8. Settling in
“Morning, sunshine.” Gene greeted me as I hung my coat in the hall. “Flat comfortable?”
“It’s super.” I felt my cheeks burn. “Really super to have my own place.”
“Yeah, it is.” Gene chuckled leading the way to the kitchen. “Can get lonely though.”
“I guess, but I’m still getting used to the idea of having my own place — even if I’m only renting it.” Retrieving the kettle I rinsed it, and then filled it, before switching it on. I laughed. “I still have to learn how to cook something more than bacon, egg and maybe a burger pattie. I can make. Coffee without burning the water — and toast, but anything more complicated than peel the packing and stick it in a microwave …”
“Make me a cup of coffee then while I go and run the printer with the orders for today!” Gene laughed as he headed for the door.
I set to work with the mugs and the jar of quality instant coffee the guys liked and was startled when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me into a hug.
“Morning, gorgeous,” Colin whispered, kissing me on the neck as I started. “Hope you slept well.”
“I did, but the bed was a bit … empty.” I managed to return the kiss on his cheek. “Want a coffee?”
“Just what I was hoping to hear.” Releasing me, he slid his mug next to mine. “I’d love one.”
I made coffee for Gene, Colin and myself, then took Gene’s mug to where he was looking through the emails that had built up over the weekend.
“Thanks, chum,” he said, smiling as I put the mug down. “Here are the orders to start with. Looks like we’ve had a good run over the weekend. Ask Jerry to see me when he comes in.”
Getting to know more about Colin, surprisingly, took time. He wasn’t big on talking about his relationship with his sister, but eventually he opened up a bit on that. More than anything I really wanted him to make our friendship more permanent. I wanted him to live with me, or for him to ask me to live with him. I wanted more than just these occasional nights together, or our Saturdays in the parks, or coffee or a meal in a cafe, or a burgers together.
His having replaced my tablet — my old one was beyond repair — with a newer one with a larger screen, I had learned that he was a real wizard with electronics, and he’d started showing me the intricacies of things like memory cards. The ‘new’ tablet was a real help as I could, at last get on email, find a few games and a bit of entertainment as I still had no television.
I teased him about his reluctance to make a commitment now as we lay on my bed side by side, enjoying the blissful feeling we got after some great sex.
“I know it’s stupid,” he began. Rolling to face me, and slipping his leg over mine, he traced my lips with his finger. “What I want more than anything, is to live with you … but … damn. It’s complicated.”
“What’s complicated?” Kissing his fingers, I smiled, “This place is big enough for us both.” Frowning a little I caught his eye. “I’ve no idea how big your place is — but I’d live with you if you prefer.”
“You’ve no idea what my sister and her partner are …” Hesitating he frowned. “Alex, my love, the reason I can’t move in with you at present is complicated, but it starts with the bloody house I share with my fucking sister and the shit of a partner she’s got living there.” Pausing, he stared at the wall beyond me. “The house was left to us jointly — until we were both of age. The idea was that we could then sell, and use the money to set ourselves up. Only problem. She refuses to sell — and can’t afford to buy me out!”
“I don’t understand … why can’t you move out and she could just pay you a sort of rent for your share?”
“I would — except, in the terms of the covenant, if I move out she’d have a claim to all of it.” For a moment his anger showed. “As long as I sit tight, she has to buy me out, if I move out permanently, it’s all hers. And her fucking boyfriend knows it — so they do their damndest to make life difficult in the hope …”
“That doesn’t apply to her as well?”
“It does, but my parent died while I was still at uni, and he didn’t approve of my ‘lifestyle’ — so dear old Dad added a little rider, giving her control of the house until it is sold. As long as I sit tight and live there, she can’t do a thing.” Hugging me, he kissed my cheek. “I could hire a smart lawyer and fight it, but it would cost more than I have and take a long time to sort out.” Holding me close, he said, his voice almost pleading, “If you can be patient with me, love …”
“I guess I’ll just have to enjoy you whenever I can lure you to stop for a night …” Gripping his face I drew him into a kiss. “If I have to make the most of these visits, I guess I’m going to have to try for as much of you as I can when I can …”
The business was building up, and I was certainly earning my wages. My relationship with Colin quickly became known, but no one teased us. It was just accepted that we were becoming an ‘item’. The question of sharing a home was a bit awkward. I wanted it more than anything, but tried to understand his situation, and made the best of it. After work we often went to the cafe we’d first used, usually taking supper there, and sometimes we just went to my flat and I learned to give head. Every opportunity I got …
With my nineteenth birthday approaching, and with it the end of my ‘probation’ at GearFet, we’d settled into a relationship almost without effort. I was still shy about my fetish and my sexuality, but Colin was gradually teasing me out of it. We’d tried visiting a couple of ‘clubs’ — but I found them too noisy and I don’t like getting drunk. It didn’t help when someone tried to put something in my drink. Colin spotted what had happened and stopped me drinking it before I’d taken more than a sip.
With his degree in electronics, my lover had a little sideline going repairing computers and mobile phones, and introduced me to this as well. I’ve always been handy with small and delicate work, so we soon became a team with him handling the more complicated stuff, and me doing the small fine repairs. This gave me something to do at home when Colin wasn’t with me and it paid for a small music centre and a few other items that made the flat more homely.
“Have you ever been to a Pride Parade?” Colin asked one evening as he waited for me to finish packing an order.
“No,” I replied. “Until I started working with GearFet …” I grinned. “I’d have run a mile rather than admit …”
“Then it’s time you did,” he retorted. “The guys always go. It’s good for business. Want to join us? It’s a week after your birthday, so we can make it a celebration.”
“Okay, why not?” I grinned. “What do you wear for it?”
“Rubber, of course.” Colin laughed. “It’s a chance to show off our fetishes publicly, so it’s a chance to show off for rubber wearers, weatherman and girls, bondage — you name it. Fancy wearing your fancy harness?” His grin suggested he was teasing. “It’d be a show stopper.”
“Yeah, and get me arrested I think. What will you wear?”
“I’m planning on wearing my rubber jeans with the sailor fly front. We’ve a teeshirt to go with it and a bomber jacket.” Pausing he frowned. “Come to think of it, you’d look fab in it. Want to try it?”
“Love to,” I replied, “Would just a rubber shirt and ordinary jeans do? I know you gave me some Bermudas, but … well, I don’t think I’m quite ready to wear those for a parade …”
“Why not?” He laughed, nursing his mug. “Tell you what, I’ll bring my jeans over tomorrow and you can try them. Marco made them, and if we ask him nicely, he’d do some for you.”
“You want a pair of jeans?” Marco asked as he entered. “For the Pride?” He grinned. “Bring your coffee to the workroom. I’ll measure you up. I’ve orders for a couple of pairs, I’ll add yours to the run.”
“Er, thanks, Marco …” I hesitated. “But I can’t afford a tailor-made …”
“So? You work here. Let’s see, staff discount, maybe materials discount … I think we can make you a pair at a price you can afford.” Picking up his mug, he said, “Follow me, and let’s get the measurements I need.”
“Or I can give them to you as a birthday present,” Colin interrupted.
“Aha!” Marco grinned. “Trying to sneak a birthday past us, huh?” Laughing, he said, “We’ll make the jeans a special gift from all of us then.”
