Fatherhood, Football, and Other Contact Sports
Title: Fatherhood, Football, and Other Contact Sports - 4/16
Author: dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14, maybe.
Summary: Satisfying a curiosity only complicates things at home, the clinic, and on the football field.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to frojane, for the beta. Credit for the banner goes to the very talented loki_girl. Thank you so much.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: As promised, here’s the next installment. Things are getting interesting, aren’t they?
Previous Parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
ETA: Welcome to the world, Jack William Boyd. Much congrats to Daddy!Billy, and of course, Ali as well. Oddly enough, Jack was on my list for a name . . . Hee.
Chapter 4 - Normal Curiosity & Madness
“I thought we’d agreed to be friends, Billy,” Dom says simply, head lazily lolling to one side as he lets his gaze roam the length of Billy’s trim body, from the top of his ginger head to the tips of his bare toes.
“We agreed to try to be friends, Monaghan, but it’s already clear to me that it isn’t going to work. You’re too hardheaded,” Billy replies, continuing to stare at the pool, oblivious to Dom’s appreciative contemplation.
“And you’re not?” Dom asks, not bothering to try to contain his disbelief.
Exhaling heavily, Billy pushes away from the wall of the pool house and slowly turns to face Dom, the distress written all over his face. “Of course I am. The difference is, I’m your doctor and you refuse to listen to me!”
Gingerly favoring his right leg as his rises to his feet, Dom slowly limps over, closing the distance between them to stand directly in front of Billy. Only a few inches separate them now, his eyes focused on Billy, caressing his face.
“You’re also a very attractive man, Billy,” Dom says softly, his tone gentle and intimate. “And I have been listening to you, to every single word you’ve said. Honestly, I have. It’s not that I don’t hear you, I just don’t agree. There’s a difference.”
Extending a long, lean arm, Dom’s thumb slides up the smooth column of Billy’s neck, tracing the line of his now lightly stubbled jaw, coming to rest at the corner of Billy’s bow shaped lips.
“God, you have such a beautiful, sexy mouth,” Dom murmurs, watching with half lidded eyes as the tip of his thumbnail traces the sensual upper arch of Billy’s top lip. “It’s perfect, you know. It just begs to be kissed, over and over again.”
“Now you’re just taking the piss,” Billy whispers hoarsely, trembling slightly at the feathery touch of Dom’s fingers against his skin.
“No, I’m not,” Dom corrects firmly, yet gently, so close that his hot breath caresses Billy’s stubbly cheek. “Not at all. Tell me the truth, Billy. Be honest with me, or at least with yourself. Haven’t you been wondering all day long what a kiss between you and me would be like? Don’t lie. It’s crossed your mind at least a couple times, hasn’t it?”
Gazing into Dom’s eyes, Billy finds himself unable to deny Dom’s intoxicating words. “It’s only a natural curiosity,” he says finally, trying to explain away the staggering, erotic sensations rushing through his trim body.
Truthfully, every time Billy merely considers the idea of Dominic Monaghan’s firm lips pressing against his, Billy feels his equilibrium shift and his breath quicken. The idea of their naked bodies tangled together in wanton ecstasy, overcome with passion, causes Billy’s body to throb and his cock ache, almost painfully. It’s been so long since he’s felt this way about anyone. Months. Years. There was a time he never would’ve questioned it, but now Billy’s not even sure he felt this way about Abby. Ever.
“Yes, of course. Only natural,” Dom agrees soothingly, heat warming his taut belly and spreading though his long, lean limbs. “And since were both adults, there’s no real harm in satisfying a totally normal curiosity.”
“So long as it’s only a kiss, I suppose no real harm could come of it. Since we’re adults,” Billy echoes, swallowing hard, twice, his entire body vibrating with overwhelming need.
Eyes moving across Billy’s face with the intensity of a physical caress, Dom’s thumb toys with the corner of Billy’s seductive and inviting cherubic mouth. Feeling his mouth suddenly go as dry as a desert, Billy nervously licks his bow shaped lips, causing Dom to stifle a nearly guttural groan of passion.
“I’m going to kiss you, Billy,” Dom warns, voice low and raspy. “Right here. Right now.”
Billy’s softly-lit green eyes gives Dom his answer as Billy swallows again, watching Dom’s sun-streaked head draw near. Closing his eyes, Billy breathes in the enticing scent of Dom’s aftershave, sighing quietly as he pulls it deep into his lungs and holding it there. Deep and green, like a lush forest, Billy decides, but not jolting like a brisk pine. It’s warm and natural, blending with Dom’s own exhilarating scent, the aroma is like moist earth - pungent, heady and so very, very right for him.
“Dom-”
As Dom’s mouth covers his lightly, Billy’s breath catches as he thinks, I shouldn’t be doing this. Not with this man. Definitely not with this man, Billy silently repeats, even while delighting in the intoxicating taste of Dom’s warm lips. It’s so soft and tender, yet Dom’s feathery touch seems to be affecting every last inch of Billy’s flesh, raising goose bumps on his exposed forearms and causing the fine hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. Without having to say a word to one another, their lips part, warm, wet tongues touching softly and sweetly, a murmuring, breathy sigh and a whimper of pleasure mingling together at the shared erotic sensations. What’s surprising is that the movement is almost lazy, not rushing or greedy, the taste of one another mixing perfectly as mouths part as gently as they came together.
Long fingers cupping Billy’s cheek, Dom doesn’t move to explore Billy’s trim, fit body as they experience just how incredibly thrilling a mere kiss can be when two people come together just right, at a perfect moment in time. Holding Billy for a long moment, just savoring him, Dom’s soft, warm lips blaze a trail over Billy’s face, tenderly and teasingly leaving sparks on the pale, heated skin. Feeling Dom’s feathery touch slide over his eyelids, cheeks, temple and chin, Billy knows this kiss has surpassed all that have come before it. Combined.
“That was lovely,” Dom murmurs hotly, the tip of his talented tongue tracing the shell of Billy’s small ear and then teeth nibbling on the fleshy lobe.
“Aye. Quite lovely,” Billy agrees breathlessly, on a soft moan of pleasure as he nuzzles his small, perfect nose into Dom’s cheek.
“Can I interest you in another?”
Knowing that they’re playing with fire and he’s like a moth, helplessly drawn to the flame, Billy can’t resist the intense lust smoldering in Dom’s eyes. The proximity of their bodies is weakening Billy, shattering his common sense and resolve to retain a professional distance. All he can think of now is Dom pressed against his body, touching him, kissing him.
“I still have a wee bit of curiosity left,” Billy admits as he pulls back a few inches, his drowsy, desire-filled gaze handing Dom a clear invitation.
“I’m giving you fair warning, Bills. All this, is piquing mine more and more.” Dom’s voice is almost a growl, the intense passion unmistakable. “Say the word, and we stop right here.”
Not recalling moving a muscle, a moment later Billy is enfolded in Dom’s long, lean arms, their chests pressed tightly together, Billy’s small hands resting lightly on Dom’s shoulders. “This is utter and complete madness,” Billy murmurs under his breath, a faint tinge of regret in his tone.
“Mmmm,” Dom replies noncommittally, gazing lustily at Billy’s rosy lips and licking his own in anticipation. “Let’s hear it for those off their heads then, because they really know how to live, don’t they?”
A deep, aching longing is building up inside Billy as he yields to the strength surrounding him. Head tilting to one side, Billy’s lips part, welcoming the hungry invasion of Dom’s obscenely long tongue as his dainty fingers slide into the tousled strands of Dom’s hair to hold him close. Giving himself up into the absolute glory of the kiss, Billy knows that if this is indeed madness, he doesn’t have any idea why sanity has always been held up as the ideal. Cupping the fragile curve of Dom’s skull, Billy pushes himself up onto his bare toes, not quite suppressing a moan of enjoyment as his fingertips caress the tanned nape of Dom’s neck in slow, gentle strokes.
Degree by glorious degree, Dom deepens the kiss and shivers when he feels Billy willingly respond, his cupid lips hungry under his, deft fingers gripping a handful of sun streaked blonde hair to keep Dom close. The rest of the world slips into hazy background as Billy’s attention centers solely on Dom’s swollen, sensual lips, and thrusting his pointy tongue deep into Dom’s hot mouth, exploring the sweet depths. Dom’s lips are continually changing, first hard and strong, then soft and incredibly gentle, and then finally, sweet, so wonderfully, tenderly, dazzlingly sweet. It’s as if they are meant to kiss endlessly, and as Dom’s lips become the center of the universe and of Billy’s existence, Billy fervently hopes that he’ll never stop.
Short fingernails scritching lightly at Dom’s scalp, Billy’s other hand slides down Dom’s body, clutching a fistful of a well worn, cotton t-shirt between Dom’s shoulder blades. Tongues tangling messily, hot breath mixes as Dom turns their bodies slightly and presses Billy’s back against the clear wall of the pool house. Hips locking together as Billy pushes back, Dom then slides his long, elegant fingers along Billy’s jaw line, lingering over the hammering pulse point. The deep, wet kiss continues until Billy’s lungs demand oxygen and his knees are shaking, threatening to give out from beneath him.
“Well?”
Dom’s hoarse voice slices through the sensual fog of Billy’s thoughts and Billy’s eyes fly open to discover Dom observing him with an inordinate amount of calm.
Doing his very best to match it, as Billy doesn’t want Dom to know he’s been taken to the very edge of reason with a single, admittedly mind blowing, extraordinary kiss. Bloody hell, that was so much more than he thought it would be. Much, much more. The intimate contact was nothing short of spectacular.
“I’d say my curiosity has been satisfied,” Billy replies, silently willing his aching aroused body to behave. “You’re a very skillful kisser, Monaghan, but I suppose it’s like everything else: Practice makes perfect.”
Forcing his attention from the fire surging through his veins, Dom feels the need vibrating through his body. More than ever, he want to be alone with Billy. He wants to explore the Scotsman’s soft, pale skin at his leisure, to taste, kiss, touch, lick and suck every last inch of his firm, trim body. He wants to runs his fingers through that gorgeous chest hair that’s been tormenting him all night. Disbelief enters Dom’s mind as he attempts to make sense of the fact that Billy has succeeded in turning his entire world upside down with a single kiss. If he’s to be completely honest, it was a mind-melting, body achingly, fan-bloody-tastic kiss. One that Dom wants to repeat as soon as humanly possible. Naked. In bed.
“It helps,” Dom agrees cheerfully. Christ, how he doesn’t want to let Billy go. Ever. “Want to practice together for a bit?”
Knowing that if he allows that, he’ll be completely lost, Billy starts to gently push Dom back, creating some much needed distance between their bodies. The faint voice of reason is speaking louder now, trying to make itself heard from the distant back corner of Billy’s mind. Over and over it repeats that this is a long way from a professional patient-doctor relationship. A very long way.
Pressing his small hands against the strength of Dom’s shoulders, Billy finally says, “I’d say we’ve satisfied our curiosity, Monaghan. Let’s just leave it at that, yeah?”
At Billy’s crisp, professional tone, Dom wonders if Dr. Billy Boyd is actually capable of such iron clad control. Utterly impossible, he determines. Billy’s clearly shaken and is now covering it up until he can get his bearings again. However, Billy is definitely one hell of an actor. Struggling to maintain a look of nonchalance, Dom decides to let Billy to retreat for the time being.
While he’s not a particularly patient man, Dom knows that by not forcing the issue, his eventual victory will be even sweeter to celebrate. Billy wants him; everything from his softly glazed, mossy green eyes to his trembling body as he’d pressed his trim form into Dom’s, to the way he eagerly thrust his pointy tongue into Dom’s mouth, gives him away. It’s going to happen. Definitely. It’s just a matter of time. And when it does happen, it’s going to be incendiary.
“It’s probably just as well,” Dom says lightly, loosening his hold around Billy’s narrow waist and allowing him the opportunity to escape when he chooses. “You’d let it slip what a magnificent lover I was to one of your friends at the clinic, and I’d have to sell my house, change my name and move to another city in order to get any rest.”
“Your ego is as fat as your medical chart, Monaghan,” Billy says with a laugh, relieved by Dom’s easy acceptance and enjoying his good humor.
Secretly, Billy had been worried that he was going to have a fight on his hands and cool waves of relief rush over his aroused, heated skin as he slips out of Dom’s relaxed arms and walks over to the table to begin gathering up dirty plates and glasses.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Cleaning up so I can get to sleep. I work, remember?” Billy explains with an arched eyebrow.
Closing the distance between their bodies again, Dom is tempted to lay a hand on Billy’s shoulder, just so they can have physical contact again. “What about my massage?” he asks suggestively.
Recognizing determination when he sees it, as he possesses a fair amount of it himself, Billy lays the plates down and turns to face Dom. If he’s to be perfectly honest, he knows that Dominic Monaghan wants him, and that Dom isn’t alone in his desires. But Billy also knows that their mutual attraction is far too dangerous, like strapping dynamite to his own body and walking into a roomful of pyromaniacs with lit matches. It’s only a passing infatuation, Billy assures himself repeatedly. If he avoids temptation, it will quickly run its natural course and be over with. Dom will become just a neighbor, nothing more.
“I’ve already massaged that oversized ego of yours by admitting that you’re a rather fair kisser, Monaghan,” Billy says crisply, stiffening and causing his spine to straighten. “Let’s save the body for some other night, yeah?”
Oh yeah, Billy’s definitely shaken. Dom gives himself victory points as he stands his ground, his grin surprisingly boyish. “Promise?”
Finding nowhere else to go, Billy seeks refuge in his profession. “Do you promise to take it easy during practice?”
“I promise to swerve out of the way every time I see a human mountain coming my way.”
Brow furrowing, Billy’s expression is own of genuine concern. “Do you swear? No heroics?”
Dom lifts his right palm in the gesture of a solemn pledge. “No unnecessary heroics,” he agrees with a firm nod.
Breath escaping on a rippling sigh, Billy turns back towards the tomato sauce and cheese streaked plates, not missing Dom’s alteration to his request. “Go home, Monaghan. I’ve had about as much of you as I can take for one day. More than I can take, actually.”
Frankly, Dom’s not used to receiving such a dismissal from anyone, let alone a potential lover, despite the events of this past year. He discovered while still in his teen years that his extraordinary talent with a football causes people to cater to him, granting his every wish. Fawning females have never irritated him; quite the opposite really, as he took their presence as his natural right. He’s a star, and it only makes sense that as such, he receives preferential treatment.
Now if Billy is the type to pay homage to any man, Dom has yet to see any indication of such forthcoming behavior. Billy has teased him, argued quite heatedly with him and steadfastly refused him. More than anything, Billy has intrigued him. Even as badly as Dom wants Billy’s body, Dom finds himself wanting to know this man better. He’s determined to stay close to Billy until all his curiosity about the sexy, Scottish, Dr. Billy Boyd is finally satisfied.
“May I pick Cam up from school again tomorrow?”
Slowly, Billy shakes his head. Keep him at a distance, Billy warns himself firmly. “I don’t think so. I don’t want him to get used to spending every evening with you.”
“Hey, I didn’t say anything about the evening.” Dom’s grin is mildly apologetic as he glibly ad-libs the lie. “As it happens, I have a date tomorrow night. I was going to suggest you could pick him up at Murraypark after you finish at the clinic. It’s on your way home, and practice isn’t over until about six or so.”
It takes all of Billy’s control not reveal the disappointment Dom’s words cause. Of course, Dom has a date. Undoubtedly there is a plethora of women in this man’s life. What does Billy expect? After all, he’s the one who said it was just a kiss. It’s not like Dom made any promises, nor did Billy ask him to. It’s exactly as Billy requested, so why does it hurt?
“Oh. Then I suppose it’s alright. If you’re certain that he’s no bother.”
“None at all. I like kids, Billy, believe it or not. Even the ones who root for Manchester United.” Dom’s warm smile spreads across his face, up to reach his eyes. “Good night, Billy.”
“Good night, Monaghan,” Billy murmurs, lifting a hand in a wave before focusing back on the table.
“Billy?”
Hearing a different tone in Dom’s voice that gives him pause, Billy turns to face Dom once again.
“Yes?”
A long moment passes as Dom just gazes into Billy’s eyes, making Billy want to shift under the intensity of it. There’s nothing sexual or suggestive in it, but there is an unmistakable intimacy. And unless Billy is way off the mark, a vulnerability.
“Reporters and sportscasters call me Monaghan,” Dom says finally, a touch unsteadily. “My name, is Dom. Or Dominic if I’m in trouble and you’re my Mum.”
Only then does Billy realize the mistake he’s made in neglecting to call Dom by his first name. He’s reminded Dom of all the negative publicity, the people who keep saying he’s finished, a washed-up, broken wreck. Over and over, Billy has reminded him, unintentionally causing Dom pain. As someone who has personally lived with heartache for far too long, it’s the last thing Billy intended. That knowledge causes Billy’s breath to catch and a lump to form in his throat.
Without waiting for a response, Dom turns and begins carefully limping over to the fence that separates their yards. He’s at the gate when Billy’s voice carries across the night air.
“Good night . . . Dom.”
Pausing to take in a breath, Dom slowly nods.
“Good night,” he replies before slipping through the gate and disappearing from sight.
Quickly rinsing the dishes in the sink and loading them into the dishwasher, Billy makes his way through the maze of boxes yet to be unpacked on the main floor and then upstairs. Checking on Cameron and ensuring that he’s tucked in for the night, Billy then enters his own bedroom and quietly closes the door behind him. Once inside, Billy carelessly strips away his shirt, trousers and boxers, leaving a haphazard trail to the loo.
Ten minutes under a nearly scalding spray helps to soothe the aching muscles in his body, and cause his eyelids to grow heavy. Of course, the tension doesn’t begin to seep out of Billy’s body until he reaches a very satisfying climax, thanks to a fast, hard wank, his free hand braced against the tile wall. The person Billy is thinking about while stroking himself off is a secret he’ll take to his grave, otherwise known as his intoxicating, football playing, next door neighbor.
As Billy slides under the forest green coverlet and between soft sheets of the same shade, it crosses Billy’s mind that in the many years since his marriage started to crumble, his large, comfortable bed has never seemed so lonely. Then exhaustion overtakes Billy and he gives himself over to some much needed sleep, the feel of Dom’s soft lips lingering on his mouth and his elegant fingers on his skin.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
Billy’s second day at the clinic proves to be enormously less stressful than the first. Now that the rash of holiday injuries has passed, his patient load is far more manageable, and Billy finds himself falling into a comfortable, natural routine as if he’s been there for months, and not just two short days. The only fly on the ointment, he considers with wry resignation, is Dr. McKellan. Like the day before, Billy continually feels the steely blue eyes watching him, observing him silently, as if waiting for a faltering misstep. That said, Dr. McKellan does refrain from entering into any direct confrontation.
“Hey, you look great,” Orlando compliments Billy as he exits the doctor’s lounge after cleaning up at the end of the day. “Hot date tonight?”
Self-consciously, Billy runs a hand down the front of his shirt, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles. “No, actually. I’m planning on unpacking a house full of boxes and attempting to get some things organized.”
Orlando’s dark brown eyes sparkle mischievously. “I see. And you always dress up for manual labor?”
“I’m not dressed up,” Billy replies, his brow furrowing for a moment. “I’ve been wearing these clothes all day.”
Slowly, Orlando’s gaze sweeps the length of Billy’s body, all the way down to his feet, taking in several details, and then back up to his face. “You were wearing a tie before.”
“It’s required to be professional for work,” Billy counters. “You wear one as well.”
“Of course,” Orlando agrees solemnly, an amused smirk quirking the corners of his mouth. “You’ve also unfastened not two, but three buttons of that dress shirt that brings out your eyes, which by the way, you’ve very cruelly kept covered up by a starched lab coat all bloody day.”
“Um-”
“And lastly, that seductive cloud of fragrance hovering around you is most definitely not antiseptic, Dr. Boyd.”
Before Billy can come up with an appropriate answer to Orlando’s all too accurate observation and apparent appreciation, Dr. McKellan stops by on his way to the parking lot.
“Planning on scoring a goal this evening, Dr. Boyd?”
“Pardon me?”
For a moment, Billy thinks he detects a glimmer of interest in the older man’s eyes as they flicker over him.
“Bait, Dr. Boyd, obviously bait. If that football player responds to ‘Beyond Paradise’, I’d say you’re going to defeat the home team without even breaking a sweat.” And with that, Dr. McKellan turns on his heel and walks away.
Watching the older man go, Billy can only shake his head in genuine confusion. “I cannot figure that man out.” Turning towards Orlando, Billy arches an eyebrow. “Did you get the impression that . . . oh, never mind. Forget it. It’s ridiculous.”
“What? That our renowned administrator displayed a moment of honest, masculine appreciation before slipping back behind his mask?” Orlando fires back with a grin.
Suddenly, Billy is sorry he brought it up. He’s just not the type to go digging for compliments, from a superior or a colleague. Nor is it his usual behavior to go out of his way to appear attractive to a certain man as he admittedly has this evening. Having Dom on his mind all day, knowing that they’re going to see each other, especially after that kiss last night, has done this to Billy.
“Don’t worry about it. I told you it was ridiculous,” Billy says quickly, hoping to bring the conversation to an hasty end.
“Of course it’s not,” Orlando counters swiftly, entirely too amused to let the subject drop. “No offense, Billy, but you’re not my type, though it appears that we both have an appreciation for football players. I just happen to prefer a tall, blonde, Australian Defender to a shorter, British Midfielder. That said, if I wasn’t completely enamored by someone else in my life right now, I’d be hoping you’d gone to that much trouble for me.” Then Orlando’s grin grows playfully expectant. “You didn’t, did you?”
“Do you want to lock up, or shall I?” Billy replies abruptly, changing the subject.
Knowing when to throw in the towel, Orlando shoves his hands into the front pockets of his trousers. “Go on ahead, Billy. I’ll take care of things here. And hey, have a great evening.” When Billy looks sharply at him, Orlando offers him an expression of sheer innocence. “With your unpacking, of course.”
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
The nervous butterflies in Billy’s stomach only increase as he drives to the Ranger’s practice field in Murraypark. Will Dom notice that Billy’s gone out of his way to appear appealing? Will he realize that even though Billy dislikes admitting it, even to himself, that he’s dressed with Dom in mind?
“Of course he will, you wanker,” Billy mutters to himself as he stops his car at a red light. “Even McKellan noticed. And I’ll bet my little black bag it’s been years since any life stirred in that bastard’s icy blue blood.”
The mere thought of his bitingly hostile superior causes Billy to scowl at the same time that his attention shifts toward the car next to him. An attractive brunette woman has been eyeing him with friendly interest, but at his blistering gaze, a dark red flush rises from her collar to stain her cheeks and she quickly looks away, focusing her attention on the windshield. Sighing heavily, Billy shifts gears as the light changes and makes his way through the intersection.
Spotting Cameron’s ginger hair almost immediately, Billy walks along the sidelines of the pitch towards his son, his appearance drawing more than a couple of curious looks. Keeping his head high and his eyes straight ahead, Billy ignores the attention, afraid that if he looks over and spots Dom, he’ll falter.
A roar rises from the spectators and Billy stops momentarily to watch the action on the pitch. Accepting the ball for another member of his team, Dom circles around, searching for an opening with a teammate, or a way to move the ball down the field. Unable to stop himself, Billy cringes, hoping Dom won’t swivel too much and put pressure on his damaged knee, but as it turns out, he doesn’t have time. Another player rushes toward Dom, bobbing and weaving from side to side, waiting for an opportunity to kick the ball away. Coming into close proximity, legs swing, their bodies accidentally collide and both tumble to the ground.
The watching fans roar with approval, and then to Billy’s amazement, begin to applaud enthusiastically. It’s all Billy can do to keep from running onto the pitch, both the doctor and man aghast at the contact and possibility of injury. Pressing his lips together tightly and folding his arms across his chest, Billy forces himself to wait.
A murmur runs through the crowd as Dom rises to his feet, apparently unharmed, but that is of little comfort to Billy. He knows that if the practices continue at this level, let alone the matches, it will be a bloody miracle if Dom makes it through even half the season.
“Isn’t that a little rough for practice?”
Turning in the direction of the question, Billy observes a young man in a suit, a reporter by the looks of it, on the sidelines, focused on the short, stocky coach.
Ian Holm pushes his Rangers cap back on his head.
“Football is a tough game, occasionally a violent one. No nancy boys need apply,” he replies in a gravely, rough voice.
“Are you calling Dominic Monaghan a nancy boy?” the reporter asks on a note of disbelief.
“Look, in sports, pain is just a state of mind. I’m no doctor. If Monaghan says he’s ready to play, then he bloody well better be ready for whatever might come his way. Every player knows he’s going to get hurt, and the chances are he could get hurt bad. If a player can’t take it, let him get the Hell out of the game. That’s football. We intend to make winners out of these players if we have to do it over their dead bodies.”
The coach’s tone is casual, even flippant, and Billy feels his temper escalating to dangerous proportions. The man is an absolute fecking menace to the sport. The words are on the tip of Billy’s tongue to say just that, on the record if possible, when he feels a small hand tugging at his sleeve.
“Hey Dad. Isn’t it great?”
“It’s criminal,” Billy answers, raising his voice to a level he hopes will be picked up by the microphone of the micro cassette recorder clutched in the reporter’s hands. Billy’s blisteringly furious gaze holds Ian Holm’s as well as that of the surprised reporter, who has glanced over his shoulder to see who is interfering with his interview. “This kind of rough practice is ridiculous at the professional level.”
A moment later, Holm mumbles something under his breath, earning an appreciative laugh from the reporter as they return their attention to the subject at hand. Fuming silently, Billy glances towards the field, just in time to witness Dom complete a short, hard pass to advance the ball to the area of the pitch right in front of the goal.
“Can we stay a little longer, Dad?” Cameron asks hopefully. “They’re almost done.”
Knowing that watching the intense and occasionally fierce mock match will only aggravate him further, part of Billy wants to leave immediately, but the sight of Dom, clad in his jersey and shorts, holds an unwilling fascination.
“Just a wee bit,” Billy agrees. “We’ve a lot to do at home, though. We can’t keep living out of our suitcases and on takeaway.”
Cameron’s smile reaches from ear to ear. “Thanks Dad! You’re the best!”
Silently, Billy hopes that Cameron will remember that at Christmas when he’s back with his mother in London.
Billy agonizes during the next half an hour, as the practice becomes even more intense than before, the near misses and collisions between players increasing. The assistant coaches have obviously been instructed to hold their whistle-blowing to a bare minimum and it’s clear that exhaustion is beginning to set in for a large number of players, causing numerous mistakes. Then one particularly hard collision drives Dom into a group of players and lays him out flat on the turf. When Dom slowly gets to his feet, shaking his head to clear it, Billy is distressed, but not surprised, and watches with relief as the coaches and trainers finally step in to make sure everyone is alright.
Fortunately, it’s nearly the end of practice for the day, and after an incredible series of shuttles, the players are finally allowed to limp their way to the showers. Instead of leaving the field with his teammates, Dom turns and walks straight towards Billy and Cameron, offering a hand in greeting.
“Are you alright?” Billy’s worried green eyes skim Dom’s lean, sweaty body, as if searching for injuries before focusing on his tanned face.
Shrugging noncommittally, Dom reaches out and tousles Cameron’s ginger hair affectionately, earning a lopsided grin from the boy. “Just an average workout. You look smashing, by the way, Dr. Boyd. And don’t even try to tell me that’s antibacterial soap I smell.”
Billy can’t help the corners of his mouth quirking up into a smile. “No,” he admits. “It’s ‘Beyond Paradise.’”
“My favorite,” Dom murmurs, his eyes darkening with arousal.
“Cologne?”
“That, too.”
Grinning, Dom’s teasing gaze moves appreciatively over Billy’s dress shirt, open at the throat to reveal a green stone pendant, as he envisions the pale, smooth skin underneath. Billy’s gone out of his way to leave Dr. Boyd back at the clinic, he determines. This gorgeous man is definitely the sexy, Scottish Billy. Oh no, they’re definitely not finished. Not by a dozen football fields.
Noticing Dom’s intense gaze on him, Billy feels the intimacy wrapping around them once again, and is relieved when Cameron breaks the intimate silence.
“Can I come again tomorrow, Dad?”
Billy’s eyes move from his young son to Dom. “I don’t know, Cobby.”
Pulling his sweat soaked jersey over his head and wiping his damp face with it, Dom shrugs again, immensely enjoying the way Billy’s eyes are drawn to his glistening chest. “It’s okay with me, Billy.”
“We’ll talk about it when we get home, Cameron,” Billy hedges, laying a hand on his small shoulder as he nods to Dom, doing his very best to ignore the way Dom’s hair is now tousled about like he’s been rolling around in bed, and how his exposed chest is making Billy’s arousal ache for attention. “I think you better put some ice on your elbow, Dom. It looked as if you jarred it when you fell down in the last few minutes of practice.”
Darkening blue-grey eyes are locked on Billy’s sweet mouth as he nervously licks his lips. “Yeah, I did,” Dom answers absently. As Billy appears to be ready to leave, Dom has to fight back the strong urge to reach out and touch him, to pull Billy back into his arms and kiss him again, like last night by the pool. “Hey, want me to walk you and Cam out to your car?”
Shaking his head, Billy fights hard to keep the regret from showing on his face, and to his relief, manages to succeed. “No. You’d better get showered and changed. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be late for your date.”
As Dom watches Billy walk away, his back perfectly straight and stride purposeful, Dom has the overwhelming urge to call out and ask Billy to stop. Now, more than ever, Dom is regretting the stupid lie he told, admitting to himself that even if he did have a date, there’s nobody he’d rather be with more tonight than Billy and Cam.
Shoulders slumped in defeat, Dom turns towards the locker room, looking up to find a tall, blonde man observing him from the doorway, a curious smile gracing his lips as he watches Billy and Cameron disappear around a corner. Positive that he knows what’s coming next, Dom crosses the field to where his friend is waiting, arms crossed over his chest and eyebrow arched expectantly.
“Hey.”
”What’s up, Daisy? And why aren’t you in the showers?” Dom asks the Australian Defender, refusing to look over at where David’s attention is focused.
“And who was that, may I ask?” David asks, eyes wide with mock innocence.
“Dr. Boyd,” Dom replies mildly. “He’s taken over for Phillips at the Clinic. I offered to help him out with his kid in the afternoons. It’s nothing.”
“Wait a minute. Boyd?” David asks in disbelief. “Your new neighbor? The one with the piano?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s your new Doc?”
Nodding, Dom sighs, knowing that he’s as transparent as a pane of glass to someone who knows him well, as David most certainly does. “The one and the same.”
Leaning against the concrete wall, David throws back his head and laughs. “Let’s get out of here, mate. We are definitely going for a beer.”
“Daisy-”
“Dom, don’t even try to get out it,” David interrupts, slinging an arm around the smaller man’s shoulders. “I’m going to buy you a pint at the pub, and you, my friend, are going to tell me all about it.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
Chapter 5
Author: dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14, maybe.
Summary: Satisfying a curiosity only complicates things at home, the clinic, and on the football field.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to frojane, for the beta. Credit for the banner goes to the very talented loki_girl. Thank you so much.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: As promised, here’s the next installment. Things are getting interesting, aren’t they?
Previous Parts: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
ETA: Welcome to the world, Jack William Boyd. Much congrats to Daddy!Billy, and of course, Ali as well. Oddly enough, Jack was on my list for a name . . . Hee.
Chapter 4 - Normal Curiosity & Madness
“I thought we’d agreed to be friends, Billy,” Dom says simply, head lazily lolling to one side as he lets his gaze roam the length of Billy’s trim body, from the top of his ginger head to the tips of his bare toes.
“We agreed to try to be friends, Monaghan, but it’s already clear to me that it isn’t going to work. You’re too hardheaded,” Billy replies, continuing to stare at the pool, oblivious to Dom’s appreciative contemplation.
“And you’re not?” Dom asks, not bothering to try to contain his disbelief.
Exhaling heavily, Billy pushes away from the wall of the pool house and slowly turns to face Dom, the distress written all over his face. “Of course I am. The difference is, I’m your doctor and you refuse to listen to me!”
Gingerly favoring his right leg as his rises to his feet, Dom slowly limps over, closing the distance between them to stand directly in front of Billy. Only a few inches separate them now, his eyes focused on Billy, caressing his face.
“You’re also a very attractive man, Billy,” Dom says softly, his tone gentle and intimate. “And I have been listening to you, to every single word you’ve said. Honestly, I have. It’s not that I don’t hear you, I just don’t agree. There’s a difference.”
Extending a long, lean arm, Dom’s thumb slides up the smooth column of Billy’s neck, tracing the line of his now lightly stubbled jaw, coming to rest at the corner of Billy’s bow shaped lips.
“God, you have such a beautiful, sexy mouth,” Dom murmurs, watching with half lidded eyes as the tip of his thumbnail traces the sensual upper arch of Billy’s top lip. “It’s perfect, you know. It just begs to be kissed, over and over again.”
“Now you’re just taking the piss,” Billy whispers hoarsely, trembling slightly at the feathery touch of Dom’s fingers against his skin.
“No, I’m not,” Dom corrects firmly, yet gently, so close that his hot breath caresses Billy’s stubbly cheek. “Not at all. Tell me the truth, Billy. Be honest with me, or at least with yourself. Haven’t you been wondering all day long what a kiss between you and me would be like? Don’t lie. It’s crossed your mind at least a couple times, hasn’t it?”
Gazing into Dom’s eyes, Billy finds himself unable to deny Dom’s intoxicating words. “It’s only a natural curiosity,” he says finally, trying to explain away the staggering, erotic sensations rushing through his trim body.
Truthfully, every time Billy merely considers the idea of Dominic Monaghan’s firm lips pressing against his, Billy feels his equilibrium shift and his breath quicken. The idea of their naked bodies tangled together in wanton ecstasy, overcome with passion, causes Billy’s body to throb and his cock ache, almost painfully. It’s been so long since he’s felt this way about anyone. Months. Years. There was a time he never would’ve questioned it, but now Billy’s not even sure he felt this way about Abby. Ever.
“Yes, of course. Only natural,” Dom agrees soothingly, heat warming his taut belly and spreading though his long, lean limbs. “And since were both adults, there’s no real harm in satisfying a totally normal curiosity.”
“So long as it’s only a kiss, I suppose no real harm could come of it. Since we’re adults,” Billy echoes, swallowing hard, twice, his entire body vibrating with overwhelming need.
Eyes moving across Billy’s face with the intensity of a physical caress, Dom’s thumb toys with the corner of Billy’s seductive and inviting cherubic mouth. Feeling his mouth suddenly go as dry as a desert, Billy nervously licks his bow shaped lips, causing Dom to stifle a nearly guttural groan of passion.
“I’m going to kiss you, Billy,” Dom warns, voice low and raspy. “Right here. Right now.”
Billy’s softly-lit green eyes gives Dom his answer as Billy swallows again, watching Dom’s sun-streaked head draw near. Closing his eyes, Billy breathes in the enticing scent of Dom’s aftershave, sighing quietly as he pulls it deep into his lungs and holding it there. Deep and green, like a lush forest, Billy decides, but not jolting like a brisk pine. It’s warm and natural, blending with Dom’s own exhilarating scent, the aroma is like moist earth - pungent, heady and so very, very right for him.
“Dom-”
As Dom’s mouth covers his lightly, Billy’s breath catches as he thinks, I shouldn’t be doing this. Not with this man. Definitely not with this man, Billy silently repeats, even while delighting in the intoxicating taste of Dom’s warm lips. It’s so soft and tender, yet Dom’s feathery touch seems to be affecting every last inch of Billy’s flesh, raising goose bumps on his exposed forearms and causing the fine hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. Without having to say a word to one another, their lips part, warm, wet tongues touching softly and sweetly, a murmuring, breathy sigh and a whimper of pleasure mingling together at the shared erotic sensations. What’s surprising is that the movement is almost lazy, not rushing or greedy, the taste of one another mixing perfectly as mouths part as gently as they came together.
Long fingers cupping Billy’s cheek, Dom doesn’t move to explore Billy’s trim, fit body as they experience just how incredibly thrilling a mere kiss can be when two people come together just right, at a perfect moment in time. Holding Billy for a long moment, just savoring him, Dom’s soft, warm lips blaze a trail over Billy’s face, tenderly and teasingly leaving sparks on the pale, heated skin. Feeling Dom’s feathery touch slide over his eyelids, cheeks, temple and chin, Billy knows this kiss has surpassed all that have come before it. Combined.
“That was lovely,” Dom murmurs hotly, the tip of his talented tongue tracing the shell of Billy’s small ear and then teeth nibbling on the fleshy lobe.
“Aye. Quite lovely,” Billy agrees breathlessly, on a soft moan of pleasure as he nuzzles his small, perfect nose into Dom’s cheek.
“Can I interest you in another?”
Knowing that they’re playing with fire and he’s like a moth, helplessly drawn to the flame, Billy can’t resist the intense lust smoldering in Dom’s eyes. The proximity of their bodies is weakening Billy, shattering his common sense and resolve to retain a professional distance. All he can think of now is Dom pressed against his body, touching him, kissing him.
“I still have a wee bit of curiosity left,” Billy admits as he pulls back a few inches, his drowsy, desire-filled gaze handing Dom a clear invitation.
“I’m giving you fair warning, Bills. All this, is piquing mine more and more.” Dom’s voice is almost a growl, the intense passion unmistakable. “Say the word, and we stop right here.”
Not recalling moving a muscle, a moment later Billy is enfolded in Dom’s long, lean arms, their chests pressed tightly together, Billy’s small hands resting lightly on Dom’s shoulders. “This is utter and complete madness,” Billy murmurs under his breath, a faint tinge of regret in his tone.
“Mmmm,” Dom replies noncommittally, gazing lustily at Billy’s rosy lips and licking his own in anticipation. “Let’s hear it for those off their heads then, because they really know how to live, don’t they?”
A deep, aching longing is building up inside Billy as he yields to the strength surrounding him. Head tilting to one side, Billy’s lips part, welcoming the hungry invasion of Dom’s obscenely long tongue as his dainty fingers slide into the tousled strands of Dom’s hair to hold him close. Giving himself up into the absolute glory of the kiss, Billy knows that if this is indeed madness, he doesn’t have any idea why sanity has always been held up as the ideal. Cupping the fragile curve of Dom’s skull, Billy pushes himself up onto his bare toes, not quite suppressing a moan of enjoyment as his fingertips caress the tanned nape of Dom’s neck in slow, gentle strokes.
Degree by glorious degree, Dom deepens the kiss and shivers when he feels Billy willingly respond, his cupid lips hungry under his, deft fingers gripping a handful of sun streaked blonde hair to keep Dom close. The rest of the world slips into hazy background as Billy’s attention centers solely on Dom’s swollen, sensual lips, and thrusting his pointy tongue deep into Dom’s hot mouth, exploring the sweet depths. Dom’s lips are continually changing, first hard and strong, then soft and incredibly gentle, and then finally, sweet, so wonderfully, tenderly, dazzlingly sweet. It’s as if they are meant to kiss endlessly, and as Dom’s lips become the center of the universe and of Billy’s existence, Billy fervently hopes that he’ll never stop.
Short fingernails scritching lightly at Dom’s scalp, Billy’s other hand slides down Dom’s body, clutching a fistful of a well worn, cotton t-shirt between Dom’s shoulder blades. Tongues tangling messily, hot breath mixes as Dom turns their bodies slightly and presses Billy’s back against the clear wall of the pool house. Hips locking together as Billy pushes back, Dom then slides his long, elegant fingers along Billy’s jaw line, lingering over the hammering pulse point. The deep, wet kiss continues until Billy’s lungs demand oxygen and his knees are shaking, threatening to give out from beneath him.
“Well?”
Dom’s hoarse voice slices through the sensual fog of Billy’s thoughts and Billy’s eyes fly open to discover Dom observing him with an inordinate amount of calm.
Doing his very best to match it, as Billy doesn’t want Dom to know he’s been taken to the very edge of reason with a single, admittedly mind blowing, extraordinary kiss. Bloody hell, that was so much more than he thought it would be. Much, much more. The intimate contact was nothing short of spectacular.
“I’d say my curiosity has been satisfied,” Billy replies, silently willing his aching aroused body to behave. “You’re a very skillful kisser, Monaghan, but I suppose it’s like everything else: Practice makes perfect.”
Forcing his attention from the fire surging through his veins, Dom feels the need vibrating through his body. More than ever, he want to be alone with Billy. He wants to explore the Scotsman’s soft, pale skin at his leisure, to taste, kiss, touch, lick and suck every last inch of his firm, trim body. He wants to runs his fingers through that gorgeous chest hair that’s been tormenting him all night. Disbelief enters Dom’s mind as he attempts to make sense of the fact that Billy has succeeded in turning his entire world upside down with a single kiss. If he’s to be completely honest, it was a mind-melting, body achingly, fan-bloody-tastic kiss. One that Dom wants to repeat as soon as humanly possible. Naked. In bed.
“It helps,” Dom agrees cheerfully. Christ, how he doesn’t want to let Billy go. Ever. “Want to practice together for a bit?”
Knowing that if he allows that, he’ll be completely lost, Billy starts to gently push Dom back, creating some much needed distance between their bodies. The faint voice of reason is speaking louder now, trying to make itself heard from the distant back corner of Billy’s mind. Over and over it repeats that this is a long way from a professional patient-doctor relationship. A very long way.
Pressing his small hands against the strength of Dom’s shoulders, Billy finally says, “I’d say we’ve satisfied our curiosity, Monaghan. Let’s just leave it at that, yeah?”
At Billy’s crisp, professional tone, Dom wonders if Dr. Billy Boyd is actually capable of such iron clad control. Utterly impossible, he determines. Billy’s clearly shaken and is now covering it up until he can get his bearings again. However, Billy is definitely one hell of an actor. Struggling to maintain a look of nonchalance, Dom decides to let Billy to retreat for the time being.
While he’s not a particularly patient man, Dom knows that by not forcing the issue, his eventual victory will be even sweeter to celebrate. Billy wants him; everything from his softly glazed, mossy green eyes to his trembling body as he’d pressed his trim form into Dom’s, to the way he eagerly thrust his pointy tongue into Dom’s mouth, gives him away. It’s going to happen. Definitely. It’s just a matter of time. And when it does happen, it’s going to be incendiary.
“It’s probably just as well,” Dom says lightly, loosening his hold around Billy’s narrow waist and allowing him the opportunity to escape when he chooses. “You’d let it slip what a magnificent lover I was to one of your friends at the clinic, and I’d have to sell my house, change my name and move to another city in order to get any rest.”
“Your ego is as fat as your medical chart, Monaghan,” Billy says with a laugh, relieved by Dom’s easy acceptance and enjoying his good humor.
Secretly, Billy had been worried that he was going to have a fight on his hands and cool waves of relief rush over his aroused, heated skin as he slips out of Dom’s relaxed arms and walks over to the table to begin gathering up dirty plates and glasses.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Cleaning up so I can get to sleep. I work, remember?” Billy explains with an arched eyebrow.
Closing the distance between their bodies again, Dom is tempted to lay a hand on Billy’s shoulder, just so they can have physical contact again. “What about my massage?” he asks suggestively.
Recognizing determination when he sees it, as he possesses a fair amount of it himself, Billy lays the plates down and turns to face Dom. If he’s to be perfectly honest, he knows that Dominic Monaghan wants him, and that Dom isn’t alone in his desires. But Billy also knows that their mutual attraction is far too dangerous, like strapping dynamite to his own body and walking into a roomful of pyromaniacs with lit matches. It’s only a passing infatuation, Billy assures himself repeatedly. If he avoids temptation, it will quickly run its natural course and be over with. Dom will become just a neighbor, nothing more.
“I’ve already massaged that oversized ego of yours by admitting that you’re a rather fair kisser, Monaghan,” Billy says crisply, stiffening and causing his spine to straighten. “Let’s save the body for some other night, yeah?”
Oh yeah, Billy’s definitely shaken. Dom gives himself victory points as he stands his ground, his grin surprisingly boyish. “Promise?”
Finding nowhere else to go, Billy seeks refuge in his profession. “Do you promise to take it easy during practice?”
“I promise to swerve out of the way every time I see a human mountain coming my way.”
Brow furrowing, Billy’s expression is own of genuine concern. “Do you swear? No heroics?”
Dom lifts his right palm in the gesture of a solemn pledge. “No unnecessary heroics,” he agrees with a firm nod.
Breath escaping on a rippling sigh, Billy turns back towards the tomato sauce and cheese streaked plates, not missing Dom’s alteration to his request. “Go home, Monaghan. I’ve had about as much of you as I can take for one day. More than I can take, actually.”
Frankly, Dom’s not used to receiving such a dismissal from anyone, let alone a potential lover, despite the events of this past year. He discovered while still in his teen years that his extraordinary talent with a football causes people to cater to him, granting his every wish. Fawning females have never irritated him; quite the opposite really, as he took their presence as his natural right. He’s a star, and it only makes sense that as such, he receives preferential treatment.
Now if Billy is the type to pay homage to any man, Dom has yet to see any indication of such forthcoming behavior. Billy has teased him, argued quite heatedly with him and steadfastly refused him. More than anything, Billy has intrigued him. Even as badly as Dom wants Billy’s body, Dom finds himself wanting to know this man better. He’s determined to stay close to Billy until all his curiosity about the sexy, Scottish, Dr. Billy Boyd is finally satisfied.
“May I pick Cam up from school again tomorrow?”
Slowly, Billy shakes his head. Keep him at a distance, Billy warns himself firmly. “I don’t think so. I don’t want him to get used to spending every evening with you.”
“Hey, I didn’t say anything about the evening.” Dom’s grin is mildly apologetic as he glibly ad-libs the lie. “As it happens, I have a date tomorrow night. I was going to suggest you could pick him up at Murraypark after you finish at the clinic. It’s on your way home, and practice isn’t over until about six or so.”
It takes all of Billy’s control not reveal the disappointment Dom’s words cause. Of course, Dom has a date. Undoubtedly there is a plethora of women in this man’s life. What does Billy expect? After all, he’s the one who said it was just a kiss. It’s not like Dom made any promises, nor did Billy ask him to. It’s exactly as Billy requested, so why does it hurt?
“Oh. Then I suppose it’s alright. If you’re certain that he’s no bother.”
“None at all. I like kids, Billy, believe it or not. Even the ones who root for Manchester United.” Dom’s warm smile spreads across his face, up to reach his eyes. “Good night, Billy.”
“Good night, Monaghan,” Billy murmurs, lifting a hand in a wave before focusing back on the table.
“Billy?”
Hearing a different tone in Dom’s voice that gives him pause, Billy turns to face Dom once again.
“Yes?”
A long moment passes as Dom just gazes into Billy’s eyes, making Billy want to shift under the intensity of it. There’s nothing sexual or suggestive in it, but there is an unmistakable intimacy. And unless Billy is way off the mark, a vulnerability.
“Reporters and sportscasters call me Monaghan,” Dom says finally, a touch unsteadily. “My name, is Dom. Or Dominic if I’m in trouble and you’re my Mum.”
Only then does Billy realize the mistake he’s made in neglecting to call Dom by his first name. He’s reminded Dom of all the negative publicity, the people who keep saying he’s finished, a washed-up, broken wreck. Over and over, Billy has reminded him, unintentionally causing Dom pain. As someone who has personally lived with heartache for far too long, it’s the last thing Billy intended. That knowledge causes Billy’s breath to catch and a lump to form in his throat.
Without waiting for a response, Dom turns and begins carefully limping over to the fence that separates their yards. He’s at the gate when Billy’s voice carries across the night air.
“Good night . . . Dom.”
Pausing to take in a breath, Dom slowly nods.
“Good night,” he replies before slipping through the gate and disappearing from sight.
Quickly rinsing the dishes in the sink and loading them into the dishwasher, Billy makes his way through the maze of boxes yet to be unpacked on the main floor and then upstairs. Checking on Cameron and ensuring that he’s tucked in for the night, Billy then enters his own bedroom and quietly closes the door behind him. Once inside, Billy carelessly strips away his shirt, trousers and boxers, leaving a haphazard trail to the loo.
Ten minutes under a nearly scalding spray helps to soothe the aching muscles in his body, and cause his eyelids to grow heavy. Of course, the tension doesn’t begin to seep out of Billy’s body until he reaches a very satisfying climax, thanks to a fast, hard wank, his free hand braced against the tile wall. The person Billy is thinking about while stroking himself off is a secret he’ll take to his grave, otherwise known as his intoxicating, football playing, next door neighbor.
As Billy slides under the forest green coverlet and between soft sheets of the same shade, it crosses Billy’s mind that in the many years since his marriage started to crumble, his large, comfortable bed has never seemed so lonely. Then exhaustion overtakes Billy and he gives himself over to some much needed sleep, the feel of Dom’s soft lips lingering on his mouth and his elegant fingers on his skin.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
Billy’s second day at the clinic proves to be enormously less stressful than the first. Now that the rash of holiday injuries has passed, his patient load is far more manageable, and Billy finds himself falling into a comfortable, natural routine as if he’s been there for months, and not just two short days. The only fly on the ointment, he considers with wry resignation, is Dr. McKellan. Like the day before, Billy continually feels the steely blue eyes watching him, observing him silently, as if waiting for a faltering misstep. That said, Dr. McKellan does refrain from entering into any direct confrontation.
“Hey, you look great,” Orlando compliments Billy as he exits the doctor’s lounge after cleaning up at the end of the day. “Hot date tonight?”
Self-consciously, Billy runs a hand down the front of his shirt, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles. “No, actually. I’m planning on unpacking a house full of boxes and attempting to get some things organized.”
Orlando’s dark brown eyes sparkle mischievously. “I see. And you always dress up for manual labor?”
“I’m not dressed up,” Billy replies, his brow furrowing for a moment. “I’ve been wearing these clothes all day.”
Slowly, Orlando’s gaze sweeps the length of Billy’s body, all the way down to his feet, taking in several details, and then back up to his face. “You were wearing a tie before.”
“It’s required to be professional for work,” Billy counters. “You wear one as well.”
“Of course,” Orlando agrees solemnly, an amused smirk quirking the corners of his mouth. “You’ve also unfastened not two, but three buttons of that dress shirt that brings out your eyes, which by the way, you’ve very cruelly kept covered up by a starched lab coat all bloody day.”
“Um-”
“And lastly, that seductive cloud of fragrance hovering around you is most definitely not antiseptic, Dr. Boyd.”
Before Billy can come up with an appropriate answer to Orlando’s all too accurate observation and apparent appreciation, Dr. McKellan stops by on his way to the parking lot.
“Planning on scoring a goal this evening, Dr. Boyd?”
“Pardon me?”
For a moment, Billy thinks he detects a glimmer of interest in the older man’s eyes as they flicker over him.
“Bait, Dr. Boyd, obviously bait. If that football player responds to ‘Beyond Paradise’, I’d say you’re going to defeat the home team without even breaking a sweat.” And with that, Dr. McKellan turns on his heel and walks away.
Watching the older man go, Billy can only shake his head in genuine confusion. “I cannot figure that man out.” Turning towards Orlando, Billy arches an eyebrow. “Did you get the impression that . . . oh, never mind. Forget it. It’s ridiculous.”
“What? That our renowned administrator displayed a moment of honest, masculine appreciation before slipping back behind his mask?” Orlando fires back with a grin.
Suddenly, Billy is sorry he brought it up. He’s just not the type to go digging for compliments, from a superior or a colleague. Nor is it his usual behavior to go out of his way to appear attractive to a certain man as he admittedly has this evening. Having Dom on his mind all day, knowing that they’re going to see each other, especially after that kiss last night, has done this to Billy.
“Don’t worry about it. I told you it was ridiculous,” Billy says quickly, hoping to bring the conversation to an hasty end.
“Of course it’s not,” Orlando counters swiftly, entirely too amused to let the subject drop. “No offense, Billy, but you’re not my type, though it appears that we both have an appreciation for football players. I just happen to prefer a tall, blonde, Australian Defender to a shorter, British Midfielder. That said, if I wasn’t completely enamored by someone else in my life right now, I’d be hoping you’d gone to that much trouble for me.” Then Orlando’s grin grows playfully expectant. “You didn’t, did you?”
“Do you want to lock up, or shall I?” Billy replies abruptly, changing the subject.
Knowing when to throw in the towel, Orlando shoves his hands into the front pockets of his trousers. “Go on ahead, Billy. I’ll take care of things here. And hey, have a great evening.” When Billy looks sharply at him, Orlando offers him an expression of sheer innocence. “With your unpacking, of course.”
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
The nervous butterflies in Billy’s stomach only increase as he drives to the Ranger’s practice field in Murraypark. Will Dom notice that Billy’s gone out of his way to appear appealing? Will he realize that even though Billy dislikes admitting it, even to himself, that he’s dressed with Dom in mind?
“Of course he will, you wanker,” Billy mutters to himself as he stops his car at a red light. “Even McKellan noticed. And I’ll bet my little black bag it’s been years since any life stirred in that bastard’s icy blue blood.”
The mere thought of his bitingly hostile superior causes Billy to scowl at the same time that his attention shifts toward the car next to him. An attractive brunette woman has been eyeing him with friendly interest, but at his blistering gaze, a dark red flush rises from her collar to stain her cheeks and she quickly looks away, focusing her attention on the windshield. Sighing heavily, Billy shifts gears as the light changes and makes his way through the intersection.
Spotting Cameron’s ginger hair almost immediately, Billy walks along the sidelines of the pitch towards his son, his appearance drawing more than a couple of curious looks. Keeping his head high and his eyes straight ahead, Billy ignores the attention, afraid that if he looks over and spots Dom, he’ll falter.
A roar rises from the spectators and Billy stops momentarily to watch the action on the pitch. Accepting the ball for another member of his team, Dom circles around, searching for an opening with a teammate, or a way to move the ball down the field. Unable to stop himself, Billy cringes, hoping Dom won’t swivel too much and put pressure on his damaged knee, but as it turns out, he doesn’t have time. Another player rushes toward Dom, bobbing and weaving from side to side, waiting for an opportunity to kick the ball away. Coming into close proximity, legs swing, their bodies accidentally collide and both tumble to the ground.
The watching fans roar with approval, and then to Billy’s amazement, begin to applaud enthusiastically. It’s all Billy can do to keep from running onto the pitch, both the doctor and man aghast at the contact and possibility of injury. Pressing his lips together tightly and folding his arms across his chest, Billy forces himself to wait.
A murmur runs through the crowd as Dom rises to his feet, apparently unharmed, but that is of little comfort to Billy. He knows that if the practices continue at this level, let alone the matches, it will be a bloody miracle if Dom makes it through even half the season.
“Isn’t that a little rough for practice?”
Turning in the direction of the question, Billy observes a young man in a suit, a reporter by the looks of it, on the sidelines, focused on the short, stocky coach.
Ian Holm pushes his Rangers cap back on his head.
“Football is a tough game, occasionally a violent one. No nancy boys need apply,” he replies in a gravely, rough voice.
“Are you calling Dominic Monaghan a nancy boy?” the reporter asks on a note of disbelief.
“Look, in sports, pain is just a state of mind. I’m no doctor. If Monaghan says he’s ready to play, then he bloody well better be ready for whatever might come his way. Every player knows he’s going to get hurt, and the chances are he could get hurt bad. If a player can’t take it, let him get the Hell out of the game. That’s football. We intend to make winners out of these players if we have to do it over their dead bodies.”
The coach’s tone is casual, even flippant, and Billy feels his temper escalating to dangerous proportions. The man is an absolute fecking menace to the sport. The words are on the tip of Billy’s tongue to say just that, on the record if possible, when he feels a small hand tugging at his sleeve.
“Hey Dad. Isn’t it great?”
“It’s criminal,” Billy answers, raising his voice to a level he hopes will be picked up by the microphone of the micro cassette recorder clutched in the reporter’s hands. Billy’s blisteringly furious gaze holds Ian Holm’s as well as that of the surprised reporter, who has glanced over his shoulder to see who is interfering with his interview. “This kind of rough practice is ridiculous at the professional level.”
A moment later, Holm mumbles something under his breath, earning an appreciative laugh from the reporter as they return their attention to the subject at hand. Fuming silently, Billy glances towards the field, just in time to witness Dom complete a short, hard pass to advance the ball to the area of the pitch right in front of the goal.
“Can we stay a little longer, Dad?” Cameron asks hopefully. “They’re almost done.”
Knowing that watching the intense and occasionally fierce mock match will only aggravate him further, part of Billy wants to leave immediately, but the sight of Dom, clad in his jersey and shorts, holds an unwilling fascination.
“Just a wee bit,” Billy agrees. “We’ve a lot to do at home, though. We can’t keep living out of our suitcases and on takeaway.”
Cameron’s smile reaches from ear to ear. “Thanks Dad! You’re the best!”
Silently, Billy hopes that Cameron will remember that at Christmas when he’s back with his mother in London.
Billy agonizes during the next half an hour, as the practice becomes even more intense than before, the near misses and collisions between players increasing. The assistant coaches have obviously been instructed to hold their whistle-blowing to a bare minimum and it’s clear that exhaustion is beginning to set in for a large number of players, causing numerous mistakes. Then one particularly hard collision drives Dom into a group of players and lays him out flat on the turf. When Dom slowly gets to his feet, shaking his head to clear it, Billy is distressed, but not surprised, and watches with relief as the coaches and trainers finally step in to make sure everyone is alright.
Fortunately, it’s nearly the end of practice for the day, and after an incredible series of shuttles, the players are finally allowed to limp their way to the showers. Instead of leaving the field with his teammates, Dom turns and walks straight towards Billy and Cameron, offering a hand in greeting.
“Are you alright?” Billy’s worried green eyes skim Dom’s lean, sweaty body, as if searching for injuries before focusing on his tanned face.
Shrugging noncommittally, Dom reaches out and tousles Cameron’s ginger hair affectionately, earning a lopsided grin from the boy. “Just an average workout. You look smashing, by the way, Dr. Boyd. And don’t even try to tell me that’s antibacterial soap I smell.”
Billy can’t help the corners of his mouth quirking up into a smile. “No,” he admits. “It’s ‘Beyond Paradise.’”
“My favorite,” Dom murmurs, his eyes darkening with arousal.
“Cologne?”
“That, too.”
Grinning, Dom’s teasing gaze moves appreciatively over Billy’s dress shirt, open at the throat to reveal a green stone pendant, as he envisions the pale, smooth skin underneath. Billy’s gone out of his way to leave Dr. Boyd back at the clinic, he determines. This gorgeous man is definitely the sexy, Scottish Billy. Oh no, they’re definitely not finished. Not by a dozen football fields.
Noticing Dom’s intense gaze on him, Billy feels the intimacy wrapping around them once again, and is relieved when Cameron breaks the intimate silence.
“Can I come again tomorrow, Dad?”
Billy’s eyes move from his young son to Dom. “I don’t know, Cobby.”
Pulling his sweat soaked jersey over his head and wiping his damp face with it, Dom shrugs again, immensely enjoying the way Billy’s eyes are drawn to his glistening chest. “It’s okay with me, Billy.”
“We’ll talk about it when we get home, Cameron,” Billy hedges, laying a hand on his small shoulder as he nods to Dom, doing his very best to ignore the way Dom’s hair is now tousled about like he’s been rolling around in bed, and how his exposed chest is making Billy’s arousal ache for attention. “I think you better put some ice on your elbow, Dom. It looked as if you jarred it when you fell down in the last few minutes of practice.”
Darkening blue-grey eyes are locked on Billy’s sweet mouth as he nervously licks his lips. “Yeah, I did,” Dom answers absently. As Billy appears to be ready to leave, Dom has to fight back the strong urge to reach out and touch him, to pull Billy back into his arms and kiss him again, like last night by the pool. “Hey, want me to walk you and Cam out to your car?”
Shaking his head, Billy fights hard to keep the regret from showing on his face, and to his relief, manages to succeed. “No. You’d better get showered and changed. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be late for your date.”
As Dom watches Billy walk away, his back perfectly straight and stride purposeful, Dom has the overwhelming urge to call out and ask Billy to stop. Now, more than ever, Dom is regretting the stupid lie he told, admitting to himself that even if he did have a date, there’s nobody he’d rather be with more tonight than Billy and Cam.
Shoulders slumped in defeat, Dom turns towards the locker room, looking up to find a tall, blonde man observing him from the doorway, a curious smile gracing his lips as he watches Billy and Cameron disappear around a corner. Positive that he knows what’s coming next, Dom crosses the field to where his friend is waiting, arms crossed over his chest and eyebrow arched expectantly.
“Hey.”
”What’s up, Daisy? And why aren’t you in the showers?” Dom asks the Australian Defender, refusing to look over at where David’s attention is focused.
“And who was that, may I ask?” David asks, eyes wide with mock innocence.
“Dr. Boyd,” Dom replies mildly. “He’s taken over for Phillips at the Clinic. I offered to help him out with his kid in the afternoons. It’s nothing.”
“Wait a minute. Boyd?” David asks in disbelief. “Your new neighbor? The one with the piano?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s your new Doc?”
Nodding, Dom sighs, knowing that he’s as transparent as a pane of glass to someone who knows him well, as David most certainly does. “The one and the same.”
Leaning against the concrete wall, David throws back his head and laughs. “Let’s get out of here, mate. We are definitely going for a beer.”
“Daisy-”
“Dom, don’t even try to get out it,” David interrupts, slinging an arm around the smaller man’s shoulders. “I’m going to buy you a pint at the pub, and you, my friend, are going to tell me all about it.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
Chapter 5