Carter (Mayfair Model Series Book 2)

by Claire Castle

  I looked down, not wanting to meet his gaze. Whatever he said, I knew he’d be right.

  He pulled my chin up. “Look at me. You can’t go on like this. Even Marshall’s noticed. So if you ask me, I would just get it out in the open. If you continue to only be friends, is that so bad?”

  I never did answer, but in my mind it was the worst possible outcome. I didn’t even know if I could do it.

  I put on my best happy face and played the game, joked with Stuart, and enjoyed the night. He was right about one part, I couldn’t continue like this.

  The next morning, I got up and dressed in my uniform, ready to work two flights from Manchester to Paris and back. After that, I’d have an overnight in Paris and then continue to Boston. I checked in the mirror that my hair was perfect and flattened down the front of my blue waistcoat. Then I made sure I had everything I needed and went to the airport.

  Greeting the pilot and other air stewards was routine, and I was a pro at putting on my work face. As soon as we got going, I was happier. My mind was off Carter, and we had such a regimented schedule that there was always something to do, and everything had a time and a place.

  It was now five days since MDWC as I liked to call it—Magical Day with Carter—and not a peep from him. Trying not to let it get to me was proving harder than expected. In Boston, I now had part of a day to explore. One of the best parts of working for the airlines was getting to visit places I’d otherwise never get to see.

  Walking along the tree-lined streets in front of older buildings was nice. There was a little breeze. I absently wondered where Carter was. Maybe I should phone him, but what if it looked really needy. And what would I say? I let out a puff of air. No, I wouldn’t think about him. If he wanted to call, he could. The vague note he left didn’t leave me with much hope.

  At the Boston Public Garden, I walked by myself around a lake. The day was clear and made for a beautiful afternoon. Why did I feel so lonely? My mind wanted to taunt me. I’d travelled all over and enjoyed being on my own until I hooked up with someone or sometimes not at all. It never really bothered me.

  Only this time it was different, wasn’t it? Sitting on the grass, I pulled out my Kindle to read the latest thriller I’d downloaded. I got so engrossed in the story that I didn’t realize how much time had passed.

  I picked up dinner and a gossip magazine, noting how it was cooler when I made my way back to the hotel. I didn’t have to be at the airport again until the next morning, so it would be perfect.

  I’d been back in my room for about an hour when there was a knock at the door. It must be one of the other stewards, I thought. I’d taken my shirt off earlier, so I tossed it back on, not wanting to give someone an eyeful since I had no plans tonight.

  Opening the door I saw someone who looked suspiciously like Carter. I closed the door, did a kind of Magic Mike dance, and then opened it again. “Carter? Is that you.” I proceeded to touch his face like an idiot.

  “Yes, Casper is the ghost. Carter … is here. Now, ah, can I come in?” He peered up and down the hotel corridor.

  “Yes, yes, come in. I just … Wow. Here, come eat some of my food.” He followed me and sat down at the small table in the corner of the room. I’d only gotten one serving of noodles and veggies, but I didn’t care.

  Luckily, the room had a small kitchenette. I’d planned to just eat out of the container, but I found a plate and pushed half the food onto it for him. I brought the plate over to the table and then grabbed the container with the remainder in it.

  “What a surprise. Ahh …” It seemed I was at a loss for words. A rarity for me.

  “Is it okay I came?” Carter asked and started to eat, which was a good sign.

  “Are you kidding? Of course. For how long?”

  “Just tonight probably. A flying visit, as they say.”

  “Better than nothing. I love it. But Sherlock, how did you know, ah, where I was at?”

  “I merely hacked your mobile and laptop, phoned around a few hotels, pretending to be you, and forgot my reservation details. And ta-da.” He twirled his hands like a magician pulling the rabbit out of the black hat.

  “Very funny. I’ll start calling you ‘Conman’ instead of Carter then.”

  “Okay, fine. I wanted to be all mysterious and shit, but Stuart told me. Let’s have some fun before we both have work. I’ll have to leave kind of early, but better than nothing, right?”

  We continued to eat, enjoying one another in affable conversation, and after Carter took his clean plate over to the counter, he already had his shirt off.

  Momentarily I thought back to my talk with Stuart, but that could wait. I had him here. It was more than a phone call, much more. I’d leave the rest for now.

  “Can we have a shower first? I have a cab ride to wash off me.”

  “Right this way.” I walked towards the bathroom with Carter in tow. By the time I’d stripped down and turned to him, he was naked with his half-hard cock being stroked. “Fuck, you are naughty.”

  I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. He bent down to take something out of the jeans on the floor and pulled out a tube of lube and a condom. I grabbed them from him. “Over there. Bend over the counter.” My voice sounded deeper than usual. I spread open his ass and licked up the crease. My cock got hard just looking at his exquisite body.

  “Jamie,” he bit out.

  “All in good time.” I stroked myself and rolled on the condom. Then I noticed his hand stretched out with the small packet of lube. “Impatient much?” I teased.

  “Yes, okay, I’m fucking horny. Get on with it.”

  I smirked, thinking he couldn’t see me.

  “I can see you in the mirror, remember.”

  Dammit, I’d forgotten that. Covering myself generously in lube, I tapped on each globe of his arse. “Spread your legs a bit.” Carter was taller than me, so I’d have to stand straight.

  Then I shoved into him. Grabbing the delicious V under his abs, I pumped in and out of him. “God, you feel good.” I was on my tiptoes and the angle felt incredible.

  “Fuck, yes.” He leaned on his forearms, staring into the mirror. “Damn, we are hot.”

  I was deep inside him and held still for a moment, admiring us. Admiring him. His strong back and fantastic cheekbones. His hair dropped down while beads of sweat formed on his skin.

  I kept going and started panting. “Oh, Carter. Fuck, come with me.”

  “Yes, oh, yes.” He squeezed around me and I kept thrusting into him. He felt so good, so familiar.

  My hands moved to rub his back and then he chanted, “Now … now.”

  I grabbed his cock in one hand, holding on to him with the other. “I’m, I’m …” My eyes closed and I let go into the condom. “Do it too, Carter. Fuck.”

  “Yes, yes, oh god.” He pumped himself and came all over the floor.

  When I looked up, he was panting, staring intently at me through the mirror. So much was mixed in there: love, lust, fear, and something else I couldn’t figure out. Just as soon as it appeared, it disappeared.

  “That—I don’t even know. Holy hotness!” he said. “Can I get up now? I’m not young anymore.”

  “Sorry, sorry,” I mumbled then laughed. “Of course.” I pulled out and tied off the condom, then we both got into the shower.

  He grabbed the shower gel and sniffed it. “Ewww. This is gross. Do you have any with you? You, ah, whatever you use, always smells good.”

  “Oh, it does, does it? Me or it?” I asked, smiling sweetly. Then I gave him a rough open-mouthed kissed and jumped out of the shower. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Carter was here. In my shower. Fumbling through my toiletry kit, I grabbed my own body wash: it was a mixture of cedar wood and lavender.

  I ran back to the shower. “It’s so cold.” Flicking open the bottle, I pretended to squeeze some out for him.

  He wrapped his arms round me. “I’ll keep you warm, don’t worry.”

  “Aww, so sweet
. Okay, I’ll share with you. You can smell like me all day tomorrow.”

  Then, I really squeezed the bottle, and instead of rubbing it all over him, I put it in my own hands. I cleaned his beautiful body, and then did myself. He gave me little touches as we made our way out into the main part of the hotel room.

  Then he picked up the hotel menu. “Share dessert with me?” his eyebrow perked up and he kissed me, holding on to me for a moment too long.

  And in that moment I started, “Carter …” I was about to ask him if he was all in—if he wanted to be. With me.

  “Well, make it quick. I’m a hungry boy.” He pulled me close and opened the menu. “Now, there’s brownies and ice cream, or a cookie they make in a skillet!”

  I poked his ribs. “How do you stay so fit, eating all the time?”

  Carter gasped, affronted. “Not all the time. And apart from extra-curricular activities, like earlier, I still play sports when I can at home. But it’s mostly boring treadmills at hotels.”

  “Do you get lonely?” I tried not to inject too much emotion into it.

  Then I saw he was already ringing the room service number. “Yes, one of the brownie desserts and the cookie skillet. Room 242.”

  The person said something on the other end of the line and then he hung up the phone after saying “Thank you.”

  “C’mere. I don’t have very long so stop staying so far away.” I collapsed into his lap, giving him a kiss. “It’ll be here in twenty. What can we possibly do in that time?” He gave me a lewd wink.

  My dick seemed to perk up at that possibility. Putting aside all thoughts of the future us, or lack of us, I straddled him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Then I grasped both our cocks in one hand, massaging and stroking them together. His head dropped back and he let out a moan.

  Before I realized what was happening, he manhandled me—there was no other word for it—until I had my back flat on his lap and my legs at either side of him. He’d placed a pillow on the coffee table and somehow my head wound up on it.

  “Oh, damn, Carter,” I bit out as he fondled my balls, one at a time, rolling them between his deft fingers. He used his index finger to tease me, ghosting it up the back of my cock. It bounced of its own accord and I thrust my hips up high off his lap.

  He grabbed my ass and somehow lifted me even higher. I glanced up at Carter, who looked like the cat that got the cream as he admired my hard cock.

  “You are so hot,” he said before taking my cock into his mouth.

  The way his tongue moved around my length, swirling and twisting, made my whole body tingle. I was writhing on the coffee table and his thighs, and when he tugged my balls, I spurted into his mouth.

  I heard a small pop as his lips left my cock. Carter’s grin was absolutely devilish as he licked his lips. “And he lived happily ever after.” He pulled me up by my wrists and kissed me deeply. Tasting myself on him was all kinds of erotic.

  “Oh, really? Do tell me more.” I moved off him, my legs feeling like jelly, and somehow ended up still lying on the couch. At the knock on the door, I barely moved, which showed how satiated I was.

  Carter jumped up and went to the door, and when he returned, he placed a large tray on the coffee table. Then he sat down next to me and continued the conversation as if he’d not left. “Yes, I’m very happy with these delectable desserts.” His grin was contagious and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Very funny.” Crossing my arms, I let out a huff. “What was I then?”

  “Pre-dessert?” He pulled me up and fed me some of the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookie. While he held me close, he wrapped his arm over my shoulder and turned on the television.

  I didn’t really pay attention to what was on, preferring to listen to him talk. I swear I needed to get him to narrate one of my books on my Kindle. My head tilted over to land on his shoulder.

  I woke to a dark room and realized I was in the bed. Looking at the digital clock—the type every hotel seemed to have—the red light read: 4:53 a.m.

  Automatically, I patted the bed, hoping to find Carter. Of course it was empty. I was half asleep so I continued patting the bed absently. Then it touched on some paper. I picked up the note and had to roll over and find a light switch so I could read it. It was scribbled on the hotel notepad.

  Jamie

  The pre-dessert was delicious And I can’t wait for more.

  Carter

  I rolled back over on the bed, grinning like a loon at the smiley emoji. But reality hit. He was gone again. Still, it was a ton better than any phone call could’ve been.

  I flopped back over, knowing my alarm would go off at 6:00 a.m.

  Happy to be back in London, I did some laundry and puttered around the flat while there were some appetizers currently cooking in the oven. It had been a whirlwind after Carter’s surprise visit some two weeks ago. In some ways it felt like only yesterday, but in others, like a million years ago.

  I’d invited Stuart and Marshall round. Rutledge might come too. Of course, the more the merrier, I’d said. Carter was still away on a modelling job. My emotions were all over the place in regards to him. Even though we’d made amends, I still felt like a trapeze artist on a tight rope. A balancing act. He wanted more per his note, but I wanted everything with him. And what if I asked him and got denied. That was the worst case scenario. But I also knew that I couldn’t continue in this limbo.

  Daydreaming, I thought back to our night in the hotel. It was the hottest chemistry ever when we were together. No doubting that. But I wanted to know his thoughts, his ups and downs, and to be there for him if he needed me. Take a chance. It was a huge risk, but it also could have huge rewards.

  A beeping noise quickly brought me out of my reverie. “Fucking hell.” The smoke alarm was going off incessantly and I tried to make it stop by waving a tea towel in front of the oven. Burnt sausage rolls and quiches greeted me when the smoke simmered down and I was able to open the oven door.

  “Fucking Carter!” I yelled, just as Stuart and Marshall walked in.

  “We know that already.” Marshall teased. I had no idea what he really knew, but I felt my cheeks heat. Usually I enjoyed our banter, but now was so not the time.

  “Now come on, Marshall, he needs our help.” Stuart put down whatever he was holding and came over to me and gave me a hug. After pulling the trays out and throwing them in the sink, he passed his phone to me. On the screen was the menu for local pizza delivery.”

  “Oh, very funny. I’ll have you know, I slaved over a hot stove for you guys.”

  Stuart gave me a knowing look.

  “Okay, fine. They’re Sainsbury’s finest.” I let out a sigh. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll order in pizza.” I took my phone off the counter. “Sorry guys. What can I get you to drink?”

  “Beer works. Rutledge couldn’t make it, but I hope you get to meet him one day,” Marshall said.

  I placed the pizza order and sat down with the guys. “Good to be home. Was everything okay here? What’s new?”

  Stuart peeled the label on his beer and didn’t say much. Very unlike him.

  “The dogs? What’s happened. They’re okay, right?” I questioned, leaning forward in my seat. I could tell something was wrong but I wasn’t sure what. “Something’s wrong. I know it.”

  He glanced at Marshall, and Marshall rubbed his leg in reassurance. Marshall took a long swig of his beer.

  “I worry about you,” Stuart blurted, “and …”

  “Worry about what? I’m good. The way you’re acting, it’s me who should be worrying about you.”

  Marshall took over, which was even more unusual and out of character. “What he wants to say is that I asked him to move in with me, officially. But he won’t leave here until you get a new roommate or whatever works best for you.”

  Stuart leaned forward to hug me.

  “Well, it’s about damn time. This calls for a celebration!” I exclaimed, jumping up. “Of course it’s okay.�
�� I went to the kitchen and brought out some questionable fizzy apple juice. No, that wouldn’t do. “Sorry, I don’t have any bubbly for us.”

  “Yeah, that apple juice has been in there since before I moved in. No thanks,” he said.

  “Cheeky. But also true.” I marvelled at him worrying for me as I sat back down. “That was nice of you to be concerned, but don’t. Truly. And you go whenever you want. You’ve practically moved anyway.”

  “Marshall.” I stood up, pointing a finger at him. “Treat my boy right.”

  “Yes, Dad.” His eyebrows went up and his face had a surprised look as if he was mocking me.

  Walking over, I slapped him playfully, then hugged him. “Awesome guys. And I’m all ready to look after the dogs when you go on your trip. You must be excited.”

  Both their faces lit up and I was thrilled for them. The pizza arrived and we had a great night together catching up. When they finally left, the flat felt empty. Many times it had before, but this was different. Eventually, I fell asleep.

  18

  CARTER

  Work was nonstop after my impromptu visit to Jamieson’s hotel. That night with him spread on top and in front of me was engrained in my brain. When I’d had to leave in the middle of the night, I didn’t want to. What stayed with me the most was waking with him, feeling his warmth beside me, and not wanting to leave it. Equally as impressionable was after I quietly crept out of the room and went back to check on him, that feeling of knowing he was safe, literally, was quite terrifying.

  Now I was back in Toronto and work was keeping me from dwelling on it. If I thought about it too much, I was worried I’d have a full out panic attack.

  One night, some of the people involved in the photoshoot were going to a bar for a few drinks and asked me to come. I agreed because it felt like forever since I’d gone out. We were in some small lakeside town to do a beach shoot earlier that day, but I was so beat that I couldn’t even remember the name.