by J P Sayle
Joe gave Aaden a severe look. “How much can you do with the place within the terms of your lease? Because, Aaden, my man, this place needs a serious overhaul. Never mind your creepy evil vibes. The colour scheme is enough to give anyone the willies. For fuck sake, who would have shit brown as a colour theme?”
Aaden’s booming laughter filled the kitchen, “don’t hold back there, will you; give me your honest opinion.”
Joe cast him a sheepish look, he may have been a little harsh, but hey, shit brown was shit brown. The loud meow that rumbled next to his leg had him jumping in surprise. Where the hell had Max come from? For such a massive white cat he certainly moved silently. Joe supposed it was something natural, the need to be silent to catch their prey.
Stroking in between his shoulder blades knowing that was the spot Max loved the most. Over the years he’d gotten to know Aaden, he had been surprised when he’d visited his home to find Aaden was a cat lover. Not sure why he found it odd, but Joe just couldn’t see Aaden with a cat, a big ass dog yes, but not big fat fluffy Manx cat, nope. He again wondered how Max got so big, hell he was three times bigger than Princess and much larger than most other cats, he’d seen for that matter.
Without thought, Joe spoke what was on his mind. “What the hell do you feed him, man? Hell, if he gets any bigger you’ll need a dog flap never mind a cat flap.” The words barely out his mouth, the loud snarl had him yanking back his hand. Max’s bicoloured eyes held him captive; the meaning conveyed clear, stop before it was too late.
“Max is very sensitive about his size, so you may not want to mention it again, especially if you value your hands.” Aaden chuckled at the distinct look of a rabbit caught in the headlights Joe had when he tucked his hands into his jeans, out of harm’s way.
Aaden looked down at Max, pleased he looked none the worse for wear after his tussle with Princess. “It looks like your offer is redundant, Max seems fine now, aren’t you, baby?” Aaden bent down checking him over, just to make sure. His silky white fur glowed like a beacon in the dismal coloured room.
“You’re okay aren’t you, boy, it would take more than one tiny little pussycat to hurt my big bad boy, hey.” His chuckle was met with a disdainful glare as Max flounced away.
Aaden turned to the insistent knocking that filled the house, hiding a grin at Joe’s mournful sigh.
Joe would have taken bets on who was at the other side of the door, even before Aaden had opened it and let Stuart past with an unrepentant Princess at his heels. Joe rushed forward to stop them both from coming in any further.
“No, no way, Princess and you need to get on back home. I can’t be doing with any more fighting today.” Sounding prissy to his own ears only pissed Joe off further, cringing he continued moving forward. Too scared of another fight to worry about how he looked or sounded.
Their smug joint looks had him bending, picking up Princess before pushing Stuart back to the front door. “Come on, you pair. Before you both get me into more hot water, and I can’t afford to lose a hand, or anything else for that matter, if we get on the wrong side of Max.” Joe gave an apologetic wave to Aaden as he pushed Stuart towards the door.
“Give me a holler if you need a pair of hands. You are most definitely going to need help getting rid of the shit in here. I’ll be over in the morning once you’re settled, well if that’s at all possible to do that in here.” Casting another quick glance around, hoping it would improve with another look. He walked to the door, unable to stop the jolt of disgust.
It always amazed him what people could live with. He counted himself lucky that Stuart had such good taste. Stuart’s style reflected beautiful warmth that was welcoming, whereas this place was the exact opposite, the antichrist. Shuddering as a feeling of unease skimmed up his spine, looking around the cul-de-sac unsure what it was. He shook of the uneasy feeling the house was giving him. Joe hurriedly stepped away, glad not to be inside any longer.
Joe waved once more when Aaden acknowledged his offer, lugging Princess in his arms and pulling Stuart behind him. He didn’t have to see the self-satisfied smile to know he’d brought Princess over with the primary aim to get him away from Aaden. The jealousy should have him wanting to punch Stuart’s lights out, yet secretly he couldn’t help feeling a little smug Stuart had chased after him. Not wanting to think too hard about that after all his issues with Joel, he pretended to be angry instead.
Dropping Princess as they entered Stuart’s home, he gave them both a hard stare. “You should know better than to antagonise someone who is bigger than you; Max could hurt you.” Princess’s upturned nose pushed him to breaking point. Watching her waltz out of the room with an ‘as if’ look.
Joe turned his angry glare at the stupid fool grinning at him. Pointing, “If Max had hurt her, it would have been on your head. That was an idiotic thing to do because Brad and Martin would have had your guts for garters and I would have gladly held Martin’s jacket while he kicked your ass.”
Stuart’s shoulders rounded, immediately making Joe pleased to have got his point across. Dusting his hands together before striding off in search of something to eat when he realised he’d not eaten anything since lunchtime, and he was starving.
Settling on the sofa, Joe was pleased that the evening had turned out better than he’d expected after the initial issues. Perplexed he watched Stuart with Princess, it seemed they had reached a silent agreement now that they had a common enemy. But for the life of him, he just didn’t get what Princess’s or Stuart’s problem was with Max and Aaden respectively.
Max being a Manx cat should have at least created a little solidarity between them, surely?
He supposed Stuart’s apparent jealousy of Aaden had something to do with his obvious attractiveness. That he was definitely worth a second look, standing six foot six, rocking hard body made for wet dreams, topped off with beautiful multi-tonal shoulder length flowing locks. A face that spoke of deep sorrow and something almost untouchable that insisted you take a second look so you could lose yourself in those coal black eyes.
The thing was, he wasn’t even sure if he could explain to Stuart that though he found Aaden attractive, he had lost his soul to a stranger on a street corner years earlier. Sad charcoal eyes had haunted his dreams for more years than he could say, taking away any chance he had off keeping any relationship alive. Those eyes had called to him, and in part, he wondered if that was why Joel had appealed to him because of his hair and eye colouring matched his dream man?
Said dream man currently was stretched out with his e-reader absently stroking Princess as she stretched out on his legs. A feeling of warmth settled in his chest, spreading his serenity at finding something he’d never realised he’d lost on that street corner in London.
Giving an internal sigh he shook of the past Stuart hadn’t mentioned. He wondered instead what the hell was he going to do with the pair of them?
Joe sank into the big cushions of the deep forest green sofa feeling the pillows surround him. He considered the house across the road, comparing it to what he now felt was home. This place just felt right, like it was meant to be his. The muted blues, claret, and deep greens were used as the colour palette throughout the house, showing Stuart’s masculine taste. Though some of the shades were dark, the rooms still glowed with cosy warmth.
The claret walls complimented the forest green sofa and snuggler. The matching chunky handmade oak furniture gleamed under the flickering firelight. Brass lamps were strategically placed to allow light to fill the corners of the room.
Joe wiggled his ass, stretching out against the big stuffed pillows. His head rested back, the fire catching his eye. Flames danced creating rainbows of colour, the deep blue turning a violent red as the wood ignited. Feeling its heat seep into his body, a feeling of safety he hadn’t considered feeling again cocooned him. Stuart’s home, no it was their home, he felt that deep inside, this was theirs now.
The idea grew as he looked up from under his lashes at the
man that was changing his world. His heart clutched in his chest as hooded charcoal grey eyes gleamed at him from across the room. Breathlessly he watched the smile slide slowly across Stuart’s beautiful mouth, growing in intensity as his stare never wavered.
Propelled off the sofa by need, Joe bent forward until his lips gently pressed against Stuart’s. Not looking for more than letting him know how happy he was, he kept the kiss light. Floating inside the kiss his knees weakened, Joe’s moan was captured in Stuart’s mouth as he encouraged Joe to deepen the kiss.
Joe deepened the kiss, the gentleness coating it in a beautiful dreamy glow that gently built their passion. Pulling back, feeling overwhelmed by the beauty of the kiss, cupping Stuart’s face, words flooded his mind, wanting to be unleashed. Love, God he loved him so much it hurt to look at his dreamy face.
Joe stepped back, insides quaking at his emotions. Not yet, no, he wasn’t ready, but God he wanted to be. Joel was out there somewhere, and though he’d not made his presence known, Joe knew it was coming as sure as day would turn to night, and the last thing he wanted was for Stuart to get caught up in his shit.
His unsettling thoughts had him returning to the sofa and sitting back down. He ignored the concerned look Stuart cast his way. Joe picked up his own e-reader, pretending to read. Worrying his lip, Stuart’s taste lingering on his lips. The unique flavour had him craving more, more of everything. Joe was adamant he’d have it, but not before the issues with Joel had been sorted, he needed to protect Stuart from his shit. Whether he agreed or not.
Concentrating on Aaden, he realised he hadn’t mentioned anything about Joel. Rubbing his arms, Joe pulled his legs in and hugged them close. He knew Aaden was going to want to talk about it, but that he would need to happen when Stuart wasn’t around. Stuart still didn’t understand all that had gone on, and as far as Joe was concerned, he’d never get to see how evil Joel was.
Pondering how he was going to speak to Aaden without Stuart present, Stuart hadn’t mentioned any weekend plans. Sucking on his lip again Joe realised he had the perfect ruse. Aaden was going to need a lot of help to sort out that house, he’d already offered so it wouldn’t look suspicious. It was going to take a great deal of hard work getting rid of the décor alone. Joe grimaced at the thought of what the rooms he’d not seen looked like.
Glancing back at Stuart and Princess, those two were just going to have to get over themselves when it came to Aaden and Max. They were his friends and he wouldn’t be dictated to by a cat or a man.
Stretching against Stuart’s legs, they may have got off to a rocky start, but it would appear they now had a common goal, hating their neighbours.
Princess knew she was going to have her work cut out for her trying to avoid the monster across the road and keep an eye on Joe in Stuart’s absence. Well, she had to make sure he was safe even if that meant putting herself in Max’s path.
Settling back against Stuart, it was a hard job, but somebody had to do it.
If her body quivered, or radiated with excitement at the thought of Max’s large body pressed against hers, it was nobody’s business but her own.
God, it has been so long since I’ve come into contact with a male cat, especially one that smells so inordinately good. For whatever reason she couldn’t fathom, he got her juices flowing.
The chuckles that shimmied over her senses had her burying her head. Nope, not listening, mother, her mother could take her humour and shove it where the sun didn’t shine.
Observing Joe with hooded eyes, Princess could see the look of determination cross his face as his thoughts flooded her mind. Grumping, she lamented her situation. Life could suck at times, but she wasn’t going to be defeated that easily.
Stuart reached into the shower and turned it on, letting it warm. A shit-eating grin spread across his face when the smell of frying bacon filled the warming air. It was a real bonus that Joe loved to cook, not that he couldn’t, it was he just hated to. His food bill had gone up, but his crappy takeout diet had reduced, so he supposed it was a win, win situation. Especially when he got to wake up on the weekend, finding his boyfriend was making him breakfast.
Stuart stepped into the shower letting the warm water relax his sore muscles, washing away the dregs of sleep. Stuart’s mind locked on the word boyfriend, liking how it defined their relationship. The question was, did he want more? His heart was already racing ahead seeing all the possibilities. The more time he spent with Joe, the more profound his feelings seemed to be. Stuart wasn’t frightened of the depth of his love for Joe when he could see what a truly gorgeous human being he was.
It hadn’t taken him long to realise that Joe liked to nurture. Fussing over him when he’d finally stopped worrying about what Stuart would construe was between them. The problem was Stuart wasn’t sure if Joe realised how adoringly he looked at him, last night being point in question. The emotions shining in his eyes when he’d come over to kiss him would have buckled his legs if he’d been standing.
He’d been positive Joe wouldn’t stop and say those words that seemed to hover between them. Until that point he hadn’t realised he needed them more than oxygen. It had physically hurt when Joe pulled the shutter back down. He’d reassured himself at least he wasn’t the only one with strong feelings. Stuart just needed to find a way to get Joe to open up wholly to him.
His stomach growled reminding him that breakfast was waiting for him. Hurrying, he finished washing, drying quickly. Stuart dressed in low slung, tight-fitting jeans and a dark grey T-shirt, which hugged his chest. Bolstering himself with his clothes, knowing he looked good but he wanted to reaffirm it to Joe. Not wanting to examine why too closely, Stuart headed downstairs.
The ache in his thighs reminding him exactly how hard he’d worked the night before when he’d pinned Joe to the bedroom wall while pounding his tight ass. The possessive urge had him pouncing as soon as they had gone to bed. Stuart had spent hours exploring and worshipping every inch of Joe, hoping to eradicate any thoughts Joe might have previously had about Aaden.
Unbidden images of last night popped into his mind making his groin tighten as he stepped into the kitchen. Joe gave him a distracted smile before turning back to the cooker. Oh no, that won’t do at all, heading to him, Stuart paused when a small hand rose to stop him. Stuart’s brow rose questioningly.
“No you don’t, I know that look. I haven’t just spent an age getting breakfast ready for you to ruin it with your sexy ass moves. Plus, I invited Aaden over, and he will be here any second.”
Unable to stop what he knew was sullen scowl cross his face at the mere mention of Aaden’s name, Stuart ignored Joe’s arched look and stepped back, muttering under his breath about inconvenient neighbours. He plonked himself down at the table a second before the doorbell rang, resigned that his morning wasn’t going to go as planned when Joe skipped out of the kitchen.
Scowling at the empty room hearing the deep husky voice caressing the air, irritated him further. His teeth ground together in frustration, Stuart gave himself ten out of ten for trying to smile when Aaden walked into the room behind Joe, even though it was killing him inside. The condescending smirk Aaden threw his way had his teeth grinding.
Clutching the chair to stop himself from punching the smug bastard in the face, Stuart watched Aaden touch Joe’s arm. His short nails dug into the wood when Aaden held on for a few more seconds than he felt were absolutely necessary. Joe seemed oblivious, strolling to the table with the platters of food.
Stuart could smell the other man’s scent clinging to Joe, wafting as he moved around the kitchen. Spiced herbs and something musky mixed with the smells of cooking. Breathing past the urge to grab Joe and roll all over him, shrewd enough to realise the feelings were absurd. He still found himself getting up, using the pretence of helping Joe, Stuart repeatedly brushed against him. Making sure to rub his cologne over any part he could.
Stuart lowered his head, gently sucking on Joe’s luscious mouth until he elicite
d a moan of pleasure. Groaning in appreciation when he felt Joe grinding firmly against his thigh.
Aaden’s chuckles had him reluctantly stepping back, feeling a little flustered at having forgotten for a moment he was there. Joe seemed to have the ability to make Stuart lose himself, but then who could blame him, Joe’s mouth was beyond addictive.
Stuart licked his lips, taking the remaining taste of Joe into his mouth. Glancing at Aaden, Stuart halted at the look of pure unadulterated desire aimed at the pair of them. He felt the intensity spread across his body, his cock hardening, wow.
Feeling a little unnerved he sat down, not wanting Aaden to see his interest. Stuart wasn’t shy about the thought of anyone watching, in fact, he felt his insides curl with lust at the possibilities. The idea took root and persisted on, not letting go. He’d never been an exhibitionist, but the sense of being watched by this man while he fucked Joe, made his insides quiver with desire. Trying to shake off the thoughts, Stuart ignored Aaden’s small smirk and the slight head bob as if acknowledging it was a possibility. Exhaling sharply, Stuart looked anywhere but at Aaden. Is he really a fucking mind reader? Recalling the feeling at the boat yesterday, it was making him feel a little weirded out.
Catching Joe’s glowing smile he let it distract him. Could he let someone else watch them together? God, yes he could if it was Aaden, the answer that popped so suddenly in his head had him reeling. There was just something so alluring about the man that made him consider the possibility. Not that he could allow Aaden, or anyone else for that matter, to do more than watch.
Lost in his thoughts a cough had him looking up.
