by Kiru Taye
His hand tingled, and he experienced weightlessness driven by pure joy.
He was walking down the street, hand-locked with Ethan.
In just one day, Ethan had made two of his lifelong wishes come true.
He’d been introduced as someone other than just a ‘friend’ today, and now he was holding hands with a man in full public view.
Adrenaline rushed through his veins and he stopped.
Ethan stopped with him. “What’s wrong?”
James shook his head, grinning like a fool. “Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to say thank you and do this.”
He pressed his lips to Ethan’s in a quick kiss on the pavement as people walked past them.
Ethan’s eyes sparkled when James pulled back.
“What was that for?” Ethan asked.
“You made two of my wishes come true today. I’d always wanted to be introduced as something other than a friend or brother or son. Today, you introduced me to your wife as your other half, then you held my hand in public, and thirdly, you just allowed me to kiss you in public, all in one day.”
“I aim to please.” Ethan tugged his hand so they could continue walking. “Do you have many more things on your wish list?”
“A few,” James said coyly.
“Are you going to tell me about them?” Ethan glanced at him, brow raised.
“Maybe some other time. I just want to bask in the fulfilled wishes for now,” James said. Not to mention he didn’t want to sound pathetic for wishing for someone to love him alone and keep him for the rest of his life.
He didn’t want to ruin his good mood by remembering all the things he couldn’t have.
They walked back to the hotel, which was a couple of streets away. There weren’t as many revellers as had been out on previous nights.
James didn’t care with the euphoria dancing in his veins. The world seemed a better place tonight. He would swear he saw stars in the sky, although he probably imagined them.
“Mr. Eze, some parcels arrived for you,” the girl at the reception desk said, before she walked to the back office and came back out with two medium-sized boxes.
“Thank you,” Ethan said and took the boxes.
James’s body perked up and he tilted his head to the side, examining the parcels.
“Can I carry them for you?” James asked, curiosity getting the better of him. He wanted to shake the boxes to see if anything rattled.
“I’ll be fine,” Ethan said with a wink as they strode to the lifts.
James pressed the button. “What’s inside the boxes?”
Ethan shook his head and chuckled as if he knew James couldn’t help himself. “You’ll find out soon enough, firefly.”
That had to be a clue.
James’s breath hitched and his pulse accelerated.
The items in the boxes had to be for him. Had Ethan bought him some gifts?
Now he couldn’t wait to get into their suite. He could barely keep still when they entered the lift and rode up the floors.
When the lift pinged, he hurried out and down the corridor, popping the door and holding it open for Ethan to walk through.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Ethan said, “Strip.”
He strode to the desk and placed the boxes on the top.
Dazed, it took James a few seconds to process the command.
“Do I need to repeat myself, firefly?” Ethan said.
“No, Sir,” James replied, and started unbuttoning his shirt as he toed his shoes off. He hadn’t thought they would get to this part of the night so quickly after getting back to the hotel.
He’d thought Ethan would want to talk, perhaps watch some TV before he was permitted to jack off.
Ethan was constantly surprising him.
He tugged his shirt off, placing it on the arm of the sofa before unhooking his belt and trousers. Then he shoved the pair down and kicked them off. He folded the clothing and kept them on the arm of the sofa. His shoes, he placed at the side of the chair. He didn’t think he was permitted to take them into his room yet.
He kept his briefs on, a little self-conscious that he was the only one in a state of undress. Usually, when he’d had sex with Kezie, they took their clothes off at the same time, or at least they were both partially undressed.
Ethan stayed by the desk, opening and unpacking the items from the box, his back to James.
From where he stood, James couldn’t see the items. Curious, he took two steps before Ethan turned around.
Ethan’s brows were arched. “I told you to strip.”
“I—I thought you wouldn’t want everything gone.” Damn, sometimes the man made him nervous with that stern look of his.
“You do make a lot of assumptions, boy.” Ethan’s voice stayed sharp. “Now, unless you’d rather do a plank, you’ll obey my order.”
At the mention of planking, James was shoving his briefs down and tossing them onto the pile of his clothes.
When he stood, his body trembled, his anxiety returning.
Ethan walked towards him and circled him, as if inspecting his body.
James held his breath, wondering if the sight of his naked body repulsed Ethan. The man hadn’t made any sexual overtures towards him.
James’s back prickled, and he was electrified as the man’s palms stroked down his shoulders and arms. Ethan’s touch was that of a lover, seductive and arousing, even reverent.
And his voice when he spoke was filled with husky awe. “Damn, you’re beautiful, firefly.”
James’s breath hitched. He shook his head. He couldn’t believe those words. Wouldn’t believe them.
Ethan had to be kidding. Perhaps he thought James wanted praise.
He did. But not a lie.
He squeezed his eyes shut as emotions swamped him, and a lump lodged in his throat.
“Don’t lie to me... Sir.” His voice choked.
Instantly, Ethan’s heat disappeared from his back.
He regretted speaking because he suddenly wanted Ethan’s touch more than he wanted the truth.
“Look at me, boy.”
As usual, something in Ethan’s voice made James obey the order.
His eyes fluttered open and he found Ethan standing in front of him. He didn’t look up, focusing instead on the man’s leather shoes. He felt a little listless.
“Eyes up here.” Ethan’s voice had an edge to it.
He lifted his gaze, biting his bottom lip.
“Firefly,” Ethan continued. “I accept there are things I need to work through, but good or bad, I’ll never lie to you.”
“I’m sorry,” James sighed. “It’s just that sometimes I have so much going on in my head.”
“I understand, and that’s why I’m here. As your Sir, I’m here to carry you, emotionally, physically, mentally, financially, everything.”
“Everything?” James’s heart rate picked up again. He’d never had that kind of commitment from a lover before.
“Everything. Remember the other day I told you I’d be here to catch you if you fall?”
James nodded.
“I meant it. It’s my responsibility to take care of you, however you need me. This means I want to take your fear away. I want to make your wishes come true where I can. That’s my job. If something is bugging you, just talk to me and we’ll find a solution.”
“But if you’re doing all these things for me, what am I doing for you?”
“I get you. One hundred percent. Having you as my boy is what I’ve wanted from the first time I saw you, and you’re fulfilling that wish.”
“You want me?”
“Yes. You are sweet, and fun, and affectionate. I haven’t felt this strong a desire in a long time. But you brought it out, and each moment I spend with you the desire grows stronger.”
James’s body trembled.
Ethan’s words called to him in the most intimate way, to a side of him he never knew he could express openly.
He’d watched his brother’s interactions with his wife. Seen the way they were attuned to each other’s needs, and admired the depth of their awareness of each other.
Watching their devotion to one another had inspired cravings within James.
Would he ever meet a man who would be as devoted to him in a similar way?
Yet here was Ethan offering him something similar. Why did it have to be only for a short while?
He became overwhelmed, and closed his eyes as tears clogged his throat.
“Don’t hide from me, firefly,” Ethan said tenderly.
James didn’t want to hide. Not from this man. He opened his eyes, saw the compassion in Ethan's and his wide-open arms.
James unravelled, tears blurring his vision. He stepped forward into Ethan’s embrace.
The man wrapped his arms around James, who buried his face in Ethan’s neck. Sobbing, he gripped Ethan’s shirt tight as if holding onto a lifeline. He’d never wanted to hold onto a man the way he was holding onto Ethan, afraid that if he let go, Ethan and his offer would disappear.
Ethan had switched on something inside James, something that had been dormant but had always been a part of him.
Slowly, he calmed. They stayed like that as the seconds ticked away into minutes. James sucked in deep shuddering breaths, taking in Ethan’s masculine scent as the man’s strength enveloped him.
Being in the man’s arms was a stimulant; the man himself was intoxicating.
James wanted him, in all the ways it was possible to have him—taste, touch and more. He wanted to drown in all the sensual possibility that was Ethan.
He loosened his grip on Ethan’s shirt, tentatively stroking his palm down the man’s back, his fingers running over hard planes of muscles.
Ethan leaned back. “Are you feeling better, firefly?”
“Yes.” James swallowed. “Yes, Sir.”
“It’s been an emotional day for you and I don’t want to overwhelm you tonight.” Ethan glanced down to James’s obvious erection. Being in the man’s arms had aroused him again. “So, I’m going to let you have the orgasm I promised you. Would you like that?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Two things happened that James wasn’t expecting.
First, Ethan grabbed his nape with his left hand and kissed him.
Not the quick kisses that James had experienced before, but one filled with passion.
Ethan’s tongue breached James’s lips and ravaged his depth.
At the same time, Ethan’s callused palm covered James’s dick as the man gripped him and started stroking.
James gasped, his breath caught in his throat as he was overloaded with sensation. Heat swarmed his skin and tingles raced along his nerve endings. He’d never felt such intensity, and he couldn’t help thrusting his hips against Ethan’s grip.
Ethan extended his kiss to James’s neck, nibbling and sucking on his skin, heightening James’s awareness.
James gasped again, struggling to get air into his lungs. “Oh God, I’m so close.”
If Ethan didn’t stop, James would shoot cum all over the man.
“Please, Sir. Stop,” James cried, afraid he would ruin Ethan’s clothes.
“If you really want me to stop, use your safe word, firefly.” Ethan’s mouth roamed James’s collar. His free hand held his hip, while the other continued stroking his cock, driving James insane.
James didn’t want the man to stop. Not when he was so close. His body trembled as he tried to hold back. He remembered that Ethan said he couldn’t come without permission.
Ethan bit down on his shoulder.
The base of James’s spine tingled. “Sir, please.”
“Do you want to come, firefly?” Ethan asked before nibbling James’s earlobe.
“Yes, please, Sir,” James gasped out.
Ethan stroked him once, twice, and then said, “Now, firefly.”
Ethan kept stroking him and James let go, his hips jerking as he came hard enough that black spots formed in his vision. His legs couldn’t hold him and he swayed.
Like he promised, Ethan was there to catch him. The man held him and carried him over to the sofa. He sat on Ethan’s lap as the man stroked his back gently until he’d caught his breath.
They stayed there for a couple of minutes, until Ethan asked, “Can you stand?”
“Yes. I think so,” James replied, still feeling a little hazy.
“Okay. Let’s get you cleaned and into bed.” Ethan helped him up.
Chapter Twenty-One
James floated on a post-orgasmic cloud.
He was aware of Ethan’s right arm braced around his shoulders as the man steered him towards the bedroom.
James curled his arms around the big guy, head against chest.
The cotton fabric of Ethan’s shirt chafed against his skin just as the pile of the carpet grazed the soles of his feet.
He didn’t care. His body was just hyper-sensitive, making him even more aware of the man who held him in his arms.
He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Ethan has jacked him to climax. He’d been blown before but never quite like this. Although, technically, Ethan hadn’t used his mouth on James’s dick.
But the orgasm was one he had never experienced before, the intensity and afterglow still making him high.
They walked across the bedroom into the en suite.
Ethan lowered the cover of the WC and said, “Sit.”
James didn’t hesitate to obey, turning to face Ethan.
The man pulled his shirt out of the trousers and undid the buttons before tugging it over his head. Underneath, he wore a white vest. He tossed the semen-smeared garment on the floor.
But James still got a peek of the tattoos that decorated the man’s arms. His mouth salivated with the idea of seeing a fully naked Ethan.
Was that even on the cards? Would he be comfortable going skin-to-skin with James?
“I'm going to get your toothbrush. I presume it’s in your bathroom.”
Ethan’s words pulled James out of his thoughts, and he blinked a few times before they sank in.
“Oh... Yes.” It only just occurred to him that he was in Ethan’s room and en suite. “I can go and get it.”
“No. I’ll get it. Stay where you are.”
Ethan walked out of the bathroom.
James didn’t move, head tilted against the cool wall tiles.
What was Ethan’s plan? Was he going to let James shower here? Would he let James sleep in his bed, which would be a wonderful culmination to a fantastic day so far?
James didn’t want to hope too much, in case it didn’t come to pass.
“There you go,” Ethan said as he walked through the door.
He’d brought James’s toothbrush as well as an extra clean towel.
James took the toothbrush and spread minty paste on it before brushing his teeth.
Meanwhile, he watched Ethan through the mirror over the sink as the man removed the rest of his clothes. He paused halfway through brushing as more of Ethan’s bare skin came into view.
Damn, the man was hot in the flesh. His skin was lighter than James’s, more a caramel to James’s dark chocolate. And the black tribal markings gave his muscular body a fierce warrior appearance.
James’s cock pulsed to life and the toothpaste splashed on his chest. He wiped the stain and finished quickly, just as Ethan removed his trousers. The man kept his boxer briefs on.
Shame.
James could still see the outline of his dick through the stretchy fabric.
The man was loaded.
James’s ass clenched at the thought of having Ethan inside him, another item on his rapidly growing wish list.
Ethan pushed the door of the large shower enclosure and turned the faucet. Water rained down from the large showerhead and beat against the ribbed bottom tray, flowing into the plughole.
“Get in there,” Ethan said as he strode over to the sink.
James
put his toothbrush down on the counter and walked under the warm spray.
He would’ve loved to shower together with Ethan but he didn’t push his luck. He was happy to be sharing the same space.
He pumped shower gel into his hand and turned so he could see Ethan before massaging lather onto his skin. He was rinsing off the suds when Ethan finished brushing his teeth.
He contemplated staying under the water for longer in the hope that the man would join him.
Ethan reached for the towel and spread it open. “Come on out.”
Oh, well.
James’s disappointment vanished as Ethan rubbed his skin dry with the towel in a gentle manner.
James was beginning to believe that when the man had said he would take care of James, he’d actually meant it.
Afterwards, Ethan instructed, “Go and lie down on the bed. I’ll be out shortly.”
“Do you mean your bed?” James asked, wanting to be sure.
“Yes. I want my boy in my bed,” Ethan grinned.
James’s heart leapt and he couldn't help smiling. “Yes, Sir. I’ll be waiting.”
His footsteps bounced as he walked out of the bathroom and across the room to the bed.
Somehow, this one was special. It was Ethan’s bed. The man had been sleeping on it for the past few days, and now James would be sharing it.
His heart raced with anticipation. He tugged the edge of the tightly made bed, then stopped.
Which side did Ethan sleep on? He couldn't guess, as nothing on the cleared side tables gave any indications. But there was a bottle of water and a glass on the table at the far end.
He shrugged and continued pulling out one side of the covers. Since Ethan didn’t specify a side, he guessed it didn’t matter.
He crawled under the sheet and lay on his back, head to pillows so he could see Ethan come out. The sheets were cool and crisp against his hot skin as excitement skittered in his veins.
He lay in Ethan’s bed.
When he’d boarded the plane to London, he hadn’t thought this would become a reality.
Minutes later, Ethan stepped into the bedroom.
James’s breath locked in his throat at the sight of the man.
Drops of water glistened on Ethan’s caramel skin, contrasting with the dark ink artwork on display. Muscles rippled across his biceps and washboard abs as the man moved, and his legs looked as sturdy as tree trunks.