Page 59 of Soul of Discretion

Finally, she released him and cocked her head at them both. “Don’t be strangers. And,

son, you take good care of this one. He’s someone special.”

Simon kissed Nick’s cheek softly. “I intend to, Mum. I intend to.”

****

Jesus, what had his mother been thinking, throwing out the M word? Simon thought moodily as he drove his four by four up winding country lanes ascending the mountain to the top of Dartmoor. While it was something he’d thought about, it wasn’t on the plans yet. Nick had moved to a new country for him, given up his career and his old life, and Simon needed Nick to be sure this was where he wanted to be. It had to all be a bit overwhelming, he considered as he slowed down to let a tractor pass. He inclined his head at the driver as he drove past, and the driver did the same in thanks.

Nick laughed softly. “God, you guys are so civilised here, aren’t you? Where I’m from, we’d see who got there faster, and damn the other guy if he got in the way.”

Simon sniffed regally. “Dear chap, we British are paragons of good manners, don’t you know? I mean, have you seen how well we queue?”

Nick grimaced. He had indeed seen the evidence of the famed British queue mentality in the local supermarket. “So, what can I expect to see when we get to the top? The scenery is incredible. I’m loving the trees and the water. It reminds me of home, up in the mountains.”

Simon steered expertly around a dead badger with a look of distaste. “There’s a restaurant, some gift shops, and arts and craft places. We’ll get to see the horses in a few minutes. Unfortunately, you shouldn’t get out and get too close. They can be a bit frisky, and not all of them are used to humans. You’ll have to admire from afar.”

Within a few minutes, they’d pulled over at a secluded clearing. Nick gasped. Seeing one or two ponies here and there on the way up had been fun. Seeing a whole bunch of them together in varying colours and sizes was incredible. No sooner had the car stopped, then Nick had the window down.

“I might not be able to get out, but I can touch them?” he mumbled his question, watching in wonder as at least ten of the animals gathered around him expectantly. “Why can’t you feed them?” he asked.

Simon shrugged. “Dartmoor ponies are used to a certain diet and us giving them food might make them ill. It’s illegal to do so under the bylaws. And it encourages them to wander closed to the road and they could get hit or killed.” His face grew worried as Nick stroked the nose of one grey pony as they jostled for attention. “They can be temperamental little fuckers. Make sure they don’t nip you.”

“You won’t bite me, will you,” Nick crooned as he stroked a variety of noses that were pushed close. “Are they all wild then?”

Simon shook his head. “No. Each pony belongs to a farmer up here. They all have owners, but they roam freely. The farmers round up their ponies and decide which ponies to keep on the moor and which to sell. They make sure the animals are healthy and such. The farmers often can’t sustain the upkeep of too many especially when they are fairly prolific at creating new ones.”

“They sell them? Who to?” Nick glanced back at Simon.

“People buy them for rehoming and as pets. The money from that is given to the farmers for the upkeep of the remaining ponies.”

“Oh, that sounds like a good idea.” Nick mused, scratching the nose of one pony who seemed content to be touched. “I’m glad they all find good homes.”

“Er, yes, of course they do,” Simon replied, and grimaced. Nick caught it, but it was gone before he could ask any more questions. He frowned. Simon had sounded a little cagey. Maybe he’d look up the Dartmoor ponies’ story on the Internet when they got home.

“So, are you hungry?” Simon murmured as he started the car. “They make a great hamburger in the restaurant.”

Nick nodded. “Hungry as a horse.”

They started the car to make the short drive off the pony site and up the hill toward the buildings on top. Simon had been right. The food was delicious, and Nick enjoyed sitting down to a pint of beer, and a burger with chips.

Afterward, with a chilly wind whipping around their ears and well fed, they sat together at the mount of the hill, staring down at the countryside below.

Simon sat between Nick’s legs back to front, as Nick wrapped parka-clad arms around his lover, who snuggled in with a contented sigh. When he turned with a smile, Nick saw the tip of Simon’s nose was red, and Nick wanted to kiss it.

Simon’s hand rubbed the top of Nick’s leg. “So, you’re truly okay with everything, despite my silly mother scaring you to death with talk of marriage?” Simon asked. “I know you’ve had a lot to cope with since you got here.”

“I’m cool with everything, babe. How could I not be? I’m with you. That’s all that counts.” Nick stared up a large bird wheeling in the sky. It looked like a kestrel, or perhaps an eagle. “I’ve moved into a great place with you, got a job I enjoy doing with Portland, got to see your childhood home for the first time…and may I say I think London is truly incredible? I loved visiting and seeing all the touristy stuff. We spent an amazing week there.

“I’m earning my own way now, so I can be your equal when it comes to rent and stuff. It’s all worked out.” He kissed the top of Simon’s blond head. “I don’t feel like a kept man anymore. I know when I first got here it was a bit awkward, but I’m over it now.”

Simon sat up and regarded him. “Awkward? Slipping on a banana peel and falling in front of the guy you fancy is awkward. Having a hissy fit in my office and sweeping everything on my desk to the floor calling yourself a whore was hardly awkward.”

Nick flushed. “I overreacted, yeah. I did apologise to you later.” He grinned remembering the blowjob he’d given Simon after lunch. And the strenuous and innovative sex session in the kitchen, with Nick bent over the kitchen top.

“As you should have,” Simon harrumphed, arranging himself facing Nick cross-legged in front of him. “Although the sight of you all het up and Alpha male did turn me on.”

Nick’s answer was to draw Simon’s face closer and take his mouth in a bruising kiss. Emotions flooded him like the tide of a warm ocean, infusing him with love and happiness that he hoped he conveyed in his kiss.

In response, Simon’s mouth sought his hungrily, and on top of that hill, surrounded by ponies and a sense of tranquillity, Nick knew he’d come home.