Barging In (21 page)

“You’re going to freeze,” Dan warned, his hands rising to stroke over the planes of Robin’s chest. “Not that I don’t appreciate the view. Jesus! Do you not feel the cold?”

Robin freed his cock with a sigh of relief, then stood to get rid of boots and trousers. He had to smile at the dazed yet alarmed expression on Dan’s face.

“Wouldn’t you rather go inside?” Dan stood, looking between Robin and the boat. “Robin?”

Robin threw a couple more logs on the fire. He turned to Dan. He knew exactly what he wanted.

Everything was different now.

Dan’s eyes shone with curiosity, drawing him close. The air was chill, raising goose bumps on his skin, but it made Robin feel alive and tingly all over, increasing his sensitivity. He ran his hands down Dan’s back and pulled him closer. Dan felt so good—warm and hard and pliant all at once.

“What is it you want?” Dan murmured into his ear. “It better not involve me getting naked out here.”

“I want you to fuck me.”

Dan’s breath halted for a moment; then Robin felt a long exhale against his ear.

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll tell you if I need you to stop.”

Dan didn’t say or do anything. Time stretched out and Robin’s heart hammered wildly. He felt like he’d just thrown himself off the top of a cliff—he needed Dan to be his safety net, or he was going to hit the water hard. He didn’t want to have to beg for it, but if that was what it was going to take…

“Please,” he said, grabbing hold of Dan’s hand and drawing it to his mouth. He sucked on the first two fingers, coating them with saliva. “Will you just fucking well get on with it?”

Robin felt the desire shudder through Dan’s body. He pressed himself closer, squashing them together and grinding against Dan.

“Can’t help yourself, can you?” Dan said. “Still ordering me around. Right, Mister, you asked for it.” Dan’s hands came out to push Robin to the ground.

A thrill shivered down Robin’s spine as he gazed up at Dan towering above him, eyes glinting in the firelight. He propped himself up on his elbows as Dan sank down between his thighs.

Dan gave Robin a wicked smile before swallowing him whole. The surprise made him gasp, distracting him from the fingers pushing their way back from his balls. When Dan made contact with his hole, the shock was like a lightning bolt. Robin stiffened, torn between the urge to bear down and to pull away.

“This still what you want?” Dan asked, his fingers circling gently.

Robin closed his eyes against the concern on Dan’s face. He’d had it with being fragile today. He’d had it with being rescued and coddled and understood, and now he needed to be taken, hard and fast and without pity. He grabbed hold of Dan’s hand and pushed down against his fingers, desperately trying to impale himself, gasping for air.

“Okay, okay. I get the message.”

It was as if a switch had been flipped inside Dan. His motions became purposeful, commanding, as he lifted Robin’s hips and deliberately sank his fingers in deep. Robin hissed with the burn but gave himself up to it, to the glorious pleasure that was sure to follow. And it did, Dan’s fingers unerringly finding the most sensitive spot inside him and giving him a massage that made his toes curl. Robin moaned, arching his back and fucking himself on Dan’s fingers until the whole world shrank down to the sensation of them moving inside him and the warm, liquid pleasure spreading from that spot.

A kiss broke the spell, along with a rude withdrawal that made Robin groan in frustration.

“Simmer down, sweetheart. You’ll get a good fucking in just a moment, I promise.”

Dan lay next to him, kissing him deeply, masterfully. Robin felt Dan’s sheathed and lubed erection pressing against his belly and trembled in anticipation. He’d never thought he’d want this again. Never thought he’d get that urge to be taken, that need to be fucked senseless, so strong it turned his insides to a writhing mass of desire and his voice to a cracked whimper.

“Please,” he asked, closing his eyes.

“Look at me,” Dan said.

Robin shook his head. He couldn’t, because Dan would see the violent need written in his eyes and it would scare him off for good.

“Look at me.”

The power in Dan’s voice startled Robin, and his eyes sprang open.

But Dan was smiling, looking at Robin with unconcealed desire. Then Dan rolled onto his back. “Climb on. I want to watch you while I’m fucking you.”

Robin scrambled on, straddling Dan’s hips and trying to push his jeans farther down.

“Uh-uh, too cold.”

“Wimp.”

“Hard case.”

But Dan wouldn’t let Robin push his jeans back any farther. Fine, well, if he had to have an arse full of rivets and buttons, he’d just have to try and enjoy it. Robin lined himself up, the press of Dan’s cock against his arsehole making him quiver. He was going to be sore, but fucking hell, he needed this. As he sank down, filling himself with Dan, all the other cares of the day were pushed aside. There was only room for the simple fact of Dan inside him, stretching him wide and filling the void. Taking the space inside him for his own.

Robin paused, but it was too late for pulling back. It was already done, and with a groan he took in that last inch, grinding himself ferociously against Dan. Dan gasped, bucked his hips, and it was just what Robin needed to goad him on. He took control of the pace, lifting slowly but dropping hard and fast. He looked down in amazement at Dan’s body still clothed, and his own naked, his cock aching to be touched by more than the night air.

“Looks so good,” Dan said, his voice hoarse.

Robin felt Dan buck again and picked up his pace, leaning forward to hold himself over Dan. Dan’s hands slid up his sides, reaching behind to pull him down.

Robin felt himself falling. Falling into Dan’s eyes, so dark and round and perfect. He fell into the kiss, letting Dan fuck him with his tongue just as he was claiming him with his dick. Heedless, reckless, grunting; Robin moved faster and harder. And just when he thought he couldn’t bear it for a moment longer, Dan’s hand found him and squeezed.

Robin’s orgasm exploded, the spasms racking him as he spurted into Dan’s grasp and sobbed into his mouth. The aftershocks were still resounding as Dan gave a cry, and Robin felt the pulse of his cock deep inside as Dan heaved and thrust.

The balance had shifted. Robin felt it, inside him. More than simply the physical invasion—he’d opened up to Dan fully, body and soul.

It was fucking terrifying.

He shook, and then Dan was lavishing him with kisses, his arms wrapping around him and pulling him tight.

“Come on, let’s get you inside.”

Robin nodded, gathered his clothes and followed Dan back to the dark boat.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dan was uploading his recent photographs onto his laptop when Robin’s phone rang. He stared at it for a moment, then picked it up to check the caller.

Mum.

Dan listened to the chug of the engine as Robin steered them back towards the canal. He wondered whether Robin would go apeshit if he answered. He could make up all sorts of plausible excuses for doing so, but truth be told he was fascinated by the formidable woman Robin had described. Would the reality live up to Robin’s account?

Bugger it. He’d have to risk Robin’s anger.

“Hello, Mrs. Hamilton. This is Dan Taylor, friend of Robin’s. He can’t get to the phone right now, I’m afraid.” That was good. He’d managed to erase most of his South London accent. All those years of hanging out with Tris had given him an insider’s knowledge of posh folk’s talk.

“Oh! Good afternoon. Oh goodness! Dan Taylor, did you say? I don’t believe we’ve met, have we?”

Dan smiled to himself. “I haven’t had the pleasure yet. How can I help you, Mrs. Hamilton?” At least Robin wouldn’t be able to fault him on his phone manners.

“I was hoping to speak to that absentee son of mine. I’ve been trying to contact him for the last couple of days. Doesn’t he realise how much I worry when I can’t get hold of him?”

“I do apologise. We’ve been moored up out in the middle of nowhere and there was no mobile reception. I’ll make sure he stops somewhere where he can talk to you.”

“I see. And you’ve been staying with Robin, you say?”

“That’s right.” Dan grinned. The next question would be the one about how long they’d known each other. He hadn’t decided whether to evade that or not. He looked down at the candid photos of Robin currently being uploaded. They might not have known each other long, but they certainly knew each other well. Since that fireside confession, it felt like they were real friends, comfy as old socks but much more sexy.

“And what is it you do?” There was just that faintest hint of snobbery in her voice—a wariness rather than outright unfriendliness.

“I’m a freelance travel writer and photographer.”

“Oh! I see. And you live on the boats, do you?”

“No, I’m just visiting from London, working on a piece for the
Observer
magazine.”

“How fascinating.” There was definitely warmth creeping into her tones now. “It’s good to know that Robin’s making some better-connected friends. Maybe he’ll be persuaded to leave that death-trap boat one day.” She sighed. “And how is my darling son? He never really tells me anything these days.”

“He’s well. Very well. He’s been whistling all morning.” Well, most of it. There were the parts when his mouth had been otherwise occupied. After his outpouring of grief, Robin had decided he didn’t need to bother with the strawberry-flavour condoms anymore, much to Dan’s delight. And Robin’s too, judging by his contented moans as he lapped up every last drop of Dan’s come. “He seems really happy.”

“That’s marvellous! Oh, you don’t know how thrilled I am to hear you say that. I’ve been so worried about him. Now, I need you to pass a message on to him about tomorrow. We’re going to meet at Popjoy’s at one, and he’ll need to dress smarter than last time. Shirt and tie, no jeans. And if he could refrain from sticking his tongue out and scaring the waiting staff with that awful jewelry I’d certainly appreciate it.”

Dan chuckled. “He never told me about that.”

“Yes, well he was going through a particularly difficult stage at the time. It nearly gave his father a heart attack when he saw it. Especially when Robin explained what it was for. Really, I had no idea.” She sniffed.

Dan fought down the laughter. “Mrs. Hamilton, I’ll make sure I remind him to be on his best behaviour.”

“Oh please, call me Rosemary, darling. Actually, I’ve just had a marvellous idea. Are you free tomorrow afternoon? Why don’t you join us? It would be lovely to meet one of Robin’s friends.”

Dan shut his eyes. He knew exactly what he was going to say, and Robin was going to kill him. “Thank you, Rosemary. I’d love to. And I promise I won’t scare the waiting staff. I haven’t packed a suit with me, but I should have time to go and get one tomorrow morning. I’ll make sure Robin has something decent to wear too.”

Rosemary rang off after giving Dan a genuinely warm good-bye. He sat there, looking at the phone in his hand and wondering what he’d just agreed to. The idea of meeting Robin’s family was so appealing, but he’d never, ever wanted to meet the family of any of the guys he’d been with before. Still, it was just curiosity. Nothing wrong with that.

Just idle curiosity.

Yeah, right.

Morris interrupted his chain of thought by purring and leaping up onto his lap, obscuring the view of the laptop screen.

“Hey there, Morris. What am I getting myself into here, eh? I’m buggered if I know.”

It was easier not to think about it, so he petted Morris for a while, then went to look through Robin’s clothing and see if there was anything respectable enough for lunch with his parents.

Not a chance. They were going to have to hit the shops.

“You did what?” Robin glared at Dan from across the lock. Dan had waited until they were on opposite sides of the canal before broaching the subject. Good thing too, considering how Robin was reacting.

“I accepted your mum’s invitation to lunch. It seemed like the polite thing to do.”

“You answered my fucking phone! I didn’t give you permission to do that.”

Dan’s body wanted to flinch, but he stood his ground through sheer force of will. “I didn’t realise it would be such a big deal. I was just taking a message.”

“I’ve got voicemail for that. And anyway, you didn’t just take a message, did you? You invited yourself along to a family lunch.”

“No, I was invited, and your mum makes it very hard to say no. It took me by surprise. It was the first I’d heard about your plans.” And Dan didn’t mean that to come out sounding resentful, but somehow it did.

“I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t going to go.” Robin folded his arms over his chest. Dan could feel the anger boring into him even at this distance.

“Why not? They’re coming especially to see you.”

“They’re coming so my dad can go to a rugby match and my mum and sister can go shopping. It’s got nothing to do with me. I’m just expected to go along and be the dutiful son. And anyway, I’d rather…”

“You’d rather what?”

Robin was silent for a long moment; then he looked around. There was an old couple sitting on the nearby bench and taking an obvious interest in their argument. A woman walking her dog passed behind Dan. Dan watched Robin’s shoulders straighten as he lifted his head high and fixed Dan with his gaze.

“I’d rather spend the time with you,” Robin said, his voice low and intense.

Dan shivered. He’d been hoping for Robin to say that, but he didn’t know if it was for his sake or for Robin’s. It was great that he was coming out of the closet more, and if Dan could help him with that, then it would be a week well spent. But it didn’t explain the way his chest felt fit to burst when Robin admitted how much he wanted to be with him.

Dan stared down into the lock. The narrow channel was slowly filling up with water, raising Serendipity to the level of the canal above. It was the famous Bath Deep Lock and the nineteen foot drop was giving him vertigo. Before he could ask himself what he was doing he started off across the lock gate, his hand tightly clasped to the rail. He didn’t look down, just kept his eyes fixed on Robin. When he stepped onto solid ground, he realised he was shaking and his heart was ready to pound its way out of his chest.