Page 82 of Familiar Things New

“Are we in a hurry?” Edwin jested as he set Andrew’s suit on the floor beside his feet. It was a shame that he didn’t see a free hook nearby where he could hang it. He bent down to untie his shoes. “It’s only eight o’clock.”

“Sorry,” Andrew laughed, blushing. He took off his waistcoat and flung it onto his mattress near the foot of the bed. “It looks beautiful, though. And I can’t wait to put it on. I hope it fits.”

Confidently, Edwin replied, “It will.”

Edwin had been careful with his measurements. Small adjustments would be required, but that was to be expected. It would fit well enough for now.

Edwin stood back up. Just as he picked up Andrew’s new suit from the floor, Andrew cleared his throat and said, “You could, uhm, remove some of your clothes, too. If you wanted, I mean. Because I can see that you’re a bit . . . o-overheated.”

Edwin’s stomach tumbled. His immediate inclination was to recoil, both physically and mentally. Slink back into himself and say he was fine, perhaps even spluttering a lie, insisting that he preferred to stay fully clothed, regardless of his internal temperature.

But something about Andrew’s voice gave him pause. Andrew had sounded nervous, yes, but his voice had been laden with care, too. While Andrew had clearly been reluctant to suggest that Edwin remove some of his clothes, his concern for Edwin’s comfort had been strong enough for him to push past his unease. And Edwin would, in fact, be more comfortable without some of the layers he had on. Besides, his chest was sufficiently bound, wasn’t it? And his shirt was made out of a fairly thick linen. Perhaps it was finally time for him to let himself relax a bit around Andrew in this way. Especially because it seemed like he’d be spending a lot of time in the boarding house over the coming summer, and it would probably be fairly hot most days.

“Good idea.”

After a calming breath, Edwin placed Andrew’s suit back on the floor and began removing his suit jacket, his heart thundering. He set his jacket on the floor, too, with Andrew’s, and then removed his waistcoat as well.

By the time Edwin was finished, Andrew had begun unbuttoning his pants. Edwin’s still-hammering heart stuttered from the sight of the first button popping, and he sucked in a fast breath as soon as Andrew’s bare legs came into view.

Dear God, the man was attractive. Just the sight of Andrew’s leg hair alone was proving to be enough to send Edwin’s blood rushing to his crotch, every lingering worry he had about his own body leaving his head at once.

Edwin took three purposeful strides forward, closing the gap between him and the man he adored, and then he caught Andrew’s mouth in a bruising kiss. He fisted Andrew’s hair, and Andrew smiled against his lips.

“Don’t you—want me—to try on—the suit?” Andrew asked in between Edwin’s hungry kisses.

“After,” Edwin said. He shoved Andrew backward onto the bed. “Lie back.”

Andrew burst out laughing. “It’s not like I have a choice now.”

“Sorry,” Edwin said through a breathless chuckle as he climbed on top of him.

He captured Andrew’s mouth in another kiss, but Andrew continued to laugh.

“No, you’re not,” Andrew said, twisting his face away so that he could talk.

Humming, Edwin replied, “No, I’m not.”

And then he found Andrew’s beautiful lips again.

Over the next few minutes, the two men continued to kiss. Edwin lost himself in it, surrendering himself to the feel of Andrew’s mouth moving with his own. Andrew’s length was pressing against his thigh, but Edwin chose to ignore it, hoping to make the moment last, even though he could barely even stand the intensity of his own arousal now. After a little longer, Edwin ran his hand over Andrew’s shirt to feel the man’s modest muscles beneath it. Andrew’s frame was similar to Edwin’s in that respect. Both of them were long and lean, though Andrew had several inches of height on him, as well as a bit more strength, most likely.

And Edwin adored Andrew’s body completely.

Avoiding Andrew’s erection, Edwin hooked his hand under the hem of Andrew’s shirt and then began tiptoeing his fingers up Andrew’s midsection, from his stomach to his chest. When Edwin brushed his index finger over Andrew’s nipple, Andrew shuddered.

“Oh, Edwin,” he breathed. “I like that.”

Encouraged by Andrew’s words, Edwin continued to play with Andrew’s nipple, rubbing it with his thumb and even pinching it a few times. All the while, Andrew continued to make wonderful little noises—long, lovely sighs and low, husky moans while he stroked his cock, pumping his fist lazily, as though he needed the friction but wasn’t actually trying to bring himself to orgasm.

Edwin thought about scolding him for it. He liked it when Andrew asked for permission before pleasuring himself. But he could hardly blame Andrew for it right then. His own arousal had become practically painful, too.

Deciding to let Andrew continue, Edwin broke their kiss and shifted his position so that he could have a better view. Fuck, it was such an incredible sight. Edwin still found himself so bewitched by the sight of Andrew pleasuring himself. Even though, prior to meeting Andrew, Edwin had never seen another man’s cock (outside of a medical textbook) and therefore had nothing to compare it to, he loved the look of Andrew’s. It was thicker than he had expected it to be, and perhaps a bit longer as well. And Edwin so loved the feel of it—smooth, especially right in the middle of his shaft, and delightfully rigid.

Edwin rocked his hips, massaging his sensitive nub against Andrew’s thigh. Vaguely, he noticed a dampness in his drawers, but he buried the fleeting thoughts about his own anatomy and began to thrust.

Andrew started to pump his fist in earnest, the frequency of his strokes increasing. Mesmerized by it, Edwin could only stare.

“I’m close,” Andrew rasped. “Are you close, too?”