Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  “Then have your Rice Krispies before your performance. But you cannot go on like this. You will die! Do you get it?”

  Frederick nodded absentmindedly. Prescott had warned him of the same thing before, but he wasn’t as blunt as this doctor. “I get it. Thank you.”

  “Who is your doctor?” Marietta asked.

  “Doctor Prescott O’Leary at St. Mary’s in Los Angeles. My friend Deena called him, but he couldn’t make it out here to see me.”

  “Oh. I know Prescott.” She tore the page out from her pad and handed it to him. “Listen, Frederick. You seem like a nice guy, and Vaughan, well, he seems smitten. Do you see how gorgeous that man is?”

  Frederick smiled. “I do. He is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And how do you know Prescott?”

  “I met him a few years ago at a symposium in L.A.” Marietta said. “Forget that for a second. Imagine what it would do to Vaughan if he receives a phone call that you’re not coming home. Even if you don’t want to take care of yourself for you, do it for him.” She eased closer. “There are ways to eat that can be fun.”

  Frederick’s eyes bulged at the last comment. Although he agreed with the doctor, he was shocked by her statement. “I know, I … I’ve gotten so busy during the tour and all that I forget to eat. When I’m off tour, I eat a little more, mostly cereal, candy, occasionally a cheeseburger. I really don’t like food. Eating a lot could make me sluggish.”

  “That’s because you’re eating the wrong things.” She grabbed a couple of brochures and handed them to him. “For breakfast, try eating a vanilla yogurt, some fruits, and orange juice. Lunch could be a wrap—lettuce, cucumbers, baked chicken with some ranch dressing. Dinner, couscous, baked salmon and a salad. Don’t go overboard with the carbs, but you need it all. If not you’re back here.”

  “All right, I’ll give it a try. Prescott has been saying that, too. He’s pushy just like you are. No wonder you two are friends,” Frederick laughed, taking the pamphlets. He surprised himself with that comment. “Um, thank you, doctor. I’d really love to see my lover now if that’s okay.”

  Marietta removed her gloves and dropped them in a nearby bin. “Yes. I will walk you out. And talk to Vaughan. I’m sure he’s man enough to get you what you need.”

  Frederick nodded and stood up straight. For a moment, he felt a little lightheaded, but he closed his eyes, then reopened them. “Thank you again.”

  They were back in view of Vaughan by now. Marietta laughed. “Don’t thank me yet. I think you are in big trouble, mister.” She laughed. “It was nice meeting you, Frederick. But don’t make this a habit.”

  “Believe me, I won’t.” Frederick stood off to the side when he noticed the doctor speaking to Vaughan. He was positively sure she would tell Vaughan to make sure he’d get all his necessary foods and fluids in as she demanded.

  But Marietta didn’t walk to Vaughan with Frederick. She simply patted him on the shoulder and headed back into the treatment area.

  “What did the doctor say?” Vaughan asked.

  “She wants me to eat better. She made me pee in a cup and told me I’m probably malnourished. I suppose Rice Krispies isn’t enough for me to live on. She gave me some suggestions though, and she’ll be talking with my doctor in Los Angeles.”

  “Good.” Vaughan wrapped his arm around Frederick’s hips to lead him from the hospital. “I will punish you later. Right now, I’m gonna buy you a burger.”

  Frederick smiled wryly and nodded. In truth, he had no desire for the burger. He only wanted to go to the hotel and lie in Vaughan’s arms. He had no energy to make love as he wanted, but he hoped Vaughan would at least allow them to cuddle and do other things to make up for the time lost.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  While Frederick spoke on the phone, no doubt to Deena, Vaughan called Kelliani. It took some doing, but he managed to convince her that both he and Frederick were okay. He also warned her that by the morning she would see pictures of him carrying Frederick out of the stadium all over the news. Kelliani merely laughed and told him to hang on while she turned up the television. Apparently, TMZ and a whole slew of other entertainment type programs were gushing about it. Vaughan rubbed his temples. He’d tell Frederick about it the next morning.

  With the conversation over, Vaughan hung up and called for room service. It was late, but apparently when you’re Frederick Tremblay, the world was your oyster. They agreed to open the kitchen so that Frederick could get something. Vaughan ordered some yogurt with slices of cantaloupe, strawberries, and grapes. He also put in a request for a platter of cheese and biscuits. He figured that would be a light meal before bed.

  With that finished, he went into the bathroom and drew a bath in the beautiful white tub there. Though he would love nothing more than to climb in with Frederick, he knew that would lead to other things, and he couldn’t do that. Frederick wasn’t well, and it wouldn’t be right to fool around. He sighed as the tub filled, and he scooped some Epsom salt into it from a tin sitting on a low, table at the head of the tub. This wasn’t the reunion he’d envisioned.

  Testing the water with the tip of his right index finger, Vaughan turned the hot water up. If the water was hot enough now, by the time Frederick got off the phone and the food arrived, it would be just the right temperature for Frederick to soak in. When the level was high enough, he turned off the tap then set about fixing things up. He placed a white carpet that had been folded beside the tub flat before it so Frederick could climb out when he was done. Vaughan also moved a couple of large, fluffy towels within arm’s reach. Above the sink, stood a row of blue candles, and Vaughan got an idea. Hurrying into the bedroom, he searched through the drawer. As he walked by Frederick, he noticed the way Frederick’s eyes followed him. But Vaughan merely smiled and locked himself in the bathroom again. He set the candles up around the tub, leaving room for the small stool, and a place for Frederick to climb in. He then lit all of them and stood back to check out his handiwork.

  “Not bad for flying by the seat of my pants,” Vaughan said with a shrug. He placed the lighter beside the sink then went back to the bedroom. He took the phone from Frederick’s hand and pressed it to his ear, keeping his eyes fused to Frederick’s. “Hi, Deena. Frederick is going to talk to you tomorrow. Right now, I have plans for him and his body.”

  Without waiting for her to speak, he hung up and dropped the cell on the bed. “Shhh,” he said when he saw Frederick wanting to speak. “No. Tonight you’re going to do what I say, and you’re going to enjoy it. Now—stand and strip.”

  Frederick smiled wryly and started removing his clothes. “Vaughan, did you try ordering room service?”

  “Try?” Vaughan asked. “Whoa—slow down baby. I want to enjoy this. And yes, food is coming.”

  Frederick tossed his shirt aside and brushed his blond locks from his blue eyes. “Food? I don’t want anything now but you … and a glass of wine.”

  “First of all,” Vaughan spoke, allowing his eyes to feast on Frederick’s body. “You don’t drink. As for food, tonight, you don’t have a choice. No food, no me. Easy, right? Besides, you get no booty until you’re better.”

  Frederick frowned from that statement and began unbuckling his distressed jeans. “You’re forcing me to eat, all right, fine. And no, I don’t usually drink, but tonight I want one. Tonight, I deserve it. So please, have them bring up a bottle of their finest red wine. You can have some, too,” Frederick smiled.

  “You know,” Vaughan said, tossing his hands up. “You don’t want to eat, fine. I’m not forcing you to do anything. You want to starve to death or have another episode like tonight, be my guest. But I’m not going to sit around here and watch that.” Vaughan took a breath and stormed into the bathroom to put out the candles.

  “Vaughan, please.” Frederick ran into the bathroom and grabbed his bicep. He pulled at him then. Apparently he started to notice what his lover had done. “Love? You did this for me while I was on the phone?” />
  “I’m not talking to you right now, Frederick. I’m pissed off.”

  “Vaughan, I will eat the food. I’m just not all that hungry. But I will eat a little something. Nothing huge. Just please listen to me. All right? Please?”

  “Don’t do me any favors, Frederick,” Vaughan told him. “Like I said, it’s your life. Do what you want.”

  Vaughan picked up two of the candles and blew them out. How in the hell did Frederick not see what he was trying to do? There was only so much Vaughan could do before stopping, and he had reached his limit. Anyone else would learn that when they pass out not once but twice from a certain behavior, stop it.

  “Vaughan, it isn’t to do you any favors at all. I heard what Doctor Ortega told me, and I will do better because she put it in the bluntest way possible. Prescott never told me flat out I would die! So of course, I will get my act together. Look, I’m sorry to upset you. I care about you a lot. I don’t mean to make you mad at all. When the food comes, we can enjoy it together, then hmm? Would you like to get into the bath with me?” Frederick ran his hands around Vaughan’s waist and leaned against his back. He kissed the side of his neck and trailed his tongue along the back of it. “It would be better if it were the two of us.”

  Vaughan pulled from his arms and walked over to the window to press his back to the glass. After folding his arms across his chest, Vaughan took a breath. “I still don’t think you get the seriousness of this. You say you will do better, but I don’t know what to believe and I refuse to be at home or at one of your venues and get another call like I did from Delaney tonight.”

  Frederick appeared to be defeated. His blue eyes met Vaughan’s gaze. “I guess I’ll have to prove it to you then.” A knock sounded at the door. “I’ll get it and order a bottle of wine.” Frederick turned on his heel, leaving Vaughan where he stood.

  Vaughan turned to took out the window. He was falling for this man, a man who absolutely refused to take care of himself. It terrified Vaughan, made his heart hurt, and no matter how hard he tried stopping the pain, it just…

  “Shit,” he muttered, rubbing a hand over his face.

  Vaughan was tired—he was so damn tired.

  ****

  “Thank you, sir. Will there be anything else?” the bellboy asked Frederick. He didn’t appear to be wanting to leave the doorway.

  “No. I thank you for running down and getting your best bottle of merlot and this lovely spread.” Frederick reached in his jeans and pulled out a fifty. “Here you go.”

  “Oh thank you, sir. I’m sorry, can I trouble you to sign something for me? I know I wasn’t supposed to but−−”

  Frederick sighed inwardly and placed the bottle of wine on the cart behind him. “Sure. What would you like me to sign?”

  “The fifty you just gave me. I have nothing else,” the man told him and produced a marker from his pocket.

  Frederick blinked and took both from his hands. He scribbled his name and handed them both back to him, before pulling out another fifty. “There you are. One to spend and one to keep.”

  “Oh my God, thank you, sir, thank you.” The man bowed several times and finally left the doorway.

  Frederick closed the door behind him and eyed the bathroom where he supposed Vaughan was still brooding. He understood Vaughan’s concern. Heck, it was everyone’s. Deena, his parents, who had no doubt heard the news from Delaney or Deena by now. Deena told him he should call them just to let them know he was okay, but he’d said he would do so in the morning. Frederick didn’t think he had the mental capacity to deal with her, his parents, and Vaughan, whose concerns were valid as everyone else’s, but he didn’t want to think of any of it now.

  Frederick pushed the cart further inside his suite and walked back into the bathroom where Vaughan stood at the window. “Vaughan. The food and wine are here. Would you like to sit with me?”

  “I’m not hungry,” Vaughan said. “I’m just … fine.”

  Frederick walked across to Vaughan and wrapped both arms around his waist. He ran his hands up the front of Vaughan’s shirt until he reached his nipples. “So come with me,” Frederick whispered in Vaughan’s ear and pinched his taut skin simultaneously. “We’ll feed each other.” Frederick continued with his affections, hoping Vaughan would give in.

  A low rumbled escaped Vaughan’s chest. “You know I’m still trying to be mad at you.” Vaughan’s voice was husky.

  “Trying would be the operative word, my love.” Frederick pinched them again and trailed his tongue over Vaughan’s earlobe. “The wine is chilling, waiting for us to drink. The fruit and cheese look scrumptious, just like you.”

  At first, Vaughan didn’t move. But after a breath, he wrapped his fingers through Frederick’s hair to the back of his neck. He didn’t hesitate but kissed Frederick roughly.

  Frederick returned the kiss, groaning into Vaughan’s mouth while he clutched his back through his collared shirt. He ran both hands down to Vaughan’s buttocks and squeezed them. Reluctantly, he pulled away and gazed into Vaughan’s eyes. “I missed you. I haven’t thought of anything else but you these past two weeks.”

  “It hasn’t been a picnic for me either,” Vaughan said. “And this hasn’t been the reunion I’ve imagined. But you need to rest, so let's eat.”

  Frederick pressed his lips on top of Vaughan’s and began walking backwards until they reached the doorway. He took Vaughan by the hand and led him into the suite’s dining room where the cart was set with the various cheeses, yogurt, and fruit spread out as if it were on the table at a party. “They gave us a large amount of food here. I bet we could find a lot to do with it, right?” Frederick turned to him, still holding his hand.

  “Not tonight.” Vaughan picked up a piece of cheese and popped it into Frederick’s mouth. “I need you to mend first. Then, I get to punish you.”

  “I can mend with you inside me. I’d say you would be the perfect medicine.” Frederick winked and took another piece of the cheese, feeding it to Vaughan.

  Vaughan chewed on his bottom lip as if contemplating that. “We eat, you bathe, then we sleep. I’m trying to be a gentleman here, Frederick, and you’re not helping.”

  “No sleeping yet. The wine is here. Let’s enjoy it with our food, shall we?” Frederick picked up the wine bottle and pulled out the cork. He lifted the bottle to his nose and nodded, thinking that if it smelled good it just had to taste good, too. Frederick sat, then started pouring wine in each glass for the both of them.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Night turned into morning, and Frederick wasn’t ready for it. The wine he’d drunk last night gave him a dull headache, something he was sure a painkiller of some kind would help or, better, his lover, who slept peacefully beside him, could cure.

  With one eye open, Frederick looked at the clock radio on the side of the bed. It read 9:56 AM, and even though he’d promised Deena he’d call his parents first thing, he had no energy to talk to them about what happened last evening.

  Shifting in bed, Frederick turned over slowly so he wouldn’t wake Vaughan from his deep sleep. He kissed the side of Vaughan’s mouth and nuzzled the spot under his neck. He inched in closer, inhaling his cologne. As per usual, Vaughan smelled wonderful. If only Frederick hadn’t passed out last night, scaring everyone, he could’ve enjoyed it as he wanted.

  Lying close to Vaughan, Frederick opened both eyes and watched him. He looked so peaceful and serene, like he had no cares in the world. When Frederick thought about it he realized he didn’t sleep soundly until now. Just another reason, Vaughan was good for him.

  Frederick rose and softly kissed Vaughan’s lips. He lazily trailed his tongue over and around them because he couldn’t resist wanting to kiss him.

  “I don’t really want to wake you, but I can’t help myself.” Frederick pressed his mouth on top of Vaughan’s again, and he sensed his arousal growing underneath the sheets.

  A soft moan filled the air before one of Vaughan’s hands caught th
e back of Frederick’s neck. “Baby?” Vaughan said between kisses.

  “Yes, it’s me.” Frederick reciprocated the embrace with more passion and rolled them both over until he was on top of him. He placed both hands on either side of his head and pinned his body to Vaughan’s. Frederick felt Vaughan’s erection against his, and he was more than ready to feel it inside of him.

  “You ready to punish me now?” Frederick’s voice was breathy, and he hoped Vaughan got the message.

  Vaughan rolled them over, dropping Frederick to his back and pinning him to the bed. “Ever heard of being careful what you wish for?” Vaughan growled before bowing his head to nip at Frederick’s chin with his teeth. “How about you scream for me?”

  Frederick gasped when he felt Vaughan biting him. He swallowed hard and peered into Vaughan’s hungry eyes. He looked as if he were a lion about to feast on his prey.

  “Make me scream then.” Frederick grinned at his lover.

  The minute the words left Frederick’s lips, his cell phone chimed on his nightstand. He could tell by the ringtone it was Prescott.

  “Ugh, I don’t want to answer that. I want your hands, body, and mouth all over me instead.” Frederick pulled Vaughan into him and pressed his mouth on top of Vaughan’s. It continued to ring repeatedly until Frederick reluctantly stopped and reached for it, wondering if it was important or not.

  Vaughan pushed to his knees but instead of leaving Frederick alone, Vaughan rested his fists on either side of Frederick’s body and leaned into nibbled at Frederick’s collar bone and neck.

  Frederick writhed under Vaughan’s touches and curled his toes. He clasped the cellphone in his hands and pushed connect.

  “Dr. Prescott. I’ll need to call you back, all right? Just leave a message.”