Welcome to the Wednesday Briefers flash
group. The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the
bottom to the other flashers. The prompts for this week are:
"You can't always get what you want..."
or use a birthday cake or have a scene in a fast
food restaurant
or use: goat, hanger, whisper
or "I thought that you loved me until you
said..."
or "I spy with my little eye..."
or use socks in a fun way
or introduce a new character who is a model
All
That He Desires #22
Anslee was a pretty good cook, as Jules found out. He
asked what Jules’ favorites were and whipped up a meal that was worthy of a top
chef. Jules ate every bite and even asked for seconds. Had Anslee been a chef
at some point in his life?
After breakfast, Anslee showed Jules around his
home. Once the tour was over, Anslee picked up Jules’ suitcase and motioned for
Jules to follow him. Sure enough, Anslee headed to what looked like his
bedroom.
“Um, while this room is nice and all, I thought—”
“Never a good thing.”
Jules scowled at Anslee. “Funny. What I was going to say was maybe I should stay in the
guest room.”
“Why in the world would you do that?”
Why, indeed? “I just thought—”
Anslee shook his head as he hauled Jules’ suitcase
into the room. “You think too much. Besides, I want you here, with me.”
“Well, you know what they say: you can’t always get
what you want.”
“Actually, I can.”
The scowl on Jules’ face deepened.
Anslee held up his hand. “But instead of forcing the
issue, I’ll ask instead that you stay in here with me.”
Jules blew out a breath. He knew Anslee wanted him close,
and he also knew this could turn into an all-out fight if he pushed. Truth be
told, he didn’t know why he was even making such a fuss. They had slept together in his bed, after
all. God, he was tired of everything being a fight, but he also knew Anslee
would walk all over him given half a chance. Plus, Anslee had given his word he
wouldn’t force the issue of sex between them, and he trusted Anslee.
It was possible he needed his head examined, but there
you go. He did trust Anslee. What Jules was more worried about was Anslee
saying he fully intended to seduce Jules… and his own resolve not to let that
happen. Anslee had to learn to treat Jules as an equal. Start off as you mean
to go, and all that.
Wasn’t he just full of old sayings today?
Jules looked around. Thing was, he couldn’t teach
Anslee if he wasn’t with him. So he’d have a good case of blue balls. Jules
mentally shrugged. It would be worth it, he hoped. “Okay.”
Anslee’s head snapped around. “Really?”
Jules rolled his eyes. “Do you want to fight about me staying in here?”
“Absolutely not.”
Jules opened his suitcase. “Got some extra hangers
or drawer space? I need to hang a few things up or they’re going to be
wrinkled.”
Anslee was pushing his clothes out of the way to
make room in the closet before Jules finished the sentence. Then he focused on
drawer space. Jules bit his lip to keep from laughing at the eagerness Anslee
showed as he shoved his own personal things out of the way.
“Need any help?” Anslee asked when he was finished.
Jules looked at what Anslee called a closet. Damn
thing was huge and went on forever. There were shelves all over the place,
lights down the center of the room, racks, bins… dear God. He’d seen some fancy
closets on those TV shows about the rich and famous, but he never dreamed he’d
actually be standing in a closet you’d need a map for.
“Yeah, maybe you should tie a string around my waist
so I can find my way back out of this thing. Jesus, Anslee, a family of four
could live in what you’re calling a closet.”
A slight hint of red covered Anslee’s cheeks. “I
like nice things… and room. Plenty of room so you don’t feel hemmed in.”
Whatever smart remark Jules was about to make died
on his tongue. There was a story there, one he’d have to get Anslee to share
one day. It dawn on him he didn’t know anything about Anslee’s life after the
Great Fall or since. Who knew what Anslee been through? He’d even wondered
earlier if Anslee had once been a chef.
Jules unpacked some of his things and placed them in
the drawers Anslee had cleared for him. “Well, you certainly have nice things.
You know, I’m kind of jealous. Every since I left home I’ve had to watch what
I’ve spent and do without. Hope you don’t think bad of me, but I’m looking
forward to being a little spoiled.”
Anslee pulled Jules around to face him. “It would be
a pleasure to spoil you, little one. All these things really have no meaning
unless there’s someone to share them with. I’ve learned this as time has
passed.”
Jules rested his head on Anslee shoulder. Dammit,
when Anslee said things like that he just wanted to melt into a puddle,
preferably on a bed. With Anslee looming over him. Undressed.
Shit.
Jules patted Anslee’s back. “One day we need to sit
down and have a long talk. I’d like to know what you’ve seen and done all this
time—both the good and bad too. Can you do that for me? I mean, I really don’t
know much about you, the person.”
“One day? Can I take that to mean you plan on
sticking around… freely?”
Jules leaned back to look at Anslee. “I guess so. As
long as you don’t hit me or force me to do something against my will… Then yeah,
I guess I’m saying I’m willing to stay with you and see where this goes.
There’s going to be some work involved, but I think you may be worth the
effort.”
“Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”
TBC
~~~~~~
