Page 21 of Elemental Love (Warlocks #1)

He didn’t venture into the attic for fear of disturbing Dominic’s rest, but he did decide to turn the third bedroom into an office.

Tomorrow he would bring a few things from home and set up his workstation.

Hopefully Dominic could be persuaded to loan both his truck and his muscles to help with the removal process.

Evrain found clean sheets and blankets in the linen cupboard.

He wiped off the layer of dust on the furniture in the master bedroom, then made up the bed.

Much as he would have enjoyed a snuggle session with Dominic, he wouldn’t presume that Dominic would be prepared to take the next step just yet, if ever.

He still had to come to terms with the whole warlock thing and that might take a while.

Evrain turned on the central heating and gave the bathroom a quick wipe-over.

Four weeks’ worth of dust lay over everything but it didn’t take long to clean up.

Aggie had a glorious, claw-footed tub that he couldn’t wait to try out.

A soak in the bath would have to wait for a while, though—there was a bit more exploration to complete first.

Downstairs was one huge open-plan space and would take a bit more effort to clean.

That could wait. He investigated the freezer, which proved to be well stocked, and extracted a plastic tub of frozen stew to heat on the stove.

For tonight, they could manage with what was at the cabin.

There were plenty of tins in the cupboards and one night without fresh produce wouldn’t kill them.

It was seven o’clock when Evrain detected the sounds of stirring from upstairs.

Dominic had slept for about three hours.

Evrain loaded up a tray with bowls of stew, a couple of forks and mugs of tea.

Fresh bread to go with the stew would have been nice.

He wondered if Dominic knew how to bake.

He headed for the guest room. He pushed open the door with his ass and reversed into the room, then rotated and almost dropped the tray.

Dominic was sitting up in bed, bare-chested, hair tousled from sleep, blue eyes blinking in confusion.

To Evrain he looked young, vulnerable and incredibly desirable.

Evrain’s heart beat just a little faster as he was rewarded with a shy, tentative smile.

He bent to put the tray on the edge of the bed, then held out one of the bowls and a fork to Dominic.

“This is stew. It’s not poisoned. Eye of newt and tongue of bat were not involved in its construction, at least I don’t think so—I got it out of the freezer. So eat it while it’s hot.”

Dominic took the bowl and obediently spooned some of the savory dish into his mouth.

“It’s great. Thank you, I’m starving.”

Evrain grunted. “It’s early evening—you didn’t get lunch.

” He placed the mugs of tea on the bedside table, careful to put them on a mat to avoid marking the wood.

He shifted the tray onto the floor, then made himself comfortable at the end of the bed.

He began to eat his own meal and took the opportunity to steal another glance at Dominic.

Dark red hair flickered copper in the light of the one small lamp and Dominic’s eyes seemed to gleam from within, like sapphires.

The beginnings of stubble shadowed his jaw and upper lip, and Evrain wondered what it would feel like grazing his own sensitive skin.

Dominic had a sharp, aquiline nose and a tiny birthmark, shaped like a star, high on one cheekbone.

Suddenly he realized that Dominic was staring right back at him.

“I can see a lot of Aggie in you, she must have been a great beauty in her youth,” Dominic said. He ducked his head as if realizing that he had unintentionally complimented Evrain as well as his grandmother.

“Thank you. So you can see past what I am, Dominic. Just a man, not a monster?”

Dominic’s lashes fluttered. He took another spoonful of stew, chewed then swallowed. “I see a mystery. A man, but something else, something I don’t understand.”

Evrain put his bowl down. He grasped Dominic’s wrist in a firm grip. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I promise.”

“But I am afraid, Evrain. Regardless of what you say you are, I’m terrified of the way you make me feel and that has absolutely nothing to do with the supernatural.” His voice was so soft that it barely registered, but he didn’t pull away from Evrain’s grasp.

Evrain just smiled, released him and carried on eating. When they were both finished, he loaded the tray with their crockery and stood up.

“Get some sleep. You need to rest. This has been an emotional day and I don’t think we should carry on this conversation until the morning.”

“You don’t?” Dominic’s pout was adorable.

Evrain resisted the temptation to take that sweet lower lip between his teeth and give it a punishing nip.

“I don’t, because if I stay in this room any longer I won’t be able to control myself, and much as I’m looking forward to fucking you through the mattress very soon, now is not the time.”

“Oh!” Dominic managed shocked innocence so well.

It made Evrain even harder than he already was. If the tent in the bedclothes was anything to go by, Dominic was equally aroused by their conversation.

Evrain grabbed the laden tray and retreated.

Back in the kitchen, he put the tray down and leaned against the sink, digging his nails into the palms of his hands.

Resisting the temptation to bruise those soft, sensuous lips had been close to impossible and his cock was not amused at his willpower.

He sat by the fire and tried to calm his thoughts.

The flames were spitting and sparking, mirroring his agitation as he unzipped his fly and allowed his aching cock some freedom.

He gripped the arms of the chair hard and closed his eyes.

With Dominic so close to him, he found it easy to focus.

Light wisps of breeze caressed him, spiraling around his rigid cock with tantalizing delicacy.

Heated fingers of air squeezed and released in time with his pulse and as his heartbeat quickened so did they.

The soft touches were torture, and eventually Evrain gave in to his own need and grasped himself firmly.

In the hearth, the fire rose and fell in time with his movements until finally there was a crackling explosion of smoke and flame as he came with a strangled moan.

“Oh God, that’s so good.” There had to be some benefit to being a powerful warlock. If he had to settle for magical masturbation then that might just be enough.

Happily sated, Evrain had a wicked thought.

He washed his hands, then crept up the stairs as quietly as the creaky old boards would allow.

He stood at the door to the guest bedroom and pushed it open just far enough that he could see Dominic lying in bed.

His eyes were closed, the lashes fluttering against his cheeks.

Fuck, he’s so beautiful. I could jack off to that image quite happily.

But that wasn’t why Evrain was lurking outside Dominic’s door.

The tiniest pang of guilt hit him, but he brushed it away.

I need the practice. This benefits both of us.

He began to twist his fingers into intricate shapes.

Dominic’s eyes snapped open, his lips parted in a silent gasp. Evrain had to bite his lip to stop a chuckle escaping. He flicked his fingers and sent spikes of heat toward the bed.

“Oh!” Dominic whimpered, the sound one of pleasure rather than fear. He rolled onto his stomach then kicked at the bed covers until they slipped to midthigh.

Evrain licked his lips. He directed his warm spears at Dominic’s exposed ass, probing, penetrating just as he might have done with his fingers given the chance.

Dominic stretched his arms over his head and gripped the rail of the headboard.

Face down, it seemed to Evrain that Dominic had his teeth embedded in his pillow.

He was holding the metal headboard so tightly that his knuckles bleached.

Evrain sent licks of heat to brush Dominic’s skin, slowly moving closer to his virgin entrance, pushing apart his creamy cheeks.

He applied gentle pressure to the small of Dominic’s back, holding him firmly in place, and increased the heat.

It was nowhere near hot enough to burn, but Dominic would feel every touch.

Dominic gasped and spread his legs wide in wanton abandon.

He wasn’t attempting to escape—rather he seemed to have given in to sensation.

He drew up his knees, sticking his ass in the air, and Evrain took up the invitation eagerly.

He filled Dominic’s channel with pulsating waves of warmth.

There would be no pain, just a tingling pleasure spreading inside Dominic’s body.

Evrain’s fingers moved almost of their own accord, faster and faster.

Dominic groped for his cock and managed to take hold.

He’d barely made contact when he came, producing streams of creamy cum with a hiss of pleasure.

Once his body was drained, Dominic rolled onto his back and stared blindly at the ceiling.

He appeared emotionally and physically exhausted.

Evrain could only imagine the terrifying exhilaration of giving in to something he didn’t understand.

He froze in place, determined not to give away his presence.

“Hell fire, Evrain, are you trying to kill me with pleasure?” Dominic muttered.

Evrain choked back a laugh. He was so busted. Dominic might not have seen him but he knew he was involved. Evrain couldn’t wait to tease Dominic the next morning and make it clear that he was guilty as charged.