He inhaled sharply. “Yes, yes please. Sir.”
The man who would soon be his Master pressed a kiss to his temple. “Then let me awaken your senses more than you’ve ever experienced before.”
Thomas rose from the bed and Linus couldn’t help the trembling that took over. Fear, excitement, joy—it was all mixed up together and too much for him to handle.
“I see you, boy.”
There was a calming hand on his upper back between his shoulder blades. Thomas kept his palm there, heavy, not moving. Linus stilled, his breathing evening out again. Yes, Thomas did see him.
He still wondered if he would get fucked. The bed was so immense that even though he was positioned diagonally across it, there was still lots of room for Thomas to get behind him. He was certain that it was more than obvious to Thomas how much he enjoyed being penetrated, but it was one of the few things he hadn’t said out loud to him yet. Maybe he would do that soon. It was so freeing to have someone he could say anything he wanted to, someone who never looked at him with disappointment. He imagined that the only way Thomas could ever truly hurt him would be to look at him like that.
The mattress dipped behind him again and he could track where Thomas was. It seemed as if he’d be taken by his lover after all. His thighs were still parted the way Thomas had positioned them earlier, and it seemed as though Thomas had situated himself between them. Thomas used one of his large hands to hold Linus’ cheeks open—it felt as though he was using his thumb on one side and fingers on the other to keep them spread.
Linus heard spitting and he started when Thomas’ moistened finger prodded at his hole. Had Thomas forgotten to bring the lubricating jelly?
“Don’t clench.” Thomas’ voice was even, smooth.
He hadn’t even realized he’d done it. Thomas spit again, then there was more wetness spread around his entrance.
Focus on your breaths. Let it go.
Thomas gently worked the moisture into his channel. It wasn’t as effective as whatever Thomas usually used. His lover was careful though—didn’t rush, didn’t force. He repeated the action a few more times with more spit added.
“How are you faring, boy?”
“Good, Sir, thank you.”
Thomas removed his finger. “Stay where you are inside yourself. Keep breathing. Let me in, don’t fight. Embrace everything as it happens to you and don’t be afraid.”
Linus couldn’t imagine what Thomas was talking about. There had never been a time he’d resisted when Thomas had entered him. It was one of the reasons he was so secure with him—he’d always made sure that Linus enjoyed himself.
Something cool and hard was nudged against his rim. He couldn’t figure out what it was. Thomas twisted it slowly, pushing it past the resistant ring of muscle. He noticed a slight…tingling.
“Let it in, boy.”
What? Why?
“I-I can’t. It’s, oh…what is it?”
“Allow your body to take it inside.”
“I…”
He hissed. The tingling increased, built. As Thomas encouraged the strange item farther in his channel, the prickly feeling transformed into something more, something heated and…
He howled the instant he clamped down on the intrusion in his ass. It burned. It spread through his insides, his core. He jerked his ass in the air, desperate to get away from the horrid thing. Thomas pushed down on his back, holding him there, his cock trapped between his belly and the pillows.
“Oh God, oh please, stop…”
“Mercy?”
He was going to have to do it, have to call mercy. As he’d been wondering if he should, whatever Thomas had been pushing into his ass slipped in much farther. The burn caught fire, seared through him as he clenched against the invader again. He filled the room with his shrieks.
“Talk to me, boy.” Thomas’ voice rose to meet his in volume. “Call mercy if you have to, I won’t be upset.”
Even as sweat broke out on his upper lip, his forehead—even as his breathing accelerated, his heart beating wildly as he forced his legs as far apart as they could go—he knew Thomas told him the truth. His lover wouldn’t be upset with him and it was such a comfort to know that with complete certainty. He lowered his voice, gasping out his next words.
“I…no. No mercy.”
“So proud of you.”
Thomas used a cloth—a handkerchief he thought—and wiped the sweat from Linus’ forehead. He wanted to breathe slow and even, but he couldn’t manage it.
“Let it happen. Don’t fight it. Embrace it.”
The burn didn’t lessen. The sensation that filled his center had such a bite—was so sharp and all–consuming—that it was the only thing that existed for him. Gradually, his breathing slowed and he let it take him. It was still unbelievably difficult for him not clench around it, but he’d reached a point of acceptance regarding the strange thing Thomas had inserted inside him.
“Going to spank you now.”
Wait…
The first harsh slap landed on one butt cheek. He howled as his inner muscles clamped down on the fiery object again. He clutched at the ropes that held his wrists, yanking on them, searching for a way to escape from the bizarre thing that wouldn’t stop torturing him. Thomas smacked the other cheek and before he could think not to, he’d tightened his passage around whatever Thomas had stuffed inside him.
“Oh my God!”
The words fell from him, spilled freely, every feeling or thought that came to him—whatever it was—he yelled it out. The spanking continued, Thomas alternating between each cheek, never striking him in the middle or nudging whatever was lodged in his hole. However, every hit caused him to tighten his inner muscles, giving him an extra jolt of the burn. Each strike also pushed his cock into the pillow. He was out of his mind with the struggle against the sensations overwhelming him as his attention was drawn more and more to his dick.
It was swelling, leaking. He grabbed hold of the cords again, no longer crying out, instead lost in the barrage of feelings in his body. The unending burn in his passage, the stinging pain of his flesh where Thomas continued to strike him and the surge of need in his throbbing cock.
He used his hold on the cords to give him purchase, braced himself with his toes then rutted shamelessly against the silky fabric of the pillowcase. Thomas must have stopped holding him down because he fucked without hindrance. Grunting, he squeezed his ass each time he propelled himself forward, wishing for more burn rather than less.
His balls tightened and he had a moment of panic. He was going to come, couldn’t stop it.
“Sir! I have to—”
“I know, boy. Come for me.”
Unintelligible sounds poured from him as he gasped and growled through his orgasm. He jerked on the ties holding his wrists so fiercely, he knew he’d bruised them. But with each hot pulse of seed against his stomach, he was taken higher and higher out of his body until nothing else existed.
Chapter Ten
Thomas caressed his boy’s skin, let his fingers trail down his torso, across his arms. He’d already undone the cords that had held his wrists captive, removed the mask covering his eyes and gently extracted the ginger root. Someday he’d want to plug his ears at the same time, let his boy feel even more. Linus was a wonder to him.
Thomas gently turned Linus over to get him away from the wet mess of his spend, a smile tugging at his lips at how utterly sated his boy was. He didn’t tense or resist in any way as Thomas manipulated him—he was limp and pliant. A small snore escaped Linus’ lips. Thomas chuckled to himself. He had also seemingly passed out.
After removing the soiled pillow, Thomas wiped Linus with a warm cloth then covered him so he wouldn’t become chilled. His lover still hadn’t stirred. Reaching into his satchel, he then took out the small jar that held the Arnica cream to rub on Linus’ wrists. The cords were soft, but Linus had yanked on the restraints quite hard. His heated shaft twitched in his pants. Watching Linus give hims
elf over to wanton pleasure with such abandon had almost caused him to come from the sight alone.
Once he’d finished tending to Linus, he discarded the ginger root and the skins he’d pared from it. Then he finished putting the mask and cords back in his bag. He removed the rest of his clothing, pointedly ignoring his swollen erection. All he really wanted was to spoon his body around Linus and hold him close.
Before he climbed into the bed, he rang Javier on the inside line.
“Javier, its Thomas in the Georgian room. Could you knock on the door at midnight? Thank you.”
He didn’t want Javier to ring back and jar either of them out of a sound sleep. Linus was completely relaxed and Thomas meant to keep it that way. Since he was now sure they wouldn’t accidentally sleep through the night, Thomas joined Linus, snuggling and nuzzling him as he clutched him to his frame. The scent of the ginger and Arnica was still present, but the intoxicating aroma of his boy overrode anything else. Linus made a small noise, almost a groan, then wrapped his fingers around Thomas’ arms.
Thomas had known that someday his sensual lover would enjoy the feel of the oils released from the ginger root, but he’d half expected him to cry mercy the first time he experienced it. It had been a thrill when the sensations had overtaken Linus to the point where he’d let loose a stream of sentences completely free of any hesitation or stops. More than ever, Thomas saw that he and Linus were not only evenly matched, but made for each other. There was no doubt that he wanted to be Linus’ Master and now that Linus had confessed he wished it too, it no longer made sense for them to live apart.
He pressed his lips to the loose strands of black hair on Linus’ head. He loved Linus with a fierce need that had never been awoken in him before. It wasn’t as if his love for Evan hadn’t been real or strong, it had. The heartache he’d gone through as a result of losing his lover had been devastating, but the connection with Linus was deeper and more intimate. At its core there was an open and uninhibited essence to their love—they moved in rhythm to each other. Thomas embraced the knowledge that he needed Linus as much or more than Linus needed him.
Thomas would take him back home with him when they left Hampton Road. Then he would keep him there for good.
* * * *
“So, is Thomas going to let you ride the rail car to come to the nursery every day, or is he going to drive you?”
Linus dropped another scoop of the enriched soil that Sam had concocted on top of the seeds he’d just planted in the small pot. “I’ll have to take the trolley on the days he goes to Hollywood to see his clients. He’s not happy about it, but I promised I’d be careful. Pretty soon he’ll be getting an office though and he’s going to have the new fellow he hired do the outside appointments. Except for his biggest clients. Thomas is keeping those because they only trust him.”
“Oh. I see.”
As soon as Linus had added his completed planter to the others on the wooden tray, they both took one end and carried it into the greenhouse and set it on one of the long tables. Sam brushed his hands together. “I think that’s enough today. Do you need any help packing?”
Linus smiled at his friend. It was odd. Right when he’d finally gotten comfortable enough to have a conversation with Sam without fretting over it, he was leaving. “No thanks. I barely have anything. Just a few changes of clothing, um, my photo album and some grooming accessories.”
Sam furrowed his brow. “What about all your clothing magazines?”
Linus. “Oh, um, I…”
His talking was better than it had ever been, but there were still times when he struggled to get his words out. He could tell when it was going to happen though—whenever he worried about what someone might think about what he said, it would overtake him, trip him up.
Sam waited, patient, but expectant. Linus had the sense that his fellow submissive understood. He never pressured him, but merely waited until Linus was ready to say whatever it was that was on his mind.
He inhaled deeply, exhaled, then spoke. “Whenever I go to Thomas’, I usually bring a couple in case he has to work on his accounts.” One more breath. Slowing down always helped. “I also brought my sketch paper and pencils there.”
“That’s real swell. Are you going to keep looking for a costume job?”
Linus pressed his lips together, he wasn’t sure he could keep his words from getting mixed up or coming out the way they should. “Oh, I, um…”
“Don’t worry, Linus. I won’t be mad if you get work at a studio or theater. I know that’s what you really want.”
“But, I… You…”
Dammit.
He could do it. He knew he could. It had been so much better recently. He sucked in a huge breath—ready to pinch himself if that was what he needed to get his words out.
“I don’t want to leave you without anyone to help. You and Aaron, you, um, you went out of your way to make sure I had a job and somewhere to stay.”
There. Did it.
“That’s okay. We wanted to. But you have to do what makes you happy. That’s what Aaron helped me to understand when he found out how much I love the plants. He was right, you know. I love him with all my heart and he makes me very happy. But it’s okay to love the plants too.”
Linus nodded. “That makes sense. Thank you, Sam. You’re, um… You’re a really good friend.”
Sam threw his arms around him and gave him a hug. Linus tensed, still not comfortable with being touched a lot. Thomas could touch him every hour of every day and he’d be thrilled, but when others did—it seemed awkward. In an effort to let his friend know he wasn’t upset or anything, he patted him lightly on the back as Sam held him.
“Should I be jealous?”
Sam squeaked and Linus jumped back.
“Master! You scared me.”
Sam had a pouty face and Aaron was almost doubled over with laughter. Linus’ face had heated from embarrassment and he was reminded as to why he wasn’t sure if he should be touching anyone other than Thomas. Although he had to admit Aaron didn’t seem bothered about it at all. Aaron wiped a finger under his eye then gathered Sam to his side.
“Oh, little Sam. Your face.”
He kissed the top of Sam’s head and Sam wrapped his arms around Aaron’s waist, pressing his cheek to his lover’s chest. Linus wondered if he and Thomas looked as happy. It was obvious how much in love they were. As Linus considered it, he knew it had to be so. His love for Thomas was all consuming. He smiled at the thought.
“Linus, I came up here to let you know that Thomas should be here in about fifteen minutes. He called just as he was leaving the house.” Aaron chuckled. “I think he wants you to be ready to leap into the car so he can whisk you away immediately.”
There was a wicked twinkle in Aaron’s eye and Linus was back to being embarrassed. He was still trying to get accustomed to how freely all the men from Hampton Road spoke of their liaisons. Ever since Linus had learned the horrible lesson of his cousin Arnold’s tattling and had become more aware of the world around him, he’d been extremely careful not to reveal—or even hint at—his preference for men. It was only trouble waiting to happen.
“Oh, um, okay.”
Sam extricated himself from Aaron who good-naturedly let him loose then swatted his behind.
“Hey!” Sam had tossed it over his shoulder before running up to Linus then grabbing his hand. “Come on. Let’s get your stuff so you’ll be ready.”
Linus allowed Sam to drag him up the couple of steps that led to the front door of the guesthouse. The best thing he’d ever done was let Ned take him to Hampton Road. He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to him—he’d never seen him again since that night. If he did show up again one day however—he had a lot to thank him for.
* * * *
Thomas double checked that the house was tidy and that everything was absolutely perfect for his boy. In his mind he knew he was being silly—Linus didn’t care about that. But he couldn’t help himself
. He was beginning a new life with a man he held a deeper love for than he’d thought was possible.
It was Sunday, so he’d taken the morning to go to the market and purchase some fresh food so they wouldn’t have to leave the house for the rest of the day. There were strawberries, watermelon, corn cobs, cheeses and a couple of steaks. He’d thought it would be nice to make a meal together celebrating their new household as a couple. There were even some teacakes that he’d picked up at the local bakery. He wanted it to be a fun, decadent evening. Of course, Thomas had other plans to enhance the decadent feel of the night.
Convinced he was making himself unnecessarily tense, he picked up the telephone and dialed the operator, asking her to connect him to Aaron’s number. Doing his best to control his excitement and run the risk of being the object of his friend’s ribbing later on, he let him know that he was on his way and requested that Aaron let Linus know.
The drive over was usually quick, but for his final trip to pick up Linus from the guesthouse, it seemed to take forever. The day was perfect—warm, but not swelteringly hot. He smiled to himself. It would be easy to work Linus up into a nice sweat without depleting him entirely. His cock twitched in his trousers. There would be a ribbing from Aaron for sure if he didn’t get himself under control before he arrived at the nursery.
He reached the bottom of the bumpy driveway. Noting that Aaron was nowhere to be seen, he assumed his friend must be up at the guesthouse. Sure enough, as he got closer, he saw that Linus, Sam and Aaron were all standing outside waiting. But he only had eyes for his boy—his beautiful Linus.
The previous few times he’d come to the guesthouse to retrieve his lover, he’d rushed to the car the moment he’d seen Thomas approaching. When Thomas would slow to a stop, Linus would lean in to give him a thorough kiss. But his shy boy stood still, no doubt holding back because of Aaron and Sam’s presence. Thomas wondered how it would go when he brought Linus to the club on Tuesday night. Linus had insisted he was ready, so Thomas didn’t want to discourage him. Whenever Linus showed any resolve, Thomas wanted to support him on it.
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