Page 46 of Mercury Rising
This time, Mercury’s resolve vanished. It might be the worst thing he could do yet the indecision might very well kill him.
This time he closed the gap between him and Nick. Their chests pressed together. Their beating hearts only inches away from each other.
Mercury almost cried out when Nick rested his hand in the small of Mercury’s back. It was now or never. Mercury chose now.
Their lips touched. The passion that had been boiling inside Mercury all this time exploded as they kissed hard. It was everything he’d dreamt it to be.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The weekend flew by. Of course, Mercury and Nick’s kiss had been interrupted by Eddie confirming they were allowed in the main room once more. They hadn’t been able to talk although the text exchanges they’d shared over the next two days told Mercury all he needed to know. Nick was more than interested. Mercury made it clear the feeling was mutual.
On Sunday night, Jeannie came round. They were in the conservatory while a summer rainstorm pounded on the glass roof.
“Is this a good idea?” she asked.
“Probably not,” Mercury replied. “I can’t stop it.”
Jeannie hugged her knees as she curled up on the chaise longue. She looked incredible in a floral maxi dress. “I love that feeling,” she said. “When it’s something that’s bigger than both of you.”
He couldn’t think of a better way to describe it.
“It’s like we’ve been on a collision course ever since I first rang the bell. He’s gorgeous.”
“I know. I saw the video.”
Mercury grinned. He’d released the video to much acclaim. A lot of his followers were outraged that such a worthy scheme was under threat. He only hoped that transferred to donations.
“Have you heard from him over the weekend?”
Mercury nodded. “I suggested we had a lunch date.”
“Oh, you bold thing, you,” Jeannie replied with a laugh.
“You know me,” Mercury said. “I’m not really one for letting the grass grow under my feet.”
“So why am I here instead of him?”
Mercury had suggested he went over to Nick’s. He didn’t know if Nick was ready to enter the world of Queens Crescent just yet.
“He’s with family. It’s his mother’s birthday.”
“Leaving you in blue-ball hell?” Jeannie replied.
Mercury pouted. “I don’t want to jump into bed with him anyway. I wouldn’t mind another kiss.”
He had never been one to throw his clothes off at the earliest opportunity. Of course, he had lived a full life. However, Mercury believed that sex got better the more you did it with someone. He had no interest in playing the numbers game Bobby and some of his other friends obsessed over.
“And what’s next for the campaign?”
“The follower counts are decent,” Mercury said. “I took some pics of the house. The kids have taken consent forms home. They’re all desperate to help. What they don’t realise is that it involves a massive cleaning effort tomorrow. If we’re going to get the public on side, the place has to be the best it can be.”
Jeannie regarded him. “They’ve really got under your skin, haven’t they?”
“Don’t you start,” Mercury replied. “Bobby thinks I’m going through my Princess Diana phase.”
“Oh, ignore him,” Jeannie said. “I think this is good for you. Honestly, I do. I’ve never seen you this riled up.”
Mercury got up and stood at the window, watching the water create little rivers. “I’ve lived my life with such protection.”
