Stripped Bare (25 page)

Matthew moved and sat up, his arms folded around his knees. “You said you were okay with it. Are you having second thoughts? It’s a bit late—”

Shane placed a finger on Matthew’s lips. “No, that’s not what I meant. I wanted it, and I do trust you. I was clean when I met you and there’s only ever been you since.”

“Ditto,” said Matthew softly.

“I just meant, doing it that way, it involves feelings, not just fuck buddies—doesn’t it?”

There was silence. Shane waited, holding his breath. His heart was pounding. Then Matthew snuggled back down into Shane’s arms, his head on his chest, his arm draped over his stomach.

“I took off my wedding ring, Shay. I didn’t feel right sleeping with you here in this bed and wearing that. I thought I’d put it back on but when I went to do that this morning, I couldn’t. I just didn’t feel I needed it anymore. I took Sam’s picture off the bedroom wall and hung it in my study. And tonight, yes, Shay, it involved feelings. You were never just my fuck buddy. I told you that.” He kissed Shay’s chest, his lips nibbling his nipples and causing sensations in his body that were not conducive to sleep. “Now can we go to sleep? I’m exhausted with all that activity and we have a pretty shit day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Shay’s face was creased in a huge grin in the darkness of the room. It might not have been an admission of love, but it meant something.

The Gay Musketeers Ride again

The following morning Matthew showered, dressed and wandered through to the kitchen to find David already seated with his hands around a steaming cup of tea. The man cocked an eyebrow at him.

“Remind me not to stay here ever again when Shane stays over. I got hardly any bloody sleep last night with the two of you shouting and screaming at the tops of your bloody voices.” He scowled.

Matthew laughed. “You’re just jealous because we didn’t invite you.” He looked around as Shane padded in clad in his jogging bottoms and nothing else. “Shay, DD said we made too much noise last night and could we please refrain from fucking each other’s brains out with such vigour while he’s trying to sleep.”

Shane nodded. “Oh, yes, we’ll certainly be looking into that. Not.” He looked around for coffee and found the jar. He busied himself making two cups of coffee.

“I need to call Walter and tell him we’re coming over.” The lawyer looked unseeingly out of the window. He wasn’t relishing that conversation. He sighed and picked up his mobile. It was nine a.m., but Walter was an early riser. No doubt he’d be up. He dialled Walter’s mobile number and hoped he’d pick up. It rang four, five times then someone answered. Matthew’s stomach clenched. Shane smiled reassuringly at him as David looked down into the bowels of his cup.

“Walter Debussy.”

“I’m glad you don’t have caller ID, Walter,” Matthew said. “Or you might not have answered.”

“Matthew? What the hell do you want?”

“I’m representing David. He wants to know whether you’ve reconsidered releasing his trust find back to him so he can carry on with his life and get out of yours.”

Walter laughed harshly. “Tell that little queer he can go to hell. He’s not getting that money. He’ll have to become a rent boy to support himself.”

“Are you sure about that? We’re giving you a chance to do the decent thing here. It’s your last chance.”

“Fuck off. Now if you don’t mind, I have more important things to do. Like take a crap.”

“Walter, do you remember in the hospital when you mentioned something about why you’d put up with me for so long? And how I said I didn’t know what you were talking about?” Matthew felt his anger slowly rising as his fingers clenched around his mobile, the knuckles white.

Walter was quiet, then said, “I remember.” There was a slight undercurrent of something in Walter’s voice.

Matthew felt a sense of satisfaction. He’d managed to rattle him with that comment. “Well, I lied.” Matthew saw Shane smile and raise a thumb at him. “David and I are coming over after this call so he can collect his belongings and we can talk about how you will return his access to his trust fund.”

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the phone, then Walter exploded. “You’re intending blackmailing me, you little faggot? Do you know what you’re doing?”

Matthew closed his eyes, knowing the risks he was taking for them all. He felt Shane’s hand on his arm, giving him confidence. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Trying to right a wrong to your son. You’re a judgemental son of a bitch. Now, name a time we can come and discuss this. Or I’m afraid I’ll have no choice but to release the video and ask the woman you beat up to come forward and tell her story.” He held his breath and waited for the reply.

When Walter spoke next his voice was choked with fury. “Come over to the house at midday. And Roy says don’t bring that little pretty blond fag boy that was with you at the hospital with you or he might have to restrain himself.” The phone was disconnected.

Matthew let out a huge breath. “Midday.” He looked at Shane. “Walter says not to bring you with or things could get ugly with Roy. I think you should stay here, just let me and David go.” He knew even as he said it his words were falling on deaf ears. Shane just looked at him.

Matthew sighed. “Shay, there’s no point in causing grief if we don’t have to. I don’t want you getting hurt, babe.”

“And who stops you getting hurt, Matty? Don’t even let us have that conversation. I’m going with you and that’s final.” He stood up. “I’m going to shower and get dressed into a killer outfit. Perhaps the pink tutu. That could make things interesting.” He grinned wickedly. Matthew watched as Shane’s lean hips and tight backside disappeared into his bedroom. He sighed and David laughed.

“He’s a real character, Shane is.” His face shadowed. “But Roy really seems to have a bee in his bonnet about him.”

Matthew nodded. “Shane gave him quite a mouthful at the hospital. He was really cocky with both of them and I think he made a couple of enemies there. I wish he’d stay here. But I know that’s not going to happen.”

He left David in the lounge and went in search of his boyfriend. He found him in the shower. Shane called out from behind the glass door.

“Are you coming in, Matty? I know how to relieve that tension you have.”

“No. I’m coming to ask you to behave when we get to Walter’s. I don’t want you making Roy anymore anti-Shane than he is already is. Promise me you’ll be good.”

“Lover, I’m always good.” The shower was turned off and the glass door opened. Matthew took a deep breath at the sight of his lover’s lean body, the water dripping off him, making him want to lick it all up.

Shane grabbed a towel and wrapped it loosely around his waist, as he took another one and towelled his hair dry. “I’ll be on my best behaviour. Unless either of those tossers make any move toward you. Then all bets are off.” He discarded the towel on the rail carelessly and moved into the bedroom.

Matthew straightened the towel and followed him. He watched as Shane dressed, pulling on black chinos, a slim-fit grey, short-sleeved polo shirt that showed off his arms and a pair of black loafers. He looked incredibly sexy and for a moment, Matthew wished he could simply put the whole matter of David’s trust fund behind him and crawl back to bed with this man.

Shane flashed him a dazzling smile. “Well? Do I pass muster as your body guard?”

Matthew nodded. “You look good in anything.” He kissed Shane briefly on the lips. “I’m going to make sure I have everything I need to take through with me. I’ll be in my study if you need me.”

It was eleven fifteen a.m. when the three men got into Matthew’s car and he drove to the Debussy residence in Knightsbridge. They were all fairly subdued. David sat in the back, Shane in the passenger seat as Matthew navigated the London streets.

It wasn’t far, about four miles, but Matthew knew they were all nervous and would rather be in the car on the way to their destination than sitting back at Matthew’s house, waiting. They made small talk and it was close to midday when they pulled up outside the gated mansion that was David’s family home. The car idled at the huge wrought-iron gates as not one of them seemed predisposed to ring the buzzer for the intercom system that would let them into the stately grounds.

“The Gay Musketeers have arrived.” Matthew sniggered. Shane looked at him perplexed as David grinned and chuckled.

“What is it with you and this whole Gay Musketeers thing that you find so funny?”

Matthew laughed. “It was a phrase my dad coined. When I was sixteen, me, David and another friend of ours went to a fancy dress party. We wanted to go as the Three Musketeers and we all sorted out our own costumes. My dad took one look at us just before we left and asked us quietly if we really wanted to go dressed like we were. Apparently we were less of the Three Musketeers and more of the Gay Musketeers. It appeared our costumes were fairly camp without really realising it, and he didn’t want us to get beaten up. The only straight guy in the trio, Darryl, was mortified. He made us all tone down our outfits before we could be seen with him in public. The name stuck whenever the three of us were doing anything together, or got into trouble, which happened quite often. Even Darryl thought it was funny, but we didn’t use it in public.”

David chuckled. “I remember that well, Matty. I think at the time were trying to outdo each other and the costumes went somewhat haywire in our efforts to shock.”

Shane shook his head in amusement. “That’s a word I thought I’d never have thought would describe you, Mr. Langer: camp.”

Matthew shrugged. “I was still coming out, learning the boundaries. Thank God I had my dad there to keep me on the straight and narrow. So to speak.”

The three men chuckled and then went silent.

“So, shall we do this then?” Shane said as he observed the other two musketeers. “Matthew, it’s on your side. You do the honours.”

His boyfriend nodded and slid his window opened. He pressed the buzzer and waited. A man’s voice echoed down the intercom.

“Yes?”

“It’s Matthew Langer to see Walter Debussy.” There was a momentary hiatus and then the large gates creaked as they swung open to admit the waiting vehicle.

Matthew put the car into first gear and drove up the long and winding driveway to the gravelled parking area before the house. It felt strange for him coming back here as a visitor instead of one of the family and resident lawyer. He was sure David felt even stranger having been kicked out of his family home. The men got out of the car and stood outside. Matthew laid a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Ready, DD?” Matthew asked quietly.

David nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

Matthew gave a warning glance at his boyfriend. “Shay—”

Shane placed a warm finger on his lover’s lips. “I know, Matty. Behave myself.” He squeezed Matthew’s arm and moved up the stairs, following David who was already striding up the wide stone steps to the front door. Matthew took a deep breath, centering himself, and walked up the grey slabs. The door was already opening, and a woman peered out. Her face broke into a warm and loving smile as she reached out her arms and drew David into them.

“David! What a lovely surprise. I had no idea you were coming. Come on in. Matthew? My goodness, this is lovely to see you both.”

“Hello, Georgie,” David said affectionately. He turned to Shane who was standing slightly apart from the other two men. “Shane, this is Georgie Engel, our housekeeper. Georgie, this is my friend Shane Templar.”

“It’s good to meet you, Shane.” The woman’s eyes were warm as she appraised the newcomer. “My but you
are
a handsome devil. David is lucky to have a man like you at his side.”

Matthew saw Shane fidget uncomfortably and assumed it was both at the compliment and the assumption he belonged to David.

“Errm, actually, Georgie, Shane is Matthew’s boyfriend.” David admitted.

Georgie looked at Matthew as he stepped forward, his smile fond. “Hallo, Georgie. How have you been?” He hugged the woman tightly. She hugged him back.

“It is good to see you, Matthew. And you actually have a boyfriend now. Wonders will never cease.” Her face creased into a smile, which soon disappeared as she then spoke in quick German.

“Er ist in einer sehr schlechten Stimmung. Du must vorsichtig sein. Kümmer dich um David.”

Matthew tensed and nodded.

“
Danke für die Warnung, ich werde mich bemühen
,” he murmured softly, glancing at Shane and David who stared at them, each with a look of bemusement.

Georgie nodded and moved away into the adjoining dining room.

“Er, Matthew, was what all that about? I don’t know whether to be turned on or worried. You have a funny expression on your face.” Shane observed his lover’s face closely.

“I heard my name mentioned,” murmured David with a look of apprehension.

“I’ll translate later, out of earshot of anyone else.” Matthew said grimly. “Let’s go get this over with.”

As he moved away, Georgie called after him. “Matthew?” He turned to see her looking at him with a gentle expression. “I’m glad you found someone.”

He smiled at her, cast an affectionate look at Shane and strode through to the open French doors into the lounge. Walter always received his visitors in there, his drawing room, and Matthew didn’t think today would be any different.

Georgie had just told him Walter was in a very bad mood and to be careful and take care of David.

Walter Debussy stood by the long picture windows looking out into the large garden beyond. Roy Parsons stood by his side, a sneer on his face as he watched Matthew and David approach. When he saw Shane come in behind them, his face grew even uglier, and he stepped forward as Walter turned to face them.

Roy spat out his words venomously. “You brought that little slag with you? Didn’t Mr. Debussy tell you to leave him at home?”

Matthew’s temper rose with every step forward. He glanced at Shane whose face was white with the effort of holding his tongue as Matthew had asked him to do. But the lawyer wasn’t letting that one pass.

“Roy, you prick, shut the hell up. I’m here to talk to Walter, not listen to your drivel. You’re just the hired hand, after all.” He saw Shane’s bemused expression at the fact Matthew had ignored his own rules not to antagonise anyone. But calling his boyfriend a slag had really gotten his goat. Matthew turned to Walter, who was looking at him as if he was a particularly nasty specimen of bug that had just crawled out of a deep, dark hole.