The Light Within the Darkness Read online

  Joraan exchanged a subtle, satisfying glance with Nicholas. At last, Vinson and Valeran had started to come to their senses, seeing Vincent as he was: a good, loving, loyal man. ''No, it didn't, but through his actions, he stood above his condition. Even from afar, your father thought about Sebastian's happiness, and, selfless as he was, brought him and his future husband together.''

  ''He gave up on both of you, after making sure Mister Grant and you were right for each other? That's...'' Vinson shook his head at a loss of words.

  ''Exactly,'' Joraan smiled through his tears, ''that's just the way Vincent is. Always concerned about others and their well-being. That's why I said earlier that, had he known about your mother's pregnancy, he would've stuck around, taking care of her and you.''

  ''Still, it's a mystery to me why the two of them split,'' Vinson spoke softly. ''I mean, with Mister Bloom married to you, mom had no rival to father's affection.''

  ''Maeve loved your father very much. Too much to hold him captive in a relationship, knowing that his heart belonged to someone else. So, I guess that your mother was on cloud nine when she found out about the pregnancy, as the man she loved gave her the greatest gifts of all. However, Maeve didn't want to be a burden for Vincent, so she walked away.''

  ''What the two of you told us today...there are so many things that we didn't know about, that totally changed the way we saw our father,'' Vinson spoke in a thick voice. ''Of course, Vale and I need some time to process all this, to absorb this new information. And then we'll start anew, building a new relationship with our father, one based on trust and respect.''

  ''That's all Vincent wants,'' Joraan smiled softly, ''a new chance, so he can show you what a loving father he is.''

  CHAPTER 6

  ''T

  hank you, it was the most delicious cake ever!'' eight-year-old Wilmot raised his head from his plate, delight, and gratitude mixed in his soft-brown eyes.

  ''I'm happy you liked it, kiddo.'' Ian gently ran his hand over the little boy's longish, chestnut hair. ''What about you, miss?'' he turned to Marinette, grinning.

  ''You are the best babysitter ever! The other ones are so boring.'' she offered the man a big, warm smile. ''You never said we can't do this, or can't do that. You took us everywhere, bought us stuff, just like Uncle Warrick does when he visits us.'' the little girl enthusiastically spoke.

  ''Mister Saint-Clair, will he ever get well again? Uncle Warrick, I mean. I miss him so much, especially since Uncle Vale might leave us soon, although dad doesn't want him to. They had a big fight; Uncle Vale was saying what they did was wrong, and that Uncle Warrick suffered because of it, and dad got mad and said that whatever happened to Uncle Warrick didn't have anything to do with what they did.'' Wilmot said it all in one go.

  ''Your dad is right. Those things are unrelated, and he and your Uncle Vale are not responsible for what happened to your Uncle Warrick.'' Ian smiled sadly, taking the little boy's hand in his. ''Let me tell you a secret, kiddies. Soon, your Uncle Warrick will start revisiting you, he's getting better by the day.''

  ''Why are you mean with him?'' Marinette raised her head, giving Ian a scrutinizing look. ''Dad said you put a collar on Uncle Warrick and you call him a pet. Just like he was a dog or something.'' the little girl scrunched her little nose in confusion.

  ''Calling your uncle pet shows how much I care about him,'' Ian explained with patience. ''As for the collar, it is my way of expressing the deep feelings I have for Warrick. Just like a wedding ring. People in my community offer them as presents to the ones they love.'' he said the last words in a somewhat dreamy voice.

  ''Dad bought mom all sorts of expensive presents, but she still left us.'' Wilmot lowered his head, a tinge of bitterness in his sad little voice.

  ''Well, your mother was still young. She thought she had all the time in the world to spend with the man of her dreams, and suddenly everything fell apart. She was scared and overwhelmed, and, because of this, she wasn't thinking straight. Leaving was the easiest way out, so she chose it.''

  Ian hated himself for defending the bitch. He hated himself for lying to the two children, so young and innocent. But he couldn't bring himself to make them hate her. He diplomatically changed the course of the conversation, and soon the spark in Wilmot and Marinette's eyes returned, much to his great relief.

  The man's phone discreetly beeped. It was a message from Vinson letting him know that the visit was going to be longer than planned. With a broad grin of satisfaction on his face, Ian messaged him back, saying that everything was alright on their end.

  After touring every toy store and children's clothing store in a one-mile radius and filling the trunk with all kinds of purchases, doing Marinette's hair and nails and getting Wilmot a new, fresh haircut, they finally arrived home, exhausted, but happy.

  Doing homework, bathing, and getting ready for the night weren't precisely Vinson's children's favorite activities, but under Ian's guidance and with his help, they carried on with great enthusiasm. The man tucked the two kids into bed, affectionately kissing them on the forehead. His heart was swelling with happiness when he heard their soft sighs of contentment.

  Once the little ones were set for the night, Ian unloaded the trunk, carrying all the bags inside and putting them in the entry hall. It was Vinson's business to unpack them and put everything away, the man thought, heading to the living-room. Once there, he turned on the tv and started watching a documentary about the fascinating life of snakes.

  ''Whoa, what's with all these bags?'' Vinson exclaimed eyes widened, half an hour later, when he stepped into the house, accompanied by his brothers. ''You bought out all the kids' stuff in the city?'' the man let out an appreciative whistle.

  ''Oh, brother! I hope you left something for the other people who have children?'' Valeran shook his head in disbelief. ''I've never seen so many shopping bags in one place. We can open our store with everything here.''

  ''There isn't that much. Just a few little things that made the kids happy, and it was my pleasure to buy them. It isn't something that happens every day.'' Ian said, his eyes shining.

  ''Those two shamelessly robbed you. The content of those bags must've cost a small fortune.'' Vinson started a hint of worry in his voice. ''I don't know how I can ever repay you for everything you've done for us today. And I'm not only talking about spending your money on the kids.''

  ''Don't mention it.'' Ian waved his hand. ''It was nothing compared to the joy I felt when I saw the smiles on their cute little faces.''

  ''Master is very generous. He loves to make people happy, and it isn't limited to buying them things. He's also a great, supportive friend.''

  ''Who will lose his job if he keeps babysitting every time father and his partners invites us over to visit with them.'' Valeran grinned lightheartedly.

  ''You can take them over there with you, at least once in a while. I don't know about Mister Mannion, but the other three are crazy about kids. Wilmot and Marinette will be in heaven at your father's place.''

  ''Yes, of course, they will.'' Vinson agreed enthusiastically. ''We can even ask the bunch to babysit once in a while, so we have a little time for ourselves. Sorry, brother,'' he mumbled, seeing the look in Warrick's eyes. ''I didn't realize...''

  ''Just because I don't agree with what you are doing doesn't mean you have to stop if that's what you feel is best for you.'' The young man spoke flatly. ''Master, please, I want to go home,'' he turned to Ian. ''Good night, brothers. We'll leave you to your rest. See you next time,'' he said as he offered Vinson and Valeran a small smile.

  The brothers accompanied their guests outside. Then, after they took off, they started to unpack the bags of toys and clothes. To their biggest surprise, most of the games were both entertaining and educational. It made them realize how little attention they'd paid to what the kids wanted when they asked for toys.

  Vinson felt ashamed at the thought that a stranger, like Ian, was, took time to listen to what Wilmot and Marinette
wanted and needed. Instead of feeling frustrated, the man was grateful for the valuable lesson he'd learned.

  Over the past year, since his tests had indicated that the cancer was eradicated, he'd furiously drowned himself in work. He was obsessed with recovering after the financial disaster Isobel created when she left with almost all their savings. All that time, Vinson was absent from the lives of those who loved him. He wasn't much of a father to his young children and not a great lover for Vale.

  If Ian, who was considered a career-obsessed bastard, could make time to take care of Warrick, to be there when his sub needed him, so could he. In fact, the man thought, smiling internally, he could start that evening. With Valeran in the shower, Vinson searched for some scented candles, lit them, scattering them across the room. He then silently joined his brother, washing off the sweat of the day.

  The man delicately took his brother's hand, guiding him back into the room, making him gasp in surprise at the sight of the candles.

  ''Oh, Vin, that's...I have no words; thank you so much!'' Valeran spoke after quite a long pause, his eyes shining with adoration.

  ''Sorry for neglecting you for such a long time.'' Sincere regret poured from the other man's voice. ''Do you think you can forgive me?''

  ''Hush, brother.'' Valeran kissed Vinson on the corner of his mouth. ''There's nothing to forgive. I'm grateful that you are still here with me. That's all that matters. We have all the time in the world to recover us together.''

  ''Let me take care of you.'' Vinson heatedly whispered, gently shoving the other man to the edge of the bed. He pushed him, making him lay down, with his legs spread, ''I need to take care of you like I should have been doing all this time."

  Kneeling between Valeran's legs, he started to tease the slit of Vale's cock with the tip of his tongue and making him moan in delight. Arching his back, Valeran pleaded for more, but he was going to take his sweet time. Vinson started placing butterfly kisses along his hardened length, going up and down the underside repeatedly. He concentrated on the spot under his glans until Valeran couldn't take any longer, and impatient whimpers escaped his lips.

  The first pearls of precum, Vinson's reward, started to appear at the tip, and he licked them up, moaning in appreciation. The man enjoyed the taste, sweet with a bitter note. That made things more exciting and tasty. For him, nothing compared to that, except the nectar of Valeran's lips, when the two of them kissed passionately.

  After licking the tip clean, Vinson answered the other's pleas, taking his throbbing and swollen cock into his mouth. He was enjoying every inch of it, as he lavished attention on it. His lips created a tight vacuum as he sucked, hollowing his cheeks, and he was able to relax his throat, advancing, until his nose touched the smooth skin on Valeran's pubis. He then caused his throat to convulse as he swallowed around the hard cock. Grabbing two fistfuls of sheets, the man on the bed bucked his hips in ecstasy and started to fuck Vinson's mouth.

  The combined actions of his almost uncontrolled thrusting and the other man's sucking soon brought Valeran to the edge. With one last hard suck, he was immediately thrown over that edge, and he climaxed, spilling himself into his lover's mouth. Vinson seemed almost grateful as he swallowed every drop of the warm cream, seductively licking his lips afterward. The happiness on Valeran's face, the shine in his eyes, did things to Vinson's heart. He then leaned over Vale capturing his tempting, sinful mouth in a soul-searing kiss and sharing his flavor with him.

  Without a word, Valeran fully climbed onto the bed and got on all fours. It was an invitation the other man couldn't ignore. He joined his beloved on the couch, kissing, licking, and lightly biting the perfect globes of his ass. He sucked his fingers into his mouth, making sure they were soaking wet and started probing his pink hole with the tip of a finger, making it twitch. Reaching over to the nightstand, he grabbed the bottle of lube and flicked up the cap. Pouring the cool liquid on the twitching hole, he worked in two and then three fingers. Curling one of those fingers, he brushed over that one particular spot, sending Vale shooting into a new high. Not wanting to prolong the agony of waiting any longer, Vinson quickly finished working the other man open. Slathering his hard, almost painful cock with plenty of lube, he started pushing slowly into him.

  Vinson started pushing in slowly, a big smirk on his face, and he just as slowly pulled back out almost to the tip. He loved teasing him like this because that rhythm would always drive Valeran crazy with lust, and unleashing his wild side. Indeed, after only a couple of slow thrusts, the other man started to move his hips, impaling himself even more on his lover's cock, taking it balls deep. Vale was incoherently begging Vinson to claim what was rightfully his, to go rougher, go harder, to which he happily obliged.

  It was his favorite part of being with Valeran, that sensation of completion, the closeness, the sweet domination, and protectiveness at the same time. The thought that only he was able to fulfill Valeran's desires made Vinson's heart swell with love and pride. Pistoning hard into Valeran's perfect ass, he leaned over his lover, kissing along his spine and murmuring sweet nothings into his ear. Reaching around, he slid his hand down Vale's chest to the cock that was dripping precum again and started pumping.

  As he pumped, he added a hard twist to the tip, and soon Valeran was shooting his release onto the bedsheets. Seconds later, Vinson, reacting to the walls of Vale's channel clenching around him, followed with his release. He spewed his hot, creamy cum deep inside Vale, feeling as if he wasn't ever going to stop. If he could have managed it, he never would. Finally, exhausted, Vinson collapsed to the bed next to Vale, pulling him with him and onto their sides. He never wanted to leave his body, but nature and gravity took control, and he slipped out. Some minutes later, still under the impression of the intense pleasure that had ripped through them, the two were looking into each other's eyes and seeing their very soul reflected there.

  ''I love you, brother.'' Valeran was the first to speak, touching Vinson's cheek with his long, slim fingers.

  ''I love you, too, brother,'' the answer came, sealed with a gentle kiss. ''I always will.''

  CHAPTER 7

  A

  ll the way to their house, and even after they got there, Ian waited patiently for his sub to start talking. He wanted him to share his thoughts and impressions of the day. To his great surprise, Warrick was unusually quiet, and that worried the man. So he decided to go even slower than he usually did.

  After fixing a quick dinner for both of them, Ian made the bed for the night and changing into comfortable clothes, his sub imitating him. They ate in silence, although it was a comfortable one, and just enjoying each other's presence. Warrick wasn't tense at all, quite the contrary, which added to the Dom's confusion.

  They showered together, Ian stepping into his caretaker attributions, washing his partner, drying him off, and clothing him. Warrick hadn't needed that type of attention for quite a time, but he enjoyed it a lot when his Master performed that ritual. The big, strong hands were running up and down his body, touching him oh so gently, doing things to his body no one had done before...

  Moaning softly, Warrick leaned on Ian, back pressed against the older man's broad chest, head tilted back, eyes closed. Feeling his sub so close, so wanting was a torture for the Dom. He didn't know how long he could suppress the heat building up in his groin, or how much control he had on his desire to be with the man. He wanted to take him on the spot.

  But he couldn't do that, not yet, anyway, because that would mean blowing up Warrick's chances of a complete, smooth recovery. On the other hand, openly rejecting him would have been even worse, permanently damaging their relationship. After intensive internal debate, Ian decided it was time to put his Dom training to good use.

  ''Who am I to you?'' he ruggedly asked, breathing into Warrick's ear, as one of his hands traveled lower and lower on the young man's abdomen.

  ''My dominant, my Master,'' Warrick spoke without hesitation, although his breath was starting to hitch.


  ''Don't I know what's best for you? Don't you trust the choices I make? Aren't those choices in your best interest?'' Ian purred, possessively grabbing his sub's cock in a firm grip.

  ''Yes, Master. I trust you. I know you act in my best interests.'' Tears of defeat sprang from Warrick's eyes. ''Please, forgive me for doubting your intentions. I should have known better by now.''

  ''There's nothing to forgive, pet,'' his voice became much more gentle. ''I will never punish you for something you didn't do. I know better than that. I also know everything about your needs, and right now, you need release and comfort. I'm going to give you both, and in that order. Does this feel good?'' Ian smiled against his sub's cheek, gently stroking his cock.

  ''Yes, Master. It feels delicious. Thank you.'' Warrick managed to answer between his pants and moans. He was fighting hard not to thrust his hips forward and fucking the man's fist.

  ''I'm so happy to hear that. Happy to see you so obedient, my little, beautiful pet.'' Ian's words of praise filled his sub's heart with joy and light. ''I'm beyond grateful and honored that you chose me as your dominant.'' he continued, picking up the pace a little.