Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Night quickly faded into morning, and Frederick was the first one to get up. He eyed Vaughan sleeping peacefully beside him, then decided he’d finally be different as he’d discussed with Deena before. Frederick thought it was about time that along with the new eating habits and commitment to living, he should start taking more charge of everything, everything including his man.

  At least for today.

  As quietly as Frederick could, he slid out of bed and ambled to his bag. He grabbed it before tiptoeing across Vaughan’s room until he made it to the bathroom. Frederick laid the bag on the floor then relieved himself. Once he flushed, Frederick turned on the shower. Although it would’ve been better to share the water with Vaughan, Frederick wished to freshen up. After grabbing a couple of washes he’d brought along, he settled under the jets and began washing every crevice on his body.

  When finished, he stepped out, drying himself thoroughly. He wrapped a towel around his waist. To have a look at himself, he eyed his reflection in the mirror. Already, he saw an improvement from the man he’d looked at the other night before he passed out. The bags were practically gone, and his eyes looked brighter. Now the makeup he wore would look better instead of covering up things he wanted to hide. Frederick truly desired to improve for himself first and then for the people who cared for him.

  The only blemish was his five o’ clock shadow. After gathering his shaving supplies, he removed the fuzz from his cheeks, under his nose, and chin. He quickly splashed his face with water, and nodded at his fresh complexion. He removed the towel from his body, using it to dry. He fiddled with his hair a little, using water to slick it down. Then Frederick fished through the smaller case for his mascara and eyeliner.

  “Only a little. Just to bring out the color and make them dazzle.” Frederick talked to his reflection, practicing what he would say to Vaughan. Something told him his man would appreciate his efforts however, because in his humble opinion, he looked good. With his eyes completed, he dropped the items inside the bag, then grabbed his toothbrush. After cleaning them, Fredrick grabbed his moisturizer so he could smell and not have dry skin.

  Not too long passed and Frederick finished his tasks. He sauntered out, noticing Vaughan still fast asleep. He dropped the bag in the chair and tiptoed a step or two over to his violin case. After grasping Gabriel from the inside, he brought it up to his chin and plucked the strings. When it was tuned to his satisfaction, Frederick smiled to himself and began playing the song he’d been practicing for weeks. Although the tune had somewhat changed considering the subject had gone from lost love to newfound experiences, Frederick managed to keep all the notes intact. With so much excitement in his life now, he could finally put things into their proper perspective.

  While it was perfectly okay to have dreams and ambitions, they shouldn’t be something you stress about. Instead, use all the energy to put into a commitment with another human being because success at one’s occupation is no substitute for a true relationship.

  “Why are you awake?” Vaughan moaned but didn’t open his eyes. “That’s beautiful—what is it?”

  Frederick continued to play and walked to the side of the bed. “It’s a song I wrote, ‘Summer’s Forever’. I started it before I left Los Angeles. One day I will record it. Do you really like it?”

  “I do.” Vaughan rolled to his back and curled an arm beneath his head. “And you’re naked…” He reached out to trail a finger against Frederick’s bare thigh. “Are you trying to seduce me, Frederick?”

  “Is it working?” Frederick stopped abruptly and placed Gabriel flat on Vaughan’s nightstand along with the bow. He moved backwards to his bag and grabbed his jar of moisturizer.

  “Maybe.” Vaughan’s voice teased. “Come here.”

  Frederick smiled, but he didn’t get on the bed where Vaughan wanted him to.

  “I have some things I want to do to you first.” He slowly walked to the foot of the bed, then crawled on the mattress right by Vaughan’s feet. In one swift motion, he whipped the sheet off Vaughan, revealing the most gorgeous body he’d ever seen.

  “Why do I get the feeling that I’m in trouble?”

  “It depends on the way you look at it.” Frederick raised one of Vaughan’s feet up to his face and rubbed the back side of it against his cheek. “You take good care of your feet, I see, but your nails are a little long.” Frederick pressed kisses on top of the one he held.

  Vaughan pushed to his elbows and quirked an eyebrow. “Um—Kelliani forces me to get pedicures. Something about not having feet like a t-rex.”

  “There is that. Kelliani gives wonderful advice.” Frederick planted another kiss on Vaughan’s other foot. He settled both on his lap before opening the jar. After dipping his hand into it, he began rubbing the cream on Vaughan’s left foot. “Tell me, Vaughan. Do you like massages?” Frederick continued rubbing the lotion into Vaughan’s skin.

  “Not really. The only ones I’ve had were deep tissue, and those hurt like the devil. Freddy…”

  With each touch, Freddy could tell Vaughan was getting aroused. He kissed one foot, then rubbed the other in the same manner. “This isn’t for pain, Vaughan. Only your pleasure.” Frederick went on, still kneading until he reached the back of Vaughan’s legs. He gently gripped them, loosening some of the tense muscles there.

  “Relax, Vaughan. Think of something pleasant. For once, let me take care of you.”

  A long, slow breath escaped Vaughan’s body as he slowly rested back on the pillows. He shifted slightly, causing his frame to elongate on the bed and in Frederick’s lap.

  “Okay,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “But just this once … a little harder with your fingers, Freddy.”

  “And there’s my tough Marine, giving orders.” Frederick grasped Vaughan’s leg as he asked, digging in. When Frederick did, he heard a soft whimper from Vaughan’s lips. “No more orders from you, Vaughan. I’m giving them for now.”

  Frederick traveled upwards on Vaughan’s body with his own dragging against Vaughan’s flesh. Frederick made sure the tip of his erection gently touched Vaughan’s skin as he moved. Frederick’s breaths hitched in his chest, and he stopped at Vaughan’s crotch. With the remainder of the cream on his hands, he took Vaughan’s shaft in one hand while fondling his balls in the other. Frederick leaned in and licked the top of Vaughan’s swollen cock, then circled his tongue around in long, languid strokes.

  “I want you to pinch your nipples while I suck you, Vaughan. I want to help you come. I need to see you unravel.”

  A low rumble left Vaughan’s chest even as he dragged his hands up his body to do as Frederick demanded. He pulled his nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, tugging and twisting. He arched up, pressing his cock upward and moaning Frederick’s name.

  Frederick swallowed Vaughan whole, still holding his balls within his palm. He tightened his lips around Vaughan to make it better fit. He inched just enough to watch him, writhing and pulling at his taut skin as he asked. Such a beautiful sight of his man losing his resolve and unraveling from his touch.

  Wanting more, Frederick pulled off to encourage Vaughan. He wrapped his hand around, making a fist. “You’re ready to come for me, love? You’re ready to shoot every bit of your precious wine down my throat. I promise you I won’t waste a drop.” Frederick kissed the tip, then went back to work, slurping and grazing Vaughan’s erection with his teeth.

  “Damn, Freddy,” Vaughan groaned. It was as if his body was twisting as he dropped his palms to the bed and crushed the sheet in his fists.

  When Vaughan jerked inside his mouth, Frederick took every drop and didn’t let any of Vaughan’s release spill. He continued to drink as if it were his means to survival. While he did so, Frederick sensed his own erection, swollen and raging in between his thighs. He’d ignore it now because there was still more to do before he could receive the ultimate reward.

  Once he figured Vaughan was done, he inched off and k
issed Vaughan’s balls and the inner part of his legs. Frederick crawled the length of his body and shared some of Vaughan’s release with him in the form of a kiss. He inched off and stared at him starry-eyed. “Now, one more thing before I ask you to relieve me, Vaughan.”

  Vaughan licked his lips. “Yes,” Vaughan whispered. “Yes.”

  Frederick lined Vaughan’s lips with the tip of his tongue and darted it in between his lips. “I want you to turn over. There are other parts of you I have yet to become acquainted with.” Frederick kissed him quickly and got up, allowing Vaughan the space to do as he asked.

  “Freddy—you don’t have to do that.”

  “Vaughan.” Frederick leaned in to eye him closely. “If I am to love you, I must be aware of every part of you. Your feet, which I love, and your scars which I’ve only really looked at once. I want to make you comfortable with me and vice versa. We cannot proceed unless we know every single thing about each other. Now, if you please.”

  “They’re scars, Freddy.” Vaughan pressed his eyes closed. “They aren’t badges of honor. They aren’t good looking. They are what they are.”

  Frederick sighed. “I know they aren’t badges of honor, but they are a part of the man I’m falling in love with. I want to worship those as I do the rest of your body.” Frederick took Vaughan’s face into his hands. “Look at me.”

  Slowly, Vaughan’s brown eyes fluttered open. “I’m lookin’.”

  “You don’t have to be ashamed of those scars. They’re a part of you, Vaughan. If I’m your lover, then you can’t hide them from me.”

  The hesitation in Vaughan’s gaze was more than evident. Still, he pulled his face from Frederick’s hands and rolled to his stomach. He folded his arms and rested his face on them, back tense.

  Frederick nodded, then crawled onto the bed with him. He leaned over and planted both legs on either side of Vaughan’s body right around his waist. The scars were visible, but not anything ugly as Vaughan probably feared. Instead, Frederick found that they gave him character, and if Frederick had his way, he would be the only one seeing them.

  Inching closer to Vaughan’s back, he leaned down and pressed his lips atop one of the scars. He dragged the tip of his tongue from one end of it to the other. “You’re beautiful, you know that? Every part.” Frederick kissed the end of one scar. He felt Vaughan flinch under that affection. Frederick kissed another spot, then repeated his last action. “Every part of you is lovely. Including these.” Frederick stopped to kiss them again. He straightened his body and ran both hands over Vaughan’s back, acquainting himself with his flesh. “Don’t hesitate to show them anymore. I love them just like I love you.”

  “Freddy?”

  “Yes, Vaughan?”

  “I’m going to need you to look me in the eyes when you say that last part.”

  Frederick moved off until he was on Vaughan’s right side. He caressed Vaughan’s back again, running his fingers over the scarred tissue that made him tense. “I meant it. I love them.”

  Kiss.

  “Just as I love you.” Frederick kissed his lips again, meeting Vaughan’s brown gaze.

  “Have you told your parents about me?”

  “I have. And I want to take you to meet them. I’m going to be honest. My parents are snobs. They believe anyone who isn’t part of a social club is beneath them. Just ignore any silly questions they may have. None of that matters, because I’ll be with you whether they like it or not.”

  Vaughan caressed the side of Frederick’s face or a silent moment before easing in. “And for the record—I love you, too,” he whispered before kissing Frederick.

  Frederick groaned into Vaughan’s kiss and added tongue into it, before rolling over on top of Vaughan. Reluctantly, he pulled away, gazing into Vaughan’s eyes. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I was waiting, patiently, but I wouldn’t have rushed you into it if you weren’t ready.”

  “You humans and your timing.” Vaughan teased.

  “Humans, hmm? Are you saying you aren’t? Or are you just talking about my poor judgment of time?” Frederick moved in closer, nipping Vaughan’s bottom lip.

  Vaughan moaned. “I’ll never tell.”

  “Fine. Why don’t you take care of me then? There is um, something between my thighs that needs relieving. Any way you wish to take care of it.”

  “What have you done with my shy Frederick?” Vaughan rolled them over so he was on top.

  “I locked him away somewhere and threw away the key. Now, please, Sir. Do you what you do best to take care of me.”

  “Well.” Vaughan made a place for himself between Frederick’s thighs then added his full weight to Frederick’s groin area, crushing Frederick’s dick with his. “You are in control of our playtime at the moment, Frederick. Tell me where you want my mouth.”

  “Taking me in deep, love. I want to feel your mouth around my shaft, slurping and licking until I lose my mind. Make me scream your name, Vaughan.”

  Frederick eyed Vaughan, hoping he’d sent the message loud and clear.

  He’d truly thought he’d succeeded in his task to take over and make his man feel more comfortable in the process.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The morning hadn’t gone as planned. Vaughan’s plan was to wake up and make Frederick some breakfast. They’d eat together, maybe shower together then hit the road for Patrick’s place. But then Frederick touched him, looked at him with those beautiful eyes and before he knew what was happening it was lunch time and the only time he’d gotten out of bed was to feed Nefertiti and use the bathroom. Well, they did stop for food, but barely.

  One of the annoying side effects from getting blown up.

  “Seriously, baby,” Vaughan said, kissing Frederick while trying to climb out of bed. “We need to get going. We have to pick up the key from Patrick. I need to rent a car—a lot to do.”

  “I know. Just a little while longer in bed?” Frederick held onto Vaughan’s shoulders and crushed his mouth against Vaughan’s.

  Vaughan moaned, feeling his cock rise again. “Baby, you said that two hours ago.” Vaughan groped Frederick. “But look at it this way—the sooner we leave, the sooner you can see me naked, in a swimming pool.”

  “Mhmm. So we are going with the no clothes rule, then? You also promised me a dance where you strip very slowly.” Frederick cocked an eyebrow. “Perhaps the routine, then you jump in the pool for me.”

  Vaughan didn’t have time to answer. The doorbell sounded through the house. Nefertiti barked then rushed in to jump on the bed and stood on Frederick’s chest to lick his face. Vaughan laughed, kissed Frederick and rolled off the bed.

  “Saved by the bell. But if I’m to remain naked, how am I supposed to strip for you?” Vaughan tapped the side of his head knowingly. With a wink, he stopped long enough to grab a towel and wrapped it around his hips. Kelliani had very bad timing and he would tell her so.

  He pulled the door opened, but when he did, he wasn’t faced with black and pink locks and a face with piercings out her nose and lip. The man who stood before him had Vaughan’s eyes, his dark skin, and the same crinkle in the center of his forehead when he was unsure of something. It’d been so long since he’d seen his brother that Vaughan wasn’t sure how to feel. “Tin Tin…”

  “Sorry to just show up,” Justin said. “But I have amazing news, and I couldn’t wait to share. Can I come in?”

  “Um, yeah but I have to warn you that I’m…”

  “With someone. I could guess by the fact you’re not wearing clothes. Look, I can come back later…”

  “Vaughan? C’mon, Queen, you are just as insatiable as your master.” Frederick laughed. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.” The sound of footsteps in the back faded, then returned.

  Vaughan rubbed his eyes praying Frederick had remembered to put something on. “Yeah, Tin Tin, come in.”

  He stepped aside to allow his brother in. Nefertiti came to the door, but Vaughan picked her up bef
ore she could get out. Once he closed the door, he kissed her head and set her back down. He was relieved to notice Frederick was wearing his boxers. Nefertiti sniffed at Justin’s leg, looked up at Vaughan as if to ask if Justin was friendly. Vaughan smiled. “Freddy, my brother, Justin. Tin tin, my—boyfriend, Frederick.”

  Frederick walked up wearing Vaughan’s robe. “Hello. It is wonderful to meet you.” He held out his hand.

  “Nice to meet you.” Justin accepted the hand and shook.

  “Let me take your bag,” Vaughan said.

  He carried it into the living room and set it on the sofa before going back to lead Frederick and Justin into the kitchen. “Justin, we were leaving. I’m glad to see you, but this is really bad timing.”

  “Leaving? For how long?”

  “I don’t know. A week, maybe. Don’t worry about that now. Are you hungry? I have to make lunch for Frederick.”

  “No—thanks I had something just before I got here.” Justin said. “I told Mom and Dad I was coming.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that.” Vaughan’s voice cracked.

  “I didn’t want you to be a secret,” Justin said. “You’re my brother, and I love you. I’m not going to hide that anymore. I tried, and it was torture. Vaughan I’m right here. Don’t I even get a hug?”

  Vaughan tilted his head to one side. Honestly, he wanted a hug, too. It’d been so long he just couldn’t admit it out loud. Still, he walked around the counter and hugged Justin tightly. He wrapped his arms around his brother and hung on tight.

  “I’ve missed out on so many of these…” Justin sighed.

  For a while Vaughan said nothing. But he released Justin and stepped back. “So you told Mom and Dad you were coming. How badly did that end for you?”

  “No, hear me out,” Justin said. “Dad is still pretty mad at you. But Mom—Mom misses you.”