Chapter Two
"Hey, Red, I asked for lager, not bitter. Where's your mind at?" The customer chuckled as Ruari apologized and tipped the beer away. Get your act together, or you'll be pouring all your profits down the drain. That's the third order you've mucked up in the last half an hour. Not a good idea.
"With his mate," the man waiting patiently beside him to be served next commented. "Lucky bugger."
"You got a partner, then, Red? How come we haven't met him? Scared we'll take him off you?" The banter was good-natured, although Ruari found himself gritting his teeth to stop himself growling don't you fucking dare out loud.
"You'll meet him soon enough," he said. He handed the lager over. "But give him a break. He's new to our neck of the woods, so don't go scaring him away. Let him get used to your so-called sense of humor, before you try it out on him, eh?"
He turned to his next customer with a smile, trying not to look at his watch again. Fifty minutes had never seemed so long. He wasn't sure why he was in so much of a hurry to get back to Seb. He didn't think he'd walk out, or go off with someone else. He was reasonably sure his interest in Seb was reciprocated, but he was as antsy as a girl sitting on the grass without any pants on. The waiting was agony, something his cock was not too happy about judging by the way it was straining to get off the leash. Whoa, boy . Five minutes and then we're free. Well, I am anyway. You need to stay put for now.
Relief flooded him as two members of staff walk in and sketched a wave in his direction. Parole at last. Even though he would have his mobile on standby, ready to return at a minute's notice, he was going out. With Seb. Whatever happened next was in the lap of the gods. He hoped he was on their good side, because for the first time in as long as he could remember, he fancied someone. It seemed his interest just might be reciprocated. Ruari adjusted his jeans surreptitiously as he remembered the look Seb had given him when he'd first entered the pub. Smoldering wasn't a strong enough word to describe it. It was a wonder the place hadn't gone up in flames. When Seb's gaze had latched on to Ruari's tongue stud, it was a miracle he hadn't gone up in flames. Ruari grinned inwardly, his dick straining against his zip as he relived that moment in his mind. He wondered what Seb's reaction, would be if—no, when—he got a glimpse of his other piercing.
Fuck it, where the hell is my staff? How long does it take to stash a handbag and hang up a jacket? He needed to be out of there.
"Hey, boss, sorry we're late. Some asshole stopped us outside to ask if we knew what a den of iniquity we were coming in to. Sheesh, what a wanker." Kizzy Lamond rolled her eyes. "Jenny asked her what she thought we got up to in here and did she need us to chum her in." She tucked her shirt into the top of her trousers before tying on her apron. "Thought she was going to have a heart attack. She went all red and gobbly, like a turkey. Then called us unnatural and marched off."
Her partner laughed. "Silly woman. Some people need to get a life and stop worrying about ours. Not that her sort will. They're only happy interfering."
Ruari's heart sank. Surely it wasn't going to start all over again. "Er, what was she like?" he asked, trying to keep the worry out of his voice. "Old? Young?"
"Middle-aged, I guess," Jenny considered. "Short, dumpy. Probably a closet lesbian. She looked at us in yuck, a really weird way."
Not Miriam, then. Thank God. But still… "Make sure you get the taxi home, like I tell you, then. Please let me know if you see her around here again. Yes?" They both nodded. "Okay, I'm off out for a while. Dan is here. But phone if you need to. I've told him no heroics. It's only a pub." Ha, if Ruari thought that, he wondered where was the man with a bridge to sell him? He shook his head, spoke briefly to Dan, his bar manager, and walked into the body of the pub.
The Jolly Roger, a play on words if there ever was one, was his baby. Opened a couple of years earlier—initially to some objections by various local bodies. For the last year or so, everything had run smoothly. He shied away from the dark thoughts trying to infiltrate his mind. Life was looking up, and he'd be buggered if he'd let go of that. On that thought, he put his head around the snug door. His grin, and another part of his anatomy, grew larger as Seb looked up and smiled at him. Oh yeah.
"Ready?" he asked. Seb said good-bye to Steve and Dave and waved farewell.
He was sure he heard Seb say softly, "Yeah, and willing and able."
Ruari looked at him closely and saw Seb with a grin to match his own. He wondered if Seb had a matching hard-on as well, but didn't think it would be a good idea to glance down. If Seb hadn't and noticed Ruari's, it could prove embarrassing to both of them. "Anything special you fancy to eat?" he asked.
Seb roared with laughter.
Oh fuck! "Yeah well, apart from that, that's dessert. Oh bollocks, sorry." Ruairi reddened, but laughed as well. "I did warn you about my mouth." He saw Seb look at his mouth.
"I think it's a very interesting mouth," Seb murmured. "I'm hoping to get to know it a lot more intimately later. But first I need food."
"Oh? Yeah, er, oh, fuck, I sound like I'm on my first date," Ruari said.
"Well, it is our first date, so…" Seb shrugged. "I'm thinking about everything I say before I say it, so I don't blow my chance before I get it."
Now that’s interesting. As well as a relief. It seems it's not just me all churned up inside.
"What do you fancy eating, er, food wise?" Ruari's eyes twinkled. Damned if he wasn't enjoying their sexual bantering. "Bearing in mind, I'm celiac."
"Guess we'll give Italian and Chinese a miss, then. Indian? I've had a couple of good takeaways from Jahaan. They have a restaurant, don't they?"
He nodded. "Yup, and the food is amazing. I was at school with Freddie. He owns the place. Good choice. Although one night, if we let Joe of Giuseppe know we're going, he'll do gluten-free pasta for me." Ruari hoped he wasn't presuming too much.
Seb grinned. "Spot-on. I love a good pasta dish."
“Great stuff and it’s only a few minutes’ walk.”
It was great to walk with someone and not by himself. And in a companionable silence where evidently Seb felt the same as he did and thought there was no need for idle chit-chat. Within minutes, Ruari opened the door of Jahaan and stood back to let Seb go in first.
"Aha, hello. You two, eh?" Freddie was at the door to meet them. "Where would you like to sit?"
Ruari looked at Seb questioningly. "Up to you, Seb. Near the back?" He didn't want Seb to consider he was under pressure about anything, especially as this was very much a first date, not a statement of intent.
"Hell, no." Seb said. "We're having a meal together for fuck's sake, nothing else. I'm not going to hide away like we're doing something wrong. Wherever you can put us will be fine." He smiled at Ruari, who gave Seb's hand a squeeze.
Freddie led them to a table halfway down the room to one side. The restaurant was half full. A few people looked up curiously, but no one remarked on their presence.
"It's a really good time to get a table," Ruari said. They sat down with the menu. "Early doors have eaten and hit the pubs. The clubbers won't be in until much later, and they have a pint and then go for a curry brigade. So, what do you want to drink?"
"Well, I'd usually have Indian beer," Seb said. "But you can't, can you? So, whatever you're having?"
"Water."
"Water?" Seb sighed theatrically. "Should have had another pint. Okay, water."
Ruari laughed. "You have beer if you want. Honestly, it doesn't bother me. I've a rather excellent bottle of merlot waiting at home."
"Nope. I'll have water as well. But now I know why you were drinking cola earlier," Seb said as Ruari gave the drinks order to a smiling waitress. "As long as I get to share the merlot at some point."
Whew. Nice one, that. Ruari was pleased. "Of course. My pleasure. As well as yours, I hope. Any idea what you want to eat? Freddie does a great mixed taster plate for two."
"Sounds good. I like the sound of sharing."
Ruari nodded. "Okay, so we'll have that, shall we?" At Seb's nod, he waved to Freddie, who was waiting to take their food order.
"Although," he continued once Freddie was out of earshot, "in other ways, I do not share. Ever."
Seb looked him straight in the eyes. "Neither do I. Ever."
A rush of relief flooded Ruari. The intensity took him aback. "Yet again we're on the same wavelength. That's a good start. So how about a little life history, eh? Sort of twenty questions?" He leaned back as Freddie put a big plate onto the table in between them. Steam rose from lots of little dishes. "Ah, Freddie, that looks good. Thanks." The smell of spices made his stomach rumble.
"No problem, and there's gluten-free naan for you, Red. Now then, just wave if you want seconds and enjoy." Freddie walked away.
Ruari turned back to Seb and watched him inhale the aroma. Shit, even that look went straight to his cock. Via his balls which were aching. His cock twitched. Fuck it, down boy. Now. Think ice cubes; imagine, well, anything cold and nasty. This maybe relationship is too good to ruin with a quick in and out, wham-bam fuck. He winced; he didn't even want to think that it could end before it began.
"What's up?" Seb asked obviously puzzled by his pained look.
"My cock. Oh fu…. Er, hmm, bloody hell." Ruari closed his eyes in embarrassment. Given the choice, he could have put his head in his hands. Why won't the ground open up and swallow me? Seb roared with laughter.
Ruari, grinned, and rolled his eyes. "My fucking mouth. Enter feet."
"Oh jeez." Seb wiped his eyes. "Well, all I can say is back to you, and let's eat this food." He paused dramatically. "First."
It was Ruari's turn to laugh. "Okay, first." They began to sample the incredible dishes, saying very little as they enjoyed the food. The different tastes and textures exploded on his tongue. "At least we'll both taste of garlic," Ruari said. "This lamb is so full of flavor."
"Abominable." A tall, elegantly dressed woman had come to stand by their table. "And you, the dominie as well. I saw you through the window. It shouldn't be allowed." She sniffed.
Ruari’s heart sank. Why, oh why, did she have to appear then? Was he never going to be able to live his life as he wanted? He bit his lip, ready to intervene when Seb’s polite but bland expression stopped him.
Seb looked up from his plate at the red face of the woman, who was almost quivering with emotion. Ruari wondered how he’d reply. He’d guess Seb’s reactions were similar to his own, albeit not knowing who she was. Anger? He had no idea.
He watched as Seb stood up. "I'm sorry?"
"So you should be."
Ruari had never thought it was possible to screech shrilly, but quietly until then.
"It's abnormal."
Same old same old. Would she never accept him for who he was? It appeared not.
Seb however, appeared to take it in his stride. The only indication of his reactions was a brief tic in one eye.
"What? Tasting of garlic? It's inevitable when you eat curry."
"Not at all." Her spittle hit Seb’s sleeve. He wiped it off, his gaze never leaving her face.
As ever, Ruari decided she hadn't stopped by for a pleasant chat and hadn't finished.
"Sitting, laughing with that pervert there."
Ruari also stood up before Seb could answer.
"Mum," Ruari said. "Not here, not now. Just go home." His voice was resigned as he took her arm. Had she blown his chances with Seb, just like any other fledgling romance he’d had? He hoped not.
His mum shook off Ruari's hand from her arm. She brushed at the place he had held her, as if to erase his touch.
"Fornicators." Her eyes darted from one to the other. "The Lo…"
"Mum. Give it up. We are all fornicators in one way or another. Even you and dad, otherwise how would Stacy, Ben, and I be here? Now go home." Ruari looked toward the door.
Ruari saw relief in Seb’s expression as a gray-haired, tired-looking man entered.
"Here's Dad. Love you."
"Well, show it, then." She poked Ruari on his arm and then dusted her fingers together.
She hadn't finished. "Show your love to me. Give up this foolishness and do not corrupt the dominie."
Seb butted in. "Mrs. McGregor, I am not open to corruption, and I'll tell you, yes , before you ask. I am gay, like your son. I’m not afraid to say so. I don't go around seducing innocents, of either sex. I am clean, careful, and at the moment celibate. If that state changes, then it is bugger all to do with you. Also, if I choose to have a quiet meal with a friend, that is nothing to do with you either! Understand?" His voice was quiet but forceful. "If you have any complaints about the way I run the school or my teaching methods, then I can give you the name of the appropriate person to speak with. If you have complaints about my private life, tough—because that is what it is. My private life. I don't interfere with your private life, and I expect the same consideration. Now if you will excuse me, I'd like to finish my meal. With my friend." He sat down and picked up his fork.
The gray-haired man smiled at him, signaling, Seb hoped, his approval of the way he had spoken, before turning to his wife. "Come away, Jessie love. Let's go home. Nice to have met you, Mr. Keo. Sorry about the circumstances." Seb nodded his acceptance of the apology.
"Son," the man hesitated and shook his head. "What can I say. I've no idea how your mum knew you were here. She told me we were going to have a takeaway, and she'd come to get it with me. I saw you through the door." He gave a small laugh. There was no humor in it. Seb thought it the saddest sound he had ever heard, and his heart ached for the other two men. Whatever was going on obviously upset both of them. "Looks like it's bacon and eggs now."
Freddie came toward them, a carrier in his hand. "Ah, Mr. McGregor, here's your order. All paid for. Hope you enjoy it." He bustled away. Father and son looked at each other. Ruari shrugged.
"Coincidence, then? No matter, Dad. She'll never change," Ruari said. His voice was full of regret. "Bye. I'll ring you."
His father nodded and led the now-quiet woman away. Ruari sighed. Seb said nothing.
"I guess you want to know what that was all about." Ruari sounded despondent.
"Not if you don't want to tell me. I'm here because I want to be, Ruari. It has nothing to do with your family or anyone else. Consenting adults and all that. Hell, family, we're stuck with them whatever. We choose our friends regardless of how many skeletons they have in the cupboard. For fuck's sake, my great-great-grandmother was a courtesan. To a royal, no less. Or so we’re led to believe, by my grandmother's family history."
Ruari, who was in the process of drinking, coughed and spluttered. "Any shirt lifters mentioned in your, er, archives?"
"Probably. But there are so many euphemisms dotted about, I can't begin to decipher half of them. I do think Great Uncle Bertie was a bit of a bugger, though. In more ways than one. Evidently, he lived in seclusion with his manservant, Giles. Who according to Gran was young, tall, and slim, with a marvelous gliding gait. Her words. Bertie was sixtyish, stout, and inclined to gout, but rolling in it. In his will, he left just about everything to Giles with the words, 'to my beloved manservant, Giles. For his attention to my every need.' "
"You're making it up to cheer me up," Ruari said. He wiped water off his shirt.
"Well, only a little bit." Seb was glad to see the bleakness had left Ruari's eyes. "Bertie actually said more than that, but someone had scored it out, and come what may I can't decipher it." He dipped his naan bread into his bowl of chutney and took a bite. The tangy flavor made his mouth water. "So, did it work? The cheering up bit?"
"Oh yes. Once we're home, I'll give you a little bit of my family history. It'll explain a lot, I think. I'm not presuming here, am I? You will come home with me?" he paused. "Just for coffee? Hell, it's not that I don't want more, I do. But well, I've a hunch this…this emotion or whatever you call it between us, is fucking important, and I don't want to screw it up with a quick shag. After all, as we both keep saying, this is our first date."
Seb nodded. "Yeah, I'm with you there. No first date fucking. So tacky." He burst out laughing. "That's not to say we can't practice a bit, though."
Ruari laughed with him, and then stopped abruptly.
"Shit, Seb. You announced to my mum and all the punters in here you were gay. How will that affect your job?" He raised his eyebrows in query.
Seb smiled. He liked the fact that Ruari thought about such things. It made him feel wanted. "Don't worry, it won't. I know I said I need to be circumspect, and I do, but the interview board knows I am gay. They asked very subtly if I would be bringing my wife with me and what was her opinion about uprooting herself. So, I took a deep breath, told them I was gay, did not have a partner at present, and did not flaunt my private life in public."
"Are they allowed to ask that?"
Seb shrugged. "Depends how they word it, I guess. Anyway, I got the job, so… Ready to go?"
Ruari nodded and got the bill. "My treat."
"Thank you. Mine next time?"
Ruari nodded. "With pleasure. So, there is going to be a next time?"
"Yes, I damn well hope so," Seb said. " How about we go to my house where we won't be interrupted? Or do you need to be close-at-hand for the pub? The only thing is, if we go to the cottage, I've no car. I walked."
Ruari rolled his eyes. "Fitness freak. Yeah, I'd love to go to your home. It's good to get away sometimes, although I'll have to keep my phone switched on. My car's in the garage behind the pub. We can take that. First, though, do you mind if I take a quick look in the bar on the way? Just to make sure everything is okay. Friday nights are always heaving. Usually, I stay around to help if need be. Tonight, I had something else I wanted to do and thought bugger it. Or even one day soon, bugger me." He raised his eyebrows in query. Seb's cock acknowledged and responded to the silent invitation. He smiled and saw Ruari had read his intention and his acceptance, in the smile.
"One day, yeah."
"Evidently, the barmaids were accosted by some woman as they came to work, asking them if they knew what sort of den of iniquity they were entering," Ruari said as they walked along the street. There were a few groups of people wandering about, and most of them nodded or said hi as they walked past. "I want to make sure there's been no more problems."
"Your mum?"
Ruari shook his head. "Nope, small and dumpy, according to Kizzy. No one could describe my mum as small and dumpy. Anything but."
Seb agreed. "True, so any idea who she could be? Do you get a lot of that? You know, gay bashing?" He watched as Ruari shook his head. "So, a one-off, then? No, by your face evidently not."
"It doesn't happen often, but occasionally, you get a Mary-Whitehouse-get-rid-of-filth type trying to stir it. But as we have the least trouble of any pub in the town, the police deal with it pretty damned quick. Lucky for us. This one? No idea."
"Ah well. No doubt, it'll sort itself out." They reached the pub door, and Seb pulled it open to let Ruari precede him through the entrance. As he went past, their bodies touched. He heard Ruari's indrawn breath. It looked as if his celibacy was soon to come to, what he hoped would be, a glorious end.
The bar was heaving. Seb looked at Ruari's face, the despair could have been comical if he hadn't experienced the same emotion. He crossed his fingers and prayed it wasn't fate’s way of telling them their relationship was going to forever be thwarted. "They need help," he said. "Where do we dump our jackets?"
"We?" Ruari queried, his face lightening.
"Of course, we. D'you think I'm going to let that body of yours loose in here with all those 'perverts'?"
The look on Ruari's face was priceless.
"I'm taking a leaf out of your book," Seb chuckled. "Telling it like it is. So, jackets? What do you want me to do? I pull a mean pint, and I even have my license. Just tell me"
"Pull pints. 'Cos ditto, and back to you. I can deal with these 'perverts'." Ruari's relief was evident. "I don't want them trying to corrupt you. I'll shove the jackets behind the office door. Come on, then. Let's see how you pull." He paused for effect. "A pint."
Seb pulled more than a pint. More like dozens. The punters were talkative and teasing. Even though most of them knew he was there with Ruari, he didn't think he had heard so many chat-up lines, many of them chronically bad, in such a short time. It was a relief to serve a woman when one came to the bar. Seb said as much to Dave, the bar manager, when he laughed after listening to Seb deliver yet another put down.
"Boy, you're good at this," Dave said. Seb looked up, surprised.
"At pulling pints and putting down obnoxious punters," Dave elaborated. "And smiling as you do it. All necessary skills here. If you ever want a change of career, I'll take you on, like a shot. Well, Ruari would. He's the boss man. On second thought, I guess he already has."
"I guess he has too." Seb handed a pint across the bar and took the proffered money. "Lucky for me. Though I didn't know taking on Ruari mean moonlighting in this way. I thought I'd left my pint-pulling days behind me."
Dave's laugh was loud. "You're just what the boss needs," he said, serving customers with a speed that astounded Seb. "Especially after that fucking Miriam fiasco."
"Miriam?" Seb paused in the middle of using an optic. "Who's Miriam?"
"Oh shit." Dave looked worried. "Look, don't tell Red I said anything. I know for sure he'll tell you about the bitch. He'll have to, if you two are together. And please, please, don't let it put you off. Red is a really good guy. He could do with a bit of loving, and it's more than obvious you are the man to give it to him. All I'll say is please be careful. Don't take anyone or anything for granted, and do not fuck him up. He's had enough shit in his life." His look appeared grim, and Seb shivered as he got prickles of fear down his spine.
"Whatever's happened is in the past, Dave," he said. "I'm interested in the present and the future."
Dave nodded. "Good." He went back to serving.
Ruari's head spun, his arms felt stiff, his cock ached, and he wanted to be alone with Seb. It seemed like hours but was probably no more than forty-five minutes before he judged they could leave his bar staff to finish off. He swung behind the bar, grabbed a surprised Seb, and kissed him full on the lips. Cheers and catcalls sounded from the people around the bar.
"You"—He finished off with a squeeze to Seb's ass—"are a fucking star. Definitely, a fucking star."
"Too much info, Boss." Dave smirked at him.
Oh, fucking shit. He realized where he was. Bollocks and buggery and any other appropriate epithets. How the hell was he going to sort this monumental cock-up out? He chanced a look at Seb's expression and sighed inwardly with relief. Seb was laughing.
"Feet. Mouth into?" Seb asked him.
Ruri grinned. "As ever. Okay, we're finished here. Coffee?"
Seb nodded. Kizzy, who had walked up to them unnoticed, made a face and sniggered. "That is the most pathetic euphemism I've heard, Boss. Coffee. Hah!" She carried on past them, still sniggering.
"Gotcha there, Boss." Dave patted him on the back. "Take yourself off for, er, coffee. Don't forget the Swiss roll with it."
"Hells bells." Ruari almost pushed Seb through the door and into the stairwell of his flat. "Are you sure you still want to take a chance on me? I shouldn't be let out without a keeper. And my lips sealed."
Seb pulled him tightly toward his body. Cock found cock and reacted in the best possible way. "Oh, you're not reneging now, Boss Man." Seb moved so his cock surged upwards. "All that is so easily arranged."
"Huh?" He was so caught up in the sensations of Seb hard against him, he’d lost the thread of the conversation.
"Lips sealed and a keeper. I'll be happy to be in charge of all that. Soon,” Seb said.
"Okay, so, first we have coffee?"
Seb smiled and squeezed Ruari's arm. "Coffee. Where's your car?"
About ten minutes later, Ruari prowled round Seb's kitchen watching his soon-to-be-lover—he hoped—measure grains into a coffee pot and pour on the hot water. "Nice. I like it. Did you hunt long to find it?"
Seb shook his head. "Nope, not really. I found out I'd got the job here just after Christmas and saw this around Easter. Just what I wanted. I love it. I can walk into town if I want. It takes about thirty minutes to get to school. I'm near enough to be part of the community and far enough out not to be bothered by my pupils. Perfect." He picked up the coffee pot and indicated mugs and milk. "Shall we go and have a comfy seat?" He led the way into the lounge and took one end of a comfortable-looking settee.
Ruari followed him and admired the way Seb's buttocks clenched as he walked.
Nice ass. Hope I get some of that. He squashed his erotic thoughts. There were other things to talk about first. The thought of them deflated his arousal before it had a chance to develop.
"So, well, how to start." Ruari sat next to Seb, coffee mug in hand, and exhaled deeply. This was probably one of the most important moments of his life. He didn't want to mess it up. He sat silently for a second.
Seb took his hand and squeezed it gently. "You don't need to say anything you don't want to, Ruari. It's you I'm interested in, remember? Just you."
"Thank you for that." He was grateful for the sincere sentence. "I'll hold on to that thought." He paused and took a deep breath. "But Seb, I want to explain and tell you everything. I don't want any secrets between us."
Seb nodded. "I'll agree with you there."
"Well, my mum is from the islands. A member of the Wee Frees, they have a very strict Christian ethic. No work or play on a Sunday, that sort of thing. Her dad was the local pastor, so church three times on Sundays, a couple of times during the week. By all accounts, Mum adored it. She said she had an amazing childhood, loved, cherished, and happy. Pity she's not the same with all her kids. Ach. My father was the boy next door. His father was the schoolteacher and an elder of the church, so everyone just knew they were so suited to each other. Including my mother. Therefore, on her eighteenth birthday, Jessie McNaught Mackenzie married Euan Elchie Black. By the time she was nineteen, she was a mother to me." He stopped talking. His skin turned clammy, and there was a buzzing in his ears. Bile rose in his throat as he saw Seb pick up on that one critical word.
"Black?"
Ruari swallowed and nodded. The buzzing had stopped, but he was still queasy. An overreaction, but whenever he thought about the sorry mess, he had the same experience. Now he didn't question why, but just waited for it to subside. "My biological father was Euan Black. My dad is that lovely man you saw tonight, Archie McGregor."
Seb gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. "So, your dad is dead?"
"Oh, no, but as far as my mum is concerned would be better," Ruari said. A bitter note filled his voice. "No, just after I was born, and as she said she'd done her duty to him, he announced he wasn't able to stay married to her. He wasn't going to live a lie."
"Oh shit." He could see Seb knew what was coming next.
"Yup. My father was gay."
"And this affects you how?" Seb said. "Apart from the fact you got a step-dad you like and a bitter and twisted mum."
Ruari laughed bitterly. "According to my mum, it's why I'm gay."
"You what ?" Seb's voice was incredulous. "Are you fucking mad? Is she fucking mad? You're gay because your father was? Biggest load of bollocks I've ever had the misfortune to be fed. I mean if he'd been a brain surgeon, would you be? Crap. Utter fucking crap. Hell Ruari, you don't fucking believe her, do you?"
"Logically, of course not," Ruari said. "But you know? When I'm all alone? Not welcome in my family home. My sister has to defy Mum to come and see me and gets into fights over me. My kid brother is told I'm not to be spoken to and phones me on a mate's phone to tell me how to bump into him 'accidentally.' Then I wonder why. Then I think why me?" He shrugged, hoping Seb couldn't see how hurt he was by his mother's attitude. It wasn't as if he hadn't had years to get used to it. "Jeez. even my dad sneaks out and comes to see me when she's at church meetings. All because I didn't follow her rules. Didn't use the route she wanted. I mean. it's not even as if I had any choice. You know that, I know that. Hell, even my father probably knew that. Though it seems as if he took a while to figure it out. Guess I'm glad he did or yours truly wouldn't be here. Hoping my story hasn't scared you off.
"Well, just remember that logic, okay," Seb said. "And realize I'm damn glad you are as you are. Or I'd not be here, telling you your story hasn't scared me off."
Yee haw. Ruari smiled. He looked at Seb closely and moved forward. Their lips met, and he slipped his tongue into Seb's mouth. He heard Seb moan, and he pulled away slightly. "What's wrong?"
Seb groaned again. It went all the way to Ruari's cock and back again. The sound sent urgent messages of interest and desire to Ruari.
"Fuck all. The touch of that stud in your tongue as it slides into my mouth and over my teeth is fucking amazing." Seb all but moaned the words. "Shit, it's sending all sorts of messages to my cock. Look, Ruari. I don't sleep around, I've had a longer dry season than any continent could survive, and I thought I'd be quite content if it carried on like that. Then I walked into your pub the other night, saw you behind the bar, and thought all my Christmases had come at once. When you smiled at me and, er, told me you always told it like it was and you were glad I was available, I could hardly believe my ears. Hell, I nearly came at once. I'll tell you this. There's no bloody way we are going to screw our chance of finding just what we have together before we screw." Seb sounded adamant.
"Phew." Ruari was sure his relief was obvious. "I, er, oh, fuck it, Seb. Thank Christ you said that. More coffee?" He raised his eyebrows. "Please."
"Oh yeah. With whipped cream."
Ruari sniggered. "Seb Keo, I think we'll be good for each other, and every inch of me wants to jump your bones. But…"
Seb sighed. "Yeah, but . Sodding little word with a great big meaning. However, I'm with you on this one. Let's not rush into bed or wherever. Let's enjoy the foreplay, so to speak."