Chapter Thirty
Laurie
A strange sensation of nervousness bubbled in my stomach as I knocked on the unassuming navy front door of the York town house where Theo had been filming all day. I didn’t think it was because I was worried about meeting everyone but more about making a good impression.
After all, I knew they all adored Theo and I didn’t want them to think I wasn’t good enough for him.
I didn’t have much time to worry, though, because the door quickly swung open, revealing a gorgeous man with salt and pepper dark hair, stubble, and bright blue eyes.
He had a broad chest and well-muscled arms and was wearing loose shorts and a tank top, and I could see dark chest hair curling out the top of it.
“Hey,” he said in a deep, smooth voice that sounded like liquid honey.
“You must be Laurie. I’m Wolf.” He extended a hand to shake mine before ushering me inside.
The hallway had beautiful wooden floors and even the glimpses I got of the decor suggested the entire place was gorgeous.
“Theo’s been talking non-stop about you all day. ”
“I hope he hasn’t been too much trouble,” I said and Wolf laughed.
“No more than usual. He’s just in the shower. I’ll let him know you’re here.” He walked towards the stairs off to one side and called up. “Hey, can someone let Theo know his boyfriend is here, please?”
“Sure,” called another deep voice.
Then a voice I recognised yelled, “Hey, Laurie!”
“Hi, Austin,” I said, toeing off my shoes as Austin Carter, the man who was at least partially responsible for my relationship, bounded down the stairs and pulled me into a crushing hug.
He was wearing nothing but a pair of grey jogging bottoms and it was slightly strange being pulled against his muscular, tattooed chest, especially knowing how many people would kill to be in my position.
“You made it,” Austin said, giving me another squeeze before releasing me. “How was your day? Did you find things to do? I hope you weren’t too bored.”
“No, it was lovely actually. Very peaceful,” I said as I followed Austin into a stunning living room that was decorated in dark green with gold and white accents and a beautiful pair of French windows that overlooked a small courtyard garden.
“Did everything go well? Wolf said Theo’s been very talkative. ”
Austin laughed and gestured for me to sit down on the plush sofa.
“When is he not talkative? Wait, there’s only like, two answers to that, so…
” He waved his hand and I chuckled. “But yeah, it was good. Think we got everything. Jake ordered Chinese food, by the way. I hope that’s okay.
It’s the only way to stop him and Kai fucking bickering. ”
“We don’t bicker,” said Kai as he walked in pulling a T-shirt over his head. “It’s just…”
“Foreplay, that’s what it is,” said another man appearing just behind him. He had a lilting Welsh accent and was slightly slimmer in build to the others. “Hey, you must be Laurie. I’m Sean.”
“It’s not foreplay,” Kai insisted. “It’s just…”
“Don’t deny it,” Wolf said as he strolled into the room with a large glass of water. “We’ve all seen you two together.”
“Hey, we can be friends who fuck. What’s wrong with that?” Kai asked indignantly.
“Nothing, just don’t pretend it’s not happening,” Austin said with a teasing smile before looking at Wolf. “Are you gonna get us all drinks?”
“Get one yourself, you lazy fucker,” Wolf said as he sat down on the other sofa while Austin rolled his eyes and flipped Wolf off. “And get one for Laurie too. He’s our guest.”
“I know that! You were the one in the fucking kitchen,” Austin said. “Laurie, what can I get you? We’ve got water, beer, Coke, Diet Coke, coffee, tea. I think there’s some juice too if one of these fuckers hasn’t drunk it. There’s some vodka and Jack Daniel’s too.”
“Just water is fine, thank you,” I said, trying to bite back my amusement as I listened to Sean and Kai, who’d moved on from talking about chicken wings to talking about the best dip for them and consequently discussing their late-night kebab shop favourites.
“Can I have a Coke?” Sean called as Austin disappeared into the kitchen.
“I’ll have the same,” Kai said.
“Any other fucker want anything?” Austin yelled and I heard the fridge door open and then slam shut.
“Wait, what’s going on?” I heard Jake ask as he reached the bottom of the stairs. He was just wearing a pair of bright orange skin-tight boxers. “Are you getting drinks? Can I have a Diet Coke?”
“What the fuck are you wearing?” Austin asked as he walked out of the kitchen and hurled a can at Jake. “Put some fucking clothes on. We’ve got a guest and nobody wants to see that.”
“We’ve been fucking starkers all day,” Jake said as he followed Austin into the living room. “What’s different now?”
“I’m not eating fucking Chinese food while you sit around in your pants. I’ve seen enough of your dick,” Austin said, handing me a glass of water before flopping down on the other end of the sofa. “Only Kai wants to see that.”
“Fuck you,” Jake said and Austin snorted.
“Maybe tomorrow, baby. If you’re lucky.”
“God no, you’d be the world’s bossiest, brattiest bottom ever.”
“Who would be?” asked Theo, his voice floating down to us.
Two seconds later he appeared, skipping down the stairs in a floaty pink dress.
He saw me and beamed, running across the room and almost throwing himself into my arms. I’d just about managed to put my glass down before he landed on me, which was good because my spare clothes were back at our hotel.
“You’re here! I missed you!” Theo kissed me softly and slid into my lap, sitting sideways and wrapping his arms around my neck.
The silver necklace he wore glinted in the evening sunlight, catching on the tiny padlock in the centre.
He was still wearing the wrist and ankle cuffs I’d tied for him that morning, except these ones were designed to be easily removed so he could take them off while he showered instead of trying to wrap them in plastic bags or cling film.
“I missed you too,” I said, putting my arm around his waist. “Did you have a good day? Are you sore at all?”
“I did, it was fun. And nope, not sore. Well, maybe my thighs but that’s because they make me do all the work.
” He kissed me again then glared at the others like the idea of them making him do anything was a hideously unjust crime.
Austin was looking at us like he’d never seen anything so cute in his life.
“Also, you haven’t answered my question.
Who’d be the bratty bottom? That’s my job. ”
“Me apparently,” Austin said, grinning wickedly. “Also, don’t you think Jake should put some more clothes on?”
“Hang on,” Jake said. “How come you can sit around shirtless in fucking joggers? That’s fucking hypocritical.”
“Yeah, but I’m not showing off my dick,” Austin said as he opened his can of Coke. “That underwear is fucking see-through.”
“Agreed,” Sean said. He’d sat himself on the sofa next to Wolf with his legs curled up next to him and his phone in hand. “They’re cute, though. You should wear them tomorrow.”
“Sorry, babe, but I agree,” Kai said with a sheepish smile. “You don’t wanna drop something on your dick.”
“Yeah, if you drop hot food on your dick and burn yourself, I’m going to fucking laugh,” Austin said.
“You guys are assholes,” Jake said as he spun on his heels and headed towards the stairs. “Fucking assholes!”
“Aww, he’s cute when he’s grumpy,” Sean said, winking at Kai. “I can see why you fuck him.”
“Sorry,” Wolf said, giving me a wry smile. “You must think we’re a bunch of wankers.”
“Nah, that’s just you,” Austin said then laughed as Wolf threw one of the sofa’s decorative cushions at him. “Hey!”
“Don’t be a dickhead.”
“I’m not.” Austin grinned and sat back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other. “And anyway, you love me.”
“Only Kanan does that,” Wolf said. “Lord knows why. Or how.”
“I’m very loveable, thank you!”
“You’re something,” Kai said. He was sat in an armchair not too far from Austin, sipping his own can of Coke with his legs hanging over the arm of the chair.
“Yeah, loveable. Just like I said.”
Theo giggled and whispered into my ear, “They’re so funny. It’s like hanging out with teenagers.”
“I’m assuming they’re not like this during the day?” I asked quietly, my hand stroking up and down Theo’s back.
“Nope! Super professional.” He grinned. “But when we’re done it’s just like being in the pub back home. Only with slightly more dick jokes.”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure about that, darling, especially not after your entire lecture on monster fucking.”
“Oh, that was fun,” Theo said dreamily as he thought back to it. “I’ll have to do that again soon. It’s a very seasonal topic of conversation and I haven’t gotten Jamie or Henry’s opinion yet. I might have to get Alex to record it so he can send it to Henry.”
A sharp knocking sound cut through the chatter, followed by a clattering of footsteps as Jake came downstairs.
He was wearing joggers and a tank top with an extra T-shirt in hand.
He stuck his head around the door and threw the T-shirt at Austin’s head.
“Here, dickhead, if I have to get dressed, so do you! And can one of you assholes come help me with the food?”
Kai swung his legs down and went to help, followed by Sean, and I heard the door open and the sound of voices.
“Should we help?” I asked and Theo shook his head as he wiggled off my lap and into the seat next to me.
“Nope, they can bring it through. Besides, you’re our guest. You don’t have to do anything.”
“I’m not a guest, not really,” I said.
Theo shrugged. “You are sort of!”
I decided not to argue because it would be a silly thing to start a disagreement over. Instead, I just answered Theo’s questions about my day and what I’d been up to since I’d dropped him off here this morning.