OHH MY!!!!
By the time John Paul had woken up Craig was gone from the bed and the sheets where he'd lain were cold, but he'd heard his laughter filter through the floorboards from downstairs, the deep, melodic sound making his heart and his groin flutter their acknowledgment. Then he'd squeezed the pillow that his arms were tightly wrapped around and had sighed before flinging back the covers, getting himself ready and making his way downstairs in trepidation.
That'd been eight hours ago. Eight hours he'd endured of blissful torture watching the object of his affections as he laughed and joked and fit right in with his family, just like a wonderful boyfriend would. John Paul laughed at the irony, gaining him a smile and a curious glance from the older man. John Paul noted it didn't reach his eyes though. He still hadn't told Craig what he'd decided last night, discussed the things he wanted to and after the detached way Craig was behaving today he wondered if he ever would.
It wasn't that Craig was being aloof or distant, quite the opposite in fact. He was the epitome of the perfect, attentive boyfriend, smiling, putting his arm around him, mocking him playfully, it was just....he wasn't the same man as he'd been yesterday and the day before, there was a lack of genuine affection and warmth that John Paul missed seeing and knew was missing. If he hadn't spent the best part of forty eight hours getting to know him and falling in love with him then he might never have noticed but he did notice and it was tearing him apart.
Okay so the line of pillows down the bed had been a pretty blatant sign that Craig was keeping everything professional and he got that but it hurt deeply because John Paul had felt an instant bond between him and his dark haired 'lover' that he thought Craig had felt too. It might not be physical on both sides, might not go deeper than friendship but that's what he'd felt, like a wide open chasm that had been empty all his life was suddenly being filled with fun and laughter and confidences, affection and trust and a loyalty that surpassed anything he'd ever known before. He and Spike had been friends for years but he'd never felt that instant bond he'd felt with Craig like you'd just found the best friend you'd always wanted. It'd seemed to work both ways too, Craig had appeared to enjoy the closeness that was thrust upon them but still, today it was like it didn't exist. John Paul sighed heavily and in frustration.
"What's up JP?" Craig came and stood behind the dining chair where John Paul was sat putting finishing touches to the bows tied around the ladies boxed favours that Michaela had instructed they finish before her hen night this evening. He glanced around at the expectant faces around the table, all waiting for him to answer Craig's question. Jesus, was it that obvious that something was bothering him. He turned, not realising how close his 'boyfriend' was and smiled into those dark chocolate orbs that were setting his heart pounding.
"Nothing, everything's fine" he tried desperately to make his smile seem genuine but Craig frowned anyway. Then his eyes softened and he bent forward, wrapping his arms around John Paul's chest, hugging his back tightly to him.
"Aww, love's young dream eh?" Myra commented looking at the pair of them as they unconsciously savoured the brief moment of intimacy, John Paul leaning back into the embrace and Craig closing his eyes as his cheek rested mere millimetres from John Paul's. At that moment Michaela came bursting through the door surveying the clutter and disarray on the kitchen table.
"You still haven't finished? John Paul, your supposed to be coming to the club in the limo with me" she whined.
"Well so-rry Chaela but you said you wanted these finished and I only have one pair of hands." She huffed and splayed her hands on her hips.
"Well you'd better get a move on now then".
"But they still aren't..."
"I'll finish them..." Craig interrupted waving his hand at the remaining unwrapped parcels..."and I'll drop you at the club too, you don't mind do you Michaela?" he asked, raising his eyes to the sulking bride to be. She looked like she might say something in retort but clammed up when she saw that Craig was a force to be reckoned with.
"No that's fine, you can ride back in the limo though....right?" John Paul smiled at the change of plan and nodded his consent. Course he didn't mind, he'd have Craig to himself for even longer now. "Well I'm going to go get my bikini wax so don't be late" she stressed, knowing her brothers usual disregard for time keeping, "and don't forget to bring my comfy trainers with you, I might need to change from my heels to come home". With that she tossed her hair and flounced out. John Paul turned in his seat to face Craig who still had his arms around him. As he swiveled in his seat his cheek brushed against the slight stubble that adorned Craig's olive skin and he had to force himself to breathe at their closeness.
"Thanks for doing this" he indicated the explosion of pink and purple tissue and ribbon behind him, "are you sure you don't mind?" Craig stood up and cleared his throat.
"No of course not, now hadn't Cinderella better get ready for the ball?" he teased, his light humour of yesterday resurfacing.
"Oh please don't remind me" he shoved the seat back and stood up, running his fingers through his dirty blond hair. "Are you going to have enough time to get ready for the stag do?"
"Hey, I only have to get a shower and stick a suit on remember, stag parties are pretty easy to get ready for" Craig chuckled and John Paul nodded making his way to the bottom of the stairs.
"I'll uh....I'll give you a shout when I'm done okay?" he bit his lip feeling suddenly shy to have the Craig of yesterday back.
"Take your time". John Paul waited for him to turn around or say something else but he didn't, he just lifted a length of ribbon and started tying it around one of the little black boxes. For a couple of minutes he stood there, hand on the banister rail, just watching the methodical way that Craig set about his task, head bent in concentration and fingers working deftly and with great care. He swallowed as he imagined those same long, beautiful fingers working over his skin with similar precision and attention to detail. It caused him to shiver. He glanced to the other side of the table and noticed his elder sister looking at him knowingly as she chatted to Kieron. God he needed to get a grip.
The three 'S's complete he stepped from behind the shower curtain and toweled himself off, groaning as he opened his wardrobe door and extracted the outfit he was to wear tonight from inside. Looking at it now he was surprised it still fit after all these years but it did and embarrassing as it was it was the dress code for the evening and he had no choice but to adhere to it.
He called down to Craig that the shower was free and seconds later he heard the soft thump of his footsteps as he ascended the stairs.
"Oh hey, your're done then" he started stripping off his charcoal grey cardigan and polo shirt and then John Paul stiffened as he heard the unmistakable sound of a belt being unbuckled and a zip being pulled down. He had to fight the urge to turn around, instead sitting on the edge of his bed in his white shirt and black trousers, trying and failing not to look in the rectangular, oak cheval mirror that was placed in just such a position that he could see Craig clearly through it. God he was perfection. Just watching the way his shoulder muscles bunched together as he slipped his trousers down and took off his socks was enough to send him into a frenzy. The thing is, he couldn't even stand up now to leave the room because that would mean walking right past Craig with his very noticeable excitement.
"It shouldn't take me long to shower and get ready, are you sure you don't mind hanging on for me?" John Paul turned around and tried to think of the right words. Just attempting to form a coherent sentence right now was proving difficult. I could wait forever for you, he almost blurted out.
"Uh huh, no, it's fine....I'm just going to get a drink". He gestured to the door near which Craig was stood in just his boxers but made no move to get up.
"Right then, I'm going for a shower" John Paul remained fixed in position which Craig thought odd but then realised that John Paul wasn't exactly paying much attention anyway. Craig looked at the younger man, wondering what it was that was still troubling him but then shrugged to himself, it was none of his business what John Paul got up to or who he wanted to be with. "A cup of tea'd be nice...if you're making one that is". John Paul nodded but still he got no acknowledgment so he went into the bathroom and started his routine.
By the time he came out clad in just a fluffy white towel, John Paul was nowhere to be seen but there was a steaming brew and some hobnobs on his bedside table. Smiling to himself Craig sat and enjoyed the thoughtful little gesture before getting his arse in gear and making himself presentable in one of his favourite navy blue suits. He casually flicked a comb through his hair, grabbed his car keys and bounded down the stairs two at a time into the kitched, depositing his now empty tea cup into the sink.
"You look cheerful!" Craig turned startled to be met by the piercing eyes of Jacqui McQueen.
"Well I uhm...." Craig became a little flustered beneath her scrutinous gaze.
"It's alright, I get it....you're in love with our John Paul" Craig frowned as he listened. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, your secrets safe with me" he let out a sigh of relief, wondering how the hell this woman had come to be so perceptive. "You might want to let him know though eh?" She winked and left the kitchen, leaving Craig stood against the unit thinking on her words. Should he? Was it worth risking having his heart broken by this man he'd only known for a matter of days? Oh well, there was no harm trying. He was pushing himself away from the unit to leave when Mercedes walked in.
"Our John Paul's waiting for you outside, you'd better get a move on or Michaela'll kick off." Craig grinned and walked over to the brazen McQueen lass giving her a kiss on the cheek as he passed by.
"Thanks Mercy" he shot her a grin and was half out of the door when he heard her call after him.
"Oi, only family get to call me that...cheeky" he grinned and shook his head because he could hear the smile in her voice even through the reprimand. As he approached the car, John Paul fell into step beside him, he glanced over and stopped in his tracks.
"What's with the tie?" he gestured towards John Paul's outfit. John Paul shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"Michaela's idea of a 'fun and flirty' hen night was a 'school days' themed party." he answered dryly.
"Oh, I like it, it....suit's you" Craig said, stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets to conceal just how much he 'liked it'. He was impressed actually. There was something about the white shirt/black trousers and tank top combination that he found 'boy next doorish' but add on the tie and it was....kinda sexy.
"Thanks, you look gorgeous" Oh fuck! Had he said that out loud? By the way Craig chuckled it would seem so. He was going to correct himself but that wouldv'e just made it worse so he shut his mouth and said nothing until they were in the car. After a few minutes of silence, John Paul felt it was his duty to break it so he asked a question that'd been bugging him ever since he and Craig had met.
"So....are you ever uh....attracted to your clients?" he tried to say it nonchalantly but by the look of the smile that quirked at Craig's lips, he hadn't quite managed to pull it off. Craig glanced in the rearview mirror and got into the slow lane.
"Look, I can understand you're curious about my work but, I can't discuss it....client confidentiality and all that." John Paul narrowed his eyes and sunk further into his seat.
"No....I was just wondering, you know....do you sleep with most of them?" why oh why he couldn't just drop the subject he really didn't know. Craig pulled up at the side of the road and John Paul was surprised to find that they had reached their destination and were now parked behind a huge white limousine outside one of the trendiest clubs that Chester had to offer. Craig turned to face him, his arm next to the head rest on his seat, his fingers so very close to the younger mans face.
"It isn't about sex" he said succinctly. "It's about giving the client what they want, knowing what they really want and...most of the time, it isn't sex." He shrugged and pulled open his door, coming around the side and opening John Paul's, holding onto his hand as he assisted him out.
"Yeah right, getting you to agree to this was harder than getting tickets to a 'Take That' concert".
"But with the magazine you work for and DJing at the club you must get free tickets". John Paul snorted, obviously Craig wasn't quite getting the point, though he was right about the tickets.
"My point is, your like this Guru who only needs to do something or say something and you make people fall in love with you" he laughed, a low, husky chuckle in his throat..."no really, if you can make my family love you and you can make m....Mercedes, then you must have magical powers or something, believe me, I know they're a tough bunch to get by." Craig laughed, he could agree that they certainly were unique but he'd found them all to be rather charming in a 'rough around the edges' kind of way.
"It's not magic, it's just....understanding people".
"But you...." Craig put a finger to John Paul's lips.
"It's not about me, it's about you" he stated. John Paul lifted his big blue eyes until they connected with Craig's soft brown ones. He gulped as he felt himself melting into the chocolate pools, drowning in their intensity.
"Show me" he breathed, his warm, moist breath surrounding Craig's finger. The older man drew back for a second and John Paul thought he was going to leave but then he stepped forward, not touching the blond but backing him up with his close proximity. John Paul's eyes widened as he saw the way Craig stared at him, like he could see right into his soul. A gently push from the tips of Craig's fingers and he felt the cold, hard, metal surface of the car collide with his back as he fell against it. Then Craig really stepped forward invading his personal space and his breath was knocked from him.
"Hmm, what's holding me back...." Craig growled. John Paul licked his lips as the brunette gazed at him, a flicker of a smile on his mouth. His eyes suddenly bore into John Paul's, unnerving the younger man with their challenge. "I think it's the words....sex for cash!" John Paul swallowed and blushed, the fiery red stain creeping up his chest below his old school shirt. He licked his lips again but wasn't prepared to back down.
"Show me" he croaked out. Craig lifted an eyebrow and then moved in close, his lips almost touching John Paul's ear as he watched the younger mans adams apple bob up and down at the near contact. Craig found John Paul's gaze disconcerting so told him to close his eyes. The blond man looked at him bewildered.
"Close your eyes" Craig commanded again. Still John Paul didn't, his heart was beating a mile a minute but he didn't know where this was going and he wasn't used to losing control. "Close....your....eyes" Craig whispered this time, his words somehow more forceful even though spoken so softly, a gasp escaping John Paul as his lips glanced off the soft, sensitive skin beneath the blond mans throat. He heard John Paul swallow audibly and had to bite back a groan of his own. Before his eye lids closed over those cobalt eyes, Craig saw him glance up and down the street. Still on alert and checking out if anyone was looking, Craig thought wryly to himself.
"You can relax....there's no one to see you, you're safe" he leaned in so his mouth was a almost touching John Paul's and he asked himself what the hell he was doing. Sliding his arm around the younger man's waist he lay his hand against his hip, his fingers splayed over the shirt covering the hot, toned flesh beneath. He felt the urge to tighten his hold so John Paul's couldn't leave but resisted, safe in the knowledge that for now at least, he held John Paul's undivided attention. He steadied himself against the car with his other hand.
"He's going to be so sorry he lost you.....so stop worrying..." John Paul tried to control his erratic breathing as Craig's breath caressed across his neck to his lips. He wanted to open his eyes but he didn't dare in case he severed the connection that right at this moment held the two of them together. He felt himself tremble as Craig's hand slid around to the front of his tank top, skimming the surface until his fingers, the same ones he'd imagined touching him earlier, came to rest on his neck, his knuckles grazing the soft heated flesh. Craig swallowed as he felt John Paul flush beneath his fingers. He looked from beneath his heavy eyelids and saw the way the young mans lips parted as he spoke, felt a stirring in his groin when he saw his tongue dart out to moisten them. This isn't about you, it's about John Paul, Craig reminded himself, trying to compose himself before continuing.
"Forget the past....forget the pain and remember...." John Paul opened his mouth ready for Craig's kiss as he felt his hot moist breath whisper over the surface...."what an....amazing....person....you are!" Craig couldn't stop his fingers from sweeping across John Paul's exposed neck as his thumb brushed over the pulse point. Jesus! What was he doing to himself. He drew back and dropped his hand to his side, all the while looking at John Paul's face.
"You do that and he'll realise exactly what he lost." As the blonde's eyes fluttered open Craig was stunned to see them radiating desire, the blue pools filled with lust and something else, something he didn't think he'd ever had the fortune to see before. John Paul cleared his throat which had amazingly become very dry as he looked into the deep, very dark brown eyes of his pretend lover. He didn't dare glance down and draw attention to just how turned on he was by Craig's closeness and through his fogged up mind he tried to hear what exactly it was that Craig had been saying. Something about forgetting the past? Well, he was all up for that. Craig finally gave him enough space to leverage himself off the car, blushing once more as his jelly filled legs barely kept him up right.
"Fuck me, your worth every penny!" he giggled as he fell against Craig, grabbing onto his jacket and the bonnet of the car as his legs almost gave way. "Oops sorry, uneven footpath". Craig nodded, smiling and closed his eyes for a second before taking hold of John Paul. Once he knew the younger man was steady he leaned back against the sleek lines of the car, reminiscent of the first time he'd driven it and stared straight ahead at nothing in particular.
"I think maybe you should get in there" he said, inclining his head in the direction of the club that had raucous noise coming from within. John Paul took a deep breath, glad to feel that his heart rate was slowly but surely returning to normal.
"Uh huh, gimme a minute". Both just stayed as they were for a few seconds, deep in thought, until the door to the club burst open and a group of rowdy girls spilled out onto the pavement. Craig pushed himself away from the car and held his hand out towards John Paul who took it.
"Go on, your sister'll be looking for you" he encouraged giving him a gentle shove.
"Right well....I'll see you later then?" Craig smiled as it was almost like John Paul expected him to do a runner or something.
"I'll be there" he patted John Paul's arm as he grinned and then watched him as he walked away and entered the club. Jesus this was getting hard.
Thanks for reading, comments and reviews appreciated.