Chapter 19 #2
Monty opened his mouth to demand a change of subject, but was interrupted by an usher alerting everyone to take their seats. So instead he looped his arm through Hilliard’s and followed Cal and Jesse into the theater.
As soon as they were seated, Hilliard leaned over and whispered, “I really appreciate that you’re being friendlier with Cal. It’s nice.”
Monty smiled and whispered back, “He’s not so bad once you get to know him.”
“Told you.”
“Hm. Well you are always right.”
“Glad you’ve finally noticed.”
Monty grinned at him and the last thing he saw before the lights were dimmed was Hilliard smiling back.
The movie was typical of an Edie Haywood flick: tons of sexual innuendos, people tripping over themselves to get the main character’s attention, and glib little lines delivered in a thick New Jersey accent.
Edie always knew the right things to say, thanks to her magic.
And since she was a big enough star to pick out her own writers and directors, the dialogue in her movies was always rich with wit.
Monty’s stomach hurt from laughing by the time the film ended.
As they left the theater, Hilliard invited Cal and Jesse to join them in celebrating the Fourth of July. The beach trip was news to Monty, but he couldn’t deny he was looking forward to it.
He and Hilliard discussed the movie on the drive home, recalling their favorite lines or which of Edie’s costumes had been the most striking.
When they got home, Monty popped open a bottle of cabernet and poured them both a glass. “For not making the front pages this weekend,” he said, holding his glass up.
“You behaved excellently,” Hilliard agreed, clinking their glasses together. “Well done.” He sat down on the sofa and crossed his legs.
Monty stayed standing, struck by how the shadows played across Hilliard’s face in the low lighting. He looked so dashing. His jaw looked particularly sharp. The curve of his lips was even more tempting than usual.
Hilliard took a sip of his wine and cocked his head. “Anything the matter?”
Monty decided to take a gamble. “Yeah. I can’t get that one scene out of my head.”
“Which?”
“The seduction scene.”
Hilliard paused with the glass up to his lips. “I thought it was a great little scene. The lighting tech did a particularly good job. Did you notice the way the light framed her entire body?”
Monty gave a hum. “But I don’t think that’s how a good seduction would work.”
“Well, you are the expert in that field.”
“Seduction’s no easy thing, you know. It takes a lot of focus. It takes…knowing the other person.”
“Having charm magic probably helps.”
“True.” Monty sipped his wine and then shook his head. “But if I really wanted to do it right, I wouldn’t use my magic at all. Or maybe just enough to know if the person was interested, I guess.”
“Seduction the old-fashioned way? That’d be something to see.”
“For someone important, it would be worth the effort.” Monty’s voice came out huskier than he’d meant it to.
Hilliard seemed to notice. Slowly, he set his glass down on the side table. “How would you go about it then?”
Monty hardly dared to breathe. The question sounded almost like a dare, or an invitation.
Was Hilliard welcoming his interest? Carefully, he spooled out the tiniest hint of his magic.
He didn’t even realize how much he’d braced himself for the bounce-back until it didn’t come.
He stared at the other man. Hilliard was still looking comfortable, with one arm stretched out across the back of the sofa, and the other hand resting on his crossed legs.
His eyes were heavy lidded and his smile was soft. He gave the tiniest nod.
Monty gulped and set his glass down. He rubbed his hands slowly on the sides of his pants, overly aware of his every movement. “Well, for one thing, I’d set the tone, you know. Lower the lights. Maybe some soft music. That kind of thing.”
“And then?”
“Well, it’s important to start slow. That’s what makes seduction different than, say, necking.” He lowered himself onto the sofa beside Hilliard, worried that a sudden movement would break the spell between them or, worse, Hilliard would change his mind.
“I didn’t realize there were categories to this kind of thing.”
“Oh, it’s a very delicate operation. One has to tread with care. I like to start with soft kisses.” Monty leaned closer and planted a few on Hilliard’s cheek. He felt Hilliard smile.
“That’s a good way to start, I think.”
“It’s just a start though. People tend to think kisses are innocent things. But they can be potent when wielded properly.” He began kissing along Hilliard’s jaw and then behind his ear. “You see what I mean?”
“Definitely not so innocent,” Hilliard breathed.
“Well, when it comes to seduction, innocence is certainly not the tone.”
Hilliard tilted his head slightly, giving him more room. Monty’s heart was pounding in his chest as he continued his journey, planting more feather-light kisses across Hilliard’s skin. Carefully, he slid his hand up Hilliard’s chest and tugged gently at the end of the bowtie.
“Another important factor in seduction,” he said, unbuttoning the collar band and sliding it off Hilliard’s neck, “is to start slow and then maintain the pace.” He nibbled gently at Hilliard’s throat. The gasp Hilliard gave in response sent a wave of pleasure through Monty’s body.
“She certainly didn’t do that in the movie,” Hilliard commented, his voice deliciously husky.
“No, she didn’t.” Monty unbuttoned Hilliard’s shirt with deft movements and continued exploring Hilliard’s neck with his mouth, figuring out which places made the man squirm and gasp.
“She went straight for the kill. But that’s where I think she went wrong.
” He slid his hand under the open shirt, palm gliding over the cotton of Hilliard’s undershirt.
When his fingers met one hard nipple, he pinched it gently, smiling against the other man’s skin when the gesture was met with another gasp.
Then he slipped his hand down to the cumberbund, unbuckling it.
“‘Cause you see,” he continued. “You can’t just go from a slow pace to a quick one. You have to take your time.” The cumberbund slipped off and Monty rested his hand on Hilliard’s soft stomach.
He nuzzled against Hilliard’s neck. “Otherwise you’ll startle whoever you’re seducing and that would never do. ”
“So when do you go in for the kill?”
“I don’t. I wait until they’re ready.”
“Remind me never to take you hunting,” Hilliard murmured, before tilting his face to catch Monty’s mouth with his.
Monty smiled against his lips and licked along the seam of his mouth. Then he pulled away and took in the impossible sight before him. Hilliard was breathing hard already, his pupils were wide, and his mouth was parted slightly.
“So,” Hilliard said, his voice gravelly. “Once you know they’re ready, what do you do?”
“Well, this is the key to a really good seduction,” Monty said, easing off the sofa and onto the floor.
“People think that it’s about getting what you want.
Amateurs.” He grinned and laid a hand on Hilliard’s leg then slid his hand up the other man’s thigh.
“It’s about the other person. You need to give them what they want. ”
Hilliard uncrossed his legs obligingly. “I see,” he breathed. “Give them what they want so that you can get what you want.”
Monty tilted his head side to side. “In a way.” He kept his tone conversational as he rubbed his knuckles over the front of Hilliard’s pants, smirking when Hilliard gave an involuntary lurch at the touch.
“This is the secret they never tell you about seduction. It shouldn’t be about you or what you want at all.
It should be entirely about the other person. ”
“How generous.”
“Mm. Perhaps that’s why I’ve never quite mastered the art before.” He found the zipper and carefully pulled it down. “I was always too wrapped up in what I wanted to do it right.”
“Never too late to learn a skill.” Hilliard helpfully raised his hips so Monty could pull the pants down.
Monty rested his hands on the other man’s knees.
“Of course, it helps if you find the right person.” He gently pushed Hilliard’s legs wider.
“Then you won’t care how slow you go or how long it takes.
Because whatever they want will be what you want, really.
” He dipped his head to press soft kisses on the inside of Hilliard’s knee. “You know what I mean?”
“Oh, sugar,” Hilliard breathed.
Monty wanted desperately to go straight for what they both knew would be next. But he had to stick to his own script. As he had done before, he made a slow journey of soft kisses up one of Hilliard’s legs and then the other. When he nuzzled at the softness of his inner thigh, Hilliard whimpered.
And when Hilliard said, “Please, Montgomery,” he couldn’t help the way his magic burst out of him, making them both gasp at the sudden explosion of power.
“Aw, baby,” he purred, licking the tip. “All you had to do was ask.”
Then he lost himself to the sensations: the taste of Hilliard on his tongue, the feel of Hilliard’s fingers in his hair, the sound of Hilliard’s moans as his pleasure escalated.
When Hilliard came, he swallowed everything up greedily and then rested his cheek against the other man’s thigh, as satisfied as if he was the one who’d been seduced.
Perhaps, in a way, he was.