Love at the Right Tempo

by Michael Mandrake

  Vaughan laughed then dropped his mouth lower to nip at Frederick’s shoulder. “That was your fault, by the way. Say, how about I take off my shirt and you can give me one of those rub downs you’re so good at—and, if you’re really good, I can work you like the TV.” He kissed Frederick’s neck. “You know? Turn you on and make you come?”

  A moan escaped Frederick’s lips. “Okay, can you promise me you’ll push all the right buttons then?”

  Frederick’s voice was breathy, and he shifted around, focusing on Vaughan with those beautiful sea blue eyes.

  “Is that a rhetorical question?”

  “Of course you will. I’m just making sure you are paying attention. Now, do you need help with that shirt?”

  “Is that your way of asking to see me without my shirt, darling?”

  “It is.” Frederick dragged his hand over the front of Vaughan’s shirt, tracing his nipples through the fabric.

  Vaughan cradled Frederick’s face and kissed him while backing toward the stairs. “Maybe we will skip the massage.”

  “If you really want it, we don’t have to. But I really want to see you naked.” Frederick followed Vaughan to the staircase.

  He stopped at the first step, took Frederick’s hand and led him up. In the large master bedroom, he paused at the foot of the bed to remove his shirt before taking Frederick’s hands and bringing them down to the front of his pants by dragging them over his bare chest and abs. Closing his eyes, Vaughan threw his head back to enjoy the feel of Frederick. “I love the way your touch feels,” he whispered.

  “You’d enjoy it more if you were completely bare, my love. Strip for me, and I will return the favor.”

  There was no need for Frederick to tell him twice. Even as he pushed his pants down, his hands shook at the thought of having Frederick naked and against him. He remembered the feel of Frederick’s body, the tremble in Frederick’s touch and the way it changed after their confession of love. Making love to Frederick afterward was different—better but different. Vaughan craved that again, so quickly, he stood before his man, wearing nothing but the rays of the dying sun streaming through the window and air.

  “Gorgeous.” Frederick smiled at him and yanked his t-shirt off in one motion. Still eyeing Vaughan, Frederick unbuttoned the top two on his jeans and shoved them away from his waist. His blond locks were messy from the sudden shift, but they took nothing away from his appearance.

  Once Frederick’s pants pooled around his ankles, he reached down, pulling both legs off his feet. He kicked them aside, then rose again to push his underwear away, revealing his swollen flesh. Frederick toyed with his own nipples and leaned into Vaughan, nuzzling the side of his neck with the tip of his nose.

  “Are you sure you don’t want a massage, my love?” Frederick blew warm breath into Vaughan’s ears, following it up with a lick on his earlobe.

  “I think I’m liable to combust,” Vaughan confessed. He trailed his palms down Frederick’s sides making circular patterns with his finger tips. “Can I get a rain check?”

  “Of course.” Frederick gently nipped Vaughan’s ear and wrapped both arms around his back. “There are so many other things we could do, right?”

  Vaughan stepped away to gather what they needed, and when he returned, it was to wrap his arms around Frederick from behind. He nibbled at Frederick’s shoulder while pressing every part of himself to Frederick. “You love me,” he whispered, slowly moving his mouth down Frederick’s spine.

  “More than anything or anyone,” Frederick gasped and leaned back into Vaughan’s touches. His body jerked from the feeling, and he nearly stumbled, apparently from the excitement of having Vaughan so close to him.

  “Let me show you how happy that makes me.” Vaughan’s voice cracked. He reached around Frederick’s body and wrapped his fingers around Frederick’s cock. Vaughan massaged and stroked it, loving the way it throbbed in his hands. There was no possible way he could love another man like this—just having Frederick’s weight against him, trusting him to give him pleasure, Vaughan’s body burned. He moaned.

  ****

  “Please…” A single word left Frederick’s lips as he bucked into Vaughan’s hand. Frederick threw his head back, moaning inaudibly. “Vaughan, I want you. I need you,” Frederick pleaded and turned around to meet Vaughan’s fiery gaze. He was already hard and waiting to take Frederick.

  “Don’t move,” Vaughan sounded out through gritted teeth. He released Frederick to grab lube and condom. He stood behind Frederick to suit himself up. “I’m going to need you to bend over and place both hands on the bed.”

  Frederick did as asked, spreading his legs wide to be entered by his lover. Anticipation filling him, Frederick clasped the sheets on both sides of the mattress for support. Any moment now and he was sure he’d feel as if he were on the ride of his life.

  Frederick groaned and moved along with Vaughan as he thrust into him slow and hard. Frederick clenched his teeth together, feeling the energy move through his body to every erogenous zone whether discovered or not. No one had ever made him feel the way Vaughan did, over the moon, excited, giddy, which was something had never known. The only other time he felt so overjoyed was when playing his music. Now, Vaughan matched that and surpassed it by the thousands.

  “Vaughan. Oh God…” Frederick looked over his shoulder at Vaughan’s body moving into his. His skin was on fire from Vaughan’s nails scraping his back, marking him, and making him his. Frederick sucked in a breath and his toes curled, attempting to keep his climax at bay. He wished to hold out, not for just him, but also his lover.

  “You love me, Vaughan. Say it to me at the same rate you enter me. I love hearing it.” Frederick mewled and continued meeting Vaughan’s motions with his own.

  “I—love—you,” Vaughan growled, punctuating each word with a hard thrust of his hips. “I love you, so—much.” He reached up to wrap Frederick’s hair around his fingers and tugged. “Stand,” he ordered. “I want to feel you tremble when you come.”

  Frederick gasped from the feeling of the adrenaline shocks roaming through his body. Coupled with Vaughan’s hold on his hair, Frederick sensed the moisture pouring from his brow. He did as ordered, standing up straight as Vaughan asked. At that moment, he gritted his teeth tightly and clenched his buttocks together to give his man a snug fit. He reached around Vaughan, grasping his lover’s ass as they moved together like a beautiful symphony in sync.

  “Vaughan, yes. I love you, too.”

  ****

  After a couple of hours of making love and tiring each other out, Frederick and Vaughan lay in bed, holding each other close.

  “So Gabriel is a little jealous. He doesn’t appreciate that you’ve taken his place in my heart,” Frederick joked and wrapped both arms around Vaughan’s body.

  Vaughan eyed him. “It’s a little weird you named your violin.”

  “I’ve never told you the story of Gabriel, have I?” Frederick eyed his lover.

  “No.” Vaughan pushed to his elbow to look down into Frederick’s face.

  Frederick gulped hard, thinking of the fastest way to tell the story without getting upset. He took a deep breath. “Gabriel was a friend of mine when I was a child. His parents were my family’s servants. We played together until he had to go back to his home in Boston. I never saw Gabriel after that because his mom and dad found out he had a terminal disease. He died when he was only eleven.”

  “Oh baby.” Vaughan hugged him. “I can honestly say I know how you feel with this one. The hurt never really goes away, but as time goes by it hurts a little less. That’s something.”

  Frederick nodded, accepting the affection Vaughan had given to him. “It never goes away. I loved him as a friend and more. When I told him so, he rejected me. After that, our relationship was never the same. And then when he died.” Frederick sighed heavily, feeling the emotions overtake him. “I felt as if I died along with him. That my whole world came apart in that instance. I’ll never f
orget that day my mother told me. I was devastated.”

  “Loss is never easy to deal with,” Vaughan said. “There’s no manual about how to handle losing someone you hold so dear, especially at such a young age. And hearing how sorry someone is for your loss makes it worse somehow.” He dragged his lips gently against Frederick’s forehead. “I’m here. And if there comes a time when you feel the sadness coming back, I’ll have my arms ready and waiting for you. That’s all I can do for you now.”

  “That’s all I’ll need, lover.” Frederick held Vaughan’s body close to his. “I miss him, but I am sure he’s been smiling with the angels quite a while now. He lives in my music and my violin. With that, no one can take him away from me.”

  The moment Frederick finished his sentence, Nefertiti barked, disturbing their moment.

  Frederick laughed. “It looks like someone else is jealous of us, too.”

  “Looks like … umph!” Vaughan groaned, for Nefertiti hopped onto the bed then plopped down on his chest to lick his face and bark. “I think so. Ugh, women.”

  Frederick chuckled and lay on Vaughan’s chest while he caressed her head. “Apparently we can’t live with them or without them. Doesn’t matter if we’re gay or not.”

  “Amen to that.” Vaughan scratched Nefertiti behind the ears as she rested her head onto Frederick. “You know something, Freddy?”

  “What?”

  “I think we’re going to be fine.” Vaughan kissed his nose.

  “I think we are, too. No, scratch that. I know we are.” Frederick planted a soft kiss on his lips and snuggled with Vaughan and Nefertiti.

  Epilogue

  Four months later

  Although Frederick was ordered not to finish the tour, he’d made the best out of it. The last fifteen or so weeks had been bliss. He’d been resting, eating, and making love with Vaughan more times than he could count. There was no limit, and often, he found himself only wanting his man by his side. Still, Frederick was well aware Vaughan had a life outside of him, so for now, Vaughan stayed at his apartment while Frederick rented a condominium downtown. His mother and father insisted Frederick stay at their house, but he declined, saying he needed his space. The last thing he wanted was his parents fussing over him or disrupting any lovemaking time he’d have with Vaughan.

  Although Frederick missed the last two weeks of his tour, he’d issued refunds and still donated the same amount of cash to the LGBTQ centers and services as promised. To make up for the missed performances, he agreed to play a ninety-minute set of cover songs as well as a few of his own at Prince’s. The concert would be televised on free public television and YouTube around the globe. Frederick was very excited to perform again in front of the masses as he’d always intended. Despite being in love, he’d never tire of playing for people. Now he only hoped that Vaughan would join him on smaller trips if he asked him to.

  “Yes, Prescott, I am doing everything you and Dr. Ortega told me. I’m eating fruits, proteins. I think I even gained some weight.” Frederick eyed the bulge in his shirt and smiled to himself. “Yes, love and cheeseburgers have been good for me.”

  Prescott laughed heartily through the receiver. “Well, that’s wonderful. Thanks for allowing Marietta to check out your heart, too. You haven’t had any pains, right?”

  “No, not at all. I do get a little tired after bike riding and um…” Frederick blushed and began to laugh thinking about how he lost breath when having sex with his man.

  “Oh, when you’re doing the horizontal tango?”

  “Prescott!” Frederick yelped.

  “What, you can tell me. You know we’re two of a kind. My man keeps me on my toes, too.”

  “Of course he does. He’s an MMA fighter,” Frederick laughed. Frederick looked up to see his parents standing at the doorway, appearing impatient. “I’m sorry, Prescott, I have to let you go. My ‘rents are here.” Frederick snickered, using his best friend, Deena’s, term.

  “Yes, yes, go to them. But first let me tell you how happy I am for you and Vaughan. The press loves the two of you. There’s even a love-o-meter featuring you and Vaughan on Entertainment Tonight you know. I couldn’t be more proud to be your doctor.”

  Frederick groaned at that. “Ah thank you, Prescott. Although I care nothing about the press, I am happy so many share your sentiment. Yes, I will. Goodbye.” Frederick pressed the disconnect and placed his cellphone on the dresser.

  “Mom, Dad, isn’t this a great place?” Frederick got up from this chair and waved to his mother to have a seat.

  After patting his face, she took the chair he offered.

  “It is.” Ulysses agreed and came over to hug Frederick tightly.

  “Told you. Prince’s is one of the finer establishments in Vermont. Everything is top shelf and elegant just as you’re used to.”

  “If only it weren’t in this neighborhood,” his mother drawled.

  Frederick frowned at that. “Sorry? There is nothing wrong with this community.”

  “No, but it seems a little too busy. You know I’m not a fan of big city places. Only when I go shopping. I want to get out the minute I grab what I want.”

  Frederick shrugged. “It is the city, mother. Vermont isn’t bustling like Chicago or New York just yet.”

  “Thank goodness for that,” she harrumphed.

  “Ah, Irma. The place is fine. I’ll have to bring my cigar club here. And you say Vaughan is the top bartender at this establishment?”

  Frederick grabbed his instrument and bow. “Indeed he is. Has been for a while. This is where it all began for us. I suppose I have Stuart Hanover to thank for that. If I wouldn’t have come to play at his son’s party, I’m not so sure I would’ve met Vaughan.”

  “Ah, you would’ve. The man is a gem. His stories are fascinating.” Ulysses commented with a smile. “Do you think Vaughan would like to join me at the Reading Social Club? I am quite sure many of the veterans would appreciate hearing war stories from another four-star Marine like Vaughan.”

  Frederick smiled wryly. “Maybe. You’d have to ask him. I’m glad you like him, but I must tell you both, it would’ve have mattered if you didn’t.”

  “Oh…” Irma said, playfully slapping his hip. “So I see Vaughan has instilled more confidence in you. That can only be a good thing.”

  “Now if he can only convince you to stop wearing makeup. I’d put him in my will if he did.” Ulysses said with a snicker.

  Frederick rolled his eyes and began pecking away at his violin to tune it. “Dad, he loves me as I am. That’s all that matters.”

  “I know, son. And so do we.” Ulysses grasped his shoulder.

  Frederick started playing a little for them while he waited for his cue to go on to the stage. He practiced part of the love song he’d written along with a Sting cover tune. He would surprise Vaughan with it during the set. They’d made love to it last week, and he’d decided now was as good of a time as ever to play it for him. Other than telling Vaughan he loved him several times a day, there was no better way of professing his love than serenading him in song.

  ****

  Vaughan hunched down behind the bar to help Scott set some Hendo in the cooler. He then counted the rest and frowned. They had eighteen bottles left, and he just hoped those would hold out for the night. Their shipment was delayed due to some kind of mechanical issue, and though Vaughan was irritated by that, he had to make do.

  “That should do it,” he told Scott.

  “Thanks, boss.”

  Vaughan growled. “Ugh. I hate that.”

  “I know.” Scott winked. “That’s why I do it. You can’t have perfect employees all the time.”

  “Right.” Vaughan grinned.

  Kelliani, who had the night off, moseyed over to the bar and climbed to a stool. Vaughan watched as she glanced back at Frederick and his parents before facing forward again. He kissed her cheek then her forehead and eased back to lean on his elbow. “Glass of Hendo for my beauty?” he asked.
/>   “You know it,” she said.

  He took a moment to pour her some wine, then set the dainty glass before her on a coaster. She lifted it to him in a silent toast and sipped.

  “I took the queen out for a walk before I left,” Kelliani told him. “I know you and Freddy did it in the morning, but a dog needs to do her business.”

  “Thanks,” Vaughan said. “You have no idea how much the queen means to me.”

  Kelliani grinned. “She helped with the nightmares, right?”

  “Yeah. Freddy has been a part of that, too. From the first night he spent with me, the nightmares were gone. I don’t know what it is about him.”

  “You look so much better now,” she said. “You are happy, right?”

  “Yes.” Vaughan looked by her head at Frederick who’d been playing for his parents. “I never thought I could love someone like I do him and to think I could find someone to love me back…”

  “Dude, seriously. What is wrong with you? You’re like—like—the man from every straight woman’s dreams.”

  Vaughan blushed. “I know. I kinda took what my father said to heart. I know, I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help it. Mom’s come around some. She even met Freddy. All he did was flash her one those little smiles and he had her.”

  “Justin told you she was trying,” Kelliani reminded him.

  “Yeah. I just wish Dad—he’ll never come around. And I do miss him, but I can’t spend the rest of my life waiting for him to come back to me.” Vaughan pulled his eyes from Frederick so he’d stop thinking of having Frederick naked and moaning under him. “I’ve been thinking of buying a house for Freddy and me.”

  “Damn! Can I decorate it?”

  Vaughan laughed. “We haven’t even talked about it yet and you want to decorate it. Well, if he agrees you have to talk to him about decorating.” He grabbed the bottle of opened Hendo and topped up Kelliani’s glass. “I’m not much of a decorations man. As long as it has four walls and Freddy, I’m happy.”

  “Aww,” Kelliani said. “I’m happy for you. Um, I have a kind of a delicate thing to talk to you about.”