An Unforgettable Summer (Good Guys Don't Date Bad Boys Bonus Story, Patreon Exclusive) - Ch. 9 (Patreon)
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Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine – Life At The Castle
Maddox gave the saddle a long, thoughtful look. Jonathan put a comforting hand on his back. “I won’t love you less if you don’t do this.”
“Yeah, but even Rusty got up on the back of your horse and now he’s putting on airs,” Maddox replied and let out a sigh.
Jonathan kissed his temple and laughed. “He’s histrionic by nature. Don’t let it get to you. He might want to become a movie star, however. Without a doubt, he has what it takes. Now, let me show you something.”
Jonathan’s hand was warm over his, and Maddox followed him without hesitation. They walked out of the stables and circled round. The large grass field was there for letting the horses graze, as the butler had perfunctorily informed him about the areas of the estate, under the pretext ‘all these will also be yours one day’. In all honesty, as long as he and Jonathan were alone together, he didn’t have trouble picturing their life from that point onward, but once they were back at the Hamiltons’ estate, all kinds of thoughts had been banging against the inside walls of his head.
It was, to say the least, a bit overwhelming. In other words, he hadn’t known exactly what he was getting himself into, not that he had any regrets. Yet, everything was a bit too much at times, such as Jonathan having a stable full of horses.
His boyfriend continued to drag him by the hand, walking with purpose toward a copse of trees located not so far to the right. Jonathan’s eyes were bright when they finally reached their destination. He cupped Maddox’s cheeks and kissed him until he left him breathless. “This was my go-to place whenever I thought too much was asked of me,” he explained.
“Did you ride here?” Maddox asked and looked over to the stables left behind.
“Yes. Riding was my kind of freedom. Mine to enjoy,” Jonathan explained. “I didn’t have the same liberty to put on a pair of headphones and let the music play to block the outside world as a teenager. The chances were someone might notice me, my parents or a tutor, and immediately start to question my choice of entertainment.”
“It’s a weird thing to say, but you kind of had it rough, babe,” Maddox said.
“In a way. I won’t be that character who has things others don’t even dream of, and still complains. I found ways to enjoy myself and this was one of them.”
“You could have jerked off,” Maddox said lightly and grinned.
Jonathan pinched his cheeks and kissed him again. “I assure you, I touched myself on a regular basis.”
“Touched yourself,” Maddox drawled. “Did you touch yourself when you came here?”
Jonathan feigned outrage, his eyebrows shooting up and his jaw going slack. “That’s quite a thing to say,” he said in a haughty, fake voice. “I had better things to do.”
“Like what?” Maddox grabbed Jonathan by the waist and nuzzled his neck.
“Daydream,” Jonathan replied promptly, and, this time, his voice was serious. “About what it would be like to have a boyfriend and bring him here one day. Come.”
Maddox moved after Jonathan through the copse of trees until they were on the other side. And then, he realized why Jonathan wanted to bring him there. The grassy terrain stopped abruptly and a steep descent lead to a valley that stretched for a while. In the distance, waves crashed against the shore through a narrow cleft. They could hear them there, but not from other places on the estate. “Wow,” he said. “What a view.”
“I thought you’d say that. When you see so far, you get the feeling that everything is possible. Even that I would get a boyfriend one day,” Jonathan said quietly.
“Babe,” Maddox said slowly, “I totally get you. Although I have no idea why you doubted that you’d find your better half one day.”
“Better, huh?” Jonathan embraced him from behind while they both stared down the slope and into the distance. “You are,” he whispered into Maddox’s ear, teasing it with his lips. “What do you say about another try now? We’d be able to ride here together every day.”
“Well, if you put it like that, and since this is the place where you’ve been dreaming about me since you were little--”
Jonathan laughed into his ear and bit it playfully. “I love how full of yourself you are. That’s the Maddox Kingsley I know. Come on, Mad Dawg, any horse would love you.”
“Jonathan, babe, I don’t think horses love dogs too much,” Maddox said promptly.
“It depends. They will love you.”
“What if I’m a bad rider? What if I fall?”
“That’s why I’ll be with you. And something tells me all this anxiety of yours is groundless. You’ll be a natural.”
***
He had been right down to a tee. Maddox forgot all about his fear of falling once he apprehended how to hold the reins and how to sit upright. Maybe he didn’t look like he had been born in the saddle, but he had most of it down pat. Jonathan was quite proud, not only of Maddox now being able of guiding his horse slowly, with gentle encouragements, but also of his skills as a teacher. Mr. Simmons had been in charge of teaching Rusty, and that showed in how tumultuous both the guy and the horse of his choice were. The old butler was sure to put some wild ideas into Rusty’s head, but Jonathan pretended not to see anything.
What he was most interested now was assuring Maddox that his place was there, with him, no matter how overwhelming things appeared to be at times. He helped him down nonetheless, holding him by the waist and kissing his cheek once down. “It wasn’t so bad now, was it?” he asked.
Maddox beamed at him. “It was like totally awesome. I have no idea why I was so nervous about it. But don’t let Rusty know. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“No worries. He does much too good of a job of sniffing out others’ insecurities. Has he always been so attuned to what other people’s feel? His ability is nothing short of uncanny.”
“That’s Rusty for you,” Maddox explained. “He feels everything tenfold.”
“That’s called intensity,” Jonathan agreed. “So, do you reckon that you like riding now?”
“You betcha,” Maddox said playfully.
Jonathan was about to add something, when his phone went off. His lips stretched into a huge smile as he read the message. “Ray and Hanna will be here soon.”
“Uber cool. Hey, are you sure old man Simmons can handle everyone. Once my entire family is here, it’s going to get crazy.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Mr. Simmons loves crazy. He often says that he’s had enough of a vacation.”
“What vacation? That man never sits still.”
“He’s that kind of person. He always says that this place is meant for a lot of people. I guarantee that he’s going to be in heaven over the next two weeks.”
“It’s been such an amazing summer so far.”
“Unforgettable,” Jonathan agreed. “And it’s going to end even better.”
“Yeah, with a bang,” Maddox added. “I still can barely get my head around the fact that I’m going through all kinds of measurements and stuff for the right clothes. Something off the rack would have been just fine.”
“You look good in anything. However, since it’s such an important occasion--”
“You don’t have to say another thing. I might have to get used to tailored clothes and such, right?”
“Maybe in the future. We’re still college kids, after all,” Jonathan said.
“Yeah. Engaged college kids,” Maddox took care to emphasize. “When are Ray and Hanna going to get here?”
“Half an hour tops, that is if their skillful navigation allows. If not, we’ll have to go get them--” Jonathan checked his phone again. “It appears they are finding their way just fine.”
***
Ray waved, sticking his head out of the window while their car was still moving. Jonathan and Maddox had rushed to the main gate to welcome them, and also to ensure that they didn’t get lost. Of course, that was the pretext. Jonathan was dying to see Ray again. All summer, they had only talked on the phone, and that meant that they had missed each other long enough, and a face-to-face reunion was long overdue.
Hanna stopped the engine and got out while Ray was quick to do the same. “JJ!” he shouted.
Jonathan accepted the hug without a second thought.
“Hey, easy,” Maddox teased. “That’s my boyfriend, and your girlfriend is right here.”
Ray laughed and hugged Maddox, too. Jonathan accepted the friendly poke in the stomach from Hanna, who grinned at him and eyed him carefully. “What? You’re not going to give me a hug, too?” Jonathan teased her.
“I’m going to, but man, look at that ring,” she said and her grin went wider. She grabbed Jonathan’s hand and stared at the piece of jewelry. “Real diamond, even. Wow.”
“Count on women to detect engagement rings from fifty feet away,” Ray said philosophically. “Really, you two, you’re setting up quite the bar for the rest of the universe. But, seriously, that’s one cool dude ring. And I was sure dude rings could only be something gaudy and weird.”
Jonathan laughed and ruffled Ray’s hair. “Now you know that Hanna is going to embarrass you with the gaudiest thing in existence.”
“Totally,” Hanna agreed. “That’s my evil cunning plan. My boyfriend’s going to look like a gangster. Or a mafia dude.”
“And I’ll be rocking that look like I was born for it,” Ray added. Hanna laughed and threw one arm over her boyfriend’s shoulders.
“Wow, Jonathan, is this where you live?” she asked, after she had glanced behind them. “No wonder you two wanted to meet us at the gates. This place is huge.”
“It’s like from the movies. I think we’re going to see what life at a castle is like,” Ray said matter-of-factly. “But, about that dragon we’ve been talking about, JJ. Has it been defeated?”
“If by dragon you mean my parents, I think you’ll find them quite manageable for their reputation. Now, how about we all get into your car and drive in?” Jonathan suggested.
They all embarked in Hanna’s car, laughing and exchanging summer memories.
***
“I can’t believe that you guys even have a real butler,” Hanna said and pulled at Jonathan’s elbow as she and Ray were showed to their room by a very dutiful Mr. Simmons.
“We’d be lost without him,” Jonathan assured her. “I’m known to have lost my way between my room and the kitchen on occasion.”
“No way, you’re joking.”
“Maybe I am. I’ll help you and Ray get settled in.”
“Ugh, I can barely wait to take a shower.”
“I’m sure you’ll find everything in the adjoining bathroom.”
Hanna let go of him to ask Mr. Simmons a few question, and that allowed Ray to fall in line with him. Without any preamble, Ray took him by the arm and leaned into him. “JJ, this is a lot more impressive than I thought. How aren’t you getting lost in here on a regular basis?”
Jonathan laughed. It was so like his bestie to think of such things. “Practice,” he explained.
“Hey,” Ray’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “do you think you can teach me and Hanna some proper table manners? It’s not like I’m telling on her, but we are both worried that we’re going to make fools of ourselves while having dinner with your folks.”
“Don’t worry, Ray. I already suggested Mrs. Day cook one of your favorites. So meals here won’t make anyone feel uncomfortable. Plus, we’re not at The Ritz, despite appearances. I’ll pack sandwiches for tomorrow’s breakfast and I will show you guys the horses. Rusty is already crazy about them. Just don’t let him challenge you to any antics on horseback.”
“Ah, I feel relieved. Although a bit worried that you’re not the one cooking. Did you know that I got addicted to it?”
“I did send your mom a few recipes,” Jonathan admitted. “You make me feel quite guilty, Ray. And flattered, at the same time. However, Mrs. Day is one hell of a cook. You’ll like everything she makes, and I’m willing to swear to it.”
“If that is how things stand, then I have no more doubts,” Ray promised and laughed. “Are your parents all right with me and Hanna sharing the same room? I thought they were quite old-fashioned.”
“Not that old-fashioned, and they have had their fair share of Rusty, so you can say that they have lately become immune to anything that might be too much for their sensibilities.”
“That’s awesome to hear. By the way, where is Rusty?”
“Frankly, I have no idea. Maddox went to search for him, just to make sure he doesn’t miss dinner.”
“Cool. Sunny Hill will be well represented at the table, then.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re my people,” Jonathan assured his best friend.
“Completely,” Ray assured him back. “Now let me revel in the luxuries of my bestie’s castle and amenities. Hanna already says it’s like we entered a fairytale.”
“I’m happy you guys like the place.”
“We absolutely love it. See you later, JJ.”
Jonathan was still smiling minutes after parting ways with Ray.
***
Maddox searched the stables first, since he assumed that Rusty had spent all day out in the field, riding his assigned horse. Simmons hadn’t been too reluctant to let Rusty have his fun, since his was such a calm horse. Maddox somehow doubted that horse would remain its same collected self after spending so much time with Rusty.
He found his friend carefully brushing the long mane of a beautiful bay horse. It was always surprising to people who didn’t know Rusty well, and even those who did, how the overly energetic college kid could be so thoughtful and measured in every move when the situation required it.
“Hey, man,” he let his presence be known.
Rusty turned and gave him his usual goofy smile. “Hey, Maddie.”
“I forgive you,” Maddox said with a broad wave of the hand.
“How magnanimous of you,” Rusty replied and returned a complicated, fancy bow.
Maddox shook his head. “I was sent to fetch you for dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Yeah,” Rusty admitted. “I had no idea riding a horse would be so much fun. I thought I’d be toppled over the moment I got up there on one’s back.”
Unlike him, Rusty had no trouble expressing his weaknesses openly.
“Jonathan had to work some to convince me to ride,” he admitted.
“For real?” Rusty’s eyes shone with mischief. “Did you cry?”
“Rusty,” Maddox warned with a growl.
“I think you could even cry in front of Jonathan, and he’d still be nuts over you.”
“It’s a real relief that you think so. And I didn’t cry. Actually, I’m very good at riding. Jonathan says so.” He crossed his arms for emphasis.
Rusty quirked an eyebrow at him. “You’re not better than me.”
Maddox scoffed. “I saw you. Your style is all over the place. I have proper form.”
Rusty snickered. “You know that might turn into a challenge.”
“Which I’ll turn down ‘cause I don’t think my in-laws would be happy with us racing horses all over the place.”
Rusty caressed the bay horse’s head and gave him a kiss, right above his nose. “Too bad. Genghis here is a real runner.”
“Genghis? Is that his name?”
“I might have given him a different one. He has the spirit of a warrior,” Rusty explained.
“Are you finished here?” Maddox asked, deciding that there was no way he could deal with Rusty’s reasoning at that hour and on an empty stomach.
“Yeah. Let’s go eat already.” Rusty began pushing him out of the stables, as if he hadn’t been the one dallying up to that point.
***
“So, let me get this straight,” Ray leaned over and whispered, “you never went to the movies as a child because you had a movie theater at home?”
Mr. Simmons had prepared the large room specifically for watching movies since there were so many young kids, as he called them, coming over, and that was what he thought would be a good plan to entertain them. The conversion had only happened recently.
“This wasn’t always a movie theater. It was transformed for your coming.”
Ray raised his popcorn bucket and grinned. “It’s all the doing of your butler, isn’t it? That guy is totally awesome. Although he might be a bit stuck in the nineties.”
“For his sake, let’s pretend to have fun,” Jonathan suggested.
Maddox already had the full formation of The Amazing Four by his side, plus Kane’s girlfriend, Louise, and he seemed to be having fun. He waved at him when their eyes met. He could clearly see Maddox’s grin from afar.
***
Maddox slunk into the seat by Jonathan’s side after leaving his friends to their own devices. “Babe,” he whispered into his ear, “have you ever made out at the movies?”
Jonathan sunk lower into his chair so that they were level with each other. “No. Actually, this is my first proper going to the movies.”
“Oh, no, you poor baby,” Maddox said in a sympathetic tone and snuck one arm around Jonathan’s shoulders in the most surreptitious manner possible. “That’s something that needs to be taken care of. Agreed?”
“Yes,” Jonathan replied and turned his face slightly toward him.
Maddox grew a bit bolder and put one hand on Jonathan’s thigh. They needed to be really, really quiet since, despite the darkness with only the large lit screen displaying the movie providing light, they were in a room full of people.
Jonathan made sure to angle his head in such a way that their lips would meet. Maddox sucked in a breath and took his time caressing Jonathan’s lips with his. They slept in the same bed, but they still could not get enough of each other. The fact that their options were now limited only heightened their desire.
Maddox took his time licking Jonathan’s slightly parted lips. He became slightly bolder as Jonathan welcomed him by opening his mouth wider. Yeah, he could reach a lot deeper now, and his hand moved higher, too.
It was not that hard to imagine what was happening to Jonathan as they continued to kiss, struggling not to make a sound. Maddox teased what looked like a lengthening hardness along Jonathan’s leg with just the tip of his fingers.
His own pants were getting a bit stretched out as well, but that was part of the fun of it. He didn’t go any further than enjoying the kiss, all the while being aware of the effect he had on Jonathan as he kept his fingers close to the heat.
The most challenging part wasn’t that they were getting hard, but keeping quiet. The movie on the screen lost all their interest. The explosions that lit up the room once in a while like fireworks made Jonathan’s skin glow. It made Maddox want to chase all those little sparkles across his cheeks.
“Dammit,” someone exclaimed loudly and the lights came on at once. “Jonathan and Maddox are making out!”
The accuser had to be no other than Rusty, of course. Maddox stopped abruptly and exchanged a guilty look with Jonathan. The movie continued with its special effects and whatnot, and Maddox threw a look around to see if the others were having a laugh at their expense.
Hanna and Ray were locked in a very strange embrace that involved more arms and legs than seemed normal, while Louise was still in Kane’s lap, her legs pressing into his thighs, looking just as shell-shocked as everyone else.
Oh, so they weren’t the only ones who thought that going to the movies was practically the same thing as making out in the dark, surrounded by other people.
Rusty looked around, with a confused and feigned outraged expression. “O. M. G.! You are all a bunch of perverts!”
“Shut up, kinkster!” Kane shouted at him. “You’re just jealous!”
“Of course, I am,” Rusty agreed, while his righteous indignation didn’t subside for a moment. “I’m the only one not getting any! Wait.”
Everyone’s eyes followed Rusty as he turned toward Dex, who, so far, had just been grinning, taking in the scene, and stuffing his face with popcorn. Like in a comedy, he stopped, his hand in mid-air, filled with popcorn, and turned his head toward Rusty, too.
“We can’t be the only ones,” Rusty declared and jumped over two chairs to reach Dex.
Dex dodged him just in time. “Get away from me, you pervert!” he joked.
Rusty’s attempts didn’t appear to be that easy to foil. He made his fingers into claws and began waving them with a grin going from ear to ear on his face. “I’m gonna get ya!”
Dex held his popcorn bucket up in the air to save it, while he began running around the room, with Rusty on his tail. At one point, to get rid of his pursuer, he threw the only thing he had, no matter how precious. Popcorn flew everywhere, as the bucket hit Rusty straight in the face.
That seemed to be the trigger for the general free-for-all, because popcorn began flying through the air, from all and in all directions.
***
“Guys, you really don’t have to. I’ll clean up,” Jonathan said.
Dex elbowed Maddox. “Your boyfriend wants to take the rap. Convince him.”
After their night at the movies had turned into a full-fledged popcorn war, the aftermath included a very messy room.
“Let them help, Jonathan,” Maddox said. “They so started it.”
“All right, but let’s just be fast, guys,” Jonathan suggested. “Mr. Simmons might feel dejected over our use of his popcorn and movie plan.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Dex said while landing a heavy hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. “I’ll inform him that I personally consumed an incredibly large quantity of popcorn. It’s all in my belly now.”
“That will make him happy,” Jonathan assured him. “Oh, no, what was the movie about? I bet he’s going to want to know if we liked it.”
“I’ll be in charge of that,” Rusty announced. “I know this movie inside and out. Do you want me to tell you the abridged version?”
Without anyone encouraging him in any way, Rusty jumped on the small stage and began to mime a strange succession of actions.
Hanna and Ray were watching him in absolute rapture. “So, the bad guy was his father all along?” Hanna asked in what didn’t look like feigned shock at all.
Maddox had no idea how Hanna could figure out what Rusty was doing, but it was still good that someone was on the ball. Without protesting, he began to pick the mess up from the floor.
***
“That was a bit of a fail,” Maddox pointed out once they were inside their shared room. “I mean, I suppose that Rusty is one of those risks you must always take into consideration.”
Jonathan grinned while taking off his shirt. He was so elegant in every little thing he did, such as unbuttoning his cuffs. “It doesn’t matter. I had so much fun.”
“I’m sorry for Simmons and all his efforts to make us feel good. I know the man is coming from a good place with all these.”
“You shouldn’t be sorry about him. He has people to spoil now, and that’s his goal in life. Apparently, the generations before us tended to have a lot of children, and that meant that the butlers before Mr. Simmons had many more things to do. Hence, he harbors some sort of jealousy toward his predecessors that I admit I don’t quite understand,” Jonathan explained.
Now he was naked from the waist up, and Maddox was busy devouring him with his eyes.
“Aren’t you going to undress, too?” Jonathan asked.
By the way he was biting his bottom lip, he had to be up to no good. Maddox smirked and pulled the tight t-shirt he was wearing over his head. The next moment, Jonathan was by his side, hands searching his chest.
“Something you want, babe?” Maddox teased.
Jonathan didn’t say anything but found purchase on his nipples and tweaked them with his fingers. “I believe you promised me some taking in hand. Although you’re the naughty one always initiating these, let’s call them, follies?”
“Follies.” Maddox snorted. “Let me show you something that you won’t dare call foolish.”
He promptly turned Jonathan around and pushed him toward the bed. Then, he was quick to pull down his pants and expose his ass.
Suddenly, his boyfriend was very quiet. Maddox caressed the smooth butt cheeks and bided his time. Jonathan’s breath was quiet, but still easy to hear. He slapped one of them, hard and sudden, triggering a gasp from Jonathan.
“I hope the walls in this place of yours are not paper-thin,” he said.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Jonathan replied in one breath. “Don’t hold back.”
Jonathan was such a goody two shoes all the time. Proper punishment seemed hardly fitting, but Maddox couldn’t stop. That gorgeous ass presenting itself, ready to get more spanking, made his cock hard. He unbuttoned his fly and took out his cock, as he positioned himself behind Jonathan.
He caressed the flawless skin for a bit and then delivered another quick blow. The slight reddening, plus Jonathan’s wanton gasp, sent another shot of pleasure right through him. His cock twitched. “More?” he asked, surprised that his voice was so calm.
“Yes, please.”
Well, since he was asking so nicely. Maddox took his time. Just as before, while making out in the dark, there was value in postponing things. His cock was ramrod stiff now, while Jonathan took blow after blow and kept asking for more.
“That is as much as you get tonight,” Maddox said, his voice ragged now.
Jonathan understood without words, and his hand was busy moving along his crack, spreading lube. Maddox knew he wouldn’t wait for another moment, so he took Jonathan’s wrist, pulled it to him and then drove home.
The soft curse that followed assured him that his boyfriend was very much ready for a ride. “You know,” he teased, “I’d rather you teach me this kind of riding.”
Jonathan pushed back, meeting him thrust by thrust. “I don’t think you need any teaching, Mr. Kingsley.”
“I’m flattered,” Maddox said and let go of Jonathan’s wrist so that he could grab him by his awesome ass and give it to him hard.
He was so glad he wasn’t alone in wanting it a bit rough. Jonathan just kept on egging him on, so he spared nothing.
All that preamble seemed to have done a great job, because within minutes, they were both lying on the bed, breathing hard, and looking at the ceiling.
“How do you like life at the castle?” Jonathan asked with a breathless laugh.
“Let’s see,” Maddox took it in stride, “we have fancy meals, horse riding, movie nights, and, oh, the prince of the realm likes getting spanked and dicked. I’d say it’s awesome.”
“Good,” Jonathan said, “that’s very good to know.”
TBC