Prelude to Love

by Anne Barwell

  She coughed loudly. “You never told me why you’re here, Marcus. Isabel’s already left. Why don’t you let me help Joel pack up? After all, I’m sure you have somewhere you need to be. It’s understandable that you’d want a sneak preview of the concert, but you know it’s a fundraiser, so you’ll just have to wait to pay to hear it like everyone else.”

  Joel let out a frustrated sigh. “Mrs. Barker—”

  “Adelaide, please. After all, we’ve known each other a long time, haven’t we, Joel.” Adelaide shot Marcus a glare that clearly said she didn’t appreciate him hanging around and encroaching on her time with Joel.

  Marcus slid his arm around Joel’s waist. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” he said quickly. “I’m not here to get a sneak preview of the concert. I’ve come to pick Joel up for dinner.”

  Adelaide’s mouth dropped open.

  “Oh, didn’t I mention that, Adelaide?” Joel snaked his right arm behind him, caught Marcus’s hand, and squeezed it. Joel gave her an innocent look Marcus didn’t believe for a second. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I should have introduced Marcus properly when we started talking. Adelaide Barker, this is Marcus Verden. Marcus, Mrs. Barker.” Joel paused for a moment, although it was obvious Adelaide had already connected the dots. “He’s my boyfriend.”

  “I HOPE you didn’t mind me outing you.” Marcus slid the last pile of chairs into the storage room off the hall and pulled down the roller door. “I thought… I wasn’t sure if you were out at school, but that woman—”

  “Is bloody annoying.” Joel glanced around to make sure they were alone. The kids had helped put the equipment away, but Joel sensed some of the parents getting impatient so he’d thanked them and told them he could finish up.

  “That’s one way of putting it.” Marcus pulled Joel into his arms and kissed him. “I did out you, didn’t I?” he whispered after they broke the kiss.

  “Yeah, but it’s not exactly a big secret. And I was the one who told her you were my boyfriend.” Joel shrugged. He’d only told Adelaide what she would have already worked out by then. She’d mumbled a hasty goodbye and taken off shortly afterward. “Most of the other teachers know, but I don’t broadcast it. I’ve never had a reason to.”

  “Not even for Reed?” Marcus raised an eyebrow.

  “I’d only just started here before we broke up, and he never really dropped by the school, as he usually worked later than I did. At my last school whenever we had staff social events, he tended to have stuff on.” Joel had never felt the need to introduce Reed to his friends at school either, and then after they’d broken up, he was pleased he hadn’t, as it was less awkward that way. “And then there’s Mrs. Barker.”

  “I’m guessing whoever didn’t know you’re gay and have a boyfriend will know by tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? It will be well done and dusted by then.” Joel shrugged again. She’d been the main reason he’d never officially come out at school. “I swear she’s the modern equivalent of an old-fashioned village gossip.” He grinned. The expression on her face when she’d figured out who Marcus was had been priceless. He’d be replaying that moment in his mind for weeks to come, if not longer.

  “I didn’t like the way she looked at you,” Marcus said. “She kept going on about how fabulous you are, and although I know that, I didn’t…. God, I hope that doesn’t make me sound like a possessive idiot. That’s the last thing I want or you need.”

  “It doesn’t make you sound like that at all.” Joel hunted for the right words. “I’d be annoyed if she’d gone on about you that way too.” He brushed his fingers across Marcus’s cheek. Damn Darin and his timing from hell the other night. “You were making it clear I’m spoken for. I think it’s hot.” He had a visual of Marcus as a knight in shining armor and let out a loud sigh. “Fucking hot.”

  “You are spoken for—at least if you want to be.” Marcus leaned into Joel’s touch. “We should get out of here. Just because we’re alone for now doesn’t mean we won’t get interrupted, and there will be enough gossip going on without adding fuel to the fire.”

  “Yeah, sure. Add to the knight illusion,” Joel murmured, trying not to laugh at the idea of Adelaide as the resident dragon. “Don’t ask,” he said when Marcus looked puzzled. “I just need to grab my stuff from my classroom, and then we can head out.” Joel locked the hall, then ducked into the office to hang up the keys. “You got dropped off, right?”

  “Right.” Marcus followed Joel up the stairs. “It wasn’t just Adelaide Barker who heard you. Your students are going to talk. A couple of the girls were whispering and giggling when we were putting everything away.”

  “Yeah, well, I figured they would be.” Joel hadn’t noticed, but it didn’t take a genius to work out who Marcus referred to. “Don’t worry. I can deal with it.”

  “If you’re sure. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” Marcus leaned against the classroom wall while he waited for Joel to collect his bag. Joel had already loaded his car with the work he planned to do later that evening.

  “It’s fine. Honest.” Joel couldn’t help but smile at Marcus’s expression of concern. He brushed his hand against Marcus’s arm. “Let’s focus on us this evening, hmm? I hope Darin was thoroughly contrite when he dropped you off.”

  “I think he got the message when you kissed me in front him after he showed up.” Marcus grinned—a smug almost-smirk that reminded Joel of a satisfied cat.

  “Keep that expression and we won’t leave this classroom,” he murmured.

  “Don’t worry. I can repeat it later.” Marcus winked. He laughed. “It’s ironic. After all Darin’s planning with Isabel to ensure we had time alone so we’d make a move on each other, when we do, he interrupts us. He muttered a few things on the way home, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him apologize so many times about one thing.”

  “I bet.” Joel rolled his eyes. “Serves him right, although—” He kissed Marcus softly on the lips. “—we should be thanking him, really.”

  “Yeah, we should, but don’t tell him that. At least not yet.”

  “I think we should get home.” Joel grabbed Marcus’s hand and headed for the door. “Question is, though, collect takeout first or order in afterwards?” He swallowed, knowing he didn’t need to ask Marcus if he was okay with this. One look confirmed that Marcus wanted to pick up where they’d left off as badly as Joel did.

  Any interruptions tonight would be ignored.

  And sworn at.

  Marcus hesitated. “As much as I don’t want to wait, I vote for getting something on the way home. Once we start, I don’t want to stop, and I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

  “Me too.” Joel wasn’t just talking about food, and he didn’t think Marcus was either. “There’s a Chinese takeout on High Street. Work for you?” That way if they changed their minds, they’d have food they could reheat for later.

  “Oh, yeah,” Marcus replied as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He licked his lips, and his eyes darkened. “As I said, I’m hungry.”

  “Hmmm.” Joel fumbled in his pocket for his keys when they reached the car park, then jabbed at the button to unlock the car. As soon as Marcus was settled in the passenger seat, Joel turned the key and the stereo blared into life. He’d forgotten he’d turned up the volume on his CD that morning.

  “Not classical music?” Marcus raised an eyebrow as “Dominion Road” by the Mutton Birds started to play.

  “I don’t just listen to classical music,” Joel said indignantly. “And besides, I like the Mutton Birds. Don McGlashan’s solo stuff is good too.”

  “They do a decent cover of ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper.’” Marcus laughed at Joel’s surprised look. “Hey, just because I said I don’t know much about music doesn’t mean I don’t listen to it at all. Besides, it’s on the soundtrack for The Frighteners, and I like that movie.”

  “So do I, and I have a copy of it if you’d like to rewatch sometime.”

/>   “Sounds great.” Marcus opened the glove box when Joel motioned toward it, and read the names of the tracks on the CD. “I didn’t realize they had a greatest hits CD out.”

  Joel laughed. “It came out years ago.” He’d see if he could find Marcus a copy. “I have a decent selection of New Zealand music. I like to support our local musicians, and besides, they’re damn good.”

  “I haven’t heard a lot. You can educate me.” Marcus put the CD cover away and closed the glove box.

  “Anchor Me” started to play, and Marcus frowned. “I’m sure that wasn’t the next track on the CD.”

  “It’s on shuffle,” Joel explained as he pulled up in front of the takeaway. “I don’t always want to know what to expect in life.” He’d found it was easier that way. After Reed left, Joel had discovered how much of a routine he’d been living and decided he wasn’t going to fall into that trap again. Some things he couldn’t change, but having his CD player on shuffle…. He saw Marcus’s shoulders stiffen slightly. “You don’t agree?”

  “I….” Marcus looked away. “I’m more comfortable knowing what’s coming, although….” He sighed. “I thought I had my life all mapped out, you know. Garth and I were going to grow old together. He had his farm, and I had my business, and I thought we were happy. I was, but—” He stopped midsentence and shrugged.

  “Maybe he wasn’t the right person for you,” Joel said softly. That answered his question as to whether Marcus had left his ex or vice versa. “I’m sorry. Breaking up isn’t easy, even when it’s your decision.”

  “It wasn’t,” Marcus said.

  “My ex—Reed—wanted me to go to Australia with him. I didn’t.” Joel didn’t think it was fair that Marcus was the only one baring his soul. He turned off the ignition, and the music cut off midsong.

  “I’m glad you decided to stay,” Marcus said softly. “Not that you went through breaking up with him, though. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

  “Neither would I.” Joel caressed Marcus’s cheek, and Marcus turned to meet his gaze. “I know we both said we’d hesitated over doing anything because of Darin and how awkward it would be if it ended badly, but it wasn’t just because of that.” Better to say this now and get it over with. “I parted ways with Reed five years ago, but sometimes it still feels like yesterday. I wasn’t in a hurry to go through that again.”

  “Six months for me.” Marcus leaned into Joel’s touch and grew silent. Finally he placed his hand over Joel’s, slid their joined hands from his face, and stroked his thumb against Joel’s fingers. “I’ve spent too much of my life being predictable, and then I met you, and you have a fire about you I haven’t seen in a very long time.”

  “I’ve been grumpy as hell and on a downer for the past few months,” Joel protested.

  “You’re honest about how you feel,” Marcus said, “and as I’ve told you, I like that. Garth was too much like me, although given the fact he broke up with me, maybe not as much as I thought he was.”

  “If what you just told me isn’t being honest, I don’t know what is.” Joel realized it had taken a lot for Marcus to share his feelings. He glanced at the shop full of people. “Tell you what,” he said. “I vote for changing our minds and going straight home. I have stuff in the fridge, and I’ll cook a meal for us later. I’d like an evening of just us, starting now.” He leaned over and kissed Marcus, putting all the desire he could into the kiss. “I want you, to touch you so there’s nothing between us. Nothing at all.”

  Marcus’s eyes darkened. He growled low in his throat. “I’m still hungry,” he said, “but not for dinner. That can wait. I want you too.”

  Chapter Seven

  MARCUS woke early the next morning to a comfortable realization he wasn’t alone and the warm body in bed with him belonged to Joel. Marcus had wrapped his arm around Joel at some point in the night, so he carefully disentangled himself from Joel, who was still asleep.

  Sunlight peeked through the gap at the top of the curtains, giving the room a warm glow. Joel looked so peaceful, almost angelic, although that was definitely not a description that suited him. Not after the amazing sex they’d had the night before.

  Wow.

  Joel had teased Marcus right to the edge and then taken them both over it. Marcus shivered at the memory of Joel’s mouth on him. Joel had made love to every inch of Marcus’s skin, dipping his tongue into Marcus’s navel, before leaving a damp trail down to his cock. Shit, he’d just about lost it as soon as Joel had touched him there.

  And the look in Joel’s eyes—passion and need all rolled into one very sexy package. Marcus loved the way Joel made him feel complete and as though he’d found somewhere he belonged. Marcus had seen an echo of his emotions in Joel when he had explored Joel’s body in turn. He had no doubt Joel wanted him too. Joel responded to every touch, his breath hitching, his voice an almost growl as he’d told Marcus to take him. Take him now.

  It had been his pleasure.

  And how.

  They’d taken it fast, then slow, and then fast again. Joel had started on top, and then midway they’d swapped positions. By the time they were done, Marcus hadn’t been able to think straight, and then he settled into a warm afterglow that made him smile.

  He hadn’t felt this sated in… forever. Sex with Joel wasn’t just the physical act; it had seeped into Marcus’s core, embracing his emotions as well.

  It wasn’t as though he hadn’t enjoyed the physical part of his relationship with Garth. But being with Joel felt different. It touched Marcus deep down, and—although he usually wasn’t one for thinking poetically—he could have sworn for one brief moment his world had dissolved, leaving him and Joel together, and nothing else.

  Joel mumbled something in his sleep. A stray lock of hair moved in time with his breathing, back and forth, brushing against his forehead. Marcus leaned forward and tucked it back behind Joel’s ear, not wanting Joel to wake just yet. Their workday would begin soon enough, as they both had early starts that morning, but there were still a few minutes before the alarm. Marcus wanted to remember the intimacy of being with Joel, although he hoped like hell their first time together was the beginning of many more.

  He wanted Joel in his life. More than he’d realized. Despite their different backgrounds, they fit together, not just physically but emotionally too. Joel had reignited the passion Marcus used to have years ago before he’d grown stagnant in a life he’d thought was enough. In return for that passion, Marcus wanted to be there for Joel, to support him when things got rough, and to offer calm in whatever storm came his way.

  He wasn’t just falling for Joel, he’d plunged headfirst. Why had he waited?

  Oh, yeah, because if this went to hell in a handbasket, it was going to be awkward as. He’d once vowed he’d never get involved with someone connected to family, but that had gone out the window—so quickly it almost scared him—when he’d fallen for Joel.

  Loud purring interrupted his thoughts. Nannerl jumped onto the bed and squeezed between Marcus and Joel. She looked at Joel and then Marcus, before settling down between them as though them being in bed together was totally normal.

  Marcus smiled. It could become their new normal, couldn’t it?

  “Wanna sleep. Go away, cat.” Joel mumbled the words under his breath.

  Marcus reached over and switched off the alarm. He captured Joel’s mouth in a deep kiss as Joel opened his eyes.

  “Hmm, I could get used to waking up like this.” Joel smiled, then glanced between them. “Bloody cat,” he said. “I swear she thinks this bed is hers. Shift her if you want.”

  “It’s fine.” Marcus had no intention of letting a cat overturn anything he and Joel wanted to do. “I’ll shift her when I need to. She looks comfortable. So do you.”

  Joel grinned. “Waking to a kiss by my sexy-as-hell boyfriend? Why wouldn’t I be comfortable?” He took Marcus’s hand and shifted it. Joel felt hard, and he wasn’t the only one. “I seem to need a little attention.
What do you say to sharing a shower before breakfast?”

  “Do we have time?” Marcus hated himself for sounding so practical, but he didn’t want Joel to get any flak at work for being late, especially as the gossip had probably already spread like wildfire.

  “Quicker with two, and I figure it’s responsible to save water.” Joel pushed back the bedclothes onto the cat, who hissed her disapproval. He gave Marcus a very nice view of his backside and then disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.

  Marcus didn’t need a second invitation. Joel wet and soapy and….

  Shit. “Sorry, cat,” he mumbled, not feeling sorry in the least as he buried her in more bedclothes. She poked her head out and gave him a typical cat expression of disdain. “I have a hard situation to deal with.”

  He doubted it would stay that way for long.

  “IT feels kind of surreal having breakfast together,” Joel said. He’d always enjoyed starting the day with someone rather than waking up alone.

  “In a good way, I hope?” Marcus topped up his coffee and sat next to Joel. He’d already had one cup and was starting on his second, polishing off several Weet-Bix and a couple of pieces of toast and Vegemite in between cups.

  “Yeah.” Joel glanced at his cup of tea and bowl of cereal. “Where do you put all that food? You’re all muscle.”

  Marcus laughed. The sound made Joel feel warm inside. Although Marcus claimed he didn’t have much of a singing voice, his laugh had a musical quality to it. “I often don’t get lunch till late, depending on my schedule, so I always start my day with a good breakfast.”

  “I don’t think I could eat that much for breakfast.” Joel had never been a morning person, although he was better than he’d been. His job had forced him into it, and now he tended to burn the candle at both ends in an attempt to keep up with the increasing piles of paperwork.

  “You made up for it over dinner last night.”

  “I’d worked up an appetite.” Joel poked out his tongue at Marcus. “Besides, you ate more than I did.”