Chapter Six
Spending the entire day with Fabrice was two parts the best day of his life and one part the sweetest torture. He smelled good. Thank heavens for the chef's coat Fabrice had let him borrow. The jacket had saved him more than once when Fabrice teased him throughout the day. He’d had a great time.
Sticking to Fabrice’s schedule, they took their dinner out to the pool just after nightfall.
His feet hurt from standing all day. When Kirkland had gone on his shopping spree, he had forgotten about shoes.
The entire day had been spent hyper-focusing on not falling on the slick floors and switching from foot to foot to fight the growing ache.
A sigh escaped him as he sat. “Yes.”
Fabrice chuckled. “What was that about?”
“My abused feet.”
At Kirkland’s response, Fabrice glanced under the table. “Mon Dieu. I can’t believe I didn’t notice your footwear. You’re lucky you weren’t killed on that floor. Why didn’t you say anything? You had time to change shoes.”
His outraged concern was adorable. “All my shoes are the same. I can live with a few aches to spend time with you.”
“Ahhh.” His expression swapped from worry to irritation. “Still, I never would’ve let you work in my kitchen in those shoes. You’ll need something nonslip for your next shift.”
A bark of laughter burst from Kirkland. “My next shift?”
Fabrice nodded. “That is correct.”
Kirkland’s gaze moved over Fabrice’s face. He was so incredibly gorgeous. Kirkland could stare at him all day. The easiest way to do that was in Fabrice’s kitchen. “Okay.”
“Good boy.”
Kirkland’s blood ran cold. “Don’t call me that.” His heart rate kicked up. He couldn’t breathe. Kirkland was back in that house, doing whatever it took to have someone’s attention. Soaking in their fake affection.
Fabrice threw water in his face. “For fuck’s sake, take a breath.”
Kirkland gasped for air as he recovered from the shock of suddenly being doused.
“That’s better. I’ve been saying your name for a full minute. I’m sorry and I’ll never say that again. Your boundaries are important to me.”
Kirkland blinked. He didn’t try to wipe away the water. His heart still beat too quickly to allow any real oxygen. “Please keep talking. About anything except that.” The sound of Fabrice’s slight French accent and the cadence of his voice soothed something inside Kirkland.
“If you’re up to it, we could go shoe shopping after dinner. What size shoe do you wear?”
He had to think. His mind was still blurry. “Um, eleven.”
“Ah, me too. It’s probably best you just borrow a pair from me. We’ll go shopping sometime when you’re not hurting. Tonight, I’d rather rub your feet before putting you to bed.”
The words were so nonchalant, said between small bites. They snapped Kirkland straight back to reality. “You want to massage my feet?” The question came out sounding as vulnerable as Fabrice made him feel.
Fabrice’s features softened. “Of course, mon amour. You deserve to be treated like the king you are.”
Kirkland couldn’t stop blinking rapidly. Fabrice kept him on his toes. He never knew what Fabrice would say next. Nine times out of ten, whatever came out of his mouth was a healing balm Kirkland hadn’t realized he craved.
Fabrice set his fork aside. “I’m truly sorry. Tell me what you need me to do to bring back the joy in your eyes. The way you’re looking at me right now hurts my chest.”
He hadn’t been triggered like that in over a decade. Kirkland had no idea how best to manage an episode. Somehow, Fabrice found a magic wand because every drop of anxiety melted away.
He took a breath. “I’m sitting here with you. That’s enough for me. Has anyone ever told you how stunning you are? Seriously, you stop me dead sometimes, and I forget what I’m doing.”
Fabrice smiled. “We should eat.”
Kirkland nodded and picked up his fork. Everything had gotten cold during his panic attack... and wet. He hated the way Rush still ruined everything. Kirkland poked at his plate and moved food around. Barely any substance made it to his mouth.
“I suppose I’ve already ruined dinner. Would you like to have dessert and wine back at my room?”
Kirkland worked up a smile. “I’d love that. First, I think I’ll snag a shower and then meet you.”
Fabrice nodded along. “Good idea. I need a shower as well.”
Before Kirkland could get to his feet, Fabrice was already on his. He put his hand on Kirkland’s shoulder to stop him. “Take off your shoes.”
“That would be improper.”
A bright smile lit Fabrice’s face. “Take off your shoes.”
Kirkland huffed. “I can’t go back to the kitchen with these plates barefoot.”
Fabrice’s eyebrows rose. “It’s my kitchen.”
Judging by Fabrice’s expression and tone, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Kirkland took off his shoes.
“The slick dress socks as well.”
Kirkland curled his nose but did as bade. “Okay?”
A sexy grin split Fabrice’s face. “That’s better.” He pulled Kirkland’s chair back for him. “Go to your room and grab your shower. I’ll clean this up, grab our dessert, and meet you when you’re done. No need to knock.”
With a nod, Kirkland stood. He eyed the plates. Kirkland loathed the idea of leaving Fabrice with any work.
Fabrice smacked his ass. “Get going and don’t forget to take your shoes with you.”
A smile he couldn’t control stretched Kirkland’s lips. “You’re a little mean under that quiet exterior, aren’t you?”
Fabrice winked.
Kirkland blushed, and he didn’t know why. Heat simply raced to his face. There was something about Fabrice that drove him insane to the depths of his soul. He loved it.
Kirkland didn’t obey immediately. Instead, he swiped his lips across Fabrice’s mouth. “See you later.” He heard the way Fabrice’s breath caught at the back of his throat before coming out shaky.
“Yeah, later.”
Holy shit. Kirkland would likely slip a disc with someone so much younger than him. He was willing to risk it.
The night called for dark, decadent chocolate cake and red wine.
Fabrice set the table, letting the wine breathe before taking a shower.
He had moved pretty quickly. His room was a hell of a lot closer to the kitchen than Kirkland’s.
He imagined he would have some time to kill.
Fabrice stepped out of the shower and dried off.
He swung the towel over his shoulder and headed for the sitting room.
Fabrice hated getting dressed directly after a steamy shower.
His clothes clung to his skin in the most uncomfortable way.
He had a pair of jogging shorts folded on the couch.
Fabrice would grab those and skip the rest. With any luck, he wouldn’t need them for long.
Fabrice dug through the neatly folded pile, growling in aggravation when he didn’t see the shorts he sought.
A slight movement caught his eye. Fabrice’s chin shot up.
Kirkland sat at the kitchen table, pale-faced, with hunger sparkling in his eyes.
He didn’t look away when Fabrice noticed him.
Fabrice ditched the hunt for anything to cover his skin. He had always been confident in his body. With his love of food, he had to stay in shape the best he could. He tossed his towel over his chair and sat across from Kirkland. Kirkland’s eyes never once strayed from watching Fabrice.
“You’re back faster than I expected.”
Kirkland’s shoulders rose and fell. “You had more things to do than I did. It looks as if you’ve been busy.”
Fabrice pushed Kirkland’s plate of cake closer to him before pouring the wine. “Eat. You need something in your stomach.”
Like a dutiful man, he picked up his fork and took a bite.
If Kirkland even tasted the dessert, he didn’t show any pleasure.
His gaze never wavered from Fabrice. Fabrice felt like prey being stalked.
He liked it. Fabrice took a bite while still holding Kirkland’s stare.
He licked the fork to get every bit of icing.
While Fabrice had no idea which of them he tortured the most, the way Kirkland looked at him made him feel sexy. He didn’t want Kirkland to look away.
Kirkland tossed back his wine.
Fabrice moved to pour him another glass.
Kirkland held his hand up, stopping Fabrice. “No, thank you. I’d prefer to stay sober.”
Fabrice set the bottle aside. “Good idea. Drunk people can’t consent. I very much want you to be willing.”
Kirkland stood. He held his hand out to Fabrice. “I’m in. Are you?”
There was no stopping the wicked grin that stretched his lips as Fabrice accepted Kirkland’s hand.
He stood and led the way to the bedroom.
The weight of Kirkland’s stare was like a physical touch.
Fabrice had never felt more desired. When he reached the bed, he peeled back the covers.
At the same time, Kirkland’s shirt went flying.
He molded against Fabrice’s back and kissed his neck.
Fabrice reached over his shoulder and buried his fingers in Kirkland’s hair.
He couldn’t keep his eyes open under the onslaught of lust. Kirkland felt too good against him. All he felt was Kirkland.
Fabrice didn’t know how much patience he could dredge up. He had been waiting for Kirkland for several months. While he adored their friendship, they were more. It was time to show it.
“Tell me how you want me. There’s nothing I won’t do.” Kirkland’s claim nearly buckled his knees. Gone was the cold, shy workaholic. This was the real Kirkland. This was the man behind the mask.
“I will too, but I prefer to top.” He heard the breathless note in his words. Fabrice wasn’t embarrassed at all about how badly he wanted this. He was ready to whine and beg.
Kirkland turned Fabrice in his arms. His mouth found Fabrice’s.
Their tongues played. Kirkland stroked Fabrice’s cock, making him whimper with need.
They ended up in bed without Fabrice noticing how they got there.
He was too busy trying to touch Kirkland everywhere.
His body was amazing. Fabrice wondered if everyone else was blind.
How had they not taken one look at Kirkland and seen through his mask? Fabrice saw him.
“Where?”
Kirkland didn’t need to clarify. Fabrice motioned toward the side table.
Kirkland grabbed what they needed. Fabrice shook with need beneath Kirkland’s touch while Kirkland rolled the condom down Fabrice’s length, teasing him as much as possible along the way.
Kirkland wasn’t left out of the torment.
Fabrice made a huge mess blindly squirting lube.
He toyed with Kirkland’s asshole, stretching him.
Kirkland made a noise that sounded a little too much like pain. Fabrice immediately stopped and pulled Kirkland down for a kiss.
“Things are moving too fast. You’re not ready for me.”
He felt Kirkland stiffen and Fabrice wondered what he had done wrong now.
Kirkland cleared his throat the way he always did when things turned a little too uncomfortable for him. “Okay. You’re allowed to say no. I’ll honor that.”
Fuck that. Fabrice rolled, tucking Kirkland beneath him. “That wasn’t me stopping. I’m slowing down. I want you too badly and don’t want this to only be one time. It will be if I’m too rough. You deserve to be made love to like the treasure you are.”
Kirkland sniffed.
Fabrice knew he was crying but wouldn’t hurt Kirkland’s pride by saying anything.
Instead, he kissed his way down Kirkland’s body, paying homage to a sexy set of abs.
He kept going until he nuzzled Kirkland’s cock.
He fingered Kirkland’s asshole again. This time, he took his time.
He teased Kirkland until he begged before positioning his cock against Kirkland's ring of tight muscles.
He slowly eased in, backing off several times until Kirkland adjusted to him.
Fabrice watched Kirkland beg and moan beneath him.
With the lights still on, Fabrice could absorb every minute detail.
“I’ve never seen anyone sexier than you are now.
” Fabrice palmed Kirkland’s erection and massaged.
He needed to make Kirkland feel so good that he forgot any pain he had ever felt.
Not just with Fabrice. Fabrice wanted him to leave this bed, knowing what it felt like to be made love to. Not just fucked.
“I love your existence. Each day, I drink my coffee and wait for you. I don’t want to start my day without seeing your face.” Fabrice rocked inside Kirkland. “It’s been that way since the day you moved here.”
Kirkland whimpered. “Oh, God. You’re killing me. I can’t see anyone else. You’re so gorgeous inside and out. I hate the idea of you looking at anyone else the way you're looking at me now.”
Fabrice was well aware of how his face showed every emotion when he was with Kirkland. He wanted to hear Fabrice say it. “How am I looking at you?”
Kirkland’s back arched as if the edge was near.
Fabrice pumped faster. He waited until he felt Kirkland tense when he knew Kirkland would be the most honest. “How do I look at you?”
Kirkland. “Like you love me.” A cry tore from Kirkland as cum shot from his dick, arching through the air with the power of Kirkland’s orgasm.
The way he twitched and convulsed had Fabrice groaning his way through an orgasm that made him see stars.
His body felt turned inside out as he pumped the condom full of the cum he wished he could watch drip from Kirkland.
He took the deep kiss he wanted, ensuring Kirkland tasted his hunger for more.
He open-mouthed kissed his way to Kirkland’s ear with his fingers locked around Kirkland’s jaw so he couldn’t get away.
Fabrice lightly kissed the shell of Kirkland’s ear.
His voice came out in a breathless whisper. “That’s because I do.”
Kirkland’s entire body jerked as Fabrice’s words landed as if the confession dragged a second orgasm from him.
He waited for Kirkland to argue. They had danced around each other for so long.
They had spent several nights talking and learning about each other.
Somewhere along the way, Kirkland had stolen his heart.
The game became less about the score and more about the win.
He couldn’t see himself with anyone else anymore.
He felt so much inner peace when they were together.
How could he not fall for Kirkland? Even Fabrice didn’t know how he expected Kirkland to react to the confession.
It was very possible Kirkland would run again.
But Fabrice had tasted him now. There was no escaping him.
Kirkland belonged to Fabrice, and there was no going back.