Like a Lover by Jay Northcote Page A

the
hood up. He grinned at Rupert, his face shadowed by the fabric.
    Rupert felt
a fierce surge of possessiveness at the sight of Josh wearing something of his.
    When they’d
finished eating, Rupert insisted on clearing the plates. “It’s okay, I can
manage. Do you want a hot drink? Tea, coffee?”
    “Coffee
would be great. Might help me stay awake.” Josh’s tone was teasing. “I wouldn’t
want to fall asleep on you.”
    “Again.”
    Josh
laughed. “I told you, it was a compliment. I don’t fall asleep on just anyone,
you know.”
    Rupert
grinned. “Glad to hear it.”
    They sat
side by side on the bench seat and watched the sun set as they drank their
coffee. The sun painted the sky with streaks of pink and orange as it slowly
inched its way below a smear of dark cloud on the horizon. Josh was still
shivering despite the hoodie, so Rupert put his arm around him and pulled him
close. Josh curled into his side, his hands wrapped around the mug and his face
almost invisible because of the hood. It was a perfect moment, the ultimate
romantic cliché. If this were a film or a novel, Rupert would be brave now and
put words to all the things he didn’t dare ask for. But the words went unspoken
because Rupert was too afraid of what Josh’s answer would be.
    When the
sun had finally gone and the sky was a deep blue fading fast to black, Josh
climbed into Rupert’s lap and kissed him. “Want to take this to the bedroom?”
he asked.
    Rupert
didn’t. Well, part of him did, of course. He always wanted Josh that way. But
right then he was happy to be out there, cuddling and kissing and not taking
any more than Josh wanted to give him. Josh’s kisses were insistent, though,
and his arousal seemed genuine. He tensed and shuddered as Rupert slid cold
hands over the warm skin of his back, tugging him closer and grinding up
against his arse.
    “Yeah,
okay,” Rupert muttered between kisses. He licked over Josh’s lip ring and into
the plush heat of his mouth. Then he gripped Josh’s thighs and grunted as he
stood, thighs straining at the effort as he took Josh with him.
    Josh clung
to him like a monkey and chuckled into the kiss. “Impressive,” he said. “You
must do some good lifting at the gym.”
    Rupert
carried him inside, and they carried on kissing as he made his way to the door
of his bedroom.
    “Ouch.”
Josh yelped. “Door handle.”
    Rupert’s
arms were aching now, but he managed to get Josh over to the bed before he
dropped him. Josh bounced on the mattress, legs akimbo, and laughing as he
rubbed his hip. “That’s gonna bruise.”
    “Sorry.”
Rupert grinned. “These things are always so much more romantic in the movies
than in real life.”
    “Romantic?”
Josh raised his eyebrows.
    Rupert’s
cheeks heated. It was a stupid word to have used in this context. “Whatever.”
He lowered himself over Josh and kissed him as a distraction.
    It worked.
There wasn’t much talking for a while as they got swept up in the heat of the
moment. Rupert took his time, undressing Josh and himself between deep, searing
kisses that stole his breath.
    Finally
they were naked, lying on their sides facing each other. Josh circled Rupert’s
cock with his hand and tugged gently, teasingly, making Rupert moan with
frustration. “What do you want this evening?” Josh asked. “My hand, my mouth,
my arse?”
    Rupert
suddenly realised they hadn't discussed how many hours Josh would stay, and
also—with a flash of shame—that he hadn’t paid Josh in advance
tonight as he usually would. Maybe Josh hadn’t wanted to ask him for it? But
now didn’t feel like the right time to bring it up, not when they were both
naked and horny. Josh obviously trusted Rupert to pay him later.
    Josh’s lips
were already wet from their kisses, and he licked them again as he waited for
Rupert’s answer. The teasing sweep of his tongue helped Rupert decide. “Your
mouth,” he said huskily. “I want your mouth on me.” He was about