issue between us. Sure, they worried about me when I was younger, but as soon as I filled out, they figured I could handle any problems that cropped up."
A Bit of Rough - 41
Bram dropped his hand and lightly touched the red mark still visible on James' throat.
"There haven't been any Williams in my life, I'm relieved to say. Not that there haven't been the odd coy remark or cutting comment when my back was turned, but not very many people come at me head-on."
"I can understand that. I thought twice about just talking to you."
Bram snorted and stretched his long legs under the table, hitting the bench seat on the other side, a good four feet away. "It's one of the detractions of being so big. I even had to find a hundred year old house with nine foot ceilings and seven foot doorways to live in so I didn't have to duck every time I went from room to room."
James' eyes lit up and he turned in the seat, careful not to dislodge the warm hand working its way up his lap. "I love old houses. They have some of the most outstanding architectural designs ever made."
His hands moved in the air in front of him, emphasizing and expressing his feelings better than his words could. "The Brant Hill District on the north side of town is wonderful. It's not as swank as the Talbot Oaks area, but there's one block of homes, from Cypress to Evergreen, that's amazing. I'd love to live in one of those homes."
James realized Bram had been staring at him as he talked nonstop, a delighted grin on his face. "Sorry, I get a little over-enthusiastic sometimes." He picked up his glass and took several sips from it, hoping to blame the heat in his face on the wine.
"No apology necessary. I like seeing some of that passion you keep bottled up inside come out." Bram slid his hand into James' crotch and lightly caressed the growing bulge he found. "I want to know what makes you passionate. What turns you on, pushes your buttons."
James began to pant. His hips pushed up of their own accord, seeking more, but Bram kept the pressure to a steady, light stroking.
The big man picked up a pastry from the tray with his unoccupied hand and fed a cheese-filled morsel to his date. His thumb became covered in the creamy mixture. As he pulled back, James grabbed it. He swallowed, then licked the fallen droplets from Bram's thumb.
He scoured the digit carefully with his tongue before taking it into his mouth and sucking it clean.
His own breathing uneven and rapid, Bram shifted so his broad back blocked their activities from view of the rest of the diners. "If this is what just talking about old houses does to you, I'll have to show you my place. It's full of interesting angles and miles of elaborate detailing."
James actually felt heat radiate off the big man in waves. He found it difficult to breathe.
A Bit of Rough - 42
"Especially my bedroom."
The pressure at his groin increased and James bucked up into Bram's hand. He took a couple of deep breaths through pursed lips to dispel the dizziness rippling through him.
"Lots of interesting . . . architectural features?" If he passed out right now, James wondered if he could blame it on the lack of air in the room.
"Uh-huh. My bed, for one. Eighteenth century design. Only one I could find I fit in comfortably. You'll like it. Plenty of room to stretch out. Lots of places to hold onto, sturdy enough to be tied to." The slow stroking kept rhythm with the soft fluctuations in Bram's voice.
James let out a soft, strangled moan. His eyes darted around to make sure they weren't making a public display of themselves, but all he could see was Bram. Every broad, muscled inch of the man filled James' sight. "Tied? Me or you?" James managed to pant out.
"Either. Both." Bram moved the last few inches needed for them to make contact and whispered against James' lips before he gave him a chaste kiss. "Does it matter, baby?"
"I think the only thing that matters to me right now," James swallowed hard and wet his lips, "is
Nancy Tesler
Mary Stewart
Chris Millis
Alice Walker
K. Harris
Laura Demare
Debra Kayn
Temple Hogan
Jo Baker
Forrest Carter