“I’m always up for donuts,” Ringo said and clapped his tiny hands. He hesitated and stared at Taylor. “I see what you’re always up for.”
Taylor arched a brow, not following.
Until he looked down at his bathroom towel on the floor.
“
Oh
.”
Honeysuckle covered her eyes. “Scandalous!”
Taylor slipped behind Corentin and thumped his forehead to Corentin’s back. “Please let this be the only humiliation I endure today.”
May 3
Jesup Memorial Library, Bar Harbor, Maine
CORENTIN SEEMED
lost in his own thoughts as he guided the truck into the Jesup Memorial Library parking lot. Taylor studied his expression, recognizing the awestruck look in his eye. Corentin was fresh to the world once again, so everything was a little wonder as he pieced his mind back together. Taylor smiled discreetly as he picked a Munchkin out of his Dunkin’ Donuts bag.
This would be a good week, and Taylor looked forward to every moment of Corentin’s laughter until next Tuesday. He took a tiny bite of his Munchkin as Ringo slurped his coffee while sitting on the dashboard.
“It’s a nice place,” Corentin said, smiling.
“Keeps me calm,” Taylor said absently. The memory of Miss Miriam’s judgmental frown kept him far from calm. “Helps me work on keeping Zee quiet.”
He then glanced at the bank sign across the street and noted the time scrolling across the LCD display. It was fifteen minutes till opening. Devon was likely inside, setting up for the day. Miss Miriam would be in soon with her kindergarten class. How such an embittered woman was trusted to teach small children escaped Taylor. There should be a screening process for dried-up old hags.
He picked out another Munchkin from the bag and popped it in his mouth, then chewed in slow contemplation.
“Problems?” Corentin asked, and Taylor snapped back to reality.
He swallowed his gummy mouthful and looked down into the Dunkin’ Donuts bag to hide his cheeks heating in shame. “Miss Miriam doesn’t like me,” he confessed.
“That bitch,” Ringo snapped.
“Hey! She’s a kindergarten teacher,” he scolded Ringo, though he thought it too.
Ringo crossed his arms and snorted. “That doesn’t give her permission to judge you.”
Taylor’s stomach flopped as Ringo refused to budge on the issue. He sighed and caught Corentin’s frown. “It’s really not that bad,” he said and twisted his coffee from the cardboard tray. He tried to minimize the topic. “She just doesn’t think I’m very professional.”
Corentin pressed his lips together and remained silent as he handed Taylor a sugar packet. “But you love the kids,” Corentin said.
Taylor tore the packet over his coffee. “I know,” he grumbled. “If it isn’t my hair, it’s what I’m wearing, it’s how bloodshot my eyes are, and the side comment to Devon, ‘I think he might be on the sauce,’” he whispered in a snide tone, trying to mimic Miss Miriam’s particular irritating voice.
“But your eyes are pink!” Ringo spat, tossing out his arms.
“You think I haven’t noticed?” Taylor said, pointing to his face. “Enchant genetics don’t have to make sense.”
Corentin leaned toward him, and Taylor swallowed. He knew. Taylor held his breath as Corentin cupped his cheek, ran his thumb along Taylor’s lower left eyelid, and hummed.
“It’s fine,” Taylor grunted and tried to dismiss exactly what Corentin was going to say next. “My eyes are pink. I got the memo. I’m a princess. Totally got that too.”
“Your eyes really are bloodshot. And you have some dark circles going on,” Corentin said as he squinted. He nudged Taylor’s face to the light for a supposed better observation. Taylor puffed an agitated breath. “Have you been sleeping?”
“It’s fine,” Taylor insisted, jerking his chin away. “I sleep when I can.”
“Oh,” Corentin said, and panic shot up Taylor’s spine.
He waved his hands dismissively, trying to banish Corentin’s thought. “Oh no, nononono!” Taylor took Corentin’s hand and smiled, but he could see Corentin’s expression falling by the second. “It’s not y—”
“It’s fine,” Corentin said, and Taylor wasn’t fooled by his fake smile. He leaned away from Taylor and looked across the street to the banking sign, noting the temperature and time. He maintained his grin, and Taylor wished he could start the day over. “Anyway. Ramona called with something up with her septic tank.”
“What a shitty job,” Ringo said, then casually sipped his coffee.
“Again?” Taylor asked with a mouthful of Munchkin. “That’s the third time in two months.”
Corentin rubbed his chin, and Taylor caught the embarrassment on his face. “Well. You know how it is. Supposedly single handyman.”
Taylor nudged Corentin in the arm. “I would have never figured a tough guy like you to be so weirded out by women.”
Ringo grinned. “You gotta admit, you have a certain je ne sais quoi
with the ladies.”
Corentin winced and shrugged. “That’s fine… I guess. Just as long as they stop answering the door in their bathrobes.”
Taylor cackled and clapped his hands. “You are seriously uncomfortable with women? Never even slept with a woman? No way! I thought the huntsman shtick was to seduce the fair maiden and then dispose of her.”
“You’ve got a lot of learning to do about huntsmen lore. We’re not all wired the same. And while we’re on the subject, have you ever gotten off on straight porn?” Corentin said, and Taylor smirked.
“Come on now. I actually had a reason I never could. I’ve seen my fair share of
Playboy
s in college. Naked women aren’t bad, just not my thing, y’know,” Taylor said. He blinked as Corentin looked like a spooked rabbit. “So…,” Taylor purred and leaned in to whisper in Corentin’s ear, “never?”
Corentin sputtered. “Fuck, guys! No.
Never
. Can we drop this?”
Taylor blinked, then slowly grinned. He pointed, but Ringo was the first to blurt it out. “Dude. You are so blushing.”
Corentin narrowed his eyes. “Remember how I threatened to skin you? Yeah. That deal is still on.”
Taylor yawned, stretching his arms over his head. He popped his back and mashed his elbow into Corentin’s chest.
Corentin took Taylor’s wrist and pulled him to lie across his lap.
Ringo cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Should I make myself busy?”
Taylor slapped Corentin’s thigh. “I am not fucking blowing you in the parking lot.”
“And I don’t want you to.” Corentin gave a contented purr as he leaned back in the driver’s seat. “Though… I won’t stop you.”
“Asshole.” Taylor growled, then settled when Corentin ran his fingers through Taylor’s hair. He couldn’t fight the blush flooding his face. Stupid dainty princess bullshit. “I gotta admit,” Taylor muttered after a moment of silence. “I’m kind of getting turned on.”
“Ho-kay,” Ringo said, tossing up his hands. “I’m totally going to make myself busy. I’ll leave the napkins. For… y’know….”
“Hey!” Taylor squeaked as he bolted upright in his seat. “We’re not gunna do it,” he snapped. His face burned despite himself.
He was too late to stop Ringo, who had already fluttered out of the truck.
Corentin smirked, holding up the napkins. “At least he was courteous.”
Taylor checked the time on the bank sign. They had ten minutes, and that was more than enough to get Corentin off at least twice. He could do three times if he worked hard enough. He furrowed his brows and pulled his lips into a pout.
“You know, you like it too much,” Taylor said and clicked open the glove box. He rummaged for the stick of lip balm as Corentin adjusted the driver’s side seat.
“You’re just good at it,” Corentin said, unbuckling his seat belt.
“You made me good at it.” Taylor scowled as he uncapped the balm and then smeared it on his mouth.
“Good is an understatement. A prodigy is more apt.” Corentin reached for the button of his jeans, and Taylor smacked his hands away.
“I’ll do it,” Taylor commanded. “My job.”
“Fuck,” Corentin groaned, tucking his hands behind his head.
Taylor worked fast, propping himself up on his hands and knees in the passenger seat. He licked his bottom lip. Corentin’s cock had already swelled against his jeans with the anticipation. Taylor made sure Corentin watched him as he slowly unbuttoned his jeans and then dragged his fly in a long growl.
Corentin shivered, never breaking eye contact. Taylor cupped Corentin’s hardness through the fabric of his boxers, and Corentin pressed his lips into a tense line as he gripped the headrest.
After working Corentin’s cock free, he gave a quick series of three strokes. Corentin stuttered a breath, and Taylor shook his head. “Make a sound and everyone will know,” he whispered.
“Good thing the parking lot is empty, yeah?”
“Good thing,” Taylor said with an impish smile, then gave Corentin’s cockhead a tentative lick.
Corentin gasped and clenched his teeth as Taylor took him into his mouth. “Fuck Storyteller in the eye,” Corentin cussed before his cock hit the back of Taylor’s throat.
Stilling his thoughts, Taylor opened his throat to swallow Corentin down.
“Dammit, princess,” Corentin growled as Taylor tormented him.
Taylor’s stomach tightened with his own arousal. Zee stirred in return, and Taylor diverted his attention to settling her. He couldn’t imagine what she would do if he couldn’t keep his thoughts in check. She’d probably pop the tires on the truck at the very least. The insurance payments on the new Chevy were already worth a kidney and a firstborn.
Corentin arched his hips to angle better into Taylor’s mouth, and Taylor made a pleased moan.
Taylor had read enough sleazy
Letters to Penthouse
during college to know in detail how delicious a man tasted when blowing them. He had cringed, finding the sentiment over the top and disgusting. But in his own experience, he learned there was more fact to fiction. Corentin was delicious—intoxicating, even. Taylor surmised it was from their true love bond, or his lack of experience with other men. But other men didn’t matter anymore. He wanted Corentin, wanted him any way he could have him. The thought made his dick jump.
Taylor let out a squeal around Corentin’s length and pulled away. He panted for air, his face hot.
“What is it?” Corentin whispered.
“I’m so fucking hard…,” he whined. “I’m going to pop the tires if I can’t calm down.”
“Come here,” Corentin said and beckoned him closer.
Taylor didn’t need to say anything further for Corentin to know what he meant. He’d lose control on Zee, and who knew what would happen if he got too turned on. They called it a controlled burn. If Taylor came in a carefully measured fashion, the damage would be minimal. But there would still be damage.
Taylor scooted up, with his back to Corentin’s side. He didn’t need to speak, just unbuttoned his jeans and shoved them and his boxers off his hips. His cock jutted free, and he flushed at the sight of himself.
Corentin looped an arm around Taylor and took his length in hand.
Taylor cried out at Corentin’s touch. Even with the handful of years with Corentin, Taylor’s sensations never stopped being as intense as the first time. They had theorized it was yet another princess thing in the ever-expanding list of princess things.
Corentin pumped in a gentle, slow pace. Taylor didn’t need it hard and fast like others. The slightest of touches made him scream with pleasure.
“I wanna blow you, though,” Taylor cried out, disappointed he wouldn’t be able to taste Corentin’s cream.
Corentin took himself in hand and jacked them off together. “Shh, shh, shh,” he whispered. “There will be time for that later. Just relax.”
Taylor’s heart slammed in agonizing slow beats and Zee rumbled in time. Under Corentin’s practiced touch, Taylor mewled in heat against his hand.
Corentin fell silent as Taylor made long groaning sighs. He didn’t need to exert himself too far or too fast, so he rocked his hips with the tiniest of motions. Corentin’s hand pumping his own cock was the only sound telling Taylor that Corentin was seeking his own pleasure. The sound made Taylor cry out loud enough to be heard outside the truck.
“Shh, shh, shh,” Corentin whispered again, and Taylor nodded under the command. “Quiet now. Quiet. You need to be quiet.”
“Corentin…,” Taylor gasped and then struggled for breath. His stomach tightened, followed by his thighs tensing a moment later, his back jerked with a spasm, and he spilled into Corentin’s hand. Before he could screech again, Corentin whispered to quiet him.
Taylor heard Corentin take a deep swallow as he too finished. Unlike his gentle touch on Taylor, Corentin was rough with himself, milking himself dry with several hard thrusts. He kept his concentration by gently petting Taylor’s hardness. Taylor took control of Corentin’s attentions and laid his hand on Corentin’s as Taylor guided his easy touch into finishing Taylor for a second time.
They both sat still and silent, their pleasured sighs of their affection between them.
Taylor danced the edge of momentary sleep, and Zee slumbered once again. Insignificant dreams fluttered across his vision. One moment he strolled through a lush forest; the next he blissfully wove yarn at a spinning wheel. He hummed a lullaby his mother had taught him to himself as the yarn gleamed in the sunlight. His fingers slipped, and he caught himself on the spindle. He gasped as the long needle impaled his palm.
Taylor jerked awake with a panicked bark, and Corentin held him fast.
“What? What?” Corentin asked, his voice tense.
“Sorry…,” Taylor muttered and yawned wide. “Whutimeisit…,” he slurred.
“It’s two minutes until ten,” Corentin whispered and kissed the top of Taylor’s head. “Were you sleeping?”
“Mmmhmm….” Taylor yawned again and his lashes fluttered. He drifted and then dragged himself back to wakefulness. He was supposed to do something today. What was it? “What time is it again?” Taylor asked, this time more conscious.
“Now one minute till ten,” Corentin whispered. “The library is about to open.”