Filling up the Virgin(218)

“Should I be warning you about that?” James asked him, making Deacon shrug.

“I’m not sure yet.”

They spoke with customers, old and new, scheduling appointments throughout the day as they grinned at each other. Business was really picking up, hopefully for James and not the benefit of Susan.

They grabbed lunch at a place nearby, ordering roast beef sandwiches and sodas to eat outside. James dug right in and Deacon knew that he didn’t cook too much now that he was alone. Their mother had been an amazing cook and spoiled the boys, though they’d both tried their hand at a few dishes. They were quiet as they ate, comfortable enough with each other that they didn’t always need to talk. They had covered a lot in their few words at work.

“I heard that Sue’s pregnant.” James dropped the bomb after he’d finished his lunch, eyes filled with pain as Deacon stared at him. “He’s not just a coworker…he’s a partner.”

“Shit. I’m sorry, J.” There was a lot that he could say, like telling him that he had plenty of time to have kids or that he was better off without her. While they were both true, it wasn’t what James needed to hear right now.

“It hurts, a lot. I just need to get past it and try to rebuild my life.” James told him, sighing as he took a sip from his cup.



“You’ll do it. Day by day.” That was what James had told him when he returned to D.C. to stay after losing everything. “I’m here for you.”

“I know.” They ended the hour lunch and headed back to work, spending the afternoon planning installs and equipment. They always gave an estimate based on what the customer needed and finalized it just prior to the job being done.

The guys headed out at five, with Deacon knowing that James was going to take some time alone to work through everything. He’d let her keep their house for now, moving out to a condo near Deacon so he wouldn’t be reminded of her every day. Deacon watched him drive away, heading to his own house as he considered calling Rowan. She’d been on his mind all day and he wanted to hear her voice, wanted to see her.

He wanted to taste her lips again.

He ended up calling her an hour after he arrived home, spending some time outside with the dog before he dialed her number. She picked up after four rings and he heard some music in the background as he strained to hear her voice. “Rowan?”

“Deacon…hello. Let me turn this down.” He heard the music get louder and then softer before she returned. “I was just in the studio working something out.”

“Are you okay?” He asked her carefully, listening closely to her tone.

“Yes. For the most part, I am. I was just in the mood to paint. Sometimes that happens after I teach all day.” Rowan replied slowly, making him lean forward in his chair. “How are you tonight?”

“I want to see you.” He admitted, sounding possessive and demanding as he closed his eyes.

“I want to see you as well. I’m covered in paint though. Want to do some take out and stay here?”

Deacon agreed, changing into some better jeans and a deep green tea with his Docs. He crated Tasha with a pat to her head and a few treats, thinking to himself that he should get her a friend sometime soon. Slipping on a dark gray flannel, he left the house and went to pick up the Italian they’d agreed on and head to her house.

She opened the door, dressed in some baggier yoga pants and a gray tank top streaked with paint and pulled over a camisole that teased pink lace straps under the cotton. Rowan’s hair was pulled up and back and she smiled out at him warmly. “Come in.”

Deacon walked inside and followed her to her kitchen, small and cozy with a bistro table in front of a large window. It was also very colorful and decorated in a wine theme, making him wonder if she liked it having said that she didn’t drink at the restaurant. She looked apologetically at him from the fridge. “I just have some water and juices. Is that okay?”

“Water is perfect.” He responded, watching her get two bottles and bring them to the table before going to get some plates and silverware. They plated their food before digging in as he watched her wrap her mouth around the food. She was very natural today and still beautiful, looking every bit the artist that she was. He asked her how teaching went and she spoke admiringly about one of her students that was showing so much potential as an artist and learning everything that she could. It turned out that Rowan also gave lessons at a local studio for a little extra income and many of her students took the class for the hands on experience.

She glowed when she talked about it, nearly making him forget about the times when her face looked sad as he watched her.