Page 91 of Meeting Mr. Adorkable
Arlo pulled Lucian to him. Holding him tight, he never, ever, wanted to let him go. Nuzzling into Lucian’s soft hair, he closed his eyes. He could stay like this forever, the two of them bound to each other, their skin sticky with sweat and cum, the tangible, visceral evidence of their lovemaking. He kissed the top of Lucian’s head; Lucian didn’t stir, his even breath and the gentle up and down of his chest plastered to Arlo’s own, telling him he was asleep.
Arlo let his mind drift. His life had changed beyond recognition in just a handful of months.
The night Bibi had confronted him, he’d been in turmoil as he’d told himself lies, that everything he was doing was for Lucian’s sake. As the sky had turned from black to the blue-pink of first light, exhaustion had finally pushed him into a fitful sleep full of broken dreams. When he’d jerked awake, there had been tears on his face and his heart had pounded so fast he’d been scared it would burst. But it’d been nothing to what had really terrified him. With a clarity so razor sharp it cut him to his core, he’d known that giving up Lucian would be catastrophic, for both of them. Scrambling for his watch, fear had filled his heart as the minute hand had ticked over to ten o’clock.
In his arms, Lucian stirred and pushed closer, as though trying to climb inside Arlo’s skin.
“I’m here,” he mumbled, so quietly Arlo could almost believe he’d misheard. But he hadn’t.
Calm settled over him like the warmest, softest blanket. His breathing and his heartbeat slowed, one synchronizing with the other, as he drifted into a calm, dreamless sleep.
* * *
“Lucian, honey. I thought you’d forgotten about our call.”
“Of course not. I had, erm, a floral emergency.” Out of sight of the camera, Lucian crossed his fingers.
“Hey. Sorry we’re late,” Arlo said as he took a seat on the couch next to Lucian. “Things came up at the last minute that needed taking caring of.”
Like me riding your cock… How could Arlo be so calm? Lucian shifted; he was sure his mum could read his mind.
The three of them chatted and laughed, the conversation light and easy. Lucian jumped in, no longer able to keep quiet about their news.
“Mum, we’ve got something to tell you.” He looked at Arlo and smiled. Over to you… They’d agreed Arlo would tell his family about the trip they’d be making to England.
“Hello Lu, Arlo.” Eddie beamed at them as he joined the call. “Christ, what a day. We’ve just finished hosting a corporate event for a firm of accountants. They all got pissed, two of them fell into the ornamental pond, and another one attempted to run around the folly stark bollock naked. Fortunately, two of the gardeners were able to dissuade him before—”
“Eddie!” Lucian and Eddie’s mum batted his arm. “Lucian and Arlo have something to tell us. Tales of inebriated bookkeepers can wait.”
Lucian bit down on his grin as his brother’s face fell.
“Go on, honey.”
Arlo leaned forward. “We’re coming over, at the beginning of June—”
“Oh my goodness, that’s wonderful news.” Lucian’s mum clapped her hands together before she burst into tears.
“Mum—”
“Don’t mind me, honey. I’m crying because I’m happy.” She dabbed her eyes with a paper tissue as Eddie gave her a light cuddle. “I just want to give you the biggest hug ever. And you too, Arlo honey, for making my baby boy so—so—h—appy.”
Eddie handed her another tissue to mop up a fresh flood of tears.
“That’s great news,” Eddie said. “We’ve all missed you so much Lu. And Arlo? It’s about time we welcomed you into the family properly…”
They carried on talking. Arlo told them about the London showing, which prompted more tears along with enthusiastic congratulations. Bella appeared for the last couple of minutes, as excited as her mum and brother about the impending visit. At last, with waves and kisses blown across the miles, and with promises to let the family know as soon as they confirmed the date, Lucian ended the call.
“We’re going to Danebury. You’re going to meet them properly. I still can’t believe it.”
Arlo grinned. “I can’t believe it’s happening, either. They were ecstatic.”
“Yeah, they were. But they’re not the only ones.” Lucian jumped up from the couch, snatched up Arlo’s hand and pulled him to his feet. “Come on, let me show you how ecstatic I can be, too.”
Arlo’s grin grew dark. “Sounds like a plan, mister.”
* * *
Bacon, eggs — and burned toast.
