The Glass Knot-mmf (12 page)

By
the time we’d finished dessert—strawberries and cream—and headed
into the lounge to watch TV, Nick seemed to have relaxed almost to the way he’d
been in Marbella. His smiles for Josh were frequent and easy, and his jaw had
lost the tight look of earlier, though his eyes were still heavy and dark and
the crease between his brows still carved there.

I
figured I was the cause of that line and it would be there until I left.

We
watched a sitcom. Josh and Nick sat side by side on the long sofa and me on the
chair with my legs folded beneath me. The programme was funny, and Josh laughed
out loud several times, so did I, because hearing him laugh was infectious.

The
cat wandered in and climbed on Nick’s lap. He stroked it absentmindedly as we
watched the news and weather forecast. Eventually he yawned and stretched his
arms over his head. “I think it’s time to hit the sack.”

Josh
glanced at his watch. “Yeah, I’ve had a long day. What about you, Laura, tired?”

“Mmm,
very,” I said, standing. “Shall I go up first and use the bathroom?”

“Go
ahead,” Josh said, getting up from the sofa. “We’ll see you in the morning.” He
rested his hand on my shoulder and kissed my cheek.

This
time there was no awkward dodging of heads or accidental kisses on the lips. It
was a quick polite kiss of friendship, not one of lovers, and nothing like the
steamy mating of mouths we’d enjoyed in Marbella. But I made the most of the
moment and breathed in his delicious fresh scent. Held it deep, wanting the memories
it would bring to linger until I was alone to enjoy them. Much as I would have
liked to be settling into bed with Josh, the chances of that were as likely as
me being abducted by aliens. That was a fact I had to accept and get used to.

He
stepped away and sank back on the sofa.

Nick
reached for his hand and weaved their fingers together. “See you tomorrow,
Laura,” he said, still looking at the TV.

“Yes,
goodnight.” I left the room and headed up the stairs. My body was weary but my
mind raced. How the hell was it possible to be so attracted to someone who was
never going to be interested in me? Okay, so Josh wanted my friendship, but he
was into guys, he was gay, he’d had his one night of sex with a woman and now
he just wanted Nick. It was obvious by the way they were so comfortable with
each other, so in tune, not to mention they’d created the perfect life together;
nothing could ever come between them.

I
wondered why Nick was so worried.

After
washing, then brushing my teeth, I climbed into bed and rested my head on the feather-soft
pillow. I heard the click of the lock on the front door, deep voices on the stairs
and water running in the bathroom.

Eventually
the house went silent. I turned over and snuggled down, waiting for sleep and
enjoying the dry, fresh bed.

But
sleep didn’t come. Thoughts and images raced through my busy mind. Josh and Nick
were in the next room.

In
bed.

What
are they doing? Are they having sex?

For
the second time that day I imagined Josh and Nick naked together. This time Josh
was riding his beautiful dick into Nick’s mouth. Nick was on the floor, his
insecurity making him eager to please; his hands busy rolling Josh’s balls,
caressing his ass, his asshole. I knew what Josh’s groans of approval sounded
like and I imagined them again now, found my aching clit and began to fret.

I
pictured Josh coming in Nick’s mouth, Nick swallowing fast, lapping up every
last drip of semen before flipping a sated Josh over, onto his hands and knees,
determined to show him he could give him everything he needed. I upped the
friction on my clit, snatched the pressure building in my pelvis, and clamped
my lips to prevent any low moans filtering out.

The
image now was one of Nick in control, separating Josh’s butt cheeks and
exposing his asshole. Kissing his cleft, his buttocks and his ring of trembling
muscle. I could almost hear Josh begging for penetration, his greed for more
orgasms unashamed. Nick, of course, would give Josh his cock, sinking deep on a
powerful ride. His need and his love for Josh so overwhelming that it contorted
his face as his balls pressed against Josh’s and their thighs came together.

My
fingers were wet now, wet and hot, my own climax hovering. I wished the walls
in the cottage weren’t so thick so I could listen for any real grunts and moans
coming from their bedroom. But also I was thankful the walls were dense because
I feared a stray groan would escape my lips as I came.

As
my clit prepared for a mini explosion I fast forwarded my dirty thoughts,
pictured Nick coming swiftly and feverishly in Josh’s ass. His hands gripping
Josh’s shoulders so hard that Josh’s back and neck arched. Josh would cry out
in that gritty way he did when he came. Spurting his cum onto the sheets in
long strings that pooled on the silk like strands of pearls.

I
held my breath, jerked my hips, and let a swift but intense orgasm wash through
me. I kept my fingers busy until I’d eked every last moment of pleasure from my
pussy.

Blowing
out a long, low breath, I allowed my body to sag into the mattress. Perhaps now
sleep would find me.

I
rested my hands on my hips and studied the inside of the barn. It was darker
than I’d hoped, but perhaps, with my flashlight on a high stand, I could
simulate a streak of sunshine slicing through the stacked hay bales.

“Do
you really think it will work?” Josh asked.

I
glanced upward at the high ceiling dense with cobwebs. Several abandoned bird nests
sat in the shadows. “Yes, it could.” I quickly walked over to the barn doors
and pushed them apart, just a fraction. “Especially if this is open a foot or
so because then a shard of natural light filters in.”

Josh
looked unsure.

“It’ll
be fine. Just stand there.” I pointed toward the bales. Several had been opened
and the hay burst out creating a bed of pale strands. “That’s where the sliver
of light coming through the door lands, see, like a torch beam. I think it will
be a nice effect on you.”

Josh
gave an easy going smile, shrugged, and stepped up to where I’d pointed. “Here?”

“Yep,
perfect. Just stand still while I fiddle with the settings.”

My
Nikon was an extension of me. It had been a faithful friend and loyal keeper of
pictures for over two years now. It only took a moment to adjust.

I
looked through the lens.

My
breath caught in my throat. I had to pause for a moment.

Josh
was even more beautiful today than he had been when I’d met him in Marbella or
even when I’d seen him the day before walking through the orchard. I don’t know
what it was about him, but every time he smiled afresh or appeared in a room, I
fell for him just a little bit more. It was crazy, this
be friends
plan,
whoever’s plan that was, because it would never work. Not when he was so
perfect, so sexy and so unattainable.

“Do
I need to smile now?” he asked.

You
can smile all day, gorgeous.

“Not
yet, just checking the light. The background is going to be quite dark, but
you’ll have a streak of sunshine on you. It will be very atmospheric.” I
stepped forward, reached out and touched his shoulder. “Turn this way a tiny
bit, so you’re not in the shade too much.”

Feeling
hard, warm muscle beneath the light blue checked shirt he was wearing did bubbly
things to my stomach. But I tried my best to ignore it. Well, ignoring it was
impossible, especially when his cologne bombarded me with images of us fucking
crazily, in every position we could think of, but at least he didn’t know what
I was experiencing and remembering. My thoughts were my own.

“It’s
quiet in here,” Josh whispered, his eyes sparkling as light spilled across his
face.

“Yes.”

“Is
it a nice change from the city?”

“Definitely,
I love it.”

He
grinned. “Good, I like having you here.”

It
would have been easy to get carried away with his words. Try and read between
the lines and think there was more to them, but I didn’t. Instead, I took a picture
and studied the screen.

“Any
good?” Josh asked.

“Yes,
it’s a start.” Again I stepped up to him and this time cupped his freshly
shaven chin, moved it an inch. “You can smile now,” I said, gazing into his
eyes.

He
did. A lovely full smile that creased the corners of his eyes and showed off
his teeth.

I
moved away, camera at the ready. Clicked several times, adoring the way the
streak of sunlight caressed the angle of his jaw, the straight bridge of his
nose and the thickness of his neck. It also shined into his hair, creating a
glow that could almost be mistaken for a halo.

Except
I knew Josh could be devilishly bad when he wanted to be. Angel he was not.

“Let
me see,” Josh said.

“Stay
there.” I didn’t want him to move from the magical stream of light we’d
harnessed. I stepped up to him, showed him the screen. Our shoulders touched as
he stooped slightly. Every erogenous zone in my body bristled at the
connection.

“Mmm,
that’s a great effect, but…”

He
didn’t like it.
I sagged
in disappointment.

“It
just isn’t…” Josh said, rubbing his index finger over his lips. “It’s just
isn’t sexy enough.”

“Oh,
okay.” Not what I was expecting. As far as I was concerned he couldn’t be
sexier.

“I
was thinking more of a picture like this.” He gripped the base of his shirt and
peeled it over his head. I had to step away to stop his arms knocking me as he
tossed it to the floor.

“It
is, after all, for Nick’s home office. It’s not like anyone else will see it.”

I
have to.

I’d
have to see his beautiful chest while I took the picture and then I’d never be
able to delete it. It would be on my computer until the end of time.

“Nick
would like this better,” Josh said.

“Yes,
of course, okay.”

Who
could blame Nick?

There
was something about Josh’s chest that was sublimely perfect. I’d noticed it
that first moment when I’d seen him walking, all wet and tanned, out of the
sea. His chest was broad, his pecs square, his little nipples cute, and the way
his ribs tapered down to his abs and obliques would make Rodin weep to sculpt
him.

My
chest tightened. My longing was so much more intense now than on the beach that
day. Because now I knew what his chest was like to touch and kiss, cuddle into.
How it looked pressed against my breasts and covered in our mingled sex sweat,
rising and falling rapidly as he fought for breath after riding into me hard
and fast.

I
willed myself back to the present. But with his aftershave settling in my nose
and mixing with the soft male scent that radiated from his naked skin, it was
not an easy task.

I
started taking more pictures. This time ensuring I had his entire upper torso
in the frame.

Once
again the sun worshipped him, lovingly touching each perfect muscle and tendon.
Highlighting bulging biceps and the sinewy tendons of his neck. It made me want
to worship him too, lick every square inch that I could, and then get hold of
his cock and…

Oh,
fuck. I have to get out of here.

I
did six more shots and lowered my camera. “I think that’s plenty.”

“You
sure?”

“Yes,
maybe you’d like some pictures outside, in the garden?”

So
I can get some air.

I
fiddled with the zoom. My pussy was thrumming. I should have brought Rocky then
I could have disappeared into the bathroom for some alone time. Sorted out the
ache between my legs.

“No.”
His voice was firm and deep.

I
lifted my head.

There
was something in his eyes that made me freeze. I’d seen that look before. It
was raw and hungry. The soft, caring, relaxed expression of moments ago had
gone. Josh was thinking about something dirty, sexy and…carnal.

I
know him better than I thought.

“I
don’t want to go in the garden. I want to stay in here.”

“Oh,
do you want me to get Nick?”

“No.”
His lips tightened and he stepped closer.

“But,
er, maybe I could do some pictures of the pair of you together.”

 “No,
that’s not what I want.” He reached out and lifted the thin leather camera strap
over my head.

Just
the brush of his fingertips on my neck sent more lust raging through me. But
this was crazy. There was nothing between Josh and I. There couldn’t be. For
Nick’s sake there couldn’t be.

He
set my camera on a hay bale then loomed back over me.