Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

"What time is your new man coming?" Jean-Paul asked.

He was dusting the shelves. Monday had always been a quiet day in the boutique. Josh had suggested closing. However, they did a roaring trade online as well as in the store and Helga liked to keep on top of things.

Josh scowled. "He's not my new man, thank you. He's a friend."

"Sure. I believe you," Jean-Paul replied although the expression on his face suggested that wasn't the case.

"Anyway, he'll be here any minute," Josh said. "He texted me to say he's on his way. No shit-stirring from you either. Don't make me remind Helga the storeroom needs gutting and scrubbing."

Jean-Paul threw his duster at Josh. "You wouldn't."

Josh caught it and threw it back. "I would."

It was a bit nerve-wracking to be hosting Hugh in the shop. Of course, it had been Josh's idea and he was proud of their little operation. Even so, the more time he spent with Hugh, the more he valued his opinion. What if he thought the stock was all crap?

He wandered over to the rail that Helga had assured him Mrs Wimpole favoured. Josh's label was far more edgy than suits. When Helga had realised that Mrs Wimpole and some of her cronies spent big, she'd devoted a small section to their kind of couture. It had proven to be quite the money-spinner too.

Josh browsed the rail. There was a duck-egg blue suit that could be perfect. He also saw a mint green one that would be equally as good. Yet, Hugh had made it clear that he didn't want Josh to take over. His little speech the night before had touched Josh.

After Hugh had fallen asleep, Josh had replayed in his mind what he had said. Winston had never put Josh first. He'd made it perfectly clear who the main person was in their relationship. Josh shuddered to think what Winston's list would be. He'd tried to play it down but that was always Winston's style until he pounced.

"Well isn't this a little piece of heaven?"

Hugh stood in the doorway. Josh's body gave a jolt.

Fuck, he's gorgeous.

Josh enjoyed the wave of tingles that swept over him whenever Hugh came near. He seemed to live in a state of anticipation of when he would be naked with him again. It was a level of horniness that appeared to be all-consuming.

He caught Jean-Paul watching him and stuck out his tongue.

"Hey," he said, as Hugh approached. "How are you doing?"

Hugh kissed him on the cheek. Tingles shot through Josh's body. Hugh had a magic touch and he was hopelessly addicted.

"What have you got for me?" Hugh asked.

"Oh, Jean-Paul is probably best to show you," Josh replied. "He can also give you a peek at our suppliers. If there's nothing here, we can always order something in for you."

He didn't want to come across as too bossy. Of course, he knew exactly how he would design a custom piece for the act. He'd done a few things for Mrs Wimpole over the years and had her aesthetic down. He also didn't want to dismiss Hugh's independence. It appeared to be important to him.

Hugh linked his little finger with Josh's and grinned.

"Just because I said no to you designing something doesn't mean I don't value your opinion. You're Josh Winterton, for fuck's sake."

Jean-Paul swept past in a cloud of cologne strong enough to fell a rhino.

"Don't tell him that," he said. "We'll never get his head out of the door."

"Hugh, let me introduce you to the nosiest shop assistant in London," Josh said.

"Couture consultant, actually."

Jean-Paul held his hand out for Hugh to shake.

"Good to meet you, Jean-Paul," Hugh said. "Now is someone going to find me a knockout suit?"

"Leave it to me," Jean-Paul said. "This one has no idea what stock we have."

Hugh glanced at Josh. "Have you told him?"

Against his better judgement, Josh had briefed Jean-Paul on the purpose of the mission. He had also threatened him with a year of the worst tasks if he breathed a word until Hugh was ready. Whether that would work was anyone's guess.

"I have and he's promised to keep it to himself. Haven't you, Jean-Paul?"

"Relax," Jean-Paul replied. "Your secret is safe with me. You know she'll find out. I have no idea how she does it."

Josh wanted to tell her himself. It would be far easier. It had worked with Madeline although he suspected Mrs Wimpole might be a tougher nut to crack.

Jean-Paul pulled out the duck-egg blue suit.

"What about this one?"

Hugh screwed his face up and shook his head. "Too obvious."

Okay, maybe I won't be any help then.

Next came the mint green one that was dismissed as too racy.

Then they found an ivory suit. It had a light diamante trim on the cuffs which caught the light beautifully.

"I love this," Hugh said, holding it up to his body. "It would need letting out a little."

"Would you at least let me do that?" Josh asked.

Jean-Paul frowned. "I'm not sure that's exactly her. She likes colour."

"I don't want to be a caricature of her. Simply an essence."

"Fair enough," Jean-Paul said, rubbing his chin. "If you take my advice, the blue will pick up better under lights."

Josh had to agree with Jean-Paul. The ivory suit could be a washout.

"Maybe we if put a W on the back in diamante," Hugh said. "Glam it up a bit."

"And why exactly would you need a W on the back?"

They all spun around to see the woman herself staring at them. Judging by the fury on her face, she was none too pleased.

How the fuck did she get in?

"Mrs Wimpole," Josh exclaimed.

His mouth had gone dry. It appeared everyone else had frozen solid too.

"Joshua. Hugh. Jean-Paul. May I ask exactly what is going on here?"

Before Josh formed any words, Hugh stood forward. The worry on his face made Josh want to reach out and hug him.

"Mrs Wimpole," he began. "I intended to pay you a visit in the next couple of days. I wanted everything to be right before I did."

"Go on," she said.

"As you know, I've been having a few problems professionally," Hugh continued. "Me and my drag sister, I mean professional partner. Well, we've been searching for inspiration for new characters. Believe me when I say that we are struggling."

He glanced nervously at Josh, who gently nodded. He'd come this far. Confession time had arrived. Come what may.

"I was going to get to know Madeline Morrison at first. Then I met you and the Professor at the party and…"

Mrs Wimpole's eyes began to shine. "Are you saying that you have found inspiration in us?"

"Well. Yes."

The world could have stopped spinning and Josh would have been fixated on Mrs Wimpole's response to this.

When she clapped her hands together, all three men jumped.

"Oh, I'm tickled pink," she cried.

Josh, Hugh and Jean-Paul all visibly relaxed.

"Really?" Hugh replied.

She took hold of his hands and squeezed them. Her whole demeanour glowing.

"Are you going to create a drag version of the Professor as well?"

Hugh giggled. "Absolutely. Tweed two-piece, crazy hair and endless Dickens puns."

"Oh, I love it. And what about me?"

Josh hoped Hugh realised they were still on shaky ground. He prayed Hugh wouldn't get carried away.

"Immaculate hair, perfectly styled, a wealth of interesting stories and a thirst for knowledge that knows no bounds."

She appraised. "You're good, I'll give you that."

Hugh let her hands go and picked out the ivory suit. "What do you think?"

She examined it with a keen eye. "It's very nice but you're right, Jean-Paul, I would always go for a jazzier colour. Especially if I were to find myself on stage."

"I told you," Jean-Paul said to Josh.

"What about the green or the blue?" Hugh said, grabbing them and holding them both up.

His face alive. Josh beamed. Hugh was always handsome. When he got this fired up, it went to another level.

"How about you firm up your ideas and come for tea?" Mrs Wimpole suggested. "Joshua, you are very welcome to attend too. It's so nice to see you making new friends."

The loaded stare that followed those words left Josh convinced that she would want to know exactly what had been going on between them. She might be well informed but Mrs Wimpole could also be trusted.

"We'd love it," Hugh said.

Mrs Wimpole headed toward the door before turning to them.

"Just to be clear, you were going to speak to Ms Morrison. Then came to me?"

"That's right," Hugh said.

A glimmer of a smile crossed Mrs Wimpole's face.

"How very amusing."

With that Mrs Wimpole gave her farewells and headed off in search of more problems that needed fixing. As the Chair of the Queens Parade Committee, she patrolled the area regularly.

"That was a close call," Jean-Paul said. "I'll get the laptop. I think we're going to have to put a lot more work into this."

He disappeared into the storeroom behind the counter.

Hugh whistled. "Fuck me," he said. "I could rehearse for a year and I don't think I'd get that stare right."

"She's a one-off in that respect. At least she's willing to work with you. You'll have a ball."

Hugh frowned. "What about the Professor?"

"She'll have that all sorted out by sundown. You mark my words."

Josh slung his arm around Hugh's shoulder and drew him in for a hug.

"You were pretty amazing there," Josh said.

"Thanks."

"Fancy coming round tonight?" Josh asked.

The words had tumbled out of his mouth before he'd really thought about them.

"Are you ready for that?" Hugh asked.

"I really am."

It was late when they got back. Hugh had insisted on buying Josh a pint in The Swan pub on the way home. It was as though he could sense Josh's nerves.

"We can stay at mine, you know," Hugh said.

Josh shook his head. "No, it's time," he replied. "This was my home before Winston moved in. I'm reclaiming it."

Hugh nodded. He took his jacket off and put it carefully on the back of one of the chairs in the kitchen.

"Come here," he said.

Josh obeyed. The feel of Hugh wrapping his arms around Josh's shoulders gave him the grounding he needed. They kissed. Hugh ran his tongue along Josh's teeth. He opened his mouth to give Hugh access, which he immediately exploited.

Their bodies pressed together, the kiss intensified. Josh could feel the heat coming from Hugh's body. It might be a chilly evening but he wanted to be naked immediately.

"Show me your bedroom," Hugh said, panting.

This was the moment. Adrenalin pumped through him as he took Hugh's hand.

"You're trembling," Hugh said.

He kissed the back of Josh's hand.

Silently, Josh led him up the stairs. Of course, Hugh had visited Josh's home before but never to the inner sanctum. He'd been sure only he and Winston would ever see the inside of that room.

He almost backed out. There were plenty of spare rooms. Yet, this was more than just having sex with a hot new guy.

Pushing open the door, he walked inside. The main bedroom was huge. A large bed stood in the centre, facing a marble fireplace. The walls gleamed crisp white and the curtains black. It had been Josh's brainchild to do the room that way. He loved it.

He remembered when he'd unveiled it to Winston, who had gone berserk. He thought it was stark and clinical. They'd argued and Winston had ended up spending the night in the attic.

"I love it," Hugh said.

He let his hand drop and walked into the room.

"It's so fresh," he continued. "You must feel amazing when you wake up."

If ever there was a more prophetic moment, Josh didn't know about it. He pulled Hugh close.

"You'll have to let me know in the morning."

Hugh nuzzled into Josh's chest. Sex was great but Josh loved the closeness of a perfect hug.

Yet, that night it wasn't enough. Now he'd made the decision to rechristen his bedroom, he was more than ready.

He'd also decided to take their relationship to another new level. He was going to save that one until they were both naked.

Speaking of which.

Josh stood back. "So we can either take all our clothes off and see what happens or we could go round to Mrs Wimpole's for cheese and wine."

Hugh put his finger to his lip. Seemingly lost in thought.

"I do enjoy a drink, it's true. However, I think I'll go for the first option."

Josh grinned. "Phew."

They set about taking their clothes off. Josh watched Hugh as he did so. It was so adorable that he folded everything and placed them on the chest of drawers.

"What?" Hugh said.

"You're too cute."

Hugh was just in his briefs now. They were totally failing in containing his cock that was already solid and straining at the cotton.

He palmed his crotch and grinned at Josh.

"I was going for wanton sex god rather than cute."

Josh dropped his underwear and fell back on the bed. He spread his legs and winked at Hugh.

"Wanton sex god is fine with me."

"Fucking hell," Hugh replied. "You look sexy as fuck."

Without another word, Hugh pulled off his briefs. His cock stood proudly. Josh couldn't wait to get hold of it. Hugh crawled up Josh's body. Josh wrapped his legs around him and pulled him close. There was nothing cute about the kiss that followed. It was animalistic. They crashed their tongues together. Hugh ground his dick against Josh's.

Josh could smell the cologne that Hugh favoured. Although underneath its tones, he could detect Hugh's scent. Something he was becoming reliant on.

"You're amazing," Hugh murmured as he kissed Josh's earlobes.

Josh stared up into Hugh's eyes. He'd been so worried about letting him into his inner sanctum. Now he could see the trust staring back at him. Everything about this moment was right.

He was about to roll Hugh onto his back when Hugh stayed him.

"Wait," he whispered.

Hugh shifted down Josh's body. Gently, he ran his fingertips along Josh's muscular chest.

"Close your eyes."

Josh obeyed. Hugh carried on exploring his body with the lightest of touches. Josh found his whole being had focused on where Hugh would go next.

As he swept over Josh's nipples, they hardened. He let out a whimper.

"Stay with me," Hugh coaxed.

Josh shivered as Hugh travelled down his flanks to his hip bone. He'd always been sensitive there and tonight was no exception.

He gasped as he felt Hugh's warm breath on his belly button. Hugh placed a light kiss before moving again.

Every fibre of Josh's being wanted to grab Hugh and fuck him senseless. He would play along though. In fact, he would follow Hugh wherever he said.

Hugh traced the skin on Josh's hard cock until he reached the tip. Josh groaned. The exquisite teasing was almost too much. He prayed that he wouldn't come too quickly.

Suddenly, Hugh took Josh completely in his mouth. The heat from him as well as the contact made Josh arch his back.

"Oh Jesus."

Not giving him time to get used to it, Hugh sucked hard. Josh bucked his hips in time with Hugh's head. Hugh dug his nails into Josh's thighs. Every touch of this man sent shockwaves through Josh's body.

"Wait," Josh stammered.

Hugh let Josh's dick fall from his mouth.

"Open your eyes," he said.

Lazily, Josh obeyed him. Once again, the beauty of Hugh took his breath away.

"Tell me what you want," Hugh said.

He stroked his own solid cock while he stared into Josh's eyes.

"I want you to fuck me."

Hugh raised his eyebrows. "You sure about that?"

"Absolutely."

"You got any condoms?"

Josh and Winston had long since given up using them. However, a lunchtime trip to the local supermarket had soon fixed that.

"In my jeans."

Hugh chuckled. "So you had dastardly plans for me before I even set foot in the building?"

"I certainly did."

Hugh hopped off the bed. Josh turned onto his side to watch him. He would be a liar if he said he wasn't nervous about taking that massive cock inside him. He was also determined.

Hugh pulled out the pack of three from Josh's jeans. "Only three?" he said. "I hope you know, I fully intend on riding you later."

"We'll have to toss for the last one."

"A whole new game," Hugh replied. "I like it."

Josh scooted over the bed and got the lube out of the bedside drawer. When he turned back round, Hugh was already rolling a condom on.

"You don't mess around," Josh said.

"I'm as horny for this as you are," Hugh replied. "I hope I don't come in sixty seconds."

"If you do, then we always have the third condom."

Hugh grinned.

"Tell me how you want me," he said.

"On your back."

A lifetime of experience had told Josh he needed to be totally in control. It had been a long time since he'd been fucked.

Hugh flopped down on the bed beside Josh.

"Let me watch you get ready," he said.

Josh leant down and kissed him. Something about being with Hugh made every inhibition fly out of the window. He straddled Hugh's legs so that he had his back to him. Leaning forward, he got a kick out of the inhale of breath from Hugh when he saw his ass.

"Fuck."

Josh squeezed a large amount of lube onto his fingers. He leant even farther forward and applied it to his hole.

"Do you have any idea how sexy you look right now?" Hugh asked.

Josh pushed a finger inside himself.

"Oh fuck that," Hugh replied.

He sat up and Josh gasped as Hugh squeezed one of his fingers inside him. Both of their digits were nestled together. It was amazing. Josh rocked back and forward.

"I need you," Hugh said.

Josh pulled away and turned. He kissed Hugh hard. As he did so, he pushed him backward onto the bed.

"You're getting me," Josh replied. "All of me."

He squeezed some more lube on his fingers and spread it over Hugh's cock. Hugh settled back on the pillow and watched him.

Josh was more than happy to put the work in. His body was trembling with anticipation.

Once he'd got Hugh slicked, he shifted up the bed. Tentatively, he sat on top of Hugh's dick.

"Just take it easy," Hugh said.

He had every intention of doing that. This was not a penis to be gorged on.

The head of Hugh's cock felt massive. Anxiety swept over Josh that he wouldn't be able to do this. Hugh would never stay with someone who he couldn't fuck. Josh could see this all going totally wrong.

He glanced up and caught Hugh watching him. For a second, all that mattered was staring into those eyes. Instantly, Josh found the trust once more. His body relaxed and slowly, he edged his way down Hugh's dick.

"Oh God, that's good," Josh said.

Gently, Hugh rested his hands on Josh's thighs. There was no pressure. It was as if he wanted to connect every part of them.

Once Josh had taken the full length of Hugh inside him, he closed his eyes. The sensations were almost too much. Tentatively, he leaned backwards. His body was already accommodating Hugh.

"No rush," Hugh whispered.

Josh put a little more effort in. This time rocking to and fro. His ass was on fire. Fuck, he needed to feel everything.

With each movement, he gained confidence. As he slid up and down Hugh, he groaned. Staring down, he couldn't believe this gorgeous man was here.

They held hands. Josh using this as support while he rode Hugh properly. Now his body had fully adapted, he was ready to be properly fucked.

He moved off Hugh's cock and rolled onto his back.

"Go for it," he said.

Hugh kissed him and got up onto his knees. Josh pulled his own legs back to give Hugh as much access as he needed.

"This is going to be over in a second, I hope you realise. You're too damned sexy."

"I don't care," Josh replied. "Come inside me."

Hugh nodded. He positioned himself and slid inside Josh. This time it was easy although the tingles shot up Josh's spine and exploded out of his head.

He moaned.

"You okay?" Hugh asked.

"I'm fucking perfect."

Hugh ground his hips against Josh's body.

"Don't be gentle," Josh said. "Fuck me."

"Whatever you say."

Hugh did just that. The bed was banging against the wall as he fucked Josh hard. It was like Josh had given over control of his whole body to Hugh.

"Make yourself come," Hugh said, panting. "I'm close."

Josh took hold of his own cock. He too would be close. Just the sensation of Hugh pounding in and out of him was enough to tip him over the edge.

He pulled at his cock and stared up at Hugh. A bead of sweat ran down Hugh's forehead.

"Oh fuck," he stammered.

Josh went harder. He wanted to come while Hugh was inside him.

The orgasm came from nowhere. Just as Hugh threw his head back and let out a primal yell, Josh was hit by that sweet agony. He arched his body, grinding against Hugh. Then the release came. Josh too let out a groan. His whole being shuddering as he came hard.

Once they had both ridden the aftershocks, Josh fell back onto the pillows.

"Fucking hell we're good at that," he said laughing.