Page 17 of Full Service

I could feel the stress building up in me and I didn’t have any of my usual outlets; usually the gym, yoga or having Brian pin me down and fuck me til I forgot my name. Without the above options, I didn’t know what I’d do to relieve stress.

The walk back to the garage felt lonely and frankly quite scary. It was dark, and the hedges along the side of the road seemed to lean in over me and block the moonlight. The only comfort whenlooking up was being able to see the stars. In London, the light pollution stopped the stars being visible. Just outside the tiny village the sky was so dark that I could see stars I’d never seen before. They kept me company on my uncertain journey through the country lanes.

Finally, I saw the light of the garage up ahead. Alongside Macsen’s car in the yard was another I’d not seen before. It wasn’t usual for him to leave customer cars outside of the garage itself.

I let myself in through the side door and heard a woman’s laughter as I climbed the stairs. Did he have a friend over? Girlfriend?

When I got to the top of the stairs, I saw the source of the commotion. Macsen was sat on the floor with his back leaning up against the sofa and there were two others in the room with him, one man and one woman both leaning up against the TV stand. They each had a beer in hand and the man held a joint. He took a deep drag before passing it over to Macsen.

I shook my head and walked over to the kitchen to make my cup of tea. Not my business who Macsen had over in his own home. I would have to just wait until they left. I took off my shoes and put them down in the corner of the kitchen.

“Who’s this, Mac?” the girl asked. I didn’t turn around, just let the kettle boil.

“This is…” Macsen clicked his fingers like he’d forgotten my name. “…my lodger. He’s sleeping on my sofa until he can get on his feet.”

“Didn’t know you were so charitable mate,” said the man. I could feel my stress level rising ever further and my cheeks and ears heated.

“Eh, he’s a bit of a prick but I don’t turn away the homeless.” Macsen laughed, and I turned toward him. I realised he was wearing my jacket. My very expensive Tom Ford jacket.

“Can you take that off?” I asked as calmly as I could. “It cost me a lot and I don’t want you getting ash on it.”

“Oh, like this?” Macsen held up the lapel to me where there was a very clear grey smudge. I was reminded again that I couldn’t even afford to get my own clothes dry-cleaned.

“Yes, like that. Now take it off.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Macsen smiled and stood up, holding an empty beer bottle up to the light. “I’m out. Either of you two want a drink?”

I could feel the rage building. I had no outlet, nowhere to go. And this jumped-up prick was making fun of me. He walked toward the kitchen and leaned down to grab a beer from the fridge. Just as he moved to go back to the living space I grabbed his sleeve with one hand.

“Take it off. Now.” I’d prided myself for years for professionalism in business and in hiding my emotions. But right now there was no way of me hiding anything.

“Take your fucking hands off me.” Macsen tried to move away, but I kept a firm grip on the sleeve. The second he stopped trying to pull away I took another step closer, putting my hand to his lapel. He was ever so slightly taller than me, and more muscular. That would normally have intimidated me but for once whatever vestiges of alpha male remained in me were determined to make themselves heard.

“You take my jacket off right now you little prick.”

“Little? You’re one to talk.” Macsen pushed me back against the kitchen counter but I kept my grip. He grabbed my wrist with his hand and squeezed until I had to let go, then grabbed my collar. I didn’t know if he wanted to hit me or strangle me.

“You fucking twat,” I said.

“We’re…just going to go,” said the man who’d been leaning up against the TV. He and the woman had made their way tothe door already. They scarpered out before Macsen could say anything.

“Arsehole,” he muttered, letting go of me and walking several paces away. “This is my house, my living space, and you just went and scared off my mates. You said you’d respect my property and here you are, pissing all over it like it’s your own.”

“Itismy own. I could have turfed you out the second I found out you were living here,” I said. I opened the fridge and grabbed a beer to make a point. I looked around and realised I didn’t have any way to open it. Macsen had been opening them with his teeth since I got here.

He laughed quietly and walked over to the sofa, slumping down.

“Talking of my property, you’re still wearing my jacket,” I said. Macsen laughed lightly again though I could only see the back of his head. I stalked over to the living area and stood in front of the TV.

“It was going to come off in a few minutes anyway, I only put it on to give myself an advantage.” Macsen gestured to the coffee table between us. There was a poker set laid down and a bottle of vodka to the side of it. “They were here for games night. Strip poker was Ffion’s choice, and I was only wearing a vest and jeans.”

“Oh. OK.” I didn’t know what to say. Had I walked in ten minutes later might I have caught them all naked? I felt dirty for undressing Macsen with my mind, but I’d been doing that for almost a week already anyway.

“Fancy a game?” Macsen asked. He held a hand out for my beer and I reluctantly passed it over. He pulled the cap off with his teeth and passed it back to me.

I snorted. “No way. I’m all good thanks.”

“Why not? Scared of getting naked?” Macsen looked me up and down with beer-glazed eyes and his tongue poked out from between his lips, tracing the edge of his beard.

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