Saving Alexander (21 page)

Alex broke away, his face flushed. Sage’s face also flooded with colour at being caught in the act by a stranger. Alex grinned in delight, reaching out to a black giant of a man who stood in the entrance to the open door.

“Cully! God, it’s good to see you.” He hugged the man, an expression of true affection on his face.

“Alex. Hell, you are looking good. Better than I’ve seen you look in a little while. You’ve put on a bit of weight. Been working out?” He reached out a hand to the still pink-faced Sage, giving him a huge grin. “Mr. Christopher Sage. It’s a great pleasure to meet you. I’m a huge fan of yours.”

Sage smiled, shaking the man’s hand, and Alex chuckled at seeing it dwarfed in Cully’s huge one.

Cully grinned even wider. “I take it from the action on the doorstep that you’ve been taking care of my man? That’s really good. He needs some tender loving care. But if you hurt a hair on his head, I’ll have to hunt you down and kill you, you know that?” His face was expressionless as he looked at Sage.

Sage looked at the big man in horror and both Alex and Cully collapsed in peals of laughter. The big man shook his head. “My God, your face, you should have seen it, brother. I’m not the violent sort, I was joshing you. I shoulda been an actor too.”

Alex pulled Cully into the lounge. “Come in, Cully. Come and tell me what you’ve been up to other than giving poor Sage a heart attack.”

The big man followed Alex, still chortling. Sage followed a little warily. He wasn’t quite sure how to take the other man. He wondered with a flick of jealousy whether they’d been lovers as they seemed really comfortable together. They finally sat down in the lounge, drinks in hands.

Alex turned to Cully. “So, spill the beans. What have you been doing?”

Cully sat back, regarding them both. “Just the usual. Travelling around, rescuing people, some who want to be rescued, some who don’t.” He shrugged. “Not much to tell, Alex. You know how it is.” He leaned forward, gazing at Alex intently. “I’m more interested in how you’re doing. I meant what I said. You look really well.”

Alex looked at Sage fondly. “It’s all down to Sage. I’ve told him most of the story.” His tone was warning and the pair shared a glance, a secret glance that had Sage not been watching closely, he probably would have missed. “He knows about Eric and Scarlet and he’s seen the scars.”

Cully whistled. “Look at you, Alex. That’s a real step forward. I’d say that’s even a miracle.”

He observed Sage, his deep brown eyes affectionate. “If you’ve done this for him, Mr. Sage, I’d say you definitely deserve my gratitude.”

“Call me Sage,” said Sage uncomfortably. “And to be honest, considering what he went through, Alex is one of the bravest people I know. He’s the incredible one.”

Cully reached out with his huge paw, clasping Sage’s hand warmly. “I’d agree with you on that one. Alex is a real trooper.”

The conversation turned to common friends and remembrances of past times and Sage sat back and listened to them speak. He enjoyed watching Alex so vibrant and sparkling, looking so relaxed. The two of them seemed so at ease with one another. He felt a slight pang at the fact that he might struggle to get the same sense of familiarity with this man, someone he was definitely getting attached to. He did manage to find out that Cully had a wife, a doctor at a hospital in London, which made him feel better.

It was fairly late when Cully put his empty drink glass down with an air of finality and stood up. “I need to get off. I have an early start in the morning. Off to Somerset for a gig.” He grinned but it wasn’t a particularly nice one. Sage wondered what type of gig it was, sure it wasn’t rock and roll. Sage stood up as Alex hugged his friend.

“It was good to see you, Cully. Come back soon. I don’t see you often enough.”

Sage shook the man’s hand. Cully held onto him longer than normal. “Thanks for helping my boy, Sage. It can’t be easy on you.” He handed Sage a small business card. “You find things getting rough, you need to someone talk to, then you call me. Anytime you want. We’ll have a drink together.” He grinned. “You seem like a good man. But it’s going to be tough. Make no mistake about it. This guy has a lot of demons.” Alex regarded them both with watchful eyes.

Sage nodded. “Thanks. I might take you up on that.”

Cully nodded and went out into the darkness of the street. He waved goodbye and started walking down the road. Alex closed the door.

Sage sighed. “I suppose I should be going too. It’s back to work as normal tomorrow.”

Alex caressed his face gently. “You’re welcome to stay over rather than travel home, Sage. You look tired. I don’t like thinking of you on the bike when you’re tired. I’ll quickly wash your stuff and put in the tumble dryer. It’ll be fine for you in the morning.”

Sage considered his offer then nodded. “That sounds like a better plan. I know it’s not far to Dan’s but I’m knackered.”

Sage reached out, drawing his shirt up, taking it off in one fluid movement. He handed it to Alex then slowly unzipped his jeans, pulling them down over his hips. He stepped out of them and stood naked before him.

Alex’s eyes drank him in hungrily. “Why don’t you jump into bed and I’ll be there as soon as I’ve sorted this out. It’s the room on the right.”

Sage disappeared and Alex watched the taut cheeks of his backside. Fifteen minutes later, after a quick wash cycle, he loaded the wet clothing into the tumble dryer, switching off the lights and making his way into the bedroom. Sage lay half-in, half-out of the covers, his long legs stretched out, his arms above his head. He was fast asleep, his mouth relaxed, his black hair falling over his face.

Alex reached down, stroking his jawline tenderly. “So much for my bad intentions. Sleep tight.” He’d have to live with his hard-on a little longer, perhaps until early morning sex.

Alex kissed him on his lips and Sage shifted slightly and muttered. Alex stood up, slipping out of his clothes, then crept into bed beside him, feeling the warmth of his body and hearing his steady breathing. His hands rested lightly on Sage’s stomach as he snuggled in. He’d never felt so safe or at home.

Chapter 20

A week later Sage brought Miles home. He’d borrowed Lanie’s car, driven to the hospital and subsequently deposited his godfather in his own house and into what Miles called the “voracious” clutches of “that” woman.

Miles had grumbled good-naturedly about being fussed about like some sort of invalid but Sage saw he was relieved not to be alone. Miles still struggled to walk on his damaged leg. Lanie Whitcombe was a widow of about sixty years old, tall, nicely padded, with grey hair that was coloured auburn, and a face that looked as if you could confide anything in her and she’d fix your problem. Sage and Miles had known her for many years and Sage had always thought his godfather and Lanie would finally hit it off. Now it appeared they’d hit it off more than once and Sage was still amused at the fact they’d tried to keep it a secret—until now.

He dropped Lanie’s car off at her home down the lane, walking back down the darkening lane to his own cottage to shower before he picked Alex up later for dinner. Sage had struggled a little this last week to commute between his cottage and the film set and his shared apartment with Dan, as well as make time for Alex. Miles was now safely ensconced at home with Lanie.

Annie and her mother had promised to look after the horses and the upkeep on his cottage between them. Sage hoped he could now focus on the job in hand: to complete filming on
Double Exposure
without further distraction. The police had still made no inroads into either Dianne’s letter bombing or Miles’s hit-and-run but DS Doyle had promised to keep him informed if there were any developments.

Sage had been right about the reporters. They were now permanently loitering on Alex’s street. Alex was extremely twitchy about the media attention. He simply ignored them and they had backed off, sensing they were not going to get much out of the reclusive writer. Unfortunately Sage and Alex’s relationship was now public knowledge and the fact that the writer and his leading man were together had made the front page of all the tabloids. Sage was used to the attention but Alex was finding the invasion into his privacy difficult.

Sage been lucky. His home was still fairly reporter free although his local publican had told him a couple of men had been sniffing around trying to find out more about where he lived. Barry, the pub owner, had sent them away with a flea in their ear and warned them not to hassle his village residents. Martin Cooper, an ex-military man who lived three houses away from Sage, had taken it upon himself to be his unofficial body guard and paparazzi watcher, and his huge six-foot-five frame was a menace to anyone intending any nefarious purpose or getting too curious. It was one of the great advantages of living in a small village where everyone knew and watched out for one another.

Later that evening Sage drew up outside Alex’s apartment. He waved at the few waiting paparazzi as their cameras snapped, thinking he may as well be gracious with pictures and maybe they’d leave them alone on the interview front.

Alex opened the door to his knock, scowling fiercely at the photographers. He pulled Sage inside, closing the door behind him and getting busy with his hungry hands and lips. When he finally released Sage and drew him into the living room, Sage was breathless.

“Well, that’s a great welcome,” he said in amusement as he took off his leathers. Alex busied himself with pouring him a whisky and handing it to him.

Alex grinned, eying out Sage’s thin grey silk shirt and black chinos. “You look so hot in that shirt and those pants, that all I want to do is take them off you. But I’m hungry and I need to be fed so I’ll leave you alone—for now.” He looked at him enquiringly. “Did you get Miles settled?”

Sage nodded. “Yes, he’s at home. Lanie’s staying over at his place for a while, moving between her home and his. She’s a resilient lady and she’ll keep him under control.”

Alex laughed, and not for the first time Sage marvelled at the change in this man from the one he’d met that first day at his agent’s. He felt a sense of pride that he’d had a helping hand in his continuing transformation.

They were really a couple now, sleeping over at each other’s places, grabbing their lovemaking anywhere they could, even in Alex’s office, which was one of their favourite places after hours and the source of a lot of post-coital conversation. But to be honest, no place was sacred including the stable, where Sage had indulged a fantasy of Alex’s. Sage grinned at the memory of lying naked in the straw while Alex rode him, under what he was sure was an approving gaze from Tallulah.

He watched Alex now, dressed to stun in tight black dress pants and a wine-coloured dress shirt that clung to his tight abs. A slight sense of unease overlay Sage’s pride.

Surely the worst was over? Alex was bonding with him and Sage knew damn well he had fallen head over heels, heart-stoppingly and crazily in love with him. How that was going to work out for him, he had no idea.

Sage became aware that Alex was staring at him curiously and he brought himself back to reality with a jolt as he spoke.

“Sage, is everything all right? You were miles away there.”

Sage nodded, forcing a smile. “Yes, all fine. Sorry, I was just trying to remember if I gave Miles everything from the car. I had a sudden feeling I’d forgotten something.” He heard the lie, seeing Alex’s face soften.

“Well, then, lover, finish that whisky up and let’s get walking to the restaurant.” Alex smiled slyly. “The sooner we get me fed, the sooner we can get back here and I can jump your bones.” He frowned. “We’ll have to try and avoid those bloody vultures outside. I might punch the next one that approaches me with those smarmy smiles they have.”

Sage chuckled loudly. “I’m not sure that will help, probably get you arrested. I’ll sort them out for you.” He smiled as he set his empty glass down on the side table. “Come on then, tiger, let’s get off. I can’t have you sitting beside me all sexually frustrated knowing I can alleviate your symptoms.” Alex locked up and they started walking down the busy London street toward Le Chat, the French restaurant not too far away. True to Sage’s word, he managed to stave off the reporters with a few choice words and a promise of a picture together for the morning paper. Alex wasn’t impressed but it was a small price to pay to be left alone for the evening.

For Sage, the next few months passed in a blur of constant filming, trips between his home in Finchingfield to check on Miles and the horses, and spending time with Alex at his apartment. There had been no more incidents of violence against cast members and the whole film crew was breathing a sigh of relief. The police still had no fresh leads although apparently they were continuing their investigation.

The one area that was eating away at Sage’s insides was his lover’s Study in Scarlet sessions. They had definitely decreased as Alex had promised but Sage was getting resentful that Alex still needed even one of them.

He knew he’d promised to be patient but it was becoming increasingly difficult to share his lover. The flogging wasn’t the issue; the sex was. The thought of another man inside Alex made Sage’s blood boil. Eric’s name alone was enough to make his breath hitch and the deep ache in the pit of his stomach to grow deeper. Sage’s feelings of frustration were starting to spill over into something else—an overwhelming desire to give Alex an ultimatum. Sage or Eric.

The ramifications of that urge scared him, so until now he’d bitten his tongue.

Sage watched now as Alex got ready for work. They’d spent the night at Alex’s apartment and Sage wasn’t due on set until later that afternoon. He lay in bed with the covers around his waist watching as Alex did up his tie. The man had a style all of his own, making a simple thing like tying a Windsor knot seem sensual and erotic. Sage was already semi-hard and he wondered if he could convince his boyfriend to come back to bed so he could stake some more ownership of the man. Perhaps that might assuage the deep-seated fear that Alex might never be able to give up his other lover for good.