Rough [02] - Roughhousing (12 page)

* * * *

"Where do you want these, Jamie?” Bram tilted the box in his hands so James could see the stacks of dinner plates inside.

Crouched over an open box of files and loose papers, James twisted around far enough to look inside the carton in question. He sighed, cast a weary glance over the cluttered, disorganized room, and answered, “Just leave them on the floor in the kitchen for now. I'll sort them out in the morning."

He stood, aching, one hand rubbing roughly at the small of his lower back. The apartment was livable, if disorganized. All of the furniture was in place and the majority of his belongings had been sorted out to the proper rooms. He could function on a day-to-day basis for the next week while he slowly found places for everything else.

Eyeing the remaining disarray, James shrugged. “I don't know about you, but I'm beat. Moving everything out of the old place into this one in one day is a hell of a lot of work.” He tossed an empty box aside. “I'm just thrilled Mitch and the other guys came over to help out. That was really great of them to give up their Saturday.” James made a face and sourly added, “I could have done without the dog jokes, though."

Coming back from the kitchen, Bram laughed, “What? You don't agree with Mitch?” He ran a hand over the side of James’ head, ruffling his dark curls, playful and teasing.

"I don't mind his opinion of me. I just wish he'd stop with the barking and yipping.” James shrugged again and grimaced. “But they get going and they're kind of relentless."

"That's just because they like you.” Bram kicked aside a few empty cartons and moved to stand close to James, towering over him, intentionally invading James’ personal space.

"Lucky me.” James shifted so that his hip brushed against Bram, the earthy scent of sweat and Bram's spicy aftershave filling his senses. He smiled up at his lover, pleased to finally be alone with him.

"The guys are kind of crude, but they're good men. I'd rather spend time with them than in the boardroom.” Bram returned James’ smile, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “But I agree with Mitch, you do make a great teacup poodle. Just about a handful.” Bram's touch turned possessive and sensual, both hands wrapping around James’ waist and pulling him close. “That is, as long as the hands are mine."

He leaned in and kissed James, pulling James roughly into his arms. James relaxed into the embrace and held on, relieved to be out from under the group of construction workers’ watchful gazes and teasing comments. The kiss deepened, and hands wandered over broad shoulders and firm buttocks on both sides of the passionate clutch. Just as things began to get more serious, a loud crash and angry, raised voices startled them. Both men broke away to stare at the far wall of the living room. James half expected something or someone to burst through it.

The distinct sounds of a physical domestic argument leeched through the thin walls joining the apartments together. Another unpleasant bang actually shook the wall, then an eerie silence fell.

Trading uneasy glances with Bram, James made to step back from his lover, but Bram held onto him, strong, insistent hands on his waist. “That's,” he said, tipping his head toward the abused wall, “not a good thing. I wonder how often they toss dishes at each other."

James’ face became a deep, unsettled frown. He blinked furiously for a moment, lips drawn into a tight, twitching line.

"Kind of reminds me of my parents.” He gave Bram an embarrassed glance, face flushing with the admission. “They used to fight like that sometimes.” James swallowed hard and added, “I hated Friday nights. Payday. Dad'd have a couple of drinks on the way home and then some little thing you never expected would set him off and he and mom would be at it."

He stared at the dividing wall again and mumbled, “I hated it. Really, really hated it.” His face hardened, but his eyes were rimmed with unshed tears. “I'd lie in bed and listen to the yelling and the slams and thuds, trying to imagine what was making each sound. I knew in the morning my mom would be all tired and really quiet. Way more than the usual quiet. Her face would be all swollen from crying all night. Once she even had a bruise on her cheek. I never knew how that happened. She wouldn't talk to us kids about it."

He blinked several times, shoulders hunched and his voice low and faint. “I hope they don't do that very often."

"You don't have to live near that.” Bram's tone was slightly biting even though his words were obviously meant to comfort. “You can still come live with me, Jamie."

His tone raised James’ defenses. “Come on, Bram.” He gestured at the empty boxes and disarray around the room, his own tone exasperated. “I'm all moved in."

"We can un-move you. It wouldn't take long.” Bram tried for a lighter tone, but the underlying hardness was still easily heard.

"I'd lose my deposit.” James’ stance mirrored Bram's, hands on his hips. “I can't afford to do that."

"It isn't that much. And you wouldn't need it if you were living under my roof.” Bram tried to soften his words with a smile. “It's paid for."

Voice terse and low, James declared, “I can pay for my own ‘roof', thanks."

Bram scowled. He reached for James, but his lover stepped back a pace. “I'm just saying, you could save money and live someplace nicer at the same time."

"This apartment is nice!” James bristled.

"Maybe. But it's not any more secure than the last one.” Bram waved an arm at the now silent wall. “You moved to find a safer place to stay and this place is showing all the signs of having just as many problems as the last one. The only time my neighbors get rowdy is when Miss Emily loses her hearing aid and turns up her TV too loud.” He took two steps forward and pulled James into his arms. “I'm just worried about you."

James slipped out of Bram's loose embrace, but stood his ground directly front of the man. “I've told you before; I can take care of myself."

Eyes narrowed, Bram's face clouded over and his tone darkened. “Like you did with Williams? He damn near choked you unconscious in that hallway. What would have happened then if I hadn't shown up?"

Blood drained from his face, but James dug his heels in, determined to show he was Bram's equal in protecting himself. “Who knows?"

"Who knows? Are you insane?"

Bram towered over James, his size intimidating and a little scary. James refused to be influenced by it.

Voice booming like he was on a noisy construction site, Bram continued, “I've got a pretty good idea and so do you. He wasn't trying to break into your place the other night to steal your stereo, Jamie. He waited until the middle of the night when he knew you were home, in bed, asleep. What does that tell you?"

"It tells me the guy is nuts.” James automatically matched Bram's tone and volume, confusion leaking into his voice as he began to lose control of the argument. “What's it got to do with this?"

After a moment of terse silence Bram continued in a quieter tone, icy blue gaze locked on James. “Yesterday you lived next door to a violent asshole who liked to beat on people.” As if on cue, another thud hit the living room wall.

James cringed at the sound of a young child's mournful cry. He chewed at his lower lip, making it sore.

Bram looked from the wall to James’ face and demanded, “You want to tell me what's different here, Jamie?"

A fleeting moment of indecision tugged at James until Bram added, “Come home with me."

Indignation and fear reared their ugly heads, confusing the issue for James. What had started out as fear of commitment had turned into a battle of wills. James knew it, but couldn't seem to stop pushing at Bram.

"I've told you before. I don't need someone controlling my life.” James was determined to win this battle. “Sex is one thing. Real life is another."

"What?” It was Bram's turn to sound indignant. “You don't think our having sex is real? You think this is all a game?"

"I didn't say that.” James backpedaled. “I mean they're separate. Just because I like giving over control during sex doesn't mean I want to give it up any place else. I don't need a keeper."

Frowning, eyes narrowed, Bram said, “Then don't act like you do."

"Oh, so you think I'm some incompetent, little twink that needs a daddy?” James’ pacing increased, weaving in and out of the obstacle course of boxes on the floor.

"No, I think you're some thick-headed idiot who needs his ass kicked so he can think straight!"

James eyes flashed to Bram's and his breathing came in shallow puffs, fear of revealing his true feelings squeezing his throat.

"Right! The big man's answer to everything. If it doesn't do what you want it to do, hit it!” James shoved at Bram's immovable chest. Bram grabbed James’ hands where they gripped the front of his shirt and held on to them, forcing James to stand still.

"I'm not the bad guy here."

Reason fled and James grabbed the opening to end the fight. “Maybe you just shouldn't be
here
at all right now."

Not falling for the quick fix James wanted, Bram said, “
Maybe
I should go next door and fix the problem for everyone."

"
Maybe
you should just
go
.” James yanked his wrists out of Bram's hands. He walked several feet away and then turned his back on Bram, hoping to hide the unshed tears in his eyes. He was vibrating with visible tremors.

"That's your answer to problems, Jamie.” Bram followed a few feet then stopped and watched James pace and shiver. Expression softening, Bram added, “You turn your back on them hoping they'll go away. Hiding doesn't solve anything."

"I'm not hiding.” James spun on his heels to face Bram.

"You are. I know you want to be with me, but you're so busy trying to hide your feelings from everyone else you can't find them yourself."

"Everything doesn't have to be a confrontation. Some problems do go away.” James shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them from visibly shaking.

"Williams certainly didn't go away. He was prying open your door in the middle of the night, for Christ's sake.” Bram took a step toward James then stopped and stepped back, obviously wanting to go to his lover. “How were you going to handle that? With a lawyer?"

Shrugging, James didn't have an answer for him.

"You really think you were going to get time to call for help if that bastard had gotten into your place that night? Really? He's still out there.” Bram swung his arm and pointed out the window of the apartment. “Just because you moved to a different apartment doesn't mean he isn't still obsessed with you."

"What?” That got James’ attention. He hadn't thought about Williams coming after him. Everything the man had done had been isolated to the apartment building. James figured moving would leave the problem behind. Maybe he had been too naive about certain things.

"Do you really want to be alone with that guy still out there?"

"Now you're just trying to scare me into doing what you want.” The words were bold, but they didn't reflect any amount of genuine confidence. They both knew it, too.

"I wouldn't do that, Jamie.” Bram's voice was quiet and defeated. “I'm just worried about you."

It sounded odd to James, odd and frightening. Bram was always in control, always full of self-confidence. The change was unsettling. James responded the way he always did when he didn't know what to do, he distanced himself from the situation.

"Well, you don't have to worry. I can take care of myself! I don't need you.” James stalked to the door and flung it open. He didn't honestly want Bram to leave, but he wasn't thinking clearly and he needed time alone.

Bram hesitated, narrowed eyes glinting with displeasure, his mouth a thin line of exasperation and worry. “Fine. If you change your mind and decide you really do need someone in your life, you know where I am."

He took his coat off the large, antique, brass hook on the back of the front door, grabbed James and planted a rough, wet kiss on his bruised lips, and then left without another word.

James slammed the door on Bram's retreating back. The moment the noise stopped echoing through the strange apartment, he regretted letting his temper get the better of him. But he knew living together would be a mistake. When Bram tired of him, James would be left homeless and abandoned. Just like when his family had kicked him out, only worse.

Sympathizing with the faint wail on the other side of the wall, James grimaced. James yanked the door open intending to call Bram back before he got too far away. James didn't get one foot out the door before he ran face first into a woman standing right outside his door.

Chapter Ten

A blond, well-endowed, thirty-something woman teetering on five-inch, clear Lucite heels stood smack in the middle of James’ doorway. She appeared to be dressed in nothing but the heels and an electric blue kimono that barely reached to the top of her thighs.

"Hi. I'm Macy.” Her voice was a breathy whisper meant to make a person lean into her personal space to hear her. Long, bright pink nails fluttered in James’ face making him flinch back a few inches. “I live next door.” Macy pointed at the apartment to his left, directly across from the battling couple.

"Say, you're pretty cute. So's the big guy that just left. Are you two brothers? Can I come in?” Macy batted her long, blue, artificial eyelashes and gave James an innocent smile.

Stunned into silence, James could only step back as Macy thrust her amply exposed cleavage into his face and shimmied past him into his apartment.

Torn between chasing after Bram or leaving a stranger in his new home, James clenched his fists, grunted an inarticulate curse, slapped his forehead in frustration, and followed Macy back into his living room. By the time he'd turned around and shut the door, Macy had discarded the short kimono.

"Lady! What the hell are you doing? Who are you?"

Probably five foot five in her stocking feet, Macy towered over James in her heels. Her double D cups spilled over the top edges of her lift-and-separate, hot pink and black, lace shelf bra like rising bread dough out of a too-small, buttered loaf pan. A matching thong hid almost none of her clean-shaven assets and showed off her shapely thighs and the curve of her slender hips well. She moved in close to James and giggled when her breasts nearly put out one of James’ eyes.