by T. Hammond
Only two more days and David would be back. We’d get him and Marcia settled into the room downstairs, and if Wes was comfortable enough with the Mustangs, he’d have his bunk in the Cave. Then we’d talk. Sadly, it would be a conversation to bring closure to our romantic relationship, and hopefully healing between David and Bas. Closure didn’t mean Bas and I would instantly fall into each other’s arms… geez, who am I trying to fool? We were ready, willing, and if the erection against my hip was an indication, able. We simply wanted to have the situation with David handled before we added the complication of sex to the equation.
We were snuggled cozily, Bas in his usual sweat pants and cotton t-shirt, me in yoga pants and a tank top, talking about our day. Gossiping good-naturedly about our zany circle of friends and family. “You realize Tara and Jinx are circulating pictures of you, decked out in biker leathers, to all their friends, right? Everywhere you go, strangers will be pointing and heaving fan girl sighs in your direction. Women, and probably a few hopeful men, will be falling at your feet, hoping to gain your attention.”
“You’re the only one I’m interested in, Babe,” Bastian assured me with a chuckle. “I will admit to being concerned they’re always pulling out their camera phones when I’m in the room. Tara tells me she made one of the Christmas photos into a life-size poster in her room. I feel violated.”
Not feeling a great deal of empathy, I provoked, “You did look ruggedly sexy, decked out head to toe in leather, straddling your new bike. I hear Jason has a poster of you in his bedroom as well.”
“And you’re not disturbed our friends ogle me when they’re in bed?” he queried, a hint of smugness in his tone.
“You have model good looks,” I pointed out unnecessarily, “a body like a comic book superhero, superior intelligence, a wonderfully warm and funny personality, and a single-minded focus—which means you are stubbornly immovable. They only have a two dimensional piece of you; I have the whole package,” I boasted.
“Yes you do, Babe. We both went the long way around, trying to get where we are today, but I’m thankful we finally got to this point. Me. You. In a bed. Not arguing. Loving, even if it’s only in our hearts for now. The physical will come soon.” His tone became suggestive, “In fact, I see a lot of coming in your future.”
“I’ll admit, I’m still a bit anxious, Bastian. But, a lot of my nervousness is anticipatory, too.”
“Nothing wrong with a few nerves. Things will happen when we’re ready. But, from this point onward, I want you in my arms every night, regardless of how our confrontation with David goes.”
I lifted my head, aiming sightless eyes toward Bastian, not to see him, obviously, but so he could watch my features. “I’m disconcerted you’re anticipating conflict. David knows he screwed up, and I’ve been up front regarding my changed feelings for him; he knows we’ve shifted to a platonic relationship. I’m seeing this talk as closure, and setting up new parameters for living together in the same house with Marcia and Wesley. I’m hoping the conversation focuses more on how to rebuild our friendships, and less on what brought us to this point.”
“One of the wonderful things I love about you, Teresa, is your optimism.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Unlike you, I believe David is going to fight for you. I would, if I were in his place. The fact we haven’t progressed to a sexual relationship yet, presents a crack in the door I’m sure he’ll shove a foot into.”
I lifted a brow in query. “Is this an awkward attempt to pressure me into sex, Mr. Declan? I expected you to cast a smoother line.”
This time I felt the chuckle rumble through his chest. “Babe, I’m hurt you have such a low opinion of my pick-up technique.” He captured my mouth in a heated kiss, tasting me and sharing the flavor of coffee and peppermint. Goodness, at the rate he was devouring them, there probably weren’t any candy canes remaining on the Christmas tree, still decorated and standing guard over a pile of wrapped gifts.
“You taste good,” I sighed as he pulled away. I wanted to tear off his clothes and have my wicked way with him. Repeatedly.
“No need to pressure you into sex, Miss March. If I’d pushed, even a little, you would have folded like a cheap card table.” Again with the smug tone. “Together, we’ve decided we want to enter a relationship with a clean slate, and together we’ll decide when the time is right. I’ve told you before, I’ll wait until you’re ready. I’m. Not. Going. Anywhere.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “David will use this against us, though. There’s an additional level of intimacy which comes with sex. He’s experienced it with you, and it won’t take him long to notice the sexual tension between us. Instead of seeing it as restraint on our part, I’m betting he views it as uncertainty.”
“But, that’s silly, Bastian. I’ve been very clear—” I began to protest.
“Yeah, Babe, I know. David loves you; his feelings are closer to obsession than love, but fixation doesn’t make his emotions any less real for him. He fell in love with you through my stories, but I honestly believe he has a powerful attachment to you. Likely, at least in part, due to the familiarity created by living together, intimately.”
I didn’t respond. Frankly, I wasn’t sure what to say. Bas knew David through half-a-dozen years of association. Regardless of how close David and I had once been, our relationship was based on lies. Did I really know him well enough to argue the point with Bastian? Probably not. I tempered my urge to deny the possibility, but now that Bas placed the thought in my mind, I worried David’s homecoming may be more stressful than I’d anticipated. “Crap,” was all I could manage.
“I’ve been working on a possible long-term solution.” Bastian, said, interrupting the wild tangents in my mind. “There are only three other residences on your street, which is a private road, so there’s no real traffic, and the wildlife sanctuary to the south affords us even more seclusion. I’ve had the PreClan attorneys make offers on the surrounding houses. My plan being to buy up the homes adding the land and structures to our existing property. It will give us some housing for the Mustangs, and we can give one of the houses to David and Wes. Two of the families have accepted the offers, and will be moved out by February. Your neighbors across the street, the Frasiers?”
“Fosters,” I corrected.
“Yeah. They’re back from vacation tomorrow, so it may be a few days until we come to terms. I expect we’ll have that property by the end of March.”
“Geez, Bas. How are you closing on the properties so fast? Doesn’t it take time to go through escrow? The property valuation process takes forever, especially in the winter months.”
“We’re not going through the banks. Cash deals. We don’t care about the property inspections, we want the land. Any issues with the homes we can fix ourselves. Not requiring an inspection, or any kind of verification for financing, shaves about two weeks off the process.”
“How much land will we own?” I wondered, aloud. “Most of the lots out here are five acre parcels, or more.”
“I’ve also bought up a few more pieces of acreage toward the main road turning into ours. It will give is almost fifty acres total. With the Wild Horses moving a branch to Spokane, we can build more houses to order, if we want more structures. David may want to build his own house. Hell, Teresa, with all the activity in the basement, you may want us to build our own place, too. We could leave this house as a base for operations, and design something else for us on a less centrally located piece of land. Your choice, Babe. I’m home where you are.”
Is it wrong to feel a thrill quiver down my spine as Bastian spoke with confidence we would build a life, and possibly a home, together? He truly was in this for the long term. “I like this place Bas. I enjoy the quirks and hidden rooms. It’s familiar and comfortable, and an excellent floor plan. I feel safe. Your work is high risk, even if you try to keep a low profile. The Foster home, or building a house to the west of it, would be best for David and Wes. They’ll be close enough Red can visit and
patrol, and Wes can walk between houses without worry. Since Russ plans to extend a tunnel from the Wild Horse compound to the house, the Mustangs will be able to access the Cave without constant traffic through the kitchen, so they won’t be a bother.”
Bastian agreed. “Much as I’m anxious to move David to his own house so we can begin our future, I understand the need to help with Marcia and Wes—at least until the project is finished and handed off to the military. Marcia is pretty weak, and will no doubt spend a lot of time in bed. The doctors don’t think she has more than a month left. It will be best to keep her close by so you and Janey can help her. I’m fairly certain David will be useless as she becomes bedridden and more dependent on morphine. Janey, for all her tender heart, is experienced with hospice care. You may remember she volunteered at the retirement home for quite a few years.”
“And don’t forget, Ken is a registered nurse. He’s volunteered to help, also. We have a hospice nurse tentatively scheduled to come in for a few hours each day, but Ken can help when needed. Wes is out of the hospital, but it will good to have a medical professional around; head injuries can be so unpredictable.”
“Damn, it’s not like me to forget these types of details, but I’d completely forgotten Ken started out as your rehab nurse. It’s a waste, if you ask me; he has talents in the kitchen.”
“Added bonus, for sure,” I concurred. “I’m upping Ken’s salary while Marcia is here, partially because he’ll be shopping and cooking for her dietary needs, while she’s able to eat anyway. But more significantly, he’ll be in charge of her medications and care when Cora, the hospice nurse, is off-duty. I anticipate he’ll be working additional hours.”
“Henry has taken over the household accounts, and will track the expenses to bill back to David. I’ll make sure he knows about Ken’s bonus, and takes it out of David’s funds,” Bas said practically.
“I don’t mind paying Ken’s wages, Bas,” I protested. Sheesh, it was my idea anyway. David never asked for the extra help.
“Babe, you remember David has a pretty hefty savings account, right? This is his responsibility.” Bas’ tone was firm. “Hospice care is not cheap. David will be getting reimbursed for much of it, as his insurance covers Marcia and Wes. You may remember insurance coverage is what started this whole mess in the first place,” Bas snipped, referring to the reason David and Marcia married.
Ever the tactician, Bas changed topics, “David tells me he’s ahead of schedule, so we may be done with the project within the next ten days. Completing the assignment will take pressure off our security team, but the installations and training will begin soon afterward. I’m not much for sex on a schedule, Babe. I enjoy spontaneity, but I’ve been thinking, there will be over two dozen people crammed into this house after David returns; which is not very conducive to privacy and stolen moments together. I plan to reserve a suite at the Davenport Hotel for us. Even if issues are unresolved and making love is not a part of it, I’d like some alone time before I disappear for a month, getting software installed.”
“A weekend with you sounds wonderful. It would be nice to get out of the house, away from everyone so we can be alone. And I’ll be mighty disappointed if making love is not on the agenda, Bastian. I feel like I’ve waited for you forever.”
“I’m anxious, too,” he replied, cupping my jaw to tilt my face up toward his descending mouth. The kiss was full of passion and promise.
“Have I told you lately, how much I appreciate you? How much I love you?” With one arm propping my body over his, I traced fingertips over the planes of his face: proud cheekbones, square stubborn chin, and numerous laugh lines fanning from the corners of his eyes. Such a beautiful man, but his fierce, loyal heart surpassed his physical attributes. “Thank you for your patience, Sebastian Declan. Thank you for understanding me, and loving me despite my flaws. And, most of all, thank you for giving me your heart. I promise to take very good care of it.”
I felt the callused brush of his hand, sweeping my hair away from my face so he could look at me. “I think it’s been at least twelve hours since you’ve proclaimed your love, Teresa. I was worried for a moment I was simply a passing fancy,” he joked tenderly. His knuckles traced the curve of my brow, hesitating at the scar which came so close to taking my eye, in addition to my sight. “I love you too, Babe. I’m so fucking lucky you’re in my life. There will be days when I’ll frustrate the hell out of you, but I’ll never give you a reason to doubt my commitment. I plan to be by your side ‘til we’re old and grey. I’m looking forward to the journey.”
“Me too, Bas.”
“Oh good, you’re still up,” Red said, advancing into my bedroom with a soft brush of his paws over the carpet. “Did you guys finally move off the couch?”
“A perfectly good bed was going to waste,” Bas answered, after I provided the customary translation. “I thought you’d be asleep, it’s…” Bas craned his neck to read the clock on my nightstand, “…almost midnight. You’re normally chasing dream-rabbits by now.”
“Drones. I dream about catching them as they fly by the deck. You altered their path so they fly higher now. I’m hurt by the lack of trust. I’d promised not to jump for them anymore.” Red’s emotions radiated cheerful deviousness. I think our little scammer was up to something.
This time, after I relayed Red’s words, Bastian snorted in disbelief. “Remember when you kept chasing the flashlight beam, even after you said you’d stop? Do you remember your excuse at the time?” There was a short pause, but Bas didn’t expect an answer. “You told me ‘It’s what dogs do’ so you couldn’t help yourself. I decided to remove the temptation and shift the drone pattern two feet higher. Dogs like to chase things, it’s what they do,” Bas mocked, playfully.
“So, what did you want, Red? I can practically feel you bursting to ask me something.”
“I was thinking. You and Bas have decided to sleep in your bed, instead of on the couch, which means no one is sleeping in the living room anymore. I think we should move my boy’s bed to the living room, so he can sleep with me and Tank.” We all knew Red was taking ownership of Wes, often referring to him as “my boy.”
“I think it’s wonderful we’ll have a young boy to play with you and Tank, but he’s a human. I think it’s best he sleep with his parents, or down stairs with the Mustangs. Which is not to say,” I said, cutting off Red’s objections, “we can’t let him sleep on the couch once in a while as a special treat. But when he gets here, don’t forget his mom is really sick. It’s important for little boys to have a routine, so we will want him sleeping in his own bed while everyone gets accustomed to the change.”
I felt the side of the bed depress lightly with the weight of Red’s head, resting on the edge. “It will be so awesome to have a boy in the house. We should probably have a few more, to keep Tank occupied, he’s going to be a handful, you know. Are you and Bas planning to have some little boys for us to play with?”
“It’s not something Bas and I have talked about, Red. But we’ll let you know when we decide.” I confided.
“Decide what?”
“Kids. Red is putting in a request for a couple of boys,” I chuckled. I already knew his sister wanted at least five kids—mmm, wonder if she’s shared that tidbit with Ken, or did she plan to spring it on him once she had a ring on her finger.
“What are you grinning at?” Bas asked cautiously.
“I was wondering if Ken knows about Janey’s plan to give birth to a basketball team.”
“Crap, after all this time, she still wants five kids? I thought she grew out of that idea years ago,” he was laughing along with me now. He hugged me close and added, “Kids are terrific, but I’m as happy to be an uncle. If you want some, that would be great, but I don’t need children to fulfill some urge to procreate or carry on the family name. I know you’re adopted, and you may have some strong opinions about kids. I want a life with you, Babe, whether it’s only the two of us, or our family includes babi
es, or adoption, or a mix, I’m flexible. My only sticking point is if we have kids, you will have to marry me.”
Bas knew I wasn’t searching for a wedding ring. Just as I knew, he couldn’t wait to slip one on my finger. “Let’s shelve the marriage discussion for the future,” I hedged.
“Fair enough,” Bas conceded. “Looks like both of us are in a holding pattern for now, Red. But I’ll keep you posted if there’s a decision on family expansion.”
“Okay,” Red moaned, clearly having hoped the conversation would go differently. “I’m off to bed, then. See you in the morning, Teresa.”
“Goodnight Red,” I called after him.
Bastian reached out to flick off the bedside lamp I hadn’t realized was on. “I love you,” he whispered into my ear when I was once again tucked into the curl of his arms. I fell asleep to the gentle cadence of his chest rising and falling beneath my cheek, and his warm breath stirring tendrils of hair against my temple. For another night, he held the nightmares at bay.
