Rough [01] - A Bit of Rough by Laura Baumbach Page A

"Mated." He placed another lingering kiss on James’ pliant mouth.
    "Mated?" James swallowed past the growing tightness in his throat. He studied the contours of Bram’s chest rather than let the other man see the hope he knew was in his eyes. "That sounds . . . serious."
    A Bit of Rough - 59
    "I am serious. You’re special, Jamie. I know to trust my gut instincts, and they're telling me this is right. I want you. And not just in my bed now and then." One rough, callused hand cupped James’ chin and tilted his head so their eyes could meet. "I want you, Jamie, by my side, at my table, in my bed, as a very big part of my life."
    "Jesus, Bram."
    A burst of heat shot through James so intense it made him ache. It spread warmth all the way to his fingertips and toes. Not only did this man know how to make love to him until his head spun and his body screamed, he knew what to say. James wanted to take a chance on a relationship with Bram. A real relationship, not just a few nights of mutual satisfaction followed by stilted self-conscious conversation.
    "What do you say?" Bram's thumb traced the curve of James’ chin, over and over, petting and calming him. "Give me a chance to show you how loyal and domestic I can be."
    Uncertain, James dropped his gaze and snorted. "Domestic? The caveman? Primal and ravenous maybe, but definitely not domestic." He clenched his ass and intensified the deep, burning, glorious ache left behind by his dynamic and passionate lover.
    "Wait until you get to know me better," Bram purred from deep in his chest. "I’m as domestic as an old house cat."
    James laughed and ran an appreciative hand over one of his partner’s thick, muscled biceps. "More like a saber-toothed tiger. I feel mauled." Reveling in the solid strength of his partner, he slung an arm over Bram’s waist and leaned into him. "Very good, but definitely mauled."
    "Only good?" Bram squeezed James’ butt cheek hard enough to make the other man yelp.
    "I must be losing my touch." His voice turned sultry, rich with promise. "I’ll have to try harder next time."
    "You do and I won’t be able to walk." James shimmied his groin against Bram’s thigh.
    "Sitting is going to be a challenge as it is."
    "That a problem, baby?" Bram roughly massaged James’ tender backside. The dull, throbbing discomfort shot bolts of pain/pleasure through James.
    "No." James’ voice was ragged and breathy. "It’s actually kind of nice." He bit at his lower lip, then released it to blurt out, "I love it." Locking gazes with Bram, James confessed, "I could get addicted to you."
    Bram rolled over, pinning James partially under his weight. He ghosted his fingertips down his lover’s sweaty flank. "Think it’s a passing addiction, or could I hope for a lifelong condition?"
    A Bit of Rough - 60
    James shifted his gaze for a moment, but Bram wouldn’t let him turn away. "Afraid it might get to be terminal," James whispered.
    Bram touched his forehead to James’ furrowed brow. "Nothing to be afraid of, Jamie. I told you, I’m as domestic as they come. Commitment doesn’t scare me. It makes me stronger. My parents and sister taught me that. I want you." He gently kissed one fluttering eyelid, "Want to make you happy," then the other. "Want to love you."
    "Love." James trembled under the weight of the word. "You’re talking a major step, Bram. We barely know one another."
    "And I want to spend a whole lot of time changing that, Jamie. A whole lot of time.
    Decades, if we’re lucky. A few minutes ago when we left the shower cap in the wrapper -
    - nothing separating us. That’s how I’d like to see us – open, honest and laid bare, so there’s no question about how we feel about each other. For us or anybody else."
    Panic pressed down on James. He felt his pulse hammer through his veins. His stomach churned into a tight ball of ice. "You mean, you like want to meet my family?"
    "Hell, yes! Family, co-workers, friends, the world. I don’t hide my