Page 15 of Elemental Hope
“Mmm. I love it when you smell of the earth. Makes me want to do wicked things to you.”
“You want that whether I’m clean or dirty.”
“True.”
“But it’s been a really long day. I want a hot shower, then food, then sleep. I don’t want to think about warring witches and warlocks until tomorrow and I can’t believe I’m saying that.”
Evrain opened his arms and Dominic walked into them. “I’m sorry, love. Your world has been turned on its head, hasn’t it?”
“Yours has too.” Dominic snuggled against Evrain’s body, absorbing his warmth.
“Yes. But when Agatha told me I was a warlock, everything fell into place for me. It was a like a fog had lifted and I could finally see the real world. You had everything you thought was real ripped away.”
“But I got you.” Dominic gazed into Evrain’s strange green-gold eyes. “Makes all the freaky shit worthwhile. I just don’t want you hurt.”
“It’s my job to protect you, not the other way around. And ‘freaky shit’? You are so overdue a spanking.”
Dominic’s cock twitched. “You wish.”
“I do. But I’ll allow you to shower first. You can prep for me while you’re up there. Unless you’d like me to come along and do that for you?”
“No!” Dominic needed a few minutes of alone-time, not just for getting clean but also to get his scattered thoughts in order.
Evrain pouted, but then his cell rang. He cursed and Dominic took his chance to escape upstairs to the bathroom. He just heard the words “Hi, Mum…” before the noise of cascading water drowned out the sound of Evrain’s voice. Dominic pulled the bathroom door closed. He stripped off his dirty clothing, leaving the discarded items in a heap on the floor, then climbed beneath the spray with a contented sigh.
Laughing at his mother’s latest news on the antics of his younger sisters, Evrain kept his eyes on the stairs. He could hear the water running and his head was filled with images of Dominic, naked and wet, rubbing gel over his smooth skin. Talking to his mother while sporting an iron-hard erection was not a habit he wanted to get into. At least he didn’t have to talk much. He paced the room, contributing to the conversation when he could get a word in. His mum was threatening to visit if he didn’t keep in touch more often. He said all the right things,made promises to call or email every week and appropriate excuses about being busy with his job. She seemed content with his answers and he hoped she wouldn’t be hopping on a plane anytime soon. He loved his family but the last thing he needed was more people he cared about getting in the line of fire. He needed to be able to focus his attention on keeping Dominic safe.
Evrain set about pulling together a simple meal. Of the two of them, Dominic was the far better cook, but Evrain could manage the basics. There was fresh local salmon in the fridge, so he mixed some breadcrumbs with chopped parsley and Parmesan for a crust. Baked potatoes and broccoli would complete the meal. He put the potatoes in the oven first. With any luck, he would have time to give Dominic a spanking before they were ready. That thought made him smile as he finished preparing the fish and vegetables. With everything ready to go, Evrain adjusted the furniture to his liking. He wanted Dominic over his knees and needed a chair without arms for the best position so he moved one across from the kitchen area. Next he took a log from the wood basket. Focusing his power, he manipulated the material into a smoothly fashioned plug. He ran his hands over the silky grain, ensuring there were no rough edges. It was large enough to stretch Dominic’s channel but not so big as to cause pain. Evrain set a pot of his home-made lube next to the fire to warm. Now all he needed was Dominic.
“Are you nearly done up there?” Evrain yelled up the stairs. The bathroom door clicked open.
“What are you shouting about?” Dominic’s pained voice came back to him. “And why are you channeling?”
“Don’t bother dressing. I have plans for you.” Evrain visualized Dominic standing there dripping, a scowl on his handsome face. Dominic enjoyed being ordered around—he just wasn’t that good at admitting it.
“Damn it, Evrain. Give me five minutes.”
Evrain listened to footsteps heading for the bedroom. He was confident Dominic would do as he was told. He took the seat next to the fire and made sure the new toy and lube were within reach. While he waited for Dominic he thought about the events of the day. Against his expectation, he had liked Nathaniel Alberich. The man was blunt, but his eyes sparkled with good humor and shrewd intelligence. He would make a valuable ally. Evrain could understand why Nathaniel and Gregory got on so well. They were formed from the same mold. He suspected that both of them saw him as an arrogant, inexperienced boy who needed some discipline drummed into him. Much as he hated to admit it, they were probably right. He wasn’t so stupid as to think he knew better than they did, with their years of experience, not when Dominic’s safety might depend on his willingness to learn.
Damon was another matter. He had sympathy for his position. He’d been abused for a long time by Symeon Malus and deserved a break. Nathaniel might be just the man to provide it, though he didn’t imagine Nathaniel would go too easy on Damon. He chuckled. It seemed warlocks were all alike in some ways.
“What are you so amused about?”
Evrain turned to see Dominic standing at the bottom of the stairs, a towel wrapped around his narrow hips. He’d dried his hair to just damp and it hung around his shoulders. For a moment, Evrain’s mind blanked as lust consumed him. He shook his head. Dominic had more power over him than another warlock ever would.
“I was thinking about how Nathaniel Alberich will handle Damon.”
A slight smile traced Dominic’s lips. “I imagine…firmly. He didn’t seem the type to take any crap from anyone.”
“Something we have in common.” Evrain beckoned him over. “Come here, sweetheart.” The firelight danced in Dominic’s eyesbut he didn’t move. Evrain watched as his lover took in the setup by the hearth. His eyes widened when he spotted the plug.
“You’ve been busy.” He swallowed and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Is that why you were channeling?”
“Yes. Just a little handicraft. Gregory keeps telling me I need to finesse my skills—I might as well make something functional while I’m at it. Why don’t you come over here and take a closer look?” Dominic was hardly a skittish colt to entice with gentle words but he was stubborn. He wouldn’t do anything he didn’t want to.
Dominic gave an exaggerated sigh then walked the few paces to Evrain’s side. Evrain stood to face him.
“You won’t be able to resist me for long.” Evrain stepped into Dominic’s personal space. There was little more than a finger-width between them. Dominic’s breath smelled of mint and his body of herbal shower gel. He leaned in for a kiss. Just a gentle brush of lips. Dominic swayed toward him with a soft moan. Evrain ran his hand down the curve of Dominic’s back and when he felt the edge of the towel, he pulled it away.
