SEBASTIAN’S CELL phone rang, and he snatched it up from the bedside table. Ray’s name displayed. Right on time. He let a few rings go by so as not to appear anxious; then he flipped it open and put it to his ear.
“Hello, Raymond.”
“Hello, Sebastian. How are you this evening?”
“Better, now I hear your voice.”
“Ah. I am feeling much happier now also.”
Sebastian grinned. “Are you free Saturday for brunch?”
“Yes, I am.” Sebastian heard the smile in Ray’s voice through the phone.
“I’d love to take you to Commander’s Palace. They have the most wonderful jazz brunch.” Sebastian fiddled with the buttons on his pajamas with the fingers of his bad hand. He’d taken off the sling so he could sleep, but the cast still hampered his movements.
“I would love to go. I have been there before, but not for the brunch. Is there live music?”
“Yes. A darling little combo with a singer.”
“Shall I pick you up?” Ray asked.
“No, that’s so out of your way. I’ll take a cab and meet you there, if that’s all right. Or maybe Lane will drop me off.”
“If you are sure. It is no bother.”
“I might let you drive me home, if you insist.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Ray chuckled. “Is that the only reason you wanted me to call?”
Warmth spread up Sebastian’s neck to his cheeks.
“Are you blushing, Sebastian? I am quite enamored of your blush, you know.”
“Are you?”
“I am. I can just imagine your face, your blue eyes sparkling, your dazzling smile, the pink in your cheeks.”
“Raymond! You flatter me. Don’t stop. Tell me more about my eyes,” Sebastian drawled, as he snuggled back amongst the mounds of pillows on his bed.
Ray’s soft chuckle sent goose bumps dancing over Sebastian’s skin.
“I have never seen eyes as blue as yours. They remind me of the spring sky in Provence. Clear and pure.”
“Oh my. Ray, you say such wonderful things. You’ll turn a boy’s head.”
“It is not flattery. It is truth. You are the most interesting man I have met in a long time. I want to get to know you much, much better.”
“Really? I’d like to learn more about you also.”
“I satisfied one question at the zoo—what would you taste like if I kissed you. Now, there are other questions I must have the answers to.”
“What questions?” Sebastian’s voice dropped lower and he glanced down. He’d unbuttoned three of the buttons on his pajama top as they’d been speaking and hadn’t even realized it. Good Lord.
“What your skin tastes like? If you moan as sweetly as I imagine? How you would feel in my arms.”
Sebastian rolled over onto his side and curled up, the phone pressed to his ear. “Raymond, you take my breath away.”
Ray’s voice dropped even lower. “I am not going to lie to you, Sebastian. I know we have just met, but I want you. I want to make love to you.”
Sebastian teased, “Despite the rumors, I’m not that kind of boy.”
Ray laughed. “Oh, I very much think you are my kind of boy.”
“Am I?” Sebastian whispered.
Ray didn’t answer, just inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled over the line.
“Ray, what are you doing?” Sebastian gasped.
“Touching myself. Cannot seem to help myself when I think of you.” Ray moaned softly. “What are you wearing? Are you in bed?”
Sebastian’s heart fluttered. Oh Lord, Ray wanted to have phone sex. Lane would just die if he knew, and Sebastian would never be able to face Matt again. He was far too old for real sex, much less phone sex, wasn’t he? He should stop Ray before they went much further and embarrassed themselves.
“I’m in bed. I’m wearing pajamas, of course. Silk. Royal blue with silver piping.” So much for what he should do.
“They must set off the color of your hair. How does the fabric feel against your skin?” Ray asked.
Sebastian ran his hand over his chest. The silk brushed over his nipple like a feather, and he watched it peak. “It’s soft. I love the way it feels; that’s why I always sleep in silk.”
“How does it feel over your cock?”
Sebastian, shocked, just barely kept from sputtering. “I don’t know” was all he could manage. Ray had taken him off guard. He’d never thought the man would use such a word or ask such a question. It excited him. “You’re a naughty boy, Raymond Chou.”
Ray chuckled. “I am. I am hoping you are also. Tell me, how does it feel?”
Sebastian swallowed. Did he dare? He slid his hand down and covered himself with it. He’d become aroused while they’d been talking. He cupped his balls, letting the silk slid over them, and gave a soft gasp. “Good.”
“Just good?”
“Very good?” Sebastian didn’t know what else to say. “We shouldn’t be doing this, Ray.”
“Why not? Are you not enjoying it?” Ray sounded puzzled.
“Well, we’re….” Sebastian hesitated.
“We’re?”
“Old. Too old for this,” Sebastian blurted out.
Ray chuckled. “One is never too old for love, Sebastian.”
“But this isn’t love. It’s phone sex. People pay for this.”
“Some do, I suppose. I would rather be there, lying next to you, but this is what we have right now. The phone. Our voices and our imaginations.”
“One of us certainly has a more vibrant imagination than the other.” Sebastian exhaled.
“So if I were lying there next to you, stroking you, speaking to you as I am now, would that be acceptable?”
“Yes, but—”
“But just saying the words over the phone? Is that what you have a problem with? Or is it that you feel you are too old to do this?” Ray didn’t sound mad at all. He sounded as if he really wanted to understand.
“Yes. I’m… we’re too old.”
“Sebastian.” Ray’s voice was patient, kind, indulgent even. “Oh, love, as long as a heart still beats, it can still love. As long as one can still experience pleasure, become aroused, one is not too old. You are not too old. We are not too old.”
Sebastian smiled. “You make me feel so young. I was quite content being old until I met you.”
“I am pleased I make you feel that way. I want to make you feel even younger. But if you do not want to play, I will stop. Is that what you want?” Ray lowered his voice. “Do you want me to stop, love?”
He didn’t. He wanted Ray to keep talking, to keep feeding him with little sweet bon mots, as if they were decadent chocolate truffles, and to keep arousing him. He wanted to be as free as Ray was and for Ray to tell him what to do. And do it.
“No, don’t stop.” Sebastian exhaled. “What should I do now? It’s been a long time since anyone has said these things to me.”
“Just listen and relax. Let me do the talking. When and if you feel comfortable, you can tell me anything you wish. If you want just to listen, that is more than fine.”
Sebastian inhaled, held his breath, and then made a decision. For now, for tonight, he’d let Raymond lead him on this adventure. It was new and it frightened him, but what did he have to lose?
“I’m not sure I could do this right, say the right things, you know,” Sebastian replied.
“Perhaps it would be best if we took this slowly,” Ray said. “I do not want to make you feel uncomfortable or rush you. There will be plenty of time.”
In one way, Sebastian was relieved; in another, disappointed. His arousal lessened. “Perhaps that’s best.” Perhaps Ray expected a more ambitious lover. This was all so unsettling, and Sebastian’s frustration at not knowing what to do about Ray grew.
“Of course there will be,” he said, keeping his tone light. “I plan on living forever, a raging old queen who refuses to die.”
“Sebastian,” Ray chided, “you may be a queen, but you are neither old nor raging. You are regal, stately, and dignified.”
God bless Ray; he was like perfectly sweetened iced tea, a taste you easily fell in love with.
“You don’t mind?” Sebastian had returned to playing with his buttons again.
“I have a deep fondness for queens. They make life so much richer.”
“Oh, Ray….” Sebastian sighed. “I do declare, you are the most….” He paused.
“Yes?”
“Wicked man I know.”
“Wicked?” Ray chuckled.
“You are. You make me think of wicked things, things I haven’t thought of in ages.”
“Good. Now if I can just get you to act on those thoughts.” Sebastian could almost see Ray’s eyebrows wiggling.
“I’ve never been known for my strength of character. I must warn you, I’m easily led astray.”
“I will lead, but will you follow?”
Sebastian crooned, “Anywhere, my love. Anywhere.”
“Good night, Sebastian.”
“Good night, Raymond.” Sebastian sighed, then folded the phone shut.
He had all week until Saturday and his date with Ray.
How would he ever survive?