Rentboy

years. We’re rich.”
    “I’m marrying a millionaire?” Eddie smiled. “I’d take you without a penny.”
    “Will you take the twins as well?” Fox asked doubtfully.
    “Yes, dear,” Eddie said with simple honesty. “You, the twins, your mum. The whole Baillie
    clan. In for a penny, in for a pound.”
    Fox kept glancing down at his engagement ring. “Do you think it’s okay to take the money? I
    mean, it was all ill-gotten gains from my father’s work as a mercenary.”
    “You earned it,” Eddie said. “And think of all the people we saved. Now kiss me, because I can
    hardly move to get closer to you.”
    Fox leaned forward, touching his lips to Eddie’s. They were warm and pliable and delicious.
    He smelled like shaving soap, no aftershave, just Eddie—simple, uncomplicated Eddie. “You’re so
    fucking sexy,” he said against Eddie’s mouth, pushing his tongue inside.
    Turning his face away, Eddie said, “Fox, I meant a peck. I don’t think we should do this here.”
    “I think we should.” With a glance at the closed door to make certain they were alone, he
    unzipped Eddie’s shorts.
    “Fox, no! This is a chapel of worship! Your father’s body just went through those curtains.”
    “All the more reason to celebrate.” He crushed his mouth over Eddie’s. “And it’s a
    nondenominational chapel. We’re doing tantric worship.” He pulled back the waistband on Eddie’s
    plain white Y fronts. “You have got to stop wearing these sexy undies. You are driving me wild.” He
    shoved his tongue between Eddie’s lips and grabbed his cock. Eddie was hard even before he
    touched him. When Fox’s hand encircled the rigid dick, Eddie cried out immediately, pumping sperm
    all over Fox’s hand. “That was quick,” Fox said.
    “I got a hard-on the minute I saw you. Thank God for baggy shorts. I’ve missed you so much.”
    The door swung open. “Oh God.” Eddie hissed, pushing his limp cock inside and fastening his
    shorts.
    “I know you are in love, but this is a house of worship,” Godfrey said in an admonishing tone.
    “Awfully sorry.” Eddie’s face was scarlet.
    “It’s my fault. I’m the bad boy,” Fox said, not in the slightest bit embarrassed. He rubbed the
    sperm off his hand onto his kilt and held it out to show off the ring. “Eddie proposed. Will you marry
    us?”
    “Congratulations!” Godfrey grabbed them each in turn and hugged them tightly. “Of course I’ll
    marry you. I’d love to. But right now you’d better take your mother home. She looks very tired.”
    Between them they got Eddie on his feet and walked out into the sunshine. Tara was talking with the
    Athertons. Though she did look exhausted, she was holding up well.
    “Tell them, Eddie,” Fox said when they joined the small group.
    His cheeks still pink from being caught in flagrante, Eddie ducked his head, then looked up at his
    parents and Tara. “I’ve asked Fox to marry me, and he has accepted. We’re engaged.”
    The Athertons stared, mouths open. Gay was one thing; engaged to a bloke was entirely another.
    To Fox’s sheer delight his mum broke the silence. “That’s lovely. Congratulations, boys.” She hugged
    and kissed them both. “What do you think of that, twins? Your brother is going to marry Eddie.”
    They made no response.
    “Thank you,” Eddie said. Fox kissed his mum on the cheek.
    “You will wait awhile, until I’m finished with rehab? I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the
    world.” The same astonished looks that had gripped the Athertons at the announcement of the
    engagement continued at Tara’s declaration. She looked directly at Eddie’s parents. “I’m an
    alcoholic, but I’m going to get better. Fox has looked after the twins on his own long enough. It’s time
    I got involved.”
    He couldn’t have been prouder of her even though he knew Eddie’s parents were struggling with
    all the news. “We’ll wait till next year, okay, Eddie?”
    “Whatever you want, dear.” He looked at Tara. “We’ll be happy to wait. We just want you to be
    there.”
    Fox threw his arms around his fiancé. His father was dead, his mum was on the mend, and he
    was going to live with Eddie forever. He could scarcely take it all in.
    Chapter Nineteen
    February 14
    It was months since Edward had been down to the Tisbury Court area. Yet it was always the
    same, rife with interesting people, pedestrian traffic, noises, and less-than-appealing odors. Every
    shop he had gone