We ate in comfortable silence for a few moments. I sensed that Vincent was watching me, but didn’t say anything.
“You didn’t seem surprised to find me in that fight,” he said.
“Let’s see, a fiery cataclysm from the bowels of hell...where else would you turn up?” I chuckled.
Vincent smiled a small smile. “I tried to stop it from getting here.”
I was certain he had tried mightily and was broken-hearted to have failed to prevent the hellacious attack.
“I know you did, Vincent,” I said holding his gaze with mine. “Forgive my selfishness, but I cannot help being glad you are here no matter the circumstances.”
“I’m glad to be back,” he admitted. “I never thought I could be so alone for so long...Still, I don’t know why it’s also hard for me being back. I feel unsettled...”
“I understand,” I said. And I did. He nodded at that then went back to his meal.
After savoring the last of the wine, we cleaned up the kitchen. Vincent left me to sprawl on the sofa while I considered options for a hot after-dinner drink. I thought about coffee, but decided neither one of us needed to be wound up. I spotted some cocoa in the pantry. There was fresh milk and cream, so I made enough for a mug apiece. I also added a shot of good cognac for a kick.
Vincent looked tempting sprawled across half my sofa. He was quietly regarding the fire. His amber eyes looked more golden in that light. His softly mussed hair reflected the reds and orange.
“Have some hot cocoa,” I said offering the mug.
“Cocoa?” Vincent snorted. “Are you going to tuck me in and read me a story, too?”
“I’m having some as well, Hardcase,” I replied. “And this has a real kick to it.”
He took a sip and his eyes widened. “You’re one twisted man, Rik.”
I settled next to my new companion with a chuckle. He moved closer so that our shoulders touched.
“How did you leave things with your brother and the Saxls?”
“They were confused,” he replied.
“Confused?”
He laughed softly. “About me wanting to come to you. We fought a lot, Colonel.”
“They thought I would harm you?”
“They thought we would fight all the time,” he explained.
“We won’t fight all the time. We have to sleep.”
He smiled at that. “I think they were hurt that I needed more than they can give.”
“Yeah...my squad has been the same for the most part. Some of them. The sane ones.”
We sipped our drinks in silence. It was very soothing. So was Vincent’s presence.
“What are we doing here, Rik?” He asked. “How will this work?”
“We’ll probably fight and laugh and cry,” I replied. “We’ll let each other be raw and moody and angry.”
“Will we be lovers?” He asked in a very soft voice. His gaze remained fixed on the fire.
“I want that very much,” I admitted easily.
“Why?”
I looked at his profile in the soft light. “Aside from your being beautiful, Vincent, something felt incredibly right when I held you on the battlefield. I haven’t felt something that right in a very long time. But I don’t want to be another person pushing you.”
He rested his golden head on my shoulder then and put his free hand on my thigh. We sipped our drinks in silence for a time, enjoying the last of the fire.
“For once, you pushed just right,” he whispered.
“What do you want for breakfast?” I asked feeling extremely happy. “My omelets are pretty good.”
“Let’s eat out. We can do the marketing then and get the news of the day,” he replied.
“I get the newspapers, Vincent.”
“But café news is the news of the people,” he replied peeking up at me through the veil of hair. “Best intelligence there is, and there are tasty white sausages.”
I made a note to buy tasty white sausages, so we could sleep in now and then. However, I had to guard against the strong temptation of trying to keep him all to myself. Vincent meant a great deal to a lot of people, and despite his current skittishness, he needed that attention to fully heal.
“Let’s ask Bobby and Jenn to breakfast,” I suggested as I took the mugs to rinse out. “They can see for themselves that we haven’t beat each other unconscious.”
Vincent snorted at that causing me to smile again. When I came out to the living room, I spied him yawning. I offered my hand to pull him off the sofa and into the bedroom.
“The room gets chilly once the fire dies down, but I have plenty of blankets.
“I have you,” he replied with a shrug. “You felt really warm even through the uniform – must be the energy flow.”
“Alright. I’ll change in the bathroom.”
“Why?” He asked mildly. “Get shy on me, Colonel?”
“Brat,” I murmured as I pulled my shirt from my waistband. “I was trying to be considerate.”
“Don’t strain yourself,” he retorted. “You’re a ruthless bastard who takes what he wants. Don’t get soft on me.”
He was using my own words against me and in the most unexpected circumstances. I was amused and really turned on.
“Oh, I am far from soft, Vincent,” I murmured grasping his waist pulling him against me.
He moaned into my mouth melting into me even while he struggled with my clothing. That was my Vincent, always giving as good as he got. Somehow, we managed to undress each other during that long, hungry kiss. When I finally had his lean, muscular body splayed across my bed, Vincent was panting breathlessly while eyeing me like we were in the midst of a spar.
I sensed that this time, he didn’t want to pin me. Vincent wanted me to overwhelm him – to take him out of himself. And he wanted to learn. Our fiercest battles happened when the kid wanted to push the limits of his skills. It appeared that we detested each other, and that Vincent was intent on destroying me. I had always known better.
“Lord, you are beautiful,” I whispered before kissing him again.
This kiss was slow and gentle as I lay on my side next to him with one leg over his slim, corded thigh. I caressed him slowly, running my hand over his skin and learning where he was sensitive to touch because of his injuries. The young man was very responsive. He moaned and his breath hitched often as my fingers moved across his body. His skin was satin over honed muscles and warming under my caress. Touching him was as addictive as kissing him.
I raised my lips from his to gauge how he was responding. His eyes were dilated and dreamy; his lips were slightly reddened. I moved to taste the skin along his throat. Vincent gasped as I gently sucked on the curve between his neck and shoulder. He was very sensitive in those places, so I was careful to not cause discomfort. Fortunately, much of Vincent’s skin had many areas that sparked intense arousal. Flicking his nipples made him arch off the bed. Lapping his adorable navel made him writhe beneath me. I couldn’t get enough of the sounds he was making. But with Vincent, his mouth was a blessing and a curse.
“Dammit, you sadist,” he rasped. “Finish me or so help me...”
I took his erection in my mouth to the root savoring his taste and his shape and the satiny feel of his skin. Even there he was satin over steel. I wanted to do so much more that night. I had notions about taking him slowly with my mouth. But my Vincent would not allow that. He was so responsive that I couldn’t resist bringing him to climax.
“Oh. My. God, Rik!” he moaned before releasing in my mouth. I took all he had, sucking him until he was limp.
I was tired, but still horny and unsure of how to proceed. My beautiful lover had completely flummoxed me. I had barely caught my breath when those strong arms were pulling me up his prone body to kiss me thoroughly. One of his elegant hands had me by my hair while he ravaged my mouth. My unattended erection throbbed painfully against his leg. I gazed at him when he ended the kiss. He looked incredible in that state of bliss.<
br />
“You look like an angel,” I whispered.
“Fuck me, Rik.”
An angel with a potty mouth. He kissed me again, arching against me. “You want to, I know...I want you to...I need you to...”
Any misgivings fled my brain along with the rest of my blood. I couldn’t refuse him anything, I realized.
“You’ll have to relax,” I murmured.
Vincent chuckled. “I have no bones. How much more can I relax?”
I reached for lube in my nightstand and slicked my fingers. “You’ll have to trust me...”
“Rik, I’m naked in your bed with my legs open waiting to get banged,” he replied in exasperation. “I don’t think trust is a problem.”
There was no reply for that, so I gently but firmly pressed my fingers inside him. We kissed until I felt him relax against my fingers. Then, I began to stretch him, searching for his sweet spot. I knew when I found it. Vincent’s slim, muscular body nearly bowed off the mattress, and he cried out into the kiss.
“Ah...dammit, Rik...please...”
There was no resisting the plea in that husky, needy voice. This beautiful, blond angel was writhing beneath me begging for my body. I quickly slicked my erection, and then pushed into him praying that I wouldn’t explode as soon as I was inside his tight heat.
“Look at me, Vincent. I want to see your eyes...”
The golden eyes were intense. Everything he was feeling was there for me to see, and it took my breath away.
“I can’t believe that you’re here and you’re mine,” I said haltingly. “You are mine, aren’t you?”
“Ah...Rik...yes...yes...please...”
“You will let me have you the way I want, but tonight...” I growled shifting my hips and thrusting in earnest.
I grasped Vincent’s awakened erection and stroked him in tandem with my thrusts. His mouth fell open as I hit his sweet spot over and over. All of his barriers, his bravado fell away before me. I saw the vulnerable, untried young man trusting me not to hurt him. He couldn’t help me, but I didn’t mind. There was something satisfying about taking Vincent during our first time. We would make love the next time. This time, I was claiming him.
It didn’t take long. He felt too good and sounded too good, and I had been alone too long. He climaxed just before I did. We cried out in unison, our gazes locked. Something powerful and tangible passed between us. I knew we were connected in a profound way.
I collapsed on him afterward. Vincent held me, while lazily rubbing my back.
“My Lord...do I get to do that to you?” he asked breathlessly, squeezing me briefly.
“Absolutely,” I sighed. “As often as possible.”
“Good...”
That touched me. He touched me even more when he tried to stop me from leaving the bed.
“W-where are you going?”
I kissed him gently. “I’m just getting some things to clean us up.”
“Oh...okay...”
I quickly cleaned myself then fetched some towels and a basin of hot water. Vincent sighed as I wiped him down then gently dried his skin.
My lover seemed to be asleep when I finally settled beside him and pulled the blankets over our bodies. But he surprised me by easing his body over mine then sighed as I embraced him.
“Goodnight, Vincent,” I said softly.
“Hmmmm...’night, Rik”
I fell asleep easily enough, but the dream still came. I knew it was a dream, but I couldn’t prevent the images from terrifying me. There was death all around, and I couldn’t stop it. All the power I possessed was useless. People just kept dying. I awoke with a violent start, breathing hard. Strong arms tightened around me. A downy cheek rubbed against my chest.
“S’okay...just a dream...”
“I know,” I whispered caressing his back. “Sorry to wake you.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“No...not right now...I just want to feel you,” I replied.
“Feel away,” he murmured. I knew he was smiling against my skin.
I caressed his back and stroked his hair.
“Did you want me this way when I was in your squad?” He asked softly after a little while.
I squeezed him. “I wanted to throttle you most of the time back then. No, I didn’t realize how much I wanted you until you were heading away from me toward all that fire.”
“I thought about you while I was away,” he admitted. “I realized that you always trusted me.”
“Hmmm?”
“You always gave me important work and trusted me to make my own way,” he explained softly. “That experience saved me many times in that place.”
“You had great instincts and are very strong,” I replied. “And you have uncanny luck.”
“Yeah, I guess. But you were the only one who never babied me,” he replied. “I think I felt something for you even before I was taken away.”
“Is that why you were intent on punching me in the face?”
“Hey! I was a kid. I didn’t know what to say to you,” he retorted. “You might have laughed.”
“Never, Hardcase. Laughing at you was dangerous,” I chuckled squeezing him. “I could never have responded then. You were very young, and I was your squad leader.”
“I’m glad I’m not so young anymore.”
“In this instance, I am, too.”
I yawned then. Vincent settled back on my chest. “Go to sleep, Rik. I’ve got you.”
2
The next time I awoke, it was gentle. The morning sun was warming my face. Vincent was stirring in my arms. I opened my eyes before he did, so I caught a glimpse of his angelic face in repose. His dark lashes rested against tawny cheeks. His lips were curved in a slight smile. His flaxen hair was fanned everywhere. His cheeks were still clear of stubble. I wondered if he ever shaved.
“You’ll have to stop hiding the scar from me,” he said without opening his eyes. “You can’t go through life sideways.”
I swallowed hard at the thought, but after a few moments, I agreed.
Vincent rose to his elbows. He was golden in the morning light. I stroked the hair from his eyes then thumbed his lower lip. He blushed a little, but smiled happily.
“You should shower first. It takes me a while with this mop,” he muttered. “Sometimes, I think I should cut it off.”
“Not until we’re old and gray, and maybe not then,” I replied before kissing his nose. “Lemme up.”
Vincent rolled over, taking most of the blankets with him. I swatted his quilt-covered ass then made my way to the bathroom. The man in the mirror looked better rested than normal despite the nightmare. My eyes didn’t look haunted. I wasn’t exactly ecstatic, but I was better. The shower was faster than my norm. I wasn’t struggling with just facing the day. I was actually looking forward to it. Thus, fifteen minutes later, I was exiting the steamy bathroom in my robe. I found Vincent cleaning out the hearth. He was wearing a soft red robe and his hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail.
He flushed at my inquisitive stare. “I was getting it ready for later.”
“Nice robe,” I commented. It looked like silk and he always looked good in red.
He picked up his toilet kit with a shrug. “I had my back pay and needed to replace everything I left. I never know where the bathroom will be in my lodgings. I don’t go without a robe anymore.”
“Experience?”
“Once,” he muttered, stalking into the bathroom. “Who knew old ladies could move so fast?”
He slammed the door on my chuckling. I dressed then took the hearth cinders to the trash. I was just finishing with the fireplace when Vincent emerged from the bathroom damp and glowing. He bent down to kiss me thoroughly.
“Good morning,” he murmured against my lips before taking them again.
During that second clingy, sweet kiss, I was reconsidering breakfast in favor for more time skin to skin, but Vincent gently pulled away and headed for the bedroom.
> “Did you call your brother?” I managed to ask.
“Yeah, while you showered,” he replied. “He and Jenn will meet us at the Market Café.”
My phone rang just then. I was surprised to hear Lieutenant Remak on the other end.
“Is everything alright, Sir?” She asked.
“Yes, lieutenant. Why do you ask?”
A Soldier’s Passion Page 2
