Turkish Delights Series (33 page)

He made his way down the hall towards the kitchen and heard Adem slamming things around, talking in rapid-fire Parisian French. Gleaming state of the art stainless steel appliances, an eight-burner gas range, double ovens, and gigantic Sub Zero fridge made up Caleb and Adem’s favorite room in his penthouse condo—for many things.

He smiled at the sight of his lover, clad in soft flannel pants, pacing, running slim fingers through long black hair. Caleb leaned against the door jamb a moment, trying to let go of the dream. But his heart kept pounding, and he was still so damn thirsty. He pulled a glass from the cabinet and filled it from the fridge’s filtered water source. His rudimentary French helped him understand that whoever was on the other end of the line was getting an ass chewing for letting Adem’s real estate deal fall through. Apparently he, or she, was a lamest possible asswipe of an estate agent, and Adem was firing him/her. Caleb downed another glass of water, unable to quench his raging thirst, and watched Adem’s back from across the room. The tip of his cock tingled, and he sat, hoping to quell the rising lust he got whenever he was in the other man’s presence.

Adem slammed the phone down on the counter, and Caleb watched the mess of expensive electronic pieces scatter across the marble expanse. He knew better than to say anything. When his lover was in full French-Pissed-Off mode he was best left alone lest one was ready to be on the receiving end of a string of curses and thrown All Clad cookware. He sipped his water and calmly ducked, avoiding the remains of the smart phone hurled at his head. Adem glared at him, chest heaving, eyes dark and shining with fury. Caleb rose, no longer willing to curtail the horny energy raging through him at the sight of Adem’s bare chest, the line of ebony dark hair below his six-pack leading right where Caleb was staring. Dear God, the man had such an effect on him.

He closed the five-step distance that separated them in only two and wrapped one hand around the back of his lover’s neck, clutching his soft silky hair. He needed him, so badly. Worse than ever for some reason. The demons he’d thought dispelled were back if that fucking dream and his inability to shake it were any indication. The only cure was to bury himself in Adem’s body, his lips, hair, eyes, and ass. Yes, most especially, his ass.

“You need to relax.” He growled before covering Adem’s mouth with his. The other man grunted and shoved him away. Caleb grinned and raised an eyebrow at the look in the dark eyes across from him, keeping his hand wrapped in Adem’s long hair, letting his thumb rub just under his jawline. “You know I’m right.” His voice was rough as he pulled the man to him, their tall bodies well matched, one long and lean, the other taut, firm muscle. Their lips collided; tongues tangled as Caleb reached into Adem’s flannels and gripped his long, firm cock. “Mmm hmmm…. I told you.” He muttered into his lover’s dark, spicy skin, licking and sucking his way down his long neck keeping a firm grip on the other man’s glorious, velvety-skinned shaft.

Adem groaned and leaned back against the counter. Caleb worked his way down, flicked the dark copper buds of his nipples before sucking in earnest, bringing an involuntary thrust to his lover’s hips. He ran his thumb over the pearly moisture that beaded the tip of Adem’s cock. “Mmmm…may I?”

“
Merde
. You’d better or I’m gonna turn you around and fuck you. Your choice.” He fisted his hands in Caleb’s hair as he made his way back up to Adem’s full lips, parted them, captured them, and owned him, sweeping his tongue inside and gripping his morning-stubbled face between his hands.

Something in him was aching in actual pain after that dream and he couldn’t place it. Terrified at the concept of the whole horror engulfing him again, he moaned when Adem shoved him back, pure unbridled lust in the dark chocolate brown of his eyes. Adem cupped his chin in one hand, keeping him at arm’s length, and tugged his boxers down. His hips jerked at the sensation of Adem’s fingers passing over the weeping head, at his firm grip and tug.

“On second thought.” Adem pressed his entire body against Caleb’s. “I think it is I who want to be fucked. No?” He covered Caleb’s mouth, fucking him already with his tongue, proving his need with the press of his erection into Caleb’s. Impending orgasm made Caleb whimper.

“Yes,” he whispered. “Yes. Please, I…need….” Caleb was alarmed to feel tears behind his eyes.

“Shh….” Adem’s low voice made Caleb’s entire body break out in a chill. God he loved this man. He somehow knew what Caleb needed, instinctively, unselfishly, knowing he’d get as good in return. But he was no doubt more emotionally in tune than Caleb would ever be, and for that he was forever grateful to have climbed onto that boat eight months prior. “I know. I know, my love.” His kiss was gentle, but with purpose and Caleb’s body relaxed, his heart loosened its clutch of fear from the dream as Adem turned and put his hands on the stainless steel island top. Caleb ran both hands down Adem’s smooth back, to his hips, around to his taut stomach, down both thighs, and back up, settling his own erection in the lovely cleft of his lover’s ass as he gripped the other man’s uncut cock in one hand.

Adem made a low sound in his throat and arched his back, giving Caleb what he needed, tossing his long hair back, enticing Caleb’s fingers to wrap in its dark lengths once again. The sound of their combined breathing filled the room, and Caleb reached into the nearby small drawer filled with hand towels and a carefully placed tube of his favorite lube. He leaned over Adem’s lean body, kissed his way down from the man’s shoulders to the small of his back.

“Oh yes, my love, take me. Fill me.” Adem pressed into Caleb’s body, spreading his long legs farther apart. “Hurry. I need you.”

Caleb pressed one lubed finger into Adem’s tight hole, groaning as his cock twitched and leaked yet more of his own fluid. He kept his other hand on his lover’s shaft. He loved bringing the man to the brink, bringing them both to the ragged edge of orgasm then stopping, briefly, before taking him, hard, shoving high into his body, reaching his gland and feeling them both explode together. But today, he didn’t think he could wait. Today, as the California dawn was breaking over the horizon, turning the huge, expensive kitchen a dusky pink with impending sun, he knew something had happened. He didn’t know what it was, but it had the potential to kill him, to actually lay him out dead with shock. But what? His brain fogged as the primal need to fuck took over.

Adem gasped as Caleb released his cock, gripped his hips, and shoved his lube-slicked shaft inside, pressing deep, slow and urgent. His balls tightened, his spine tingled, and the damn tears burned his eyeballs once again. Jesus, he was positively a girl today with all the crying. He grunted and shoved harder, relishing the tight grip of Adem’s body on his.

“Look,” Adem whispered, turning his head towards the gleaming front of the double Wolff ovens. “Look at us.”

Caleb turned his head and gripped Adem’s hair once more as he caught a glimpse of them, his cock buried in the other man’s ass. Adem’s hips tilted up to meet his every thrust, his own amazing rod weeping at the tip and pressed up against his stomach. “Oh fuck, yes.” He pulled out, all the way, groaning at the sensation and sight at the same time. Sliding back into Adem’s slick, warm ass then out again, he tightened his grip on the man’s hair, yanking his head back, bringing a sharp edge of pain that he knew the other man loved.

“
Evet
! Yes!” Adem’s voice was just a whisper as he slid inside once more, then out, fast and hard this time, his body preparing for a massive, glorious release. They’d forgone condoms a few weeks ago after trading health reports and smiles. “Baby…I’m gonna…I can’t….”

“Don’t. Hold. Back.” Caleb ground out, both hands on his lover’s slim hips, slamming into his body. Adem’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the counter and shoved back, meeting Caleb’s every thrust. “Grab it.” He muttered. “I want to watch.” He turned his head as Adem took his own cock in hand, pumped it up and down. That did it. His whole body was transported and his yells of pleasure mingled with Adem’s as their bodies shook, trembled, and released together. Caleb’s hips kept pumping. He shivered with the intensity of their connection.

The smell of Adem’s seed and his own sweat filled his nose as his body slowed and his heart began its gradual retreat back to a normal rhythm. Adem took a long, shuddering breath and Caleb tried to stop the panic rising in his gut. This was fine. Good. He was happy. But something hovered still, making him blink and swallow hard.

When his lover turned to face him, Caleb was shocked to see tears in his dark green eyes. He held him close, buried his face in the man’s hair, trying to hold off his own emotional reaction. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I know.” Adem pulled away and kissed him, a soft touch, just enough. Then stepped back. “You did it again, you know.”

Caleb ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts on the day ahead, and how to keep from having that god-awful dream again. He stared at his lover’s face, sensing the unhappiness in the air between them but unable to do anything to stop it.

“What?” He tried to keep his voice casual. But he already knew the answer. Knew it like he knew his own heart. He watched as Adem swallowed hard and pulled his pants back on.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s okay. I’ve got a shit ton of calls to make now to try and salvage my restaurant deal in Cannes. Go shower.” Caleb tugged his shorts up, grabbed Adem’s arm before he could turn. He had no intention of letting this fester.

“Please, you know I’m…oh hell.” He started, but ran out of words. Adem sighed and wrapped his arms around Caleb’s waist, pressing his nose into his neck. “I’m sorry. I know this is stressful for you. Can I help? Are you gonna have to go over there sooner?” Caleb tried to keep from begging him to stay, forever. He knew this was going to be a challenge. Adem had a successful restaurant in Turkey and was trying to open one in Cannes. This was his life. Caleb had no idea how they were going to work around it but the thought of being alone at night made him nauseous in anticipation.

“
Oui
. I am. I should make flight arrangements.”

“I figured.” He tilted Adem’s face up to his and kissed him, long and deep. “It’s fine. I understand.”

“I don’t want to do this Caleb, but….” His hesitation set off alarm bells in Caleb’s brain. He stepped back from the man who’d made him love again, terrified at what was coming next. “I think we…well, I think you need some time alone. We’ve been together non-stop since we met, and something’s happening to you, and I don’t know if I can help.”

Caleb grabbed his water, gulping down the liquid in deep pulls, unwilling to admit the man might be right. He set the glass down and stared at Adem. “I don’t want you to go. But I know you have to. I’m fine. Nothing’s ‘happening’ to me other than maybe I’m falling further in love with you.” He tried to walk past Adem into the hall, his natural tendency to avoid scenes taking over.

Adem gripped his arm as he passed and pressed his lips to Caleb’s ear. “You are crying out for him again, Caleb. In your sleep every single night and when we…when you….” He pressed his lips to Caleb’s cheek. Caleb clenched his eyes shut.
Shit
. Adem was right. The dream, his hurt and pain, it was all returning, as vivid as it had been two years ago when he lost Tarkan in the bomb blast. He couldn’t go through this again. He was probably deflecting and trying to protect himself from Adem’s love. So he couldn’t lose again.

“I am
not
a replacement. Remember?” Adem still clutched his arm, his voice tight, angry. Caleb leaned into the man’s body, then stood, and took a step away.

“I know. I’m having some kind of fucked up relapse. I don’t know.” Caleb ran a trembling hand down his face.

Adem stared at him so hard Caleb’s breath whooshed from his body as the emotional potential of the next few moments gripped him. He closed his eyes, unwilling to acknowledge what was about to happen. “Look at me, Caleb,
mi amour
, my love.” Adem’s voice soothed. He opened his eyes. “I am yours. I love you. I told you that. But….” He let go and stood up, crossing his arms over his chest. “You need some time to process that you can love again. Without guilt or whatever the fuck it is messing with your head and making you yell out a dead man’s name when you are with me, inside me, asleep next to me.” He cupped Caleb’s face briefly, brushed lips across his then smiled, his eyes shining once again with unshed tears. Caleb stood and watched him walk down the hall, dreading the thought of the next weeks or months or whatever it took for him to get past this, knowing Adem was right. It was not fair to him. Caleb had to get his head on straight. Adem must go to France, open his new restaurant, and then they could be reunited. They had to be. Anything else and Caleb would rather die.

Caleb stared into the rising sun, letting it sear his corneas. God help him he missed Tarkan still, so badly. How would he get past it, ever?

Chapter Two

The plane bumped its way into the air as Lale gripped Andreas’s hand tighter. God she hated flying. And these short runs were the worst. But they were in a semi-private jet that Andreas had promised would be less stressful.
Yeah, so far, no better
. She leaned forward, took in the receding Las Vegas skyline as the jet banked and gave them a view of sunset over the Strip. Andreas put her hand to his lips, but otherwise ignored her in favor of whatever conversation he had started in the airport. She settled back in the soft leather seat and studied him. Phone pressed to his ear obviously pissed off at whomever was on the other end regarding “integrity of the program” and “zero tolerance.” His handsome, olive-skinned face was creased with anger. She sighed, nodded at the sexy chick eyeballing her man while pointing at a bottle of champagne. He ignored the woman, to Lale’s extreme satisfaction.

She’d spent the last three weeks with Andreas, after meeting him on what was essentially an expensive blind date in Las Vegas, set up by her meddling sister-in-law Elle and brother Emre. The man turned her once self-centered world upside down and inside out, teaching her the value of submission, letting go to another, thinking of something other than herself. But along the way somewhere, made her doubt her own sanity by falling in love with him. And now, they were winging their way to her brother Emre’s home in Los Angles, and Lale was frozen with terror.