Page 99 of Judging Duke

“Nope, but it’s the taking part, right? I’m getting a little tired. What about you?”

“I could go another round. There’s still a few more left.” He tapped the pen on the paper impatiently.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.” I stared him straight in the eye. “I think I’d like to go home.” I raised an eyebrow, hoping he got my meaning.

Realisation dawned, and he dropped the pen on the table. “You’ve a long day tomorrow. Maybe we should go and get some sleep.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, you pair. Just go already! We’ll be heading home soon anyway. Marc really does have an early start. We’re nowhere near winning this week. We know who the brains are, don’t we?”

We waited until Marc returned to make our excuses and leave, stepping outside into the cold evening.

It had been a few weeks since we’d returned from France and Barbara’s funeral, and we’d both noticed the drop in temperature.

“So, why the urgency to leave?” He took my hand as we walked to the bus stop that would take us to my place.

“Not sure how ready I am to share you with everyone just yet, and I’m not always comfortable with the stares.” I’d noticed a few people looking over at him.

“I think they’re looking at you more than me. You always were good-looking. You’ve got better with age.”

“I’m not that old.”

“No, you’re not.” He waited until we were on the bus before he spoke again. “Dad’s doing well, and Mum is adjusting well. Robbie is still asking if he can be a bridesmaid.”

I chuckled. “I swear he’s just doing it to wind you up.”

“Oh, I know he is, but he does seem happier lately. I thought he’d go off the rails, what with the failed treatment and all, but I’ve also noticed that Carlos is around more. He won’t say anything to me, but maybe he might open up to you.”

“I really don’t want to know what Robbie is up to with Carlos.”

“I guess not.”

When we reached home, we were barely through the door before Simon was on me. We were still in our honeymoon phase, and practically any chance we got we spent in bed.

I’d been busier at work, and Simon had taken to meeting me there, becoming good friends with Lottie. Since retiring, he’d been out and about in the city, taking pictures for the gallery.

It was doing brilliantly, and he was happy, like a pig in shit, and when he was happy, so was I.

“How long has it been since we’ve done this?” He moaned softly, biting and licking my neck.

“This morning was the last time.” He’d woken me with strokes and kisses, and we’d ended with mutual orgasms.

The problem he’d spoken to me about in France had all but disappeared. If anything, he was almost permanently hard these days. Not a day went by without him accosting me in some manner. Not that I was bothered by that, he was on my mind all the time, and when we were apart, I’d dream of him.

I’d gone from not giving a damn about anything to wanting to be with him constantly.

If anyone had said to me that was how it was going to be, I’d have laughed in their face, but here we were, ready to tear each other’s clothes off again.

Now completely naked, we made it to the sofa. I bent Simon over it and lined myself up, ready to enter him.

We’d talked a while back about no longer needing condoms. He’d tested regularly, as had I. Neither of us taking any chances with our previous professions. Needless to say, it was far better without.

He dug down the back of the sofa and retrieved a bottle of lube.

“What the hell?”

“From last night. Must have slipped down there.”

At least that saved a trip to the bathroom. I squirted a generous amount on his arse, though knowing he probably would be fine, then rubbed it into my cock.

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