The Uncertain Customer (6 page)

How in the devil was the man so successful in his conquests using such awful
bon mots
? Having expended the last vestiges of his attention on the subject, Wilcox left the question to the ages as Gardenia whispered “off” in his ear. Wilcox obliged, clumsily toeing his trousers over his feet while Gardenia leered down at him, having raised himself slightly to accommodate the endeavor. When Wilcox was clothed only in his undergarments and black socks, the boy plopped himself back from whence he’d started, the skirt of his kimono flaring around him as he settled.

“Thank you, my lord.” The response to Church’s flattery was punctuated by a far more civilized sipping sound.

“And how about a biscuit for you? Lemon, as well?”

Wilcox threw back his head, groaning as Gardenia’s bared flesh met his own swollen member, which was uncomfortably trapped beneath the rasping cotton of his drawers. Paid for his affections or not, the lad was certainly keen on finding his own enjoyment. Gardenia rotated his hips, grinding down on the hard steel in Wilcox’s lap. He leaned forward and bit Wilcox’s ear, worrying the tender lobe with the careful application of sharp teeth. Gardenia’s rapid, eager pants were nearly lost beneath the loud rush of blood descending rapidly from Wilcox’s brain to more needful parts. Wilcox gritted his teeth against the sensual attack, trying desperately not to embarrass himself. Losing to this imp would be inexcusable, no matter the boy’s prowess. It was only because he made an effort to pull himself back from the onrushing tide of passion that surged in his loins that Wilcox heard the hastily choked moan from the hired blossom on the other side of the bed.

“The biscuit tastes even better like this.”

Church’s voice had dipped into a low growl, the hint of threat in his tenor making the ever-increasing danger Wilcox faced even worse. While Gardenia sucked gently at the side of his throat, he managed to turn his head enough to see his friend licking the crumbs from Aster’s parted lips. The lad was blushing furiously, but the slight bump in the material covering his groin proved that Church’s attentions were not unwelcome. Aster’s moaning suddenly grew more ardent as Church reached past the folds of his kimono to dally between the boy’s parted thighs. As he angled his head to watch his plaything, the unfamiliar expression of fondness passed, once again, across Church’s handsome features. Then the sight of Aster’s moist lips that he had so recently made pristine apparently became too much for Church to bear. He cupped a hand behind the boy’s head and urged it down until he could capture the tempting lips with his own, his hand all the while remaining occupied beneath the sheltering fall of green silk.

Wilcox gasped at the vision his friend presented with the gorgeous lad writhing on his lap. His gasp sharpened into a ragged inhalation as his own paramour suddenly squeezed the bulge rising stiffly from his pelvis. A sharp nip to his jaw drew Wilcox’s attention until he found himself face-to-face with Gardenia’s lovely pout.

“You’re ignoring me. Have I displeased you?” Gray eyes gazed down at Wilcox with teasing melancholy. “Is Aster so much prettier than me that he has stolen away your affections? Or,” Gardenia appended with a sly, oblique glance toward the other pair before Wilcox could stammer a reassuring denial, “is it someone else who fascinates you so?”

Wilcox gaped at the precocious lad. His mouth opened to refute the insinuation, but no sound emerged as he found himself unable to give voice to the lie. Still, he shot a panicked glance toward the subjects of Gardenia’s accusation, his heart pounding with the fear that Church had overheard. Fortunately, his friend was far too occupied exploring Aster’s mouth and nether regions to be much concerned with what he and Gardenia were getting up to.

“Hmm, I see that I guessed right.” Gardenia tilted his head curiously, his ponytail cascading over his shoulder at the motion. “So, why are the two of you here with us?” The puzzlement faded as it was swiftly replaced by a look of exaggerated scandal. “Oh dear! You enjoy watching one another with other men. Is that it?” Gardenia placed a dramatic hand to his bared chest. “How daring of you, my lord!”

“Enough,” Wilcox huffed in exasperation. He checked again to make certain that the boy’s ludicrous assumptions had gone unheeded. “That’s not it at all.”

Aster had clawed his fingers into the fabric covering Church’s broad shoulders, his hips moving erratically as a knowledgeable hand stroked him ever closer to the edge. His cheeks were red as beets, though for once his ravaged complexion was likely from desire rather than embarrassment. The boy was making little squeaking noises that were eagerly swallowed by the lips devouring his. Wilcox forgot his purpose in looking at his friend and the modest coquet, equally mesmerized and envious of Aster’s helpless reaction to Church’s deft handling. He realized that his hips were moving in time with Aster’s only when Gardenia moaned at the friction his movements entailed.

“Nnngh,” he groaned. “Yes, my lord, that feels wonderful.”

Wilcox glanced up at him, watching as a pink flush crept up from Gardenia’s chest until his cheeks were painted with the glowing hue. Feeling a hint of pride as the boy’s storm gray eyes darkened with pleasure, Wilcox was startled when unexpectedly strong hands clenched around his upper arms, stilling his movements.

“Not that I have any wish to stop you, sir, but I am curious.” Gardenia’s gaze drifted over to the engrossed couple. “Why do you keep your feelings hidden, if indeed he is unaware of your regard for him?”

Wilcox did not want to have this conversation and felt a flash of resentment at being called out by a mere whore. Instantly ashamed of himself, he squashed the uncharitable thought, responding instead to the unaffected sincerity of the boy’s question. “We are friends,” he began after a moment’s hesitation, keeping his voice low in fear of being overheard. “I do not wish to presume anything that might disturb that relationship. Besides, his fancy is more properly directed toward women—”

“Oh?” Gardenia interjected. “Such a conclusion seems less than entirely accurate, unless he is confused by what he has found between Aster’s legs.”

Unable to find a meaningful response to the astute observation, Wilcox merely blinked up into Gardenia’s now-smiling face.

“Hmm, that’s what I thought. Perhaps you simply need a bit of help. I do resemble Wincenty de Lesseur’s Cupid.” The boy’s grin increased in width and lewdness. “Or so a gentleman once told me while I was busily sucking on his John Thomas.”

Wilcox sputtered, but Gardenia merely bent down and bussed his lips in a playful kiss as though he weren’t in danger of having a seizure. “I hardly think this is an appropriate topic of conversation,” Wilcox finally managed to choke out, wondering if he sounded as ridiculous as he felt. Apparently so, for Gardenia merely shook his head and tsked at him.

“What more appropriate place than this to explore matters of the heart?” The boy straightened abruptly as his expression grew suspiciously bright. “I’ve got it!”

Apprehensive of what had the lad so excited, Wilcox inquired despite his instinct to draw Gardenia’s head down and put an end this foolishness by removing his ability to speak. “And precisely what have you ‘got’?”

Gardenia bit his lower lip and looked askance at the other couple. “Would you like to see us together, my lords?” he said loud enough for Church and Aster to hear him. “What do you say, Aster? Should we give the gentlemen a show?”

The suggestion instantly garnered Church’s attention. He detached his lips from his gasping prize, though his hand remained busy with its dexterous pursuit. One light-colored brow was raised in intrigue as he looked over at Gardenia. “Now, that sounds interesting. What exactly did you have in mind?”

Gardenia climbed off a mortified Wilcox, who rushed to hide the evidence of his own arousal with trembling hands. He crawled across the vast mattress, leaving his blue kimono in a puddle of silk behind him. Stopping only once he had resumed his former position, this time over Aster’s extended legs, he tossed Church a cheeky grin. “If you think us pleasing separately, just think of how much better we’d look together.” Leaning forward, Gardenia touched his tongue to the corner of the other boy’s mouth. “Besides, there are no strangers here. Why should we segregate ourselves during this time we have together?”

“Now, see here!” Wilcox whispered to his erstwhile playmate, anxiety morphing the protest into a rasping hiss.

“Ah, you are clearly a young man of superior vision.” Church’s aspect took on that singular expression which historically had resulted in Wilcox landing in a heap of trouble. “Yes, I approve of this scheme of yours, my love. What say you, Wilcox? Excellent!” he continued before Wilcox could even form a coherent objection to the mad plan.

“Very good, my lord,” Gardenia replied with mock solemnity.

Aster shot his friend a look of profound gratitude when Gardenia took his hand and tugged him until he was free of Church’s lap. Wilcox experienced another twinge of sympathy for the lad’s ill-concealed distaste for his current occupation. Any pangs of guilt at participating in the boy’s debauchment were, however, instantly routed by the spectacle of the two young men pressing their lips together in uncontrived passion.

“Now, there’s a vision to behold,” Church breathed.

Wilcox stared in silent agreement. His erection, which had flagged at the threat of his regard for his friend being exposed, rallied quickly at the voyeuristic display. Since Gardenia had already lost his clothing during their romp, there was no obstacle for Aster to overcome when he curved his hands around the smaller boy’s flanks. He rubbed his thumbs gently over the pale flesh, the ghostly caress making Gardenia shiver. The tease bespoke long familiarity, and the pressure in Wilcox’s groin worsened as his mind flooded with speculation regarding what Leslie’s flowers got up to with each other when left to their own devices.

Not to be outdone, Gardenia tugged Aster’s bottom lip with his teeth as he pulled back. He released the plump bit of flesh with a moist
pop
before gracing his audience with a naughty smirk. “Shall we show them what you most enjoy, dear Aster? I’m certain these gentlemen would be fascinated to learn how dearly you love it when someone plays with these beauties.” Gardenia reached out and tucked his thumbs into the overlapping fabric of Aster’s kimono before drawing the sides apart. The heavy silk slipped over the curve of Aster’s shoulders but had yet to settle in the crook of his bent arms when Gardenia grasped his companion’s nipples between taunting fingers.

Aster’s lips parted on a surprised gasp, his eyes widening for a helpless instant at the surprise assault. But they soon shut tightly in agonized ecstasy when Gardenia gave each of the trapped nubs a firm twist. A cry forced its way from Aster’s throat, and his fingers dug into Gardenia’s waist, leaving dimples in the smaller boy’s yielding flesh. Wilcox was momentarily alarmed at the harsh treatment, but any concern for Aster’s wellbeing was soon assuaged by the sight of the young man’s rosy cock poking through the fold of silk covering his lap. Whatever discomfort Gardenia might be causing him, Aster’s insistent arousal offered unmistakable proof that he didn’t mind the small bit of abuse in the least.

“There you are, my lovely. At last we meet.” Church’s voice rumbled deep in his chest as he knelt up behind Aster and placed his hands on the boy’s exposed shoulders. “Now, let’s get a proper look at you.” He stroked slowly down the length of Aster’s arms until he reached the crumpled remnants of the green kimono. Taking care to avoid the rearing shaft of Aster’s erection, Church pulled free the sash keeping the garment in place. The heavy silk instantly fell apart, leaving the lad as naked as his friend save for where the fabric hung from his arms. “Truly magnificent,” Church murmured as his gaze raked over the slender musculature of the boy’s torso. He bent low to press a reverent kiss to Aster’s shoulder. “Don’t you think?”

Hypnotized by the erotic scene, it was a moment before Wilcox realized Church was speaking to him. He looked up and shivered when he met his friend’s darkened gaze. Church had a predatory air about him, his body coiled as though he were prepared to devour these floral treats. Wilcox’s breath caught in his throat as though he were the intended prey. Managing only to nod in response, he wondered at the way Church stared at him for a timeless instant before returning his attention toward the frolicking lads.

The pink nubs rising from Aster’s chest were now a dusky rose as a result of Gardenia’s relentless teasing. A final hard pinch prompted a moan of plaintive appreciation. But Aster did not take the assault without rallying his own defense. He wrapped long, graceful fingers around Gardenia’s cock, whose modest length and girth was just as expected for one of the boy’s diminutive stature. The restrained dimensions of his sex, however, proved no hindrance to Gardenia’s enjoyment. His narrowed eyes widened as he treated his friend with a look of amazed delight.

“Aren’t you a cheeky monkey?” Gardenia moaned, his tone a contrary mix of praise and admonishment.

Church chuckled at Gardenia’s antics, though the amused sound changed in character when the boy attached his lips to the column of Aster’s neck. The recipient whimpered at the vicious pressure, though he never let up as he worked Gardenia’s cock into a fine state of throbbing arousal. Gardenia took hold of Aster’s swollen cock to return the favor, and the two boys were soon working each other into a trembling frenzy.

Projecting engrossment with the boys’ activities, Wilcox kept a close watch on his friend, curious as to how Church was enjoying the performance. He felt somewhat bad for using the lads as a pretense, but Church did not disappoint. From where he was positioned behind Aster, his lap was hidden from view, but the uncharacteristic color in Church’s cheeks betrayed the extent of his engrossment. He was staring fixedly at the mutual play of nimble hands and dripping cocks. His tongue darted out to leave a tempting sheen behind on his lips, which Wilcox was suddenly desperate to taste for himself.