Chapter 1
A Lift in Life by Pelaam
Tom entered the tall building that housed his company, along with a myriad of others. As he did every day, he tried to make the effort to avoid looking like he was walking into the seventh circle of hell. Even though that’s how he felt. Crossing the foyer, he focused on the lift ahead.
Most people didn’t greet old George, the lift operator, but for those who did, the man always had a bright smile and a positive word.
But as the doors opened to take the next few passengers up to their respective floors, Tom felt his jaw hit the floor.
Whoever the man was, it wasn’t George. He was tall, solidly built, with close cropped silver-gray hair.
Fuck me, he’s sex on legs.
“Going up?” The man smirked.
Tom blinked, frozen in place as he stared into tawny eyes that glittered with amusement.
“Uh…” Tom inwardly winced. He could hardly have made a worse impression.
“I’ll take that to be a yes, shall I?” The silver god stepped back to allow Tom to join him.
But before Tom could recover his wits, several women jostled their way in, talking constantly, and he barely had time to squawk out his floor number before they effectively formed a living barrier between them.
He could see the man’s eyes, and he shrugged a shoulder while quirking an eyelid.
Tom was determined he’d make a better impression the next time.
* * * *
Before Tom knew it a new week had started and he still hadn’t initiated a conversion with the god of the lift.
He’d even tried getting off at increasingly higher floors than his own, but had still found no opportunity to speak privately to the silver god.
Although he did know his name…Damon. At least he’d found that much out.
This time he made it to the lift without any other passengers joining him, and Damon’s smile was sultry as he pressed the floor button. To Tom’s surprise, they went directly to the fifteenth floor.
“There are no offices up here,” he blurted, and Damon’s smile turned predatory.
“Exactly.” Damon allowed the doors to open, then hit the hold lift button.
“I don’t have long. I decided that we’ve been flirting long enough.
Are you free for lunch tomorrow? I’ll book a table at one of the nearby restaurants.
Give us some real time to talk and see if we both want to take this further. ”
“Yes, and yes.” Tom laughed. “Can you take the time?” he then asked.
“Oh, I’m sure one of the security team will man the lift for me. Especially if I give him a tenner.” Damon swooped, pulling Tom into his arms, but instead of the hard kiss Tom expected, it was soft and gentle and over way too soon. Damon eased back. “Until tomorrow.”
* * * *
Damon had booked lunch in Nord, a restaurant Tom hadn’t previously visited.
They were shown to their table, and Damon instantly took charge.
To start, he ordered ham hock terrine and smoked trout, which they shared.
For mains, they chose pork ragu fazzoletti and cod kiev.
The meal concluded with them sharing the blueberry pavlova.
They chatted easily when not eating, and by the time the meal concluded, Damon had dubbed it their first date, and Tom had agreed to see a play and have dinner with him afterwards that weekend.
On returning to work, the security operative nodded at Damon and Tom, ambling away to resume his duties, shrugging back into his high-vis vest.
“Won’t he get into trouble for that?” Tom asked, and Damon shook his head.
“He preferred my cash in his hand to taking his lunch hour. What he does in his break is his choice. Don’t worry.
I won’t risk it a second time. But I’m entitled to a break, so since we will want to spend it together, I’ll let the company know they need to cover me at lunchtime. They’ll use a security guard anyway.”
“You’re so...self-assured.” Tom entered the lift as Damon slipped his lanyard with his identity badge back into place.
“Comes with age and experience.” Damon chuckled.
“You’re not that old,” Tom countered.
“There are nearly seventeen years between us. But I’m hoping they mean as little to you as they do to me.”
“They mean nothing.” Tom daringly pulled Damon down for a kiss. “That’s a promise.”
* * * *
Things were going so well with Damon that after their first month as a couple, Tom decided that he had to tell someone. He felt closest to his grandfather. John, his father, was fine, but he always seemed cowed by his mother. Liz always got her way.
But not this time. There’s a real chance for Damon and me, and I won’t have her ruin it.
As always, Martin was pleased to see him, ushering him into his kitchen-diner.
“I’ll put the kettle on, and we can have tea while you catch me up on what’s been happening. I don’t hear much from John, but that’s hardly surprising. Liz only comes to try and force me into a retirement home. I’m not ready for one of those yet.”
Tom waited until they were sitting with steaming mugs of tea, and a plate piled high with biscuits before blurting out.
“I’m gay. And I have a boyfriend.” Tom stared at Martin, who blinked, then chuckled.
“Well, as to the first, I’ve known that for years, and for the second, good for you.”
“You...knew...?” Tom could only stare. He felt he’d dropped into the multiverse, but Martin just continued to smile and nod.
“I’m pretty sure you mother blames me in some ridiculous, twisted way in that closed mind of hers. Fortunately, she only picked up on it recently, so it never affected my relationship with you.”
“Why you?” Tom asked, shaking his head. “You and Grandma were solid.”
“Yes, we were. But she wasn’t the first love of my life.
I like girls, but I like boys, too. You call it bi these days.
Mikey was my great love. But...well, it wasn’t so easy back in my day, and my parents threatened him.
We split up, and I was introduced to your grandma.
She knew all about Mikey. Through cousins of hers.
But we hit it off, and she was always sympathetic.
” Martin smiled at Tom. “Then we married, had kids. Life moved on, but I never forgot Mikey.”
“And Mum knows this.” Tom sipped his tea as Martin nodded.
“Your father was shocked, and it caused a rift, probably fueled by your mum. But there’s no point me going to them. Your mum doesn’t like that.”
“No. She isn’t approachable if you need something. She hates anyone being needy.” Tom absently picked up a biscuit, nibbling at it. “Tell me more about Mikey,” he asked.
“You tell me about your boyfriend, first.” Martin sat back. “I’m really happy for you.”
Tom grinned. “His name’s Damon.”
* * * *
At Damon’s insistence, they hadn’t rushed into bed. But it had been well worth the wait. Tom wasn’t a virgin, but Damon was far more experienced.
That night, as they lay together in the aftermath, Tom twisted in Damon’s arms so he could look down at his lover.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to take you to meet my grandad. My parents don’t even know I’m gay. And I know for certain they wouldn’t approve.” Tom’s shoulders dropped, and he looked away, unable to meet Damon’s eyes. A single, insistent finger pushed his chin up.
“I’d be honored to meet your grandad. Especially if you’ve confided in him about us. It can’t be easy for you. Are you out anywhere?”
“He’s really cool.” Tom smiled. “He’s bi. I never even knew. He settled down and married my grandma. As for being out…only with a close friend at work.”
“That’s tough.” Damon caressed Tom’s chin with his thumb.
“I didn’t want you to think I was playing a game, or ashamed of being with you—” Damon’s lips pressing firmly against his silenced Tom. As they eased apart, he inhaled deeply, getting himself back under control.
“Everyone’s life is different.” Damon spoke softly. “People are different. I didn’t make a move on you just for the hell of it. I think we have something good.” Damon smiled, and Tom’s stomach flipped, as always. “And I’m patient. I’ll be available whenever you want to take me.”
“Thank you,” Tom whispered. He leaned down to kiss Damon, unresisting as his lover rolled their bodies, settling once again between Tom’s spread legs.
* * * *
To Tom’s delight, Damon and his grandad hit it off instantly. The three of them even agreed to go to one of the oldest gay bars in the town center. It was a weird thought for Tom that his grandad had been a regular in the bar long before he, or even his father, had been born.
“It’s been a long time since I last went to The Lisbon. It was the place to go in my day. Now there’s a whole pink quarter.” Martin chuckled. “Be good to get out, too.”
“I really don’t see why Mum’s so keen that you move into a rest home.” Tom shook his head. “You’re fit and active, and only in your mid-seventies. That’s nothing these days.”
“Truth is, she wants me in one now, so that when the time does come, there’s no chance of my appealing to your dad and moving in with them.”
“Seriously?” Tom was horrified.
“You know your mother.” Martin shrugged.
“The only part of your life she hasn’t controlled is the university you went to, and that you’re flatting rather than back home.
And she only wants you at home, because it’s easier to get girlfriends lined up for you.
Sorry to say, she already has two or three perfect partners on her list. None of them are male. ”
“I should tell them.” Tom covered his face in his hands. “I just know Mum will go off like a rocket.”
“Leave it for now.” Damon rested his hand on Tom’s knee, squeezing gently. Let’s have our night out, then we can reconvene and discuss it further. Okay?”
“Okay.” Tom nodded. It was procrastination, pure and simple, but he really didn’t want it spoiling their night out. Especially with Martin coming with them.
* * * *