Designs of Desire Read online

  “Good. Then you’ll let me know when you’re available and I will stop by. Better yet, I’ll be busy with the hotel next week, and have to go out of town for a few days. Do you think you would be free to do the viewing next Saturday? It would give you time to think about which ones you would like to show and have them set up. I’m not asking for anything new, so that should be plenty of time.”

  James agreed, his mind swirling with ideas and plans of what to show, how to best display in his small studio.

  Once they returned to where he left his car, he went to slide out, reaching for his crutches, when Seth stopped him. Touching his face in a gentle caress, Seth leaned in and ghosted his lips across James’s before wishing him a good night.

  James was too stunned to do more than move from one car to the other. He reached up to touch his lips once Seth’s car had pulled away. They tingled and he could taste the faint sweet and spice from their dessert with something more underneath, something he hoped he would get a chance to taste again.

  Chapter 3

  THE week passed excruciatingly slow, and yet it seemed to pass in a blink. When James wasn’t at work, he was either painting or obsessing over what to show and how. The sketch he had done while waiting that fateful Friday had possessed him all weekend. He thought it might even be done by his showing on Saturday. Wednesday night, he made the mistake of calling Chase to ask his advice, and after a lot of noise and innuendos, he’d come over to help set things up for him.

  “I don’t know why you don’t show your stuff publicly. I mean, I bet a lot of this would sell, Jamie. Especially if you had the right audience,” Chase said as he helped move and place things.

  “You know why I stopped, Chase,” James said as evenly as he could manage.

  “Yes, and he’s an ass you need to finish getting over. Putting his lying, abusive ass out isn’t enough. You need to delete that soundtrack he left in your head too. Your work is good, really good. You’re an artist, no matter what he said.” Chase continued his admonishments as he worked. He kept trying to peek behind the tarp James had used to block his work in progress from view. Patience was not one of Chase’s blessings. “Ah, come on, Jamie, please,” he begged. “Just a little peek?”

  “Chase, the answer was no an hour ago, half an hour ago, ten minutes ago, and guess what? It’s still no. It’s not quite finished and this one’s special.”

  “Fine,” Chase pouted. “Deny me my little joys,” he sniffed.

  “You make a great drama queen, my dear, but the answer is still no. I need to finish it first. Now, are you done moving things?” James asked, moving back to take in the effect of his displays. Yes, I think that’s it! Now to finish up and not totally lose it beforehand.

  He was almost late Friday morning since he’d overslept, thanks to staying up late with Chase and working feverishly to finish the painting. He’d done it though! With a light heart and a sense of accomplishment he hadn’t felt in years, he dressed and headed out for his last day of work before Seth stopped by. That had been the other reason he was up so late the last two nights. Chase had insisted they clean the whole house, convinced it might “come in handy,” so he came back over Thursday night to clean. James had a cleaning service that came every week, and he was a pretty tidy guy, but Chase had been adamant.

  Thankful that Seth picked Saturday, James did his normal shopping that morning before physical therapy, which gave him a little time to recover before the private showing that afternoon.

  When the doorbell rang, his heart stopped for a moment before picking up and beating double-time. He opened the door and was dumbfounded by the sight before him. Seth stood there smiling, a huge bouquet of flowers held in his arms. Just at a glance James realized it was more than a dozen long-stem rainbow roses in a frosted lavender vase.

  “Uh, what are those for?” James asked, mystified by the sweet gesture. He’d never been given flowers, especially from a client. Well, other than the get-well bouquets when he was in the hospital after the “accident,” but those were normal. This was not.

  “I saw them and thought of you and your art. I didn’t know if you had a vase so I got this one,” Seth explained. Passing through the foyer, he looked around the great room, taking in the cathedral ceiling, and sauntered over to the antique accent table against one wall. He rearranged things a little before he carefully placed the vase upon it.

  James still stood with the door open. He blinked, staring at his strange guest. “Thank you,” he said, once he snapped out of his daze and closed the door.

  “I’d like a tour, if you don’t mind, James. Before the reveal, of course.”

  James couldn’t get over the command in everything Seth did or said, the way he took over. In a way, it felt natural and safe to him, not manipulative or degrading. Without much thought, he gave Seth a short tour of his home. It was a decently sized one-level stone cottage-style home that originally had four bedrooms, two of which were master sized. The second master bedroom he’d had converted into his studio, adding a door to the outside. A large bay window made it open and airy yet still protected his work. All the windows had a special UV coating, which protected his paintings from the sun.

  When they entered the studio, James’s nervousness nearly caused him to stumble. He kept telling himself it didn’t matter what Seth thought, but he knew he was lying to himself. He did care, more than he probably should.

  Seth didn’t say anything for a long time, just wandered from place to place, examining James’s art; truly his very soul was bound up in those images of lust, pain, loss, and joy. When Seth arrived at the tarp he’d left up, blocking his newest painting, James held his breath. It was complete, but the idea of showing it made him nauseous.

  “James, what’s behind this one?” Seth asked, his voice soft, almost a purr.

  “It’s the one you saw the sketch of last week. I, um, I finished it last night,” he explained, knowing what was coming.

  Without another word, Seth reached up and removed the tarp. He didn’t look at the painting until he had taken the time to fold and set aside the material. James debated if he was just being neat or if Seth was deliberately trying to drive him nuts.

  The man-sized canvas had been set up with key lighting to accentuate the images, making the hauntingly sensual images stand out even more. You could feel the desire, the aching need of the body splayed out on the bed, reaching for a lover who was just out of reach. The bedding pooled around him as if it was water, an ocean between the lovers.

  “Come here, James,” Seth commanded, his voice soft as it wrapped around James and drew him in. Once James stood in front of him, Seth murmured, “Who’s the lover in the distance? And, why don’t you believe you can have him?”

  “It’s not—”

  “It is you, James. It is how you see yourself. I knew that last Friday.” Trailing his strong hands down James’s shoulders and arms, he leaned in and whispered against his ear, “Who is it that you seek, and why can’t you have him?”

  He froze under Seth’s hands, failing to stop the tremble in his body as Seth’s breath puffed against his ear. “Why can’t he have you, baby?”

  Trying to remember how to breathe, James shuddered again, unable to answer because he knew his answers would sound pathetic to the gorgeous man behind him. When he thought he might be able to speak again, he felt soft but firm lips press against the nape of his neck, just before a slight nip. He moaned, unable to restrain the sound or his body’s reaction.

  “I… I….”

  “It’s okay, for now. You aren’t ready to answer those questions. I understand. But James,” Seth said as he moved to stand before him and traced his fingers down James’s cheek and jaw. “You will answer them soon.”

  James nodded, both his mind and body overwhelmed by Seth’s words and touch.

  Seth’s eyes softened as he looked over James. After a moment he pulled back his hand and spoke again. “Come, let’s lighten the mood a bit. Why don’t I order us di
nner? We can discuss your art and which pieces I’d like to purchase.”

  James took a moment to center his emotions after the abrupt change in direction before answering. “Um, sure. You don’t have to feed me again, though. I mean, this is my home. I do have food here.”

  “Yes, but I’m hungry and I doubt you know how to make Indian, and that’s what I’m craving. Well, part of what I’m craving anyway,” Seth added. The look in his hazel eyes made James wonder if he wasn’t also on the menu. But, even with all the touching, looks, and words, he still couldn’t believe Seth could really want him.

  THEY kept the conversation light as they ate. Seth stated there were three pieces he wanted, in addition to the newest one, of course. Once dinner was over, James went to clean their dishes. He was almost finished when he felt hands on his hips. He turned and stood rooted to the spot as Seth’s gaze swept over him and sent tingles through his body that seemed to settle in his groin. “You—”

  “You’re beautiful, you know,” Seth said, cutting off James’s nervous attempt to play off his attraction to the first man he’d wanted in years. “Like sex and a perfect sunrise wrapped up in one.” Tilting his head, Seth kissed him. It started softly, just barely touching the edge of James’s mouth. Warm breath feathered across his face.

  Seth sprinkled kisses across his jaw, slowly moving to whisper in his ear, “I’ve wanted you since I first saw you, James.” Seth pulled his head back and kissed him again, but this time with possession, not the light, sensual assault from before. His muscles tightened in response to the possessive, demanding invasion of his senses. Their tongues teased and wrapped around one another; lips were nibbled and licked.

  James felt Seth grasp his hips and pull him flush against him. He aligned their hips and pressed into James’s throbbing erection. He was almost surprised to feel how hard Seth was. He closed his eyes and embraced Seth, and pushed him back against the wall. He couldn’t stand long unassisted but was determined to make the most of Seth’s temporary insanity. Kissing Seth again, he allowed his lips to travel down the long column of his neck. Leaning against him, he pulled Seth’s shirt up so he could touch more skin.

  “That feels so good, baby,” Seth murmured.

  James sank to his knees and slid his hands slowly to coast up the fronts of Seth’s thighs. Seth closed his eyes and dropped his head forward as the touch slid up and down his legs to stop at his waistband. “James, you don’t have to,” Seth murmured as he shuddered under the sensual touches.

  Ignoring the whispered words, he peeled Seth’s underwear and jeans down in one motion. He leaned forward, his hands instinctively going to Seth’s hips. He inhaled Seth’s scent, the musky, spicy odor of his aroused partner, at least for tonight. Flicking his tongue out, he caught the glistening pearl of moisture from his slit. When he put his mouth on him, he thought about nothing but the cock, the man in front of him.

  Stretching his lips and jaw with the size and length before him, he slid down, down, down. He relaxed his muscles to take him deeper, until the wide head popped into his throat, cutting off his air. James let out a groan as his lips brushed against the soft nest of curls that surrounded Seth’s root. He couldn’t help the needy little noises that vibrated against Seth’s head as he slowly skated up his length, and created suction as he slid through his lips. He traced his tongue down the pulsing vein under the crown.

  Seth’s hand convulsed at the nape of James’s neck as he let out a deep growl. “God. Don’t stop!” he said, and let his head thunk back against the wall. James paid special attention to the sensitive area just under the crown. He sucked and lightly grazed the pulsing cock with his teeth—just enough to pull him to the edge of pain and pleasure, but not enough to hurt.

  “James…,” Seth breathed. James released a guttural moan as he sucked harder. Cheeks hollowed, he flicked and swirled against the sensitive underside with his tongue as he tugged teasingly on Seth’s sack with his fingers.

  Sliding up and down Seth’s dripping cock, James set the rhythm, but backed off when he felt Seth’s balls raise and tighten. He didn’t want it to end, not yet. Through glazed eyes, he gazed worshipfully up at Seth and murmured, “I want.”

  Even though James couldn’t seem to articulate any better, Seth seemed to understand the nearly silent plea. He kicked off the pants James had nearly divested him of before. Bending down, he scooped James up into his arms, wrapped James’s legs around his hips, and carried him out of the room. Before James knew what was happening, he found himself being lowered to the edge of his large oak bed. Seth stepped back, looked at James for a moment before he peeled off his shirt.

  James swallowed hard, still afraid this might be a dream. Before the flutter in his gut could distract him, Seth skimmed his hands over his shoulders, and settled on the top button of his shirt. Leaning in to kiss James, he unbuttoned James’s shirt while he pushed him back onto the bed. Each time he exposed more, Seth would caress or kiss the skin. Once the shirt was open, he took his time as he kissed his way back up to James’s small nipples. Drawing the hardened bud into his mouth, he flicked it with his tongue before lightly biting down.

  “Ungh,” James groaned as he arched up into Seth’s ministrations, hoping it would never end.

  “Shh,” Seth soothed, returning his lips to James’s. Pulling him up only long enough to remove the shirt, Seth increased the intensity of the kisses as he settled his weight onto him. Without thought, James shifted, letting Seth settle into the vee of his thighs. He wished he was naked so he could feel Seth’s skin on his but was distracted when Seth’s lips and teeth latched onto his throat, worrying the flesh, and drove all thoughts from his mind.

  “Hope you don’t mind,” Seth murmured against his collarbone, not that James could have articulated a complaint if he had one. All he seemed able to do was squirm and moan, rocking his hips up as Seth locked his lips around James’s nipple. He was certain he was going to spontaneously combust or lose his mind if Seth didn’t stop his sensual, driving assault.

  Seth stopped, pulled back to look at his handiwork. He seemed pleased with the vibrant marks James knew he’d left on his throat and chest. “Damn you’re sexy,” he said, voice rough with desire.

  James couldn’t stop the whine when Seth stood up and broke contact with his overheated flesh. “Don’t worry, baby, I just want to feel more of you,” he explained as he reached down to tug open James’s jeans. His eyes devoured James as his cock sprang free of the black cotton boxer-briefs under the denim material.

  Seth didn’t touch James as he removed the rest of his clothes and tossed them somewhere across the room. “I’m going to love showing you what our bodies can do together, baby.”

  “God,” James groaned, and shivered hard when Seth ran the tip of one finger up the underside of his cock, tracing the large vein. “Don’t tease, Seth!”

  When he finally grasped James’s cock, Seth gave a single, powerful stroke before he ran his thumb through the viscous liquid seeping from its slit. As he brought his thumb to his own lips, he licked the precome from it, his eyes never leaving James’s. Before he could blink, Seth had engulfed him in the most wondrous wet heat he’d ever felt.

  “Oh God,” he yelled, his hips coming up off the bed. It took all his willpower not to release down Seth’s throat. It was only the understood promise of more that let him hold back. He spread his legs wider, a silent plea for more. Bobbing his head, Seth maintained the moist heat and suction on his cock until James cried out. “Not yet,” he whimpered. He was desperate to get Seth to stop before he lost it and released despite his wants for more. He shook with the effort to stop. Instead of backing off completely, Seth moved down so he could nuzzle James’s sack. He licked and sucked gently until James was rocking and shaking, begging for more.

  Pushing James’s legs up, Seth’s tongue flicked across his taint until he reached his tight, quivering pucker. James had never felt anything like it before. Seth’s tongue licked and stabbed at him, opening him
in the most incredible way. He moaned and rocked as he was consumed by the most amazing sensation ever. James chanted Oh God, and please, and fuck me, over and over as Seth continued his sensual assault.

  James’s mind completely shut down as Seth worked a finger into his body next to the tongue that continued to fuck him. Suddenly the tongue and finger left, but before he could focus, a slicked finger returned and pressed back inside his body. He felt Seth’s other hand wrap around his cock, stroking in rhythm with the finger.

  “Seth…. Please, God!” James knew he was babbling but didn’t care, as Seth continued to go deeper until his finger found James’s sweet spot. When he hit it, it sent jerking shocks of pleasure through James. After only moments, the finger was joined by another. The slight burn dissipated quickly and transformed into the most incredible and overpowering sensations. After a time, two became three, plunging into him and scissoring as Seth continued to stretch him for what was to come.

  The bed shifted as Seth reached past him with the hand that had stroked him. James heard the drawer to his nightstand open and close. The penetration never stopped, though. James watched in wonder as Seth sheathed his cock with a condom, and whimpered as Seth slicked up his thickness before he maneuvered his cock to James’s opening. His fingers slid out only for James to feel the head of Seth’s cock touch his hungry opening. “Don’t tense up, baby, because I’m going to fuck you until I’m the only man you can remember ever touching your amazing body,” Seth ordered with a growl that shot straight to James’s core.

  “Fuck!” James cried as Seth pressed into his body. He stretched and filled James’s body as it never had been before. James forgot to breathe for a moment as Seth continued to push in, not stopping until he was fully seated, overwhelming James completely. While he stopped to let James catch his breath and adjust to his size, he draped James’s legs over his shoulders. True to his word, Seth didn’t give him time to think, pulling almost all the way out before he slid back in forcefully. James grasped at Seth’s shoulders and arms for purchase, and his head rolled back and forth as he moved to meet Seth’s punishing thrusts. The sensations were so powerful they seemed to penetrate to his very soul. He knew he wouldn’t last but didn’t want to go over alone.