by SJD Peterson
“Aww, I love you too,” Ry said. He pursed his lips and made kissing sounds.
“I never thought about it growing up,” Richard explained. “I wasn’t really around other kids much except summer camp. Until I was ten or eleven. Then I was so busy with my academic studies that I didn’t have time to think about anything else.”
“So basically your life has been boring since you were born?”
“Ry!” This time Tikron did whoop him upside his head. “That is so frickin’ rude.”
“No, it’s not. It’s true,” Richard said. Tikron gawked at him. “I’m a smart man, Tikron, a very smart man, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out 99 percent of the population would be considered boring compared to your lives.”
“He has a valid point,” Ry agreed.
“You’ve made me question everything I ever thought was real. And I admit at first that was a really scary thing.” Richard looked up at Tikron from over the top of his glasses. “You had a front-row seat to just how much it scared the shit out of me. Which, yeah, is kind of embarrassing. But now that I’ve had a chance to think about things, I realize you’ve given me a gift, a new plane of existence to explore.”
“Like I said, I like this guy,” Ry complimented, then patted Richard on the back. “Hey, if things don’t work out with this big ugly lug, I’m single—”
“Okay, time for the horn dog to get going,” Tikron announced. He waved his hand at Ry. “Shoo, shoo.”
Ry cracked up. “Love you too.” To Richard he said, “I’m just teasing. He’s a great guy and I’m sure you two will live happily ever after. I want to be the best man at your wedding.”
Richard’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, but that was his only response.
“Bye, Ry.”
Ry winked and, in a theatrical swirl of light, disappeared.
Richard jerked back. “I don’t’ know if I’ll ever get used to that.”
“That’s okay. I’ve known Ry for years and I’m still not used to him. He’s a great guy, honestly. But he does have a strange sense of humor.”
“I thought he was funny.”
“Ugh, please don’t tell him that to his face.”
“Too late,” Ry’s voice echoed around the room.
Tikron sighed dramatically. “I am so going to turn him into a toad.”
“I heard that too.”
Tikron was about to complain, but Richard started to snicker, and when Tikron met his gaze with a questioning expression, Richard cracked up. Not the hysterical laughter like the night before, but a happy, full belly laugh. Tikron couldn’t help but join him.
Be a seeker of everyday magic.
Chapter Nineteen
WALKING through the door to Tikron’s house, Richard was surprised at how… normal it looked. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but the monochromatic décor and modern sleek furniture in chrome and glass wasn’t it. “This is nice,” Richard complimented as he stepped out of his loafers and set them to the side on the geometric black-and-white rug. “Not what I was expecting, but nice.”
Tikron shut the door behind them. “What were you expecting?”
Richard took a few steps into the living room and took in the place. He tried to imagine Tikron living and entertaining in this space and just couldn’t conjure up the image. “I don’t know. I guess something like an old-world style.”
“Is that a dig on my age?”
“No!” Richard spun around and caught a glimpse of Tikron’s grin.
“Just teasing.” Tikron stepped up close and leaned down to press a light kiss to Richard’s lips. “Let me guess. You were expecting bubbling cauldrons and shelves full of various ingredients like eye of newt.”
“To be honest, yes.”
Tikron threw his head back and laughed. “You’re so damn cute.” He took Richard’s hand. “C’mon. I’ll show you the rest of the place.”
The kitchen was much like the living room, sleek and modern, as was the main bathroom. In the spare room Tikron used as a library, the décor was more of what Richard had expected. Built-in shelves were installed on every wall, lined with numerous books, most of which looked very old. In the center of the room was a large round wooden table, and upon it sat numerous tomes, scrolls, and papers.
“Now this room is what I was expecting in the other rooms. I don’t know why, but this one reminds me the most of you.”
“It’s my favorite,” Tikron responded. “Most of the things came from my childhood home. Every time I move, these are the only things I take with me.”
“How often do you move?” Richard’s parents still lived in the house he grew up in. He’d only moved once in his life.
“Usually every ten to twenty years. It’s hard to explain to your neighbors why you don’t age, so it’s just easier to move.”
Richard considered Tikron’s statement and was surprised the reference to his long existence didn’t even faze Richard anymore. Obviously he had no issues accepting it, because the only thing he thought about was what a pain in the butt it would be to always have to pull up stakes and move to a new town, a new state where no one knew you. It was kind of sad. Knowing this, Richard had a better understanding of why Tikron and Ry were so close. Ry was the one person he didn’t ever have to hide from. Hopefully Tikron would feel the same about Richard. He ran his hand over the scarred finish of the table. “I could see myself spending a lot of time here.”
“I’d like seeing you here. A lot.” Tikron put his arm around Richard, and Richard couldn’t help but push closer to his warmth. “This house came furnished. This room and my bedroom are the only ones I decorated.”
“I’d love to see it.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
Richard felt his cheeks heating, and he hid his face in Tikron’s side, hugged him, then said, “Lead the way.”
Richard stepped inside the bedroom and heard a small groan escape Tikron as his gaze landed on Richard’s groin.
Richard knew instantly what had caused the reaction in Tikron. Richard couldn’t hide the effect the man was having on him. His cock strained against his khaki Dockers, on full display. Hell. His heart slammed against his ribs.
The edges of Tikron’s lips curled. “Your expression is saying no, but your body….” Tikron raked his eyes down Richard again and then licked his lips. “Mmm, your body is saying oh yes!”
Richard’s cock screamed at him to give in to the temptation Tikron was offering. Yet his mind warned him to hold back. To proceed with caution. He’d never been one to let a little thing like lust cloud his good sense. His reservation must have shown itself, for Tikron took a step closer and asked, “Are you going to deny it?”
“But…. But….” Richard cringed at how weak his voice was. He couldn’t form a coherent thought. Tikron’s presence overpowered logic, overwhelmed his mind. And God help him, he wanted what Tikron was offering. Desperately.
Tikron hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans, his fingers framing the large bulge. “But what?” Tikron asked.
Richard couldn’t look away from Tikron’s groin. God, it had been so long since he’d had any sexual contact with anyone other than B.O.B. Moreover, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d craved intimacy, human touch. At least before he’d met Tikron. “It’s just….” Feeling distinctly uneasy, Richard surveyed Tikron’s bedroom. The bed donned luxurious linens in rich, deep tones of gold and burgundy. The room was eloquently decorated yet still masculine in its décor. His gaze settled on the bed again and he swallowed hard. He could not believe he was hesitating. Tikron stood before him, the embodiment of all his fantasies of late, and fool that Richard was, he questioned him. “I can’t help but wonder why you’ve pursued me?”
Tikron ran a hand over the bulge in his pants, fingers tightening around the prominent head. “Isn’t it obvious? You want me and I so, so very much want you.”
A moan escaped Richard’s lips. He squeezed his eyes closed against a b
olt of purest lust. It ripped through his body. Lit every nerve. Racked his muscles.
“I’ve wanted to feel your body against mine since the first moment I laid eyes on you. Please don’t make me wait any longer.” Thick and rich, Tikron’s voice dripped with sexual promise.
The hell with it. Tikron’s motives didn’t matter. Tomorrow didn’t matter. The reasons a relationship with Tikron Amorith could not work didn’t matter. All that mattered was the man was here, and he wanted Richard. It was just this once. Just sex to relieve this annoying ache that Tikron had caused. Then maybe Richard could get back to his regularly scheduled life. Perhaps then he could stop focusing on the matter below his belt. Without a word, Richard nodded his consent.
Tikron crossed the room in four quick strides, reached out, and grabbed Richard by the back of the neck. Pulling him close, he slanted his mouth over Richard’s. Swept his tongue boldly inside. Richard groaned deep and low in absolute gratitude as Tikron’s tongue met his. Frantic, Richard caressed every inch of Tikron’s body he could reach, his hands everywhere, soaking up every detail. The velvety texture of the man’s skin. The hardness of his muscles. Heat radiated from his body, searing Richard’s palms.
Tikron’s hands slipped between their bodies to work the buttons on Richards’s tweed jacket. All the while Tikron devoured Richard’s mouth. Tikron shoved Richard’s jacket off his shoulders, momentarily trapping his arms at his sides. With a hard tug, Richard jerked his arms from the sleeves and reached for Tikron again.
Twisting his head, Tikron broke the kiss and took a step back. “Wait.”
Richard groaned pitifully and leaned forward, intent on capturing Tikron’s mouth. Tikron laid his fingers over Richard’s lips, effortlessly holding him back. His gray eyes blazed with desire.
“Your shirt.”
Emboldened, Richard drew Tikron’s fingers into his mouth and sucked on the tips. Tikron shuddered. Christ, he could make Tikron shudder. Richard yanked his shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor. He looked up at Tikron from beneath his lashes. “Done. Now kiss me.”
A slow smile spread across Tikron’s wet lips. “I like this new side to your personality.”
Richard didn’t say anything. Instead he went up on his tiptoes and kissed Tikron full on the mouth. The chuckle rumbling Tikron’s chest turned into a groan as Richard dragged his lips down the man’s neck. The scent of Tikron’s cologne saturated his skin, teasing Richard’s tongue. And Tikron’s touch…. God, the feel of Tikron’s hands on his bare skin made his cock throb painfully. Fluid leaked from the tip, wetting his drawers. Tikron took off his shirt, let it fall to the floor before he lowered himself until they were face to face. He took hold of Richard’s hips, pulled him closer, pressing their bodies together tightly. Tikron’s inner thigh pushed firmly against Richard, trapping him. The light smattering of hair on Tikron’s torso teased Richard’s nipples. Richard ground his hips as he mouthed Tikron’s neck, rubbing their hard pricks together.
Richard didn’t know if the hoarse moan echoing in his ears was his or Tikron’s, for need raged out of control. Swamped his senses. Left him gasping for air. More. He needed more of Tikron. Kissing and nipping the warm spicy skin, he worked his way down Tikron’s broad chest. Dropped to his knees. Paid homage to the sculpted abdomen. Flicked his tongue over the crease of Tikron’s navel. Followed the thin trail of fair hair until he encountered the top of Tikron’s pants. How many times had he performed this act in his dreams and imagination? Countless times. But no dream lover had been as perfect as Tikron; none had smelled and felt like him. Richard couldn’t get enough. A dream come true. Going with what he’d learned from his fantasies, he popped the button and then eased down the zipper. He pushed Tikron’s jeans and briefs down his long legs, freeing his cock. The hard length jutted eagerly from a thatch of dark blond hair. For a moment Richard was struck motionless. It was a sight he only dreamed of. Tikron’s cock was perfect, just like the rest of him, ruddy skin stretched taut over the thick length, the shaft curling, straining upright. The head flushed with need and only inches from his mouth.
“Kiss it,” Tikron said, his voice hoarsened with passion.
Richard pressed his lips to the head, pulling a groan from Tikron. He opened his mouth, but instead of taking the man’s cock inside, he dragged his lips along the length, flicking his tongue over the hot skin. Massaging Tikron’s thighs, he nuzzled the base, then rubbed his cheek against the satiny smooth skin of his hip. Damn, Tikron smelled good. Male arousal with a hint of sweat. And something else. Something that was distinctly Tikron. The combined scent was an amazingly potent source of lust. He sprinkled light kisses over Tikron’s groin. Light kisses that quickly turned greedy. Urgent, openmouthed kisses with teeth and tongue. He tried to draw out the moment, to savor the anticipation, but it was no use. Grabbing hold of the base, Richard opened his mouth and took Tikron’s cock inside.
Tikron’s fist pressed against the nape of Richard’s neck, urging him to take more. Richard wanted to, damn he wanted to, but each time he took Tikron deep, he’d start to gag. Determined, he slowed down, worked on relaxing his jaw, and was able to take Tikron in farther. Silken skin slid over his tongue, leaving behind the salty tang of precome. The thick length filled his mouth. Resolute to shatter Tikron’s control, he bobbed up and down, tickling the sensitive underside with the tip of his tongue with each stroke.
Tikron tilted his hips forward. “That’s it.”
On the next upward glide, Richard sucked hard, his cheeks hollowing. He couldn’t deep-throat Tikron, but that didn’t deter Richard. He wrapped his fist around the base of Tikron’s cock and worked it hard with hand, lips, and tongue and was rewarded when Tikron let out a grunt.
Tikron clasped Richard’s shoulder, long fingers digging into the tendons as if he needed to hold on to stay on his feet. “Hell, that feels good. Do it again.”
Deliriously happy he was able to give Tikron such pleasure, Richard gladly complied. Tikron’s ass tightened beneath Richard’s hands. He felt a tremor shake the man’s body. Tikron’s breaths turned ragged. Hard, heavy pants filled Richard’s ears.
“Stop,” Tikron gasped, tugging on Richard’s hair.
Richard shook his head as much as he could in his current position. Intense arousal permeated his senses, had him on the brink of orgasm. Yet he wanted to suck Tikron’s cock all night long. Make the man come over and over.
“Stop.” Tikron tugged again, this time with both hands. “Dammit, stop.” Desperation laced his tone. That word, the one Richard could never ignore, penetrated the fog of lust. He pulled his mouth from Tikron’s prick. Eyes heavy-lidded, he met Tikron’s gaze.
Tikron stared down at him. He was panting hard, a slight flush staining his cheekbones. Cupping Richard’s jaw, he rubbed the pad of his thumb over Richard’s wet lips. “Such a talented mouth,” he murmured huskily. “I don’t want to come yet. I want to hold you, see your eyes when I come deep inside you.”
Apprehension flared briefly in Richard. He was far from virginal, unless his toys didn’t count. He very much enjoyed the feeling of being stretched, but he was always the one in control. Warm fingertips brushed the back of his neck and Richard looked up, saw the need in Tikron’s eyes, felt the gentleness in his touch, and Richard’s misgivings melted away. Tikron was a powerful being, yet he’d only shown tenderness.
Hands shaking, Richard unhooked the clasp on his Dockers and went to his feet, stepping out of his pants as Tikron kicked his own free of his legs. Tikron took Richard into his arms and their bodies pressed together. Richard savored the heat and scent of Tikron as he held him. Richard’s cock ached with longing, yet he was in no hurry to end this moment. Tikron dipped his head, nuzzled the side of Richard’s neck as they swayed against each other.
Tikron didn’t seem to be in a hurry to end the moment either. He kissed and teased the sensitive skin beneath Richard’s ear, sending shivers down Richard’s spine, and when Tikron took his mouth in a gentle but deep
kiss, Richard’s whole body shuddered with pleasure. The kiss went on and on, Richard so wrapped up in Tikron, Richard was barely aware of them moving toward the bed until he was being lowered onto the soft mattress with Tikron over him. Even with the size difference, they fit perfectly together, Tikron’s hardness sliding sensually against his own, and still the kiss went on. He clung to Tikron’s back, blunt fingers digging into the thick muscles. Everything was surreal, a powerful force that suspended time, yet they continued to move together. Richard became hyperaware of each touch, taste, scent. Then Tikron eased inside of him. Careful. Considerate. It was all Richard could do not to sob in gratitude. The length filled him slowly. Stretching. Invading.
Richard struggled to catch his breath, the all-encompassing pleasure almost too much for his mind to process. And then it intensified until he was past the point of coherent thought. Tikron Amorith was deep inside him, holding him, kissing him, and it felt spectacular. Beyond anything he had ever experienced, beyond anything he could have imagined. He couldn’t contain it—it was too big, and suddenly he didn’t want to. He let go, Tikron’s name on his lips as he came.
So lost in his own bliss, Richard was scarcely aware of Tikron going rigid or the sound of his own name echoing around the room. His body exhausted, entire being content, Richard became lost in Tikron’s presence, clung to him until his pulse and breathing returned to a normal pace. When Tikron rolled them, pulled Richard close, he laid his head on Tikron’s chest, listened to the strong steady beat of his lover’s heart. As he drifted off to sleep, snuggled against Tikron, there was no place on earth he’d rather be than in Tikron’s arms.
We leave a trail of magic everywhere we go.
Chapter Twenty
“ARE you sure you want to hear this?”
