Page 34 of Elemental Love
“Not at all. You smell of the earth and freshly mown grass among other things. I love it. But you have mud in your hair and on your hands.” Evrain took up both Dominic’s hands, removed the ragged bandages and rubbed his thumbs across the palms. “Which are in danger of infection. I want you clean so that I can make you dirty again.”
“Oh!” That sounded so good. “I’ll just…” Evrain was blocking his route to the stairs and made no attempt to get out of his way. Dominic was forced to squeeze past him. Evrain twitched one dark eyebrow as Dominic’s obvious arousal brushed against his hip.
“You have remarkable powers of recuperation,” Evrain said. “No touching yourself in the shower other than to wash, and if you think I won’t know if you do, you’re wrong.”
Dominic scampered up the stairs, ignoring Evrain’s deep, throaty laugh. He gave thanks that Agatha had enjoyed small luxuries and had invested in a rain shower above her antique tub. He stripped off his work clothes, kicking them into a pile in the corner of the room, then climbed beneath the spray. Appreciative little noises came unbidden as heat penetrated his sore muscles.
To take his mind off Evrain, Dominic focused on lathering soap and shampoo into his body and hair. Aggie had made her own soaps, the thick cakes scented with petals and herbs. The slight abrasion helped clean the dirt from his skin and made him tingle. Once he was clean, Dominic reduced the temperature for a final cold blast that left him hopping from one foot to the otherin his haste to find a warm towel. Other than the touch needed to wash, Dominic had been obedient to Evrain’s order and not handled his cock. The chill of the water had softened his erection but as soon as he thought about being pinned to the door, it revived once more.
Cursing, he lifted the towel away from his groin. Even that slight friction was torment. He gave up and dropped it to the floor, standing naked before the sink. He found an unopened package of disposable razors and a shaving stick in the back of the bathroom cabinet. As he hadn’t shaved that morning, he lathered up and carefully scraped the fine stubble from his chin.
He gave his reflection a critical examination. Familiar blue eyes stared back at him and he frowned, clinically assessing pale, freckled skin and lips that he had always felt were a little too feminine.
“What the hell does he see in me?” he whispered. He shook his head, a few droplets of water scattering from the ends of his hair. He had dreamed of submitting to another man ever since he’d been old enough to understand what submission was but he had never risked his feelings in this way before. Evrain was arrogant, assertive, but with just a hint of uncertainty beneath the bravado. Dominic suspected that Evrain was feeling his way just as much as he was. There wasn’t that much difference between their ages after all, and Evrain was coping with a whole new world that Dominic couldn’t hope to understand. A relationship with him was going to be a risk, but Dominic was convinced it was a risk worth taking. That didn’t make it any easier.
“And easy isn’t worth having, that’s what Aggie used to say.” He hung his damp towel on the rail and scooped up his dirty clothes before padding back to the spare room. He was going to have to pay another visit home soon, if only to do some laundry and pick up some more fresh clothes. He extracted a clean set of clothes from his overnight bag, relieved that he had rememberedto pack underwear. He pulled on a pair of clean, if faded, jeans and a dark green, brushed cotton shirt. Finger-combing his hair, he padded down the stairs barefoot and silent, the wood warm under his feet. He reached the curve in the staircase and froze. He could hear voices coming from the direction of the kitchen. Evrain hadn’t mentioned expecting any visitors, but then why would he? He could easily have arranged something while Dominic had been out at work.
Dominic listened carefully through the light crackling of the fire. He could pick out Evrain’s deep tones but the other voice he didn’t recognize. He pressed close to the wall and moved quietly down a couple more steps, some instinct keeping him from introducing himself.
Evrain’s guest wore a long leather coat and a felt hat with a blood red band. One gloved hand rested on the top of a silver-capped cane. Taller than Evrain and much broader, he filled the room with an ominous air. A long, blond plait reached partway down the visitor’s back. Dominic was eager to see his face but held back.
Evrain moved into view. Briefly his eyes widened as he caught sight of Dominic then narrowed in a clear warning to stay concealed. Dominic complied with a silent step back but he didn’t go far, he was too curious to hear what the two of them were talking about.
“Symeon, get to the point. I have things to do,” Evrain snapped.
So this wasn’t a welcome guest. Dominic was even more intrigued now he had a name.
“You would benefit from the guidance I can provide, boy.” The blond-haired man’s voice had a slight rasp to it, making him sound as if he had a sore throat. Despite his size, his voice wasn’t that deep, but for some reason its timbre sent a chill the length of Dominic’s spine. The cane tapped steadily on the floor.
“My grandmother did not agree.” Evrain’s voice was smooth and calm as if he were trying to delete any emotion from it. Dominic never wanted to be on the receiving end of that blank coldness.
“Your grandmother had old-fashioned values that have no place in the modern world,” Symeon said. “You have great power, boy. You need to be schooled in how to use it and only another warlock can do that. There aren’t many of us around to help you.”
Dominic took a sharp intake of breath. Symeon was another warlock—presumably one with a lot more experience than Evrain.
“She believed we should use our abilities for the benefit of others, not just ourselves. Something I agree with.”
Symeon’s gloved fist clenched over the top of the cane, stretching the leather tight across his knuckles. “What is the point of power if you cannot use it for your own comfort? Agatha was living in the wrong century.” His annoyance was clear in his abrupt tone. “You and I are different, Evrain. Together we could be unstoppable.”
“It might make me outmoded, Symeon, but I believe in my grandmother’s philosophy. I have no desire for the kind of wealth and power you crave.” Evrain moved, placing his body between Symeon and the stairs.
“You should take care, boy, you don’t want me as an enemy.”
Evrain sighed. “Please don’t threaten me, Symeon. I have no intention of interfering in your business interests. Leave me alone and I will accord you the same consideration.”
Symeon paced up and down. “I’m not sure that will be possible. Every time you use the power, the world reverberates with your strength and you haven’t even begun to channel yet. You are a threat to my peace of mind and I don’t like beingthreatened.” He glanced around. “By the way, where is that gorgeous redhead of yours?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your sweet little boyfriend. Don’t be coy, I make it my business to know what you and your family are up to.”
“He’s none of your concern.”
“So you haven’t taken him yet?” That sounded like an accusation.
“That’s hardly something I’d share with you. My private life is just that—private.” Evrain’s voice was rough with anger.
“Take good care of him, Evrain. I would hate for anything bad to happen to him.”
