Masters & Lovers Box Set One

That was a long night....

Getting up early isn't an option and we sleep until almost midday, Beth and I wake to find ourselves alone in one of the huge beds, but the sound of clatter coming from somewhere above us.

Pulling on a robe apiece, we wander upstairs to find the three in the kitchen, also be-robed; James at the stove poking at a frying pan, Charlotte occupied with a huge plate of bacon and eggs and Michael seated next to her reading a paper. "Morning," says James, all brisk efficiency. "Breakfast in ten minutes. You know where the bathrooms are."

Michael gives Elizabeth a warm smile. "Hi, Beth."

"Oh, er.... Hi, Michael." But Elizabeth won't look at him, finding excuses to look anywhere but at him.

Michael meets my eyes....

Asking permission....

And I nod him across to her.

He stands just close enough, a hand on one shoulder. "Beth...." He kisses the top of her head. "You're lovely, and I hope I helped to make your birthday memorable, but you are Richard's wife and that's the end of it. All else aside, if I took last night to be anything else, Charlotte would nail me to the nearest tree and James would hold the ladder for her."

She blushes, then flees to the bathroom. Michael returns to his newspaper.

James chuckles, flashing Michael a glance and Charlotte smiles into her eggs, before shifting her gaze up to me.

I follow Michael's lead; a kiss the top of her head. "Thank you, Charlotte. That was magnificent."

Her answering smile is wide and bright, "Yes, it was."

James' expression as he watches her from his spot by the hob is.... fascinating....

.... Slit-eyed and soft-eyed at the same time....

He really isn't jealous....

.... It's just sex....

.... Isn't it...?

James' back turned to us again, his attention on the spit and splutter of the frying pan, Michael looks over his paper, murmuring to me, "That's the only time you ever see James with that expression...." "Charlotte?"

"Charlotte."

We breakfast with the Threesome, yawning over enough eggs and bacon, toast, marmalade and strong, black coffee that I can drive back home with a clear head.

And without a word spoken between us, Elizabeth and I go to bed and we sleep....

As I drift away, "Thank God her birthday was on a weekend...."

*****

James

We wave Richard and Beth off down the drive. Both still look half-asleep, but both also are wearing smiles.

I think we can count that as a success....

"I'm going for a soak in the bath," says Charlotte.

Michael twinkles. "Want me to come and scrub your back?"

Hasn't he ever had enough...?

She grins and punches him on the shoulder. "Give me ten minutes first."

I stretch and yawn.

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An easy day today methinks....

Coffee....

In the kitchen, pondering the evening's events, I stare out of the window to the bubble and pop from the stove-top and the rising fragrance of Arabica.

There's a click behind me: Michael carefully closing the door behind him. He nods back behind himself. "She's headed for her bath," he says quietly.

"I daresay we'll see her again in a couple of hours and lightly poached."

He huffs. "What is it with women and hot water?" Then he turns serious. "You okay now?"

"Yes, I'm good. It went well wouldn't you say?"

"I would indeed." He parks a hip on the breakfast table. "I was surprised that you let it happen like that. I thought you'd go nuts if Richard tried to go near Charlotte."

So did I....

.... once....

"Times change," I say.

"So they do, but what else has changed?" He chews at a lip, then with a level gaze, "You were as jealous as hell that first time Charlotte met him. There was a time I thought we'd lose her because of it."

My gut clenches at the memory. "Sex with someone," I say, "Even very casual sex, gives you a connection with them. More so when it's between friends and those who respect each other, as Richard and Charlotte do." He tips his chin. "So...?"

I try to choose my words carefully, to express....

.... What?

My fears.....

.... The night terrors....

"After I was shot, I almost died. It brought it home to me how vulnerable she might be if anything happened to me." His brow furrows....

He thinks I don't trust him?

I continue.... "I know she's got you, but.... I think the time may come when Charlotte needs as many champions as she can muster. If Richard feels something towards her, that's one more protector for her." Michael's face clears. "You're worrying about Klempner?"

"Yes, I am. Do you believe he's really given up on her? Just like that?"

His shake of the head is decisive. "You know I don't. but he is imprisoned...."

"Suppose he got parole? Or he managed to fake it and get himself listed as 'No threat to society' or similar rubbish? He might even escape. He's got money and enough of an organisation on the outside, that it could probably be done...." Arms folded, he paces, apparently watching his feet as he patrols the kitchen. "You think we should encourage Charlotte's connection to Beth and Richard?"

"I do. And you?"

He nods, slowly, thoughtfully. "I agree.... Um.... Do you want to tell her about this conversation?"

My Green-Eyes....

I want your smile....

.... Not your fear....

"No, I don't think so. If we just present it as just fun and frolics with friends, I think she'll swallow it easily enough."

"Yeah.... okay, I'm with you. Let's do it that way."

On the hob, the pot hisses and spits, shooting steam. "Coffee?" I ask.