Bound to Liberty

by Kiru Taye

  “But aren’t we a couple? You said we’re together for the next ten days.” James wanted to be a couple with Ethan, even if they weren’t having sex.

  He wanted to walk through the streets of London, holding hands like other gay couples he’d seen. He wanted to steal kisses and cuddles. He wanted to show the man off to his friends, even if his family would never know.

  “Yes, we’re a couple.” Ethan replied.

  “So that means we are on holiday together. And as a couple, your cousin’s invitation automatically extends to me, doesn’t it?”

  “It does.” Ethan puffed out a sigh, and he leaned forward and stroked his palm down James’s cheek and chin. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “That’s okay.” Tingles travelled down James’s spine as the man caressed his skin.

  Ethan leaned back, breaking contact. “Would you like to accompany me to my cousin’s house?”

  James missed Ethan’s hand on his skin, but he didn’t chase the contact as he’d done earlier. “Yes, Sir. I’d love to be your plus one.”

  “Thank you, firefly. Clear out the dishes from the table. After you’re done, you can sit on the sofa. We need to discuss the agreement and your limits.”

  “Yes, Sir.” James felt lightheaded as he pushed off the floor.

  Ethan’s reassurance settled his rampant emotions.

  Perhaps he really could do this.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hours later, James and Ethan sat in a rental car, driving down to Lotanna’s house in Weybridge, a town about twenty-five miles to the south-west of London. They could’ve taken the train, but they’d checked the travel information and found out there would be travel disruptions due to track maintenance. So, Ethan had opted to drive.

  The satellite navigation directed their way, but Ethan looked comfortable behind the wheel, as if he’d driven there on other occasions. They drove down the A3 highway for most of it, before turning off onto tree-lined country roads heavy with green vegetation.

  Ethan talked about Lotanna and his wife Debra, who had two children—a boy and a girl—both in their late teens. Lotanna was his father’s older sister’s first son.

  The house was a modern detached on a quiet cul-de-sac. There were cars already parked on the short drive, with others on the dry lawn in front.

  Ethan found a space by the pavement and parked. “Here we are.”

  “The house looks nice,” James said conversationally.

  “Yes, they’ve been here for a few years. Come on. Let’s get in there.” Ethan pushed his door.

  James stepped out too. He opened the back door and grabbed the case of wine they’d bought, more to keep his hands busy and hide his anxiety.

  When they’d driven out, he’d told himself that they were just going to hang out with Ethan’s family for a few hours and go back to their hotel. It would be like any other get-together he’d attended.

  Now, as he strode up the driveway to the white front door, a knot sat in his stomach. He didn’t know why.

  Ethan pressed the buzzer. They heard the sound of conversation before the door opened into a bright hallway.

  “Ethan!” a tall light-skinned man cheered. “You made it.”

  “We did,” Ethan replied, and the two of them hugged each other.

  When they broke apart, Ethan turned and placed a hand on James’s back. “Lota, this is James.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” James said. The touch was comforting and took away some of James’s anxiety as he stepped forward with the box in his hands.

  “Same here,” Lota said, shutting the door. “Come in. Everyone is in the garden.”

  “We brought some drinks,” Ethan said.

  “Thank you,” Lota said, taking the box. He walked through a door on the left into a spacious kitchen. “I think I should probably tell you this before you go out there.”

  James could see groups of people out on the lawn. A white canopy had been set up to provide shade from the unusually hot British weather. In a corner, a man stood in charge of the food grilling over a charcoal barbeque.

  “What is it?” Ethan said.

  “Funke is here,” Lotanna said as he placed the box on the central island.

  Ethan flinched. “Funke? What is she doing here?”

  “She arrived last night for a conference.” Lota shrugged. “I would have told you when I called earlier but I promised her I wouldn’t tell you in advance.”

  “It’s the kind of thing she'd do.” Ethan scrubbed a hand over his face before looking out of the window. When he saw someone, his body tensed. “Lota, can you give us a minute?”

  Lota glanced at James and nodded. “Of course. The drinks are in the fridge. And glasses are in the cupboard behind you.”

  He walked out of the side door and shut it.

  Ethan grabbed his hand. “Come with me.”

  They went back into the hallway.

  “What’s the matter?” James asked, the knot returning to his stomach. Something wasn’t right.

  “James.” Ethan placed hands on his shoulders. “Don’t get upset. Nothing between us has changed. But my wife is here.”

  “Your wife?” James felt faint and his body swayed. It was happening again. This was Kezie all over. “So, it’s true. You’re married. Oh, God.”

  He shoved Ethan.

  Instead of moving backward, Ethan pushed forward, crowding James against the wall. His arms were braced either side of James’s shoulders.

  “Firefly, listen to me. It’s not what you think,” Ethan said in a hushed voice.

  James shook his head. He didn’t want to hear any explanations. A married man was a married man. “What else can it be? You’re married.”

  “Yes, I am. But we’re separated. We’ve been separated for three years. I haven’t seen her in almost a year and I haven’t spoken to her recently. You saw how surprised I was when I found out she was here.”

  Words swam in James’s head, and it took a few seconds for them to sink into his consciousness. “Are you saying you’re not together?”

  “We’re not. We haven’t been together in the real sense for years. Do you understand?” Ethan pressed his forehead to James’s.

  James sucked in several deep breaths. “I think so. If you’re not together, why is she here?”

  “I don’t know. She’s friends with Debra. So, she’s entitled to be here, I guess,” Ethan said.

  The sound of female voices coming from the kitchen broke them apart. But Ethan didn’t go far. He kept his left hand on the wall beside James’s head.

  A caramel-skinned woman came into the hallway. “There you are, Ethan. I wondered what happened to you.”

  “It’s good to see you, Debra,” Ethan said as they embraced. “This is my friend, James.”

  “Hi, James. Thanks for coming,” Debra said.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” James shook her hand as another woman came through the door.

  “Hello, darling,” the new arrival said in a sing-song American accent as she sashayed up to Ethan and embraced him with a kiss.

  “Funke, this is a surprise,” Ethan said, disentangling himself.

  James’s heart did a jolt. So, this was Ethan’s wife.

  She was gorgeous, like Gabrielle Union gorgeous; svelte, sexy, and sophisticated. She wore a backless black dress with a cross-over bodice, cinched at the waist with a flowing three-quarter length skirt. Her straightened blue-black hair flowed down her shoulders and complemented her chocolate skin.

  “It’s been a while, Big E. You look good,” she said.

  “So do you.” Ethan turned towards James and took his hand. “James, this is Funke.”

  James felt breathless and adrenaline surged through him, surprised that Ethan held onto his hand while introducing him. It was the first time he’d had any kind of public display of affection from a lover, or a potential lover in this case, discounting the two men he’d picked up the last few days. He felt a boost of joy he hadn�
��t experienced in a few weeks.

  “Hi, Funke,” he said, his voice strong and cheerful, his earlier anguish at Ethan’s married state dissipating. “It’s good to meet you.”

  “It is.” Funke tilted her head and looked from him to Ethan. And then she glanced at Debra.

  “Come on, James,” Debra said. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the gang.”

  “Sure,” James said, and glanced at Ethan.

  Ethan squeezed his hand and gave a short nod before releasing him.

  James followed Debra into the kitchen where she handed him a glass of white wine. Outside, he got introduced to everyone, about twenty in all. There was a mixed crowd of people in their 30s and 40s, men and women. The people closest to his age were Zoe, who was Debra’s sister, and Chiara, her friend.

  Someone handed him a plate of food and he settled on a chair in the group with Zoe and Chiara. Their conversations ranged from climate change to reality TV.

  Ethan came outside. He did the rounds, chatting with different people. He seemed quite familiar with most of them.

  James assumed he had met them all before, or that some were relatives.

  Funke came out too, but she didn’t hang with Ethan.

  James wondered what they’d talked about in his absence. It probably wasn’t his business. But curiosity niggled.

  After a while, Chiara and Zoe went indoors to do something. The shadows lengthened as the sun started its descent behind him. The garden was mature, with fully grown trees and plants providing dense secluded corners. He sat under a tree watching the rest of the gathering.

  A man came up to him and introduced himself as Ibrahim. He said he was a business man and lived in Abuja. They talked for a little while before he excused himself to get a drink.

  Funke came over and sat in the empty chair next to James. “Hi, James. How are you enjoying London?”

  “It’s been great so far, thanks,” James said. “Even the weather is behaving. What about you?”

  He was curious about the woman, and hopefully, the conversation would reveal more about her relationship with Ethan.

  “I only arrived yesterday but it’s been good so far,” she replied.

  “Oh. Did you come from the States?” He couldn’t help being nosy.

  “No.” She tilted her head. “Didn’t Ethan tell you? I don’t live in the U.S. at the moment.”

  “Oh. He didn’t. Where do you live?” James glanced in Ethan’s direction, who smiled at him and gave a slight nod.

  “I live out in Hong Kong. I took a job there over two years ago. The firm has offices in Hong Kong and Singapore so I kind of commute between the two.”

  “Wow.” Tension left James’ body.

  Ethan had told the truth when he’d said he didn’t have much of a relationship with Funke. They couldn’t possibly maintain a good marriage if she lived such a long way away and he was in Nigeria.

  “So do your children live out there with you?” he asked, wanting to fill the gaps in his knowledge while she was being talkative.

  “No.” She glanced at Ethan again as she tapped her red lips with the tips of her manicured fingers. “As the marketing VP, I work pretty long days. It made no sense to drag the children all the way over there and have them not see much of me. Not to mention that I practically raised those kids single-handedly while Ethan was away fighting his wars. Now it’s his turn to do the parenting. The children are at college. It also helps that Ethan’s parents are available as back up.”

  She sounded as if they’d worked out everything to suit everyone.

  “I guess it makes sense,” James said. “Do you get to see them often?”

  “Not as often as I’d like. But we spent a wonderful two-week break in Bali a few months ago.”

  “It sounds wonderful,” he said.

  “It was. What about you? What do you do?”

  “I’m the Director of Design at Coker Constructions.”

  “Hang on. I know Coker Constructions. They do all the installations for our phone towers and masts in Africa. Are you talking about that same one?”

  James nodded. “Yes. That one. I’m James Coker.”

  “That means Henry Coker is your brother?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s a small world. I met him once, over a year ago in Singapore.” She leaned towards him. “So, are you married? Children?”

  James’s skin prickled, and he shifted in his seat. He should’ve expected the question to come. “No. No wife. No kids.”

  He tried to laugh it off to stop himself from blurting out that he didn’t do women and would probably never have children of his own.

  “Ah. Fine boy like you can’t stay single for long in that Lagos.” She winked at him.

  His cheeks heated and he coughed.

  What exactly did Ethan say to her about him? Did they even talk about James at all?

  He glanced at Ethan again, who now seemed to be watching them.

  “Anyway, I’ve arranged to meet up with Ethan for dinner on Thursday night. I know he’s working with you at the moment, so I suggested us having the dinner at the hotel. I hope you won’t mind giving us some privacy so we can catch up.”

  “Oh.” Blood drained from James’s head. Had Ethan really agreed to have a private dinner with his wife in their hotel suite? He’d promised nothing had changed between them with the arrival of his wife. Had he lied?

  “You don’t mind, do you?” Funke asked sweetly.

  “If Ethan agreed, then I guess it’s okay.” James’s stomach curdled and he felt as if he was going to puke.

  Ethan must have seen something in his expression because he strode towards them. He sat where Ibrahim had vacated and placed his arm on the back of James’s chair.

  “James, are you okay?”

  James swallowed to clear the lump in his throat.

  Before he could speak, Funke replied. “Of course, he’s okay. We were just talking. He’s agreed to give us some space on Thursday night.”

  Ethan narrowed his eyes. “It’s not his decision to make.”

  “It’s not?” Funke jerked back. “I thought he was your employer.”

  “He’s not. He’s my boy,” Ethan said in a hushed tone.

  James gasped. In his wildest dreams, he hadn’t thought Ethan would make such a declaration.

  “Your boy?” Funke’s eyes widened as the penny dropped. “Since when?”

  “It’s none of your business,” Ethan gritted out.

  “I’m your wife. Of course, it’s my business,” she replied.

  “Look, it’s okay,” James cut in, glancing from one to the other. “I don’t have a problem with you two having dinner. I’ll keep out of your way.”

  “No, you won’t.” Ethan’s hand on his back moved to grab his nape and the free one gripped James’s knee. “I already explained to Funke we won’t meet up this week. I’ve told her to call me once I get back to Lagos and we can arrange a more suitable time and location to meet, if she still wants to do so.”

  Ethan glared at Funke, who glared back.

  “Fine,” Funke said as she stood.

  “Funke, wait,” Ethan said in a calm voice. “Can I trust you to keep this to yourself?”

  “And what do I get in return for keeping your secret?” She placed a hand on her hip.

  Ethan puffed out a breath. “Look, I promised James this week, and you of all people know I don’t renege on my promises. But if you really want to meet up, then I’m all yours once we get back to Lagos.”

  Funke glanced from Ethan to James before a sly smile curled her lips. “I’ll hold you to that. Catch you later.”

  She sashayed back towards the house. The people in the garden had diminished as it got darker and cooler.

  Ethan still held onto James’s nape. His touch kept James’s worries at bay.

  “Are you okay?” Ethan asked, and his fingers stroked James’s skin.

  James sighed. “I’m fine. You told her we’re together. Was t
hat a good idea?”

  “She won’t tell anyone as long as I keep to my side of the bargain,” Ethan said.

  That meant Ethan was going to meet up with his wife after they returned to Nigeria. Dinner could lead to more.

  James’s stomach congealed. It shouldn’t matter. Ethan and James’s relationship would end when they returned to Lagos.

  “I guess that’s okay, then,” James said.

  “The only way to keep Funke in control is to be firm with her. She’ll play us off against each other if you give her the chance. So next time, don’t agree to anything she suggests without talking to me first. Okay?”

  “Okay. Can we head back to the hotel soon?” he asked, suddenly eager to get away from Ethan’s wife.

  “Sure. You’ve been very good today. Are you looking forward to your reward, firefly?” Ethan whispered in his ear.

  The warm air on his skin sent a sizzle down his spine, and his dick jerked when he remembered what waited in store for him.

  “Yes, Sir.” He couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ethan dropped off the rental vehicle at the firm. Luckily, they were open twenty-four-seven so pick up and drop off was flexible.

  They’d left Weybridge about an hour earlier after bidding their hosts goodbye. Thankfully, Funke hadn’t said anything else to James.

  “Should we find an open bar and grab a late drink?” Ethan asked as they stepped out into the warm night. The sounds of a busy city settled around them compared to the quiet suburbs they’d come from.

  “If that’s what you want to do,” James shrugged.

  “What would you like to do?” Ethan glanced at him.

  James didn’t want to seem too eager to get Ethan all by himself in the privacy of their suite. “Can we have an early night? It’s been a busy day.”

  “Of course.” The corner of Ethan’s lips tugged up. The man was drop dead gorgeous when he smiled.

  James’s stomach did a flip and his pulse rate picked up when Ethan stretched out his open palm to him. He took the man’s hand as a grin split his face.