Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 57

*****

I’d never realised that the Threesome have a sauna, a wet-room and a hot-tub….

More of Michael’s work?

As I lower myself to the chest in warm foaming water….

Oh, yes….

…. I consider where in our own home, Elizabeth and I might have something similar.

“Beer? Wine? Champagne? Coffee?” Michael hovers, gesturing towards a kitchenette-cum-bar that holds a comprehensive set of drinks and liqueurs, along with a kettle, a small fridge and a coffee machine.

“Is there any of that Bucks Fizz left?”

“Coming up.”

All five of us in the tub, the drink of choice in hand or parked on the tile edging….

Does it get any better than this?

We sit in a circle, facing inwards; Elizabeth between me and Michael, Charlotte to my other side, James opposite.

It feels…. natural….

Michael and Elizabeth are both quiet, sipping their drinks, passive, but there’s something going on between James and Charlotte.

“Master…” His head tilts... “… Thank you.”

James rolls across the tub to kneel before her, cups her cheek with his palm, then kisses her. It's long and soft, and unhurried. Next to me, Elizabeth sighs and her fingers weave into mine.

Certainly seeing a different side to him…

He pulls back, looking into her eyes, his focus all on her. “Happy First Real Christmas, Jade-Eyes.”

Jade-Eyes?

Wonderful name….

Then abruptly, both seem to notice the attention on them. Charlotte blushes and even James looks unsettled.

“It was certainly an improvement on last Christmas day,” I comment.

“I know what's missing,” says Elizabeth, splashing up a bubble-covered hand. “We've not had any Christmas Carols.”

Michael looks askance. “In the bath?”

“Why not?” says James. “Bathrooms are noted for good acoustics. What’s your favourite carol, Beth?”

She thinks for a moment. “Good King Wenceslas.”

“A fine choice.” James takes a swallow of his Rioja then, in a singing voice I never knew he had…. “Good King Wenceslas looked out…. On the feast of Stephen….”

What a fantastic bass tone….

Beth’s jaw drops. So does Michael’s, until James gives him a ‘get on with it’ wave of the hand and he joins in….

“…. Where the snow lay round about….”

I lean sideward, lifting Elizabeth’s chin to close her mouth. “Come on then. You started this.”

“… Deep and crisp and even…” she sings, as I join in, and then Charlotte.

And through it all, Charlotte watches James, her eyes shining…

*****

“…. And a partridge in a pear treeee…”

Michael conducting, singing by rounds, we finish singing The Twelve Days of Christmas. “Don’t know about you,” says James, “but I’m pruning up. What’s say we get out and dressed and settle by the fire again?”

Sounds good to me….

Michael jumps out of the tub, grabbing a robe. “I’ll dash ahead and give the fire a boost.”

The rest of us return to the lounge to find the hearth burning brightly and Michael stacking a fresh supply of logs to the side.

Charlotte passes me a paper hat from the crackers. I feel a bit of a fool, but James’ gaze and mine meet. Wordlessly….

Fools together….

…. we each put one on.

Who cares?

It’s worth it to see her smile…

Charlotte has that ‘faraway’ look as she stares into the fire, her mouth curving.

“So how is your first real Christmas going so far, Charlotte?” I ask.

She says nothing, simply flashing white teeth to me then turning away….

Going teary?