New Lease of Life

New Lease of Life by Lillian Francis

Book: New Lease of Life by Lillian Francis Read Free Book Online
Authors: Lillian Francis
Tags: gay romance
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Pip was surprised to find that he’d almost demolished the entire thing. Probably wasn’t wise to confess that fact to Colby, though.
    “Have you had enough?” Pip asked, aware that in his panic he’d completely failed at being a good host. His mother would be mortified.
    “Hell yeah. The cookies look good, but I’m stuffed. Maybe we could have them later with a coffee?”
    Colby stretched and, when his T-shirt rode up a couple of inches to expose flesh, patted his stomach. Muscular without the six-pack of a gym bunny, Pip noted with appreciation, before a thickening trail tugged his gaze lower, dragging his attention from where the dark hair gathered at Colby’s belly button down toward the waistband of his chinos.
    “I’ll just pack this up, then go and wash my hands before I get started again.”
    Colby’s voice, tinged with amusement, dragged Pip from his contemplation of Colby’s navel with mortifying speed. But even that might not have been enough if the material hadn’t fallen back into place, hiding the view.
    In moments Colby had rewrapped the remainder of their lunch, placing it and all the rubbish back in the basket. Then, with an ease Pip could only envy, Colby rose to his feet and handed the basket to Pip. He brushed past as he headed toward the bathroom, leaving a lingering scent in his wake. Colby smelled fresh and slightly woodsy but with the familiar hint of Pip’s washing powder from handling the clothes or, more likely—since the clothes hadn’t been worn or washed in over six months—constantly touching his bedding.
    With that logic, would his bed smell of Colby?
    Mindful of Colby’s comment about coffee, Pip hobbled next door to the spare bedroom where he had a small kitchenette. Just a kettle, French press, mugs, a sink, and fridge. It allowed Pip to avoid an awkward journey up and down the stairs if he wanted a drink early in the morning or late at night.
    Letting his crutch take the weight, Pip groped around in the basket until he found the cookies. He extracted them from under the remaining sandwiches and left them beside the kettle. Maybe Colby would be around long enough to finish off the sandwiches too. With this thought Pip placed the remaining food in the fridge before rinsing his hands in the sink and drying them on a tea towel.
    As he passed the door to his bedroom, he couldn’t resist a glance. As if he could sense Pip’s gaze on him, Colby turned from where he was stripping the tailor’s dummy bare again.
    “Hey,” Colby greeted him with a dazzling smile, as though they hadn’t just spent the last half an hour together. “Could you pass me that jacket?”
    Without thinking Pip hobbled into the room and reached for the jacket Colby had indicated. The tweed felt soft in his grip, and he rubbed the material gently between his fingertips.
    “There. That’s the expression I’ve been waiting for.”
    Pip snapped his head up to find Colby watching him, his features softened with affection. An emotion that implied a familiarity their acquaintance didn’t warrant.
    “It’s not as good as seeing you smile, but I’ll take what I can get for now.”
    Pip tossed the jacket onto the bed. “You tricked me.”
    “Mind the merchandise.” Colby grabbed up the jacket and brushed it off with the flat of his hand. “This is good stuff.”
    “I know,” Pip growled, pivoting on his crutch. The rubber foot squeaked on the parquet flooring, setting his teeth on edge and rocketing his irritation up a notch. Without a backward glance, Pip stormed from the room.

Chapter Six
     
     
    STARING AT his laptop screen, Pip knew he wouldn’t get any work done. Not while he could still hear Colby moving around upstairs in his bedroom. Tapping his fingers nervously against the casing next to the touchpad, Pip contemplated the flashing cursor in the search bar.
    “Sod it.” He typed the first few letters of the familiar web address, his computer filling in the rest, remembering even while

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