Rough [02] - Roughhousing (10 page)

The faint scratching sounds grated on his hearing at first, then two muffled but clearly male voices whispered deep and drunkenly on the other side of the thin wall of wood. James’ heart skipped a beat when he recognized one as Williams’ harsh, bullying tone.

"Fuck! It's taking too long. Just bust the door in."

"Shut the fuck up. I'm almost done."

The scratching continued, suddenly convincing James that dialing 911 would have been the better option earlier. He started toward the phone just as the door handle turned all the way and the door shook on its hinges. James froze. He mutely watched the door strain against the ancient, brass deadbolt still securely anchoring it shut, his only defense against the two drunken men on the other side.

"Little bastard's got it double locked. Shit!"

It felt like an eternity passed until the door eased back into place and the handle stilled. He heard footsteps shuffle away down the hall followed by the abrupt slam of a door. Despite the sudden silence, James found his feet glued to the carpeting.

A shudder of fear ran down his back. The room swayed slightly, the darkness disorienting. James was forced to drop to his knees to keep from falling. The lamp tumbled from his nerveless fingers and rolled across the carpet, shade dented by its own weight. James closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, willing away the spots before his eyes and trying to force his mind to clear.

The feeling of being overwhelmed tightened his chest, making him think of lightheaded moments he experienced in the shower with Bram. He was pretty sure that a mind-blowing climax had nothing to do with it this time.

The room gradually came back into focus and James rocked up to his feet. Cautiously moving to the door, he pushed the sofa in front of it and dropped back down onto its cushions. Edgy and exhausted as he was, sleep eluded him for the rest of the night. The cold, gray blush of morning found him bleary eyed and weary.

Hoping it had all been a dream, James examined the lock on the way out the door for work. His fingertips brushed over fresh scratches and fine dents in the metal housing, the marks marring the usual bright shine of the brass. Casting an uneasy look over his shoulder at Williams’ door, James locked his door, hefted his briefcase, and left the building.

First thing on today's agenda was looking for a new apartment.

Chapter Seven

"Why the fuck didn't you call me?” Bram felt his face flush with the sudden rise in his blood pressure. God, nobody put him through as many emotional hoops as Jamie did. Loving the slender young man standing in front of him, with his shoulders hunched and his face pinched closed, was like living on the roller coaster at the fair—exciting, thrilling, and down right out of control. “Do you realize what could have happened if those two assholes had gotten into your place?"

The unhappy, tight-lipped glare James shot him made Bram back down a few notches. “Okay, okay, that was a stupid question. Of course you know."

He exhaled slowly and glanced at the ‘v’ of exposed, smooth skin that showed in the gap of James’ loosened dress shirt. “You probably still have his hand prints on your neck from the last time."

He couldn't resist running his own hand over the warm flesh of James’ chest and neck, letting his palm come to rest cupping his lover's faintly shadowed jaw.

"Bram.” James moved against Bram's hand, bleary eyes sliding shut for a moment before he looked up, a determined glint in his eyes. “I handled it. I'm fine.” James stifled a yawn. “Just lost some sleep."

Bram gave him a quick hug before James pushed back to rub his hands over his face.

It was obvious James was trying to shrug off the incident, but Bram could see the fine lines of worry around his mouth and the uneasy look in his eyes. Even standing still, James looked like he was jumpy and tense.

"What about tonight? You're not going back there alone.” No matter how hard he tried, it still came out like a command. As much as he wanted to, it wasn't his decision to make and he knew it. Bram softened his voice and added a conciliatory, “Are you?"

Face bowed, James shook his head. “No. I'm not.” He glanced up, nervously eyeing Bram, his gaze darting from his lover's face to the room behind Bram.

"I was hoping I could stay over here for a few nights. Just ‘til things blow over."

Bram could see the uncertainty and hesitation on James’ face. It shocked him. “You have to ask? Really, Jamie?"

"I wasn't sure.” James bit his lower lip so hard Bram thought it would bleed before he released it to stammer out, “I mean, this ... this would be like everyday for the rest of the week ... or until you get tired of me."

"That's not going to happen, Jamie. I can't think of anything I'd like better than to have you here."

Bram moved around the kitchen, pulling food from the refrigerator to start making dinner for the two of them. Taking his focus off James seemed to help relieve some of his lover's unease. Before too long James began to set the table while Bram cooked. The smell of steak and fried potatoes filled the air, making the huge kitchen feel warm and homey.

"But this will be morning and night. I'll be in your way and under foot. I'll be snoring in your ear and shaving in your sink and leaving dirty clothes on the floor.” James filled both glasses on the table with ice water, the clink of ice to glass almost drowning out his muttered, “You'll be hunting for a place for me to move out to in no time."

Turning down the heat on the stove, Bram moved to capture James from behind, pulling the man to his chest. After only a split second of hesitation, James leaned back against him. Bram could feel the heat being pulled out of him into his lover's chilled, tired body.

"I could take having you 24/7 if you wanted, baby."

"Don't joke about it, all right?” James tensed in his arms. Bram rubbed a hand over James’ stiff abdomen. In time, he felt his lover slump against him again.

"Who's joking?” Kissing the nape of James’ neck, he murmured into the dark curls under his nose, inhaling James’ end-of-the-day scent. “This house kind of feels empty now when you're not here. You don't snore, but I miss those little sighs you make in bed.” He chuckled and squeezed James’ waist. Voice low and suggestive, he added, “The ones you make while you're asleep."

His arms shook as James echoed his chuckle, the tone low and weary. James sighed and turned in Bram's embrace, arms sliding around Bram's thick torso, pulling him in tight.

"I like the way you make me make those sighs when I'm awake, Caveman, but sleep sure sounds good right about now.” James yawned. “I'm whipped. It's been a long day. I'm barely thinking straight."

Keeping his grip on James’ waist, Bram walked them over to a chair. He pushed his partner down on it, then moved back to the stove to rescue their dinner. “You need food, baby. You skip too many meals. I can feel your ribcage poking me."

He winked at the scowl James gave him, heedless of the wordless warning to stop the lecture before it started. “If you lived here, I'd make sure you got three meals a day,” Bram said, as he turned and caught James’ eye, “and a bedtime snack, too."

The last was said with an exaggerated wink and leer just to see the scowl crack and a small smile brighten James’ drawn face. That accomplished, Bram brought the food to the table and sat down next to James. They ate in a companionable silence broken only by an occasional embarrassed yawn.

James had barely made his way through half of his food by the time Bram had finished. Bringing fresh coffee to the table for both of them, Bram watched as James picked at his remaining food. He hoped James was in a more receptive mood after being lulled by a full stomach and a secure environment.

"You know, Jamie, you could just move in here.” Bram sipped his coffee and watched as confusion clouded the other man's face.

James’ head snapped up. “I thought I was."

"For more than just a few days. For real."

"You mean like live here?” A frown settled in the deepening furrows between James’ eyes. “Permanent address like?"

"Yeah, permanent like.” Bram gripped his cup with both hands and thought about the sudden panic that appeared to seize James. His lover squirmed and stuttered, teeth digging into the corner of his turned down mouth. Bram could actually hear the man's stomach churning.

"No. I-I mean thanks, but ... but that wouldn't work."

"Why not?"

"It just wouldn't, okay?” James fiddled with his fork, then dropped it on the table, hands sliding down to rub over and over again on the wrinkled fabric covering his jiggling thighs.

Frowning, Bram rested his elbows on either side of his plate. He leaned towards James, his voice was soft and controlled.

"No, it's not okay. We're lovers, Jamie. You spend weekends here anyway. We've discussed having a life together. We love each other.” Bram hesitated. James’ overly bright gaze darted away from his, suddenly finding something more interesting in the plate of half-eaten food. “At least, I know I love
you
."

"That's not fair. I love you, you know that."

"Then what's the problem?"

"There isn't any problem. It just ... wouldn't be right ... to impose on you. Not so soon. It's only been a few weeks. It just wouldn't be right.” James’ eyes shone with unshed tears.

The panic from earlier was back in full force. James jumped up from his chair and paced back and forth on the far side of the room, out of Bram's reach. “Wouldn't work. Couldn't do it."

Recognizing the same agitated state that James had been in immediately after Williams had attacked him weeks ago, Bram sat quietly in the chair, slumped low, looking as non-threatening as possible and waited.

He knew if gave James enough time, James would regain some control. He also knew the last thing James could tolerate right now was to be overwhelmed by him, by his physical size or his domineering personality. He had seen the fear in James’ face when he had related the events of the attempted break in. It still clouded his lover's face, but now it was mixed with an uncertainty that stabbed at Bram's heart. He knew James loved him, believed it with all his heart, but it didn't do much good if James didn't believe and trust in it, too.

"Hey, baby.” Bram's voice broke through the constant pacing.

James jerked his head around to stare at Bram and Bram waited while James made the visible effort to focus on Bram and stand still at the same time. James’ shoulders were slumped and the lines of exhaustion accentuated the lost, little boy expression on his face. No matter what the real problem was, James wasn't in any shape to discuss it.

"What do you say we let it go for now? Call it an early night. I could use some extra shuteye myself. Got a long week ahead of us yet.” Bram eased out of the chair, making sure James didn't shuffle farther out of his personal space as he moved closer. “Sound good to you, baby?"

He ran the palm of his hand up James’ back, ending the touch with a firm squeeze of James’ neck. Satisfied things were getting under control when James didn't shrug away, Bram released him and began cleaning up the kitchen.

Wanting to give James time to unwind, he offered, “Why don't you go on upstairs and I'll join you as soon as I get this place in shape. Hate to wake up to a messy kitchen. It slows down breakfast too much."

That pulled a small chuckle from James. He shook his head and scoffed affectionately, “God, you weren't kidding when you claimed to be domestic. My mom could take lessons from you."

Bram smiled at the more relaxed tone to James voice. He winked at him, but continued to fill the sink with hot water and dish soap.

Stifling a huge yawn, James blushed and rubbed his eyes. “Guess maybe I will go on ahead."

"Good idea. Before you fall down.” Bram gestured toward the front staircase. “I'll be right up. This'll only take a second."

"'Kay.” James hesitated then added, “And ... thanks."

He paused in his task and looked James in the eye. “You don't need to thank me, Jamie. I'm just glad you're safe and, well, here. With me.” The tension seemed to drain out of James at that.

Without another word, James turned and hurried out of the room. Bram could hear his footsteps on the staircase, then lost track of him as the spacious house swallowed him up. He washed, rinsed, and dried the dishes before turning off the lights and going up to bed, making sure James had sufficient time to himself.

Only the dim bedside lamp was on when Bram entered the room. He swiftly discarded his clothes, hung them up, and slid under the covers naked. Resting on his side, facing James’ back, Bram made himself comfortable. One hand lightly touched James’ side in reassurance before Bram settled down to sleep.

Just as he was beginning to drift off, James shifted back and curled into the curve of his body. Wordlessly, Bram draped his arm over James and anchored his lover against his chest. Burying his nose in the dark, silky curls tickling his cheek, Bram fell asleep wondering what tomorrow would bring them.

* * * *

The bedroom was shrouded in hazy gray, a jigsaw puzzle of charcoal and black. Eyes wide open, James jerked upright in bed. Chest heaving and breath shallow and labored, he frantically scanned the surrounding semi-familiar shadows looking for signs of what had awakened him.

Abruptly, loud, tapping sounds forced his gaze to the window on his side of the bed. Long, quivering fingers of the branches from the oak growing along the house danced erratically on the glass, keeping beat with the gusts of violent wind that had kicked up during the night.

Heart bouncing off his ribs, James cringed and gasped when a warm, possessive hand gripped his arm.

"Take it easy, baby. It's just me.” Bram's sleep roughened voice rumbled against his side. Bram eased James back down to the mattress and threw one stout arm over James’ chest. “Go back to sleep, Jamie. Just the wind. Nobody here but us, baby, just us."

The leaden weight of Bram's arm held James pinned to the bed, its mass awkward and oddly stifling, but James still took a huge amount of comfort in it. Bram seemed to always be protecting or sheltering him from something. Even in his sleep Bram knew James needed him and he was there.