CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Thorne had never cared about holiday presents. Lauren had done his shopping in recent years, but for Riley, he’d need a perfect gift, and it couldn’t be expensive. Nothing too lavish. Of course he had every intention of giving Riley the painting he’d bought for him, or at least having Riley help him hang it. He’d agonized about a present since the night he’d stood in front of Riley’s apartment feeling ridiculous and praying his gesture would be enough. Like many risks he’d taken in his life, it had paid off. That was a good sign, right?
But what could he get Riley that he would believe was sincere? Thorne had considered a set of Brat Pack movies, but Riley probably owned most of them already. Then Thorne had hit upon an idea. It had seemed brilliant at the time; now it seemed absurd. Riley loved food and cooking; and every Christmas when Thorne was little his grandmother had made tiramisu. Just the smell of it meant Christmas to him. His mom hadn’t been much of a baker, so she’d bought the holiday desserts after Thorne’s grandmother died. But Kathryn had their grandmother’s recipes, so he’d called her.
“I need Grandma’s recipe for tiramisu, the one she made every Christmas.”
“Is Riley going to make it for you?” Kathryn asked.
“No, I’m going to make it for him.”
It had taken Kathryn quite a while to recover from her laughing fit.
“What’s that Italian place you love? Why don’t you get some there?”
He wasn’t going to be talked out of this. “No. This is his present.”
“Thorne—”
“Just send me the damn recipe.”
“Okay. Let me know how it turns out.” She could barely get the words out through her giggles.
Despite his sister’s reaction and what he’d told Riley about his cooking skills, Thorne had been confident that if he studied hard enough, he could make anything. He’d watched tutorials, read the recipe over and over again, and googled something about almost every step.
It was a disaster. What the hell was the deal with custard anyway? How did anyone make it without getting little bits of cooked egg in it or having it scorch on the bottom of the pan or…any of the other nasty things that he’d done to it? His apartment smelled like burned sugar, and he’d been forced to open some windows despite the fact that it was freezing out.
Finally, he’d given up and made a cheaters’ version, using instant pudding. At the last second, on Christmas Eve afternoon, he’d begged Salvadora at Molto Bella to sell him a pan of her tiramisu. After he showed Riley his pitiful effort, they could eat the good stuff.
Now Riley would be there any minute. Thorne paced his apartment. He fucking hated being so nervous. Had he done the right thing by not buying him an expensive gift? If he’d thought Riley would have accepted them, he would have showered him with an endless line of presents. Relationships were fucking hard.
The intercom buzzed, making him jump. “Mr. Dashwood is here.”
“Thank you. Send him up.”
Thorne took a long, slow breath and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. Don’t screw this up. He had the sense this was a make-or-break moment. Either he and Riley moved forward or they didn’t.
Knock! Knock! Riley’s two sharp raps. Thorne walked to the door. Stay calm.
He opened the door and stared. Riley was holding a large paper bag, and he had a tote slung over his shoulder, but Thorne barely spared a second to wonder what he’d brought with him, because Riley was wearing a battered leather jacket and a shirt under it that clung to his body. His jeans were Thorne’s favorite ones, worn and so tight they hugged right up against Riley’s balls.
He swept his gaze back up Riley’s body and swallowed. “You look amazing.”
Riley grinned. “Thanks, I was hoping this wasn’t a dress-up affair.”
“No dressing up necessary.” No clothes necessary at all. Thorne almost said those words out loud but stopped himself. “Come in,” he said, stepping back.
Riley walked past him and set the paper bag on the kitchen counter. “I brought some leftovers from Susan’s since you never have food.”
“I’ve gotten better.” Not much, but a little.
He set the other bag down on the floor by the bar. “What’s in that one?” Thorne asked.
“Something for later.” Riley’s wicked smile made Thorne wonder if he’d brought some toys like he used to.
“Would you like coffee?”
“Sure. I’ll make some.”
Thorne held up his hand. “No. I’ll make it. You have a seat.”
“You make coffee now? You have changed.”
Thorne smiled. “Yes, I have.”
After Thorne got the coffee started, he joined Riley on the couch. A wrapped box sat on the table in front of him. Riley must have gotten it from his bag while Thorne was busy.
“This is for you,” Riley said, his voice slightly shaky.
Thorne hadn’t expected Riley to bring him anything. “You didn’t—”
“I wanted to.”
“Should I open it now?”
“Yes. If you want to.”
Thorne took the box. He caressed the shiny silver paper. He knew that no other present he received that year—or possibly any other—would mean as much as whatever was in this box.
He pulled the paper away carefully.
“I should have known you wouldn’t rip the paper.”
Thorne smiled. “No, not even as a child. You tear right into gifts, though, don’t you?”
Riley laughed. “I do. I like to get into things as fast as I can.”
Thorne’s cock responded to those words as if they were talking about far more than gifts. Thorne opened the box. A T-shirt lay on top. There was a picture of a sailboat on the front and the words Work like a captain, Play like a pirate. He lifted it and held it up to himself. “Oh my God, I love it.”
“You said you thought you’d buy a boat next spring so…”
“Riley, this is awesome. Where did you find it?”
“One of Susan’s friend’s sails, and she directed me to a shop that has sailing equipment and gifts.” He gestured toward the box. “There’s something else in there.”
Riley had really put a lot of thought into his gift. Thorne should have done more than make shitty tiramisu. He reached into the box and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. He unwrapped it, but he wasn’t sure what it was other than two bow shackles with a leather strips attached.
“It’s a bracelet,” Riley said. “I thought it was fun and possibly…useful.”
Thorne stared at the loop of leather and imagined the uses Riley had in mind. He swallowed and glanced up. “Useful? Yes, it could be.”
Riley beamed at him. The coffee pot gave two long beeps, signaling that it was ready.
“Coffee?” Thorne asked.
“Yes.”
“I…um…I have something for you, but you’re probably stuffed from dinner at Susan’s.” Why hadn’t he thought of that? Why hadn’t he just bought a gift? There was still the painting.
“We ate early, kind of a lunch/dinner combo, so I’m… You got food for us?”
“In a way.” Thorne rose from the table. “Just wait here, okay?”
Riley eyed him curiously, but he stayed put.
Thorne’s heart pounded as he took the messy pan of tiramisu he’d made from the fridge. He cut two pieces and put them on plates, then poured coffee and put everything they needed on a tray. His hands shook as he carried it to the coffee table. Dishes rattled, giving Riley a clue how nervous he was. When he set the tray down, he said, “I wanted to make something for you.”
“Y-you made this?”
“I tried to follow my grandmother’s recipe—she made tiramisu every Christmas—but it didn’t work, so I had to use something simpler.” Heat filled Thorne’s cheeks. This was not going well. “Whenever you cooked for me, I liked how it made me feel cared for, and I wanted to do that for you because…” Thorne drew in a deep breath. “I love you.”
“Oh, Thorne.” Riley stood and pulled Thorne into his arms, burying his face into Thorne’s shoulder. “I love you too.”
Thorne sank to his knees in front of Riley, wrapped his arms around him, and laid his head against his stomach. “I love you so much it hurts. I thought I’d never make it without you.”
Riley slid his hands into Thorne’s hair and tilted his head up. “I never stopped caring for you. I was just hurt and angry. I understand now. You thought—”
“I was an arrogant ass.”
Riley smiled. “Of course you were, but that’s just who you are.”
Thorne laughed, and Riley tugged on him. “Get up here.” He stood, and Riley kissed him, just a soft touch of lips. “I can’t get carried away yet. I need to taste this tiramisu.”
They both sat, and Thorne took a sip of coffee, needing something to do with his hands. “If it’s awful, I have backup from Cafe Molto Bella.”
“I don’t want backup. I want the one you made,” Riley insisted.
Thorne watched Riley take a bite, sliding his mouth along the fork, eyes closed. “Perfect.”
Thorne snorted. “It is not. I used…” He leaned in close, hand against his mouth and spoke in a dramatic whisper. “Instant pudding.”
Riley rolled his eyes. “Custard is very challenging. And I don’t care what you used; you made this for me. That’s special.”
Thorne tasted it then. “Hmm, it’s not too bad after all. Not like Grandma’s, but better than I expected.”
“Do you remember the black forest cake?” Riley’s voice had changed to the low, sexy purr that drove Thorne mad.
“Yes,” Thorne said, heart pounding.
“I think this tiramisu would taste even better eaten the same way.”
“You do realize tiramisu always makes me think of Christmas at Grandma’s, right?”
Riley gave a sly grin. “Christmas changes when you’re all grown up.”
Thorne groaned. It sure as hell did. “Does that mean we’re done with slow, because—”
“Fuck slow. I’ve been so horny today, fantasizing about how I’d be coming over here and fucking you tonight, that I could hardly think.”
And Thorne had thought he’d have to seduce Riley. “So you’ve known all day that you were…that we were going to…”
“I’ve known since the last time I saw you. What do you think is in the other bag?”
Thorne swallowed hard. “I…”
“I wanted to take you in the lobby of my building that night, right there up against the wall. And the other day on the couch. I don’t know how I stopped myself.”
“Riley, I—”
“Stop talking,” Dash—no Riley—demanded. Thorne couldn’t help thinking of him as Dash when he got that commanding tone.
Thorne had never been happier to be bossed around.
Riley spread tiramisu over Thorne’s lips and then proceeded to lick it off, very slowly. Thorne dug his fingers into his thighs to keep from reaching for him.
When Thorne’s lips were thoroughly cleaned, Riley sat back and gave Thorne a once-over, his eyes dark with lust. “Maybe we should put those new bracelets to use tonight.”
“Fuck, yes. I’ve missed this, Riley. I want you to… I need…”
Riley smiled. “I know.” He tugged at Thorne’s shirt. “Off.”
Thorne yanked it over his head and tossed it aside. Riley took more cream and rubbed it onto Thorne’s nipples. “Don’t move,” he whispered as he leaned down, mouth inches from tasting Thorne.
Thorne wasn’t sure he could obey as Riley sucked and licked and nibbled. He nearly bit through his bottom lip, trying to hold in the pathetic whimpers threatening to escape.
Riley looked up and gave him an evil grin. “We’re definitely using the bracelets later.” He paused and swiped his tongue across Thorne’s nipple, making him shudder. “I’ve got plans for you.”
“Please!” Thorne didn’t know if he was begging for more or for mercy.
“Tell me what you want, Thorne.”
“I want you to use me. Take me any way you want. I just…need you.”
“Mmm. That’s just what I wanted to hear.”
Riley nibbled his way down Thorne’s torso, stopping at his waistband. “Lose the pants,” he demanded as he rose to his feet.
Thorne wasn’t sure his legs would hold him up if he stood, so he unfastened his pants while sitting and lifted his hips just enough to wiggle out of them.
Riley jerked them off his legs. “Lie back, one leg over the arm of the couch. Hands underneath you.”
Fuck. His commanding tone was the sexiest thing ever.
Thorne spread himself for Riley. He knew what was coming, and he was afraid he might burst into flames, but it would be a good way to go.
Riley dipped his finger into the tiramisu. But instead of smearing it on Thorne’s cock, he sucked it off his finger. “I want cock with no added flavor tonight.”
Thorne stared, not believing he’d said that.
Riley licked his cock then, little flicks of his tongue down the length of his shaft that had Thorne lifting his hips and begging for more.
“So eager,” Riley purred.
“It’s been too long.”
“Did you jerk off thinking of this?”
Thorne groaned. “God yes. I thought about you, your mouth, your cock.”
Riley grinned. Then he teased Thorne’s cockhead, pushing his tongue into the slit.
“Stop fucking teasing me.”
Riley sucked him in then, taking him deep, swallowing until his face brushed Thorne’s pubic bone. He was going to fucking come any second. Then Riley pulled back and looked at Thorne with a teasing glint in his eyes. No way was Riley going to make things easy on him.
Without speaking, Riley stood and stripped. Thorne watched, eager to see his beautiful body again. When he freed his cock it sprung up red and needy, precum beaded on the tip. Thorne longed to lick it off. It had been so long since he’d tasted Riley.
But Dash—and he was definitely Dash to Thorne now—was in charge, and that wasn’t what Dash wanted. “I want you behind the couch, bent over, hands together behind you.”
“Are you going to…?”
“Restrain you? Yes.”
“Fuck.”
“Exactly. Hard and deep. You need that, don’t you?” Dash asked.
“So much. So fucking much.”
Thorne shivered when Dash wrapped the cool leather around his wrists. When he heard the click of the shackle, he couldn’t keep himself from testing their strength. He tugged hard, harder. The bracelets were locked tight. He wasn’t getting loose. “Dash? Um…Riley?”
“I’m right here.” Dash laid a hand between his shoulder blades, gently encouraging him to lie back down. “And I think Dash is the man you need right now. He’s the man who can bring you to your knees, no matter how stubborn you are. Call me anything you want, as long as you do exactly what I say.”
Thorne turned and glared at him, bristling at how much he needed to be dominated.
Dash just smiled. “You remember how this works, right? If you say red, I’ll stop and unfasten you. This is all about pleasure.”
Thorne relaxed and let himself fold in two over the back of the couch. He trusted Dash.
“Remember the first time I had you like this?”
Thorne nodded.
“You struggled. You didn’t want to submit.”
He couldn’t seem to form a coherent thought with Dash right there ready to take him, use him.
“Are you going to struggle tonight?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know.”
“I want you to, and I want you to know that I’m going to drive this into your ass no matter what.” He brushed his cock over Thorne’s hole. “You got that?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Dash walked away, and Thorne turned his head and watched as Dash donned a condom and slicked himself up.
Thorne dropped his head back down when Dash moved behind him, gripped his ass cheeks, and pulled them apart.
“Look at that ass,” Dash said, sliding a finger inside him. “So ready for me. You need a cock in there so bad, don’t you?”
Thorne tried to pull away as Dash finger-fucked him. He wanted to deny how right Dash was.
“But you don’t like needing me like that, do you?”
“Bastard,” Thorne murmured, but he pushed back against Dash, rubbing his ass on Dash’s cock.
Thorne thought Dash would keep dragging things out, but he gripped Thorne’s hips and thrust into him. Thorne gasped and struggled, fighting to get away while wanting more, wanting to be split in two.
Dash used a hand on Thorne’s back to push him down, hold him, but otherwise he held still. “I… Fuck, I got carried away. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Thorne snarled.
Dash pushed deeper then. Fuck, he was big.
“Still fucking fine now?” he asked, the worry gone from his voice.
Thorne shoved himself back, taking Dash deeper. “Yes, you son of a bitch. I want it all.”
Dash gave it to him. Driving in until he was buried to the balls and then pulling back and doing it again, never giving Thorne time to catch his breath. Thorne’s ass burned, and he tried in vain to break out of his bonds, but he’d never been happier. He wanted more, wanted to be owned. “Fuck me, Dash. I want to come.”
Dash grabbed his wrists and tugged, almost lifting him off the couch. “I say when, not you.”
Thorne struggled, trying his best to break free of the bracelet. “I can’t… I—”
Dash reached around and stroked Thorne’s cock. “Yes, you can. I’m close and so are you, and you’re going to come exactly. When. I. Tell. You. To.” Dash punctuated each word with a hard thrust.
Thorne stopped fighting him then, giving in to his true desire to do anything to please Dash. “Yes!”
Dash fucked him over and over, finding the perfect angle to hit his sweet spot and light him up. Dash’s hand on Thorne’s cock matched the rhythm of his thrusts. Faster. So close. So…
“Come. Now.”
Thorne did. Dash’s words pushed him right over. His body jerked, and he shot over Dash’s hand. Dash kept working him, his slick spunk making it easier. Then Dash shouted, bucked against him, and rode out his own release.
“Fuck,” Dash exhaled as he collapsed against Thorne’s back.
“That was amazing.” Thorne’s heart seemed ready to burst from his chest.
A few moments later, Dash rose up. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Thorne winced when Dash pulled out. Damn, he was going to be sore.
Dash released his hands and rubbed his wrists. They were going to be sore too and maybe bruised, but he didn’t care. “Are you okay?”
Thorne had never been better, never thought he’d feel this good again. Dash, Riley, it didn’t matter. This was the man he belonged with. “Completely. For the first time in months.”
Riley tugged on his arm. “Let me help you get cleaned up.”
Thorne wasn’t sure he could stand, but with Riley’s help he got to his feet, steadying himself on the back of the couch.
Riley wrapped an arm around his waist. “Lean on me.”
Thorne did. When they reached the bathroom, Riley let go of Thorne, and he sank down to the fluffy white carpet in front of the sink.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Riley asked, handing him a glass of water.
Thorne took a few sips before answering. His head spun, but he knew that would pass. “I’m fine. Really. I love how intensely you fuck me.”
Riley grinned. “Good. Let’s take a cool shower so you won’t overheat.”
Thorne nodded.
Riley managed to get him cleaned and dried and in bed, and they fell asleep wrapped up in each other. At some point Thorne woke to Riley kissing his way down his chest. “I need more,” Riley said.
“Yes. More. Never gonna get enough of you,” he murmured.
***
Hours later, Thorne woke to weak winter sun poking its way through the window. He stretched and rubbed his eyes.
“Merry Christmas.”
The voice startled him. He turned over to see Riley watching him. He was really there, in bed with Thorne. The night before hadn’t been a dream.
“Merry Christmas.” Thorne’s voice was scratchy.
Riley snuggled against him. “I’ve missed this, waking up next to you. Seeing you all mussed from sleep rather than the polished businessman from the night before.”
“Do I hold my polish while my ass is spread and begging for your cock?”
Riley laughed. “No matter how much you beg, you still want to control things. But like this, you’re all soft, sweet.”
Thorne wasn’t sure whether to be offended or not.
“You ready to get up? We could have tiramisu for breakfast.”
“The same way you had it last night?” Thorne asked.
Riley appeared to consider his options. “Maybe not at first.”
“What happened to getting veggies and fruit in me?”
“It’s Christmas.”
Thorne rolled over. “Do you think Santa left us something?”
“Have you been a good boy?”
Thorne laughed. “No, but if you reach under the covers, I’ve got a present for you.”
Ignoring him, Riley slid from the bed. “Breakfast first.”
“I can’t get enough of you, you know that, right?”
“I do. We have hours until you have to leave.”
Thorne forced himself to look at the clock. It was only eight. “We do, but I have a project for us.”
“What kind of project?”
“Feed me and I’ll tell you about it.”
After they’d eaten—tiramisu and fruit salad Riley had brought from Susan’s—Thorne told Riley to close his eyes. He retrieved the painting from the spare bedroom, unwrapped it, and carried it back to where he’d left Riley at the table. “Okay, open your eyes.”
Riley did. “Oh my God, that’s the painting, the one from the art opening. You bought it.”
“I did. It was delivered a few days after you…left.”
“And you never put it up.”
“I wanted us to hang it together. I wanted it to be for you.”
Riley looked like he was going to protest, but then he simply said, “Thank you.”
“So where should we put it?”
Riley turned, looking around the apartment. “Here.” He pointed to the wall behind the table. “The light is perfect.”
Thorne smiled. “I agree, and every time you cook for me, we’ll see it.” As soon as the words were out, he worried he’d said the wrong thing. “If you want to cook for me, that is. No pressure.”
“I do. I want to spend a lot of time here, with you.”
“You’re always welcome.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“I’m serious; you could even…” Move in. Thorne wanted to say it, but it was too early. He knew that.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Thorne.” Riley’s tone said he’d keep asking until Thorne told him.
“I was going to say move in, but I shouldn’t ask that now. I’m trying to be good and not demand too much.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Thorne couldn’t believe it. He’d expected to be scolded. “You will?”
“Yes, and in the meantime, I’ll keep making sure you remember that sometimes, I’m the one who makes the demands.”
Thorne thought about being bent over the couch the night before. “I like it when you’re demanding.”
Riley smiled. “On occasion, I like you that way too.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you.”
Riley wrapped his arms around Thorne and pulled him close. “I know. I forgive you.”
Thorne sucked in his breath. How could those simple words mean so much? He felt lighter, happier even than he’d been the night before. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for not giving up on me, for risking yourself. If you hadn’t…”
“I couldn’t let you go.”
“Merry Christmas,” Riley murmured, pulling Thorne down for a kiss.
Merry Christmas. Thorne merely thought the words as Riley’s lips met his and everything in his world brightened. This was joy. This was love. And somehow, he’d been lucky enough to find it.