Given Time Page 6

  Chapter Twelve

  Matt watched darkness gather on the horizon. With no word from Angel, he called the desk and booked a dinner table for two, hoping Angel hadn’t changed his mind about them. He showered and dressed. He stood in front of the TV, watching as a music video played. He wondered if it was one Angel had made. The knock at his door brought a leap of hope in his heart. Angel.

  He flung the door open.

  Angel’s smile knocked him sideways with the joy it put in his heart.

  He pulled Angel close, swept his hands down Angel’s back and grabbed his ass.

  Angel molded against Matt and took hold of his head, grasping handfuls of his hair. He kissed Matt hungrily, kiss after kiss with little moans between.

  Matt returned the kiss. Soaking up the pleasure of Angel’s body pressed hard against him. His cock filled out in a delicious surge. His hips thrust against Angels’ and through the two layers of their clothing, Matt savored the shape and rock hard column of Angel’s cock. He ravaged Angel’s mouth with a kiss full of love and sex. He pushed a hand between their bodies and cupped Angel’s cock and balls with his palm.

  Angel’s whisper against Matt’s lips made him groan. “I need to fuck. I need fucking. It’s so good to feel your hands on me.”

  Matt moved to reach the fastening of Angel’s pants with both hands and dragged the zipper down. His breath came in gasps. He sucked on Angel’s neck and bit along his jaw, until their lips were against each other’s and they breathed together. Matt pulled Angel’s pants and shorts down to mid-thigh in one swift move. He grabbed Angel’s cock in both hands and groaned into his open mouth. The shape and hardness in his palms made his stomach clench as his own cock throbbed and leaked. He bit on Angel’s lip in soft grazes of his teeth. He slid his tongue on Angel’s and his legs went weak. He pumped Angel’s cock until pre-cum coated his palm.

  Angel thrust into his hands. He groaned into Matt’s mouth. “Do you have condoms? I need fucking right now.”

  Matt could hardly bear to let Angel’s cock go. He couldn’t tear his mouth from Angel’s and he kissed him desperately.

  Angel opened Matt’s jeans and pushed his hand into Matt’s underwear. He teased at Matt’s cock head, circling it as he returned his kisses. Matt’s ass felt melted. His stomach tightened so hard his cock pulsed out more pre-cum.

  Angel circled the soft liquid up and down the column of Matt’s cock.

  Groaning now with the need to come and the exquisite pleasure Angel gave him, he pushed away from Angel. “I’ll get a condom. You get naked.” His voice failed him. He dragged off his boots and jeans that threatened to hobble him, and he practically ran to his toiletries case in the bathroom. He dragged his t-shirt over his head and snatched up the plastic bag that held a pack of condoms and tube of lube.

  Angel came to him naked. He held Matt around the neck and kissed him, sliding his tongue on Matt’s and rubbing his leaking cock on Matt’s stomach. Matt grabbed his cock and Angel’s in his free hand and thrust his hips so that their cocks slid together. A moan escaped him. “Fucking hell.”

  Angel broke away. He grabbed the side of the hand basin and bent over it. “Fuck me. Fuck me so hard I can’t breathe.”

  Matt’s fingers trembled as he pulled a condom from the pack and tore it open. He rolled it on his cock and gathered a palm full of lube. He dropped the plastic bag on the unit top. He lathered lube into Angel’s ass, kissing Angel’s neck as he covered his lover’s back with his body. He traced fingertips over Angel’s balls.

  Angel bucked and sighed.

  Matt held his cock to guide it into the gorgeous guy’s slick asshole. As he filled Angel, his breath left him in a soft whoosh. Through his fog of pleasure, he heard Angel moan.

  “Fucking hell, that’s good.”

  Angel pushed his ass out to meet Matt’s thrusts.

  Matt pounded, holding Angel’s hips and moaning the whole time, unable to help it.

  His orgasm stormed over him, weakening his knees, and making his balls so tight that he rammed into Angel, taking the last waves of sensation until his whole lower body relaxed with satisfaction. He vaguely heard Angel’s cries. He let go of Angel’s hips and leaned to grab Angel’s cock.

  Angel shifted his head trying to reach Matt’s mouth for a kiss.

  Matt tightened his hold on Angel’s cock as Angel rammed up into his fist. Cum filled his hand. He brushed his lips on Angel’s mouth as Angel came hard.

  They stilled after moments of complete abandon.

  Matt kissed along Angel’s back. He slipped his cock from Angel’s ass, pulled Angel up, and turned him into his embrace. Angel’s cum spread out across the sink, but some remained on his stomach. Matt clasped Angel’s body to his own, wanting to feel the evidence of Angel’s pleasure on his skin. He kissed Angel gently as tenderness made mush of his heart and words of love filled his head.

  He swallowed them. It was too soon to talk about love even though he’d never felt this way about any guy.

  Angel swept his hands up and down Matt’s naked body. “You are sexy as hell. I’ve just come and I want you again. I’m fucking you later. It’s the best sex I’ve ever had, being with you last night and just now.”

  Matt smiled and kissed Angel. He drew away. “I want your cock sliding in my ass. You were deliciously tight but easy. I might need some warm up. I’ve not had it in the ass for a while.”

  Angel slipped his hands around Matt’s face and kissed his mouth. “We can take it as easy as you need. I’m hoping to have you in my life for a long time. I’ve used plugs when I jerk off.” He shrugged as if embarrassed. “Always hoping to meet a guy and fall in love, I wanted to be ready.” He regained his smile. “You made me come with your thrusts. It was so fucking good.”

  Matt sighed against Angel’s face as he rested his forehead on Angel’s. “You are so hot. Hey, I booked a table for dinner, but I think I need another shower. I’m covered in cum and lube.” He smiled. Damn, that was awesome.

  Angel broke away and stood back. “Yeah. What if I leave you to it and hightail back to my room since I need a change of clothes. I hope I packed enough.” He laughed.

  Matt agreed, widening his eyes. “So do I.”

  He followed Angel into the lounge area of the suite where their clothes lay tossed around.

  Angel pulled on his pants and shirt. He grabbed up his underwear and the clothes from the previous night from the back of the chair where Matt had placed them. He shot Matt a smile full of emotion.

  Matt felt loved. He picked up his own clothes and put them on the table. He went to Angel. “Hurry back. I’m starving. I miss you, and I want to hear how things are going. You seem happier.”

  Angel pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Ten minutes.” He left the suite with Matt gazing after him.

  Matt rushed to shower again. He wiped up the cum from the hand basin. He pulled on clothes and stood in front of the mirror. He talked about love. Matt sighed happily.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When Angel knocked on his door again, he grabbed his jacket and pulled it on. Angel wore a suit. He looked delicious. Matt held his hand until they reached the stairs and then let go.

  Angel glanced at him. “Honestly, I don’t care if people see. I’m out, have been for years. I don’t think anyone cares these days. I mean what’s it to them?”

  Matt shook his head. “I’m out, but I reckon some people still do have objections.”

  Angel frowned as he walked. “Fuck them. Do I object to who they love and hold hands with?”

  Matt couldn’t help grinning.

  They were shown to the table he’d booked.

  Angel took the menu. He leaned across the white-clothed expanse. “I want French fries.”

  Matt gave a teasing gasp. “Not French fries.” He smiled. “I want some, too. Split a beer with me. I can’t drink a whole one, but a taste with the steak will be great.”

  Angel nodded his agreement.

  They ordered steak,
fries, and the beer when the server came back to the table.

  Another server appeared moments later with two glasses and the opened Stella Artois.

  Angel poured. He talked as he measured out the beverage.

  “It wasn’t horrible to see Rory. It helped me. He looked so peaceful, serene almost. Then it turns out the lawyer knows everything and all I have to do is turn up for the will reading. Rory’s wife, Samantha, is going to help with the funeral arrangements and the reception afterwards. I think it will all be okay.”

  Matt watched the play of emotions traveling in Angel’s eyes. Affection flooded him. It was good to see Angel less stressed.

  “That’s great.”

  Angel sipped the beer and then toyed with the glass, moving it on the white tablecloth for a few seconds. “There’s something else. I found lots of newspaper cuttings about you, Matt.”

  Worry shot over Matt in little waves of nausea. “What?”

  “Rory was making a bio collage about you. I’ve seen him do it for himself when he’s sent out a new collection of work for an exhibition. I learned a few things about you.”

  Relief flooded Matt. He knew there was nothing detrimental out there in the public arena. Certainly, he’d never divulged his tendency to premonitions. He smiled softly.

  Angel nodded. “It seems as if Rory wanted us to meet, too. He’d written in the margins of a cutting to invite me when the artwork was ready for exhibition.”

  Matt didn’t know what to say. He gazed at Angel, waiting for more revelations.

  Angel didn’t disappoint. “That was so good to read. Like he’d not simply put me out of his mind. I know this is going to sound bizarre, but I have to tell you. Rory could be a bit fanciful. He’d get hunches that he swore by. Some of them came true, too. Weird, huh? He was funny sometimes.” His voice dipped to almost a whisper. Sadness exuded from him.

  Concern forced Matt’s voice low. He reached his hand across the table and held Angel’s.

  “How’re you doin’?”

  Angel shook his head. “I’m okay, and then sometimes thinking about how I never called Rory, I’m not.”

  Matt fell silent for a few moments, not knowing how to comfort Angel without getting up and holding him close. He changed the subject hoping it wasn’t unfeeling.

  “Can I ask you about the newspaper cuttings? Where were they?” He knew already that Angel would tell him they were in the desk drawer, so when that happened, Matt gave a slow nod. “Okay. This thing about Rory’s hunches…”

  Angel broke in. “I know it’s kind of new age.” He smiled wistfully. “I used to tease Rory a little about it, but he never cared. He’d say, ‘wait until this or that happens and see I’m right.’ I’m sure he wanted us to meet. He’d circled the cutting about you being gay. We hadn’t spoken for nearly two years and he was going to ask me to an event that meant we’d meet. What do you think of that?”

  Their food arrived, which gave Matt time to consider his answer.

  The server left their table.

  He smiled across at Angel. “Seems like we’re destined one way or another.”

  Angel laughed aloud. “You’re skeptical. I don’t blame you, but whatever the influences, I’m happy we met.”

  Matt picked up his cutlery. “So am I.” He studiously cut up his steak. It seemed a moot point to worry about his own premonitions now that Angel had told him Rory was the same. Then again, I need to steer him toward that item in the sheepskin jacket … or maybe not, maybe it’s nothing. Still wary of letting anyone know about his weird ability, he pushed the idea to the back of his mind and focused on the tangible.

  “I’d like to see the cuttings. That’s a neat idea making a bio collage.” He speared a piece of steak.

  “Let’s go to the house after dinner and pick them up. I should have brought them with me. I’d like you to have them. I’d still like you to show me the photographs you took for the sculpture.”

  “I’ll let you see them. They’re on my laptop. Where are you sleeping tonight?” Matt cringed the moment he’d asked. It seemed clingy.

  Angel grinned. “With you, babe, unless you have other plans.”

  “I just thought I could show you the photos tonight. I wasn’t trying to…”

  Angel put down his fork and gazed at Matt. “I don’t want to stay in the family house. My suite here is booked for tonight and tomorrow, but I hoped to stay with you for as long as I can. Matt, I, I can’t imagine not being with you. Tell me right now if you can’t see us being a long-term item. If it’s too soon for you, let me know. I already know I want you in my life.”

  A blanket of happiness drifted over Matt and yet he lived in Paris. Somehow, he’d forgotten that. It loomed into his mind and stopped him from replying. Maybe I’ll move back. There’s no real reason to stay there now, especially if I love Angel.

  Angel must have read his hesitation as negative. He bent his head and sighed. “Sorry, it’s too soon, huh?”

  “No.” Matt couldn’t get the word out fast enough. “No, I feel the same. I’ll need to work out what to do about Paris, but I want to be with you.”

  Angel raised his head. “I’d move for you.”

  Matt smiled as tenderness flowed into his heart. “I’d move for you.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Angel unlocked the door and flicked on the lights. “I left the wad of cuttings in the study.” He smiled over his shoulder at Matt. He couldn’t dampen the happy mood that descended on him as he and Matt finished dinner. Knowing Matt felt enough for him to think about moving countries was elating.

  Matt followed him down the hall to Rory’s study.

  Angel went to the desk lamp and put it on. He picked up the folder of documents and uncovered the stack of newspaper cuttings about Matt. He grinned at his lover. “Here you go. I didn’t look at them all because I realized early on what Rory was going to do.”

  Matt took them from his hands. His fingertips brushed Angel’s.

  The soft graze sent a jolt of sensation along Angel’s hand and he closed his eyes for a few seconds to enjoy the feeling.

  Matt scanned the top couple of cuttings. He raised his eyes to Angel’s face as he arranged the cuttings so that none fell to the floor.

  Angel saw the affection in his gaze. He stepped close to Matt and leaned to kiss him.

  Matt met his lips.

  The kiss fed Angel’s lust and love. He slipped his hand around Matt’s head, and rested his face against his lover’s face. Desire mingled with tenderness and sparked between them. Angel sighed. “I’m falling in love with you.”

  Matt didn’t answer. The sheaf of papers in his hand rustled.

  Angel moved away. “Let’s get going.” His hope that Matt would reply with a similar phrase to his, faded. He led the way down the hall.

  Matt caught his arm as they entered the kitchen.

  “Angel, what if I told you I had hunches like Rory?”

  Angel spun around and gazed at him puzzled. “It wouldn’t matter. I thought you didn’t believe… Why?”

  Matt’s voice was practically a whisper. His eyes held a pleading look.

  “The sheepskin jacket has something in the pocket. I don’t know what.”

  A frown sprang to Angel’s face. “Is this a hunch?”

  Matt nodded.

  Angel didn’t know if this was a joke or what. He knew Matt hadn’t been near the jacket so there was no way he could have put something in the pocket himself. He gave Matt a look filled with inquiry. He walked toward the jacket, and with every step worry grew at what he’d find there. He pulled the jacket from the hooks, and rifled through the pockets. Paper crumpled under his fingers and he dragged it out.

  The envelope was addressed to him. He dropped the jacket and turned to Matt.

  “A letter. How could you have known?”

  Matt shook his head as if accused of something bad.

  Angel tore the envelope open and flipped open the fold of paper.

  H
i Angel, These last two years have been a strange mix of desire to contact you and annoyance that you haven’t contacted me. If I don’t get to talk to you in person for any reason, then I want you to know I intended calling soon, next week, in fact. It’s just that I want it to be the right time. I’m leaving this in a place I’m sure you’ll find it when you’re at home. Bizarre I know, but this afternoon before I took my walk by the river, I had this feeling I should leave you a note that very minute. Call it one of my strange hunches. For once, I hope it doesn’t come true, and you get to tease me about it. I do love you. Take care. Rory.

  Angel sagged against the wall and looked up at Matt. He pushed the letter into Matt’s hand. Right then he couldn’t speak. He was numb.

  Matt didn’t read the letter. He shoved it under his thumb that secured the sheaf of newspaper cuttings in his hand. He grabbed Angel and crushed him close.

  Angel pressed into Matt’s embrace. He pushed his face into Matt’s neck. The warmth and comfort of his lover’s skin soothed him. The familiar light herbal scent from Matt’s shower gel filled his head and Angel closed his eyes. It felt like coming home when Matt held him. He was safe in Matt’s arms. They belonged together. Some of the words in Rory’s note echoed in his mind. One of my strange hunches…

  Matt ran his hand along Angel’s back and held the back of his neck. The touch sent tingles down Angel’s spine. He lifted his head to look into Matt’s eyes.

  “I wouldn’t have found this. I glanced at the jacket hanging there and it never crossed my mind to check it. How long have you known there was something in the pocket?”

  Matt’s eyes glistened with tears. “A day, well, a little longer...”

  Angel knew there was more. Love burst over him like melting honey. He couldn’t push for whatever else there was. A tear escaped from one eye and ran down his face. He smiled at Matt. “Thanks for finding it. I think I need a drink. What about you?”