Chapter 24
Tori was still riding the high later that evening. He’d eaten dinner in the main hall with everyone else, and this time it felt different, knowing he wasn’t an outsider sitting with everyone but a Burkhard, himself.
The official announcement might not have happened yet, but everyone seemed to be aware of it, as many came over to say hello and welcome. Baldewin sat with him throughout dinner, handling introductions to anyone that he didn’t know. He appreciated it beyond words, as it became quickly overwhelming.
Tori had grown up with the same two hundred people until he was thirty-five and had fled for Helsinki.
And Helsinki had been more than overwhelming, with all its people crammed in so close together.
The Burkhards weren’t a large clan, either, fortunately. But still, talking to people all in a rush like that had sent his head spinning. That was why, when he had a lull, he made a break for his room. Tori just needed a few minutes of quiet time.
He ended up in the cozy, winged chair in his sitting room—which was an odd thing to have—with a pad of paper in his hands.
He practiced writing his new name, too giddy not to, even if it did feel somewhat silly.
Tori Burkhard. It had a nice ring to it.
Cameron stopped by at one point, warning him that there was a lot of paperwork in his future to change his name, apply for a change in citizenship, all of that.
Tori honestly didn’t mind. In fact, he looked forward to it.
Tori Burkhard.
He had a feeling he’d smile every time he wrote that name.
A knock sounded at the door. Tori set aside paper and pen, getting up to answer it.
Baldewin gave him a smile, weight shifting a little in a nervous movement. “Hi. Have a moment?”
“Sure.” Tori waved him in. “I was just practicing my new signature.”
Baldewin stepped inside, turning to look at him with amusement. “Come to think of it, it’s something you’d need to practice. You look smug saying that, though.”
“I feel smug. And relieved. And excited. A few other hundred emotions, as well.”
Baldewin touched his hand gently, gathering it up in a loose grip, the warm brush of his fingers strangely electrifying. His grey-green eyes were intent behind his glasses. “I’m so glad you’re staying, that you feel you have a home here. I don’t want to lose you, Tori.”
Tori blinked up at him, heart racing off for a completely new reason.
“I’m very strongly drawn to you. I’ve never been so attracted to anyone before. But it’s become clear to me that I haven’t spoken so candidly to you.”
Tori found it impossible to swallow. His throat was too tight from nerves and anticipation. “Is that why you’re here? To speak candidly to me?”
“Ja. The thought of you not understanding me breaks my heart. There was a moment earlier today when you looked at me with doubt. I do not ever want you to look at me that way again.” He lifted a hand, cradling Tori’s face, the gesture incredibly tender.
Tori turned his face into that warm palm, lifting his own hand to keep it there. He loved how Baldewin touched him, as if he were the most precious thing ever to the dragon. “I didn’t doubt you. I just didn’t understand why you weren’t sitting next to me. You’ve always chosen to sit next to me.”
“And it is that which brings me here. That right to always be at your side. I would like very much for our hearts to walk in tandem. I want to court you properly, Tori Burkhard. I cannot win your heart, as it is not a prize or a trophy, but I wish to entice you into giving it to me freely. I promise, you’ll have my heart in return. ”
Tori felt the earth spin and fall away from him for a moment.
He’d known Baldewin was serious about him.
That moment in front of the king, when he’d told Alric point blank he would follow Tori away from the clan, had spoken of how serious he was.
And still, somehow, hearing these words from him was a shock.
Knowing that this man was falling steadily in love with him was a thrill all its own.
But his lack of faith that Tori returned his feelings was a cold bucket of water in the face. Baldewin feared breaking his heart, and here he was leaving the man on tenterhooks.
No.
“I haven’t said enough to you, either.” Tori gathered up courage, because for some reason, this was beyond scary.
Putting himself out there was harder than he’d ever suspected.
If not for Baldewin’s confession, he might not have been able to get the words out.
“That I like you. Really like you. That I trust you. I want to be your lover more than anything.”
A brilliant smile broke over Baldewin’s face, and he swooped in, hauling Tori into a firm embrace. Tori laughed, hugging him back just as fiercely, feeling lighter now with it all out there. They wanted each other and that assurance was all he needed.
Pulling back, he caught Baldewin’s face with both hands and kissed him. It was a new dimension, kissing Baldewin like this. With all of this emotion behind it, he fairly buzzed under the kiss.
Baldewin was the one who took it to another level and made it dirty, his tongue sweeping into Tori’s mouth and tangling with his in a hot glide.
Tori groaned, trying to give as good as he got, up on tiptoes so he could grind into Baldewin’s groin.
It felt good, that friction, and yet frustrating. Because clothes.
Trailing his mouth down, Baldewin kissed his way under an ear, nibbling a little on Tori’s neck, and hmm, that felt good. He’d never thought his neck was sensitive until Baldewin got his mouth on it, but yes. Good spot. Noted. Do it again.
“If we continue like this,” Baldewin whispered against his skin, “we’ll end up in bed very shortly.”
“I want that.” Tori’s nerves returned, but for an entirely different reason. Oh hell, this was going to sound lame, especially at his age. But Baldewin deserved a head’s up. “Just….”
Baldewin seemed to sense something had changed and met Tori’s eyes with concern. “What?”
His eyes skittered to the side, a flush heating his cheeks. “I need you to take the driver’s seat. I’m, um…you’re my first.”
Baldewin kissed him gently, once, twice. “Thank you for the trust. I’ll do my best to make it good for you, but if at any point you wish to stop, just say so.”
He nodded, agreeing, but nothing in Tori wanted to stop. He desperately wanted to get his hands on this man, but he only had theoretical knowledge to work with. Watching porn and reading fanfiction wasn’t the same as hands-on experience.
Lifting onto tiptoes, he kissed Baldewin again, trying to re-start the passion that had them climbing each other before.
Baldewin caught him behind his thighs, lifting him further up, which Tori took as an invitation.
He wrapped both legs around Baldewin’s waist, not surprised when the man easily held him up.
He continued peppering kisses over the man’s face and neck as Baldewin carried them into the bedroom; he couldn’t help but touch. Baldewin didn’t do the gentle thing, setting him down on the bed. Instead, he tossed him.
Tori landed on the bed with a laugh, carefree in the best sense. He bounced once and sprawled out, looking up at his soon to be lover with a grin. “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
“I like making you laugh.” Baldewin set his glasses on the nightstand before reaching for his shirt hem, tugging it off in a simple motion and tossing it aside.
Oh, yum. Tori hadn’t seen him without clothes before, and it was quite the view. It made sense that dragons were built—all that flying around obviously required muscle—and it carried over into their human form very, very well. Tori definitely had to get his hands on all of that.
Baldewin continued with his trousers while stepping out of his shoes. They were shoved away to reveal dark red boxers, already tented. The dragon’s smile turned into lascivious as he pushed them down as well.
Oh my. That was…that was a very fine package. Baldewin’s cock was half-hard already, and he was very proportionally built. It would not be easy taking that in, but Tori’s body tingled, already up for the challenge.
Baldewin’s hands fell to Tori’s feet, pulling off socks and shoes, and Tori allowed the help, as he liked having the chance to look.
But he also wanted clothes off, so he undid his own trouser button and zipper, aiding in their removal. He might have felt a little shy about stripping off trousers and boxers, but the shyness was buried under his fascination with getting to explore Baldewin’s body.
He couldn’t help but twist on the bed, getting close enough to put a hand on that lovely cock.
Baldewin’s skin was incredibly hot, hotter than a human’s would run, surely.
Tori wrapped a loose fist around his cock, working from base to tip.
Mm, that was lovely and made all the better by the low rumble of pleasure that traveled up Baldewin’s chest. The contrast in their skin tone was like a sepia painting, his fair skin in high contrast to Baldewin’s dark amber.
Tori watched as the cock grew from half-hard to full hardness.
He wanted to mouth at it but was also afraid of getting teeth into sensitive skin.
Baldewin’s warm hand carded through his hair, and he looked up. His lover had his eyes at half-mast in pleasure, a wicked smile on his face. Oh, he liked what Tori was doing, that was clear.
“You’re far too enticing for your own good. Any more of that, and this will be over very quickly. And I have plans for you.” Baldewin shifted forward, putting a knee on the mattress and coaxing Tori to lie back.
Tori went, accepting Baldewin’s weight as the man settled on top of him.
He sighed into the kiss as Baldewin re-captured his mouth, enjoying the solid heat of him stretched out on top of him.
Skin to skin like this was perfectly delicious.
He shifted a leg up and around, enjoying the friction of their skin rubbing together.