Page 29 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

Elliot’s cheeks went warm. “Thank you. You’re quite talented as well.”

With an appreciative smile, Alexander headed toward Professor Plum’s cage. The door wasn’t locked, but the fieldmouse seemed to consider it his home, and he spent most of his downtime resting inside. Alexander pulled him out and carried him to the bed, then turned and walked to the small chest of drawers in the corner of the room. Alexander reached for something in the top drawer, and when he turned around, Elliot noticed what appeared to be doll clothing in Alexander’s hand. Doll underwear, to be precise. They were hot pink and shiny, and Alexander carefully placed them on Professor Plum. There was even a little hole cut out for his tail.

Alexander smiled back at Elliot. “He likes to look pretty.” Kneeling at the side of the bed, Alexander pressed a kiss to Professor Plum’s forehead. “Who’s Daddy’s pretty boy?” Elliot wanted to raise his hand and tell Alexander that he was, in fact, Alexander’s pretty boy, but Professor Plum beat him to the punch, kicking his legs playfully and squeak-squeak-squeaking with excitement. Elliot had never seen anything cuter in all his life.

A few minutes later, Alexander led them out of the suite and through the corridors leading to the deck. They headed up a set of stairs, and when they ascended, Elliot spotted a couple of i-Series beaus splashing in the water with their masters. There was no cruelty afoot. No masters punishing their beaus; only an overwhelming air of love that wrapped around Elliot, soaking into him like a sponge.

One thing Elliot was noticing was the fact that no one seemed to notice Mother’s absence. She was the host of the event, but after her topple the night before, she hadn’t made a single appearance.

Pushing down the thoughts of Mother, Elliot followed Alexander to a deckchair with his name on it. Literally. Across the top, Alexander Davenport was neatly painted onto the wood. There were other chairs with other names, but that’s where he led them. Alexander took a seat and patted the empty space on the lounge chair, welcoming Elliot. In his hand, Professor Plum squeaked, and Elliot unrolled one of the two pool towels neatly placed on the chair, draping it over the small table to its side. Next, he placed Professor Plum atop, his pretty pink custom Speedo shining in the sun. The moment he was on solid footing, the fieldmouse rolled on his back and kicked up his legs as if he was attempting to obtain a suntan.

Elliot knew if he was going to be brave and show Alexander his swimsuit selection, he needed to do it before losing his nerve. So, with shaky hands and a rapidly beating heart, he removed his tank top, neatly folding it and placing it on the small table next to Alexander’s chair. He didn’t dare look at Alexander for fear of his reaction. Instead, Elliot slipped out of his pastel-colored shorts and placed them on the table. When it was done and the only thing covering Elliot’s lower region was a small strip of shimmery pink fabric, he slowly lifted his gaze to meet Alexander’s.

“Oh my God,” Alexander whispered, his eyes wide like a cartoon character. He was staring directly at Elliot’s bulge. Thankfully, Master Price Elliot commissioned with a seven-inch penis, so there was quite a bit of bulge for Alexander to stare at.

“Is it okay?” Elliot asked, feeling a bit shyer than before. “I don’t look ridiculous, do I?”

Alexander dazedly shook his head. “You’re exquisite,” was all he could get out, but it was more than enough for Elliot. It made him feel like the most beautiful man in the world, because Alexander was staring at him like it was true, and Alexander had never lied to him. “Can I put sunscreen on you?”

“I don’t require sunscreen. My skin can’t burn.” Elliot nibbled his lip. It was an irrational desire, but Elliot really wanted Alexander to slather him in sunscreen, anyway. To feel his hands all over. “Will you do it anyway, though? Or would that be too wasteful?”

“I’d like that. I think I’d like that a lot.”

Elliot sat beside him on the oversized deck chair. “Shall we start with my back or front?” Alexander’s eyes were once again locked on his bulge. Feeling safe for the first time in his life, Elliot thought he might attempt a bit of humor. Master Price never allowed him to make jokes, so he wasn’t sure how well it would land, but Elliot placed a finger under Alexander’s chin and tugged until their eyes met. “My eyes are up here.”

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Sorry, sweetheart. It’s just . . . can I be frank, Elliot?”

“No. I don’t want you to be Frank,” Elliot disagreed playfully, shaking his head. “I like you as Alexander.” Alexander cocked an eyebrow. Ah, the sweet stench of failure. He’d attempted a second joke, but it clearly failed to land. Elliot sighed. “I suppose you can’t land them all.”

“What?”

Elliot rolled his eyes. “It was a joke. You know, because you asked if you could be frank, but Frank is also a name. It’s a fairly straightforward concept. Which part do you not understand?” Alexander snorted. It was quite possibly Elliot’s new favorite sound in the world.

“My deepest apologies,” he said, lifting two hands in front of him in mock surrender. “That was a very clever joke, I’m just a bit distracted. Now, about that sunscreen.”

Elliot felt his cheeks flush. Alexander’s hands were about to be all over him. His shoulders and back. Elliot’s chest. Maybe even his legs. He couldn’t wait, so he practically thrust the sunscreen into Alexander’s hands and whirled around.

“Would it be best if I lay on my side? Or should I stay seated?” He looked over his shoulder to see Alexander chewing his cheek, staring at Elliot’s lower back. “Is something wrong? Have I cut myself in a place I can’t see?”

Alexander shook his head, not looking Elliot in the eyes. “If you lay down, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my eyes off your . . .” He quickly turned his attention to the bottle of sunscreen, reading the packaging.

“You’re afraid you won’t be able to look away from my butt?”

Alexander nodded. “It’s a very lovely butt.”

The corners of Elliot’s lips curled up. He knew he had a lovely backside. Jared told him as much on several occasions. Rarely leaving his home, Elliot never got the chance to show it off, and at that moment, he wanted to show it to Alexander. He wanted his new friend to know what he had on offer. And, he supposed, a small part of him wanted Alexander’s praise. So Elliot made a decision. He repositioned himself on the chair until he was resting on his side, arching his back to give his rear a bit more definition. Looking over his shoulder, he smiled at Alexander.

“Alexander?” he whispered.

Alexander looked down at him. “Yeah?”

“You can look as long as you’d like.” He bit his bottom lip, working up his courage. “I want you to.”

“Yeah?”

Elliot nodded. “You can look at me anytime.”

Alexander positioned himself so he was behind Elliot, an arm draped over his side, his groin mere inches from Elliot’s eager entrance.

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