by M J Giani
“If you think I'm going to spend my money on you, you’re wrong, it’s useless. Don’t count on my money to buy your stuff!” Cole was shocked at this, and his brothers’ laugh was the worst of humiliations. Sometimes, Rob did nothing, but John made a point of showing that he thought just like his father: he was useless, and a waste of air. Then, he decided to do some work: after all, if his father wasn’t going to pay for his car, he couldn’t see why he had to wait until he was twenty-one to get one. With the money he earned working on research for professional doctors, he finally bought a car on a junkyard sale. It wasn’t much, but Cole was proud of his old can.
Cole walked around the property, and since he didn’t have permission to enter the house by the front door, he got in through the kitchen door. When he entered, the smells around brought him back to his childhood.
“Lady Eva! Good to see you!” Cole hugged the older lady, who was wearing a bun and had her hands full of flour... that ended up behind his back, but Cole didn’t care and squeezed her tighter. The embrace was tight, but it was filled with real affection.
“My boy! My dear boy!” She said tearfully. Cole knew that if there was a person who love him unconditionally, that was Lady Eva Taylor. She was more than a mother to him: she had always taken care of him. When she saw that the family put him aside, she was the one who called the school when he behaved badly or felt sick. She was also the one that took him out of punishment, and took care of him when he was sick. A real mother.
“Where is my family?” He forced himself to ask.
“They're in the living room. Your godparents came to visit Rob.
“Oh, I see.” Cole said knowingly. Lord and Lady Ashton were a very influential couple in Washington. Mr. Ashton, who was his godfather, worked for the Supreme Court, and Cole’s father wanted to be appointed to a seat, instead of working for it. Besides, it was a good time to make a move: after two years of marriage, Rob and Eliza – the Ashtons’ daughter – were going to become parents of their first child, and there was no better time to confirm alliances and ask for favors.
“Well, I'm going to greet them.” Cole was always nervous, as he always did when he spoke of his family. He kissed Mrs. Eva and went to the room she had indicated. As he got closer, he heard his father's voice and Mr. Ashton’s speaking of some trial, as always. When he opened the door, the room fell silent, and the looks ranged from boredom to anger at the intrusion – the fact that they recognized Cole at the door hadn’t altered their expressions. Only the Ashtons, Jonathan and Cecile, welcomed him affectionately. Mr. Ashton gave a sincere smile and stood up to hug the boy who was his best man.
“Cole, my boy, you’ve finally arrived!”
“Good afternoon, Uncle John, how are you?” Cole shook his hand and gave Cecile a light kiss. “Aunt Cecile, you’re as beautiful as ever!” He praised her. She smiled and blushed, but in fact, Cole was telling the truth: Ms. Cecile Ashton was a beauty. Cecile was gold, when compared to Olivia De Vere, who was sitting still in a chair, as always. Where Cecile Lady was slender, beautiful and had a strong character, Olivia was plain and small. His father had learned his lesson: don’t marry beautiful and headstrong women who pretended not to be pregnant and then dropped a son in your holiday house’s doorstep a year later.
It was the first time his father had ever lost his mind over a woman. When he met her, he was still married to Rob, John and Kate's mother, Kate; he was young then, and he needed a rich heiress who could give him all he needed to move away from Scotland and get into Upper East Side’s high society. The “rich heiress” role was given to Margareth Richford. After she died in a fatal ski accident (how cliché!), Walter lost his mind in Paris for a Swedish model: Kerstin Lindberg Cole. A torrid love affair that lasted a year and ended when his father, Lord Hugh De Vere made his son an ultimatum: either he finished his romance and found a decent mother to his three children, or he took him out of his will. Walter’s response was quick: he broke up with the model and returned to the United States where Olivia Bancroft, a widow and a mother of a girl named Anna, got into the picture. Everything was going beautifully, until Cole was dropped at Walter’s doorstep with a note, stating that it was his and Kerstin’s son. Walter thought he could get away from fatherhood, but a paternity test dispelled any doubt.
As he was looking at the Ashtons, Cole thought that perhaps, their love was at first glance. He knew Cecile would never betray her husband, she was too honest for that...But once again, his thoughts went back to Byron. What was he doing at that moment?
Cole greeted his father and his brothers; his two half sisters weren’t in the room. He was going to say to say that he was tired and he needed to cool off, but the look on his father’s face discouraged him, so, he sat down and helplessly watched his father manipulating everything without stopping. Sir de Vere was not stupid. He saw that his son was tired, but he wouldn’t allow the boy to move freely in his own home. The rules were his. Walter tried to hide the anger he was feeling, not wanting his good friend Jonathan Ashton to notice it. After all, he needed his support, if he wanted that seat that he had wanted for so long.
The fact that his son had chosen to become a doctor was an offense for the Judge. Out of his three sons, Cole was the most gifted, but Walter didn’t want Cole to be smart enough to pursue a profession as honourable as a surgeon – in fact, he wouldn’t accept that Cole was right for the job, he wanted Cole to be unsuccessful, a loser. Robert, for instance, had chosen to go to Law School and he was already on his way to become a great lawyer, and even John, who was not so clever –he had an IQ of 185, which was the last straw for Walter – was on the waiting list to get into Harvad – after all, there was nothing a good donation couldn’t fix.
Obviously, in front of everybody, he claimed to be the father who was upset that his youngest son had chosen something different from the family tradition, but nevertheless, he was proud to have an intelligent offspring. Quite often, he had used his deeds to annoy the enemy or self-promote his family’s achievements, as if they were his own. If he wasn’t a judge with a promising career, he might’ve been an actor.
“I heard you’re doing great at Harvard.” Jonathan said. “Cecile and I are very proud, and so are you, aren’t you, Walter?” Walter was spared from answering the question when the doors of the room opened and his half-sisters Kate, Anna and his daughter-in-law Eliza walked in the room. Walter was relieved not to have to answer that question, as talking about his young son’s sucess was something he didn’t like to do, or even remember.
Cole watched the girls entering the room. Kate, the oldest, was twenty-three and she was quite tall and freckled, with dark auburn hair. Anna was a stunning beauty: she had her hair cut in the latest fashion, with a short, blonde Channel-like haircut. She wasn’t very bright, but she was the most charming of the two, using her beauty to get everything she wanted. Also, she could be quite manipulative, which she often did, doing things out of spite. Both his sisters were overall quite difficult, and Cole doubted that they would ever find a husband. He didn’t like to remember all the times they did things to him and then blamed him, so as to let him be punished. However, Eliza was quite the opposite from those two: she was small and black-haired. She wasn’t very beautiful, but she was very smart and friendly. It was a pity that Anna was her best friend, often letting her take the spotlight, standing alone in the shadow. When Cole was alone with her, they had great times together, laughing a lot. There was only one thing that Cole didn’t like about her: she had terrible taste when it came to her man of choice, Rob.
“Here are our girls! Come on in!” Sir De Vere said. As soon as Anna saw Cole, she felt her anger rising. What was that idiot doing there? She thought. Noticing the look on his stepdaughter’s face, Walter smiled. After all, Anna was not his daughter, but she was more like him than he thought. At times, he felt some pity for the pain he caused, but then he thought better. After all, none of this was his fault. It was that bitch’s fault for leaving a defective c
hild on his doorstep. Cole would have to pay double for that.
“Girls, say hi to Mr. Ashton.”
“Hello, Uncle John” Anna and Kate greeted him at the same time.
“Hello girls, how are you?” Mrs Ashton asked softly.
“Uncle, will you attend our party tomorrow?” Anna asked with a mellow voice. She had heard the last question on Cole’s academic success of Cole and she purposely drew the attention away from her half-brother.
“Oh, Father, come on! How long has it been since we’ve been to a masked party?” Eliza complained.
“Jonathan, it could be interesting! In fact, I haven’t gone to such a funny party in a long time.” Cecile said.
“If both the women in my life are asking me, then who am I to refuse?” John said, stroking his wife’s hand tenderly. Cole always saw love whenever their godparents looked at each other, as well as their daughter. It was surreal that a couple as just and honest could be friends with a man like Walter. It challenged Cole's logic.
3
Fourth of July - Night.
Cole looked around: the party was at its peak, and everybody took advantage of the anonymity that masks brought to loosen up a bit. He just couldn’t wait to have the opportunity to escape, so as soon as the clock struck midnight, he would leave. He looked at the mirror that was on his right side and smiled. No one had recognized him yet, and he loved the idea he had had for his suit. For the occasion, he had chosen a tailored version of Count Dracula’s suit, Gary Oldman style: a light gray three-piece suit and a top hat. His hair had been darkened with temporary ink, and he also wore a cane, as well as the famous purple shades. To complete his look, he put on a lace mask that had some intricate designs, almost covering his face. It was just like he wanted: sexy and unrecognizable. Perfect.
He passed the guests – mostly his brother’s young friends from school, as well as his father's friends. Here and there, he could see some of his father’s business acquaintances, but there were few of them. There were also journalists that were there called by his father, in order to spread the success of the party in every magazine. One of them was looking at him, trying to determine if he was somebody important to take a picture of him – little did they know that he was a nobody. Feeling happy for keeping up the charade, he turned around to get a drink, when his cane hit the leg of a man who was at his side.
“Oh, my God!” He was mortified. “It was an accident, I swear!” He looked at the man he had hit, when he stopped. He knew this man. He didn’t know from where, exactly, but his athletic appearance and the way he was looking at Cole were quite familiar. Was it possible that it was one of Robert's college friends, or John, perhaps? But it was impossible, as they would have given him a contemptuous treatment. He certainly didn’t look old enough to be one of his father's friends, but then again, with the mask he had, it was hard to tell. He was one of the masked killers of the famous game Assassin's Creed. His shirt was open, revealing a muscular, hairless chest and a bit of a tattoo that Cole knew it was a samurai. He had seen it before, and he would recognize it anywhere.
“Byron?” Cole whispered, as if he were afraid that someone could hear him – which was ridiculous, since the music was so loud. Byron put a finger on his lips to make him stop talking. They looked at each other, lost in that world that was only theirs. The older man sighed loudly and with a frustrated expression on his face, he grabbed Cole's arm, dragged him into a corner, and then he took him upstairs, leading him to the bedrooms on the upper floor. Cole pushed Byron against the wall and without thinking, speaking or even breathing, he kissed him. A fierce, voracious kiss that was vital for both of them. Cole threw away the top hat and the cane and grabbed Byron with all his strength. He wasn’t going to let him get away, not this time. Byron was his, and only his. The danger, or even the fact that someone would be able to find them there, in the corner, of his father's house, was secondary to the desire they were feeling, as their lust was greater than all. But then Cole remembered his father. Oh, shit!
“Byron, wait! Stop”! Cole asked, breathing hard.
“No!” Byron groaned.
“Please!” He said, pushing him away a bit harder. Byron jumped back, as if separating himself from Cole took a lot of willpower. Both breathed heavily, feeling a lust that hadn’t been filled and that overflowed their gaze.
“Not here.” Cole tried to say, pointing to the side, where you could hear the party noise.
“Come.” Byron looked like a caveman, with his monosyllabic words, but Cole followed him. When they reached the top floor, Cole led him to his room and closed the door behind him, but before he could lock it, Byron grabbed him, and without warning, threw him on the bed.
“Ouch!” Cole shouted like a girl. He covered his mouth in embarassment, but then a lustful sigh escaped his lips. Byron began taking off his costume, starting with the hood, followed by the shirt that was already open, making Cole grow more and more impatient. When Byron stood there, wearing a shirt and baggy pants, Cole pointed to the vein right at the start of Byron’s member, as well as the "V" line that he enjoyed so much – that man was perfect! Cole licked his lips, drooling in anticipation for what was about to happen, while Byron pulled his pants down, until he had his member in plain view. Byron looked at him, as if asking for permission, which Cole was more than happy to give. Then, Cole pulled his pants down, and saw that Byron wasn’t wearing any underwear. Surprised, he looked up and saw that he was smiling. Not just any smile, but his. God, he was beautiful! Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, he got up and licked, kissed and nibbled Byron’s lips with everything he had. His lips were the perfect combination of soft and flexible, that man simply drove him crazy. When Byron ran his tongue over his bottom lip, Cole moaned loudly.
“I want you so much!” Byron said hoarsely. He moved his hands under his coat and undressed him slowly, never taking his eyes of Cole, not wanting to miss anything of his wonderful body. When he was fully naked, Cole dropped to his knees right against the black man, and carefully grabbed his fully erect penis. The white drop that escaped was his doom, and hungrily, he put the penis into his mouth. He wanted Byron as close to him as possible – or inside himself, anyway. Byron groaned at last, and as if he was in great pain, he grabbed Cole's hair firmly, but without hurting him, and forced him to look up. Cole saw Byron’s golden, liquid fire eyes. Oh shit! He was lost.
“You’re mine!” Byron roared like an animal. Suddenly, he grabbed Cole and caught him like a maiden from the Victorian timesand put him in bed. He took the rest of his clothes off and lied on top of Cole, pressing both bodies together, and his hand shook the tip of his own penis, in a vain attempt to prevent himself from ejaculating too soon. Cole opened his legs and pressed himself against Byron’s bottom, like a silent invitation, to which he replied with a groan.
“Come on!” He called Cole.
“Do you have lubricant and condoms?” He asked his lover. Cole reached the bedside table, opened the drawer and took out condoms and lube, and threw them to Byron.
“Quickly!” Cole begged. He lifted his leg and placed it on top of Byron’s arm, to give him free access to his wrinkled pink hole. With his eyes shut tight, Cole gritted his teeth when he felt a finger inside him. He took a deep breath, so as to relax the body and facilitate penetration, and when it was ready, Byron thrust himself inside him, in one well-aimed blow, to which Cole groaned and Byron growled.
“You’re so fucking good, so tight!” Byron said, and Cole could only agree, they were good together. Finally, Byron began penetrating him, slowly at first, but soon, the movements were quick, and with each penetration, Byron rolled his hips in a circular motion, assuring that his prostate was rubbed at every moment. Cole couldn’t stand he was about to reach his orgasm, and he felt it coming, as something went through the fog of his passion. A noise. The door. Someone was knocking on the door.
“Shit!” said Cole frustrated. He was almost there!
“Cole! Are you there?” his
brother Robert asked. Shit! Shit!
“As…?” Byron’s confused look found his.
“Shhh!” Cole put a finger on his lover’s lips, afraid that Rob would hear him. Shaking his head, Byron took a deep breath, which made his penis go deeper inside Cole.
“Ahhh” He groaned, his desire returning in full strength.
“Cole! Are you sick?” With horror, Cole saw the doorknob turning slightly, like Rob was trying to get in.
“The door!” Byron said “You didn’t close it!” He recalled.
“Oh, shit!” Cole complained in a low voice. “Don’t come in!” Cole shouted toward the door. “I think I ate something spoiled and I threw up everything in here.”
“Ah, ok!” The voice of his brother sounded disgusted, but the handle didn’t move anymore.
“You need to go downstairs, so as to end the...” Rob continued. “We have something to announce.”
“Later!” Byron whispered.
“What?” Cole asked, grabbing Byron with his arms and legs, afraid that he would leave. Byron pressed his forehead against his throat and laughed softly.
“Tell him you'll go later.”
“Ah, ok!” Byron’s breath in his collarbone as he spoke gave him shivers. Cole hit his shoulder to punish him for scaring him, but he did as he was told.
“I'm coming, then, give me five minutes.” Or maybe ten, he thought.
“Okay, but hurry up.” Rob always liked to have the last word. Even before his brother went away, Byron began thrusting again, slowly and with certain movements. Cole's body was like home to him. The desire, stress and fear of being caught was an aphrodisiac to Cole, and then a spasm went through him, from his back to the tips of his fingers, and he finally reached his climax.
