Chapter Nine

Callum watched two young men betting on which of the beetles they had in a jar would escape first. He'd seen another group arguing over who could eat the most apple cake until one of them proved his stamina by eating enough to turn Callum's stomach. He was waiting for Dominic, who was meant to be here, and had been shown into the rather raucous sitting room of Dominic's gentleman's club. This wasn't like his own club and Callum knew it wasn't his sort of place, as he wouldn't be able to stand too long with many of these vapid idiots.

Callum had been later than expected, having been held back by his father,who'd been excited about a new opportunity he'd heard about and insisted they discussed a strategy to capitalise on his new discovery.

He spotted Dominic standing in the doorway, looking as if he were heading his way before being waylaid by a young man with a seductive smirk and a silhouette that would have made Beau Brummel weep. The conversation didn't last more than a minute but there was something about their interaction that screamed of intimacy and hit him with an unexpected pang of jealousy. It wasn't like him to feel jealous, but he'd never been in love before. Dominic could have any man or woman he wanted, why would he settle for someone like him? Callum didn't understand his own thoughts. The tinge of insecurity was unwelcome, he wasn't an unworthy suitor.

"Mr Gething," Dominic called. "So glad you were able to join me for supper."

He stood as Dominic approached. "Thank you for the invite, Lord Fairweather."

They shook hands, Dominic's grip a little firmer and holding on a fraction longer than was proper. "I've a table set up in a private dining room. This place can get rather noisy, and I would like to enjoy our conversation."

His own club was small and did not offer private rooms, or at least not to him. "That sounds delightful. I have had a long day, so a more peaceful setting would be welcome."

"Nothing too tiresome I hope?"

"Nothing a decent hock and a full belly won't resolve."

He followed Dominic through the townhouse the gentleman's club was located in, and they took the stairs before entering a small room with a table set for dinner. As the door closed behind them, Callum found himself pressed up against it. "It is so good to see you again," Dominic said, grinning.

Dominic's kisses were both exhausting and exhilarating, as if he could think of nothing other than this man, but a knock on the door broke the spell and Callum took his seat at the table, his aroused state would be difficult to hide if he remained standing.

A young steward entered on Dominic's command and placed wine and a selection of dishes on the table, before departing with instructions that he would be called for if needed, and not to disturb them otherwise.

Dominic held up his glass in a toast. "To our good health."

They clinked glasses and Callum took a sip of his wine. "You seem to have gone to a lot of trouble, not that I'm complaining."

"The club is always keen to accommodate my requests. And I wanted to spend more time alone with you."

A thought flittered uninvited through his mind. "Are you often in need of a private room to entertain someone?"

Dominic put down his glass. "On occasion. I have had numerous conversations on behalf of my father for the benefit of the duchy."

"Right."

"Callum, if you want to ask me something, do so. I'm not the sort to hide anything."

Callum felt petulant but since he'd been asked, he would reply. "Well, I'm not here for the benefit of the dukedom, am I?"

Dominic smiled. "My father did ask me to build on our burgeoning friendship. But I suspect you're asking if I've entertained a lover in a similar fashion."

Callum huffed, he shouldn't be bothered if Dominic had fucked half of London in here, but he couldn't shake the odd feeling. "Perhaps I am."

"Then no. I've had plenty of assignations, and even relationships, but I haven't done this before."

"Then why do it for me? I'm not special." He grimaced, wondering where that had come from. "I mean… actually, I don't know what I mean."

Dominic reached over and took his hand. "Before we discovered our previous life together, did you ever have any feelings of inadequacy or were jealous of your lovers?"

"No." He knew his worth, and no one had caused him issues, but memories of how he'd felt on numerous occasions when he'd been Osahar gave him pause. "This isn't about me, or I don't think it is."

"You are a different man to Osahar. Baniti met him when he was young and inexperienced, Baniti pursued him, and he didn't believe himself good enough."

"I remember. He thought you'd leave him, it took a few years before he truly believed he was worthy of Baniti's love." He was going to need to be careful. "I can't let those experiences from another life damage the one I can have now."

"At least you are perceptive enough to realise." Dominic brought Callum's hand to his lips. "We are a mix of both ourselves and them."

"I am him, but I'm not. I like being Callum, and I remember how happy I was as Osahar with Baniti, despite some bumps in the road." His heart clenched as he remembered something. "The incident with Hanif… Osahar thought Baniti would leave him."

Hanif had been a priest like Baniti, he'd sought Baniti's company, and they'd spent hours working together and Baniti had been enamoured with his new friend.

"Never," Dominic said, squeezing Callum's hand. "He loved only you. Baniti hadn't realised how much he'd neglected Osahar, but he never crossed the line."

Callum winced. "Hanif told Osahar otherwise. He tried to leave, so you—Baniti could be happy."

They had argued, Baniti had told him he was being young and foolish, and Osahar had thought Hanif was better suited for a man of Baniti's capabilities. He'd tried to tell Baniti, but he wouldn't listen.

"Baniti returned after evening prayers and Osahar was packing. If he'd been any later, Osahar would have gone, he intended to never return."

Dominic nodded. "I remember. They talked for hours…"

They'd made amends, Osahar heartsick and his self-belief sinking lower than before. Baniti had been apologetic and remorseful and begged on his knees for Osahar to forgive him. Osahar had stayed but it had been over a year before things were back to normal. "He had to be talked out of going, Osahar thought he wasn't good enough."

Dominic looked pained. "Baniti thought he would lose him. He was distraught, wouldn't let him go."

"Osahar wanted to be Baniti's world."

"He was. Just like I think you will be mine. We have much to learn about each other, and as wonderful as it is that Baniti and Osahar have been reunited, we must make sure that Dominic and Callum get a fair chance at having their life too."

"We are different men but we've been brought together thanks to their love. That doesn't mean their past should dictate our future."

Dominic's eyes sparkled, he was an attractive man and Callum would have been smitten even without the influence of their past life.

Dominic moved off his chair, settling between Callum's knees, and resting his hand on his thighs. "We will not be disturbed in here. But you were rather vocal in bed, so you're going to have to control your volume."

He was hard at the thought. Dominic was quick to unbutton the front of Callum's trousers, pulling his shirt out of the way, the front flap of his breeches giving Dominic access to Callum's cock. He whimpered as Dominic's mouth descended, he loved to be pleasured in this way and Dominic was a master.

Callum slid his hands into Dominic's soft curls. He panted heavily as Dominic bobbed up and down, taking the length of his cock with no concern. He bit his lip to stop himself from being too loud. The thrill of being in here, where they could be caught, added a delicious extra edge. A familiar tingle began to build in his balls. Watching himself slide between Dominic's lips made his whole body hot from desire. The excitement building with every second, as he tugged at Dominic's hair to give him warning he was close but Dominic didn't budge. All the men who had done this to him before had been quick to pull away before he could release but Dominic was not to be deterred and Callum came, his cry muffled by his own hand.

Dominic sat back, licking his lips and looking smug. "You are delicious. I'll let you return the favour after dinner."