Screw the Fags by Josephine Myles Page A

fucking bitch seat. I want to be in charge of a bike for a change.”
    “They’re too dangerous.”
    “But you’re allowed to ride one.”
    “I’ve had years of experience. I don’t take any stupid risks.”
    “Are you calling me a stupid risk-taker?”
    Alasdair took a long sip of coffee, trying to compose his thoughts. It didn’t do to get Cosmo riled up before leaving for work. He’d learned over the almost ten months they’d been together that discord in the mornings meant he came home to an insolent brat, and while the ensuing punishment could occasionally be fun, he’d had other ideas for tonight. Ones which required a pliant and well-behaved submissive.
    “I’m calling you exuberant and young. Accidents happen to even the most careful bikers. I don’t want to lose you that way. Couldn’t cope with it. Not again.”
    Cosmo pouted for a moment, but it quickly melted into an apologetic smile. The veiled reference to Jon, the first love of Alasdair’s life, had obviously done the trick. “Yeah, okay, I get why you’re twitchy about it, but I really need some wheels. Taxis are all right and all, but I just don’t have the same freedom.”
    Oh, Alasdair could see where this was leading. Cosmo in a car would be every bit as nerve-wracking as Cosmo in charge of a bike, but at least the chances of him surviving a crash would be somewhat higher. Small consolation, though. “You want a car.”
    Cosmo’s eyes lit up. “That would be cool. I could carry my guitar then. I’d need driving lessons, though. Proper ones from an instructor. Don’t reckon either of us could cope with you giving them to me.”
    He had that right. Alasdair would end up with more white hairs than brown if he got in a car with Cosmo behind the wheel. At least until the lad knew what he was doing, anyway. “I don’t know.”
    “Please, Alasdair? Otherwise I’m just going to save up all my wages and get a bike. You know they let you out on the roads with just a few hours training? I could be a biker in next to no time.”
    “You are not buying a bike!” Oh God. Cosmo was looking at him with the kind of puppy dog eyes that made him want to slap a collar on the lad’s neck and order him onto all fours. He drew the line at tails and leather ears, though. That was just weird. “Look, I know you’re a responsible adult. Well, an adult anyway. And I know you could just go out and get a bike by yourself. But that isn’t how our relationship works, is it? You need to ask for my permission before major purchases. However, I’ve listened to your case for having some transport of your own, and I agree that you probably do deserve some wheels.”
    Cosmo’s face lit up.
    “But, there will be conditions.”
    “There’s always conditions with you.” Cosmo rolled his eyes and pushed his plate away before leaning back to fish his tobacco tin out of his pocket. Alasdair eyed it with resentment. He hated the way those nasty little cancer sticks made his kitchen reek, and he hated the idea of what they were doing to Cosmo’s lungs.
    A smile spread slowly across Alasdair’s face.
    “You look like you’re planning some kind of sadistic challenge for me.”
    “Oh yes. I most certainly am. And if you pass it I will gladly buy you a car and all the driving lessons your heart desires.” Alasdair’s grin spread even wider. This was perfect. If he was going to have to accept one more risk to Cosmo’s well-being, then at least he could partially mitigate his worry by getting rid of one of the others.
    Cosmo frowned. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
    “Not for a moment.”
    “Did I ever tell you you’re an evil bastard?”
    “Frequently. I’ve been taking it as a compliment.”
    Cosmo glared at him, but when Alasdair raised his eyebrows he dropped his gaze to his cigarette paper, his lips screwing up into his gotta-know-now expression. Good. Let him wonder. Alasdair watched him slowly teasing the strands of tobacco out and