by Tinnean
“Just a minute,” Eli said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a substantial gold men’s bracelet. Elijah secured it delicately around his wrist. Will watched him. His hands were strong and wide, yet soft and gentle against his wrist. Their eyes met for a moment, and something passed between them. Something was there, a connection, the truth, reality as he hoped it would be. It was gone as quickly as it appeared. Will lowered his eyes and stared at the metal gleaming so brightly against his skin.
“My gift to you,” Eli whispered against his skin as he pulled Will in for a loving kiss.
“I can’t accept this, it’s too much,” Will answered in a corresponding whisper. The air in the room seemed suddenly so charged that they dared not speak too loudly for fear that something might break. Will could feel it on him and within him. What is happening to me? With great effort, he forced his mind away from the touch of Eli’s hands on his body and his lips on his cheek, and focused on his own heartbeat. Since when did control become such a difficult thing for me to maintain, he thought, as their eyes met once again.
“It’s yours,” Eli stated brusquely, turning Will back to face him. “I’m not trying to buy you.” His eyes devoured Will’s as he added, “If I were, I assure you, I would have purchased much more than a simple bracelet.” If Will were any other man, he speculated, he could have easily secured his undying affection with just a glance at his checkbook. Although, if Will were any other man, he wouldn’t love him the way he did. Elijah put Will’s arm in his and ushered him out of the room and down to the front hall.
Will felt like a prince as they descended the stairway together arm in arm. He loved every minute of it despite himself.
Before reaching the front door, they heard a loud whistle from behind them. They turned to see Martin standing near the stairs. “Wow, don’t you two clean up well.” He laughed. “I heard rumors about a date tonight,” he teased and walked over to get a better look at the both of them. “You look very nice, William,” Martin said, smiling.
“Yes, he does,” Elijah interjected.
“Don’t keep him out too late, brother.” Martin cast a warm knowing look at Elijah, who returned it in kind. “Run along, you two. Have a good time,” he joked.
“We will,” Elijah assured him.
Martin watched and waved as they drove away. He couldn’t believe what he’d just witnessed. He’d heard the gossip about this date, but just assumed it wasn’t true. He couldn’t remember the last time Elijah had gone on a date. But here he was, dressed to the nines and taking William out for dinner and dancing. He laughed aloud. He was very happy for his brother. Elijah deserved this; he deserved William.
THIS WAS the first time Will had ridden in the sleek black sports car, the one Elijah had been driving the first time they had met. That was a little more than three weeks ago, and yet it seemed so much longer. During the drive to town, Elijah questioned Will with regard to his opinion of his accounting methods.
“From what I saw,” Will began, “you don’t need my help, you don’t need anyone.”
“That’s not entirely true,” he muttered under his breath and then stated, “would you review last year’s tax records for me, just the ranch itself?”
“That is still quite a large undertaking. I doubt I’ll be here long enough to finish it.” He was surprised again by Eli’s openness with him with regard to his businesses. He hoped it was a compliment to his professional integrity and not a trap.
“Is that a yes or no?” He always cut to the bone. He wanted an answer he could quantify and understand.
“Yes,” he answered without really thinking. By saying yes, did he agree to finish the project whether or not Saturday was long enough? “What if I can’t finish it by Saturday?” He, too, needed clarification.
“Then you will stay longer.” He looked pleased, but he wasn’t laughing.
“I’ll finish it by Saturday,” Will declared, without humor.
They pulled up to a nice restaurant, and Eli quickly rounded the car to assist Will from his seat. Placing his hand on Will’s lower back, he escorted him inside. It was an elegant eating establishment, and it appeared that they were expected. Without a word, the waiter escorted them to a candlelit table in the far corner. Elijah held Will’s chair as he sat down.
“Thank you,” he said automatically and made himself comfortable, as Eli seated himself directly across from him.
“You’re welcome.” They started with wine and appetizers and went from there into a wonderfully delicious steak dinner. Elijah was pleased to see that Will’s appetite had returned. He’d eaten so little in the past few days that Eli had begun to worry.
They spoke of many things throughout their meal. Everything from movies to politics was discussed. Will noticed that Eli seemed to be interested in everything he said. He can be quite the gentleman when he chooses, he decided.
“What breed is your dog?” Eli asked offhandedly. “When I called you that first time I heard a dog barking in the background.”
“He’s a Labrador. His name is Todd.” Will was proud of his dog, even if he wasn’t the brightest of animals.
“Who is caring for him while you are away?” It seemed like an innocent inquiry, but there was an undercurrent to it. Will didn’t pick up on it, but Eli was fishing for details as to his personal life at Whitefish Point.
Will supplied the information. “My neighbor, Mrs. Gwyn; she’s a real nice lady. I really don’t know her very well, but she and Todd get along great. She offered to care for him, so I took her up on it.”
“Anyone in Whitefish Point that you are particularly missing, besides Todd?” Eli asked, once again digging for information
“No, not really; I have a few friends, but they’re not close.” His answer seemed to please Eli greatly; Will didn’t miss the look of satisfaction that flared in his eyes.
“There are many people at the ranch who will miss you if you leave,” Eli said and gripped Will’s hand.
“When I leave, you mean,” Will corrected.
“I meant what I said.” Elijah stood up abruptly and pulled Will to his feet. “Shall we?” He changed the subject. The music had begun, and it was a slow tune. He looked forward to holding Will close.
“I’m a very poor dancer,” Will confessed.
“Just follow me,” Eli whispered in his ear as his arm went around him. He was an excellent dancer and held Will tightly to him as he guided him across the floor. They were the center of attention, although everyone tried to pretend like they weren’t watching them. Elijah Hunter had never been to this restaurant before. He was a man that the locals knew, but very rarely saw. One patron even theorized that perhaps it wasn’t really Elijah Hunter, but it was pointed out that Elijah Hunter had made the reservation himself. He had requested all the extras: the candles, the music, the private table, and he’d used Elijah’s credit card, so it had to be him.
If Will had pulled the entire evening out of his love-starved daydreams, their date could not have been any more wonderful and perfect, and Elijah could not have been any more attentive and loving. It was close to midnight when they began their drive home. They were nearly there when Elijah suddenly turned off onto a narrow two-lane road.
“Where are we going?” Will asked, feeling anxious, but not afraid.
“I want to show you something.” There was a hint of excitement in Eli’s voice that Will responded to with a big smile. They drove through some dense areas of trees before they finally crested a high overlook with a rather steep, rocky drop-off. Elijah helped Will from his seat and led him to the front of the car. He sat back onto the hood and pulled Will down, so that he leaned back on his lap. “Look at that,” Eli said and wrapped his arms around him. Will looked out over the ranch. This aerial view was beautiful. It showed the layout of the gardens, the homes, corrals, and stables, and everything was bathed in a light amber glow.
“It is my whole life.” Eli paused to kiss Will’s throat and then his ear. “And I
want to share it with you.” He paused a moment and then continued, “I know you don’t trust me, but I swear to you this is not a test, it’s not a joke, and it’s not a trap. I love you, William, and I want you to stay here and be a part of my life. On Friday, I’m going to ask you to marry me again, and this time, I want a real answer.” Eli hugged him securely to him, as they sat watching the lights and the stars.
Will said nothing. He decided to enjoy the night air, the quiet, and he just leaned back against him. Elijah didn’t press him for any response. They sat there like that for at least an hour, just listening to the night and holding each other.
That night, in his bed, Will thought back over the entire evening. He’d never been on a date before that was so perfect. If only it was real, if only Elijah really loved him, and if only his proposal were true. As much as he missed his home and Todd, he knew that leaving here would be difficult. He liked the ranch, he liked the people here, and he loved Elijah. What would he do to me if he knew that I love him? He pondered the question. The more he thought, the more his mind considered all the negative possibilities. Will contemplated all the humiliating things Eli could do to him. The more he thought, the more frightened he became. Gone was the bliss and contentment of their date, and in its place was speculation and distrust.
Will sat up and nervously ran his hands through his hair. It was just past three in the morning. He wanted to go for a walk, but knew it wasn’t possible without waking someone. As he got out of bed, he accidentally jarred the bedside table with his foot, and the lamp came crashing to the floor. “I am such a klutz,” he scolded himself as he carefully began cleaning up the debris.
Elijah knocked once and then entered. “Are you okay?” he asked and then bent over Will to see what he was doing.
“Careful,” Will cautioned him, in case he might step on a piece of glass. “I broke your lamp. I’m sorry, I’ll pay for it.”
Eli took him by the wrist and brought him swiftly to his feet. He then, in one quick motion, scooped Will up into his arms and carried him out of the room. Will was too stunned to react. Never in my life have I been manhandled so much. What am I, a china doll? He must be stronger than I thought if he can carry me around like this all the time. Talk about a gentlemen, I feel like I’m in some sort of Harlequin novel. Any minute now I’m going to be on a fainting couch after succumbing to the vapors.
“There are too many small shards,” Eli explained. “You’ll stay with me in my room tonight. You could be too easily injured in there. I’ll have it thoroughly cleaned in the morning.” Without waiting for a response, he carried Will into his room and gently deposited him on his bed. There were other rooms made up and available, but he didn’t want Will too far away from him. He’d given him the room next to his because he wanted to keep an eye on his activities, but now he simply wanted to keep Will close. This gave him an excuse to hold him all night. It would give him the opportunity to show Will that he could be trusted.
Will had never been in Eli’s room before, and certainly never in Eli’s bed. He looked around and saw a very uncluttered, masculine room. No mirrors, no trinkets or wall hangings, just the necessities. Will had assumed that Eli would have a king-size bed, but he didn’t. His bed was just a little larger than a single, but long. It felt odd being here on his bed. “I’m sure I’d be fine in my own room,” he insisted. “I’ll be sure and not walk around that side of the bed. I’ll be careful.” He was feeling panicky. How can I lay with him here, in his bed, all night without giving in to my desire? That was too much to ask.
“Glass can travel easily on hardwood floors,” he said dryly. “There are probably small pieces all over the room.”
Guilt hit him then. I probably damaged the floor too. He was thinking this as he blurted, “I’m really sorry. I’ll pay for all the damage.”
“You’ll pay for nothing,” Eli said and got into the bed beside him. “The lamp is of no importance.” Elijah pulled Will down next to him and covered them both with the comforter. “Try to sleep now,” he whispered and kissed his forehead before cradling Will’s head on his bare chest and pulling him snugly to him.
The bed was too small to venture too far away, but then, as dangerous as it was, Will enjoyed the feel of Elijah beneath him and around him. Eli made him feel secure and protected.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Will asked, his voice muffled against Eli. He felt rather than heard him chuckle. “It’s okay,” Eli whispered back.
Will gradually relaxed and then fell into a deep slumber. Elijah, on the other hand, was acutely aware of him, and it took him a long time to drift off to sleep. He’d never shared this bed with anyone before, but after this night, he decided he never wanted to sleep in it alone again. He was pleased that Will fell asleep so easily in his arms and in his bed. He is beginning to trust me, he thought. Will felt something for him, Eli could feel it, he was simply too afraid to admit his feelings. Even if he couldn’t love him, at this point Eli would gladly accept any crumb he would throw. He did desire him and much could be built upon that. In time, perhaps…. His thoughts drifted to the touch of Will’s body lying against him, and he fell into a restless sleep.
ELIJAH WAS up, as usual, at 5:00 a.m., but he told Will to stay in bed and relax for a while longer. No need for him to get up so early, he urged. He took a shower and got dressed right there in front of him. Will was impressed with what he saw. In their sexual encounters, Will hadn’t had the chance to appreciate Elijah’s form, and he was amazed at what he saw. Will assumed Eli thought he was sleeping, but actually Elijah knew he was watching him, and he enjoyed it. He could usually shower and dress in approximately fifteen minutes, but this morning it took him nearly thirty minutes. Before he left the room, he walked over to Will and, bending down, kissed him softly on the lips.
“I’ll see you in the kitchen about seven.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and kissed him again. This time, his arms went around Will and gathered him up against him. The kiss lingered and teased until finally, Will put his arms around Eli’s neck and joined in the kiss. “Now that’s better,” he joked. Elijah let his eyes travel Will’s face over and over again, as he smoothed Will’s hair back from his face. “I’ll get your clothes from your room so you can shower and dress in here.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Eli laid him back down on the pillows and tucked the comforter up around him before leaving.
Elijah marveled at the fact that he couldn’t seem to get enough of Will. He was never the type of man who cared much for kissing and touching. He never thought much about closeness or romance; before meeting Will, he didn’t even believe in romantic love. It was a dream, a fairytale for lonely individuals who longed to have something in their lives. Romantic love existed only in books and movies, not in reality. He was thirty-four years old, and he’d known many men in the past, but there wasn’t one of them that he’d ever wanted to stay. Not one had ever touched him beyond the physical. He admitted he’d treated most of them pretty badly, and never had he imagined the day would come when he would be willing to get on his knees and beg a man to please stay with him, to please love him. Now here he was, hip-deep in a love so overpowering and terrifying, yet fantastic and incredible at the same time. He ached every time he looked at Will. He laughed at himself. He knew now, as he knew that very first day, he could not lose him. He would do, he would give, and he would become whatever it took to keep Will.
WILL GOT up soon after Eli had brought in his clothing; the warmth and security he had felt in the room left when Eli did. Now he felt strange and uncomfortable there among Eli’s things. He felt like an intruder. After his shower, while getting dressed, he wondered about what people would think if they discovered he’d spent the night with Elijah. Nothing happened, he was a perfect gentleman, but who would believe that? He wouldn’t even believe it, and he was there. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into Eli’s trap.
“Two days,” he reminded himself aloud
, but it didn’t bring the relief that he’d hoped for. Instead, it brought regret and a touch of disappointment. Will decided not to analyze the feeling and pushed it aside as well as he could. Even his denial skills seemed to be getting rusty. Where Elijah was concerned, he had very few defenses left.
Will quietly left Eli’s room, checking to make sure no one was in the hallway as he did so. He then slipped into his own room, cautious of the glass. Will needed to call Katrina and thought that his room would give him the most privacy.
“He completely let me off the hook,” Katrina shrieked. “I am so relieved. What have you done to him?” She giggled. “He seems almost human.”
Will’s stomach began to knot. “When did he call you?”
“Yesterday. I thought that was why you were calling.” Katrina’s giggles subsided.
“What, exactly, did he say to you?”
“He said that I need not return. That you were staying, and he was not going to hold me to the contract,” Katrina told him and then added, “He is so in love with you, William. Can’t you see it?”
“No, I can’t,” he burst out. “He doesn’t love me. How could he? There’s got to be something else going on here.” Will contemplated this new information as they both fell silent for a moment. “Have you ever heard of a man by the name of John Gerard?” Will decided to ask.
“Only once.” Katrina paused to try and remember the circumstances. “I heard a couple of the ranch hands talking together. They didn’t know I was there. They said something like, ‘if Katrina doesn’t watch herself, she’s going to end up even worse than John’. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and at the time, I didn’t care.”
A chill washed over Will, and he shivered. It really happened. It wasn’t just a story made up by John to taunt him. He needed to find out more about what had happened with John. Perhaps Kathy could tell him more?
“What’s going on, Will?” Katrina insisted.