Evrain growled. Dominic shouldn’t be addressing anyone as ‘sir’ except him. He shook his head. Where did that thought come from?
“Yes, Mr. Castine?” Pitt peered over his glasses, apparently enjoying the deference.
“Should I leave?” Dominic asked. “This is family business, surely.”
“Your presence is required. Please remain where you are.”
“Oh. Okay.” Dominic glanced across at Evrain, his expression anxious.
Evrain attempted a reassuring smile. It came as no surprise to him that Agatha had left something to Dominic in her will, though it was clear that Dominic had no idea.
Pitt mumbled through a quantity of legal jargon that Evrain paid little attention to. Dominic shuffled his feet, making a brave effort not to appear bored out of his mind. Evrain avoided fidgeting through strength of will alone. He tuned back into the man’s droning voice.
“Other than some small bequests to beneficiaries who have been informed in writing, the two of you share the majority of the estate.” Pitt then opened a small vellum packet that sat on the pile of papers on the desk in front of him. Two envelopes slid out. Pitt pushed them to the edge of the desk and gestured at them. “There is a letter here for each of you. Mrs. Hornbeam’s instructions are that they must be opened on the day that you receive them, before the sun sets, and that you must be in each other’s presence.” Hooded eyes blinked slowly. “Her words, not mine.”
Evrain stood. He picked up both envelopes and handed the one with Dominic’s name inscribed on it to him. He examined his own. His name was written out in full in Agatha’s spidery, copperplate hand. The paper was thick, creamy white. The ink blue-black. He turned the envelope over and found a blood-red wax seal, stamped with the shape of a flower.
As Evrain resumed his seat, Pitt picked up another document and began to read out the details of a series of small bequests, mainly to charities and old friends. Gregory and Coryn were both mentioned as were Evrain’s sisters and his mother, who all inherited pieces of jewelry. For Evrain’s father there was a particularly fine set of leather-bound encyclopedias that James had always admired.
Dominic fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. Evrain assumed that he had no idea that Aggie had left him anything at all. It wasn’t the kind of thing she would have talked about. Evrain’s parents had told him that he, rather than they, would inherit Aggie’s estate when the time came. He caught Dominic staring at him and returned the glance. Dominic’s cheeks flushed deeply.
Caught you. Evrain hid his grin. A cough from in front of him brought his attention back to the proceedings.
“If I could have your attention, gentlemen?” Pitt scowled at them as if they were a couple of recalcitrant schoolboys. “Where was I…? Yes, to Dominic Castine I leave the land at Hornbeam Cottage, to include the gardens and surrounding acreage. In addition, a sum of one hundred thousand dollars to support the development of that land as part of his business.”
Dominic gasped. “But that can’t be right!”
“I can assure you, Mr. Castine, that it is correct.” Pitt’s nose wrinkled and his eyes narrowed, daring Dominic to dispute his words again. “And to my beloved grandson, Evrain James Brookes, Hornbeam Cottage and the remainder of the estate amounting to a value of some two million, five hundred thousand dollars, on condition that he makes Hornbeam Cottage his permanent residence with immediate effect.”
Evrain drew in a sharp breath.
Pitt stood and gave a small bow. “I’ll give you a few minutes’ privacy while I organize some coffee. Needless to say, gentlemen, I would be honored to offer any further legal services you may require.” He left the room quietly. The click of the closing door seemed to resound through the silence like a thunderclap.
“Holy fuck! I don’t know about coffee, I feel the need for hard liquor.” Evrain ran a hand through his hair. “I had no idea…”
Dominic stood but kept his head bowed, his pretty eyes firmly fixed on the Axminster. “I’m so sorry about this, Evrain. Please believe me when I say I knew nothing about the bequest, Aggie never said a word. I’ll sign everything over to you. I’m sure Mr. Pitt can make the necessary arrangements and just deduct his fee or something. It should all be yours by rights, I don’t know what Aggie was thinking. I never expected anything, she never said… I’m sorry this has happened. I’ll sign whatever I need to sign and you won’t have to see me again.” He stumbled over the words then took a rough breath.
Evrain wondered if he’d need a paper bag. Dominic was on the verge of hyperventilating. He’d never heard so many words come out of the man’s mouth in one go. He needed gagging before he got any more stupid. Now, there was an idea worth experimenting with. Evrain pictured Dominic’s lips stretched around a ball gag and decided to add it to his list of things to do before he hit twenty-two. Most of the items on that list involved Dominic naked and a wide variety of restraints.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Evrain stood directly in front of Dominic. He put his hands on Dominic’s shaking shoulders and squeezed lightly. “You don’t escape me that easily.” He kept his tone low and commanding. “My grandmother had good reasons for everything she did while she was alive and I have more sense than to question that now she’s gone.”
Dominic kept shaking his head. The words weren’t sinking in.
Evrain squeezed a bit harder. “Look at me, Dominic.”
No response. Coppery lashes still concealed Dominic’s eyes.
“Look. At. Me.”
Dominic jerked in Evrain’s hold. He gasped as if shaken from a trance, then made eye contact. “Sorry. I’m just… I can’t believe it!”
“Don’t be sorry. You have nothing to apologize for.” Evrain didn’t loosen his grip. “I have no use for land. You do. I’m more than happy to let you commit yourself to hard labor in my stead.”
“But all that money! I haven’t earned it, any of it.” Dominic sounded genuinely in distress.
“And you think I have?” Evrain cupped Dominic’s face with one hand, expecting him to pull away. He didn’t. “She’s left me more than enough to ensure that I don’t have to work again unless I want to. Cunning old biddy—I thought she was as poor as a church mouse, not rolling in loot.”
Dominic trembled beneath his touch. It would only take a second to lean in and kiss the worry away. Evrain swayed toward Dominic. He had such lovely lips. Kissable. Or maybe a quick nip. Gentle pain to pull him out of his state of shock.
Dominic had lowered his eyes again. That wouldn’t do. Evrain took a single step back and removed his hands from Dominic’s body.
“Look at me.”
Dominic shifted nervously but didn’t meet his eyes.
“I said look at me, Dominic. Don’t make me ask you again.”
Anxious blue eyes gradually met his own. Evrain preened at another small victory. “Please believe that I’m happy for you.” Evrain clasped his hands behind his back to stop from touching Dominic again. He had to move with glacial slowness or risk frightening his quarry away completely. “Accept that something good has come out of a horrific act. Aggie wanted this for you. For us. Accept it with grace.”
Dominic gave a single nod. Evrain caught his breath as the light glinted in Dominic’s hair, reflecting the warm, deep red tones. Evrain had a sudden urge to run his hands through it—he remembered how soft it felt. It was the perfect length to get a good grip, to tug Dominic’s head back and hold him still for a punishing kiss. He lifted his hand, and Dominic froze. His body was sending out signals that said ‘touch me, please touch me’. Whether his mind was thinking the same thing was debatable. Evrain didn’t care. He felt the electric tension in the air, deciding that Dominic’s lack of movement gave him permission to continue. However, his planned exploration was abruptly curtailed as the office door clicked open to admit Angus Pitt and his secretary, who was lugging a heavy tray of coffee.
Evrain scowled his annoyance and frustration but moved away. Dominic let out his breath with a sligh
t shudder, making Evrain wonder if Dominic was about to laugh hysterically or sob with relief. He smiled. He liked having Dominic off balance. His vulnerability just made him all the more attractive to Evrain’s predatory nature. That was tempered by a need to comfort and protect. He wanted nothing more than to pull Dominic into his arms and keep him safe.
Evrain endured twenty minutes of polite small talk and cups of over-brewed coffee, before he and Dominic left. After the stultifying atmosphere of the office and the obsequious attentions of Mr. Pitt, Evrain craved fresh air. He pushed through the door with Dominic close on his heels. Outside on the rain-slicked pavement, they looked at each other and shared a smile but then some of the tension returned, the atmosphere shifting like the calm before a storm.
“I’m so glad to be out of there. I couldn’t breathe,” Dominic said.
“I know exactly what you mean. That man sucks all the oxygen out of the air, I swear.”
“Definitely creepy. I just want to go home. Take a shower.”
“How did you get here?” Evrain asked Dominic before he could make some excuse and disappear. “Have you got your van?”
Dominic nodded. “It’s parked just around the corner.”
“Good. You can give me a lift back to the cabin. If I have to move in tonight, and apparently I do, I need to take a look around and decide what to bring from my apartment.” He hoped that if he was decisive enough, Dominic wouldn’t have the courage to question Evrain’s right to tell him what to do.
“Okay, I can do that. I suppose a shower can wait.”
“It can.”
Evrain secretly hoped that Dominic would be happy to spend more time with him. They’d had little enough opportunity since Agatha’s death. He made the most of the short walk to Dominic’s parking spot, allowing his hand to occasionally brush against Dominic’s as they strolled along. He caught several sideways glances and noticed Dominic chewing on his lower lip. His nerves were delicious. Evrain resisted the urge to hold hands, not because he was worried about reaction to a public display of affection, but because he knew that once he had Dominic in his grip he wouldn’t be able to let go.
Dominic’s truck was old but immaculately clean.
“It’s not much, but it does the job.” Dominic sounded apologetic as he unlocked the door. “Doesn’t even have central locking.” He shrugged.
“Well, you can afford something better now. It would be an investment in your business.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t,” Dominic said. “She’s a reliable old girl, I wouldn’t just trade her in.”
Evrain climbed into the cab and settled into the passenger seat. Inside, it smelled vaguely of moss and earth—a comforting scent of the countryside. Evrain breathed deeply, knowing the scent would forever remind him of Dominic.
“It’s good to know you’re so loyal.” Because once I make you mine, I’m never letting you go.
Dominic slammed his door shut and settled in his seat. “Do you want to go home first and change?”
The question startled Evrain from his thoughts. He gave himself a once-over, catching Dominic’s dubious glance. “Are you criticizing the way I look?” Evrain asked mischievously.
“No! I just thought…” Dominic stuttered into an unhappy silence. Evrain experienced guilt very rarely. This was one such time.
“I’m sorry, I’m being a dick.” Evrain leaned across and placed a hand on Dominic’s thigh. “You’re right. This outfit isn’t very practical, is it?”
Firm muscle clenched beneath his touch and Evrain was sorely tempted to see what would happen if he moved his fingers slightly higher. Wicked thoughts flashed through his mind and he grinned to himself before lifting his hand. There would be plenty of time for that and he’d scared Dominic enough for now. Grandmother dearest had done him a great favor by tying Dominic to him. He was going to enjoy reeling in those invisible cords, but he would take his time. Still, there was no harm in having a bit of fun in the meantime.
“Black suits you,” Dominic whispered.
“Then I’ll be sure to wear it more.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean…”
Evrain gave him a direct look. “I’m interested in what you enjoy, Dominic. What you appreciate. What turns you on.”
“Stop it!” Dominic’s words came out as a gasp. “Tell me where to go.”
“And there it is.” Evrain grinned. “I think that’s what you enjoy the most. Me telling you what to do.” He tapped one finger on his knee. “Me manhandling you probably comes a close second.”
Dominic gripped the steering wheel tightly. He turned on the ignition. “Please, Evrain. Stop teasing me.”
But it’s so much fun! Evrain decided to be merciful. He gave directions to his apartment building then sat quietly while Dominic followed them. When they reached the entrance to the underground lot beneath Evrain’s building, Evrain gave Dominic the guest code. Dominic drove down the ramp and pulled up in a vacant spot. He turned off the engine, which sputtered a little before cutting out completely.
“I can wait here.” Dominic sounded hopeful.
“No, you won’t, you’ll come up with me. I’m not going to leave you sitting down here in the dark.” Evrain used a challenging tone, daring Dominic to refuse him.
A small sigh signaled his victory. Evrain took it as an excellent sign for the future. Dominic was so clearly submissive it sent a thrill right to Evrain’s core. He would make Dominic his own, and every small concession that Dominic made to Evrain’s dominance was a step in the right direction.
They took the elevator to Evrain’s apartment, soft music playing as they rose to the top floor. They were surrounded by mirrors, which allowed Evrain to watch Dominic’s every movement. He had his hands shoved deep in his pockets and he shuffled from foot to foot as if unable to keep still.
“There’s no need to be nervous,” Evrain said as they reached their destination and the elevator doors slid open. “I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”
“Oh… It’s not that. This place is just so…”
Evrain’s block was luxurious to say the least. Dominic gazed at everything, taking in the plush carpets and artwork that decorated the hall.
“This is a really nice place,” Dominic said.
“It is, but it’s not mine,” Evrain felt the need to clarify as he unlocked his front door. “It came with my job. I suppose I’ll have to give it up now and commute from the cabin to the office. Hopefully the company will let me work from home a couple of days each week to save making the journey.” He pushed open the door and led Dominic inside. “Make yourself at home, I won’t be long.” Evrain took off his jacket and threw it across a chair before heading for his bedroom. He stripped down to his underwear and rummaged in the wardrobe for an old pair of jeans. He was about to pull them on then smiled to himself, tossed them onto the bed then strolled back into the lounge instead.
“I should have said—the kitchen’s through there, make yourself a drink if you’d like something.” Evrain walked across the room and collected his discarded jacket.
Dominic’s expression was priceless. He swallowed hard and blushed but didn’t look away. Evrain observed Dominic’s reaction to his state of undress with amusement. That creamy freckled skin did look very pretty with a light flush of color highlighting sharp cheekbones. He could feel himself becoming aroused and smirked as Dominic’s discomfort increased. Dominic’s gaze drifted downward, and Evrain had no doubt what it was fixed on.
“There are sodas in the fridge if you feel the need for something cool.” Evrain waited a few more seconds then turned back into the bedroom. Let Dominic wonder what he was up to. Whatever his imagination conjured up wouldn’t be too far from the truth.
Evrain shoved his shorts down and kicked them away. He strolled to the attached bathroom, his erection bouncing jauntily, begging for attention. Evrain wasn’t one to deny himself. He fumbled in the bathroom cabinet for lube, coated his fingers in slick then tossed the tube away, not carin
g where it landed. He braced himself with one hand on the sink and took a tight grip of his aching shaft. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. His cheeks bore a hint of pink, his eyes were overly bright. As he jacked himself, his lips parted. His breath sped up. He visualized Dominic on his knees before him, luscious lips pressed around the head of his dick. He jerked his hand faster. His orgasm snuck up on him and a warm gush of fluid coated his palm. His muscles tensed and his throat chorded in a silent scream of release.
“Fuck, if he’s that good when he’s not even present, I can’t wait until he’s actually in the room.” Evrain chuckled. It had been far too long since their brief but hot encounter in Dominic’s tool shed. He was absolutely certain that soon, very soon, his daydreams would become reality again. Dominic belonged on his knees before him. The anticipation of the moment would only make the reality more spectacular.
Evrain cleaned himself up. He splashed some cool water on his cheeks in an effort to calm his heightened color, though he had no problem letting Dominic know that he’d done something about his arousal. Hopefully, it would leave Dominic frustrated and wanting. He retrieved his discarded jeans from the bed and pulled them on. The age-softened fabric caressed his ass and clung to his thighs. He shoved his bare feet into an old, paint-spattered pair of deck shoes, glad that he’d bothered to pack them. His mother had tried to toss them into the trash but he’d rescued them at the last moment and shoved them into the side of his suitcase. A faded university T-shirt under a woolen jumper made up the rest of his outfit. He grabbed the envelope that Angus Pitt had given him and went to find Dominic.
Evrain paused at his bedroom door. Dominic was in the corner of the room, bent over Evrain’s work desk. Evrain took a moment to admire the lines of Dominic’s body. Even beneath slightly baggy clothes, Dominic’s lithe muscles were obvious. There was strength in his slender frame. The fabric of his pants pulled taut across his ass, making Evrain’s mouth water.
“Mmm. Delicious.”
Dominic startled at his words and spun around.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
Elemental Love Page 9
