With A Little Help From My Friends
Title: With A Little Help From My Friends - 24
Author: dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: NC-17
Summary: A conversation between friends reveals something unexpected, a late night rendezvous, and an unorthodox way to celebrate a special occasion.
Special Thanks: To loki_girl for the exquisite banner that she has created, and to tarnishedhalo for loaning me her inspirational manip for the centerpiece. I am so thankful and appreciative of you both, and your generosity.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to my beta, frojane
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23
Chapter 24
Tucked into a quiet corner at an unfamiliar coffee shop, Dom slowly stirs the steaming liquid in his cup as he daydreams, recalling the tender caresses that he awoke to this morning, Billy’s small hands sliding over his bare skin, along with feathery kisses to the nape of his neck, resulting in slow, sleepy lovemaking. While it may appear that Dom is gazing out the window, watching traffic and people walk by, he’s really lost in his thoughts, and when his fingers find the sensitive spot below his left earlobe that Billy loves to kiss, a smile turns up the corner of his mouth. It’s only been a few days since the proposal, and Dom is the first to admit that he’s still floating on a cloud of happiness.
“Sorry I’m late,” Viggo says apologetically as he slides into the chair across from Dom, pulling him back to reality. “Have you been waiting long?”
“No,” Dom replies warmly. “Thanks for meeting me. I’m sure you must be busy.”
“I know you wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” Viggo tells him, a hint of concern evident in his tone. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, things are great,” Dom replies.
The two men pause their conversation while a young woman stops by their table to pour Viggo a cup of coffee, and as she walks away, Viggo finishes unbuttoning his coat and settles into his seat.
“So, what’s new with you?” Viggo asks, giving Dom an encouraging smile. “Did you and Bill have a good Christmas?”
“It was wonderful,” Dom says, smiling happily. “Perfect, really. How about you?”
“Busy, but good,” Viggo says, adding some cream and a packet of sugar to his cup before dipping a small spoon in to stir. “Flu season on top of the usual.”
“How’s Orli?”
“Great. He told me about the day you dropped by for a visit,” Viggo tells him, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “Sounds like you two had a good time.”
“Oh, I did,” Dom confirms, nodding enthusiastically. “It was fun, especially playing with the puppies.”
“So, uh, not that I don’t enjoy catching up and visiting with you,” Viggo says, finally getting down to business, “but you are positively glowing, and in less than two minutes, you’ve seriously piqued my interest as to what you needed to talk to me in person about.”
A rosy blush colors Dom’s cheeks at the knowledge that his happiness is so obvious, and he ducks his head for a moment to compose himself.
“I wanted to see you, because something happened over the holidays that you should know,” Dom explains. “There’s been a development with Billy and me.”
“Is he okay?” Viggo asks quickly. “Is there something he needs-”
“He’s fine, I promise. Never been healthier,” Dom quickly assures him. “It’s just-”
“What?”
“Billy asked me to marry him,” Dom finishes, holding in a nervous breath and waiting for Viggo’s reaction.
“And you said . . .”
“Yes,” Dom says softly, revealing his left hand and the platinum band now decorating his ring finger. “I said yes.”
“Good!” Viggo exclaims, nodding firmly as he grins. “Now I can say congratulations and not try to restrain myself when I’d want to slap some common sense into you.”
Relieved, Dom smiles and sinks back into his chair, releasing the tension in his slender body.
“Christmas?” Viggo prompts, inviting more details.
Silently, Dom shakes his head. “New Year’s Eve.”
“Good choice.”
“It was a great way to start the year, that’s for sure,” Dom admits, sighing as he gazes at the ring Billy picked out for him.
“Thank you,” Viggo says quietly, lacing his fingers together as he leans across the table. “For caring about how I might feel about this, and telling me, face to face.”
“I know Billy wanted to tell you, but I thought maybe it would be better if it was me, instead of-”
“It’s all right,” Viggo interrupts. “I understand. And I really am happy for you. For you both.”
“Thank you.”
“So when’s the big day?”
“Not sure yet,” Dom replies. “We’re still getting used to it. Me, more so than Billy.”
“Well, if I know Bill, he’s had this up his sleeve for quite some time,” Viggo remarks thoughtfully. “It’s not too often that he does something spontaneous, and certainly not something this important. He’d want to plan every detail, give the occasion the honor and respect it deserves.”
“You have no idea,” Dom says quietly, recalling the arrangements that Billy had made, to make everything perfect. “He asked my Dad for permission.”
“That sounds like Bill,” Viggo comments, watching Dom’s face closely, not missing the differences since they saw each other last, some changes more subtle than others.
“He asked back in April, but didn’t propose until the other night. For months, he didn’t say a word.”
Clearly impressed, Viggo arches an eyebrow. “Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m guessing that you called and told your parents,” Viggo prompts.
“The next morning,” Dom replies. “We were going to call that night, but we, uh-”
“Got distracted?” Viggo teases.
“Yeah,” Dom admits with a blush. “Then we called Maggie, since apparently Billy told her about it back in August when she was here for a visit.”
Watching Dom for a few moments, Viggo tips his head slightly to one side and says, “You look very happy, Dom.”
“I can’t stop smiling,” Dom admits, joy making his eyes glisten. “I never thought any of this would happen, and now I’ve got Billy, and anything seems possible.”
“Spoken like a man in love,” Viggo states, giving Dom a warm smile. “It couldn’t happen to a nicer fellow.”
“Thank you, for everything you did,” Dom says quietly. “You were so kind, and supportive of me, of us.”
“Dom, all I’ve ever wanted for Bill was for him to be happy,” Viggo explains, stirring his coffee as he takes a moment to consider his words. “For a long time, I tried to convince myself that I was the one who should be with him, but I was wrong. Letting Bill go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and then I tried to find someone just like him, to fill the void, but that didn’t work either.”
Surprised at the deeply personal admission, Dom’s eyes widen, but he says nothing, not wanting to interrupt.
“I finally realized that a replacement for Bill wasn’t what I needed,” Viggo continues. “We weren’t meant to be. I couldn’t force that, no more than I could force someone else to be him. I had to trust that the right person would come into his life, when he was ready. And then one rainy night, after more than five long years of silence, he called, needing my help.”
“For me,” Dom interjects softly.
“Yes,” Viggo says, nodding in agreement. “I could see that there was something between you, even then. Something we never had. For years I wanted to be the one for Bill, but it didn’t work out, and that’s because I wasn’t the one for him. Orlando came into my life when love was the last thing on my mind, and it’s because I knew that Bill had found the right one, you, that I could let him go. I’m so grateful that he met you.”
“Vig-”
Touched beyond words, Dom’s eyes are bright as he blinks rapidly and valiantly tries to come up with a worthy response.
“You can tell Bill that he doesn’t have to worry about me,” Viggo adds, sliding a napkin across the table and into Dom’s hand. “I’m happy. I’m in love, and like him, I’ve found the one I’m supposed to be with.”
“Does Orli know that?” Dom asks softly, brushing surreptitiously at his damp eyes.
“Yes, he does,” Viggo confirms, emotions causing his voice to grow raspy. “And I think he’ll be just as happy as I am that you and Bill have decided to make such a commitment to one another.”
“Does that mean you’ll come to the ceremony, once we decide when it is, of course,” Dom asks hopefully. “Both of you, I mean.”
“It’s not every day that two of my favorite people get hitched,” Viggo replies, reaching over and fondly tousling Dom’s hair, causing the younger man to squeak out a protest. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Shifting restlessly, Dom kicks at the sheets tangled around his legs and then rolls over, searching for Billy’s warmth, wanting to snuggle close and have his hair petted. When his long fingers find cool sheets instead of warm skin, Dom’s sleepy eyes flutter open as he frowns in confusion, and then he’s squinting in the moonlit room at the clock on the night stand.
12:48
Recalling that Billy had promised him over dinner to come to bed nearly two hours ago, Dom pushes back the coverlet and rises from the bed he shares with the Scotsman. Stepping over the stack of textbooks that he left next to his night stand and padding barefoot down the dark hallway, he checks the living room and kitchen for signs of Billy, and upon finding them empty, wisely decides to investigate downstairs. Dom shivers at the chill in the January air and hugs his undershirt closer to his lithe body, suddenly thankful for the flannel pajama bottoms that his Mum sent him for Christmas. At the base of the narrow stairs, a warm and welcoming gust of air washes over him, pulling him towards the office, and the only light on the darkened main floor of the book shop.
In the doorway, Dom pauses, gazing fondly at his lover, who is hunched over the keyboard and peering studiously at his computer monitor. It’s clear that Billy has lost track of time once again, and Dom is overcome with the urge to distract him, and hopefully convince him to finally come to bed. Thanks to Billy, over the last year, Dom has been learning not to ignore or refuse his urges, especially when it involves making love or cuddling with his sexy fiancé. Moving silently across the small room, Dom doesn’t catch Billy’s attention until his long shadow falls across the file folders and invoices covering the desk. Looking up in surprise, Billy starts to say something, but can’t because Dom’s hand is cupping his scruffy cheek and sliding his wet, wriggling tongue between Billy’s parted lips.
Moaning softly with shock, lust and pleasure, Billy eagerly returns Dom’s kiss, the pen in his hand clattering to desk as his fingers eagerly dive into Dom’s tousled hair. Dom allows Billy to pull him closer, straddling Billy’s hips and slowly sinking down into his embrace, bringing their rapidly hardening erections together, searching for friction. Winding his long arms around his lover’s strong shoulders, Dom tears his mouth from Billy’s, tips his head and begins feasting on Billy’s throat while his fingers stroke the nape of his smooth, pale neck.
“Dommie,” Billy gasps breathlessly. “What are you doing down here?”
“I got lonely upstairs, in that big bed, all by myself,” Dom replies suggestively before drawing Billy’s earlobe into his mouth and sucking gently. “Missed you. Wanted you. Had to come and find you.” Sliding a hand between their aroused bodies, Dom cups Billy’s erection intimately and carefully squeezes. “See if you wanted me, too.”
“Jesus, Dommie. You keep that up and I’m going to cream my pants,” Billy warns raggedly, unconsciously rocking up into his lover’s touch.
“Well then, we’d better get you out of them right quick,” Dom fires back seductively, and then begins fumbling with the fly of Billy’s trousers with one hand while the other tears at the buttons of Billy’s shirt, parting the folds of fabric quickly.
Fingertips stroking Billy’s now exposed furry chest, Dom nibbles and sucks at Billy’s pulse point and then moves higher to tease his fleshly earlobe again, enjoying the ragged moan of pleasure that tumbles from his lover’s gorgeous mouth. In response, Billy grabs the hem of Dom’s undershirt and slides his hands beneath it, searching for more of his lover’s bare skin, and then before he can request it, Dom pulls back momentarily, wantonly lifting his arms over his head. A second later, Dom’s discarded shirt is in a small heap on the desk, and Billy’s tongue is lapping at the rosy peak of a rapidly stiffening nipple. Arching his back and moaning in ecstasy, Dom clutches at Billy’s shoulders and begins to rock, suddenly desperate for friction on his now aching erection. Craving more of his gentle lover, Dom insistently pushes Billy’s shirt off his shoulders, almost whimpering until Billy reluctantly releases Dom long enough to finish tearing away the offending material so they are both bare to the waist.
Tugging their bodies back together so newly exposed chests can touch, Billy then slides his fingers lower to cup the sweet curve of Dom’s arse, small hands kneading in a steady, seductive rhythm, eliciting a whimper of enjoyment. Dom dips his head so their lips can meet, and reaches behind his back with one hand to firmly slide Billy’s hand inside the flannel so he is touching bare skin.
“That’s where your hand belongs,” Dom murmurs softly, and then resumes overwhelming Billy with warm, loving, passionate kisses.
Following suit with his other hand, Billy nudges the soft, loose fitting material lower, slowly baring more of Dom’s sexy body to his touch. Even though Billy wants so much more, he forces himself to go slowly, drawing out the pleasure for as long as possible, loving having Dom in his arms and wanting it to last. When the tip of Billy’s index finger slides over Dom’s tight entrance in a feathery caress, Dom moans into Billy’s mouth, his hands tightening on Billy’s strong shoulders, and pausing for some much needed breath, Billy nuzzles his nose into Dom’s damp neck.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he pants softly. “Want you. The bed.”
“No. Too far away,” Dom replies with a ragged sigh. “Here. Now.”
Looking up into Dom’s passion-glazed eyes, Billy nods and blindly reaches over to the desk, pulling open a drawer as Dom’s mouth closes over his once again. Blindly fumbling over the assortment of office supplies, Billy searches desperately for the small bottle of lubricant he put there months ago, for an occasion such as this one. When Dom’s long fingers dip into his open trousers to wrap around his throbbing erection and squeeze, Billy bucks hard as he cries out, grabbing for the edge of the drawer, and then there is a crash as everything tumbles to the floor.
“Awww, shite!” he curses.
“What are you doing?” Dom murmurs with a laugh, tracing the sensuous bow of Billy’s upper lip with the tip of his tongue.
“Trying to- Oh God, Dommeh. I’m trying to find some lube,” Billy replies unsteadily, the erotic rhythm of Dom’s rocking shredding his control. “I know it’s in that drawer somewhere.”
“First the kitchen and now your office,” Dom adds, unable to suppress the amusement in his voice. “You think we’d learn our lesson the first time.”
Giving Billy’s senses a welcome reprieve; Dom straightens up and looks over at the mess on the floor, smiling when he spots the familiar bottle.
“Don’t let me go,” Dom instructs and then leans over, bending his slender body into a sensual bow, trusting Billy to hold him as he stretches to reach the small item and still keep their aroused bodies as close as possible.
Feasting on the vision of Dom’s bare chest and flat belly exposed to his gaze, Billy is overwhelmed with the urge to kiss, lick and touch every last inch of his young, beautiful lover. Just as his long fingers wrap around their prize, Dom feels Billy’s warm, pointy tongue lap at one of his nipples and sharp teeth close over the peak gently. A moment later, Billy’s arms are urgently pulling Dom back up so their bodies can press together firmly. Blindly, Dom tosses the bottle of lubricant onto the desk behind him, crying out passionately when Billy’s sharp teeth nip at his sensitive flesh, and small fingers deftly slide up and down the length of his slender back in endless, intimate caresses.
Rocking together as lips meet and part in long, sensuous kisses, Dom finally wriggles out of Billy’s lap, not letting the kiss end as his fingers tighten on the denim and cotton covering Billy’s lower half. Murmuring his approval and bracing his hands on the chair, Billy lifts his hips so the material can be tugged down below his knees, freeing his throbbing erection from the restrictive confines. Desperate for more of his lover, Billy’s fingers slide down Dom’s lithe body to his waist, and with one swift pull, the flannel is pooling at Dom’s bare feet. Dom kicks free of the pajama bottoms, parts his knees and starts to straddle Billy again, but before he realizes it, Billy is standing, pressing Dom back to lie down on the desk.
Old, painful memories rip through Dom’s mind, how helpless he felt, trapped between a hard piece of furniture and a strong body, and Dom can’t hide the way he tenses up. Sensing the change immediately, Billy freezes and pulls back so their eyes can meet, and upon seeing the fleeting look of panic and fear in Dom’s eyes, Billy winces internally. He quickly straightens his spine, helping Dom to sit up and then moves back, so Dom doesn’t feel too crowded.
“I’m sorry, Dommie,” Billy says, softly and gently, cautiously reaching out to slide his fingers through Dom’s mussed hair. “I never meant-”
“I know,” Dom interrupts, forcing the dark memories away and then focusing on warm green eyes. “It’s all right. Sit down.”
“Love, we don’t have to-”
Billy can’t finish his sentence as Dom darts forward, burying his long tongue in Billy’s mouth and then Dom is urging Billy back into the chair, quickly straddling him and bringing their bare skin together. Eagerly caressing every last inch of his naked lover, Billy leans back in the chair so Dom slides forward and is pressed even more firmly against him, their swollen arousals rubbing together desperately.
“Christ, Dommeh,” Billy moans breathlessly between kisses. “Want you so bad.”
“Then take me,” Dom replies, suddenly pulling back and grabbing the bottle of lubricant off the desk.
Shifting his position on the chair, knees on either side of Billy’s hips, Dom presses the bottle into Billy’s hand and waits, head lolling to one side and sighing when Billy’s slicked fingers tenderly breach his entrance.
“Hurry,” Dom begs wantonly. “Not going to last long.”
“Almost there, love,” Billy replies, his voice unsteady, hands shaking with overwhelming desire.
Billy has barely pressed a third finger inside Dom when suddenly his hand is jerked away and Dom is quickly sinking down on Billy’s hard and leaking arousal. The tight, velvet heat wraps around Billy quickly, stealing his breath and robbing him of his coherence.
“Dommeh, wait,” Billy cautions, realizing that he hasn’t used the lubricant on himself. “I didn’t-”
“S’okay,” Dom moans, rising and then relaxing back down onto Billy’s erection, taking him further into his body. “Doesn’t hurt.”
Gazing up at Dom in absolute wonder, Billy watches his young lover ride him in wild abandon, the immense pleasure and sensation he’s experiencing clearly written on his face. What makes the act even more intense for Billy is that Dom is looking deep into his eyes, the passion, desire and love between them almost tangible.
“I love you, baby,” Dom pants and then dips his head, bringing their mouths together in a long, wet, glorious kiss.
Small hands clutching Dom’s narrow hips, Billy moans as he thrusts up into Dom’s hot, tight body, wishing that it never had to end. Watching his lover move so freely, with uninhibited passion, is intoxicating and arousing for Billy. To see his sweet Dommie, finally free of his painful past fills Billy with joy, knowing that every bad memory is being replaced with one of tenderness and love. Memories that they’ve made together.
Thighs shaking from exertion and pleasure, Dom hands clutch at Billy’s pale shoulders as their bodies slam together passionately, the chair beneath them groaning and protesting in low tones. Feeling the damp tip of Dom’s erection rubbing against his heaving belly, Billy wraps the fingers of one hand around the swollen flesh and begins pumping in the same rhythm of his thrusts as their lips meet and part hungrily. Overcome, Dom tears his mouth away and throws back his head, exposing his throat to Billy, whimpering and mewling at the erotic sensations Billy is lavishing on him.
Ducking his head, Billy’s lips find a pert, rosy nipple and when he sucks hard, it causes what’s left of Dom’s control to shatter. A ragged cry of Billy’s name fills the air as Dom arches his back, and glittering, slippery fluid pulses over Billy’s knuckles. Just moments later, Dom is being filled with Billy’s hot release, and then he’s sinking bonelessly into Billy’s comforting embrace, his face tucked into the damp curve of Billy’s neck.
Stroking Dom’s lean, trembling back in long, slow caresses, Billy feels his lover’s heart begin to return to a normal speed as warm, uneven breath flows across his throat. Reclining the chair back even further, Billy gently rocks Dom back and forth, stroking the nape of his neck, kissing his damp hair and murmuring soothing words as he presses his lips to the curve of Dom’s bare shoulder. After long, comfortably quiet minutes, Billy finally speaks, reluctantly breaking the silence.
“You should go up to bed, Dommie. It’s late, and you have class in the morning.”
Pulling back just enough so their eyes can meet, Dom’s sated, sleepy gaze focuses on Billy’s face.
“We should go to bed,” Dom corrects. “You promised to come up hours ago, Bills.”
“I won’t be long,” Billy promises, smoothing back Dom’s tousled hair, his fingertips trailing lower and then lingering at the hollow of Dom’s throat. “Okay?”
“No.”
“Dommie-”
“I’ll wait for you,” Dom interrupts. “Right here.”
“Dommie, you’re in my lap. Starkers,” Billy points out with an arched eyebrow. “That kind of makes it difficult to concentrate, let alone work.”
“I’m not leaving without you,” Dom retorts stubbornly, his lower lip thrust out in a sexy pout as the long fingers of one hand trail through Billy’s chest hair and gently tease a nipple. “I can’t sleep when you’re not next to me. Holding me.”
“But Dommie, I need to-”
“The work will still be there tomorrow,” Dom interrupts firmly. “You’ll only make mistakes at this hour, and it’ll take longer to fix it later. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this.”
Sighing as he cups Dom’s cheek and guides their mouths together, Billy knows that he’s lost this argument before it even began. “Okay, you win,” he murmurs and then draws Dom’s swollen lower lip into his mouth for a long, slow suck. When Dom moans his pleasure, Billy leans forward and prepares to rise, but then Dom breaks the kiss and grabs hold of the chair.
“Let me stand up,” he says softly.
“It’s all right, love. I can carry you,” Billy replies huskily, leaning forward again.
“Maybe when I first moved in, but not now,” Dom protests, whimpering a little when he lifts himself up enough so Billy’s arousal can slip free, and then again when he rises to stand on wobbly legs. “Besides, your trousers are sitting around your ankles. I think that’ll make the stairs a wee bit of a challenge.”
When Billy doesn’t reply right away, Dom looks down, breaking out into a fond smile just as Billy’s soft, cherubic lips place a feathery kiss to his beloved belly button. Turning his head so his cheek can press against Dom’s flat stomach, Billy sighs, his small hands gently stroking Dom’s bare skin from ribs to knees and back up again.
“You okay, Bills?” Dom asks softly, carding his long, elegant fingers through Billy’s ginger hair.
“I love you,” Billy replies tenderly, looking up and gazing into Dom’s eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“That makes two of us,” Dom murmurs as he helps Billy to his feet. “Let’s go to bed now. I hate sleeping alone when the love of my life is so close by.”
“The drawer,” Billy says regretfully, looking down at the mess on the floor. “I should clean it up.”
“In the morning,” Dom instructs firmly. “C’mon, Bills. Bed. It’s late.”
Tugging his trousers up over his hips but not bothering to zip them, Billy takes Dom’s outstretched hand and follows him out of the office, switching off the light as they leave the small room. Billy walks up the stairs behind Dom, gazing at his lover’s bare skin and marveling at how comfortable Dom is with his nudity, how lovely he is to look at.
“Enjoying the view?” Dom asks over his shoulder, his amusement barely restrained.
“You know you’re beautiful, Dommie. How much I love to look at you. Touch you,” Billy replies, a bit breathless when Dom guides his small hand to his bare hip.
“As long as I’m beautiful to you, I’m happy,” Dom says gently, turning when he reaches the top of the stairs and snuggling into Billy’s arms.
Amid intimate laughter, long, wet kisses and roaming hands, the lovers stumble their way down the hall to the bedroom. Along the journey, Dom deftly strips away Billy’s trousers, boxers and socks, leaving a trail that ends in the doorway. Tumbling onto the rumpled sheets of their large bed, they quickly settle into a comfortable position, Billy on his back, with Dom curled into his side, a long arm slung possessively across Billy’s waist.
While one hand splays across the lean expanse of Dom’s bare back, the fingers of Billy’s other hand thread into the tousled strands on Dom’s silky hair. Listening to the steady rhythm of Billy’s heart, Dom’s eyelids grow heavy, and the welcoming arms of sleep are starting to draw him in when he remembers what he has wanted to say to Billy all evening.
“Bills?” Dom murmurs in a low voice, not wanting to wake his lover if he’s fallen asleep.
“Hmm?” Billy replies sleepily. “What, Dommie?”
“Happy anniversary.”
It takes a few moments for the words to register, and then Billy’s eyes flash wide with shock. The significance of the day. Exactly one year ago, Dom shakily confessed his feelings for Billy in the kitchen just down the hall, and they became a couple, making love for the first time in the bed they are currently curled up in.
“Oh my God,” he gasps, letting go of Dom and pushing himself up onto his elbows. “I’m so sorry that I-”
“Shhh,” Dom interrupts soothingly. “I didn’t say it to make you feel guilty, Bills.”
“But we should’ve done something, to celebrate,” Billy insists, a frown creasing his brow. “I should’ve-”
Covering Billy’s mouth with his own, Dom kisses him, long and deep, until Billy is sprawled limply on the bed, his chest heaving and limbs shaking with need.
“Now, as I was saying, I didn’t tell you to make you feel bad,” Dom says, laying a finger over Billy’s swollen lips to keep him quiet. “I don’t always need fancy dinners or flowers and things like that. I have you, the best gift of all.”
Gazing up at Dom with glistening eyes, Billy mutely nods his understanding.
“Looking back now, I can see that it was the first day of a brand new life. With you,” Dom continues, almost shyly. “It was a chance at a life that I never imagined could happen. That it ever would for me. I never dreamed that you could love me, want to be with me, and now look at us. We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. How could anything top that, Bills?”
Taking his finger away from Billy’s lips, Dom invites a response, and several long moments pass in silence.
“Well?” Dom prompts.
“Happy anniversary, Dommie,” Billy replies tenderly. “Now c’mere so I can kiss you.”
Smiling warmly, Dom lowers his head, bringing their lips together in a slow, sweet exchange, sighing when Billy rolls them over so they’re laying on their sides, facing each other. Body overwhelmed with sensation, Dom gives himself over to the kiss, completely limp when Billy finally pulls back, but keeping his arms wrapped around the younger man.
“You keep kissing me like that and we’ll never get to sleep,” Dom teases breathlessly.
“When are your classes tomorrow?” Billy asks softly as he smoothes back Dom’s wild hair.
“Nothing in the morning. Two lectures in the afternoon,” Dom replies. “Why?”
“Spend the morning with me?” Billy requests, the hope clear in his tone. “So we can celebrate.”
“The shop-”
“Mark can cover,” Billy interrupts. “This, is far more important.”
“In that case, I’d love to.”
“I should warn you that nudity will be a requirement,” Billy cautions, his eyes twinkling impishly. “And breakfast will be served in bed.”
“Pancakes?” Dom asks hopefully.
“Your wish is my command,” Billy replies tenderly and then cuddles Dom to his chest.
Sighing happily, Dom lets his eyes close, and listens to the soothing rhythm of Billy’s heart until his dreams take him.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Ducking inside the front door of the book shop and closing it behind him quickly, Mark tucks his keys into his jacket pocket before looking around in confusion. It’s almost ten o’clock and the shop is still dark, despite the fact that Billy is habitually early in opening for business each day.
Unwinding the navy wool scarf from around his neck, Mark makes his way to the back of the shop to the office so he can hang up his coat, only to stop short in the doorway. The floor is littered in pens, pencils and an assortment of office supplies, thanks to the desk drawer that’s been upended and is currently resting on its side. Concern rises sharply in Mark, until his eyes find an open bottle of lubricant lying on the floor under the chair, the spilled liquid having formed a small puddle. A moment later, a sound from above causes Mark to look up, frowning as he tries to place it.
Looking around the room again, Mark spots a discarded shirt behind the chair that he recognizes as the one that Billy was wearing the day before, as well as a white undershirt and a pair of blue flannel pajama bottoms, shoved partially under the desk. The noise above suddenly grows louder, and is accompanied by the rhythmic rocking of a headboard making contact with the wall, over and over again. Eyes widening, Mark puts the pieces together and realizes that he’s seeing the aftermath of a late night office shag. Faintly, as he starts to hang up his coat on the stand in the corner, Mark hears Dom crying out with pleasure, frantically urging Billy on.
“They’re like bloody rabbits,” Mark muses to himself as he reaches over and turns on the stereo system that plays throughout the shop, hoping that it’ll drown out the noises above.
Hanging up his scarf over his jacket, Mark takes one last look at the mess on the floor and slowly shakes his head.
“Cleaning up that? So not in my job description.”
Grinning, Mark then closes the door and gets to work. Unless his guess is very off, something tells him that Billy is going to be late coming downstairs this morning.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Sated and content after not one, but two rounds of lovemaking, Dom is curled into Billy’s side, his head on Billy’s shoulder as their fingers engage in a lazy game of thumb-wrestling. Laughing at their halfhearted attempts to pin the other and win, Dom absently licks the corner of his crooked mouth, smiling when he tastes syrup from their meal in bed. Warm and comfortable under the coverlet and the tartan blanket, Dom gnaws on his lower lip for a moment, and then interrupts the quiet.
“Bills?”
“Aye,” Billy replies, then presses a fond kiss to Dom’s forehead.
“How do you feel about tattoos?”
Surprised by the subject, Billy pauses, and it’s enough to give Dom the advantage in their game, and before he can take a breath, his thumb is firmly pinned under Dom’s.
“I win!”
“So you did,” Billy says softly, conceding his defeat. “And why exactly are you asking about tattoos?”
“Do you like them?” Dom inquires. “Hate them?”
“In general or for myself?” Billy asks, attempting some clarification and more insight to where the conversation is going. “I’m afraid I need a wee bit more to go on.”
“How would you feel if I wanted to get a tattoo?” Dom says after a long pause.
“Well, I guess I’d want to know why you wanted to permanently mark your body,” Billy replies, speaking slowly as he sorts out his thoughts and comes up with the right words. “What you’d want that mark to be, and where, I guess.”
“Why?”
“Well, if it’s something that’s going to remind you of something sad or make you feel guilty about something, I wouldn’t want that for you,” Billy explains tenderly. “I want you to be happy. And as for where, I’d only want to know out of curiosity.”
“So, if it was something positive, that made me think of good things, you’d be okay with it,” Dom deduces. “You wouldn’t see it as a turn off?”
“Dommie, I could never be turned off by you,” Billy vows. “Now what do you want to get as a tattoo?”
Shifting out of Billy’s warm embrace, Dom rolls onto his side, reaching over to his night stand to open the top drawer and pull out a spiral bound notebook. When he’s cuddled against his lover’s side once again, Dom flips through the well used book until he finds the page he’s looking for. It’s then that he offers it to Billy to look for himself.
“Living is easy with eyes closed,” Billy quotes quietly, reading the circled phrase, brow furrowing as he recalls the next line from memory. “Misunderstanding all you see.”
“That’s what I want,” Dom says quietly, the tip of his index finger sliding across the page, over the handwritten words. “For years I lived with my eyes closed to the truth of what happened to me, and then what I’d allowed myself to become. I had a shell of a life, because I was afraid if I tried to have more, I would get hurt. I stayed there, because in a way, it felt safe, even though I was so sad.”
“Oh, Dommie,” Billy murmurs tenderly, giving the younger man a gentle squeeze to bring their bodies closer.
“With your love, I finally opened my eyes, and now I have the life I always wanted, and so much more,” Dom continues, his voice hoarse with emotion, eyes glistening as he looks up to meet his lover’s gaze. “Those words remind me of how far I’ve come, and what would’ve been, had I kept my eyes closed. I wouldn’t be happy. I wouldn’t be in love. I wouldn’t be with you.”
“And where do you want those words to be?” Billy asks gently, laying the notebook down and smoothing down his lover’s mussed hair.
Shifting, Dom brings his hand to the opposite shoulder, long fingers sliding across the soft skin of his bicep.
“Here, because it’s a spot that you love to kiss,” Dom replies, eyelashes wet, but his expression free of pain.
“I do?”
“Yeah,” Dom confirms with a nod. “You kissed me there last night, after we made love downstairs.”
Recalling how he cradled Dom’s slender body to his after their shared orgasm, leaning back in the chair and caressing soft skin, Billy suddenly visualizes the moment when he tilted his head and kissed the bare curve of Dom’s trembling shoulder.
“I remember,” he whispers.
“So what do you think?” Dom asks cautiously. “I really want your opinion.”
“I think it’s your decision, of course,” Billy tells him. “It is your body.”
Dom frowns. “I’m sensing a ‘but.’ ”
“But, from what you’ve said, I think you’ve taken the time and thought it out,” Bill continues, smiling gently. “If you choose to get the tattoo, I will support you, and hope you’d want me to be there when you had it done.”
Face lighting up with joy, Dom slides a hand around the nape of Billy’s neck and brings their lips together in a deep, passionate kiss. The notebook is pushed aside so the couple can cling to one another, relishing in the intimacy.
“Thank you,” Dom whispers breathlessly when they part. “I was hoping you were going to say that.”
“I’m assuming, of course, that you’ll find a reputable place,” Billy adds quickly. “One with a reputation for excellent work. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, like get an infection or something.”
“Actually, I’ve already done that,” Dom replies, watching as Billy’s eyebrows rise. “Found a place, I mean.”
“Oh?”
“It turns out that Orli has a tattoo,” Dom explains. “We got to talking when I stopped by to see his clinic that day, and he was nice enough to recommend the place he went to.”
“Well, when you’re ready, just let me know, and I’ll be there, right beside you,” Billy vows, kissing the tip of Dom’s squashed up nose.
“Like you have been, every single day,” Dom adds with a grateful smile. “Holding my hand.”
“Always.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chapter 25
Author: dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: NC-17
Summary: A conversation between friends reveals something unexpected, a late night rendezvous, and an unorthodox way to celebrate a special occasion.
Special Thanks: To loki_girl for the exquisite banner that she has created, and to tarnishedhalo for loaning me her inspirational manip for the centerpiece. I am so thankful and appreciative of you both, and your generosity.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to my beta, frojane
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23
Chapter 24
Tucked into a quiet corner at an unfamiliar coffee shop, Dom slowly stirs the steaming liquid in his cup as he daydreams, recalling the tender caresses that he awoke to this morning, Billy’s small hands sliding over his bare skin, along with feathery kisses to the nape of his neck, resulting in slow, sleepy lovemaking. While it may appear that Dom is gazing out the window, watching traffic and people walk by, he’s really lost in his thoughts, and when his fingers find the sensitive spot below his left earlobe that Billy loves to kiss, a smile turns up the corner of his mouth. It’s only been a few days since the proposal, and Dom is the first to admit that he’s still floating on a cloud of happiness.
“Sorry I’m late,” Viggo says apologetically as he slides into the chair across from Dom, pulling him back to reality. “Have you been waiting long?”
“No,” Dom replies warmly. “Thanks for meeting me. I’m sure you must be busy.”
“I know you wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” Viggo tells him, a hint of concern evident in his tone. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, things are great,” Dom replies.
The two men pause their conversation while a young woman stops by their table to pour Viggo a cup of coffee, and as she walks away, Viggo finishes unbuttoning his coat and settles into his seat.
“So, what’s new with you?” Viggo asks, giving Dom an encouraging smile. “Did you and Bill have a good Christmas?”
“It was wonderful,” Dom says, smiling happily. “Perfect, really. How about you?”
“Busy, but good,” Viggo says, adding some cream and a packet of sugar to his cup before dipping a small spoon in to stir. “Flu season on top of the usual.”
“How’s Orli?”
“Great. He told me about the day you dropped by for a visit,” Viggo tells him, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “Sounds like you two had a good time.”
“Oh, I did,” Dom confirms, nodding enthusiastically. “It was fun, especially playing with the puppies.”
“So, uh, not that I don’t enjoy catching up and visiting with you,” Viggo says, finally getting down to business, “but you are positively glowing, and in less than two minutes, you’ve seriously piqued my interest as to what you needed to talk to me in person about.”
A rosy blush colors Dom’s cheeks at the knowledge that his happiness is so obvious, and he ducks his head for a moment to compose himself.
“I wanted to see you, because something happened over the holidays that you should know,” Dom explains. “There’s been a development with Billy and me.”
“Is he okay?” Viggo asks quickly. “Is there something he needs-”
“He’s fine, I promise. Never been healthier,” Dom quickly assures him. “It’s just-”
“What?”
“Billy asked me to marry him,” Dom finishes, holding in a nervous breath and waiting for Viggo’s reaction.
“And you said . . .”
“Yes,” Dom says softly, revealing his left hand and the platinum band now decorating his ring finger. “I said yes.”
“Good!” Viggo exclaims, nodding firmly as he grins. “Now I can say congratulations and not try to restrain myself when I’d want to slap some common sense into you.”
Relieved, Dom smiles and sinks back into his chair, releasing the tension in his slender body.
“Christmas?” Viggo prompts, inviting more details.
Silently, Dom shakes his head. “New Year’s Eve.”
“Good choice.”
“It was a great way to start the year, that’s for sure,” Dom admits, sighing as he gazes at the ring Billy picked out for him.
“Thank you,” Viggo says quietly, lacing his fingers together as he leans across the table. “For caring about how I might feel about this, and telling me, face to face.”
“I know Billy wanted to tell you, but I thought maybe it would be better if it was me, instead of-”
“It’s all right,” Viggo interrupts. “I understand. And I really am happy for you. For you both.”
“Thank you.”
“So when’s the big day?”
“Not sure yet,” Dom replies. “We’re still getting used to it. Me, more so than Billy.”
“Well, if I know Bill, he’s had this up his sleeve for quite some time,” Viggo remarks thoughtfully. “It’s not too often that he does something spontaneous, and certainly not something this important. He’d want to plan every detail, give the occasion the honor and respect it deserves.”
“You have no idea,” Dom says quietly, recalling the arrangements that Billy had made, to make everything perfect. “He asked my Dad for permission.”
“That sounds like Bill,” Viggo comments, watching Dom’s face closely, not missing the differences since they saw each other last, some changes more subtle than others.
“He asked back in April, but didn’t propose until the other night. For months, he didn’t say a word.”
Clearly impressed, Viggo arches an eyebrow. “Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m guessing that you called and told your parents,” Viggo prompts.
“The next morning,” Dom replies. “We were going to call that night, but we, uh-”
“Got distracted?” Viggo teases.
“Yeah,” Dom admits with a blush. “Then we called Maggie, since apparently Billy told her about it back in August when she was here for a visit.”
Watching Dom for a few moments, Viggo tips his head slightly to one side and says, “You look very happy, Dom.”
“I can’t stop smiling,” Dom admits, joy making his eyes glisten. “I never thought any of this would happen, and now I’ve got Billy, and anything seems possible.”
“Spoken like a man in love,” Viggo states, giving Dom a warm smile. “It couldn’t happen to a nicer fellow.”
“Thank you, for everything you did,” Dom says quietly. “You were so kind, and supportive of me, of us.”
“Dom, all I’ve ever wanted for Bill was for him to be happy,” Viggo explains, stirring his coffee as he takes a moment to consider his words. “For a long time, I tried to convince myself that I was the one who should be with him, but I was wrong. Letting Bill go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and then I tried to find someone just like him, to fill the void, but that didn’t work either.”
Surprised at the deeply personal admission, Dom’s eyes widen, but he says nothing, not wanting to interrupt.
“I finally realized that a replacement for Bill wasn’t what I needed,” Viggo continues. “We weren’t meant to be. I couldn’t force that, no more than I could force someone else to be him. I had to trust that the right person would come into his life, when he was ready. And then one rainy night, after more than five long years of silence, he called, needing my help.”
“For me,” Dom interjects softly.
“Yes,” Viggo says, nodding in agreement. “I could see that there was something between you, even then. Something we never had. For years I wanted to be the one for Bill, but it didn’t work out, and that’s because I wasn’t the one for him. Orlando came into my life when love was the last thing on my mind, and it’s because I knew that Bill had found the right one, you, that I could let him go. I’m so grateful that he met you.”
“Vig-”
Touched beyond words, Dom’s eyes are bright as he blinks rapidly and valiantly tries to come up with a worthy response.
“You can tell Bill that he doesn’t have to worry about me,” Viggo adds, sliding a napkin across the table and into Dom’s hand. “I’m happy. I’m in love, and like him, I’ve found the one I’m supposed to be with.”
“Does Orli know that?” Dom asks softly, brushing surreptitiously at his damp eyes.
“Yes, he does,” Viggo confirms, emotions causing his voice to grow raspy. “And I think he’ll be just as happy as I am that you and Bill have decided to make such a commitment to one another.”
“Does that mean you’ll come to the ceremony, once we decide when it is, of course,” Dom asks hopefully. “Both of you, I mean.”
“It’s not every day that two of my favorite people get hitched,” Viggo replies, reaching over and fondly tousling Dom’s hair, causing the younger man to squeak out a protest. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Shifting restlessly, Dom kicks at the sheets tangled around his legs and then rolls over, searching for Billy’s warmth, wanting to snuggle close and have his hair petted. When his long fingers find cool sheets instead of warm skin, Dom’s sleepy eyes flutter open as he frowns in confusion, and then he’s squinting in the moonlit room at the clock on the night stand.
12:48
Recalling that Billy had promised him over dinner to come to bed nearly two hours ago, Dom pushes back the coverlet and rises from the bed he shares with the Scotsman. Stepping over the stack of textbooks that he left next to his night stand and padding barefoot down the dark hallway, he checks the living room and kitchen for signs of Billy, and upon finding them empty, wisely decides to investigate downstairs. Dom shivers at the chill in the January air and hugs his undershirt closer to his lithe body, suddenly thankful for the flannel pajama bottoms that his Mum sent him for Christmas. At the base of the narrow stairs, a warm and welcoming gust of air washes over him, pulling him towards the office, and the only light on the darkened main floor of the book shop.
In the doorway, Dom pauses, gazing fondly at his lover, who is hunched over the keyboard and peering studiously at his computer monitor. It’s clear that Billy has lost track of time once again, and Dom is overcome with the urge to distract him, and hopefully convince him to finally come to bed. Thanks to Billy, over the last year, Dom has been learning not to ignore or refuse his urges, especially when it involves making love or cuddling with his sexy fiancé. Moving silently across the small room, Dom doesn’t catch Billy’s attention until his long shadow falls across the file folders and invoices covering the desk. Looking up in surprise, Billy starts to say something, but can’t because Dom’s hand is cupping his scruffy cheek and sliding his wet, wriggling tongue between Billy’s parted lips.
Moaning softly with shock, lust and pleasure, Billy eagerly returns Dom’s kiss, the pen in his hand clattering to desk as his fingers eagerly dive into Dom’s tousled hair. Dom allows Billy to pull him closer, straddling Billy’s hips and slowly sinking down into his embrace, bringing their rapidly hardening erections together, searching for friction. Winding his long arms around his lover’s strong shoulders, Dom tears his mouth from Billy’s, tips his head and begins feasting on Billy’s throat while his fingers stroke the nape of his smooth, pale neck.
“Dommie,” Billy gasps breathlessly. “What are you doing down here?”
“I got lonely upstairs, in that big bed, all by myself,” Dom replies suggestively before drawing Billy’s earlobe into his mouth and sucking gently. “Missed you. Wanted you. Had to come and find you.” Sliding a hand between their aroused bodies, Dom cups Billy’s erection intimately and carefully squeezes. “See if you wanted me, too.”
“Jesus, Dommie. You keep that up and I’m going to cream my pants,” Billy warns raggedly, unconsciously rocking up into his lover’s touch.
“Well then, we’d better get you out of them right quick,” Dom fires back seductively, and then begins fumbling with the fly of Billy’s trousers with one hand while the other tears at the buttons of Billy’s shirt, parting the folds of fabric quickly.
Fingertips stroking Billy’s now exposed furry chest, Dom nibbles and sucks at Billy’s pulse point and then moves higher to tease his fleshly earlobe again, enjoying the ragged moan of pleasure that tumbles from his lover’s gorgeous mouth. In response, Billy grabs the hem of Dom’s undershirt and slides his hands beneath it, searching for more of his lover’s bare skin, and then before he can request it, Dom pulls back momentarily, wantonly lifting his arms over his head. A second later, Dom’s discarded shirt is in a small heap on the desk, and Billy’s tongue is lapping at the rosy peak of a rapidly stiffening nipple. Arching his back and moaning in ecstasy, Dom clutches at Billy’s shoulders and begins to rock, suddenly desperate for friction on his now aching erection. Craving more of his gentle lover, Dom insistently pushes Billy’s shirt off his shoulders, almost whimpering until Billy reluctantly releases Dom long enough to finish tearing away the offending material so they are both bare to the waist.
Tugging their bodies back together so newly exposed chests can touch, Billy then slides his fingers lower to cup the sweet curve of Dom’s arse, small hands kneading in a steady, seductive rhythm, eliciting a whimper of enjoyment. Dom dips his head so their lips can meet, and reaches behind his back with one hand to firmly slide Billy’s hand inside the flannel so he is touching bare skin.
“That’s where your hand belongs,” Dom murmurs softly, and then resumes overwhelming Billy with warm, loving, passionate kisses.
Following suit with his other hand, Billy nudges the soft, loose fitting material lower, slowly baring more of Dom’s sexy body to his touch. Even though Billy wants so much more, he forces himself to go slowly, drawing out the pleasure for as long as possible, loving having Dom in his arms and wanting it to last. When the tip of Billy’s index finger slides over Dom’s tight entrance in a feathery caress, Dom moans into Billy’s mouth, his hands tightening on Billy’s strong shoulders, and pausing for some much needed breath, Billy nuzzles his nose into Dom’s damp neck.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he pants softly. “Want you. The bed.”
“No. Too far away,” Dom replies with a ragged sigh. “Here. Now.”
Looking up into Dom’s passion-glazed eyes, Billy nods and blindly reaches over to the desk, pulling open a drawer as Dom’s mouth closes over his once again. Blindly fumbling over the assortment of office supplies, Billy searches desperately for the small bottle of lubricant he put there months ago, for an occasion such as this one. When Dom’s long fingers dip into his open trousers to wrap around his throbbing erection and squeeze, Billy bucks hard as he cries out, grabbing for the edge of the drawer, and then there is a crash as everything tumbles to the floor.
“Awww, shite!” he curses.
“What are you doing?” Dom murmurs with a laugh, tracing the sensuous bow of Billy’s upper lip with the tip of his tongue.
“Trying to- Oh God, Dommeh. I’m trying to find some lube,” Billy replies unsteadily, the erotic rhythm of Dom’s rocking shredding his control. “I know it’s in that drawer somewhere.”
“First the kitchen and now your office,” Dom adds, unable to suppress the amusement in his voice. “You think we’d learn our lesson the first time.”
Giving Billy’s senses a welcome reprieve; Dom straightens up and looks over at the mess on the floor, smiling when he spots the familiar bottle.
“Don’t let me go,” Dom instructs and then leans over, bending his slender body into a sensual bow, trusting Billy to hold him as he stretches to reach the small item and still keep their aroused bodies as close as possible.
Feasting on the vision of Dom’s bare chest and flat belly exposed to his gaze, Billy is overwhelmed with the urge to kiss, lick and touch every last inch of his young, beautiful lover. Just as his long fingers wrap around their prize, Dom feels Billy’s warm, pointy tongue lap at one of his nipples and sharp teeth close over the peak gently. A moment later, Billy’s arms are urgently pulling Dom back up so their bodies can press together firmly. Blindly, Dom tosses the bottle of lubricant onto the desk behind him, crying out passionately when Billy’s sharp teeth nip at his sensitive flesh, and small fingers deftly slide up and down the length of his slender back in endless, intimate caresses.
Rocking together as lips meet and part in long, sensuous kisses, Dom finally wriggles out of Billy’s lap, not letting the kiss end as his fingers tighten on the denim and cotton covering Billy’s lower half. Murmuring his approval and bracing his hands on the chair, Billy lifts his hips so the material can be tugged down below his knees, freeing his throbbing erection from the restrictive confines. Desperate for more of his lover, Billy’s fingers slide down Dom’s lithe body to his waist, and with one swift pull, the flannel is pooling at Dom’s bare feet. Dom kicks free of the pajama bottoms, parts his knees and starts to straddle Billy again, but before he realizes it, Billy is standing, pressing Dom back to lie down on the desk.
Old, painful memories rip through Dom’s mind, how helpless he felt, trapped between a hard piece of furniture and a strong body, and Dom can’t hide the way he tenses up. Sensing the change immediately, Billy freezes and pulls back so their eyes can meet, and upon seeing the fleeting look of panic and fear in Dom’s eyes, Billy winces internally. He quickly straightens his spine, helping Dom to sit up and then moves back, so Dom doesn’t feel too crowded.
“I’m sorry, Dommie,” Billy says, softly and gently, cautiously reaching out to slide his fingers through Dom’s mussed hair. “I never meant-”
“I know,” Dom interrupts, forcing the dark memories away and then focusing on warm green eyes. “It’s all right. Sit down.”
“Love, we don’t have to-”
Billy can’t finish his sentence as Dom darts forward, burying his long tongue in Billy’s mouth and then Dom is urging Billy back into the chair, quickly straddling him and bringing their bare skin together. Eagerly caressing every last inch of his naked lover, Billy leans back in the chair so Dom slides forward and is pressed even more firmly against him, their swollen arousals rubbing together desperately.
“Christ, Dommeh,” Billy moans breathlessly between kisses. “Want you so bad.”
“Then take me,” Dom replies, suddenly pulling back and grabbing the bottle of lubricant off the desk.
Shifting his position on the chair, knees on either side of Billy’s hips, Dom presses the bottle into Billy’s hand and waits, head lolling to one side and sighing when Billy’s slicked fingers tenderly breach his entrance.
“Hurry,” Dom begs wantonly. “Not going to last long.”
“Almost there, love,” Billy replies, his voice unsteady, hands shaking with overwhelming desire.
Billy has barely pressed a third finger inside Dom when suddenly his hand is jerked away and Dom is quickly sinking down on Billy’s hard and leaking arousal. The tight, velvet heat wraps around Billy quickly, stealing his breath and robbing him of his coherence.
“Dommeh, wait,” Billy cautions, realizing that he hasn’t used the lubricant on himself. “I didn’t-”
“S’okay,” Dom moans, rising and then relaxing back down onto Billy’s erection, taking him further into his body. “Doesn’t hurt.”
Gazing up at Dom in absolute wonder, Billy watches his young lover ride him in wild abandon, the immense pleasure and sensation he’s experiencing clearly written on his face. What makes the act even more intense for Billy is that Dom is looking deep into his eyes, the passion, desire and love between them almost tangible.
“I love you, baby,” Dom pants and then dips his head, bringing their mouths together in a long, wet, glorious kiss.
Small hands clutching Dom’s narrow hips, Billy moans as he thrusts up into Dom’s hot, tight body, wishing that it never had to end. Watching his lover move so freely, with uninhibited passion, is intoxicating and arousing for Billy. To see his sweet Dommie, finally free of his painful past fills Billy with joy, knowing that every bad memory is being replaced with one of tenderness and love. Memories that they’ve made together.
Thighs shaking from exertion and pleasure, Dom hands clutch at Billy’s pale shoulders as their bodies slam together passionately, the chair beneath them groaning and protesting in low tones. Feeling the damp tip of Dom’s erection rubbing against his heaving belly, Billy wraps the fingers of one hand around the swollen flesh and begins pumping in the same rhythm of his thrusts as their lips meet and part hungrily. Overcome, Dom tears his mouth away and throws back his head, exposing his throat to Billy, whimpering and mewling at the erotic sensations Billy is lavishing on him.
Ducking his head, Billy’s lips find a pert, rosy nipple and when he sucks hard, it causes what’s left of Dom’s control to shatter. A ragged cry of Billy’s name fills the air as Dom arches his back, and glittering, slippery fluid pulses over Billy’s knuckles. Just moments later, Dom is being filled with Billy’s hot release, and then he’s sinking bonelessly into Billy’s comforting embrace, his face tucked into the damp curve of Billy’s neck.
Stroking Dom’s lean, trembling back in long, slow caresses, Billy feels his lover’s heart begin to return to a normal speed as warm, uneven breath flows across his throat. Reclining the chair back even further, Billy gently rocks Dom back and forth, stroking the nape of his neck, kissing his damp hair and murmuring soothing words as he presses his lips to the curve of Dom’s bare shoulder. After long, comfortably quiet minutes, Billy finally speaks, reluctantly breaking the silence.
“You should go up to bed, Dommie. It’s late, and you have class in the morning.”
Pulling back just enough so their eyes can meet, Dom’s sated, sleepy gaze focuses on Billy’s face.
“We should go to bed,” Dom corrects. “You promised to come up hours ago, Bills.”
“I won’t be long,” Billy promises, smoothing back Dom’s tousled hair, his fingertips trailing lower and then lingering at the hollow of Dom’s throat. “Okay?”
“No.”
“Dommie-”
“I’ll wait for you,” Dom interrupts. “Right here.”
“Dommie, you’re in my lap. Starkers,” Billy points out with an arched eyebrow. “That kind of makes it difficult to concentrate, let alone work.”
“I’m not leaving without you,” Dom retorts stubbornly, his lower lip thrust out in a sexy pout as the long fingers of one hand trail through Billy’s chest hair and gently tease a nipple. “I can’t sleep when you’re not next to me. Holding me.”
“But Dommie, I need to-”
“The work will still be there tomorrow,” Dom interrupts firmly. “You’ll only make mistakes at this hour, and it’ll take longer to fix it later. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this.”
Sighing as he cups Dom’s cheek and guides their mouths together, Billy knows that he’s lost this argument before it even began. “Okay, you win,” he murmurs and then draws Dom’s swollen lower lip into his mouth for a long, slow suck. When Dom moans his pleasure, Billy leans forward and prepares to rise, but then Dom breaks the kiss and grabs hold of the chair.
“Let me stand up,” he says softly.
“It’s all right, love. I can carry you,” Billy replies huskily, leaning forward again.
“Maybe when I first moved in, but not now,” Dom protests, whimpering a little when he lifts himself up enough so Billy’s arousal can slip free, and then again when he rises to stand on wobbly legs. “Besides, your trousers are sitting around your ankles. I think that’ll make the stairs a wee bit of a challenge.”
When Billy doesn’t reply right away, Dom looks down, breaking out into a fond smile just as Billy’s soft, cherubic lips place a feathery kiss to his beloved belly button. Turning his head so his cheek can press against Dom’s flat stomach, Billy sighs, his small hands gently stroking Dom’s bare skin from ribs to knees and back up again.
“You okay, Bills?” Dom asks softly, carding his long, elegant fingers through Billy’s ginger hair.
“I love you,” Billy replies tenderly, looking up and gazing into Dom’s eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“That makes two of us,” Dom murmurs as he helps Billy to his feet. “Let’s go to bed now. I hate sleeping alone when the love of my life is so close by.”
“The drawer,” Billy says regretfully, looking down at the mess on the floor. “I should clean it up.”
“In the morning,” Dom instructs firmly. “C’mon, Bills. Bed. It’s late.”
Tugging his trousers up over his hips but not bothering to zip them, Billy takes Dom’s outstretched hand and follows him out of the office, switching off the light as they leave the small room. Billy walks up the stairs behind Dom, gazing at his lover’s bare skin and marveling at how comfortable Dom is with his nudity, how lovely he is to look at.
“Enjoying the view?” Dom asks over his shoulder, his amusement barely restrained.
“You know you’re beautiful, Dommie. How much I love to look at you. Touch you,” Billy replies, a bit breathless when Dom guides his small hand to his bare hip.
“As long as I’m beautiful to you, I’m happy,” Dom says gently, turning when he reaches the top of the stairs and snuggling into Billy’s arms.
Amid intimate laughter, long, wet kisses and roaming hands, the lovers stumble their way down the hall to the bedroom. Along the journey, Dom deftly strips away Billy’s trousers, boxers and socks, leaving a trail that ends in the doorway. Tumbling onto the rumpled sheets of their large bed, they quickly settle into a comfortable position, Billy on his back, with Dom curled into his side, a long arm slung possessively across Billy’s waist.
While one hand splays across the lean expanse of Dom’s bare back, the fingers of Billy’s other hand thread into the tousled strands on Dom’s silky hair. Listening to the steady rhythm of Billy’s heart, Dom’s eyelids grow heavy, and the welcoming arms of sleep are starting to draw him in when he remembers what he has wanted to say to Billy all evening.
“Bills?” Dom murmurs in a low voice, not wanting to wake his lover if he’s fallen asleep.
“Hmm?” Billy replies sleepily. “What, Dommie?”
“Happy anniversary.”
It takes a few moments for the words to register, and then Billy’s eyes flash wide with shock. The significance of the day. Exactly one year ago, Dom shakily confessed his feelings for Billy in the kitchen just down the hall, and they became a couple, making love for the first time in the bed they are currently curled up in.
“Oh my God,” he gasps, letting go of Dom and pushing himself up onto his elbows. “I’m so sorry that I-”
“Shhh,” Dom interrupts soothingly. “I didn’t say it to make you feel guilty, Bills.”
“But we should’ve done something, to celebrate,” Billy insists, a frown creasing his brow. “I should’ve-”
Covering Billy’s mouth with his own, Dom kisses him, long and deep, until Billy is sprawled limply on the bed, his chest heaving and limbs shaking with need.
“Now, as I was saying, I didn’t tell you to make you feel bad,” Dom says, laying a finger over Billy’s swollen lips to keep him quiet. “I don’t always need fancy dinners or flowers and things like that. I have you, the best gift of all.”
Gazing up at Dom with glistening eyes, Billy mutely nods his understanding.
“Looking back now, I can see that it was the first day of a brand new life. With you,” Dom continues, almost shyly. “It was a chance at a life that I never imagined could happen. That it ever would for me. I never dreamed that you could love me, want to be with me, and now look at us. We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together. How could anything top that, Bills?”
Taking his finger away from Billy’s lips, Dom invites a response, and several long moments pass in silence.
“Well?” Dom prompts.
“Happy anniversary, Dommie,” Billy replies tenderly. “Now c’mere so I can kiss you.”
Smiling warmly, Dom lowers his head, bringing their lips together in a slow, sweet exchange, sighing when Billy rolls them over so they’re laying on their sides, facing each other. Body overwhelmed with sensation, Dom gives himself over to the kiss, completely limp when Billy finally pulls back, but keeping his arms wrapped around the younger man.
“You keep kissing me like that and we’ll never get to sleep,” Dom teases breathlessly.
“When are your classes tomorrow?” Billy asks softly as he smoothes back Dom’s wild hair.
“Nothing in the morning. Two lectures in the afternoon,” Dom replies. “Why?”
“Spend the morning with me?” Billy requests, the hope clear in his tone. “So we can celebrate.”
“The shop-”
“Mark can cover,” Billy interrupts. “This, is far more important.”
“In that case, I’d love to.”
“I should warn you that nudity will be a requirement,” Billy cautions, his eyes twinkling impishly. “And breakfast will be served in bed.”
“Pancakes?” Dom asks hopefully.
“Your wish is my command,” Billy replies tenderly and then cuddles Dom to his chest.
Sighing happily, Dom lets his eyes close, and listens to the soothing rhythm of Billy’s heart until his dreams take him.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Ducking inside the front door of the book shop and closing it behind him quickly, Mark tucks his keys into his jacket pocket before looking around in confusion. It’s almost ten o’clock and the shop is still dark, despite the fact that Billy is habitually early in opening for business each day.
Unwinding the navy wool scarf from around his neck, Mark makes his way to the back of the shop to the office so he can hang up his coat, only to stop short in the doorway. The floor is littered in pens, pencils and an assortment of office supplies, thanks to the desk drawer that’s been upended and is currently resting on its side. Concern rises sharply in Mark, until his eyes find an open bottle of lubricant lying on the floor under the chair, the spilled liquid having formed a small puddle. A moment later, a sound from above causes Mark to look up, frowning as he tries to place it.
Looking around the room again, Mark spots a discarded shirt behind the chair that he recognizes as the one that Billy was wearing the day before, as well as a white undershirt and a pair of blue flannel pajama bottoms, shoved partially under the desk. The noise above suddenly grows louder, and is accompanied by the rhythmic rocking of a headboard making contact with the wall, over and over again. Eyes widening, Mark puts the pieces together and realizes that he’s seeing the aftermath of a late night office shag. Faintly, as he starts to hang up his coat on the stand in the corner, Mark hears Dom crying out with pleasure, frantically urging Billy on.
“They’re like bloody rabbits,” Mark muses to himself as he reaches over and turns on the stereo system that plays throughout the shop, hoping that it’ll drown out the noises above.
Hanging up his scarf over his jacket, Mark takes one last look at the mess on the floor and slowly shakes his head.
“Cleaning up that? So not in my job description.”
Grinning, Mark then closes the door and gets to work. Unless his guess is very off, something tells him that Billy is going to be late coming downstairs this morning.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Sated and content after not one, but two rounds of lovemaking, Dom is curled into Billy’s side, his head on Billy’s shoulder as their fingers engage in a lazy game of thumb-wrestling. Laughing at their halfhearted attempts to pin the other and win, Dom absently licks the corner of his crooked mouth, smiling when he tastes syrup from their meal in bed. Warm and comfortable under the coverlet and the tartan blanket, Dom gnaws on his lower lip for a moment, and then interrupts the quiet.
“Bills?”
“Aye,” Billy replies, then presses a fond kiss to Dom’s forehead.
“How do you feel about tattoos?”
Surprised by the subject, Billy pauses, and it’s enough to give Dom the advantage in their game, and before he can take a breath, his thumb is firmly pinned under Dom’s.
“I win!”
“So you did,” Billy says softly, conceding his defeat. “And why exactly are you asking about tattoos?”
“Do you like them?” Dom inquires. “Hate them?”
“In general or for myself?” Billy asks, attempting some clarification and more insight to where the conversation is going. “I’m afraid I need a wee bit more to go on.”
“How would you feel if I wanted to get a tattoo?” Dom says after a long pause.
“Well, I guess I’d want to know why you wanted to permanently mark your body,” Billy replies, speaking slowly as he sorts out his thoughts and comes up with the right words. “What you’d want that mark to be, and where, I guess.”
“Why?”
“Well, if it’s something that’s going to remind you of something sad or make you feel guilty about something, I wouldn’t want that for you,” Billy explains tenderly. “I want you to be happy. And as for where, I’d only want to know out of curiosity.”
“So, if it was something positive, that made me think of good things, you’d be okay with it,” Dom deduces. “You wouldn’t see it as a turn off?”
“Dommie, I could never be turned off by you,” Billy vows. “Now what do you want to get as a tattoo?”
Shifting out of Billy’s warm embrace, Dom rolls onto his side, reaching over to his night stand to open the top drawer and pull out a spiral bound notebook. When he’s cuddled against his lover’s side once again, Dom flips through the well used book until he finds the page he’s looking for. It’s then that he offers it to Billy to look for himself.
“Living is easy with eyes closed,” Billy quotes quietly, reading the circled phrase, brow furrowing as he recalls the next line from memory. “Misunderstanding all you see.”
“That’s what I want,” Dom says quietly, the tip of his index finger sliding across the page, over the handwritten words. “For years I lived with my eyes closed to the truth of what happened to me, and then what I’d allowed myself to become. I had a shell of a life, because I was afraid if I tried to have more, I would get hurt. I stayed there, because in a way, it felt safe, even though I was so sad.”
“Oh, Dommie,” Billy murmurs tenderly, giving the younger man a gentle squeeze to bring their bodies closer.
“With your love, I finally opened my eyes, and now I have the life I always wanted, and so much more,” Dom continues, his voice hoarse with emotion, eyes glistening as he looks up to meet his lover’s gaze. “Those words remind me of how far I’ve come, and what would’ve been, had I kept my eyes closed. I wouldn’t be happy. I wouldn’t be in love. I wouldn’t be with you.”
“And where do you want those words to be?” Billy asks gently, laying the notebook down and smoothing down his lover’s mussed hair.
Shifting, Dom brings his hand to the opposite shoulder, long fingers sliding across the soft skin of his bicep.
“Here, because it’s a spot that you love to kiss,” Dom replies, eyelashes wet, but his expression free of pain.
“I do?”
“Yeah,” Dom confirms with a nod. “You kissed me there last night, after we made love downstairs.”
Recalling how he cradled Dom’s slender body to his after their shared orgasm, leaning back in the chair and caressing soft skin, Billy suddenly visualizes the moment when he tilted his head and kissed the bare curve of Dom’s trembling shoulder.
“I remember,” he whispers.
“So what do you think?” Dom asks cautiously. “I really want your opinion.”
“I think it’s your decision, of course,” Billy tells him. “It is your body.”
Dom frowns. “I’m sensing a ‘but.’ ”
“But, from what you’ve said, I think you’ve taken the time and thought it out,” Bill continues, smiling gently. “If you choose to get the tattoo, I will support you, and hope you’d want me to be there when you had it done.”
Face lighting up with joy, Dom slides a hand around the nape of Billy’s neck and brings their lips together in a deep, passionate kiss. The notebook is pushed aside so the couple can cling to one another, relishing in the intimacy.
“Thank you,” Dom whispers breathlessly when they part. “I was hoping you were going to say that.”
“I’m assuming, of course, that you’ll find a reputable place,” Billy adds quickly. “One with a reputation for excellent work. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, like get an infection or something.”
“Actually, I’ve already done that,” Dom replies, watching as Billy’s eyebrows rise. “Found a place, I mean.”
“Oh?”
“It turns out that Orli has a tattoo,” Dom explains. “We got to talking when I stopped by to see his clinic that day, and he was nice enough to recommend the place he went to.”
“Well, when you’re ready, just let me know, and I’ll be there, right beside you,” Billy vows, kissing the tip of Dom’s squashed up nose.
“Like you have been, every single day,” Dom adds with a grateful smile. “Holding my hand.”
“Always.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chapter 25