Page 42 of Embracing James

Paul chuckled. He should be upset that James was worried about the laundry and not basking in the afterglow of sex still. But he understood. James was like him, thinking about a hundred things at one time. “There’s a basket above the washer. Feel free to use it to stow your towels until you’re done.”

“Thanks.” James kissed Paul’s hand.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Paul said. “My stuff is all available to you.” He pulled out and left the bed long enough to ditch the condom. He checked on the dog, happy that Doob had found the pile of blankets he’d left on the floor for him. The dog looked up at him for a moment, then stretched and resumed sleeping.

Ah, dogs. He loved the way dogs went boneless when they slept. He brushed his teeth and removed his smeared makeup, then returned to bed.

A moment later, James carried the basket into the room. “I’ll fold it when everything’s done. Thanks.”

“Welcome, but I meant it. I have no problem sharing everything with you.” When James returned to bed, Paul moved the blanket and welcomed him into the warmth. “Come here. You need to rest.”

James cuddled up to him. “You take care of me. It’s almost like you’re in charge of me.”

“No, I see how you’re working yourself to death and I want you to give yourself the chance to rest. You’ll end up in a frazzle and if I can help you reduce some of the strain, I will.”

“You’re too good to me.”

“You’re just right for me.” He liked having a partner. “Sleep.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” James sighed. A few moments later, he fell right asleep.

Paul waited long enough to ensure James had truly conked out, then left the bed. He donned a pair of shorts and headed out to the kitchen. He cleared the table the rest of the way outside and turned the lights off, then locked up properly. He put the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on before placing his phone on the charging pad.

The screen flashed and instinctively, he checked the notification—a text.

Who would be texting him at this hour? Could be a problem at one of his properties, but then he’d have heard the sound effect associated with his business lines. He tapped the icon to retrieve the message.

From Noel.

Christ. His stomach churned. His ex-boyfriend wanted him? What did he need?

Saw you own the Clayton Estates. Interested in a partnership? We were good once.

He deleted the message. He and Noel were hardly good at business together and even worse in bed. Noel didn’t understand how to have money and he’d gotten Paul into debt on their lone business venture together. Noel wanted to take, take, take and give absolutely nothing back.

Another message showed up, again from Noel. What was it with his exes returning to his life? He had what he wanted and didn’t need the past to keep cropping up.

Are you in Norville? Stopping by your office today. Got a minute?

He wasn’t in the mood for this. He deleted the second message without bothering to respond. He had better things to do. Besides, why was Noel texting him at this hour?

The man was probably drunk.

“Are you avoiding me?” James shuffled nude into the kitchen. “I snored, didn’t I?”

“No, I forgot to charge my phone and wanted to start the dishwasher.” He ensured the machine had started the cycle. “I put your towels in the dryer. The others are sitting on the dryer and waiting to go into the basket.”

“Thanks.” James enfolded him in his embrace. “You’re a gem.”

“I’m just a man.” Sometimes he didn’t feel good enough for James.

“Then,man, come to bed.”

“Yes, sir.” Ah, he’d managed to do his avoiding trick again… Damn it. But why was he acting this way? He liked being with James. Was there something missing? It didn’t feel like it. Then what was the problem?

Things were going too well–that was the problem–and it was bound to crash soon. Nothing ever totally worked out for him.

“What’s wrong?” James asked.

---