Page 2 of Elemental Hope (Warlocks #2)

Chapter two

D ominic Castine sat at the small garden table in a sheltered spot and tilted his face toward the sun.

It was still early but promised to be a warm day for once.

The heat on his skin was welcome and he pushed the fall of his hair back to expose more skin.

He unfastened the two top buttons of his loose cotton shirt, which he wore over faded jeans.

It was tempting to go shirtless but his pale skin was prone to burning and he hadn’t applied any sunscreen yet.

He curled his bare toes into the cool grass, smiling at the slight tickle.

A sense of peace enveloped him, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the twittering of birds.

He knew the instant Evrain rounded the corner of the cottage.

The whole world betrayed him. Tree branches swayed in arboreal excitement and the birds went into paroxysms of ecstasy.

A swirling breeze lifted Dominic’s shirt, exposing his belly.

He rolled his eyes then raised them to meet his lover’s green gaze.

“Showoff.” Dominic reached for the pot of fresh coffee Evrain carried. He put it safely on the table before Evrain’s powers set the liquid inside to boiling. “I hope this is decaffeinated because you really don’t need the boost this morning.”

Evrain raised one dark eyebrow. Dominic withstood his scrutiny, though it took some courage to maintain eye contact.

“If things around here are a little…worked up, that is entirely down to you,” Evrain said.

Dominic couldn’t decide if it was threat or promise in Evrain’s tone but his cock responded as it always did, plumping into life. “How can you possibly blame me for your witchy-boy ways?” He wiggled his fingers in a vague imitation of Evrain’s movements when he was spellcasting.

“Because you sit there, shining like the sun, and you never fail to take my breath away.”

Dominic’s breath hitched.

“You’re also a cheeky brat in need of a good spanking.” Evrain grabbed a fistful of Dominic’s hair then tugged his head back. He leaned close, the scent of his breath a familiar mixture of peppermint and coffee. “You’re too gorgeous to resist.”

Dominic parted his lips, expecting a kiss, but Evrain pulled away. He wagged his finger.

“Oh no, you have to earn it.” He took a seat then poured himself a mug of coffee. A plate of sliced fruit sat in the middle of the table. He took a sliver of apple. Dominic watched, entranced, as Evrain bit into the fruit. The juice wetted his lips, making them gleam.

“What do you want me to do?” Even as he asked the question, a thrill of expectation rippled the length of Dominic’s spine.

“Stand up.” Evrain pointed to a spot on the grass in front of him.

Dominic sank his teeth into his bottom lip but complied. He stood in position, hands loosely clasped behind his back.

“Take your shirt off.” Evrain’s eyes glinted green and gold. “Slowly.”

Fingers trembling, Dominic unfastened the rest of his buttons. He shrugged the fabric from his shoulders and let it fall to the ground.

“Hands behind your back again.” Evrain bent forward and plucked a couple of daisies. He got to his feet. “It’s hard to improve on perfection, but I think I have a way.” He flicked one of Dominic’s exposed nipples. The sharp sting made Dominic gasp. He took an involuntary step back.

“Keep still. Your body is mine, to do with as I please, and it pleases me to make you squirm.”

Dominic locked his knees. He should object to Evrain’s arrogant claim but he only spoke the truth.

He stood still and tried not to flinch as Evrain subjected his nipples to more abuse.

They stood hard and proud, the delicious ache connected directly to his cock.

Evrain laid one of the flowers he’d picked against Dominic’s chest. He closed his eyes and muttered a few words under his breath, and his fingers twitched.

The daisy’s slender stem wound around Dominic’s nub in a tight spiral, squeezing the already tender flesh.

The flower rested in place, firmly secured.

Then Evrain repeated the process with the other nipple.

The bindings were just as effective as any clamp.

Dominic took shallow breaths, dealing with the erotic pain as best he could.

Evrain smirked as he resumed his seat.

“You are far too pleased with yourself.” Dominic resisted the urge to tear at the constricting stems.

“Quiet, sweetheart. There are plenty of things out here I could gag you with. Now—trousers off.”

“When are you going to start calling them pants?” Dominic unfastened the stud at his waistband then lowered his zipper.

“Pants are underwear, something I suspect you aren’t wearing.” Evrain’s grin was feral.

He was right. Again. Dominic sighed but pushed his jeans down to his ankles then kicked them off his bare feet. The movement jolted his chest, giving him a painful reminder of his bound nipples. His cock jerked. Evrain licked his lips.

“I would never condone what Symeon did to you, love, but I have to admit to liking the fur-free look.”

Dominic’s cheeks heated. His hairless groin was a permanent reminder of his treatment at Symeon Malus’ hands. Apart from the burnished copper waves on his head, eyebrows and eyelashes, the rest of his body was entirely hair free. Not having to shave was poor compensation.

“Of course, I would prefer to shave you myself. That would be fun.” Evrain drummed his fingers on one thigh. “Would you be still for me, sweetheart, if I had a blade that close to your balls?”

Dominic shivered. The thought of Evrain baring him that way was highly erotic. As was standing naked in the open air in front of his fully clothed boyfriend. “Isn’t Gregory coming this morning? I don’t really want him to find me like this, Evrain.”

“We have plenty of time for what I have in mind.” Evrain lowered his fly, letting his cock poke through the opening. “Come here.”

Dominic took a few paces forward to straddle Evrain’s thighs.

Evrain took a firm hold of Dominic’s dick and gave it a few tugs.

“Keep your hands behind your back.” He reached down the side of his chair to pluck a long piece of grass.

A few whispered words and Dominic discovered that a single blade could become an effective cock ring when magically bound around the base of his balls.

Plant sap also provided a ready source of lubricant, something that Dominic was grateful for as Evrain tugged him forward.

“This stuff tingles,” Evrain said, slathering his shaft in viscous liquid.

“I appreciate your sacrifice.”

“Sarcasm is unbecoming in one so young. I want you impaled on my cock. Now.”

Evrain dug his fingers into Dominic’s ass, compelling him downward.

Dominic didn’t resist. Without preparation, penetration burned a little but it had only been a few hours since they’d last made love and he was still quite slick.

He grunted as his ass met Evrain’s thighs.

He felt so full and the pressure on his prostate was unbearable.

He had to move. He attempted to rise but Evrain held him in place for a few torturous seconds.

He pulled his head down for a bruising kiss, which left Dominic gasping.

“Now, you can fuck yourself on me.”

Without the use of his hands for balance, the rise and fall motion Dominic managed was uncoordinated and jerky. Evrain let him struggle, staring into his eyes, then took control.

“Hold on to my shoulders.”

Dominic obeyed eagerly. He was desperate to come and only the makeshift cock ring was preventing his orgasm. The frustration was torment.

“Please, Evrain…”

Evrain grunted and thrust hard into his channel.

“Please!” As the wet heat of Evrain’s release filled Dominic’s passage, Evrain snapped the grass ring around Dominic’s balls with a word, allowing him to come.

At last. His orgasm surged through him, his cum splattering Evrain’s shirt.

His vision blurred and only Evrain’s hold kept him from losing his balance.

He panted hard, sweat cooling on his skin.

Evrain brushed a few strands of hair away from his face.

“Take a breath, sweetheart.”

The stems around his nipples fell away. The flood of sudden pain made him scream and come again, his body jerking. Exhausted, he slumped against Evrain. “You son of a bitch,” he muttered.

“You still love me.” Evrain sucked on his neck.

“You’re marking me.” Dominic didn’t object.

“Because you’re mine. You need a collar of love bites.”

“You don’t have time for that. I should dress. Gregory will be here any minute.”

Evrain groaned. “Don’t remind me. What possessed me to agree to his training regime? The man’s a sadist.”

“Takes one to know one.” Dominic stood, legs shaking.

He grabbed his clothes. “Here, wear my shirt. I’ll take yours inside.

I’m going to take another shower.” He threw his shirt to Evrain, who stripped off his own soiled garment.

Dominic allowed himself a moment to admire the smooth planes of Evrain’s body.

Considering he never ventured near a gym, Dominic was convinced his lover used spellcraft to stay in shape.

Reluctantly, he went inside to shower and change.

His ass twinged, making him smile. Evrain sure knew how to start the day with a bang.

Wearing fresh jeans and a soft T-shirt, Dominic wandered back outside to collect the remains of their breakfast. Evrain was lounging in his seat, nibbling pieces of fruit.

“You gave me an appetite, love.” He stood and Dominic walked into his arms.