Harm nodded and smiled, holding up six fingers.He had to work until five.
“Perfect.I’ll text you my address and will see you then.”Derek went up on his toes, kissing him again, and then got his container of food and hurried to his car, waving before getting inside.
Chapter 7
DEREK CHECKEDthe house yet again to make sure it was clean.It was a small row house on one of the side streets of Carlisle.Sort of a three up and three down, with the kitchen, living room, and a small dining room on the first floor, and two bedrooms, one he used as a family room of sorts, and a bath on the second.It was nothing to get really excited about, but he had repainted it himself, and he was working on the backyard, so it would eventually be his small oasis in the center of town.Right now, though, everything was hibernating and the yard was gray and clean, slumbering until spring.
Dinner was in the oven.He’d found a recipe for oven-fried chicken that was baking along with the potatoes.The salads were ready, and he had fruit for dessert.He hoped it was good enough.His house had been cleaned to within an inch of its life, and the floors that he had spent hours sanding by hand and then refinished himself gleamed.
The doorbell rang, and Derek hurried to open it.“What are you doing here?”he asked William, who stood on his stoop, carrying flowers.
“I thought I’d see you without the giant around.Maybe we could go to a movie or something.”He pressed the flowers into Derek’s hand, and he took them without thinking before shoving them back.
“No, thank you.I’m not interested in dinner, the movies, or flowers.So please leave me alone.”He had been polite for a while, but this was getting ridiculous.How many times did he have to tell this guy no?
William’s expression went from a smile to threatening in about two seconds.“You really want to do this?”He held the flowers tightly, his hand shaking, daisy petals falling to the cold ground.
“Go find someone who will return your feelings, but that isn’t me.And it never was.”He stepped back and closed the door, locking it before watching out the window, hoping that William would leave.Instead, he stared through the window.Derek sighed and pulled his phone out of his pocket, wagging it back and forth.
Finally William turned and stalked off down the sidewalk.Derek watched as best he could before checking dinner once more.When the doorbell rang this time, he checked first and let Harm inside.His eyes were so expressive and filled with concern.“My stalker was just here.I told him to leave.”
Harm pointed down toward town.
“You saw him?”Derek asked, and Harm nodded.
“I just wish he would leave me alone.”
“Call police,” Harm signed.“Now.Call police,” he repeated.
“I will later.Right now, I want to do this.”He kissed Harm and relaxed when his arms encircled him.Derek closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, letting Harm’s scent surround him.Then he kissed him tenderly, deepening it just as the kitchen timer went off.He groaned and stepped back, not wanting his chicken to burn.“I need to get dinner.”He hurried to the kitchen.
Harm nodded.“Call police.”
“All right.I’ll call them,” Derek said, taking the dish out of the oven and placing it on one of the stove burners.Then he got out his phone, called the non-emergency number, and explained that he wanted to make a report.He waited while an officer came on the line.He told him what had been happening with William.
“Where have these incidents taken place?”
“At work, a couple times while I was out, and this evening at my home.He finally left, but he made a veiled threat.I just wanted to make a report in case this continues.”He waited while the officer made notes, or at least that was what he hoped he was doing.
“I’ll get a report typed up and will email it to you.If he continues to cause trouble, please let us know.I’d also suggest you consider a restraining order.That would give you additional legal protection, especially if he continues to cause issues.”
“Thank you,” Derek said, ending the call.He put his phone aside and placed the dish of chicken on the table.Then he got out the rest of dinner and sat down with Harm.“Are you happy?”
Harm nodded and smiled.He took Derek’s hand, running his thumb along the back of it.The gesture was so tender and caring that Derek felt his rising frustration slip away.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”He dished up the chicken and let Harm get his own salad and potatoes.They ate in companionable silence.Derek didn’t feel up to conversation, and Harm seemed more than happy to sit and be with him.There was nothing uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry,” Harm signed.
“Did you get that from one of the books?”Derek asked, and Harm nodded.“What are you sorry for?”He pointed to his throat.“Don’t be.Sometimes I talk too much.”That hand was back, holding Derek’s.“We can go to the living room and have dessert later.”He took the dishes to the sink, and then they went into the living room, where they sat together on the sofa.Derek found something on Netflix, and they settled in to watch.
It didn’t take long before Derek leaned against Harm and his strong arms tugged him closer.It was nice being held for a while, knowing he was safe.Derek didn’t want to think too much about it, but he hated that William made him unsure of himself.Derek liked to consider himself fairly confident.Yet William made him nervous.Derek scooted nearer, resting his head against Harm’s big shoulder as they watched an episode ofWednesday.
“DO YOUwant to stay?”Derek asked after ten as he tried to keep his eyes open.Harm stilled, and Derek shifted his gaze upward.“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
Harm huffed and reached for his tablet.“I want to.Don’t get me wrong, I really do.”He underlined that part.“But the few relationships I’ve had burned bright and then they were gone.I don’t want that.Not with you.”
Derek rested his head against Harm’s chest, winding his arms around him.“Okay.I get that.I do.I haven’t had much luck with my relationships either.It’s just that I don’t want you to think that I’m not interested.I am.”
