso.

“What have you been thinking about since the hotel?” Paul whispered.

“Being inside you,” Aron replied.

Paul slowly rubbed the tip of Aron’s cock against his hole once more. Teasing him as to what lay beyond reach.

Drawing him in for a deeper kiss, Aron slapped Paul’s ass cheek. “Ride me.”

“Your wish is my command. Did you remember…”

“In my jeans pocket,” Aron said, gesturing to the pile of clothes he’d almost ripped from his own body. “Never again will I go anywhere without an emergency condom.”

Paul leapt down and grabbed the condom and lube. Getting back on the bed, he took Aron’s cock in his hand, causing him to gasp. With his other hand, Paul ripped the condom wrapper with his teeth, got the condom out and rolled it onto Aron’s throbbing shaft.

“That was quite the sleight of hand,” Aron said.

“Shows how fucking horny I am for you.”

Aron watched as Paul applied the lube to himself. The anticipation almost killing him. At last, Paul got into position above Aron. Staring up at him, the closeness between them almost bringing Aron to tears. It was still a guaranteed heartbreak situation. Aron had got onto the rollercoaster now. He had to hold on and hope he didn’t fall off.

Paul let his weight drop, taking the head of Aron’s cock inside him.

“Oh shit, that feels good already,” Aron murmured, resting his hands on Paul’s thighs.

Agonisingly slowly, Paul lowered himself all the way down until his solid arse rested on Aron’s thighs. He sat there for a second, his eyes closed, appearing lost in the sensation.

Then he opened them and met Aron’s gaze. They shared a moment before Paul bucked his hips. Once more, an army of tingles marched over Aron’s body.

Reaching forward, Paul took hold of his hands and entwined their fingers. They were as one now. Nothing outside the four walls of the bedroom mattered.

Matching the tempo, Aron ground his hips. Paul’s tight hole enveloped Aron, the warmth making his balls contract.

Aron rose and supported Paul’s body. They kissed fiercely, making Paul ride Aron’s cock harder.

“I won’t last long,” Aron said breathlessly.

“I don’t care,” Paul replied, pushing him onto the bed.

He bounced up and down on Aron’s dick, taking him to the edge before plunging down again. Aron gripped Paul’s hard cock, letting his own motion create both their orgasms. He tugged harder when his own started to claim him.

“Oh, fuck. Paul,” he stammered.

The orgasm exploded out of him, every grind of Paul’s hips causing pleasure to almost overwhelm him. He was seeing stars and wanted Paul to feel it too. As the aftershock still seized his body, Aron tweaked both of Paul’s nipples hard.

Always a sure-fire winner. Paul threw his head back and painted Aron’s body with his own cum. His arse contracted around Aron’s spent cock, making him cry out again.

Paul’s body came to a juddering halt, and he stilled. A thin sheen of sweat covering his body. Aron held him close.

“Fuck,” Paul said. “That was incredible.”

He got up, making Aron wince as he withdrew. Watching Paul go into the en-suite made Aron glad he’d bought a multipack of condoms. He pulled the current one off and threw it in the bin.

Then he flopped on the bed and yawned.

“I don’t know why you’re tired,” Paul said, leaning against the doorframe. “I did all the work.”

Aron giggled. “Poor baby. How about I promise to fuck your brains out for our second wave?”

“I like that idea.”

“Come here and have a cuddle first.”

Paul padded over and snuggled into Aron’s side. They lay there in beautiful silence.

“I’m glad you’ve dropped your guard,” Paul said. “I was beginning to think we were never going to get it on.”

“Cocky twat.”

Paul sniggered. “Come on. It was a foregone conclusion. It’s us, for God’s sake.”

Us?