Primeval fic: The House - Summerfic for Eriah211
Title: The House
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~5490
Characters: Tom Ryan/James Lester, mention of Hilary Becker/Danny Quinn plus briefly, Jon Lyle (OC), Finn (OC), Blade (OC), Ditzy (OC) and Lorraine Wickes.
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: For Eriah211’s summerfic and her prompts: 1) That box is not big enough, 2) Curtains set on fire, 3) Soft pillows and 4) “That’s not my biggest fear.”, plus a few of your likes. Hope you like it.
A/N 2: Thanks go to the wonderful Fredbassett, especially considering how many versions she ended up looking at. You’re a star! All remainding mistakes are mine.
I frowned when I arrived at the address James had texted, double-checking it on my phone but I was at the correct address. I just couldn’t imagine my lover owning such an old and somewhat rundown place, not considering he had that spacious and far more upmarket apartment overlooking the Thames.
I shook my head and rang the doorbell, knowing dawdling on the doorstep wasn’t going to get me any answers. Certainly not to the question of why I’d agreed to spend one of my few Saturdays off helping James with this place. Not when I could think of much better things to be doing with him....
“Tom!”
My pleasant thoughts skidded to a halt as I turned to see him hurrying up the street. “Sorry I’m late, traffic was a bugger.”
I stood there for a moment, just taking him in and snapped my jaw shut when I realised I’d been drooling. Bloody hell, my lover knew exactly what effect those snug jeans and that hint of chest hair had on me… and that unshaven scruff looked interesting.
James’ smirk made it clear he both knew and approved of the effect he had on me, although maybe not in public as he said, “Let’s get inside and stop cluttering up the doorstep.” He didn’t wait for my response, instead moving to unlock the door, his weight on one foot and his arse looked so bloody good in those snug jeans.
I barely waited for him to open the door before I was in his space, herding him through before kicking the door shut as I pushed him against a wall to plunder his mouth.
When we finally broke for air, he fixed me with a stern look. “Tom!”
“At least I didn’t kiss you in public to give your neighbours something to gossip over.” I felt I needed to point out my restraint, considering how bloody hot he looked.
“My neighbours?” James’ confused frown cleared before he added, “Ah, this was my grandmother's house.”
Fuck! Although that would explain why he had this place and its dilapidated exterior. “My condolences, James,” I said, knowing it was inadequate as I tried to recall if he had mentioned her death. I quickly concluded it must have happened when I’d been… away. I knew my lover, he wouldn’t have wanted to distract me during my rehab, even to comfort him when one of the few relatives he actually liked had died.
“It’s been some time.”
It might have been considering how long I’d been recovering, but it was equally clear that he was still grieving for her and, well, I had no wish to upset him further, but I still felt the need to point out, “I’d think me being here would get the neighbours talking more.”
James flashed a quick smile, one I noticed reached his eyes, if only briefly. “They all know me, Tom. My gran was very proud of me and loved to show my boyfriends off to her neighbours.” He paused, looking lost in some memory before he shook his head. I wondered if, maybe, it was that I had never met her, what with the anomalies and then my injuries. Not that I was going to ask, something I was happy about when James changed the subject far less smoothly than normal.
“I assume you are here to help and I was hoping not to take all day…” He waggled his eyebrow and distracted me and, I hoped himself, quite efficiently by groping my arse.
“Fuck!” I gasped as my cock took an interest in proceedings and I rutted against him, letting out a disappointed noise when he stepped back, knowing better than to suggest a quick shag in a dusty hallway. “Ah, good point,” I managed to say, willing my cock to behave, at least for now. “Where do you want to start?”
“I thought we could work from the top down, so the attic.”
“Where’s the attic?”
I winced as soon as those words left my mouth, blaming my half-hard state. I certainly didn’t need the look James shot me to realise how stupid that comment sounded, nor his, “Where you would normally find it, Tom, at the top of the stairs.”
“You are so in for it later.” I winced at those words, until I saw the grin on James’ face.
“Promises, promises,” he almost purred. “Now, how about a mug of tea before we start?”
“Wha?” I blinked and just looked at him for a moment, before managing, “I thought you wanted to get on with this?”
“I do, but I’m having breaks for food and drink.” He eyed me speculatively before adding, “After all, we’ve got to keep your strength up.”
“Cheeky bugger,” I muttered, aiming a swat at his arse as he turned towards, I assumed, the kitchen.
James dodged and smirked back at me. “Really, my dear boy, you’ll have to do better than that.”
“Oh, I promise you I will,” I growled out, smirking when he blushed slightly.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“What, when I can hold something else against you,” I rumbled, wondering if I could get his blush to grow.
“Sounds good,” he muttered as his face did indeed turn redder. He took a deep breath and shook his head, clearly regaining his famed control. “But not now or we’ll never get done.” He eyed me for a moment, a smirk flickering over his face as his heated gaze racked up and down my body. “And who says you’ll get to do all the… holding?”
Before I could gather my wits and think of a suitable response, James had ducked through a door and I heard, “Oh fuck!”
“James?” I hurried after him, only to stop and swear as I entered the kitchen. It was bloody manky in there and I coughed as the stench of dirty, wet socks caught in the back of my throat. A quick glance around revealed the culprits, the peeling walls were black with damp and the sink was piled high in dirty, mouldy dishes.
“I should have come,” he murmured in horror as he stared around. “I phone… phoned her every week, I said I’d come over when I had the time. I never did but she told me not to worry. Especially when…” He shook his head, his voice almost breaking as he continued, “She said she was fine, that the help I paid for was all she needed when I needed…”
Bloody hell, the last, the only time I’d seen James this emotional, this broken was when I’d woken from my coma and… I took him in my arms, stroking a hand down his back as I held him close. I took another glance around the kitchen as I hugged him and pressed a kiss against his hair. “Come on, James. I passed a cafe on my way here, let’s get a coffee and then we can start, OK?”
***
We returned to the house, suitably fortified by two strong coffees and a bacon and egg roll apiece, even if I had needed to coax James to finish his. I turned to him with what I hoped was a confident smile. “Right, let’s have a quick shifty. Then we can see if we need to get someone in to sort it out.”
“No!”
“James?”
“I wasn’t there for her, Tom.” His voice broke, he swallowed and managed to continue after a moment. “I want, no, I need to do this myself.”
I nodded, if he needed to do this, then fine, we’d do it. “OK, we’ll do this together.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know, I want to.” I took a moment to just look at him, smiling as I took his hand. “OK?”
“Thank you.” It took a moment for James’ facade to settle and then he nodded, giving me a half-smile. “Ready?”
“You are so making this up to me later,” I murmured, wanting to lighten the mood.
I knew I’d succeeded when he smirked at me, his gaze raking my body as he purred, “Oh, I aim to.”
My cock twitched at that heated look and I had to remember now was not the time for shenanigans, now was the time to help James. It still took me several moments to recall what he had suggested. “Right, attic first?”
***
I jumped for the attic ladder rope pull and tugged it firmly, only half-surprised when it broke off in my hand. For a moment I thought we would have to borrow a ladder, but with an ear-piercing shriek, the ladder shuddered and slipped from its storage position to thump firmly on the landing floor and coughed on the dust it had dislodged. Once my lungs were clear, I looked at the ladders somewhat rickety construction and gave it a quick, but thorough safety inspection. “Right, let me go up first and have a look around.”
“Are you sure that ladder is safe?” James asked as he joined me beneath the attic hatch.
“Perfectly,” I said, hoping I hadn’t missed anything. I tested each step as I climbed, resting my full weight on each before I committed myself. I gave the attic hatch a sharp shove, wincing at the grinding screech it made before coughing on even more dust. “Fuck!”
“Tom?” His worried voice reached me from the bottom of the ladder.
“It is just a bit of dust,” I reassured him, before adding, “When was this last cleaned?”
“I’d hate to think,” he replied, pausing before adding, “What’s it like up there?”
“Dusty,” I muttered before I shoved at the hatch once more, coughing again as I was showered in yet more dust, before with a loud crack, the hatch finally gave. “Fucking dust.”
“Is it that bad?” The concern was clear in his voice. “Do you think we should leave it until we can get dust masks?”
I didn’t reply instead I stuck my head through the opening and, switching on my head-torch, let the beam shine around the attic, quickly spotting a large number of boxes and other items. “I don’t think it is that bad, James. We should be OK.”
“Mmmmm.”
“Are you eyeing up my arse?”
“Of course I am,” he informed me. “It’s a lovely sight.”
I wasn’t sure whether to groan or moan at his comment, as it was, I had to bite back a curse as I attempted to clamber through the hatch. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks with a bloody erection.
“Tom?” Are you OK?”
“Yes!”
“Tom?” James’ voice was far too amused for my liking. “Would you happen to have a small problem?”
“Small?” I almost squeaked in outrage.
“If you’re a good boy I might be persuaded to help you with it.” He was definitely laughing at me now. After a short silence, his voice reached me from below. “I’m sorry, Tom. Are you OK up there?”
“I’m fine,” I called back down. “But I think I should get a proper apology.”
“What? In that dusty loft?”
“You started this. I think it is only right you finish it.” His soft, needy groan had me smiling, before I heard him on the ladder and, bracing my feet on either side of the hatch, I reached down to help him into the attic.
“Hmmmm,” he murmured as he drew level with my crotch. “That is definitely not a small problem.”
“Are you going to do something about it?” I asked, before almost yelping as I found myself holding on to nearby beams when he unzipped me and put his talented mouth to use. His teeth scrapped and his cheeks hollowed so perfectly as he took me to bliss. It took me some time to come back to myself, and when I did it was to find James poking around the attic. I must have made some sort of sound as he shot me a smug look and raised an expectant eyebrow. “Fine, I’m coming.”
“You just did, my dear boy,” he purred, looking so much like the cat who’d got the cream that my cock twitched feebly. He snorted, clearly noticing my reaction, before turning to bend over and root through something he’d found.
“Not fair,” I half-moaned as I managed to coordinate my limbs sufficiently to clamber to my feet and make my way over to James. “What have you found?”
“So far?” James enquired, making me wonder just how mind-blowing that blowjob must have been and convincing me that his mouth and tongue should be registered as a dangerous weapon. He continued, interrupting my pleasant reminiscing, “Old newspaper cuttings, letters, photographs and books. And that is only this corner.”
“So, lots of things to look through,” I replied, wondering if it might be better to leave James to look at these memories by himself. “I’ll check over there.”
He looked up and gave me a grateful smile. “Thank you, Tom.”
I returned the smile before heading over to my chosen corner. I glanced around, wondering where to start before just choosing a box to open first. Sometime later, I had discovered boxes full of old clothes, table clothes and towels, along with a cabinet hidden away in the far corner full of crockery and cutlery. Once I’d opened the final box, I turned back to find James still immersed in whatever memories the letters and photographs had awoken, tears glittering on his face. “James?” I called softly.
He glanced up and scrubbed a hand across his face. “Yes, Tom?”
“Do you want to take those back to your flat to look through?”
“An excellent idea. Although I haven’t got anything to put them in.”
I smiled, reaching down for one of the boxes I’d found half-empty and added its contents to another box before holding it out for him to inspect. “Will this one do?”
James glanced at the box and frowned. “That box is not big enough.”
I glanced at the pile he’d made and reluctantly agreed. “It’ll do to start with. There’s no need to go through it all at once.”
“True.” He glanced at his watch, and I watched his eyes widen, making me look at my own. “Fuck!” He was clearly as surprised as I was at how late it was when he added, “How about we pick up a curry and then go back to mine?”
“Sounds good,” I said, hoping for more than just a curry.
***
I decided it must be love when I arrived at James’ grandmother's house on my next free Saturday, this time carrying take-out coffee and bacon and egg rolls from that cafe. It was only when I was faced with knocking on the door that I realised the one thing I’d failed to factor into my plan - I didn’t have a hand free. I was trying to figure out how to knock without dropping anything when the door opened to reveal James. I spluttered back a laugh at the ‘I’m A Sexy Chef’ apron and gloves he was wearing, wondering just where, or more precisely who, the hell had given them to him.
James rolled his eyes at me. “They were a present from my gran,” he informed me before his gaze landed on the coffees and rolls in my hands and he quickly stripped off the gloves to relieve me of his share. “Feeling in need of some sustenance?” he enquired blandly.
“You’re the one grabbing for them,” I replied before following James into the house. I frowned when he led me toward the kitchen, bracing myself for the mess and then I sneezed at the overpowering odour of bleach when he opened the door. I caught sight of how clean and tidy it looked before he closed the door firmly.
“Hmmm, maybe outside would be a better idea.” James turned and led the way out of the back garden, sniffing at the overgrown area before reluctantly sitting on a scruffy wooden garden bench.
I swiftly joined him and enjoyed the fresh air, the rolls and the coffee as we talked of nothing in particular. I let out a contented sigh once I had finished before turning to him. “What’s the plan for today?”
James leaned in for a quick kiss, well, I think he meant it to be, but I swiftly deepened it and we snogged for some time. “Much as I enjoy this, we really do need to get on,” he murmured against my lips before kissing me once more.
“And not put on a show for your grandmother's neighbours?”
“Precisely, my dear boy.” He pulled away and waved at someone as I noticed a curtain twitch. “After all, we wouldn’t want to set any curtains on fire.”
“I don’t think they’d agree with you,” I murmured as I waved as well and rose, pulling James to his feet and into my arms for a kiss and a quick feel. “Later?”
“Definitely later,” he drawled, licking his lips in a most distracting manner before he stepped away and I watched his arse as he walked back towards the house. “Coming, Tom?”
I groaned softly at that comment before I shook myself from the daze I’d fallen into and hurried after him. “Back to the loft?” I asked, already knowing the answer, but I wanted him to stop long enough for a little revenge. I copped a feel on my way past, grinning when I heard him bite off a needy moan and his sharply barked out, “Tom!”
“Turn around is fair play, James,” I called out as I slipped through the back door.
***
The ladder was just as rickety as I recalled, although the attic looked somewhat cleaner and clearer. It looked as if James had been doing more than just the kitchen “Have you been up here without me?”
“A few times,” he replied, appearing at the bottom of the ladder with the same box, although now empty, he’d taken home.
Which reminded me. “What are you going to do with the things you don’t want to keep?”
“At the moment either in the lounge for anything I’m going to donate to charity or in the dining room for everything else. I’ve hired a skip.” James glanced at his watch. “Which should have arrived…” The doorbell rang. “That had better be them now. I’ll be back in a minute,” he called over his shoulder as he headed downstairs.
***
Several of my free weekends later, we had finished clearing the attic and had made a good start on the bedrooms. We were also on first name terms with several charity shops, dropping off items on our way back to James’, usually with a box for him to sort through. Thankfully, we spent those evening spending time together, time and much more.
“I think we’ll need another skip,” I called out as I climbed the stairs, two mugs of coffee in my hands.
“Hmmm?”
“James?” I entered the bedroom we had just stripped to find James, hands on his hips, surveying the room with disdain. Not that I could blame him, the wallpaper was yellowed and grotty looking. “I’ll borrow a heat gun.”
“Tom?” James raised an eyebrow.
“I assume you want to strip the wallpaper off,” I said, putting the coffee on the drink mats James had located, even if the dresser I had placed them on was already stained with coffee rings
“Ah, yes.” James barely gave me time to let go of the mugs before he tugged me in for a kiss. “What would I do without you?”
***
I strolled up to the house, waving at Ms Dobson as I passed her house and the curtains twitched again. Not that they’d spontaneously combusted yet, even though James and I had kissed in the garden several times, kissed and a little bit more, to be honest. I opened the front door, pausing just inside to call out, “James?”
“In the kitchen.”
I gave the room a cautious sniff, thankful that the bleach smell had finally faded, and smiled when I spotted our regular coffees and rolls waiting for me. “That cafe won’t be happy when we’ve finished,” I observed before savouring a bite.
“Probably not,” he agreed as he ate his own roll. He sipped his coffee and watched me devour my roll with an amused glint in his eye, before he shook his head and whatever thought had crossed his mind. “Did you borrow a heat gun?”
“Yep,” I spluttered around a mouthful of roll, earning myself a pointed look. I quickly chewed and swallowed before continuing, “I borrowed it from Finn.”
“Finn’s been using a heat gun?”
I could understand his concern. “Give Finn anything dangerous and he’s fine. It’s the safe things you have to worry about.”
“Hmm.”
“Drink up and we’ll get started.” I frowned for a moment before saying, “Er, James?”
“Yes?”
“Are you going to re-paper the walls?”
James laughed, I assumed at my expression. “No, I was thinking a lick of paint would do. I’ll leave any alterations to the new owners.”
I blinked at that, although, thinking about it, why would James need another property. “Oh? You’re not going to keep it? I thought you might be planning on renting it out...”
James sighed before asking, in a rather long-suffering tone, “Who needs a place to live?”
“Well,” I hedged for a moment.
“Tom!”
“Lyle was wondering what I was up to on my days off...”
“You mean he was after gossip,” James muttered. “He’s far too nosy for a squaddie.”
“His mother is an ex-hack.”
James snorted at that. “There is no such thing as an ex-hack.” When I just shrugged, he repeated his original question, one eyebrow raised expectantly.
“Well… Becker overheard.”
“Oh God.”
“Yep, he and Quinn are now officially an item.”
“Finally!” James almost groaned. “I was beginning to wonder just how much more ‘security testing’ they could undertake.”
I laughed. “Lyle’s a bit miffed. One more day and he’d win the pot.”
“Who did?”
“Lorraine.” I paused before ploughing on. “Well, anyway, Becker overheard and...”
“Oh God!” James repeated.
“I just said I’d mention it to you,” I told him, somewhat defensively. “You know how persistent Quinn can be.”
“Unfortunately.” James looked as if he’d smelt something disgusting before he sighed. “Fine, I’ll think about it.”
“You will?” I couldn’t hide my surprise at that.
“Well, the more time I spend here, the less I find I want to sell it to some stranger.” He shook his head. “Not that I’m sure considering renting it to Quinn is a better idea.”
“Becker will keep him in line.” I shrugged at the look he shot me. “OK, maybe he won’t.” When James just shook his head, finished his coffee and got up, I added, “Ah, breaktime is over?”
“The walls won’t strip themselves.” James let his gaze loiter on my body. “And after that, I think we can do a little stripping of our own.”
“James!” Bloody hell, how was I meant to concentrate on wallpaper now?
***
Even with James’ comment roiling around in my thoughts, the wallpaper stripping was going well. He and I alternated using the heat gun and scrapping the walls. I admit I was a little overambitious, that and wanting to finish up and indulge in some far more pleasurable stripping. I ended up balancing on an old dresser, one I had tested my weight on, rather than wait for James to return with the steps. I leaned over to heat a stubborn patch of wallpaper, and discovered one of the dresser’s legs wasn’t quite as attached as I believed.
I let out a yelp as it began to tip, wind-milling my arms as I tried to keep my balance and heard James curse loudly from the doorway as we both heard a muffled whump as the faded curtain caught light. I quickly killed the heat gun while James yanked the burning curtain down, showering us both in curtain rings, before stamping on the fire. “Fuck, James, I…”
“And to think I thought Finn would be dangerous,” he muttered as he stamped on the curtain.
I carefully clambered off the dresser and tried again, “James?”
“No real damaged done.” He smiled at me. “Well, not to the curtain...”
No, just to my pride. “Can we call it a night now?”
“I think we better.” he said as he gathered up the curtain. “Bring that heat gun and we’ll put it somewhere safe for the night.”
“And the curtain?”
“Is going in a bath of water, I don’t want to risk setting fire to either the house or the skip.”
***
We returned to the house the next day, later than normal but then I had spent considerable time the previous night apologising for the fire. Something James had enjoyed thoroughly. The sex that is, not the fire.
I sighed as I considered that stubborn patch of wallpaper, reluctant to use the heat gun on it but knowing it wasn’t coming off any other way.
“Help me move the dresser and we can use the steps.”
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. “I should have waited for them yesterday.”
“You should have,” James agreed, then added with a smug smile, “Although yesterday had its upsides.”
***
I cursed Quinn for delaying me, the man was impossible. I’d told him, Becker and all my lads nosing around for a possible cabin - even if their landlord would be their boss - that I’d let them know if James decided to rent the house out. Everyone else gave him space once they’d learned why he had another house, everyone except Quinn who couldn’t leave well enough alone. No, he had to pester me… although rather me than James. Luckily for Quinn, Becker had shown up and dragged him away, although I did smile when I overheard Becker berate his lover. I glanced at the time as I hurried to my car, calling James but only getting through to his answerphone.
It took me far too long to find a parking spot and I almost ran up the road, calling out, “Sorry I’m late,” as I stepped inside.
“I’m up here.”
I wondered what he was doing up there, considering we had finished clearing and cleaning it the previous weekend. Not that I’d find out by standing here and I took the stairs two at a time. I looked around before entering one of the bedrooms; I was only intending a quick glance to see if he was in there but something on the wall stopped me. Why the hell had James painted random blocks on the wall we’d only just painted the previous week? I stepped inside and frowned as the blocks seemed to move as I approached. I let out a burst of laughter when an image formed as I reached the bed. Bloody hell, I’d known he was a talented artist but this…
I was still smiling as I set out to find my boyfriend, finally finding him in the third bedroom I checked. “You decided to rent it?”
“Hmmm?”
“That painting… it’s bloody brilliant, James.” I shook my head. “You do know Becker will be asking for a real tank now?”
“That painting is as close as he’s going to get.”
I smiled at that, before frowning, “Won’t Quinn want something as well?”
“Probably,” James agreed. “But I refuse to paint him cocks.”
“That’s not what you said when you drew me,” I felt I had to point out.
“That was different.” He smiled, “Your just shagged look is irresistible.”
I grinned at him, stripping off my T-shirt. “How irresistible?”
“Keep stripping and you’ll find out.”
Well, I certainly wasn’t going to ignore an offer like that and swiftly stripped naked, remembering to fold my clothes, more-or-less neatly, before making myself comfortable on the bed and settled back into the soft pillows. I played with myself, watching James watching me.
“Do I have to entertain myself or are you going to join me?” I licked my lips as he stripped, just as neatly as ever, revealing his wiry physique to my hungry eyes.
“How do you want this?” he asked, his voice a throaty purr that had me grow even harder.
I shuffled down the bed slightly, grabbing a pillow and tucking it under my hips. “Hard and fast.”
James knocked my legs apart and settled himself between them. He grinned up at me before his tongue darted out and lapped at my head. I fisted the sheets before groaning when he licked a strip up my cock. I cried out as he engulfed me to the hilt, gasping and trying to thrust into that heat, not that he allowed me to, gripping my hips firmly as he spent considerable time driving me out of my mind.
I wasn’t sure how long it had been, but when I came back down it was to find James looking far too smug and I dragged him in for a kiss, tasting myself. “Whose bed are we breaking in?”
“What?”
I sniggered at the expression on his face after that comment. “Well, I assume you’re not just renting to Becker and Quinn.” I grinned as his expression slid into disgust when I brought their names up during sex and couldn’t resist adding, “It could be worse. Just imagine if Cutter didn’t have his house for him and Hart…”
“Are you trying to put me off sex?” he groused. “But if you really want to discuss this now, Finn and Blade.” A thoughtful look crossed his face when he added, “So I’ll want suggestions for their wall art.”
“That’s only three,” I pointed out. “What are you doing with the fourth room?”
“This was mine when I stayed here after university.” He smirked evilly at me for a moment before leaning in, “I lost my virginity in this room,” he breathed into my ear. “I thought you might want it… when you’re not at my apartment or dossing at Ditzy’s…”
“How? I told Ditzy not to tell…”
“I know and please stop plotting revenge on Ditzy. I had already spoken to your lads when your... situation came up.” He gave me a pointed look. “You could have told me your lease expired while you were recovering.”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Or pressure me into keeping this house.”
“Or that,” I agreed.
“Good, now that is settled.” He looked at me haughtily. “Unless you want to continue discussing who’s going to be living here?”
“Definitely not.” I pulled him down for another kiss, opening my mouth when his tongue asked for entrance, groaning as he prepared me, quickly yet thoroughly. I cried out as he entered me, filling me so gloriously. It was fucking brilliant, feeling myself taken apart piece by piece as he took me, deep and hard, hitting my sweet spot and driving all rational thought from my mind.
***
I frowned to find myself alone in the bed once my senses returned to me. I propped myself up to find James looking out of the window. “James?” I was on my feet and had him in my arms when I saw the look in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He pressed his fingers against my lips when I started to say something, not that I could recall what it was once he spoke. “I think it is time I made something perfectly clear.”
I was reluctant to speak with his fingers still on my lips, and instead just quirked an eyebrow at him.
He gave a wry smile at that, but remained silent for several minutes, before finally nodding as if he’d made a decision. “I should have told you before, maybe I just assumed you’d know but...” He took a deep, calming breath before continuing, “Losing gran, almost losing you has made me realise how short life can be. Not that that’s my biggest fear, Tom.” James paused for a moment as if reconsidering what he was going to say before he forged on. “I know why I haven’t said it before.” He gave me a wry smile. “With our equally disastrous marriages.” From James expression I’m sure my eyes must have almost popped out. “And I don’t want to wait any longer before I say it: I love you, Tom. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If you’ll have me.”
I just gawked at him for a moment, processing those words before I surged forwards and kissed him hard. “Of course I do, you daft bugger.” I grinned at him before remembering to add, “I love you too, James.”
“Well, I’m glad the feeling is mutual,” James said, relief clear on his face. "Now, shall we go back to bed?”
I didn’t need asking twice and eagerly tugged him back to the bed, after all, now it was my turn to show him how much I loved him.
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~5490
Characters: Tom Ryan/James Lester, mention of Hilary Becker/Danny Quinn plus briefly, Jon Lyle (OC), Finn (OC), Blade (OC), Ditzy (OC) and Lorraine Wickes.
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: For Eriah211’s summerfic and her prompts: 1) That box is not big enough, 2) Curtains set on fire, 3) Soft pillows and 4) “That’s not my biggest fear.”, plus a few of your likes. Hope you like it.
A/N 2: Thanks go to the wonderful Fredbassett, especially considering how many versions she ended up looking at. You’re a star! All remainding mistakes are mine.
I frowned when I arrived at the address James had texted, double-checking it on my phone but I was at the correct address. I just couldn’t imagine my lover owning such an old and somewhat rundown place, not considering he had that spacious and far more upmarket apartment overlooking the Thames.
I shook my head and rang the doorbell, knowing dawdling on the doorstep wasn’t going to get me any answers. Certainly not to the question of why I’d agreed to spend one of my few Saturdays off helping James with this place. Not when I could think of much better things to be doing with him....
“Tom!”
My pleasant thoughts skidded to a halt as I turned to see him hurrying up the street. “Sorry I’m late, traffic was a bugger.”
I stood there for a moment, just taking him in and snapped my jaw shut when I realised I’d been drooling. Bloody hell, my lover knew exactly what effect those snug jeans and that hint of chest hair had on me… and that unshaven scruff looked interesting.
James’ smirk made it clear he both knew and approved of the effect he had on me, although maybe not in public as he said, “Let’s get inside and stop cluttering up the doorstep.” He didn’t wait for my response, instead moving to unlock the door, his weight on one foot and his arse looked so bloody good in those snug jeans.
I barely waited for him to open the door before I was in his space, herding him through before kicking the door shut as I pushed him against a wall to plunder his mouth.
When we finally broke for air, he fixed me with a stern look. “Tom!”
“At least I didn’t kiss you in public to give your neighbours something to gossip over.” I felt I needed to point out my restraint, considering how bloody hot he looked.
“My neighbours?” James’ confused frown cleared before he added, “Ah, this was my grandmother's house.”
Fuck! Although that would explain why he had this place and its dilapidated exterior. “My condolences, James,” I said, knowing it was inadequate as I tried to recall if he had mentioned her death. I quickly concluded it must have happened when I’d been… away. I knew my lover, he wouldn’t have wanted to distract me during my rehab, even to comfort him when one of the few relatives he actually liked had died.
“It’s been some time.”
It might have been considering how long I’d been recovering, but it was equally clear that he was still grieving for her and, well, I had no wish to upset him further, but I still felt the need to point out, “I’d think me being here would get the neighbours talking more.”
James flashed a quick smile, one I noticed reached his eyes, if only briefly. “They all know me, Tom. My gran was very proud of me and loved to show my boyfriends off to her neighbours.” He paused, looking lost in some memory before he shook his head. I wondered if, maybe, it was that I had never met her, what with the anomalies and then my injuries. Not that I was going to ask, something I was happy about when James changed the subject far less smoothly than normal.
“I assume you are here to help and I was hoping not to take all day…” He waggled his eyebrow and distracted me and, I hoped himself, quite efficiently by groping my arse.
“Fuck!” I gasped as my cock took an interest in proceedings and I rutted against him, letting out a disappointed noise when he stepped back, knowing better than to suggest a quick shag in a dusty hallway. “Ah, good point,” I managed to say, willing my cock to behave, at least for now. “Where do you want to start?”
“I thought we could work from the top down, so the attic.”
“Where’s the attic?”
I winced as soon as those words left my mouth, blaming my half-hard state. I certainly didn’t need the look James shot me to realise how stupid that comment sounded, nor his, “Where you would normally find it, Tom, at the top of the stairs.”
“You are so in for it later.” I winced at those words, until I saw the grin on James’ face.
“Promises, promises,” he almost purred. “Now, how about a mug of tea before we start?”
“Wha?” I blinked and just looked at him for a moment, before managing, “I thought you wanted to get on with this?”
“I do, but I’m having breaks for food and drink.” He eyed me speculatively before adding, “After all, we’ve got to keep your strength up.”
“Cheeky bugger,” I muttered, aiming a swat at his arse as he turned towards, I assumed, the kitchen.
James dodged and smirked back at me. “Really, my dear boy, you’ll have to do better than that.”
“Oh, I promise you I will,” I growled out, smirking when he blushed slightly.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“What, when I can hold something else against you,” I rumbled, wondering if I could get his blush to grow.
“Sounds good,” he muttered as his face did indeed turn redder. He took a deep breath and shook his head, clearly regaining his famed control. “But not now or we’ll never get done.” He eyed me for a moment, a smirk flickering over his face as his heated gaze racked up and down my body. “And who says you’ll get to do all the… holding?”
Before I could gather my wits and think of a suitable response, James had ducked through a door and I heard, “Oh fuck!”
“James?” I hurried after him, only to stop and swear as I entered the kitchen. It was bloody manky in there and I coughed as the stench of dirty, wet socks caught in the back of my throat. A quick glance around revealed the culprits, the peeling walls were black with damp and the sink was piled high in dirty, mouldy dishes.
“I should have come,” he murmured in horror as he stared around. “I phone… phoned her every week, I said I’d come over when I had the time. I never did but she told me not to worry. Especially when…” He shook his head, his voice almost breaking as he continued, “She said she was fine, that the help I paid for was all she needed when I needed…”
Bloody hell, the last, the only time I’d seen James this emotional, this broken was when I’d woken from my coma and… I took him in my arms, stroking a hand down his back as I held him close. I took another glance around the kitchen as I hugged him and pressed a kiss against his hair. “Come on, James. I passed a cafe on my way here, let’s get a coffee and then we can start, OK?”
***
We returned to the house, suitably fortified by two strong coffees and a bacon and egg roll apiece, even if I had needed to coax James to finish his. I turned to him with what I hoped was a confident smile. “Right, let’s have a quick shifty. Then we can see if we need to get someone in to sort it out.”
“No!”
“James?”
“I wasn’t there for her, Tom.” His voice broke, he swallowed and managed to continue after a moment. “I want, no, I need to do this myself.”
I nodded, if he needed to do this, then fine, we’d do it. “OK, we’ll do this together.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know, I want to.” I took a moment to just look at him, smiling as I took his hand. “OK?”
“Thank you.” It took a moment for James’ facade to settle and then he nodded, giving me a half-smile. “Ready?”
“You are so making this up to me later,” I murmured, wanting to lighten the mood.
I knew I’d succeeded when he smirked at me, his gaze raking my body as he purred, “Oh, I aim to.”
My cock twitched at that heated look and I had to remember now was not the time for shenanigans, now was the time to help James. It still took me several moments to recall what he had suggested. “Right, attic first?”
***
I jumped for the attic ladder rope pull and tugged it firmly, only half-surprised when it broke off in my hand. For a moment I thought we would have to borrow a ladder, but with an ear-piercing shriek, the ladder shuddered and slipped from its storage position to thump firmly on the landing floor and coughed on the dust it had dislodged. Once my lungs were clear, I looked at the ladders somewhat rickety construction and gave it a quick, but thorough safety inspection. “Right, let me go up first and have a look around.”
“Are you sure that ladder is safe?” James asked as he joined me beneath the attic hatch.
“Perfectly,” I said, hoping I hadn’t missed anything. I tested each step as I climbed, resting my full weight on each before I committed myself. I gave the attic hatch a sharp shove, wincing at the grinding screech it made before coughing on even more dust. “Fuck!”
“Tom?” His worried voice reached me from the bottom of the ladder.
“It is just a bit of dust,” I reassured him, before adding, “When was this last cleaned?”
“I’d hate to think,” he replied, pausing before adding, “What’s it like up there?”
“Dusty,” I muttered before I shoved at the hatch once more, coughing again as I was showered in yet more dust, before with a loud crack, the hatch finally gave. “Fucking dust.”
“Is it that bad?” The concern was clear in his voice. “Do you think we should leave it until we can get dust masks?”
I didn’t reply instead I stuck my head through the opening and, switching on my head-torch, let the beam shine around the attic, quickly spotting a large number of boxes and other items. “I don’t think it is that bad, James. We should be OK.”
“Mmmmm.”
“Are you eyeing up my arse?”
“Of course I am,” he informed me. “It’s a lovely sight.”
I wasn’t sure whether to groan or moan at his comment, as it was, I had to bite back a curse as I attempted to clamber through the hatch. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks with a bloody erection.
“Tom?” Are you OK?”
“Yes!”
“Tom?” James’ voice was far too amused for my liking. “Would you happen to have a small problem?”
“Small?” I almost squeaked in outrage.
“If you’re a good boy I might be persuaded to help you with it.” He was definitely laughing at me now. After a short silence, his voice reached me from below. “I’m sorry, Tom. Are you OK up there?”
“I’m fine,” I called back down. “But I think I should get a proper apology.”
“What? In that dusty loft?”
“You started this. I think it is only right you finish it.” His soft, needy groan had me smiling, before I heard him on the ladder and, bracing my feet on either side of the hatch, I reached down to help him into the attic.
“Hmmmm,” he murmured as he drew level with my crotch. “That is definitely not a small problem.”
“Are you going to do something about it?” I asked, before almost yelping as I found myself holding on to nearby beams when he unzipped me and put his talented mouth to use. His teeth scrapped and his cheeks hollowed so perfectly as he took me to bliss. It took me some time to come back to myself, and when I did it was to find James poking around the attic. I must have made some sort of sound as he shot me a smug look and raised an expectant eyebrow. “Fine, I’m coming.”
“You just did, my dear boy,” he purred, looking so much like the cat who’d got the cream that my cock twitched feebly. He snorted, clearly noticing my reaction, before turning to bend over and root through something he’d found.
“Not fair,” I half-moaned as I managed to coordinate my limbs sufficiently to clamber to my feet and make my way over to James. “What have you found?”
“So far?” James enquired, making me wonder just how mind-blowing that blowjob must have been and convincing me that his mouth and tongue should be registered as a dangerous weapon. He continued, interrupting my pleasant reminiscing, “Old newspaper cuttings, letters, photographs and books. And that is only this corner.”
“So, lots of things to look through,” I replied, wondering if it might be better to leave James to look at these memories by himself. “I’ll check over there.”
He looked up and gave me a grateful smile. “Thank you, Tom.”
I returned the smile before heading over to my chosen corner. I glanced around, wondering where to start before just choosing a box to open first. Sometime later, I had discovered boxes full of old clothes, table clothes and towels, along with a cabinet hidden away in the far corner full of crockery and cutlery. Once I’d opened the final box, I turned back to find James still immersed in whatever memories the letters and photographs had awoken, tears glittering on his face. “James?” I called softly.
He glanced up and scrubbed a hand across his face. “Yes, Tom?”
“Do you want to take those back to your flat to look through?”
“An excellent idea. Although I haven’t got anything to put them in.”
I smiled, reaching down for one of the boxes I’d found half-empty and added its contents to another box before holding it out for him to inspect. “Will this one do?”
James glanced at the box and frowned. “That box is not big enough.”
I glanced at the pile he’d made and reluctantly agreed. “It’ll do to start with. There’s no need to go through it all at once.”
“True.” He glanced at his watch, and I watched his eyes widen, making me look at my own. “Fuck!” He was clearly as surprised as I was at how late it was when he added, “How about we pick up a curry and then go back to mine?”
“Sounds good,” I said, hoping for more than just a curry.
***
I decided it must be love when I arrived at James’ grandmother's house on my next free Saturday, this time carrying take-out coffee and bacon and egg rolls from that cafe. It was only when I was faced with knocking on the door that I realised the one thing I’d failed to factor into my plan - I didn’t have a hand free. I was trying to figure out how to knock without dropping anything when the door opened to reveal James. I spluttered back a laugh at the ‘I’m A Sexy Chef’ apron and gloves he was wearing, wondering just where, or more precisely who, the hell had given them to him.
James rolled his eyes at me. “They were a present from my gran,” he informed me before his gaze landed on the coffees and rolls in my hands and he quickly stripped off the gloves to relieve me of his share. “Feeling in need of some sustenance?” he enquired blandly.
“You’re the one grabbing for them,” I replied before following James into the house. I frowned when he led me toward the kitchen, bracing myself for the mess and then I sneezed at the overpowering odour of bleach when he opened the door. I caught sight of how clean and tidy it looked before he closed the door firmly.
“Hmmm, maybe outside would be a better idea.” James turned and led the way out of the back garden, sniffing at the overgrown area before reluctantly sitting on a scruffy wooden garden bench.
I swiftly joined him and enjoyed the fresh air, the rolls and the coffee as we talked of nothing in particular. I let out a contented sigh once I had finished before turning to him. “What’s the plan for today?”
James leaned in for a quick kiss, well, I think he meant it to be, but I swiftly deepened it and we snogged for some time. “Much as I enjoy this, we really do need to get on,” he murmured against my lips before kissing me once more.
“And not put on a show for your grandmother's neighbours?”
“Precisely, my dear boy.” He pulled away and waved at someone as I noticed a curtain twitch. “After all, we wouldn’t want to set any curtains on fire.”
“I don’t think they’d agree with you,” I murmured as I waved as well and rose, pulling James to his feet and into my arms for a kiss and a quick feel. “Later?”
“Definitely later,” he drawled, licking his lips in a most distracting manner before he stepped away and I watched his arse as he walked back towards the house. “Coming, Tom?”
I groaned softly at that comment before I shook myself from the daze I’d fallen into and hurried after him. “Back to the loft?” I asked, already knowing the answer, but I wanted him to stop long enough for a little revenge. I copped a feel on my way past, grinning when I heard him bite off a needy moan and his sharply barked out, “Tom!”
“Turn around is fair play, James,” I called out as I slipped through the back door.
***
The ladder was just as rickety as I recalled, although the attic looked somewhat cleaner and clearer. It looked as if James had been doing more than just the kitchen “Have you been up here without me?”
“A few times,” he replied, appearing at the bottom of the ladder with the same box, although now empty, he’d taken home.
Which reminded me. “What are you going to do with the things you don’t want to keep?”
“At the moment either in the lounge for anything I’m going to donate to charity or in the dining room for everything else. I’ve hired a skip.” James glanced at his watch. “Which should have arrived…” The doorbell rang. “That had better be them now. I’ll be back in a minute,” he called over his shoulder as he headed downstairs.
***
Several of my free weekends later, we had finished clearing the attic and had made a good start on the bedrooms. We were also on first name terms with several charity shops, dropping off items on our way back to James’, usually with a box for him to sort through. Thankfully, we spent those evening spending time together, time and much more.
“I think we’ll need another skip,” I called out as I climbed the stairs, two mugs of coffee in my hands.
“Hmmm?”
“James?” I entered the bedroom we had just stripped to find James, hands on his hips, surveying the room with disdain. Not that I could blame him, the wallpaper was yellowed and grotty looking. “I’ll borrow a heat gun.”
“Tom?” James raised an eyebrow.
“I assume you want to strip the wallpaper off,” I said, putting the coffee on the drink mats James had located, even if the dresser I had placed them on was already stained with coffee rings
“Ah, yes.” James barely gave me time to let go of the mugs before he tugged me in for a kiss. “What would I do without you?”
***
I strolled up to the house, waving at Ms Dobson as I passed her house and the curtains twitched again. Not that they’d spontaneously combusted yet, even though James and I had kissed in the garden several times, kissed and a little bit more, to be honest. I opened the front door, pausing just inside to call out, “James?”
“In the kitchen.”
I gave the room a cautious sniff, thankful that the bleach smell had finally faded, and smiled when I spotted our regular coffees and rolls waiting for me. “That cafe won’t be happy when we’ve finished,” I observed before savouring a bite.
“Probably not,” he agreed as he ate his own roll. He sipped his coffee and watched me devour my roll with an amused glint in his eye, before he shook his head and whatever thought had crossed his mind. “Did you borrow a heat gun?”
“Yep,” I spluttered around a mouthful of roll, earning myself a pointed look. I quickly chewed and swallowed before continuing, “I borrowed it from Finn.”
“Finn’s been using a heat gun?”
I could understand his concern. “Give Finn anything dangerous and he’s fine. It’s the safe things you have to worry about.”
“Hmm.”
“Drink up and we’ll get started.” I frowned for a moment before saying, “Er, James?”
“Yes?”
“Are you going to re-paper the walls?”
James laughed, I assumed at my expression. “No, I was thinking a lick of paint would do. I’ll leave any alterations to the new owners.”
I blinked at that, although, thinking about it, why would James need another property. “Oh? You’re not going to keep it? I thought you might be planning on renting it out...”
James sighed before asking, in a rather long-suffering tone, “Who needs a place to live?”
“Well,” I hedged for a moment.
“Tom!”
“Lyle was wondering what I was up to on my days off...”
“You mean he was after gossip,” James muttered. “He’s far too nosy for a squaddie.”
“His mother is an ex-hack.”
James snorted at that. “There is no such thing as an ex-hack.” When I just shrugged, he repeated his original question, one eyebrow raised expectantly.
“Well… Becker overheard.”
“Oh God.”
“Yep, he and Quinn are now officially an item.”
“Finally!” James almost groaned. “I was beginning to wonder just how much more ‘security testing’ they could undertake.”
I laughed. “Lyle’s a bit miffed. One more day and he’d win the pot.”
“Who did?”
“Lorraine.” I paused before ploughing on. “Well, anyway, Becker overheard and...”
“Oh God!” James repeated.
“I just said I’d mention it to you,” I told him, somewhat defensively. “You know how persistent Quinn can be.”
“Unfortunately.” James looked as if he’d smelt something disgusting before he sighed. “Fine, I’ll think about it.”
“You will?” I couldn’t hide my surprise at that.
“Well, the more time I spend here, the less I find I want to sell it to some stranger.” He shook his head. “Not that I’m sure considering renting it to Quinn is a better idea.”
“Becker will keep him in line.” I shrugged at the look he shot me. “OK, maybe he won’t.” When James just shook his head, finished his coffee and got up, I added, “Ah, breaktime is over?”
“The walls won’t strip themselves.” James let his gaze loiter on my body. “And after that, I think we can do a little stripping of our own.”
“James!” Bloody hell, how was I meant to concentrate on wallpaper now?
***
Even with James’ comment roiling around in my thoughts, the wallpaper stripping was going well. He and I alternated using the heat gun and scrapping the walls. I admit I was a little overambitious, that and wanting to finish up and indulge in some far more pleasurable stripping. I ended up balancing on an old dresser, one I had tested my weight on, rather than wait for James to return with the steps. I leaned over to heat a stubborn patch of wallpaper, and discovered one of the dresser’s legs wasn’t quite as attached as I believed.
I let out a yelp as it began to tip, wind-milling my arms as I tried to keep my balance and heard James curse loudly from the doorway as we both heard a muffled whump as the faded curtain caught light. I quickly killed the heat gun while James yanked the burning curtain down, showering us both in curtain rings, before stamping on the fire. “Fuck, James, I…”
“And to think I thought Finn would be dangerous,” he muttered as he stamped on the curtain.
I carefully clambered off the dresser and tried again, “James?”
“No real damaged done.” He smiled at me. “Well, not to the curtain...”
No, just to my pride. “Can we call it a night now?”
“I think we better.” he said as he gathered up the curtain. “Bring that heat gun and we’ll put it somewhere safe for the night.”
“And the curtain?”
“Is going in a bath of water, I don’t want to risk setting fire to either the house or the skip.”
***
We returned to the house the next day, later than normal but then I had spent considerable time the previous night apologising for the fire. Something James had enjoyed thoroughly. The sex that is, not the fire.
I sighed as I considered that stubborn patch of wallpaper, reluctant to use the heat gun on it but knowing it wasn’t coming off any other way.
“Help me move the dresser and we can use the steps.”
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. “I should have waited for them yesterday.”
“You should have,” James agreed, then added with a smug smile, “Although yesterday had its upsides.”
***
I cursed Quinn for delaying me, the man was impossible. I’d told him, Becker and all my lads nosing around for a possible cabin - even if their landlord would be their boss - that I’d let them know if James decided to rent the house out. Everyone else gave him space once they’d learned why he had another house, everyone except Quinn who couldn’t leave well enough alone. No, he had to pester me… although rather me than James. Luckily for Quinn, Becker had shown up and dragged him away, although I did smile when I overheard Becker berate his lover. I glanced at the time as I hurried to my car, calling James but only getting through to his answerphone.
It took me far too long to find a parking spot and I almost ran up the road, calling out, “Sorry I’m late,” as I stepped inside.
“I’m up here.”
I wondered what he was doing up there, considering we had finished clearing and cleaning it the previous weekend. Not that I’d find out by standing here and I took the stairs two at a time. I looked around before entering one of the bedrooms; I was only intending a quick glance to see if he was in there but something on the wall stopped me. Why the hell had James painted random blocks on the wall we’d only just painted the previous week? I stepped inside and frowned as the blocks seemed to move as I approached. I let out a burst of laughter when an image formed as I reached the bed. Bloody hell, I’d known he was a talented artist but this…
I was still smiling as I set out to find my boyfriend, finally finding him in the third bedroom I checked. “You decided to rent it?”
“Hmmm?”
“That painting… it’s bloody brilliant, James.” I shook my head. “You do know Becker will be asking for a real tank now?”
“That painting is as close as he’s going to get.”
I smiled at that, before frowning, “Won’t Quinn want something as well?”
“Probably,” James agreed. “But I refuse to paint him cocks.”
“That’s not what you said when you drew me,” I felt I had to point out.
“That was different.” He smiled, “Your just shagged look is irresistible.”
I grinned at him, stripping off my T-shirt. “How irresistible?”
“Keep stripping and you’ll find out.”
Well, I certainly wasn’t going to ignore an offer like that and swiftly stripped naked, remembering to fold my clothes, more-or-less neatly, before making myself comfortable on the bed and settled back into the soft pillows. I played with myself, watching James watching me.
“Do I have to entertain myself or are you going to join me?” I licked my lips as he stripped, just as neatly as ever, revealing his wiry physique to my hungry eyes.
“How do you want this?” he asked, his voice a throaty purr that had me grow even harder.
I shuffled down the bed slightly, grabbing a pillow and tucking it under my hips. “Hard and fast.”
James knocked my legs apart and settled himself between them. He grinned up at me before his tongue darted out and lapped at my head. I fisted the sheets before groaning when he licked a strip up my cock. I cried out as he engulfed me to the hilt, gasping and trying to thrust into that heat, not that he allowed me to, gripping my hips firmly as he spent considerable time driving me out of my mind.
I wasn’t sure how long it had been, but when I came back down it was to find James looking far too smug and I dragged him in for a kiss, tasting myself. “Whose bed are we breaking in?”
“What?”
I sniggered at the expression on his face after that comment. “Well, I assume you’re not just renting to Becker and Quinn.” I grinned as his expression slid into disgust when I brought their names up during sex and couldn’t resist adding, “It could be worse. Just imagine if Cutter didn’t have his house for him and Hart…”
“Are you trying to put me off sex?” he groused. “But if you really want to discuss this now, Finn and Blade.” A thoughtful look crossed his face when he added, “So I’ll want suggestions for their wall art.”
“That’s only three,” I pointed out. “What are you doing with the fourth room?”
“This was mine when I stayed here after university.” He smirked evilly at me for a moment before leaning in, “I lost my virginity in this room,” he breathed into my ear. “I thought you might want it… when you’re not at my apartment or dossing at Ditzy’s…”
“How? I told Ditzy not to tell…”
“I know and please stop plotting revenge on Ditzy. I had already spoken to your lads when your... situation came up.” He gave me a pointed look. “You could have told me your lease expired while you were recovering.”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Or pressure me into keeping this house.”
“Or that,” I agreed.
“Good, now that is settled.” He looked at me haughtily. “Unless you want to continue discussing who’s going to be living here?”
“Definitely not.” I pulled him down for another kiss, opening my mouth when his tongue asked for entrance, groaning as he prepared me, quickly yet thoroughly. I cried out as he entered me, filling me so gloriously. It was fucking brilliant, feeling myself taken apart piece by piece as he took me, deep and hard, hitting my sweet spot and driving all rational thought from my mind.
***
I frowned to find myself alone in the bed once my senses returned to me. I propped myself up to find James looking out of the window. “James?” I was on my feet and had him in my arms when I saw the look in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He pressed his fingers against my lips when I started to say something, not that I could recall what it was once he spoke. “I think it is time I made something perfectly clear.”
I was reluctant to speak with his fingers still on my lips, and instead just quirked an eyebrow at him.
He gave a wry smile at that, but remained silent for several minutes, before finally nodding as if he’d made a decision. “I should have told you before, maybe I just assumed you’d know but...” He took a deep, calming breath before continuing, “Losing gran, almost losing you has made me realise how short life can be. Not that that’s my biggest fear, Tom.” James paused for a moment as if reconsidering what he was going to say before he forged on. “I know why I haven’t said it before.” He gave me a wry smile. “With our equally disastrous marriages.” From James expression I’m sure my eyes must have almost popped out. “And I don’t want to wait any longer before I say it: I love you, Tom. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If you’ll have me.”
I just gawked at him for a moment, processing those words before I surged forwards and kissed him hard. “Of course I do, you daft bugger.” I grinned at him before remembering to add, “I love you too, James.”
“Well, I’m glad the feeling is mutual,” James said, relief clear on his face. "Now, shall we go back to bed?”
I didn’t need asking twice and eagerly tugged him back to the bed, after all, now it was my turn to show him how much I loved him.