Collingsworth Read Online Free Page A

Bennington, I do. My identity must remain a secret, however. Rules being what they are.” Michael unconsciously moved closer to David.
    Rather than push Michael away, David matched his move and they were soon dancing much closer than convention allowed. Michael was able to smell the now familiar scent of macassar oil and shaving soap. “Ah, rules. Are you one to always follow the rules, then?”
    Michael realized that they were dancing closer to the dark shadows at the end of the ball room, and knew that if one of them had been a young lady from St. Anne’s they would have been separated and placed under the chaperone’s direct care long ago. “Rules do have their place in polite society, but then the judicious breaking of some rules may make life more interesting.”
    “Would you be interested in telling me which rules you would break?” David pressed even closer as they moved behind a wide column and, for the second time in his life, he felt another man’s hardness against his hip. Unlike the last time, however, this was more than welcome, and he felt an answering hardness of his own.
    They abandoned any pretense of dancing as David maneuvered Michael until his back was against the column. “I don’t think that would be wise.” Breathless, Michael fought the urge to push himself more tightly against David.
    Michael could feel David’s breath against his lips as he moved closer and, anticipating a kiss, moistened his lips. Instead of a kiss, Michael felt David’s cheek against his own and lips graze over his jaw. “Is kissing one of the rules that you might break?”
    “I think… I think that it might…” They heard the tap of heels on the marble floor as the music quieted and pulled apart abruptly. By the time the next waltz began, they were dancing a respectable distance apart as the headmaster rounded the column and subtly steered them back to the rest of the couples on the dance floor.
    They defied convention and didn’t switch partners, dancing every dance together, occasionally moving behind the column to whisper together. Michael was now well acquainted with David’s neck, his jaw, and had had the barest taste of his lips but hungered for more. He longed to be alone with David, sure now that David returned his desire.
    When the orchestra stopped and intermission was announced, David pulled Michael by the hand and led him quickly through a side door. Michael was unfamiliar with the path but trusted his partner to lead in the near darkness. They stopped as they rounded a corner and Michael allowed himself to be pulled into David’s arms, reveling at the novel sensation of another body flush against his own. “Now, my handsome friend, let us discuss rules made to be broken.”
    “With this mask, you cannot know that I’m handsome. I, on the other hand, know your beautiful face well.” Michael, suddenly bold, traced David’s lips with his fingertips. “I think discussion of rules must wait.” He pressed his lips to his partner’s and was surprised to feel those lips open against his own. Gasping at the unimagined intimacy, he felt his body respond to the taste of his lover and the touch of his tongue against his.
    Their bodies strained together, hands roamed over backs and shoulders, their kiss deepened and Michael heard a moan tear from his own throat. Overwhelmed, Michael pulled back and leaned his forehead against David’s, knocking both of their masks askew. Before he realized what David was doing, he felt the cold air hit his face as his mask was removed. He felt the light touch of fingertips trace his brow, his cheeks, and finally his lips before being pulled into another kiss.
    Michael threaded his fingers through the wavy hair that had tempted him for years and found it to be soft as silk, every bit as luscious as he had imagined it to be. Leaving that soft hair, he found his hands moving to trace over David’s body, down his strong back and settling on his waist, afraid to go