Chapter 20 Balthazar
TWENTY
balthazar
Seeing Deo being carefree and happy with his cousin relieves some of my anxiety over what he witnessed on my phone earlier, but I’m definitely curious about what surprise he could have in store for me.
“Your family is amazing.”
Deo glances over at me, nodding. “They are. I underappreciated what I had.”
“Still have. Not past tense.”
“True.”
We walk along the snow-covered path, our shoes crunching on the hardening snow.
“This must be what growing up really is,” Deo says. “Understanding what’s actually important in life and adjusting your priorities.”
“That’s an excellent perspective. I know I’m guilty of chasing things that never really mattered.”
He scoffs. “You and me both, mister.”
“But live and learn, right?”
Deo nods, nibbling on his bottom lip. “Right. I spent years with so much insecurity about every decision I made. I was so worried about making a bad move. I wasted a ton of time being in my head about stuff instead of living. It’s weird, because coming back here has given me much-needed clarity. It feels right being home.”
“That’s how you know you made the right decision.”
“Yeah, except…” Deo pauses, shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Nothing.”
“Go on. You’re safe with me.”
“I know. It’s not that.”
I step in front of him and block his path, and he chuckles. “Then what is it?”
He pulls his hands out of his pockets and places them flat on my chest. His expression is uneasy, nervous maybe, but he exhales slowly and smiles.
“I wonder what could’ve happened with us if we’d met back in the city. Could we have been something?”
“I don’t think you would’ve liked me there. My life was… different.”
Deo nods, searching my eyes. “I guess it’s best we didn’t then.”
“I think so.” I brush my fingers across his rosy cheeks. “For what it’s worth, I’m having the best time here with you.”
He nods again, but this time his eyes reflect an unexpected coldness. I can almost see the wall go up as he puts space between us. “I’m freezing. Let’s get inside.”
“Sure.”
I follow a few steps behind Deo as he picks up speed to get back to the cottage. I don’t think he liked my answer, but unfortunately, there isn’t a better one. As much as I’m enjoying this artificial life, at some point I’ll have to face reality, and likely sooner than I want to.
Once inside the cottage, Deo strips out of his coat and kicks his boots off in the entry. I follow suit, wondering if our steamy bath idea is canceled now.
“Deo.”
He turns to face me. “Yes?”
“Did I upset you?”
“Not at all. Why?”
“You seem distant now.”
“Oh.” He drags his hand through his hair. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Just talk to me.”
Deo exhales slowly, leaning against the wall near the hallway entrance. “It’s honestly nothing. I was reminding myself that, as great as this is, it’s fake.”
“No, Deo. Not fake.” I step towards him. “Temporary, but this chemistry is real.”
“I’d rather believe it wasn’t. It’s easier to decide you’re just using me and I’m using you and there’s nothing here to miss when it’s over.”
The urge to defend myself is strong. I’m not using Deo.
It may have started out that way, but it’s different now.
Maybe he’s right though and it’s better to believe that this is superficial and all this chemistry and attraction is a ruse.
It will make it a lot easier to walk away when the time comes.
There’s a smile on his face that doesn’t quite reach his eyes as he runs his hands down my chest. “So let’s continue having fun. How about that bath?”
“Let’s do it.”
In the bedroom, Deo begins stripping out of his clothes while I head to the bathroom to start the bath. I find a small bottle of bubble bath in the cupboard and use it, pouring a hefty amount in then checking the water temperature.
When I step out of the bathroom, Deo is lying across the bed on his stomach, completely naked. His tight ass draws me closer, like a snake to a charmer, and I bend down to kiss his shoulder blade.
“You are a beautiful man, Deo.”
He turns his head, smiling. “Thank you.” Rolling over, he points at me. “Get naked.”
“Yes, sir.”
Deo watches me remove my clothes and drape them over the armchair near the bed. My cock grew with every article I took off, and now, under Deo’s sensual gaze, it juts out from my body.
“You’re a masterpiece,” he says softly. “I could look at you for days.”
“You’re welcome to.” I extend my hand. “Bath time.”
Deo takes my hand and follows me to the bathroom. I turn the water off and drag my hand through it to check the temp again.
“I think it’s good.”
Deo climbs in first, then I make an attempt, quickly realizing we’re gonna have to get very close to fit in this tub.
I move behind him and lower myself down, pulling him between my legs.
With my dick pressed against his back, he wraps my arms around his chest and settles into my embrace, both of us sinking deeper into the steamy water.
“Mmm, this is nice.”
I kiss the back of his head. “I agree.”
We sit in silence for long minutes. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but my thoughts are chaotic. How will I leave Deo and when should I? I still haven’t figured out how to handle Vin and his men. It’s such a fucking mess.
“What’s wrong, Balt?” Deo turns his head to see my face. “And don’t say nothing. I felt you tense.”
Searching his eyes, I nod. “I’m conflicted.”
“About?”
“Everything.” The desire to confess is strong, but I bite it back. I can’t risk putting Deo in any kind of danger, so the less he knows about my real life, the better. “I like you, Deo. I like being here. But…”
He nods. “I know.”
“It’s more than you think.”
“You can tell me.”
I think it over for a few seconds before I settle on a cowardly question. “What would you do if you found out I’m not the man you think I am?”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe there are things you don’t know about me.”
“I would assume there are.” Deo turns around so he’s facing me, sitting with his knees to his chest between my legs.
“I take a lot of things at face value. You’re kind to me and to my family.
You’re smart, and you’ve been gracious enough to help me get this business figured out.
I don’t think there’s much you could tell me that would change my perspective of you.
Unless you’re a pedo or an animal abuser. ”
I shake my head. “Definitely not.”
“Then I can work with whatever else.” He grips my hands. “Listen, Balt, we both know this is gonna end someday, probably soon, and I’ll be left with fond memories of our time together. I doubt you could tell me anything to spoil that.”
I wish I could believe him. I’m sure he thinks his words are true because he doesn’t suspect that I could be what I actually am.
“Thank you” is all I manage in response.
Deo nods, sliding his arms around my neck. “I’m pretty open-minded. Did you bust out of prison or something?”
I chuckle. “No.”
“Bury a man alive under your floorboards?”
I pull my head back. “No. That’s random.”
“Edgar Allen Poe. Oh, I know. You have an entire secret life. You’re actually married with two kids, a dog, and a wife who thinks you’re at a business conference right now.”
“I’m not married to anyone.”
“Kids and a dog?”
I laugh again. “Nothing like that.”
“Okay, so no secret family, no dead bodies, and no prison escape. That’s all I can think of that would make me question you, so you’re probably safe.”
“Good to know.” I cup his chin as I lean in and kiss him. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Being you.”
Deo leans in for another kiss. “My hands are getting pruny. Want to finish up then find a movie to watch until we fall asleep?”
“That sounds like a perfect evening.”
Deo moves away slightly so we can wash ourselves, and as he does, I get an idea. What better distraction from my problems could there be than finding ways to please him and fulfill his fantasy at the same time?
“Stand up, love.”
Deo raises an eyebrow with a smirk on his face but gets to his feet, using my shoulder for balance.
I take the bar of soap and get my hands nice and slick before sliding them down his belly to his dick, and then his ass.
Slipping my fingers between his cheeks, I gently massage and cleanse his hole, and his cock swells and bounces between us.
Deo’s soft moans are music to my ears as I shift my focus to stroking his cock and balls with my soapy hands.
“Oh god, Balt.” He sways slightly. “Feels so good.”
I press a kiss to his belly. “For me too.”
I dip a cloth in the water and rinse his body, then, unable to resist, I kiss the tip of his cock, smiling as he shudders and goose bumps prickle across his flesh.
“Are you gonna fuck me?” Deo asks. “Bend me over the tub?”
“Do you trust me?”
His gaze locks on mine. “Entirely.”
“Good. Then leave your pleasure to me.”
He scrunches his face up. “I never said I wanted to be edged.”
Chuckling, I get on my knees and wash myself quickly. “Trust.”
Deo makes a dramatic sighing noise as he steps out of the tub. “Fine, but you better make it good.”
“Don’t I always?”
Deo nods, biting his bottom lip. “That’s why I’m willing to endure some delayed gratification.”
We stand together, simply gazing into each other’s eyes. Deo is absolutely stunning, inside and out, and the day I have to leave and forget all about him is gonna suck. It’s inevitable though. I have to face my choices alone. It’s safer that way.
“How about that movie?”
Deo smiles. “Should we do scary or funny?”
“Scary. I like it when you cling to me.”
“Charmer.”
He saunters out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, and I follow him like the hopeless puppy dog I become in his presence.
I’m woken by howls outside the window. Rolling over, I glance at my phone on the nightstand and note the time. Three in the morning. I didn’t mean to fall asleep as quickly as I did, but as we relaxed in bed and Deo’s breathing turned soft, I found myself dragged under with him.
Stretching slightly, I watch the sleeping beauty for a moment. I could still pull off my plan. Maybe it’s even better now that he’s deep in sleep.
I start by pulling the blankets down to reveal his nude, supple body, then run my hand over the curve of his hip. He’s lying on his side, facing me, so I carefully climb out of bed to get on the other side of him without waking him.
Fuck, his skin is soft. I nuzzle his neck, rubbing against him as my dick swells with desire.
There’s so much I want to do to him. I could suck him off, eat his ass, or I could be really bold and fuck him.
Or I could do all three. This is his fantasy, so I need to make it good for him.
How much can I get away with without waking him?
There’s only one way to find out.