A Peace Offering

by R. L. Merrill

  He allowed himself to sit down and knew it was a mistake when Trudy shook him awake what felt like five minutes later.

  “You fell asleep! It’s almost your turn.”

  Shit. He jumped around and slapped at his face to try to wake up. He was going to sleep like a rock tonight.

  “You’re on.”

  He hurried out to his spot, hit the pose… and got a cramp in his calf. Holy God in Heaven! He held still and screamed internally, never losing his pose, but when the lights went out, he hobbled back to the dressing room and fell into the chair, rubbing frantically at the cramp.

  “Are you all right?”

  Dover appeared in the doorway, a worried look on his face.

  “Cramp. Ow.”

  Dover hurried over, pulled up a stool, and lowered himself carefully onto it, wincing a bit as he sat.

  “Don’t. You’re hurt.”

  “Shut up. Here, give me your leg.”

  Landry did as he was told and placed his right foot on Dover’s thigh, letting out a string of curses as he moved.

  Dover pulled a package out of his pocket and ripped it open. “I have one more of these. The heat should help.” He shook the charcoal packet used to warm the hands and then pressed it against Landry’s calf.

  “Ohhhhmygodddd, thank you. That hurt like the dickens.”

  Dover grinned a little at Landry’s joke, and then he began massaging the muscle, his strong hands getting right to the knot.

  Landry moaned and slid down in the cushioned chair, his eyes rolling back in his head. “Yesss, that’s so much better. God, you’re good at that. Thank you.”

  “No problem.” He continued to knead Landry’s calf, moving away from the area of the cramp. “It’s the least I could do.” Dover glanced down at the corset he wore so well and smiled shyly. “The corset is wonderful.”

  “It looks amazing on you. I’d hoped I got the size right.”

  “This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever made for me,” Dover said in a quiet voice. “Really. Thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to work all day if I hadn’t had it. I appreciate that you took the time to make something so beautiful.”

  Landry opened one eye and smiled, enjoying the feel of Dover’s hands and the sight of him between his thighs. His very naked thighs. Landry was dressed only in the thong he’d worn for his pose in the Postcards performance and therefore continued to put on quite a show. He gasped when Dover hit a particularly sensitive spot, and Dover grunted a little, a sound like he’d made when they kissed… so long ago.

  “I knew when I came to see the show tonight that I was seeing the Postcards—I’ve seen it before—but I wasn’t prepared to see this much of you.”

  Dover’s eyes traveled over Landry’s body. Suddenly it wasn’t cold anymore in the back barns of the Cow Palace, and Landry was no longer tired. He sat up straight and their eyes met. “Did you enjoy the show?”

  Dover stopped kneading, his touch becoming more of a caress. “I did. One pose in particular.”

  Landry slid his foot up Dover’s thigh and let it fall toward the floor, his leg now draped over Dover’s lap. He rested his forearms on Dover’s shoulders and pressed their foreheads together. “Is that so?”

  “Mmm-hmm,” Dover murmured. He slid his hands up the outside of Landry’s thighs to his hips, letting his fingers drift over the elastic of the thong. “I guess I’m quite a fan of the Greek Olympians. I’m suddenly in awe of the discus thrower.” He pulled back to gaze into Landry’s eyes as if waiting for permission.

  “Please kiss me,” Landry breathed. “I don’t even care if it’s just a kiss and nothing more. I can’t go a second longer without kissing you again.”

  Dover chuckled. “Always with the drama.”

  And he kissed him. And Landry was so damn grateful that he’d asked because it was even better than before when he’d been tipsy and wanton in the men’s room. He moaned and wrapped his arms around Dover’s neck, pulling him closer and deeper into the kiss.

  Dover knelt before him and gripped his waist. He took control of the kiss, licking, sucking, and nipping at Landry’s eager lips as though trying his mouth on for size. Landry felt as though Dover was taking his measure, and he allowed himself to fantasize what it would be like to be completely at Dover’s mercy.

  “Landry, you’re late for— Oh!” Trudy covered her mouth and giggled. “Nothing! You’re late for nothing. I see nothing.” She scurried out of the curtained-off dressing area, getting caught in the drapes on her way out.

  “I’m—oops?”

  Dover shook his head. “It’s fine.” He traced Landry’s ribs with his thumbs. “I’ve come to accept that one rarely gets to be alone with Landry Malcolm.”

  Landry dipped his head to look into Dover’s eyes. “And you’re okay with that?” He knew Dover’s major hang-up had to do with Landry being center of attention. He’d said he didn’t want Landry to change, but could he really accept it? “My friends are my friends. I can’t help that. But I can promise that if we go back to my house right now, no one will interrupt us.”

  Chapter Eleven

  December

  Dover

  DOVER’S HEART pounded nearly out of control at the thought of taking Landry home and not worrying about interruptions. He wasn’t even upset that Trudy had walked in. At this point, everyone knew there was something between them. He’d gotten comments all day about how wonderful his corset was (everyone), how Landry had been so hopeful that he’d like it and wear it (Trudy and the rest of the cast of the Postcards show), and whether he’d be modeling it in the windows (Gwen and his father). He’d been embarrassed at first, but he recalled how touched he’d been to wear something Landry had made just for him. Then he wore it with pride. A gift like this was something to be treasured, as the gift of Landry’s affection was. Part of the reason Landry was always surrounded by people was that he gave so much to everyone. He made people feel special, feel good, so naturally people were drawn to his light.

  Dover was drawn to him for all of these reasons and more. Right now, he was drawn in by something much more carnal.

  “Your house. No interruptions. I like the sound of that. And as much as I like you basically naked, you probably should put some clothes on, or you’ll cramp up again.”

  “If I have you to work out the knots, I’d practically not even care.”

  Dover stood carefully, wincing a bit. The corset had certainly helped, but he needed another dose of medication and a flat surface. If that surface happened to have naked Landry next to him, all the better.

  THEY BARELY made it to the lot without being waylaid, and found they’d parked next to each other. They laughed, and Dover put his arm around Landry.

  “I can always give you a ride tomorrow.”

  “I’m hoping you’ll give me a ride tonight and tomorrow.”

  Dover chuckled and pulled him closer and down for another kiss, thinking horizontal was going to be quite a delight. He unlocked the door and opened it for Landry. He took a moment to breathe as he walked around the rear of the truck. His hands were shaking like this was his first prom date or something. He slid inside and blew into his freezing cold hands before starting the engine. Steppenwolf blared over the speakers, and he burst out laughing.

  “Who are you and what have you done with my dour Dover?”

  Dover backed out of the parking spot with a smile. His Dover. I like the sound of that. “Keep listening.”

  Landry frowned until he heard the chorus. “‘Magic Carpet Ride’?”

  They both laughed as they sped down Highway 101 toward Landry’s house and a night of no interruptions.

  Chapter Twelve

  Landry

  THEY MADE it to Landry’s in record time as it began to rain. They pulled up to his tiny early twentieth-century bungalow in the San Leandro Hills before ten, the excitement tangible between them the entire ride. Landry unlocked the door and cursed when he recalled he hadn’t cleaned up his current project
mess, which took up his entire living room. That and the fact that he had a naked Christmas tree waiting until he actually had time to decorate it with the ornaments that were already unwrapped and sitting on the coffee table, ready to go. What a disaster.

  “This is where you pretend you are so enamored of me that you don’t notice my house is a wreck. Follow me.” Landry took his hand and led him quickly through the piles of material, cutting boards, dress forms, and tools, past the miniscule kitchen and the dinky washroom to his slightly roomier master bedroom. When his grandmother decided to move in with his parents in Piedmont, Landry had bought out her mortgage. He’d had so many fond memories of childhood sewing adventures with her that he’d never let this place go to a stranger. He didn’t care much about the size, except when his friends all decided he needed to host gatherings, but then he had a fantastic multilevel patio out back complete with heaters and a sound system. Music.

  “I’m just going to freshen up. Stereo’s over there. Pick something you like. I’ll be right out.”

  He could barely breathe with Dover in his space, he was so excited. After everything that had happened during their year of misunderstandings, to have him in his bedroom? His cheeks hurt from smiling.

  Landry stripped and hopped in the shower as he heard the music start. It was sort of heavy rock, but not obnoxious. His tastes did run more typical drama geek—show tunes, EDM, and Barry Manilow of course—but he was looking forward to all Dover had to show him.

  The door opened.

  Landry peeked over the top of the shower door.

  Dover unbuttoned his shirt slowly. “Mind if I join you?”

  Landry barked out a laugh. “Mine is not the shower for a good time, but yeah, let me finish up real quick, and then I want to watch you.”

  Landry was becoming quite fond of the little grin Dover seemed to have found tonight. He’d rarely seen the man smile, so he liked to think it was his special grin, meant only for Landry.

  He hurriedly washed the powder and funk from the day off of his body and asked Dover to hand him a towel. He didn’t cover himself with it, however. He wanted to drink in all of Dover’s reactions.

  But he wasn’t prepared for what he’d find under Dover’s clothing.

  A massive black-and-gray medieval dragon wound from his shoulder, under his arm, down his left side to his hip. The other side of his torso had a series of runes and celestial figures tattooed.

  And both nipples were pierced with silver rings.

  “Dover Billings,” he breathed. “You are truly a man of mystery.”

  Dover stepped out of his trousers, and Landry was treated to the most delicious part of his anatomy yet. If he wielded that as well as he did his hands, Landry was in for the ride of his life.

  “When presented with such an object of beauty,” Landry said with a smirk, “one knows not where to begin its admiration.”

  Yet another grin. Landry intended to keep that sexy smile on Dover’s succulent lips.

  Dover pulled his hair up into a messy bun and washed efficiently but not in a rush while Landry leaned against the sink and sighed. “All that is mine to pleasure?”

  Dover turned the water off and stood dripping, glistening, semierect, and marvelous in the shower stall, his hands at his side. “A towel, please?”

  He might have sounded annoyed, but his smirk said otherwise. Landry gazed for one more luscious moment before handing him a towel, which he wrapped around his waist. His next move was to pin Landry against the sink, tonguing his throat.

  Landry gasped. “What are we listening to?”

  “Baroness. ‘Take My Bones Away.’”

  “Yes, please. Do.”

  Dover proceeded to do just that.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dover

  WAKING UP tangled with Landry wasn’t at all like the rude shock of an alarm clock or the sunlight shining through the window directly into your eye. Waking up tangled with Landry was like sinking your toes into warm sand, slipping into a hot bubble bath, or curling up on a comfy couch in front of a roaring fire. Landry was all of the creature comforts Dover usually denied himself, all at the same time.

  Landry slept all over the bed. At first, Dover had kept to a sliver on the far side of the queen-size bed, letting Landry flail, but then he sort of planted himself in Landry’s way and was rewarded with a happy sigh and hours of cuddling. Upon waking, Dover took the opportunity to admire his handsome bedfellow, who was definitely going to have to wear a high-collared dress shirt. Dover was confident he owned something that would work given the breadth of Landry’s wardrobe, which was visible at the far end of the bedroom. Landry’s walk-in closet was nearly the size of a normal bedroom, and from his vantage point on the bed, Dover could see racks of suits and dress shirts and various and sundry Victorian-era accessories.

  “I suppose they’ll notice if we don’t show up,” Landry mumbled, his face adorably smashed into Dover’s chest.

  “I’d imagine so. Susan, your director, will be devastated to lose her discus thrower.”

  Landry grunted. “I’ve got an understudy. He can freeze his balls off and get leg cramps.”

  “My stars.” Dover laughed. “I’d assumed the golden boy was all sunshine and rainbows in the mornings.”

  Landry opened one brown eye and frowned. “Does my grumpiness earn me more or fewer points?”

  Dover ran a hand over Landry’s perfect ass. “Definitely more. The Scroogier the better, in my humble opinion.”

  Landry snorted and rolled onto his back. “You don’t have a humble bone in your body, Dover Billings.”

  “I suppose not. I say what I think and do what I want. Is that a problem?”

  “Not at all. Not for me. Helps me know where I stand with you.”

  Dover pushed up on an elbow. “Were you concerned?”

  Landry’s smile slipped. “This morning? No. The past year? Yeah. I thought you couldn’t stand me. I couldn’t figure out what I’d done to offend.”

  Dover sighed. “I really can be a dick. I’m sorry. It was never you. It was about me.”

  Landry rolled his eyes. “Wow. That helps. Do go on.”

  “I’m serious. I was attracted to you and couldn’t figure out why. You seemed like someone I would have zero in common with, and you were always surrounded by people showering you with attention. I thought at first that I was annoyed, but then I realized my annoyance was with myself.”

  “Why, though?”

  “Because I wanted to be close to you but didn’t feel like stepping out of my comfort zone to actually pursue you.”

  Landry pushed up and leaned against the headboard. “What changed your mind?”

  Dover got to his knees and straddled Landry’s lap. “When you kissed me.”

  And morning breath be damned, he was going to have more of Landry’s kisses.

  THEY HAD to rush to get dressed, and as Dover slid into his freshly pressed trousers—compliments of Landry—he thought about the gift he’d almost given Landry yesterday and was glad he’d waited.

  “Here, let me help you into your corset.” Landry insisted on fussing over him, and Dover was surprised to be loving every minute of it. His mind had already skipped to the end of the day—coming back here to be undressed by Landry—but first, he wanted to give something back to the man his heart said was for keeping.

  “I want to do the windows today. With you.”

  Landry froze on the third fastener. “Model. With me. Today? Are you serious?”

  Landry vibrated with excitement and Dover chuckled. The age difference didn’t bother him like he thought it might. He found it adorable that Landry was so easily amused. “I’m serious. You can be the master tailor fitting me for the perfect garment.”

  Landry ran his hands up Dover’s torso and dragged his fingers over Dover’s nipple piercings. “And show everyone what you’ve got under your clothes? I think our patrons might be a little shocked when I lose control and perform enthusiastic fellat
io in the booth, but hey, I’m up for it if you are.”

  Dover barked out a laugh and snaked his hands around Landry’s hips, grabbing his ass firmly. “I think it’s best to save the fellatio for tonight.” He kissed Landry’s chin, nibbling not quite gently. “I’m not done discovering all the ways I can make you scream.”

  Landry shuddered and his knees buckled. “Heaven forbid I keep you from your discoveries.”

  THEY WERE late, but good old Dad had things running smoothly in his booth and Gwen and Trudy already had customers happily shopping. They agreed Dover would come over in the afternoon.

  “If we do it any sooner, I’m going to be tenting my trousers all day.”

  Dover felt the same, but it was so nice to know Landry was suffering too.

  His father gave him a stern glance when he arrived.

  “I know you’re a little old to be getting grounded, but a text would have made your old man sleep a little easier.”

  Dover blushed and apologized. “I’m sorry if I kept you from getting a good night’s sleep.”

  Derrick raised an eyebrow at him and then chuckled. “I take it you had a good night?”

  Dover could only smile. He’d had a wonderful night that felt like the beginning of something special.

  “That’s my boy,” Derrick said, smacking him a little too hard on the back. “Oh, sorry. How’s your back this morning?”

  Dover wanted to say he was fabulous because not only did Landry have a much more comfortable bed than he did, he’d also gotten a postcoital massage that did wonders for his healing.

  “A little stiff, but I’m feeling much better.”