Chapter Sixteen

Dominic lay on his front, chin propped in his hands. He tangled his feet with Evrain’s, who was propped against his pillows reading one of Agatha’s old books.

“My handprints look good on your ass,” Evrain observed, leering.

Dominic twisted to look but, other than some pink edges, couldn’t see. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“Aren’t you cold? Get back under the covers.”

“No. You warmed me up. The cold air on my skin is nice.” Evrain had held him down, fucked him then spanked him. He’d enjoyed every minute and was relaxed enough to accept that he didn’t need to understand why. Languor weighted his limbs and he had no desire to move. “It’s allowed to be lazy on Christmas Eve, isn’t it? I don’t want to move.” He was answered not by Evrain but by the bedroom door being nudged open. A dark, furry head poked around it. Shadow gave an annoyed meow before leaping onto the bed. Dominic scrambled beneath the covers before Shadow’s claws could make contact with his bare skin. She stomped up and down the bed, rubbing her cheek on the corner of Evrain’s book, patting his hand and nosing at Dominic’s chest.

“Someone wants her breakfast,” Evrain observed.

“And I suppose you think I should be the one to get it?” Dominic wriggled deeper beneath the comforter. “She’s huge. She’ll last till New Year’s on her fat reserves.”

“No, I will. I intend to pamper you over the holiday so breakfast in bed can be your first treat.” Evrain stretched before giving Shadow a good scratch under the chin.

“I’m so glad we decided to stay here and have Christmas with just the two of us,” Dominic said. Shadow gave an indignant yowl. “Okay, three of us. I love our friends but it’s such a luxury to have three whole days to ourselves. I got everything up to date in the garden and the greenhouses so I’m all yours for the whole holiday.”

“You’re all mine regardless.” Evrain slipped out of bed then pulled on some jeans. “Don’t move.”

“Don’t intend to.” Dominic winced as Shadow used his stomach as a launch pad for a flying leap toward the door. He admired the lines of Evrain’s back and the little divots above his ass. Evrain seemed to achieve his toned muscles with little effort whereas Dominic’s came from hard labor in the garden. Not that he minded. The thought of being trapped in a gym gave him the shakes. He guessed that using his elemental powers gave Evrain quite a workout. He was always exhausted when he’d been channeling and ate like a horse afterward but never gained a pound. He smiled. Thinking about Evrain made him happy. He loved every inch of his weird, possessive, dominant boyfriend.

The muted sounds of conversation drifted up the stairs. Dominic couldn’t make out the words but Evrain often held full-scale debates with Shadow, who seemed to understand every word. She articulated her responses through a series of noises and physical reactions and Dominic had no doubt that something of Agatha’s spirit resided in the cat. He chuckled. He lived with a warlock so a possessed cat was hardly a stretch.

He dozed, enjoying the luxury of a rare lie-in, until Evrain returned with a laden tray, which he placed on the bed. “Get started while I go for the coffee. I couldn’t carry everything in one go.”

By the time Evrain returned, Dominic had sat up with the tray of food balanced on his lap. He reached for the coffee Evrain offered to find himself presented with a gift-wrapped parcel.

“What’s this? It’s not Christmas until tomorrow.” He shook the parcel but there was no rattle to give away the contents.

“You can open it after breakfast. It’s something to keep us entertained today.”

“Will it stop me doing some Christmas baking?”

“Nope. Now eat your breakfast because I can’t wait to see your face when you open it.”

Evrain had produced creditable French toast, a plate of sliced fruit and a dish of natural yogurt. “This is great.” Dominic ate slowly, guessing that the gift was more for Evrain than for him and this was the one chance he would get to torture him rather than the other way around. He took his time savoring a strawberry. “So sweet.”

“Unlike you. I know what you’re doing.” Evrain took the tray away. “No more coffee until you open your gift.”

“That’s unusually cruel, even for you.” Dominic grazed the back of Evrain’s hand with his fingers. “But I’ll bite. What did you get yourself?”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“Riiight.” Dominic tore the paper from the present to reveal a flat, square box. He removed the lid then parted black tissue paper. Nestling inside was a leather collar, an inch deep, with a heavy buckle fastening. He lifted it from the box and a chain dropped from a metal loop attached to the leather. At its end was a smaller loop of leather. Dominic took it in, his cock hardening.

“You’ll wear it for me.” It wasn’t a question. Evrain’s certainty was absolute.

“Will I?”

Evrain traced Dominic’s neck with a finger. “It’s going to look so good wrapped around your throat. You can wear jeans today, but no shirt. I want to see the chain disappearing below your waistband, knowing where it’s going. Every time you move the chain will tug the strap around your balls and you won’t be able to come. Not until I allow it.”

Dominic gulped. He wanted to protest, to deny that Evrain’s description excited him. “No.” He didn’t mean it.

“Oh yes, my love. Your entire body is screaming yes. Gonna plug you. Keep you ready for me.”

“You’re dreaming.”

“This is one dream that’s going to come true.”

“I need to…” Dominic made to get out of bed but Evrain rolled over him, pinning him down.

“You don’t need to do anything. You can’t run from your desires, sweetheart.”

Dominic squirmed beneath him but rubbing against Evrain’s hard body did nothing to alleviate his arousal. Evrain went to his knees and unzipped his fly. His cock sprang free and Dominic was fixated. He couldn’t look away even if he wanted to.

“Suck me.” Evrain crawled over him until he could press his cock to Dominic’s lips. He grabbed the headboard. “Open.”

Dominic parted his lips, desperate to taste, but this wasn’t about his pleasure. This was Evrain taking what he wanted, but he didn’t, not straight away. Instead he leaned down to adjust the pillows under Dominic’s head, positioning his head at a better, more comfortable angle. The irony of his care wasn’t lost on Dominic.

“Softy.”

“Shut up.” Evrain’s dick proved to be an effective gag. “Just because I don’t want you to get a crick in the neck does not make me soft.” He punctuated his words with repeated thrusts into Dominic mouth. All Dominic could do was lie there and take it. “You’ll wear my collar because I want you to. You’ll keep my plug inside you because I demand it.” Evrain stiffened, the vein in the side of his neck throbbed and his eyes flashed. He came in a hot gush down Dominic’s throat, gripping Dominic’s hair with one hand and the headboard with the other. He thrust a final time before withdrawing with a hum of approval. “Do we understand each other?”

Dominic licked a dribble of cum from the corner of his mouth. “You made yourself clear, love.” He reached for his aching cock only to have his hand slapped away.

“Oh no. No fun for you. Not yet. When I say so, not before.”

“You are feeling dommy this morning.”

Evrain clambered off the bed. “I’m me.” He grabbed the collar, slipped it around Dominic’s neck. “Sit up so I can buckle this.”

Cold at first, the leather soon warmed against his skin. It felt strange but not uncomfortable. The chain dangled against his chest, the links clinking.

“Now for the good bit. Lie back.” Evrain pushed the covers down to Dominic’s ankles. The chain pulled taut as Evrain fastened the leather strap at its end around the base of Dominic’s cock and balls. “Very nice.” Evrain tugged on the chain. “Does anything pinch?”

Dominic shook his head. “I’m not sure about this.”

“I am. Hands and knees.”

Sighing, Dominic got into position and the chain slackened. He rested his head on his arms. There was nothing to stop him unbuckling the collar. He only had to ask and Evrain would remove it, but that wasn’t what he wanted. The need to please Evrain overruled every other thought in his head. Slick fingers probed his hole, closely followed by the blunt end of a plug. Ridged marble penetrated his channel, filling him, the sensation keeping him erect. Evrain played with it a little, teasing him.

“Will you stop already! It’s Christmas—you’re not supposed to be mean.”

“This isn’t mean.” Evrain pushed the plug all the way in. “This is giving you, and me, a lot of pleasure.” He gave Dominic’s ass a smack. “Put your jeans on. I want to see what you look like.”

“I’m gonna stay in bed all day.” A large part of Dominic wanted to hide.

“You’re supposed to be baking. You promised me gingerbread men and you were going to make my mum’s spiced biscuit recipe.”

“That was before.”

“I’ll give you a choice. Either you can get up and bake me goodies with your jeans on, or I’ll keep you naked all day and edge you until you scream.”

“Remind me why I love you?” Dominic reached for his pants.

“No idea. It’s a complete mystery to me.” Evrain leaned in for a kiss. “You, me, eggnog and baked goods—it’s going to be a perfect day.”

Dominic wasn’t so sure but he dressed in jeans and thick socks anyway, tucking his erection away with a pained sigh. When he stood straight, the chain attached to his collar tugged the strap around his balls. Every movement reminded him that he was bound for Evrain’s pleasure.

“That looks hot as hell,” Evrain observed. “I love the hint of what’s going on that can’t be seen.”

Dominic stomped down the stairs without commenting. He needed a distraction from the physical reactions of his body so he started pulling ingredients and utensils from cupboards and drawers. He had a tried and tested recipe for gingerbread so he intended to do that first. Once the figures had cooled he’d let Evrain do the decoration. It would keep him out of mischief.

“Why are you smiling?” Evrain settled in a chair at the kitchen table, scanning the messages on his phone. “Gregory texted me a list of exercises to perfect but I filed them under ‘go away’.” He flicked his fingers at the fire and the flames roared higher. “Wouldn’t want you to get cold.”

Dominic kept quiet. It wasn’t as if Evrain really expected an answer. He had a tendency to ramble when there was a lot going on his head.

“Fuck. I want to bend you over the table right now.”

Dominic shivered. “That wouldn’t be sanitary and besides, I’m busy.” He held up flour-coated hands. “And so should you be. Gregory will know you’ve been slacking.”

“Spoilsport. Bake quicker, then you won’t have an excuse.”

“Why don’t you make some more coffee?” Dominic suggested, flouring a board ready to roll out his dough. “It’s a bit early to start on the eggnog.” He watched Evrain move. Even something so simple as making a pot of coffee showed off his innate grace. He moved with more elegance than Shadow. Dominic’s cock jerked and he sighed—he should learn not to let his thoughts stray. He stamped out two baking sheets worth of gingerbread men then slid them into the oven. “Fifteen minutes and they’ll be done.”

“Then sit with me and have coffee,” Evrain said. “I have dibs on the first gingerbread man.” Dominic went to take a seat but was pulled into Evrain’s lap. “I love the smell of baking.”

“Cats and cakes make a place home—that’s what my great grandma used to say.”

“You make this home, love. Wherever you are, I’m home.”

“Soppy warlock.”

“Must be the festive spirit taking hold.” Evrain pulled Dominic down for a kiss. “Or that I’m the luckiest man on the planet.” He pulled at the chain running from Dominic’s collar.

Dominic gasped. “Stop that!”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because what?”

“Because you’re making me…”

“Oh, I do hope so.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“And you sound like my grandmother. She used that word a lot, often before smacking me around the head.”

“Which I’m sure you deserved.”

“Probably.”

“Definitely.” Dominic leaned against Evrain’s chest. “You make me feel so…I don’t know. Loved isn’t the right word. Protected, cherished. I mean, I know you love me but it’s more than that. It makes me want to please you.”

“And you do, all the time. You’re a submissive… Your faith in me is an honor. You trust me with your body and you give without hesitation. You’re part of me.”

Dominic didn’t want to ruin the moment, but it was time to get his biscuits out of the oven. He slipped from Evrain’s lap, evading the grab Evrain made for him. “Once these have cooled you can decorate them.” Dominic took the cookie sheets from the oven then moved the gingerbread figures onto wire cooling racks. “I’m going to start your mum’s recipe now.” Evrain pouted. “Do you want biscuits or not?”

“It’s a shame you can’t cook from my lap. You look sexy as hell and I want to play with you.”

“Playing leads to burning and I’m not sure even your special skills can rescue charcoal biscuits. Besides, you should be practicing.”

“Fine. Do you mind if I channel?”

Dominic shook his head. “Of course not, go ahead.” He focused on the recipe, ignoring the aches in his muscles as Evrain got to work. He had four jars in front of him on the table, one half filled with earth, another with water. One seemed empty but obviously contained air and the last, a tea light, its flame sparking with excitement. Evrain’s green-gold eyes flashed and his fingers danced as he manipulated the contents of each jar in turn. Dominic could feel a slight vibration through the table and he watched, fascinated, as bubbles rose through water and the earth in the jar shaped itself into the figure of a cat, chasing its tail. The candle flame burned silver then blue and the jar of air rocked as a miniature whirlwind formed inside it.

Dominic was entranced. He wanted to praise Evrain’s efforts, but didn’t dare break his concentration. He went back to baking, rolling his shoulders to ease the twinges. Once the trays were back in the oven, he sat quietly at the table, trying not to fidget as the plug inside him shifted. He knew the moment Evrain stopped channeling because the growing pain in his muscles subsided. The contents of the jars returned to their usual innocuous state and Evrain sighed.

“That’s tougher than it looks.”

“It was an impressive display,” Dominic said. “I could watch you for hours.”

“Are you done baking, because I really want to make better use of this table?” Evrain got up, moving to stand behind Dominic. He massaged his shoulders, kneading away the tension. He slid a finger beneath Dominic’s collar then pulled his head back by the hair, leaning over him for a kiss. A bolt of lightning shot through Dominic’s groin and he worked the plug with his inner muscles until Evrain released him.

“Over the table. Now.”

Dominic stood and Evrain dragged the chair away. He tore at Dominic’s jeans until they fell to the floor and he was able to kick them away. Evrain pushed him down onto the flour-covered table, holding Dominic’s hands behind his back in one hand. With the other he delivered two sharp smacks. Dominic spread his legs in blatant invitation.

“Such a slut.”

“For you, yes.”

Evrain fumbled with the plug, pulling it free then tossing it into one of the armchairs by the fire. “I’m developing a fetish for you in socks and nothing else, though this”—he tweaked the chain between Dominic’s collar and cock ring—“is suitable adornment.” The sound of a zipper, followed by some jerking and shuffling, told Dominic that Evrain had managed to get out of his pants. Seconds later, Evrain pushed inside him. The well-lubed plug had kept him slick but there was still an initial bite of pain.

Evrain wasn’t gentle. He seemed barely under control as he pistoned his hips. His grip on Dominic’s wrists tightened and Dominic’s cheek rubbed against the well-worn wood of the table.

“Evrain, please…I need to come. The strap…” Evrain groped beneath Dominic’s body. It took forever for him to undo the buckle, cursing as it refused to come free. A burst of power dissolved the metal and the strap fell away. He gripped Dominic’s aching shaft in one hand, held his wrists with other, then pushed deep into his body. Dominic came with a scream, sending pulses of cum into Evrain’s fist. Evrain let go of his wrists, grabbed a handful of hair then came, pulling Dominic’s head up from the table.

“Fuck!” He pounded into him twice more before collapsing over him. “Feels like Christmas came already.”

“I think we both came.” Dominic pushed up, hinting for Evrain to get off him. He was breathless, sweaty and happy. “I need to clean up, I have flour everywhere!” He shook his head, creating a white cloud. “I’m gonna take a shower.” He turned off the oven. “Would you take that last batch out of the oven for me? I’ve put out another wire rack for them to go on.”

“Sure, though I can’t promise there won’t be a few missing by the time you get back.” Evrain stood, unbuckling the collar around Dominic’s neck.

“No doubt.” Dominic grabbed his discarded pants and padded toward the stairs. He put an extra wiggle in his hips. “Leave some for me.” He ran when Evrain made a lunge for him.

Dominic smiled and hummed through his shower. When he dressed he pulled on a soft pullover over his jeans. If Evrain wanted him half naked again he’d have to say so. Dominic hoped for cookies and cuddling in front of a movie, the glow of candlelight and the twinkle of fairy lights from their small Christmas tree. He chuckled at his romantic musings.

When he got downstairs there was no sign of Evrain. The kitchen was full of the rich scent of melted chocolate, which Evrain had been using to decorate the gingerbread men. When he saw his efforts, Dominic burst out laughing. Each biscuit had been ‘dressed’ in various kinky outfits, including collars and cuffs, harnesses and thongs. “It’s a good thing these are just for us.”

Evrain came through the door that led to the small snug-come-TV room, phone pressed to his ear, his expression a mixture of determination and frustration.

“Yes. Yes, Gregory, we’ll be there. I know! You don’t have to remind me.” He disconnected then pressed the phone to his forehead. “Damn it. I’m so sorry, love. Christmas is canceled. We have to get to San Francisco.”

“When? Why?”

“Now I’m afraid. I’ll have to explain on the way.”

“Okay.”

“Just okay?”

“If you say we have to go then we have to go. I’ll set up the automatic feeder for Shadow. Do you know how long we’ll be gone?”

“A day or two at most, I hope. You sort things down here. I’ll go throw a few things in an overnight bag.” He took Dominic’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Together, remember. Whatever this is, we’re in it together.”

Evrain kissed him, lingering as their lips met, the contact chaste but intimate.

Dominic tried not to panic as he packed up cookies and organized food and water for Shadow, who appeared from the snug, parked on the hearth rug and licked a paw. She seemed utterly unconcerned by the flurry of activity.

“I guess this is how it’s going to be, Shadow,” Dominic said. “Warlock business trumps Christmas festivities. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Me too.” Evrain dumped a holdall next to the table. “Are you ready?”

“As soon as I get my coat and boots on.”

“You’re being amazing about this.” Evrain frowned. “Today of all days.”

“I don’t suppose the elements care that it’s Christmas Eve. They misbehave when they feel like it, not when it’s convenient.” Dominic shrugged into his warm coat.

“Sounds like you,” Evrain said, grinning.

Dominic rolled his eyes. “Cheeky warlock. Let’s go before my courage fails me.” He leaned into Evrain’s side and silently prayed that they would both make it home intact.