Bonds of Earth (31 page)

Michael leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek, his heart swelling close to bursting. “I think that’s only fair, considering you’re here to attend mine.” Looking at both Mary and Thomas, he added, “And I’m very grateful you did.”

M
ICHAEL
and John stumbled back into their apartment late in the evening after seeing the Abbotts to the train station. Michael had been nearly silent on the walk home. What he needed to say to John couldn’t be shared with the world, and if he’d started to speak, he was sure it would all come spilling out of him. John seemed to sense this as well and hadn’t attempted to engage him in conversation.

“Thank you for tonight,” Michael finally said when the door closed. “Dinner was wonderful.”

“Well, it wasn’t Delmonico’s, but the food was still enjoyable.”

“I wasn’t talking about the food,” Michael said, closing the distance between them and tentatively placing his hands on John’s hips. “I was talking about the company. Thank you for inviting them.” He paused, searching John’s face. “And thank you for being there—today, and every day.”

“No need for thanks,” John murmured, laying a finger over Michael’s lips when he made to speak. “Or apologies. No one knows better than you what a pain in the ass I can be. It was simply your turn.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have walked out like that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” John soothed the words with a caress of Michael’s cheek. “But I understand why you did.”

“I don’t think—” Michael sucked in a breath, let it out. “—I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give up on her.” He chuckled hollowly. “Much as I know it would be easier for everyone.”

“Nor should you. I have faith you’ll see her again one day. And in the meantime, I wanted to show you you’re not without a family.”

“I’d lost sight of that,” Michael admitted. “And you’ve reminded me that those who accept me as I am deserve my attention, and my love.”

John’s other hand joined the first. “On one condition,” he murmured, leaning in and brushing his lips against Michael’s. “That you let us love you back.”

Michael closed his eyes. “I think… I think I might be able to do that. With practice.”

“I’ll give you all the practice you need,” John promised, fitting their mouths together.

“I’ll even go with you to the alienist, if that’s what you want,” Michael added when they parted. “And I will do it gladly this time. I promise.”

John leaned his forehead against Michael’s. “Michael, as pleased as I am that you’re able to confront your fears without sprinting for the door, I’d really like for you to stop talking now and fuck me.” His long, deft fingers began working on the knot in Michael’s tie. “Do you think you can do that?”

Michael’s cock stirred at the sound of the crude word on John’s lips. “I believe so,” he growled, backing John against the door and propping his hands on either side of John’s head, trapping him. John groaned and tilted his head back, and Michael licked a broad stripe up the graceful column of his neck. The pulse beat strongly against his tongue, and Michael pressed harder, savoring the life-giving rhythm.

John raised his head, and Michael reveled in the twin spots of bright color on his cheeks. Tugging the tie free of Michael’s collar, he then started on Michael’s shirt buttons. Michael reciprocated, and the shedding of clothing soon turned into a race, with both of them panting and breathless at the finish.

Michael kicked away his trousers and pressed the length of his body against John’s, shoving him more firmly against the door. Reaching down, he palmed John’s cock briefly, then began mouthing his way down John’s body. He bit down lightly on a nipple before bathing it with lazy swipes of his tongue.

“Michael,” John groaned, “shouldn’t we move this away from the front door?”

John sucked on the other nipple. “Why?”

“Because—ah—because—” John’s head tipped back against the wood. “I have no idea.”

Michael chuckled, straightening again and capturing John’s mouth in a bruising kiss. “Come on,” he said as he stepped back and took hold of John’s hand.

Endearingly dazed by lust, John staggered forward, just managing to avoid tripping over his own feet. He followed Michael into the bedroom, where John turned him around and pushed him back against the bed before dropping to his knees and swallowing John’s cock whole.

“Oh, Christ,” John whimpered, hips shoving up helplessly as Michael began to suck in earnest. When he felt John getting close, leaking on his tongue, he drew back and replaced his mouth with his hand, slowing the pace. John panted and clenched his fists in the sheets.

“You—seem to be even better at that than the last time,” John gasped.

“I’m a doctor,” Michael murmured, tightening his grip. “We go through rigorous training to develop our dexterity.”

“You’ve always been—God—quite dexterous,” John managed. “A natural talent, I’d say.”

Michael’s fingertips skated over the dampening head of John’s cock. “You’re too kind,” he said, biting John’s earlobe.

“Michael, oh, God, please,” John begged when Michael slowed his pace even further. As a reward, Michael leaned down and tongued the sensitive head. John shuddered.

“I’ve missed watching you come apart,” Michael growled, and John groaned, his cock slicking further in Michael’s grasp. “Missed you.”

“Then for God’s sake, don’t wait any longer.” John gripped his shoulder, urging him to his feet. When Michael obeyed, John stood with him and turned him around, shoving him onto the bed with a surprisingly hard push. Michael bounced once, startled by the sudden turn of events as John climbed up and straddled his hips.

Michael tried to sit up and roll John onto his back, but John resisted, planting a hand in the center of Michael’s chest and pushing down firmly.

“No,” he panted, his smile a wicked curl, “like this.”

Michael’s cock strained as John reached for the Vaseline jar on the nightstand and proceeded to dip his own fingers in it. Fuck, watching John prepare them both always aroused him beyond reason. John gasped and undulated against him as he made himself ready, his lip caught between his teeth in a gesture that made him look much younger. He then used more of the slippery stuff to coat Michael’s cock. When John lowered himself onto Michael, Michael’s hands flew to his hips, to steady himself as much as John.

When he was fully seated, John closed his eyes and took a few moments to calm his breathing. Michael could feel the snug heat surrounding him, keeping him safe, protecting him. In a similar fashion, he had entrusted his heart to John’s care, and he was sure he would never have occasion to doubt that decision. That certainty was the greatest gift anyone had ever given him, and he would not risk losing it again, no matter how many fears he had to face.

Michael looked up to find that John’s eyes had opened again and that he was studying Michael with a combination of affection, desire, and love. Michael smoothed his palms down John’s straining thighs, reveling in his strength.

“Come on, then, love,” Michael whispered. “Come on.”

Smiling, John leaned down as his hips began to rock in a slow, familiar dance. Michael groaned and arched up, threading his fingers through John’s hair and meeting him halfway, in the territory they’d created together.

About the Author

G N C
HEVALIER
has lived in Ottawa, Toronto, Québec City, and Montréal but currently resides in Nova Scotia with her partner of many years. A longtime student of history, she is particularly interested in helping to tell the hidden stories that are only now being rediscovered. Some of her hobbies include playing music, video remixing, and photography.

Also from
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REAMSPINNER
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Also from
D
REAMSPINNER
P
RESS

 
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com