Page 14 of Play Hard

Robert wrote FF on the top note, then got up to adhere it to the kettle so he’d see it in the morning. “I’m sorry,” he said, placing a hand on Liam’s back.

“You’ll be sorry.” Liam bumped his hip against Robert’s. “When I punish you.”

Robert uttered a needy growl. “Ohhhh. Tonight?”

“Nah, tomorrow. Give you time to think about it.” He angled a glance through his lashes. “And give me time to procure what I need for you.”

“Can’t wait.” Robert let his hand drop to the hem of Liam’s shirt, which rested atop the curve of his arse. Then he slipped it up underneath to skate his fingertips over the warm skin of Liam’s back.

“You can wait, and you will.” Liam turned to him, then gently took Robert’s lower lip between his teeth and tugged. “But not for everything.”

Their kiss was warm and deep, and for a few moments it became Robert’s entire world.

“Mmph.” Liam pulled away and turned to the hob. “I smell a light char. That’s our dinner ready.” He patted Robert’s arse. “Out of these jeans and into some trackpants. You’re overdressed for a night in.”

Robert took a step toward the kitchen door, then automatically reached for his phone on the table. A warning glare from Liam stopped him.

After he changed into more comfortable clothes, Robert went to Liam’s bedroom window to check the weather. He lifted the blinds, taking care not to get them stuck in a raised position.

Outside, the rain that had threatened earlier seemed to have changed its mind. The road’s uneven tarmac was still dry, and the pedestrians were huddling against only the wind.

From here Robert could see the front window of the nearby community center. It offered a warm, welcome glow in the otherwise forbidding gray streetscape. How long had it been since he’d volunteered there, at the place that had given him so much support growing up?

October, probably, at the center’s Halloween party. That made it nearly three months.

He returned to the living room, where he and Liam sat on the couch to eat and watch TV, the sagging cushions drawing their arses close together, which was exactly where they wanted to be. When they finished eating, Robert drew his legs up and lay against Liam, who tugged the tartan blankets over them both, taking care to cover Robert’s feet.

Robert took Liam’s hand, sliding his fingertips between the knuckles, feeling for the rough spot on the webbing between his third and fourth fingers. Liam tended toward dry skin—a side effect of washing bar glasses in hot water—but this particular patch on his left hand seemed immune to lotions and oils. It was one of many landmarks upon his body Robert couldn’t see, could find only by touch. It felt almost a compulsion to stroke this square inch of skin, proof that this man was truly Liam and not a simulacrum.

Not that someone like Liam could ever be simulated.

“This is daft,” Liam said suddenly. “Your attention’s not undivided if we’re watching TV, is it?”

It sort of had been, as Robert had been more entranced by touching Liam than by the program. “So let’s do something else.”

“We cannae go out drinking or dancing, as we’ve got a match tomorrow.”

“Then let’s stay in.” Robert moved his hand inside Liam’s thigh. “Really in.”

“We’re never at our footballing best the day after a good shag.”

“We could experiment, see how we play after a bad shag.”

“Nae chance.” Liam kissed Robert, then suddenly seized his arm. “Let’s go to the Tesco!”

* * *

Robert had assumedLiam would take their game in some strange directions, but he never imagined that one of those directions would lead to the Shettleston Tesco Extra on a Friday night.

Outside the supermarket, Liam shoved his shopping list into Robert’s hand. “Be right back. Need to pop over to F&F for a wee minute.”

“You need new clothes?”

“Not for myself.” He patted Robert’s cheek. “Only buy that porridge if it’s discounted. If not, I’ll take the own-brand stuff. I’ll be back in time to pay.” He hurried off, hands in his coat pockets, head ducked against the blustery wind.

Robert wheeled his trolley through the automatic doors, sighing with relief at the blast of warm air that greeted him.

He started with the fresh veg, wishing he had his own list with him. It was on his phone, of course, which he’d left behind at Liam’s flat. The lack of device made him feel unnaturally light, so he found himself checking his pocket to ensure his wallet hadn’t been nicked.

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