Falling Star Valentine Read online

  Valentine grasped Dale’s cock and sucked the delicious length into his mouth. He circled his tongue on the helmet head and sucked. Through his fog of pleasure and lust, he heard Dale’s gasps and soft moans and loved them. His own cock jerked as he licked pre-cum. Valentine moved to bring Dale’s erection in and out of his wet lips, until Dale grasped handfuls of his hair and fucked his open mouth. The sting from Dale’s strong hands pulling on Valentine’s hair radiated down his body to join and heighten the delightful sensation in his balls as his rock hard cock lifted them. Valentine tasted the sweet flavor of cum and then as Dale moaned loudly the soft liquid filled his mouth and Dale slowed his thrusts.

  Valentine waited, his eyes closed, caressing Dale’s thighs with shaking hands. He reveled in the masculine scent that filled his head. His legs had weakened and his stomach clenched so tight, he thought his cock would spurt at any moment.

  With a gentle touch, Dale took Valentine’s hands in his. He slid his cock from Valentine’s lips and pulled Valentine to his feet.

  Valentine opened his eyes. Dale’s expression made hope fly to his heart.

  Affection shone from Dale’s eyes. He opened the clasp of Valentine’s suit pants and pushed them down. “Your turn.”

  Valentine’s cock throbbed against his stomach and he groaned. “I’m so close…”

  Dale grabbed a kiss from his open lips and then whispered against them.

  “Commando—so sexy.” He shifted to Valentine’s side and sheathed Valentine’s aching cock in one hand.

  A moan escaped Valentine and he thrust into Dale’s fist.

  Dale pushed his arm around Valentine and grabbed his ass. With his mouth pressed to the corner of Valentine’s lips, Dale jerked him off.

  Valentine’s breath left him and he leaned against Dale. The sensation of Dale’s hands on his ass and cock forced moans and gasps from him. His orgasm teased for only seconds and he grabbed Dale’s jacket trying not to fall down as suddenly the waves of sensation flowed over him and his cum flew from his cock. He thrust up with a loud groan and turned his head seeking Dale’s lips with his own, desperate for a kiss as he came. Their mouths open, their breath mingled, and Valentine slid his head down to Dale’s shoulder as he bent, unable to stand straight.

  Dale kept hold of Valentine’s cock. He pushed his other hand inside Valentine’s shirt and ran it up and down Valentine’s body until he brought it to Valentine’s chin and lifted his head.

  “You’re gorgeous. I’d love to have you naked to stroke and kiss every inch of you. Hey, are you okay?” He kissed Valentine’s mouth quickly, his breath a whisper on Valentine’s lips and he let Valentine’s cock go.

  Valentine’s heart already pounded from his orgasm and now the tenderness in Dale’s voice and kiss made it flip. He followed Dale’s mouth with his, wanting another kiss, needing to feel Dale’s face close. “Yes … yes, thank you.”

  Dale pulled away slowly, giving the kisses Valentine practically begged for with this move, in soft intermittent touches. He dragged his jeans into place and smiled at Valentine. “I’ll just wash up.” He took the step to the hand basin and ran some water.

  Valentine pulled up his suit pants in a daze. It had been many years since his last encounter with a man, and what had just happened with Dale left him stunned by its intensity. More than that, the feel of Dale’s body against his, Dale’s arm around him, and Dale’s kiss made him crave it all again. He could still taste the creamy sweetness of cum in his throat. He ran a hand through his hair and turned to Dale.

  “I don’t want this to be the end.”

  Dale wiped his hands on a paper towel and tossed it into the trashcan by the door.

  “We must be nearing the end of the journey. We should go back to our seats.”

  Valentine’s need to hear that Dale wanted more than the sex they’d shared in this washroom made his head and stomach ache. “Please. You are the person I boarded the train for.”

  Dale gazed at him for a long moment and then held out his arms. “You’re serious.”

  Valentine went into Dale’s embrace and took the hug. “Yes.”

  Dale kissed him quickly. “We’ll talk when we’re back in our seats.”

  Chapter Six

  Butterflies set up trembles in Dale’s stomach. His heart hammered. For a start, he could hardly believe gorgeous, sexy, Valentine Steel had responded to his advances in such a hot and authentic way, and secondly his curiosity was at an all-time high about just who Valentine was. The plea in Valentine’s expression as he’d told Dale he didn’t want an end to what they’d shared was real. Dale saw the truth shining in Valentine’s blue eyes. He led the way back to their seats and flopped down in his. For a few seconds he tried to be calm and then, as he sensed Valentine turning toward him, he twisted to be face-to-face with Valentine.

  “Tell me everything. Who are you? Why me? What’s going on?”

  “I meant what I said. I know I need to explain. What I tell you will sound weird.”

  They spoke at the same time, then stopped and stared into each other’s eyes.

  Dale gazed at Valentine and affection blossomed in his heart. He saw sincerity in Valentine’s expression and cared—cared about what happened next, where Valentine went, what he did. At that moment, Dale wanted Valentine in his life, somehow, anyhow.

  “Just tell me.” Dale took Valentine’s hand. He traced his fingertips gently on Valentine’s palm.

  Valentine bent his head as if afraid to tell his story. “I saw you—in the city you left. I wanted you as soon as I saw you. I discovered you were traveling on this train. I missed getting on at the station so I asked to be dropped along the way so that I could board.”

  A frown sprang between Dale’s eyes. He stopped trailing his fingertips on Valentine’s palm and slid his hand around Valentine’s sexy angular jaw. He lifted Valentine’s head to look into his eyes. “Where did you see me?”

  “In the hotel, but only a couple of times … I didn’t follow you around or anything…”

  Dale considered this. “How did you find out about my travel arrangements?”

  Valentine closed his eyes. “I guessed.”

  Dale knew this was a lie. “You guessed? You said you discovered.”

  “I was at the station. I saw you board but I wasn’t able to get to the train before it set off. I arranged to catch up. I’m sorry. It sounds extreme, I know.” He trailed away with a heavy sigh.

  “I don’t know whether to be flattered or alarmed. This isn’t the whole story is it?”

  Valentine’s expression turned forlorn. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  Dale shrugged. “Maybe.” He recalled the intense reaction he’d had to Valentine when he’d first appeared. A warm feeling toward Valentine stopped him from rejecting the man there and then. Hell, he’d trusted guys on the first date—took them home, spent the night. Dale’s creep radar was excellent. Valentine was mysterious but not dangerous. More to the point, Dale enjoyed being with Valentine so much, and it was as if he’d always known him.

  The speaker in the front of the carriage gave a sharp grating sound and then an announcement followed. Dale gave Valentine a questioning look. “You just heard we’re approaching the city. We’ll be disembarking in ten minutes. What happens then?”

  Valentine’s eyes broadcast hope. “Whatever you want.”

  An exasperated sigh escaped Dale. “Do you want to meet later for dinner? We can continue the conversation.” He needed to check the apartment he’d rented. He would need to shop for supplies. He expected Valentine to have things to do, too.

  “Later? I’d hoped…” He stopped talking as the train slowed and people began to gather their belongings. He let go of Dale’s hand.

  Dale took his smartphone from his jacket pocket. “We can exchange numbers.”

  Valentine shook his head as he spoke. “I don’t have a phone right now.”

  “Look, if you’ve changed your mind about us, about me, you
only have to say so.” Who doesn’t have a phone? Dale stood. His duffle bag was in the overhead lockers and he clicked the latch open. He dragged the bag out and dropped it onto the floor of the carriage.

  Valentine stood. “Truly, I don’t have a phone.”

  The train stopped with a small lurch. People streamed down the aisles to the connecting doors and the exits.

  “We have to get off the train.” Dale picked up his bag.

  Valentine stood quietly.

  Dale took off down the aisle. On the platform, he turned to Valentine who trailed along behind him. “I have a case in the baggage car. I do want to see you again, but without a phone…” Dale shrugged and then walked to the small carousel of luggage at the entrance to the station waiting room. Porters were loading baggage onto it. Dale saw his suitcase. He grabbed it and pulled out the handle to wheel the case along. “Yeah, without a phone, we need to make arrangements now. Is there a place you like that we can meet?”

  Valentine didn’t answer.

  Dale knew the station well and where to get a cab easily. He turned to Valentine. The cocoon of intimacy that had surrounded them on the train had gone. The sense of heightened emotion had dissipated. His heart still harbored affection for Valentine and he wished the guy would answer, but now the crisp day harried him to start his new life. The busy station ignited his business persona.

  “I have to get going, Valentine. It was great to be with you. I enjoyed your company. Look, do you want to share a cab somewhere? Exactly where are you heading?” He knew his tone held impatience, and he felt it a little, but deep down he didn’t want to leave Valentine.

  People surged around them as they stood by the carousel. The sound of train engines hummed and travel announcements echoed. The wind blew a candy wrapper in a strange dance around their feet.

  Valentine stared at him silently with his sky-blue eyes wide.

  Dale experienced a moment of regret and an urge to drop his bag and pull Valentine into a hug, but he crushed it and turned away. He strode along through the back of the station and took a short fenced route to the cab rank.

  It was only when the cab driver hopped out of the car to help Dale put his bags in the trunk that he saw Valentine had followed him.

  Valentine stood on the sidewalk with sorrow radiating from his entire body.

  Emotion swept over Dale. He went to Valentine. “You have nowhere to go do you?”

  “Not yet. I mean no, no I have nowhere.”

  Amusement brought a grin to Dale’s face. There was something so endearing about Valentine. “Get in the cab. I have to check out an apartment and make sure I haven’t rented a dump.” The excitement and happiness in Valentine’s expression hit Dale hard. I do care about him. Who the hell is he?

  Dale gave the cab driver the address of his new apartment and slumped back onto the leather bench seat. He heaved a sigh and turned to Valentine.

  “You can’t keep being so mysterious. I know you haven’t told me the truth and yet I still feel something for you.” He laughed softly. “Something unexplainable. Where’s your luggage?” He only just realized Valentine didn’t carry any.

  Valentine raised his hands in a quick gesture. “I have none.”

  “When we get to my apartment, you’re telling me exactly who you are and what’s going on, or, even though you make me smile, and my heart wants you, I can’t be leaping into another relationship when I’ve only just gotten over Jack. I discovered too late he wasn’t exactly the man I thought originally.”

  A smile formed on Valentine’s face as Dale spoke. His eyes filled with a loving expression. He nodded as he answered. “I will. Your heart wants me. That makes me so happy.”

  Dale looked away. He smiled to himself as he stared out of the car window. Rain splattered against the glass. The cab slowed in traffic on the main street and brought into Dale’s line of vision shop windows full of hearts and Valentine’s Day gift ideas. They crawled past a candy shop with a huge red neon heart in the window. Light pulsed through the fat shape at intervals, as if beating. Is it coincidence that I meet a gorgeous but eccentric guy on Valentine’s Day, or weird? Yeah, it’s weird.

  The cab made a right turn and sped along the next street. Then it darted left down a narrow avenue. All at once, they were on a street full of medium height buildings, each with balconies, many of which housed huge pots of greenery or small tables and chairs. The cab drew up outside a building—pale stucco wet with rain, and the driver turned around.

  “Here you go, buddy.”

  Chapter Seven

  Dale busied himself paying and Valentine got out of the cab and helped taking the luggage from the trunk.

  Dale stared after the cab as it drove away. That’s it then, I’m here. He turned and looked at the apartment building. The paintwork on the frames and balconies was fresh and in a shade of green Dale couldn’t name but liked instantly.

  Valentine stood beside him holding the duffle bag.

  Gratitude welled up in Dale’s heart. He didn’t have to enter the place alone and drift around an empty apartment wondering if he’d made the right decision in coming back to the city. He glanced at Valentine. “Okay, let’s check the place out.” He grabbed his suitcase handle and trundled it to the stoop.

  Valentine grabbed the bottom of the case to help Dale get it up the steps. “What if you don’t like it? What if it is a dump?”

  Dale grinned as he answered. “We’re stuck with it, babe. I took a six month lease.”

  Valentine froze for a few seconds. “Babe?”

  Dale gazed at him over the suitcase length, stunned. I called him babe… “It’s, um, it’s a term of endearment.” He pulled on the case and Valentine responded.

  They were through the double doors into the foyer of the apartment building. Dale stopped and looked around. Three lockable mailboxes lined one wall. The gleaming tiled floor widened into a large area with a hall table and a massive, dainty-leaved fern in a white pot. There was no elevator. A staircase, carpeted in dove-gray, led to the next two floors.

  “It doesn’t look like a dump. Even in my limited experience it’s very elegant … so far.” Valentine smiled at him.

  Dale set off for the stairs. His apartment was on the second floor.

  Valentine gave him a hand with the suitcase again and as they bumped it up the treads, Dale’s imagination ran wild. Here I am with a delicious guy moving into what, from the lobby, looks like a great place. His kiss is to die for, and he seems to want me … could this be the start of something good? It would be so nice to have him around. We could get dinner, walk in the park, see movies … it would be so nice to have someone to share stuff with… He looked at Valentine, whose glossy dark hair fell over his forehead as he held the suitcase bottom. Dale enjoyed the sight of Valentine’s broad shoulders and muscled arms obvious in the black jacket. His heart gave a thud as Valentine glanced up at him with love clear in those sky-blue eyes.

  On the landing, he found the new keys in his inside jacket pocket. He went along to the end where the door to his apartment was painted creamy-white, and the number was silver metal, affixed to the door in a jazzy pattern.

  He glanced at Valentine as he unlocked the door. He pushed it open and wheeled his suitcase into the place that was to become his new home. The corridor leading to the living area had doors leading off it. Dale ignored them and made straight for the huge light filled room at the end. Instantly, he liked what he saw—huge windows leading to a balcony—hardwood floor. A dark leather couch and armchair stood at one end of the room—a big flat screen TV on the wall opposite. A chrome and glass coffee table matched the table and chairs situated so that diners could look out of the corner window. “Wow, we struck lucky, it’s far from a dump, huh?” He turned to Valentine, not even noticing he included Valentine as he used the word ‘we’ again.

  “It’s great, Dale.”

  Dale spun around and checked out the galley kitchen that nestled behind a long white wall. Then he opened
the doors. The blue bedroom had an air of calmness about it that Dale breathed in. He’d made sure in the realtor’s specifications that the place had an ensuite and he looked around it. “Double shower, all white and glass, thank heavens—easy to clean.” He smiled at Valentine who had followed him around.

  Dale discovered a much smaller bedroom and another bathroom as well as a long closet that housed the laundry white goods. A dryer sat beside the washing machine and a tiny sink sat beside that. A cupboard that threatened to be a head-bumping hazard was bolted to the wall above. Dale closed the door on his European style laundry and took a deep breath.

  “I have a few things being moved here, but they won’t arrive for a week or so because I had them in storage. We need to shop, Valentine.” Happiness flowed over him. He had a good place to lay his head, although he needed linen, the bed was huge. The apartment was a success.

  Valentine caught his hand and smiled softly. “The place makes you happy.”

  Dale leaned to Valentine and kissed him. The kiss sent comfort all the way through him. I’m already used to him being around. I already include him. How has that happened? When Valentine responded and lingered in another kiss, Dale’s stomach clenched and his cock stirred. He murmured against Valentine’s lips. Just little sounds of pleasure. He drew away reluctantly. I want him. If we keep kissing, I’ll take him to bed for sure. He forced himself back to the unanswered questions of Valentine’s mysteriousness.

  “You know how you’re going to tell me what’s really going on with you. Well, let’s hear it.” His voice was gentle, but Dale had to know.

  Valentine looked down at the floor. “Should we unpack or do the shopping first?”

  Dale walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. The real estate agent had left a small basket of fruit on the bottom shelf with a little card. ‘Welcome to your new home.’

  Dale brought the fruit from the fridge and put it on the counter. He looked over at Valentine. “You’re avoiding telling me. Are you a felon? I can’t imagine a guy who’s wearing an Armani suit and Italian leather shoes hasn’t got a job and home waiting for him, so I’m discounting homeless…”