Page 31 of Elemental Hope (Warlocks #2)

“I can see that you still need a little more educating about who makes the decisions around here,” Evrain muttered. “It will be my pleasure to teach you, but much as I hate to admit it, this time you’re right. I think I’m just trying to find a reason not to go ahead.”

“If you two have quite finished?” Gregory sounded amused.

“Okay, Gregory, I don’t like it, but I can’t see any other way. Arrange the meeting. Let us know where we need to be and we’ll be there.”

“Stay at home, Evrain. No wandering. This probably won’t take long. Imelda will be very keen to meet. If she doesn’t pull this off she’ll lose her power base at Octis.”

“I’d prefer not to be a prisoner in my own home for too long. I want to get this over with.” Evrain realized he sounded a bit petulant. “I’m sorry, Gregory. I’m just worried.”

“Dear boy, I know you are. We will bring all this to a conclusion as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to relax.”

“Sure. We’ll talk later.” He disconnected the call then turned to Dominic. “What else can we do?” He grabbed Dominic’s hand, squeezing it lightly.

Dominic shrugged. “Nothing but wait.”

“Soon this will be over and we can get on with our lives, I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into it all.”

“Take your top off.”

“That wasn’t the response I expected.” Evrain raised an eyebrow.

“I finally found the right balm and I want to apply it to your wounds without getting it on your clothes.”

“You’re not just trying to change the subject?” Evrain stripped off his shirt. Dominic began to apply ointment to a cut around one wrist.

“I’m here because I want to be, Evrain. I love you. Every weird, witchy piece of you. Now damn well keep still.” He went back to administering first aid, ignoring the glare Evrain shot at him.

“I’m fighting a losing battle with you, aren’t I?” Evrain scowled. “How many times am I going to have to paddle your ass before you accept who’s in charge? What happened to the shy gardener I fell for?”

“He’s still right here. I only feel confident to say what I feel around you. And as for who’s in charge, I can be as stubborn as you are. I’m going to take some convincing. Shadow, you’re going to have to move. I need to stand up.”

Shadow gave an indignant yowl as she was displaced.

She stalked toward the fire. “We’re almost out of tuna, you know,” Dominic called after her.

She stuck her tail in the air and ignored him.

“I swear that cat is the feline version of your grandmother. Aggie liked to get her own way too.” He slathered Evrain’s grazes with balm.

“Runs in the family.” Evrain stood still while Dominic treated his injuries.

“Don’t I know it.” Dominic applied arnica to the bruises around Evrain’s neck.

“That’s cold!”

“Baby.”

“You know…the nurse thing is kinda hot.”

Dominic banged the lid shut on the first aid crate. “Leave your shirt off until the ointments soak in.”

Invading Dominic’s personal space, Evrain pressed against him. “If I’m half naked, you should be too.” He encircled Dominic with his arms, resting his hands on the swell of his ass. “Neither of us slept well. I think we should go back to bed for a nap.”

“A nap?” Dominic sounded suspicious.

“Let’s call it an active snooze.” Evrain hustled Dominic toward the stairs. On the armchair next to the fire, Shadow purred in feline contentment.

Spending the morning with Dominic wrapped in his arms had been a great decision.

Dominic slept on his side, his head nestled into the curve of Evrain’s neck.

Only his fluttering eyelids betrayed the fact that his dreams were not peaceful.

Evrain was exhausted yet found himself unable to sleep even with the warmth of Dominic’s bare skin pressed against him.

Gregory’s plan rolled over and over in his mind like the slow replay of a black and white movie.

He stroked Dominic’s hair and found that the action calmed his racing thoughts a little.

Dominic’s breathing seemed to steady as he continued his gentle ministrations, winding and unwinding tendrils of dark red silk.

So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours and a confusion of images filled his head.

It was impossible to relax. He felt so protective of Dominic—he knew that his attitude and actions were often unreasonable but he was still unable to prevent his dominant side from emerging.

Dominic was shy and quiet but he could also be stubborn.

His gentle strength was the much needed counterpoint to Evrain’s fiery nature.

Theirs was a perfect partnership and Evrain was petrified that Dominic would run from a world that must be terrifying for him at times.

Evrain couldn’t deny that he was scared himself.

He was still very inexperienced, still learning to control the immense power that he could often feel boiling within himself.

Back in the underground garage he had come very close to losing his grip on his belief, that he should never use his power to harm others.

His anger at Symeon had threatened to overtake all sense of reason.

Only the sound of Dominic’s voice had brought him back from that dark place.

He drifted into a doze but remained aware.

Time moved on and there was a subtle change in the light as the sun rose above the trees outside.

A chorus of birds kept up their symphony in the garden.

It was all so normal, the way he wanted it to be every day, but he knew it couldn’t last. With the covers pulled down to his waist, Dominic’s creamy skin was irresistible.

Evrain breathed in the scent of greenery that always seemed to surround his lover.

Beneath the quilt he found the firm curve of Dominic’s ass.

He stroked the top of his thigh then into the crease that led to his groin.

His smooth skin radiated heat. Evrain nudged the covers lower.

He couldn’t resist circling his fingers around Dominic’s hardening shaft.

He squeezed lightly, regretting that Dominic’s position meant he couldn’t reach back to cup the weight of his balls.

Dominic mumbled something into his neck but didn’t seem to be totally conscious.

Evrain twitched his lips into a smile. Dominic was adorable.

The warmth of Evrain’s love for him welled through his body, making his heart pound faster.

He could hardly believe how lucky he was to have earned Dominic’s trust and love. It was a gift beyond price.

Sighing with contentment, Evrain turned his attention back to his boyfriend’s stiff cock and began to squeeze and stroke alternately.

Dominic moaned and rolled onto his back, parting his legs to allow Evrain better access.

Evrain grinned and stroked harder, feathering his fingers around the root then squeezing the tip so that tiny beads of pre-cum spread like oil beneath his fingertips.

Dominic’s muscles tensed under his touch and knew that he must now be awake even though he was still feigning sleep.

Evrain moved his hand more quickly until his injured wrist began to ache from the rapid pumping action.

Dominic’s lips parted. His copper lashes fluttered, revealing glints of blue.

“Don’t stop,” Dominic whispered.

“Not asleep then?” Evrain slowed his movements, teasing Dominic with feather light touches.

“Hardly. Evrain…please!”

Evrain responded to the desperate plea. He tugged on Dominic’s rigid cock with sure movements.

When he came, Dominic’s ass lifted from the bed and his spine arched, thrusting his groin into the air.

Glistening cream spattered Evrain’s hand and Dominic’s taut stomach until he finally relaxed with a gratified sigh.

Evrain kicked the bed covers off the end of the bed because they were tangling around his feet.

He positioned himself so that he could lift Dominic’s legs over his shoulders.

He pulled Dominic’s knees wide apart and bent him back, leaning over him.

Dominic gazed up at him with calm acceptance, a smile playing over his lips.

Belatedly, Evrain realized how sore Dominic had been earlier that day.

He didn’t want to hurt him, nor did he want to forego the pleasure of sinking into his welcoming heat.

He channeled, commanding the air to his will.

He formed a cushioning sleeve around his cock.

Drawing moisture from the air he made the sleeve slick, then pressed home his claim.

Dominic’s eyes widened but there was no sign he was in any pain.

Evrain stilled, waiting for his lover’s body to adjust to his size, but his patience wasn’t matched by Dominic, who banged his fist on the mattress and shouted, “Move!”

Evrain bent him double as he sank inside him to his full length then withdrew almost to his tip before plunging back in again.

Dominic seemed to gasp, whimper, scream and laugh at the same time, as Evrain repeated the process again and again until he could hold himself back no longer.

As he came, the cushion of air and water dissipated.

Evrain panted through his release, his gaze firmly fixed on Dominic’s blue eyes.

Aftershocks rocked them both until eventually Evrain softened and slid from Dominic’s body, lowering his lover’s legs to the bed.

They clung together in a close hug and Evrain ruffled his dark red hair with affection.

“For some reason I couldn’t wait to get my hands on you.

This atmosphere of danger is making me horny. ”

“You did something. You felt bigger somehow.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you. I tried something new with a cushion of air. Did it feel good?”

“Sure did.”

“I suppose we should get up.” Evrain didn’t want to move. “Gregory is bound to call soon. I don’t want him to think that all we do when we’re alone together is fuck.”