The Law of Attraction (24 page)

“What a night.” Ed smiled to himself, putting a hand out to touch the wall by the front door where he’d blown Alec on their first night together. He remembered how Alec had come all over his face, and he chuckled. That was so fucking hot. His cock was hard just thinking about it. He adjusted himself as he walked down the corridor to Alec’s bedroom.

This room was full of memories too. That amazing fuck, the weird intimacy between them in the night… and then the less pleasant memory of Alec ditching him the next morning without so much as a coffee. But things had turned out okay in the end, and Ed was determined they’d be making lots more good memories tonight—and all the other nights that stretched into their future.

Ed stepped out of his shoes and took off his jacket and tie before drawing the curtains. Alec’s bedroom was as immaculate as he remembered, so he tucked his shoes away in a corner and draped his tie and jacket carefully over the armchair in the bay window, not wanting to annoy Alec by leaving a trail of mess behind him.

He got out his phone and sent Alec a text, typing one-handedly as he undid his shirt buttons with the other.

I’m here and I’m getting naked. Are you going to be long?

By the time his phone chimed with a reply, Ed was completely undressed.

God. You’re killing me
. Ed snorted, then watched more words appear.
Just finishing this drink, then I’ll leave. Be with you in 30 tops.

Ed typed back,
Perfect. That gives me time for a shower. I’ll try not to start without you.

Don’t you dare.

Showering was pure, perfect torture. Ed was hard before he even touched his dick or his arse. Anticipation and the scent of Alec’s shower gel was enough to turn his cock into an iron bar. He resisted the urge to take care of it, knowing it would be all the sweeter if he waited for Alec. He washed thoroughly, biting his lip as he soaped his balls and shaft, and then reached behind to wash his arse. After he’d rinsed the soap away, he carried on touching his hole gently, softening the muscle, imagining Alec’s fingers there… or maybe his tongue. His cock jerked, red and straining, and Ed stopped. His whole body had lit up, nipples tight, skin tingling. He needed a moment to calm down before Alec arrived.

Ed turned the water temperature down and breathed slowly, feeling the thud of his pulse in his cock, electric desire thrumming through his veins.

The cold water didn’t help much. He still could have hung his towel off his dick after drying himself. He dimmed the lights and got under the covers naked, but the touch of the sheets was too much on his hypersensitive body, so he pushed the covers down and gripped his cock. He held himself tightly, not stroking, but the urge to do so was killing him.

Just then he heard the sound of the flat door opening, and he threw up a prayer of thanks to the universe.

Ed waited in silence and listened to the soft sound of Alec’s footsteps coming down the carpeted corridor. He heard him pause by the darkened living room.

“Ed?” Alec called.

“In here.” Ed’s voice came out husky. He swallowed and took his hand off his cock, putting his arms behind his head and imagining the pretty picture he must make.

“Jesus,” Alec said on a hushed breath. “Look at you.” He stood frozen in the doorway, his gaze raking over Ed as though he couldn’t decide where to look.

Ed felt the journey of Alec’s eyes like a touch on his skin, a hot trail of awareness that made his cock flex and leak. “Get over here,” he said, his voice tight and needy.

Ed’s words spurred Alec into frantic action. He kicked off his shoes and started stripping out of his clothes, tossing them in a crumpled trail as he crossed the room to Ed.

So much for him worrying about the state of his bedroom
. Ed smirked, flattered by Alec’s obvious desperation to get naked and on top of Ed as soon as possible.

Alec, down to his undone shirt and boxers—and possibly socks, Ed couldn’t see from here—reached the bed and crawled over Ed on hands and knees. When Alec crushed their lips together and invaded Ed’s mouth with a demanding tongue, Ed stopped caring about the presence or absence of socks.

Alec’s hands were everywhere, sliding over Ed’s torso, skimming his nipples, and the kiss turned biting and hungry. He moved from Ed’s mouth down to his neck, his collarbones, his stomach.

“Please,” Ed moaned, lifting his hips and bumping Alec’s chin with his erection, looking for his mouth.

Alec buried his face in Ed’s groin and licked his balls instead, rasping over the trimmed hairs there with the flat of his tongue until Ed clutched Alec’s hair, cursing. He needed more. He needed Alec to move—up to his cock or down to his arse, Ed would be fine with either—but
God
, he needed something. Alec pushed Ed’s knees back, spreading him wider, and Ed closed his eyes and cried out at the sensation of Alec’s hot tongue licking over his hole.

Alec hummed, and the vibrations nearly sent Ed into orbit. Ed moved one of his hands to his cock and squeezed, trying to stave off the orgasm that was threatening. “Fuck me,” he begged. He couldn’t wait anymore.

Thankfully Alec seemed on board with that plan. Ed watched as he fetched lube and a condom and got himself ready.

“Do you need my fingers?” Alec asked.

“No.” Ed reached for Alec’s cock, guiding it to his hole. His body felt strung out, aching with the need for Alec to be inside him.

It had always been like this, even when they were strangers. The physical attraction between them was strong right from the start. But now they were lovers, boyfriends, partners… the combination of the emotional and physical connection was overwhelming.

Their gazes locked as Alec pushed into him. When Alec was all the way inside, he leaned down on his elbows and kissed Ed, slow and sensual as he began to move his hips. They rocked together, kissing, making sounds of breathless pleasure.

“Alec,” Ed gasped as Alec kissed his neck, Alec’s five-o-clock shadow rasping against his sensitive skin. Ed bucked his hips, groaning as the head of Alec’s cock brushed over his prostate, sending sparks up his spine. “Oh God yes. Like that.”

Ed lost track of time. He lost all sense of everything apart from their kisses, the drag of Alec’s cock inside him, and the building, burning need rolling through him, stealing his words, his breath, and his sanity.

He finally came, throwing his head back and crying out, his body taut and shuddering with the force of his release as he slicked the space between them with his come. He was dimly aware of Alec groaning and stilling, and the pulse of his cock deep inside as he came too.

“Ed,” Alec rasped. “
Ed
.”

“Yes.” Ed cupped Alec’s face, drawing him down into his arms and holding him close.

“I love you so much.” Alec’s words were muffled against Ed’s shoulder.

Ed smiled into Alec’s hair. “I love you too.” He tightened his arms around Alec. “And I’m so damn proud of you today.”

Alec chuckled. He shifted his weight off Ed, only pausing to toss the condom into the bin before lying back down with him. They rolled to their sides, facing each other, and Alec stroked a strand of hair off Ed’s forehead. “I’m proud of me too. I can’t believe I managed to get here from where I was a couple of months ago. Sometimes I think of that night—our first night together—and I feel like a different person now.”

“But you’re not. You’re the person you always were. You’re just not afraid to be that man anymore.”

“Yes,” Alec agreed, taking Ed’s hand and lacing their fingers together.

“How does it feel? Being out and proud?”

“It feels wonderful.” Alec smiled. “It’s like today is the first day of the rest of my life.”

“Or maybe… our lives?” Ed’s heart fluttered nervously; was that too much of an assumption?

Alec’s grin widened, warming Ed from the inside out. “I hope so.”

On Friday afternoon, Alec signed the papers that made it official. He was now a full partner in the firm of Baker Wells LLP. Apart from telling Ed, he’d kept the news to himself until it was signed and sealed.

When he got back to his team after the meeting, Alec was glad to see they were all still there. “Right, chaps. All the drinks are on me tonight,” he announced loudly.

That got their attention fast.

“What’s the occasion?” Maria asked.

“We’re celebrating,” Alec said. He watched their curious expressions as they waited for him to elaborate. He smiled, unable to hide his excitement. “Earlier this week I was offered a partnership in the firm, and as of today it’s official.”

They all burst into spontaneous applause and the room filled with excited exclamations.

“Congratulations!” “Well deserved.” “That’s brilliant news.”

“Well done.” James shook Alec’s hand and patted him on the shoulder, beaming.

“Thank you, all of you.” Alec was touched by their obvious delight at his news. “Let’s finish up here as soon as we can, and then you can help me celebrate properly. Champagne all round—unless any of you would prefer cocktails?” He arched an eyebrow at James.

“Never again,” James said emphatically, shaking his head.

As the others tied up the loose ends of work and packed their briefcases, Alec texted Ed.

Going for a celebratory drink with the team shortly. Usual place. Join us?

The reply came a few minutes later.

Sure, I’ll be there by six.

Alec smiled.

He’d kept his relationship with Ed quiet all week too, even though he’d been bursting to mention it.

Tonight was the night. He was going to tell them, and he wanted Ed there for it. He wanted to prove to Ed that he was proud to be seen with him—show him that Alec was finally proud of himself and who he was.

They’d spent the last three nights together. Ed had gone home briefly after work on Wednesday to get some clothes, which were now taking up space in Alec’s wardrobe alongside his own. Alec was planning on suggesting that Ed moved in with him soon. He couldn’t see any logical reason to wait.

He had reserved a table at the bar. When they arrived, they took their seats and Alec ordered two bottles of champagne between the five of them—it would be six soon, of course, and Ed would arrive.

Alec waved away the waitress after thanking her, and he opened the bottles himself once she brought them over. “It’s half the fun,” he said as he ripped off the foil.

“Please tell me you’re not going to spray it all over us like a Grand Prix winner,” Jen said.

“I wouldn’t want to waste it,” he assured her.

But when he poured some into the first glass, it frothed over the top and onto the table.

“What was that about wasting it?” Maria teased.

When all their glasses were full, James raised his. “To Alec. Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!” They all raised and clinked glasses, sloshing more of the precious liquid onto the tabletop and laughing before taking a sip.

“Thanks for all your support,” Alec said. “You’re a great team. I’m lucky to work with you all. I’m not sure I say that often enough.”

“No, you don’t,” James said with a twinkle in his eye. “You should definitely tell us how brilliant we are much more frequently. We never get tired of hearing it.”

Suddenly, Alec spotted Ed over James’s shoulder; Ed caught sight of him at the same moment, and they smiled at each other. The rest of the world dropped away. James was still talking, but Alec could only watch Ed approach.

“Hi,” Ed greeted them.

“Ed!” Maria exclaimed. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Here. Luckily there’s a spare glass.” Jon poured some bubbly for Ed.

“Thanks. I hope you don’t mind if I gatecrash?” Ed’s gaze flickered to Alec again.

Alec’s cheeks were hot and his palms were sweating. Now was the time. “Actually, Ed isn’t gatecrashing.” His voice sounded like someone else’s over the pulse beating in his ears. “I invited him… because I have another announcement to make.” He caught James’s eye and saw the penny drop. James’s mouth fell open in surprise before a huge grin spread across his features. “Ed and I… we’re, um—”

“Shagging!” James cried out. “Oh my God, you sly dogs. You’re shagging.”

Alec’s face burst into flames as everyone whipped around to stare at James, then at Ed, and then back at Alec, waiting for him to confirm or deny. Ed was no help at all. He was pissing himself laughing.

“Well, I was going to use the phrase ‘seeing each other.’” Alec glared at James.

“I bet you are.” James snorted.

“For fuck’s sake, James. Will you shut up and let me finish?”

“Sorry.”

“We’re seeing each other, dating, boyfriends, partners… call it what you like. It’s not a secret. Well, not anymore.” Alec shot Ed a glance, and Ed’s lips quirked.

Alec plucked up the courage to look at the rest of them, scanning their faces for any negative reactions. They mostly looked surprised, but that was fair enough.

“Well, congratulations, guys. I’m happy for you,” Maria said, raising her glass again. “I think we need another toast.”

“Hear, hear, congratulations,” Jen chimed in.

“To Alec and Ed,” Maria said.

“To Alec and Ed,” the rest of them echoed.

“God, it feels like a wedding,” Jon said. “Please tell me there aren’t going to be any speeches… but I wouldn’t say no to cake.”

“No speeches. No cake. And no wedding,” Alec said.

“Yet?” Maria raised an eyebrow.

Alec flushed and glanced at Ed, who just grinned.

“To working relationships—of all types.” James raised his glass again, still grinning. “I can’t believe you kept that quiet for so long. I’d never have guessed.”

They raised their glasses and drank again.

“Here, Ed. Have a seat.” Jon had spotted a free chair at a neighbouring table and dragged it over, fitting it in beside Alec’s.

“Thanks.” Ed sat down. “So, what deal are you lot working on now? Is it an interesting one?”

Alec zoned out for a while as the conversation flowed around him. Warm happiness settled in his chest. Life was good. They were crammed in a little with the addition of Ed to the table, and Ed’s hand on the arm of his chair was close enough that Alec could easily touch it. The thrilling rush of realisation that he could, and that nobody would be shocked or surprised if he did, was like the fizz of the champagne in their glasses.