Cherish

Just because he’d declared he wouldn’t touch David it didn’t mean he had no intentions of romancing him. Karl had to leave to do some filming, and from the set, during a break, he made a few calls. The trick to a successful romance was taking the time to understand the one you cared for, and putting thought into little things you did or got to please them.

He did wonder how he’d keep his hands ~~ and lips ~~ off of David while the man was staying with him. The only reason he’d never come onto the Aussie while they were filming in New Zealand was because he’d noticed the little looks and ‘accidental’ touches between him and Viggo. Karl now realized that had been the older man’s of of seducing David.

David needed more than seduction. He needed someone to hold him at night, someone to spend quality time just being close with him, and someone who was willing to do little things to make him happy. He needed someone to care, and Karl had every intention of being that someone.

When he got to the hotel he tiredly entered his room. There was a note on the table, and he unfolded the sheet of paper to read it.

‘Karl;

Went home to get a few things. Will be back shortly. Don’t order dinner. I have a surprise for you. Thank you for the fantastic lunch and gifts.

David.’

In the bathroom he set the shower and undressed. On the counter beside the sink was the man’s bathing products he’d had sent over. The note that he’d instructed to be given with them lay opened next to the tubes and bottles. It had told David to soak in a bath, and that though he loved the smell of him he thought he could use some pampering so to enjoy the products. He was glad to see that David had tried them.

The hot water cascaded down his tired body, and Karl leaned both hands against the wall beneath the spray to let it fall over his head and neck and ease away the tension and soreness. With his eyes shut he began to think of how David must have looked while bathing. No, first he had to think of him undressing to get in the tub. Yes, first he had to undress. He would first remove his shirt, exposing a chest dusted with strawberry-blond hair that thinned as it descended over his flat belly and disappeared in the waistband of his pants. The pants would fall next, and Karl pictured those snug fitting boxers that would hug the contour of his ass and gently cup the heaviness of his pouch and member. The outline of it would be hinted at, the slightly darker red of his pubic hair a shadow visible through the white of the boxers.

Using his thumbs hooked into the waistband he would push those underclothes down, and for a moment the material would catch on the roundness of firm buttocks, and the flaccid but wonderful shape of his member would be freed and laying calmly against his pouch. Now nude he would step into the tub and slowly sink into the warm r. Kr. Karl began to envision David’s hands as he washed. They would be slick with the suds of the shower gel, and would easily glide over skin warmed by the water. Over that broad chest with the tight nipples, down to his belly, and finally to the nest of red curls that was at the base of his member.

Would he pause and slowly slide his soapy hand up and down the length of it? Would it make him sigh and shut his eyes, and tighten his hand about it when he did it again? How long before it swelled and hardened? How long before David was panting and the water sloshed over the side of the tub in his enthusiastic ministrations? Would he give a small cry when he came, or a long and guttural groan?

Karl’s eyes snapped open, and he cursed. He was now painfully aroused. “I’ll never fucking survive not touching him,” he mumbled as he turned the hot water off and yelped at the sting of cold, but it was working. His arousal was shrinking, and before long he hurried out of the shower and vigorously dried off to restore some heat to his body.

“I was starting to get worried,” David announced when Karl exited the bathroom wearing his pants only. “I heard you cry out. Are you okay?”

A snort esca and and Karl noticed the set table and the smell of food. Two candles were lit, and the rest of the room’s lighting was dimmed. “I ended up having to take a cold shower, and it’s all your fault.”

“Mine?” David blinked in surprise. “What did I do?”

“You don’t have to do anything, mate, just be your adorable self.” Karl eyed the pasta dishes, salad, and bottle of wine. “So this is your surprise?” He quickly kissed the other man’s lips. “It’s fantastic. From the looks of it you cooked this yourself. How about you sit down, and I’ll pour the wine?”

Flushed with pleasure David sat, beaming. “I did cook it myself. I hope you like it.”

Karl poured for both of them, and sat. Lifting his glass he connected his gaze with the Aussie’s over the soft amber glow of the candles. “To you and those irresistible lips of yours. How I’ll keep my hands off you while you’re here I don’t have a clue, but if you become mine it will be worth every tortured moment.”

David couldn’t drink because he didn’t think he swallow past the huge lump that those beautiful words formed in his throat. The sight of Karl blurred, and he cleared his throat and pretended to reach for the salad so the other man wouldn’t see him blink back the sting of tears that had suddenly threatened. Sometimes he was too damn soft. It’s why Viggo could so easily hurt him. “Salad?”

Karl let his companion have his moment of privacy to compose himself. “Sounds good. While you do that I’ll see if the radio has anything worth listening to.” Turning the dial he finally stopped on a soft jazz station. “Hmm, not bad. What do you think? It’s sexy, but romantic.”

David hadn’t enjoyed dinner so much in a veong ong time. The soft wailing of the saxophone in the background and the avid conversation were wonderful. Every now and then Karl would just smile and stare, and say something utterly sappy and romantic and very much cherished by David. Dessert was a sublime chocolate mousse and raspberry confection that he’d bought at a local bakery on the way here.

Karl leapt up and held out a hand. “The only way to top off this delicious meal is to dance.”

Blinking in surprise David eyed the hand held out to him. “Dance?”

One dark brow arched amusedly. “Dance. You know, a shuffling oft ant and swaying of bodies that most people do.”

“I’ve never danced with another man before,” he admitted.

“Neither have I, but I really want to dance with you.” When David stood up Karl drew him closer and slid his arms around the man’s waist. With a shy blush the redhead’s arms lifted to his shoulders. “Care to lead? Or should I?” he teased.

David chucklnd snd shrugged. “Does it matter?”

It was a little awkward at first, but after a few steps they found the rhythm, and slowly swayed to the very sexy moaning of a tenor sax. Belly touched belly, chest pressed to chest, and hips moved against hips. Karl rested his cheek against David’s temple, and that man’s face burrowed against his neck. As the song heated up so did the dancers. Karl shifted enough to touch his lips to the other man’s temple and over the defined line of his cheekbone. Moving back slightly he cupped the handsome face up and stroked his thumbs against the smoothness of his cheeks.

“I want to lay you down, undress you, and cherish every inch of you.”

His breath catching David clung to Karl to remain on his feet. “So why don’t you?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.

“Because I don’t have the right to.” Laying his forehead against David’s he inhaled shakily, and let it out slowly. “I don’t want to force your choice, mate. It has to be what you really want. And it can’t be influenced by sex.” He kissed David’s lips, lingering longer than he should, and then tore himself away. “Goodnight.”

David stood trembling, his heart pounding, and helplessly watched Karl rush to his bedroom and shut the door with a finality that was laced with desperation. Though he had behaved himself Karl had made David feel more wanted than if he’d done exactly as he wanted to do. With a groan he went to the second bedroom, and collapsed on the bed. He didn’t believe he’d get any sleep, but this made him realize he needed to do a hell of a lot more thinking.