Hamish

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HAMISH NEVER SLEPT in beyond nine in the morning. Ever. Even as a child, he tended to rise earlier than his parents most days. He’d woken early, as always, and the temptation to visit Akash had been impossible to resist.

He’d dithered around his flat for almost two hours before finally caving to the desire. Akash wouldn’t mind another surprise visit. I hope. The baker hadn’t seem bothered by his previous ones.

Why does he bring this out in me?

Along with patience, life in the Royal Marines had taught him to approach things methodically. Rash decisions didn’t come naturally to him, and stopping for tea and croissants had definitely been a last-minute decision. He hoped his idea to walk in the park before stopping for lunch would be as well received.

Apparently a good one.

All of his attention was currently focused on a single, dull rectangle. Hamish stared at the closed bathroom door for almost twenty minutes. His mind created vivid images of the man on the other side of it.

Hamish finally gave in to the need to squeeze his already hard cock through his jeans. “This is not conducive to a hike in the park.”

Unless the walk becomes a euphemism for something more fun and more naked.

Definitely naked.

Over the years, Hamish had dated a variety of men from different walks of life and ethnicities. He tended to go for confident and stoic types. Most of his relationships lasted for years, as opposed to weeks or months, unlike Wyatt, who had suffered from relationship ADD before meeting Aled.

When Hamish had been introduced to Akash the first time, he’d immediately found him attractive. Lust before anything else as always, but I’ve always held out for something deeper. The more they chatted with each other, the stronger his fascination grew. He only hoped his trips overseas didn’t turn the man off.

It might actually end up being a blessing in disguise. The two would hopefully continue to develop a close relationship via text. He’d always found the journey from friendship to lover to be a satisfying one.

Not having to deal with interference from friends and family also appealed to him. He wouldn’t have to hear the constant nattering from Wyatt and the others—although it wouldn’t save Akash from teasing.

Ah, well.

Wonder if he needs help drying off?

Resisting the urge to snoop around the small flat, Hamish made himself comfortable on the sofa. He stretched his long legs out, only to laugh when the long-haired tabby cat hopped up onto his lap. The creature purred up a storm while Hamish threaded his fingers through the soft fur.

“Ganesh will cover you in long strands of cat fur,” Akash warned. He sauntered by in nothing but a towel on his way to what must’ve been his bedroom. “I’ll only be a moment.”

“Drop the towel, and you can take all the time in the world.” Hamish inhaled sharply when Akash turned the teasing back on him by releasing the covering as he walked out of the room. It gave him a flash of delectable, bronzed arse. “You’re a rude lad.”

“Says the man still staring at my arse.” Akash grinned over his shoulder and continued into his room. “No wanking on my couch.”

Hamish had never imagined the quiet and calm demeanour of the baker hid such a teasing minx. He willed his hard-on away by reciting the times table. It usually worked like a charm.

Not today.

Shit.

The opportunistic Ganesh chose that moment to jump out of his lap. Hamish launched himself off the sofa with a shout when the cat’s claws dug into his tender bits. He glared at the menace, who merely hissed angrily at him.

Rubbing his suddenly sore and shrunken cock gently, Hamish cursed under his breath. This doesn’t look odd at all. It hurt almost as badly as the time he’d taken a rifle to the groin on a mission overseas. The cat merely spun around and traipsed out of the room, flicking his tail.

“What the sodding hell is going on out here?” Akash rushed out clad in boxers and a T-shirt, only to skid to a halt. His eyebrows rose practically to his hairline when he noticed Hamish still rubbing himself. “Not sure I even want to know.”

“Your cat has claws,” Hamish muttered petulantly. He couldn’t recall being this close to blushing in his life. “Painful. Claws. Very. Painful.”

“Yes, he does. I’m guessing the claws found their mark.” Akash had his lips pressed tightly together as if trying to suppress a laugh. “Is the massage helping?”

Hamish closed his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. “Just... get dressed. Please?”

“Want ointment?” Akash seemed quite content to stay to watch. “You might have to drop your trousers for that to work better.”

“Perhaps.” He sent a withering glare at Akash, who chuckled before returning to finish dressing. Hamish couldn’t help offering a final retort. “You could always kiss it better for me.”

Three days.

Three dates.

Three long goodbyes with addictive kisses and seductive touches.

Their walk along part of the River Taff rolled into a late lunch. Hamish spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out at the bakery. He enjoyed relaxing in the warmth of the shop and watching Akash in his element.

The baker worked like a master magician with flavours and spices. Hamish could throw a simple meal together. He’d never watched someone so skilled; the passion reminded him of his own drive when it came to weapons, risk assessment, and combat expertise.

Wyatt came by in the afternoon to drag him away. They had meetings to prepare for the upcoming trip. Hamish spent most of the time thinking about spending Sunday with Akash.

And I’ve lost what’s left of my mind.

He did end up spending most of Sunday with Akash. It played out almost identically to Saturday, only without the unwelcome interruption of his friends. The evening ended with a curry and The Great British Bake Off, a show his baker insisted was the best thing on telly.

They’d said their goodbyes over lingering kisses. Akash hadn’t been ready to move into the bedroom, and Hamish respected his wishes. He’d never been one to push a relationship faster than it needed to go.

Resigning himself to not seeing the man for months, Hamish spent his Monday wrapping up all the last-minute details. Their contract with the non-profit organisation for this trip was thankfully one of the shorter ones—only two months, with potential to extend for an additional one. He was pleasantly surprised when Akash showed up with a packed lunch.

Former military operatives whispering and giggling made Akash laugh, and Hamish pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He had no doubts he’d end up under massive scrutiny once the baker swanned off. The only downside to the large glass walls that blocked off their individual offices was they couldn’t do anything more than chat.

“So—email me, yeah?” Akash stood hesitantly in the alley leading to the parking garage. “Text me? Something?”

Hamish caught him by the waist and walked him backwards until Akash bumped against the wall. He slid his hands up along his sides before resting one on the slightly shorter man’s shoulders and gripping him firmly by the neck with the other. “Will you miss me?”

Deciding not to give Akash time to respond, Hamish lowered his head until their lips met. He immediately darted his tongue out for a taste. God, how am I going to go months without this? They kissed until Wyatt wandered past and wolf-whistled.

Tuesday came far too quickly. After much debate amongst the others, Hamish ended up flying out with Lily and Vinnie. They’d hit the tarmac at Heathrow before sunrise. He prepared himself for several long weeks of unsatisfying emails.

How long would several months really be? Hamish hadn’t minded waiting—not entirely. He’d always believed intimacy to be a healthy part of a relationship, but not immediately hopping into bed wouldn’t kill him.

There’s always email.

And wanking.

So much wanking. Should’ve brought lotion.