Page 97 of Worth the Wait
“Please tell me you ain’t been there all night.”
“I can tell you that if you want.”
Freddie opened his door. “Have you been home?”
“Yeah. When they finally let me go, went straight home to Alf. He was in bed. Not asleep, I might add. Think he’s been spooked.”
“Bet he has.”
“So I slept on his floor. Or, well, didn’t sleep. Had a chat with him this morning on the way to school. Nothing major, cause I’m still unsure what I’m gonna do. Said I needed the day to think, and we’ll talk properly later.”
“What do CID want you to do?”
“They want to grill Alfie for intel. Maybe flip him. But I can’t have him do that. I can get him to talk, but act as bait…?” Nathan shook his head, scratching a hand through his hair. “That’s big man shit. Despite appearances, Alf’s still a little boy.”
Freddie started up the stairs, Nathan following a few steps behind, the banister creaking under his palm. At the landing, Freddie stopped. Ahead were four doors. One leading to the open plan living and kitchen where they’d been that morning. One to the bathroom. One to the box room which was mostly a storage unit. Then the one at the end, door cracked slightly open, was his bedroom.
Freddie turned at the top of the stairs, facing Nathan below. He still had his hands braced on the rail, as if unsure whether to take that final step.
“I’m knackered,” Freddie said. “Like, properly fucking dog-tired.”
Nathan nodded, gripping the banister. He didn’t move. Didn’t cross into Freddie’s space. “Yeah. No, I get it. I just…needed to dodge my old man for a bit.”
Freddie arched a brow.
Nathan gave a tired snort. “I know. Been shot at in three languages. Still can’t handle one look from Ron.”
Freddie gave a faint smile, but it didn’t last. He bowed his head, then when he looked up, he met Nathan’s eyes and through an inhale, said, “I’m going to bed.”
Nathan shifted. “Yeah, course. I’ll get out of your hair—”
“And I want you to come with me.”
That stopped him.
“I’m all for talking.” Freddie drew in a breath. “And wewilltalk. But not now. Right now, I just want you.” He stepped down one tread, closing the space between them. “In my bed. Your hands on me. Your mouth on me. I want you inside me. I want something that makes sense, even if it’s just once.”
Nathan’s mouth parted, and the look in his eyes was unreadable. Something between want and disbelief.
So Freddie gave him the final push.
“And if that ain’t clear enough for you, Jarhead,” he whispered, stepping in until their foreheads almost touched, “I want you to fuck me. Right now. Because God knows when we’ll get another shot at this…whatever this is. And I’ve waited fifteen fucking years to find out if you’re worth it.”
For a beat, Nathan didn’t move.
Then he kissed him. Firm. Certain. And slid a hand to Freddie’s jaw, gliding his thumb across his lips. “I can do that.”
He kissed him again, languid and heartfelt. Not rushed like before. It didn’t need to be, and Freddie’s breath caught as Nathan slipped his hands on his hips, guiding him backward, one step, then another, until he shouldered open the bedroom door, mouth never leaving his.
Freddie let himself be led. He craved it. The surrender. The release. He needed to shed the weight of control, the uniform, and the voice of command that followed him home. And he did when Nathan undressed him, layer by layer, until Freddie stood bare beneath his touch. Fingers tugged at buttons. Fabric gave. Freddie’s shirt slipped from his shoulders and hit the floor, Nathan’s touch replacing it.
“Stay still.” Nathan dragged hot, firm palms down the curve of his spine.
Freddie did as he demanded, because he wanted to.Neededto. Needed to have Nathan show him what he’d learned. Do as he pleased.
Which was fine when Nathan dropped to his knees, dragging Freddie’s jeans down with a single sweep, hands not leaving his skin for a second. He looked up as he pressed his mouth to the inside of Freddie’s thigh, a kiss that made heat coil low in his belly.
“Beautiful,” Nathan said, as if it was fact and Freddie couldn’t argue even if he tried.
