Evrain found clean sheets and blankets in the linen cupboard. He wiped off the layer of dust on the furniture in the master bedroom, then made up the bed. Much as he would have enjoyed a snuggle session with Dominic, he wouldn’t presume that Dominic would be prepared to take the next step just yet, if ever. He still had to come to terms with the whole warlock thing and that might take a while.
Evrain turned on the central heating and gave the bathroom a quick wipe-over. Four weeks’ worth of dust lay over everything but it didn’t take long to clean up. Aggie had a glorious, claw-footed tub that he couldn’t wait to try out. A soak in the bath would have to wait for a while, though—there was a bit more exploration to complete first.
Downstairs was one huge open-plan space and would take a bit more effort to clean. That could wait. He investigated the freezer, which proved to be well stocked, and extracted a plastic tub of frozen stew to heat on the stove. For tonight, they could manage with what was at the cabin. There were plenty of tins in the cupboards and one night without fresh produce wouldn’t kill them.
It was seven o’clock when Evrain detected the sounds of stirring from upstairs. Dominic had slept for about three hours. Evrain loaded up a tray with bowls of stew, a couple of forks and mugs of tea. Fresh bread to go with the stew would have been nice. He wondered if Dominic knew how to bake. He headed for the guest room. He pushed open the door with his ass and reversed into the room, then rotated and almost dropped the tray. Dominic was sitting up in bed, bare-chested, hair tousled from sleep, blue eyes blinking in confusion. To Evrain he looked young, vulnerable and incredibly desirable. Evrain’s heart beat just a little faster as he was rewarded with a shy, tentative smile. He bent to put the tray on the edge of the bed, then held out one of the bowls and a fork to Dominic.
“This is stew. It’s not poisoned. Eye of newt and tongue of bat were not involved in its construction, at least I don’t think so—I got it out of the freezer. So eat it while it’s hot.”
Dominic took the bowl and obediently spooned some of the savory dish into his mouth.
“It’s great. Thank you, I’m starving.”
Evrain grunted. “It’s early evening—you didn’t get lunch.” He placed the mugs of tea on the bedside table, careful to put them on a mat to avoid marking the wood. He shifted the tray onto the floor, then made himself comfortable at the end of the bed. He began to eat his own meal and took the opportunity to steal another glance at Dominic. Dark red hair flickered copper in the light of the one small lamp and Dominic’s eyes seemed to gleam from within, like sapphires. The beginnings of stubble shadowed his jaw and upper lip, and Evrain wondered what it would feel like grazing his own sensitive skin. Dominic had a sharp, aquiline nose and a tiny birthmark, shaped like a star, high on one cheekbone.
Suddenly he realized that Dominic was staring right back at him.
“I can see a lot of Aggie in you, she must have been a great beauty in her youth,” Dominic said. He ducked his head as if realizing that he had unintentionally complimented Evrain as well as his grandmother.
“Thank you. So you can see past what I am, Dominic. Just a man, not a monster?”
Dominic’s lashes fluttered. He took another spoonful of stew, chewed then swallowed. “I see a mystery. A man, but something else, something I don’t understand.”
Evrain put his bowl down. He grasped Dominic’s wrist in a firm grip. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I promise.”
“But I
am
afraid, Evrain. Regardless of what you say you are, I’m terrified of the way you make me feel and that has absolutely nothing to do with the supernatural.” His voice was so soft that it barely registered, but he didn’t pull away from Evrain’s grasp.
Evrain just smiled, released him and carried on eating. When they were both finished, he loaded the tray with their crockery and stood up.
“Get some sleep. You need to rest. This has been an emotional day and I don’t think we should carry on this conversation until the morning.”
“You don’t?” Dominic’s pout was adorable.
Evrain resisted the temptation to take that sweet lower lip between his teeth and give it a punishing nip.
“I don’t, because if I stay in this room any longer I won’t be able to control myself, and much as I’m looking forward to fucking you through the mattress very soon, now is not the time.”
“Oh!” Dominic managed shocked innocence so well.
It made Evrain even harder than he already was. If the tent in the bedclothes was anything to go by, Dominic was equally aroused by their conversation.
Evrain grabbed the laden tray and retreated. Back in the kitchen, he put the tray down and leaned against the sink, digging his nails into the palms of his hands. Resisting the temptation to bruise those soft, sensuous lips had been close to impossible and his cock was not amused at his willpower. He sat by the fire and tried to calm his thoughts. The flames were spitting and sparking, mirroring his agitation as he unzipped his fly and allowed his aching cock some freedom. He gripped the arms of the chair hard and closed his eyes. With Dominic so close to him, he found it easy to focus. Light wisps of breeze caressed him, spiraling around his rigid cock with tantalizing delicacy. Heated fingers of air squeezed and released in time with his pulse and as his heartbeat quickened so did they. The soft touches were torture, and eventually Evrain gave in to his own need and grasped himself firmly. In the hearth, the fire rose and fell in time with his movements until finally there was a crackling explosion of smoke and flame as he came with a strangled moan.
“Oh God, that’s so good.” There had to be some benefit to being a powerful warlock. If he had to settle for magical masturbation then that might just be enough.
Happily sated, Evrain had a wicked thought. He washed his hands, then crept up the stairs as quietly as the creaky old boards would allow. He stood at the door to the guest bedroom and pushed it open just far enough that he could see Dominic lying in bed. His eyes were closed, the lashes fluttering against his cheeks.
Fuck, he’s so beautiful. I could jack off to that image quite happily.
But that wasn’t why Evrain was lurking outside Dominic’s door. The tiniest pang of guilt hit him, but he brushed it away.
I need the practice. This benefits both of us.
He began to twist his fingers into intricate shapes.
Dominic’s eyes snapped open, his lips parted in a silent gasp. Evrain had to bite his lip to stop a chuckle escaping. He flicked his fingers and sent spikes of heat toward the bed.
“Oh!” Dominic whimpered, the sound one of pleasure rather than fear. He rolled onto his stomach then kicked at the bed covers until they slipped to midthigh.
Evrain licked his lips. He directed his warm spears at Dominic’s exposed ass, probing, penetrating just as he might have done with his fingers given the chance.
Dominic stretched his arms over his head and gripped the rail of the headboard. Face down, it seemed to Evrain that Dominic had his teeth embedded in his pillow. He was holding the metal headboard so tightly that his knuckles bleached. Evrain sent licks of heat to brush Dominic’s skin, slowly moving closer to his virgin entrance, pushing apart his creamy cheeks. He applied gentle pressure to the small of Dominic’s back, holding him firmly in place, and increased the heat. It was nowhere near hot enough to burn, but Dominic would feel every touch.
Dominic gasped and spread his legs wide in wanton abandon. He wasn’t attempting to escape—rather he seemed to have given in to sensation. He drew up his knees, sticking his ass in the air, and Evrain took up the invitation eagerly. He filled Dominic’s channel with pulsating waves of warmth. There would be no pain, just a tingling pleasure spreading inside Dominic’s body. Evrain’s fingers moved almost of their own accord, faster and faster. Dominic groped for his cock and managed to take hold. He’d barely made contact when he came, producing streams of creamy cum with a hiss of pleasure.
Once his body was drained, Dominic rolled onto his back and stared blindly at the ceiling. He appeared emotionally and physically exhausted. Evrain could only imagine the terrifying exhilaration of giving in to something he didn’t understand. He froze in place, determined not to give away his presence.
“Hell fire, Evrain, are you trying to kill me with pleasure?” Dominic muttered.
Evrain choked back a laugh. He was so busted. Dominic might not have seen him but he knew he was involved. Evrain couldn’t wait to tease Dominic the next morning and make it clear that he was guilty as charged.
Chapter Ten
The next day, Saturday, dawned with the threat of more rain. The sky seemed to boil with dark, rolling clouds tumbled by the gusty wind. Evrain’s mood always seemed to reflect the weather, or perhaps it was the other way round. He’d slept badly, something he put down to spending the night in his grandmother’s bed. He felt unsettled and impatient, his thoughts a jumble of confused images. He needed to vent but hadn’t yet explained the process to Dominic.
The poor love’s freaked out enough as it is.
Evrain paced around while Dominic pulled together a makeshift breakfast of honey-sweetened porridge and herbal tea, then sat and drummed his fingers on the table as he waited to be served. Dominic brought everything to the table and set a steaming bowl in front of Evrain.
“I don’t know what’s it’s going to taste like—I’d normally make it with milk rather than water.” He took the seat next to Evrain.
“Thanks, I’m sure it will be fine.” Evrain dipped his spoon in the viscous mixture and gave it a stir. “I’ll get groceries later.”
“You’ll need to bring all your things over from Portland, won’t you?” Dominic asked.
“Yep, and you must have things you want to move too.”
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s necessary, is it? Aggie didn’t specify that I had to move in here, it was just a suggestion.”
“A suggestion that you will follow,” Evrain said, unblinking.
“But you can’t tell me what to do, Evrain.” Dominic’s voice shook a little as he said the words, as if he didn’t quite believe them.
“Oh, I think I can.” Evrain stroked Dominic’s thigh beneath the table, enjoying the jerk of muscles. “Did you sleep well last night? Any interesting dreams?”
Dominic’s spoon clattered into his bowl. “That was you, wasn’t it? You did those things to me.”
“Now how could that be the case?” Evrain said with a smirk. “You don’t believe I’m a warlock.”
Dominic’s cheeks colored. “Then how do you know what I’m talking about?”
“Ah, you’ve caught me. I must say it was delicious watching you squirm. How did it feel, those fingers of heat and air assaulting you, holding you down?”
“You bastard!” Dominic shoved his chair back, escaping Evrain’s touch. “Why would I want to move in here with you, when you do things to me without my permission?”
Evrain chuckled. “Oh, save the false indignation for someone who cares. You loved every second of it and all it would have taken for me to stop was one word. One word. If you’d said no, or indicated in any way that you weren’t into it, I would have stopped immediately.” He tapped his fingers on the table. “Perhaps we should agree on a safeword for you?”
Dominic’s eyes widened. “What? Why would I need a safeword? Are you into bondage and…and whipping and stuff?”
“What do you think?” Evrain teased.
“I don’t know what to think. You confuse the hell out of me.”
“Good. You can think about your safeword while you’re at work today. You do have to work, don’t you?”
Dominic nodded. “This morning. I have two jobs in White Salmon. I should be finished by lunchtime. You didn’t answer my question.”
“No, I didn’t, did I?” Evrain grinned. “I’m sure you’ll have great fun letting your imagination run riot, though. If you’re very good, I may give you a proper answer later. And who the hell names a place after a fish?”
“God, could you be any more annoying?”
“I could try.” Evrain smiled sweetly.
“I give up.” Dominic piled the dirty dishes in the sink. “I can take you back to Portland before I start, if you want to go home.”
“This is home now, whether I like it or not.” Evrain sipped his tea thoughtfully. “I can wait until you’ve finished. There’s loads to do here and if you’re finished by lunchtime, we’ll still have plenty of time to move my things over and then yours later on.”
Dominic growled. He actually growled, though the noise was more like a puppy practicing than a pissed-off Rottweiler.
“I have
not
agreed to move in here.”
“You don’t need to agree, you just need to do as you’re told. You’ll find it makes our relationship a whole lot easier.” Evrain smiled, knowing it would annoy Dominic even more.
“We have a relationship?” Dominic sighed. “No, don’t answer that. I don’t think I’m ready for whatever you might say. I have to get to work.”
“You do that, sweetheart.” Evrain raised his mug in a toast. “We’ll talk again later. You have a good day.”
* * * *
After calling in to his apartment to change into his work clothes, Dominic applied himself to his jobs with his usual dedication but found that hard physical work was not enough of a distraction to keep his thoughts away from Evrain. As he mowed the huge lawns of one of his regular customers, he had too much time to think. So long as he steered the ride-on mower in a reasonably straight line, it didn’t require much attention.
He put aside the idea that Evrain was something more than human—he was having a hard enough time coping with the idea that the attraction between them was apparently mutual without having to deal with magic and mayhem. Whatever had happened the previous evening, it could be put down to exhaustion, an overactive imagination, hallucinations brought on by stress and the shock of inheriting so much wealth from Agatha. There had to be a rational explanation for all the strangeness. Fires flared all the time. Doors slammed on their own—a simple gust of wind could cause that.
Their conversation that morning had confused Dominic even more. Evrain was so sure of himself. He dropped hints about being into a BDSM lifestyle, something that both scared and excited Dominic.