Martin huffed and walked away as Vince handed over his credit card. A few moments later, he joined Martin at another display case.
“Rings, Marty? Are you thinking of asking me to marry you?”
Martin turned and leaned into his lover, “Would you say ‘no’ if I did?”
Vince looked down, sucking in his cheeks as he considered his answer. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know.” He paused and placed a hand on Martin’s arm, looking intently, searching to see if this was a joke, but he didn’t see any amusement in his lover’s eyes. “What if I said yes?”
“If you said yes, I’d probably cry and I have to warn you, Vinnie, I’m a terrible crier. A regular sobzilla. No shame at all.”
Vince let the warmth and love he felt for this man suffuse his face. “I’ll make you a deal, Marty. The one who ends up asking, pays for the rings, okay?”
“What size ring do you take?” Martin’s grin grew as the man who’d been helping them came closer.
“I really have no idea and you?”
The young man held out a ring sizer and before they left they knew what to buy for each other. The last stop on the shopping tour was for a watch and Martin insisted on Jaeger-Lecoultre. It was the type of watch he wore and he wanted to get a nice one for Vince.
The salesperson held out the watch Martin chose and when Vince asked the price, he immediately refused.
“No, Marty. No way. That’s $250,000. Not going to happen.”
“Look at it from my perspective, that’s like a few hours of work for me. I can afford it, Vince. Let me get it for you.”
Vince walked away to a quieter part of the store and motioned for Martin to follow. “I know you can afford it, Marty. That isn’t the point. This is too much for where we are at in our relationship. That’s more of a ‘happy anniversary, honey’ gift after we’re married. Not a ‘here you go, boyfriend’ gift.”
“If it was a Rolex, you would have said alright?”
“Yes, no! Dammit, Marty. I told you I would let you know when something was too much and now I’m telling you, this is too much.” Vince set both fists on his hips, knowing Martin was not going to give up easily.
Martin flushed with the first level of anger, “You need to get over your middle class sensibilities if you’re going to be with me, Vince. I run with people who expect more. I can afford anything and you…,” he looked around exasperated, not wanting to meet his lover’s eyes. “you could afford it too if you’d just let yourself enjoy what you have. Money doesn’t make me happy, Vinnie. What money buys does and is it so wrong to want to buy you nice things?”
Vince’s eyes started to tear, “What’s next, Marty? A new condo? An expensive car? Then when all of this stops, when you’re no longer feeling generous, when I say something that pisses you off, when you realize I’m too old and unappealing, will you take it all back? Or will you rub my face in the fact that I took it, that I was nothing but your expensive whore.”
Martin stood back, shocked, but before he could say anything, Vince was out the door. He started to follow, but when he caught sight of Vince getting into a cab, he turned away. Rubbing his hand roughly over his chin, he growled his frustration. Leaning back against the cold, stone façade of the building, he looked up into the sky. “I need a drink.”
It was growing dark when Martin reached the villa. He’d thought about what he wanted to say to Vince and threw it all out the window the minute he saw his lover sitting with a glass of wine in front of the fire in their bedroom.
“I’m waiting to see the lights one more time, Marty, then I’m catching a flight for home.” Vince said simply.
Martin fought back hot tears, shaking his head as he tried to deny the words he’d just heard. Stripping his coat off, he threw it on the bed then moved in front of his lover. Dropping to his knees, he took Vince’s free hand. “Please, don’t go.” He looked down as he started to lose his battle with his emotions. “This place, Paris, everything has no meaning without you here. I love you, Vince. I’ll sign a palimony agreement if you want. I never want you to feel like you’re a kept man. When I say that everything I have is yours, I mean it.”
Vince shook his head, “I won’t make you do that. I can’t. I love you, too, but Marty, we’re so different in so many ways.” Vince smiled weakly, “Besides, you’re a slob. I can’t live with a man who won’t pick up after himself.” He snorted. “I guess that’s more of my middle class sensibilities showing.” Vince felt a kiss on the back of the hand Martin was holding.
“I’m not perfect, Vince. I’ll never be perfect, but you are about as close to perfect as any man could be for me. From the minute I really looked at you as a possible partner, I liked what I saw. Did I know that this stupid three date rule that Ray insisted on, would work? Hell, no.” Martin looked at the only man he knew he’d ever love and he didn’t hold back the tears. He’d do anything not to lose this man. He’d give away all his money and work at the diner alongside Vince if that kept him in his life. “Don’t go, Vince. Give me the last two days of this date to prove to you that we are meant for each other and that I will never leave you. I swear, I will listen to you. I’ve never had anyone in my life tell me no.” Martin chuckled, “Well, no one I cared about anyway. Be patient with me. I’m a spoiled rich kid. Teach me how to be a normal person and I will be the best spouse on the planet someday.”
Vince looked down at his lover and he could see the sincerity in his eyes, then he took a sip of his wine and sighed. “You’re a piece of work, Marty, but you’re my piece of work. I guess I’d better call and cancel my plane reservations, if I can.”
Martin leaned back, disbelief etched on his face. “Reservations? You really were going to leave me, weren’t you?”
Vince nodded, “I put up with Avery’s crap for two years, Marty. I’m not going to go back into a relationship filled with nothing but arguments and pain. I want this to work, but we need to communicate and we need to take each other’s opinions seriously. Got me?”
Martin sucked in his lower lip, “I’m willing to go to counseling if we need to. I want to make this work. I’ll do anything you want.”
“Anything?” A slow smile creased Vince’s lips.
“Anything.”
“Then strip off your clothes, hang them up, please, and get on the bed on your hands and knees. I won a bet this morning and I intend to collect.”
Martin stood and held out his hand to his lover, pulling him to his feet. The kiss started out slow and lazy gradually turning into a warm, passion fueled match with Vince’s hand tangled in Martin’s hair. They leaned into each other as both enjoyed the feel of Vince’s dominance. He pulled his lover’s head back and with one final kiss, he grabbed his shoulders and turned him toward the closet.
When Vince returned, Martin was already on his knees. He ran his fingers down his lover’s back and felt Martin shiver and arch trying to get closer. Those fingers travelled down Martin’s lower back and slipped between his cheeks. Vince smiled as he felt the slick signature of lube where Martin had been quickly trying to stretch himself in preparation for his lover. Taking advantage of the easy glide of his fingers into his lover’s hole, he started with two instead of one. He heard Martin inhale deeply before slowly letting it out, forcing himself to relax. For a moment, Vince considered not following through, but earlier told him he needed to be a man of his word. If not, Martin wouldn’t take him seriously, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t make this feel as good as possible.
Vince started at his lover’s neck and sprinkled kisses slowly down his back. Taking a moment, he added lube to his fingers and started again, stretching Martin. Gently and carefully, he pressed in the first two fingers, then three. All the while teasing his lover with kisses and touches, distracting him as he spread his three fingers apart when he pulled out of him.
“Think you can take a little more, Marty?”
“Yes.” He whispered, his head dropping to his hands, arching his back even mor
e and presenting himself fully to the man he loved.
“Breathe for me, Marty.” Vince reached around and began to stroke his lover’s cock. It felt hard and hot and wonderful in his hand. Precum dribbled from the tip and Martin moaned as Vince’s thumb rubbed his slit. He hissed as his own swollen cock slid up against his lover’s butt cheek. Putting more lube on his right hand, Vince slipped a fourth finger into his lover, keeping the grouping tight. Going deep, he massaged Martin’s prostate and for his efforts, he definitely got a groan and a wiggle back onto his probing fingers.
“Do you think you’re ready for me, babe?”
Martin looked back at Vince. “If you don’t fuck me, I’m going to come on your fingers alone and I don’t think that’s what you want really.”
“No, it’s not.” Aligning his cock with his lover, Vince pressed in slowly. He could hear Martin draw in a shaky breath as he buried himself deeper and deeper into his lover’s body. For the first time in a long time, his cock was balls deep inside another man and it felt tremendous. He’d forgotten how delightful it could be. “Are you okay, Marty?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Some burn, but no pain. Move, big guy, I can take it. Really I can.”
Placing a hand on Martin’s hip, he moved with certainty as to his goal. His lover was so tight and it was the first time he’d ever done this without a condom. The sensations surrounding his cock were almost overwhelming. The hot grip of his lover’s ass surrounding his dick almost sent him over the edge. His lover moaned as he moved forward, stretching him even more.
“Yesss.” Martin hissed, throwing his head back. He loved the feel of Vince inside him. The fullness. The heat of him. The care he took made it all an absolute delight. He drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out, relaxing as Vince began to pick up his pace.
“You still doing alright, Marty?” Vince panted as Martin suddenly slammed back. “Fuck, Marty!”
“Does that answer your question?” Martin grinned then slowly he lowered his head to his chest as he began to stroke his own cock in earnest. He could feel the tension growing in his balls. Each thrust from his lover hit true on his prostate. Each time his lover pounded into him, lightning flashed up his spine to his brain, threatening to overwhelm him.
“Sonnovabitch! Ah! Ah!” Martin cried out. His face red with exertion. “Vince… fuck!” Martin came hard as his hand worked the last of his cum from his dick. An instant later, he felt his lover ram into him.
“Marty, dammit! So fucking good!” Vince exploded into his lover. Breath coming in short puffs between pursed lips. He slid in and out of his lover a few more times before collapsing the two of them onto the bed. As if hearing the same cosmic joke both men started to laugh before they rolled apart.
“I can’t believe us, Marty. Shit, I mean, we can’t keep doing this or you’re going to make me have a stroke.”
Martin snorted, “You’re going to have a stroke. Hell, I can see my obituary. Billionaire dies in lover’s bed.”
Vince looked at Martin with a gentle, satisfied grin, “Would you rather it read, Billionaire fucked to death by his husband?”
They both stopped laughing and the longing look in Martin’s eyes told Vince how his words had hit the mark. Vince shook his head. “It’s too soon, Marty, isn’t it? I mean, we’ve only been dating a little over a month, but I can’t deny how I’m feeling about you. Can you?”
Martin shook his head, “I know. None of this makes sense, but….” He let his words float away. He raised his cum smeared hand and stroked Vince’s cheek. “Let’s give it another day and then we’ll talk seriously about how we feel. Until then, let’s keep going. Let’s get really serious about sharing everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly. No holds barred, okay?”
“I can do that.” Vince nodded, then yawned long and loud. “Damn! I used to be able to fuck all night. Now? Not so much.”
“We need to shower and throw some clean sheets on the bed so we can sleep.” Martin rolled over and started to sit up, but Vince stopped him with a touch on his arm.
“I love you, Marty.” The older man raised up and leaned in for a kiss. It was soft and light, almost chaste. “Don’t be afraid.” He whispered.
“I’m not.” Martin eased back and swung his legs off the bed. He stood and held his hand out to Vince. “And I love you, too.”
Twenty minutes later they curled up together in the oversized bed, both men wrapped in each other’s arms as they watched the City of Lights fade behind their drooping eyelids.
*****
André delivered warm, fresh chocolate croissants and coffee to their bedside the moment they awoke.
“I could get used to this, Marty.” Vince’s tilted grin brightened his face. “You spoil me.”
Martin chuckled, “Just a small taste of the future, sweetheart, if you decide to stay with me.”
*****
Showers and blowjobs took part of the morning. Martin seemed anxious to get out of the villa and on the road. The sky had turned gray and the air smelled like snow.
Vince shook his head as he stared out at the passing scenery. “I still can’t believe I’m here.” Then Vince’s phone vibrated. Martin glanced over as his lover looked down at the screen and spotted Avery’s name. Vince shook his head and was about to thumb the button to delete the call. “Sorry, Marty, I should’ve removed his name and number from my contacts.”
“Answer it and put it on speaker.”
“What?”
“Let’s see what he has to say then tell him you’re in Paris with me. See how he reacts. Could be interesting.”
Vince frowned, but accepted the call. “What do you want, Avery?”
“Is that any way to greet your lover, Vince?”
“You’re not my lover, Avery. You haven’t been for a long time. What do you want?”
There was a pause before Avery answered. “I want to see you. David’s out of town and we could….”
Before Avery could finish his thought, Vince cut him off. “Avery, I’m in Paris… with Martin, and I have absolutely no interest in having sex with a married man.”
“Well, what if I wasn’t married? And who is Martin?”
Vince glanced at the man sitting beside him in the limo. Martin’s expression gave nothing away. Vince moved his thumb to disconnect the call, but his lover’s hand on his wrist stopped him. Martin tapped his left hand ring finger and grinned before mouthing the word, fiancé. Vince smiled and nodded.
“Martin is my fiancé, Avery. I’m getting married. I’m in love with him, not you, so it wouldn’t matter if you were married or not. I’m not interested.”
Avery laughed. “Why do you make up these stupid stories, Vince? Do you really think I believe you’re in Paris? Just get in your car and come over. I’ll definitely make it worth your while. I may even let you fuck me. Might, if you stop all this nonsense.”
Martin motioned for Vince to give him the phone. “Well, as much as we’d love to fuck you, Avery, I’m not sure you want to wait the six hours or more it would take to fly there. Besides, cheating on your husband sounds like a very douchebag thing to do.”
“Who the hell is this?”
“You spoke to me before, Avery. That night at Vince’s diner. I’m Martin Kull. Google me. I told you then, I’m the jealous type. Vince and I are getting married so stop calling him. He’s telling you the truth. I can give him the life he deserves, can you? Shit!” Martin swore as his lover’s hands attacked his belt buckle and unzipped his fly. Dropping to the floorboard, he centered himself over Martin’s groin and released his cock and before his lover could protest, he swallowed him whole. Forgetting the call, Martin clutched the phone, groaning as Vince’s hot mouth devoured him. “Oh, god, Vince. That feels so fucking good. Babe,” he panted, “the driver.”
Vince lifted up for an instant and laughed, “Let him watch.” Then went back to his ministrations. The perfection of his technique brought Martin to a loud and laughing orgasm. Vince pulled his lover’
s head to him and kissed him noisily and passionately.
“Damn, I taste so good on your tongue.” Martin moaned. The kiss deepened until both men were breathless. “When we get back to the villa, I want you to fuck me senseless. God, I love your mouth, but I love that beautiful dick of yours up my ass even more. You make me want to bottom for you all the time.” Martin reached up with his left hand. It was then that he realized that he still held Vince’s phone and the call was still connected. With a broad, devious smile, Martin raised the phone to his ear. “You still there, Avery?” Suddenly, the call disconnected.
The limo deposited them at the airport terminal and in minutes they were seated again in Martin’s corporate jet.
“Where are we headed, Marty?”
“My secret, but you’ll love it. We can’t do the vineyards in the dead of winter, but there is one place you will truly enjoy.”
The flight took a little over an hour and with the limo into the city, Vince found himself standing in the middle of the town square of Colmar. Stall upon stall of Christmas decorations surrounded them. The smells and sounds of Olde World Christmas abounded. They wandered slowly over the cobblestone streets holding hands. Martin returned Vince’s broad smile as they stopped at a stall selling ornaments.
“I have to get something for Jess and Jilly.” Vince looked over at the next stall, “And something for Eddie and the gang, but it had better have the name of the town on it or be written in French or they won’t believe I got it here.”
Martin helped him choose his items and several hours later, laden down with bags, they stopped for coffee at a small café.
“Look at these houses, Marty. All lit up. The decorations, the evergreens. It’s something out of a storybook and look.” Vince pointed to the snow that was beginning to fall. “Now the fairy tale is complete. I’m here in this extraordinary place with the man of my dreams.” He looked into Martin’s eyes. “I hope I never wake up.”
Martin couldn’t help the glow of happiness that brightened his face. “We still need to have that talk, but I think it can wait until tomorrow. I don’t want to spoil this.” He glanced out at the snow falling a little harder now. “We probably should get back to Paris before the weather gets worse.”
Songs of Love : Books 1-3 Page 25
