Just the Right Notes - 1

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales,
organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either
the author or the publisher.

Just the Right Notes
TOP SHELF
An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers
PO Box 2545
Round Rock, TX 78680
Copyright 2010 Sean Michael
Cover illustration by S. Squires
Published with permission
ISBN: 978-1-61040-002-2
www.torquerepress.com
All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any
form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address
Torquere Press. Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680.
First Torquere Press Printing: June 2010
Printed in the USA

Just the Right Notes - 2

Just the Right Notes

By Sean Michael

Chapter One

God, what a day.

Elliot hadn't realized quite how much non-architectural work would be involved in running his
own firm. It wasn't even like it was a big firm or anything. Him, two junior architects fresh out of
university, and a secretary.

He pulled up into the driveway and took a minute to admire the house. It really was beautiful, if
he did say so himself. He chuckled as he got out, grabbing his jacket and his briefcase. It was
probably egotistical as hell to love your own work so much, but he did.

Now, if Graham was just in a better mood than when he'd left this morning, his Friday night just
might be salvageable.

He let himself in. "Hey, honey, I'm home."

Silence.

Well, that could be good or bad...

He wandered through the living area into the kitchen, where he found a half-full bottle of wine
and a shattered glass. He was starting to lean toward not good, and a plan began to form in his
mind. The bag was packed and it was late enough they'd have missed the worst of the traffic. An
hour and a half and they could be at the cabin.

He headed for the study.

The light was on, Graham sprawled over a chair, score sheets crumpled and torn, tears streaking
the lean cheeks even in sleep.

Oh, he didn't think so. Enough was enough. If anything or anyone was going to torture Graham,
it was going to be him, and Graham was going to love every fucking second of it.

He turned on his heel and headed for their bedroom, grabbing the black bag from the back of the
closet. He didn't need to check it -- it would have everything they needed. Every time they used
it, he carefully repacked it when they got home again. So it was always ready. He took it out and
put it in the trunk of the car.

Heading back in, he called his work number and reset his outgoing message to indicate he would
be unreachable for the weekend.

Then he went to wake Graham.

Just the Right Notes - 3

His beautiful lover's jet black hair was loose, wild, and tangled; undisciplined, uncontrolled, and
he reached out, stroked a hand through it, Graham's eyes fluttering open.

Crouching next to Graham, he smiled into the most amazing green eyes he'd ever seen. "G.
Love."

"Hey, El." Graham reached up, cupped his cheek. "I... I must have fallen asleep."

"Yeah. You had a bad day." It wasn't a question. "You've had a bunch of 'em lately."

Leaning in, he pressed their lips together, tasting tears and wine and the intense, addictive flavor
of Graham himself.

Graham kissed him softly and then leaned back. "The song won't come out. I keep working on
the bridge."

"Well." He stood and stretched and then held out a hand. "Leave it for now. You're coming with
me."

"I am?" The long, talented fingers slid into his, the green eyes just beginning to wake up.

"Oh, yes. You are." He walked backward, bringing Graham with him, grinning.

"You look wicked..." Graham looked back at the papers on the floor, that frown coming back
again.

He let go of one hand to take Graham's chin in his fingers, turning his lover's face back to him.
"That's because I am wicked."

The lean cheeks went pink, lips parting just a bit. "Are you?"

"Very wicked." God, the drive was going to feel like for-fucking-ever.

"How was work?" Graham's bare feet slid on the marble tile, the study left behind.

"I had a shitty day." He kept walking, not even looking behind him -- he knew their home like
the back of his hand.

"Who do you want me to kill? I have rage."

"I'm not sure killing paperwork would be very satisfying, love. I have something far better in
mind." He stopped by the door so Graham could put something on his feet.

"I..." Those eyes searched his. "We're going out?"

Just the Right Notes - 4

He looked right back, giving Graham his love, his need, his surety that this was what they
needed. "No. We're going away."

"To the cabin, El?" Once they passed the threshold of their hideaway, the ‘El’ would become
'sir.'

"Yeah." He stroked Graham's cheek. "It's time." If they waited, it would be past time, too late.
They had to catch it at just the right moment.

The shudder was fucking perfect, the way the scent of Graham's skin became richer, delicious.
"You don't have to work?"

"No. No work. No phone calls. No distractions. Just you and me. Now stop stalling and put on
your shoes. We've got some driving to do."

It was telling that Graham didn't fight him, only rumbled a little, and put his shoes on. Elliot kept
his grip on Graham's hands, led his beautiful lover out to the car, opened the door.

"I love you. I... I feel like I should apologize..."

"Apologize for what?"

"I don't know." The tears were close to the surface again, the anger.

He leaned close and gave Graham a hard, sharp kiss. "Get in the car, G."

He pushed Graham down into the seat, bent, and put on the seatbelt before closing the door and
going around to the other side. This weekend he was going to send the demons that were chasing
Graham packing.

Climbing in, he put on his own belt, started up the car, and only after he'd backed out of the
driveway and onto the road did he turn to his lover. "You have anything to say to me, you should
probably say it on the drive, yeah?"

"I. Yeah. Yeah." Graham started talking -- ranting about this violin player and that critic and this
bridge. The words ratcheted up, growing louder and more angry, and Graham worked himself
into a tizzy.

Elliot rolled the window down when Graham got really loud, letting the anger battle with the
wind.

They finally pulled up to the cabin and he turned off the engine. "Okay, G. You have to stop
now. Let it go."

Graham looked at him, eyes huge, staring, chest heaving. "I'll try."

Just the Right Notes - 5

"I'll help." He took a kiss, something to ground Graham. "I love you, G."

"I love you. I really do." Like he didn't know that.

"Then we're good."

He grabbed the bag out of the trunk and dug the keys out of the front flap. He passed them over
to Graham. "Let us in, baby."

Graham stood in front of the tiny cabin. There were no neighbors, no televisions, no phones.
Nothing to disturb them. The pantry and freezer were stocked, the door heavy and lockable. This
place was theirs and theirs alone, safe enough that they could play outdoors or near the windows
without fear.

He hefted the bag and put his arm around Graham's shoulders, gave his lover a quick, one-armed
hug.

His body was thrumming, his mind already beginning to slip into "top mode."

Graham slid the key into the lock, leaning into him.

When the door opened, the scent of wood smoke and leather was warm, inviting, familiar.

"Mmm..."

They stepped over the threshold together, and he closed the door behind them, locked it. "We
need a fire. I'll get it going while you strip and assume the position on the rug in the living
room."

"I..." Graham took a deep, shaky breath, nodding before he had to remind his lover of the rules.
"Yes. Yes, sir."

"Good man." He touched Graham's lips briefly and then set about cleaning the flue and building
the fire.

He had it going in no time and went to the bathroom to wash his hands and change. That took
time, pulling the tight leather up over his legs, tying the fastenings over his cock. He took the
clasp out of his hair, letting it fall loosely over his bare shoulders.

And that was more than enough time for Graham to have been waiting for him.

Feet bare, slapping against the hardwood, he went back to the living room.

Graham was there, dark hair braided back, naked and kneeling, legs spread wide. Beautiful man.
His cock rose immediately, need hot and hard in his belly.

Just the Right Notes - 6

"Well done," he murmured. He knew the praise was important to Graham, especially at the
beginning, as they slid into the roles they wore here.

He moved to Graham's side and stroked his lover's head. Graham took another deep breath, eyes
closed, the tension in the lean back easing at his touch. He moved his hand down over Graham's
shoulders, checking to make sure his lover was warm enough. Graham's skin was cool; not cold,
not warm enough to sweat.

Then he stood in front of Graham, crotch at face level. Hand behind his lover's head, he tugged
Graham forward, burying that nose in his crotch. "Can you smell me?"

"Yes. Yes, sir." Graham's tongue flicked out, sliding on his leathers.

"Mmm... yeah, lick me. Make the leather shine."

The soft touches continued, short little licks that had a rhythm, something that proved Graham
was singing, not focused yet. Growling, he grabbed the braid and tipped Graham's head back,
met the green eyes. "Focus. Make me your center."

"I am!" Oh, they'd needed this.

He let one eyebrow rise and tugged Graham's head back further. "How do you address me?"

Graham swallowed hard and he could see it, see Graham deciding whether to fight or give in to
what they needed. Narrowing his eyes, he pulled Graham's head back even more, the braid like
heavy silk in his hand.

"Sir." The word was moaned, Graham staring at him, throat working.

"Good man." He let go of Graham's braid and stroked the lovely cheeks. "Now you may suck my
cock through the pants."

"Thank you, sir." Graham kissed his palm and then went to work on his cock, nuzzling and
licking through the leather.

Fuck, that was sexy, feeling the touches but not the heat and wet that he usually would if Graham
was giving him a blow job.

"Undo the laces. With your mouth only."

Graham nodded, moving carefully. This had been one of the first things Graham had learned to
do, back at the beginning, when he hadn't known if they were going to survive this love affair
intact.

Slowly but surely, the laces were loosened, Graham's nose pushing the sides apart. His prick
leapt eagerly from the hole, slapping Graham in the face. Graham's lips parted, tongue sliding on

Just the Right Notes - 7

his flesh. He groaned, that touch always welcome, but somehow different here, more intense.
Graham shifted, hands wrapping around his thighs, mouth dropping down over his cock.

"G!" His hands grabbed hold of Graham's head, fingers pushing into the neatly braided hair.

His thighs trembled with the need to thrust, to take Graham's mouth. But first Elliot would let his
lover do as he wished. For a moment or two.

Graham sucked him in deep, not asking permission, taking and giving, loving him. Christ,
Graham's mouth was something special.

"Gonna come on your face," he murmured, finding his voice. "Gonna coat my cock in my come
and then take you. Fuck you until you scream with pleasure."

He got a moan, Graham jerking, pulling him in deeper, the 'yes' clear.

"Not too soon, though, G. Make it last." The fire was hot against his back, Graham's mouth even
hotter. The suction increased, Graham's hands sliding up and down his legs. "Make it last," he
growled, his balls tightening up.

Graham moved, quick as a snake, and grabbed his balls, tugging hard. He cried out, body jerking
at the sudden ache. Oh, sweet, lovely bastard.

"Remember we've got the whole weekend, G. You're cruising."

That beautiful mouth popped off his prick. "I was helping." Then he was sucked in again.

Fuck, he loved this man.

"It was the manner of your help," he murmured. He began to push, hips moving slowly, sliding
his prick in and out of Graham's mouth. Graham moaned, eyes dropping closed, lips open,
accepting him.

The more Graham needed, the more he pushed, and Elliot moved faster, taking his lover's mouth,
making Graham take him. And Graham did. He took and took, opening wide. And that, as much
as the amazing sensations, was pushing him toward the edge.

"Soon," he muttered. Damn it.

He got a hum, a happy little trilling sound that vibrated around his cock.

"Oh, fuck." He pulled out, his prick spraying spunk over Graham's face.

Graham whimpered, hips jerking, hands squeezing his legs. He slowly rubbed his cock over
Graham's face, picking up the come. He didn't even begin to go soft.

Just the Right Notes - 8

"Ass up, face on your hands."

Graham was hard, hot, the tip of his cock swollen and dripping. The pretty lips parted, tongue
flicking out to clean them as Graham moved. So fucking beautiful.

He knelt behind his lover, stroking the lovely ass.

"I love you." Graham's skin flushed at his touch, balls drawing up.

He leaned over Graham, letting his prick slide along the hot crack, and whispered in Graham's
ear. "I love you, G."

Then he slapped Graham's ass and pressed the head of his prick into Graham's hole. Graham
shuddered and he knew -- he knew -- how hard his Graham was fighting not to push back, fuck
himself.

He stroked Graham's back, fingers teasing over the nerves along his lover's spine. "Very good,
G." He pushed in a little more, keeping it slow, not letting Graham have him all. Yet.

Graham moaned, that tight ass rippling around his cock, trying to pull him in.

"Careful." He ran his nails lightly along Graham's back, just enough to fire up the nerves there.

"I..." Graham squeezed him hard enough to make him groan.

He chuckled, the sound a little shaky, a little needy. "Don't make me beat you."

"Sorry. You made me."

He slapped Graham's ass. "Sir. And I did not." And he needed to fuck Graham. Needed badly.

Of course, the slap made Graham squeeze again, and his eyes rolled back in his head. Christ, if
he didn't fuck the man now, he was going to spill just from the fucking squeezing. He started to
move, pushing all the way in, coming all the way out again. Slamming back in. Fuck. Yes. So
good.

Graham moaned and moved, pushing against him, trying to speed his thrusts.

He grabbed Graham's hips, stilling them both. "No. Moving."

Graham's low cry was almost pained. Almost angry. Definitely horny.

He held still until he thought he was going to scream, and then he started moving again, thrusting
into Graham's ass. This time, Graham stayed still, shaking with the effort, trying so fucking hard.

Just the Right Notes - 9

"Yes. Yes, G." He said the words over and over, eyes closing as his orgasm rode along his spine.
"Touch yourself. Make yourself come."

Graham shook, shifted, and started jacking off. Hard. He could feel Graham's ass squeezing
rhythmically around his prick, making him shiver.

"Like that. I'm going to bind your cock when we're done, and fill you. Then we can relax in front
of the fire."

"I. I. Sir." Graham arched, fucking himself for a few more strokes, then Graham shot.

"Mmm... beautiful." He stroked Graham's back, gentling his lover.

"Th...thank you." Graham shook, reached for him.

He slid from his lover, turned Graham, and they knelt there together, arms wrapped around each
other.

He pressed a kiss to Graham's forehead. "Better?"

"Uh. Uh-huh." Graham was swaying, blinking slowly.

He pushed and Graham tumbled back, saved from hitting the floor hard by his arm around his
lover's back. He got Graham laid out and quickly fetched the bag, knowing he had everything he
needed in there.

Graham was breathing slowly and easily, those pretty eyes the only thing moving as they
followed him, curious.

He crouched down next to his beautiful lover and smiled. "I have such plans for you this
weekend. Going to blow your mind."

His only answer was a quiet, peaceful smile. There was his Graham. His beautiful, amazing
lover.

He pulled out the lube, a cock ring, and a nice little plug, something Graham could wear
overnight. Humming softly, he wrapped his fingers around the half-hard cock and stroked.

Graham moaned, fighting to slow his breathing, to let that sweet cock stay limp. Elliot knew that
trick, though. Bending, he pressed the tip of his tongue into Graham's slit.

"Oh, fuck." Graham's knees drew up, hips shifting.

"That's 'oh, fuck, sir.'" He flicked his tongue in once more.

"I. Oh. Oh, fuck. Sir." So sensitive there, so tender.

Just the Right Notes - 10

"Mmm. There we go."

He pumped lightly, Graham's cock swelling beneath the double onslaught of tongue and hand.

"No fair." Graham's fingers brushed through his hair, caressing him.

"No fair, sir." He smiled down at Graham. He was going to have to bind those beautiful hands
tomorrow. Maybe make Graham ride a dildo all afternoon.

"No fair, sir. Love you."

"All's fair in love and war, G." He kissed the tip of the hardening prick and then slid the cock
ring on, closing the snap around the base of Graham's cock.

Graham arched, cock bobbing against the flat belly. He slid his fingers up the length of Graham's
cock, the silk and the heat so good beneath his fingertips. Then he ran his hand down to play
with Graham's balls. Soft, covered in the silkiest black hair, they wrinkled and shifted, heavy in
his palm.

He loved how responsive Graham was to him. It didn't matter where or when, that remained; it
was always more intense here, though, as if Graham's body knew they had nothing but this to do
here.

He slid his fingers down to tease along the hot, smooth little patch of skin between balls and
hole.

"Oh..." Graham was slick with his seed, and he could feel the strong, steady heartbeat.

He dipped a finger into Graham's hole, and then a second one, checking, even though he knew
Graham was stretched. That wrinkled hole spread for him, reminding him how far it could be
worked open, how much Graham would take for him.

The first time Graham had taken his hand was etched forever in his memory. Moaning just at the
memory, he pushed another finger in, pushing hard and nailing Graham's gland. Graham's eyes
flew open, hand dropping down to brush the tip of the sweet, bound cock.

"I didn't say you could touch yourself." He pegged Graham's gland again.

"You didn't say I couldn't, sir."

He looked at Graham. "You really want to start splitting hairs?"

Graham actually considered a moment. "Want to? No. No, I just wanted to push. I'm sorry."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're sorry..."

Just the Right Notes - 11

"What do you want, Elliot? It's been a hellish week and I'm not perfect. I'm sorry, okay?"

"Sir. You're sorry, sir." It killed him to stay aloof, to not respond to Graham's complaints. Still.
This was what Graham needed. First, he obeyed, was filled, and then there would be cuddling,
holding. Being.

"Oh." Graham's cheeks went red, eyes closing. "I'm sorry, sir."

"Good job." He pegged Graham's gland again as a reward. "You're tired. We'll get this plug in,
and then lie by the fire."

"I am." Those pretty eyes opened again, simply exhausted. "Thank you, sir. I am."

"I know." He kissed Graham softly and let his fingers slip away.

The plug wasn't very big, just enough that Graham would feel it. His sweet size queen took it
easily, happily, without complaint. That in itself spoke to how badly Graham had needed this.
Graham's body snapped around the base of the plug, making him moan softly. Graham was so
fucking beautiful.

"There." He stroked Graham's belly, admiring his lover.

"Mmm..." The soft, fuzzy skin goosepimpled up for him, making him smile.

He lay down next to Graham and brought their lips together, kissing softly. Man, they hadn't just
enjoyed each other in so long. Graham pressed close, cheek on his arm. He got a smile, a happy
little sound that pushed into his lips.

"Mmm... yeah. Love you." He stroked his fingers along Graham's skin, touching, feeling, making
his lover feel good.

"Yeah. Love." Graham licked and hummed, relaxing against him.

"I have such plans, G. It's going to be a wonderful weekend." He rubbed their noses together.
"But I would like you to tell me one thing that you would like. Just one. So choose carefully."

"I want to sleep in your arms each night." Graham didn't even hesitate, and he fought the smile.
Graham had been punished two scenes ago, forced to sleep alone, and his lover had hated it.

He pressed a kiss on Graham's forehead. "You shall. Each night." He would find a new way of
punishing Graham if he had to.

"Thank you, sir." Graham melted for him, giving him a big, sweet smile.

He hooked his leg around the back of Graham's, pulling his lover in tighter. "You're welcome."

Just the Right Notes - 12

They could sleep now. Touch, hold each other. Rest for awhile in the small peace they'd made
between them.

Tomorrow, they'd make it bigger.

Just the Right Notes - 13

Chapter Two

He woke up slowly, an aria buzzing in his brain, fingers reaching for his staff paper, his pencils.

When his hand came up short, his eyes flashed open. Bound.

He was bound.

"Elliot? I have a melody..."

"I'm sure you do."

Elliot was sitting in the large wing-backed chair, wearing his leathers, thick, chestnut hair
unbound.

He was immediately caught by those dark eyes.

"I. You're up early. I don't want to lose the song." He'd been so dry, so empty lately.

Graham shifted, ass rocking back, nudging the plug inside him.

"It'll come back." Elliot's booted foot came out, resting on top of his hip. "No moving."

His moan surprised him; he loved the sound of Elliot's voice like this. Loved the way Elliot
wanted him.

"Mmm... pretty lover. Do you ache for me?"

"Always." His cheeks heated; Elliot's compliments suited him so well.

Elliot stood and stretched, so tall from his vantage point on the ground. And those leather-clad
legs just went up and up.

Crouching, Elliot reached out and touched his cheek. "Always what?"

Damn it. He always forgot.

"Always, sir." He leaned into the touch.

That hand was so gentle as it cupped his cheek, Elliot's skin so warm. "Don't forget it again, G. I
will punish you next time."

Oh, fuck him. His body jerked, shivered. With his lover, punishments weren't good, they were
lessons.

"Yes, sir."

Just the Right Notes - 14

"Mmm... Good. I have your attention at last."

Elliot stood again, walked slowly around him, so slowly. Each step of those big boots was loud,
almost echoing in the room.

"Did you see this?" Elliot stopped next to the big chair, pushed it slightly so that he could see.
There was a dildo... attached to the ground somehow and rising obscenely from the hardwood.

"I. No. No, sir. That thing's..." Huge. Perverse. Obscene.

"For you. You're going to look stunning riding it for me."

"Riding..." He moaned, fingers curling, wanting to touch his prick so badly.

Wicked bastard.

Beautiful, amazing, wicked bastard.

"Oh, yes. Makes me hard just thinking about it." Elliot crouched again, grinning at him. "But I
don't have to just think about it, do I?"

"No. No, sir." He rolled closer, needing some pressure on his prick, some friction.

"I think we should make this more interesting, though, don't you?" Elliot's fingers slid down his
breastbone, around his navel, and skirted his cock to comb his curls.

His hips rolled, pushing up into Elliot's touch. "Hmm?"

So good. That touch...

"You'll ride that dildo for me. And if you come, I get to shave you." Elliot's fingers managed to
avoid touching his cock as they carded through his pubic hair.

"How... how long?" He moaned, needing a touch. "How long, sir?"

"As long as it takes me to eat that bowl of cherries." Elliot nodded toward the chair where a large
pottery bowl sat, full to the brim with dark reddish-purple cherries.

Jesus Christ. There must be a pound of them. The man was going to explode. "You'll give
yourself cramps."

"Tsk. For that, you don't get to come before we begin."

"What? I worry about you, love. Your belly."

Just the Right Notes - 15

"Your belly, sir. Really, G. I don't want to punish you." Elliot bent in and kissed him. "But I
will."

Shit. Shit. "I always fuck that up. Jesus, I'm getting stupid in my old age. I'm sorry, sir." He was
just a dumb asshole. Hell, he couldn't even remember the rules, how the fuck could he write an
opera?

An opera.

Him.

Shit.

Elliot growled. "Stop that."

The long fingers grabbed his chin, turning his face to meet Elliot's flashing eyes. "I won't hear
another word putting yourself down."

"I..." He started breathing hard, eyes caught, heart pounding.

"You are the most beautiful man I have ever seen. You have the most brilliant mind I know."
The words ground out from between Elliot's teeth, the fingers on his chin holding hard enough to
bruise.

Part of him wanted to pull away, scream, but more of him needed to nod, to believe in Elliot's
words.

"Don't ever forget that." Elliot held his gaze for a moment longer, and then let him go. "Come
on, G. I'm hungry and you have a dildo to ride."

"Yes, sir." He nodded, let Elliot help him up, his still-bound cock bouncing in front of him.

It was awkward with his hands bound behind him, but he knew Elliot wouldn't let him fall as he
carefully crouched over the dildo.

"This has to come out first, hmm?" Elliot's fingers played with the plug.

"Uh... Yes. Yes, sir." He blushed, nodding, ass clenching tight.

Elliot bent over him, leather rubbing against his cheek, that plug turned in circles before it was
yanked out. He cried out, aching, suddenly empty, asshole feeling swollen, hot.

Elliot's fingers slid over it, cool gel making his hips jerk against the air. "Shh... I just need to
slick you back up."

Two cool, slick fingers pushed more of the cool gel in.

Just the Right Notes - 16

"Oh... Thank you. Thank you, sir." He moaned, leaning, the touch soothing.

"I know what you need."

More slick, cool but not cold, pushed into him, followed by a soft tap of fingers against his
gland.

He hummed, moving just a little, the song in his head just luscious.

Elliot licked his face and then stepped away, moving to sit, sprawled and sexy, in the chair.
"Take it in, G."

He groaned, shifting and settling on his knees, chewing his lip as he tried to move, shift without
his arms.

"Lovely," murmured Elliot, one dark cherry disappearing between his lips.

Awkward.

Still, Elliot loved him.

He pushed down, moaned, the hard cock breaching him.

Groaning, Elliot, rubbed a hand against the prominent bulge in his leather pants.

"How... how are the cherries, sir?"

"Delicious." Another one went into Elliot's mouth, burgundy juice spilling out over his lover's
lips.

He wanted a taste, eyes focused on Elliot's lips, body moving so careful on the tip of the dildo.

"Once you've taken the whole thing in, I'll let you have one." Elliot leaned forward. "I'll even
feed you with my mouth."

"Mmm." He groaned, trying for his Elliot, trying to take more.

Elliot leaned in suddenly, eyes on his, lips close enough he could feel Elliot's breath against his
mouth. "Remember, if you come, I get to shave you."

"I won't come."

Elliot grinned, and sat back. "We'll see."

They would. He wasn't easy.

Just the Right Notes - 17

He wasn't.

He sank down a little more, moaning low.

Leaning forward again, Elliot tapped two fingers against the top of his prick. "That's for not
saying 'sir.'"

"You have to get tired of hearing that..." He swallowed a moan. "Sir."

Elliot tilted his head and then shook it, grinning. "Nope. Can't say that I do." Another cherry
disappeared between Elliot's lips.

That made him laugh, tickled him deep down.

"Oh. G. Love. I've missed that."

He smiled over at Elliot, leaning toward his lover.

"Mmm... you really are beautiful." Elliot put a cherry between his teeth and leaned in as well to
feed him. Tart and sweet, Graham moaned around the little bite, licking the juice off Elliot's lips.
Elliot's tongue slid against his, and then his lover sat back again. "Go on. Keep riding."

"Sir?" He was getting sore. "Permission?"

"Of course, G."

"I'm... it's drying out, sir."

"Come off, love. I'll add more slick. I want to jack off watching you."

"Thank you, sir." He nodded and pulled off, going completely off-balance and landing in Elliot's
lap with a thud.

Elliot chuckled. "Would you rather suck me, G?"

"Always, sir, although that's not why I landed here." He winked up, wiggling some.

"Maybe fate was giving us a suggestion." Elliot lay back, legs spreading wider. "Take what you
want."

"Love." He shifted, mouth dropping down over Elliot's cock, sucking hard, swallowing around
that hot, fine flesh.

"G!" Elliot's shout rang in his ears.

Just the Right Notes - 18

Yes. Yes, love. He groaned, growled, pulling fiercely. His. His lover.

His lover's hands wrapped around his head, holding him there, hips starting to pump.

Graham relaxed his throat, took Elliot in and in and in.

"Fuck. G. Yes." Elliot fucked his mouth faster, harder, taking everything he had to give, and then
giving him everything in return, spunk shooting down his throat.

He sobbed and swallowed, balls aching, cock hard as nails as the flavor of Elliot filled him.

"Good. Fuck. Oh, yes." Elliot was only half coherent, raining praise down on him, hands
stroking his head, sliding through the hair that had worked its way out of his braid.

He was soaring, hips rolling, fucking the air.

Elliot's prick slipped out of his mouth, and his lover tugged him up so he was sitting in Elliot's
lap, ass against the warm, soft leather pants.

His moan rumbled out of him and he pulled hard at the bonds, wanting to touch, to feel.

His hands were ignored, though, Elliot focusing on his prick instead. Those long fingers touched
him, rubbed the head of his cock and slid down along the length.

"Sir..." He whimpered and jerked, head falling back as he felt.

"You don't have to do anything, G. Just feel, just take the pleasure." Elliot's nose slid along the
side of his neck. "I'll let you come in a bit."

"Yes, sir. Love you. Thank you. Your hands."

"You like them, G? Like what they do to you?" Elliot continued to touch his prick, teasing and
spreading the pre-come that was leaking from him. His lover's other hand moved over his back,
touching his shoulder blades, his spine.

"Yes, sir. I mean, no. No, I love them."

"Mmm... Good."

The hand on his back dug in, massaging his muscles, even as the hand playing with his cock
circled it, began to tug.

Graham was caught, not thinking, not worrying, just trusting in those hands, in his lover. The
pleasure built and built, his skin so sensitive to every touch and rub and tug.

Elliot undid the cock ring, the leather sliding away from his skin. "You can come now, G."

Just the Right Notes - 19

"Love!" He thrust a few times, then shot so hard the room went dim, the edges fading.

When he came back to himself, he was cradled against Elliot's chest, his hands no longer bound.
He reached up, buried his fingers in Elliot's thick, soft hair, singing softly of his pleasure, his
happiness.

Elliot simply held him, kept him warm and close.

He could just stay.

Right here.

Happy.

***

By Sunday afternoon, Graham was fully into sub space, not forgetting his sirs, submitting
beautifully no matter what Elliot asked of him.

The lines and tension had disappeared from the beautiful face, Graham finding peace and
happiness in letting everything else go. They would have to go soon, but they still had a couple
more hours to themselves.

He currently had Graham bound hand and foot in the middle of the bed, a large dildo in his ass,
his cock bound once again, two little clamps on Graham's nipples, attached by a chain.

Graham looked quite stunning.

"How do you feel?"

"Full, sir. Hard. Happy."

"Good. I think you can take the bigger dildo now."

He climbed onto the bed, twisting the dildo that stuck out of Graham's ass, fucking him a time or
two with it.

Graham groaned, belly flushing dark red.

"Beautiful."

Stunning, really.

He twisted the dildo again, pushed it against Graham's gland and Graham arched for him,
tugging at the bonds. Bending, he licked at Graham's ass where it was stretched around the latex

Just the Right Notes - 20

cock. He loved how Graham sang for him, calling out, humming and rocking, completely lost in
it.

He teased his tongue up and down along Graham's crack and then returned to the stretched hole,
the skin there so hot. There was a tiny, tiny tattoo -- a stylized E drawn into the wrinkled skin
right above Graham's hole.

"Remember when we had this done?" He traced the tattoo with his tongue.

"Yes, sir. I never saw who did it. I only heard your voice."

"That's right. It was as if I did it." That's how he'd wanted it, just him and Graham, no one else
between them.

Humming, he licked the tattoo again and then backed off, picking up the bigger dildo and
beginning to slick it up.

"Made me yours, sir." Graham panted quietly, eyes closed, refusing to look.

"No, you already were mine. This is just a symbol of that."

He touched Graham's shoulder. "Open your eyes, G. I want you to see what will fill you."

Graham flushed, eyes opening so slowly, so unwillingly.

"If it were my hand, you'd be looking." He tapped the dildo against the chain that hung between
Graham's nipples.

"Yes. Yes, sir. Your hand is... more forgiving."

He leaned in to whisper. "Then let's forget the dildo and fill you with my hand, instead."

Graham cried out, entire body going taut.

"Mmm... yes. Yes, that's what we'll do."

He tossed the big dildo off the bed and slowly, gently, tugged out the dildo still inside Graham's
body. The air in the room was heavy, heady, Graham's need scenting everything.

He kissed one ass-cheek, sliding two slick fingers into Graham's body. Graham took him easily,
just accepted what he wanted to give. Two fingers became three, Graham's ass tugging on his
fingers, pulling them in deeper.

"Heat and silk. Such perfection, G."

"Love you, sir. Please." Graham moved as well as he could, riding his touch.

Just the Right Notes - 21

"God, you're so hot for it. Wanton." He laughed softly. "A slut for my touch." And didn't that
make him the luckiest man ever?

"Your slut, sir."

"Fuck, yes."

He bit the spot on Graham's asscheek that he'd kissed, and then he squeezed more lube onto his
fingers, not warning Graham as he pushed four in.

The music became a moan, a groan, a deep, raw sound.

"That's it, G. Take me in. God, you're so fucking sexy, so beautiful spread open around my
fingers."

Graham's body squeezed his fingers at his words.

His own cock throbbed at the sensation, at the sight of nearly his whole hand disappearing into
Graham. Nearly his whole hand; it was time to change that. He slicked up his thumb and tucked
it against his palm before pushing to get his entire hand into Graham's body.

"Elliot!" Graham arched, taking him in, crying out into the air.

"Right here, G. Right here inside you. God." There was nothing that could compare to this.

"Yes. Yes, inside me." His lover shifted, cried out, moaned and begged and pleaded for him.

His own hips fucked the air as he kept pushing. Amazingly, Graham's body kept pulling him in.
His lover would stretch for him, spread and sob and take all he had.

Suddenly the widest part of his hand was inside Graham, and that stretched little hole closed
down around his wrist.

He shuddered at the sight of his whole hand inside his lover.

Those eyes stared at him, huge, needy. He looked back -- he'd give Graham anything,
everything. Then he curled his fingers into a fist, Graham's heartbeat strong and steady around
him.

"Sir." Graham tried to sit up, pulling at the bonds.

He pushed against Graham, holding him down. The man was going to hurt himself. "What is it?"

"You. Love. So full."

Just the Right Notes - 22

"We're joined." Bending, he licked at Graham's skin, licked where it was stretched around his
hand.

"Yes..." Graham almost sobbed, ass clenching.

He licked and licked until Graham relaxed again, and then he moved his hand in small
increments, tiny movements designed to blow Graham's mind to bits. Graham's body squeezed
his arm, shaking around him.

"I'm going to take off the clamps and cock binding now, G. I want my hand to be all you know."

"Oh. Oh, sir. I. It's so much. You're so much."

"It's okay. You can come as much as you need to." He released the first nipple clamp, watching
as the blood rushed to fill the little bit of flesh.

"Elliot!" Graham screamed once, short and sharp, then slumped down onto the mattress. He took
the abused nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, tongue sliding over the hard bump. Oh. Oh,
fuck. He could feel each and every suck in Graham's ass.

Moaning, he used his mouth to take off the other clamp.

"Love. Love. Need. Sir. Yours." The words poured over him like a caress, and he gave the newly
released nipple the same treatment he'd given the other one.

"Cock next," he whispered, blowing on Graham's wet nipples.

"I'll come. So hard."

"Good. I want to taste it. I want to see what you taste like with my hand inside you."

He undid the knot in the silk ribbons from around Graham's balls, stroking and rolling them
before slowly unwinding the ribbon that ran up and down Graham's cock.

Graham sobbed softly, nodding, stomach muscles jerking. He moaned, his own balls aching, as
the ribbon came completely away, leaving Graham simply bound and hand foot, and impaled.

He could see Graham's cock throb, could see the way the head swelled, so close. Bending, he
flicked his tongue across the slit. Spunk sprayed across his face, hot and wet and salty.

He licked it off his lips, moaning at Graham's taste. Then he rubbed his face against Graham's
thigh, getting the rest of it off before he started to move his hand with slow, smooth movements
back and forth.

Graham groaned, grunted, rocking on his hand, that sweet cock still hard.

Just the Right Notes - 23

His lover was amazing. Graham blew his mind -- it was as simple as that.

He wrapped his free hand around Graham's prick and watched as his lover worked the bound
body back and forth -- into his hand, back onto his hand.

Graham's eyes were wide, not seeing anything as rough sounds poured out into the air.

His own hips snapped, his balls aching so badly, his cock throbbing each time Graham's ass
squeezed around his hand. His whole hand was buried deep inside Graham's ass.

The second orgasm was weaker, Graham tugging against the ropes as he shot. It prompted his
own, and he cried out, cock spilling against Graham's thigh.

Graham was out, limp and exhausted, sated.

The perfect end to their time at the cabin.

They'd return happy and rejuvenated, ready to face the world again.

He carefully worked his hand free and undid Graham's bindings. Then he wrapped himself
around his lover and dozed.

Just the Right Notes - 24

Chapter Three

He chopped the scallions, whistling under his breath. The steak and peppers and water chestnuts
were sliced up, the rice in the steamer.

The fucking opera written and done.

Done.

Ready to start rehearsals on.

Graham bounced a bit, whistling the overture, the brass ringing out in his mind, strong.
Masculine. Edgy.

Perfect.

"Hey, honey, I'm home."

"In the kitchen, El." He grinned and poured two glasses of Riesling.

Elliot wandered in, shoes already off, briefcase in one hand, jacket hanging over it as his lover
worked his tie loose with his other hand. "Oh, it smells good in here."

"Stir-fry." Graham handed over one glass and took a kiss. "We're celebrating."

"Mmm..." Elliot took another kiss and tossed his briefcase and jacket onto the table. "What are
we celebrating, G?"

Graham bounced a little, poured some sesame oil in the wok. "It's finished."

"The opera?" At his nod, Elliot put down the wine glass, grabbed his and set it down as well, and
then lifted him up. "Woo-hoo! Way to go!"

"Yes!" He leaned down, took a long, happy kiss, fingers rubbing Elliot's temples, easing any
stress away. "Eight months and it's done."

Elliot looked tired, but happy, beaming up at him. "When do I get to hear it?"

"Mmm. After supper, maybe." He winked, rubbed their noses together. "Or after supper and a
long soak in the hot tub. We start auditions and rehearsals on it in three weeks."

His opera. His orchestra. His music swelling in the symphony hall.

"That's awesome, G." Elliot took another kiss, tugging on his lower lip.

"Do we have time for an orgasmic celebration before supper?"

Just the Right Notes - 25

"Nope. I've already heated the oil."

Elliot pouted. "Damn. After, then."

His ass was fondled, Elliot feeling him up thoroughly.

"Mmm." He tossed in the beef, stirring and shaking. "How was your day, El? Busy?"

"Yeah. We nearly had a deal fall through because there was a mix-up on the delivery dates. I
spent the entire day doing damage control."

Elliot leaned against the counter and sipped at his wine. "Oh, this is nice. Is it the Riesling?"

"It is. It's our last bottle. We'll have to go shopping this weekend." He added vegetables and
some sauce, humming softly.

"Oh, we could drive up the coast, make a weekend of it. Antique shops, flea markets, farmer's
markets..."

"Sounds perfect. Oh, we could have a meal at that little pasta house with the artichoke-stuffed
chicken breast and the garlic rolls."

Nodding, Elliot drained his glass and then set the table, hand touching him every time Elliot
passed by.

It wasn't long at all before they were sitting, his feet in Elliot's lap, rice and beef on the table,
plates filled.

One of Elliot's hands rubbed his feet and slid along his leg. "This smell's amazing, G. You've
outdone yourself."

"I wanted something spicy." And easy to toss in the dishwasher afterward.

"Something spicy... Mmm. I could be spicy." Elliot grabbed his fork and took a mouthful. "Oh,
God. Good."

He chuckled, nodded. They loved experimenting, loved playing in the kitchen. "Not bad."

"Better than not bad."

Elliot dug in, eating hungrily.

And his lover's eyes ate him up just as eagerly.

Just the Right Notes - 26

They finished the wine and the food, the conversation meandering idly over work and plans and
whether Kevin was going to finally commit to that little twink or whether his sister Lacy was
going to have a boy or a girl.

"Is there dessert?" Elliot wiped his lips with a napkin. "Or is that you?"

"There's some fresh fruit..." He winked, shifting to slide over into Elliot's lap. "But there's me."

Elliot's hands slid around to his ass. "Hmmm... fresh fruit or old fruit... decisions, decision."

"Oh. Oh, you're fucking fired!" He reached down, pinched one of Elliot's nipples good and hard.
"You queen."

"Ow!" Elliot jerked and laughed, tugging their groins together. "I'll pick you every time, G."

"You'd better." He leaned down, traced Elliot's lips with the tip of his tongue.

Groaning, Elliot tried to catch his tongue. Chuckling, Graham grabbed Elliot's face, holding on,
licking and lapping, teasing. Elliot squeezed his ass. "Tease."

"Mmhmm. And you love it, El." He nipped Elliot's bottom lip, tugging a little bit.

"Uh-huh." Elliot jerked up against him. "I love it a lot."

"Good." He chuckled, pushing closer as his fingers opened up Elliot's shirt.

It was Elliot's turn to lick at his lips, nibble on his lower lip.

"Love you, huh? That damned piece is done." He almost bounced with it.

"My brilliant lover."

Elliot kissed him, long and slow, before resting their foreheads together. "I want to hear it, but I
want to make love with you more."

"I like how you think. Bed or hot tub?"

"It's your celebration." Elliot rolled his hips, rocking them together. "You choose."

"Hot tub." He didn't even have to think. "I have a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator."

"Perfect. You get the champagne. I'll get the hot tub going."

"Come help me throw the stuff in the dishwasher first." He hopped up, both of them working
quickly, easily to get things put to rights.

Just the Right Notes - 27

The need hummed quietly between them, Elliot brushing against him again and again.

"I'll wipe the counters, El, and grab the bottle. Would you like some berries?"

"I would." Elliot's eyes admired him as he stepped away. "I'll be waiting. Just me and the hot
tub."

"Sounds perfect." There was a little bowl of berries next to the champers, and he grabbed two
flutes. He whistled as he locked up, turned off lights here and there, and headed toward the
garden room with the hot tub, the plants, the moon shining in.

The tub was already bubbling away, Elliot sitting, head resting on the edge of the tub, looking
decadent as fuck.

He checked the temperature of the water, took the cage off the champagne. "Does it feel good?"

"Oh, yeah. It'll feel even better with you in my lap."

"Mmmm. Here. Open and pour and I'll get naked." He winked and handed the bottle over before
heading to the little stereo and finding something Spanish and sexy to listen to.

"Naked is good." Grinning, watching him more than what he was doing, Elliot carefully worked
the cork, managing to get it off without losing any of the champagne.

He stripped, turning on the little outdoor fireplace and killing the lights. Oh. Perfect.

"You make the most beautiful magic, G. Now come on in and let's make some more magic
together."

"Yeah." He slid into the water, moaning at the heat. Fuck him. Yeah. Elliot grabbed hold of him
and tugged him close. He slipped over, straddled those strong thighs, and pressed close. "Mmm.
Hey."

"Hey."

A single flute was filled, and Elliot offered the glass. "We could share."

"Perfect." He took a drink, then bent, sharing it with his lover, covering those soft, open lips with
his own. Elliot accepted the drink and then that champagne flavored tongue danced into his
mouth. They kissed, slow and lazy, the water bubbling all around them.

Elliot reached back, and a moment later a raspberry was held out to him. A grunt escaped him,
part emptiness, part need. "Your cock. Come on."

"Pushy, pushy."

Just the Right Notes - 28

Elliot guided that fat prick to his hole.

"You know it." He bore down and took Elliot in, sinking down to the root. "Fuck."

"Christ. Jesus. G."

Elliot's hands found his hips, a needy moan sounding.

"Uh-huh. Fuck me." His eyes rolled and laughter bubbled out of him. "You feel so fucking
good."

"Back at you, G." Elliot started to fuck him, hips drawing back and then pushing up into him,
bringing him down hard.

"Yeah." Elliot filled him up, stretching him, so well.

Elliot took his mouth, kissing him as the thick cock pushed into him over and over. The water
splashed all around them, the cool kiss of the air a fabulous contrast to its heat.

"Love you." Elliot grinned wildly, one hand wrapping around his cock.

"I know. Oh. Right there." He bit at Elliot's lips.

"There?" Elliot pushed up hard, hitting his gland head on.

"Mmph." He was going to scream with it.

"Oh, yeah, right there."

Elliot thrust harder, faster, sending him flying.

He soared, entire body shaking as his balls went tight and he shot.

"Yes. Yes, G. Yes."

Elliot pushed into him a few more times, and then came, filling him with heat.

"Oh..." Moaning, Graham floated, humming as they eased down, together. Elliot's kisses kept
him slightly breathless, slow and lazy though they were. "Mmm." He kept the kisses tart with
slices of strawberries, bites of raspberries.

"So do I get to hear your opus, G?"

Graham rested his forehead against Elliot's, smiling, so proud, so pleased. "You do. I have a
recording -- it's me singing, though, so you'll have to imagine a better voice."

Just the Right Notes - 29

"There's nothing wrong with your voice."

"Mmm, but there's nothing magical about it. Imagine when it's Tina Richards and Antonio
Juarez..."

"Who would be nothing without geniuses like you composing for them."

"We all have our places in the world, don't we?" Elliot built the finest homes. He wrote powerful
music. Together, they made each other happy.

"I have your place right here."

"You do." He nodded, happy, bone-deep. "You do, El."

"Sing it for me now, G. I want to hear it while I hold you."

"Oh." He blushed dark, leaned in and started singing Del'Arco's introduction.

Elliot held him, the bubbles danced against his skin.

The evening about as perfect as it could get.

Just the Right Notes - 30

Chapter Four

It was late.

It was fucking late.

And he was stuck at the God damn office yet again.

Their overhead was way more than they were bringing in, and they were hemorrhaging money
and clients in equal measure. Just this morning, Bob Rachet had pulled out of his contract.

They could take the guy to court, but there was no guarantee they'd win, and Rachet could keep
it tied up forever. Meanwhile, he was going to have to start laying people off.

"Damn it all to fucking hell!"

He picked up the paperweight at the top of his desk and threw it at the wall. Hard.

"Oh." There was a little gasp, then one long-fingered hand waved from the door. "It's a bad time,
El?"

"Graham. Come on in -- there isn't going to be a good time."

"That bad, huh?" Graham was windblown and red-cheeked, wearing a heavy cabled sweater
three sizes too big.

"You don't want to know."

He ran his hand through his hair and sat back, shoulders tight. "You look good."

"Thanks. You look like hell. What's up?" Graham wandered in, heading right for him.

"I said you don't want to know," he snarled. He closed his eyes as soon as the words were out of
his mouth. "I'm sorry."

"Man." Graham slid behind him, hands landing on his shoulders and digging in. "How can I
help?"

"You can't." He dropped his head with a groan, his mind spinning over the problems. God, that
felt good, if only he could shut off his mind. "Or maybe you can."

"Anything you need." Those strong thumbs pushed deeper.

"Let's get the fuck out of here."

"Okay, El. You want some food?"

Just the Right Notes - 31

"I couldn't eat. Take me to the cabin, G."

"I. Okay. Let me make a couple phone calls; clear my plate for tomorrow, huh?"

He nodded. "Yeah, there's a few e-mails I should send."

"Okay." He got a quick, soft kiss to his temple, then Graham moved away and flipped that
pretentious purple phone open.

He shook his head, turning to his computer, shoulders tightening right up again as he started
sending e-mails.

It took them both about fifteen minutes, then Graham's fingers tangled with his. "Ready?"

"More than. I just need to get away from it all." He found a smile for Graham as they waited for
the elevator. "I need to lose myself in you."

"Then we'll grab a bite on the way and go. I called the corner deli; they'll have an order waiting
for us to pick up." Oh, good man.

"Thank you, G." The elevator arrived and he pushed Graham in, pushed him up against the back
wall, taking a hard kiss.

Graham moaned, opening for him, letting him in, letting him have control.

Groaning, he grabbed Graham's hands and pushed them up over his lover's head, pinning them
there as he ground against Graham's body.

His lover shivered, pushing back, eyes searching his. He knew what Graham was looking for --
did he want G to submit or fight, relax or push?

"We're not at the cabin yet, G."

"I know. I just want to make things better for you now."

He reached back and hit the stop button on the elevator. "Then let's do this." He took Graham's
mouth again.

Graham wrapped around him, fingers dragging down his spine, lips sweet and swollen for him.

It was just what he needed, and he pushed with his hips again, humping Graham up against the
wall.

Graham met him halfway, giving him something to push against, giving him something to focus
on. That heat and strength felt so good against him. It made his cock throb, his balls drawing up.

Just the Right Notes - 32

Graham moaned, tongue fucking his lips, just trying to drive him over the edge.

He jerked, hips moving roughly against Graham as he came, spunk pouring from his cock. His
cry was muffled by Graham's mouth.

"Mmm." Graham hummed for him, soft and low, the sound comforting him. Moaning, he sucked
gently on Graham's tongue, the tension already beginning to leave him. He hit the stop button
again, the elevator responding, moving downward.

Graham smiled, nuzzling him, lips open and offered to him.

The elevator doors opened onto the parking level and he sighed, rubbing against Graham one last
time, wincing a little at the mess in his trousers.

"You want to change before we go? I know you have a change in the trunk." Gym clothes, but
Graham was right, there were soft, warm sweats in there.

"Yeah. Let's do it. There's a washroom at the deli, right?" He so didn't want to go back up to the
office if he didn't have to, and he could live with the fucking mess for ten minutes.

"Yeah. There is." Graham dug out a handkerchief and handed it over. "For until we get there."

"Thanks, G." So good to him.

He cleaned himself up as best he could, and shoved the handkerchief into his pocket. He tossed
his keys to Graham. "We'll take my car."

"Mmm. The car with heated seats. I'm so there." Graham wiggled, butt shaking under that huge
sweater.

"Heat your ass up before I heat your ass up." He grinned and grabbed Graham's butt.

He could already feel Graham and the cabin working their magic.

"Mmm. I should wear padded briefs." Graham chuckled, leaned over, and kissed his cheek.

"That would be cheating."

He settled in the passenger seat and pulled on his belt.

"You know I'd never do that." No. No, his lover would fight and struggle, but Graham was
painfully honest.

He reached out and touched Graham's cheek, stroking gently. "I know, G."

Just the Right Notes - 33

"Love you, El." Graham nodded and pulled out into the night, the sounds of the city all around
them.

He tried to focus on Graham, on what they were going to do, but the city still pressed in on him,
reminding him of how he was losing his place here, losing his business.

And his biggest worry was dragging Graham down with him. He should never have quit the big
firm.

"You gonna talk to me, El? How bad is it?"

He sighed, considering Graham's question. The truth was, he was just stalling. Of course he was
going to tell Graham. He wouldn't hide something like this from his lover. Hell, he wouldn't hide
anything from Graham in the long run.

"It's bad. I'm a fantastic architect, G. The fucking best. But it seems I'm shitty as hell at running
my own firm."

"Okay." Graham reached out, grabbed his hand. "Is it fixable? We could hire a manager for the
team."

"I don't..." He swallowed. Shit, it was hard enough to admit he was a failure to himself; he hated
to have to tell Graham, to have his lover know. "I don't think there's enough money to do that."

"Damn." Graham frowned, humming a little. "Okay, what's the worst-case scenario? Shutting
down?"

"I've got irons in the fire, people who've pulled out of deals where time and materials have
already been put in. I'm going to have to let people go before I can't pay them anymore, and if I
can't arrange for some sort of payment plan with some of the creditors." He sighed, shoulders
going tight again, a fist forming in his spine. "I need someone to go over the numbers for me."

"Okay. We'll call Lindsay. She knows everybody." Graham's manager was a brilliant, evil bitch
with her fingers in a thousand pies.

He scrubbed at his eyes. "I'm sorry, G."

God, he'd been so sure he could do this. So fucking sure.

"For what? Needing some help? You aren't licked yet, El. It's a road bump, not a nuclear war."

Jesus, Graham had the weirdest analogies... He actually started chuckling.

"God, I love you, G."

"Good. It'll work out. We have each other. We're fine."

Just the Right Notes - 34

"Even if I've bankrupted us?"

It was pretty heavy. He'd seen more than one couple self-destruct over money problems.

Graham looked over at him, full on. "When I met you, I didn't own a single pair of whole shoes,
and you were living in the scariest apartment known to man, and we managed."

He grinned at that memory. "It wasn't that scary." It had been worse.

"It was horrifying." Someone honked and Graham swerved, pulling back into their lane.

"You just say that because the cockroaches were bigger than the rats."

He put his hand on Graham's thigh, needed to touch.

"The cockroaches were signaling to their home planet, El." Graham patted his hand. "The flat is
paid for. I make good money. We'll be fine."

"Cabin's paid for, too." His last year with Wilson, Tait and Associates, he'd made a huge bonus
and they'd paid the place off.

"Well, then. We've got a home, the cabin, each other. Ta-da."

"Yeah. You're right. It'll be okay no matter what happens." He still couldn't help that creeping
feeling of failure, though.

"You know it. Listen to me, now. You can do this." Stubborn boy.

"I'll do my best, G." They turned into the deli parking lot. "No more work talk."

"We're not at the cabin yet." Oh, pushy.

One of his eyebrows went up. "Get the food, G. I've got to change."

"I'm on it. I'll get chocolate. Oh. And a cherry pie."

"Mmm... good to me."

He gave Graham a quick kiss and climbed out of the car, going around the back to the trunk for
his sweats.

Ten minutes later found him settled in the passenger seat again, trying to follow his own
demands to put work behind him as he waited for Graham to come back with their food.

Graham came wandering back with an armful of sacks, chewing on something.

Just the Right Notes - 35

"Good lord, G, what is all this?"

"Food. Snacks. Lots of chocolate." Oh, good lord. Just what he needed -- hyper-bouncy sub.

"I thought you ordered us sandwiches." He took the bags and put them behind, shaking his head.

"I did." Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.

He reached over and grabbed one of the bags, started going through it.

"Here," he said, finding a couple of sandwiches. He opened one up and handed it over.

"Go ahead. I'll have one later." Another candy bar slipped out of Graham's pocket and into that
hungry mouth.

"Christ. G, you're going to be regretting that in a couple of hours when we're at the cabin and
you're all tied up."

"It'll keep you busy..."

He snorted and waved the sandwich in Graham's face. "I'm serious, G. You need your protein.
To keep up with me."

Graham took the sandwich, nibbled. "You going to wear me out?"

"We're going to wear each other out, G. Just you and me and the leather and latex, a rope or two.
Mmm..." It was going to be lovely -- it was going to be just what he needed.

"Anything. Anything to ease your mind."

"So good to me."

He opened the second sandwich, finding his appetite was coming back. It probably helped that
the fist clenched in his stomach was fading. How could it not, with Graham right there, solid as a
rock for him?

He sat back, the car seat warming his ass nicely, eating and chatting idly with Graham. "You
didn't have to give up anything important to do this now, did you?"

"Just an interview. They understood. I rescheduled."

He frowned. "An interview for what?"

"A documentary on symphony conductors. Nothing special."

Just the Right Notes - 36

"It sounds special. I hope I haven't ruined your chances of being in a movie." He loved it when
Graham got accolades and special notice.

"I rescheduled." Graham would sacrifice almost anything for him.

"Okay." He could let it drop for now. The truth was, he really needed the time away with
Graham.

He settled in his seat so he could watch Graham's profile as his lover drove. Graham was
gorgeous, and he was one lucky son of a bitch. Graham's hair was loose and wild, sharp features
outlined by the periodic streetlight.

He reached out, fingers wrapping in the silky hair. He wanted to feel it sliding against his skin as
they made love. He wanted to feel it wrapped around his prick as Graham jacked him off.

Graham hummed, lips parted a little, ass shifting on the seat. "Love you, El."

"Yeah. I know. Lucky me." His fingers left Graham's hair to touch his lover's cheek. "And I love
you. Going to show you just how much when we get there."

"You show me all the time."

"Oh, G..." He stroked Graham's cheek again and then sat back, rubbed himself through his
sweats. He was going to be hard and aching long before they got there.

"Mmm. I can smell you." Graham groaned, pushing back into the seat.

"Yeah? Can you smell how much I want you?" He slipped his hand beneath the elastic
waistband, just touching the tip of his prick.

"I can. I fucking love it -- knowing that you're hard, happy."

"Mmm..." He slid his fingers over his length, bit his lower lip, and moaned softly. "It's because
of you."

"Good." Mmm. That was possessive and proud and all his.

He tugged his sweats down, freeing his cock, settling the elastic waistband right beneath his
balls. Groaning, he kept touching himself.

"Beautiful bastard." Graham's hand slid over, trailing along his cock.

Jerking, he cried out, hips trying to push into Graham's hand. Fucking seatbelt.

"Mmm. You know, if you come again, you'll be two ahead of me."

Just the Right Notes - 37

That had him laughing, honestly tickled. "You're keeping track."

"I'm good at that." He got a grin, wide and wicked.

He reached over to touch Graham's cheek again. "What if I don't let you come until we get back
to the city?"

He could be wicked, too.

"I'll cry. Endlessly. Irritate the fuck out of you."

"Shit, I'd have to tie you up and gag you and leave you in the closet or something if you did
that." He grinned and went back to touching himself.

"What good would that do you? You'd have to just jack yourself off a lot."

"That would get boring after the first twenty times or so." He winked and slid his hand down
over his balls, rolling them.

"Only twenty? Man..."

Chuckling, he kept up the lazy strokes. It felt good. It would have felt better if it was Graham's
prick he held, but that would probably be kind of dangerous, what with the man driving and all.

"You are a beautiful son of a bitch, El. I could eat you alive."

He groaned. "Soon as we get there, you can do exactly that."

"Sounds perfect." Those long fingers brushed the base of his cock. "Tell me what else we'll do?"

"Mmm... I have a new dildo for you. I bought it a few months ago. Brought it up last time we
were there." He grinned -- his size queen was going to love it. "It's big, G. Bigger than me."

Graham swallowed hard; he could see G's Adam's apple bob. "T...tease."

"You asked."

He moved his hand a little faster, imagining the thick, dark dildo pushing into Graham's ass,
stretching it.

"Uh-huh. You love it, spreading me wide, making me stretch." Fuck, the air was getting heavy,
thick almost.

"I do. Shit, there's nothing like you riding some fat piece of cock, G." He laughed. "Unless it's
you riding my fat cock."

Just the Right Notes - 38

"Mmm. You're laughing. That is just so fucking cool."

"It is?"

"Yeah, El. It is."

"You're crazy, G. Just crazy."

"Yeah, but I'm yours."

"Fuck, yeah." He slid his hand over Graham's thigh. He satisfied himself with just that, though
his fingers itched to touch Graham's cock. He could see the bulge in those old blue jeans, and he
would swear he could smell Graham through them. The man was driving and didn't need the
distraction of the tips of his fingers just barely grazing over the base of Graham's balls... Elliot
snatched his hand away; he didn't want to cause an accident.

"Almost there. Almost." Graham looked over at him, smiled, and winked.

He smiled back, and his hand returned to Graham's thigh, touching lightly. His mood was
improving by the second, and he couldn't wait to get to the cabin.

Finally, Graham turned into the little private drive, slowing down on the gravel.

He just needed to figure out what he wanted to do first. It would no doubt have something to do
with the erection he was sporting. He tucked himself back into his sweats. "I'm going to turn you
inside out and make you scream, G."

"Promise? I'm ready." The cabin was there, waiting for them, tiny and perfect and private.

"Yeah, me, too."

He waited until Graham had not only stopped the car, but put on the parking brake, and then he
grabbed his lover and tugged Graham halfway out of the seat to give him a hard kiss.

"Mmm." Graham scrambled half into his arms, hand dropping to work his cock.

Whimpering, he pushed up into that touch. Shit, look at them, not able to wait another minute so
they could be inside. Of course, the dynamics were different once they crossed that threshold.

He slid his fingers into Graham's hair, the strands like silk against his palm.

"Love. Have you." Graham stroked hard, loving on him, needing him.

His hips jerked. "G!" Christ, what Graham did to him. Gasping, he humped up a few more times,
his ass leaving the seat.

Just the Right Notes - 39

"Yeah." Teeth scraped against his shoulder, even through his shirt, the sensation sharp and fiery.

"G!" He cried out again, his prick throbbing in Graham's hand as he came in a rush.

The touch gentled, Graham easing him down.

"God. Graham." He rubbed their noses together and then took another kiss, just tasting, licking
out the inside of Graham's mouth.

"Mmmhmm." Graham smiled, nodded, eyes warm and loving. "Got your edge off."

"So good to me." He cupped Graham's cheek, thumb sliding across Graham's lips. "What about
you? You got an edge that needs getting off, G? Or do you want to go in?"

G wrapped those soft, swollen lips around his thumb. "I have an edge, but I could keep it. Use it.
For you."

Groaning, he nodded, jerked his head toward the cabin. "Inside, then."

"Kiss me first."

Grinning, he did, tongue pushing into Graham's mouth as he made it as good a kiss as he could;
it would be the last demand Graham made until they were ready to go home again.

Graham kissed him right back, tongue pushing and sliding against his own. A low groan tore out
of his chest, and he wrapped both hands in Graham's hair, holding him right there, reveling in the
way their tongues tangles together. The kiss went deeper, Graham opening for him, loving him,
tongue fucking his lips.

He moaned, and sucked on Graham's tongue for a moment before breaking the kiss. "Now you're
just stalling."

"Huh?" G actually looked a little dazed.

Christ, he loved that. Graham never did anything halfway, and that included loving him. He
grabbed Graham's sweater and tugged them back together for another hard kiss. It could have
gone on and on, except Graham's elbow hit the horn, making both of them jump.

Laughing, he collapsed into his seat and then opened the car door. "Come on, G. Let's go in."

"Okay, El. You get your bag; I'll grab the groceries."

He did as he was told, indulging Graham yet again in another last order.

Just the Right Notes - 40

They walked up the stairs together and he opened the door, ushering Graham in, the mantle of
his role here in this place dropping over his shoulders. Graham shivered a little, leaning into him,
hair tickling his arm.

"Mmm... looking forward to this?" He was. Already, the other world was getting further and
further away. He wouldn't call it the real world, because this was just as real, what they did here.
It was a part of them.

"Yes, love. I love our time here."

"So do I." He kissed Graham, gently tugging Graham along. "A shower first. And then we'll do
something to work all that chocolate out of your system."

"Mmm. That sounds good. Very good." Graham nuzzled against him, stealing little bits of
comfort.

He double-checked that the door was locked and led Graham to bathroom. "Undress yourself,
and then me."

"Yes, love." The sweater came off, Graham's long, pale hair poofing out wildly.

He leaned against the wall, watching, eyes moving lovingly over every inch of his lover's body.
It didn't take Graham any time to strip off, bare all that skin for his eyes. "Look at you -- not a
mark on you." He reached out and touched Graham's belly. "We'll have to do something about
that."

Those taut muscles jerked, Graham's cock bobbing up, trying to get his attention.

He slid his finger up along the hard prick and then let his arm drop again. "My clothes now."

"Mmm..." Graham nodded, moaning softly, hands reaching for him.

He pushed into Graham's hands, making Graham work at getting his clothes off.

"May I touch you? Lick you?"

Graham had forgotten the 'sir,' but he had remembered to ask for permission. "Yes."

"Mmm." Graham stepped forward, adoring his body, worshipping each inch as it was exposed.

Groaning, he slid his fingers through Graham's hair, barely keeping himself from guiding the
warm, wet tongue as it slid over his skin. His cock was lapped, his hips nuzzled and nipped, even
his legs stroked. "Don't stop," he whispered, ordered, whatever.

"No, I won't. I mean, yes. I mean..." Graham chuckled, lips open against his balls. "You befuddle
me."

Just the Right Notes - 41

"And you make me need, G. So fucking much."

"Good." He got a smile -- soft and sweet, surprisingly gentle. "Love you."

He nodded, stroked Graham's cheek. "And I love you."

Bending, he took Graham's mouth, a hint of his own sweat on the sweet lips. Graham opened to
him eagerly, easily. He loved this almost as much as the struggle -- Graham's desire to please
him.

He walked Graham backward into the shower stall, pushing Graham right up against the tile.
When the hot back hit the cold ceramic, Graham gasped into his mouth, hands gripping his
shoulders. He pushed hard against Graham, rubbing their bodies together.

Graham shuddered and shook until the tile warmed, long lean body sliding against his. He
reached between them, grabbing hold of Graham's cock and tugged hard.

"Oh. Oh, El." Graham gasped, eyes rolling in their sockets.

"I'll give you that one, G." He squeezed tighter. "But only because I'm two up on you."

"Huh? Oh. So good... Your hands..."

"Yeah, yeah. Come on, G." He stroked his thumb across the tip of Graham's cock. Heat sprayed
out over his fingers, Graham's cry sharp and echoing. "Oh, fuck, that's sexy. You're sexy." He
rubbed Graham's come over both their bellies.

"Thank you. Thank you, sir. So good."

"Mmm... thank you." He took a kiss, long and slow, and then backed up far enough to turn the
shower on, the spray nice and strong, the water hot. He took Graham's hands and tugged him into
the spray.

"Oh. Warm." Graham moaned happily, wiggling and moving around, trying to get wet.

Laughing, feeling easier in his bones than he had in days, maybe weeks, he moved out of the
water, letting Graham hog it.

Graham grabbed the soap, reached for him. "I'll wash you, if you'd like."

"I would." He spread his legs a little, let his arms fall loosely.

"So fine." Graham hummed a little, focused on loving on him, on cleaning him.

"Mmm... love your hands, G."

Just the Right Notes - 42

"Love you, El. You know I do."

"I do know." He tapped Graham's nose. "And it's 'sir,' G."

Graham nipped at his finger, pushing a little. "Sir G? I like that."

"Oh, someone is bucking for a paddling." His cock throbbed at the thought.

"Hmm?" Oh, yeah. His Graham knew what he needed. Knew he needed to see that body bent for
him, begging for him.

He cupped Graham's face, tugged him in for a hard kiss. "Finish soaping me up, G. I'm going to
make you fly."

"You always do." Those soft, swollen lips brushed against his, the kiss gentle and sweet.

"Love you." He pushed Graham's hair back over his shoulders and raised his face to the water.

"I know." Graham smiled for him and then moaned, stretching in the water like a huge cat.

Oh, he could forget here, forget the problems and the money not coming in and focus on his
Graham. He licked the water out of Graham's collarbone and then let his teeth drag along it.

"Sir..." He could smell Graham's need, all of a sudden, sure and sharp.

He wrapped his hand around Graham's cock, tugging hard and fast. "Gonna take the edge off for
you, and then I'm going to ring you and paddle your ass until you scream my name."

"Please. Oh, fuck. Please, sir. El. Love."

""Come on, G. Come for me."

Graham's cry echoed a little bit, those hips sawing back and forth as heat sprayed between them.

Yes!

He kept his hand moving, making sure Graham stayed hard. "Gonna give you exactly what we
both need."

"Uh. Uh-huh. Yeah." That pretty cock was still interested.

He knew there was a cock ring in here somewhere... Grinning, he grabbed it off the bottom of the
soap dish.

"Oh. Oh, El. Sensitive."

Just the Right Notes - 43

"Don't worry, G. I won't be touching it again for hours." He gave Graham a wink and stepped
back. He would no doubt be touching Graham's cock again sooner than later, but the way it made
Graham react when he said it...

"Hours..." He loved the way Graham needed this, wanted it. "God. El. Sir."

He turned off the water, his palms itching for the sensation of leather-covered wood vibrating
through his skin as he gave it to Graham. He grabbed the towel and began blotting the water off
Graham's skin, touching as gently as he could. Graham was shaking for him by the time he was
done, shaking and moaning softly, totally focused.

He was mostly dry, just needing to run the towel through his hair and over his shoulders before
he tossed it in the general direction of the laundry basket.

"We'll light a fire, and you can lie over my lap in the big chair." Leaning in, he whispered into
Graham's ear. "I'm going to use the paddle with the little bumps all over it."

"Oh, God." Graham shuddered, cock nudging his hip.

He would have grabbed that hard, needy prick and led Graham into the living room by it, except
he'd already said he wasn't going to touch it for hours. Laughing at himself, he crooked his finger
and turned, heading for the living room. He lit a match and set the prepared fire in the fireplace
ablaze.

Then he went to his chair. The paddle he wanted was in the magazine stand next to it. Graham
followed, rubbing against him, loving on him.

"Mmm... God, G. You're such a sensualist."

He slid into the chair and patted his lap. "Now, assume the position."

"Yes. Yes, sir." Graham leaned over his thighs, trembling.

He shifted, settling Graham's needy, bound prick between his legs. Then he rubbed Graham's ass.

"Sir." Graham moaned, hips bucking a bit.

"Yeah. Here it comes, G." He raised the paddle and let it fly.

"Fuck!" That scream split the air.

"Yeah, G. Scream as loud as you want. As loud as you can."

His lover listened, screams filling the air, getting louder with each swat. He worked Graham's
ass, watching as his lover wriggled, as that beautiful ass became a deep rose.

Just the Right Notes - 44

"Stop. Stop, Jesus. It fucking burns."

"I love it when you beg, G." He started in on the top of Graham's thighs.

"Fuck you. Oh, Jesus. I fucking hate this." Liar.

"Of course you do." He stopped for a moment, rubbing the abused ass. G started panting,
moaning softly, cock leaking for him. "So sexy, G. You're amazing like this."

"Honestly? I need this, you."

"I know. You got it." He increased the strength of his blows, the sound of the paddle on
Graham's flesh sweet.

Graham's screams rang out over and over, his lover letting everything out, offering him
everything. He lost himself in it, truly letting go of everything except Graham and the paddle and
the twin sounds of leather-covered wood hitting flesh and Graham's screams.

The screams stopped slowly, becoming sobs, gasps, little pained hitches of breath. Elliot
smacked Graham's ass one more time and then stopped. His own breath panted from him as he
gently rubbed Graham's reddened ass. The flesh was bruised, swollen, burning hot against his
fingers.

"You'll sleep on your stomach, G." He slid his free hand around, finding Graham's trapped cock
and wrapping his fingers around it. Graham whimpered softly, the bound dick jerking in his
grasp. He found the wet tip, fingers rubbing, spreading the hot liquid leaking from it. "So hot.
Such a good, needy sub."

"Sir." Graham spread, moaning, hips still moving like the blows were still falling.

He began to work the ring off, going slowly. "No coming until I say so, G."

"I'll try."

"No, you'll do." He got the ring all the way off, palm stroking the hot cock.

"El..." Graham's cry was husky, proving nothing was in that mind but him and his hand.

He stroked twice and then murmured, "Come," as his hand came down on Graham's ass.

His lover stilled, and then screamed once more, cock pulsing in his hand, spunk pouring for him.
His hand slid along Graham's spine, his own cock jerking and pulsing out come, surprising him.

"El..." Graham moaned once, and then relaxed, panting over his thighs.

Just the Right Notes - 45

"God, G. You amaze me." He kept petting, loving on Graham.

"I love you." Graham sighed, the sound happy, satisfied.

"Yeah, I love you, too."

No matter what else, that stayed true.

It was enough.

Just the Right Notes - 46

Chapter Five

His ass ached, and he stretched, rubbing against the sheets, the rasp burning, driving him a little
crazy.

Graham pondered getting up, getting a shower.

Getting off.

Getting El off.

God, he loved the cabin.

El shifted, groaned, hand reaching for him, patting his ass and making it sting.

"Mmm. Morning, El."

El's hand smacked his ass. "Morning, who?"

He winced, grinned. "Morning, lover." He'd keep Elliot's mind on him, where it belonged.

Elliot growled softly. "Sir. Morning, sir."

"Morning, sir." Loved that growl, too.

"Mmm... better." Elliot rubbed his ass gently, fingertips sliding along his crack.

"I love you." He spread, pushed back into the touch.

"Love you, too." El's lips closed over his earlobe, sucking. "You know, there's a new dildo in the
front flap of the bag."

"Is there? Are you sure?"

"Don't make me slap your ass again -- go get it."

But he liked when El slapped his ass. He liked pushing. "If I do, will you tell me what we're
going to do today?"

"I might. I might not."

"No fair," he teased gently, moving across the room.

"Nope. Not fair at all." He could feel El's eyes on him. "Take the elastic out of your hair."

"Hmm?" He reached up, took his hair down, and shook it.

Just the Right Notes - 47

"Mmm... yeah. Like that. Now, get that dildo and get back to bed so I can watch your ass as I
fuck you with it."

"Bossy old man." He shook the ass in question as he headed for the bag, fishing out a huge, black
dildo that he was going to feel.

"Comes with the territory." He could hear the effect his ass-shaking had on Elliot, his lover's
voice gone all deep and husky.

"You think?" Graham headed back, fake cock in hand. "You think this is going to fit?"

"It'll fit. And if you're very, very good, I'll let you have my fist before the day is over."

His steps stuttered, a soft moan escaping him. Oh, God. Fisting meant a long day of ass play, of
touching and stretching him. Of... His knees got a little weak.

Elliot's chuckle was wicked and dirty, and the sexiest sound he'd ever heard. His cheeks went hot
and he had to wonder -- did "good" mean good or naughty?

"Stop thinking and get your ass over here, G."

He nodded, almost hurrying now, eager for a kiss. Something. Elliot took the dildo from him
before tugging him down onto the bed. The kiss he was given had teeth, promise.

"You... you're hungry." And not for breakfast.

"Yeah. I am." Elliot kissed him again, hand behind his head holding him there.

Graham opened up, letting Elliot in and in and in and oh... Oh, more.

When Elliot finally ended the kiss, he rested their foreheads together. "I'm not the only one who's
hungry."

"No. No, I want you. Always." It was just the truth.

"I know." Elliot kissed him again and then pulled back. "Okay. I want you on your stomach,
pillow under your hips."

"Okay." At Elliot's glare, he groaned. That part was so hard to remember. "Yes, sir."

"Good man." Elliot gave his ass a little pinch.

"Ow." That stung.

Just the Right Notes - 48

Chuckling huskily, Elliot pinched again. He scooted up onto the mattress, piling the pillows
under his hips

"Mmm... now that's what I like to see." Elliot shifted, moving to settle beside his ass, hands
sliding gently over his abused flesh.

"What's that? My ass?"

"You, obeying me, spread out for my pleasure."

His cheeks went hot, and he pushed up with his hips, offering all he was.

"Yeah. All mine." His ass cheeks were spread, Elliot's tongue sliding along his crack.

"Yours..." His toes curled, his ass clenched.

"Yes." Elliot's tongue lingered at his hole, licking across it, slapping at his skin.

He wiggled; he couldn't help it.

"Pushy, pushy bottom boy."

"You love it." Elliot loved him.

That husky laugh was back. "I love you." Then Elliot's tongue pushed into his ass.

"Oh!" He jerked, eyes going wide, and he groaned, lifted onto his hands and knees.

"Stay still," Elliot murmured. "I'm going to stop if you move without permission."

"No fair..." That was pure evil. Pure.

"I never said I was going to be fair." A light slap hit his ass.

Graham moaned, jerking a little, his knees sliding on the mattress. It was quiet a moment, and
then a slick, wet finger pushed into his ass.

"Mmm." He relaxed a little, eyes closing, focus on his ass.

Elliot circled one finger, moved it in and out, thumb stroking over his ass cheeks.

"Feels good." He hummed a little, rocking back onto the touch.

"Gonna feel even better soon." A second finger teased at his hole, pressing in with the first, then
disappearing, then pressing in again.

Just the Right Notes - 49

"Fuck." He closed his eyes, squeezing them shut, squeezing his ass around the touch.

"Not yet, but we'll get there."

Those two fingers went in deep, circled.

"Love you." He pushed back, thighs going tight.

Elliot nailed his gland and then slapped his ass. "I told you not to move." Then Elliot's fingers
disappeared, a kiss landing on his hole. "And I love you, too."

"G...good. I didn't mean to move."

"But you did move." A kiss graced the back of his thigh, and then three fingers pushed very
slowly into him.

"Elliot. Oh, fuck. That's good."

"I know what you like. The slow stretch, the slight burn. Why do you think I got such a big dildo
for you?" Elliot leaned over him, skin warming him.

"Because you like to push me."

Elliot laughed and rubbed a stubbled cheek against his back. "No more than you like to be
pushed."

"No. No more than I need this, El. Just like you do."

"Mmm." Elliot rubbed his skin again. "I'm not doing it right if you're this introspective." El's
fingers spread inside him, twisted, and found his gland.

"El!" He moaned, cock jerking, electricity shooting up his spine.

"Yes." Elliot hit his gland again and again, making a satisfied sound each time he moaned.

"Y...yes. Yes." He leaned down again, breathing hard.

Elliot's fingers disappeared, then they came back, slippery and wet and more. There were four
now.

"El. El, I..." He clenched, feet flexing and relaxing, the aria in his head hiccupping.

"You can move now if you want. If you need." El's fingers turned and twisted.

"Oh, God. Thank you." He started bucking, started humping El's hand.

Just the Right Notes - 50

"No coming, though."

"El!" That didn't stop him from moving, driving himself back onto those fingers.

"You gonna fuck yourself on the dildo next, G? I can't wait to see it sliding in and out of your
body."

Oh, fuck. That sounded so fucking naughty. So hot. "Whatever you want from me."

"That's right. Whatever I want." El's fingers slid away.

He couldn't help whimpering, missing those fingers.

"Shh... You're ready for the next step, G."

"The next step?"

"The dildo."

Oh. Right. Yes. He nodded, tried to relax, running his latest piece through his mind to relax him.

Elliot's hand landed on his ass, making it sting. "Pay attention."

"I am!" How did Elliot know?

"Mmmhmm." The end of the dildo pressed against his ass, not pushing in yet, just there. He
couldn't help but shift a little, rocking ever so slightly. "That's right, G. I want to watch you
fucking yourself on it."

"It's big." He took the very tip in, his hole stretching.

"It is. Fuck, you look amazing."

"Yeah?" He whimpered and pushed back, taking more in.

Fuck.

So big.

So big.

"Could fucking watch this all day, G. Watch it push into you, fill you." Elliot groaned. "I just
might do that."

"Anything. Anything, just... I need."

Just the Right Notes - 51

"Tsk. Pushy. Take it in and you'll get a reward."

He nodded, panting hard, pushing back to take the dildo in.

"That's it, G. Come on. Slowly and steady and you'll get it all." Elliot's hand slid along his lower
back, encouraging his movements.

"I'm full..." He groaned, fucking himself in undulating motions.

"Not as full as you're going to be. Come on, G. You're not even taking half yet." Elliot's fingers
slid over his skin where it stretched around the fake cock.

"I... You're kidding." It was huge.

"I'm not kidding, G. You have to take more if you want my fist." Elliot slapped his ass lightly.
"And don't forget the 'sir.'"

"Ow!" He shivered, somewhat overwhelmed.

Elliot's fingernails slid down along his spine, this pain duller, lingering, letting him catch his
breath. "We have all day, G. Hell, we have all weekend."

He nodded. "I want to make it good for you. I want to make things good." Usually he didn't have
to worry at the cabin, but now there was pressure to perform, to distract.

Suddenly the dildo was pulled from his ass and he was rolled onto his back just like that, Elliot
lying on top of him, staring down at him. "What?"

"What? What did I do wrong?" He'd been trying to do this right.

"No trying here, G. No thinking. All you have to do is obey and feel and love."

"I do. You know I love you. I just... I want this to be good for you." Especially good.

"G. You and me in this place are good. Nothing else exists but us. Nothing. Just being here with
you is so good." Elliot kissed him, taking his breath away. "Now, stop thinking about it. Don't let
this monster dildo go to waste. I bought it especially for you."

He reached up, fingers on El's face. "I love you. You know that, hmm?"

El chased his fingers down, kissing the tips. "I know. And I love you. Right here, nothing else
matters but that." El gave him one of those wicked little smiles that said he was in for it. "Except
that you remember to call me 'sir.'"

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" He started laughing, holding on to his lover, tickled.

Just the Right Notes - 52

"For fuck's sake, sir." Elliot winked, chuckles bubbling up.

"Yes, sir. For, sir. Fuck's, sir. Sake, sir."

They just rolled with laughter.

As their laughter finally faded, Elliot took his mouth, the kiss stealing his breath, the need in it
sharp and clear. Graham whimpered, pushing into it happily, a low moan escaping into El's
mouth. Elliot began to shift, moving and stretching, but not ending their kiss, keeping his focus
right there on their mouths.

Graham relaxed, offering himself over, letting himself believe for a moment that this was going
to be enough, enough to make Elliot happy. All of a sudden, something hard pushed at his hole,
spreading him wide, though not as wide as the new dildo.

There was no sense questioning; it didn't matter. What mattered was that Elliot was filling him
and he wanted it. The plug continued to fill him, his hole snapping closed around the base.

"There. I think we need some breakfast, maybe a shower. Then we'll pick back up where we
were."

"I... Okay. Okay, El. Love." He shivered, throat working a little. "Sir."

"Mmm... yeah, that's right." Elliot placed a kiss on his belly and got up, holding a hand out to
him.

His hand slid into Elliot's, his heart happy.

***

They had hot biscuits with butter and honey for breakfast, feeding each other, licking honey from
fingers and laughing, kissing.

Now they were in the bath, facing each other: hot water and bubbles and knowing that Graham's
ass was tender, the plug no doubt jostling his lover with every movement.

He slid his fingers along Graham's leg. "I want to shave your pubes."

"Yeah? You don't like the fuzz?" Graham spread easily, trusting him.

"I like the fuzz well enough. I like you smooth, too, though. I'm going to shave your pubes and
then bind you with black leather. God, you're going to look so sexy."

Graham hummed, cheeks going pink. "Oh, damn."

"Uh-huh." He loved coming up with stuff to make Graham go that particular shade of pink.

Just the Right Notes - 53

"I... What else? What else do you want?"

"Well, I'm going to fuck you with that dildo. Make sure you're well stretched before I slide my
hand inside you." He turned his hand into a fist and slid it up along Graham's inner thigh.

"Are you going to clean me?" His Graham had a love-hate relationship with enemas. They were
an amazing punishment, even better when they didn't have to be.

"I am." They were going to make a day of it, keep Graham's ass busy all day long.

"I... I'm not sure about that, El."

"You don't need to be, G." He'd let Graham get away without the 'sir' this time, but that was it.
He'd had to remind Graham about that too many times already this morning.

"Okay. Okay. Right. I have a song in my head."

"Something new?" He loved Graham's brain, Graham's music.

"Yes. Something rich, something for cellos."

"Cool." He reached for the soap and the razor. "Up on your knees, G."

"Here? Now?" Graham shifted, pushed up out of the water and onto his knees.

"That's right." He slid his fingers through Graham's tiny curls.

Graham's prick rose up, meeting his fingers.

"Mmm... so pretty." He tugged on those same curls.

"And you're going to shave them all away."

"I meant your cock, silly man."

"Oh." Graham actually looked surprised.

"You don't think you have a pretty cock, G?" He leaned in to kiss the tip of it.

"I... I never thought about it." Graham arched up and stretched toward his lips.

He flicked the tip with his tongue. He loved making Graham crazy. Graham jerked and pushed
forward, sliding against his tongue.

"Stay still," he ordered, sucking the tip for just a moment.

Just the Right Notes - 54

"Yes. Yes, sir. Oh, love. So good."

"And you deserve a reward for that 'sir.'" So he gave it, taking a little more of Graham's cock into
his mouth this time.

Graham started humming, the song joyous, seductive, amazing. Moaning, he took more of
Graham in, hot drops of pre-come landing on his tongue. It wasn't long before he knew G was
reaching the point of no return, the song becoming low, needy cries.

He rolled Graham's balls in one hand, going down as far as he could on Graham's cock.

"Sir. Love. Please. I can't. I'll come."

Such a good boy.

He pulled off and kissed the tip before nodding. "You're allowed to come." Then he dove back
onto Graham's cock, sucking hard.

"Oh. Oh, God. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. I..." Graham arched, jerking as spunk
filled Elliot's mouth.

He took in Graham's come, swallowing it down. Then he took his time cleaning off Graham's
prick, tongue working it all over again. Graham was shaking a little, groaning, whispering his
name over and over. He slowly pulled off and, before Graham could even catch a breath, spread
shaving gel over Graham's pubes.

"I love you." Graham swallowed hard, stared at him. "So much."

He kissed Graham's belly, sweet heat filling him. "I know."

Then he began to shave.

Graham was still, quiet, eyes heavy-lidded as he moved the razor over the smooth skin. He loved
the sound of the razor as it rasped over Graham's skin. It was kind of like special music for the
two of them.

It didn't take long -- the hardest part was scraping the tiny hairs on Graham's balls off. When it
was done, he poured a little oil in his palms and rubbed them over Graham's balls, over the
newly bared skin. He hummed at the smoothness.

Graham's hands landed on his shoulders, a sweet little gasp sounding.

"Feels good, hmm?" He knew he wasn't the only one who liked this.

"Uh-huh. It's fine."

Just the Right Notes - 55

"Come on. Time to get back to the kinky fun." He got out of the tub and held his hand out for
Graham.

"This wasn't kinky?" Graham pressed up against him, lips open and eager.

"Not as kinky as it's going to be." He took the kiss, tongue pushing into Graham's mouth,
bending his lover over his arm.

Graham arched and stretched, bending for him, hips pressing into his. He let his hand slide down
to Graham's ass, squeezing the tender ass. A soft groan pushed into his lips, Graham shivering
for him.

"Back to the living room, G." It was where the cock ring he wanted was. Besides, they could
start a fire and stay naked and still be warm.

"Mmmhmm." Graham sucked his finger, licked at the tip, then pulled away.

He followed, watching Graham move, the abused ass swaying from side to side, Graham's steps
made more sensual by the plug filling his ass.

"I want the black leather cock ring. It's in the box, get it for me." It only took a second to light
the fire and then he sat in his chair next to it, enjoying Graham's nakedness.

"Mmm." Graham moved nice and easy, humming a tune under his breath.

God, G was beautiful. Stunning. He was the luckiest man in the world. "Bring the oil, too."

"Okay. We should have staff paper in the cabin, Elliot. To scribble notes."

"No, no, we leave the world behind us, G." He gave Graham a sharp look. "And that's 'sir' to
you."

"I know. I mean, I didn't not sir on purpose. I just... Sometimes it's hard to just leave it all
behind." Graham rambled, searching through the box, focus flittering around like a bunch of
butterflies let loose from a box.

He slammed his palm down on the arm of his chair, the noise loud in the quiet room. "Focus."

Graham jumped, the box clattering to the floor. "Fuck! You scared me!"

"You were woolgathering, G. Get the cock ring and the oil and bring it here."

"I wasn't. I was just chatting with you." Jesus, Graham was all worked up. His lover's focus
wasn't stellar at best, but this was over the top.

Just the Right Notes - 56

"Graham." He waited until Graham looked at him. "Take a breath and get me the cock ring, the
oil, and a paddle." He would paddle that ass until he had Graham's full attention. His problems
were not going to follow them here.

"I'm sorry. I just..." Graham looked at him, held his eyes. "You know, huh?"

"I know. Now, do as you're told before I truss you up, paddle your ass, and leave you to spend
the day in quiet solitude."

"Please, El. Sir. No. No, I hate that." Graham grabbed the ring, the oil, the paddle, hurrying them
over.

Ah, he finally had his lover's attention.

He took the items from Graham and slicked up his hands. He took his time and let Graham wait,
watch. Then he grabbed his lover's cock and began to stroke Graham to hardness. Graham was
babbling, talking a million miles a minute, eyes on his hand, body trembling in front of him.

He squeezed Graham's cock, tugged it hard. "Hush, G."

The flow of words stopped.

"There we go." He stroked a few more times, getting Graham's cock hard for him. Then he
wrapped the ring around cock and balls.

He watched as that relaxed his lover, the leather working to ease his G. "Mmm... so beautiful."
The black stood out against Graham's bare skin and flushed cock.

Graham opened his mouth, but he glared and the pretty lips closed again.

"Good boy." He patted his thighs. "Now, assume the position."

Graham whimpered but moved, not fighting him. It said a lot that Graham would rather have his
bruised, sore ass paddled than be bound and left alone.

Once Graham was over his lap, he rubbed that ass with the paddle before gently smacking. His
lover was shaking, holding himself carefully, waiting. He smacked once more, and G took a deep
breath.

He began to tan the backs of Graham's thighs.

Soft, gasping sobs started filling the air, but they didn't sound like pain as much as release. He
lost himself in the sounds, in his connection with Graham. This was what they needed --
pleasure, pain. No music. No work. No bullshit.

He landed two last smacks on Graham's ass and tossed the paddle away. "Let me hold you."

Just the Right Notes - 57

Graham pushed into his arms, shaking hard, sobbing into his shoulder, and clinging.

He wrapped his arms around his lover and held on. "I've got you, G."

Just the Right Notes - 58

Chapter Six

They dozed and rested for an hour in the big chair, El keeping Graham close and quiet, keeping
him still and his mind silent. Eventually, Elliot's hands began to move on him, sensitizing his
skin as solid fingers stroked and touched, tugged away the plug from inside him.

He stayed in that silent space, slowly waking up, responding.

El took a kiss, and then another, distracting him as two oiled fingers pushed into his ass.
Humming, he let El in, arms lifting to wrap around his lover's shoulders. Tongue and fingers
invaded him, circled and stroked, both making him feel good.

It was easier now to open up, to open to that touch and let Elliot have him. Two fingers became
three. They spread, Elliot stretching him open. A low, deep groan slipped out of him.

Then Elliot found his gland, fingers pushing it over and over again, mercilessly. He started
moving, riding the touch, bouncing just the barest bit.

"Mmm... your eagerness makes me hard, G."

That made him smile, made him move a little faster.

Elliot's other fingers slid between them, moving over his bound prick, teasing, playing with his
slit. He nodded, whimpering softly, the pleasure and hint of a burn exciting him. Elliot didn't
give him any warning when a fourth finger was added, Elliot's little finger pushing right into him
along with the other three.

"Sir." He jerked, eyes flying open, body squeezing tight.

Elliot purred for him. "That's right, G." Those fingers pushed deep, stretched him so wide.

He couldn't breathe, couldn't see. Couldn't think. Elliot's mouth took his, hard and deep.

When those fingers pulled away, he was stunned, shaken.

Empty.

Elliot stood, hands beneath his ass. He forgot sometimes, how strong his El was.

"Don't hurt yourself, 'kay?"

"Don't wiggle and I'll be fine." Elliot bit his lower lip, the pain sharp and sweet, and carried him
to the bedroom.

"I won't. I promise." He just held on, pushing his face into the curve of Elliot's throat. He could
smell Elliot with every breath. Male and strong and good.

Just the Right Notes - 59

Elliot sat on the bed, still holding him, mouth finding his again, tongue parting his lips.

The big, black dildo sat on the white sheets. This time, he didn't tense up around it. This time, all
he cared about was El and their need.

Biting at his lips now, Elliot turned their bodies, flipping him onto the bed. The sheets were cool
beneath his skin, but warming quickly. "On your hands and knees now, G."

"Yes, sir." He reached for the pillow. "Like before?"

"That's right. It's the best angle."

Elliot kissed his shoulder, the base of his spine, one burning ass cheek. He settled, spread, eager
and ready. Elliot's hands pulled at his cheeks and hot lips kissed his hole. Then Elliot's fingers
were back, pushing lube into his ass.

This time, he didn't have to think; he let himself open and open, take his lover inside. Three
fingers pushed in with lots of lube, getting him into the back and forth and thrusting rhythm
before disappearing again.

It was only seconds later when the slick, wide end of the dildo pushed against his hole. He
stretched and spread, waiting for Elliot to tell him to stay still or move.

"No moving, G. Not yet."

The thick cock kept pushing into him. It was so big, he still couldn't believe it was going to fit. El
didn't seem to have any doubts, though.

"Yes, sir." His toes curled, his body letting the slick rubber in deep. It stretched him so wide, and
it just kept coming and coming, El pushing it in and in. "Full. So full." It wasn't a complaint, not
at all.

"I know. You look amazing, all stretched open around it." One of El's fingers slid over his skin
where it was stretched to accommodate the dildo, let it in. Elliot rubbed, making already
sensitive nerves sing.

"Can... can I have more lube?"

"If you say 'sir,' you can."

"Sir. I need more lube. Please." He could be good. He could.

"Good man, telling me what you need." El kissed his ass cheek, tongue dragging along it for a
moment, adding heat, and then cool slick slid around his hole. The dildo came out, Elliot's
fingers pushing more rapidly warming lube into him.

Just the Right Notes - 60

"Oh. Oh, thank you, sir. Better. Good." Right.

The dildo pushed back into him, and it was slicker, too. There was no burn now, only glorious
stretching. It slid in almost easily.

El moaned with every push of the dildo into his body.

"Love you." He rippled, jerked around the pressure inside him.

"Love you, G. So much."

The leather that bound him was removed, the fake cock inside him stilling. "Fuck yourself on it,
G. Make yourself come."

"I. Okay. Okay, I'll try." He'd do better than try; he pushed back, rocking a little.

"Mmm. Yeah, take it, G. You know you want it." Elliot helped a little, moving the dildo slowly.

"I do. I want..." He ducked his head down, started moving on the fake cock.

"So fucking beautiful, G." Elliot moaned, and then he heard the sound of flesh on flesh, knew El
was working his own cock.

"Yours. Yours." All of him.

"Sir," murmured El, pushing the dildo in hard and nailing his prostate with it.

"Yes." He nodded, eyes flying open. "God, yes."

"Sir," El said again. "Sir. Sir. Sir." Each time El said it, that dildo pressed right where Graham
needed it to. Christ.

"Yes. Elliot. Sir. I love you. So much." He was close. So fucking close. If Elliot stopped, he just
might die.

"Good boy. Now come on and show me how much you love this, too." One hand landed on his
shoulder, El adding his strength and rocking him back onto that big, fat dildo.

"Yes, sir. I need to come. I need your hand. I need so much, sir." He was babbling, but it didn't
matter and he didn't care. As long as El didn't stop and that fat dildo kept doing him so good.

"This? You need this?" El's hand left his shoulder to wrap around his cock, tugging and pulling.

Just the Right Notes - 61

"Yes!" His ass clenched around the dildo, his head full of images of Elliot's fist inside him, Elliot
bending him over the bathroom sink to fill him with water, El's eyes on him, on his full, stretched
ass, driving him wild.

El kept driving the dildo home, each thrust shoving his hips forward, pushing his cock along El's
palm.

He screamed as he shot, his entire being just pouring out of him.

El's hands stayed busy, making his orgasm go on and on as they stroked and thrust the dildo into
him. Nothing else existed but the pleasure and his cock and his ass and El's hands.

Then they slowed and stopped, El letting the fake cock slip out of him. Graham shuddered, just
barely holding himself up.

The sound of flesh on flesh told him Elliot was taking care of himself, and if it hadn't, Elliot's
sudden groan and the splash of heat against Graham's side would have. Graham sobbed once,
collapsing on the mattress, ass still held up by the pillows.

El lay down next to him, pressing kisses over his face. "So good, G. So good."

"Good." He moaned, letting himself sink into the kisses.

El hummed into his mouth, the kiss going deep and sure for a moment before becoming lazy,
easy.

Relaxed.

He nodded, pleased with himself.

He'd done that for El.

Him.

***

Elliot let Graham doze for awhile. Hell, he wanted to as well, his body filled with a lassitude that
only a good scene with an awesome climax could bring.

It wasn't over yet, either.

There was still the enema to come, and then the fisting.

He groaned at the thought, his hand opening and closing. Yeah, fisting. Holding Graham in the
palm of his hand, feeling the silky chamber bearing down tight, Graham's heartbeat throbbing
against his fist...

Just the Right Notes - 62

Groaning, he leaned into Graham, nibbling at his lover's shoulder; he was ready to get on with it.

"Mmm. Love." Graham stretched, snuggling back into him. "Having the best dream."

"Yeah?" He wrapped his lips around the ball of Graham's shoulder and sucked for a moment.
"Tell me."

"Was dreaming about you. About when we met. How happy you looked to meet me."

He chuckled softly. "I was already halfway in love with you."

"I fell in love with you on our third date."

Elliot smiled, remembering that day with Graham melting down and how they'd ended up
together, Graham on his lap, trusting him to make things right.

"We were made for each other, G." He met Graham's eyes. It wasn't hyperbole; he really felt that
way. Graham... completed him.

"We were." Graham smiled for him, snuggling in close.

"You feeling good, G? Nice and loose?" He knew exactly how to keep Graham from thinking
about anything but what they did here. Hell, how to keep his own focus on this cabin, this place.
The two of them.

"I am. I feel good."

"Mmm. Good. Then a glass of cold juice and a trip to the bathroom are in order."

"Apple or orange?"

He chuckled. "Cranberry."

"Dork. Are you hungry? We brought grapes."

"No. I have plans, and I'd rather you didn't eat until after."

"Okay." G kissed him again, humming a little before padding off to pour juice.

It said a lot that Graham wasn't arguing or questioning, was easy and relaxed and focused.

He followed G into the kitchen, and he shared the glass of juice with Graham, the sweet-tart
liquid bright in his mouth.

Just the Right Notes - 63

Then he herded his lover toward the bathroom. There was enema equipment in the cupboard
beneath the sink. The room would be warm, and they could keep the lights partly dimmed,
intimate.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to fly." He grinned, rubbing the small of Graham's back as he turned on the light in
the bathroom and turned the dimmer switch to halfway.

"Mmm." Graham leaned into his touch, hips moving in random, restless motions.

He brought Graham's mouth to his for a long kiss, and then grabbed a towel, putting it over the
lip of the sink. "Lean over, G. It's time to clean you."

"I... Do we have to?" Graham blushed dark, cock filling at the words.

Silly man. He gave Graham's ass a slap. "Yes."

Graham jerked, winced. "I'm sore. It stings."

"Then behave, and I won't have to smack you again."

Graham leaned over the sink, shivering. "I hate this, sir."

That was a lie. Or, perhaps, not a lie, but Graham loved it, too. There was no denying the way
Graham's cock rose between his legs.

"I want you to breathe, Graham. Relax."

"I am breathing. I'm just breathing and freaking out." He got a smile that was heading toward
nervous. Someone needed a little distracting.

He reached around Graham, pinching his right nipple. Hard.

"Fuck!" Graham jerked, hips rolling.

That's right, he knew exactly how to distract his lover if he had to. He knew all Graham's hot
spots, after all.

He pinched again.

"Sir. Fuck. Ow."

He guided Graham to bend over, encouraging the lovely legs to spread. He kept distracting,
pinching and twisting nipples, stroking the pretty belly. The sounds his lover made were musical,
lyrical, pure sex. He loved how Graham responded to him.

Just the Right Notes - 64

He slicked up his fingers and slid one into G's well-loved ass. Pushing back, Graham started
riding him, moving nice and easy.

"Mmm. Yes." He slid a second finger in alongside the first. Graham was so hot inside, so soft,
ass pulling his fingers right in.

"Love." Graham leaned down farther, stretching over the sink.

He pressed a kiss into the small of Graham's back and slipped a third finger into the hot hole.
Graham was a little swollen inside. The enema would help with that. The cleanser had an
antibiotic in it; his lover would be ready for his hand.

"More slick, sir? Please?" Oh, good boy.

"Lots more, G." He added more lube, his fingers sliding easily in and out.

Graham relaxed for him, rocking sweet and slow. He stayed right there for awhile, finger-
fucking his beautiful man. They moved together, Graham humming, rocking into him. The trust
built between them as they moved together, the act of stretching Graham out comforting,
arousing.

He finally let one finger slide away and carefully slipped the rubber tubing in.

"I... I love you."

"Shall I tell you some of the reasons why I love you, G?" He made sure several inches of tubing
had made their way in and then let his fingers slide away. "I love that you let me do this even
though a part of you hates it. I love the way your breath hitches and the way you forget to call me
sir." He turned the nozzle and let the liquid start to flow into Graham's body. "I love how your
skin shows my marks when I punish you for forgetting to say it."

Graham sobbed softly, his lover caught, held by his will. Fuck, it was beautiful.

He stroked Graham's lovely belly, keeping his lover from cramping up. "I love the way you need
me. I love your strength even more."

Graham's muscles clenched, then relaxed under his touch. His lover was trying so hard, just for
him.

"Not much longer, G. We're almost done."

"I can't believe this doesn't gross you out." G panted, sweat popping up on his shoulders.

"It's a part of you. Besides, we're doing it so you're clean for my hand, right?"

Just the Right Notes - 65

And his Graham was thinking too much. He'd have to do something about that.

"Uh-huh. Full. Feels... feels sort of good, though."

"That's because you, my dearest Graham, are an ass-play slut. It's another one of the reasons why
I love you." He turned the valve again, stopping the flow.

Graham chuckled, the sound a little wild. "Asshole."

"No, it's your asshole we're talking about, G."

The chuckled became husky laughter. "Don't. Don't make me laugh, El!"

He bit back his own snorts, nodding and patting Graham's belly. "Sorry. Sorry. Let's get this
tubing out and then you over to the toilet."

"Yeah." It didn't take long, and Elliot didn't let Graham hide for the experience. It was a part of
the package. A part of what they did together.

When they were done, he used a warm cloth to clean Graham's ass and thighs, as well as
Graham's cock and balls. He made it sexy, holding Graham's eyes as he slid the cloth over his
lover's sensitive skin. He rolled the beautiful balls carefully, ran his thumb up along Graham's
cock.

"Love you, sir." Graham looked at him like he was center of the fucking universe.

"I love you, G." He pressed his lips against Graham's, groaning at the way they opened so readily
for him. Graham's body was going to do that in a little while. Open right up for his hand. God.

He was going to take his time, make sure Graham was ready and needing him. They had as long
as they needed.

"Come on," he murmured, backing up and heading toward the bedroom.

"Come on, who?"

Elliot laughed, and fought the urge to smack Graham's ass. It was tender enough already. Instead,
he twisted one of those little pink nipples. Graham moaned, shivered a little.

Once back in the bedroom, he dimmed the lights to low. "Go lie in the middle of the bed, G. On
your back." He wanted to fuck Graham first, stretch and open his lover further in the most fun
way he knew.

"Okay, love." Graham crawled up into the sheets, settled.

Just the Right Notes - 66

Elliot settled between Graham's legs, bending to kiss his lover, his body pressing Graham into
the bed. He got one heady kiss after another, Graham's tongue fucking his lips.

He rocked them together, their cocks hot and damp, sliding. Graham's arms and legs wrapped
around him, a soft moan buzzing his lips. God, he loved this, loved Graham's kisses and touches
and the need that ratcheted up between them.

That sweet, swollen hole rubbed against his cock. He reached for the lube, generously pushing it
into Graham's hole. Lots and lots of lube was the order of the day.

"Yours. Yours," Graham groaned, pushing onto his fingers.

"That's right. All mine." His. He loved that. He slicked his cock up and lined up.

"In me. God, I'm empty."

"Something's missing, G."

"What?"

He rolled his eyes. "Sir. In me, sir." Man, no matter how much they came here, that was the one
thing it was hardest for Graham to remember.

"No. No, in me, sir. Please."

As soon as he heard the word 'sir,' Elliot ignored the joke and surged in, filling Graham up. G's
hot body swallowed his cock, taking him right in.

"Yes!" The scream rang out, echoing in the room.

"Yes." He whispered it, hips beginning to dance, moving him in and out of Graham's amazing
body.

His. His. Lights flashed behind his eyes, his cock and balls aching. It felt so good; there was
nothing like this anywhere else in the world.

Graham met every one of his thrusts, his lover eager. God, he loved this, loved G. Graham
dragged him down, kissed him hard. He pumped his hips faster, filling Graham over and over,
tongue echoing the thrusts of his hips.

When he came, it was like coming home.

He collapsed onto Graham, his hand working Graham's prick, demanding Graham's pleasure.
Graham hummed, pushing sounds between his lips, then gave it up, moaning as heat sprayed
over his fingers.

Just the Right Notes - 67

"God, you're beautiful." He took one kiss, and then another.

"I'm yours." Graham stroked his hair, eyes warm and happy. "All yours."

"You are."

And before the night was over, they'd have proven it again.

Just the Right Notes - 68

Chapter Seven

Oh, fuck. He felt... Wrung out.

Well fucked.

Wanton.

Any number of other W words.

Graham stretched, ass aching so well.

El moaned, the sound happy and sated, one hand reaching out to slide over his ass.

"Mmm. Love." He leaned, pushing up into El's hand.

"God, you're a slut for it, aren't you?" El sounded pretty pleased about that.

"I am not!" He rumbled playfully, butt shaking.

Elliot laughed and tackled him, pushing him into the mattress. "Liar!"

They laughed together, both of them wiggling. Then Elliot's mouth found his and the laughter
faded, replaced by the sounds of their kisses. He wrapped his hands around Elliot's head, held on,
moaned into that sweet mouth.

When the kiss finally broke, he and Elliot were both breathless. "You ready, G?"

"I need you, El. More than anything."

"I know, G. I know." Elliot gave him another kiss and then, easy as pie, one finger slid into him,
super slick.

Graham rode the touch, lips parted, eyes closed, focused on nothing but pleasure. Elliot moved to
push a second finger in as well, stretching and twisting them. He took them easily, the pleasure
washing over him in slow waves.

"God, you're sexy, G. Make me hard."

"I want to. I want to be the best thing in your life."

"I know. That cuts both ways." El kissed him again, pushing a third finger into him.

"You..." His shoulders rolled up, just a bit. "You are."

Just the Right Notes - 69

"You, too, G." Elliot's fingers disappeared. "Okay. I'm re-lubing my hand. You know what's
coming."

"Uh-huh." He knew. He was ready.

Elliot's fingers curled and pressed against his hole, and then pushed slowly in. It wasn't Elliot's
whole hand, not yet. But it was still huge.

"Full, El." He spread his legs wider.

"Not as full as you're going to be." El's fingers just kept pushing, going deeper.

"I... It's big." He pushed his hands down along his belly.

"Yeah. I love doing this. I know I have your undivided and complete attention when we do this."

"I... I can't even hear my music."

"Good." El growled the word, pushing his fingers deeper.

"El!" Oh, fuck.

"Right here with you, G." Elliot's fingers wiggled inside him.

"Right here. Right... oh, fuck me."

"I will. Eventually."

In and out, Elliot's fingers worked him. He grabbed his knees, pulled up and back, spreading
wider. El's fingers found his gland and began to slide across it.

"Elliot." He whimpered low, wanting so badly.

"You ready for the main event, G? Gonna beg me for it?"

"No. No, I won't beg." Yet.

"You will. You'll remember to call me sir when you do it, too." El's fingers bumped hard against
his gland.

"N...no. Oh, fuck." Yeah.

"Yes. Yes. And yes, sir." El laughed, the bastard, playing his gland over and over, those four
fingers stretching him wide.

"I. I. Oh. El..." His eyes rolled, over and over.

Just the Right Notes - 70

Elliot's free hand began to play with his cock, to tease his balls. Everything slowed, his entire
focus on El's hands.

"I want to hear you beg for more, G. I want to hear you tell me how much you need it."

He shook his head, fighting the urge to give in. Leaning up, El bit down hard on his right nipple.

"El! El, love!" Hot. So hot.

"You mean 'sir,'" growled El.

"Do I?" He met Elliot's eyes. "I do, you know. I love you. El and sir, both."

Elliot stopped for a moment, and the smile his lover gave him was brilliant. "Me, too, love."

Elliot's kiss was slow, but deep. He sank into the it, hips rolling, riding that touch so.

"You want more, G?" The question came as their lips parted.

"Yes. Yes, sir. Please. More."

"There we go." Elliot beamed at him, hand sliding away.

"Sir?" He reached for his El. Don't go.

"More lube, G."

"Oh. Right. Sorry."

Elliot chuckled, two fingers pushing cool lube into his ass.

"You make me a little goofy, you know?"

"Good. That's the idea. You don't even need to know your name." Even more lube pushed into
him.

"Just yours. Sir."

"Yes. Yes, G. That's it." Elliot peppered kisses over his face, and suddenly El's fingers stopped
pushing in lube Instead, El's whole hand began to penetrate him.

He stared at his lover, breath caught in his chest. Oh. Fuck.

"Breathe, G. Let me in. You know I'm not going to hurt you. Just stretch you as big as anything."
Elliot's voice was nearly hoarse, his moans practically silent.

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Graham gasped, jerked a little as he managed a full inhale. "Please."

"Please what, G? Don't forget your sir." Elliot's smile was a little wild, a lot wicked.

"I don't know, sir. Help me."

Elliot nodded. "Yeah, I know what you need."

Elliot's hand kept pushing, not hard, not with any pain, but it kept moving into him, stretching
him so fucking wide. Graham reached down, touched El's hand, spreading him.

Elliot nodded, eyes hot, intense. "That's right. I'm inside you, pushing you open. I'm going to be
holding you in my hand."

Graham whimpered with the pleasure of it, the hugeness of it.

"This is the hardest part now." The widest part of Elliot's hand pressed against his opening.

"Full. Sir. So full." He was going to scream.

"Full of me." Just like that, Elliot's hand passed the tight ring of muscles and slid right into his
body.

He threw his head back, a deep cry tearing out of him. "Please!"

"I have you, G. I fucking have you in the palm of my hand." Elliot's fingers slowly stretched,
hand opening wide.

"Oh, God. Oh, God. I feel you."

"I know. Oh, G. Fuck. In my hand." Open and closed, open and closed. Elliot's fingers formed
into a fist over and over.

His shoulders lifted from the bed, eyes rolling in their sockets. Please.

"So fucking sexy. So awesome. Love you, G." Elliot closed his fingers into a fist and began to
move it inside him.

"Love. Fuck. Good." He helped, moving back against Elliot's hand.

Elliot's free hand wrapped around his cock, the extra sensation overwhelming.

"Gonna. I. I can't. Oh."

"Come on, then. Shoot for me."

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"Oh, thank God." His legs drew up as he started moving faster, shoving up into El's fingers.
Thank God.

Graham reached for Elliot, grunting softly as he shot. Elliot bent to kiss him, hand still working
his cock. The hand inside him still moved, too, slowly.

"Love you." He blinked, trying to focus.

Elliot licked at his lips. "I love you, too, G. Gotta come out now, okay?"

"No. No, please."

"You're going to be sore, G." Elliot's hand stayed buried inside him, though.

"That was already going to happen. You'll take care of me tomorrow."

"I will. Now ask me properly."

"Ask you what?" He couldn't think like this.

"For whatever you want -- just make sure you don't forget the sir!" Elliot was laughing, the
sound throaty, needy.

"I want... Shit, Elliot, I don't know." He couldn't believe they were having a conversation.

"Sir." Elliot's fingers moved inside him. "It's 'Shit, sir.'"

"Sir. Sir. Sir." It was almost a song.

"Keep that up and you'll make me come." Elliot started rubbing against his hip, cock hot, leaving
a trail of pre-come on his skin.

"Sir. Love you. Yours. Please." He was lost in it, singing to his lover.

"God, G." Elliot moaned, fingers wriggling inside him, hand moving back and forth.

"Yours. Sir. Sir." He was hard, aching, entirely full.

"That's right. Mine." El's hand nearly punched in as he spoke the word.

He came again, screaming out 'sir' at the top of his lungs. El's come splashed over his thigh, the
scent of their need heady.

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He panted, eyelids heavy, body completely boneless. El's hand slid away, the widest part of it
making him gasp as it passed out. And then Elliot's hand was gone and he was empty. He
couldn't help his moan. It was hard, losing that pressure.

El wrapped around him, arms pulling him close. One leg slid over his and held him there. "I have
you."

"Keep me?"

"Forever, Graham. No matter what else happens, or where we are, that much I can promise you."

"Love you, sir." Simple as that.

"Then we're good."

"Yeah. Good."

Elliot relaxed, but still held him close, eyes on him.

He reached out, stroked El's face. "Love."

That was all he needed to know.

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Chapter Eight

Elliot buried his face in his coffee. It was too fucking early to be up, but it was the price they
paid for having the extra night at the cabin -- they had to get up early to drive back into town.

It was always hard to go back; it took time to get out of the mindset they saved for the cabin, but
this time was especially hard. He wasn't exactly going back to fun and games. He wasn't sure he
was ready to deal with the fallout yet, the feeling of being a big-time failure.

Hands landed on his shoulders, working him good and hard. "We could stay another day. Hide
out like bandits."

"Oh, G." He groaned and closed his eyes. God, Graham had good hands. "Don't tempt me."

"I like tempting you." Graham kissed the back of his neck, lips soft, gentle.

"You're very good at it." He reached back, fingers sliding through his lover's long hair.

"I ought to be; I've had lots of practice. Lots."

He chuckled and nodded, tilted his head back for a kiss. Maybe they didn't have to leave at the
crack of dawn... Graham's lips were hot, soft, tongue sliding into his mouth to taste him.
Hedonist. Moaning, he opened his lips wide to let Graham in.

Graham groaned, slid around to land in his lap. He rolled his palm over Graham's hips and then
back to his ass, cupping it, squeezing it. "Hey, you."

"Hey. I love you. You know that, right?"

"I do. It's what makes everything else okay." Even the crap going down at work. Graham made
everything better. Absolutely everything.

"Good. Don't think about it, not yet." Graham kissed him again. "Not yet."

"I'm going to have to at some point." Still. Work and money crap or Graham's kisses? It was a
no-brainer.

"Yeah, yeah. Later is some point."

"Mmmhmm, it is." He brought their lips back together. They could talk on the road; now was for
non-verbal communication. This place wasn't for anything but them and sex and heat and peace.
Nothing else. Ever.

He squeezed Graham's ass, knowing it would be tender but that his lover would be turned on by
the sting, the burn.

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The ache.

Graham's gasp pushed into his lips, his lover's eyes going wide. He gentled his touch and slid his
hands into the back of Graham's jeans so he could feel that heat against his palms.

"Yours." Graham murmured the word against his lips. "Yours."

"Every fucking inch." He slid his finger along Graham's crack until he found the hot, swollen
hole he'd used so well this weekend.

A soft whimper pushed between his lips, Graham leaning back against his finger. He teased his
finger over the wrinkled skin, his other hand working open Graham's jeans' button, the zipper.

"You want more? Again? Insatiable beast."

"I just want to make you feel good." He got his hand on Graham's needy cock and began to
stroke it.

Graham chuckled, hands cupping his face and tilting his chin up for another kiss. This one was
deep enough to make him a little dizzy, to make him sway in the chair.

"G. Fuck." His hand squeezed tight around Graham's cock, his finger pushing suddenly into
Graham's ass.

"El." Graham's ass fluttered and clenched around his finger.

"One more time, G. Give it to me one more time." He slid his thumb across the top of Graham's
cock. He pushed it into that little slit at the very tip.

"One... Oh, that stings. So good." Fuck, he loved the way Graham arched, the way the man's
throat worked.

Leaning in, he latched onto Graham's Adam's apple. He sucked and licked, his hands keeping
busy.

Graham started rocking, moving nice and easy, riding his touch. "More."

"And more, and more, and more." He pressed harder against Graham's slit. The next time they
came up here, he would use a sound, fill this little hole right up.

Graham nodded furiously. "Yes. Anything. Stay here with me."

"Love you. Love you so much." He pushed a second finger in alongside the first. He knew it
would burn, that Graham would get off on that.

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"Gonna need you to clean me, use the soothing stuff." He smiled against Graham's lips. Graham
was tender if he asked for the enema with slippery elm and willow bark powder. Graham so
rarely asked.

"I'll call in later so we can do it." He could put it off another day, right? For Graham.

"I don't have rehearsals until Thursday. I'm yours."

"Mine." He bit at Graham's lower lip. All his. His hands worked, jacking and finger-fucking his
G.

"Uh-huh." Graham's thighs went tight. "I fucking love you."

"Yeah, G. Love you. Always."

Graham clenched around him, knees drawing up a bit as they rocked and swayed.

"Give it to me. Let me smell you, G."

"El. El." Graham sang out his name.

"That's it. Like that. Give me more." He'd given G more; now it was his lover's time to give to
him. And he wanted it all, every part of his Graham.

Heat sprayed between them, Graham completely lost in him, in his touch. He kept jacking
Graham's cock, the touch so easy now, his fingers sliding slickly. Graham's soft whimpers
pushed between his lips, one with each stroke.

He slowly, oh so slowly, stilled his strokes and tugged his fingers from Graham's ass. Graham
blinked at him, dazed, confused, sated. Needing. Loving him.

He took another kiss and stilled his hands, leaned their foreheads together. "I love you."

"I love you. I'm all yours." Graham smiled for him, eyes finally focusing.

"Then let's get that ass of yours into the bathroom and take care of your sore ass." He tapped
Graham lightly on the rear.

Graham's cheeks went pink, but his lover nodded, stood on wobbly legs. He waited until Graham
was steady and then he stood, too, rubbing along Graham's body. God, he just couldn't get
enough. Graham leaned into his arms a bit, nuzzling, dragging it out.

"Come on, G. Let's not waste the day."

"No. No, let's not." Graham squeezed his hand. "You know that it makes me nervous."

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"I know. And yet you love it. It's a delicious combination, isn't it?"

"I love you." Stubborn. Even after their weekend.

He bit at Graham's lower lip once more and tugged his lover into the bathroom. Graham started
the shower, gathered towels, fretting.

He reached out and grabbed Graham's arm, tugged his lover close. His entire focus became his
lover. "Breathe, G."

"I'm trying. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I just."

He tapped Graham on the ass. "You asked for what you needed. Don't apologize for that."

"Sorry." Graham jerked, scooting closer. "No more swatting."

"Then don't give me a reason to." He rubbed where he'd swatted.

Graham nodded. "I swear."

Elliot would believe that when Graham let him clean his lover, let him ease that sweet ass. He
pulled the rest of Graham's clothes off and pushed his lover into the shower.

Graham lifted his face into the shower while he grabbed the bag, putting in a mixture of healing
powders before adding the warm water. He'd found this online, and it worked magic on Graham's
body, easing the tender flesh.

He grabbed the lube and stepped in behind his lover. "You're beautiful."

"I'm just yours."

"All mine." He lubed up his fingers.

"Yes. Do we have to do this?" Graham reached up, hands grabbing the showerhead.

"You know you'll feel better after we're done." He ran his slick fingers along Graham's crack.

"I know." Graham spread. "I will."

"I love the way you do that, the way you open up for me." He pushed his fingers slowly into
Graham's ass, pushing in lube.

"You don't give me much of a choice." But he did. Graham's fight was for their pleasure, for the
struggle.

He kissed the back of Graham's neck. "I give you all the choice you need."

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He felt his G relax. "You give me what I need."

"Always. Always."

Once he had enough lube going, he slipped in the tubing. Graham moaned, thighs spreading, hips
cocking back to make it easier for him.

"Nice and easy, G." Once the tube was in, he slipped his fingers out.

"Uh-huh. It'll feel good, right?"

"You know it will." He turned the valve, letting the herbs and water flow.

Graham moaned seconds later, head falling forward. There. Take it. Feel it.

"There we go. Let it fill you. Let it work."

Graham's whimper echoed off the tile. Rubbing Graham's back, he kept murmuring
encouragement. The water filled his lover up, and he stopped the flow before it got to be too
much. Then one hand was on Graham's belly, stroking slow and easy.

"You're doing so well, G. So well."

"It feels good." Graham was panting hard, body flushed a dark rose.

"I know. I told you." Graham had known, too. Deep down, somewhere.

"Mmmhmm. I love you. I don't want you to worry about the office. I finished the piece. It will
sell. I'll take care of you. I promise."

"Shh. Shh, G. Not now. This is for us."

"For us." Graham nodded, once.

"That's right. Just us." He buried his face in Graham's shoulder and held onto his lover. "Just us."

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Chapter Nine

God, what if Elliot lost his firm?

What if Elliot lost it altogether -- not the work, but his mind?

Graham paced, the thoughts whirring through his head like a...

A...

Lawnmower blade?

He headed into the studio and started playing, focusing on nothing but the music.

He'd managed to lose himself entirely in it when he thought he heard someone moving around
the house.

"Elliot?" He stood, stretching his fingers.

He heard glass clinking in the den.

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

Okay. Calm.

Cool.

Collected.

Supportive.

He could do this.

He headed for the den. "Elliot?"

Elliot was at the little wet bar, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. "Hey, G." He looked pretty
grim. Sounded it, too.

"How bad is it?"

"We're filing for bankruptcy. Good thing the house and cabin are in your name." Elliot gave a
short bark of laughter. "We'll probably have to sell my car, though. And I'm out of a job, all that
money we put in the business is gone." Elliot sat down hard.

Just the Right Notes - 80

"I have an income. I have resources. I'll pay for your car." He rested his hands on Elliot's
shoulders. "It'll be okay."

"I'll have to sell every asset I have to pay creditors. This is not how things were supposed to go,
G. This was my big break, my chance to design the houses I wanted to."

He sighed, hands landing on Elliot's shoulders. "I called Alan today. The opera’s a hit. They
want me to go on tour for four months with Alexi and Bronwyn, showcase it. The money's
good." Even if last time he went on tour, he had a total breakdown.

"You hate touring."

Yeah. He hated touring. "It would give us a cushion. You could maybe work from here for a
while?"

"I can try. If anyone wants to hire someone who went bankrupt. Fuck, I do not want to have to
crawl back and beg for my old job back. Maybe McDonald's is hiring." Elliot shot back the rest
of his drink.

"You can do this. I know you can. I'll carry us until you get some private clients. It'll be okay."
Strong. Supportive. Brave.

"I just." Elliot's teeth ground together, his jaw tight. "I've failed. Big fucking time."

"It happens. The economy's taking a hit. Things are hard." He dug in, massaging deep, fingers
digging in. Elliot groaned at the touches. "I have you. I won't let you fall, El. I promise."

His lover gave another of those painful barks of laughter. "I'm supposed to be looking after you,
G."

"You do. Shh. Shh, it's going to be all right." He kept touching, kept his hands moving over El's
shoulders.

Growling, Elliot tossed his glass across the room. It shattered noisily. Graham forced himself not
to tense, not to stop his steady touching. Elliot slowly, very slowly, began to relax under his
fingers.

"I love you." He kissed Elliot's nape, closed his eyes against his tears. Elliot's hand came up and
grabbed his, holding on. "It's going to be okay, I promise."

"I don't know, G. I lost everything."

"No. You have me."

"Oh. G. I didn't mean." Elliot nodded, squeezed his hand tightly. "I do. I have you."

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"Forever. I promise, El. I promise you."

"Even if I'm a failure?"

"Even if you were a failure, which you're not."

"How can you say that? My business is gone. I couldn't make it work." He could hear the defeat
in Elliot's voice

"So? Was it all your fault? Are you completely to blame?"

"I'm not going to pass the buck here. It is my fault."

"Okay. What should you have done differently?"

"I have no idea." Elliot leaned back, head pressed against him.

"Then maybe -- just maybe -- it's not all your fault."

"I don't know. I don't want to think about it anymore. It was such a long fucking day."

"Okay. Come on. We'll watch mind-numbing television and snuggle." Anything to make it even
a little bit better.

"That's the best thing I've heard all day, G." Elliot closed his eyes and pressed a kiss to his hand.

He kissed El's temple. "I love you. That's important, right?"

"Yeah. Oh, babe, I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't."

"Shh. No more guilt." He drew El out of the room into the little TV room.

"Right. Back-tabled for tonight." Elliot followed him, hand holding his tight.

Graham stripped El down before going to grab them robes and strip himself. El was still standing
where he'd left him, in the middle of the room, just staring. It was all he could do not to burst
into tears. He didn't cry, though. He was strong, and he got El dressed in a robe and on the sofa,
wrapped in his arms.

He'd call Alan tomorrow and tell the man he'd go on tour. Four months was a long time, but if it
helped his Elliot...

Elliot curled into him, face buried in his neck. He could feel each breath.

"I've got you. I promise. I have you, and I'll make it better."

Just the Right Notes - 82

"You do, G. Just holding me, you do." Elliot sighed, fingers stroking his side.

"Good." He held on, reminding himself that it was all going to work out.

It was all going to be okay.

***

The alarm didn't wake Elliot up, and for about ten seconds he panicked a little when he saw the
clock with eight forty-five on it. He was going to be late. Hell, he was already late.

And then it all came flooding back to him.

He still had to go into the office and start the process of closing stuff down, but he didn't need to
be in at any particular time. He didn't even need to go in today at all. He was sure a lot of people
wouldn't. He kind of wanted to get things over and done with, though.

Graham shifted in his sleep, hand sliding on Elliot and petting. Elliot sighed, the feeling of
failure and pain backing off some. He still had Graham. His G. Nothing would change that.

He turned onto his side and pressed in close to Graham, breathing in the clean, male scent of his
lover, his life partner. He could stay right here in this one moment forever. This was what
mattered. This right here between them. The rest was all details, right? It made him feel
somewhat better to think so, anyway.

He pressed his leg between Graham's and rubbed his morning wood against Graham's. He could
lose himself in this. For the next few minutes, he would. Eyes closed, he pressed kisses to
Graham's face.

"Mmm. El." That smile -- that purely happy, good-morning smile -- made it easier.

He traced Graham's lips with his tongue, rubbed their noses together.

"Love..." Graham opened up, pressed closer.

Yeah, love. That's what he had right here, and it wasn't going away.

He pressed their lips together, the kiss sweet to begin with. Graham's amazing hands slid over his
skin, mapping him, adoring him. He returned the favor as they deepened the kiss, his tongue
fucking Graham's mouth. He loved the way Graham's skin felt under his fingertips, the smooth
skin warm and good.

Graham rolled, moving to straddle his hips, offering him all that lovely skin. Humming, he
reached and started at Graham's shoulders, his fingers slowly trailing down along Graham's arms.

"Mmm. You feel so good." His lover arched, stretched for him.

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"I've still got it in bed, huh? The touch." He drew his fingertips up along Graham's spine.

"Stop it. You have the touch. You had a bad year in business. That's all." Graham's eyes flashed.
"What do you tell me when the music won't come, El?"

"Relax, breathe, and make love to me. It'll all come out in the wash." Elliot gave Graham a
wolfish look. "And then I take you to the cabin and blow your mind to pieces."

"So, relax. Breathe. Make love to me." Graham flushed, arching a little under his regard.

"I can do that." In fact, it would be criminal not to.

He slid his hands around to Graham's chest, teasing around the little pink nipples but not
touching them. The tiny bits of flesh drew up, so hard, so eager for his touch. He kept circling
them, teasing Graham. He knew the longer he waited, the better Graham's reaction would be
when he finally did touch them.

Graham started moving, rocking against him.

"You need, G? Need me to touch those little rock-hard bits? Or should I just ignore all the hard
bits on your body?" He slid his hand down to stroke Graham's belly.

"I need everything. Anything. Hard bits, soft bits."

Chuckling, he leaned up and flicked his tongue across Graham's right nipple. Once. Then he lay
down again, grinning up at his lover.

Graham reached down, tweaked his nipple in return. "Butthead."

"Who, me?" Grinning, he leaned up and bit the left one.

"Yes!" He did love making Graham squeak.

He bit it again, his fingers coming up to tease the right nipple. He was going to make Graham
wild.

"Love. Oh, fuck. Do it again."

Sucking the one nipple, he played with the second. He twisted it and plucked it and rubbed his
fingernail against it.

"Love. Love. Oh, El... So good." Graham was singing for him.

He slid his free hand around Graham's cock, squeezing it tight.

Just the Right Notes - 84

"Yours. Every inch." Graham's lips parted, eyes heated.

"That's right." Fuck, he loved this man. With everything he was. He grabbed Graham's ass and
tugged. "Bring that up here."

"Oh..." Graham's eyes twinkled. "Sixty-nine?"

"Fuck, yes!" He did like the way Graham thought.

Graham spun around, lips heading for his cock. Groaning, he nuzzled Graham's balls. The
velvet-soft sac wrinkled up, drew tight under his lips. Humming, he sucked one into his mouth,
rolling it on his tongue.

"Please. So good." Graham groaned around his cock, tongue sliding on the tip.

"I'll get there, G. Gonna take my time." He had as long as he wanted.

"You'll make me nuts, El. Crazy out of my mind."

He chuckled. That was his plan. He felt Graham smile around his cock, felt the slap and caress of
G's tongue. He took a deep breath, trying not to be overwhelmed by Graham's prowess at blow
jobs. He wanted to make this last, to really drive Graham crazy.

Graham was humming, singing around his cock, the vibrations gigantic.

"G. You're gonna make me come." It wasn't a complaint.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"God, no." He laughed, the sound honest and true. "I'm just explaining in advance why the blow
job you're getting is going to suck."

Graham's laughter made him feel like a god. Still chuckling a little himself, he went back to
licking and nuzzling Graham's sac as his fingers kneaded Graham's ass.

"Mmmhmm. Love. Love." Graham took his cock in deep, swallowing around his cockhead.

Oh, yeah, he wasn't chuckling anymore.

He managed to get his lips around Graham's cock, sucking lightly. They found a rhythm
together, both sucking and humming, tongues working, heads bobbing in sync. He kept sucking,
though the longer Graham did him, the less he was paying attention to what he was doing.

Graham's lips were tight around him, dragging up the shaft, then pushing down over him.

Just the Right Notes - 85

"G! G!" He could feel it gathering in his balls. Those lips wrapped tight around the base of his
cock, sucking hard. "Yes!" He cried out, bucking up as his balls emptied.

Graham sucked him down, whimpering, pulling at his prick. He jerked a few more times and
then groaned. Sweet. So fucking sweet.

The suction gentled, Graham cleaning his cock.

"I love you." He murmured the words against Graham's balls, and then grabbed hold of the hard
cock, pulling it back between his lips.

"Love. Love. Love..." Graham pushed down, fucked his lips, needing him.

He wrapped his fingers around Graham's ass, encouraging the movements and sucking as hard as
he could.

"El..." Graham's soft cries became needy yells.

He worked his thumbs into Graham's ass.

"Oh, fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Elliot! Sir!"

A 'sir,' at home. Graham was either really enjoying himself or trying hard to make him feel good.

He kept sucking, kept moving his thumbs. Either way, Elliot was going to make Graham pop his
top, and they were both going to enjoy every second of it.

It didn't take much more before Graham shot, filling his mouth with salty spunk. He drank it all
down, the taste good and right and Graham.

"Love you."

"Mmmhmm." He nibbled on Graham's balls again and then patted his ass. "Come on, G. Turn
around and let me kiss you."

"You made me stupid and boneless." Graham slid up, blinking at him. "Hey."

"It's a good look on you." He brought their mouths together, sinking slowly into the taste of them
together.

"Mmm." Graham hummed, looking more than willing to spend the morning cuddled with him.

That worked for him.

Closing his eyes, he focused on kissing the man he loved.

Just the Right Notes - 86

Chapter Ten

Graham wandered the hotel room, stumbling a little, smoking.

Two months.

Two months he'd been gone and working. Playing music.

Being alone.

Graham hated it.

Well, he loved playing music -- not as much as writing, but it was still love.

Still real. Still wonderful.

His cell phone rang; there was only one person who'd call him this time of night, after the
concert was over and done with, after any parties would be well over. After Graham was sure to
be alone in his hotel room.

He took a deep drag, answered the phone. "'Lo."

"Hey, G." Elliot sounded growly. "How're you doing?"

"Okay," he lied. "How're you? Keeping busy?"

"I miss you. This being apart thing sucks." Elliot sighed, the sound echoing across the miles.
"That wasn't how I meant to lead, I swear."

"That's okay. I miss you, too." He didn't know whether to ask if Elliot had found work or not.

"How's the tour going? You wowing the hell out of them?"

"That's what Michael tells me." Of course, Michael also told him he was in need of a romantic
dinner, in need of seducing.

"Which one is Michael again?"

"The cello player who keeps pinching my ass." He smashed out one butt, lit another.

Elliot growled, the sound making Graham ache deep in his belly. "I'm the only one allowed to
pinch your ass."

"That's right. Tell me how home is."

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"Empty. I've been playing your music. I have it on repeat." In fact, if he listened carefully, he
thought he could hear it in the background now.

"Oh..." That warmed him, made him groan. "I miss you, so much."

"Miss you, too, baby." He heard Elliot shifting, sliding on sheets. "Miss you a lot."

"I know. Are you eating? What do you do all day?" He was worried about Elliot at home all
alone with nothing to do.

"I picked up a couple little design jobs. Not enough to keep me busy, really. Mostly, I've been
working on my portfolio. I've got some great ideas for eco-friendly homes. I was thinking... well,
of maybe pitching them to one of the big guys, seeing what they think." He'd never heard Elliot
sound so hesitant about his designs.

"Green is big, El. You know that. You can do this." God, his head hurt.

"Yeah, I know. I just... God, G. I miss you so bad."

"I know. I hear you. It's only... ten more weeks." He didn't cry.

"Ten weeks." Elliot groaned. "That's eleven weeks before I can kiss you again. Eleven weeks
until I feel that sexy body against mine."

He nodded, drawing hard on his Camel, tears on his lashes. "That's not too bad, right?"

"Too long. Are you smoking, G?"

"Huh?" Fuck.

"Graham. You quit. You suffered -- no, I suffered -- for weeks. You swore you'd never put either
of us through that again."

"I know." He was lonely.

Bored.

Lonely.

"I'm going to have to take you to the cabin when you get home. Punish you for taking it up
again." Elliot's voice had dropped. There was a familiar note in it, one that hit him right in the
gut.

"Promise?" His cock jerked, started swelling.

Just the Right Notes - 88

"Yeah, G. I promise you that. Maybe we can spend a week there. I mean, we'll have a lot of time
to make up for. Gotta make sure your ass is properly... taken care of."

His whimper escaped him, slipped from his throat. "El..."

"I know how to do that, don't I, Graham? I know what your ass needs. My beautiful size queen."

"Yes." He whispered the words. "Yes, love. You know. I miss you, so much."

"I know. You know what I'd do to you if I was there with you?" Elliot had a plan, he could tell.

"No." Please.

"Shall I tell you?" He could hear the arousal in Elliot's voice, the need.

"Please. Please, El." He put his cigarette out, stretched out on the bed.

"Are you naked, G?"

"No, El. I'm in a pair of soft pants, a sweatshirt."

"Then I'll have to undress you first, won't I?"

He nodded, moaning softly. Elliot would have to undress him.

"Touch yourself, G. Feel the material against your skin. Is it soft?"

"It is. I miss you." His hand dragged along the front of his pants.

"Leave your clothes on for now."

There was a click. "There. Now you're on hands-free."

"My techy lover." The tease was fond, gentle.

Elliot chuckled. "Hey, this way I can touch and talk at the same time."

"I want to touch you." He could almost visualize his El, solid and strong and fine. El would be
lying on their bed. He was probably naked, too.

"I'm lying in bed, G. You might not be naked yet, but I am. Can you feel me?"

He shook his head. "I want to."

"Closer your eyes, G. You can. My skin is warm, just starting to cool off. My cock is already
hard just from talking to you."

Just the Right Notes - 89

He moaned, shoved his hands in the waistband of his pants.

"Are you touching yourself, G? Are you pretending it's me?" He could hear the thickness in
Elliot's voice, the need.

"Wishing."

"Yeah, me, too." Elliot sighed and then started talking again. "If I was there, once you were
naked, I'd start you off with a blow job. Get my mouth around you."

"Yes..." He arched up, hips pumping into his hand.

"I'd lick and nibble and suck your cock. Then I'd take you all the way down."

"Elliot. Anything, love. Anything. I miss you."

"Gonna suck you until you come, G. And that's when the real fun begins." Elliot was whispering
now, voice so thick.

"I want you. I want your cock, slamming into me."

Elliot groaned. "I want that, too. I want to feel you tight around my prick. God, I can feel it. I
can."

Graham was fucking his hand, his toes curled as he listened to Elliot's voice.

"I'll fuck you for hours, G. For fucking hours." He could hear that it was a promise.

He nodded, forgetting that Elliot couldn't see him. Hard. Hard and deep. That's what he needed.

"Your eyes go all dark when I'm fucking you, and you beg so prettily. I'm going to make you
beg, Graham."

"Love..." He was going to...

"Yeah, G. Come on. I can hear how close you are. Give it to me." The order growled over the
phone line, Elliot demanding it.

"El. El. I need. Love..."

"Then come. I love you. Come for me."

He cried out and shot, tears streaking his cheeks.

"Graham, oh, fuck, I know what you smell like."

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Graham nodded, groaning as he curled in on himself, aching. "I love you." I miss you. So much.

"I love you, too, G. God. Eleven weeks."

"It'll be okay. It'll zoom by." He was going to lose his mind.

"Sure it will. And when it's over, you won't be able to sit for a week."

"Promises, promises."

"I swear, G. Your ass is mine."

"I love you, Elliot. Talk to me for a little while?" He grabbed a Kleenex, a cigarette, his lighter.

"Yeah. Sure. Your purple flowers are coming up in the garden. They smell like crap."

"Fuck you, asshole." That made him smile.

"Soon as I see you again. I promise."

"Love you, El." So much.

"Yeah, I love you, too. We're going to make up for all this separation, I swear. I've been making
so many plans. Every night I dream up something new to do to you."

"Soon," he lied. "Soon."

***

Elliot handed the taxi driver a fistful of money and climbed out of the cab.

It was nearly four in the morning.

The entire day had been an experience in delay and frustration. His first plane was late and he'd
missed his connecting flight. They'd finally gotten him on another plane and promptly lost his
luggage.

He hadn't eaten since lunch, unless you counted the absolutely miniscule bag of wheat treats and
the glass of water he'd had on the second flight.

He made his way to the front desk, barely noticing the muted elegance of the place. Frankly, he
didn't care how many stars the damn hotel had, as long as his G was here and there was a bed.

He offered what he hoped was a smile to the concierge. "Hi, there. Could you please tell me what
room Graham Willcott is in?"

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"I'm sorry, sir. I can't give that information out."

"I'm his partner." He really didn't want to have to call up to Graham; he wanted it to be a
surprise. He wanted to knock on the door and see the pleasure dawning in Graham's eyes as he
realized who it was.

Their last few phone calls, Graham had sounded so lonely. Just like he was.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'd be happy to connect you via phone."

"No, that's okay. Thanks." He had other options. At least for now.

He grabbed his cell out of his pocket, hoping he had enough power left to actually make this call.
He went to the elevator and dialed Graham's cell.

It rang twice and Graham answered, "'Lo?"

"Hey, lover. It's me."

"El!" Graham sounded... sad, sleepy. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just been a long day, you know?" Now there was an understatement.

He wracked his brains for how to weasel Graham's room number out of the man without giving
his surprise away.

"Uh-huh. You should be here, man. I can't even remember where we are, but I'm looking down
into the lights of the city."

"Yeah? They put you in the best room in the place tonight?" Come on, tell me the number, G.

"Huh? I doubt that. I'm on the twelfth floor, though, the farthest away from the elevator as I
could be."

Bingo.

Elliot pushed the elevator button. "Looking out over the main part of the city, eh?" Which meant
he'd go left when he got off the elevator. "Is it pretty?"

"Uh-huh. Bright. I tried to sleep, but..." Graham sighed. "We've got two days off. I was thinking
maybe I could come home tomorrow? Just overnight?"

He grinned, bounced as he got into the elevator. Two whole days. He and Graham could explore
the city. Who was he kidding? They weren't going to leave the hotel room. "It would be worth it,
wouldn't it?"

Just the Right Notes - 92

"Yeah. Yeah. I'll log on, buy a ticket."

Oh, no, that wouldn't do. He had to stall G on that. "Gimme a minute to find you the best deal,
okay?"

The elevator sped him up toward his G, and Elliot felt heat in his belly, his wretched day falling
from his shoulders. He was going to see Graham. In just a few moments, he could hold his lover
in his arms. That was worth the worst day ever.

"Okay. It's really late. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm good. I just needed to hear your voice." He got off the elevator and turned
toward the city side of the hotel, going down the long hall. There was only one door at the far
end.

He put his ear to the door, trying to see if he could hear G talking to him through the wood.

"I miss you, El. So fucking bad."

Oh, oh, there.

Elliot knocked on the door, energy surging through him.

"Oh. Hold on. Someone's at the door... It's really late." He heard footsteps. "Who is it?"

"Open the door, G." He grinned, bounced. God, he couldn't wait to see Graham's face.

"Elliot?" The door slammed open. "ELLIOT!"

Jesus, Graham looked like shit warmed over.

"G." He pushed into the room before Graham glommed onto him and got the door closed and his
arms around his lover. He got a kiss, wild and almost panicked, Graham's tongue fucking his
mouth.

He found Graham's ass and squeezed, held onto his lover. Graham was crying, sobbing into their
kiss, pushing against him wildly. He broke the kiss and dragged his lover over to the bed. He
knew what Graham needed.

"More. El. El, fuck. Oh, God. It's you."

"It's me. Get naked, G. I want your ass." He wasn't going to pussyfoot around; they both needed
badly.

"It's you." Graham tore his shirt open, mouth fastening on his throat.

Just the Right Notes - 93

"I've got you, G." He helped Graham get naked. He pushed at his lover's clothes.

"Uh-huh." Graham whimpered, teeth scraping on his skin.

His cock was hard as nails -- he wanted this as much as Graham did, needed it. Graham jerked
and rubbed, almost fighting him as he worked to get the man's slacks off. He shoved Graham
back onto the bed and yanked the damn things down, finally baring all that skin.

"Please. Now. El. Fuck. NOW."

He turned Graham around and dove into that sweet ass. He licked and thrust and wet Graham
with his tongue. The sounds that Graham made filled the air, were better than any music.

Ever.

Soon as he had Graham wet, he surged up, pushing in deep.

Jesus.

Jesus.

So fucking tight. So sweet. And all his.

He arched his back and slammed in harder, leaning down to bite at Graham's shoulder. Fuck, he
couldn't believe it had been so long. He couldn't believe they'd held out until now.

He kept thrusting, pushed in hard and deep, over and over. Graham was right there with him,
moving and bucking, arching underneath him. Harder, faster; he fucked Graham furiously and
gave them both what they needed.

Neither of them were going to hold on for any length of time -- they were going to burn up. So
he reached down, curled his fingers around Graham's cock, and started tugging.

"Come on, G. Take what you need."

"You. Need you. Need..." Graham's words ratcheted up into a hysterical wail, that beautiful ass
milking him, pulling at his cock as heat poured over his fingers.

He kept slamming into Graham's body, and he cried out as his orgasm shot from him. Graham
sobbed underneath him, lips pressing to his hand, his arm, anywhere Graham could reach. He
collapsed down onto Graham, still buried deep. He kissed Graham's neck, licked and sobbed.

"Missed you. Oh, God. Elliot..."

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"I know, G. I know." He reluctantly pulled out and climbed onto the bed, encouraging Graham to
move up with him.

Graham pushed into his arms, cheeks streaked with tears.

He kissed them away, holding Graham close. "Oh, G. You should have told me how bad it was."
He'd been missing Graham something awful, but he hadn't felt right about complaining too much
-- Graham was doing this for them, because he'd screwed up and gone bankrupt.

"I'm cool. I'm good. Just surprised." Surprised. Pale. Huge circles. Skinny. Smoking. Uh-huh.
Good and surprised.

"We won't do this again," he told Graham. He was half tempted to continue the rest of the tour
with Graham. He had nothing tying him down at home right now -- there was no reason he
couldn't finish his designs of the green houses and work up the presentation while on the road.

"It's for us. I can do it." Graham never let go of him, though.

"Maybe you don't have to, though. You get the frequent flyer miles on the flights you take,
right?" He could go standby to save money when they ran out of points. It might put him a day or
so behind Graham, but the orchestra usually played a few days in each location, so he'd
eventually catch up and they could be together again.

It was maybe a little extravagant, given his lack of any incoming money, but Graham looked like
hell and he couldn't leave his lover like that.

"Huh?" Graham blinked at him, looking dazed, confused.

"I was thinking of being your groupie. You know, following the orchestra. Following you."

"You'd hate that." That wasn't a no.

"It's a little more than two months, right? I can do anything for two months." Besides, he hated
being away from Graham even more.

Graham didn't answer him, just buried that lean face into the curve of his shoulder.

"I won't leave you to do the rest of the tour on your own, G. Of course, that means a few things
are going to have to change. No more smoking, and you'll have to start eating. Things like that."

"Sleep. Just sleep, lover. I just want to feel you next to me."

He tilted Graham's head, took himself another kiss. "You will. All night, G."

"It's almost morning."

Just the Right Notes - 95

He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it is. You've got a couple days off, though, right? So we can spend
the day in bed, eating room service food and fucking our brains out."

"God, yes. Yes, El. Absolutely." Those exhausted eyes stared into him, and Graham nodded.

"Good. I want you to close your eyes and sleep, Graham. You don't have anything to wake up
for, and no matter what time you do wake up, I'll be here. Right here, holding you."

"Yes, sir." The soft, mostly-asleep honorific made his heart throb.

He held Graham tight and closed his eyes, letting himself relax, too. They had nowhere to be but
with each other for two days.

No matter what else was going on, it didn't get much better than that.

Just the Right Notes - 96

Chapter Eleven

He was dreaming about being home.

Home where his Elliot was.

Home where his studio was.

Home where he could fall apart, and El would take him to the cabin and make things right again.

Home. Home. Home.

Graham was never going to wake up again.

Ever.

It was hard to sleep, though, through the wet licking, a tongue sliding over the skin at the back of
his neck. It tickled and teased, his skin becoming super-sensitive.

"I want my El," he explained to the dream-licker.

"Right here, G." That sure sounded like his El. This was a damn good dream if El was in it.

He felt awake, though. He frowned, sat up. "Elliot? Are you real?"

His lover lay sprawled next to him in the hotel bed, naked, hair sleep-tousled. The sun shining in
from the open curtains made Elliot's eyes crinkle. "As real as you are."

"Oh, God. It's you!" He leaned over and pounced, kissing Elliot hard. Elliot laughed into the kiss.

"Who were you expecting?" Elliot asked when their mouths parted. His lover rubbed their noses
together.

"I wasn't expecting anyone. I was dreaming. Oh, God. Missed you."

Elliot's arms wrapped around him and held him close. "I missed you, too, G. More than I thought
possible. And I had thought I was going to miss you a lot."

"Tell me. Tell me that you're here for the day. I have time off, and I need. I need now."

Elliot's fingers slid through his hair, pushing it behind his ear. "Don't you remember? I'm here for
good. I'm going to be your groupie, follow you from city to city."

"You were serious? For real? You're staying? But... I started smoking." He'd started smoking,
stopped sleeping, stopped eating, started drinking.

Just the Right Notes - 97

"All the more reason for me to stay, because the minute I walked in that door last night -- you
quit again."

"Did I?" God, he needed this.

"Yep, you did. You've stopped smoking, you've stopped drinking, you're going to start eating
and sleeping again."

"What?" How did El know?

"Have you seen the bags under your eyes, G? You look like you could carry the whole orchestra
in them. And you've lost weight. Don't try and make like everything's hunky dory."

"I..." He decided to go for broke. He needed Elliot to help him, touch him, make him feel. "I
don't know what you're talking about."

Elliot snorted and suddenly rolled him, landing on top of him. "Sure you do, G."

He wasn't given a chance to answer, though. Elliot's mouth came down on top of his.

Oh, fuck.

Yes.

He arched up, hips slamming against Elliot's. Elliot ground back against him, body pushing and
humping him into the mattress.

Yes. Yes, more. God, El had him.

El's kisses got harder, real teeth behind them. His lower lip was bitten, and then the upper, Elliot
groaning. He closed his eyes, need flooding him.

"Gonna mark you, G. All over."

"Prove it."

Elliot made this growling noise that went straight to his balls.

Yes.

Yes, please.

Fuck.

Elliot bit at his jaw and then latched onto his throat, sucking hard.

Just the Right Notes - 98

"More. I need more." He reached down, nails scratching along Elliot's back.

Elliot arched against his fingers and then ground back into him.

"Yes." He was wild for it, desperate. Aching.

Elliot's mouth closed over the skin above his right nipple. His skin burned as Elliot sucked hard.
He moaned and bucked, his cock aching, leaking against Elliot's belly. Elliot grabbed hold of his
hip, holding hard enough to bruise.

"Gonna make you mine again."

"Prove it." Please.

"I am proving it." The hand on his hip tightened; there would be bruises left there.

"Thank God." He moaned, thighs spreading wider.

Elliot's hand slipped away from his hip to roll his balls and then rub behind them. His eyes went
wide, time seeming to stop for a second.

"I know what you need." Elliot kept rubbing as he slowly kissed his way down.

"You." He nodded and moaned, tempted to beg for it.

"That's right, G." Elliot dove between his legs, tongue pushing at his hole.

Grabbing his knees, he pulled and tugged, spread himself wide. Elliot's groan vibrated over his
skin.

"I missed you. Missed the cabin. Missed our house."

Elliot's answer was to tongue-fuck him faster.

"Harder. I need more."

Elliot shoved his legs further apart and pressed hard against his ass, tongue going deeper.

"Oh, fuck. I fucking need this, need you."

Elliot rolled him over suddenly, "I know." Then the thick heat of El's cock pushed against his
hole, pushed right into him with nothing more than spit to ease the way.

"Yes!" Graham slammed back, everything in him screaming happily.

Just the Right Notes - 99

Fingers wrapping around his hips, Elliot began to help him, tugging him back into the thrusts. He
was right where he wanted to be -- pierced and loved, well-fucked. Elliot's hands were hard and
hot on him, that fat cock slamming into him again and again.

He started moaning, started feeling the pressure building inside him. "Elliot..."

One of Elliot's hands slid around and grabbed hold of his prick. "You wait."

"What?" Oh, God. Please. Yes.

"You heard me. I told you to wait." Elliot pushed into him a few more times. "You'll come when
I say you can."

"M...make me." He was flying.

"Okay." Elliot's hand slipped to his balls and tugged hard.

"Ugh..." His belly went rock hard, the cock in his ass suddenly huge.

"You will wait until I say you can come."

"Yes. Yes, s... Elliot?" Sir?

The next thrust hit his gland, hard. "Sir for today, G. Like at the cabin."

"Oh, God. Thank you. Thank you, sir. I need."

"I know. When I say."

The next thrusts hit directly on his gland, but Elliot had a tight hold of the base of his cock. He
grunted, gritting his teeth and squeezing Elliot as tight as he could.

"Mine," growled Elliot. "Mine. Mine. Mine." Elliot repeated the word with each thrust, really
giving it to him.

"Yes. Yes, make me yours. Fuck, Elliot. I need this."

"I know. I know." The pounding got harder, and Elliot began to jack him with hard, sure strokes.

"Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. I'm gonna..." He was going to shoot and hope to fuck Elliot wanted to
redden his ass for it.

"Not until I say so!" Still, Elliot was pinging his gland like it was the biggest fucking button out
there.

"I have to..." His eyes rolled and his balls went tight.

Just the Right Notes - 100

"If you come before I say so, I'll have to punish you." Elliot's thumb flashed across the tip of his
cock.

"You're fuck...fucking cheating." Do it again.

"All's fair, G." Elliot did it again, pressing into his slit this time.

His eyes rolled and he came, spunk shooting out of him in heady pulses.

"Gonna have to punish you for that." The words were growls, Elliot moving faster now, body
jerking.

"Fuck you. Your fault." He moaned, bore down, and squeezed, giving his El everything.

"Uh-huh. Still gonna... gonna tan your... hide." The last word was more of a wail, the sound
coming from Elliot as Graham's ass was filled.

Oh, God. So good. Fucking wonderful.

Collapsing onto his back, Elliot groaned and panted. Graham could feel the hot breaths on his
neck.

"Love you." He turned his head, kissed Elliot's arm.

"I know." Elliot kissed his neck. "You, too."

"Mmm." He felt better than he had in weeks.

"We should get some room service up here, and then your ass has an appointment with my
hand."

"It was your fault I came."

"What's your point?"

He stuck his tongue out at El.

Elliot chuckled, and then stopped and tilted his head. "That's the first real laugh I've had in
weeks."

"Oh, Elliot." He turned, wrapped around El, even though they were sticky. "I love you, huh?"

"Yeah, I know. It's what gets me up most mornings."

"Good. Wait. Only most?"

Just the Right Notes - 101

Elliot laughed again and pounced on his mouth, kissing him.

Oh, good morning. Good morning to him.

***

It was well past noon when they ordered room service, but they both wanted breakfast anyway
and had pancakes and sausages, bacon and eggs, and lots of toast and jam sent up, along with a
carafe of coffee.

Elliot didn't let Graham get out of bed, much less get dressed. He slipped on the robe provided
by the hotel and faked his lover's signature on the bill, making sure to add a decent tip.

Then he put out the 'do not disturb' sign.

They fed each other, making a mess of the sheets and not caring for a second. The food was no
better than okay, but the company was just right, and Elliot figured they both would have eaten
paper with the same enthusiasm.

When they were done and the room service cart had been pushed out the door, Elliot slowly
stalked back toward the bed. He dropped the robe off about halfway there and kept moving, his
entire focus on Graham as his lover came out of the bathroom, wiping his hands on a towel.

"You know what time it is now."

He got a patently false innocent look. "What?"

He grinned, feeling good right down to his bones for the first time since Graham had left.
Although that wasn't strictly true -- he'd been feeling pretty sorry for himself for a few weeks,
leading up to the bankruptcy itself. Maybe it had just taken Graham being away for him to
realize how much he actually had despite the losses.

"Oh, you know." And he'd lay a pretty hefty wager that Graham was very excited about the
upcoming spanking. In fact, he'd bet that Graham needed this as much as he did.

"Time for a smoke break?"

"Oh, you're getting an extra bunch of swats for that." He didn't even want to joke about the
smoking.

"No way."

No. No smoking. No drunken nights. No insomnia and starving. "Yes, way. No more acting like
a frat boy, I'm here to make sure you take care of yourself." He stopped and gave Graham a
wink. "And me."

Just the Right Notes - 102

"I was. I did. I mean... Shit."

"Let's face it, G. You're so busted." He sat down on the bed and rubbed his thighs.

Graham shivered, took a step closer. "What if I say no?"

Elliot snorted. "Just assume the position."

Like Graham was going to say no; he could see his lover practically vibrating.

"I..." Graham took another step, cock hard and leaking already.

Elliot licked at his lips and let out a growl of appreciation. That got Graham another step closer.

"You know you want it, G. I want it, too. It's why I'm here."

"I do. I love how you make me fly." Another step.

"Then get over my lap. Now."

He slapped his thigh, the sound of flesh on flesh loud in the room.

"Elliot..." Graham was standing beside him now, flushed, breathing hard.

"I love you, G."

"Love you... sir." Oh, fuck. Yes. So hot.

"Then get over my lap. Right now."

Graham bent, stretching over his legs, thighs spreading.

He made sure Graham's leaking cock was between his legs. Then he stroked Graham's ass. God,
he loved it: pale, red, bruised, he'd take it any way he could. He spread the cheeks, fingers
touching the swollen little hole. It was begging for a touch, a plug, a thick dildo.

He kept teasing it, touching that tiny little E, just to hear Graham moan. Those pretty thighs
spread, Graham's hips rolling up toward him.

"God, you're sexy, G. You make me want." He gave Graham's ass an experimental slap.

Graham moaned for him, hips rolling up toward his touch. God, that was hot. He hit Graham's
ass again, harder this time. He watched his white hand print slowly become dark.

"Elliot..." Graham shifted, cock leaking on his thighs.

Just the Right Notes - 103

"Right here." He smacked Graham's ass again. "Can you feel me? I'm right here." Another slap
followed his words.

"Yes. Yes, I feel. Don't..."

"Don't what? Don't stop? I won't." He didn't.

"Oh, God. Sir. Please!"

"I love it when you beg, Graham." He varied the strength of his hits, sometimes giving it to
Graham with everything he had and sometimes barely connecting with the increasingly red ass.

"I need this. I kept touching myself, wanting it to be you."

"It's me now, G. I'm right here and I'm not going away. I'm not. I'm not." It was like a song with
his hand on Graham's ass providing the backbeat.

Graham's moans were constant, the hot ass meeting each blow.

He lost himself in it, in Graham. "Mine. You're mine. And I have you."

"Yours..." One hand wrapped around his calf, squeezing.

"That's right." Groaning, he kept going and his hand began to burn.

"Don't stop. Don't stop yet."

"Not stopping, G. I'm so not stopping." His hand grew painfully hot, and his arm grew sore, but
he kept spanking Graham, knowing how much his lover needed this.

They both needed it.

Graham sobbed suddenly, the sound harsh, broken. Almost. Almost there.

He really put his back into it, and gave Graham two more hard slaps. "Come," he whispered.

Heat splashed against his legs as Graham cried out, chest heaving with sobs.

He brought his hand down one more time and then rubbed Graham's ass, the heat between it and
his hand incredible. "G. Love you. Love you so."

"Sir..." Graham shook and shuddered.

"I've got you, G. I do." He squeezed one ass cheek, teased Graham's hole, and then helped
Graham up off his lap.

Just the Right Notes - 104

"Where... where do you want me?"

"On your knees, G. I need your mouth." His balls were aching, his cock leaking. He wasn't going
to last long at all, but he hadn't had Graham's mouth in far, far too long.

"God, yes. Anything." Graham dropped to his knees, lips already open.

"Oh, fuck." He shifted closer to the edge of the bed and fed his cock into Graham's hungry
mouth.

Graham's mouth was as hot as that red ass, as hot as his hand. Groaning, he wrapped his other
hand in Graham's hair and guided his lover up and down his cock.

"God, yes. Suck me, G. Like that."

Graham was hungry for him, starving mouth sucking him like a Hoover. He was primed for it,
but he wouldn't have lasted anyway, not the way Graham was going for it. Too soon, he was
crying out, his cock pulsing inside Graham's mouth. Graham swallowed hard, drinking down
every drop, tugging at his cock.

"Oh, man. G. Come on up here." He wanted to kiss that mouth and taste himself there.

Graham's ass was hot on his thighs, the sweet lips parted and swollen. He could taste Graham
and it was the best flavor in the world.

Thank God he'd come; they belonged together.

Just the Right Notes - 105

Chapter Twelve

His ass ached, his nipples were bruised, his inner thighs were screaming.

Graham hadn't been so happy in weeks.

"Love you, El." He leaned over, kissed Elliot's upper arm.

Elliot chuckled and turned away from the television to give him a proper kiss. "I love you, G."

Graham smiled, tongue sliding in to taste. "It's been nice, having you."

Nice.

Right.

Mind blowing.

"And here I thought I was having you."

He chuckled softly, nodded, ass squeezing around a plug.

Elliot turned the television off and grabbed his laptop. "So, where is it we're going tomorrow?"

"I... I have to go to Chicago." Elliot wasn't really going, was he?

"Oh, Chicago is good. It's a hub, so there should be lots of flights." Elliot pulled up the Travel
Cuts website. "What time is your flight out?"

"I... Noon-ish? I have rehearsals at five. Are you really coming?"

Elliot turned to give him a look. "I said I was, didn't I?"

"I... I thought..." Hell, he thought El was humoring him.

Elliot put the computer down on the floor next to the bed and then rolled over on top of him.
Staring down at him, Elliot slowly brought their lips together and kissed him long and deep.
"Just try and get rid of me."

"Never." Not ever.

"I'm going to follow you from city to city. Your very own private groupie. I'm going to stalk you
through your shows and then sneak into your bed and make you scream."

"This has to be a dream."

Just the Right Notes - 106

Elliot laughed, hips grinding into him. "Does this feel like a dream?"

He nodded, reaching up for El. "A dream. I smoke now, you know."

That laughter turned into a snort. "You haven't smoked since I got here. That's how you know it
isn't a dream."

"You haven't given me a chance. I haven't left the room."

"It's a good strategy, don't you think? I mean, it's working, after all."

"Is it?" God, he loved Elliot.

"It is. And you know it." Elliot bit his lower lip, hips rocking against him.

"Do I?" He could only push so far.

"Don't make me beat you, Graham."

He groaned. That only happened at the cabin.

Elliot began rocking against him, the sheets between them keeping him from all that hot skin.

"The plug's heavy." It wasn't a complaint.

"I should make you leave it in until we meet up again tomorrow night."

"You wouldn't."

"If you didn't have to go through airport security, you bet your sweet ass I would."

He arched, fantasizing a little about that -- about spending the day plugged, in his 'real' life.

"Maybe I should do it anyway. Make you take a Greyhound." Elliot covered his neck in biting
kisses.

"No way. I'd miss rehearsal. No marks."

"A plug and marks are two entirely different things, G."

"I know. But..." Oh, God. People would see, would know. So hot.

"But what? Why don't you want people to see my marks?" The biting kisses continued, some
stinging enough they would have to leave marks.

"I'm a professional and all..." He thought, maybe, the top of his head was going to come off.

Just the Right Notes - 107

"Then I guess they're going to see a professional whose lover got wild with him." The next kiss
didn't stop; Elliot's lips lingered, pulled at his skin.

"El..." His ass worked the plug, need riding him.

"Uh-huh. Your El."

One of Elliot's hands slid around his hip, pulling him up as Elliot's hips pushed down. The damn
sheet was still stuck between them, making him crazy.

"You're really coming? You'll be with me? I'll get you great seats." His heart was going to break
a rib, it was beating so fast.

"Yes, I'm really coming. I'll be flying standby and shit for some of it, so I may wind up a day
behind now and then, but you're usually in one place for several shows, right? And do I get
backstage passes to go along with those good seats?"

"Anything." He'd talk to Marco, get Elliot's flights worked out. His lover. With him.

"Awesome. I can help... relax you before and after shows." Elliot's eyes were so wicked, making
it quite clear what he meant by relax.

"I just... I've missed you, missed having you close."

"I know. I felt the same way. We won't do it again. From now on, if one of us has to travel, we
both do it."

Elliot's face disappeared in his neck again, tongue sliding and circling this time, not quite
tickling. He nodded, held on. He'd been strong. Brave. He hadn't asked.

Then Elliot's mouth was on his, tongue fucking his mouth hard. His cry pushed between Elliot's
lips, everything in him just rejoicing. Elliot worked the sheets out from between them, groaning
into his mouth when they were finally belly to belly, naked and rubbing.

"Fuck me." His nails raked over El's body, dragging hard.

"You gonna take the plug out? You gonna reach down and pull it out of your body so I can be
inside you?"

"El..." Oh, fuck.

"No, not El -- G. Graham is going to do it."

His cheeks were on fucking fire.

Just the Right Notes - 108

Elliot laughed, fingers trailing over his cock. "Come on. I can't wait to see you do it."

"El... Sir." He arched, wanting -- no. No. Needing. He needed Elliot to do this.

"Fuck, love it when you call me sir." One of Elliot's fingers pushed into his slit. "Take out the
plug, G. Do it now."

"Yes. Yes, sir." He reached down, whimpering with something coming close to overload.

"That's right, G. Just like that. I want to watch you pull it out of your body." Elliot kept teasing
his cock as he spoke.

"Oh, God. Want you. Make me ache."

"Get it out and I'm yours."

He closed his eyes, then pulled the plug out, his body stretching, then tightening again.

"Fuck, yes!" Elliot's cock nudged at him and then pushed in, thicker and hotter than the plug.

"Love you. Sir. Please. Yes." He groaned and bucked, his entire body buzzing with need.

Elliot pushed all the way in and then began to fuck him, movements hard and fast. Graham flew,
screaming with his pleasure, his entire body on fire.

"Yeah, G. Yeah." Elliot kept thrusting into him; it felt so good.

"Don't stop." He was close; his balls ached from coming so fucking much.

"Stop?" Elliot slowed, stopped. "You want me to stop?"

"Bastard."

"No, a bastard wouldn't start again. I will." Elliot held his gaze and leaned in to kiss him before
the thrusts he needed so badly continued.

He groaned and went with it, toes curled as he flew. Again and again, Elliot brought him to the
brink, only to yank him back again.

"El..." He reached down for his cock.

Elliot growled at him. "No touching!"

Oh, fuck.

Yes.

Just the Right Notes - 109

His whole body went tight at the command.

"Mine. That's mine. You're mine."

"Yes. Yes, sir. Yours."

"That's right." Elliot began thrusting again, banging into his gland with every push. Then one of
Elliot's hands wrapped around his cock and pulled in time.

"Oh. Thank you. Love. Please. Thank you."

"You want to come, G?"

He nodded, although it really didn't matter. He had Elliot. Here and coming along on the tour.

Elliot leaned down and whispered in his ear. "Then you can come."

Another thrust knocked against his prostate, Elliot's hand rough around his cock. Then Elliot bit
down on his earlobe, hard enough to sting brightly.

He shot, his stomach muscles screaming with it for a second. Elliot moaned and continued
fucking him. Each stroke sent an aftershock of pleasure singing through him. Then Elliot cried
out and filled him.

"Love you." He held on, lassitude filling him.

"Mmm. I know, G. I love you, too." Elliot's kiss was long and sweet, and then his lover slid out
and settled beside him.

He pushed in close, satisfied and lazy, happier than he'd been in a long time.

Elliot leaned over and grabbed the laptop again and ordered tickets.

***

Elliot got off the plane and checked his watch. He was never going to make it for Graham's
concert. Never. He called Graham's cell phone. He wasn't sure if he was going to get his lover or
the voicemail, but either way, he had to let G know where he was.

"El? El, did you get the limo?"

"Limo? What limo? I only just got in. Thank God I've only got my carry-on. You got me a
limo?" He started looking around for a driver holding a card with his name on it.

"I did. I didn't want you to have to stress it."

Just the Right Notes - 110

"You're too good to me. Oh, there he is." Elliot looked at his watch. "I'm not going to get there
before you go on, though. Will they let me in backstage without you? I could be waiting for you
in your dressing room..."

"Your tickets and pass are at the will-call window, El."

"Cool. How long before you have to go out there?"

"Fifteen."

He nodded to the limo driver and they headed out.

"Yeah? You good -- feeling all relaxed, or you need some help with that?"

"Huh?" Graham sounded completely distracted.

He chuckled, sitting back and watching the scenery go by out the window. "I was thinking I
could talk dirty to you."

"Me? I have to go play my piece. I can't." He heard a long, slow exhalation.

"Is there anything I can do to help? Or should I just hang up and be ready to... fluff you when
you're done?"

"I have a private dressing room. You'll be there? After?"

"I will be. Break a leg, G."

"Love you, El."

"Mmm, you, too, G."

The phone went dead and they zoomed through town, heading right for the concert hall. The
place was filled with tuxes and gowns, but his backstage pass was right where Graham promised
it would be.

One of the stage hands showed him to Graham's dressing room, and he looked around as he
waited for Graham to be done. The room had roses, a basket of fruit, a half-smoked pack of
cigarettes. Son of a fucking bitch. He was going to have to start paying full price to fly with
Graham.

He took the smokes and crushed them, tossing the package into the little can. Then he went over
to see who was sending Graham roses and fruit.

Just the Right Notes - 111

The roses were from a group of symphony-goers. The fruit, though, the fruit had a note saying,
"Please reconsider. Nathan."

What the hell did that mean?

He wracked his brains, trying to remember if Graham had ever mentioned a Nathan. He was
drawing a blank. He glared at the basket, and then decided he was hungry and fruit did look
really good. So he grabbed the grapes and a red pear and sat in the only chair in the little room.

He could hear Graham's violin ringing through the air. God, it was like magic. He closed his eyes
and let the music flow over him. Forget the smoking, he had to get on the same planes as
Graham so he could hear this in the hall, front and center.

The music rose and fell, the sounds swirling, soaring, filling the air. He forgot sometimes, when
he hadn't heard it in awhile, just how talented his lover was.

The music changed, becoming something he knew he'd heard Graham sing in the cabin, a
melody that read to him like pure sex. And sure enough, his cock responded, getting hard as if
Graham was right there in the room with him, standing butt-naked in front of him. This was
about him, about them, about how Graham needed him.

He'd been selfish, sitting at home and sulking over his lost business while Graham went out and
made them money. He knew how much Graham hated the touring. He'd seen the pleasure when
he showed up, too, the almost giddy happiness.

Never again -- they'd lived it and learned it wasn't for them. From now on, together.

It seemed like the concert went on forever and only took a minute, all at once. He couldn't help
but grin and puff up proudly as the clapping sounded, loud and long.

The door opened, a little assistant carrying chilled champagne and more flowers, folded towels.
"I... these are for the soloist."

"Yes. So am I."

He held up his badge and the kid nodded. "Yes, sir. There will be a car waiting for him in an
hour, as he requested."

"Thanks. So, are the flowers and champagne from management?" Not that he was worried, but if
someone was sending his man expensive gifts, he wanted to know about it.

"The flowers are from different people. The champagne is from a..." The kid looked. "A Mr.
Nathan Grimes."

Nathan. Again.

Just the Right Notes - 112

He was going to have to leave more obvious marks on Graham's body tonight.

"Thanks, man." He slipped the kid a five.

"Anytime."

It didn't take long before Graham was coming in, closing the door behind him. "Elliot?"

"Hey, G." He stepped forward and opened his arms.

"El." Graham came running, wrapped around him. "Love."

"Mmm. You were amazing, G. I was sitting here, listening. It was... just wow."

"Next time, you'll be in the concert hall."

"I will. You're here for two more nights, and I'll be out there in the audience for both." He kissed
his lover, fingers sliding to the mark on Graham's neck.

"Mmm." Graham nodded, cheek on his shoulder. "Look at all the flowers."

"Yeah, I was checking them and the champagne out. Who's this Nathan guy?"

Graham snorted, rolled his eyes. "Some high-powered management type. Wants me to switch
over. He's promising all sorts of tours and deals and shit. He won't go away. Sends good quality
shit, though."

"So we can drink this champagne without any guilt, huh?" He grabbed the bottle, waving it in
Graham's face.

"Why would I have guilt?" Graham looked honestly confused.

He shrugged. "I'd hate to drink some suitor's booze."

"Don't make me hurt you. I don't fuck around."

"I know that, G. Some guys push, though. I know how sexy you are, what a catch you are."

Graham snorted, popped the champagne and poured two glasses, pacing a little after one was
handed over. "Where are my smokes?"

"You don't smoke anymore, G." He stopped his lover and held ting-ed their glasses together. "To
us."

"Yeah. Yeah, to us." Graham drank, humming quietly. "Now, really. My cigarettes?"

Just the Right Notes - 113

"You don't smoke anymore, G." He simply repeated the words. He couldn't believe they were
going to have to go through this all over again.

"I do. I'll quit after the tour." Always pushing. Always.

"No. You've quit now. Come here. I know how to relax you." A little blow job would have
Graham forgetting all about needing a cigarette.

Graham came, without argument or even thought, Elliot would bet.

"Sit." He pushed Graham into the chair.

Graham landed with a plop.

Elliot put his hands on Graham's knees and leaned in, taking a kiss as he pushed Graham's legs
apart. He could taste the bubbles on Graham's tongue. Moaning, he deepened the kiss, feeling the
heat of Graham's body calling to him.

Graham's hands wrapped around his shoulders, dragged him in tight.

"Gonna suck you," he told Graham as their mouths parted.

"Oh, God." Graham moaned, lips parting. "Please."

"Yeah, love to hear you beg for it." He went slowly to his knees, holding Graham's gaze.

"I can do that. I want your mouth, El, please. Just to come down."

"I know, G. You've got me, hmm?" He got to his knees and began to undo the expensive slacks.

"Yes. God, yes. I thought... I thought you were a dream."

He chuckled. "A three-day dream, G?"

"I meant today, on the plane." Graham blushed. "I woke up and went... wait."

"You don't have to wait anymore." He fished Graham's prick out of his pants and licked the tip.

"No. No more. Please, El. Your mouth."

He didn't make Graham wait a moment longer. He dropped his mouth around his lover's cock.
Graham's hands landed on his head, hips rolling up in one desperate lunge. He took it, sucking
hard on Graham's cock.

Just the Right Notes - 114

Salty and sweet, heated and heavy on his tongue -- Graham was perfect, pushing into his throat.
His tongue slid over the hot flesh, slapping and stroking it. Holding Graham's hips, he set the
rhythm. His head rose and fell.

Low words poured down over him, the sounds musical. He slid his fingers into Graham's pants
and rolled his lover's balls. Graham spread wider, ass sliding on the chair. He pulled his lover
even closer, eating that cock like he was starving.

"Fuck. Fuck, yes. Love you. Gonna come." Hungry lover.

He nodded his head on Graham's cock. He was ready.

Spunk splashed out, coating his tongue. He swallowed Graham down, taking it all in. God, he
loved the taste of Graham in his mouth, loved being able to do this for his lover.

"Love you. Oh, El. Love you..."

He sucked a bit longer and then slowly let Graham's prick slide from between his lips. "I know. I
love you, too, yeah?"

"I know." Graham's amazing fingers touched his face. "I know, every day."

He turned his face to lick and kiss at the long fingers.

"The little thing that brought the champagne and flowers said your limo would be waiting for
you."

"For us. In about an hour."

"Oh, what are we going to do for a whole hour?" He waggled his eyebrows; he knew what was
on the top of his list.

"I have all the faith in the world that you'll figure something out."

"Oh, I've got stuff figured out, G. The only question will be what to do first."

Standing, he gave Graham a wicked grin and then went to the door and shot the lock home.

He was keeping the soloist to himself.

Just the Right Notes - 115

Chapter Thirteen

"Graham, come have dinner." Three of the string players stopped him on the way out from
rehearsal. "We're going to Baby Max's."

"I can't. I have plans." He blew out a stream of smoke, searching for a taxi. Elliot was waiting for
him.

Someone was coming down the street, smiling at him. It took him a moment to realize it was
Elliot.

Fuck.

He flicked the cigarette aside, popped a mint, and waved. "El!"

"Hey, G." Elliot gave him a brief peck, hand searching in his jacket pocket and coming up with
his pack of cigarettes. "How many of these am I going to have to throw out?"

"Uh." Damn it.

"I don't want to have to follow you around like your shadow, but you need to stop this. It's bad
for you, and I hate kissing you with ash-mouth."

"I'm trying." Sort of.

Elliot snorted. "Right. I didn't come to tell you off, though. I was hoping I could take you out for
dinner?"

"I'd love that." He slipped one arm in Elliot's and smiled. "I'm all yours."

"I've been reading up. There's an Ethiopian place a few blocks over. We can feed each other with
our hands."

"Oh, that sounds fun." He pulled his violin closer.

"Do you want to drop that back at the hotel before we eat?"

"If it's close enough, sure. How was your day?"

"It's about a twenty-minute walk. My day was fine. I did a little bit of sightseeing."

"Oh, I'll just carry it, then. What did you see?"

"I went downtown and wandered around, looked at the shops." Elliot gave him a smile, a look.
"Bought you a present."

Just the Right Notes - 116

"Did you?" He almost bounced. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure you want to know about it while we're in public." Elliot's eyes danced.

"Oh..." Oh, that was promising.

"I will show you as soon as we get back to the hotel. I hope you weren't expecting an early
night."

"Tomorrow is our off day." He had time.

"Excellent. After dinner tonight, I'm going to make you scream."

Graham's mouth went dry, and he groaned a little, ducked his head, and smiled.

Elliot chuckled. "You're hard already."

"Am not." Not all the way, anyway.

"You will be by the time the meal's over."

"El!" He leaned over, bumped their elbows together.

Elliot laughed, the sound happy, carefree. "It's true!"

"You're a tease." He swatted at Elliot's butt, daring to play.

Elliot danced out of the way. "I am. And you love it."

"I love you. The music went well today." Some days it didn't.

"Did it? Is that because you're happy?"

"I hope so. Maybe it's because you massaged my hands yesterday."

"Oh, that was my pleasure. I'll do it anytime you like." Elliot kissed his cheek. "I'm at your
disposal."

"You're making this tour amazing, El."

"I'm trying." Elliot chuckled suddenly. "Not so amazing that you want to do it again anytime
soon, I hope."

"God, no." Not unless they needed the money.

Elliot chuckled and nodded. "We're here."

Just the Right Notes - 117

His hand was taken and Elliot led him into the restaurant. It smelled delicious -- warm and spicy,
earthy and good.

"Maybe next time we should get take-out, and I'll have you as my plate." Elliot waggled his
eyebrows.

"Perv." He laughed happily, waving off the man who tried to check his violin. "No. It stays with
me."

The hostess led them to a spot in back, where they sat on big pillows at a low table. Graham slid
his instrument case next to him, the edge touching his knee.

"We'll have the big platter to share, please," Elliot told the waitress. "And two glasses of Tej,
please."

"What's Tej?" It sounded exotic.

"A honey drink -- like mead."

"Are you trying to get me drunk, sir?"

"No, just pleasantly tipsy." Elliot leaned in. "I want you fully aware of the things I do to you
tonight."

"Elliot." He licked his lips, leaned closer. "Tell me?"

"Are you sure you want to know?" Elliot licked his own lips, and then Graham's. "I want you to
enjoy the food as well as the anticipation."

"I want to know."

"It involves your ass."

He ran his hand up Elliot's thigh. "My ass?" The possibilities made him moan.

"Oh, yes." Elliot's voice had gone husky and rough. "Very much your ass."

"Oh... I want to go back to the cabin with you, hmm?"

"I know. As soon as the tour's over, eh?"

"Yes. Then it's you and me and our... life." Their secret.

"Yes." Elliot watched him, eyes hot.

Just the Right Notes - 118

Their waitress returned with a plate of flatbreads and their drinks. They began eating, dipping
their bread and licking their fingers, laughing softly. Elliot fed him, fingers lingering on his lips.
Graham felt all the normal daily nonsense fade away, felt his entire body relax.

"Mmm... look at you. My sexy musician."

"Yours. It's magic, having you here."

"Let's see if you still say that tomorrow while you're walking around the city with my gift up
your..."

His eyes went wide. "Elliot!"

Elliot sat back, grinning like a loon, as the waitress came back and put a large platter in the
middle of their table.

"So, I thought we could go to the zoo tomorrow. See the monkeys."

"Oh, that would be fun. I want to see the giraffes, too." Elliot had a thing for giraffes.

"Yeah. I thought it could be neat. I'm thinking of doing a piece that's based on animal sounds."

"Oh, G. That's an amazing idea!"

"You think so? I've been working on the concept."

"You'll have to show me. Tomorrow. After we've played."

"Tomorrow." He scooped up some meat with a bit of flatbread, the spice setting his mouth on
fire.

Elliot ran his fingers through something creamy and held them up to his mouth. "This'll help cut
the heat."

"Oh, damn." He leaned forward, sucked El's fingers clean.

El pushed his finger in and out, fucking his lips. Right there in the restaurant.

Oh, fuck.

Fuck, that was hot.

And his.

All his.

Just the Right Notes - 119

Elliot's eyes had gone all hot again. "G. Fuck, I wish we were home."

"Me, too. Our house. Our bed. Everything back to normal."

"We'll get there, G. I'll build my business back up, and it'll all go back to normal. You can write
and create and play when you want, not because you have to."

"Don't get all down, now. I don't mind working for a living."

"But not like this. Not touring. You hate touring, and I hate what it does to you." Elliot shook his
head. "But we're not here to talk about that, are we? We're here for a sexy meal, to be followed
by an even more sexy night in our elegant hotel room."

He reached out, cupped Elliot's jaw. "I love you, huh?"

Elliot nuzzled into the touch, eyes full of love. "I know. It makes everything else go into the 'not
important' column. And you know it goes both ways."

"I know." His thumb traced Elliot's cheekbone. "I know."

Elliot turned his head and kissed Graham's thumb.

"So, no more work thoughts. Only happy, lovey-dovey thoughts."

"You got it. Now, we should eat. You're going to need your strength." Elliot dipped some of the
flatbread into a different stew and offered it over to him.

"So, tell me more about your plans." Oh, nutty. He liked that one.

"Well, there might be vibrations."

"Ah, battery-operated fun." He winked and chuckled.

"Yes. Remote control, battery-operated fun, so the monkeys need never know..."

Okay, that was a little unexpected. "Remote controlled?"

"Yes." The smile Elliot gave him was positively wicked.

"You are a perv, you know that?"

"I've been accused of it a time or two, yes." Elliot seemed supremely unperturbed by the thought.

"Do you ever worry about it?" He didn't. He loved their life, what they needed.

"By what we do?" Elliot shook his head. "If you didn't want it, love it, then maybe I would."

Just the Right Notes - 120

Graham nodded. "I couldn't believe it when I found you."

"Yeah. My soul mate. Sex mate? Kink mate?" Elliot gave him a wink.

"I think I was in love before we'd worked out the sex, El. Hell, we were both trying, so hard, to
keep it a secret."

"Yeah, well, kink will out, won't it?" Elliot's smile was less teasing, though, and more sappy.

"It did. The first time you let it out, I thought I was going to explode."

"I took a chance you weren't going to slap me upside the head and walk out on me." Elliot leaned
in to kiss him softly. "I'm so glad you didn't."

"I am, too." It had started the best part of his life.

Chuckling, Elliot grabbed some more flatbread and pushed one of the stews into his mouth.
"We'd better eat up before we get too sentimental."

"Hrmph." Elliot was trying to shut him up.

Elliot took the next bite for himself, going with the one Graham had already discovered was very
spicy. Elliot made a face and went for his drink. Graham chuckled under his breath, fighting his
smile.

"Shit, that one should come with a warning."

"Uh-huh." He could have warned, but he didn't.

"You liked it, didn't you? Nice and spicy." Elliot shook his head. "That was the one I fed you the
creamy stuff after, isn't it?"

"It is." He opened his mouth for a bite.

"And you didn't warn me." Elliot punched his arm.

"Ow! Musician abuse!"

Elliot laughed. "No, G, that comes later."

"No beating the violinist, now..."

Oh, God. He could go for being draped over Elliot's lap.

"No, not now. But in about forty minutes -- that's a different story altogether."

Just the Right Notes - 121

"You have it well planned, hmm?"

"I wouldn't leave something like this to chance."

He wasn't sure what Elliot meant. "Something like what?"

"Making love to you." Elliot leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Making you scream."

"I don't scream in hotel rooms, El."

Elliot laughed. "Sure, you do."

"No. Nope. Never. No screaming in hotel rooms."

"You'll be screaming tonight, G. I'll put the pillow over your face if I have to, but you'll scream
for me." Elliot sounded very sure.

Somehow, the food just wasn't as spicy, as wonderful anymore. Somehow, all Graham could
think about was Elliot.

***

Elliot's goal had been to get Graham all worked up during dinner, so that by the time they got
back to the hotel, his lover would be hot and desperate for it. Graham probably was hot and
desperate, but maybe not as hot and worked up as Elliot was himself!

It was all he could do not to snatch the hotel card out of Graham's hand as his lover fumbled with
it, trying to get it into the slot.

"G..."

Finally, it went through, and the light switched to green.

Elliot shoved Graham in, slammed the door behind them, and pushed Graham up against the
nearest wall.

"You have to wait." Graham shifted away and carefully stored the violin, the precious
instrument. "Now..."

He grabbed Graham's lapels and dragged him over to the bed. "Now I get to have my wicked
way with you."

"Are you sure about that?" Graham was smiling at him, relaxed and easy.

Just the Right Notes - 122

"That I'm going to be wicked, or that I'm going to do it to you?" He laughed and bit at Graham's
lower lip. "It doesn't matter. Yes to both. Yes to everything." God, he was never going to get to
his plans if he didn't get the edge off first.

He pushed Graham onto the bed and started stripping the clothes off his lover. The shiny shoes
flew off, then Graham started 'helping,' tugging and pulling at his clothes. They were soon a half-
dressed mess, tangled together on the bed. Laughing and kissing, he humped against Graham,
eager for sensation.

Graham slid down his body, kissing and biting, playing with him, heading for his cock.

"I know what you're doing," he said softly, body tightening, eager for that mouth.

"You're a smart man."

He laughed, feeling good right down to his bones. When he was with Graham, nothing else
mattered -- not business, not the tour, not anything.

Graham chuckled, muscled him over, lips hot and wet on his belly. He slid onto his back and
kicked his pants off, along with the one shoe that had remained stubbornly on. Then he spread
his legs to give Graham all the room his lover wanted.

Graham's laughter tickled his skin, tickled all the way down. His toes curled, and he grabbed
onto the sheets with his fingers, anticipation holding him still. His lover had the ability to drive
him out of his mind, and was using it.

"Come on, G. Suck me." He could hear the begging note in his voice.

"Mmmhmm. I'm going to." Graham didn't, though. That tongue slid on his skin, traced all around
his prick.

Groaning, he drew his knees up, cradled Graham's head between them. "G..."

"Mmm. Right here."

"Please. Don't make me beg." He didn't. Beg. Not usually. Of course, he was so hard he could
pound nails right now. Or play the drum line in Graham's orchestra. He bit his lip to keep from
laughing -- it would just come out hysterical.

"I never do." Those warm lips wrapped around the tip of his cock -- just the tip -- the suction
gentle, sweet.

Whimpering, he tried bucking. Graham groaned, but that head moved with him, focusing only on
the tip. He pushed up and up, but Graham was in control and only gave him what Graham
wanted to give him.

Just the Right Notes - 123

Those long fingers started working his balls next, tugging in time with the suction.

"G! Christ." He was going to go out of his mind.

The suction was slowly, slowly, slowly growing in intensity, driving him crazy. He drummed his
hands and his feet on the bed, moaning and groaning.

Finally -- finally -- Graham had him down to the root, throat working around the tip, almost
massaging it.

"Fuck yes!" He slid his hands into Graham's hair, stroking his fingers through it.

Graham worked him hard, throat squeezing him, the rhythm steady.

"Yeah. Like that. Oh, God, Graham. So good."

Graham's hands slid up and down his thighs, spreading him, massaging him.

"G. Oh, damn G. Please. Fuck." He was babbling.

Then one of those hands slipped up, gently stroked his hole.

Lightning shot through him. "G!"

That touch came again, again, as Graham adored him.

"Come on, Graham. Give me what I need."

One finger pushed deep, and Graham swallowed hard, pulled hard.

"G!" He cried out, coming spilling out of his cock.

His lover took every drop, head moving constantly. He patted Graham's head, murmuring
nonsense. Graham lapped idly at the tip of his cock, bringing him down.

He relaxed into the mattress. "G. Good."

"Mmm. It is." Graham peppered little kisses over his hipbones.

He touched Graham's hair, his lover's cheeks. "What do you need, G?"

Graham licked his palm. "I need you, but I'm not in a hurry."

He hummed at the touch of Graham's tongue. "Then maybe what I should be asking is what do
you want?"

Just the Right Notes - 124

"Kiss me."

"I can do that." He could do that and so much more. After all, he had plans, right?

He wrapped his hand around Graham's head and tugged him in for a kiss.

Just the Right Notes - 125

Chapter Fourteen

Elliot dozed lightly for a short while, and then woke, Graham wrapped around him like some
overgrown leech.

He stretched and yawned, the sheets more institutional than soft, and then turned to see the time.
It was only just past nine. Excellent. There would be plenty of time to drive Graham to
distraction tonight. In anticipation of driving his lover to distraction tomorrow on Graham's day
off.

Wandering around the zoo while wearing a vibrating plug was going to make it a very interesting
experience. For both of them, he was sure, but for Graham especially he was certain.

Of course, they had to get the plug in there first. And test it out.

He grinned, fingers sliding over Graham's skin. Graham smiled, rubbed against him.

"You ready for a night of perversion, G?"

"We didn't have one already?" Little tease.

"Oh, that was just a little kinky. I'm talking hard-core perversion here." He was going to make
his lover fly.

God, he loved what hunger did to Graham's face -- made it leaner, flushed. It made them both
hard.

He rolled them lazily, putting Graham beneath him, that skin so much better than the hotel
sheets. "I have plans for you, remember?"

"I remember." Graham's legs spread, wrapped around his waist.

God, he loved that eagerness, that need. He fed off it. Pressing their mouths together, he took a
hard kiss; he gave Graham what they both wanted, needed. Graham hummed, singing for him, or
beginning to.

He rubbed, letting their bodies move together. It got them both revved up a little. Graham's teeth
stung his lips, fingertips digging into his shoulders. That got them revved up more than a little.

"You want it?" he asked, gazing into Graham's eyes.

"Want what? I want you."

"You want my perverted ass? I'm just checking." He winked and thrust, their cocks sliding
together and sending electricity shooting through his body.

Just the Right Notes - 126

"I do. I always will." The words were serious.

"Good." He met Graham's gaze, just as serious as his lover. This was important. "Good."

Graham's fingers stroked his face, touching carefully. He turned his head to nip at the fingers,
sucking two into his mouth.

"El!" There was his lover, his needy boy.

He bit the tips and then sucked harder, pulling Graham's fingers in deeper. Graham tasted so
good.

"El. Sir. Love. Fuck."

The babbled words made him chuckle. He could only imagine what Graham was going to sound
like when they really got going. He let the fingers slip from his mouth and rolled off of Graham.
"Go ahead, G. Prepare yourself for me."

He watched as Graham spread, unashamed, wanton. He shifted so he had a better view of the
long, talented fingers as they pushed into Graham's body. His own fingers wrapped around his
prick and he jacked himself lazily. God, he could watch that all night long.

"That's mine." Oh, someone was getting pushy.

Elliot chuckled. "No, I'm pretty sure it's mine." He spread some and stroked himself a little
harder, a bit faster.

"Nope. It belongs to me."

God, that possessive want was sexy. "Prove it."

Graham surged up, pushing him over, straddling him all in one graceful movement. "Mine."

Fuck, yes. "Take it, G. Take me. I know you're ready for me."

"Yes. Fuck. I need you." Graham shifted down, ass wet and ready for him.

He didn't grab Graham's hips like he normally would -- Elliot let his lover take what was needed,
what was his. They both needed this right here, right now.

"You came for me." The words were moaned out.

"I did." He'd had to. For both of them. He'd do it again and again, as long as he had to, so they
could stay together.

"Thank you. You're my heart."

Just the Right Notes - 127

He melted at that, at Graham's words, the sentiment, the emotions he knew were true and deeply
felt. Well, not all of him melted; his cock was still very much hard as it penetrated Graham
deeply.

Graham began to move, riding his prick easily, bouncing up and down. He reached up and
flicked one of Graham's nipples. He should have bought some clamps while he was out.

"I was going to have them pierced in Albuquerque."

"You still can."

God, if Graham did, they'd always be there to drive them both crazy.

"I chickened out. I couldn't." Graham's ass squeezed him tight.

"You wouldn't chicken out if I was with you." He wasn't sure why they were still talking,
actually. Graham's ass deserved his full attention, no matter how sexy the thought of G with
nipple piercings was.

"Uh... Uh-huh." Graham leaned forward, hands on his chest.

His own hands slid around and grabbed Graham's ass. He reached, fingers feeling where
Graham's ass was stretched around his cock. It was so hot where their bodies joined. It was like
magic.

"Elliot..." Someone was paying attention.

"Yeah, G?" He grinned up, feeling hot, sexy, and wild.

"I feel that."

He hoped so.

"Yeah, me, too." He touched his own cock, feeling it as Graham's ass moved on it. Graham's butt
cheek landed on his fingers, skin so smooth and hot.

"R...remember. That's mine."

He laughed. "It is! You've claimed it."

Graham smiled at him, so focused, so happy.

"Come on, G, faster. I want to feel you come on my cock."

"Bossy man." Graham started moving faster, though. Obeying.

Just the Right Notes - 128

"Uh-huh. Just how you like me." He groaned, his hands finding Graham's hips and wrapping
around them. He'd let Graham have his way long enough. He brought his lover down hard.
"Pervy and bossy."

"And here. And happy."

"Yeah. Yeah, here. Yours. Happy. Come on, G. Give it to me."

Graham chuckled, squeezed his cock so tight he gasped.

"Fucking love you."

At his words, heat spread over his belly, Graham grunting as he shot. Graham looked amazing in
orgasm, the pleasure clear across his face. Elliot gave himself over to it and came, too.

"Love." Graham hummed softly, collapsing and snuggling into his chest.

Elliot ran his fingers from Graham's ass, up along his spine to his head, and then back down
again. "Yours," he said softly.

"Yes." Graham nodded, fingers sliding down his side.

He nuzzled Graham's neck. "I have a plug for you, G. I think you're going to like it a lot. We're
just lucky you have tomorrow off."

"Are we?" Graham stretched, swallowed for him.

He slid his hands up along the slender body, admiring Graham with everything he was. "We are.
I'd hate to think of you trying to play with it vibrating inside you..."

That tight little ass jerked around him.

"Yeah, you like that." His G was up for pretty much anything.

"Like you. I miss the cabin, you know? Our time there."

He nodded. It was all well and good to be kinky, to play, but at the cabin there was... they could
sink into it. They could revel in it, for days.

"Soon, huh? Once this tour is over." Just the two of them, the cabin, and as much sex as they
could stand. As much reconnecting as they both needed.

"Yeah. Yeah, I want that."

Just the Right Notes - 129

"Don't let that pushy director talk you into signing on for extra dates, 'kay? I don't mind
following you like this, but I'm ready for you to be done." More than ready.

"I promise, El. If we're good, budget-wise, I want to go home."

"Don't worry about the money -- we'll make it work." He wasn't putting Graham through this
again, not if he had to bag fucking groceries until he got some freelance money in. Not if he had
to bag fucking groceries for the rest of his life.

"I. Okay." Graham smiled, even as his cock slipped from the tight sheath. "I love you, huh?"

"I know. I count on that every single day."

"Good." Graham settled down against him again, moving in close.

They cuddled for awhile longer before he squeezed Graham and broke the silence. "You see the
bag over there next to my carry-on?" He pointed in the general direction. He'd washed the dildo
and returned it, wrapped in a washcloth, to the bag from the adult shop.

There was lube in there, too, so they were all set.

"Uh-huh." Graham nodded but didn't move.

He nudged his lover. "That was a hint for you to go get it."

"Was it?" Little shit.

He pinched Graham's bottom.

"Ow!" Graham wiggled. "Do it again!"

Laughing, he slapped Graham's ass.

"Mmm." Graham's hips rolled up, bucked toward him.

He stopped spanking and shook his head; Graham sure didn't make it easy -- anything could be
pleasure instead of punishment, especially when it came to that magnificent ass. "Go get the bag,
G."

"Okay. Okay, El." Graham was breathing harder.

He looked into Graham's eyes and tried for stern. "Now, G."

"You going to make me call you sir?"

"If you don't get your ass moving right this second, I will."

Just the Right Notes - 130

Graham's eyes got sharp, then that tight, fine butt shook, side to side.

"That's it. You'll call me 'sir' until you go back to work the day after tomorrow, and you'll go get
me that bag now."

Elliot could read when Graham was pushing for what he needed, especially when his lover lit it
up in neon lights.

Graham got a stubborn set to his jaw, proof of how much Graham needed him. "Or what?"

"Or I won't touch you until you get back from work the day after tomorrow."

"I'll get the bag." Graham actually pulled away, brought him the bag, and then headed toward the
bathroom. "I'm going to clean up."

"Stop right there."

Graham stopped, arms wrapped around his middle.

"Come here."

Graham looked at him, took a couple of steps closer to the bed.

"I think someone needs a fucking good spanking."

"I just..." Graham scooted a step closer.

"You just what?"

"I'm fine."

"There's two things wrong with that. First of all, you forgot the 'sir.' Second of all, I don't believe
you're fine."

Graham stared at him, shaking, cracks starting to show in that veneer of Very Brave Graham.

"Get your ass over here, G. Right now." He sat up and patted his lap.

"I'm sorry." Graham stepped forward, cheeks flushed dark.

"Sir."

Graham groaned. "I'm sorry, sir."

Just the Right Notes - 131

Good. He knew Graham needed to say it, needed to find that space. "That's right. And you don't
need to apologize, just assume the position."

"I don't want you to spank me." That might be so, but Graham needed it.

"You aren't the one who gets to choose that. Now, get your ass over my lap."

Graham shook his head but moved, draped himself over Elliot's lap, shaking hard.

He rubbed Graham's ass. "Love you so much, G. You're my world."

"I'm trying, sir. So hard."

"I know, G. I know. And I've got you. I so do. Count for me."

He let his hand fly.

Just the Right Notes - 132

Chapter Fifteen

"Look at the neck on that thing." Graham shook his head, shading his eyes from the sun as he
craned his own neck back to look at the giraffe.

"Isn't it awesome?" Elliot grinned, beaming up at the tall animal. "They're just amazing."

"They are. Can you imagine being the first person who saw one?"

"That would have been so cool. I wonder if you could domesticate them, ride them like horses."
It sounded like Elliot was seriously wondering.

He pondered that. "I don't think so. The physics would be...weird."

Elliot laughed and bumped shoulders with him. "I'd want to try anyway. God, that's a beautiful
animal."

"I like the big cats best, but yeah. Yeah, I hear you."

"The big cats are slinky and sexy. Like a certain musician I know."

"No." He shook his head. "They're sleek and strong, like you."

"Yeah? I like that." Elliot glanced around and then gave him a quick kiss.

He leaned for a second, his sore and full ass and bound cock reminding him that they didn't need
any encouragement.

Elliot knew, too, an evil smile tugging up the corners of his lover's lips just before Elliot swatted
his ass.

"Stop it." He rumbled softly.

A chuckle was his only answer.

"Monkeys next? Or zebras?"

"You don't want to stay here and admire the giraffes some more?" Elliot had gone back to
looking up at the animal.

"Sure." He liked giraffes well enough, so long as the swatting and kissing stayed at a minimum.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Elliot slipped his hand into his pocket, and suddenly the plug in
Graham's ass began to vibrate.

He stepped away, eyes wide. "El. Stop it. Fuck."

Just the Right Notes - 133

The vibrations continued. El's smile was so very wicked. He stepped away, hoping the remote
wouldn't work at a distance. The vibrations sped up.

"El. El, you have to..." God. Jesus. Fuck.

"Just relax, G. Pretend everything is normal."

He shook his head. "I can't."

"Then lean against the fence. I'm not ready to stop it yet."

"Elliot, this is..." He leaned hard against the fence, heart pounding.

Elliot moved to stand beside him, warm, solid. "You can do this, G."

"What if I can't?"

"You can." Elliot sounded so very sure. His eyes weren't wicked anymore; now they were hot,
admiring.

"This is insane." And hot. Incredibly hot.

"Maybe. You're loving it, though."

Smug bastard.

"Fuck you, lover." He could be smug, too. Right?

"Maybe when we get back to the hotel."

"It's going to make me insane by then." His hands tightened on the fence.

Elliot chuckled, and the vibrating slowed, then finally stopped. "I never intended to keep it
vibrating that long. Let's just say it'll come and go."

"You're an evil bastard." He was breathing hard, sweating.

"Maybe, but I'm your evil bastard."

He nodded, smiled, then squeezed Elliot's fingers. "Thank God."

Elliot laughed. "Come on, let's go see those cats before I get the urge to play with the on button
some more."

God, no. No on buttons.

Just the Right Notes - 134

He was already a mess.

They wandered over to the big cats, Elliot putting his hand in his pocket every couple of minutes.

"Stop it." He was going to go crazy.

"What? I haven't done anything." No, but Elliot was threatening to.

"Hands on your hips. This is a public place."

Elliot laughed, bumped their hips together. "I haven't touched you."

"Hands on your hips, you naughty man." He couldn't stop grinning.

"These hips?" Elliot's hand slipped into his pocket and the vibrations hummed for two, maybe
three seconds.

"Ou...out of the pockets."

"You're asking a lot, you know that? Hands on your hips, hands out of your pockets. Bossy,
bossy, bossy." Elliot gave him a wink, a half grin.

"That's me. Bossy, bossy." They continued walking, heading toward the little park with the
flamingos.

"Do you think it's wise that they put the flamingos so close to the lions and tigers and other big
cats? Isn't that, like, teasing them or something?"

"I don't know. Probably, but they pay people who know way more about animals than us, huh?"

"True, true. Hey, you think I could become a giraffe keeper? It probably pays better than my
current bankrupt ass is worth."

He turned around, temper flaring. "Don't say things like that. Just don't."

Elliot's eyes widened. "What? I was just joking."

He started to snarl again, then took a deep breath. "Sorry. Sorry, El. I just... You're so important
to me, and I want you to know that."

Elliot's expression softened, and his lover grabbed his hand, led him toward a little building with
a bathroom sign on it. The sudden change in direction was so surprising that he didn't even
hesitate, he just followed.

Just the Right Notes - 135

Elliot didn't stop until they were in the little bathroom, his back pressed up against the door.
"You're important to me, too, Graham. You're everything."

"I need you to remember that. This. Us. It's not about money."

"I know that. I guess I just get bitter now and then that everything I worked so hard for turned to
dust."

"Not everything."

Elliot kissed him hard. "No, not everything. Not the most important thing."

Graham pressed close. "That's right. We made it."

"Yeah, we did."

The plug suddenly began vibrating again.

Graham swallowed hard, hips jerking into Elliot. "El!"

"Yeah, G?" Elliot gave him a shit-eating grin.

"I... Please. That's so big."

"You want to go somewhere and have lunch? Might be easier if you're sitting down." Elliot
didn't say he was going to stop.

"Will it make noise against the seat?" He would not embarrass himself.

"Not if we go somewhere with nicely cushioned chairs." The vibrations stopped, and Elliot gave
him a quick kiss before fixing his hair.

"Okay." He nodded and offered Elliot a smile, trusting that his lover, his heart, his home, had his
back.

They headed out, Elliot seeming to know where he was going. Behind them, the lions were
roaring.

"Apparently there's a quiet, ritzy little restaurant around the block from the zoo entrance. We
should be there between the lunch and supper rush." Elliot gave him a hot look. "Nice and
private."

"Private is good." He heard the sound of some big bird, and it swooped in and around the sounds
of the cats and the odd music from the zoo speakers.

Oh.

Just the Right Notes - 136

Oh.

"Paper."

"Scissors."

"No. Now. Please. You have to have something." He took the pen from Elliot's pocket. "Hurry
before I lose it."

"Oh." Elliot patted himself down and came up with a couple of receipts from his back pocket.

"Thank you." He scribbled out a few bars, a couple of notes to remember this, the mixture of
sounds -- natural and manmade.

Elliot leaned against the fence to the elephant enclosure, waiting patiently. There was no teasing,
no making the vibrator go, nothing from his lover to distract him.

He got what he needed, then looked over at his lover, beaming. "New music."

"You amaze me, G. Truly, truly amaze me."

"It's just..." He shrugged, happy, deep down. "Who I am."

Elliot nodded. "Yep. My amazing man -- that's who you are."

Elliot grabbed his hand, and they walked out of the zoo together, his lover not seeming to care
who might see them holding hands. "Did you want me to carry that for you? You never check
your pockets before sending things to the laundry."

"Yeah. That would be fabulous." He handed the paper over as they headed out of the zoo.

Elliot slid it into his pocket, the one with the fucking remote in it, and sure enough, the vibrator
buzzed inside him for several seconds.

He moaned, stumbling forward a little and shaking his head. "Evil bastard."

Elliot just laughed, and Graham was caught in the joy there, directed right at him.

He reached out, took Elliot's hand, and stepped off the curb, Elliot right behind. He'd turned to
tell his lover about the way the bassoons were going to play the lion's voice when he saw a look
he'd never seen in Elliot's eyes before.

Panic.

Then the world went black.

Just the Right Notes - 137

Chapter Sixteen

Elliot's head hurt.

His arm hurt, too. It was broken.

It didn't matter, though. None of that mattered because Graham was lying, pale and unconscious,
in a hospital bed with machines and tubes, and he hadn't woken up since the accident.

Elliot sat in the chair next to Graham's bed, holding his lover's hand and trying, by sheer force of
will, to get Graham to open his eyes.

Nothing. There was nothing. No motion, no sense. Nothing.

He put his head back against the chair and sighed.

Graham would wake up. He would. Elliot had to believe that.

"Elliot?" One of the little twink woodwind players cleared his throat. "Do you need anything?"

Yes. For Graham to wake up.

He shook his head, though.

"Are you sure? There's a vigil for him tonight. Press and stuff."

That had him sitting up in a hurry, his head screaming at him for it. "A vigil? He's not dead, you
know."

"We know, but... I'll tell Roger you're in here. The company wants to do stuff, I'm sure."

"Do stuff? What do you mean, do stuff? Just leave us alone." He couldn't believe this. His baby
was... somewhere else, and the company wanted to 'do stuff'? "Please. Before I get agitated. The
nurses don't like it when I get agitated."

"Sure. Sure. If he wakes up..." The twink waved one hand.

"When." Elliot glared. He was about to start growling and getting nasty.

The kid shrugged, sighed. "How are his hands?"

He stared him down. "I asked you to get out of here. Do it."

Damn it. Vultures. Assholes. His Graham was lying there unconscious, and all they cared about
were those talented hands. He didn't care about Graham's work, about the music. He cared about
his lover. He always had.

Just the Right Notes - 138

He stared until the kid left, and then he turned back to his Graham. His beautiful, dear lover. His
beautiful, quiet, stubborn baby. He moved to sit on the side of the bed, took Graham's hand
again. "Come on, G. I need you."

Graham's fingers were still, cold. He held them in his, willing warmth to come into them, willing
Graham to be better, to be well.

The accident played through his mind again. He could remember that beautiful, bright face,
Graham laughing. They were talking about something silly, and then he'd looked up and there
was that van, barreling down on them. On Graham.

It had been a city van, and the driver hadn't even seen them. He could still see it hitting Graham,
every time he closed his eyes. A shudder moved through him.

"Elliot? I came as soon as I could get a flight." Graham's manager, agent, and oldest friend came
in, arms filled with flowers, two huge cups of coffee, and one of those iPod stereo set-ups. He
got a worried smile, Janie looking frazzled and exhausted. "How're you? What can I do? Has he
woken up yet?"

Oh, it was nice to have someone here who cared about Graham himself.

He got up and helped relieve her of the flowers and the iPod, then gave her a hug. "No. No, he
hasn't woken up yet. Maybe hearing your voice will do the trick -- tell him if he doesn't wake up,
you'll sign him up for another one of these dreadful tours he hates so much."

"Anything." She kissed his cheek. "We'll make it better, Elliot. I promise."

"Yes. We will." He hugged her once more. "It's about time someone showed up and said that."

"I mean it. I brought music for him, coffee for you, and my laptop. I'll get on the insurance and
on the city now. He'll have the best doctors available. How are you?"

"Exhausted -- I was ready for the second shift to show up."

"Do you have a room here?"

"Nope. They cleared me after they put the cast on. And don't bother trying to get me go to a hotel
or anything -- I'm not leaving his side." The chairs weren't that uncomfortable.

"Okay, but they need to put you in a... a decent chair, huh?"

"They've got better chairs than this? You want to see what you can do for me?" He knew one of
Graham's favorite things about Janie was how she got things done.

Just the Right Notes - 139

"Yes. Have you eaten? Do you need pain meds?" She pushed one of the coffees in his hand and
headed out the door. "I need to speak to who's in charge here!"

He didn't bother answering any of her questions, just called out a "Thank you" and let her go.

He eased himself down, breathing in the good scent of fine coffee. Janie was here. He had
backup. Which meant he could concentrate on making Graham wake up and get better.

"Okay, G. It's time for you to stop this and come back to me." He knew that Graham was in
there. The doctors said that Graham had some trauma, but the swelling was down, the bleeding
had stopped. He rubbed Graham's hand. "I'm not going to leave you until you wake up. I'm going
to haunt you."

One of Graham's legs was broken, one shoulder, and they'd sewn up what seemed like acres of
skin. When Graham finally woke up, there was going to be a heavy recovery period, lots of
physio -- but Elliot was going to see his lover through it.

He was going to take his baby home, take him to the cabin. Love him. He couldn't think of
anything else that mattered.

***

Elliot looked out the window of Graham's hospital room. It was raining. It seemed fitting, really.
The gloomy day matched his mood.

His lover was still comatose.

The doctors assured him Graham would wake when his lover was ready. Well, Elliot was ready.
Elliot was past ready. He wanted Graham back, damn it. He turned from the window to glare at
Graham's still, pale form. "You hear that, G? I want you back. Now."

They had played audio books, music, the TV constantly, barraging Graham with input. It was
time. He went his iPod and found the last piece Graham had created. He hit play. He was pretty
sure he knew this one by heart.

"Maybe I should go record the zoo for you, G. The sounds there had you excited when we left,
didn't they?"

Was that a twitch?

He moved to sit on the edge of Graham's bed, close enough that their hips touched. He took
Graham's hand in his. "You remember the zoo?" He leaned in and chuckled. "You remember the
plug?" Graham would have been so embarrassed if he'd been conscious when the nurses had
found that.

Just the Right Notes - 140

Hell, he'd been embarrassed after, and Janie had threatened to beat him when she found out
about it.

It had been worth it, though, to watch Graham try and walk, try and act normal... God, his lover
was amazing, beautiful, sexy. "And not conscious yet. You bad boy." He leaned in again. "As
soon as you're well enough, we're going to the cabin, and I'm going to beat you for making me
worry so much."

That was a twitch in those brilliant fingers. He knew it.

"That's right, G. You're coming back to me, and you're going to pay for each and every second in
the best possible ways." He needed that. He needed Graham back. He needed those long fingers
to make music. He needed those beautiful eyes to cling to him. He needed Graham. Period.

He needed to know that someone on earth loved him more than anything, needed him, wanted
him.

"You remember the zoo, G? You remember indulging me at the giraffes?"

Graham's vitals were speeding.

"You do remember that. And then we left to go to lunch. There were lions and elephants and
birds, and you just had to write something down. You remember that? Remember how I saved
you by having something you could write on?"

Graham's lips parted, just for a second.

"That's right. I know you can hear it. I know you can. Do you want some paper and a pen, G?
Did you want to get it down?" Damn it, Graham, open your eyes!

"Sss..."

There. There, come on, baby. Come back. "Listen to the music, Graham. You can do it. You can
do it." He rubbed Graham's chest, touching his lover.

"Ssss...sir."

"That's right! Come on, G. You open your eyes. You open them now."

Graham groaned, head tossing.

"No, no. Shh. Don't be getting too worked up, or the nurses'll be all over us, and I want my first
moments with you awake and aware with me. So come on. Open your eyes, you beautiful son of
a bitch."

"S...sir. Sir. Sir."

Just the Right Notes - 141

"Yes, G. Right here. Open your eyes for me."

Graham groaned, eyelashes fluttering.

Yes.

Fuck, yes.

"All right, Graham. I'm not going to ask anymore. This time, it's an order. Open your eyes and
look at me!"

Those beautiful eyes popped open, focused on him for a second, saw him. Elliot laughed, he
beamed and he laughed, his eyes own welling. It didn't last, but it didn't matter. Didn't have to.
Graham was in there.

"You're going to be okay," he murmured. "Everything's going to be just fine."

He knew it. He'd seen it in his lover's eyes.

Just the Right Notes - 142

Chapter Seventeen

He blinked, trying to focus, trying to see.

He.

Wait.

Something warm stroked his hand. "Graham. Look at me."

"El..." He groaned. He knew that voice.

El gave a laugh that kind of sounded like his Elliot was crying. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm here, Graham."

"El. Hur..." So bad. He hurt. He hurt.

"I know. I've pressed the button for the nurse -- she's got the good drugs, I'm sure. Do you
remember what happened?"

He tried to shake his head, but that was unbearable. "No. No, I don't... Where are we?"

"Shh, don't move, G. We're in the hospital. In Chicago. You remember the zoo?"

"The..." He tried to remember, tried to remember the zoo. No. No, he was in music, not the zoo.

"We were just leaving, going to lunch. We got hit."

"Hit? By an animal?"

"Um. No, by a truck. When we left the zoo. You really don't remember?"

A truck?

Weird.

What was the truck doing in the zoo?

Elliot squeezed his hand. "Do you remember coming to Chicago on the tour?"

"I... I was playing music."

"On tour. Lead violin. I came on tour with you?"

"Yes. I smoked."

Elliot chuckled. "Yeah. You did. Guess what -- you quit again."

Just the Right Notes - 143

"Okay." He was too tired to argue.

"Can you open your eyes and look at me, G?"

He frowned, eyes cracking open. "You 'kay?"

"I'm fine. Just worried about you." Elliot's face appeared above him, dark circles under his eyes.

"Look... look tired." He hurt, so bad. "Take me home."

"Soon, G. I swear. You work on getting better, and I'll-- Oh, hi. Graham, the nurse is here to
check you out."

He nodded, whimpering again as pain shot through his skull. "Hurts."

"Okay. Okay, man. You just breathe, huh? Let's check you out."

That sounded incredibly painful.

Elliot still had his hand, and squeezed it. "She'll give you something for the pain, love. Just as
soon as she can."

"First, we need to make sure that you're all here, hmm?"

He frowned. "Course I'm here."

"Of course you are, G. She just wants to make sure you remember the year and all that shit. Like
on that hospital dramas we like to laugh at."

"I hurt. My back. Am I okay?"

"You're going to be just fine. You're in the right place, right?" She sounded so cheerful. "Do you
know what year it is?"

"2009. Why does my back hurt?"

"Do you remember the accident at all? It's why your back hurts, and you hurting is a good sign,
by the way." She was still making with the cheerful.

"No. No, I remember... music."

"Music?" He could hear the frown in her voice.

Just the Right Notes - 144

"Yeah, there was music." Elliot broke in, explained. "Just before we left the zoo. There were
some birds and a lion, the elephants, too, I think. Graham asked me for some paper to write on,
before he lost it. He's a composer and a musician, so music is good, it's important."

"Okay. Do you know where you are?"

"Hospital."

"Do you know what city?"

"D...Detroit? San Diego? Chicago?"

"I'm going to call the doctor."

"He's been on a tour," Elliot interrupted again. "He was in Detroit, on his way to San Diego after
he finished here. They're doing a tour of the States. I'm not sure he knew what city he was in
before the accident. You know that old thing -- it's Tuesday, it must be Rome?"

"Ah, yes. Still, the neurologist should see him, hmm?"

"Can you give him anything for the pain before you go? I mean, he just woke up, he's hurting, is
it any wonder he's confused?"

"I'm sorry. I can't. I don't have that authority. I can have the doctor in here ASAP, though."

"All right. I'm holding you to that ASAP. My partner is hurting and I won't have it." Elliot was
using his Dom voice.

"I'll be right back."

Graham managed to get his eyes open again, just a crack. "Take me to the cabin. I want to go
home."

"I know, G. I know." Elliot smiled at him, but it wasn't a real Elliot smile. It was haunted and
worried.

"Now. Now, El. Please." He didn't like it when Elliot wasn't sure.

"It would hurt too much getting you there. And not the right kind of hurt, you know? Let's see
what the doctor says, okay? He'll be here any minute, and then we'll get everything figured out."

"Please, Elliot. I'm fucking scared."

"Oh, that won't do." Elliot kissed him so softly. This time, the smile he got was far more real.
"You are going to be fine. It might not be on our schedule, but we will go back to the cabin just
as soon as we can. So you hold on to that." Elliot squeezed his hand. "You hold on to me."

Just the Right Notes - 145

"Our schedule? Do I have to play tomorrow?" He was so fucking confused.

"You don't have to play tomorrow, G. They've let you out of the contract for the rest of the tour.
As soon as you're released, you get to come home."

"Can I?" No. No, he couldn't. He had to work. He had to make money for them. Tears slipped
from his eyes, his heart suddenly broken. He wasn't ever going home. Never.

"Shh. Graham. Love. Stop this. It's fine, everything is fine. You're okay. We'll be home soon, and
then at the cabin, I promise." Elliot's fingers slid over his cheeks, wiping away the tears.

"Love you. So much."

"I love you, too, Graham. Everything's going to be all right, I swear it."

He didn't believe it, but he didn't have the energy to argue. Not right now.

***

The neurologist finally showed up, but he kicked Elliot out of the room while he did his
examination. Elliot paced the hall outside of Graham's room, determined to catch the man as
soon as he came out.

Janie came over, frowning. "Elliot? Is he okay?"

"I don't know! He's having trouble remembering stuff from right before the accident. The
neurologist is in there with him. They kicked me out." He needed to be in there with Graham.

"He's awake, though? Really?" She grabbed him, kissed him.

"He's awake, he's hurting, he's confused." He was too worried to share her joy.

"He knew you, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, he did." Elliot nodded. And he'd known what year it was, knew the music was
important. Hell, he'd talked about the cabin, about needing to go there. Those were good things.

"Okay, then." Janie nodded. "He knew you, the rest will come."

Of all of Graham's business associates, Janie was the one, the one that cared for Graham the
man.

He looked into her face and saw that she believed it. She wasn't blowing smoke up his ass just to
make him happy. He nodded. "He knew me. He knew our life together."

Just the Right Notes - 146

"That's so good, Elliot. So good. As soon as it's safe, we're going to get you two home. I have a
lawyer working with the city's insurance. Our travel insurance is kicking in, too. You'll make it."

"I sure hope so, Janie. You know we can't afford a whole lot of medical bills right now." It felt
good to have that out there, and to know that Janie was taking care of that angle for them. He
didn't even care right now that he couldn't provide for Graham -- someone could, and that was all
that mattered. He hadn't even realized that a part of his brain had been worrying over it.

"No. No, baby. You listen. This is completely not your fault. No cost. I'm going to get the
medical bills, the recovery, his salary, pain and suffering, damages. Everything."

"Have I ever told you I love you?"

"Not enough, you beautiful bastard." She squeezed his hand.

He squeezed back. "I'm glad you're here." It let him focus completely on Graham.

"I'll stay as long as you need me."

"It might be a while, hon. You might not want to make that promise."

"No. We'll get him well enough; then we'll put him in a cushy van, and I'll call Tony. The three
of us will drive him home."

"You're brilliant, you know that?" Tony was Janie's husband, a great big bear of a man with the
sweetest disposition.

"I do. Can't you, like, barge in?"

"They kicked me out." Ages ago. What was taking so long? "They should be done by now,
though." They had to be.

"Well, Mr. Man. Go!"

"Nice pep talk." He snorted, but went ahead and pushed through the door to Graham's room.

He walked right into the doctor, a tall, grumpy-looking redhead. "You must be the partner."

"Yes. I am. What's up with Graham?" He could do grumpy himself. And stubborn. And insistent
that he be told what was going on with his lover.

"He's got some trauma, mostly confusion, but no long-term brain damage that we can see. I've
got his pain meds started. He'll probably need some surgery on that shoulder, but that's not my
area."

"Can I take him home, have our own doctor take care of him?"

Just the Right Notes - 147

"Where's home?"

He told the doctor where they lived before adding, "His manager and I are prepared to drive him
home in luxury."

"That's a drive. I'd really want to speak to a surgeon first, see if he can wait for the surgery."

"All right. We'll do that." Elliot wasn't going to risk taking Graham home without a doctor's
approval. He did want to get things moving along, though. Graham needed to be home.

"I'll have a specialist come in. He should be comfortable soon."

"Thank you. And by soon, you mean this morning sometime?" He wasn't letting Graham fall
through any cracks.

"By soon, I mean within the next few minutes."

"Excellent. Thank you again." He shook the man's hand and then turned his attention to his lover,
heading for Graham's side.

Graham's head was shaking side to side, soft moans filling the air.

"G!" He cupped Graham's cheeks, stopping the movements. "What's the matter?"

"I'm dizzy. I want to go home. I'm never going to be able to go home."

The nurse smiled at him. "It's the painkillers. He's disoriented."

Elliot sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed Graham's hand. "G. Baby, look at me. It's Elliot, I'm
right here." He hated this, hated that Graham was hurt, hated even more that his lover was
scared.

"I don't want to do this anymore."

"It's all going to be okay, G. Just hold onto my hand." Elliot turned to the nurse. "Have the
painkillers not kicked in yet? Or are they not doing anything for him aside from making him
disoriented?"

"They should be working. His inhibitions are low, so he's more frightened now. Less controlled."

"Graham," Elliot called softly. "Are you still hurting?"

"I'm dizzy."

Just the Right Notes - 148

"That's the pain medication -- it's going to make everything fuzzy. Which is better than hurting,
right?"

"I want to go home, El." Graham was beginning to relax, breath slowing.

"I know, G. That's what I want, too. We've gotta let the docs do their stuff, though, okay? Make
sure you're all better."

"My shoulder doesn't move." No, and neither did the one leg, because, Jesus.

"You were hit by a van, love. You're going to have to heal."

"My violin..."

"Is safe. It wasn't with us when you were hit." Thank God for small mercies.

The tears started again, slow and steady, pouring down Graham's cheeks.

Christ, he couldn't take the tears. "Graham, love. It's okay. The violin is safe."

"I know. I know. I heard you." Graham reached for him, hand shaking.

He pressed closer, guided Graham's hand to his cheek. "Right here, love."

Graham settled, hummed softly. "Sir."

He breathed a little easier as Graham calmed. "That's right, G. You just relax and let me take care
of everything."

Those poor eyes cracked open again, looked at him. "Stay here with me."

"I'm not going anywhere. They've found me one of those sleep chairs, and I'm not budging."

"Okay." Graham closed his eyes again, sighed.

Elliot held his own sigh back.

God, he was tired, but today he was also hopeful. Graham was going to get better, they were
going to go home soon.

It was all going to be all right.

***

"No."

Just the Right Notes - 149

"Mr. Willcott, you have to get up, start moving around."

"Leave me the fuck alone."

Three surgeries. An infection. Graham had been in this fucking place for twelve days, and he
wasn't going to get up. He hurt.

"Come on, Graham. You want to get out of here, don't you?"

"Leave me alone!" He wasn't going to be reasonable anymore!

"No, I will not. I promised you I would stay with you until you're out of here, and that's what I'm
going to do." Elliot glared at him. "That's not going to happen if you don't do the things you need
to do for your recovery."

"Fuck you. Fuck you all! Assholes!"

"Graham!" Elliot snapped out his name like a whip.

The nurse chuckled, winked at him. "Man, I love recovery."

"This is normal, is it?" Elliot asked, sparing the nurse a brief glance.

"Oh, yeah."

"Don't fucking talk about me like I'm not here!" He hated this. Hated it.

Elliot came and sat next to him, taking his hand. "Don't be such an asshole, G."

"Fuck you." Still, he held onto El's hand, tight.

"I'd rather fuck you, G."

"Fuck knows that's never going to happen again."

"Of course it is. You just have to be patient. Which I know is not your forte."

"I hate this. I hate this place."

"I know. And the doctor knows we want to transfer you to home care just as soon as possible."

He closed his eyes. "Then let's go."

"We need the doctors' okay, you know that. And doing the physio and crap that the nurses want
can't hurt."

Just the Right Notes - 150

"Fuck. I just want this to stop." Everything hurt -- from lifting to shifting to standing.

Elliot stroked the back of his hand -- one spot that didn't actually hurt. "It will. You have to give
it time."

"Don't be reasonable, El. I don't want to be reasonable right now."

"You want me to scream? I can scream, Graham. I can shout and push my weight around." Elliot
leaned in and growled into his ear. "I can order you around, G."

"Not here you can't. There's no us here." He didn't even have a him.

Elliot growled at him. "Don't move."

Then his lover went over to the nurse. "I don't suppose we can arrange for a night out, can we?
One night at a ritzy hotel to get his mind off being sick? I'm betting it'll do him a world of good."

"The doctors just need him to cooperate. They'll release him for the drive home if he'll just do
what we need."

"G? You hear that? Do what they want and they'll spring you. They just want a little
cooperation."

He closed his eyes, tried not to simply have a meltdown.

"You can be a prima donna once we get home. I swear."

"Fine. Fine. Whatever it takes." He pushed himself out of the bed, ignoring the screaming of his
muscles.

"There you go!" Elliot clapped his hands. "Good job!"

He snarled, fighting to find his balance, the brace and screws in his leg terrifying him. Elliot's
arm came around his waist, warm and solid.

"Don't. Don't knock me over."

"I'm trying to help keep you upright."

His shoulder was casted, nothing worked, and he didn't know what to do.

"G. Come on, now. Ease up a little. I know this sucks, but it's getting a tiny bit better every day."

"I don't want to. I want to be fucking angry, okay?"

"That's not going to get you out of here."

Just the Right Notes - 151

Graham closed his eyes and pulled into himself. He wasn't going to fight with Elliot. He wasn't
going to do this. He took another step and another, then looked at the nurse. "What else do you
want me to do?"

"How about you get in the chair and I'll take you to physio." She gave him a bright smile and
pushed a wheelchair close.

"Fine." He used his good arm to lower himself down, the other shoulder in pure agony.

Elliot hovered. "I'll come down with you -- learn what needs doing so I can help you at home."

"I'm fine. Go get some rest."

"I'd rather come with you, G." Elliot patted his hand as the nurse wheeled him down the hall.

He closed his eyes and breathed. He was so angry -- not at anything, just in general -- that he
could scream. He wasn't going to, though.

They took the elevator down a couple of floors, Elliot and the nurse making inane small talk.

A photographer popped up as the door open, the camera flashing before the man took off
running.

"Fuck!" Elliot growled and took off after the man.

Graham sighed, closed his eyes, and pulled his robe tighter around him. "Keep going."

"So what was that all about?" the nurse asked him as she pushed him out of the elevator.

He shook his head. "Reporters." He wasn't a household name, but he could be considered famous
in certain circles, he supposed.

"I'll have a talk with reception, see if we can't keep that sort out."

"Thanks." They rolled into a torture chamber with all sorts of equipment.

Before the head torturer had made it over to him, Elliot came back, shaking his head. "I'm sorry,
G. I lost him in the stairwell."

"It doesn't matter."

"Well, it matters to me. God knows what they're going to print with that picture."

"That the terrifying queer asshole musician is broke dick."

Just the Right Notes - 152

Elliot growled loudly. "Stop that, Graham."

He growled back. "Fuck you."

"You're in a good mood." A tiny little lady smiled at him. "Everybody can go. We have work to
do."

"I'll stay. I'd like to know how to help him once we're home." Elliot was so fucking cheerful.

"Are you going to have a therapist at wherever home is?" She wheeled him over to a table with
balls and cones on it. "I'm Marta, by the way."

"Yes, of course. He's having the whole nine yards -- whatever he needs."

"That's good." She pointed to the balls. "You're going to move the balls with your hurt arm, one
at a time, from the bowl to the other."

"You should be able to do that, eh, Graham?" Elliot was so damn... damn... cheerful. Optimist.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move the first ball. God. It hurt.

"Good job!"

He did another, swallowing hard.

"You've got it, G. Well done. We'll have you out of here in no time."

"Two weeks ago, I was one of the premier violinists of our time. Now I'm fucking putting balls
in a bowl. Go. Me."

"Now you're working to get back there again, G. Give it time."

"Stop saying that!"

"No, I won't. You are going to get better."

He picked another ball up, moved it, dropped it on the table where it bounced away. Elliot
reached for it and he snarled. "Stop it. Stop it. I don't want you here, looking at me being
worthless."

"You are not worthless! I want you to stop putting yourself down!"

He picked up a ball in a pure fury, threw it, then screamed as something in his shoulder gave way
and the world went blood red.

Just the Right Notes - 153

Chapter Eighteen

The drive home had taken them forever, simply forever. Even with the three of them driving,
Elliot had thought they'd never get there, never reach their destination. If he never saw another
white line, it would be too soon.

They were here now, though, home. Tony and Janie had helped him get Graham out of the van
and into the house, then into bed. It hadn't been easy, and by then they were all short of temper,
but Graham's manager and her Tony had come through like they always did. Then they'd left,
knowing he and Graham needed the downtime, needed to be home, to reconnect.

Elliot locked the door and opened a few windows to help air the place out. It felt stuffy and
unlived in and that just wouldn't do. This was their home; it should be welcoming, a place where
they wanted to be, wanted to spend time together.

He turned out the lights behind him as he walked through the house, winding up in the kitchen,
where he grabbed a couple of beers out of the fridge before going back to the bedroom where his
lover was.

Graham was sleeping, eyes closed, tears slowly staining the lean cheeks. It broke Elliot's heart.
The trip had been really rough on his lover, but they were here now. Elliot prayed that would
make up for the unending drive; Graham needed something besides the four walls of that
hospital and the daily grind of physical therapy to get better. Graham needed to be here. The
truth was, so did Elliot.

He turned on the stereo, music filling the air, the sounds seeming to relax Graham. It had him
closing his eyes for a moment and imagining he'd just walked in the door to find his lover
waiting for him, violin strings singing out a hello.

Shaking himself, he stripped and tried to decide if he should put pajamas on or something. There
wasn't going to be anyone coming in to check vitals or give Graham pills or anything, though,
not here; he could be naked if he wanted to.

Going with naked, he climbed into the bed on the other side of Graham. Wow. Naked. In a bed.
With his lover. Naked in his bed with his lover. At just this moment, he couldn't ask for anything
more.

Graham looked so tired, so worn, defeated, but this was better than before. This was real.

Elliot closed his own eyes, so tired himself. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been in a
bed and not one of those stupid chair beds that were supposedly comfortable -- maybe for a night
or two when you were too anxious to sleep properly anyway.

Actually, he did remember the last time he'd been in a bed. Janie'd insisted he sleep at the hotel
one night. It had been a disaster -- Graham had been beside himself the next morning, and they'd

Just the Right Notes - 154

nearly had another incident like the one where Graham had reinjured himself during physio. He
didn't want to revisit that. At all. Ever.

"Love you." The words were almost inaudible.

His eyes flew open. "Graham?"

Bloodshot eyes stared at him. "Yeah."

"Hey." He reached out and touched Graham's cheek. He was in bed with his lover; he was in
their bed.

"Hey." Graham swallowed. "Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you."

"I wasn't actually asleep." He gave Graham a soft smile. "Don't know if I can sleep -- this bed's
too comfortable."

"It's good to be home."

"It is, isn't it?" He rubbed Graham's lips with his thumb. Graham sighed softly, nodded. "How
are you feeling? Hungry?" It had been ages since Graham had eaten. He'd spent most of the trip
home drugged out of his gourd. Better that way, Elliot supposed, than awake and cranky and,
worst of all, hurting.

"No. I don't think so."

"Okay. I can wait until breakfast to feed you."

"'Kay." Graham nodded, eyes closing again.

"It's all going to be okay," he whispered. "We're home now."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, G. I swear."

He would do everything in his power to keep that promise. No matter what.

***

He had to go to the bathroom. Graham slipped from the bed, tottering across the room. It was so
far. So far. God, he was tired, too.

"Graham?" Elliot came up behind him. "You okay?"

"I have to piss."

Just the Right Notes - 155

"Why didn't you wake me?" Elliot's hand touched the small of his back.

"You were asleep." He made it to the doorway, leaning hard, panting hard.

"Yes, that's why I suggested that you wake me. Let me help you, love."

The words washed over Graham. He was so tired. So fucking tired.

Elliot got him the rest of the way to the bathroom, helped him move to the pot. The brace held
his shoulder and he sat, shivering, his body feeling shocky. Elliot's hand slid across his good
shoulder, so warm. That made the tears start again, but this time they seemed to help.

"It's okay, G. It's going to be okay." Elliot kept talking softly, touching him, wiping away the
tears from his cheeks.

"I think I need another pill soon." Of course, another pill meant another meal, and he wasn't
hungry.

"I'll get you one after we get you back to bed."

"'Kay." He could handle that. He could. Maybe. Maybe he would just sleep here on the pot.

"You want me to go get you that pill while you're doing your business?"

"Sure. I could just stay here."

"No, you can't -- you'd fall off and break something new." Elliot kissed the top of his head. "And
I want you whole. The sooner, the better."

He nodded, sighed. "I agree."

"Good." He got another kiss. "Okay, I'll be right back."

He managed to use the restroom, get himself cleaned up, get himself moving before Elliot got
back with his pill, a drink, and a sandwich.

"Look at you, motoring along."

"Yeah, I'm a trooper."

Elliot put the stuff down on the side table and came back to help him the rest of the way to the
bed. "If you're going to be a trooper, do you think it could be a state trooper, complete with sexy
uniform?"

"No. I get in enough trouble without the dangerous job."

Just the Right Notes - 156

Elliot laughed, the sound surprising, but good.

He looked over, tried to smile. "It's good to be home."

"It is, G. You're tired now and hurting, but you'll see in the morning. It'll seem so much better
than it was."

Elliot got him into bed, sitting back against a bunch of pillows.

"I'm sorry about the tour. I tried."

"I'm sorry, too, G. If I hadn't screwed up the business, you wouldn't have had to go on it, and
then you wouldn't have gotten hurt." Elliot sat and handed over the sandwich.

He pushed the sandwich away. "Stop it. I'm wallowing. You aren't allowed to."

"Maybe we should both stop wallowing and just get you better?" Elliot pushed the sandwich
back. "You can't have the pill if you don't eat anything."

"They're my pills." He took the sandwich, though.

"They say 'take with food' on them, love. They're not going to help you any if you're throwing up
from them.

He nodded. "You want half?"

"Sure. As long as you eat all of the other half." Pushy bastard.

It really looked good. Really smelled good, too. "I love peanut butter."

"I put that nice jam on it, too."

Graham took a bite, the act of chewing almost too much.

"Good job, love. Just a few more bites."

"I'm tired. You know? So tired. You must be, too. So tired of me."

Elliot shook his head. "I'm tired, yeah, but not of you. I just want you well again."

"Me, too." He ate another bite. "Me, too. I can't... It's like it's not my body."

"You'll get back to yourself. It'll be easier now that we're home."

"I hope so." He put the sandwich down, leaned as best he could against Elliot.

Just the Right Notes - 157

Elliot handed over a pill and the glass of water.

"Thank you." He took them both, swallowing the pill. This was weird. Awkward. Wrong.

"Okay, let's get you settled back down, hmm?"

"Okay." He nodded, took a deep breath as Elliot helped him.

Elliot got him lying down again, pillow under his head, covers pulled up around him. "Let the
pill kick in, yeah? It'll help you get back to sleep."

"Talk to me?" He looked at El, smiled. "We're home."

"We are." Elliot lay down next to him, close enough to touch him without crowding him. "We're
home, and everything's going to be better because of it. Your kitchen and your studio are right
here. Our bed." Elliot laughed softly. "God, our bed."

"Yes. Real music."

"That's right. You want me to put some on to sleep by?"

"Yeah. Telemann. The Suite in A Minor, please."

"You got it, G." Elliot kissed the side of his mouth and then went over to the iPod where it sat in
its stand of speakers, and the opening notes sounded.

The sound made him moan with pure pleasure. Home. Home, home, home.

Elliot chuckled and crawled back into bed. "You sound like you're having sex."

"I'm glad to be home."

"Yeah, me, too." Elliot's hand slid over his skin, petting and touching. Then Elliot's fingers
brushed the skin beneath his eyes. "You should sleep now, G. Rest. You need it."

"I do." For the first time in weeks, he thought he could.

Elliot leaned in to kiss him again, just a simple kiss on his lips. "I love you, G."

He nodded, smiled. Then he was asleep.

***

Just the Right Notes - 158

Elliot didn't want to wake up. He was warm and comfortable for the first time in weeks. He
hadn't woken up all cozy and comfy and curled up on the bed next to Graham since the accident,
and he thought he could stay right here like this forever.

Still tired, but it wasn't that bone-deep exhaustion that he'd started to take for granted as simply
part of his life now. Eyes still closed, he reached out for Graham. Graham hummed softly at his
touch, one of the few happy sounds he'd heard in so long.

Oh, yes, he wanted to stay right here, the two of them in this moment for as long as he could
before reality intruded. At least the being in their own bed thing was real, even if Graham was
still hurt. He stroked a smooth patch of Graham's skin.

"I watched the sun come up. It was so pretty."

"You haven't been sleeping?" If anything, Graham was more exhausted than he was and needed
to sleep even more desperately.

"Off and on. I'll sleep for a little while, be up, sleep again. It's been peaceful."

"Good. Peaceful is good." Elliot finally opened his eyes and turned toward Graham to see if his
lover looked as peaceful as he sounded. There were a few lines of pain in the lean face, but
Graham's eyes were clear, focused. Something inside him eased a little. "You're looking better."

"Yeah? Good."

"Yeah, very good." He moved in to carefully kiss Graham. "I told you coming home would
help."

"I wanted to come home. You know that, right?"

"I know. You just didn't want to have to deal with the physical therapy."

"Yes. That was hard. I just want to rest."

"You do realize you'll still have to do physical therapy, right?" Graham couldn't just sleep or
wish this away; he was going to have to put in hard work.

"Shh. Sleeping."

Elliot laughed. "Brat."

"Mmmhmm."

He chuckled and slid a little closer. When Graham was better, he'd take his lover to the cabin.
Then they'd see who the brat was. Meanwhile, Graham wasn't hurt as badly on this side, so he
could touch. Caress. "I like my brat."

Just the Right Notes - 159

"Good, because I'm here."

"Thank God for that." He leaned up on one arm and slowly, carefully kissed his lover.

Graham kissed him back, tongue tip slipping on his lips. He groaned; it had been so long since
they'd shared a proper kiss. There were going to be more tears, he could taste them in Graham's
kiss, but they hadn't come yet. He kept kissing, the touches gentle. He held their mouths together.

"Love." The single word was breathed rather than spoken.

"Uh-huh." He touched Graham's face, fingers gentle on the warm skin.

"I missed this." There were the tears, sliding quietly. They didn't seem to be hurting, though, and
Elliot took them as a release.

"It's good to be us again, even if it's not quite the way it used to be yet." He slid his fingers
through the tears, wiping them from Graham's face.

"You think it will be?"

"I do. You're going to get better and start composing again. I'm going to get this green consulting
thing going and we're going to go to the cabin to blow off steam. You'll see. We just need to be a
little bit patient -- it won't happen overnight." What had happened overnight was a much needed
injection of sleep, and the proof that simply coming home had made things so much better
already.

"I love you." Graham was starting to doze again, the pained look a little sharper. "I need another
pill soon, I think."

"I'll get it now." He'd rather get it into Graham before the pain had built up to really bad. He gave
Graham one last soft kiss and climbed out of bed.

Searching the cupboards in the kitchen, he came up with some soup to heat up in the microwave.
He figured Graham should be able to get down a couple of mouthfuls before taking the pill. He
made short work of the preparations, grabbed a couple of crackers in case Graham was up to
those as well, and hightailed it back to the bedroom.

Graham wasn't in bed, and he could hear panting from the bathroom.

Jesus fucking Christ, he couldn't turn his back for two minutes. "Graham. If you'd waited, I
would have helped you."

"I couldn't wait. I almost didn't make it."

Just the Right Notes - 160

He almost suggested they get a bed pan, but didn't because that would have been a step backward
from where they were now, and he knew Graham would fuss. "Next time, I'll make sure you're
good before I take off to the other end of the house," he promised instead, poking his head into
the bathroom. "You want help getting back to bed?"

Graham was sitting on the pot, pale as milk, sweat pouring off him. "I need help getting up."

"Christ, love." He went over and carefully got his arm around his lover's waist. "I'd rather have to
clean up a mess on the floor than have you hurt yourself, you know?"

"I'm okay." Stubborn man.

Elliot didn't have an answer for that -- not one that wouldn't see him nagging or berating, and he
didn't want to do that to his lover. "Come on, G. Let's get you back to bed, okay? Maybe after
you've had a bit to eat and the pill kicks in, we can move you to a chair for a bit. That'd be nice,
wouldn't it? Not to be lying down all day?"

Graham nodded. "I could handle that."

"Yeah. You can listen to music, watch TV, whatever." He helped Graham into bed, piling the
pillows up behind him again. "It's tomato soup, and I've got crackers, too."

He propped Graham's arm up and grabbed the little bed table. Putting it across Graham's legs, he
snagged a chair and brought it over. "Want help?" He picked up the spoon and dipped it into the
soup.

"You don't have to." Still, Graham opened up and took a bite.

"No, but I like taking care of you." He scooped up another spoonful of soup.

Graham opened up. "It's good."

"I just heated up a can." He grinned. "Of course, you've been living on hospital food, so..."

"Mmmhmm. I want something fabulous. Pan dulce or, oh, chocolate mousse..."

"I could call Denofrio's. I bet you they'll deliver." He got another spoonful in and then another.

"Maybe tonight, hmm? As a treat."

"Yeah, that's a great idea. Of course, that means you have to be good -- to earn the treat."

"'M always good."

Elliot chuckled. "Right."

Just the Right Notes - 161

"Always."

"You're going to make me snort from laughing too hard," he warned.

"Snort? That's not classy. At all."

"Oh, we're worried about being classy now, are we?"

"Just worried about you being classy."

Elliot almost cried; Graham was playing.

"I'll have you know I can do classy in my sleep."

"Who is this classy and where did you meet him?"

"Why, you..." He tried to look put out, but he couldn't manage it, not when he wanted to laugh
and pounce on Graham.

Graham chuckled, one fingertip brushing his nose. He grabbed the finger with his mouth, pulling
it in between his lips. Graham looked surprised, honestly surprised. It was adorable. He sucked
on the finger, his tongue rubbing against the pad.

"I. That still feels good."

Smiling around Graham's finger, he scraped his teeth over Graham's skin.

"Perv." Graham wriggled, then moaned. "Oh, that hurt."

He let go of Graham's finger immediately. "I'm sorry!"

"You weren't hurting me."

"But you said..."

"I shook my head, love. I hurt myself."

"Oh." He rolled his eyes at himself. "Sorry."

"Dork."

He stuck his tongue out at Graham.

Graham grinned. "Yep. Absolutely a dork."

"Fine. But I'm your dork."

Just the Right Notes - 162

"Thank God."

"Yeah. I'll thank whoever I need to that you're still here to be dorkish to, for. Whatever."

"Yeah." Graham took a deep breath. "Yeah, El. Thank whoever."

He nodded and squeezed Graham's hand before getting back to the business of getting food into
his lover. "Come on. A couple more spoonfuls, and you get the good drugs."

Graham shook his head. "I've had enough, love."

"I guess I'll let you get away with that this time." Graham had had enough that his stomach
wouldn't be upset by the pill, and for now Elliot counted that as a win.

He handed over the pill and the water and wondered just how many times they'd do this before
Graham was better.

However many times it was, it would be too long.

Just the Right Notes - 163

Chapter Nineteen

Everything ached. Everything. Graham moved from chair to sofa, guest bed to shower,
wandering through the night. Nothing was comfortable. Fortunately, El was sleeping the sleep of
the finally home in his own bed, so Graham wasn't bothering anybody.

Dawn was slowly lighting up the sky when Elliot finally woke up. "G? Where are you, lover?"

"Living room." He was reading... something.

El wandered in, as naked as could be. "There you are. Why aren't you in bed?"

"Just restless. It's early. You should try to get more rest."

"I don't like sleeping without you. There's been more than enough of that lately." Elliot joined
him on the couch, pressing close.

He leaned a little bit, sighed. "Sorry, El. I'm just sore."

"You don't have to apologize to me." Elliot rubbed his belly. "Do you need a pill?"

"I don't think so." He didn't want one.

"Cool." Elliot dragged the blanket from the back of the rocking chair and pulled it over both of
them.

"You don't want to go back to bed?"

"I will if you come with me. Otherwise, I'm happy here."

"I just... I want to, but the bed feels wrong."

Elliot frowned. "Wrong? How so?"

"I don't know. It's like my bones can't relax."

Elliot's belly rubbing got a little harder. "If you weren't all banged up, I'd have my wicked way
with you. That always makes your bones relax."

"I think it has a lot to do with having been so tense, and now things are trying to relax."

"Well, how about I give you a bit of a massage? I don't mean anything intense, just... touching."

"You don't mind?"

"Why would I mind? G, you're my lover. I love touching you. Kind of goes with the territory."

Just the Right Notes - 164

"I just... I don't feel like myself, I think. Just ignore me."

"I will not." Elliot kissed his cheek. "Come back to bed so you can stretch out."

He put his not-hurt hand in Elliot's. "Can we have music?"

"We can have anything you want, G. Music, candles, flowers."

Graham chuckled. "I just miss my music."

"And my touch?" It wasn't like Elliot to fish.

He stopped, gave it the attention it deserved. "I'm a little scared to be touched. I bet you're a little
scared to touch me, too."

Elliot shrugged, met his eyes. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't want it to be different."

"We need to make it ours, hmm?" Elliot led him over to the bed.

"Nothing feels normal anymore, is all."

"It will again, Graham. I swear it will." Elliot's fingers cupped his cheeks, the kiss he was given
gentle.

"Promise?" He started to sway a bit.

"I do. We'll get us back, G. I know we will."

"Someday." Right now, he just wanted normal sleep. He wasn't asking for all that much, was he?

"Lie down, G. Let me take care of you."

He went to the bed, trying to arrange the pillows to support the sore spots as best he could.

Elliot's hands were gentle on his shoulder. "If you sit, I can sit behind you and do your shoulders
and back, too."

"Okay, love." He sat, carefully.

Elliot climbed onto the bed behind him and rubbed his hands together. When they landed on
Graham, they were gentle and warm. And so very good. He took a deep, deep breath, relaxed
back into the touch.

Just the Right Notes - 165

"I have you," murmured Elliot. His lover shifted behind him and then the music came on.

"Love you." His eyelids got heavy.

"I love you, too, G." Elliot's hands moved all over his back, less massaging and more just
touching. Elliot was letting him feel that touch everywhere.

"I'm so tired. You know? I need to rest." He was whining. He knew it.

"Then rest, lover." Hands sliding around his front, Elliot traced his collarbones and on down over
his chest, his belly.

"I don't know how."

Elliot pressed soft kisses to his skin. "You must. This is your sir, telling you that you have to."

"It doesn't work that way." Did it?

"Why not?" Elliot rubbed his thighs.

"I... I don't know."

"Well, then. I say it works that way. I'll tell you to sleep, you'll say yes, sir and go to sleep."

"I can't just obey like that."

"Why not?" Elliot made it all sound so reasonable.

"Because it doesn't work like that."

"I bet it could. If you just believed it." Those soft kisses pressed across the back of his neck,
warm and right.

"I'm so scared, sir." He closed his eyes, whispered the words.

Elliot spoke just as softly, lips tickling his ear. "What are you scared of?"

"That I can't write music anymore. I keep telling myself of course I can, but... I'm scared."

"Oh, Graham." Elliot's hands kept moving, touching him. "You're made of music, love, of course
you can keep writing it."

"You swear it?"

"I swear it."

Just the Right Notes - 166

He sobbed once, and Elliot eased him down, moving pillows and his limbs until he was
supported. Holding him, Elliot murmured soft nonsense words, soothing him. His breath came
slower, his limbs so heavy.

The quiet flow of touches and words followed him into sleep.

***

Elliot dozed off when Graham finally fell asleep, although he'd had more sleep than Graham
since they'd gotten home, so he didn't need more than a nap.

Graham sleeping gave him an opportunity to get a few things taken care of. He submitted several
bids on projects, including two for the city, emphasizing his focus on green design. Then he
started going through the bills, making sure everything was paid. He tackled the mail next,
quickly sorting the piles of envelopes into junk, magazines, bills, and things of interest.

He ignored the blinking light on the answering machine. Janie had warned him there'd been lots
of calls from reporters and stuff, and anyone who really needed to talk to them had his cell phone
number. He would have to deal with the calls at some point, just to make sure there wasn't
anything important there, but for now, he just let it blink.

Somewhere between sorting their mail and double-checking that the electric bill had been paid,
he dozed off.

Something soft and warm floated down over him, the sensation sweet, comforting. He moaned in
appreciation.

"Shh. Rest."

"G?" He blinked and pushed himself up. There was a paper stuck to his cheek.

He saw Graham moving through the house toward the kitchen. Time to get up. He stretched and
shivered and followed after his lover. Graham put the kettle on for tea, then pulled out a loaf of
bread and the toaster.

Making himself food. Elliot thought this was a good sign. "What do you want on the toast?" He
was going to have jam on his.

"Peanut butter."

"With honey? Jam? Bananas?" He didn't think they had bananas, actually. He probably needed to
get groceries, but Elliot didn't really want to leave Graham on his own yet, and Graham for sure
wasn't up to the store.

"Just peanut butter, I think." Graham grabbed two cups. "You want tea?"

Just the Right Notes - 167

"Please. As long as it's not that herbal shit. It gives me hives." It didn't really, but he hated the
taste.

"It doesn't, either. You just don't like it." The words echoed his thoughts perfectly, and it made
him smile.

"Damn. I can't get away with anything." He gave Graham a wink.

"Nope. Not a thing." Graham chuckled and made two cups of Earl Grey.

He put in two new pieces of bread when Graham's toast popped and then spread a good layer of
peanut butter on the warm bread. It was nice working together in the kitchen. It felt good, like
old times.

Graham looked at him, smiled. "Thank you for this morning."

He reached out to stroke Graham's cheek. "You needed to sleep." Graham still needed to, the
bags under his eyes so dark. They'd get there, though.

Graham shook his head. "No. I've slept. I needed to rest."

He moved in and took a soft kiss. "Yeah. You need to start healing." He needed his lover back.
"You want to go for a walk or something this afternoon?"

"Maybe we could drive to the water? Walk to Jonah's and eat?"

"Either of those sound great. We could do one today and the other tomorrow." He was thrilled
with the suggestions, that Graham had made them himself.

Graham smiled at him, and he could see his lover trying so hard to be positive.

"Let's go curl up in the den with our lunch."

"Mmm." Graham nodded, looking surprised as he yawned.

Maybe they could go out after a nap. It would be good if he could convince Graham to rest some
more.

They settled on the sofa, nibbled their food. It was quiet, comfortable. He tugged Graham's feet
up into his lap and began massaging them. The cast had come off, finally, and he could touch,
really touch. He made sure he touched hard enough not to tickle, but not so hard that the poor
things were hurting.

Graham had pretty feet.

Graham moaned, leaned back into the cushions and moaned. Oh, yeah, he still had it.

Just the Right Notes - 168

"You'll put me to sleep..."

"There are worse things."

"I guess..." Graham's head started bobbing.

He began to sing as he rubbed Graham's feet, encouraging his lover to sleep.

"My sir says sleep..." He barely heard the murmured words, Graham dozing already.

"That's right, G. Sleep." He smiled and relaxed back against the couch, just holding Graham's
feet.

***

They'd walked, but just for a little bit before he'd tired himself out, totally exhausted, sore. It had
felt... good. Really almost good. Graham soaked in their hot tub, eyes closed as the water
bubbled around him.

"Mmm. Don't you look good."

He blinked up, head lolling. Right.

"Can I join you?"

"Always." Forever.

Elliot stripped quickly and slid into the tub next to him.

"I'm sorry. I tried to walk longer."

"Hey, you did great. Besides, the hot tub's more comfortable than anywhere we might have
ended up."

"Mmmhmm. I like the bubbles."

"I like the warm. And the way it makes your skin glow."

"Sweet talker." Graham let his feet float up.

Elliot chuckled, the sound soft. "Nah. I'm just in love."

He looked across the tub. "Me, too. So much."

"Good." Elliot's foot slid along his leg.

Just the Right Notes - 169

Graham smiled, then let his head fall back against the edge of the tub.

"Did you see the huge bag Janie left while we were out? It's mail for you. Cards and stuff."

"Yes, that's a bit overwhelming, isn't it?" He wasn't quite ready for that.

"Yeah. She said she can hire someone to go through them, prepare thank-you notes for you to
sign and stuff. I think we should take her up on that."

"Okay. That sounds good. I'm not ready to face it."

"You don't have to face it at all. I mean, it's nice so many people want to wish you well, but you
don't know them from Adam. You don't owe anybody anything."

"I know." Right? He knew that.

"Good." Elliot smiled at him. "We need to do groceries. I'll go later this evening or tomorrow
morning. Buy all your favorites."

"I want to sit in your lap." He was feeling a little panicky.

"Can you make it over here, or do you want me to come to you?"

"I can make it." He slid over, pushed into Elliot's arms.

Elliot pulled him into his lover's lap so he was supported by Elliot's chest, arms comforting
around him. Oh. Better. Graham cuddled in, eyes dropping closed.

He felt Elliot relax behind him. "Love you, G."

"Love you. It's getting better, hmm?"

"It is. You're beginning to feel like yourself, right?"

"Yes." He was beginning to breathe.

"There you go. I told you it would get easier when we got home."

"You did." Smug bastard. Elliot chuckled, hands wandering over his body. "You're touching
me." He knew that El knew, but it was worth mentioning.

"I am. You feel good."

"I feel better, yeah."

Just the Right Notes - 170

Elliot chuckled. "I meant your skin feels good to my fingers."

Graham grinned. He knew that. He just liked to play.

"You were just messing with me, weren't you?" Elliot tweaked his left nipple lightly.

"Uh... Uh-huh."

"You know what happens when you mess with me?" Elliot pinched his other nipple.

"What?" He wanted to know.

"I mess back." Elliot's fingers tickled all over his chest, gentle where he was bruised and hurt,
evil where he wasn't.

Oh, thank God. He needed this to still be real. Elliot touched him all over, mouth on his neck,
hotter than the water.

"Don't stop yet."

"Okay, love. I'm not stopping."

Graham melted, whimpering softly. Tongue circling the skin where his neck met his shoulder,
Elliot kept working him gently like El was bringing him home.

"I love you." Don't stop.

"Love you, too, G. I'm so glad you're here. So glad."

"I can't remember any of it, the accident."

"No? I don't think I'll ever forget seeing that van coming straight at us."

He shuddered. No. No, he only remembered lions. The music of lions.

"Shh. You're okay. We're both okay. We survived it."

"The music of lions. I could have died."

"You didn't." Elliot's arms tightened around him.

A wash of panic crashed over him, surprising him. "I could have DIED!"

"You didn't." Elliot didn't let him go.

"Oh. Oh, God. Oh, God. El. El, we got hit by a car."

Just the Right Notes - 171

Elliot began to rock him. "But you're alive. You survived. We both survived, G."

He nodded, his heart slamming in his chest. "This is normal?" To be safe and home and freak
out?

"The doctors said to expect it."

"Yeah? Promise?"

"Yep. They said when you were ready, you'd have to deal with it."

"I don't want to. Why now? This is home!"

"I think because it's safe here. Because it's just you and me and because it's home."

"I love you. I'm so sorry."

"Shh. Shh. I love you, too." Elliot pressed soft kisses against his shoulder.

"I didn't want to die."

"No, that's definitely not on the to-do list. Not anytime soon."

The panic eased a little. "I need out of the heat, please."

"Okay, love."

Elliot got up and helped him stand, made sure he was okay getting out of the tub. Graham
swayed, breathing hard, heart pounding. Elliot was there for him, though, holding him strong and
sure.

He hadn't died.

He hadn't.

They had both lived.

Just the Right Notes - 172

Chapter Twenty

Elliot typed away, writing up the final notes on the proposal he was handing in. Eco-friendly
houses were growing more and more popular, and he found himself quite in demand once again.
He wasn't going to be greedy this time, though, and he had no plans to reopen the doors to his
defunct business. Being responsible for other people's making a living had not sat well on his
shoulders. Not when he'd lost the business.

He was a damn good architect and an even better lover, and that's where he was putting his
focus.

Speaking of lovers... Graham was getting better every day, and it was time to wake the man from
his nap.

Elliot saved his document, e-mailed the proposal off, and then headed for the bedroom.

Graham was curled in the center of the bed, earphones on, the music loud enough that he could
hear it. Thank God for the music; sometimes he thought it was the only thing keeping Graham
sane.

Elliot sat on the bed and reached for his lover, gently touching Graham's arm.

Graham's eyes opened slowly, stared at him a moment, then closed again. "Hey."

He tugged the earphones from Graham's ears. "Hey, love. Good nap?"

"Mmmhmm." Graham frowned at him. "I was listening."

He took the earphones out of the iPod, letting the music fill the air. "There. We can both listen."

Graham nodded, eyes closing again. His lover breathed in time with the music, hands opening
and closing.

Elliot stripped quickly and spooned up behind Graham, wrapping his arm around his lover. "You
okay, G?"

"Yeah. Just tired." The doctors had cleared Graham to start playing again, start writing, but
Graham hadn't even opened the door to that huge, lovely music room.

He took Graham's hand and started kissing the long, talented fingers. Graham leaned back into
him, sighed softly. The music crashed around them, heavy and dark, angry.

He licked over the lines in Graham's palms. "You should put one of your pieces on."

"Why? They're all silly."

Just the Right Notes - 173

Elliot frowned and squeezed Graham's hand. "What are you talking about?"

Graham shrugged. "Nothing."

"Don't give me that 'nothing' crap. Obviously it's something, or you wouldn't have said it in the
first place." He shifted, climbing carefully over Graham so he was facing his lover, and holding
tight so Graham couldn't slip away and ignore him. "What's going on, G? You won't write, you
won't play, you're listening to the most angsty music you have. This isn't you."

"Just leave it alone." Stubborn man.

"I don't think so." That wasn't how they worked. He brought Graham's hand back to his mouth to
kiss the knuckles this time. "These hands were made for music. You were made for music."

Graham's eyes were closed tight, squeezed closed.

"You can't hide from me."

Graham would try, but he couldn't.

Elliot rolled his lover onto his back and climbed over Graham, knees on either side of Graham's
hips.

"What are you doing? I'm not up for this!" Nonsense. The doctor said he was healing beautifully.

"You feel like you're getting plenty up to me." He rubbed his ass against Graham's cock, the rod
of flesh already half-hard and firming.

"You're hallucinating."

He knew that stubborn set of chin. "I don't think so." He kept grinding his ass back against
Graham, watching his lover's face. The worried lines on Graham's face began to relax, melt
away.

He took Graham's good hand and held it up over his lover's head as he bent to kiss the beautiful
lips. Slowly -- so fucking slowly -- Graham's hurt arm lifted, pressed against his hand. He smiled
into the kiss, his fingers sliding to add the second wrist to his grip. Graham didn't say anything to
him, but nothing needed to be said. He had his lover.

Rubbing circles on Graham's cock with his ass, he began to bite and pull at his lover's lower lip.

The music bashed and snarled around him, he could feel Graham tensing in time with it. He
reached for the iPod with his free hand, choosing a different fucking playlist.

"Hey!"

Just the Right Notes - 174

There were playlists for "sir" and "loving," "dawn" and "peace" and "hope" and "hunger."

"Hay is for horses." He chose "sir"; he had a hunch Graham needed the reminder right now. The
first strains of music were industrial, driving, yet somehow seductive, sensual. "Mmm, now,
that's better. Don't you think so, G?"

"I was... You shouldn't look through a man's playlists..." Graham was already relaxing, though.

Elliot chuckled. "You needed something different on."

Graham snorted, stretched out under him.

"There was a time that instead of snorting, you'd have said 'yes, sir.'" Okay, so Graham would
have snorted before, too, and had to be reminded about the sir.

"There was a time where you'd turn me over your knee, too, but we're both recovering."

"Next time, G. I swear. Your ass and my knee and hand all have a date."

Graham moaned, arched under him.

He bent and whispered in Graham's ear. "The doctor cleared you, G. I'm going to make sweet,
fucking love to you."

"It's been a long time." Graham sounded partially desperate, partially worried.

"Too long. Don't worry, though. I'm going to take my time." He began by licking beneath
Graham's ear, tickling the skin there. Graham shivered, swallowed hard against his lips.

Smiling, he kept licking at Graham's skin. His lover tasted better, like salt and musk and Graham
now instead of sickness. Graham sighed softly, body moving in time with the music. Better.

Elliot rubbed against Graham's prick some more, his mouth working, licking and sucking, eager
to remind Graham how good they could be together.

Graham turned his head, offering that sweet mouth. "El."

"G." He pressed their lips together, tongue pushing into Graham's mouth. He could taste
Graham's smile, Graham's joy.

He shifted so he was lying on top of Graham and their cocks lined up together, making him
moan. He could hear the music again; this time the sounds were arousing, making him move in
time. He took kiss after kiss, losing himself in the sweetness of Graham's mouth.

He felt it when Graham let go, just melted under him.

Just the Right Notes - 175

"There you go, G." He moved faster, feeling his orgasm begin to slowly build in his balls.

"El. El, so good." When Graham smiled, he felt like he was a million feet tall.

He nibbled at his lover's lips and then drew up a mark on Graham's neck, making love to the skin
with his tongue. Graham's hands twisted in his grip, tugging just barely at him. He didn't let them
go, though. It was just a small nod to the things they did at the cabin, but they both needed it.

"Love you." The words were whispered against his lips.

"Yes. G. Love." Moaning, he moved faster. He was close, but he needed Graham to go with him.

"Love..." Graham nodded and the music changed again, the sounds faster, darker, and his G
moaned.

"Come for me," he demanded. "Come now."

"Oh, yes..." As easy as that, his beautiful lover rippled, heat spreading between them.

"G!" The smell was amazing, the heat between them new and familiar all at once, and Elliot
cried out, jerking as he came, too.

Graham's breath huffed out of him, his lover moaning softly. He let go of Graham's hands, his
fingers sliding along his lover's body as he shifted to the side.

"Better?" he asked, unable to contain his smile.

"Uh-huh..." Graham blinked at him.

"Good."

It was. They were going to take a new step forward every day and come back from the accident
better than ever.

He wouldn't accept anything less.

Just the Right Notes - 176

Chapter Twenty-One

Elliot put their bags into the trunk, making sure his bag of new supplies was in the back seat --
all the better to grab things if needed.

He had a picnic basket with their dinner in it, a bottle of wine, chicken, pasta salad, and a Caesar
salad, along with a strawberry shortcake minus the whipped cream. He had two spray containers
of that, ready to finish the dessert up. They might come in handy for more than just the cake, too.

The thought made him smile as he went in to get Graham.

His lover still hadn't gone into the music room, was still somewhat skittish. It was almost as if
Graham was afraid to get back to normal. So Elliot was doing the one thing that had always
worked in the past. When Graham got too inside his own head, the cabin was the only answer.

"G? Where'd you get to?"

"Back here. Throwing old clothes away." God, cleaning.

"Well, you can stop for now. I have plans." He headed for the bedroom.

"Plans? I'm not going out today. I'm tired."

"Oh, we're not going out. We're going away." It was a total difference.

"What?" Graham had made a disastrous mess, tearing things out of the closet. There were clothes
absolutely everywhere.

"Holy crap, G. This is nuts." He shook his head and went over to his lover, ready to dig the man
out from under the piles of clothing if he had to. "Leave this mess." Lord knew, it wasn't going to
go away. "We're going to the cabin."

"I..." Graham looked at him. "I'm not ready. I'm not ready to feel things."

"Tough. We're going to the cabin, and I'm going to make you come and come and come. And
then we're going to come back here refreshed, renewed, invigorated." And other good words like
that.

"I'm not going." That face was stubborn, set, but Graham's eyes were fastened on him, begging.

"You can put on your shoes and your sweater and get out into the car, or I can throw you over
my shoulder and I'll put you there." He'd had enough. It was time for him to have his Graham
back.

"I said no." God, he could smell Graham, smell the sex in the air.

Just the Right Notes - 177

"Carry you out it is." He moved in to scoop his lover up.

"Elliot!" Graham stepped backward, stumbling over the clothes.

He put his hands on his hips and let one of his eyebrows go up. "Walk or carry, and I won't offer
the choice again." God, he was turned on.

"I'm not going. I don't want to. I won't." Graham tugged a sweater on, though, slipped on
comfortable shoes.

Actually chuckling, he got hold of Graham and put his lover up over his shoulder. Damn,
Graham was lighter than he remembered. He'd need to make the man eat.

"Don't laugh at me. Asshole." Oh, someone was feeling his oats.

"You know damn well that's not what you call me where we're going." He smacked Graham's
ass.

"Let me go, bastard."

"When you're in the car."

He got them to the front door, closed and locked it behind him. He knew Graham wouldn't fight
on the way to the car. The man was too proud. Which was probably a good thing, because he
wasn't sure a fight wouldn't have sent them tumbling down the front steps.

He made it to the car without incident, though, and got the door open before he set Graham back
down on his feet. "Get in the car, love."

Graham opened his lips, but then a neighbor came out and Graham got in.

Trying hard not to laugh, Elliot closed the door and went around to the driver's seat.

He could hear Graham cussing him, pushing him.

"Don't make me gag you for the drive up, G."

"You wouldn't dare!"

He turned and gave Graham a look. "Try me."

"I'll be so fucking mad at you."

"Then behave. We're going to the cabin whether you want to or not. Let's make it a pleasant trip.

Just the Right Notes - 178

"I can't." Graham looked at him, the expression in those eyes painfully honest. "I can't behave. I
need to be bad. I need you to make me behave."

Elliot nodded, not surprised by Graham's words. He reached back and grabbed the rope he'd
placed within easy reach. "Put your hands out together in front of you."

"No." Graham had desperate tears in his eyes, but Elliot would bet the earth that they were tears
of relief.

He reached over and grabbed Graham's hands, putting both wrists together and wrapping the
rope around it several times.

"I said no. I don't want to. I..." Graham was beginning to relax.

"Need to start listening to your master." He made four loops around Graham's wrists and tied the
rope off.

"No. I don't want to go." Beautiful, needy boy.

"Too bad." He leaned in and kissed Graham, hard. "I will put a gag in if I need to, G." Sitting
back, he started up the engine.

"Turn on the music?"

"Absolutely." He had a CD of Graham's music, all cued up. He pulled out into the street and
turned it on.

Graham let his head lean back, eyes closing. No comment from Graham on hearing his own
music for the first time since the accident. Maybe he should have just turned it on earlier.

The tears started about the third movement of Graham's Adagio. Elliot fought the urge to pull off
the side of the road and wrap his lover in his arms. Graham needed to work through this, and
they needed to be at the cabin where Graham could let go and let him make everything right
again.

"Turn it off." Graham sobbed through the words.

He couldn't turn it off. Graham needed this. Graham had wrapped the accident and the pain
around the music somehow. "No, this is one of my favorites."

He kept going -- they had less than a half hour before they got to their destination.

Graham waited maybe fifteen minutes before he spoke again. "Turn it the fuck off. I hate it."

"I could still gag you."

Just the Right Notes - 179

"You're driving. Turn off the fucking music."

He leaned over and turned it up.

"BASTARD!" Graham screamed, feet kicking, his lover trying to drown the music out.

He turned it up as far as it would go, the sound system nearly deafening. Graham gasped,
hyperventilating.

He put his hand out and touched Graham's chest. "Breathe, G."

"Help me. I hurt. I hurt."

"We're there in ten minutes, G. And I'm not turning it off."

"I hate this. I hate when you do this."

"No, you don't." Graham loved it. Craved it. Needed it.

"I DO, TOO!" Fuck, Graham could scream.

He just shook his head. He could always stop and put on the gag, but it really only was ten
minutes until they got to the cabin, and he had a hunch Graham needed to let it out.

"Hate this! Fucking music! I hate this song!"

Elliot could remember when Graham had composed it. He remembered that they'd made love for
days when it was done. Graham had been so proud, had been filled with energy and youth and
excitement.

He turned off the highway and just a few minutes later was turning up the private road that led to
the cabin.

"I don't want to. I don't want to go in. I don't want to feel."

"You have to. You're alive, G. We both are. It's time to start acting like it."

"Please. Don't do this. I need to go home."

After the begging came the fighting again. He knew this.

"Home is where I'm bringing you." Kicking and screaming, but home. Emotionally, mentally, in
a place between them.

"I said PLEASE! You fucker!"

Just the Right Notes - 180

"Christ, G. You are begging for it, aren't you?"

"Don't you yell at me! I'm so fucking scared. Don't you yell!"

He pulled up in front of the cabin and turned the music off. "I'm not yelling."

Graham looked at him, tears streaking down the lean face. "Don't do this. I don't want to feel
anymore."

"Stop that, G. You're not dead, and I'm not going to let you act like you are. We have the cabin,
we have an awesome picnic, and we have a million and one toys to blow your mind with."

"I can't write!"

"It'll come back."

"You don't know that."

"I know that there's no point in worrying about it right now." He pointed to the cabin. "We're
going in there and the musician disappears. In there, you're just my G."

"What if that doesn't work, either?"

He snorted. It had already worked back at the house, on a smaller scale. "It'll work."

"Don't fucking laugh at me. Everything's different! Everything's wrong!" Graham's bound hands
slammed into the dashboard. "I've been brave for a long fucking time!"

"Then let's go inside and make it right!"

He got out of the car and went around to open Graham's door. He tugged his lover up and out,
and then up the front steps. He'd come back for their stuff after he had Graham naked and bound
in front of a fire. His lover fought him, but he got Graham inside. It smelled dusty, empty, but
that would change.

He dragged Graham into the living room and sat his lover in the big chair next to the fireplace.
He raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to tie you down?"

"No." That was a lovely, stubborn pout.

"Good." He stroked his hand along Graham's cheek and smiled. "Good boy."

Graham leaned into Elliot's touch, hiding his face, pressing close.

"It's going to be okay, G."

Just the Right Notes - 181

"I don't know."

"But I do."

He patted Graham's shoulder and went to build and light a fire. He had it going in short order.
Graham had curled into himself, hiding in that chair.

Elliot shook his head and checked the stake in the floor. It was solid, the ring at the top just
waiting for him to tie his lover to it. He grabbed Graham's wrists by the rope and tugged gently.
"Up, G. Time to get you naked and tied up."

"I don't think I want to do this."

"Not your choice." He pulled Graham right up and started undressing his lover, pants first so he
didn't have to undo the rope yet.

"I don't want to do this."

"Uh-huh." He didn't believe that for a moment.

He got Graham's pants and underwear down, took off his lover's shoes, and tugged the clothing
off after them. Graham never hesitated to lift first one foot, and then the other for him.

"Let me go. I hate feeling like this."

That, he believed.

"Then let's work through it." He undid the rope from around Graham's wrists so he could work
off his lover's shirt.

"I'm scared. I'm mad."

"I know. You can let it all out here, though. You can let it out and then forget about it and just
be."

With Graham naked now, he drew his lover over to the fire. Graham shook and shuddered, eyes
squeezed tight.

He slid his hands over Graham's shoulders, stroking and warming his lover's skin. "Down, G."

"I don't want to do this." Graham sank down. "I need to go home."

"Home is exactly where I'm going to get you." He encouraged Graham to lie right out on the rug.

"How? What if I can't? What if we're different?"

Just the Right Notes - 182

"That's enough, G. If you can't lie there quietly, I will gag you."

"Fuck you."

He shook his head and went to the closet, pulling a little penis gag out of the bag of tricks they
kept here. He returned and showed the gag to Graham. "It's your choice. Speak, and it goes on."
The only word he'd tolerate was Graham's safeword.

Graham turned away from him, giving him the long back. Elliot took a slow breath and tried not
to take it personally. Graham needed this. He took Graham's hands and drew them up over his
lover's head. Graham was stiff, panting, but he'd been to therapy with his G, he knew Graham
could do this. He also had to trust Graham to safeword.

He tied the rope around Graham's wrists and then to the stake in the floor. Elliot made sure there
was some give; Graham should be able to shift if he became uncomfortable, relieve the pressure.

Those red-rimmed eyes met his, begging, sad.

"It's going to be all right, G. I promise." He leaned in and pressed their lips together.

Graham opened up to him, lips parting easily. He sank into the kiss, letting it linger, letting it
soothe Graham's nerves. He could feel his sweet baby beginning to breathe.

He stared into Graham's eyes, into Graham's heart. "It's going to be all right. You are going to be
all right. I promise."

Graham took a deep, deep breath, held it for a second, then let it go.

"That's it, love. You may not believe it, but I do, and all you need to believe in is me."

Just the Right Notes - 183

Chapter Twenty-Two

He was stressed out and worried, tired and scared, and nothing made sense. The shrink had told
him it was normal, reasonable. He didn't feel normal. Or reasonable.

"Let me up, El. I'm not in the right headspace."

"I'll get you there. And I will use this if you say another word, unless it's your safeword." Elliot
held up the little penis gag.

He whimpered. Elliot wasn't listening to him. Elliot wasn't hearing him. This sucked. He wasn't
going to do it. He wasn't going to participate in this shit. Graham squeezed his eyes shut and
focused on just ignoring everything.

"You, my love, are the most stubborn man I know. I just wish you'd focus that stubbornness on
getting well."

He could hear Elliot undressing, clothes landing with soft shushing noises against the floor. Then
Elliot must have knelt beside him, because the next thing he knew, Elliot's hands were on him,
warm and gentle, leaving his skin awake and aware as they moved from his arms down over his
chest.

He wanted to tell El he couldn't -- he couldn't figure out how not to be so scared, how to make
his music come back.

The touches became kisses, fingers giving way to warm, wet lips. He started crying, the
emotions just huge.

"That's it, G. Do what you have to do to let it out." Elliot kissed away his tears and then went
back to loving on him, soft kisses landing everywhere.

He wanted to beg for El to hold him, squeeze him tight, but he didn't want the gag more. When
El reached his feet, the kisses moved back up his body, and when their mouths met, his lover's
weight pressed down against him. That helped him relax, helped him breathe.

Elliot opened his lips, tongue pushing in along with a soft moan. "I need your focus, G. I need
you right here with me. Right here, right now."

"I'm trying, so hard." He met El's eyes. "It's like my heart's forgotten."

"Then we need to remind it. I don't want to live with a ghost, and you don't want to be a ghost, G.
I know you don't."

"Everything is different now."

"How? How is this different?"

Just the Right Notes - 184

"I don't know." He actually found a smile for El. "I think if I knew that, I'd be able to be over it."

Elliot didn't scorn his words or blow them off, he just nodded. "I think you're right. I also think
you're all twisted up inside and need to just be. This is the place for that, G. This is where I make
you let go of everything but your body and our love."

"Will you still love me, if it doesn't work?" He whispered the words; just thinking them hurt.

"Graham. I love you. For better or worse. No matter what, you are my soul."

"I love you." He lifted his chin, took another long kiss.

Elliot kissed him back. At first it was long, but not heavy, not heady. That changed gradually,
Elliot's body moving on his in slow, sensual circles. Elliot loved on him, and he stopped
thinking.

The strong hands slid up along his arms, fingers working his skin, his muscles. He could feel
Elliot's cock like a brand as it rocked against him. His started filling, answering Elliot's need.
Elliot's kisses became deeper, more intense. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide here,
when they were like this.

He gasped, sinking into it, into the ground, into El. His lover's warmth was all around him,
holding him as one kiss followed another, as the rubbing became more urgent, more insistent.

"El..." He tugged against the cuffs, heart pounding.

"Getting ramped up, G? Starting to need?"

"I... I don't. Fuck."

"We'll get there. I promise."

"Really?" He was panting, moaning low.

"Uh-huh." Elliot bit at his lower lip, fingers moving to tweak his nipples.

"Ow." It didn't really hurt. Not really.

"Ow, what?" Elliot's voice was a whisper, and then his nipples were pinched again. Harder this
time, almost a real ow.

"Ow..." He met El's eyes, trying to decide whether he was ready. "Sir." More. He wanted more.

"Very good, G." Elliot's gaze held his as his lower lip was bitten again, his right nipple pinched
and then twisted. He gasped into El's lips, caught, a little bit, held in the warm gaze. "Nothing

Just the Right Notes - 185

exists but you and me. Elliot and Graham, sitting in a tree..." Elliot winked, one hand wrapping
around his cock.

That made him laugh, made him happy. Let him start to truly believe. Elliot swallowed up his
laughter in a kiss, followed by another. The fingers on his cock slid and tapped, touched and
loved on him, making him grow harder.

He leaned up, lips next to Elliot's ear. "Please, sir. Please help me. I want my music back, my
body."

Elliot nodded. "Yes, G. That's exactly what we're going to do."

Then Elliot's mouth covered his again, the kiss sealing it, making it a promise. He opened, letting
El in, letting his sir in. Elliot shifted, and suddenly there was a ring wrapping around the base of
his cock. He spread his thighs, hips rocking up to get more sensation. The leather slid around his
balls, too, Elliot drawing it closed tight. The heat from his lover's fingers warmed Graham's inner
thighs. His eyes rolled back in his head, his heart slamming in his chest.

Once the cock ring was in place, Elliot's fingers slid behind his balls, stroking his super-sensitive
skin.

"El." He cried out when Elliot pinched hard. "Fuck! Sir! No fucking pinching!"

"I get to decide what we do." Elliot pinched again, following it up with a hard thumb-rubbing.

"Oh. Oh. Oh, fuck."

"Fuck, what?" Elliot's tongue flicked across one of his nipples.

"Me. Fuck me."

Elliot pinched his perineum again. "Something's still missing."

"You're so pushy." He was in love.

Elliot grinned down at him. "You're so pushy, what?"

"You're so pushy, you beautiful son of a bitch." He knew how far to push. He knew them.

"Son of a bitch -- that's close, but no cigar." Elliot laughed softly, teeth closing sharply on his
right nipple.

"Sir..." Oh, fuck yes.

"That's better." Elliot growled the words out, biting his other nipple just as hard.

Just the Right Notes - 186

"You'll leave bruises." It would be so pretty.

"Lots of them." Elliot pinched him between his legs again, and then slid a finger across his hole.

Graham spread wide, humming deep in his chest. One hot finger teased his hole, pressing against
it, dipping into it. God, El was teasing him. He relaxed and let El have it, though, let El lead.

His lover kissed a line down from his breastbone to his cock, kissing the tip, licking it. The quiet
in his head shifted, the music was there, maybe. El's hot tongue slid down along his length,
tracing bumps and veins. His lover spent a moment with nose buried in his pubes, and then one
of his balls was taken in, Elliot sucking strongly.

"Oh. Oh. Oh, fuck..." He jerked at that, tugging hard at the cuffs.

Elliot's tongue slapped at his ball, making it sting.

"Don't!" He didn't know if it was don't stop or don't do it again.

Elliot did it again, a spike of sensation going through him. He twisted, tried to back away. Hands
clamped onto his thighs, holding him in place as Elliot continued the delicious torture. Words
poured out of him, but it wasn't like before -- this was babbling because he was safe and happy
and his sir had him.

Letting go of his ball, Elliot took a bite from his hip before going to the other one and wrapping
those hot lips around it.

"So hot. Burning, for you. For you." He needed closer, away, something. "Want you to make me
scream. Make my ass burn, stretch my hole, make me yours."

Elliot's mouth popped off his ball and a sharp, deep bite stung his right inner thigh. Graham's feet
slammed on the floor, and his entire body bowed. Taking full advantage of his move, Elliot's
head pushed between his legs, tongue piercing him.

"Sir!" His cry rang out and filled the air.

Elliot tongue-fucked him, that wet heat pushing into him, spreading him, over and over. A sob
tore from him, the pleasure too big, too perfect. Thumbs joined the tongue inside him, Elliot's
palms holding his ass cheeks, pushing them apart as those thumbs stretched his hole.

"Please!" Graham was going to explode.

The tongue and thumb fucking stopped, and Elliot looked down at him, licking his own lips.
"You keep forgetting an important word, G."

"Please. Please, I need, love. I need more."

Just the Right Notes - 187

"I know what you need." Elliot swiped his tongue across the top of Graham's cock. "Mmm. And
I have what you need."

"Yes..." Thank God.

"Yes, sir. Sir. Sir." Every time El said the word, he slapped the top of Graham's cock with his
tongue. Wet, hot, and not exactly soft when El used it like that, it still felt amazing.

"Yes, sir. Sir. My sir."

"That's right, G. And don't you forget it." Elliot put a thumb in his own mouth, sucking on it a
second before pushing it down between his legs and then into his hole. "I'm going to fuck you
through the floor, and then I'm going to plug you so you're good and ready when I do it again."

He nodded, moaned softly, needing so badly.

That thumb pushed and stretched, spreading him. Then it was two, Elliot staring down at him as
he was opened up. El never let him forget who was making love to him. His body fought El a
little bit, uncomfortable, uneasy.

"You can let go, G. I have you."

"I'm trying to, sir. I promise."

"Good." Elliot's thumbs disappeared without warning, replaced by two fingers that went deep
and hit his gland, just like that.

He yanked on the chains, bit out a curse word.

"Easy now." Despite his words, El hit that spot again and again.

"Stop. Stop. I'm going to crack apart." His body kept slamming down.

"You need to let go." El hit his gland twice more, and then his fingers disappeared entirely.

His entire body searched for El, for more sensation.

"Just slicking up, G." A moment later, El slipped between his legs, pushed his knees back up
toward his chest.

"I'm worried." He didn't know if it would still be as good.

"Hush. No thinking. You just let yourself go, let yourself feel." Elliot's cock nudged against his
hole, and it was so damn hot.

He looked at El, swallowed hard. "What if the music doesn't come back?"

Just the Right Notes - 188

"Stop thinking." As Elliot said the words, he pushed inside.

"Wh..." Oh. Graham's eyes rolled back and his body went tight.

Elliot kept pushing in until he was seated deep, so big and so hard and so fucking good.

"Full." His entire body felt alive.

"Full of me, G." Elliot circled his hips, the cock deep inside him shifting, moving, but not pulling
out at all.

"Yes. Yes, sir. Please." He wanted to feel everything.

Elliot did that rolling hip thing a few more times, and then he started to fuck. Each movement
was long and slow, that fat cock sliding out of him and then pushing in just as slowly. Graham's
eyes closed, so that all he knew was El, the sweet pressure.

Elliot hummed as he thrust, grunted some, too, as each push filled him right up. The floor was
smooth and slick under his back; the fire warmed him almost as much as the cock inside him.

"I've got you," murmured Elliot, cock finding his gland, pushing against it.

"Got me." Oh, that felt good.

"I do." Elliot knew he'd found the right spot, too, and started nailing it, over and over.

His eyes were squeezed tight, each thrust in making little lights shine behind them. Each thrust
promising a note, a tune.

"You can't come, G. You can't come until I let you, and I'm not going to let you until I've loved
you into a melted pile of skin and bones and muscles."

He groaned, shook his head. So mean.

"Yes. Once I come, I'm plugging you." The words sounded so dirty, spoken in Elliot's voice
made rough with need.

"I...I'll push it out." He wouldn't, but the game made him shiver.

Elliot's next thrust was a hard, quick jab. "I'll have to punish you if you do."

"Oh, fuck. You... you'd try." He was going to sob, just with pure relief. This was good, right.

"There is no try, only do." Elliot took his mouth, tongue fucking his lips just the same as that
cock fucked his ass.

Just the Right Notes - 189

He could feel Elliot's cock going harder, swelling up that little bit more that meant his lover was
about to come. He bore down, squeezing as hard as he could.

"G!" Elliot shouted out his name, hips jerking as El filled him with spunk.

He struggled, trying to come, too, to get himself off.

Elliot bit at his lower lip. "You don't get to come until I say, G. And I'm not saying it right now."
The thick cock pulled out of him.

"Bastard..." He rocked, tugged the cuffs.

"The word is sir. Or Master." Elliot stood up, stretched, body long and strong. "I just need to get
that plug. You know the one with the little remote that vibrates?" Elliot looked at him and he
knew his lover was pushing him, wanted this to be okay. He did, too.

"Fuck..." He jerked, rolling his hips.

"Fuck, sir." Elliot gave him a wink and disappeared for all of three seconds. Then he was back
and between Graham's legs, pushing them up toward his chest again.

He didn't fight -- he wouldn't, that might hurt El, but he didn't help, either.

"Gonna make you feel so good, G. Gonna blow your fucking mind."

The tip of the plug pressed against him. It was big but not huge. The thing about this plug was
the vibrations. He panted through the shivers, through the ache in his balls. Elliot got the plug
seated, not playing or teasing with it. No, that would come later.

Then the man put the remote on his belly, letting it sit there like a promise.

"You're pure evil, you know that, right?"

"I know. That's why you love me."

"No." He met Elliot's eyes. "I love you because you're my soul, my muse, and because you see
me."

Elliot got that goofy smile on his face. "You keep saying stuff like that, and I'll take out the plug,
untie you, and let you come."

"No, you won't, because we're here, and here you're my sir. I love that, too."

"Yeah, I know you do." Elliot reached out and touched the remote, the plug starting to vibrate
inside him. He swore it came with music.

Just the Right Notes - 190

His lips parted, hips bucking up into the air. Elliot sat next to him, fingers sliding on his chest
toward his nipple. He watched, breath coming quick and shallow. Just as Elliot's fingers twisted
his right nipple, the plug vibrated harder.

His abs went tight, his cock starting to leak. "Fuck."

Elliot grinned at him, looking pleased as punch as he slid his fingers over and tweaked the other
nipple, too.

"Fuck. Don't. Fuck..."

El made him insane.

In response, Elliot turned up the vibrations even higher.

"Bastard. Evil bastard."

"Your evil bastard, though."

"Thank God."

Elliot smiled and kissed him, and he swore he could feel the vibrations as their tongues touched.
Vibrations and notes danced inside him, threatening to tear him apart.

It was going to be a long, long weekend.

Thank God for that, too.

Just the Right Notes - 191

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sunday evening found Elliot in bed with Graham. He'd spent the weekend blowing Graham's
mind, not giving his lover a chance to focus on anything other than his body and the love
between them. It had been long and intense and just what Graham had needed. What they'd both
needed.

Now Graham was napping, body lax and easy.

Elliot could only hope they'd broken through this weekend. If they hadn't, they'd just have to do
it all over again, and he could live with that. He could feel the changes in Graham, though, had
felt them all weekend as his lover became more and more himself. It was a beautiful thing.

Smiling, he rolled over and spooned up behind Graham, tugging his lover close.

"Mmm." Graham hummed softly, murmuring under his breath, the sound musical and sweet.

He loved the noises that Graham made, the way his lover needed music. He was pretty sure he
needed it now, too. If nothing else, it meant all was well with his lover's world, and that meant all
was well with his. He patted Graham's belly.

"I dreamed about a symphony. I dreamed it. There were lions and vines."

He knew it! He'd known coming here, immersing Graham back into his body would help. He'd
felt it and he hadn't been wrong; his instincts where Graham was concerned still worked, were
still steering him right.

"That's great, G." It was better than great, but the word would do as a start.

"Mmmhmm." Graham turned in his arms, reached for him. "My muse."

"Me? I'm just the guy who spanks you 'til you start composing again." And he always would be;
he was here for Graham, no matter what his lover needed.

"No, you're my El." There was a wealth of satisfaction in Graham's voice.

He chuckled, rubbed their noses together. "I am. Always yours, yeah? No matter what."

"Even when I'm a brat?" G winked.

"Especially then." He gave G's thigh an experimental swat; he could read Graham like a book.
Sweet, needy man.

Graham jerked, lips opening. "Don't."

Just the Right Notes - 192

"Don't, what?" Even after a whole weekend of it, his G would still forget to 'sir' him. Probably on
purpose, too, just to make sure Elliot gave Graham the spanking he was itching for, still.

"Don't, damn it." Graham looked at him, winked again. He could see the need sitting right there
in Graham's eyes.

Laughing, he swatted again, this time making sure he got Graham's ass. He loved the heavy-
lidded hunger that was growing in Graham's eyes, the way the need morphed into something
bigger, stronger, something that was for both of them. His sweet sub was there, awake, home.

Elliot slid his leg around one of Graham's and tugged his lover close so he wouldn't have to reach
to keep smacking the pretty ass. He wouldn't want to short-change his lover just because his arm
got tired.

"You didn't stop." Graham pressed close, moaning softly. His body was pliant, almost but not
quite vibrating.

"You didn't want me to." They both knew that. He gave Graham two more swats.

"No. No, I want you to push." Graham's lips brushed his ear, warm and soft, and they felt so
good. "I feel so fucking alive, El. Please. Make it huge."

"Enormous, G. I promise."

He let his hand fly harder. Elliot's body buzzed as Graham cried out, cock sliding along his leg.
He felt good. He felt high and connected to his G. His G.

"My G. God, you're something else." Elliot kept swatting, kept giving Graham exactly what he
needed. The beautiful ass was going red, his handprints pale for a second after each swat before
the blood rushed back into the area, just below the skin.

"Yours. Yours."

"Thank God for that."

Graham shifted, and he moved with his lover, knowing what Graham needed. He wound up
sitting on the bed with Graham draped over his thighs. He worked Graham's ass, up and down,
side to side; there wasn't going to be a single inch left pale.

Graham started moving, rocking on his thighs, dancing for him. His cock responded, growing
hard and rubbing up against Graham's belly. Graham moaned, reaching for him, body shuddering
as his ass moved away. They created the perfect symphony between them, the perfect dance.

He held onto Graham's body, keeping him close, and kept hitting the lovely skin.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck..." Graham was moving faster, jerking.

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"We'll get to that. Want your ass rosy and hot against me when I do you." Just the thought made
his cock jerk and leak onto Graham's skin.

"Maybe... maybe I'll do you."

He laughed, truly tickled. "Not here, G. When we get home."

"No. Not here. Here is... magical." Graham sounded breathless, enchanted.

"You're magical. Mine." He rubbed G's ass, the heat wonderful against his palm. He needed this
as much as Graham did. They completed each other, two parts of one whole.

"Forever. Forever." Graham looked at him, smiled. "I dreamed about the music, sir. I did."

"Yeah, G? That's wonderful -- see? Magical?" There was no other word for it, nothing that said
enough.

"Magic." Graham spun around, landed sitting in his lap, legs going around his waist.

"I swear to God, you are the pushiest bottom in the whole entire world." It wasn't a complaint,
not for a moment, and he wrapped his arms around Graham.

"Yes. When we met, you shattered my whole world." Graham didn't look shattered now, he
looked whole and healthy and in love.

And there was only one answer to Graham's words. "You are my world, G."

"I know." Their lips came together, Graham kissing him, long and sweet and slow.

Groaning, he pressed his tongue into Graham's mouth, losing himself in the way his lover tasted.
His sweet, happy sub stayed wrapped around him, fingers stroking his hair, humming into their
kiss. They felt so good together, so right. They were right.

That the music was back was clear in every move Graham made, in the ease and happiness
pouring off his lover.

They were finally home.

End

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