by Lily Harlem
“He’s a kind person.” Lloyd was quiet for a moment, then. “You said in Paris your mother raised you alone. Does that mean you know nothing about your father?”
“My father.” I was surprised by the question but not offended.
“Yeah.”
“No, I don’t know much. My mother speaks very little of him.” I paused and felt a familiar crease form between my eyebrows, as it often did when I thought of my father. “It’s almost as if she barely knew him.”
“That’s the way sometimes.”
“I guess. She told me once it was a one-night stand, but I never understood why she didn’t find him when she discovered she was pregnant.”
“Some people are hard to find.”
“More than hard, impossible. She gave me nothing to go on other than the name Mammon. No profession, no nationality, no rough address.” I clicked my tongue on the roof of my mouth. “It was worse than looking for a needle in a haystack, it was like trying to find one drop of blood in all the oceans of the world.”
“Blood,” he repeated. “Yeah, I suppose that would be hard to sniff out. One drop in an ocean.”
“Sniff out?”
“Yeah, you know.” He grinned. “Like a shark.”
“Why are you talking about sharks?” Rhys appeared holding a bottle of beer.
“Ah, nothing,” Lloyd said. “Join us.”
“Thanks.”
I’d expected Rhys to slip onto the bench next to his cousin, but he didn’t, he slid in beside me, his shoulder brushing mine, and his leg a hair’s breadth from my thigh beneath the table.
He wore the same sexy cologne he’d had on the day before and I breathed deep, aware that my cock was still gently pushing against the material of my pants. Not a full-blown erection, but hardly soft either.
Rhys set his drink down. “Washing machine okay?”
“I don’t know. I don’t live with my mother.” I chuckled. “And I haven’t had chance to speak to her yet today, but I’m sure it is.”
“You been busy today then?” Rhys asked.
“He’s been on a shoot, some sexy advert for gin called Loyalty and Deceit,” Lloyd said. “Required him to wear nothing but silk boxers.”
Rhys nodded slowly and his gaze slid down my torso as if imagining me wearing just that. “I’ll look forward to seeing the finished shots.”
The heat I’d been managing to contain spread to my cheeks and a tingle ran over my scalp. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle so I allowed myself to enjoy the sensation. Sitting here, with two handsome guys—two handsome gay guys—hadn’t been something I’d planned at the beginning of the week. But I wasn’t complaining, especially as they both appeared to fancy me.
I fancy them both!
I cleared my throat. “Where do you live, Rhys?”
“Not far from here. Means I often bump into Lloyd.”
Lloyd nodded.
I took a deep drink, glad of the sweet, cool cola on my tongue.
A sudden tune rang out. Rhys tugged a cell phone from the back pocket of his jeans.
As he answered it I caught a glimpse of the screen.
George.
“Hey,” he said, pressing it to his ear. “Yeah, all good.” He paused. “As planned.”
George. It was a name I didn’t come across in guys of my generation. Was it the George I’d met today? The man who’d turned me on so much with his body and his words I’d struggled to walk.
“Okay, yes, I’ll do that. See you soon.” Rhys stood.
“Something up?” Lloyd asked.
“No. Got an errand to run for the boss, that’s all.”
Lloyd didn’t appear surprised, and he sat back, arms folded. “Okay, see you around.”
Rhys nodded at him then turned to me. “It was really great to see you again, Darius, and hear about your day.” He smiled so wide his dimples dented his cheeks. “Perhaps we can meet up again, here.”
“Sure. I’d like that.” As I’d spoken the words I glanced at Lloyd. Would he object? I did appear to be on a date with him after all.
“Cool.” Rhys set his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. His fingers were cool and strong and there seemed to be genuine affection in the touch.
And then he was gone.
Lloyd leaned forward again. “I’m glad we’re alone.”
“You are?”
“Yeah. Call me selfish, but I found you, I want you to myself.”
My mouth dried as I watched him lick his lips. I had an urge to grip his hoody and drag him near, kiss him, shove my tongue into his mouth and discover the flavor of a hot, sexy man.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, shoving his full drink to one side.
“Where?”
He stood. “Let’s walk. The sun has nearly set.”
“The sun?”
“Yeah, the heat has gone from the day.”
“It’s only March, hardly hot.” I laughed.
“I don’t like to be hot.” He shrugged. “For the record, beach holidays are not for me.”
“Ah, now I like a nice beach, a hammock, a few palm trees swaying in the breeze.”
“Perhaps I’d find a way to cope, if you were there.” He winked.
I smiled and followed him from the bar, admiring his wide shoulders and the slight sway of his hips. He drew a couple of glances, as did I, and for once I didn’t mind. We were a handsome couple.
We ambled away from the hustle and bustle of Sloane Square and found a park which hadn’t been locked up for the night. After sitting on a dark bench chatting about the trees and the wildlife I checked my watch. I wanted to move the evening on…but not too much. I wasn’t quite ready for what George had suggested, I knew that about myself.
“I should get going,” I said, standing. “Work tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you home.” He, too, rose.
“I’ll be okay. It’s only a short walk.”
He set me with his gaze. It was full of grim determination. “I’ll see you home, Darius.”
I chuckled. “I’m not a girl, you know, I can look out for myself.”
“I can see you’re not a girl.” He reached forward and cupped my jawline with his palm. “Though if you were, for the record, it’s you I like, what’s inside you.”
“You do?” I whispered, staring into his eyes.
“Yeah, a lot.”
“I like you, too.”
“That will make this so much easier then.” He smiled and dropped his hand. “Come on, I’ve also got a lot on tomorrow.”
We started to walk, Lloyd talking about his job, hunting for missing people. It was all a bit vague but I wasn’t complaining, I simply enjoyed listening to his deep voice.
Only once on the stroll home did the other men enter my mind, Oscar, George and Rhys, and I wondered what they were doing. Would Oscar call me? Did fate have another meeting for George and I planned, and would I take him up on any wild, naked offers he made? And sweet Rhys, did he visit The Pig and Pickle often?
Stop it.
I berated myself. Here I was with Lloyd and thinking of other men. It wasn’t acceptable.
We reached my apartment block. The entrance was lit but to the right was a set of bushes circling a bike park. I orchestrated it so we used that path to the entrance.
Once in the shadows, by a darkened wall, I halted.
Lloyd turned to me, the glow of a distant street lamp sliding over his features.
“Thank you,” I said, quietly. “I had a nice time tonight.”
He stepped closer, so close our chests practically touched. “I can make it nicer,” he said, sliding his fingers over my cheeks and into my hair so he cradled my head. “If you’ll let me.”
I knew what he wanted. I wanted it too.
I held my breath. My first kiss. It was time. I nodded.
He slanted his soft lips over mine, they were cool from the night air and held a hint of tobacco.
I moaned and clung to his hoody. His grip
on me was strong and possessive. It thrilled a part of me deep down inside.
His tongue found mine. We set up a crazy dance, our chins touching, my breaths coming fast.
Feeling bolder, I slid my hands around his waist and drew him nearer.
Our bellies and groins touched.
The second that happened a flame flickered to life inside of me. Heat welled. Blood shot to my cock, filling it hard and fast.
“Darius,” he murmured, clutching my left buttock and dragging me against him. “I want you so bad.”
I didn’t answer. I was lost to the sensation of our cocks touching through material. I ground my hips, thrusting for more.
“Fuck.” He kissed me again. There was a wildness to it. He was as frantic as me.
I clenched my buttocks. The pressure was building and I thrust against him. Soon I’d come. I didn’t care.
Our kisses were crazy, almost animalistic. He backed me against the wall, my shoulders slamming against the hard bricks. I was glad of the cool surface on my burning body.
“We need to fuck,” he said.
“Yes…no…I’m not ready.” I didn’t want that, this was all happening so fast. I would want it, but not yet.
“You feel like you’re ready,” he said. “Damn it, I’m going to come in my pants.”
I pulled back and stared at him, though I didn’t stop rubbing my cock against his. “Do it, let’s come like this.”
“Fuck. Okay.”
Now that we’d agreed to it, the tempo picked up, as did the franticness of our dry humping. He kissed me, dragging his tongue over mine, our teeth clashing.
And then it was there. My balls tightened, my body was on fire, bright lights flashed and I gave in to a breath-stealing release.
I groaned, pulled my mouth from his and let my head fall back against the wall. My arms ached. They were full of sparks, my fingertips tingled, but I kept the power in, held onto it.
“Ah, yeah, yeah…” he gasped, his mouth trailing over my cheek to my neck. He bashed his cock against mine, shoving it upward in the same movement. A warm sticky wetness filled my boxers.
I was aware of a nip on my neck, a sharpness.
“No.” I shoved at him. “No hickies.”
“Darius,” he gasped, his weight pinning me to the wall. “Just one, I’ve waited so long for you.”
“I mean it.” I was panting. “I’ve got a shoot tomorrow. They’ll sue my ass if I turn up with a big suction mark on my neck.”
He stared at me. “I can think of other things I’d like to do to your ass other than sue it.”
I was breathing fast. A tremble attacked me. “I’d like that.”
“When?”
“Give me time. I’ve only just admitted to myself I want this.” I ran my hand over his chest. “That I want a man.”
“Can that man be me?”
I swallowed, thinking of the other three guys.
He raised his eyebrows. “Darius, are there other men in your life?”
“I…oh fuck.” I paused. “There’s no one else like you, but…”
He didn’t speak.
I thought of Oscar. “There is someone else I said I’d go out with.”
He stroked my cheek. “That’s cool with me, so long as we’re straight with each other. I have no problem sharing you.”
“Have you got anyone else?” I knew I had no claim, but I hoped he didn’t.
He shook his head and his gaze bore into mine. “There’s only you, Darius. Believe it or not, you’re everything I’ve been searching for and everything I’ll ever need.”
My chest tightened. He’d spoken with such surety and conviction.
“But right now.” He stepped away.
I missed his weight against me.
“I need to go and…” He plucked at the front of his black jeans. “And clean myself up.”
Chapter Eight
Rhys
I stood within the branches of a laurel bush holding Darius’s forgotten denim jacket. The leaves were thick and glossy and in the dark of the night gave good cover.
Lloyd—the lucky bastard—was ending his evening on a high with the cambion. Right now he had him pressed up against the wall of his apartment block, dry humping him.
My cock was stiffening just watching them. I wanted that with Darius. I’d met him twice and each time fallen a bit more for him. He was handsome and elegant, but also witty, intelligent, and had a strong sense of fairness and willingness to do good. Being in his mother’s house with him confirmed this. She was a decent woman and had passed that onto him, not just in his genes but also in his upbringing.
They were talking now, Lloyd and Darius. I didn’t know what about, my hearing wasn’t as acute as George’s. But it was okay, Lloyd would fill me in on the details if necessary.
Lloyd pulled back and tugged at his jeans. I didn’t envy him the sticky wetness in his pants.
“Goodnight,” Darius said, his voice catching on a breeze and bringing with it his scent.
Lloyd nodded and walked my way.
Darius watched him for a few seconds, then turned and slipped into his apartment building.
“Hey,” Lloyd said, drawing level with me.
“Looks like you had fun.”
He chuckled. “As much fun as I can have with my clothes on.”
“He didn’t want more?”
“He’s still getting used to having admitted his attraction to men. We can’t rush him into bed.”
“But we can give him some experiences, right?”
“Of course. So long as we don’t scare him away.”
“Did he mention me, Oscar, George?”
“He confessed there was someone else he’d promised a date to. I’m guessing that’s Oscar.”
“Lucky Oscar.”
Lloyd pressed his hand on my shoulder. “Rhys, sharpen up. Who is standing here now, with Darius’s coat?” He paused and tipped his head. “Go see him. Use it as an excuse to knock on his door.”
“He’s had enough of us for one day. I’ll give him this when he comes out in the morning.”
Lloyd huffed. “Whatever. Have a good night, and keep your eyes and ears peeled. His father could appear at any time.”
“I know that.”
Lloyd adjusted his stance and pulled a face. “I need a shower. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sure.”
Once alone in the shadows, I pulled Darius’s coat to my face and inhaled his scent. My belly tightened and the longing that had been there since I’d first laid eyes on him dragged at my cock.
‘Go see him.’
Lloyd’s words came back to me.
Maybe I should give in to what I wanted. It wasn’t like me to be shy or reserved. I took what I desired wherever I was in the world. I seduced who I needed to in order to secure a feed. I won over anyone I had a hunger for. A cute smile, dimples and a body to die for—how ironic was that—could get those results.
I stepped from the bush and stared up at apartment twelve. There was one light on, and I wondered if Darius was in the shower.
If so, I want to join him.
That thought spurred me on. I stepped up to the entrance and pressed the buzzer, hoping he’d answer.
He did.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Darius. It’s me, Rhys.”
A pause, then, “Oh, hi Rhys.”
“I’ve got your jacket, you left it at The Pig and Pickle. I went back later and the landlord gave it to me, figured we knew each other.”
“I did? He did?” Pause. “Yeah, you’re right. Hang on, I’ll come down for it.”
“No…I can bring it up. I don’t mind.”
“Great, I’m just out the shower. I’ll pull some clothes on.”
He is naked!
The door buzzed and I pushed in. My mouth watered and my fangs tingled. This man had me in knots the way no one ever had before.
Within seconds I was standing at his door.
H
e pulled it open before I’d even knocked.
“Here.” I smiled and presented the jacket.
“Thanks.” He took it.
For a moment I stared at him, breathing in his soapy-fresh scent. His hair was damp and his chest bare. He wore navy-blue sweats that sat super low on his hips and nothing on his feet. His body was glorious and utterly perfect. A few veins were visible in his neck and the insides of his arms, and his chest was hairless.
“I appreciate it,” he said. “I like this jacket.”
“No problem.”
“How did you know where I lived?”
“Er, Lloyd. I messaged him to find out.”
“I see.” He nodded. “I wasn’t aware Lloyd knew which number apartment I lived in.”
“Ah, I pressed them all. Well, four, then got to you. I don’t think I’m popular with your neighbors.”
He laughed. “No, I should think not.” His smile dropped and he gestured behind himself. “Do you want to come in? A drink maybe after coming all this way.”
“Sure, thanks.” I stepped in quickly, before he could change his mind. He’d invited me over the threshold after all. Which meant I hadn’t broken any rules. Plus, my job for the night was to keep him under surveillance, and safe. What better place to do that than his home?
“Nice place,” I said, glancing around. There was only one lamp in the living area, and the white sofa and sleek modern furniture appealed to me. I’d turned in nineteen forty-five and with a country at war it was a time of austerity, so I always appreciated modern comforts. “I like this.” I pointed to a huge black and white picture on the wall. It was Darius in Prague.
“Thanks.”
“I adore it there,” I went on. “You been in the clock tower?”
“No, I didn’t get up there.”
“It’s a lesson in not being too good at what you do.”
“Really? I’d have thought that was the way to go.” He frowned.
“Not in this case. The government were so pleased with it, they chopped off the hands of the creator so he couldn’t make another one like it. They didn’t want any other city to have such a beautiful clock.”
“That’s terrible.”
“I think so.”
He shuddered. “I’m glad I live in modern times.”
“The olden days were grim, I’ll give you that. Especially in war time.”
