Page 14 of The Lonely Hearts Guide (Bountiful Beaus #2)

Alexander stared down at the empty space between them, and their limbs that were no longer tangled together. “Why’d you move, baby?” His voice was soft and filled with raspy affection. A stark contrast to the way Jared behaved each time he woke. With Jared, it was always screams and shouts aplenty. With Alexander, it was sleepy eyes that overflowed with adoration. Alexander fixed a frown on his face, but Elliot was ninety-nine percent sure it was simply an act. “I miss my cuddle buddy.”

Elliot inched his hand further across Alexander’s thigh, and warmth spread through his chest when he watched Alexander’s eyes bulge, finally realizing where Elliot’s other hand had gone.

“May I touch you?”

Alexander stared dazedly for a moment before slowly nodding. “You’re sure? You don’t have to. I can wait. I promise, I don’t mind, baby.”

“I like when you call me that. Baby.”

Alexander’s lip tugged into a smile. “Then I’ll have to start saying it more often.”

“Promise?”

Alexander nodded. “I swear, baby.” With his promise given, Alexander reached for the cover and slowly pushed it away, revealing his nude form. The night before, Elliot saw Alexander’s penis, but it hadn’t been hard. Fully erect, it took Elliot’s breath away. He stared at it for a while, memorizing the sight of the man he cared for. Despite Alexander’s assurance he was a grower, not a shower, his penis hadn’t seemed to gain much length when fully erect. He was maybe a bit over five inches. A perfectly average penis for a perfectly above average man.

Elliot wrapped his hand around the shaft and slowly stroked up and down. He maneuvered himself between Alexander’s legs, resting on his hands and knees so he could get a better look.

“It’s so perfect,” Elliot said, awestruck at the bead of pre-cum pearling at the tip. He looked up at Alexander with pleading eyes. “May I have that? I want to taste you. To take part of you into me. Please?” The moment Alexander gave an approving nod, he leaned closer, pressing a kiss to the crease of Alexander’s shaft and balls. His scent was all man; musky and sweet at the same time. Elliot wanted more. He needed to show Alexander just how much he cared for him and his penis. Their eyes remained locked as Elliot left a trail of gentle kisses up Alexander’s shaft. Taking it into his hand, Elliot positioned Alexander’s cock in front of his lips and puckered, kissing the underside of his head, causing the pearl of pre-cum to grow larger. It was bound to spill soon, so Elliot flashed Alexander a pleading glance. With Alexander’s nod of approval, Elliot stuck out his tongue and licked the head clean, letting Alexander’s flavor settle on his tongue.

Elliot moaned, because it was sweet and salty, and just so positively Alexander.

“Jesus,” Alexander breathed.

Elliot dragged Alexander’s cock back and forth against his lips, a method he mastered years ago. He was hoping to show Alexander what a good boy he could be. He needed Alexander to know how much he appreciated everything he did for Elliot. It was his way of showing Alexander what was on offer, should they pursue a romantic entanglement.

He parted his lips and slowly welcomed Alexander into his mouth. The cry that left the man was one of the most beautiful sounds he’d ever heard. It was wild and wonderful and ever so ungentlemanly. A stark contrast to the man he presented to the world.

Good.

More of that.

Elliot wanted to know every sound Alexander had ever kept hidden. Every desire that had gone unspoken. He sucked and sucked, showing off his lack of a gag reflex. Through it all, their gazes were locked, neither man able to look away.

“Fuck, baby,” Alexander rasped. “You feel so good around me. That’s it. Keep going. That’s my good boy.”

Elliot nodded, whimpering at the praise and shelled his tongue to show his appreciation. Alexander’s cock seemed to never stop pouring pre-cum into Elliot’s mouth. Which was fine by Elliot. He wanted more of the flavor. More of his essence. When Alexander bent his knees and scooted further down the bed, it caused his cheeks to spread, gifting Elliot the sight of his hairless entrance.

Elliot opened his mouth and let a string of saliva drip down into his palm, then spread it around his fingertip. Reaching between Alexander’s cheeks, Elliot softly grazed his hole, making him cry out.

“Oh, God. Elliot. Baby, please.”

Elliot pulled his mouth away and licked his lips. “Yes, sir?”

Fire flashed in Alexander’s eyes. “You don’t have to call me that,” he attempted to claim, but Elliot could tell how much the title turned him on, because his cock twitched the moment Elliot said it.

“I know. I want to, though.” He tapped Alexander’s entrance like he was knocking on a door. When Alexander gave a nod of approval, Elliot slowly pushed his finger inside until he reached the first knuckle. “You’re very tight. Have you ever been . . .”

“Fucked?” Alexander breathed, his pupils blown wide. “No. Never. Not yet, at least.” He placed his hand on top of Elliot’s and slowly pushed the finger deeper inside. “I want to, though. Jesus, Elliot, I want that so much.”

Elliot kissed his thigh. “I’ve never enjoyed bottoming, sir.” Another pearl of pre-cum seeped out, and Elliot quickly collected it with his tongue. His heart raced as Alexander slowly pulled Elliot’s hand back, then pushed him inside again. Soon enough, his hips joined in, fucking himself on Elliot’s finger. “He never allowed me to top. Would you?”

Alexander’s eyes rolled back in his head, his back arching with pleasure. “God, yes! Elliot, I’m going to come soon. I don’t know how much longer I can hold back.” Elliot wrapped his lips around the shaft and worked him faster. “Baby, can I come in your mouth?”

Elliot moaned his approval. Wanting to drive the fact home, he shelled his tongue, working faster and faster, sliding his finger rapidly in and out of Alexander’s hole. The moment he struck gold, striking his prostate with force, Alexander erupted, shooting jet after jet into Elliot’s mouth. He left it there, letting it collect and fill Elliot’s mouth until Alexander’s cock was suspended in semen. With their eyes locked, Elliot pulled away and swallowed.

“Holy shit,” Alexander said, looking dazed.

“Was it okay?”

Alexander’s chest rose and fell heavily as he arched an eyebrow. “Are you kidding me? That was the best orgasm of my life. I came in less than five minutes. Truthfully, it’s kind of embarrassing.”

A smile split Elliot’s face. “You mean it?” To answer, Alexander opened his arms, inviting Elliot back to him. Elliot crawled forward until he was straddling his lap, then rested his head on Alexander’s chest.

“After that, I’m never letting you go.” Alexander’s fingers threaded through Elliot’s hair, scratching lightly at the back of his scalp. “I think I might have to keep you forever.”

Tears filled Elliot’s eyes, and he didn’t want Alexander to see them. He didn’t want him to think he was sad, because he wasn’t. Elliot was overcome with happiness. Waves of pinks danced in the corners of his eyes. As he sniffled, Alexander rubbed his hand up and down Elliot’s back soothingly.

“I want that, too,” Elliot whispered. “All I want is to be yours, but I don’t wish to belong to you, if that makes sense. I don’t . . . I don’t ever want to have to feel like someone’s accessory again. To be treated like a thing. He hurt me so badly, Alexander.” He looked up at Alexander with hopeful pinks and melancholy blues dancing in his eyes. “If I give you my heart, will you promise not to hurt it?”

“You have my word.” To prove it, Alexander sealed the pact with a kiss, his tongue slipping into Elliot’s mouth, rolling like the waves around them, sending the boat rocking back and forth.

Elliot broke the kiss and nodded. Reaching down, he touched his tummy. “And what about her?”

Alexander placed his hand on top of Elliot’s and squeezed before letting go and stroking the baby bump. “Would you want to raise her with me? I know she’s yours, but I’d love to be part of her journey, if you’ll allow it.”

Elliot tilted his head forward, pressing their foreheads together. Brushing their noses against each other, he asked, “What if I want her to be yours too? Would you want to be a father? You don’t have to, but—”

Alexander slammed his eyes shut, and a single teardrop slipped out, then dripped down his cheek. “Yes. Yeah, I want that.” When he opened his eyes, they were filled with so much hope and appreciation, if he was an automaton, the pink lights in his eyes would have been blinding. “You’re sure about this?”

Elliot quickly nodded. “I know we’re still getting to know each other, but we’re on the right track, aren’t we?”

Alexander leaned down and placed a kiss on Elliot’s bump. “We’re on the only track worth traveling.” He brought his lips to Elliot’s and gave him the same gentle kiss he just gave the baby bump. “And it’s just getting started.” As Alexander went in for another kiss, Professor Plum squeaked in his cage, running around his wheel at an alarming rate. Seeming to be going haywire.

“Damn,” Alexander grumbled, standing up from their bed and walking to the cage. As Alexander reached into the unlatched cage, Elliot stared at his butt, his own cock leaking beneath the blanket. “Crisis averted. I forgot to charge him last night.” He leaned even closer to the cage, his cheeks parting, his pink entrance completely exposed. Yes, Elliot thought. Yes, he believed he would like to top Alexander. He watched as Alexander picked up the cage and set it on the floor next to the wall outlet, and plugged the charger in. Through it all, Elliot’s eyes never left his backside. His cheeks were plump. Quite plump, indeed. Elliot licked his lips. When Alexander cleared his throat, Elliot looked up to see him smiling over his shoulder.

“You’re staring, sweetheart.”

“Sorry,” Elliot blurted, his cheeks burning. The apology was still warm on his lips when his eyes returned to their original position, locked on Alexander’s hole.

“Do you see something you like?”

Elliot nodded, feeling a bit lightheaded. “Very much.”

“Good. I’m glad you enjoy the view.” Alexander stood and made his way back to the bed, his cock bouncing with each step.

“You haven’t come yet,” Alexander said, sinking to his knees. He placed his hands on Elliot’s hips and carefully whirled him around, staring hungrily at Elliot’s penis. “Would you like me to make you come?”

“I’ve never actually ejaculated before,” Elliot whispers, ashamed. “It wasn’t something I was allowed to do. Now I’m thinking it was so I could save my first time for when it’s special. I want it to be with someone . . . with someone I love.” He quickly looked away. “I just mean, I want to know for sure. Is that okay?”

Alexander nodded, quirking a teasing smile. “And do I know this mystery man?”

Elliot had to hold back a smile. He wanted to toy with Alexander, though not unkindly. “I believe you may.”

“Yeah?” he asked, rising to the bed and carefully guiding Elliot onto his back before straddling his lap. “And just who might he be?”

“Mayor Beau Rivera.” Elliot tried to keep a straight face, but it felt impossible. The moment Alexander’s eyes widened with shock, Elliot lost what little self-control he had left and cackled loudly, feeling absolutely giddy.

Alexander blinked at him.

Elliot rolled his eyes. “I was only teasing.”

Alexander glanced out the sliding glass door that led to their small balcony. Beyond, the sea rocked and roared, waves reaching impossible heights. “I wonder if Ms. Broussard is lonely out there. Maybe Mayor Rivera would want to pay her a visit.”

Elliot cocked his head to the side, confused. “She’s probably on the seafloor now, Alexander. There’s zero probability that she’s still alive.”

Alexander snorted. “Exactly, and if Mr. Mayor even thinks about giving you your first orgasm, he can join her.” Elliot grinned like a madman. Alexander wanted to commit murder in Elliot’s name, and it made his heart thunder in his chest with appreciation. “I would say that I’m joking, but I don’t think I am.” He sounded surprised by the admission as well, and slightly horrified. “Dear God. I’d toss him overboard in a heartbeat.”

Wanting to put a smile on Alexander’s face again, Elliot tapped the tip of his nose. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“Yeah?”

Elliot nodded. “I’m yours.”

Jarringly, a half-formed memory of Jared Price lying on his back snapped into Elliot’s vision, and for a moment—the briefest moment—it felt like Elliot was back there, wherever ‘there’ was. Elliot could feel wetness on his hands. He could smell a familiar pumpkin spice scented candle. He could even feel a dull throbbing sensation across the back of his head. Elliot didn’t understand what was happening, and his body shook with nerves. It was real. It felt so real, Elliot thought he’d woken from a dream, only to land in his former hellscape. He slammed his eyes shut and focused on his breathing, just trying to bring himself back to the reality he’d been living on Mother’s cruise ship. He wanted to go back to Alexander, but he couldn’t make the memory stop.

As Elliot rocked back and forth, he stared down at Jared, never blinking, not once. He sat there for what felt like hours, unable to move, unable to speak.

“I’m right here,” he thought he heard, but he couldn’t be sure. When he opened his eyes, Jared was there, still on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Elliot shrieked when Jared’s neck twisted suddenly, and they were staring into each other’s eyes.

His lips moved, but no sound escaped Jared Price’s mouth. Elliot could tell by his red face that whatever he was saying wasn’t kind. It was more of his horrible hatred. More of Jared’s venom, seeped in through Elliot’s skin and penetrated his newfound sense of freedom.

Had he ever even escaped? Was his entire journey down to Elliot’s overactive imagination?

Something warm and wet touched his forehead, but there was no one in front of him. No one behind him. Only Jared Price and his hateful expression. Behind Jared, there was a small blue table. On the table were trinkets and tchotchkes scattered about with no real rhyme or reason for their placement. A few were tipped over, and some were scattered on the marble floor. There was a familiar golden picture frame Elliot knew he remembered, but couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.

Jared’s body shook like there was a low-stage earthquake happening outside, then his body practically snapped up like a mousetrap being triggered. His head jerked in Elliot’s direction. Elliot tried to remind himself none of this was real. He was still in bed with Mr. Alexander Davenport of Dallas, Texas. He was locked in his arms, and Elliot knew it was true, because he could feel him all around.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” Jared growled, which confused Elliot, because his mouth hadn’t moved.

“Alexander,” Elliot whimpered, unable to look away from Jared. Elliot blinked, and in the time it took to open his eyes, Jared had moved closer, leaving only three or four feet between them.

“Did you really think I’d let you get away? Are you that stupid?” Again, his lips didn’t move, but that only frightened Elliot more. Elliot didn’t mean to blink, but he couldn’t stop it from happening. Jared couldn’t be back. He was gone, wasn’t he? Elliot was supposed to be safe.

“Alexander,” he whined, his voice taking on a high-pitched, shrill sound that Elliot knew Alexander wouldn’t care for. When his eyes opened, Jared was less than a foot away. “Please?”

“You thought you could take my kid? You ungrateful piece of—”

Pain crashed through Elliot’s jaw, then he felt a hard strike to his back, like he’d landed on bricks. He cried out, not having meant to, and Alexander’s frantic voice was pleading, but Elliot couldn’t hear the words.

When Elliot blinked again, Jared was right there, nose to nose, so close he could feel his hot, stinky breath. Elliot knew more pain would be coming. He thought it was over. It was supposed to be over, because Elliot had escaped. He ran away to Genevieve, with nothing more than a pretty pink suitcase and the money he stole from Jared’s wall safe. He made it all that way, and now it was as if he’d made no progress at all. Elliot closed his eyes, because he knew there was no escaping Jared’s wrath.

“Please,” he pleaded, but his voice was barely audible. “Please don’t make me go back. I don’t want to go back. I want Alexander.”

“I’m here, baby. I’m right here.” Then, featherlike kisses were left in trails across his forehead. Up and down his cheek. On Elliot’s lips. Kiss after kiss, the memory of Jared faded until the only thing left was Alexander’s lips pressed against his. “I’ve got you. You’re safe, Elliot.”

Elliot shook his head because that couldn’t be true. If he was safe, why was his back still hurting? It was just a cruel trick by Mother. Pre-programmed data, meant to give him a moment’s peace. For all Elliot knew, Mother created a simulated world where he could temporarily live out a love story before being snapped back into his unlovable life.

He blinked his eyes open, surprised to see Alexander staring down at him, cupping his cheeks.

“There’s my sweet boy.” He leaned down and brushed their lips together; then Elliot was being lifted off the floor and cradled in Alexander’s arms. “You’re okay, I promise.”

“What is happening to me?” Elliot sobbed, burying his face in Alexander’s neck. “I closed my eyes and he was here. He was right in front of me.” As Elliot shook in Alexander’s arms, Alexander softly stroked his back, assuring him he was safe. Promising he wouldn’t let go.

When Elliot finally managed to compose himself, he sat up straight and dried his eyes, wanting to shift off Alexander’s lap. Elliot was malfunctioning. His body and mind were no longer aligned, and he feared it might happen again. But as he looked into Alexander’s caring eyes, he pushed that fear aside. A problem for another day.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said, sniffling. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“You don’t have to apologize. You never have to apologize to me.”

Elliot nodded. “I understand if you’ve changed your mind. I don’t know what happened to me, and I don’t know if it’s going to happen to me again. If you want me to go, I’ll understand.”

Alexander shook his head decidedly. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.” He brushed Elliot’s hair out of his eyes. “Can you tell me about what you saw, or do you need some time?”

Elliot shut his eyes. “I can’t. Alexander, it’s . . . I thought he was back. I thought this was just a dream. Me and you.”

Alexander’s lips brushed against Elliot’s, then he gave him a gentle kiss. “I promise, you’re not dreaming. I’m real. This is real.” There was gentle pressure against Elliot’s bump, and when he looked down, Alexander had his palm over it. Looking up, Elliot realized Alexander was staring at his stomach with an undeniable look of appreciation. “She is real, and she’s going to be so happy. We all are.”

Elliot wasn’t sure if that was true, but he knew he didn’t have any other choice but to believe the man. He stood from the floor and inspected his back in the mirror, trying to pinpoint the source of his pain. Sure enough, there was a small gash across his back, like someone made a minor incision.

“What happened to my back?”

“You started writhing around in my arms. I tried to hold on to you, but I wasn’t strong enough. You fell off the bed and landed against the corner of the bed frame.” Alexander stood and stared at the cubelike piece of iron poking out from under the bed. “I ought to sue.”

“You promise this is real? You promise you’re not a dream? Alexander, I can’t go back. He would kill me. I know he would.”

Alexander approached from behind and wrapped his arms around Elliot’s waist. “I’m real, you’re real, and Professor Plum is real.” He kissed Elliot’s neck. “I promise.”