Page 26 of Once Upon A Valentine
“Promise?” Bran grinned and Julian felt his heart trip over itself all over again.
“Have I ever let you down?”
“Never.” Bran answered.
“And I’ll do my best to keep it that way.”
Chapter Ten
“Here. Let me help you.”
Bran smiled at the reflection of Julian in the mirror behind him before he turned and took in the sight of his man in all his gorgeous glory. In the last 10 months he had seen Julian in everything from his workday slacks and button-downs to jeans and sweaters to his birthday suit. He could admit that he loved him best when he was completely naked because it usually meant he was doing something dirty and delicious to Bran’s body but this… this was a close second.
Julian was wearing a black tuxedo that was identical to the one Bran wore except that instead of the bowtie that Bran couldn’t seem to get a handle on, Julian wore a long skinny black tie instead. The suit was cut to perfection, framing his tall, athletic frame and making Bran itch to peel it from his lover’s skin. But it was that damn tie that nearly caused Bran to start sweating despite the near freezing December day.
Last night, Julian had used that same black tie to bind Bran to the headboard of their bed. It had been the closest thing at hand and Julian hadn’t given a thought to using it once Bran had, completely on purpose, disobeyed the direct order to keep his hands above his head while Julian used his mouth on him in evil, erotic ways. Julian had snapped, just as Bran had known he would when he instead threaded his fingers through the man’s hair and tried to guide his pace.
God, he loved it when Julian snapped and went full control-freak on him.
Bran was fairly certain that beneath the cuffs of his pristine white dress shirt and custom monogrammed cufflinks, that his wrists were still red and raw from where he’d pulled at the binding while Julian proceeded to drive him up to the edge of release and then keep him there for so long Bran had been begging for release by the time Julian deigned to give it to him.
It had been an incredible night. One of the best of his life which was really saying something considering every night that he’d spent with Julian felt like the best night ever. He couldn’t imagine how it kept getting better, but it did.
“Branson.” Julian’s voice was light and teasing as his long fingers and capable hands worked to correct the mess Bran had made of the bowtie. “Do tell me what has put that particular look on your face, sweetheart.”
Bran felt his cheeks heat and Julian chuckled. Bastard. He knew exactly what Bran had been thinking about. Bran glanced around to make sure they were still alone in the room before adjusting his heavy cock behind the fly of his slacks.
“Your tie.” He admitted aloud, knowing Julian wouldn’t let him off the hook without a response.
“Mmm, this old thing?” Julian winked up at him and it was Bran’s turn to chuckle before Julian’s handsome face grew serious. His voice was softer when he spoke again, just for them, and it was tinged in worry. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“You’ve asked me that fifty times and the answer hasn’t changed. No. You could never hurt me.”
“I saw the marks this morning.” Julian’s lips were pursed as he deftly finished with the bowtie and smoothed his hands across Bran’s shoulders, fitting his jacket back into place. “I was rough.”
“You’ve been rough before and you’ll be rough again because I like rough.” Bran leaned forward enough to brush their lips together. “I was just thinking how hot it is, knowing everyone else can see you wearing that tie but only we know what you did with it last night. It’s got me hard as a steel beam thinking about it and I love that you and me are the only ones that know my wrists are red beneath this fancy tux.”
Julian’s lips quirked, “You love a good secret, don’t you?”
“You know I do, so long as we’re in on it together.” Bran smiled and kissed him again.
This time, Julian kissed him back. As always, the man quickly took control of the kiss, guiding Bran’s lips in the choreographed dance they knew all too well. His tongue delved into Bran’s mouth and teased across his teeth. Bran gripped him by the hips and pulled him closer, rubbing himself against Julian until he was certain his lover was just as hard as he was.
Someone cleared their throat.
Julian didn’t immediately jump away from him. Instead, he slowly eased the kiss, drawing it out for another long, beautiful, second before his lips slipped from Bran’s in the gentlest touch. Bran didn’t want to let go of him but when Julian stepped back, he was forced to release his tight hold. He turned his attention to the doorway to see who had the nerve to interrupt them in so intimate a moment and ended up glaring at his younger brother.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Dawson shrugged, looking for all the world as if he wasn’t sorry at all. “The photographer needs us outside for the group shots.”
Bran groaned, “It’s fucking freezing out there.”
Dawson rolled his eyes, “I think you’ve soaked up enough heat from your boyfriend to keep you warm. Hurry up or Gibson will come get you himself and nobody wants that today.”
“We’ll be out in just a second.” Julian replied before Bran could tell his brother to fuck off.
Dawson didn’t reply as he turned to leave. He disappeared down the hallway and Bran groaned again as Julian began righting their clothes. He didn’t want to go outside and take a family photo even if it was Gibson’s wedding day. He wanted to stay here, where it was warm and he could keep kissing Julian until everything else in the world faded away.
“Come on now. Your brother is right. It’s Gibson’s big day and we don’t want to distract from that.”
