“Beg pardon?”
Saul chuckled again. ”I suppose it’s because—at my age—everyone seems as though they’re quite young. We have more than a few submissives who are Kenneth’s age or older.”
“How old is Kenneth, if I may ask?”
“He’s thirty-six, so compared to my fifty-three, quite a bit younger!”
Ned laughed along with Saul, reassured by the owner’s jovial manner. Saul had been one of the main reasons he’d originally considered Hampton Road as his permanent club. Another thought struck Ned.
“You’ve mentioned this home—safe haven, if you will—that you want to establish for the submissives. How far into that are you?”
Saul pressed his lips together before he spoke. “Not very far, I’m afraid. We’ve only just established the rules. We rescued Linus…oh, I believe almost two months ago, and there was another young man from the bathhouse who we’ve set up in a hotel nearby. Oh, and of course there’s Evan. He took Linus’ place at Aaron and Sam’s. They’ve been very generous in offering their home to men in need of a place to stay. It was intended that Kenneth stay there after his rescue, but… Well, he found other arrangements.”
Ned smiled. “I’m sure he much prefers where he is over the guesthouse.” There was a twinge in Ned’s gut.
No doubt Evan would too.
“Well, I know I certainly do, old sport. I’m quite the lucky fellow.”
Ned lowered his eyes. The picture of Evan all alone at the mystery guesthouse entered his mind and lodged itself there. In his guilty imagination, it was a dirty and rundown place, even though he was quite sure after all the talk of guaranteeing safe accommodations for the boys that his mental picture was completely out of line. However, Evan’s loneliness and need in the house was more than likely true. Evan’s problems couldn’t be cured through grand surroundings. He needed a Master.
He started at the pat of Saul’s hand on his knee. “There now, old sport. Don’t fret. There’s a boy out there for you somewhere.” Saul straightened. “Take me for example. I finally found my joy after all these years. It’s never too late.”
Not helping.
“Thank you, Saul. I appreciate it.” Ned cleared his throat, desperate to change the subject. “In regards to the residence you wish to establish for the submissives, what did you have in mind? Were you considering an existing property or building from the ground up?”
“Well—”
A rap on the door sounded.
“Excuse me, old sport.” Saul rose then checked to see who it was. He glanced over his shoulder. “Ned, it’s Thomas. Would you be averse to him joining us? He’s had some thoughts on the housing for the submissives as well.”
Ned fought to keep his expression impassive. There was an enormous sensation of shame that surged through him. He doubted Thomas would be very happy with him if he found out how much Ned had upset Evan.
Maybe that’s why he’s here.
“Of course not.”
Thomas stepped into the library, and Ned noticed right away that even though he had a friendly smile, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Ned rose to shake his hand. Thomas took it, gave it a firm squeeze then let go. Their acquaintanceship was too new for Ned to determine what it had meant—if anything.
There was an obvious familiarity between the two men. Formalities were dispensed with as Thomas took a seat on a settee between him and Saul. He leaned over then poured himself a glass of water as Saul continued the conversation as if it had never been paused.
“So, I”—Saul turned to Thomas—“we were discussing how I planned to go about securing a suitable residence for our boys in need.” Thomas nodded, then Saul continued. “Anyway, the biggest issue is always the same as it is for any homosexual. I’m aware of one luxury apartment building in Hollywood that rents to those in the motion picture industry who require discretion. My old friend, Vincent—who used to run one of the studios in town—he told me about it. So initially, following that model seemed a feasible solution. However, I’m concerned that a building comprised of only young men would raise eyebrows, perhaps inquiry. A flophouse or workhouse is one thing. But somewhere nice? As if it was merely an apartment complex? At least at the Hollywood residence, there were women whose sapphic desires helped to balance the general public’s perception of the residences.”
Ned found the conversation rather interesting. Other than taking precautions in his own life, he’d never thought beyond that. In Los Angeles, there appeared to be an enormous amount of thought and effort that had been put into the subject.
“So, what if an unwitting lady or fellow were to inquire about lodging at the apartment?”
Saul nodded. “Exactly, old sport. That was why anyone and everyone who comes to the lobby doors is informed that no space is available and that the waiting list is so long, they aren’t taking any new requests. The only way anyone can get in is through a private referral.”
Ned was impressed, yet irritated at the same time. It was infuriating the amount of falderal a gay person had to go through to acquire simple lodging.
“So that brings us back to your thoughts on housing for the submissives.”
“Yes. Aaron’s property in Altadena has been an inspiration.”
Thomas spoke up with a light chuckle. “For me and Linus as well. I almost had a huge problem on my hands when Evan and Linus first confronted each other with a nosy neighbor watering his roses nearby.”
Evan.
Ned shifted in his chair then took a healthy swallow of his brandy. “A problem, to be sure.”
“So what I’ve decided, old sport, is to purchase a large piece of property in a secluded area—likely in the foothills, the way Aaron did. Eventually, I’d like to move Kenneth and I there, have a large main home, the way Aaron and Sam have as well. I intend to not only build lodging on part of it but to include a work area for Kenneth. He has quite the ability when it comes to restoring antique furniture.”
“Really?” Ned filed away the information for later. “I have a few pieces that I recently purchased that could use a skilled hand. I have a soft spot for old things, so I couldn’t resist picking them up.”
Saul grunted. “I’m fortunate that Kenneth has that same soft spot.”
Thomas kicked Saul’s shoe. “Let’s not be silly.”
Saul considered him with mock surprise. “What? It’s not as if I’m not grateful that he finds old things pleasing.”
Ned sputtered out laughter. He’d only just gotten the joke.
Thomas finally spoke to him directly. “He’s incorrigible. As far as Kenneth is concerned, the moon and the stars are trivial things compared to his Master Saul.”
“Hmmph. I don’t know where you come up with these ridiculous notions, old sport.”
The happy gleam in Saul’s eyes told Ned that not only did he know it was true, but that it thrilled him as well.
“Well, it sounds like quite an undertaking. I imagine that any questions regarding young men staying there could be explained away by saying they help either around the property or in Kenneth’s workshop.”
“My thoughts precisely!”
Thomas interjected. “It’s similar to when Linus stayed with Aaron—and now with Evan. They were actually able to help Sam with his nursery.” Thomas sighed. “Although I don’t think Evan’s very suited to that situation. He needs to find a better one.”
Ned swallowed past a lump in his throat. He couldn’t take it. “Is Evan… How is he… What I mean is…” Ned took a deep breath as he attempted to ignore the questioning stares directed at him from both men. “How is Evan getting on?”
His cheeks reddened, and he felt like a fool. He had no idea whether Saul was aware that he’d spent the evening with Evan. It had never been made entirely clear to him, one way or the other, as to how much Saul knew of the personal goings on at the club.
Thomas locked his gaze on him. “As it so happens, Aaron and Sam say he’s been rather melancholy as of late. He’s
been in low spirits since he arrived—understandably so—but I’d hoped an evening at the club would have alleviated some of his unhappiness.”
The insane desire to rush off to Aaron and Sam’s guesthouse to gather Evan to him—to comfort him—pulled at Ned. Small beads of sweat formed on his upper lip, and he swiped at them. He had to get control of himself. He’d never been so unhinged by a young man before.
“I’m very sorry to hear that. He’s a wonderful boy and deserves every happiness.”
Saul had been darting his eyes back and forth between him and Thomas, and Ned was certain that he’d picked up on the tension.
“Well.” Saul uncrossed his legs then stood. “I have my own wonderful boy who is likely anxious for my harsh touch, so if that’s all you needed…?”
Ned rose as well. He was not about to be left alone with Thomas for even a second. “Yes, thank you for your time. I’m on my way out, so I’ll follow you.”
Ned caught the quick glance Saul gave Thomas before returning his attention to Ned.
“All right then. I hope we see you at the club again soon.”
“I’m sure you will.” Ned paused his forward motion. He couldn’t just leave things like that. He turned back to Thomas, who was leisurely rising from the small sofa. “If you should see Evan, please give him my best wishes.”
Thomas arched his eyebrows, and he worried that Evan’s ex-Master might just simply tell Ned to go to hell.
Which I likely deserve.
“If I see him, I will.” Thomas narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly. “He’s only up the road. I’m sure Aaron and Sam wouldn’t mind if you wanted to pay him a visit.”
“Uh, marvelous.” He cleared his throat a bit too loudly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He had to get out of there. He’d planned on asking Saul about the bathhouses’ whereabouts, but determined he could simply ring him the next day. The weight of Thomas’ gaze was much more than he could handle.
Chapter Seven
Sam continued to glance at him sideways while they sat in the kitchen of the main house shelling peas for dinner. He acted as if he was waiting for Evan to explode. It was driving him nuts. At the same time, he was grateful at how respectful everyone had been of his privacy. No one had insisted on knowing why he’d been so sour and quiet the night they’d driven home from the club.
After escaping the room he’d shared with Ned, Evan had asked Javier to take him to the room down the hall from the entrance. It was where all the submissive men changed out of their clothes when they arrived at the club. There were wooden shelves built into the walls, and Evan assumed its original use must have been as a library or a study. The mansion was so immense, there seemed to be multiples of the same rooms. There were certainly plenty of bedrooms from what he’d been able to tell.
Would he ever go back? He hadn’t decided. Everything that had happened between him and Ned had been too fast, too hot. In some ways, it no longer seemed real. But the pull he would get low in his belly whenever he thought of Ned’s fingers in him, or Ned fucking him, or barely skimming across his skin with his long smooth fingers…
Evan shivered. Then there had been his kisses. Sweet, deep kisses that he would have happily melted into for the rest of his life. When Ned had fed him, it had seemed so weird at first, then it had been one of the most fulfilling things he’d ever done with a man. But it was their easy connection and obvious wish for the same things from a partner that had spoken to him the strongest.
The anger rose in him again, and he snapped open one of the pea pods so viciously, the little green orbs went flying across the room. There were only three of them, so it wasn’t as if it was the end of the world, but he noted how Sam’s eyes had rounded when they’d popped out of the shell.
“Sorry. I’ll get them.”
“That’s okay, Evan.”
He quickly found two of the errant peas, but one must’ve rolled under the ice box. Evan got down on his hands and knees, the wood floor slippery from being polished recently. It had probably helped the runaway pea slide so far away. There was a good six-inch or so gap between the bottom of the appliance—where it was held up with curved cast iron legs—and the floor.
He spotted the runaway vegetable flush to the floorboard. Pressing his lips together, he twisted his body so he could stretch his arm under the ice box as far as it could go. His fingers brushed the pea and it flew away and out of his reach. It was yet another reason to hate green vegetables.
“I would make you eat green vegetables every day until you loved them.”
He pushed up from the floor before he’d yanked his arm all the way out and banged his shoulder against the metal edge of the ice box.
“Dammit!”
The chair scraped on the floor, then Sam was leaning over him with a frightened expression on his face.
“Are you okay?”
Evan propped himself up on his elbows. “Yeah. I’m fine.” He sat up, rubbing his shoulder. “Sorry I cursed.”
Sam shrugged. “That’s okay. Aaron isn’t around anyway.”
“What’s okay, little Sam?”
Sam squeaked and Evan broke out into laughter. Aaron had a devilish grin as he wrapped his arms around Sam’s chest from behind, resting his chin on Sam’s head. Sam wriggled around until he faced Aaron then embraced his Master.
Evan lowered his eyes. Everyone he’d met had been so nice to him, and he still couldn’t believe how nice both Thomas and Linus were to him as well. But it was like a knife to his gut witnessing such deep love and close bonds between all the men. It had been made even worse since Ned had teased him with the possibility of the same thing only a week before.
That was it. He was done wishing things had been different with Ned. They weren’t, and there was nothing he could do about it. He wasn’t going to mope around worrying about it anymore. Sam had said he was going to the club with Aaron that night, so Evan would see if they wouldn’t mind taking him. If they wanted to leave early or stay later, he could always get a taxi home.
“Forgive us, Evan.”
Aaron peered down at him, his hand held out in a gesture of help. Evan took it then pushed himself up from the floor.
“That’s okay.”
He brushed off his jeans then went to the porcelain sink to rinse his hands. After he’d dried them, he faced the two lovers again. Sam was cuddled into Aaron’s side, his expression one of peace and contentment. His eyes were closed, but there was the hint of a smile on his lips, his head tilted so that it rested against Aaron’s chest. Aaron held him, one arm around Sam as he repeatedly brushed his thumb over Sam’s shoulder.
Evan steeled himself to speak. “May I go with you to the club tonight?”
Sam popped his eyes open, and a big smile lit up his face. “That would be swell!” Sam clapped a hand over his mouth before peering up at Aaron. “Would it be swell, Master?”
Aaron chuckled then pressed a kiss to his temple. “Yes, I think it would. We’ll be leaving right after dinner, Evan. Can you be ready by then?”
“Yes, sir. I thought I might go take a shower and change right now though, unless Sam needs me to help him some more with the peas.”
“No, that’s okay. We wanna make sure there are enough for us to eat.” He giggled.
Evan gave him a smirk. “Very funny.” He regarded Aaron. “I’ll go get ready right now if that’s all right.”
“That’s fine, Evan.”
As Evan strolled out of the back door from the kitchen, he heard Aaron and Sam’s voices as they trailed away.
“While Evan’s getting ready, you can practice your new presentation stance for ten minutes.”
“But…”
“Just because I’m not around doesn’t mean that the same rules don’t apply…”
Evan walked with purpose up the hill to the guesthouse. Aaron had Sam well in hand. Once Ned had explained what discipline was, he’d begun to notice small exchanges between them that he was sure was what Ned
had been referring to. Sam had a specific set of rules he abided by and also knew he’d be punished if he didn’t follow them. But whenever Aaron was around, he made sure to show Sam affection and praise whatever it was he was doing. It was obvious that Sam knew he was the center of Aaron’s universe.
In addition, Sam and Aaron prepared the meals together then Aaron fed him. Evan had tried not to stare as Aaron had made a point of giving Sam the best of the food, making sure he ate enough. They only ever used one plate, one fork and one glass between them. It was all they needed. Evan was in awe of their love.
He reached the front porch of the guesthouse. There was no reason to sit around outside listening to coyotes and drawing in the dirt every night when he could be at the club, possibly meeting a new Master who would treat him the same as Aaron treated Sam. He assured himself that he wasn’t going just in case Ned might be there seeking him, realizing what a mistake he’d made. That had nothing to do with it.
* * * *
Ned had to admit that the steam room in the Temple of Eros was unbelievably relaxing. Saul had given him the address when he’d called the next day after the awkward meeting at the club. Ever the gentleman, Saul hadn’t said a word about anything being amiss and had simply given him the information.
It had been a week since he’d last seen Evan, but he felt the emotion of their encounter as if it had just occurred. The young man filled his thoughts and had even invaded his dreams. He still remembered the boy’s scent, his taste, his inner heat. Yet the one thing that taunted him even more since he’d spoken to Thomas was Evan’s hurt.
Ned wasn’t possessed of enough hubris to imagine that Evan wouldn’t ever get over him, but he knew he was responsible for leading him on. That had been through his own selfishness and lack of control. To think that he had caused such a beautiful boy any pain mortified him.
He stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles. He was completely nude, the sweat flowing freely from his pores. The rocks seemed to have cooled somewhat, so the steam wasn’t as profuse. It was likely that one of the boys would come in soon to replace the cooling rocks with hotter ones or perhaps pour more water to create additional steam. Perhaps a towel boy would come in after.
Mastering Love Page 10