“I’d love to play tourist and show you around if we have time. Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities. There are the obvious things to see like the castle and Holyrood, but I could take you to places that the average tourist doesn’t get to know about. Nelson’s Monument on Calton Hill and the botanic gardens if the weather’s good. If this test goes well, we can spend a few days meandering back, taking in a visit to the family on the way.”
“Your mom is going to kill you when she finds out you’ve come over without letting her know we were making the trip.”
“I don’t want her to be disappointed if we don’t make it home for whatever reason.”
“I know, but she’s still going to beat you.” Dominic’s tone suggested that he was looking forward to the spectacle.
“We have a long drive ahead through some spectacular scenery. That doesn’t mean I won’t be taking note of every comment you make that merits punishment,” Evrain said.
Dominic shrugged. “You’ll be too jetlagged to do anything about it for a while.”
“And that’s two already. Keep it up.” Evrain hid his smile.
“Where are we staying tonight?”
“Changing the subject won’t help you, but we are on our way to a small hotel on the waterfront in a place called Plockton.”
“Cute name. Sounds like something out of a kids’ TV program.”
“I suppose it does. It’s a pretty place and the hotel has great views of Loch Carran and a reputation for fantastic food. I want us to be well fed and rested before we cross the bridge into Skye tomorrow morning.”
“The last supper… I’m not sure I’ll have much of an appetite.” Dominic turned away to stare out of the window, hiding his expression.
“I sincerely hope it won’t be our last. It’s a shame we’re not here for pleasure. I have a feeling we won’t be able to appreciate the spectacular scenery quite as much as we would if we were on holiday.”
“Well, we’ll deserve some vacation time once the rough bit is over.”
“I’m hoping that the anticipation of what’s going to happen is much worse than the reality.” Evrain reached over to give Dominic’s thigh a gentle squeeze. “You didn’t sign up for this, love.”
Dominic turned to face him, his eyes glistening. “I signed up for you and everything that comes with you. I didn’t expect that living with a warlock would be dull, though I also didn’t imagine it would be quite as exciting as it has been so far, but I’m not going anywhere. Deal with it.”
“Are you discovering a latent dominant streak?”
“Uh, no. Hey, wow, there’s a ruined castle up there.” Dominic twisted to look out of the back window.
“There are around two thousand castles in Scotland so that won’t be the last one you spot.”
“Two thousand!” Dominic gaped.
“That’s just the ones built between 1100 and 1600.”
“How do you know this stuff?”
“My dad’s a walking, talking trivia quiz. He’s also a history professor, remember. I don’t recall a childhood holiday that didn’t involve scrabbling around castle ruins. We’ll see Eilean Donan tomorrow—it’s spectacular.”
Dominic grabbed his phone. “I’m going to look it up, then see if I can read about the Cuillins. A bit of background research can’t hurt, can it?”
“No, it can’t.” Dominic’s innocent enthusiasm gave Evrain a bad case of the warm fuzzies. It was at times like this when he couldn’t quite believe how lucky he was, that a man like Dominic would give him the time of day let alone stand by him through thick and thin. He focused his attention on the road in an attempt to block out all the ‘what ifs’ fighting for space in his mind. He didn’t think mitigation strategies came into play for a warlock test. There was no way he could predict what might happen.
Dominic gave him a running commentary on all the information he was reading on his phone until he had to plug it into the car charger. Evrain smiled and nodded in the right places but didn’t take much of it in—it was enough that Dominic was occupied rather than worrying about the next few days. They stopped for lunch at a roadside café housed in a converted train carriage, eating quickly and leaving with thick slabs of fruit cake and paper cups of strong coffee. Once the roads got quieter, Dominic took a turn driving so that Evrain could rest his eyes. Dominic had never driven a stick shift before but took to it like a natural, proclaiming it to be much more fun than an automatic even if he did have to drive on the wrong side of the road.
By early evening they were within an hour of the hotel and Evrain’s stomach was rumbling. After a brief discussion, they decided to press on and eat when they got there. They swapped seats again, so Evrain was at the wheel when they finally pulled in to the hotel car park in Plockton. He turned off the ignition then indulged in a long, groaning stretch, easing the kinks from his body. “That’s the farthest I’ve driven in a long time. I think I need a three-hour massage using at least half a bottle of baby oil.”
“You can’t just come out and say that kind of thing when we have to be around people,” Dominic said. “Now I’m imagining your body all slick and shiny with oil.”
“I packed some.”
“Some what?”
“Baby oil. I thought it might come in handy.” Evrain kept a straight face even though he put way too much emphasis on the word ‘handy’.
“What else have you got in your suitcase that I don’t know about?” Dominic asked, his cheeks a little flushed.
“Let’s just say the guys manning the X-ray machine at the airport got quite a show.” Evrain opened the car door. “How about we go inside, get settled and fed, then I show you?”
Dominic sank his teeth into his lower lip and pressed the heel of his hand into his groin. “I hope the restaurant service is quick.”
The receptionist’s hair was a far brighter shade of red than Dominic’s and she had a scattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. She grinned as they approached the desk.
“Mr. Brookes, Mr. Castine… You’re my last check-in of the day. I hope you had a pleasant journey.”
“Thank you, yes,” Evrain said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in this part of Scotland.”
“Well, welcome back. You have the lake-view suite on the second floor.” She handed over a key. “Would you like any help with your luggage?”
“We can manage. Do we need to make a reservation for dinner?”
“No, I’ll just let the restaurant know that you are on the way.”
Evrain thanked her even though he wanted to smack her for ogling Dominic, something she wasn’t attempting to hide. They had a double room so she had to know they weren’t platonic roommates, but that didn’t seem to bother her. Evrain shook his head and grabbed Dominic’s hand. “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?”
Dominic gave him a perplexed look. “What are you talking about?”
“The receptionist wants in your pants. I feel the need to remind you who you belong to.”
“I didn’t notice anything.”
“No, you never do…roll with it, I’m feeling possessive.”
“And this is a change from the norm how?” Dominic hefted their bags into the elevator, which was an old-fashioned cage type. He heaved the inner door into place with a clang. “No one gets in my pants but you, you know that.” He pushed the button for the second floor and the elevator rumbled upward.
“A chastity device is getting more and more tempting,” Evrain muttered under his breath. “She was stripping you in her mind, I know it.”
“Maybe she was just pleased to have a kindred spirit in the hotel…you know, another redhead,” Dominic said as they piled out of the elevator. He picked up both bags so that Evrain could tackle the key to their room.
“Inside, brat.” The spacious suite consisted of a large bedroom, complete with half tester bed, modern bathroom and a separate lounge area with a flat screen, couch and minibar.
“This is great,” Dominic
said, exploring.
“Only the best for Gregory. I have to admit it was very generous of him to pay for this entire trip. He didn’t need to, but he said there was a special account set aside for warlock business that had built up over centuries. He said this occasion was exactly what the fund had been designed for and that we deserved some comfort on the journey.”
“Limousine to the airport, first-class flights, amazing hotels… If only this were just a vacation and we could really enjoy everything. I said that already, didn’t I?” Dominic sounded wistful. He sat on the side of the bed, bouncing to test the mattress. “This is so comfortable.” He yawned. “If I weren’t so hungry, I’d be tempted just to go to bed.”
“Well, the sooner we eat the sooner we can test its resilience. I’m going to freshen up. Could you get a clean shirt out of my bag for me?”
“Sure.”
Evrain freshened up in the bathroom. Splashing cold water on his face helped to wake him up because though it was only early evening, his body hadn’t yet adjusted to the new time zone. Discarded shirt in hand, he wandered through to the bedroom to find Dominic stretched out on the bed, sound asleep, Evrain’s clean top next to him. Evrain marveled, as always, at how beautiful his lover looked, the dark red waves of his hair tumbling around his face. He gave up on the idea of dinner in the restaurant and, after redressing, grabbed the room service menu instead. Dominic needed to rest—a more limited meal selection was a small price to pay.
Evrain let reception know they would be dining in their room then placed an order with room service. The twenty-five-minute wait would give Dominic a decent power nap. Evrain stretched out next to him, smiling when Dominic turned toward him, snuggling closer.
“My sweet man, I love you so much. I’m not going to let anything, or anyone, hurt you.” Evrain sighed, wishing he could make the whispered words a promise.
He was nudged from half-sleep twenty minutes later by a knock at the door. Their food had arrived on a trolley, which the waiter wheeled into the room.
“Just leave it outside in the corridor once you’re done, sir.” He departed with a smile and a nod.
“Dom, sweetheart. I need you to wake up now.” Evrain gave Dominic’s shoulder a gentle prod. “I can’t eat all this food on my own.”
Dominic stirred, blinking his way into consciousness. “What’s going on? Did I fall asleep?”
“Just a bit.” Evrain chuckled. “You were away with the fairies when I came out of the bathroom so I ordered room service. I didn’t think you’d fancy a trip to the restaurant.”
“Sometimes you make excellent decisions.” Dominic sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Must have been more tired than I thought. I’m hungry though. What did you order?”
“Seafood pasta with garlic bread, chocolate mousse with strawberries and a bottle of sparkling mineral water. I didn’t think it was a good idea to drink alcohol tonight, tempting though the idea is.”
“That all sounds so good.” Dominic clambered from the bed then went to explore the trolley. “Smells wonderful.” He began sorting the dishes onto the table so that they could sit to eat. Evrain gave a wry smile at the moment of domesticity but took his seat at the table without saying anything. The meal passed in companionable silence—neither of them had ever minded the quiet—they communicated with appreciative moans and the clatter of forks on empty plates.
“Wow, that was good.” Dominic licked the last of the mousse from his spoon. “As far as last suppers go, we couldn’t have hoped for better. My appetite clearly isn’t bothered by impending doom.”
Evrain shook his head. “If you’re trying to provoke me, you’re doing a fine job. You licked that spoon with way too much enthusiasm. We’ve just eaten, so I’m not going to put you over my lap. Hands and knees, on the bed… Oh, and get naked first.” Evrain wondered for a moment if Dominic might refuse but he pushed his chair back, a slight smile lifting the corners of his lips. “Was I bad?”
“Why do I think I’ve just given you exactly what you wanted?” Evrain watched from his seat as Dominic took his time stripping off his clothes. He was already erect. “Wait. Stand there a moment.” Evrain got up then walked across to his bag. He rummaged beneath the clothes until his fingers closed over cool metal. “This should ensure you don’t come until I want you to. Hands behind your back.” Evrain fastened a heavy iron ring around the base of Dominic’s cock and balls, making them stand out in a lewd, enticing display. “Better.” He gave Dominic’s ass a tap. “Onto the bed, sideways on.”
“You’re a cruel man,” Dominic muttered as he got into position.
“Yes, I am.”
“No warlock stuff tonight?”
“No, I don’t want to alert anyone to our presence unnecessarily. I have no idea who might be able to feel my use of the power.” Evrain stroked Dominic’s backside, dipping between his legs to finger his plump balls. “Besides, every now and again it’s nice to do this without magical assistance, don’t you think?” Before Dominic could answer, he spanked him hard, admiring the red handprint he’d created on his pristine skin.
Dominic moaned and wriggled to get more comfortable, resting his forearms on the bed, his head dipped toward his arms. Settling his stance, Evrain delivered a rhythmic series of firm blows, spacing them across butt cheeks and thighs. Dominic whimpered, pushing his ass back in an invitation for more.
“Harder, please, Sir. I need it.”
“It’s for me to decide what you need.” Evrain administered a few more spanks. He tested the heat of Dominic’s skin with the backs of his fingers. “Spread wider. Good.” Evrain strolled to the bathroom to fetch the lube from his washbag. When he returned, Dominic’s shoulders were trembling so Evrain calmed him with a gentling hand on his lower back. Quickly, he stripped off his clothes before unscrewing the cap on the lube. After coating two fingers with a glistening layer of gel, he stroked them over Dominic’s hole.
“Please, Sir… Please.”
The formal address sent a shiver of pleasure down Evrain’s spine. He applied more lube then thrust his fingers into Dominic’s receptive body, feeling for the nub that would drive Dominic wild with need. When he hit his target, Dominic’s back arched and he groaned. Evrain played a little more, enjoying the heat and tight grip of Dominic’s inner muscles. Between Dominic’s legs, his stiff cock and swollen balls were flushed. A glimmering sheen of perspiration coated his skin and Evrain couldn’t resist. He licked Dominic’s salt-sweet ass.
“You’re killing me.” Dominic’s voice was strained.
Evrain coated his cock with lube, the touch torment to his sensitive skin. He lined himself up with Dominic’s hole, at first pressing just the tip of his shaft inside Dominic’s body.
“Dammit, Evrain… Stop teasing me.”
“Patience, brat.” Evrain thrust forward. It was all he could do not to come instantly. He took a couple of deep, calming breaths before jacking his hips. He couldn’t sustain an even rhythm—there was too much sensation. He gripped Dominic’s hips and drove into him again and again, his orgasm overtaking him with a ferocity that shocked him. He pumped his seed into Dominic’s body, claiming him, owning him. The desperate need to mark him was overwhelming. Dominic panted and gasped, making the sweetest whimpers, and when Evrain finally relaxed, Dominic collapsed, rolling onto his back. Evrain unfastened the cock ring before straddling Dominic’s limp body. He plunged his mouth over Dominic’s rigid cock, letting it hit the back of his throat before sucking hard then digging the tip of his tongue into Dominic’s slit. Dominic yelped and came in a gush, his limbs jerking. Evrain swallowed every drop and, after a few more leisurely licks, flopped next to Dominic.
“Wow.” Dominic grabbed Evrain’s hand.
“That about sums it up,” Evrain said. He turned to give Dominic a thorough kiss. I hope that wasn’t the last time. He kept his thoughts to himself. “I’m sticky. Let me get a flannel.” After a quick trip to the bathroom and an even quicker clean-up, he nudged Dominic beneath the c
overs and spooned behind him, placing a protective arm around his waist. “Sweet dreams, love.” Dominic’s mumbled response told Evrain he was already halfway to sleep.
Chapter Five
Evrain awoke to the sound of a howling wind tearing through the glen. His palm burned and he clenched his fingers, smiling at the memory of the reason for the ache. The realization that Dominic wasn’t in bed beside him dawned slowly and for a few short moments Evrain clung onto the hope that he was in the bathroom. The silence told him otherwise. He got out of bed, reaching for his clothes, cursing.
“If he’s gone for a fucking dawn walk without telling me, I’m going to kill him. Well, maybe not kill him, but punish him. A lot.” Clad in jeans and yesterday’s shirt, he shoved his bare feet into his deck shoes, lacing them with fumbling fingers. “Dammit, Dominic… Where are you?”
Too impatient to wait for the elevator, he jogged down several flights of stairs then pushed through the door into reception. The desk was unmanned, not surprising considering the hour. A vague clinking of crockery and cutlery came from the direction of the dining room where Evrain assumed they were making the final preparations for breakfast service. The main door was unlocked but it took some force to open it against the wind.
“Fuck.” Evrain regretted not putting on a jumper as cold sliced through him. He knew instantly that the storm wasn’t natural. His emotional agitation would mean that the elements around him would be in turmoil, but he had nothing to do with the gale or the choppy surface of the loch. It was so murky he couldn’t see the opposite shore. He reached for his power, but nothing happened. He could feel it, still there below the surface, but there was a disconnect between it and his ability to use it. The sensation made him nauseous, so he stopped trying.
Cursing, he ran toward the water, a thick mist rising around his knees. Before he reached the shoreline, a torrential downpour came from nowhere, soaking him to the skin in seconds. Knowing it was futile but with a driving need to do something, Evrain jogged half a mile up the loch, searching for any sign that Dominic had been there. He retraced his steps and did the same in the opposite direction but there wasn’t the tiniest clue to Dominic’s whereabouts. It was as if he had vanished from the face of the planet. Evrain screamed his frustration into the wind, the sound lost, shredded. Fisting his eyes, reasoning that his tears were due to the wind and rain, Evrain made his way back to the hotel. The receptionist, a young man rather than the girl from the previous evening, looked at him askance.
Elemental Faith Page 5
