Rough [02] - Roughhousing (25 page)

Bram imagined she was a formidable opponent in the courtroom, but here Julie Justin was just an unwelcome intrusion. Bram felt James tremble and sag slightly under his embrace, but whether it was out of frustration or rage, he didn't know. And he didn't care. All that mattered was that James was being crushed by his older sister's harsh verbal attack. And this was supposed to be the nice, accepting sister.

"Hold it right there, lady.” Bram squeezed James’ shoulders and then moved to stand between brother and sister, blocking off both Julie's verbal attack and her accusing glare from hammering at James anymore. “I thought Jamie said you were a lawyer. I got the impression he thought you were bright. You should know better than to enter an argument without getting your facts straight first. Keep it up and this time you might lose a whole lot more than just an argument."

"James? Are you going to just stand there while he talks to me like this?” Julie demanded.

Glancing behind him, Bram scowled as James hugged himself harder and sagged down to sit on the staircase. His face was pale and tears still slid down his cheeks, but when he raised his head, his eyes shone with a determined gleam that hadn't been there before.

"Yes, I am. Bram knows what he's talking about. He knows
me
.” James’ voice was low, but steady. “Apparently, better than you do."

"You're confused and upset by what happened earlier. I remember how embarrassing it was for you before when the three of us surprised you in your room. But you were just a kid. You're an adult now and your behavior hasn't changed! I want you to leave with me, James."

Julie moved around Bram's hulking form so she could see her brother better, smoothly changing from demanding to beseeching in the next breath. “Please. At least for the night. So we can talk this out privately?"

"No.” The glimmer of determination in James’ gaze hardened. Bram couldn't resist a small smile when James stood up from the step and looked his sister in the eye. “I live here. With Bram. My choice, my life. If you can't respect that, then...” James sniffed and blinked back the lingering tears in his eyes, “then I guess, you won't be a part of my life anymore."

"What?” Obviously not used to being contradicted by her brother, Julie looked shocked and confused. “You're kidding, right? James?"

Bram felt a flash of pride for his lover's obvious struggle to hold onto his adulthood when faced with the overwhelming, familiar pressure to fall into old habits and allow his sister to reduce him to ‘little brother’ status with a few harsh words and a bad attitude.

It was apparent Julie and James had grown up in a household that used verbal abuse to control and shape behavior. Julie had learned her lessons well, even entering a career that allowed her to use what she had learned to serve justice.

James, on the other hand, had what Bram considered a paralyzing fear of ending up in a dysfunctional relationship like his parents had. No wonder James was so terrified of any hint that Bram might be controlling him outside of their bedroom activities. He'd grown up with it and it was the last thing he wanted to relive for himself. Bram considered that a healthy point of view on James’ part and it reassured him his lover was more mentally stable than even James believed.

The whole unfortunate family situation hit Bram hard. His heart ached with the knowledge James hadn't had the kind of loving support and nurturing Bram's family had given him growing up. He felt like he was bleeding inside for James. He knew James must feel even worse than he did right now.

James loved this sister and her words were like a betrayal of his trust all over again from his college days. Bram wasn't going to let misinformation and biased attitudes hurt James anymore.

"Keep it up, Ms. Justin, and you'll lose your brother's respect and trust. Jamie and I are a family, but it's up to you whether it's a family of just two, or one that has room for extended members.” Bram joined James, slinging an arm around his lover's shoulders. Bram privately delighted in the way James straightened up under its weight and kept his gaze locked steadily on his sister's uncertain face.

Bram stared Julie in the eye and gave her his most sincere but penetrating boardroom stare. “Don't you think he's lost enough of his family already?” He nudged James’ head with his chin as James relaxed and leaned against him. “I love him. Don't you?"

Flummoxed, Julie stammered, mouth opening and closing twice without any sound escaping. Her gaze jumped between James’ determined expression and Bram's unyielding stare and back again several times as she seemed to give the situation more thought.

No one moved for several minutes, and the silence stretched to an almost unbearable level before Julie sighed and caved in, proud head dropping and her eyes closing briefly in defeat. When she looked up at both waiting men, there was a new expression on her attractive face, one Bram read as grudging acceptance.

Nodding slowly, Julie pursed her lips tightly before taking a deep breath, hands self-consciously smoothing out imaginary wrinkles from her still crisp pantsuit. She faced Bram. “You and I do have that in common, Mr. Lord. We both love James and will do anything to protect him. I worry about my younger brother and sometimes that makes me harsher than I mean to be."

Her expression softened and her voice caught on a few words before she steadied it. “But I do it out of love, James, not meanness, or for a sense of power over you.” She held out her hand to James.

James blinked hard, but didn't move away from Bram's side. “I love you, too, Julie, but I'm not a kid anymore. Stop thinking of me like one."

Dropping her empty hand, Julie's eyes turned up to meet Bram's icy gaze again. “He's my little brother. I've been protecting him from one thing or another, like big bullies,” she said, gesturing vaguely at Bram's impressive bulk, “most of our life growing up. I take protecting him very seriously because I seriously love him."

She pinned Bram in place with a critical look, then a grudging, half smile tugged at her mouth. “I see that same need in you, too. I respect that. It's enough for me to try and like you.” Her smile grew just a tiny bit. “Maybe. I'm sorry I was rude to you and didn't give you a chance to talk. And still haven't, really.” She caught James’ gaze again. “For James’ sake. I'm sorry."

"Thank you, Julie.” Obviously unable to contain himself any more, James burst out of Bram's embrace and hugged his sister, fresh tears rimming his eyes as he buried his face in her hair for a moment before squeezing her hard and whispered, “I was afraid I was going to lose you for good."

Wiping his eyes on his palms, James released her and rejoined Bram, slipping back under Bram's arm, this time boldly taking his lover's hand in his own. Bram ruffled James’ hair and planted a kiss on James’ temple, relieved and pleased to see a smile on James’ lips. It was uncertain and kept slipping a bit, but Bram knew James well enough by now to understand he'd need time to painstakingly work out the events of the evening. James would come to grips with it all eventually, and Bram would be right there beside him to help him, come hell or high water, or even meddling sisters.

The sharp adrenaline spike that started with the rush of the interrupted intimate moment back in the truck and continued through the confrontation with James’ sister began to fade. A wave of lethargy washed over Bram and he fought back a massive yawn.

"It's late and we're all tired. Would you like to stay the night in our guest room, Ms. Justin?"

"Oh, I don't think—.” Julie frowned and darted an uncomfortable look up the stairs.

"Please, Julie.” James put on a puppy-dog expression. “It's after one o'clock in the morning. I'd like it if you would stay. We can talk over breakfast and you can spend some time getting to know Bram.” He suddenly dropped the dogged expression and quietly asked, “Please. For me?"

"Oh, wow, James—.” She still grimaced, uncertain.

"Truce?” Bram extended his hand to her. “I'll make sure you have a room at the far end of the hall from our room. It's a big house. You won't hear a thing."

"Bram!” James elbowed his lover, eyes wide and teeth bared in a mock expression of shock.

"I meant so my snoring doesn't bother her."

"You don't snore!"

"Then there shouldn't be any objection.” Bram looked questioningly at Julie. “Right, Ms. Justin?"

"Okay, truce.” She took his still extended hand and shook it. “And you can call me Julie. If we're going to be sharing a meal later, we might as well be on a first name basis. Abraham."

Snorting lightly, Bram said, “Abraham was a president of the United States of America. Bram'll do fine for me. Do you have luggage out in your car?"

"One bag, yes. I'd only planned on staying the night. It's in the back seat. In all the chaos, I think I even left the car unlocked."

Bram nodded and began to move toward the front door. Beside Bram, James sighed and rolled his head on his neck, exhaustion and stress having taken their toll on his already depleted resources. Bram could see the energy and color drain out of James.

"Jamie, why don't you take Julie upstairs and show her the guest room at the end of the hall? I'll get her bag for her and join you in our room as soon as I lock up, okay?"

"Yeah, sounds good. It's been a long day.” James took his sister's arm and started up the stairs at a slow, measured pace, looking older than his twenty-eight years. “Let's go, sis, before I fall asleep on the steps and you both have to drag my bony body up to bed."

"Why do I get the impression it wouldn't be the first time you'd be carried up these steps?"

"Don't ask what you're not willing to have the answer to, Julie."

Bram watched the two of them start up, then he slipped out of the house, his gaze lingering over the sight of James’ tight, curved, little ass as he climbed the stairs.

Some things never change. Thank god.

Chapter Seventeen

"Come here, Jamie. Wanta hold you. Think you could use it. I
know
I could.” Bram's voice purred deep, rich, and full of tenderness. James was amazed at all the emotion the big man could pack into just the tone of his voice. It vibrated through him, like a coating of healing salve soothing his raw nerves and tired limbs. “Christ, you've had a rough week, baby."

"We both have.” Turning his head to watch Bram undress, James sighed and let his gaze wander over Bram's supple, muscle-bound abs and corded thighs.

Bram was an amazing sight to James, bronzed and buff, a mountain of strength and power that also housed a sharp business mind and the heart of a lion. A territorial, possessive, and assertive lion, but a tenderhearted, loving, and loyal beast, as well. It was as if the Chinese mythological creature from the statue Bram brought him back from Chicago had come to life.

The light was turned off, throwing the room into familiar shadows, a small night light on the far wall cast a romantic glow to every visible surface. James enjoyed the jiggle and sway of the mattress as his king-sized lover climbed into their bed. A few short weeks with Bram and James found he didn't like sleeping alone anymore.

Head still turned, James locked stares with Bram, mesmerized by the other man's intense, affectionate gaze. He stammered at first, then admitted, “I-I put you through some ugly stuff lately, but you stayed with me every inch of the way.” He couldn't help the awe that crept into his voice. “Even when I tried to push you away, you stayed."

"That's what you do when you love someone, Jamie. You stick with them, through thick and thin, and work things out.” Bram gently kissed the closest of James’ fading facial bruises. He adjusted the covers over the both of them and bunched a pillow under his head.

The heat from Bram's body slid in naked and close as the man spooned up behind him. “That's the difference between just dating someone and being committed, married, to them."

The touch of Bram's flesh against his back was like being embraced by warm satin pulled taut over rippling, hard muscle. James relaxed into Bram as one beefy arm wrapped around his waist and tugged his hips into the curve of Bram's groin.

"I'm learning that. Having this is all new to me."

"We've got time.” Bram kissed his lips and then pulled him closer. “A whole lifetime, baby."

James felt the semi-hard shaft between Bram's thighs nestle into the crack of his ass, comfortable and faintly interested, but apparently content just to be close to James. His own cock responded to Bram's presence in the same way the moment Bram's voice had rumbled in his ear—interested, but undemanding of more attention. James settled down in Bram's embrace and let Bram's heat invade his chilled flesh.

A leisurely kiss landed on the side of his head, as Bram nuzzled his face through James’ curls, inhaling deeply. James knew he smelled like beer and cigarette smoke, but was too tired to care. Besides, Bram liked earthy scents.

A low moan vibrated against his skull as Bram growled, “You smell good. Like autumn and peanuts. Not a bad combination.” He sniffed James hair again and pretended to take a bite out of his neck.

James laughed and squirmed against Bram's tightening hold, pulling his head away, but actually offering more of his neck to the playful teeth at the same time. It felt good to laugh, if only a little bit. James felt lightheaded and weak-limbed. He needed sleep, but couldn't seem to relax, even with Bram at his side.

He sighed and closed his eyes, concentrating on the feel of Bram's solid, powerful presence and the secure, reassuring grip around his waist. James leaned back and rested on the pillow of Bram other arm as it snaked under his head. At times, Bram was the only thing grounding him, his anchor in a churning sea of emotional confusion. He rolled his head slightly and shrugged his shoulders to ease the dull ache in his tired muscles.

"Stop thinking so much, Jamie. You're beat."

"I am tired.” James shifted restlessly, then rolled onto his back, carefully staying in Bram's embrace. “But I'm not sure if I can get to sleep yet."

"I don't think I ever explained what really happened at work. How I got the project.” James felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. “I think I owe you that."