Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  “Not very,” Vaughan said as they descended the steps of the hotel. Vaughan stepped aside to allow Frederick to enter the vehicle ahead of him. “I usually ride there or bum a ride from Kelly.”

  “Ride?” Frederick wondered what Vaughan was talking about. He understood getting a ride from his friend. He didn’t want to sound as insane as he looked.

  “Yeah. I don’t own a car. I have a Harley.”

  “A Harley? As in a motorbike? Wow. I am totally not surprised. No wonder I find you so attractive.” Frederick grinned and squeezed Vaughan’s arm as the driver started pulling off. “A military man and you own a motorcycle. I am sure that has gotten you a lot of dates, right?” Frederick yawned and leaned on Vaughan’s shoulder.

  “Well, no. I came home from the military pretty broken. Haven’t had much time to date.” Vaughan turned to look at him. “I mean, I spent almost six months in a hospital in Germany and then came back here and had to find a life.”

  “Oh God, I’m sorry. What happened in Germany?”

  “Nothing. I—” Vaughan tilted his head as if debating how much he should tell Frederick. “I don’t think you noticed the scars last night, but I was deployed to Iraq. I was the commanding officer of a special group of guys. We got caught in an ambush. There was an explosion. I tried shielding my men, but I still lost one. When it was all over, I was really hurt and had to be flown out to the American base in Germany. Apparently, my injuries were so bad, they didn’t want to take any chances so they kept me there until I was healed—physically, at least.”

  Frederick lifted his head and stared at Vaughan. He shook it in disbelief. Hearing such terrible information woke Frederick up.

  “Oh my God. I feel awful for even making light of things. You’ve been through hell and back.” Frederick hugged him tight. “For the record, I didn’t notice any scars, and even if I would have, I wouldn’t have minded. It’s part of who you are. I’m so glad you survived. Sorry that one of your men didn’t make it. I’m sure that has to be tough on you.”

  “Everyone keeps telling me it’s not my fault. But those men were my responsibility. I should have been able to keep them safe.”

  “It’s not your fault. You did the best you could. Perhaps we should change the subject, hmm? I don’t want to upset you. I want to see you happy today. It will be the last full day I see you before I go back home and get ready for my tour.” Frederick struggled to keep his eyes open as he talked with Vaughan.

  “Maybe when we get to my place you should get some sleep. You look really tired.”

  “No, I’m fine,” Frederick admonished him and leaned back on his shoulder. He yawned again, fighting the nap that wanted to come after such a huge meal.

  “I want to see your puppy, and I’m sure Kelliani would love to chat with me some more, right? Perhaps she can convince you to become a bigger fan of classical music, especially the violin.”

  “Do you always have to be so frustrating?” Vaughan asked. “You’re going back out on the road soon. And besides, I don’t want you to fall asleep in your dinner later. So you meet Nef the queen, talk to Kelliani, for a little while, then bed. I’m putting my foot down.”

  “Okay fine. I’m sure I don’t look that tired. I know it’s because I didn’t put on any makeup today. I did that for you.”

  Vaughan shifted. “You and I are going to have to talk about that, the makeup thing. And it’s not the look. You’ve been yawning since we got into this car, so it’s either you’re tired or I’m boring you. Which is it?”

  “It’s not you. You’re definitely not boring. Why don’t you like my eyeliner and mascara? I wear a little lip gloss, too, because it makes my lips look fuller, but only on tour.” Frederick chuckled.

  “Uh-huh, right.” Vaughan said as the taxi came to a stop in front of an apartment building. After paying the driver, Vaughan climbed from the vehicle and accepted Frederick’s bag from the driver.

  Frederick followed him inside which looked to be very modern. It was on a quiet street, well manicured lawn and a couple of trees. Everything about it was quaint and peaceful. “Lovely place. How long have you lived here?” Frederick continued to eye the surroundings, taking in the shrubs on the way inside, then the large lobby, leading to the elevators.

  “Not very,” Vaughan replied. “About six months. When I came home I didn’t have anywhere to stay. I couldn’t exactly go back to Mommy and Daddy. Kelliani helped me get this place.”

  Frederick followed Vaughan onto the elevator. “It’s wonderful to have such good friends to support you. I know I could not have done much without Deena. She has been at my side since day one.” Frederick leaned against the wall, next to Vaughan. “You know she was actually my interior decorator before becoming my best friend and favorite pain in the buttocks?”

  “Buttocks?” Vaughan sighed dramatically. “You can’t talk like that where we go tonight.”

  “Fifteenth floor,” the elevator said. “Going up!”

  “Here we are.” Vaughan stepped from the lift and escorted Frederick down the corridor before stopping at a door. He pulled a bunch of keys from his pockets and opened the door. “Welcome to mi casa.”

  Frederick looked around, smiling. The apartment was spacious and beautiful. It kind of reminded him of his condo back in California. “Now I know where I’m going to come and stay when I’m back in Vermont.” Frederick pulled on Vaughan’s hand, stopping him from going further. “I’ve missed our lips being together.”

  “Is that right?” Vaughan asked, his voice soft. “Let’s see what we can do about that.”

  Frederick offered his lips with a soft sigh.

  ****

  Vaughan leaned into the kiss, slowly backing Frederick down the hall to the bedroom. They barely made it there when the doorbell rang. He groaned. Maybe if they ignored it, the person would get the picture and go away. But whoever it was didn’t get, and the bell repeatedly before Vaughn growled his frustration. “Damn it to hell,” he muttered.

  The sound stopped, and Vaughan leaned in to nibble at Frederick’s ear.

  The doorbell went off again.

  “I don’t think they’re going away,” Vaughan said. He dropped a light kiss to Frederick’s collarbone before releasing him. After fixing his clothes, he made his way to the door. Kelliani greeted him with a panting Nefertiti in her arms.

  “Your timing sucks,” Vaughan told her.

  Nefertiti barked and leapt at him. Vaughan smiled, caught the puppy, and let Kelliani in. He walked them into the living room where he set Nefertiti down and removed her collar. She instantly began barking and rushed toward the bedroom while stopping momentarily to sniff the floor.

  “What’s up with her?” Kelliani asked. “She was so good on her walk.”

  “She smells Frederick!” Vaughan said, rushing down the hall. “Nef!”

  “Frederick? Here?” Kelliani was hot on his heels.

  By the time he caught up with Nefertiti, she was standing at the bedroom doorway, wagging her tail and alternating between barking and growling.

  “Nef!” Vaughan said, hunching down to scratch the puppy behind the ears. “This is not how we treat our guests.”

  She growled at Vaughan then turned to peer at Frederick again. “Freddy, this is her royal highness, Nefertiti. I do believe she thought Kelliani was the only person I know.”

  Frederick smiled wide and crouched down to rub her head. “What a cute dog. I love them, but I’m away so much that I’m afraid I’d never have time.” He continued to make kissy noises at the dog. “And what a beautiful name you have, too. Fit for a queen.”

  Vaughan smiled and looked up to see Kelliani was peering into the room, by leaning over him and gripping the doorframe. He groaned. “Of course you remember your stalker…”

  Kelliani kneed him playfully in the side.

  “Er, I mean, biggest fan, Kelliani,” Vaughan amended with a smirk.

  Frederick took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “Yes, ho
w are you, Kelliani? I’m afraid there will not be a private concert this time. I’ve left my violin at my parents house.”

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I just brought Vaughan’s baby home. Honestly, I thought he’d be alone so I could drill him about what happened last night, but since you’re here, I’ll behave.”

  “Seriously?” Vaughan asked. “You could have at least pretended you weren’t curious about that.”

  “I’m too old for pretending.” Kelliani batted a wrist before walking off down the hall.

  Nefertiti licked at Vaughan’s hand then strutted after Kelliani.

  “I think with two women in this house,” Vaughan said. “I’m in a world of trouble. Um—you wanna take a nap while Kelliani and I talk about you behind your back?”

  Frederick appeared to be confused by that question. “Erm, I suppose. I am a little tired. And since you are making me sleep, I can’t say no, correct?”

  Vaughan rose and inhaled deeply. “Well, you do look tired, Freddy. If Kelliani hadn’t shown up, what I was about to do to you wouldn’t have made you rest.”

  Frederick’s face pinked from Vaughan’s comment. He cleared his throat and fiddled with his yin-yang charm around his neck.

  “I would rather see what you have planned for me, but I suppose it can wait until after our date. Can I sleep in your bed? And I hope you didn’t change your sheets recently so I can nap with your scents all around me.”

  Vaughan smiled, wrapped his arms around Frederick’s hips and backed him slowly toward the bed. He smiled when Frederick toppled onto it. Resting his knees between Frederick’s legs, Vaughan braced both palms to the material on either side of Frederick’s head, his dog tags dangling between them as he bowed his mouth to Frederick’s. “Something to give you sweet dreams, Freddy?”

  Frederick looked flustered by Vaughan’s sexy gesture. He blinked several times and gasped. “I … yes, please.”

  With a smirk, Vaughan dragged his lips along Frederick’s jawbone, across his nose then to Frederick’s lips. He kissed Frederick, using the heat of the moment to lose himself in the way their lips moved against one another’s. Unable to stop, he pressed against Frederick, moaning at the way their bodies fit perfectly. With a sigh, he rolled to the side and pulled Frederick into his arms.

  “I’ll wait right here until you fall asleep,” Vaughan promised.

  Frederick laid his head on Vaughan’s chest and dragged a finger from the tip of his chin to the center of his upper torso. “You’re a wicked man, Vaughan Singleton. Teasing me like that and leaving me wanting more. How will I be able to get through this tour without you, hmm?”

  “You’ll be okay,” Vaughan whispered, brushing murmurs of kisses to Frederick’s forehead. “I’m sure once you get on that stage and begin meeting your fans you’ll forget all about me.”

  “Not possible. I’ll be back in two weeks, and then, Mr. Vaughan, you’ll owe me.”

  “You’re talking too much,” Vaughan said softly. “You’re supposed to be sleeping.”

  “You’re not making this very easy.” Frederick pinched one of Vaughan’s nipples between his fingertips.

  “And if you don’t stop doing that,” Vaughan growled, “you’ll never leave this bed.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  After Frederick had fallen asleep, Vaughan reluctantly pulled from his lover’s warmth and entered the breach that was Kelliani. Of course, she wanted to know everything. Vaughan was exhausted, so he gave her the abridged version instead. The moment she heard Vaughan and Frederick had slept together, Kelliani clapped her hands with glee. He could see her already picking out patterns for the wedding Vaughan and Frederick were supposed to have. As their talk progressed, Vaughan imagined Kelliani was also picking out baby names.

  Eventually, she kissed his cheek, kissed Nefertiti, and left him alone with the puppy.

  For a few minutes, Nefertiti was gone. When the small dog returned, she held a blue ball in her mouth. Though Vaughan didn’t really want to play, he sat and rolled the ball across the floor.

  Nefertiti still didn’t have much traction on the hardwood, and a few times she almost slid into the wall. Nervous about that, Vaughan set up some of the cushions from the sofa at the wall so if she was to hit the hard surface there would be little to no damage. He checked the time and noticed Frederick had been sleeping for almost two hours. He figured he’d let him stay asleep a little bit longer. By this time Nefertiti was bored and was lapping at the water in her bowl. Vaughan checked to ensure she had food, then set about making a couple of sandwiches. He grabbed a couple bottles of juice from the fridge, stacked them on the tray along with the sandwiches and some blackberries and carried it all to the bedroom.

  For a moment, he watched Frederick sleep. He seemed so peaceful. He didn’t really want to wake him, for a part of Vaughan felt selfish. Frederick had looked tired before. Still, he knew if he didn’t Frederick would pout and ask why Vaughan allowed him to sleep so long.

  Setting the tray on the chest at the foot of his bed, Vaughan climbed in behind Frederick and cradled his lover to his body. “Freddy?” Vaughan whispered in his ear before kissing the lobe. “Baby?”

  Frederick stirred and moved back against Vaughan’s body. He didn’t turn to meet Vaughan’s gaze, but he moaned. “Is it time to go, yet? Maybe we could grab a shower so we could soap each other up then get dirty all over again.” Frederick chuckled.

  “I thought you were sleeping.” Vaughan laughed. “Well, I was going to suggest food or me, but I think I know what you’re thinking.”

  “You first, then perhaps some food.” Frederick shifted on the mattress, turning to meet Vaughan’s gaze. His blue eyes sparkled a lot more than they did earlier. The dark circles were practically nonexistent. “Please kiss me. I dreamt I was left alone in this huge bed, without my prince there to rescue me.”

  Vaughan trembled, rolling over to press Frederick into the bed. “I’m no Prince, Freddy. You have to know that.”

  “You are my prince. Until I met you a few days ago, I only thought about my music, my dreams of teaching children. I still have those. Now I have something more to look forward to.” Frederick reached up, clasping Vaughan’s cheeks within his large, slender hands. He dragged one finger over Vaughan’s forehead. “With you.”

  “Now, how can I resist those words?” Vaughan asked. He took Frederick’s lips even as he made a space between the violinist’s legs with his own. There was something in Frederick’s words, a truth that tore at Vaughan’s heart. He’d been trying to protect himself for when Frederick left, to keep himself from breaking into tiny pieces, but how could he un-hear what Frederick just said? Moaning, he dragged his lips down to Frederick’s shoulder.

  “You’re wearing too many clothes,” Vaughan muttered as he tugged at the material.

  “Then take them off me,” Frederick managed through ragged breaths. He wrapped both his arms around Vaughan’s shoulders and moved his head upward, taking Vaughan’s bottom lip between his teeth.

  Sparks surged Vaughan’s veins, and he gripped the material in both hands and tugged. It came apart in his hands, and Vaughan smiled with satisfaction. With Frederick’s flesh bare to his eyes, he took his time teasing Frederick, tasting every hot inch of flesh he could. From Frederick’s nipples to his abs, to that tender spot where his neck met his shoulders, Vaughan wanted to feel and taste it all.

  Slowly, he inched down Frederick’s frame, dragging his tongue in a wet path until he reached Frederick’s pants. Knowing he couldn’t rip it as easily, he was forced to be patient, to undo the belt and the button and the zipper. He stuck his fingers into the waist of the pants and boxer briefs. “Lift your ass,” Vaughan said.

  Frederick did as Vaughan asked him to. “Don’t tease me, lover.”

  “No teasing?” Vaughan tugged the clothes off Frederick’s legs before lying on his stomach, face to face with Frederick’s dick. He licked the head and groaned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  “
You find it fun because you won’t be suffering as much.”

  “Well, let’s test that theory, shall we?” Vaughan punctuated his words by wetting his lips and going down on Frederick, taking his length to the back of his throat. He held himself there, listening to Frederick’s rapid breathing and enjoying the soft sounds that escaped Frederick’s throat. When Frederick trembled, Vaughan released him and tapped the pulsing head of Frederick’s cock with a finger. “How’s that?”

  “God, Vaughan. Your mouth is … I can’t even describe it.”

  Holding Frederick’s thighs to the bed, Vaughan slid his mouth over Frederick again, only this time it was after he’d sucked a finger wet and used it to find Frederick’s entrance. Without warning, Vaughan slipped the finger in and pumped it to the motion of mouth.

  Grunts and inaudible moans fell from Frederick’s lips. He struggled against Vaughan’s powerful grip on him. “Please. Don’t torture me any longer. Need you in me,” Frederick stuttered.

  “You know what I want, Freddy,” Vaughan said. “Give it to me.”

  Frederick shuddered under Vaughan’s touches. His body tensed in one motion, until he cried out in anguish. Immediately, warm spurts shot from Frederick’s cock into Vaughan’s waiting mouth.

  A low rumble escaped Vaughan’s mouth as he gave the head of Frederick’s dick one final kiss before moving up his frame. “Now, I’m ready to give you what you want—wait, please tell me you have condoms and lube.”

  “Yes…” Freddy continued to breathe hard. “It’s in my overnight bag. I brought plenty, hoping we’d use them several times before I left.”

  Vaughan smirked and climbed off the bed long enough to grab what he needed. When he returned, he was already dressed in a rubber, with lube on two fingers. This time, he climbed between Frederick’s legs, then lifted them to brace against his shoulders. He swiped his lube-covered fingers between Frederick’s cheeks, ensuring Frederick was ready. Meeting Frederick’s eyes, Vaughan aimed his dick to his hole and drove home.

  “Was this what you wanted?” Vaughan asked. “Tell me this was what you wanted.”