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Freddie
By the time the sun came up the next morning, Freddie discovered how many markers could be used to drive him to the brink of insanity. The offending items lay innocently on the floor by the bed when he slid out from under Taine’s arm to get up. He tiptoed from the room to grab an early bath.
His ability to make it through breakfast depended on being clean and clothed. Fully. Clothed. He took comfort in knowing they wouldn’t be spending another night under his parents’ roof. Awkward didn’t even begin to cover how he felt.
It also didn’t explain why the thought of last night was enough to liven up his thirsty ferret.
“Behave yourself.” Freddie frowned down at himself. “Oh, oh. This is great. I’m talking to myself.”
A quick hot shower did him a world of good. He dressed quickly, trying not to wake the sleeping giant in his bed. His intention to get to the kitchen before anyone else failed miserably when he found his aunt by the hob.
“Morning.” She drew the word out while pouring a mug of coffee for him. “You were rather silent last night. Did we behave ourselves?”
“Always.” Freddie grabbed the mug and disappeared out of the kitchen.
“That’s not a yes, Freddie.”
He ignored his aunt shouting after him. Her laughter followed him through the house. He holed up by the fireplace—the only truly warm spot in the old place.
Dear coffee, I adore you. Not as much as cheese, but it’s close. Please save me from my idiotic family who are going to want to embarrass me. Love, Freddie.
With his mental letter penned, Freddie sipped the slightly bitter liquid. He cupped the mug with both hands and brought it up to allow the steam to waft across his face. I shagged in my childhood bed last night.
He giggled.
“What are you cackling about in here?” His dad stumbled into the room in his pyjamas. “You’re too happy this early in the morning.”
Freddie grinned when he continued on his way, likely to the kitchen for coffee. After breakfast, he intended to make his excuses to start for Cardiff. He definitely wouldn’t be staying another night under the same roof as his parents with Taine in bed with him.
His heart couldn’t take the stress even if other parts of his anatomy found it thrilling. It could be excited in Cardiff as well as Cornwall. He didn’t have a humiliation fetish.
I don’t.
At all.
The morning went quickly. Before Freddie knew it, he stood outside in the sleet by his Mini. Taine had already swanned off to the inn, leaving him to deal with his fathers on his own.
He made it away from the farm without tears, lectures, or being smothered to death by cwtch. A win. The incredibly enormous crate of cheese, beer, and leftovers sitting in the back had been forced on him on the way out. His fathers apparently believed their son never bought groceries—or ate without being prompted.
Freddie made one stop on the way home to Cardiff to check on Genevieve. She happily accepted half of the treats from his dads by way of thanks for taking care of his cat. They exchanged presents, gossip, and drinks long into the evening.
The doctor’s giggles over his being stuck at his family farm with Taine had Freddie calling it a night. Genevieve made him promise to bring coffee in the morning for both of them on their early shift. He left quickly before she could ask him anything else about the holidays.
She didn’t need to know everything.
Collapsing on his couch, Freddie balled up a piece of paper to toss to Bitsy, who immediately pounced on it. He couldn’t dredge up the energy to fix himself supper or do anything other than watch the muted telly. His flat had never seemed more cold and lonely.
The time had come to face facts. Taine had made a tangible and likely permanent impact on his world. Freddie wouldn’t be brushing it off as a casual connection.
Taine had arrived in his life at the perfect moment. Stress from working with terminally ill patients had weighed heavily on his spirit. Freddie hadn’t realised quite how much it impacted him until being around the Scottish Maori god forced him to relax.
All of it had blinded him to the truth that was slowly creeping up on his heart. He wanted Taine, more than simply lusting after the man’s wicked body. They could have something special and long-lasting.
“Will Taine want me for more than a few sweaty, exhausting nights?” Freddie bent forward to ask Bitsy, who batted the paper at him. He decided to take the meow as a positive response to his question. “Yes, yes, I’ll throw your new toy for you.”
