Stripped Bare (36 page)

Matthew chuckled as he moved toward his disgruntled lover. “At least you got your hair evened out.” He said the words tauntingly and Shane knew he was teasing. He still took the bait.

“My hair was the last straw, Matty. It was awful and I looked like some bloody Crusty the Clown caricature. Now all I have is these bloody curls all over my head.”

Matthew had cut Shane’s hair for him and now his scalp was covered with soft blond curls that were more or less one length.

“But you look bloody adorable,” Matthew said, his eyes glinting. “Like an elf.”

Shane’s glower would have turned a gargoyle into a gibbering wreck. “I am
not
a fucking elf,” he muttered between gritted teeth.

Christ, did he really look like some fairy-tale character?

Matthew chortled and reached out a hand to smooth away the frown on his boyfriend’s face. “Lover, I’m joshing. You look sexy any which way. And I happen to have a real yen for elves anyway.”

He kissed Shane’s lips softly. Shane’s dick leapt to instant attention as it had every day since he’d woken up and been near Matthew. They’d had very little time to be together in any intimate way, other than a couple of mutual blow jobs performed in the privacy of the room and once in the bathroom. It was difficult for Shane to do much as he was still in pain and his headache still debilitated him to the point of nausea. He huffed and waved toward his groin as Matthew released his mouth.

“And this doesn’t help. I’ve had blue balls for days and I can’t even jerk off. My hand is too sore and my bad arm gets tired. Matty, when a man can’t jack off, it’s a bloody bad state of affairs.”

Matthew laughed, a deep-throated sound that made Shane smile despite his bad mood. His lover had such an infectious laugh.

“Lover, God, you are in a bad way, aren’t you? My poor baby.” Matthew turned around and closed the door, locking it. He turned to Shane and moved over closer to him, a small smile on his lips. He reached out his hands and drew his boyfriend closer to him, kissing his temple softly with warm lips. He smelt of coffee.

“I know you’re fed up, lover,” he whispered in Shane’s ear, his breath hot and ghosting on Shane’s ear. Shane groin tingled and his dick hardened even more. At least that
was
one thing that still seemed to work properly, he thought thankfully. He felt Matthew’s grin against his cheek as his lover’s lips trailed softly down to his jaw line, kissing it with little pouty goldfish movements. Shane’s breathing got deeper and he closed his eyes, savouring Matthew’s nearness, his scent, his warmth and his sheer sexiness. He thanked whatever deities there were that he was still here in the land of the living to appreciate his lover.

“I think I need to relieve some tension in you. I owe it to the nurses,” Matthew whispered as he drew Shane over to the bed and made him lie down. He settled next to Shane, hoisting his firm, fully clad body next to him.

“Lift your backside up,” he ordered and Shane did what he was told. Matthew pulled his trousers down to his thighs and Shane’s dick reared up instantly. Matthew chuckled softly. He reached into his back jeans pocket and drew out a small tube of lube. Shane watched as he squeezed some into his hand.

“You’re carrying lube in your pocket now? Wow, you’re some Boy Scout.”

“I had a feeling I might need it sooner rather than later,” Matthew murmured against Shane’s ear, his tongue licking the inside and causing havoc in his body. “Now lie back and enjoy.” His warm, slippery hands found Shane as he grasped him and started a slow, steady up-and-down motion that made Shane weak. Matthew covered his mouth with his own, his tongue sliding into Shane’s mouth and caressing the underside of his own. Shane groaned in sheer pleasure.

“God, Matty, I missed this,” he murmured huskily. “You, your hands, your lips. I thought I’ve never feel or taste them again when you kicked me out.” His body reared on the bed as he gasped, his groin aflame and his legs tensing on the bed. He had a feeling it would take no time at all to make him come. Matthew gazed into his eyes, his own darkened with guilt.

“I know and I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t done that, Roy wouldn’t have come after you—”

Shane kissed him fiercely. All he could feel was the turmoil in his groin at Matthew’s expert strokes.

“Never say that. It wasn’t your fault, baby. I—oh dear God.”

He couldn’t breathe or speak as his body reacted to Matthew’s touch and he closed his eyes and gave into the overwhelming sensations he was feeling. He grasped the back of Matthew’s head, his fingers grasping his lover’s hair tightly. Matthew’s lips licked and sucked as his fingers worked their magic on Shane’s dick. He felt himself swell and pulse in Matthew’s hands, the warm sensation of gratification coursing through his body and he thought for a minute it must be dark because he saw stars. He pressed his face into Matthew’s warm neck as he came, heat spewing out of him as his body absorbed his lover’s by pressing him close. Matthew’s soft breath tickled his face. Finally he was spent, his body drained, a sense of well-being floating through his limbs.

“Fuck, I needed that,” he whispered as his aching body relaxed after being tensed so tightly. “I don’t think it’s ever happened that quick before though. That was a bloody world record.”

“I think we
all
needed that, lover,” Matthew murmured wryly as he released Shane’s now-flaccid member and reached over to wipe his hands with the tissues at the side of the bed. “You’ve been a real little prima donna. Of course, you’ll need to return the favour for me at some time.” He laughed. “At least I can relieve my tension myself. I imagine you’ve been battling a bit.”

Shane nodded. “It got a bit much. I tried, but I got tired and my arm ached, then my hand…” His voice trailed off. “I think one time I even fell asleep while I was doing it.” He scowled. “Not a very good macho thing to do.”

Matthew laughed loudly as he kissed him, his mouth searching, his tongue probing his mouth again. Shane sighed. This was definitely better than a DIY job.

Matthew took Shane home, back to his apartment, two days later. The new year had just begun and in Matthew’s eyes, it was the start of a new chapter of their lives. Shane was alive and well and back with him, and that was what counted.

They sat now cuddled together on the couch as Matthew gently stroked the softly growing curls of hair on Shane’s head, taking care to avoid the nasty scar that ran down the left side. The scar was about an inch and a half in length, ridged and thick, but luckily it seemed that as Shane’s hair grew back most of it would be covered. There may be a small bit that extended beyond, but Matthew had told his boyfriend teasingly that it made him look even sexier and added an air of mystique.

He leaned forward and kissed Shane gently on the side of the scar. Shane tensed.

“Don’t do that,” he said softly. Matthew frowned.

“Why, did I hurt you? Sorry.”

“Yes, it still hurts but that’s not why.” His lover looked at him, his blue eyes shadowed. “It’s ugly. I can’t wait until my hair grows back.”

“Shay, nothing about you could be ugly.” Matthew sat up and pulled Shane closer. “It’s a battle scar. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Still.” Shane was unwavering. “Don’t touch it, please.”

Matthew was thrown. “Okay.”

There was silence as the soft sounds of John Legend echoed through the lounge. The huge picture windows were open, the bright lights of London and the Thames twinkling from afar.

“It feels good to have you here,” Shane murmured. “I like having you here all the time. Feel free to stay as long as you like.”

Matthew grinned. “Is that an invitation to move in, Mr. Templar? I’d have thought you’d have enough of me by now.”

“I can never have enough of you,” was Shane’s soft reply. “And moving in together doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me.” Shane looked at his lover. Matthew kissed his forehead.

“We can certainly talk about that when you’re better, if that’s what you want. I love your place, so it’s no hardship living here. I like the thought of coming home to you every night.”

“What about your house?” Shane shifted against him. “What would you do with that?”

Matthew shrugged. “I’d rent it out. It’s a good investment so I’m loath to sell it right now. And I wouldn’t want us to live there together. There are too many memories.”

Shane nodded. “I wouldn’t like that either. I suppose we need to think about the situation though.”

Matthew kissed his lips gently. “Let’s get you better before we make any big decisions like that. You’ve still got a long way to go what with the headaches and the healing. I know the doctors said they’d go away, but I still worry.” He stroked his lover’s back gently. “Are you doing all right with everything? After what you went through, I wasn’t sure whether you wanted to talk about it yet. I wanted to leave it up to you to decide. I didn’t want to push you.”

Shane didn’t answer, simply tensed slightly against Matthew.

“You know I’m here if you ever need to get anything off your chest. Not just about the assault but anything else.” Matthew was trying in a roundabout way to begin the dialogue to get Shane to agree to see his father. Ray Templar was in constant touch with him about his son, despite being in what seemed like a different country each week. But Shane simply ignored him and would only speak to his mother.

Shane shifted, and when he spoke his voice was tight. “I’m fine, Matty. I got attacked, I’m getting over it and that’s all we really need to know.”

“And your father?” Matthew asked quietly, knowing he was pushing but unable to stop himself. He wanted Shane to be happy, to get his family back.

“Nothing’s changed. Just because I nearly got killed by some homophobic bastard doesn’t make what my dad did to me any better.”

Matthew wasn’t used to hearing bitterness in Shane’s voice. It was the one emotion his lover had always seemed to lack, being the sort who lived on the bright side of the street unlike Matthew.

“Your father really cares about you. I could see it-”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Matthew.”

Calling him by his full name was a definite sign Shane was getting riled. Matthew sighed, remembering the last time he’d asked about Shane’s father and they’d ended up arguing. He couldn’t bear that to happen now.

“Okay. I’m sorry. I’ll cease and desist.” He settled back against the couch, leaning his head back and closing his eye, letting the music waft over him and the feel of his boyfriend in his arms comfort him.

Shane took a deep breath to stop the feeling of panic that had suddenly risen unbidden in his chest when Matty had mentioned the attack. The memory of being beaten, of seeing Roy Parson’s crazy eyes staring out at him, the dull sound the bat had made as it connected with his head and the pain he’d felt as he was beaten was overwhelming. Coupled with the fact that his head still ached, never ceasing, and the scar was throbbing, he didn’t want anything else to remind him any more of what had happened that night. He certainly didn’t want Matty kissing that awful thing on his head, the constant reminder that he’d nearly died. He didn’t want Matthew tainted with it.

Shane sat up suddenly and looked at Matthew, who looked surprised at his quick action. “It’s people like my dad and Roy who make people like us suffer, Matty. And my dad might have mellowed since then, but I haven’t.” His voice was determined. “So forgive me if I can’t believe he wants to make amends.”

Matthew reached out and framed Shane’s face in his hands. “He cares about you. He’s been watching out for you. Your father knew it was you that took his money, Shay. He told me that day at the hospital. And he let you have it.”

Shane looked at him in disbelief. “How could he have known that? I covered my tracks.”

“He said he knew you were good but he found someone better than you. He told me now that guy is the one calling
you
for advice. Your father told me you deserved to keep the money after what he did to you. And you didn’t see him when you were unconscious. He really cares for you. I could tell.”

Shane felt shell-shocked at Matthew’s words. Matthew was a good judge of character and people and he was usually right. There was something else as well. Talking about fathers had nudged something loose in Shane’s brain, something Roy had said to him when he was lying bleeding on the pavement. He knew it was important, but he couldn’t remember what it was. It was something to do with Matthew’s father. He dug down deep inside to bring it forth but it was having none of it. Frustrated, he focused again on his lover’s voice.

“I’m not going to push. But you might think about it, seeing your dad again. And that’s the last I’m going to say. I have something else in mind for you now.”

As Matthew reached over and drew Shane to him for a deep and tender kiss, Shane forgot about everything else and concentrated on the feel of his boyfriend’s hands unzipping his jeans and reaching in to take him in warm hands. All of a sudden, remembering what Roy had said didn’t seem so important.

Fatherly visits and more passing out

Three days later, Shane was sitting curled up on the couch, dressed in his favourite tracksuit, just enjoying slouching and reading a newspaper. The doorbell rang. He called out.

“Matty? Are you going to get that?” He was quite comfortable where he was and if there was any chance he didn’t have to get up, he’d take it. There was no reply. Shane called out again but he could hear the water running and guessed Matthew was in the shower. They’d only got up about an hour ago after a fairly hectic and unplanned evening’s activity in bed as he’d buried himself in Matthew’s body. It had hurt as his ribs were still sensitive, but it had definitely been worth the exertion. He grinned at the memory, getting off the couch and making his way to the door. He really enjoyed having Matty here full time.

When he opened the door, he caught his breath. His father stood there, a set expression on his face, his hands held tightly by his sides. He looked nervous.

“What are you doing here?” Shane asked ungraciously, without inviting him in.

“You haven’t been returning my calls or my text messages, Shane.” Ray Templar observed his son through soft eyes. “So I thought I’d come over and see how you were doing in person.”