Mick nodded, but said nothing. For a moment, Ceri worried if he’d pushed to fast too soon, until Mick put a hand on his arm. It was a simple gesture, but meant a lot. “I’ll see you Thursday. If I need to ring you, I will. Your number will be on file. We keep contact numbers in case of emergencies,” he said, turning to take the stairs two at a time.
Ceri watched him go, tears pricking at his eyes, like some great flood was trying to release itself. That kiss had set off some sort of chain reaction. His stomach churned as if it contained a million dancing butterflies. For some reason there was something special about the man he’d just kissed, and now he desperately wanted more.
CHAPTER 4
Mick amazed himself with how easily he organised the visit to Cardiff. He preferred doing things online because that way, he didn’t have to talk to people. He decided they would go to one of the big chains because the rooms didn’t make assumptions about sleeping arrangements. Mick couldn’t help feeling apprehensive about going somewhere different, but the thought that Ceri would be with him was oddly soothing. He hadn’t looked forward to anything for a while, and he was nervous as hell on so many levels. He’d never planned anything like this before either.
“You seem to have everything covered,” Ceri said, looking at the paperwork Mick had put together when they met again on Thursday morning. “You must let me give you money for the hotel booking. We can sort out the rest when we get there. I’ve borrowed some leathers which should fit you okay.”
“You have passed your test to carry passengers on a motorway, haven’t you?” Mick asked warily.
“Yes, of course I have. I did my advanced driving test a while back. It helped me get this job to pay the bills. I’ll pick you up at eleven tomorrow. I can only fit a limited amount of stuff on the bike so don’t go mad. It would be good to go out to dinner at a proper restaurant, so you’ll need a decent shirt and trousers as well as the jeans and t-shirts. You are all right about going out to dinner with me, aren’t you?”
Mick nodded. “As long as it’s not too posh.”
Ceri leant over the desk and kissed him gently. “I’m really looking forward to this.”
“Me too,” Mick replied, astonished by how much he meant it.
§ § §
It was a bit of a squash, but they fitted everything into the bike compartments. When Mick pulled the leathers over his clothes, Ceri whistled.
“They suit you. You’d look like a Hell’s Angel if you had a ponytail with that beard.” Intending to kiss him again, Ceri moved closer, but Mick backed up to the wall. Startled, Ceri stopped, not wanting to crowd the other man. He needed to change the subject. Tentatively, he reached out and touched Mick’s face. This time he didn’t back away.
“I wonder what your face looks like under that hair?” he whispered. “I’m good at shaving. Perhaps I can alter it slightly so I can see more of you.”He noted how Mick’s eyes widened. It had been a while since he’d shaved anyone else, but the idea of being so close to Mick aroused him. The act would be so intimate, so sensuous.
“Perhaps,” Mick replied shyly. He raised his head and finally met Ceri’s gaze. “And maybe you could dress like the tenth Doctor for me!”
Ceri burst out laughing. “Don’t tell me you have a kink for swishy coats. Is there anything else I should know, as I’m going to be sharing a room with you tonight? Still, I’m game if you are. Maybe we can check out some second-hand stores. You never know.” They both grinned and relaxed, having shared some secrets.
§ § §
The journey to Cardiff took just over ninety minutes. Mick thought he’d find it scary going that fast on the M5, but instead it proved to be exhilarating as they weaved in and out of cars and lorries. He did have to hold on tightly to Ceri’s waist, though. They followed the signs to Cardiff Bay, parked the bike, stashed their leather trousers, and made their way to the Doctor Who Exhibition.
“That was so great,” Mick said sometime later as they sat on the steps eating a burger. He stared out over the Bay. Lots of people milled around, many dressed in costume, obviously
Doctor Who
or
Torchwood
fans. He lifted his face toward the sun. The heat of the sun warmed his face, but there was also a breeze coming off the water. “I’d like to come back here again when we’ve got more time.” He looked at his watch. “I didn’t take it all in, but I suppose we need to get to the hotel.”
“I’d love to come back with you,” Ceri said gazing at him with soft eyes.
Mick returned his gaze for a few moments. Needing to do something, he wiped his face with a paper napkin and stood up. “That’s where the TARDIS parked,” he said, pointing across the paved amphitheatre. “You know where Jack ran across from the Torchwood Hub and dived onto it.”
“And that’s the rail where they stood at the end of the Face of Boe speech,” Ceri continued. He sighed then stood as well.
“I suppose you’re right. We’d better go to the hotel and book in. I am getting a bit hot in this leather jacket. You can ring the restaurant as well and see if we can book for tomorrow night.”
§ § §
Thirty minutes later, they were sitting in their room. Mick had immediately taken the sofa, so Ceri spread himself out on the bed. It was a big bed, more than big enough for both of them.
“Fancy a coffee?” Mick said. “It’s probably pretty lousy. Or I could get us something to drink from the machine.”
“Coffee’s fine,” Ceri replied. Now they were together, alone in a bedroom, it suddenly seemed more real. He watched as Mick made the coffee and then motioned for him to sit by his side.
“Is it okay if I kiss you?” Ceri asked.
“You haven’t asked before,” Mick responded. “And, yes, I like it when kiss me. I’m just a bit out of practice. It’s been three years since…”
Ceri leaned in and kissed him. This time, he wrapped his hands behind the other man’s back and pulled him in. Tentatively, he pushed his tongue forward and traced across the other man’s teeth until Mick opened up fully, and tongue met tongue in warmth and wet. Mick smelt good this close up and his hair tickled. Ceri kissed down Mick’s chin to his throat and neck. Gratified to hear the other man groan, he brought one hand around and placed it on his chest before slowly moving down. He pulled the zip of Mick’s jeans, and heard the shorter man’s breath hitch in panic.
“It’s okay. Let me do this for you. I want to, and I think you want me to as well.” He slid down onto his knees and reached into Mick’s jeans. Mick’s hand rested on his shoulder and he could sense his fear and confusion.
§ § §
Mick looked down at Ceri’s eyes. Was that lust? He thought he recognised it. Alfie had never done this for him, never been on his knees in front of him; it had always been Mick’s role in their relationship. Alfie had fucked his mouth, and Mick had learned to deep throat without gagging. The prospect of being on the receiving end was strange, but his cock showed definite signs of interest. Ceri’s hand lightly gripped his erection. Instinctively, he pushed his hips upwards, wanting more, loving the feeling of those smooth fingers on his bare skin. He could only imagine what it would be like to be taken into the warm, wet heat of Ceri’s mouth. Finally, Ceri pulled his cock free of his briefs. It bounced upwards and stood proud. Mick didn’t want to be embarrassed, but he couldn’t help himself. He looked toward the ceiling, scared to meet Ceri’s gaze, afraid of what he might see. Moments later, a tongue gently caressed the tip of his shaft.
“You taste good,” Ceri said. “I want you so much.”
Mick allowed himself a brief glance downward. His hands gripped the sheets on either side of him, and he just nodded, unsure of what words to use. He was sitting, fully dressed, in a hotel room, with a gorgeous man asking to suck his cock and he wasn’t even dreaming. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and let the other man go to work.
Mick heard Ceri take a deep breath before taking his full length into his mouth and nuzzling the hair surrounding his cock. He did it over and over again until Mick thought he could bear no more. He groaned and clutched at Ceri’s head, threading his fingers through his hair, but Ceri didn’t stop; instead, he wrapped a fist around the base of the shaft, applied his tongue to the head, and delved into the slit. Mick knew he was leaking, but Ceri sucked it all up greedily, then licked a stripe along the vein underneath. Mick’s cock strained towards him, begging for more, as if it had a mind of its own.
Mick clasped Ceri’s hair between his fingers. “I’m close, I’m gonna come.” He expected Ceri to pull away, but instead he kept sucking as Mick exploded and poured into him. His whole body centred on that experience, and Ceri just kept on milking him until nothing remained. Mick fought to keep himself together. He wanted to scream and cry. He wanted to pull Ceri up from his knees and hold him and never ever let him go. He wanted to fight any other man who tried to come near him. Instead, he sat up and looked down at the most unbelievable sight he’d ever seen. Ceri’s eyes shone with tears. His lips were red and swollen, but there wasn’t a hint of sadness in that face, only joy. Mick pulled him up to kiss him. He tasted himself on those lips. He had no words except, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” Ceri replied. He got up and sat next to Mick on the bed. “I love giving head. I’m told I’m good at it.”
All at once, words tumbled out of Mick’s mouth, words that he’d never said to anyone else. “I’ve only ever had sex with one other person. His name was Alfie. We had three years together. He looked after me and then he died; just like that, he was gone. That was three years ago. There’s been no one since then, no one until you. I thought maybe it was just him, and that I’d died as well. I learned to cope on my own by keeping my life in order, making every day the same, and then you came along with your smile and your multi-coloured hair, and changed everything. To be honest, I feel a bit lost and confused, but more excited than I’ve felt in such a long time. I hope you’ll give me time to get used to whatever this is.”
Ceri smiled at him, stroked his face, and stilled his shaking hands by taking them in his. For a little while, Ceri held his gaze until Mick’s breathing returned to normal. Finally, he cupped Mick’s cheek. “I’ll give you whatever you want.”
CHAPTER 5
Mick told Ceri everything. Once the floodgates opened, he couldn’t stop. He told him about his mother, and how she’d rejected him after he fell in love with Alfie.
“I’m not even sure it was because he was another man. She just couldn’t forgive me for leaving her. I was all that she had, all she’d ever had. She said that I’d betrayed her, but I couldn’t not go with Alfie. She said I needed to make a choice, so I chose him. He had this lovely flat, as he’d been left some money by his grandmother. He went out to work, and I stayed at home. I could read, write my stories, and watch television. I don’t have many qualifications, as Mum didn’t exactly encourage me to go to school, so I didn’t mind. I could watch my programmes during the day, and then I cooked and kept things nice. We’d go out to eat and sometimes to clubs. Alfie liked to dance, and I liked to watch him. He’d flirt a bit, but he always came home with me—well, nearly always. He told me he would always come home to me, no matter how it looked, and he did.” Mick shifted position on the bed, allowing the blood to flow back into his straightened leg. “I was happy. Then my world came crashing down; he got meningitis and was dead within hours.”
Ceri took his hand in his. “That must have been so hard. I can’t begin to think how I’d have coped.”
Mick squeezed Ceri’s hand, needing the anchor it gave him. “I didn’t know what to do. His family was good to me. I hadn’t met them often, but they knew I existed. Then I found Alfie had left me the flat in his will. He’d looked after me beyond the grave. I had somewhere to live, but no income. Eventually, his sister got me the security guard job. Her husband runs the company, and I’ve worked there ever since. Usually, I only talk to some of the cleaners and Tom and Fred, the other guards, but then you came along and threw my world into chaos. And this is the most I’ve said to someone in years.” He swallowed hard, summoning his courage again. “The thing is, well, I don’t get why you’re interested in me. You’ve obviously been around a bit.” He stopped for a moment. “Shit! That sounded worse than I meant it to. I meant that you’ve obviously had more experience than me.”
“If you’re calling me a slut, Mick, you’re probably right,” Ceri agreed.
Mick frowned at him. “Don’t say that. I hate it when people call themselves names. Too many other people in life are ready to call you names, so you shouldn’t do it yourself. I wouldn’t blame anyone trying it on with you—you’re pretty. I’m sorry if that description is wrong. I don’t always have the right words. I was never good with explaining my thoughts out loud. I’ve always been better writing things down. The thing is, I just don’t get why someone who looks like you would want to be with me. I’m little and hairy. Alfie used to call me Frodo, after the Hobbit from
Lord of the Rings
, you know?”
§ § §
“I’m going to make some tea,” Ceri said. He needed to do something before he let his growing anger show. Unfurling the fingers of his free hand, he saw the grooves where his nails had dug into his palm. It seemed to him that Mick had gone from one controlling influence to another, and, when he didn’t have someone telling him what to do and how to think, he’d developed a routine to cope. Had either of these people allowed Mick to be his own person? Ceri was determined to show the other man he could have a different life.
Mick stood up. “Tea would be great. I’m just going to the loo.”
Ceri guessed Mick needed a little time on his own. He had no illusions. He understood himself only too well. Perhaps studying psychology had helped him, or he’d spent too much time talking to himself. He knew he was no alpha male, but if he wanted sex, he had it. He’d never fucked anyone—he’d never wanted to, but he knew he could be a toppy bottom. The kettle boiled, and he poured the water into the mugs.
He’d always liked a good time, but recently, he’d begun to feel too old to be having sex in back alleys and toilets, without the benefit of an introduction. He threw the teabags into the bin, added milk, and stirred just as Mick emerged from the bathroom. Ceri grinned at him and was rewarded with a slight smile. Maybe what he needed now, was someone he could share his life with.