“I’d like to beat the shit out of you,” Tommy told him.
“Beat the shit out of, roll around, it’s the same difference. You wanna get hot and sweaty and jump all over me. I’m not gay but I understand your feelings. It’s just the effect I have on people. You’re not made of wood,” Kieran told him matter-of-factly.
“Whatever arse munch. I’ve got a sledgehammer and I’m going upstairs so you’d best stay out of my way,” he warned Kier.
“Trust me, little man, I have no interest in coming upstairs to see your big hammer,” Kier retorted.
“You need help,” grumbled Tommy, as he walked away and we fell about pissing ourselves laughing.
I glanced quickly at Liam to see if their gay references had made him feel uncomfortable but he looked as bemused as ever with them both. Mentally I chastised myself for thinking he’d be any different. The lads wouldn’t change who they were or how they acted because he was gay, and he wouldn’t want or expect them to. In fact, he’d probably kick their arses if they did. My only concern for him was that he was still keeping it a secret. I know he worried the news would spread when it got out, but he needed his friends around him. His parents were stanch Catholics, and as much as they loved him, when they found out there’d be fucking hell to pay.
*
The steam rose up from the hot bath in waves and rolled decadently up to the ceiling. The slight ache in the muscles I didn’t train regularly felt good. For the first time ever, I felt like I was building something. For a guy who hadn’t achieved a whole lot up until this point, a couple of days hard graft on our first real home gave me a hunter-gatherer feeling that was pretty heady.
“How’s it coming on?” Em asked from the doorway.
“Looks beautiful, darlin’,” I told her, watching the steam making her hair curl even tighter.
“In one weekend, you made our house a palace?” she teased.
“I wasn’t talking about the house,” I said. Beckoning her over, I waited until she was almost beside me before hauling her by the hips and pulling her over the edge of the tub into my lap.
“Woman, you’ve got curves that would tempt the angels themselves,” I told her as I ran my thumb under the elastic of her panties. She’d shrieked when I’d grabbed her but, dressed in only panties and a tank top, I didn’t think she’d be too mad about the wet clothes. She moaned slightly as I gently grazed her clit, and my cock grew even harder beneath her.
“Baby, flattery really does get you everywhere,” she replied breathlessly.
Jesus, I was a lucky man. Some men marry young and quickly regret their decision even faster. What was that saying again, “marry in haste, repent at leisure”? Most men don’t know what the fuck they’re doing but I did. I may not be a smart man, but it didn’t take a fancy degree to understand that marrying Em was the best thing I’d ever done. She was strong, smart, sexy, and funny. The most intelligent woman I’ve ever met. There hasn’t been a single moment since the day I met her where I’ve waivered in my belief that she was the woman for me. Convincing her that I was the man for her had been another matter.
“We have to get out,” she whispered, “If we get any more water on the floor, it’s going to leak through to the flat below.”
“Fuck the guy downstairs. He’s a dick who plays music far too fucking loud. With a bit of luck, the leak will fry the stereo equipment and the whole building will love us.” She giggled until I touched my lips to hers. With kissing and coaxing, she opened her mouth slightly as she brushed her tongue against mine. Darts of pleasure went straight to my dick which was practically impaling her.
Getting her into the bath was one thing, getting her underwear off was another. Soaking wet, they weren’t coming off easily and there was only one thing for it.
“Don’t even think about it, O’Connell,” she warned me, with the wagging finger and everything. Grinning playfully, I nipped the finger gently between my teeth, then sucked on the end to salve the skin.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I retorted, looking like the cat that got the cream.