The experience with David was more than he ever hoped it could be and he couldn’t wait to repeat it. This thought brought him up short and he stood still at the side of the road, realizing that he had never told David who he was. For Michael, the evening had been the culmination of six years of admiration, but for David it was no more than the furtive meetings in empty classrooms that Michael had always avoided. He had dared to hope, after Dr. Kennedy’s revelation, that there would be happiness in his future, but he knew now that it was not to be. The feeling of release in another’s arms was magnificent, but he recognized that it was not in his nature to repeat the experience without love or affection.
* * *
The weekend was spent in his room, refusing meals, neither expecting nor receiving a visit from any of his family, his eyes red from the tears shed in mourning for the life that he would never have.
Out of habit more than any sense of responsibility, he went to school on Monday morning and sat, as usual, in the back of the hall. His fellow students were in high spirits, talking about Christmas plans with their families and arranging visits over the holiday break. He picked at a loose thread on his frayed trousers and focused on his lap as he listened to the usual prayers and announcements. Afraid to see David, he remained seated as the hall emptied, only standing when the last footstep faded. Shuffling to the door, he was so deep in his own sorrow that he didn’t notice the first year with the note until he bumped into him.
The note, predictably, was from Dr. Kennedy and asked him to present himself at the headmaster’s office immediately. No longer able to find it in himself to worry about being accused of a crime or being expelled, he shuffled to the headmaster’s office. When he was led into the office, he found the headmaster, Dr. Kennedy and a well-dressed man sitting at the conference table at the side of the office.
“Mr. Taylor, please have a seat. I’m sorry to pull you from your classes, but we have an important matter to discuss.” The headmaster spoke calmly. Dr. Kennedy smiled slightly as Michael sat at the table. The other man, who sat with a thick file in front of him, said nothing but looked at Michael kindly. The headmaster continued, “This is Mr. Eaton, Esquire. Dr. Kennedy contacted him on your behalf several months ago. I understand that Dr. Kennedy hasn’t shared any of his correspondence with Mr. Eaton at this point.”
“No, sir.” Michael was growing curious, despite his melancholy.
Mr. Eaton opened the file and shuffled papers before beginning to speak. “Mr. Taylor, do you remember your childhood? Where you lived? Did you ever speak about business with your father?
After a pause to adjust to the topic and order his thoughts, Michael answered, “I remember happy times with my parents, living in Boston in a large house. I don’t remember ever speaking with my father about business.”
Mr. Eaton wrote something briefly on a pad at his elbow before asking his next question. “What do you remember about the time after your parents’ death?”
“Very little. I remember their funeral and my mother’s cousin coming to the house to pack my things, then the drive here. The next school term I was enrolled in Collingsworth as a day-student.” Michael was growing impatient with the questioning about a very painful period in his life. “If I may ask, what is this about, sir?”
“To put it simply, Mr. Taylor, your parents were very wealthy, and you were their only heir,” Mr. Eaton said.
“I don’t believe that is correct. My mother’s cousin inherited, and they’ve allowed me to live with them while attending Collingsworth.” Michael was ready to leave and get on with his last days of the term and put Collingsworth behind him for several weeks.
“It is indeed correct, Mr. Taylor. I’ve been researching for several months and believe that we now have all of the information at hand. You are your parents’ heir, and the house in Boston, as well as the house in Collingsworth, belong to you. Your mother’s cousin was appointed as your guardian and the administrator of the estate. Everything passes to you on your twenty-first birthday. You are a very wealthy young man.”
Dumbfounded, Michael didn’t know where to start, what questions to ask, what to think. “But they’ve been letting me live there. I’m on scholarship here!”
“It appears that your mother’s cousin has appropriated everything in your name and has been using your very generous allowance for the family’s own purposes. With your permission, I’ll contact the police on your behalf, and the family will be out of your house before the end of the day.” Mr. Eaton closed the file and waited for Michael’s response.
Looking at Dr. Kennedy for the first time since the lawyer had begun speaking, Michael asked, “Would it be possible to speak with you privately, sir?” The headmaster and Mr. Eaton left, allowing them the use of the office.
“This is all such a shock. I’ve been the poor cousin receiving charity for six years, and I can’t quite believe that it’s not the way it was supposed to be. I’m not sure what to do.”
Dr. Kennedy was quiet for a few minutes before speaking. “I believe that the police should be told. Your cousin has deprived you of so much. At the very least, Michael, this will change your future. You will be able to go to any university that you please, be anything that you would like.”
After a long morning talking to the police, Michael rode in Mr. Eaton’s coach to what he had so recently learned was his house. Mr. Eaton had been named as temporary administrator of the estate by the magistrate until a formal hearing could be held, and the police would arrive shortly to evict the family. Michael would have preferred to avoid the scene that was sure to follow but had allowed Mr. Eaton to convince him that it would be better for him to be there.
Late afternoon found him finally alone, except the staff, in his house. His house. He wondered how long it would take him to get used to that. He had requested a cold supper but sat at the large table alone with no appetite. The extraordinary day had taken its toll and once he took time to reflect, the memory of the events of Friday night returned, leaving him feeling utterly drained and alone. He pushed his dinner away and wandered through the rooms of the house, decorated in anticipation of a lavish Christmas, looking at them with fresh eyes, and remembering the house in Boston with fondness. He would arrange to travel there as soon as the school term was over.
Tired but not ready to attempt sleep, Michael read in the library for the first time rather than returning to his room. He was looking around the warm and comforting room when he heard a soft knock. The butler opened the door to announce that he had a visitor who had declined to give his name.
“Declined?”
“Yes, sir. He said that he was a friend of yours from school and asked me to deliver this.”
Michael opened the small box to find his mask from the ball on a bed of soft cotton. He was at the door in a few steps and paused only long enough to ask, “Where is he?”
“In the foyer, sir.”
“Would you have tea brought to the library? You can leave the tray and clear tomorrow. We won’t need anything more tonight.” He walked as fast as decorum allowed to meet David in the foyer but didn’t know what to say to him once he was there.
“My handsome friend.” David touched Michael’s elbow briefly. “You ran off so quickly on Friday and then you weren’t in school today, I wanted to make sure that you were all right.” He smiled shyly.
“It’s been an eventful day. We can talk in the library.” He was barely able to believe that David was standing in front of him and his body trembled with excitement.
Alone in the library, the door closed and with no chance for interruption, Michael turned to David. “How did you know that it was me?”
David cupped Michael’s cheek. “I’ve watched you every day for six years. I’d recognize you in the pitch dark, with a mask on, anywhere, Michael.” He closed his lips over Michael’s in a soft kiss, undemanding and sweet.
“Why now? Why after six years?” Michael didn’t wait for an answer but returned David’s kiss
with passion, opening his lips and tasting the sweetness of his lover’s mouth.
“Your family—is it safe?”
Michael held David close, thrilling at the reaction of David’s body, so evident against his own arousal. “It’s safe. Why now?” He repeated.
“You’ve always been aloof, holding yourself away from everyone. I was afraid to approach you. Then I had a note on Friday morning suggesting that I talk to you at the dance. When Dr. Kennedy pushed us together I took a chance.” He threaded his fingers through Michael’s dark hair and pulled him closer for another kiss. “Let’s talk later, Michael.”
Michael tilted his head as David’s lips found the soft skin beneath his ear, but he pushed him away before he could become lost in the sensation. There was one more thing he had to know. “Will you ever marry?” He silently prayed that the answer would not be the same as Joseph’s.
“Not unless the law changes to allow marriage between two men.” He returned to nuzzle Michael’s neck and could feel the rumble of Michael’s laughter under his lips.
“How absurd to think of two men being allowed to marry!” Michael chuckled before growing serious once more. “Come with me?” He took David by the hand and led him out of the library.
Once in his room, the door safely closed, Michael pulled David to him and simply held him for a minute, allowing the emotions of the day to flow through him. David pulled away, cupped Michael’s face, and kissed him tenderly. Their lips moved gently, exploring and tasting, learning what produced a moan or caused a gasp of delight.
Hands explored, sliding inside clothing and finding skin, arousal growing with each new discovery. Michael followed David’s lead, delighting in the freedom to explore his body for the first time. Jackets, ties, and shirts discarded, Michael felt the press of a lover’s skin on his own for the first time as they strained together, better than he ever imagined.
Their slow explorations grew more passionate and Michael kissed along David’s jaw to his neck, tasting the skin of his shoulder, and finally, finally breathing his fill of the scent of that tempting neck. Michael sat on the edge of the bed, putting him in the perfect position to unbutton the trousers covering the flesh that he longed for.
He freed his lover’s swollen prick and marveled at the sight of the dark red flesh. Wanting to feel that intoxicating heat against his hand again, he reached for David as he peppered kisses on the smooth skin of his belly and licked over his hip bones. With a groan, David pulled away, pushed Michael back against the bed, and quickly pushed his trousers over muscled thighs. Michael felt soft fingers trace from his shoulders, to his chest, to map the thin line of hair that that started at his navel and flared below. The fingers combing through those short curls excited him in a way that his own touch never had and he closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of David touching his body with such intimate strokes.
Snapping his eyes open at the sudden feeling of warmth on his member, he saw the unimaginable sight of David licking and drawing him into his mouth. He gasped, thinking that he would spend on the spot, and only the idea of humiliating himself by releasing into David’s mouth saved him. “David! It’s too much! I can’t… can’t….”
David slid up his body until he was lying on top of Michael, settling into the cradle of his thighs and sliding their erections together. “Have you never done this, Michael?” David asked gently before taking a plump lower lip between his own.
“Never, until last Friday.” Unable to bear the teasing of David’s lips any longer, he reached into his silky hair and pulled him down into a passionate kiss even as he rolled his hips to slide along his lover’s length.
“Oh, love. We have so much to explore. Anything—everything—that you want.” David whispered against his lips, “Relax. Let me love you.” Michael gave himself over to his lover’s touch.
He sighed as David moved his mouth over his fevered skin, lips soft, tongue leaving wet trails that cooled in the evening air. Skating his fingers over David’s shoulders, he felt the warm mouth close over a small nipple and was amazed at the shock that moved through his body to settle in his groin. When he thought that he could stand no more, David moved to lavish the same attention on the other nipple, licking and sucking at the sensitive nub. The feeling was almost too much to bear, and he began to rock his hips against David’s body, only to have the movement stilled by a firm hand on his hip.
“Shhh, love. We have time, there’s no hurry,” David whispered as he moved down Michael’s torso to kiss one prominent hip bone, then the other. Soft lips moved over the tender skin of his inner thighs and Michael thought that he would go mad with the need to have David’s mouth on him again.
“Please,” he whispered, unable to voice his desire, unable to stay quiet. He gasped again when he felt David’s tongue on his balls, the feeling of one testicle being pulled into David’s mouth almost sending him over the edge. One of David’s hands held the base of his prick tightly and he wanted—needed—that hand to move, needed release like he never had before. “Please, David, please.”
When he thought he could bear it no longer, David’s mouth closed over his aching flesh, warm, wet, completely divine. His tongue dipped into the slit, swirled around the swollen head and slid over the smooth skin before David lowered his head until Michael could feel his prick hit the back of his lover’s delicious mouth. It was all too much and he desperately tried to pull away. “David!”
Michael was close, so close to embarrassing himself, knowing that if he released into David’s mouth that David would be disgusted, angry, but David held him firmly against the mattress. The picture of those red lips stretched over his prick and blue eyes locked on his pushed him beyond any point that he could control. He felt the first tingle in his balls and his legs stiffened as felt his hot seed move through his prick and into David’s mouth.
As he came back to himself, Michael realized that, far from running from what he had done, David held him in his mouth, licking and suckling gently, as he recovered. David smiled as he released Michael with a small pop before settling back onto Michael’s body, grinning down at him. Blushing, Michael said, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it in.”
David kissed him lightly before saying, “You gave me the prize that I craved, love.”
“I thought… thought that you would be angry.” Embarrassed by his admission and feeling David’s open gaze, Michael pulled him down into a warm kiss. “Can I touch you?”
David laughed and rolled them over until their positions were reversed. “Oh, Michael,” he chuckled deeply. “You never have to ask to do anything with my body.”
Michael kissed him deeply before following the same path that David had forged on his own body. He thrilled when David’s nipple hardened under his tongue and learned the tastes and smells of another person – another man – for the first time. Feeling the soft skin of David’s inner thigh on his lips, Michael moved closer to his prize and breathed the rich, musky smell as he licked and tasted new territory. He flicked the tip of his tongue over the clear drop that had formed on the smooth, spongy head and the flavor of the man that he had craved for so long burst over his tongue.
Wanting to return the pleasure that David had given him, he lowered his head but drew back quickly when he felt himself gag on the fullness in his throat. He heard sweet words of encouragement and felt soothing hands in his hair and on his shoulders as he tried again. Thrilling when he felt Michael’s prick jump in his mouth, he learned which touches brought fevered reactions from David’s body and delighted in giving him pleasure. Surprised when he felt David’s release hit his throat, he pulled back briefly before taking the rest in his mouth.
Mimicking David’s earlier actions, he licked and sucked, until David’s tremors slowed. Completely overwhelmed by everything that had happened, he settled against David’s side, looking lovingly at his partner’s flushed cheeks.
David turned to look at him and smiled before swiping his thumb over Michael’s chin. “I think yo
u missed a drop.” Without thinking about what he was doing, Michael sucked David’s thumb into his mouth, loving the heat he saw in his new lover’s eyes.
They lay tangled together, caressing and stroking as they talked, each unable to get enough of the other’s body. When Michael told him about the news he had received that day, he was delighted to find out that David’s family was also from Boston. Making plans for a holiday spent together, Michael shivered at the possibilities and marveled at the changes that a day could make.
“Are you cold?” David asked, pulling the blankets over Michael’s shoulders.
Michael laughed and rolled onto David, sliding into the cradle of his thighs. “No, not cold. Just a bit overwhelmed at everything that’s happened today.” He leaned down to touch David’s lips with his, delighting in their softness and the delicious taste as they opened to allow his tongue access. Feeling new fire in groin, he slid his length along David’s and thrilled at the ways in which their bodies could meet and give each other pleasure.
He felt David’s hands on his backside, pulling them more tightly together and remembered his hesitation to touch David there. Now, feeling completely free, he laughed and rolled them over until he was on his back with David straddling his hips. Moving his hands over David’s back, he didn’t hesitate to move further and grip a firm cheek in each hand. “Oh, this feels marvelous!” David continued to writhe over him, alternately grinding into his rigid prick and back against his hands. Feeling as if he could never get enough of the soft skin and hard muscle of David’s backside, he continued to rub and squeeze as they moved together.
Hearing a gasp, Michael stopped his movements. “There, just there.” David arched his back and pressed against Michael’s hands. He realized that, with all of his kneading and squeezing, he had touched David’s most intimate spot. Could that contact have given David pleasure? He touched again, and felt the tiny pucker as David pressed against him. “More!” Michael tapped and swirled as he watched David’s flushed cheeks, loving the desire in his eyes.
Collingsworth Page 3
