Chapter 20

TWENTY

Victory had never felt so good. Not just because it was firm and decisive, or because they had fought hard for it using unconventional methods, but because Toby felt like he'd put himself on the line and won a solid victory for people who truly cared about him and who he genuinely liked.

"So that's it, then?" Rebecca asked after Duckie had left the building entirely and the rest of them had moved from the cramped office into the front hall. "Is the house really saved?"

"It would appear so," Mr. Hawthorne said, breathing a huge sigh of relief. He tensed a moment later and glanced to the old men from The Chameleon Club. "That is, if you're serious about donating to Hawthorne House."

"Of course we are," Michael said, looking offended that Mr. Hawthorne would even question him.

"Anything for the young man who passed a beautiful summer with me all those years ago," Benny added with a wink.

Toby loved the way Mr. Hawthorne blushed and stammered. It was proof that everyone was young once, and that even the older generation got up to all sorts of mischief when they were young.

"We should sit down and talk about exactly how much we need," Rebecca said, stepping in with business.

"We should make contact with the banks and other donors who have threatened to pull their funding to let them know things have changed," Robbie added to that with a nod.

"Absolutely," Mr. Hawthorne said. "And we should put together official new hire documents for the hero of the hour here." He smiled at Toby.

That wasn't enough to express his gratitude, apparently. He stepped toward Toby and drew him into a tight hug that came with a vocal sigh of relief.

"Hiring you to assess us was the best thing I've done all month," he said, not letting go of Toby, as much as Toby laughed and flailed in his embrace. He turned his head to speak closer to Toby's ear and nodded, "I have a good feeling about you and my son as well."

When Mr. Hawthorne let go and stepped back, Toby was left beaming and blushing and feeling like, against all odds, he'd landed on his feet, despite being thrown out of the nest.

"I definitely won't let you down, Mr. Hawthorne," he said, stealing a quick glance to Robbie. "On any account."

"Call me Robert, please," Mr. Hawthorne said, beaming at Toby, like he was deeply proud. "You've earned that and a great many other things."

"He's a fine young gentleman," George agreed, moving to thump Toby on the back with surprising strength. "His erudite explanation of the situation and his enthusiasm for you and your family was part of what won me over to this noble cause."

"Hear, hear," Michael agreed.

"He's a gem," Robbie said.

The words were simple, but they were the highest praise of all. It wasn't what Robbie said, it was how he said it, with such pride and affection in his eyes. Whatever walls had once existed between them had been thoroughly knocked down, and nothing but promise remained.

"So. Shall we head up to the meeting room to talk about everyone's least favorite topic, money?" Robert suggested, clapping his hands together.

"No, no!" Benny said, pinching his face in distaste. "I want a tour of this magnificent house-turned-school first."

"Absolutely," George agreed. "We heard so much about it at lunch and on the way over that the most natural first step is for us to see what we're donating to."

"And we can talk about why you and your son are not members of The Brotherhood along the way," Benny added, shifting to walk closer to Robert as the group started off toward the hall that held classrooms.

"Do you need to go with them?" Toby asked. "You probably have a class or two that needs teaching, some pots that need to be thrown."

Robbie laughed. It was more of a sound than the mild joke needed, but it was clear that all the emotion Robbie had been storing up all day, and probably for weeks and years before that, needed a way to get out.

"First things first," he said, then stepped up to Toby.

He clasped Toby's face in both hands and stood there grinning at him for a moment, like he was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Then he leaned in and slanted his mouth over Toby's.

There was so much to that kiss that Toby didn't know where to start. He didn't need to think about it or think about how things were between the two of them anymore. Things were good, and all he needed to do was feel it.

He slid his arms around Robbie, pulling him close and kissing him back with all the fervor Robbie showed him. Victory was sweet, but it was so much sweeter when you had someone to share it with.

"I think I could get used to this," he panted when they broke apart for air.

"What, kissing me?" Robbie asked, his expression alive with happiness.

Toby laughed and let his hands slide down Robbie's back to grab his backside. "That, too," he said. "But no, I could definitely get used to winning."

"Is that all I am to you?" Robbie asked with pretend offense, though it was obvious to Toby that he felt the same way. "I'm just another victory for you?"

Toby laughed ironically. "I haven't had many victories in my life, love, no matter how hard I've fought for them," he said. "But I tell you what, everything I've fought for is worth it to be here with you like this. And no, it's not too soon to say it. I think I love you."

"You think you love me?" Robbie asked, joy shining in his eyes and in the way he wrapped his arms around Toby, despite the number of people watching them as they headed to and from classes.

"Alright, you nutter," Toby laughed. "I love you. I do. There. Are you happy?"

Robbie grinned from ear to ear. "Yes," he said, then kissed Toby's lips quickly. "I'm very happy."

He leaned in for another long kiss, delving into Toby's mouth in a way that was probably a little much for the group that had just arrived from one of the local schools. Several of the kids gasped when they saw them, pointing and giggling. A few of them "eewed".

"Er, maybe we should take this somewhere else?" he suggested, nodding to the school group, when they broke apart.

Robbie glanced to the kids, then jumped back a bit with an apologetic look for the teacher.

That reaction was momentary.

"Come on," he said, grasping Toby's hands and drawing him toward the family wing of the house. "I have a better idea of how we can celebrate this victory. I think we have just enough time before Dad and the others finish their tour."

"Time for what?" Toby asked with a growing grin, knowing full well what Robbie had in mind.

Robbie didn't say anything, he just glanced over his shoulder at Toby and wiggled his eyebrows.

As soon as they'd turned the corner into the private section of the house, they picked up their pace. That turned to running and laughing, and Toby swore he could hear the voice of headmasters of the past shouting "No running in the halls!" after them.

He ignored it. He was an adult. One who had broken away from the shackles of the past that had tried to keep him down. He'd overcome so much, and now he had a position with a family that he was certain he would love for many years to come.

And he had a new job, too.

"We have to hurry," Robbie said breathlessly, once they'd made it into his flat and began shedding clothing as they crossed to his bedroom. "The meeting…Dad will want…so much to discuss…."

He abandoned whatever point he was trying to make as soon as they stumbled into the bedroom and Toby tossed his jacket and tie aside. Robbie had his usual nice, long-sleeved t-shirt off as well, and as soon as they came to a stop by the side of the bed, he pivoted toward Toby and helped with the buttons of his shirt.

"Shower first?" Robbie asked, breathless and needy, with fire in his eyes, as he pushed Toby's shirt off his shoulders once the buttons were undone.

He seemed to lose his train of thought an instant later, and his eyes went wide, pupils dilating, as he gazed at Toby's nipple piercings.

"No time," Toby said, tossing his shirt aside, then all but launching himself at Robbie.

They came together in a rush of urgency and groping. Toby slammed his mouth into Robbie's, then groaned as Robbie closed a hand over his chest and raked his fingers over one of his piercings. It was the perfect combination of sensations to leave him hot and wanting more.

Their kiss grew hotter as Toby fumbled with the fastenings of Robbie's jeans, then slipped his hand in to stroke and tease Robbie's cock and balls. That wasn't enough, though, and with a deep gasp, he broke away from their kiss and sank to his knees. He tugged Robbie's jeans and pants down with aggressive enthusiasm, causing Robbie to groan, then gripped Robbie's thighs so that he could lick his way from his balls up the length of his cock to the tip.

It was a good thing Toby wasn't a stickler for perfect cleanliness. It had been a long day, and the sweat of all their activity was salty on Robbie's skin. Toby didn't mind it at all. He closed his mouth over Robbie's tip, stroking with his other hand, then pulling back his foreskin so he could suck and lick and give Robbie as much pleasure as possible.

Robbie made a sound of raw pleasure that didn't quite make it to words as he gripped Toby's spikey hair. It felt so good to know he was giving his lover that much pleasure that it spurred Toby on to swallow as much of Robbie as he could repeatedly.

Robbie gave a small gasp, then went tense as he pulled back slightly, popping out of Toby's mouth.

"If you keep that up, I'll be done in a minute," he gasped.

Toby grinned up at him as he tugged Robbie's jeans down the rest of the way so he could step out of them. "Not sure that's something you want to admit to, mate," he teased.

"What, and you would last longer under an assault like that?" Robbie asked, one eyebrow arched.

"Let's see," Toby said.

He stood as Robbie stepped out of his jeans, quickly unzipping his work trousers and shucking them. Once they were both naked, he more or less tackled Robbie so that they both tumbled across the bed, arms and legs everywhere, desperate to feel each other, their mouths unable to stay away from each other.

Robbie eventually flipped Toby to his back, and taking up Toby's challenge, he shifted down until his face was at the level of Toby's groin. He pushed Toby's legs wider, then brushed his hands up Toby's inner thighs, played with his balls for a moment, then gripped the base of his cock and held it at an easy angle.

Toby let out a heavy breath when Robbie bore down on him, going deep right from the start. He swore that Robbie was showing off as he plunged deep then drew back, sucking. The man was a genius with his tongue, and within seconds, he knew he was outmatched in the cock-sucking department.

Robbie used his tongue and his hands, bobbing and sucking, changing up the speed and intensity, until Toby didn't know if he was coming or going. He threaded his fingers through Robbie's hair and just held on as his whole body flushed with heat and his entire lower body filled with gathering pleasure until he couldn't hold on for another second.

"I'm—ah!" He didn't even have time to warn Robbie before his orgasm got the better of him and he started to come.

And it was one hell of an orgasm. It seemed to swallow him entirely, as Robbie did, pulsing through him with lightning-hot pleasure. It went on for longer than he usually did, like some of the best fireworks he'd ever seen.

Best of all, it was still reverberating through him as Robbie pulled back, wiped his mouth, then crawled over him until their heads were level.

"I won," Robbie said with a cheeky grin.

He then slanted his mouth over Toby's kissing him with ardor that Toby couldn't help but respond to.

It was all so perfect. The way their bodies fit together, even though they had a noticeable height difference, the scent of Robbie's skin as Toby breathed him in, and the musky taste of his kiss. It was even brilliant when Robbie jerked his hips against Toby's hip, still hard and wanting.

Toby was determined to end that in spectacular style. If they'd had more preparation, he would have grabbed his ankles, rocked back, and let Robbie absolutely massacre his hole. But seeing as they'd been in such a hurry to get to the good part, he nudged Robbie to move his body up until his cock was at the level of his mouth.

Robbie caught on right away, and with a few quick adjustments, he knelt over Toby as Toby propped himself on pillows at the head of the bed and opened up. Robbie was slow and utilitarian at first, leaning against the wall while looking down and guiding himself to Toby's mouth.

"You sure?" he asked as Toby kissed and licked his tip.

"I'm a big boy," Toby panted. "I can take whatever you've got to give." He sent Robbie a cheeky wink for good measure.

Robbie laughed, and like he felt the need to test the theory, he pushed past Toby's lips like he was trying to go deep enough to make him gag as part of a game.

It was a game Toby intended to win, though. He had a feeling sex with Robbie would always be exciting as the two of them tried to get the better of each other. And after the first few thrusts, he showed Robbie that he could take a lot more than Robbie might have thought at first.

Pleasure took over from teasing, and within a few thrusts, Robbie was moaning and panting, his head tipped back a little, as he fucked into Toby's throat. Toby concentrated to give Robbie everything he needed, everything he wanted to give him, and when Robbie burst with a cry, he swallowed quickly, enjoying every minute of it.

They were both stunned and limp as Robbie shifted to sprawl in the bed beside him, but not so much that they couldn't roll into each other's arms for more kissing. It was softer and sweeter. Both of them were loose and exhausted. Toby had never been happier.

"I know it hasn't been long," he said, still catching his breath a little, "but I think we've got something good here."

"I know we do," Robbie said, sliding one hand down to Toby's arse and squeezing gently. "Who would have thought it?"

Toby laughed. "Not me. Not when we first met." He kissed Robbie briefly, then rested his head on the pillow. "But this feels right."

"It feels so very right," Robbie agreed with a sigh.

"I'm also chuffed that your dad wanted to hire me," Toby went on. "I have a ton of ideas for Hawthorne House, and not just for filming. I definitely think you should add more classes. I know teaching is your passion, and I love that about you?—"

"Really?" Robbie asked stopping him from going on. "You love that I'm a teacher?"

Toby blinked, then laughed out, "Well, yeah. Isn't teaching what you love most?"

Robbie looked surprised, which was strange. "It is," he said. "And you're sure you're alright with that? You don't want someone more famous or more ambitious?"

Toby's heart ached for the man in his arms, the man he could easily see himself loving and spending the rest of his life with.

"Robbie, sweetheart," he said, resting his hand on the side of Robbie's face. "I wouldn't care if you were Mr. Nobody from nowhere. I've seen you teach. I love the way your face lights up when one of the kids makes something they're proud of. I've watched you just sitting at your pottery wheel, making stuff."

"Making stuff?" Robbie repeated with a lopsided grin.

"Yeah, you know," Toby replied with a smile. "I'm falling in love with who you are, not who someone is telling you that you should be. Even if that someone is you. I love you ."

Robbie sucked in a breath, and for a moment, Toby thought he might burst into tears.

He didn't, though. Instead, he rolled Toby to his back and kissed him long and lingeringly. Toby wrapped his arms and legs around him, sensing that he needed to be held. Not just in that moment, but for always. Holding Robbie was all he wanted to do with his life.

"Thank you," Robbie said, resting his forehead against Toby's for a moment. "You have no idea how much that means to me. And if we hadn't just come in spectacular fashion, I would fuck you into the mattress to show you how much I appreciate you."

Toby laughed. "Later," he said, lifting so he could kiss Robbie's lips lightly. "We'll do all that later. All we have to do right now is be with each other."

"And that's all I want," Robbie said.

Toby grinned up at him, feeling as though he'd won the greatest prize of all.