Ukuleles & Scrums (Mitch & Cian Book 4) Read online

  Cian slid into Mitch until he was balls deep, his eyes never wavering from Mitch’s. “Always you.”

  “Yes,” Mitch breathed. “Us. Together.”

  His release, when it came was cathartic, as if with his cum Mitch also let go of his angst and stress.

  When Cian dropped to the bed next to Mitch after his own orgasm, he pulled Mitch to his chest. “I needed that.” He gave Mitch a sweet kiss.

  Mitch couldn’t agree more. However, the combination of his recent release, the time of night, the alcohol he’d drunk, and the tension at last having left his heart and body robbed him of his words. He pressed his lips against Cian’s and hoped Cian could taste his agreement. Then he dozed off, safe in the arms where he belonged.

  Chapter Eight

  “G’wan, ya good thing!”

  The enthusiastic exclamation coming from a large and muscular man standing not too far away from Mitch made him grin. He couldn’t deny it. His Cian was most definitely a good thing, and the way he was rushing down the field with the oval ball clasped to his chest meant he was going on just fine too.

  What a difference a few weeks made. He’d been such a fool. No, scratch that. Both of them had been eejits. Thinking back, Mitch wasn’t even sure why he had thought they both needed individual hobbies or that those should be private, unshared. He remembered all too well why he had been reluctant to meet Cian’s teammates. There were still times when he felt all too small and inadequate in their company. Until he reminded himself it didn’t matter. That Cian was with him, had chosen him, and had no intention of leaving.

  “Way to go!” Mitch cheered as Cian passed the ball on to another player, Mitch thought it might be Conor, who promptly dove over the line and scored a try.

  “Now we’re talking.”

  Mitch laughed at the man standing next to him. “Excited much, Gary?”

  The smirk Gary threw back at Mitch was entirely unapologetic. “Why wouldn’t I be? We’re winning.”

  “They are indeed winning.” Mitch enjoyed pushing at Gary. His enthusiasm was as cute as it was contagious. “We, on the other hand, are only cheering them on.”

  That was another thing he still had trouble coming to terms with, how comfortable he was on the rugby field, surrounded by people who either played the sport or were lifelong supporters. Despite Cian’s best efforts and apparently infinite patience, Mitch still wasn’t sure about all the ins and outs of rugby, but he didn’t care. He understood enough to see when they were winning and to cheer at the right times, which was all he needed to enjoy himself. And to think he’d been afraid to get involved with the rugby-related part of Cian’s life.

  “Pffft.” Gary dismissed Mitch’s statement. “Who cares? Both of us will be going home with happy boyfriends. That’s all that matters to me.” Gary turned his head and stared at the playing field, smiling widely when one of the players, a big bear of a man, waved at him before focusing on the game again.

  Mitch couldn’t help mirroring the smile as he watched the exchange. The bigger man on the field was Peter, who had once confessed his attraction to Cian, and Gary was his recently acquired boyfriend. Peter obvious had a type, since Gary resembled Cian in subtle ways. The color of their hair and eyes might be different, but they had the same build and gave off a similar, relaxed vibe.

  So much had changed in the three weeks since the Halloween party. Mitch had gotten to know the rugby team, and Cian had met the other members of UkeTunes. Ro and Harry had even come for dinner one night, after which the three of them had given in to Cian’s pleas and granted him a private concert.

  The referee blew his whistle for the final time. After the teams went through the ritual of shaking hands and congratulating each other, the players left the field, moving toward where Mitch and Gary stood, not too far away from the changing rooms.

  As soon as he was parallel with Mitch, Cian broke ranks and approached him, leaning forward and giving him a sweaty kiss.

  “Ugh.” Mitch pushed him away. “Shower first. I’m wet enough as it is, thank you very much.” Finding himself perfectly happy to spend part of his weekends standing on a playing field despite cold temperatures or, as it was today, drizzly rain was another unending source of astonishment for Mitch, but he wouldn’t miss the matches for anything now.

  “I didn’t know you had issues with my bodily fluids.” Cian whispered the words straight into Mitch’s ear, adding a wink when he straightened. “Wait for me in the bar?”

  Mitch laughed. “Sure. I’ll be there.”

  “With a pint?” Cian asked hopefully.

  “But of course.” Mitch chuckled as Cian followed his teammates into the clubhouse, taking his time to admire Cian’s well-formed arse and imagining the jockstrap he was wearing underneath his shorts.

  “So, when will you be joining us?”

  Mitch almost spit out his mouthful of beer at the remark.

  “Excuse me?” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Have you seen me? I’m no rugby player.”

  “I don’t know.” The man who Mitch now recognized as one of Cian’s teammates named Ray replied. “You look like you would be fast. There’s always room for somebody who can fly with the ball on our team.”

  For half a minute Mitch considered the idea. Then a mental picture formed in his mind of him running with a horde of big, strong, muscular men hot on his heels, all aiming to bring him down. He shuddered, and not in a pleasant way. “Thank you for asking, but I think I’ll stick to making music.” As much as having to perform in front of an audience still made him break out in a cold sweat, the chances of him being injured onstage where small.

  “I hope you’re not pestering my boyfriend, Ray.” Cian squeezed his way between Mitch and his teammate. “I know what you’re like.”

  “Me? I’m shocked you would think that.” Ray batted his lashes, causing Mitch to almost spray beer from his mouth for a second time.

  “I’ll leave you lovebirds to it.” Ray grinned and walked away.

  “What did he want?” Cian asked as he picked up his pint.

  “To recruit me for the team.” Mitch waited for Cian to start laughing.

  “And?”

  Mitch stared at his boyfriend, wondering for a moment if he knew Cian at all. “Are you having a laugh?”

  Cian shrugged. “Take a look at our social media pages. Anyone can join.”

  Mitch gaped at Cian. “Seriously. Can you see me on a rugby field?”

  Cian chuckled. “Good point. Well made. Maybe you are more suited to the sidelines.” His features softened. “It’s so good to see you there when I’m playing.”

  Mitch’s heart squeezed, and he swallowed hard. “It’s good to be here,” he admitted. “I’m sorry I was such a prick about it before.”

  Cian shook his head. “We were both pricks.” He took a long drink from his glass. “But I guess we didn’t know any better. It’s not as if either of us has done this relationship thing before.”

  Something warm, new, and wonderful bloomed in Mitch’s chest. He thought maybe, it might be… He wasn’t quite ready to put a name to the glow warming his blood, but as he leaned forward and kissed his boyfriend, he was more sure than he’d ever been that he was right where he belonged. With Cian.

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  About the Author

  Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.

  The urge to write came as a surprise. The realization that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the c
haracters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.

  Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.

  Helena can be found and contacted here: http://helenastone.blogspot.ie/

  Also by Helena Stone

  MF Romance

  All or Nothing (The Blowhole Series #1)

  Little Rainbows (The Blowhole Series #2)

  MM Romance (Novels)

  Double Dutch Courage

  Patience (Dublin Virtues Trilogy #1)

  Equality (Dublin Virtues Trilogy #2)

  Renewal (Dublin Virtues Trilogy #3)

  Scenes from Adelaide Road

  MM Romance (Novellas & Short Stories)

  Too Hot for Santa

  A Miracle in the Library (Mitch & Cian #1)

  Lessons in Love (Mitch & Cian #2)

  Pride of Place (Mitch & Cian #3)

  Careful What You Wish For

  Valentine’s Love (Valentine’s Love #1)

  Valentine’s Surprise (Valentine’s Love #2)

  Strangers in the Night (co-written with Jaycee Edward)