Athol howled with laughter. "Well, that helps. Right, what's going on?"
"Nothing, 'til you two get your asses in there. Then I've sorted a wee surprise for Anna and Caden. I couldn't ask anyone else, cos I wasn't sure if they'd get here. Anna's had a lot of sickly, up-chuck sessions, and they weren't sure she'd get out of the drive, let alone up here."
Athol nodded. "How bad has she been?"
"I don’t know. I didn't even know she was pregnant until a few weeks ago. We'd chatted and Skyped but not seen each other face to face."
"Same as us. I'd hoped to go down last month and then something cropped up at work. Now you mention it, though, when I was last down there, Anna was under the weather, but said there was a bug going round. More like a bugger gone in." He sniggered. "Well, let's go see what's cooking."
"You and your expressions. How do you put up with it?' Linsey asked Edan.
"He can give as good as he gets," Athol said as they entered the room Linsey indicated. "In every way. Can't you, hon?"
"You better believe it, "Edan said as they walked into a tiny room filled with computer screens.
"Ohh, film night?" Athol asked as he wedged himself next to Edan in a chair not big enough for two grown men to sit easily side by side. "Who's got the popcorn and the sickly orange juice?"
"Behave." Linsey shut the door behind her and flipped a switch. A large screen slid down one wall.
"Told you. Movies. Dirty ones? Big Bertha and her Bountiful Boobs?" Johnny Jerks Jackson?"
"Behave, or I'll tell Edan about the bacon," Anna said. "It's gonna be Mamma Mia!"
"Nooo, not the bacon." Athol clutched his chest. "You promised never to spill the beans, I mean bacon."
"And please, not Mamma Mia! Or Anna will do the voice-over," Caden said. "I swear, she's word perfect."
"It's none of that. Now hush, and watch." Linsey pointed a remote control at a control deck, and a shot of the outside of the building appeared. A red car zipped into the car park, drew up with a squeal of brakes, and a woman got out.
"That's me coming for my first day at work. Is this not illegal or something?" Anna giggled.
"Very likely, but hey ho."
"I look about as happy as if I'm about to have root canal treatment. I was so pissed that the job I loved the sound of involved something I hated. Yee gods, that security card picture should never have been seen after it was discarded. I look like a thug, or a ned-ette. Gross."
"Oh I dunno," Athol said. "I quite like the ‘mess with me and I'll rearrange your balls’ look. It has a certain something. It worked brilliantly on the punters who wanted to get out of line."
"And on some so called Doms. Rotter. Oh, that's better." It was a still of Anna and Linsey laughing about something. The background was full of balloons. "That was Lin's birthday. Oh my God, where did you get that?" There was a picture of a tube with two pink lines on it. Caden McCourt, are you in on this?" She hugged her husband. "You are, aren’t you? Wow, I love you all." Pictures, videos and cartoons continued until at last there was a video of Caden holding a bunch of flowers. He winked at the screen, and then spelled out 'I love you' with them. Anna burst into tears.
"Shh, oh Pet, I thought you'd be pleased." Caden patted her back and looked at Linsey. Worry shone from his eyes. "Shh, stop it now or the bumps will be upset as well. You'll get hiccups."
"I am pleased, you nit," Anna hiccupped. "Too late, I've got them."
"I've heard that it's quads, you know," Athol said. "Caden hid the letter."
"What?" Anna screeched. "You what?"
"How are the hiccups?" Athol asked, and whistled.
"Gone … ah joke, yes? Please say yes."
Athol raised his eyebrow, a trick he knew annoyed Anna intensely. "Yes."
"Yes what?" Anna asked.
"You told me to say yes, so I did."
"Argh, tell him, Sir." Anna appealed to Caden. "He is joking, isn't he?"
Athol decided she really did sound worried. "Yes I am, love. Sorry, I couldn't resist it. But, hey, it did stop your hiccups."
"Hmm. Lets you off."
Linsey blanked the screen and ducked behind a long low desk. "As I didn't tell anyone you'd be here, this is from Dommisimma. And no, before Athol asks it's not a set of mini cuffs and floggers."
"Oh good, I can get them, then," Athol said, as Linsey pulled out a large box covered in blue and pink paper, and put it in front of Anna and Caden. Anna slid to the floor.
"I can only get down here cos there's so many strong men to haul me up," Anna said as she began to fiddle with the sticky tape across the paper. "Caden says I'll soon need a hoist. He's not far wrong."
"I wonder if they do mini spanking benches?" Athol said and hooted with laughter at the dirty look Anna shot him. "Of course, it's my job as a sort of godfather to educate them in all that stuff. As in you do nothing, know nothing, and don't experiment with anything, or anyone until you're grown up. Like, at least thirty."
"They don’t stand a chance with Caden as dad and you as whatever. I was going to say special uncle, but that sounds the wrong sort of kinky. Ohh, Linsey, it's fantastic." Anna lifted out a pair of snuggle suits, and two golden fluffy teddy bears, one with a blue bow tie, and one with a pink ribbon in its hair. "Aww, Caden, look."
Caden looked. Athol looked away. He was envious. Anna and Caden's love and security was so absolute he was scared he and Edan would never have that.
"Thank you, everyone." Anna kissed them all in turn, and then yawned. "Gosh, sorry, I'm shattered."
"Home and bed,” Caden said. "We're up for a week so hopefully we'll catch up with you all again. Athol, let us know what happens, will you? And if there's anything I can do…"
Athol nodded. "Of course. We're off as well. Edan hardly got through the door before I dragged him out. I've had a shit awful week as well, and could sleep non-stop for a fortnight. I don't intend to though. We need food and sleep."
Anna opened her mouth and shut it. Caden nodded. "Very good, pet. That’s the way."
"Amazing," Linsey said. "Is it impending motherhood or a great Master that's worked wonders?"
"Both," Anna said as she was gently pushed toward the door. "Athol, ring us, please. I'll worry."
"I know, love, and I will." Athol knew Anna well enough to know she meant what she said. He waited until Linsey returned from walking to the door with the couple and then sighed. "Sorry all, but we do have to go. Neither of us is going to settle until we meet up with Sina." He sensed he was abrupt, but was fully aware his friends would understand why and accept it.
A chorus of goodbyes followed him and Edan as they left the building and got into the car.
"Great evening, even if we didn't get much further," he said as he drove out of the city toward the road across the moor. "Though I can honestly say I'm thankful the decision to contact Sina was made for us. I really didn't want to betray Seonagh's trust. It's a relief."
"True enough. However, tomorrow isn't going to be easy," Edan said. "However we approach it, I've an awful feeling Seonagh's part will come out."
That was what Athol was afraid of. "Well, not unless it's really necessary." He yawned. "Though it grieves me to say it, I'm bloody knackered. And not in the way I'd prefer to be. I vote bed and a cuddle. I don’t think I'm fit for owt else."
Athol rubbed the back of Athol's neck. "Sounds good to me."
That tiny touch, along with the scent of Edan swirling about in the air inside the car made Athol mentally hug himself. It was going to work out. It had to.
By the time he reached the driveway to his home, Athol admitted he couldn’t have driven much further. The anxiety, and the highs and lows of the evening had taken their toll on him.
"Thank goodness." He switched off the engine and stretched his arms up toward the roof of the car. I'm so damned tired, I could fall asleep here."
"Well, don't." Edan leaned over and took the keys out of the dashboard. "Stop there a sec."
Athol nodded, he hadn't got the energy t
o do anything else. He felt more tired than if he'd played and demonstrated all evening. He let his head loll back onto the headrest and closed his eyes to try and get the energy to move. The car swayed as Edan got out, and then the passenger door closed. Seconds later the driver's door opened and the arm that he'd rested on the door got hit with cool air as it slipped down and his fingers hit the door surrounds. The evening chill gave him goose bumps and he shivered.
"Ouch… shit, that hurt." He still didn't bother to open his eyes. He would in a minute.
"Yep, and if you don't cooperate it'll hurt more. Duck your head and hold on."
Athol opened one eye as the world tilted and the ground moved toward him. That was screwy, as the ground didn't sway like that. Not in Scotland. His befuddled brain took several seconds to process the fact that Edan was carrying him.
"Key?"
"Eh?” Athol played the word back in his mind. "Oh er, jacket zippy pocket."
"Hold on, I'll need to put you down for a minute."
The world switched to the correct way up, and then Athol felt Edan's hand in his pocket before he heard the key grate in the lock.
"Okay, sleeping beauty, let's get you to bed. How much sleep have you had this week?"
"Eh? Oh er, three or four hours a night. I had a very ill patient."
Edan tutted. "And then all this. Right, bed and cuddles."
As much as he wanted to, Athol didn't have the energy to argue. He managed the loo, and to clean his teeth, and then, like a baby, Athol let Edan help him shuck his clothes before he fell into bed. As he hovered on the edge of sleep, Athol realized the bed dipped and then Edan had him in his arms.
"Hey, Ede." It wasn't much more than a mutter and a mumble. "You're much better than a teddy bear and a hot water bottle."
Chapter Eight
He woke to the smell of coffee, and, he noted with a wry smile, bacon. The smell reminded him of Anna and the time she'd thrown bacon and eggs over him—twice.
Athol rolled over and looked at the bedside clock. Five to eleven. Holy hell, I haven’t slept this late for ages. He knew he'd been exhausted, but to sleep so late was unprecedented.
"Ah-ha. Sleeping beauty wakes. I've checked you with a mirror under the nose twice to check you were still alive." Edan stood in the doorway, a steaming mug in one hand and a plate with a sandwich on it in the other. He wore loose trousers that seemed to be held up by willpower and a very erect cock.
Athol wasn't sure if he salivated at the sight of that eager prick, or the food and drink.
"I bring sustenance."
"Am I going to need it?" Athol inhaled the rich aroma of Kenya's best, as he rearranged his pillows. "God, that smells good. And a sarnie? Spoiled, I am."
"You are, but you're worth it." Edan handed the mug over and put the plate down on the table. He perched on the edge of the bed, pushed Athol's hand, which held the hot coffee, to one side and leaned forward.
"Out of groin’s reach," he said as he nipped Athol's ear.
His warm coffee-scented breath slid around Athol like velvet.
"And sustenance? Well, that's up to you. Do you need coffee to get it up and in?"
Athol set the mug next to the plate on the bedside table. "Well now," he dipped his head and licked one of Edan's nipples. "Shall we find out?" He replaced his tongue with his teeth and grazed the areolae gently.
Edan groaned.
Athol lifted his head. "Hmm, now what shall I do next? Oh, I know." He rolled over in one smooth movement, and twisted until his head was in Edan's lap. "Dear teacher, I need to practice my number work. And I do believe you've covered up my apparatus." He tugged at the top of Edan's trousers. "That's cruel. Stopping a student from learning."
"Oh dear, we can't have that now, can we?" Edan lifted Athol off him, and stood up. He hooked his thumbs under the waistband of his trousers, and slid them lower. "Ahh, the apparatus is stuck in its covers. I think it might need help to get out." He raised one eyebrow and then winked. "Do I have a student willing to undertake the task?"
Athol leant on one arm, put his finger to his chin and struck a thinking pose. "I wonder. Do you? Ah, I know the answer. Yes." He knelt up and moved Edan's hands from the soft material that clothed his bottom half. "Now, Sir, you need to give me marks out of ten. I do hope I pass the exam."
"I'm sure you will. I just love a willing pupil." Edan exhaled audibly as Athol bared Edan's cock and stroked it from base to tip.
The pre-cum that coated the tip tempted Athol to cover his finger in its warmth and slickness, and suck the juices into his mouth. The taste of Edan was enough for Athol's own pre-cum to gather and slide down his shaft. He growled deep in his throat.
"God I'm willing, and ready. C'm'ere." Athol tugged firmly on the cloth he held in one hand, and continued the strokes down Edan's prick with the other.
Edan helped by toeing the material over his feet, and then kicked it away. It was enough for Athol to put his free hand around one of Edan's muscly legs and tip him onto the bed.
Edan whooped as he fell face first, feet toward the pillows, and bounced on the mattress, his dick still firmly clasped between Athol's fingers.
"Gotcha," Athol said as he tongued the tip of Edan's prick whilst he rubbed the shaft. He used Edan's pre-cum for lubrication, until he pulled Edan further into his mouth, and swirled his tongue over as much hot, soft skin, hard center cock he could reach.
The nip and graze on his own cock, was a welcome sting, as his body responded to the stimulus. The hair on his arms stood on end, his mouth went dry and his balls tightened with anticipation of what they—and he—hoped would follow. Athol had never forgotten the way Edan's tongue could work its magic, and he shook with the effort of not coming. He renewed his worshipping of Edan's body. While his tongue was busy laving, he stroked any part of Edan he could reach. The resulting gasps, a muttered, "for fuck's sake, more, faster" and then the shout of "arghhh…" was enough for Athol's cock to swell and spill, as Edan's salty and sweet tasting cum filled Athol's mouth and he swallowed eagerly.
Dimly he realized Edan was doing the same for him. Their breathing was harsh and uneven, and he recognized the way Athol trembled next to him was in mimicry of his own state. As Edan's cock softened, Athol held it loosely in his mouth until with a grunt of satisfaction he felt his own cock slip out of Edan's mouth. Then he moved his mouth and rolled onto his back. Beside him, Edan did the same.
"Whew." Edan laughed. "You know there's no way on this earth we can lose each other now. Is there?" He raised himself up to stare at Athol. His uncertainty showed in his eyes, and Athol saw the faint shadows under his lover's eyes.
"I hope not. I know not," Athol said. "We'll sort it somehow. Especially once we get the Affric stuff sorted. On which note, I'm going to drink cold coffee, eat cold bacon, and then shower. Bite my nails and keep asking for reassuring cuddles." He reached for the sandwich, fed half of it to Edan and ate the rest before he lifted the mug and took a long draught. "Yuk, I never have been able to get my head around cold coffee. Not even iced and in a hot climate. Okay, shower time. In the interests of further mathematics, shall we see how much water we save if we shower together?"
Edan rolled his eyes. "We've got an hour. In the interests of being ready on time, shall we do the higher mathematics later?"
Athol nodded, regretfully. "I guess. You use this one and I'll go and use the main bathroom. Last one ready subs next time."
He scrambled off the bed and sprinted toward the door, listening to Edan's shouted "you're on," as he entered the main bathroom, and turned the shower on.
It was the fastest shower on record. Thirty seconds later he reentered his—hopefully now their—bedroom, and laughed. It was empty. Edan entered a few seconds later and groaned.
"Bested."
"Oh, yes. Bow to your Sir, hon. I'm gonna have fun." He high-fived and did a silly victory dance. "I am your Master."
Edan flicked Athol's arm. "It better be that we're gonna have fun. And I bet
ter get second dibs at Mastering."
"And every other time," Athol said as he opened the wardrobe. "Calm and dignified, do you reckon?" He took out a pair of black cords and a black button-down shirt.
"Ever the Dom," Edan commented. "How about a less somber outfit? We don’t want to scare the shit out of Sina. It'll be fraught enough as it is without us doing the ‘look at who I am’ crap." He took out a green cashmere jumper from his bag and pulled it over his head.
"You have a point." Athol replaced the shirt with a pale blue short-sleeved linen one, and a darker blue jumper. "But the cords stay. I haven't the energy to find something else."
"Or the time, not if you want hot coffee," Athol said as he zipped up his jeans and rearranged his cock.
"Damn, I could have made you sit comfortably." Athol did the same maneuver to himself.
"Not if you want coffee."
"Yeah, and sorry, hon, coffee, or I'll snarl."
"I know, that's why I've left the pot to keep warm on the Aga."
"Thank goodness. I've made my mind up. You're for keeping. A hot bod and hot coffee? What more could a man ask for? Well, apart from being allowed to warm his cold feet on said hot bod on a cold night."
"Negotiable," Edan said as they went downstairs. "I've met your cold feet and blocks of ice have got nothing on them. Baltic, that's what they are."
"But I've got a warm heart." Athol made a beeline for his Aga cooker and moved the coffee pot onto the middle of the hot ring. In seconds the steam rising from it showed the coffee was once more piping hot. He filled two mugs and handed one to Edan. "Do we take Sina into the lounge? Or in here, where it's warmer? Or…oh shit, I feel like I'm outside the headmaster's office. Or about to go into a job interview. I'll admit it, I'm scared."
Edan put his mug down, wrapped his arms around Athol, and rested his cheek nest to Athol's cheek. As ever, that simple comforting and loving gesture worked its magic. "So'm I."
They stood there for a long moment. Athol decided it was if they drew comfort from each other. Then he took a deep breath, and straightened up. "Okay, no more wobblies or wussiness. Let's get ready to start the rest of our lives."
A Dom's Decision Page 10