Free Reads
Take What's Yours
a look at Todd and Nick ten years down the road!
by
Elizabeth Noble
Todd Ruger dumped sand out of his sock, brushed off his foot and pulled the sock then his boot back on. The most sought after sentry in New Colorado Protectorate and here he was with sand stuck to his toes.
Stretching his legs, he leaned back in the somewhat rickety wooden beach chair, hoping it didn’t collapse leaving him sitting on his ass on the sandy ground. He really didn’t want sand there too.
Gaze wandering to a boardwalk and the string of booths sitting farther up the beach, Todd watched his mate. Nick was tanned skin, messy dark hair, long legs and defined muscle. Right now he wore a pair of loose, lightweight cotton shorts that ended just above his knees and a sleeveless, light gray, close fitting shirt. Of course, he was wandering around without shoes. A hint of burn accentuated the rounded part of his shoulder. Todd never tired of watching Nick.
He could’ve, however, done without the sand between his toes.
Sand and sun, that’s what Nick had asked for when he’d said he wanted to see the ocean and since Nick rarely asked for anything Todd was more than happy to comply with his request for an ocean visit. Even though Todd was more in favor of heading to the ocean west of their home in the far northern Rockies, they’d headed to the southern most point of New Colorado Protectorate, the Gulf of Mexico because Nick was the most spoiled slave and doted upon mate in North America.
Possibly on Earth.
No, Todd decided probably in the entire freaking galaxy.
There was a line of cabanas that looked more like shacks as far as Todd was concerned, stretched along the length of the beach to his right. He couldn’t believe the ridiculous amount of money the proprietor wanted, but Nick loved the cabana—shack—so it was well worth every penny. Each little building had its own area of beach made private from the neighboring ones by tall rock formations and plants.
Straight ahead, and close enough to the water that Todd wondered how they were protected during a storm, was the boardwalk lined with booths. Mostly they were for food and refreshments, but there were a few with clothing, jewelry and odds and ends. It was near one of the booths Nick patiently waited his turn for service. His dark brown slave collar accented perfectly his tanned neck. The collar was nothing more than something symbolic at this point, but Nick refused to give it up.
It was hard to believe ten years ago today Nick had reached adulthood and Todd had gone to the small slave village, not too far north of where they were now, where Nick had grown up to claim him.
His slave.
His love.
His life.
Nick might be the slave, but it was and always had been Todd who’d been owned. Twisting the woven leather band around his left wrist that matched Nick’s collar, Todd smiled, watching how the sea breeze lifted Nick’s shaggy dark hair away from his neck for a few seconds before it waffled back into place.
This trip celebrated two events: Nick was thirty-two today which lead to the second event: a milestone anniversary of ten years for the Rugers.
Nick shifted his weight enough to glance in Todd’s direction. A shy smile, dimples peeking out, a quick spark in his eye and a duck of his head were offered to Todd before Nick turned away, facing the man behind the booth. Todd couldn’t hear the exchange, but he could fill in the blanks in his head. Nick nodded briefly, motioned with one hand to their shack—cabana—and took a bowl from the man, balancing it in one hand. With the other he scribbled on a piece of paper, the bill they’d get when they checked out no doubt.
Grinning, Todd stood and stretched again. It’d probably taken him eight years to get Nick to sign both his given name and the surname he’d acquired along with Todd’s ownership. Ambling closer he watched as Nick lifted a spoon to his mouth, and licked what Todd now saw was ice cream with pineapple and chocolate slathered across it. A bit of juice trickled from the corner of Nick’s mouth and dribbled down his chin. Chuckling, he wiped the back of his hand over his face then licked off the juice.
It was too much. Ten years, and Nick still did this to him with the most innocent of gestures. Crossing the distance to the booths and Nick, Todd didn’t stop until he was close enough to Nick he could curl the fingers of one hand around the jut of Nick’s hip bone. The feeling of how the soft, thin cotton of Nick’s shorts slid over his firm skin made Todd’s heart rate pick up.
Leaning close Todd let his tongue swipe along the corner of Nick’s mouth, getting a taste of half melted vanilla ice cream, fruit and chocolate. At the same time he squeezed his hand, fingertips pressing firmly into Nick’s flesh.
Breath catching, Nick leaned his head away and looked Todd in the eye, squinting slightly. “Who are you and what did you do with my master?”
Todd snickered, shrugged and pressed a soft kiss to Nick’s temple. They could both count on one hand how many times in the last decade Todd had been this openly affectionate in public. He was a private person, kept their lives private as well as the feelings between them. Nick was and probably always would be far too shy to even sneak a chaste kiss in public. There was the occasional fooling around in the back of a closed carriage or a secluded alleyway, but rarely was there touching, kissing and caressing out where anyone could see them.
Today Todd felt like having anyone and everyone see them. He loved Nick with everything in him and wanted the world to know and see.
Dipping his chin in the direction of Nick’s hand holding the spoon halfway to his mouth, Todd looked at the server. “Can I get one of those too?” When he moved his thumb in small circles over Nick’s side his mate simply stared at him, frozen dessert forgotten.
“Sure can.”
When the man held out a second bowl, Todd leaned around Nick and took it in his free hand. “We’re in the same sha—cabana.”
The man chuckled. “I figured that out, sonny. How long you two been together?”
Nick flushed crimson and stuffed the spoon into his mouth.
“Ten years today,” Todd said, smiling so broadly it almost hurt.
“On the house then. It’s so nice to see a couple stay together even when they don’t have to.” The man tore up the small piece of paper he’d written the charges for their orders on. “You two young fellas have a good stay here and enjoy yourselves.”
Eyebrows waggling, Todd rubbed his hand up and down Nick’s flank a few times before letting his palm rest again over his hip. “Oh we intend to, probably won’t be leaving our cabana too much. Is there delivery service?”
Nick coughed down his ice cream and yanked the spoon from between his lips, hand going up to cover his mouth.
The man snickered, his smile was warm and sincere. “There certainly is. Just hang your order outside your door, someone goes around every three hours collecting them and delivering orders.”
“Thanks.” Todd grinned and patted Nick’s back then took his elbow. “You going to stand here all day or come sit down and eat?”
“I…um…”
Todd shook his head and laughed, guiding them back to the somewhat unstable chairs and small, round only slightly less wobbly table between them. Settling on opposite sides, they ate their frosty snack.
Nick stretched his legs, barefoot thumping against Todd’s calf. He scanned the area and sighed contentedly. “This is nice. I like it here.”
“That’s the point, Nicky.” Leaning forward to reach across the table, he dipped his finger in the melted remains of Nick’s ice cream. Todd swiped it through then lifted his finger to Nick’s lips, smiling as he smeared the cool liquid across then let the tip of his finger slid into Nick’s mouth and over his tongue.
Nick blinked at him and Todd used the moment of distraction to reach under the table with his other hand and grab Nick’s ankle, hauling his foot up and onto Todd’s thigh.
“No.” Nick’s voice cracked.
Todd snickered and scratched his thumbnail along Nick’s arch. “Yes.”
Squirming, Nick tried jerking his foot away. “Don’t you dare!” His mock warning didn’t carry much weight when he made a giggle-choke noise between the words.
“Ha! Or what? You’re mine, so that means your foot is mine to do with as I please.”
“Or…I’m gonna…I’ll…” Nick suddenly lunged across the table and jabbed one finger into Todd’s ribs. “You want what’s yours? You have to catch it.”
The surprised noise Todd made was in no way unmanly or a squawk. Nick laughed, reclaimed his foot, and was on his feet dashing across the beach in seconds.
“Oh hell no! Don’t think those giraffe legs of yours are going to help you outrun me!” Tossing his spoon onto the table and shoving his chair back, Todd was up and chasing Nick, kicking up sand as he ran.
Nick turned, ran backwards and waved at Todd. “Like to see you try old man.” He did a one-eighty and sprinted to the line of cabanas, disappearing around the corner. Lately reminding Todd he’d turn forty soon was something that delighted Nick to no end.
“Not too old to catch you and whip your ass,” Todd shouted back and lengthened his stride, turning on the speed.
Sliding in the sand, Todd nearly lost his footing as he rounded the string of small buildings. Todd had to weave around the natural dividers and walls between the cabanas. Theirs was somewhere in the middle, Todd counted them off as he ran by. He’d lost sight of Nick, but was sure he was lurking somewhere near the large rock walls that sectioned off the chunk of beach behind their cabana.
“You’d better be—” Todd’s words choked off and he skidded to a stop sending a small spray of sand up and to rain back down in all directions.
Nick was completely naked, wearing only his dark brown braided collar—Todd swore the guy could get out of clothes faster than a cheap whore—and kneeling in the sand, head pointed toward the surf. His upper body curled over his lithe, muscular legs, until his forehead touched the sand with his hands pressed against the sides of his head, hiding his face.
Turning his head toward Todd, Nick pulled one hand away long enough for Todd to see his smirk. The way Nick’s shoulders twitched and his ribs hitched every few seconds told Todd his mate was probably trying and not succeeding at stifling some serious laughter.
“Oh, you think this is funny?” Todd stalked closer, walking a slow, deliberate circle around Nick as he peeled off this shirt.
Nick shook his head, bits of sand sprayed out of his hair. Lifting one hand, he peeked up at Todd. “No. Never.” Lips curling into a devilish smile he added, “You should take what’s yours.”
Hopping on one foot then the other to get his boots and socks off, Todd let them drop near the pile of clothes Nick left closer to the cabana than the ocean. “I intend to.”
The sand was hot between his toes and he wondered how the hell Nick could stand having a good part of his body plastered to it. Crouching in front of Nick, Todd slipped his fingers through Nick’s hair, gripping and releasing a few times before taking a good hold. “You ran.”
“You chased.” Nick spread his fingers apart and peered through. Todd backed up a few paces and crept around forcing Nick to inch along in the sand on his knees in Todd’s wake until his head was aimed at the cabana. It was quite likely Todd’s dick was going to explode from desire.
Letting go of Nick’s hair, Todd snorted and paced around him a few times, stopping behind him. Leaning down he pulled one hand back and cracked Nick’s ass a few times, smiling at the soft, deep sounds escaping Nick’s lips.
Hooking one finger through Nick’s collar, Todd pulled back, until Nick was still kneeling, but his torso was upright. He was already panting and not entirely from the pressure Todd was exerting on his throat. Leaning over Nick’s shoulder, Todd made sure he was close enough Nick felt his warm breath on his skin but not so close he’d actually touch.
That drove Nick crazy and produced the reaction it did every time. Nick fidgeted and squirmed.
“Still,” Todd ordered, voice pitched low. “Silent. You don’t do or get a thing until I say you do.”
Nick’s movements immediately ceased. His only noise was his harsh breathing. Todd barely pressed the tip of his tongue to the skin of Nick’s neck and pulled it up along a slow, leisurely path. Nick shivered, his hands bunched into fists and flexed open, but he made no sound.
Todd let go of Nick’s collar and moved around to stand in front of him, reaching out and gripping his hair once more. He backed up again, and again Nick shuffled along on his knees, following. When they got far enough from the ocean and close enough to the cabana they were almost inside, Todd slid down, his thighs pressed against Nick’s and wound one arm around his waist.
He pulled Nick tightly against him, brushed his lips over Nick’s a few times before deepening his kiss, thrusting his tongue into his mate’s mouth. His other hand roamed over Nick’s back, feeling warm, sun-kissed skin and firm muscle. Nick inched closer until there wasn’t even the tiniest amount of space between them. His arms curled around Todd’s waist, fingers massaging the muscles of his back.
Hand going up and fingers twining in Nick’s hair again, Todd pulled his head back, exposing that long, delightful neck. He licked and kissed up and down pressing against the groove and nibbling along Nick’s Adam’s apple.
“God, I love you,” Todd breathed the words along Nick’s skin.
“Yeah, I know…me too…love you.”
Standing, arm still around Nick’s middle, Todd tugged him up and backed them into the cabana. Once inside with the door shut he snapped his fingers and Nick dropped to his knees, breath hitching, hands folded in front of him, head bowed waiting. Todd moved away, he had to get some control or he was going to cum faster than a schoolboy with his first crush.
When his knees hit one of the arm chairs in the sitting area, he reached behind himself and gripped the sides, lowering slowly into the chair. Fumbling with first his belt then his pants, he got the pliable leather band undone and off, leaving it dangling from one hand.
Nick looked up for a second, biting his lip when he grinned. A shudder ran through him rippling the muscles of his chest and abdomen. He exhaled a breathy, “Todd.”
“C’mere.” Todd’s voice was rough and thick. Nick barely glanced up before standing gracefully and closing the distance between them, lowering himself to kneel between Todd’s legs. He held both wrists together, hands out in front of him. “First get my pants off, then I’ll think about what you want or get.”
Nick ducked his head and smiled softly. With trembling fingers he drew down Todd’s zipper then gripped the soft material of his pants in both hands and eased them over Todd’s hips. Shivering, Todd gripped the arms of the chair with both hands and lifted his hips far enough Nick could slide his pants off and toss them to the side.
Again holding his wrists out and pressed together Nick sank back on his heels. “Please, master.”
Todd snorted, leaned forward and slowly wrapped the belt around Nick’s wrists, pulling it tight. “You know what I want.”
Smiling, eyes twinkling Nick leaned forward, blowing a line of hot air along Todd’s engorged cock from tip to his balls. He all but forgot how to breathe, his cock twitched and precum glistened along the slit.
Nick spent a few minutes running just the tip of his tongue up and down the length of Todd’s cock. With each upstroke he swiped his tongue over Todd’s slit, taking in the pearly bits of precum oozing up and dribbling over the sensitive head. Each lick downward and Nick wrapped his lips around Todd’s balls, kissing softly and sucking with barely enough pressure to be felt.
Shifting closer and rising up higher on his knees Nick finally turned his head to a better angle and slipped his mouth over Todd’s cock. At first he used the barest hint of pressure, but as Todd’s hips jerked side to side faster, his hands gripped the arm of the chair with enough force they cramped, Nick sucked harder and harder.
Todd didn’t even try to hold back the moans he panted out. Lifting one foot he rubbed his toe along the soft skin behind Nick’s balls, pressing up until Nick’s hips twitched and he jerked in harsher, more desperate breaths.
Pressing one hand against the side of Nick’s face, Todd pushed his thumb in, stopping Nick’s ministrations. “Bed…now.”
Nick leaned away from him, grinned and stood, crossing to the small bedroom off the main room and threw himself down on the bed, bouncing around.
Todd took a few minutes to simply watch him through the doorway. Nick was always so energetic and full of life it was impossible not to watch and enjoy the world through his eyes.
By the time Todd was into the room Nick had arranged himself face-down on the bed. His fingers gripped the slats of the headboard, his legs were spread wide enough his toes pointed to each corner of the end of the bed.
Wasting no time, Todd snatched the small bottle of oil he’d left on the night table and poured some into his hand. Setting it to the side he rubbed the oil between his palms and over his thumbs and fingers before liberally covering his cock. Inching across the bed on his knees he settled between Nick’s thighs.
Using both thumbs he started at the lowest point of the crack of his ass, pressed his thumbs between Nick’s round, firm cheeks and pushed up. When he reached Nick’s entrance he pushed against it, rubbing the pads of his thumbs around it, circling and teasing the sensitive skin.
His other fingers pressed against Nick’s balls, stroking softly and reaching to his perineum, massaging until Nick was gasping for air, hips shifting back and forth. Applying pressure to both areas had Nick trying to push his ass into Todd’s hands and press down against his fingers all at once.
Taking his hands away earned Todd a deep, throaty moan from Nick. Leaning over Nick’s back, Todd whispered in his ear, “Nicky, I said <i>silent</i>.”
Nick groaned again, biting it off, turning his head and burying his face in the mattress. Todd chuckled and kissed his way down Nick’s spine. Giving his cock a few extra rubs with his oil slick hands he gripped Nick’s hips. Lifting up and pulling his cheeks apart at the same time, Todd pressed his entire length into his mate’s body letting out a long, low moan. He eased his body over Nick’s back, fingers gripping his shoulders as he moved, pulling partially out and pounding forward.
The exquisite feeling of Nick’s glutes pressed against his groin and the slight roughness from the hair on Nick’s thighs sent jolts coursing through Todd. Sheer want consumed his brain, all he could process was the raging heat surround his cock. Hips pistoning faster, Todd shoved in and out of Nick with more force.
Breathing in hard through his nose and blowing out short, quick breaths from his mouth, Todd groaned and licked across Nick’s shoulders. As his orgasm rolled through him, Todd let his teeth catch and scrape over Nick’s shoulder blades, finding the perfect place to bite down gently.
Heart pounding against his chest, he felt how Nick’s heart hammered in response. He skimmed his lips over the salty sweat beading on Nick’s skin. “Oh…gah…Niiickhheee…” He turned his head and let his cheek rest against the side of Nick’s neck, waiting for his breathing to slow.
Easing out of Nick, Todd used the heels of his hands to massage the heavy muscles of Nick’s back, his fingers skimming lightly along his sides. As he moved his hands along, he let his fingertips slide under Nick, brushing over his nipples and dipping between his ribs. Nick’s fists gripping the headboard slats went white, his body arched and writhed into Todd’s touches.
Shifting until he could get one finger into Nick, Todd moved it in small circles until he was slipping across Nick’s sweet spot making him shiver and his breath hitch. Pulling his finger out only long enough to flip Nick onto his back, Todd pressed his forefinger back into Nick, this time using the thumb of the same hand to press against Nick’s sensitive spot from outside as well as caress him from the inside.
Nick’s back arched, his neck muscles corded and he panted desperate breaths. Todd gripped Nick’s cock with his free hand stroking slow, twisting as he went. When Nick’s legs bent enough his heels dug into the end of the mattress and his back arched higher, mouth opening and closing, head pressed back, Todd knew he was near his breaking point.
Squeezing Nick’s cock harder, moving his hand even slower he ground out, “Cum, Nicky.”
That was all Nick needed. All bets were off, his mate gasped, letting a loud, deep moan escape then another and another. Hips shoving up into Todd’s fist one second and down onto his hand the next he pumped hot, white strands across his belly and over Todd’s hand.
Todd worked his mate through his climax until Nick collapsed onto the bed, gulping in huge breaths. A fine sheen of sweat covered him, making every cut and groove of his arms and legs show. Tanned, shiny skin slid with ease over his ribs giving his entire torso the impression of writhing and shimmering.
Flopping down beside him, Todd eased one arm under Nick’s neck and pulled him close mumbling, “You got sand everywhere.” He loosened the belt and pulled it away from Nick’s wrists, letting it drop off the end of the bed to the floor.
“Hmm. Didn’t hear you complaining.” Nick pulled himself to a sitting position and scooted to the end of the bed. He tugged at the sheets until Todd lifted his hips far enough Nick could pull them off.
“Nick, what…?”
“I’ll shake them out.” He reached down and grabbed Todd’s foot, fingers threatening all sorts of things, none of which could be good.
“Nick,” Todd warned.
Snickering, Nick let go and flicked at Todd’s ankle. “Get up.”
“Did that.” Todd let his eyes drift shut, snapping them open in the next second when something smacked into the side of his head. “What the—?” He sat up and grabbed the soft material draped over his skull.
Nick was hopping around pulling some shorts on, grinning at Todd. “Come on, let’s take a swim. Or are you too old to do that?”
“Nick, I don’t want…”
Todd didn’t get to finish that sentence. Nick had his arms in a strong grip and was hoisting him to his feet. “We need to clean up.”
“Pest,” Todd grumbled, pulling on the shorts as he chased Nick out of the cabana and into the serf. Nick tackled him from the side, laughing, fingers digging into Todd’s ticklish side. They hit the wet sand together and rolled into the oncoming waves.
Apparently, Todd was destined to get sand there after all.
The End
this was originally published on the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads and is part of a summer challenge and is avaliable in an anthology, Don't Read in the Closet. It's an amazing group, come check it out and join us!
Elizabeth Noble
Todd Ruger dumped sand out of his sock, brushed off his foot and pulled the sock then his boot back on. The most sought after sentry in New Colorado Protectorate and here he was with sand stuck to his toes.
Stretching his legs, he leaned back in the somewhat rickety wooden beach chair, hoping it didn’t collapse leaving him sitting on his ass on the sandy ground. He really didn’t want sand there too.
Gaze wandering to a boardwalk and the string of booths sitting farther up the beach, Todd watched his mate. Nick was tanned skin, messy dark hair, long legs and defined muscle. Right now he wore a pair of loose, lightweight cotton shorts that ended just above his knees and a sleeveless, light gray, close fitting shirt. Of course, he was wandering around without shoes. A hint of burn accentuated the rounded part of his shoulder. Todd never tired of watching Nick.
He could’ve, however, done without the sand between his toes.
Sand and sun, that’s what Nick had asked for when he’d said he wanted to see the ocean and since Nick rarely asked for anything Todd was more than happy to comply with his request for an ocean visit. Even though Todd was more in favor of heading to the ocean west of their home in the far northern Rockies, they’d headed to the southern most point of New Colorado Protectorate, the Gulf of Mexico because Nick was the most spoiled slave and doted upon mate in North America.
Possibly on Earth.
No, Todd decided probably in the entire freaking galaxy.
There was a line of cabanas that looked more like shacks as far as Todd was concerned, stretched along the length of the beach to his right. He couldn’t believe the ridiculous amount of money the proprietor wanted, but Nick loved the cabana—shack—so it was well worth every penny. Each little building had its own area of beach made private from the neighboring ones by tall rock formations and plants.
Straight ahead, and close enough to the water that Todd wondered how they were protected during a storm, was the boardwalk lined with booths. Mostly they were for food and refreshments, but there were a few with clothing, jewelry and odds and ends. It was near one of the booths Nick patiently waited his turn for service. His dark brown slave collar accented perfectly his tanned neck. The collar was nothing more than something symbolic at this point, but Nick refused to give it up.
It was hard to believe ten years ago today Nick had reached adulthood and Todd had gone to the small slave village, not too far north of where they were now, where Nick had grown up to claim him.
His slave.
His love.
His life.
Nick might be the slave, but it was and always had been Todd who’d been owned. Twisting the woven leather band around his left wrist that matched Nick’s collar, Todd smiled, watching how the sea breeze lifted Nick’s shaggy dark hair away from his neck for a few seconds before it waffled back into place.
This trip celebrated two events: Nick was thirty-two today which lead to the second event: a milestone anniversary of ten years for the Rugers.
Nick shifted his weight enough to glance in Todd’s direction. A shy smile, dimples peeking out, a quick spark in his eye and a duck of his head were offered to Todd before Nick turned away, facing the man behind the booth. Todd couldn’t hear the exchange, but he could fill in the blanks in his head. Nick nodded briefly, motioned with one hand to their shack—cabana—and took a bowl from the man, balancing it in one hand. With the other he scribbled on a piece of paper, the bill they’d get when they checked out no doubt.
Grinning, Todd stood and stretched again. It’d probably taken him eight years to get Nick to sign both his given name and the surname he’d acquired along with Todd’s ownership. Ambling closer he watched as Nick lifted a spoon to his mouth, and licked what Todd now saw was ice cream with pineapple and chocolate slathered across it. A bit of juice trickled from the corner of Nick’s mouth and dribbled down his chin. Chuckling, he wiped the back of his hand over his face then licked off the juice.
It was too much. Ten years, and Nick still did this to him with the most innocent of gestures. Crossing the distance to the booths and Nick, Todd didn’t stop until he was close enough to Nick he could curl the fingers of one hand around the jut of Nick’s hip bone. The feeling of how the soft, thin cotton of Nick’s shorts slid over his firm skin made Todd’s heart rate pick up.
Leaning close Todd let his tongue swipe along the corner of Nick’s mouth, getting a taste of half melted vanilla ice cream, fruit and chocolate. At the same time he squeezed his hand, fingertips pressing firmly into Nick’s flesh.
Breath catching, Nick leaned his head away and looked Todd in the eye, squinting slightly. “Who are you and what did you do with my master?”
Todd snickered, shrugged and pressed a soft kiss to Nick’s temple. They could both count on one hand how many times in the last decade Todd had been this openly affectionate in public. He was a private person, kept their lives private as well as the feelings between them. Nick was and probably always would be far too shy to even sneak a chaste kiss in public. There was the occasional fooling around in the back of a closed carriage or a secluded alleyway, but rarely was there touching, kissing and caressing out where anyone could see them.
Today Todd felt like having anyone and everyone see them. He loved Nick with everything in him and wanted the world to know and see.
Dipping his chin in the direction of Nick’s hand holding the spoon halfway to his mouth, Todd looked at the server. “Can I get one of those too?” When he moved his thumb in small circles over Nick’s side his mate simply stared at him, frozen dessert forgotten.
“Sure can.”
When the man held out a second bowl, Todd leaned around Nick and took it in his free hand. “We’re in the same sha—cabana.”
The man chuckled. “I figured that out, sonny. How long you two been together?”
Nick flushed crimson and stuffed the spoon into his mouth.
“Ten years today,” Todd said, smiling so broadly it almost hurt.
“On the house then. It’s so nice to see a couple stay together even when they don’t have to.” The man tore up the small piece of paper he’d written the charges for their orders on. “You two young fellas have a good stay here and enjoy yourselves.”
Eyebrows waggling, Todd rubbed his hand up and down Nick’s flank a few times before letting his palm rest again over his hip. “Oh we intend to, probably won’t be leaving our cabana too much. Is there delivery service?”
Nick coughed down his ice cream and yanked the spoon from between his lips, hand going up to cover his mouth.
The man snickered, his smile was warm and sincere. “There certainly is. Just hang your order outside your door, someone goes around every three hours collecting them and delivering orders.”
“Thanks.” Todd grinned and patted Nick’s back then took his elbow. “You going to stand here all day or come sit down and eat?”
“I…um…”
Todd shook his head and laughed, guiding them back to the somewhat unstable chairs and small, round only slightly less wobbly table between them. Settling on opposite sides, they ate their frosty snack.
Nick stretched his legs, barefoot thumping against Todd’s calf. He scanned the area and sighed contentedly. “This is nice. I like it here.”
“That’s the point, Nicky.” Leaning forward to reach across the table, he dipped his finger in the melted remains of Nick’s ice cream. Todd swiped it through then lifted his finger to Nick’s lips, smiling as he smeared the cool liquid across then let the tip of his finger slid into Nick’s mouth and over his tongue.
Nick blinked at him and Todd used the moment of distraction to reach under the table with his other hand and grab Nick’s ankle, hauling his foot up and onto Todd’s thigh.
“No.” Nick’s voice cracked.
Todd snickered and scratched his thumbnail along Nick’s arch. “Yes.”
Squirming, Nick tried jerking his foot away. “Don’t you dare!” His mock warning didn’t carry much weight when he made a giggle-choke noise between the words.
“Ha! Or what? You’re mine, so that means your foot is mine to do with as I please.”
“Or…I’m gonna…I’ll…” Nick suddenly lunged across the table and jabbed one finger into Todd’s ribs. “You want what’s yours? You have to catch it.”
The surprised noise Todd made was in no way unmanly or a squawk. Nick laughed, reclaimed his foot, and was on his feet dashing across the beach in seconds.
“Oh hell no! Don’t think those giraffe legs of yours are going to help you outrun me!” Tossing his spoon onto the table and shoving his chair back, Todd was up and chasing Nick, kicking up sand as he ran.
Nick turned, ran backwards and waved at Todd. “Like to see you try old man.” He did a one-eighty and sprinted to the line of cabanas, disappearing around the corner. Lately reminding Todd he’d turn forty soon was something that delighted Nick to no end.
“Not too old to catch you and whip your ass,” Todd shouted back and lengthened his stride, turning on the speed.
Sliding in the sand, Todd nearly lost his footing as he rounded the string of small buildings. Todd had to weave around the natural dividers and walls between the cabanas. Theirs was somewhere in the middle, Todd counted them off as he ran by. He’d lost sight of Nick, but was sure he was lurking somewhere near the large rock walls that sectioned off the chunk of beach behind their cabana.
“You’d better be—” Todd’s words choked off and he skidded to a stop sending a small spray of sand up and to rain back down in all directions.
Nick was completely naked, wearing only his dark brown braided collar—Todd swore the guy could get out of clothes faster than a cheap whore—and kneeling in the sand, head pointed toward the surf. His upper body curled over his lithe, muscular legs, until his forehead touched the sand with his hands pressed against the sides of his head, hiding his face.
Turning his head toward Todd, Nick pulled one hand away long enough for Todd to see his smirk. The way Nick’s shoulders twitched and his ribs hitched every few seconds told Todd his mate was probably trying and not succeeding at stifling some serious laughter.
“Oh, you think this is funny?” Todd stalked closer, walking a slow, deliberate circle around Nick as he peeled off this shirt.
Nick shook his head, bits of sand sprayed out of his hair. Lifting one hand, he peeked up at Todd. “No. Never.” Lips curling into a devilish smile he added, “You should take what’s yours.”
Hopping on one foot then the other to get his boots and socks off, Todd let them drop near the pile of clothes Nick left closer to the cabana than the ocean. “I intend to.”
The sand was hot between his toes and he wondered how the hell Nick could stand having a good part of his body plastered to it. Crouching in front of Nick, Todd slipped his fingers through Nick’s hair, gripping and releasing a few times before taking a good hold. “You ran.”
“You chased.” Nick spread his fingers apart and peered through. Todd backed up a few paces and crept around forcing Nick to inch along in the sand on his knees in Todd’s wake until his head was aimed at the cabana. It was quite likely Todd’s dick was going to explode from desire.
Letting go of Nick’s hair, Todd snorted and paced around him a few times, stopping behind him. Leaning down he pulled one hand back and cracked Nick’s ass a few times, smiling at the soft, deep sounds escaping Nick’s lips.
Hooking one finger through Nick’s collar, Todd pulled back, until Nick was still kneeling, but his torso was upright. He was already panting and not entirely from the pressure Todd was exerting on his throat. Leaning over Nick’s shoulder, Todd made sure he was close enough Nick felt his warm breath on his skin but not so close he’d actually touch.
That drove Nick crazy and produced the reaction it did every time. Nick fidgeted and squirmed.
“Still,” Todd ordered, voice pitched low. “Silent. You don’t do or get a thing until I say you do.”
Nick’s movements immediately ceased. His only noise was his harsh breathing. Todd barely pressed the tip of his tongue to the skin of Nick’s neck and pulled it up along a slow, leisurely path. Nick shivered, his hands bunched into fists and flexed open, but he made no sound.
Todd let go of Nick’s collar and moved around to stand in front of him, reaching out and gripping his hair once more. He backed up again, and again Nick shuffled along on his knees, following. When they got far enough from the ocean and close enough to the cabana they were almost inside, Todd slid down, his thighs pressed against Nick’s and wound one arm around his waist.
He pulled Nick tightly against him, brushed his lips over Nick’s a few times before deepening his kiss, thrusting his tongue into his mate’s mouth. His other hand roamed over Nick’s back, feeling warm, sun-kissed skin and firm muscle. Nick inched closer until there wasn’t even the tiniest amount of space between them. His arms curled around Todd’s waist, fingers massaging the muscles of his back.
Hand going up and fingers twining in Nick’s hair again, Todd pulled his head back, exposing that long, delightful neck. He licked and kissed up and down pressing against the groove and nibbling along Nick’s Adam’s apple.
“God, I love you,” Todd breathed the words along Nick’s skin.
“Yeah, I know…me too…love you.”
Standing, arm still around Nick’s middle, Todd tugged him up and backed them into the cabana. Once inside with the door shut he snapped his fingers and Nick dropped to his knees, breath hitching, hands folded in front of him, head bowed waiting. Todd moved away, he had to get some control or he was going to cum faster than a schoolboy with his first crush.
When his knees hit one of the arm chairs in the sitting area, he reached behind himself and gripped the sides, lowering slowly into the chair. Fumbling with first his belt then his pants, he got the pliable leather band undone and off, leaving it dangling from one hand.
Nick looked up for a second, biting his lip when he grinned. A shudder ran through him rippling the muscles of his chest and abdomen. He exhaled a breathy, “Todd.”
“C’mere.” Todd’s voice was rough and thick. Nick barely glanced up before standing gracefully and closing the distance between them, lowering himself to kneel between Todd’s legs. He held both wrists together, hands out in front of him. “First get my pants off, then I’ll think about what you want or get.”
Nick ducked his head and smiled softly. With trembling fingers he drew down Todd’s zipper then gripped the soft material of his pants in both hands and eased them over Todd’s hips. Shivering, Todd gripped the arms of the chair with both hands and lifted his hips far enough Nick could slide his pants off and toss them to the side.
Again holding his wrists out and pressed together Nick sank back on his heels. “Please, master.”
Todd snorted, leaned forward and slowly wrapped the belt around Nick’s wrists, pulling it tight. “You know what I want.”
Smiling, eyes twinkling Nick leaned forward, blowing a line of hot air along Todd’s engorged cock from tip to his balls. He all but forgot how to breathe, his cock twitched and precum glistened along the slit.
Nick spent a few minutes running just the tip of his tongue up and down the length of Todd’s cock. With each upstroke he swiped his tongue over Todd’s slit, taking in the pearly bits of precum oozing up and dribbling over the sensitive head. Each lick downward and Nick wrapped his lips around Todd’s balls, kissing softly and sucking with barely enough pressure to be felt.
Shifting closer and rising up higher on his knees Nick finally turned his head to a better angle and slipped his mouth over Todd’s cock. At first he used the barest hint of pressure, but as Todd’s hips jerked side to side faster, his hands gripped the arm of the chair with enough force they cramped, Nick sucked harder and harder.
Todd didn’t even try to hold back the moans he panted out. Lifting one foot he rubbed his toe along the soft skin behind Nick’s balls, pressing up until Nick’s hips twitched and he jerked in harsher, more desperate breaths.
Pressing one hand against the side of Nick’s face, Todd pushed his thumb in, stopping Nick’s ministrations. “Bed…now.”
Nick leaned away from him, grinned and stood, crossing to the small bedroom off the main room and threw himself down on the bed, bouncing around.
Todd took a few minutes to simply watch him through the doorway. Nick was always so energetic and full of life it was impossible not to watch and enjoy the world through his eyes.
By the time Todd was into the room Nick had arranged himself face-down on the bed. His fingers gripped the slats of the headboard, his legs were spread wide enough his toes pointed to each corner of the end of the bed.
Wasting no time, Todd snatched the small bottle of oil he’d left on the night table and poured some into his hand. Setting it to the side he rubbed the oil between his palms and over his thumbs and fingers before liberally covering his cock. Inching across the bed on his knees he settled between Nick’s thighs.
Using both thumbs he started at the lowest point of the crack of his ass, pressed his thumbs between Nick’s round, firm cheeks and pushed up. When he reached Nick’s entrance he pushed against it, rubbing the pads of his thumbs around it, circling and teasing the sensitive skin.
His other fingers pressed against Nick’s balls, stroking softly and reaching to his perineum, massaging until Nick was gasping for air, hips shifting back and forth. Applying pressure to both areas had Nick trying to push his ass into Todd’s hands and press down against his fingers all at once.
Taking his hands away earned Todd a deep, throaty moan from Nick. Leaning over Nick’s back, Todd whispered in his ear, “Nicky, I said <i>silent</i>.”
Nick groaned again, biting it off, turning his head and burying his face in the mattress. Todd chuckled and kissed his way down Nick’s spine. Giving his cock a few extra rubs with his oil slick hands he gripped Nick’s hips. Lifting up and pulling his cheeks apart at the same time, Todd pressed his entire length into his mate’s body letting out a long, low moan. He eased his body over Nick’s back, fingers gripping his shoulders as he moved, pulling partially out and pounding forward.
The exquisite feeling of Nick’s glutes pressed against his groin and the slight roughness from the hair on Nick’s thighs sent jolts coursing through Todd. Sheer want consumed his brain, all he could process was the raging heat surround his cock. Hips pistoning faster, Todd shoved in and out of Nick with more force.
Breathing in hard through his nose and blowing out short, quick breaths from his mouth, Todd groaned and licked across Nick’s shoulders. As his orgasm rolled through him, Todd let his teeth catch and scrape over Nick’s shoulder blades, finding the perfect place to bite down gently.
Heart pounding against his chest, he felt how Nick’s heart hammered in response. He skimmed his lips over the salty sweat beading on Nick’s skin. “Oh…gah…Niiickhheee…” He turned his head and let his cheek rest against the side of Nick’s neck, waiting for his breathing to slow.
Easing out of Nick, Todd used the heels of his hands to massage the heavy muscles of Nick’s back, his fingers skimming lightly along his sides. As he moved his hands along, he let his fingertips slide under Nick, brushing over his nipples and dipping between his ribs. Nick’s fists gripping the headboard slats went white, his body arched and writhed into Todd’s touches.
Shifting until he could get one finger into Nick, Todd moved it in small circles until he was slipping across Nick’s sweet spot making him shiver and his breath hitch. Pulling his finger out only long enough to flip Nick onto his back, Todd pressed his forefinger back into Nick, this time using the thumb of the same hand to press against Nick’s sensitive spot from outside as well as caress him from the inside.
Nick’s back arched, his neck muscles corded and he panted desperate breaths. Todd gripped Nick’s cock with his free hand stroking slow, twisting as he went. When Nick’s legs bent enough his heels dug into the end of the mattress and his back arched higher, mouth opening and closing, head pressed back, Todd knew he was near his breaking point.
Squeezing Nick’s cock harder, moving his hand even slower he ground out, “Cum, Nicky.”
That was all Nick needed. All bets were off, his mate gasped, letting a loud, deep moan escape then another and another. Hips shoving up into Todd’s fist one second and down onto his hand the next he pumped hot, white strands across his belly and over Todd’s hand.
Todd worked his mate through his climax until Nick collapsed onto the bed, gulping in huge breaths. A fine sheen of sweat covered him, making every cut and groove of his arms and legs show. Tanned, shiny skin slid with ease over his ribs giving his entire torso the impression of writhing and shimmering.
Flopping down beside him, Todd eased one arm under Nick’s neck and pulled him close mumbling, “You got sand everywhere.” He loosened the belt and pulled it away from Nick’s wrists, letting it drop off the end of the bed to the floor.
“Hmm. Didn’t hear you complaining.” Nick pulled himself to a sitting position and scooted to the end of the bed. He tugged at the sheets until Todd lifted his hips far enough Nick could pull them off.
“Nick, what…?”
“I’ll shake them out.” He reached down and grabbed Todd’s foot, fingers threatening all sorts of things, none of which could be good.
“Nick,” Todd warned.
Snickering, Nick let go and flicked at Todd’s ankle. “Get up.”
“Did that.” Todd let his eyes drift shut, snapping them open in the next second when something smacked into the side of his head. “What the—?” He sat up and grabbed the soft material draped over his skull.
Nick was hopping around pulling some shorts on, grinning at Todd. “Come on, let’s take a swim. Or are you too old to do that?”
“Nick, I don’t want…”
Todd didn’t get to finish that sentence. Nick had his arms in a strong grip and was hoisting him to his feet. “We need to clean up.”
“Pest,” Todd grumbled, pulling on the shorts as he chased Nick out of the cabana and into the serf. Nick tackled him from the side, laughing, fingers digging into Todd’s ticklish side. They hit the wet sand together and rolled into the oncoming waves.
Apparently, Todd was destined to get sand there after all.
The End
this was originally published on the M/M Romance Group on Goodreads and is part of a summer challenge and is avaliable in an anthology, Don't Read in the Closet. It's an amazing group, come check it out and join us!