Page 43 of Deep Waters

“What’s their problem? Apart from being brain-dead bigots.”

“Oh, they’re just typical small-town trash, the type you find everywhere. Their lives are a mess of drugs, booze and petty crime—in and out of jail on pathetically short sentences, never off probation, begrudging anyone else who might have achieved something with their own life. Antoni and Roger have had trouble with that pair since they opened the place, like art means a thing to those stupid pricks. They don’t give a shit about the gallery. They just hate the guys because of their race.”

“I talked them into reporting the incident to the police. I think they were just going to let it slide otherwise.”

“Yeah. The police won’t do much about an incident such as that. They aren’t interested in preventing crime. They will only take action after an assault has been committed.”

“Reporting it will help, though. If anything else happens, there will be a record.”

Harry leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Mm-m. That’s one of the things I’m coming to like about you. You’re not as cynical as I am. I’d tie an anchor around the Bewicks’ necks and dump them off North Point if I had my way. It would do the town and the taxpayer a big favour.”

Christian shuffled around to look at him. His eyes were fiery pools in the lights from the bedside tables. “I’m rather enjoying it. You know, this small-town intrigue.”

“I’m glad we amuse you.” He gave him another kiss. “What did you think of Antoni?”

“We only spoke for a few minutes. He seems nice. They both do. Good-looking, friendly.”

Harry trailed his fingers across Christian’s smooth chest. “He is. He’s really nice. We actually get on better now that we’re not in a relationship than we did before. I think we were always intended to be friends. I hope he finds someone who appreciates him soon. He deserves that. He always wanted for us to move in together, but I couldn’t go there. I’d like for him to meet someone who wants the same things that he does.”

Christian put his hand on the side of Harry’s face and drew him down for a kiss. They moved their lips softly over each other’s. Ten minutes ago, they had been fucking hard and fast, now everything was calm.

“I think I’m done talking about your ex,” Christian said, and they both laughed.

“You brought him up,” Harry said, tweaking one of Christian’s nipples.

“And I’m dropping him…for now. Should we think about going for some dinner soon?”

“Are you hungry?”

Christian nodded. “I’ve worked up an appetite.”

“It’s nearly nine. We’ll struggle to find anywhere with a table at this time on a Friday.”

“It doesn’t have to be anything special. How about a takeaway?”

“There’s a great fish and chips shop just along the street from here. We could collect something and bring it back.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Christian rolled over and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Harry stayed where he was, taking a moment to watch his lover as he stood and searched for his clothes, which had been scattered around the room in their haste to get naked. His body was glorious. Tight and toned, with a few stretch marks and scars to prove his age.

“You never really told me the story behind those,” Harry said.

“What’s that?” Christian paused with one sock in his hand.

“The scars…on your arm and torso. Is it anything you can talk about?”

Christian looked down at himself. “You know, they are so old and faded that I don’t even notice them.” He brushed his fingers along the jagged line across his belly. “Nothing exciting. It was a motorbike accident when I was nineteen. My parents warned me not to get a bike, but I wouldn’t listen. Cars were boring. I wanted the freedom, to go wherever I wanted or some such bullshit. I was going too fast on a wet and winding road. Thankfully, no one got hurt but me.”

Harry bounded from the bed to him. He wrapped his arms around Christian and pulled him into a firm embrace.

“What’s this?”

Harry pressed the full length of this bare torso against Christian’s, relishing the contact of skin on skin. He ground his hips, pressing their soft penises together. “I just wanted to enjoy your nakedness for a few seconds more before you put your clothes on.” He rested his chin on Christian’s shoulder and grabbed his arse in both hands.

Christian did not resist. “You’re a strange young man, you know that?”

“Oh, absolutely. I always have been. I hope that’s not a bad thing.” He gave his butt a good squeeze.

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