Francesco wrinkled his brow again, something that Theo now recognized as being his way of concentrating while he considered something.
“Like a dog?”
“Heavens, no. Like a cherished, pampered member of the family. Our family.”
Francesco rounded his eyes. “What other people in your family live here? Are they nice? Do you think they’ll like me or will they make you get rid of me?”
Theo pressed a finger to Francesco’s lips. “Blurting, love. I think I understand a bit of what’s happening. You blurt when you get nervous or worried. Does that sound right?” Francesco nodded and Theo took his finger away. “It’s okay to answer out loud.”
“It sounds right, plus it happens when I get excited. That too.”
“Mmm. I see. Now, I need you to look right into my eyes while I say this so I know I have your complete attention, all right?”
“Yes, Sir.”
So sweet. “Wonderful. No one else lives here, nor is anyone else going to live here except you and me. We are the family in this house. I have a mother and father and other relatives in Massachusetts, but no one here. That is, until I brought you home. Now you’re part of my family too, and in the same way I promised earlier, if you don’t want a relationship as my partner anymore, or I don’t think it’s working out—regardless, you will never be gotten rid of.”
“I’m sorry.” Francesco appeared frightened and Theo hated seeing it on his face. “I know you told me you wouldn’t, and I trust you, yes Sir I do, but…” Francesco sniffed. “It’s hard when all the other people decided they didn’t want me anymore. But I’ll try harder to remember you won’t, and you can call me ‘pet’ if it makes you happy, but could you also call me ‘love’ sometimes too? I’ve never had anyone say that to me before and it makes me feel special.”
“I don’t think I could stop calling you ‘love’, even if I tried.” Theo kissed the top of his head. “And thank you. I’ve always dreamed of having a submissive boy who could be my very own pet.”
“Gee, then I’m glad it makes you so happy. But could you write down that submissive word for me when you do the other one? I need to find out what that one means too.”
Theo wrapped both arms around Francesco and rested his chin on his new boy’s head. “I’d be delighted to.”
* * * *
Francesco shot upright from where he’d been sleeping, his heart hammering, sweat covering his head and the back of his neck. Oh no. Where am I? He clutched the fabric covering him and as he gradually became aware of his surroundings, he remembered that he was safely tucked away in a bed in Theo’s house, sleeping on soft, clean sheets with a warm blanket over his body and a squishy feather pillow under his head.
Like heaven.
As his breathing slowed and he calmed down, he propped the pillow up behind his back and leaned against the fancy wooden headboard. In his mind, he went through the many things he and Theo had discussed during the evening. Theo had reminded him over and over that it was his house now too, not just Theo’s. That it was okay to have a glass of water without asking or fine if he wanted an apple from the bowl. If he decided to go to the library and take a book off the shelf then curl up on a chair or lie on the rug by the fireplace—that was okay too.
He’d told Theo he’d try real hard, but that it felt like stealing and he didn’t do that. He explained that he had a set of rules for himself that he’d always abided by. There was the caring about the proper way of doing things—even if he didn’t always know what they were, not telling lies—and now that he knew that leaving stuff out of conversations was dishonest, he was adding that to the list—and not taking things that didn’t belong to him. Unless, of course, they’d fallen on the ground. If a rose broke off the stem while on display outside a florist shop, and it lay on the sidewalk for more than one minute without the shopkeeper retrieving it, then it was fair game for anyone. The same rule held true for the stalls at the farmers market. It was the only way he’d ever had any fresh fruit.
Theo had been so nice by saying he understood and that he was proud that Francesco had rules he stuck by, but that he’d be giving him a whole new set of them to learn, and from now on, Francesco would just follow those. Once Francesco had looked up the dictionary words—and he and Theo had talked even more—he’d figured out how to pay Theo back.
He was Theo’s pet, his submissive. He’d learn to do all the things that would please Theo and he would make him proud. Francesco still thought he should do more, like shining shoes or scrubbing floors, but Theo had said they would figure everything out as they went along. He’d explained that he already had someone whom he’d hired to keep house and that he’d rather Francesco focus on one thing at a time. Theo was probably correct. It did take a lot of energy for him to pay attention.
Not much light from the outside streetlamps shone through the lace curtains hanging in the window, so he crawled out of bed to bring the round metal alarm clock closer to the outside so he could see it better. Ten minutes after four. He let out a huff. Drat. It would be a long time before Theo would want to get up.
He never should have taken a nap earlier, but the bromo stuff had made him so tired. Not having a safe or comfortable place to sleep for years didn’t help either. They hadn’t gone to bed until after midnight, but he didn’t think he could go back to sleep. He glanced in the direction of Theo’s room. Maybe he could tiptoe in there and see if he was for sure asleep. After all, he didn’t know him very well. Maybe he didn’t sleep more than a few hours at a time either. Then they could sit on the sofa and cuddle again. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d told Theo that it had been the best day of his life. No one had hugged him like they really wanted to since he’d been very small.
Francesco pulled the chain on the brass lamp by his bed. Even though he was an expert at sneaking around in the dark, he didn’t want to accidentally run into something, or trip and fall over and wake Theo up. He shrugged on the satiny robe Theo had given him to use over his unclothed body. Theo had instructed him to wash his underthings and the pits of his shirt before he went to bed so they could dry out overnight. He’d promised to take him shopping the next day. Although, he didn’t think he needed any pajamas. Naked was fine.
The tie around the robe was slippery and it kept loosening as he made his way past the big bathroom where the tub with the feet was located. The robe Theo wore only went down below his knees, but the one Francesco had on was down to his ankles. Francesco angrily yanked the sash closed again. It wasn’t his fault—he was an expert at tying. However, he’d always used twine, not satin.
Francesco reached Theo’s room and pushed the door ajar. It hadn’t been closed all the way because Theo had said he wanted to be able to hear Francesco if he needed anything. Well, I guess I need him right now, so that probably counts. He crept up to the edge of the bed and stared down at him. His heart picked up a rapid pace. Not one man on the planet could be better than Theo. Not even as good. Francesco let out a contented sigh. I’ll make him happy and proud and pleased and everything.
Theo made a snuffling sound, then sighed and shifted in his sleep. Maybe if I’m very quiet and careful I can lie on the bed next to him without interrupting his sleep. He didn’t think Theo would be mad at him even if he did—he’d said he never would be—but Francesco didn’t want to push his luck. He’d had way more in one day than he’d ever had in his whole life.
Francesco snuck around the end of the bed on the balls of his feet so he could get to the side where there was more room. Then inch by inch, he slowly climbed onto the bed, freezing in mid-climb when Theo mumbled something in his sleep and rolled on his side so that he faced Francesco. He’d already decided not to chance pulling up the covers to get underneath—it was too risky. It wasn’t as if he usually had a blanket anyway, and it was plenty warm inside Theo’s home. He paused to muse on one of the things Theo had said to him earlier. I guess he wants it to be my home too. Since he was still too afraid to get a cup of water
on his own, he figured it would take a while before he believed it—even if he knew Theo wasn’t lying.
Theo had stilled again, so Francesco resumed getting on the bed. He yelped and slapped a hand to his mouth as Theo’s eyes flew open.
“Francesco?”
Theo’s sleep-roughened voice didn’t sound angry, only confused. He was sorry he’d been so loud, though. He didn’t like big noises and it was even worse when he was half-asleep.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to bother you, but I couldn’t sleep anymore in my room, and I was bored, so I thought I’d come in here and see if you were having trouble sleeping too.”
Theo gave him a soft smile. “While lying in bed with me?”
“Kinda. You don’t mind that I wanted to watch you, do you? Since you weren’t awake, I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Are you frightened of anything?”
Francesco considered it. He had no reason to be afraid. He knew Theo wouldn’t hurt him, he wasn’t on the streets where the Traski brothers or anyone else could get him and he wasn’t worried about whether he was ever going to get to eat again, so…
“No. It’s not that. I just don’t want to be alone in my bed. I think I’ve been alone enough. Since you said you liked me, I don’t see why I can’t stay in your bed with you. Unless you like to be alone, then I guess I’ll have to do something else, but I don’t know what. Could you help me figure it out?”
Theo tugged at the blankets and Francesco finally realized he was yanking them out from underneath Francesco’s body. Once he’d pulled them free, he lifted them up in invitation.
“Really?”
Theo hadn’t stopped smiling. “I’ve been alone enough too.”
Francesco whipped off the robe, glad that it kept coming untied after all, then wiggled his way under the blankets. Theo had pajamas on—which was disappointing—but like his mama had always said, ‘you can’t have everything’—even if he wanted it.
“Why are you wearing clothes? You don’t have to, you know. Since you’re inside and all.” Maybe Theo would agree with him and take them off.
“I don’t usually. I wore them out of deference to you.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to deference for me.”
The corner of Theo’s mouth twitched. He liked that the streetlamp shone more light into Theo’s room, and that he had left the velvet drapes tied up. He didn’t like when it was all the way dark. Maybe he’s right and I was scared.
“Should I write ‘deference’ on the dictionary list?”
“Yeah, you probably should. I didn’t use it right, did I?”
“No, but I’m sure you will next time.”
“You still don’t have to wear clothes, you know, even with the deference.”
“Perhaps tomorrow night. We’ll see.”
“Can I sleep in here tomorrow night too?”
“Any night you’d like.”
“Even if it’s every night?”
“Even if.”
“Gee, that’s swell.” Francesco scooted closer to Theo until he was at the very edge of his own pillow so they could stare into each other’s eyes. “Are you sleepy? I’m not.”
“I’m still a bit tired, yes. But if you don’t want to go back to sleep, you could always go sit in the library and read. I’ll even get up and make you a fire. Or perhaps a warm glass of milk would help you relax?”
Francesco screwed up his nose. “Why would I want old milk? I don’t even like it when it’s new right out of the cows. Then, if the box ain’t got any ice, it gets old. Unless you have your own cow here? Because you have a lot of things. Then it’d be new, but still, it’s icky like that. I only drink the cold kind whenever I have it. But it’s awful nice of you to ask and to offer to get out of bed and build me a fire and everything. I’d just rather stay here with you, that’s all.”
“You’re very sweet, but there were at least two questions in there that you didn’t wait for me to answer. Would you like me to answer them still, or were they only rhetorical?”
Francesco sighed. He probably should go down to the library and spend the rest of the night looking up dictionary words.
“Could you write down the last word you said, along with the other one?” He made sure to wait that time.
“I can.”
“And I really did want to hear your answers. Why did you let me keep blurting?”
“I need to make a confession. Even though I want to work with you on stopping it, I enjoy listening to you speak. I love your enthusiasm and the way your mind works.”
“My mind? Gee.”
“Yes, your mind. And the milk wouldn’t be old. I have it in my electrical icebox, but sometimes people warm it up to help them go to sleep. But since you don’t like it that way, I won’t give you any.” Theo reached the short distance between them to rub his thumb along Francesco’s cheek. “And no, I don’t have my own cow.”
“Okay. Can I stay here, though? I promise I’ll lie very still and not talk and I won’t stare at you if you don’t want me to.”
“Why don’t we give it a try and see what happens?”
“Thanks! I’ll be good. I’ll try real hard, anyway.”
Theo rolled onto his back then wrapped his arm around Francesco’s shoulders. He hugged him to his side and Francesco lay his head on Theo’s chest, with his palm resting on his stomach. Theo’s heart thumped away in his ear and it made him want to close his eyes in case he did fall asleep, after all.
But he’d say fifty rosaries a day if he could only cuddle without Theo wearing his dang clothes.
Chapter Seven
Theo leaned back in his wooden, swiveling desk chair in the study, yawning and rubbing his eyes. It had been quite a day, filled with shopping for clothes and grooming products for Francesco, a stop at the dentist and the club doctor making a house call to verify Francesco was healthy. Other than the expected advice that he get more iron in his diet and put on a few pounds, he’d thankfully been malady-free.
Francesco never sat still and was curious about everything. There had been a bout of wriggling in bed the night before—accompanied by a lot of apologies—before Francesco had drifted back to sleep. He hadn’t been as fortunate. By the same token, he’d been thrilled and thankful to have Francesco in his arms and that he wished to share a bed with him going forward.
But, within two hours, Francesco had been wide awake again and they’d made a list of all they hoped to accomplish that day. Francesco had offered to make breakfast from now on if Theo would teach him first, which had ended up being quite eventful. It had taken an hour after they’d eaten to put everything to rights again before his housekeeper arrived and fainted at the sight. Shining Theo’s shoes and teaching him about using the shoe black and polish had been Francesco’s next suggestion, but the mere thought of Francesco handling the tins filled with the messy ingredients after the breakfast debacle had caused Theo to suggest they wait for another day. When I’ve had more sleep.
He smiled to himself. It was all worth it. He’d never felt so alive or filled with such anticipation. His instincts told him that Francesco would love being a part of his perverse world—he’d already shown himself to be quite amenable to serving and being trained by him—but that didn’t stop the small doubts creeping in that wanted to steal his happiness.
Theo glanced down at the piles of contracts on his desk and groaned. He’d thought he’d have time to whisk by his office and check in with his secretary while Francesco was at the dentist, but that hadn’t gone how he’d anticipated. He’d barely set foot outside the waiting area when Francesco had run screaming out of the dentist’s office, accusing the doctor of trying to kill him with sharp pointy things.
He’d had no choice but to stay by Francesco’s side to keep him calm and to talk him through the entire process while his teeth were being checked and cleaned.
After they’d finished their errands, eaten dinner out and returned home, it had been after
eight o’clock. While Francesco had put away his new things in the dresser drawers and side of the closet that he’d cleared for him, Theo had managed to make his way down to his office to try and get some work done. When Francesco had popped in a few minutes later, he’d decided to hold off on checking how neatly he’d done everything and sent him to the library instead to work on his words.
We need to make a schedule.
Everything was new to Francesco, of course, but it was for him too. All the men he’d spent time with in the past had lived in their own homes or apartments. They would come by for a specified amount of time, usually a few hours—or for the ones he’d had more of an affinity for, overnight. He’d trained them to behave how he expected, would take them to Hampton Road for some pain or bondage play, or on occasion to a speakeasy for some entertainment. But that had all changed now that Francesco was in his life.
Theo leaned over the pile of papers that he should attend to before the end of the week and grabbed the receiver of his telephone. The cloth-covered cord was long enough for him to sit back in his chair and relax while conversing. Theo dialed the number to Hampton Road directly. Potential interference from a switchboard operator wouldn’t be wise.
“This is the club. Javier speaking. How may I be of assistance?”
Keeping things ambiguous in case someone had dialed the wrong number was also necessary.
“Good evening, Javier. This is Theodore. I wanted to inquire whether there are any demonstrations scheduled for this week?”
“For the coming weekend, a gentleman is visiting the club who is skilled in the extreme punishment of the genitals.”
“I see.” After the dental visit, Theo didn’t think that cock and ball torture would be the best way to introduce the idea of sadomasochism to Francesco. “Perhaps next week? Some bondage, or perhaps a spanking or two?”
Finding Sanctuary Page 9
