The Rules of Love Read online

  “How many lashes was that?”

  “Oh, God. Three magnificent lashes, Sir.”

  Saul’s eyes crinkled as his face broke into a full smile.

  “Perfect, boy. You and I?”

  “Always, Sir.”

  “Pleasure?”

  “So much pleasure, Sir. So much.”

  Chapter Eleven

  For several weeks they’d explored what Kenneth now saw as his new pain limits. Everything he experienced at Saul’s hand he felt to his core. He didn’t hide from any of it. It wasn’t necessary because Saul was always there to keep him safe. Sometimes it was the flat of his palm against his abdomen, sometimes it was connecting with their eyes, other times it was with his mouth on Kenneth’s skin.

  He was starting over as if he’d never experienced erotic pain before. Together they were discovering what Kenneth really needed at this point in his life and how Saul could give it to him. Once Kenneth no longer had to go into a shell to get through an exchange with Saul, he’d be ready to float again the way Ronald had originally shown him.

  Saul had called one of the chefs from the club to come over and cook a special meal for them, so he was downstairs in the kitchen fussing over that. Kenneth had been instructed to shower, then wait for him in the bed naked. He was fine with that, if somewhat puzzled as to why he couldn’t have made dinner the way he always did. Forcing himself to not automatically assume that it was because Saul didn’t like his cooking, he assured himself it was probably that the chef was preparing something he didn’t know how to do.

  Then shouldn’t he have had him teach me for next time?

  Most of the time he handled things very well. He’d been good at maintaining a positive outlook in general, but once in a while Preston’s hateful words would demand that he listen. All the times when his ex-lover had told him how useless, stupid and worthless he was had the tendency to lodge itself in his mind at the worst possible times. Saul had the amazing ability to sense when something wasn’t right with Kenneth, and for his part, he’d been fairly good with letting Saul know if something was bothering him.

  ‘I’m here to take care of and protect you. I need to know when you’re suffering in any way.’

  He’d easily fallen in love with Saul. A handsome stranger had seen him for what he really was, then had risked so much to save him from a horrible life. He’d opened up his home and heart to Kenneth and shown him the true path to the ecstasy of pain. There could never be another for him and he planned on telling Saul how much he meant to him. Maybe then, Saul might want to be his Master instead of only his Sir.

  “Perfect. You are such a dear to me.”

  Saul ambled over to him, clad only in his satin pajamas and an elaborately detailed brocade smoking jacket. It wasn’t the same as the one he’d used to cover Kenneth several weeks before. It was much more elegant. Saul had shared with Kenneth some of the involved antics he’d had to go through in order to hide the fact that he was actually the owner of Hampton Road. He’d had to learn to keep duplicates of things over at the club. If he accidentally left something behind, he didn’t want to be caught going back in to retrieve it.

  Saul lowered himself on the bed then pulled Kenneth into his arms. He kissed his face, throat, neck then back up to his face again. Finally he claimed his mouth, delving deeper with each swipe until Kenneth was breathless. Saul pulled back to gaze into Kenneth’s eyes, keeping him on his lap as he kneaded his flesh.

  “The chef has left behind some wonderfully prepared cold dishes. That way we can eat when we choose. There’s some cold duck, smoked cheeses, fruit and a crab and avocado cocktail. I was also able to sneak in a fine champagne from the Hampton Road stores.”

  Kenneth stroked Saul’s face. He could touch him constantly. “You should be careful, Sir. I might tell the owner.”

  “Please don’t. I hear he’s a brutish old curmudgeon.”

  “Really? That’s odd, because from what I understand, he’s a devastatingly handsome and sexy man.”

  “Ah, did you now? Is that the words of someone trying to get out of their punishment?”

  He’d had a brief set back when he hadn’t cried mercy and Saul had known he’d drifted off. Kenneth had lashed out at him without thinking, some of the pent up anger he had at Preston surfacing. Saul had reminded him that as his caretaker, he was there to support him and help him through his fears and worries. But he had to communicate in order for it to work.

  “Possibly. But they’re still true.” Kenneth was the one to kiss Saul that time. He broke the connection then chewed at the corner of his lip.

  “Tell me, boy.”

  “I didn’t finish ironing all your shirts yet, Sir.”

  “Do I at least have a few to wear this week so I can leave the house?”

  “Plenty, Sir. I did the first dozen.”

  “Hmm, that still leaves you a few dozen to finish. At least you know what you’ll be doing tomorrow, so that’s good, right?”

  There was a wicked gleam in Saul’s eyes and he knew there wasn’t a chance his lover would be lenient with him.

  “Right, Sir. I will say though, you must shop a lot.”

  “Watch it, boy. There are several pairs of my socks that require darning as well.”

  “Yes, Sir. I only meant that it’s nice that you shop so much.”

  “You’re pushing it, and I’d rather fuck you than force you to mend my hosiery.”

  “I’d rather that as well, Sir.”

  “Mmm. That’s wonderful to hear.”

  Saul nibbled his way down Kenneth’s neck until he reached the hollow in his clavicle. He licked and teased then sucked on his skin until Kenneth was sure there’d be a new mark. Saul did that to him a lot. There were several spots across his chest and he was filled with pride each time they went to the club and they were exposed for everyone to see. It helped to make up for the fact that he didn’t have Saul’s collar yet.

  Saul hadn’t shaved since the morning and his stubble left a delightful rash as he nibbled his way back up Kenneth’s body. When he reached Kenneth’s lips, he kissed him with an urgency he hadn’t expected. It was as if Saul wanted to melt into him. When he pulled away, the look in his eyes was overpowering. The passion was unmistakable but so was the…

  Kenneth swallowed hard. He didn’t dare think it. It was how he felt and he was confident that Saul would return those feelings one day, but he wasn’t sure he’d proven himself yet. A man as incredible as Saul deserved the best. His doubts about his worth had never existed before Preston and he knew he’d regain his former confidence eventually, but he wasn’t sure if he would be at that point any time soon.

  “I want inside you. How are you doing?”

  Saul had taken him very hard a few days before and he’d refused to enter him again until he was sure he wouldn’t unduly hurt him.

  “I’m fine, Sir. I want you inside me too.”

  “On your stomach.”

  Kenneth climbed off Saul’s lap and positioned himself in the middle of the bed. Saul had busied himself with retrieving the jar of paste they always used. It was placed on the nightstand within easy reach. Saul went back to tasting and planting soft kisses on Kenneth’s skin. He started at the top of his spine then worked his way down, nipping at his flesh occasionally. Saul would always heat him up slowly, give him hints of pleasure, glimpses of pain, until Kenneth would be reduced to a whimpering, pleading heap. He’d never experienced a more adept lover or a more loving man.

  Saul snaked his tongue out and dipped it into the spot on his lower back where his crack began. His dick was trapped between his belly and the sheets of their bed. The warm, moist appendage teasing his crease had him rutting against the soft cotton. Saul hoisted himself over Kenneth’s legs, straddling him so that he couldn’t move, couldn’t get any friction.

  “You’ll be still for me, boy.”

  He answered at the end of a groan. “Yes, Sir.”

  Saul grabbed his butt cheeks and forcefully p
ulled them apart. He clutched them, squeezing and kneading, taunting him even more. Kenneth cried out as Saul buried his face in his ass then lapped at his pucker, teasing the hole with the hardened tip of his tongue. He’d been fucked like that by Saul before and it had been the first time anyone had serviced him that way. Only Saul’s thick cock slamming into him was any better. He’d also been given the opportunity multiple times to bring to life the fantasy of licking Saul’s entrance as well.

  His rim was sensitized from Saul’s enthusiastic ministrations, his opening relaxed from the gentle prods of his tongue. Moaning at the loss of Saul’s mouth on him, he waited as Saul reached over him for the moistener. He felt his lover fumbling behind him, then a nudge at his hole again. Saul used the tip of his finger to stimulate the tender, wrinkled skin. It was going to drive him completely mad the way he played with it. He used light flicks, then rubbed the slick around it in circles. Saul repeated the move a few more times before sinking only the very end of his finger in his passage then pulling it right back out.

  “I adore watching your body like this. Relish when your hole sucks my cock inside then grips it there.” Saul pushed the digit in deeper, twisting it. “Mmm. Hot and tight. Are you ready for me?”

  “Yes, oh…yes, Sir.”

  Saul added another finger and stretched them apart to open him some more. He wanted Saul’s stiff rod buried in him to the hilt. He yearned to feel the entire length of his lover pushing into him, bringing him higher and higher until he was filled with his seed.

  “Take this.”

  Saul’s voice was ragged as he handed Kenneth a pillow. He allowed him the room to wedge it beneath his body then he shoved his knee between Kenneth’s thighs, spreading him wider. Saul leaned to one side of Kenneth, then positioned his shaft against Kenneth’s moistened entrance.

  There was the initial burn then the sensation of being overly full. He breathed through it, but like everything else he did with Saul, he stayed with him. He didn’t hide from the feeling. There was no reason to.

  Wrapping one arm around Kenneth’s throat, Saul lifted himself with the other. Once he seemingly had Kenneth in the position he desired, he encircled his waist then slammed into him over and over. Grunting from the force of Saul’s fucking, he twisted his head, seeking out Saul’s lips. His lover poked out his tongue and with mouths open, they tangled them together as their bodies rocked in unison.

  His face was flushed, the heat between them slicking their bodies with sweat. Saul’s hips snapped erratically, and he lowered his hand to Kenneth’s dick that was wet with his pre-cum. Saul’s shaft skimmed over his gland and the moment Saul’s fingers tugged at him he released on a loud cry, clamping his inner muscles around his lover’s cock. Saul’s body went rigid and he groaned through his orgasm, filling Kenneth the way he’d imagined.

  They stayed joined together through the aftermath, their sighs mingling as they lazily kissed. Saul loosened his grip around Kenneth, but didn’t let him go. He dropped his forehead to Kenneth’s shoulder, caressing him with such care it made him ache beautifully inside.

  “Dearest. Turn over. I want to see your eyes.”

  Saul slipped free from his body and Kenneth twisted in his embrace until they were nose to nose. They squirmed and adjusted themselves until they were flush together, their skin sticky and sweaty, their soft cocks nestled against each other’s.

  They rested their heads on the remaining pillow and stole quick pecks from one another. Saul cupped Kenneth’s cheek.

  “I love you.”

  He held his breath, terrified that if he moved Saul’s words would somehow disappear. There was an arch to Saul’s eyebrow and Kenneth realized that he hadn’t reacted at all to his declaration.

  “Is it true?”

  Saul sputtered out a small laugh. “How could I not love you? Such a wonderful boy, you fill my life. I’d had no idea how incredibly lonely I was until you showed up. I confess I wanted you from the moment I saw you. But I fell in love with the man I’ve been fortunate enough to discover you are.”

  “Sir, I have to tell you. I love you too. I didn’t dare hope you would love me back.”

  A frown marred Saul’s features. “It breaks my heart when I hear you sound so unsure of your worth, especially since you’re all I could ever wish for and more. I hope you realize that.”

  “Thank you, Sir. I’m still working on it.”

  Saul placed a kiss on Kenneth’s nose. “I know you are. Come, let’s take a shower. Once we’ve washed up, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you.” Saul rose then helped pull Kenneth to his feet. “Plus, we have that marvelous dinner and champagne waiting.”

  “It’s almost like a celebration.”

  He was pulled into Saul’s arms for another heated kiss. He pulled back, staring down at him, Kenneth becoming shy under his scrutiny.

  “A celebration indeed.”

  * * * *

  His hands shook as he worked the cork of the champagne bottle. He was too old to be making such a fuss. Not that he didn’t appreciate special occasions or tender emotions, but he was acting as if he had only just discovered that such a thing as love existed. Saul pondered that. In some ways, it was true.

  There had been a few instances over the years when he’d entertained the idea that he might be in love with a regular partner. There had even been a couple of men who’d offered him their complete submission, and he’d considered it. He’d always told himself that he was still too young for such things and that there was plenty of time. When he’d conceived the idea of the Hampton Road Club, all of his energies had poured into bringing that concept to fruition. He’d been surrounded by a veritable buffet of attractive, willing men for over a decade, but none of them had ever made him want to give everything of himself. Until Kenneth.

  Kenneth was the only man he could ever envision spending the rest of his life with. They were suited to one another perfectly, and those tender emotions Saul thought he’d left far behind grabbed him by the heart and held him there because of Kenneth. His initial knee-jerk protectiveness over him had developed into a much deeper bond. It was a joy to work on his limits. His ability to be completely present and still rejoice in pain was a wonder to Saul.

  He was treated to the sight of a nude Kenneth trotting down the Mediterranean tiled stairs. His cock bounced as he descended each step, the muscles in his thighs rippling, his fingers playing along the wrought iron railing. Saul could watch him for hours.

  “Good boy. You know how I hate it when your body is covered.”

  “I only want to please you, Sir.”

  “Well, then you’ve done an excellent job.”

  Saul went back to struggling with the damnable champagne bottle.

  “Sir, may I?”

  Kenneth held out a hand and Saul had to admit that his lover would probably do a better job at wrestling the sparkling wine container open. He’d never considered himself to be a spoiled, pompous ass, but he had been blessed with staff and servants from his earliest years. Other than an uncle from Jersey who still hung on, the rest of his family had passed away, including his only sister who’d died in childbirth. Left on his own and without someone to share his household, he’d always hired others to handle those tasks for him.

  He pressed his lips together as he handed the bottle over to Kenneth. “You know, I adore your submission to me, your ability to take care of our household. But I don’t think of you as my servant.”

  With a loud pop, the cork sailed across the kitchen before landing on the floor. Kenneth had done it perfectly, without any champagne frothing over.

  “I know you don’t, Sir. It makes me happy to make sure that everything is running properly. That all your wishes are being met. It calms me, makes me feel needed.”

  Saul pulled Kenneth to him by the nape of his neck. “That’s because you are needed, boy.”

  He crushed their mouths together, rescuing their celebratory bottle before it smashed to the ground when he’
d startled Kenneth. Breaking their connection, he saw the love in his boy’s eyes. It wasn’t that he’d doubted his words, but he hadn’t fully appreciated how much Kenneth really cared for him. All he’d seen was his growing love for Kenneth.

  Saul planted a final kiss on Kenneth’s lips then went to the counter to retrieve the crystal glasses. He poured them each a glass, the flutters in his belly growing over what he wanted to ask Kenneth. After bringing their drinks over to the table, he set them down then glanced up at Kenneth. His expression told him he was quite curious over what Saul was doing.

  It was time.

  He beckoned Kenneth over, clasping his hand to bring him closer.

  “I’m not very good with words, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

  He reached into the pocket of his smoking jacket and retrieved a small velvet pouch. It contained a heavy gold link chain. A small padlock hung from it and Saul planned on wearing the key for it on a smaller chain around his own neck. That was all assuming, of course, that Kenneth would agree.

  “It would be a great honor to me if you would accept and wear this, and if you would allow me to be your Master.”

  Tears welled in Kenneth’s eyes and Saul fought the ones that threatened to overtake him. He dropped the pouch into Kenneth’s hand. Without undoing the cords holding the bag shut, Kenneth closed his eyes, and wrapped his fingers around the object, the hint of a smile at the corners of his lips. As he lifted his lids to lock his gaze on Saul, he dropped to his knees. Then with his chin lowered in respect, he presented the pouch to Saul.

  “The honor would be mine, Master. Thank you.”

  It seemed as if Kenneth was accepting his offer, but he was puzzled as to why Kenneth hadn’t looked inside the bag to see what Saul had given him and was instead handing it back.

  “Would you like to see what’s inside the pouch?”

  Kenneth trembled slightly. “More than anything, Master. But I don’t want to see it until after you’ve put it around my neck.”