The late after-lunch start was a godsend. I wasn’t sure I would have been able to get up at the same time Ross had. The past few weeks, days, and especially the past thirty-six hours had all but brought me to my knees.
But things had finally calmed. Fires had eased. Every one of us who donned our firefighting kit on top of our day jobs remained vigilant, and while another call could come through, the anticipation had dwindled just slightly.
I looked at the time. It was almost five thirty, meaning I could head home.
I’d been in the workshop today working on some cabinets. Usually, I was out and about fitting kitchens, but my late start had thankfully held me back, so I’d had a fairly easy day.
After packing up my equipment, I swept the floor before heading to grab my things.
With only Jacko around, I was able to say a quick goodbye and leave.
Craig was already waiting to take me out to his parents’ place to collect my truck.
It was still plenty early enough that I’d see if they needed any help before I hightailed it out of there. The pull to spend some time with Ross made me pick up my pace. Unfamiliar nerves settled in my gut as I opened Craig’s car door and sat in. While everyone yesterday had seemed okay about Ross and me, after a night to sleep on it, there was always the possibility that now the adrenalin from the fire had passed, so had their acceptance.
I had no plan to raise the subject, though.
Before long, it would be the norm for our friends and family to think of Ross and me together, but I also craved normality too. The last thing I wanted was things between Craig and me to change.
“Hey,” I greeted, throwing my bag in the back seat and then tugging on my seat belt. “All good?”
Craig nodded, a yawn following. He shook his head as he pulled out of the car park and laughed. “Yeah. Still knackered. Feel like I could sleep for a week. You?”
“Same, pretty much. I managed to get some sleep till eleven this morning. Another early night though, tonight. My body’s shagged.”
“I hear you.” He indicated to turn right, eyes remaining on the road.
“You spoke to your parents today? Everything okay?”
“All good, thank Christ. A couple of hours after we left, the few smoulders still around were put out. And there’s no damage to the buildings. The land’s going to need some work. A few fence posts replacing, but in the grand scheme of things, they’re helluva lucky.”
“Agreed,” I said. “Just let me know when you need a lift with the fencing.”
“Thanks, mate. A few weeks should do it, I think. Give the old man time to source the posts. Not sure any of us have the energy to be cutting down the stringy oaks and making our own.”
I huffed out a relieved breath hearing that. If needed, I’d help out and spend time felling and stripping trees and then assist cutting them up into posts, but it was back-breaking work that I’d happily avoid if possible.
“You spoke to Ross today?”
Not willing to be anything but honest with the guy, I answered, “Not since he left my place for work this morning.” I side-eyed him, looking for a reaction. Relieved that just a small head bob followed, I relaxed a little.
Craig was my best mate; as such, I should have known he wouldn’t be a prick. I chastised myself for remaining wary earlier. He’d said what he’d needed to say last night and even a couple of months back. Gave me his thoughts, his warning, and that was that. It was one of the many qualities I liked about the man.
“He may be at Mum and Dad’s,” Craig said, his words causing my stomach to flip over in expectation.
We’d said we’d contact each other after work, and that had been my plan once I’d picked up my truck. Getting to see Ross earlier than expected sounded like a win to me.
“Great. Save me a call,” I said. “The less time I have to talk on the damn phone, the better.”
Craig laughed, hating making phone calls as much as I did.
We spent the rest of the journey shooting the shit, making the kilometres speed on by. Before long, we were bouncing down the pot-holed driveway. Compared to when I’d made this journey yesterday, I was a whole lot calmer. The only similarity being my heart still threatened to pound out of my chest at seeing Ross.
When I saw his Hilux parked out front, I didn’t even try to hold back my smile.
I was the overeager fool who all but dove out of the Toyota as Craig hit the brakes, my feet taking me to the front porch where Ross had appeared and was currently heading down the wooden steps towards me.
His grin was wide, happiness etched on his face.
“Hey,” he said in greeting as my feet ate up the gravel, and I found myself in front of him, placing the barest of kisses on his lips. It was as chaste as I could get, not willing to freak his whole family out.
As I pulled away, I smiled. “Good day?”
He nodded, gaze roaming my face. In my peripheral vision, I saw movement and edged away from Ross, moving to his side when my focus shifted to his mum.
“Hey, Harriet.” I walked on over and up the steps, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek, so very aware that I held Ross’s hand the whole time.
“All good?” Her eyes roamed my face, concern dipping her brows low. “You look beat.”
“I’m all good, Harriet. Nothing a weekend of sleep won’t fix.”
She didn’t speak for a moment, her eyes then travelling to my hand that clutched her son’s. “I made you a pie to take home for dinner. Come on in and grab it.”
I grinned, squeezing Ross’s hand, and followed her inside.
“Where’s Dad?” Craig asked, coming up behind us.
“Out in the far east paddock. He should be back soon.”
“He need me to head out to help him?” Craig asked as he stood at the kitchen window, peering out.
“Don’t think so, love. He’ll let you know if he does when he gets back.” Harriet then busied herself, and I turned my attention to Ross.
“Your day been okay?” Just being so close to the guy, his hand still snugly held in my own, was something I could hardly believe was real. I wasn’t a swoony guy at the best of times, but Ross brought out a side of me that no one ever had before. Perhaps it was having crushed on him for so long that made the difference, me knowing the man all but inside and out. But from the moment we shared our first kiss just yesterday, I readily admitted that I wanted to spend all my time with him.
“Yeah,” he said, “not too bad at all. Still busy, as we’re offering support to help entertain the kids while all of this nightmare is going on, but it’s good to feel like I’m contributing, you know?”
“I get it.”
“Here you go, Dan. One beef and potato pie for you.” Harriet placed the huge pie in front of me, and my eyes widened at the size.
“Bloody hell, just how much do you think I eat?” I threw her a wink.
She quirked her brow at me. “Don’t sass me, boy. I’m assuming you’re sharing it with that hollow-legged kiddo of mine.” Her attention flicked over to Ross, and I snorted.
“I do not have hollow legs!” Ross’s protest was drowned out by laughter.
Craig, being the smart-arse he was, added, “Like shit you don’t. You eat more than me.”
“Whatever,” Ross said, rolling his eyes at his brother. “You’re just jealous you have to spend time at the gym getting fit while I look effortlessly hot.”
I glanced at Ross, smiling because he really did look hot. His body was strong, arm muscles defined enough to make me drool. There was no six-pack in sight, and I was more than happy with his softer stomach and the trail of hairs I’d salivated over last night and this morning when I’d let my fingers have their fill.
“Piss off, turd,” Craig shot back, earning a clip around the ear from his mum.
Craig grumbled under his breath, rubbing at his ear, and I shook my head at the both of them.
“Noticed you’re keeping your mouth shut,” Craig aimed at me.
I simply shrugged, more than aware there were times in the past that I’d jump in on the ribbing. “Seemed like you had this one handled,” I said, a grin on my face.
Ross returned my grin while Craig groaned. “And so it begins. Dick whipped.” He ducked and shifted quickly, narrowly avoiding another smack from Harriet.
“On that note,” Ross said, “you okay if we head off, Mum?”
“You guys go for it. We’ll call if we need you.”
Ross let go of my hand when he headed to Harriet and engulfed her in a hug.
Not long after, I pulled up outside my place, Ross behind me in his Hilux.
I waited for him to exit before going inside, eager to give him a proper greeting. I didn’t have to wait long. In a few steps, he was in my arms, his mouth connecting to mine, the two of us pressed together so close the heat from him embraced me.
This was no feathery-light kiss.
When his mouth moulded against mine, I groaned at the connection. Warm tongue, perfect lips, and just the right pace, and I held him close, my mouth moving against his.
A not-so-gentle tangle of his tongue against mine, and my whimper broke free, wanting more, eager for the connection, desperate for his mouth to stay on mine, on my skin, anywhere I could get it.
With my cock perking up and the bittersweet memory of the agreement we’d made earlier this morning front and centre, I knew I had to slow this down.
It didn’t matter how much I was already regretting my commitment to take this slow.
When I leaned back for breath, a goofy grin on my lips, I didn’t give a damn that my happiness was so transparent. “Hey,” I said, my goofiness continuing.
Ross beamed at me. “Hey, back.” He placed a small kiss on my lips before angling back. “You look knackered.” Despite his smile, concern had his brows dipping. “You sure you’re okay with me being here tonight?”
I tightened my grip on his waist. “I’m definitely good with you being here. An early night wouldn’t hurt, but that can be with you.”
“An early night sounds very doable,” he said, his soft smile doing all sorts of things to my insides.
“Good.” I bobbed my head, brushed one more kiss against his lips, and reluctantly released my hold on him. “Let me just put some veggies on to cook before I jump in the shower.”
We headed into the kitchen, and I rummaged through my fridge.
It didn’t take long to pull the veggies out to eat with the pie. I took a quick shower while Ross prepped it all. By the time I headed back to the kitchen, he was straining the broccoli.
When I stepped up behind him, I placed a kiss on the back of his neck. The gesture was instinctive. “Smells good,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist, wondering how I’d managed to go so long without allowing this to happen.
Fuck, I’d been a dick to hold back for so long.
Fear was terrifying and visceral, the thought of losing my friends holding me hostage. But the idea of not having this joined a whole other league of dread. I was finally realising having the chance to give this a go with Ross was worth the worry and anxiety.
How could it not be when we fit so well?
Unaware of my musings or the reason for me tightening my hold on him, Ross simply sighed into my touch. “That’s all down to Mum’s pie.”
It took me a moment to catch up, my mind focussed on thoughts of Ross rather than the scent filling my kitchen.
“She does make a good pie.”
“She does that,” he said, indicating he was ready to dish up.
I shifted back, giving him space, and collected the plates.
“Where do you want to eat?” he asked, slicing the crusty pastry.
“In front of the TV all right? Could put a show on and chill.”
Ross smiled. “That sounds good. My backside needs cushion time.”
I snorted and made my way to the lounge, sitting and switching on the TV. “What do you want to watch?”
“Movie rather than a TV show that I’m going to get hooked on. I don’t have the energy.”
“Good plan.” I did a quick search and selected an old action movie, not expecting to see it through, too bone-tired, but I’d give it a fair go. And with Ross snuggling up against me, I was beginning to think I could definitely get used to quiet nights in with him. It would be my aim to make it happen as often as possible.