Endings and Beginnings Page 15

  Darren chuckled. “I said it was a surprise, remember?” He’d had the idea as they were dropping off to sleep. JJ needed to unwind, to have a day where he didn’t think about anything but relaxing, having fun.

  “Yeah, but don’t you have a salon to run?” The earnest tone in JJ’s voice spoke of his concern and maybe a touch of guilt.

  Darren wasn’t about to let him continue thinking in that vein.

  “There have to be some benefits to being the boss,” he told JJ. “And besides, the last time I took some time off was….” He did a quick reckoning in his head and didn’t like the answer. “Wow. I can’t actually remember the last time I took a holiday.” It was something Michael had always complained about. He may have had a point.

  “This isn’t a holiday, though,” JJ pushed. He’d been less than enthusiastic when Darren had suggested going out for the day. Since he’d woken up, JJ had been quiet, that subdued air still clinging to him. He’d been restless during the night, and a few times Darren had curved his body around JJ’s, as if to ward off whatever disturbed his sleep.

  “No, it’s a day out, one that we both need, apparently.” Darren caught sight of the road sign and grinned. “And if you were paying attention, you might have had an indication of where we’re going.”

  “What?” JJ peered through the windscreen.

  “Too late, you missed it,” Darren cackled. He knew it wouldn’t be long before JJ had another clue. And if he was really observant, something on the horizon would soon be a big giveaway.

  JJ settled back into the seat, arms folded across his chest. A few minutes later he leaned forward. “That’s Blackpool Tower dead ahead!”

  “Ah, you are awake after all.”

  JJ ignored the sarcasm. “Oh wow. I haven’t been here for years. Mum used to bring me here for days out when I was little. She’d take me for donkey rides on the beach, and we’d go to the Pleasure Beach.” Judging by the sound of his voice, the memories were happy ones.

  “Did you come to see the lights?” Darren always loved this time of year. When autumn arrived, the Blackpool Illuminations were switched on and the six miles of promenade were lit by displays, using over one million bulbs. Darren’s favorite activity was to ride in one of the trams along the length of the prom, staring through the glass-topped rickety transportation at the wonderful lights.

  JJ nodded, his face lit up in a smile. “I can’t remember the last time I was there. I must have been about ten or eleven.” He reached across and squeezed Darren’s thigh. “This is a great idea.”

  A thought occurred to Darren. “You haven’t been since then?”

  JJ shook his head. Darren grinned.

  “Did your mum take you on all the big rides? The Grand National, Avalanche, the Big One?”

  JJ laughed. “You’re kidding, right? She was scared to death of them, and she wouldn’t let me go on alone. No, we went on the Dodgems, the Ghost Train, the River Caves, Go-Karts, stuff like that.” He was almost bouncing. “Can we go on some of them?”

  “Some?” Darren chuckled. “We’re going on all of them.” They stopped at the traffic lights, and he snuck a peek at JJ’s face. The happiness he saw there sent a wave of joy flushing through him.

  Yeah, this was inspired.

  “WHY IS it fish and chips always taste better at the seaside?” JJ pondered before eating the last piece of hot battered cod with a wooden fork. The taste was sublime. The chips had been crispy and salty, the batter not too greasy.

  “It’s the sea air,” Darren told him, finishing off his own food. “And a hot cup of tea is the only way to go after them.”

  “Oh God, yes,” JJ agreed with enthusiasm.

  They were sitting on the South Pier, looking out along the brightly lit promenade. Darkness had fallen, and the colorful lights were brilliant against the night sky. He leaned against Darren’s shoulder, utterly content.

  “I’ve had a great day,” he confessed. He’d screamed until he was hoarse on the roller coasters. He’d laughed and giggled, and it had been wonderful to see Darren having an equally good time.

  “Day’s not over yet,” Darren said, screwing up his paper and dropping it into the waste bin beside their bench. He held out his hand for JJ’s trash, and after disposing of it, handed him the polystyrene cup filled with tea.

  JJ laughed. “There can’t be anything else left to do. We’ve done the Pleasure Beach, played on the slot machines….” He peered at the giant blue rabbit on the bench next to him. “You even won me a bunny on the rifle range.”

  “Which you still need to name,” Darren reminded him. “Poor bunny. Fancy being nameless.”

  “I’m still thinking,” JJ protested. “It has to suit him, right?” He grinned and took a slurp of tea. “But yeah, what’s left to do?” Then his eyes widened. “We haven’t seen all the lights yet. Are we going on a tram?”

  “Maybe.” Darren’s eyes shone in the lights. “Finish your tea and you’ll find out.”

  JJ shook his head. “Are you always like this?”

  “What—inventive? Fun? Imaginative?” Darren was still grinning.

  “I was thinking more along the lines of aggravating, irritating, downright sneaky….”

  Darren leaned closer and whispered into his ear. “You forgot sexy.” His lips brushed against the shell of JJ’s ear, and then he shifted back to his original position. He drained his cup and dropped it into the bin. “Ready?”

  JJ resisted the urge to adjust his dick, stiffening behind his zip. “Ready.” The word came out as a croak, and he flushed.

  Darren got rid of JJ’s cup, and once JJ had picked up the bunny, they walked off the pier and across the street. When JJ saw where they were headed, a warm glow spread throughout his body.

  “Really?”

  Darren put his arm around JJ’s waist and led him past the two black landau carriages, each pulled by a horse. His jaw dropped when he saw Darren’s destination.

  “You are kidding,” he breathed.

  Darren stopped by the round pink gypsy carriage, covered in clear plastic, with two red hearts lit up on its windows. “Your carriage awaits.”

  JJ wasn’t sure if he wanted to walk away briskly or hug Darren to death. “How gay is this?” He couldn’t stop smiling.

  Darren spoke with the carriage driver, who opened the door for them. JJ stepped into the clear bubble and sat facing the direction of travel. Darren climbed in and sat next to him. When the door closed, he took the bunny from JJ’s arms, placed it on the seat opposite, and grasped JJ’s hand in his.

  “Sit back and enjoy the ride.”

  JJ leaned his head against Darren’s shoulder, looking up at the lights above their heads, the gentle clip-clopping of the horse’s hooves on tarmac an incongruous addition to the noise of the traffic. “This is nice,” he admitted.

  Darren tightened his fingers around JJ’s. “Good. Now shut up and look at the pretty lights.” He chuckled. “We’ve only got as far as the Tower, and then we have to turn back, so make the most of it.”

  JJ let out a happy sigh. “Yes, sir.” The words slipped from his lips.

  When Darren cupped his face and leaned in for a kiss, that made it all just perfect.

  Chapter Fourteen

  JJ DRIED the last of the breakfast dishes with a tea towel. “You do know I have no clue where anything goes?” he yelled toward the living room.

  “I did say I’d do the washing up,” Darren called back. “You’re my guest, remember?”

  “Call it my thanks for yesterday,” JJ said, smiling to himself. He felt great. He’d slept the whole night through and had awoken in Darren’s arms again. It was proving to be an addictive experience. The previous day had lost none of its shine. His only regret was that they hadn’t taken selfies on the rides at the Pleasure Beach. They would have been pleasant reminders of a fantastic day. Fun, good company, fish and chips, a magical carriage ride under beautiful lights, and of course, a rather large, fluffy blue rabbit, still name
less.

  He was still smiling when Darren reentered the kitchen, pausing in the doorway.

  “Happy is a good look on you, you know.”

  It was the first time in a while that JJ had felt free from tension. It made him feel good to know Darren noticed. He turned to face Darren. “I’m feeling chilled right now. I had a good night’s sleep, and your shower is a damn sight better than the washbasin in my room.”

  “You don’t have a bathroom?” He could hear the note of horror in Darren’s voice.

  Damn. “There’s a shared bathroom, but having seen the state of it, I steer clear.” He shuddered. “I think I’d catch something nasty if I had to use it on a regular basis. I’ve got a toilet and washbasin, and I use the showers at the club. Ben said that was okay.” Time to change the subject. “So, what’s on the agenda for today? Though I have to say, it would have to be pretty amazing to top yesterday.”

  “Actually, I was hoping we could have a chat.”

  A brief twinge of panic flared in JJ before he clamped down hard on it. He had nothing to fear from Darren, and such a reaction was irrational. “Sure. What are we chatting about?”

  “Come on into the living room.”

  JJ followed him into the room and took a seat at one end of the couch. Darren sat at the other, regarding him with a thoughtful expression.

  “Yesterday you told me about coming to work at the club, in a bid to clear Curtis’s name. Based on what you’d learned about his lifestyle, what did you expect to find before you walked in there?”

  JJ considered for a moment before responding. “Anonymous sex, no one caring at all who they were with, people not giving a damn about one another.” He paused and looked Darren in the eye. “But the reality was so profoundly different. Those people care for one another. I’ve seen how Leo and Alex are together, and Scott and Ben. Hell, even Jarod and Eli. Then I began to doubt myself. If I had been wrong about this, what else could I be mistaken about?”

  Darren nodded. “I know it’s not how they portray it in movies or on the Internet. When you come down to it, we’re all different, but I believe at our core most of us want love with that special person, or persons, who complete us. Members of the BDSM community are the same way. A lot want love. To have the relationship they desire, but with a person who fulfills them, gives each of them exactly what they need, whether it’s to be in control or to give it up to someone you trust with more than your heart.”

  That was what JJ had seen there. Yes, there were some hookups, but there was also so much love that it made JJ ache to see it in all its raw, powerful forms. More than that, it made him… want.

  “Can I ask something? Why are we talking about this now?”

  Darren didn’t look away. “Because I’ve made a decision. I want Thomas to train me as a Dom.”

  A wave of dizziness swept over JJ. His face tingled, and he felt like he’d swallowed a bowling ball. “Oh, I get it now.”

  Darren’s brow furrowed. “Get what?”

  “The purpose behind yesterday’s little trip.” Blood pounded in his ears. “So what was that, a nice memory to soften the blow?”

  If anything, the creases on Darren’s forehead deepened. “What are you talking about?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” JJ said savagely. “Forget it.”

  He lurched to his feet and tried to leave the room, but Darren caught up with him, spinning him around. He grabbed him around the upper arms and held him fast. JJ squirmed to free himself, but Darren had too good a hold.

  “Now, let’s pretend I’m really very stupid and explain to me clearly and slowly what is going on in that head of yours. Because you really have lost me.” He released JJ. “I’m listening.”

  JJ gaped at him. “I’m not stupid, though. I get it. Well, it was nice while it lasted.” He wanted to be angry, but being in close proximity to Darren messed with his wiring. He took a step back.

  Darren stared at him for a moment and then shook his head. “No, I’m no clearer. Try again.”

  A step forward. Close enough that JJ could feel his body heat.

  JJ pushed out an impatient sigh. “You’re going to be doing scenes at the club.”

  Darren said nothing.

  “You know, scenes? Like Miles does with Pietro? Eli and Jarod?”

  Darren merely arched his eyebrows and folded his arms across his chest.

  Fuck, is he being deliberately dumb?

  JJ took a long deep breath. “We can’t carry on dating if you’re going to be doing scenes with other people.” Why is he standing so close?

  Darren blinked. Blinked again. “Wait—what others?”

  It was JJ’s turn to lift his eyebrows. “Submissives? That’s who you do scenes with, right?” He backed away again, moving closer to the wall behind him.

  Darren’s lips parted, but no sound came forth. He rubbed his chin and then gazed at JJ with narrowed eyes. “Okay, one, what makes you think dating and doing scenes are mutually exclusive?”

  “Oh, come on,” JJ groaned. “I see what goes on there, remember? I see the incredible amount of trust that goes into a scene, yeah? It really is a relationship built on that. And it can be a highly… intimate relationship.”

  “I was kind of banking on that,” Darren said, his expression earnest.

  That stopped JJ dead in his tracks. He swallowed. “But… I can’t be with you if you’re going to… be… with others.” He shivered. “I know about limits, okay? I listen to what’s said at the club. Well, this is sort of a limit… for me.”

  Darren tilted his head to one side. “And what if I wanted to take everything Thomas teaches me—and try it out on you?” Shit. Another step toward JJ. Heat surged through him.

  JJ stared. “What? Wait—what? Me?” His heart pounded. “How do you know I’m even interested in doing anything like that with you? Or with anyone, for that matter?” Why does he have to stand so fucking close? JJ couldn’t take his eyes off Darren.

  Darren regarded him in silence, and JJ wanted to demand he say something, anything. Then Darren slowly moved forward, JJ still backing away from him—until the wall snuck up and hit him in the back.

  Shit.

  Darren extended his hand to JJ’s head. “On your knees.”

  What the fuck? JJ wanted to be annoyed with Darren’s presumption that he’d be willing to go ahead and obey just because Darren told him to, but fuck, that voice. It resonated in him, reached into his core, and pulled him toward Darren. JJ’s gaze flickered downward to Darren’s crotch. There was no missing that erection. He swallowed, his throat tight, before glancing up and shivering at the intensity of the gaze those eyes held.

  “Do you want this?” Darren asked, cupping his crotch, stroking his length through the fabric of his jeans.

  It had to be a trick question, because fuck yes, he wanted it. A remembered flash of fantasy slipped into JJ’s mind. Darren reached out, cupped the back of JJ’s head, and urged him down. JJ heard a whimper, then cursed himself when he realized he’d been the one to do it. As if he had no willpower, JJ slowly slid to his knees. He looked up and saw Darren smiling at him, and in that moment, he knew without a doubt, he would do anything this man asked of him. Peter’s words came back to him in a flash. He wanted Darren to be proud of him. With his whole heart, he’d never wanted anything more.

  “Open my zipper.”

  With shaky hands, JJ reached up and grabbed the tab, then slid it down, the sound booming in his ears. Or was that his heart pounding? Did it really matter? He swallowed again to glimpse the base of Darren’s dick, a patch of dark-blond hair above it.

  “Reach in and take it out. I think it’s time you two got to know each other, as it’s more than likely you’ll be spending a lot of intimate moments together in the future.”

  The words were almost laughable, but the tone behind them, the one that JJ considered a siren song, had him reaching into Darren’s pants and sliding his fingers around the hard, silky shaft inside.

  �
��I want you to blow me. My cock should be sliding in and out of your mouth. You should concentrate on making me happy. Can you do that?”

  JJ swiped a hand across his mouth. Fuck, he’d been drooling. He had to admit, he wondered about the taste before. When he’d been with Neil, he had really wanted to try sucking him first. Maybe that would have made it easier when—

  Darren flicked JJ’s ear with his fingers, hard. “You’re not down there to daydream.”

  JJ’s attention was pulled back to the thick shaft bobbing in his face. He could see a drop on the tip, stretching down toward the floor. He licked his lips and leaned forward, lapping at the head, allowing the flavor to tease his taste buds.

  “Like that?” Darren asked, his voice filled with a mix of lust and amusement. “There’s more for you, if you’re willing to just wrap your pretty lips around it and work for it.”

  More of that sweetness? Hell yes, he wanted it. He moved forward, swiftly engulfing the head of Darren’s cock. He grinned inwardly when Darren gasped and his hands slipped into JJ’s hair.

  “So good,” Darren whispered. “You’re very good at this.”

  The compliment startled JJ, but what surprised him more was the intense pleasure he received when Darren said it. He doubled his efforts, sucking the head, swirling his tongue around it, while at the same time working the shaft with his hand.

  “Move your hand,” Darren commanded.

  Yes, commanded. It hadn’t been a suggestion or even a plea. Darren insisted that JJ do it, and he was powerless to resist.

  “I’m going to fuck your mouth, sweetheart. I want you to take what I give you. You only need to please me. If it gets to be too much, tap my leg and everything stops, okay?”

  JJ nodded, then closed his eyes as Darren’s fingers threaded in his hair. The first thrust was shallow, and JJ knew Darren was probing, seeing where his limit was. When he appeared satisfied, he began to slide in a little deeper. There had been a moment of panic when the head of Darren’s cock touched the back of JJ’s throat, but he relaxed when Darren pulled back.