Was debating walking 2 Russia this seemed better option.
How is he?
More annoying than u – have 2 go.
He waited for a few minutes, then when there were no more messages, he grinned at nothing in particular and went back down to help Tim admire the new bike.
§ § §
The evening was a little awkward because each knew what the other was thinking. Tim had clearly never met anyone in his own circle who stuck quite so rigidly to monogamy, and certainly not someone like Ben. Ben reckoned Tim secretly respected him for this—but he also knew how incredibly frustrated his unwillingness to play around made his friend. Tell Nikolas, don’t tell him—either way was apparently good as far as Tim was concerned. For as he pointed out (slightly sulkily), Ben fucking him wouldn’t affect Nikolas,because Nikolas wasn’t there! Ben didn’t see it this way, but he didn’t have the verbal skills to argue against Tim. He just knew what he knew but not how to express it. Expressing it would mean he’d have to speak about how Nikolas made him feel, the things they did together, the things they’d shared with each other but no one else. How could he talk about that? How could he describe the relief on Nikolas’s face when he woke in the mornings and realised he was safe—the look that was there before the mask of aloof unconcern slipped back into place. How could he describe how it felt to hold Nikolas when he was in pain needing him? Even trying to describe the annoying Nikolas—the one who badgered him, ordered him around, put him down, made fun of him—even that Nikolas was private, just his. So he volunteered nothing, just stared at the TV and refused to think about Tim’s ability to kiss or his slightly rounded belly.
He reckoned he’d have some months of celibacy ahead of him, so tonight was a good night to start.
He was incredibly relieved he’d held out against temptation when just as he was falling asleep— Radulf huge and snoring on Nikolas’s pillow—his phone vibrated again. He snatched it up.Long flight. My Russian rusty. 1pm 4 u, r u asleep?
He grinned evilly and texted back:2 much snoring other side bed
The reply came fairly swiftly:??? !
Radulf
Again, funny. Am looking from hotel 2 Kremlin. Can see old office. Better than looking from there 2 here
How is he?
R u going 2 ask that every time?
Yes. I miss u
Just as well u had practice sleep alone recently
Funny.
What u been doing?
Shopping
Hope u not spend 2 much
Was two hundred thousand pounds too much?Nope
Have 2 go.
Just like last time, Nikolas signed off without any more personal words. Ben tapped the phone thoughtfully against his lips then sent one final message:just say it, u no u want 2
After some minutes, he got back:there r many things want regard u at moment. That not top list. This very big bed. Night, Ben.
Ben groaned. He’d wanted to get to sleep without resorting to the obvious, since Nikolas wasn’t there to work off some physical needs. But now, just thinking about Nikolas in a big bed on his own sent all his thoughts south. The bastard. He’d won again. Ben put a hand down. It was so unsatisfactory compared to having Nikolas’s hand there. Completely wrong compared to his lips. As for sinking deep into Nikolas’s?The phone buzzed again. He picked it up with his other hand and read:Enjoy.
CHAPTER SIX
Ben’s plans took a severe nose-dive the next day when Tim, watching him pack, commented innocently, “Don’t forget Radulf’s passport.”
Ben huffed. “Yeah. Funny man.”
Tim frowned. “No, seriously, you can’t take him abroad—well, bring him back anyway—unless he has all his injections and stuff, and then has a passport to prove it.”
“Okay, where can I get that done?”
