Page 53 of Love Spell

“For who?”

“Uh…” Noah shook his head.“Stop it.My point is we can’t do that.”

“We’re not hurting anyone,” Timo murmured, trapping Noah’s hand in his.“We’re not even showing off.Door’s closed.If anyone here has a problem with the boss’s closed office door they are welcome to bring me their complaints.Or quit.”

Noah simply looked at him, unwillingly allowing Timo to claim his hand.

“That booking?”Timo kissed his knuckles, then traced the lines in Noah’s sweaty palm with the tip of his tongue.“Ready to go?”

Noah swallowed, able to manage no better than a breathless, “Yes.”

18

Noah was no fun as a travel companion.Never mind that they sat side by side in first class because Timo had charmed a solo traveller into giving up their window seat for the window seat he’d had to book so they now had a window and aisle together, nestled in close for over two hours.

Never mind that both he and Noah had jackets to throw over themselves and plenty of privacy this way if a hand strayed under said jacket.Never mind that Timo was the master of subtlety, quiet and delicate as a hunting cat.

Oh no: Noah not only couldn’t enter into the spirit of the moment, not only jumped and swore when Timo tried to demonstrate, snarling at Timo that they were in a public space, as if Timo didn’t know that was half the thrill, but he even sunk to threats.Noah issuing threats.It would have been amusing if Timo didn’t believe him.

“I’ll find a seat in standard class if you don’t leave me alone.”

“They’re reserved.”

“They’re not sold out.I can find one.”

“Noah, calm down.Look, if you keep the jacket over the arm and turn a bit towards me you have a tent —”

“How many times have you done this before?Quit it — no, Timo,shit — that’s enough.”Noah grabbed his wrist and twisted Timo’s hand into the back of the seat, sending a rush of blood to Timo’s groin, so aroused by Noah’s tone and sudden show of strength, he wondered if he could instead lure Noah into a seat-to-seat wrestling match to achieve the same results.

Noah whispered with cold venom in his ear, “If you don’t respect my boundaries on this trip, we’re getting separate rooms in Paris.I can look after myself, you know.”

Timo shut his eyes, breaths short and balls tight, Noah still gripping his wrist, hot breath on Timo’s skin.Threats.Bloody good threats.What next?

He couldn’t see Noah willingly holding a whip, but psychological play with the odd toy or restraint was more Timo’s flavour of choice anyway.This could be the start of a long and ever-evolving power-play if only Noah would embrace the moment.

Noah let go and sat back, returning to looking out his coveted window, though the South of England wasn’t exactly the Alps, and half the trip was in tunnels.

Timo was sweating.He leaned out of his seat to look up and down the aisle, pretty sure the toilets were in the rail carriage behind theirs.

“Seriously?”Noah snapped, his tone again making Timo’s eyes glaze.

Timo had to fight for his innocent expression.“What?”

Noah leaned closer so as to drop his voice against noise of the running train and voices of other passengers.“We were in your office three hours ago.Can you not keep it in your pants for one train trip after that?”

“Noah?”Timo licked his lips, wondering if the sweat was starting to bead on his brow.“Do you enjoy controlling when your partner can get off?”

“This isn’t about controlling anyone.It’s about common decency, social laws, and respecting other people’s boundaries.So stop it.Don’t you have something to listen to or read?”

Wrong answer, but still a spark of potential.

“How do you feel about handcuffs?”Timo asked.“Rather have them on or put them on someone else?”

Noah held a hand up in front of his face.“Do not talk to me until we get to Paris or I’m finding another seat.”Noah pulled wireless earbuds from his jacket pocket.

Damn, that was cold while sitting right next to a travel companion.Sometimes it was shocking how rude Americans were.

“Can I say one more thing?”

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