Vince laughed, “Wouldn’t it be terrible if we were stuck in the city because of bad weather?”
“And I’d have to curl up with you in bed, a roaring fire, and a glass of wine. Yeah,” Martin grinned, “my idea of absolute hell.” He looked skyward, “Come on, God, do your worst. Please, do your worst.” Reaching up, his eyes softened and he cupped his lover’s cheek. “I love you, Vince.”
“Back at cha, Marty.”
Chapter Eight
It was dark when they returned to the villa, but the warmth of the place greeted them as they climbed to the second floor. André met them with kisses and cocktails. He took their coats before escorting them to the country dining room near the kitchen. A fire was burning low in the grate creating the perfect ambience. Vince ran his fingers along the carved marble mantle surrounding the fireplace. He sipped his drink as he stopped in front of a painting that seemed vaguely familiar. Suddenly, he turned to Martin. Eyes wide with disbelief.
“What the hell, Marty? That’s a Van Gogh. The Portrait of Dr. Gachet.”
“I’m surprised you recognize it.” Martin pointed with his drink to the painting. “It’s not one of his best known works, but I like it. I bought it because I didn’t want it to leave Paris.”
Vince turned and wrapped his arm around his lover’s waist, pulling him close and in for a kiss. “Only you would put it in your dining room. Aren’t you worried about someone ripping you off?”
Martin shook his head. “Only my closest friends and business associates have ever been in this room. Most of them think it’s a fake and I don’t tell them otherwise.”
Vince stepped in for a kiss. “So, I’m one of your closest friends now?”
“You are so much more than that.” Martin put his drink on the table then reached up and started to unbutton Vince’s shirt. “I’ve always had a fantasy of fucking another man while he’s leaned over this table.”
A rather forceful cough stopped Martin’s fingers.
“Dinner tonight is best served hot, Martin.” André grinned, before returning to the kitchen.
Vince placed a hand over Martin’s resting it on his chest. “I’m both horny, Marty, and hungry. Unfortunately, that food smells heavenly so hunger is winning.” Vince stepped back and took Martin’s hand, leading the reluctant man toward the far end of the table.
They took turns feeding each other their chef’s version of Beef Bourguignon. The savory, tender beef swam in the portobello mushroom and new onion red wine sauce. Riced, creamy potatoes complimented the winter favorite. A warm, fresh baguette sliced thick made the meal perfection. That was, until André placed a chocolate meringue dessert in front of them.
Vince tasted the dish and his eyes rolled up in his head. “Sorry, Marty. I can’t marry you. André has stolen my heart and my stomach.”
Martin grinned and pointed his knife in André’s direction. “How dare you try to steal my lover with your superior cooking? En gard!” He said with the worst fake French accent ever.
André left the room for a moment before returning with the largest kitchen knife Martin had ever seen. “I scoff at your puny la pine.”
Snickering, Vince turned a deep shade of rosé as Martin frowned, confused. Vince took pity on his lover. “He just insulted your dick, babe.”
Martin looked down at his groin and then at the knife he held in his hand before laughing until he too, was red in the face. “Are you sure you don’t want to come work for me, André?”
The younger man shook his head, “I still hold out hope that Durand and I will stay married, but if not?” He shrugged, not finishing his thought.
The meal ended and dishes cleared before the chef announced coffee would be served in the living room. Both men walked arm in arm to the soft, sienna colored leather couch and waited to be served the last part of their fabulous meal before André said good night to both men and quietly left by the front door.
It wasn’t long before quiet words gave way to passionate kisses and Vince found himself trapped underneath his lover on the couch, naked. One leg was thrown over the back of the couch and the other dropped off the side. His ass lifted up from the leather by a couple of throw pillows as Martin’s mouth sucked his balls. His lover’s tongue probed the puckered rosette as it demanded entrance to his body and breached him. Vince moaned and shifted toward Martin’s strong, wet tongue.
“Please, Marty.” He groaned. His body flushed with his need.
“Please what, Vince?” Martin’s warm breath puffed against his anus.
Vince moaned, throwing an arm across his eyes. “You are the most frustrating man alive, Marty. Get the goddamned lube then fuck me.”
“On the couch or over the back of the couch?” His lover raised his head, grinning.
There was only a small moment of hesitation as Vince considered his options. “Over the back of the couch.”
“Then get up. I’ll be right back.” Martin disappeared upstairs and came back almost immediately with lube in hand. He found Vince with his legs spread wide, leaning over the back of the couch, one hand lazily stroking his massive hard-on.
Martin ran his fingertips down his lover’s spine never pausing as he dropped it into the crack between Vince’s cheeks. Pulling back, he dropped a dollop of lube on his fingers and started prepping his lover who moaned and wiggled his ass encouragingly. “Doris said you liked dick and she didn’t lie.”
Vince glanced back at his lover. “That’s why I want you in me, now, babe. Ride me hard. I feel like I want it rough tonight.”
“Your wish is my command.” He covered cock quickly with lube then pressed the head to the entrance of his lover’s body. He paused only a moment before he shoved his dick into the hilt, balls bouncing against Vince’s ass, causing him to gasp and fight the urge to come.
Vince grunted then ground his ass back into his lover. “Oh, come on, babe. You can do better than that. Impress me.”
Martin pulled all the way out before pounding back in and picking up a grueling pace. Sweat formed on Vince’s back and face as he pushed back against each punishing thrust. He could imagine how his lover’s thighs were feeling because his own were starting to tremble as he held off on giving into his impending orgasm. Vince suddenly pushed up and with one muscular arm pulled Martin to him. Martin bent his legs, lunging up as he wrapped his arms around Vince’s chest, fingers tangling in soft, dark chest hair. Vince tightened his grip on his cock and frantically increased his movement over the hot, solid flesh.
“Don’t stop, Marty. Don’t come yet. Not yet!”
Panting, Martin fought to fulfill his lover’s demand. Sweat streamed off his chest, joining at his groin, and dripping along his tortured thighs. He reached up with one hand, never breaking his punishing rhythm in and out of Vince’s ass, to put a hand around his lover’s throat and squeezed gently. It was a test. He liked a little breath play with his lovers but most shied away from it, but Vince never made a move to pull away.
“More.” Vince croaked out and Martin knew then what his lover needed.
Tightening his grasp, he kept up his movement into Vince. “You want more, Vince? Nod if you do.”
Vince nodded and worked his cock even harder. Martin complied, squeezing tighter. “You, kinky, bastard.” Martin took complete control. “Fuck, yeah!” He could feel his body demanding it’s release. He knew he couldn’t hold out any longer as his balls tightened. “Shit! Come for me, Vinnie, babe. I can’t hold out! It’s too much….” Martin cried out as he felt his lover’s ass tighten suddenly around his cock and his own orgasm followed. A few more strokes and Martin fell onto Vince’s back, breathless.
“Wow!” A voice from the kitchen brought both men quickly back to their senses. They turned to stare at André as he grinned sheepishly. “If that is how Americans make love, I am definitely moving to Boston.”
Both men began to laugh, but neither made any effort to cover their nakedness. Martin clung to this lover’s back as his hands reached around ca
ressing Vince’s wet chest hair. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to have an erection that only Durand can cure.”
Vince laughed, “I’d offer to help you with it, but my lover just fucked me into oblivion.” He lifted a hand and touched his throat. Looking over his shoulder toward Martin, he smiled. “I think you may have left a bruise, babe. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. In fact, you’re the first to go all the way with me.”
Martin pushed back from his lover. His cock slipping from Vince’s body, hot cum spilled down his lover’s thighs. “Well, we did it again, sweetheart. We’ve made one hell of a mess.”
“C’est fou, ça! That’s crazy.” André waved his hand. “Watching you, two. One would think you were young lovers, not….”
“Old?” Vince supplied. He turned and kissed Martin. “Why did you come back?”
“Not to catch you, two, I assure you. No, I left my knives. They never leave my side. You understand, Vince. No?” He cocked his head and looked wistfully at the two man embracing. “Sometimes, I long for a love such as yours.” He sighed. “Ah, well. I am truly off now. I will tell Hemsworth to get the leather cleaned. I’m not sure how cum affects such things.” He started to turn and walk away before glancing back with a broad grin. “Now that Hemsworth, he’s one to consider. If he gave me one look I would leave that cheating bastard I am married to and I would drop to my knees for him.” With a wave, the handsome chef once again left the building.
Vince kissed the man in his arms before drawing back with a smile, “You’re going to talk to Hemsworth, aren’t you?”
Martin smiled, “Oh, hell, yeah.” He moved in for another, more passionate kiss, but it ended abruptly when he started to shiver. “Bed?”
Vince turned toward the stairs and led the way. As they lay together in each other’s arms with Martin snuggling in close to the perpetually warmer Vince, they were silent. Neither seemed sleepy because they both knew that tomorrow all their dirty laundry would be aired. It’s what they had agreed upon. This was the final step toward making a real commitment to one another. Though neither man would admit it to the other, both were a bit frightened that somewhere in their past would be the single deal-breaker that could end this fantasy. Vince pulled his lover a little closer as Martin nuzzled his neck.
“We’ll be alright, Vince. Won’t we?” Martin whispered in his lover’s ear.
Vince thought about all the things he needed to say and there was one in particular that could ruin all of this, but he wanted Martin to hear it from him. He loved the man in his arms more than he cared to admit, but they couldn’t have a love based on lies.
The house was silent and dark. Only the sound of the rhythmic breathing of two lovers disturbed the night.
Chapter Nine
Their lovemaking the next morning was slow and gentle. Nothing was planned for the day except for their talk. Breakfast created by André was delicious and they took their time feeding each other bits of melon and gazing into each other’s eyes. Their chef announced he would be back to prepare a late lunch and there was food in the refrigerator if they felt the need as he slipped out of the kitchen and down the stairs.
“Well?” Martin studied his lover who was nervously playing with the corner of his napkin.
Vince kept his eyes on his fingers and nodded, “Yeah, I guess we should get this over with.” He looked up, “If you want me to leave after you hear about my past, I’ll leave, but just remember this, Marty. I love you. I’m not the man I once was and I suspect you’ve got a bit of history that’s not so nice either. I’ll admit, I’m fucking scared to do this, I know we need to, but I’m still fucking scared.”
Martin reached out and touched Vince’s hand, “We’ve both been on this planet for a while and we’ve made mistakes, hurt some people, and have more regrets than we can count. Trust me, Vince, I just want us to start with a clean slate. No secrets. No lies. There’s nothing you can tell me that will make me want to end this relationship.”
Vince glanced away, “Yeah, hold that thought.” He grimaced. “Well, I guess I may as well start, because anything you say won’t top mine.”
Vince pulled his hand back, crossing his arms protectively over his chest. “They say confession is good for the soul.” He stood and walked over to the window, looking down at the street below. “I hope they’re right.” Vince sighed. He was resigned to tell Martin the truth about his past. He’d never felt compelled to do this with any of his other lovers, not even Avery. He laughed to himself, especially not judgmental, lying Avery. He would’ve used it to blackmail him, but he felt confident that Martin wouldn’t do that, at least he hoped he wouldn’t. He hoped the man he’d fallen for would understand.
“You’d think being rich, having an Ivy league education, and being gay would protect me from my father, but it didn’t.” Vince turned and rested his ass on the edge of the windowsill. He kept his eyes glued to the floor, unable to look Martin in the eyes. “I was the heir apparent to the Pirelli throne. When my father was gone, I was supposed to be the head of the family.” He paused, stubbing the toe of his shoes against the wood. “And I don’t mean to just Gio and my sisters, understand? I was twenty-five and had completed my MBA when I got caught, literally, with my pants down at my father’s office. My lover was one of the guys who handled some of the legit business for PWM. We thought we were alone. I was working late with him and he came on strong. I liked it and when he bent me over to fuck me, I thought it would be fun and it was, until my father showed up with two of his guys unexpectedly. The things my father said to me.”
Vince shook his head. “I was immediately demoted and Gio was brought in. He wasn’t doing that great in school anyway. One day my father called me into the office and four of his enforcers were there. He told me he had a job for me. He said I was big enough to be intimidating and that I was smart. I was to take the guys and get a reluctant businessman to sign a contract. He wouldn’t tell me what was in the contract. He made it very clear, I wasn’t to take ‘no’ for an answer. That I was to use any means necessary, except I couldn’t break his right hand because he’d need it to sign the contract.”
Vince glanced up at Martin who was concentrating on his coffee. “Didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what I was supposed to do. I knew what an enforcer was. I knew how my father used them and he wanted me to be one. I also knew what happened to people who told my father ‘no’ and that included me. To say I was terrified was an understatement, but I couldn’t show that on my face. I was already a useless faggot in my father’s eyes. Only reason he tolerated me was because my mother begged him to, but he couldn’t be seen as weak, so his queer son had to be as tough as he was or else.”
Vince returned to his chair and rested his hands on the table, “I went to the man’s home with the boys. Of course, he had to be an arrogant bastard, so I punched him. Broke his nose right off. A few more gut punches and he started to cry. The whole time I couldn’t show anything on my face. With the way the boys were looking at me, I knew they had their orders. If I failed, I disappeared.” Vince tapped his index finger on the table creating a nervous tattoo. “Eventually, I got him to sign and we went back to my father’s office. It was after midnight, but Dad and Gio were there. I remember I threw the contract on his desk. There were blood smears on the paper, but I didn’t care. I knew what he was trying to train me to do and I knew I couldn’t do it. I knew this wouldn’t be the last and it was only a matter of time before he put a gun in my hand and told me to kill someone.”
Vince shook his head and swallowed hard, “I had to make a decision that I knew would cost me my life. I told my father no. I told him I wouldn’t be his enforcer. He had his guys kick my knees out from under me and shove me down, then he handed Gio a gun. He told me I was useless to him. I was a disgrace. I had disgraced the family name. That he couldn’t stand to look at me. He told Gio to shoot me in the head. It was the only time I ever saw Gio hesitate, but he fo
rced back the slide on the Glock and loaded a bullet in the chamber, then he put the muzzle of the gun to my head. I knew he’d do it because he didn’t have a choice, so I asked him a favor. I asked that he make certain my little girl was well taken care of and that Mom would never know what happened.”
Vince’s voice trembled and his eyes filled with tears. “Gio promised me he would. I could feel his hand shake as he slowly pulled the trigger. I could hear the catch in his voice when he made his promise and I told him that I forgave him for what he was about to do. Suddenly, the gun discharged right next to my ear.” Vince snickered but there was no humor in it. “That’s why I’m hard of hearing on the left side. My father had stepped in and knocked the gun upward so the bullet imbedded itself into the crown molding in his office. You can see it there to this day. I think Gio left it when he remodeled my father’s office because it reminds him that sometimes there is a limit to what you should do.”
Vince sighed, “That was the last time I stepped foot in my father’s office until after he died. On his deathbed, he still called me a faggot, but he said I was the bravest pansy he’d ever seen. His words, not mine. The rest is small potatoes. I have a temper, Marty. I punched my fist through a few walls in my day. I’ve gotten into bar fights, but once I almost hit Jess when she was a teenager and that’s when I went to counselling. Like the other day, I don’t argue anymore. When I’m angry, I walk away. If I walk away, don’t run after me. Capiche?”
Martin nodded his head. “Any more you need to tell me?”
“I’ve never killed anyone. I’ve fucked around a lot, but when I commit to someone I am monogamous. Even with Avery, I never cheated. I might look but you’ll never find me with some guy’s dick up my ass or in my mouth, ever! My only real sin is that I’m a proud man. You’ve already seen some of that. Moneywise, if we get together, if we marry, then we’ll have to talk further. Jess and Jilly are my lines in the sand that I won’t allow anyone to cross. If you ask me to choose between them and you. I’ll tell you up front, you’ll lose. I’ve had guys in the past who I really cared about who asked me to choose because they didn’t want to be weighed down by my kid, I had to tell them to leave.” Vince took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, “So there, any questions?”
Songs of Love : Books 1-3 Page 26