“She likes the way it sounds,” Vaughan replied. “Apparently there is something sinful about me. Do you think she’s right?”
Frederick’s breath caught in his chest, and he took another long drink from his soda. He swallowed hard and grabbed part of his hair, pulling it so it would hurt a little. He had nothing else to do with his hands, and he figured tugging on his strands would help him stay focused and continue with the flirtatious banter. He released it, then took another sip.
“I do. I know I noticed something about you when I sat at the bar. That’s why I wanted to speak with you in private. And, honestly, I had to make sure you were playing for my team first. My gaydar is nonexistent.”
“Gaydar? I thought those didn’t exist,” Vaughan said warmly. He went silent for a second before setting his drink down and climbing from the desk. He made his way around behind Frederick and gently caught Frederick’s hair, pulling the strands backward. A shiver traced Frederick’s spine as Vaughan’s work roughened hand brushed the side of Frederick’s neck.
Feeling Vaughan’s hand pulling on his hair, Frederick gasped and closed his eyes, wondering what could become of this interaction. “Um, what are you doing?”
“You’re a man of many questions, Frederick Tremblay.” Vaughan finished and dropped a single braid over Frederick shoulder. He then returned to his perch on the desk. “There. I can see your face. Now, why don’t you ask me what you really want to ask? I mean, you can’t get it if you can’t say its name.”’
Frederick closed his eyes a moment, sensing warmth creep up into his cheeks. He exhaled and licked his lips. “Will you go out with me tomorrow night? We could have dinner, then drinks. You can have whatever you want, and I’ll stick to the Sprite.”
“I would love to, but … I work tomorrow.” Vaughan said. “Can I take a rain check?”
Frederick was depressed about that. He would only be here until Monday afternoon, and then he’d be on his way back to Los Angeles to grab his things and pack for a thirty city trek around the states. Not only that, he’d promised his mom and dad family time over the weekend doing what they liked.
“You will always have a rain check, Vaughan.” Frederick finished his drink. “Although I have to say I’m quite disappointed. I looked forward to seeing you away from this place. It’s nice and all, but, I’d much rather go someplace quieter, more quaint and less flashy. Can we make it for Sunday then?” Frederick made a mental note to excuse himself from the party his father was having that evening. He’d come up with something to get out of it so he could see Vaughan.
“Sure,” Vaughan told him. “Earlier you wanted to know if I’m gay. That was what you were wondering, right?”
Frederick smiled. Vaughan was pushing all of his buttons, and Frederick couldn’t help but let him because of their obvious attraction. Surely, it was dangerous to play this kind of game when they’d just met. Frederick needed to step out of his comfort zone.
“Honestly, I assumed that you were since you told that bastard we were close friends. And then, you sitting on the desk, looking like a treat I’d love to unwrap slowly … well.” Frederick silently chuckled at himself. He’d been listening to Deena a little too much when she flirted with guys. “I thought you would be because no man, unless he is interested in someone, sits on a desk with their legs open.”
“Well, you have no idea what I hold between my legs. Perhaps closing them is a little hard.”
“I would presume it would be.” Frederick winked at Vaughan and allowed his eyes to go lower. He licked his lips in anticipation of finding out what was under the trousers. Almost as much as seeing the man’s feet. He could tell by the large shoes he might be well endowed there as well. Frederick needed to quickly get this conversation back on an even keel.
“So, we have a date for Sunday. Is there any place you would suggest that isn’t as stuffy as this?”
Vaughan smiled. “I know a few places. The question becomes, will my gentleman’s virtue be intact after this date?”
Frederick wondered the same, knowing the object of his desire was so close to him, especially now. “Do you want it to be?” He was running out of slick replies.
“I’ll answer that, this way.” Vaughan climbed from the desk and took the step to bring him standing before Frederick. He slowly hunched down pulling his tie from around his neck and strapping it around Frederick’s. Vaughan used that as leverage to pull Frederick gently toward him. “Tell me afterward what you think my answer is…” He lips moved closer, inch by breath-taking inch. Just before their mouths met, the door seemed to implode and Kelliani slid in like Kramer from Seinfeld.
Vaughan released one end of the tie and slid it from around Frederick.
“Surprise!” she cheered. “Um … hey, guys…”
Vaughan said nothing. He merely walked to the window and turned his back to both of them.
Frederick closed his eyes, swallowing hard. The tent in his pants hadn’t dissipated one bit. His breath caught in his chest and his heart thumped repeatedly. It had been a while since he was so aroused by one person, especially when they’d only just met.
At first, he’d really liked Kelliani. Now, he hated her guts for interrupting this moment between him and Vaughan. Frederick cleared his throat and looked around at Vaughan’s friend, with the sweetest smile he could muster. In reality, he wished to grab her neck and strangle her with her own braids.
“Hi again. We were … yeah.” Frederick toyed with the braid and pushed it back over his shoulder. “Is this for me or, both of us?”
“Both,” Kelliani said.
Vaughan didn’t turn around.
“I’m gonna go.” Kelliani handed Frederick the plate and a fork before scooting out and closing the door behind her.
Frederick eyed the dessert. The chocolate swirl ran off the edge of the plate. He got up from the chair and walked over to where Vaughan stood.
“Have a piece with me? It looks delicious.”
“I’m sorry.” Vaughan’s voice cracked. “There I was putting that kid in his place for coming onto you after you said no and I … I’m sorry.”
Frederick put the plate down on the table near the window and grasped Vaughan’s shoulder tightly. “No, I wanted that. I asked for it with all the flirtatious gestures. Don’t take it back now, Vaughan. We were so close, and it felt right. You and I. Don’t get timid on me now, especially when I’ve pulled out all the stops to get this close to you.” Frederick ran his hands to the back of Vaughan’s neck and gently squeezed.
Vaughan growled lowly and turned his head to meet Frederick’s gaze. He caught Frederick’s hand and removed it from his neck but didn’t release it until after he dropped a kiss to the back of Frederick’s fingers. “You have to take me to dinner first, Mr. Tremblay. I am not easy.”
“I didn’t think you were.” Frederick leaned in, pressing his lips gently on top of Vaughan’s, then stared into Vaughan’s brown eyes. “But if you’re not comfortable continuing this right now, I’ll back off. And by the way, call me Freddy.”
“Comfort has nothing to do with it.” Vaughan tilted his head far enough to catch one of Frederick’s lips between his teeth and pulled gently.
“Then, finish what you started.” Frederick managed, more aroused than he’d ever been in his entire life. He desperately wanted Vaughan’s mouth melded to his in a heated kiss he would never forget. They didn’t have to sleep together tonight. He at least desired to feel the sensitivity and swell in his lips after they finished.
“I tell you what.” Vaughan eased away from him to sink a large finger into the slice of cheesecake. He sat beside it while lifting some of the dessert to his lips but stopped to stare at it. “You said this was one of your favorite cakes, right?”
“Yes.”
“Come here, Freddy.”
Frederick stepped closer, staring at Vaughan with the cake on his fingertips. He wanted to lick the dessert and suck it off immediately, but he refrained.
; Instead of feeding it to Frederick, Vaughan sucked the dessert from his finger and moaned. Their eyes locked again as Vaughan curled his fingers behind Frederick’s neck and pulled him between his legs. This time, Vaughan didn’t pause. He slammed his mouth over Frederick like a storm. He growled loudly and plunged his tongue into Frederick’s heat.
Frederick gasped into Vaughan’s mouth and wrapped his arms around Vaughan’s waist to hold on to him. The moment their lips melded together Frederick saw stars exploding behind his eyelids as if he were attending a celebration for the Fourth. Bursts of energy shot to every erogenous zone in his body, making him lose all sense of where he was. He’d never thought in a million years that he’d have enough spunk to go after a man like he’d done with Vaughan. At least it paid off with the two of them sharing a kiss.
Frederick moaned low and inched back a moment to catch his breath. He eyed Vaughan, who appeared to be as flustered as he was. “So, um … Sunday then. Even though after that I can’t promise I’ll stay away until our date.”
“You have to be a good, Frederick.” Vaughan’s voice was husky. “There are consequences to being bad.”
“Are there?” Frederick eyed Vaughan’s lips with hunger, wanting more. “I might have to test that theory then.” Frederick leaned in, kissing him again, this time, trading tongues with Vaughan until he lost his balance.
Though Frederick was thoroughly aroused, he knew they had to stop. He pulled away and leaned his forehead against Vaughan’s. “Later.”
“Before you go. Be a dear and redo my tie.”
Frederick smiled and started putting one end over the other, and tugged until it hung correctly from his neck. “Ties look good on you, but really you don’t need them,”
“Don’t worry, Freddy.” Vaughan dropped his large palms against Frederick’s hips then slid them up and down. “If you’re really good, one day I’ll show you why they’re necessary.”
Frederick had nothing to say to that at first. He only nibbled on his bottom lip, then licked them. Pressure increased on his groin, and he gritted his teeth to keep from grimacing in discomfort. He eyed Vaughan and planted both hands on his shoulders.
“Believe you me, Sin, I am looking forward to that lesson.”
Chapter Seven
The wind howled fiercely around them as Special Team Bravo made their way through the cover of darkness across dry sand. With his gun trained, Captain Vaughan Singleton couldn’t help wondering why everything was so quiet. Aside from the breeze twirling grains of sand around them, nothing or no one moved aside from them.
His heart hammered inside his chest, drowning out his ability to think. Still, he shook his head, stopped moving and held up a closed fist. The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end. A slow shiver surged down his spine, and he knew they were all dead.
From somewhere in the distance he could hear the quiet tick of their doom. He tried warning his team, shouting for them to fall back. But for some reason his voice was cut off in his throat and began choking him. He dropped his weapon and turned, trying his best to shield his team from what he knew was coming.
The ticking grew louder, sending the end closer, and when everything exploded, there was no sound. All he felt was the stink of sand and shrapnel as flames burned through the back of his clothing and the shockwave from the explosion sent him sailing through the air.
“Luis!” he shouted, sand blinding him. “Lieutenant, answer me!”
But no reply came. All he could hear was the ringing from the blast, and as he looked around, all he saw was body parts, slowly snaking their way toward him in a circle.
Vaughan screamed and surged upright with Luis’s name on his lips. His body was covered in sweat, and his heart raced so fast it was painful. Frantically, he glanced around, clawing at his body. It took him a second to realize he wasn’t in Iraq. And when he finally did the guilt to wash over him at his relief, tore at his heart far more than anything could have.
Vaughan looked at the bedside clock. Six-thirty in the morning and his cell phone was ringing.
He flopped to his back and with his eyes closed, Vaughan blindly felt against the bedside table for the phone. Without checking, he opened one eye to slide the accept side of touchscreen and pressed it to his ear. “Yeah?”
Nothing.
“Hello?”
There was a crackle but no voice.
“Hello?”
Nada.
Groaning, he hung up and checked his call history. The call had come in private. Strange—he just got the stupid thing. Who could be crank calling him already? Then again it could have been a wrong number. With a sigh, he set the phone back on the bedside table and was in the process of rolling over when his doorbell rang.
Oh for fuck’s sakes!
Vaughan meant to ignore it. He’d barely gotten any sleep because one, he’d gotten home later than usual, and two Frederick-Frigging-Tremblay was stuck in his head, the softness of his hair sliding through Vaughan’s fingers, his musky scent the feel of his lips—
Knock! Knock!
“Fuck! I’m coming!” He growled, shoving his feet out of bed and hauling on a pair of track pants that was sitting on the back of an overstuffed chair—a present from Kelliani for the new place. Irritated, he trudged to the door and yanked it open.
“What?” he barked.
“Well, good morning to you, too.” Kelliani arched a brow at him. She was standing there, all made up, pink and black dreads tied in a single ponytail clutching a medium sized box with holes strategically bored into it.
“Sorry, Kelly. I didn’t sleep well,” Vaughan said, reaching around to kiss her cheek. “Come on in. I’ll put on the coffee.”
“Good! I have a surprise for you.”
Vaughan stepped aside so she could enter with her box then closed the door behind her and followed her into the kitchen. She set it on the half island, and the box whimpered.
“Um…” Vaughan checked the coffeemaker, filled the side with water and then flipped it on. “Did that box just whimper?”
“It’s your surprise!” Kelliani flailed. “Open it!”
“What’s in it?”
“Aww hell! Just open the damn box!”
Exhaling loudly, Vaughan stepped forward and flipped the flaps of the box open. There, inside it, was the most beautiful, black and grey, baby Siberian Husky he’d ever seen. “He’s beautiful!”
Vaughan reached in and gently picked the puppy up and cradled him to his chest after kissing his head a few times. “For me? Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. And if you’ll check, you’ll see that he’s actually a she.”
“Um…” Vaughan lifted one of the puppy’s hind legs. “Oh—my bad. Sorry, girl.” He dropped another kiss to the puppy’s head. “What’s her name?”
“She doesn’t have one yet.” Kelliani reached in to scratch the puppy’s head. “That’s your job. I figured she could help you with your PTSD. Puppies cure everything.”
“Oh Kelliani! Thank you.” He hugged her with the puppy between them. But the little one didn’t like that, so she wiggled until Vaughan laughed and released Kelliani. “I shall name her Mini Me!”
“Seriously?”
Vaughan grinned. “No—Nefertiti. That’s a nice and queenly name, isn’t it?”
Kelliani agreed, and Vaughan left her to tend to the puppy while he hurried into his bedroom to find something the pet could play with. He settled for one of his yellow, soft tennis balls. When he returned, Nefertiti was on the floor, rolling around, and Kelliani was busy pouring them coffee. He took a couple sips from his, set it on the counter, then sat on the floor to play with his new baby.
“So did you bring home a woman last night?”
Vaughan blinked up at her. “What?”
“A woman.”
“You do know I’m gay, right? Not bi. Not confused—gay.”
“Oh, so it was Frederick!” She clapped her hands excitedly.
“No. What�
��s with the weird questions?”
“I saw your pervy neighbor in the lobby,” Kelliani said. “He was going on and on about how you brought home some chick and was banging her brains out early this morning.”
Vaughan frowned. “I wasn’t banging anyone. When I can’t sleep I bounce a ball off the wall and catch it in my glove. He just assumes it's my headboard crashing into the wall.”
Kelliani laughed.
“It’s not funny!”
“Oh yes, it is! Oh my gawd!”
Vaughan sighed. It was funny the first few times the man said something to Vaughan, but now it was just weird—and creepy.
“So.” Kelliani’s voice crashed through his shudder. “What happened between you and the beautiful and talented Frederick Tremblay last night?”
“I don’t know.” Vaughan rolled the ball across the floor, and Nefertiti chased it. It was too big for her small mouth so she simply used her nose to push it back to him. “We were talking, and one thing leads to another and we kissed.”
“How was it?”
“Perfect. I just—I’ve never met a guy and drop a kiss on him the day we meet. But for some strange reason when he looked up at me with those eyes and the flirting…”
“I’m sorry about bursting in on the two of you last night, too. I saw from the way you reacted that something was about to go down, and my timing as usual was impeccable.”
Vaughan smiled, scratched Nefertiti’s bell as she lay on her back while trying to catch his hand with her paws. “Kissing Frederick was amazing, seriously. I love knowing how my man likes what I’m doing to him.”
Kelliani nodded.
“With Sam, he was always so quiet, it was as if I was fucking a blow-up doll.” Vaughan frowned at the memory. “But with Frederick, that one kiss told me so much. He responded to me, his body molded into mine, and he wasn’t afraid to hold onto me. And the moans…”
“Lawd!”
“Yeah. But I’m terrified. I don’t know the first thing about making a relationship work with someone. Check out my track record. Then again, Frederick is just passing through Cardova, right? In a little bit he’ll be gone and then what?”
Love at the Right Tempo Page 6