Bound to Liberty

by Kiru Taye

  “You can talk to me.” Declan moved towards James.

  “You need to keep out of this, Declan,” Ethan said in a mocking tone.

  “And who the hell are you?” Declan glared at Ethan.

  “Haven’t you figured it out already?” Ethan said in a snide tone. “James is with me.”

  “Ethan!” James exclaimed in a breathless voice, the fluttery feeling returning to his belly, surprised by the man’s words. Anyone around would interpret it as if they were lovers. His deflated cock pulsed to life at the implication of being together with Ethan, of Ethan touching him, fucking him.

  “What? Didn't we come on this holiday together? Are we not staying in the same hotel suite? And you snuck out in the middle of the night just for a hook-up.”

  His bodyguard’s taunting drew him back to earth. Blood drained from James’s head. His grip on the sink tightened.

  What was Ethan doing?

  “Oh.” Declan jerked back and glanced between Ethan and James. Then he frowned. “I didn’t know he was with someone. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.” He hurried out of the gents.

  The sound of the slamming door got James into action again. “Why, the hell, did you tell him we were together?”

  “It got rid of him, didn’t it?” Ethan arched his brow. He didn’t look perturbed, which angered James more.

  “So that’s what you came here to do? To ruin my night?” He didn’t care for the bodyguard interfering in his affairs.

  “If it means saving you from yourself, yes.” Ethan pointed at the exit. “Is that really the kind of man you want to hook up with?”

  James’s mouth dropped open, and he stared at Ethan wide-eyed.

  “How do you know I came for a hook-up?” James snapped, using rage to veil the knot of anxiety growing in his gut. Ethan had figured out James was gay.

  “What else would you do in the toilet cubicle of a gay bar with a man? He wasn’t going to show you his rare coins collection.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you that I came to a gay bar?”

  “No, it doesn’t bother me that you’re here. I don’t care who you fuck as long as you’re not hurting anyone.” Ethan waved his hand around him. “But it bothers me that you lied to me. It bothers me that you deceived me. Hell, it bothers me that you’ll choose to have sex in a public toilet. And your random stranger didn’t even wash his hands before he left.”

  Ethan shook his head, his nose wrinkling.

  James shuddered, his skin prickling. He returned to the sink and washed his hands again, as if he was sanitising Declan’s hands. James obsessed about cleanliness, which was the reason he had balked at carrying out any kind of sexual activity in the cubicle. Scrubbing his skin helped to calm his mind.

  Afterwards, he dried his hands and faced Ethan. “I came to London to get away from the stresses of my life for a few days. I’m going to go clubbing. I’m going to hook up with random men. I don’t need you to tell me what to do, or who to do, for that matter.”

  James kept his chin up and strode towards the door. Before he reached it, Ethan grabbed his arm. His breath caught and his pulse rate spiked.

  There was something about having Ethan restrain him, about standing still for him, which sent a sizzle down his spine to his balls. Mostly, because he knew if he asked the man to let go, he would, just like he’d done the first time in James’ room.

  Ethan leaned in and James breathed in his scent, clean and masculine.

  “You’re trouble. But I’ve dealt with trouble before. So don’t think that I can’t handle you, James. If you pull the stunt you pulled tonight again, I’ll be all over your business. You won’t be able to make a move without me crowding you.”

  “You can’t talk to me like that. You work for me.” James glared at him.

  “Think again. Your brother signed the contract, and unless he terminates it, you’re stuck with me.”

  “Damn it,” James gritted out. He couldn’t fire Ethan. At least now he didn’t have to pretend in front of him. An issue remained, though.

  “Are you going to tell my brother about ...?” James trailed off.

  “About you being gay? No. Not unless I have no other choice. If you put yourself in danger again and something happens, I’ll have to explain to him how you came to be hurt.”

  “That’s blackmail.”

  “I don’t care. I’ll do what I have to do to keep you safe.” Ethan’s unflinching gaze bore into him.

  “Fine,” James grumbled. “You can tag along wherever I go. But I’m not going to hide or pretend while I’m here. So, whatever you see or hear is on you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  James rolled out of bed and rubbed his eyes. Wearing his silk PJs, he padded across the carpet on his bare feet into the living room.

  “Good morning,” Ethan greeted with a sexy rumble. He sat on the sofa, fully clothed in T-shirt and jeans, reading a book.

  Still pissed off about Ethan’s interruption to his evening, James grunted in response and shook his head. Last night, he’d returned to the hotel earlier than planned, seeing no point in hanging around the bar while his bodyguard hovered like Papa Bear.

  The man was so infuriating. How did he manage to take everything in his stride? Not once during their exchange last night had Ethan directed any disdain or anger towards him for his sexuality.

  Anyway, how could the man look so good first thing in the morning? Did he even sleep at all? How could he be up this early and be chirpy?

  James stared at his watch. The digital numbers read 09:30.

  All he wanted was some water, and then he would return to bed. He opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle, then took a glass from the tray.

  “I can’t be bothered to go down for breakfast. Order room service,” James instructed and headed towards his room.

  Ethan didn’t say anything.

  “Did you hear me?” James glanced back.

  “I heard you. But I’m waiting for the magic word.” Ethan looked up from the paperback in his hands. He folded the corner of the page he was reading.

  James cringed. Philistine!

  That simple act was the equivalence of defacing the book. It added to James’s irritation.

  “Don’t do that!” he shouted.

  “Do what?” Ethan flinched.

  “Just wait.” James strode into his bedroom and rummaged in his luggage until he found one of the special hand-carved bookmarks Gloria had given him for his birthday.

  He returned to the living room and held it out. “Use this for the book.”

  “Why?” Ethan frowned. “I’ve marked the page already.”

  “No. Folding the corner is sacrilege.” James grabbed the book and placed the bookmark between the pages. Then he straightened the folded tip and smoothed it out with his thumb. “Here.”

  “You’re serious.” Ethan took the novel, sounding amused. “You just caressed the book as if it were a wounded pet.”

  “Of course, I’m serious.” James glanced sideways. Was the man mocking him?

  Ethan grinned without mockery—a glorious, hypnotic, infectious grin.

  James’s stomach flipped over, lightness filling his chest. He curled his lips in an answering smile, his earlier irritation forgotten.

  “Are you one of those literary snobs who only read literary fiction or memoirs?” There was no venom in Ethan’s voice, just continued amusement.

  “No, I’m not a snob. I just have a passion for books,” James replied, waving at the item in the other man’s hand. “Books are like loyal friends. They’re always there when we need them, taking us on magical journeys and improving our outlooks on life. In return, we have to handle them with love.”

  “Whoa. That’s got to be the most profound thing I’ve heard anyone say about books.” Ethan’s eyes twinkled and he shook his head. “I’ve actually never thought about them that way.”

  “So how do you see books?” Fascinated, James sat on the padded arm of the sofa, placing
bare feet on the cushion, arms on thighs, and cheeks on palms. Excitement fluttered in his belly. He could have something in common with this man who seemed out of reach.

  Ethan leaned into the seat and tilted his head. “I enjoy novels, but I don’t get to read as often as I’d like. I have to grab quiet moments when they arrive.”

  “I suppose being a bodyguard involves a lot of waiting around. Reading to fill the time makes sense.” James pictured his minder sitting on the sofa, in the quiet hotel suite, reading the novel.

  “I suppose. Some clients are more hard work than others,” the man replied ominously.

  James remembered where Ethan had found him last night, and his cheeks heated. He reverted to a safer topic. “What do you do with all the books you read?”

  Ethan shrugged. “I have some on the shelves at home, and some in a box. I really should give them away.”

  “I’m a patron for an NGO that runs mobile libraries for schools and encourages reading among young people. We always welcome donations of well-kept used books.” He nodded at the novel in Ethan’s hand.

  “Of course,” the man replied. “When we get back to Lagos, I can arrange to send the box of used books to you or wherever you want them to go.”

  “Great.” Feeling accomplished, James stood. He could grow to like his minder. Just as he took a step towards the bedroom, his stomach rumbled, reminding him of food. He glanced at his watch again and shook his head. He wouldn’t be down to the restaurant before the morning service ended. “I’m so hungry.”

  “I could order breakfast,” Ethan said, as if James’s earlier rude order was forgotten.

  “That would be great, thank you,” James said, glad for the reprieve. “Please get me the full English breakfast with toasted brown bread, freshly squeezed orange juice and a pot of coffee?”

  “Sure.” Ethan reached for the hotel phone on the table, grinning as if he found the situation amusing.

  James had a smile on his face when he returned to his bedroom to shower and dress. Back in the living room thirty minutes later, breakfast was set on the dining table, which could sit four people.

  Ethan waited for him to settle and pulled out the chair opposite. The man had ordered eggs Benedict served on toasted sliced bagels stacked with ham slices, tomato slices, rocket salad and poached eggs on top, drizzled with hollandaise sauce.

  “Do you have friends or family in the UK?” James said conversationally. He wanted to find out more about the man but didn’t want it to seem as if he was being nosy since Ethan probably just saw him as a job rather than as a potential friend.

  “Yes.” Ethan replied before taking a sip of coffee. “I have family and friends that live in and around London.”

  “Oh. If you want to visit with them while we’re here, you can do that, you know,” James said, feeling a little awkward. “It would be a shame not to see your family when you’ve come all this way.”

  “It’s not a problem. I spoke to one of my cousins already. He knows I’m here for work and they’re cool with it. I can see them some other time.”

  “That’s nice. You mentioned cousins. Do you have siblings?”

  “A sister, Grace. She lives in New York with her family. What about you? I hear you have many siblings.”

  A lump formed in James’s throat. He should’ve known better than to discuss families. He’d assumed Ethan wouldn’t be interested in his.

  He pushed the food around on his plate, his appetite receding. “I think you mean Henry. He’s a Danladi. I’m not.”

  “Oh? How come?” Ethan put his cutlery down.

  The sensation of a hot poker in his chest constricted his lungs, making it difficult to breath. He picked up his cup of coffee and swallowed a gulp to clear the lump in his throat

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” James forced his shoulders to lift in a dismissive shrug and changed the subject. “I told you my friend Seun is coming over this afternoon.”

  “Yes, you mentioned it.” Ethan’s brow wrinkled, as if he was trying to figure out why James had changed the subject. But he didn’t push it, and James was grateful.

  “I’m going to pop out shortly.” He pushed back from his chair. “I need to pick up some toiletries. I can’t believe I forgot shaving gel.”

  He moved his mind to mundane things, anything, as long as it wasn’t thinking about the Danladis—the family that had wanted him dead even before he was born.

  “No problem,” Ethan said. It looked like he wasn’t going to eat any more food.

  “Are you done?” James asked.

  “Yes,” Ethan replied.

  James cleared the used crockery and cutlery back onto the tray and carried it out to the door. Ethan held it while he placed the tray in the corridor for the housekeeping staff.

  “You could’ve left it for the staff to take away,” Ethan commented.

  “I know. But I don’t like looking at a dirty table.” He strode into his room to grab his shoes. When he returned, Ethan waited in the living room.

  They walked to the local mini supermarket where James got the items he needed.

  Ethan added extra bottles of water when James asked if he needed anything. On their way back they took a leisurely stroll through the neighbourhood, watching locals eating lunch at the bistros.

  On James’s prompting, Ethan spoke about his previous visits to London and his extended family. James also talked about his previous visits and places he’d been as a tourist.

  By the time they got back to the suite, Ethan hadn’t mentioned his wife or children. At this point, James wasn’t even sure they existed since the man also didn’t wear a wedding band.

  Was it too direct to ask Ethan if he was married? Would Ethan misconstrue the question?

  Before James could ask, a knock sounded on the suite door.

  “I’ll get it,” Ethan said, back in protective mode.

  James wanted to say that it was just his friend who had arrived, not a stalker. But he didn’t say anything. The man would find out for himself. Plus, he kind of liked protective Ethan when he wasn’t trying to cock-block James.

  Ethan opened the door. “Hello.”

  “Hello, gorgeous,” the person on the other side replied. “I’m Seun.”

  James’s skin prickled as he stepped towards the door. “Seun, hi.”

  The new arrival stepped in. “James. It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you, too.” The two of them embraced.

  “Your butler is a hunk,” another voice said.

  “My butler?” James pulled back from Seun to see another man coming in.

  “That’s Scott,” Seun said as he pointed at his companion. “Scott, this is James.” He pointed at Ethan. “And that is—”

  “Not my butler,” James cut him off with a tense smile.

  “I’m Ethan.” The man stretched out his hand to shake with Seun, and then Scott.

  “It’s great to meet you, Ethan.” Scott sidled up to the bodyguard and handed him the pack he carried. “I brought some drinks.”

  James tugged Seun aside and said in a low voice, “I didn’t know you were bringing a friend.”

  “Well, you brought a friend from Nigeria. So, I brought one to keep him company.” Seun winked devilishly.

  James stared at Ethan and Scott, who had walked over to the fridge and were loading it with bottles of flavoured cider.

  Seun grabbed a bottle and offered James another. They walked over to the sofa.

  Scott seemed fascinated by Ethan, and couldn’t seem to keep his eyes or his hands off him as he jabbered on about some party they’d been to last night.

  James’s hands clenched at his sides. He had this sudden feeling to go and rip Scott away from Ethan. Then he remembered. Ethan was heterosexual and married. Scott stood no chance. Unless, of course, Ethan was into talkative men.

  “So, tell me about you,” Seun said as he lowered his body on the sofa. “It’s been ages.”

  It had been age
s. Seun and James had been friends since high school, and had even gone to UniLag together. They’d been tight friends.

  After Youth Service, Seun had gone to work for his father’s media company. It was one of the largest African-led firms in the continent.

  But Seun’s life had taken a downward drive when he’d come out to his parents. His father had disowned him and tossed him out of his company.

  Seun had lost everything. He’d had to stay with James and Henry before he’d moved to the UK. Luckily, he’d been born in London so he had a UK passport and the right to live in Great Britain.

  Seeing what had happened to Seun had put fear in James’s heart. He’d never wanted to lose the emotional connection he had with his brother, or his mother. They were important to him, and he would rather keep his sexuality a secret than lose them. He wanted to keep the little family that he had.

  “I’m doing okay,” James said, settling beside his friend. “What about you?”

  Looking at Seun, James could see he had changed a lot. He’d lost the clean-cut look he’d had when he’d worked for his father.

  Now Seun sported locks that almost reached his shoulders. Black kohl lined his edgy eyes.

  “I’m fine. It’s been a good year. I’m finally getting some recognition in the music industry. We’re doing promo for some work I did with a couple of big-name artists, and the tracks will be released soon. On the DJ side, I’m practically booked all summer to play at events. So, life is looking good.”

  “I’m so glad,” James said, squeezing his friend’s hand.

  There’d been a time he’d been really worried about Seun. But it looked like the man had turned a corner and found himself.

  “I’m glad, too.” Seun squeezed his hand back. “And I have you to thank. You and Henry. You bailed me out on more than one occasion. I could’ve ended up living on the streets, or selling my body. Not that it’s not a hot body.”

  He stood up and did a twirl.

  James laughed. “Oh, you haven’t changed one bit.”

  “I know. And my mother tried to pray it out of me, not to mention the ones that tried to flog it out of me. There’s no changing what Mother Nature gave me.”