Chartreuse (14 page)

     “He
went out back,” She said, nodding towards the rear entrance.  “Some guy in a
business suit took him that way.  He didn’t look so good, to be honest.”

    
Rowan’s brows furrowed.  Some guy in a business suit?  He slid off the stool
immediately, glancing at Nikki, who was holding hands with another woman.  Who
would have known?

      “Thank
you, Nikki,” He said before he pushed his way through the crowd.  His main
concern at that point was just finding Kasen and making sure he was okay.

-----------------------

    
Kasen felt like he was slipping from one dream into another.  The bass of the
music was still thumping through his brain as he felt his back pressing against
a hard surface.  Hot breath fanned out against his neck and he attempted to
open his eyes to see what was happening.

    
“Don’t fight it,” He heard someone saying.

    
“Fight what?”  Kasen asked in confusion.

    
“Don’t fight me,” The voice said.

    
Kasen could feel the cool night air hitting his exposed chest and he suddenly
wondered how he had lost his shirt.  He could hear the sound of a zipper being
undone and he lifted a hand to push against the chest that was pressing against
his own.

    
“Where’s Rowan?”  Kasen asked, his lids feeling as if they weighed a ton.  His
head was pounding, and he felt like he would fall at any moment.  “Stop that,”
He pushed against that chest again, squirming as fingertips brushed against his
length.

    
“Don’t worry about Rowan,” The voice stated in a husky tone.  “You’re with me
right now, and you should enjoy that.”

    “No,”
Kasen said, shaking his head quickly.  “No, you’re not Rowan.  Stop it.  Get
off me.”

     Kasen
was attempting to fight off the other male as a bitter mouth covered his own. 
Kasen did not like that taste.  It wasn’t the taste he was accustomed to.  He
grunted and shoved at him again, but found his limbs were entirely useless. 
How could he be this drunk?  How could he be so weak?

     He
heard a sudden shout and then there was a loud cry of pain.  Kasen tried to
focus his vision enough to see what was going on.

    
“You stay away from him, asshole!”

     It
was Rowan’s voice.  He could make that out.  Rowan was there. 

   
“Rowan,” He said quietly, reaching his hand out, though he couldn’t find anyone
particular.  Kasen lost his balance as he fell to the side, barely catching
himself against a cold metal surface.  Maybe that was a dumpster.

      He
could hear more grunts and cries as fists made impact with a face.  The sounds
were echoing in his mind, blurring into a brain tingling numbness as Kasen’s
eyes closed again.

    
Then there were warm hands cupping his face, and he could hear Rowan’s voice.

   
“Kasen?”

   
“Kasen? Are you okay?”

   
“Kasen, open your eyes.  Look at me.”

     Kasen
really was trying to look at him, but his eyes wouldn’t open the way he wanted
them to.  He felt the strong arms that were around him in an instant, and he
knew he was safe. 
This
was right.  Somewhere in his drug induced haze,
Kasen knew he was going to be okay now.

---------------------

    
Rowan was breathing heavily as he put the car into drive.  He glanced over at
Kasen, who was slumped against the window.  God, how could this happen?  How
could someone take advantage of anyone…but especially Kasen?  He was shaking as
he glanced at his bloodied knuckles.  That bastard deserved it.

    He
pulled out of the parking lot and sped down the road, not caring about cops or
possible speeding tickets.  He needed to get Kasen to a hotel as quickly as he
could. A quieter, safer location where he could examine him and make sure that
no damage was done. 

     It
was an image that wouldn’t soon leave his mind.  The man who had his hand down
Kasen’s pants.  The man who had his mouth forced against Kasen’s.  That should
have been
his
mouth.  No one else’s, damn it.  And no one should have
ever been touching Kasen.  Kasen had told him he was a virgin and deep down
Rowan had wanted to be the first, and only, person to touch him.  He felt his
stomach lurch at the thought of somebody ripping that experience away from
them.  What a fucking dog…..and that was an insult to dogs!

     Checking
into the hotel was quick and solemn.  Rowan barely managed to remember his
manners to thank the front desk clerk.  He was trying to help Kasen walk to
their room, but he ended up carrying him the rest of the way.

     As
he placed him upon the bed, he heard Kasen groan.  God, this was a mess.  He
was instantly regretting that he had ever brought Kasen to this town.  He was
regretting that he had left him alone.  He shouldn’t have done that.

     He
glanced at Kasen’s exposed chest, examining him for any bruises.  He found
none.  He slowly lifted Kasen’s eyelid with his thumb, noticing that by the
judgment of how big his pupils were, he was most certainly under the influence
of something.  How the hell had someone roofied the poor kid within a twenty
minute time frame?

     If
it hadn’t been for Nikki being there…

     He
didn’t want to think about how worse it could have played out.  He didn’t want
to think about what could have happened to Kasen if he hadn’t been there to
stop it in the nick of time. 

    
“Rowan.”

    
Rowan was hovering over him in an instant, gazing down at Kasen as he tried to
open his eyes.

    
“I’m here,” Rowan whispered.  “You’re safe.”

     “I
didn’t drink that much,” Kasen promised.  “I swear it was only one glass.”

     “I
know that,” Rowan continued in that same gentle tone.  “I know, Baby.”

     He
had never used that term with Kasen, until now.  It was probably a shame that
Kasen wouldn’t remember it, but it was also a blessing at the same time.  He
didn’t want Kasen to remember this.  He didn’t want Kasen to remember that man.

    
“I’m too drunk,” Kasen murmured a moment later, reaching his hand out to touch
Rowan’s chin.  “I feel sick.”

    
Rowan caught his hand, kissing at his palm before gazing at him again.  “I know,
Baby,” He murmured in a compassionate tone.  “But you’re going to be okay in
the morning.  I’m going to take care of you.”

     His
heart was still pounding from the events that had taken place.  How could he
have been so careless?

     The
thoughts haunted him as he settled in beside Kasen, watching as the boy slept
so comfortably next to him.  Rowan kept his arm around him protectively, afraid
to fall asleep in fear of something happening to him right under his nose
again.  It was becoming more apparent with each passing second just how much
Kasen meant to him.

Chapter
Fifteen

    
“What happened to your hand?”

     The
question brought Rowan out of a restless sleep.  His eyes opened and he gazed
tiredly into beautiful blue eyes.

    
“You’re awake,” Rowan mumbled as he quickly sat up in the bed, gazing at Kasen.

     “I
am,” Kasen replied, moving a hand through his hair.  “I can’t believe I drank enough
to get a hangover though,” He smiled gently as he shifted to sit up on the bed
as well, moving his hand to rest against the mattress.

    
Rowan frowned as he gazed at Kasen.  He couldn’t keep this from him.  As much
as he wanted to protect him, Kasen deserved to know the truth about what had
really happened.

    
“Kasey,” Rowan started in a soft voice.

    
Kasen lifted his eyes to Rowan’s again and he noticed that frown.  It made him
frown in response as his brows furrowed.  “What’s wrong, Rowan?”  And he still
hadn’t answered his question about what happened to his hand.

   
Rowan let out a deep sigh as he licked his lips and then he shifted again.  He
reached his good hand out, resting it over Kasen’s as he searched his face. 
“Last night at the club…”

    
“What about it?”  Kasen asked with a sudden worried tone to his voice.

    
Rowan tried to break it to him as gently as he could, as if he were explaining
death to a child.  Kasen was no child, he knew that; but he didn’t want to
terrify him either.  Learning about something like this could be traumatic, and
he didn’t want to see Kasen tarnished in any form.

     By
the time he was done explaining about the man, and what he had done to him for
it, Kasen’s eyes were on the bed.  He was silent.  That worried Rowan the most.

     He
wasn’t sure when the right moment would come to ask if he was okay, so he
waited.  It was all he could do and that wait was the longest of his life.  It
may have only been two minutes, or it may have been two hours.  Rowan was
surprised he was even breathing at that point, as he traced his thumb over the
warm flesh of Kasen’s palm.

    
When Kasen finally spoke, it wasn’t anything that Rowan had been expecting.

    
“Did you put some ice on your hand?”  He asked.

     Why
in the hell was Kasen worried about his hand when he had just learned that he’d
been slipped the date rape drug and was nearly violated behind a club?    

    
“Don’t worry about my hand,” Rowan whispered, but he quickly quieted when
Kasen’s eyes met his own again.

     “I
will worry,” Kasen argued.  “You saved me from that creep.  He could have hurt
you just as easily, Rowan.”

    
Rowan hadn’t really been thinking about his own safety at the time.  He was
more concerned with getting Kasen as far away from that man as possible.  He
frowned as he thought it over, deciding that the scenario could have played out
in so many different ways.

    
Kasen was suddenly closer than he had been beforehand, and Rowan had no choice
but to look at him.  He wouldn’t have ignored him anyway.

    
“Thank you,” Kasen said softly.  “For being there.  For protecting me.”

     “You
don’t have to thank me for that,” Rowan argued in a gentle tone as he lifted
his hand to cup Kasen’s cheek.  As it had often before, Rowan’s thumb traced
over the younger male’s jawline.  “You mean more to me than you realize,
Kasen.  I would never let anyone hurt you.”

    
Kasen’s eyes closed briefly when he felt the soft caress against his skin.  His
head was pounding, but he was trying to ignore it.  He liked when Rowan showed
affection like that towards him.  He also didn’t mind the words leaving his
lips at the moment.  A frenzy of butterflies were floating around in his
stomach, and Kasen was beginning to believe that Rowan returned his feelings. 
He knew that Rowan liked him…..but maybe it was deeper now.  Maybe they shared
something that Kasen could only hope for in the past.

     “I
know that,” Kasen nodded, letting the tip of his nose bump against Rowan’s
lightly.  “I would never let anyone hurt you either, Rowan,” He offered a small
smile, trying to push aside the new information about last night.  He didn’t
want to think about that man, or what he may have done to him.  Rowan had saved
him from it and that’s what mattered.  Though he didn’t like the thought that
someone else’s lips had been against his own-he didn’t like that thought at all.

     “Rowan,”
He murmured after a moment.

    
“Hm?” 

     “I
need you to kiss me right now,” Kasen admitted in a quiet voice.  “Please.”

     What? 
Did he hear that correctly?  Kasen wouldn’t have to ask him twice, but Rowan
hadn’t been expecting that request at all.  It made sense, didn’t it?  He
wanted to take away whatever taste was in Kasen’s mouth and replace it with his
own.  He didn’t want Kasen to ever feel the tingle of someone else’s lips or
their kiss.  He wanted it to be his kiss that Kasen always felt lingering on
his lips.

     As
their lips met in a gentle exchange, Rowan moved his hand to the back of
Kasen’s neck.  Their mouths moved slowly, taking their time.  They had shared
hundreds of kisses, but Rowan intended for this one to be the one that stood
out. This was the kiss that he poured his feelings into.

     As
his lips slowly moved against Kasen’s, Rowan shifted to bring their bodies
closer together.  He would be careful.  He knew that Kasen’s mind must have
been flooded with a thousand questions about last night, but Rowan desperately
wanted to help him forget it had even happened.  Was it wrong to tell him? 
Should he have kept it from him?  He wanted to help him move on from that
experience.  He would do whatever it took.

     He
could feel as Kasen’s kiss became hungry.  It was nearly animalistic the way
the younger male suddenly dominated his mouth, but Rowan allowed this.  He
didn’t mind when Kasen became eager with his kisses, because Rowan liked it. 
He liked that Kasen had slowly come out of his shell and he liked that he was
the one the younger man experimented on.  He would happily be his guinea pig
any day of the week.

     He
could hear Kasen’s breathing growing rapid through his nostrils and Rowan
slowly pulled away to gaze at him.  Those bright blue eyes were hidden for the
moment, but that was all right.  Those orbs were burned into his memory, and
Rowan would never forget how they shimmered with happiness.

    
“Thank you,” Kasen murmured, his forehead resting against Rowan’s.

    
“For what?”  Rowan asked. His voice was equally quiet as he traced his
fingertips down Kasen’s jawline.  “You don’t have to thank me for kissing you,
Kasen.  I’d happily do it again and again.  As often as you want.”

     A
soft chuckle escaped from Kasen’s kiss swollen lips and Rowan’s heart felt like
it was going to leap from his chest.  Despite what had happened the night
before, Rowan hoped it hadn’t tainted the young man he had such strong
affections for.  He hoped that Kasen would not think too heavily on the
subject.  If he saw that man again….

    
“When are we going back to Chartreuse?”  Kasen asked after a moment.  His voice
tugged Rowan away from his momentary vision of beating the pervert in a suit to
a pulp and he blinked. 

     “In
a few hours, I think,” Rowan nodded.  “I know you probably need to get back to
Houston as much as I need to get back to Napoleon.”

     “They
can wait a little longer,” Kasen whispered as he nuzzled his nose against
Rowan’s cheek.

     How
in the hell was he supposed to say no to this kid?  He had already wormed his
way past the walls Rowan put up, and he was pretty sure he would do anything
the kid asked of him, short of murder.   They could stay for a little longer. 
He wouldn’t hold it against Napoleon if he had an accident. 

     He
felt the warm, soft fingertips that were tracing over his jawline and he was
momentarily distracted from his thoughts.  He enjoyed the affection that Kasen
displayed, especially as of late.  The young man was still incredibly shy at
times, but Rowan relished the moments in which Kasen found courage.

    
Since their first kiss, Rowan found the weight on his shoulders lightening a
little more with each passing day.  When he was in Kasen’s presence, all the
bad disappeared and he could only focus on the good.  Kasen was the missing
piece he’d desperately needed. 

     “What
are you thinking about?” Kasen asked as he buried his nose into Rowan’s dark
locks, inhaling his masculine scent.

     A
thoughtful expression crossed Rowan’s face as he pulled back slightly to stare
at him.  A small smile toyed at the corners of his mouth as he gazed into his
eyes.

    
“I’m thinking about how moving to Chartreuse was the best decision I’ve made in
my life,” He admitted.

     “Yeah?”
Kasen bit at his lower lip, tilting his head to the side as he gazed at him
thoughtfully. 

    
“Yeah,” Rowan nodded, sliding his warm palm down to rest against the side of
the other male’s neck.  “I’m really happy we met, Kasen…and I’m grateful I was
able to be there for you last night.”

     “To
be honest, I’m glad you were there, too,” Kasen smiled. 

    
“That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t brought you here,” Rowan frowned
suddenly.  “I’m sorry.”

    
“What?” Kasen pulled away, staring at him in surprise.  “Don’t apologize for
bringing me, Rowan.  Don’t you dare do that,” He narrowed his eyes as he ran
his fingers through his hair nervously.  “Going on these little adventures with
you are the best moments of my life.  I don’t regret any of it.  You saved me,
remember?”

     “I
know that,” Rowan sighed.  “I’m just saying….it’s my fault it even happened.  I
shouldn’t have let you out of my sight, Kase.”

    
“I’m a big boy,” Kasen blinked.  “Nothing happened….that’s what matters most. 
I’m fine, really.  Okay?  I’m fine.”

    
Rowan nodded, although he still felt guilty for being the reason it nearly
happened in the first place.  He would never let him out of his sight- ever
again.  He would never give anyone else the opportunity to hurt Kasen.

     He
was pulled out of his thoughts when Kasen’s fingers curled against the back of
his neck.  He felt himself being pulled forward and he didn’t resist.  He met
familiar lips halfway, kissing him more vigorously this time around as they
fell back against the bed.

    
Kasen sighed beneath him, seemingly enjoying the gentle caress of petal-soft
lips as Rowan suckled at his lower lip.

    
“Don’t stop,” Kasen whispered, tracing his fingers down Rowan’s spine. 

     “I
won’t,” Rowan mumbled against his mouth, allowing his teeth to nip at the plump
flesh of his lip again. 

     Kasen
writhed beneath him and Rowan understood that action all too well.  The younger
male wanted more-no, he needed it.  Truth be told, Rowan needed it, too, but
something deep in his mind prevented him from taking what he wanted.  He was
still afraid of what could happen again.

    
“Rowan,” Kasen panted, allowing his head to fall back against the pillow as he
wrapped his legs around his waist. 

    
Dipping his head, Rowan dusted kisses along Kasen’s jawline, making his way
down to his throat as his teeth raked gently over his Adams apple.  His eyes
closed as he fought an inner battle with himself.  He did want Kasen; he wanted
him in the worst of ways….but to be intimate meant making his soul vulnerable. 
Could he really do that again?

    
“Oh, yes,” Kasen groaned in a breathless voice.  His fingers tightened around
the fabric of Rowan’s shirt and he immediately grew rock hard.  He pulled away
to gaze down at the beautiful creature beneath him, licking at his lips
hungrily.

     “We
should probably stop,” Rowan whispered.  Hell, did he really want to stop? 
No
. 

    
“What? Why?”  Kasen’s eyes popped open and he stared at him in confusion. 
“What’s wrong?”

     
“Nothing,” Rowan replied in a calm tone.  “I just…don’t want to rush you into
something you may not be ready for.”

     As
they straightened back up on the bed, Rowan couldn’t ignore the expression on
Kasen’s face.  Was he mad?  If so, he could hardly blame the guy.  They’d been
at this for weeks; getting closer and closer, only to pull away at the last
minute.  He knew it was frustrating, but he was fighting a mental war that
wasn’t easy to win. 

    
“Who says I’m not ready?” Kasen frowned.   “Rowan, if I didn’t want it, I’d
tell you that.”

     “I
know,” Rowan groaned softly, rubbing at his temple as his eyes closed.  “I
just…..sex is a big deal, you know?  And the first time isn’t something that
should just happen without some thought.  I don’t want you to regret it.”

    
“I’m not going to regret it,” Kasen stared at him in disbelief.  “I don’t know
if you’ve been paying attention lately, but I
really
like you.  A lot. 
I’m pretty sure that should say something on its own, Rowan.”