Page 38 of Drink Up, Darling
“I’m okay, honestly,” Dariel said aloud, lifting his legs to admire the shoes. “But who am I kidding? I’m only a size seven.” They all laughed.
They continued to look about; Athens pulling out what were, in his words, the more ‘out there’ items, and instructed Godwin on how best to style a bow tie. Godwin produced his selection of full-length ties and Dariel went to town on picking out the ones he liked the most, holding them up to Godwin from a distance, squinting and focusing on what would suit the man best.
“I think red suits you quite well, you know,” Dariel announced. “You should try incorporating a few pops of colour. This red tie perhaps, or even red socks.” He imagined Godwin in a soft pair of red socks under his beige trousers and wondered if that was what Victorian men would feel when they caught a glimpse of their wives’ ankles.
“I always wished to own a burgundy shirt. Though I never found one I liked in shops,” Godwin said, casting his mind back.
“Well then, I’m sure Dariel can fix you up with something. He’ll know all the best places in London, isn’t that right?” Athens moved to join Godwin’s side, but he looked at Dariel. Again, working his subtle magic.
“Oh, of course. I know the places to look where most other people don’t bother.” Dariel joined in, noting the delighted expression on Godwin’s face.
“Speaking of shirts!” Godwin leaped up, both knees clicking as he stood. “I just remembered something… bear with me!”
He wandered to the opposite side of the room and opened a wardrobe Dariel hadn’t gotten around to yet.
Athens made himself busy in the dressing table drawers, long hair trailing over the tabletop.
Godwin started humming to himself as he raked through the shirts and Dariel noted it was the same song he’d been listening to in the other room.
“Ahh, ha!” Godwin produced a sheer black shirt with large, ruffled sleeves and a deep V-neck collar. It looked like something fresh from the clothing trunk of a pirate boat, or perhaps amedieval forest gathering. Dariel had these specific images in his head, which was to say, it was a cool shirt.
“I can picture you in this, Dariel!” Godwin said, making Dariel freeze with the words.He can picture me wearing a sheer shirt?His breathing went funny.
“With a few more layers, of course,” the words left Dariel’s mouth before he could catch them.
Godwin’s heart fluttered and… he blushed.“Of course,” he said, though he turned his head to the floor as he spoke, clearing his throat.
Maybe he could take it off me.
Honestly, Dariel. You’re disappointing every version of yourself here.
“This was Gareth’s,” Godwin announced.His old partner,Dariel surmised. The arousal he’d felt mere seconds ago instantly fizzled with a pop in his mind.
“Oh, well I wouldn’t want to…”
“Nonsense! He gave it to me. Though I never had the confidence to wear it. Here…” Godwin stepped up close to Dariel, breath kissing his skin as he held the shirt up to Dariel and his knuckles brushed Dariel’s cheek.
Oh, God.Heat rushed all over Dariel’s body, his legs threatening to give way. He was too close, he wouldn’t be able to contain himself for much longer if Godwin kept looking at him that way and…
‘Come here, darling.’
Athens was behind Dariel in an instant, though Godwin barely stepped back, only lowering the shirt slightly. Dariel watched Godwin watching as Athens produced a string of small pearls and fastened them around Dariel’s neck—his breath hot on the skin below his ear as he brushed away Dariel’s hair to clasp it shut.
“Now who’s a pretty boy?” Athens said in a comical tone, but it was enough to send Dariel’s thoughts to only one thing as Athens prowled around to see his work, both hands scooped under the shirt collar onto Dariel’s bare shoulders.No rings.
Godwin held up a hand, his face blank. “Oh, those were my…” he shook his head, “Oh, what the hell, you wear them better than she ever did.” He leaned forward and squeezed Dariel’s biceps, admiring him wholly. Athens hadn’t let go of him yet.
They were both touching him.
He could sense the pounding of Godwin’s pulse, the rush of heat over the other man’s body.
Oh, fuck.
‘You’re very attractive when you do that, you know.’
‘Do what?’
‘You’re breathing fast through your nose, you’re trying to restrain yourself, but you’re not doing a very good job.’
