Page 54 of Soul of Discretion

“You should, because the way that man was looking at you while he was here said everything. Simon loves you, whether he’s ready to admit that or not. He couldn’t keep his feelings from showing on his face when it came to you,” Steph explained.

The television came back to life and boom—the impromptu intervention was over.

The Jays had at least tied it up at three. Things were looking up.

Nick placed the card in his pocket and went back to watching the game.

****

Nick lay back on his bed panting, trying to catch his breath after such an explosive orgasm. His balls throbbed as his cock began to soften. He listened to the second set of groans and gasping breaths in the silence of his room. He’d needed that.

“I needed that, thank you,” Nick admitted.

“Anytime for my hot Mountie,” Simon said from the screen of Nick’s laptop in the middle of the bed. “But I must be going soon. I have dinner tonight with my mother and I don’t want to be late.”

“Of course. When you see her, could you please tell her that she doesn’t need to continue sending presents to me for saving your life.” Nick had received everything from ties to a silver-plated shaving set.

Simon laughed; the sound made Nick want to crawl into his lover’s arms and it must have shown in his face. “Are you all right?”

“Just missing you, I guess.” He decided to go with the truth and then maybe Simon would do the same.

Simon’s eyes softened, and Nick swore he could see the love on his face. He hoped he wasn’t imagining it. “I miss you as well, Nick. Maybe we can schedule something in a few months. I could try to clear a few days and fly in.”

“I know you’re extremely busy right now, it can wait until you have more time,” Nick suggested, knowing how far Simon had fallen behind while he was in Canada. “Perhaps in the fall.”

Simon looked defeated and Nick knew he was right. “I really do want to see you as soon as possible, but with everything going on around here it may take a little bit of time. I’m sorry.” Simon’s tone, and facial expression, confirmed his words as true.

Nick heard Simon’s phone going off in the background and knew that their time was up yet again. Simon placed his hand on the computer screen as if trying to reach for him. “I really miss you, Nick.”

Nick placed his hand up on the screen to meet Simon’s. God, he wished he could touch him. The phone went off again and Simon sighed while reaching for it.

“We’ll talk soon, Nick.”

“Good-bye, Simon,” Nick muttered before he turned off Skype.

By the time Nick walked out from his shower he was a man with a plan. He dressed then took the realtor’s card off his dresser, but before he made that call he pulled up Peter’s number on his cell phone, and after one deep breath pushed the call button.

Simon should be at his mother’s by now for supper so there wasn’t a chance of him overhearing their conversations. After a few rings, the line was picked up.

“Nick?” Obviously, Peter had kept Nick’s phone number as well. “Are you okay?”

“Hello, Peter. Physically, I’m fine.”

“Ah yes, that seems to be taking place on both sides of the pond. Perhaps one of you simply needs to ‘grow a pair,’ sir.”

Nick couldn’t help but laugh at that. Peter had a way of getting straight to the point. “I’m in the midst of that right now. How is Simon, truly?”

“I’m guessing as poorly as you are. He hardly sleeps. He’s buried himself in his work and doesn’t attend social engagements. Let’s face it. Simon left his heart in Toronto,” Peter said, giving Nick hope that his decision would be met with enthusiasm.

“Well, I’ve decided to ‘grow a pair,’ Peter. Now I need your help to pull it off.”

“Thank the heavens one of you is thinking clearly.”

“I don’t know if leaving everything I have and everyone I know is actually thinking clearly, but why not? You need to swear to me that you won’t tell Simon. I want his reaction to seeing me to be real, and then I’ll know if I’ve made the right choice.”

“You two need to sit down and talk. There’d be no need for second-guessing, but I will abide by your wishes,” Peter agreed and with that, Nick began to put his plan into action.

****