by Lily Harlem
Leo tried to hide his sadness and carried on teaching—it was, after all, an important part of his role in Cagaha Buurta. “This little dip is known as the anatomical snuff box. A patient presenting with a broken wrist such as this, with a forward fall history, has more often than not also fractured their scaphoid bone. Even with X-ray, it can be hard to prove but if it’s tender, just here, it can be safely assumed it’s broken.”
“I see.” Malik nodded. “And what is the treatment?”
“It needs to go in a cast. He will still be able to use his fingers, once the acute pain has settled, which I suppose means he can still hunt. Can you tell him, please?”
Malik turned to the patient and started talking.
Leo walked to the cupboard and picked up a roll of plaster of Paris and a strip of cotton wool required for the cast. He then grabbed a bowl of water from the clinical room and dropped the roll of plaster in to soak.
“Have you done a cast before, Malik?”
“A few, but only legs.”
“Okay, you can do this one. Then when I have gone, you will be able to treat this type of fracture should it present again.”
Malik swallowed and nodded. “Thank you.”
Leo shrugged. “It’s nothing.” He handed Malik the cotton wool. “First we pad it, and then we’ll put on a simple back slab to prevent any circulation problems. In an ideal world, I would increase it to a full cast in a week, but I’m not sure that will happen. He would need to do that long walk back here.”
Malik came around the bed and stood next to Leo. He came so close their hips almost touched.
Leo braced himself, pressed his knees on the bed, and held the man’s arm.
Malik carefully began to wind the base layer around the swollen joint.
“Fingers to elbow and poke a hole for the thumb,” Leo said, trying not to breathe in the scent of Malik’s skin or study the way his eyelashes spiked from his dark eyes as he concentrated on his task.
“Like this?” Malik asked, his touch gentle and careful.
“Yes, perfect. Now the cast. You should tell him it will be warm and help with the pain.”
Malik relayed the information and Leo plucked the now sodden roll from the water. Instantly, his hand became covered in the chalky white plaster.
He handed it to Malik. “Start at the top and work down, there should be enough to make it double.”
Malik took the roll from Leo and spread it on top of the cotton wool.
Leo held the man’s wrist and watched Malik’s fingers turn sticky with the white goo. He worked nimbly, creating the right pattern with the bandage as it unraveled.
Looking at his hands, it was hard not to think about Malik touching him the night before, treating him, healing his pain, and spreading his fingers on his body. A small tumble of desire rolled in Leo’s abdomen but he beat it down. This was not the time or the place for those thoughts.
“Yes, like that,” Leo said to distract himself. “And now you’re at the wrist, straighten it, so that the bones heal in alignment.
Malik did as instructed.
The patient groaned.
“Sorry,” Malik said.
“That’s good, Malik. You see how it is a normal contour again?”
“Yes, Doctor Leo.”
“So just keep winding the plaster around it while I hold it in position.” Again Malik did as Leo asked. His fingers skimmed over Leo’s hand and he rolled the clay-like bandage into position. Leo felt the heat of it, caused by a chemical reaction with the water, slipping over his skin. Again their hands met, sliding over each other. Both pairs were now completely white and working as one on the slippery cast, smoothing out lumps and spreading the moisture evenly.
Leo had no choice but to lean closer to Malik and assist as he went back over the wrist and to the elbow. The roll ran out at just the right point.
“Perfect.” Leo slipped his fingers over the patient’s wrist to double-check the position. “Now it just needs a final smoothing.”
Malik was already doing that. Rubbing the new cast before it set.
Leo joined in and again their hands touched. A fizz of excitement zipped up Leo’s arm. There was something very sensual about the slipperiness of their task, their busy fingers and their close proximity.
It was also likely the last time he’d ever be this near to Malik. He got the feeling his new friend would be avoiding him from now on.
Now that he knew he was gay.
“I think it’s done now,” Leo said, reluctant to stop but knowing any more fiddling and they might overdo the cast. Now it needed to set. He stepped away. “Could you elevate it on a couple of pillows and I’ll get some analgesia? He’ll need to stay in for a couple of hours so we can check his circulation.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Malik nodded and for a moment his gaze caught Leo’s.
It was the first time he’d made true eye contact since the erection incident. Leo beat down a stutter of dismay that he’d never get to know him better.
****
The rest of Leo’s day went by in a whirlwind of medical duties. He didn’t stop for lunch, just kept working, even though his stings were uncomfortable. It seemed more villagers who’d been saving up ailments had now all plucked up the courage to see the new white doctor. After a few hours, he set up a small consultation area at the entrance to the ward to see the majority of patients who were walk-in, walk-out cases.
As evening drew close, he considered the stock cupboard. His supplies were falling. He’d have to call head office and order more of everything, including condoms. He’d brought three bumper boxes but had dished out nearly two already.
“You look tired, Doctor Leo,” Sister Afua said.
“Yes, I am a bit. Is there anything else you want me to do?”
“No. You have done plenty for one day. You should rest so you can do it all again tomorrow.”
He laughed. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He locked the cupboard door and hung his stethoscope on a hook. “Good night, Sister.”
“Goodnight and thank you, for everything.”
Leo smiled and wandered out into the twilight, feeling as if he’d really made a difference and all those years of studying to be a doctor had been worth it. It felt good to be following his passion. Being here felt good.
The village square was calm. A few chickens pecked in the dust, several goats huddled together and someone was drawing water from the well and splashing it into a metal pail. He walked around the back of the hospital toward his room, wishing he was having company. But that wasn’t to be. He’d have one of the canned meals he’d been supplied with and an early night. There was still much to be done, as Sister Afua had just said, and he needed his sleep.
Once in his room he took a cool shower, which helped his swollen bumps, and took a final tablet to reduce the inflammation. He’d be steering clear of hornets in the future. Damn things. The only item of clothing comfortable to wear after his shower was a pair of loose gray joggers with nothing underneath. Commando was the order of the evening.
He used the cell Medics On Hand had given him to call head office and requested more supplies. They said they couldn’t promise anything but would try their best to get him what he needed if he listed it in detail and called them back. He also gave a basic report of how he’d found the village health and the hospital’s running capacity.
He ate canned tuna and bread, drank bottled water then sat at his desk to start on his list of supplies. It was dark and so he shut the curtains, lit one of the fat candles and worked studiously, thinking back to all the medical problems he’d dealt with that day and figuring out exactly what he needed.
Leo had been working on the list for about an hour when he heard a tap at the door. He placed down his pen and went to it. He hoped it wasn’t to do with a patient on the ward worsening. There were a few who were really quite sick.
He opened the door.
Malik stood there. Wide-shouldered and dark-skinned, with hi
s eyes narrowed and his mouth pressed into a flat line.
“Malik, is everything all right?” Leo asked, alarmed by his serious expression.
“Can I come in?” he spoke in a low, deep voice and it didn’t appear to be a question, more of a statement of what he was about to do.
“Yes. Of course.” Leo stepped aside.
Malik walked in, stood in the center of the room and stared at Leo.
There was such intensity in the dark look that Leo’s blood ran thick and his breaths went shallow.
“Shut the door, Leo.”
Leo turned and did as instructed. His fingers trembled slightly. What was going on?
“Lock it,” Malik said.
Leo flipped the catch. It clunked with a sharp finality. Damn, he hoped he wasn’t going to get beaten up. No. Malik wasn’t like that. He was sure of it. He was a good, kind person—a carer, a nurturer and not a violent man.
“What is it, Malik?” he asked, hoping the slight tremor in his voice wasn’t audible.
Malik stepped up to him, fast. He captured Leo’s cheeks in his palms and ran his fingertips into Leo’s hair.
It was a rough, possessive hold that had Leo gasping and his heart rate tripping.
“Tell me,” Malik said, his gaze drinking in Leo’s face.
“What? Tell you what?” Leo gripped Malik’s forearms. His skin was hot and he could make out the tendons beneath. He wanted more. He wanted to rub himself against his beautiful body.
“Do you…” Malik whispered, “like men?”
“Well yes, of course I like men. I like most people.”
Malik almost growled. He lowered his face to Leo’s. Their noses nearly touched and their chests pressed together.
Tingles of sensation ran over Leo’s scalp and down his back.
What the hell is happening?
“You know what I mean, Leo, so tell me the truth.”
“Yes, yes I like men.” Leo’s heart was thudding harder and he felt light-headed.
“Is that why you don’t have a wife?”
“Yes. And I… I… I never will.”
“Because you fuck men. Is that right?” Malik curled his hand around the back of Leo’s head and slid it to the nape of his neck. He pulled him closer still.
Leo stared into Malik’s wild eyes. His pupils were huge and their depths sparkled with something scarily like desire. “Yes. Yes, I fuck men. I love men. I—”
Malik slammed his mouth down on Leo’s. He forced his tongue between Leo’s teeth and set up a feral, tangled dance.
Leo whimpered and clutched him for support. He shut his eyes and got lost in the taste of Malik, sweet and spicy, like rum on a hot summer’s evening. He melted against him, allowed the lust he’d been keeping trapped inside to flood his veins and pour into his cock.
Malik deepened the kiss.
Leo’s thoughts were falling over themselves. Malik wasn’t mad at him at all. Malik wanted to kiss him, hold him.
Fuck, he’s gay too.
Chapter Nine
Leo pressed his hands to Malik’s chest and broke the kiss.
They stared at each other, both panting, both hanging on.
“Malik.” He gasped. “I don’t understand.”
“Yes you do,” he said, running his palm down Leo’s back before cupping his right buttock. “I want you, and judging from that hard-on you got yesterday when I was touching you, you want me too.”
“Fuck, yes. I do. But I didn’t know you were gay.”
Malik appeared confused. “Why would you? I don’t tell anyone when I’m here. In Nairobi—when I worked there—I didn’t hide it so much, but here...” He paused and shook his head. “The elders would not understand how a man could fuck another man. The act doesn’t procreate so it is of no use. It is a sin.”
Leo slid his hand up the column of Malik’s neck and touched the pulse beating beneath the surface. He then ran the pad of his thumb over Malik’s plump bottom lip, the way he’d been dreaming of doing for days.
It was soft and damp and pliant beneath his touch. “How a man could fuck another man,” he said and smiled. “I like hearing you say the word fuck. It’s so sexy coming from your beautiful mouth.”
“Fuck,” Malik said. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
Leo grinned then kissed him, letting him know how much he wanted him—how desirable he found Malik and how much it meant to him that he’d come to confess how he felt and what he wanted.
His cock was growing hard again, straining at his loose sweatpants. A familiar tug of need pulled at his bollocks. He closed the distance between him and Malik. Pressing up against him, he shoved his erection into Malik’s abdomen.
Malik groaned and squeezed Leo’s arse, hard.
“Ouch,” Leo muttered. “Sting.”
“Sorry,” Malik said, pulling back and carefully smoothing both of his hands over Leo’s buttocks. “I forgot that your cute backside has been injured. How are your stings?”
“Nearly gone.”
“Good.” Malik gently backed Leo up to the wall, pushing his shoulders then touching his hips to align him with the brickwork.
Leo went with it, enjoying being positioned and enjoying having Malik’s hands on him.
Unlike yesterday, when Malik had treated his stings, Leo was now facing into the room with his back, bum and heels touching the wall. Malik stood at his side, all dark, brooding and handsome.
“I’m not going to fuck you, Leo—not yet anyway,” he whispered.
A knot of disappointment wound in Leo’s his belly. His cock was still surging forward but he was completely unashamed of the fact that his trousers appeared to have a tent pole in them. He needed to get some kind of relief, some kind of satisfaction. He’d go mad if he didn’t. He was sure of it.
“I have never been with a white boy,” Malik said. “Never wanted to—until now, that is.”
“Oh, okay.”
Malik stroked the back of his knuckles down Leo’s cheek. “Have you ever been with a black man?”
“Er, no, no I don’t think so.” Leo was struggling to think straight. He wanted Malik to get his cock out and give it some attention.
“You don’t think so.” Malik let out a sharp laugh. “You would remember if you had.”
“I mean no. No I haven’t.” Leo looked into Malik’s face, studied the fine stubble over his top lip and the way his nose flattened in a smooth slope. He’d never been with anyone as gorgeous as Malik—that was what he’d meant to say.
“I want to see your white cock,” Malik whispered, leaning in and touching his lips to Leo’s cheek. “Can I touch your white cock?”
“Yes, yes please…” Leo didn’t care that he was begging, it was what he needed—now.
Malik kissed his way to Leo’s ear then settled his lips over the shell. His breaths were warm and loud and added to Leo’s excitement.
Malik ran his hand down Leo’s bare chest, tickled through the short hairs beneath his navel before he tugged the waistband of his sweatpants forward.
“Yes,” Leo gasped, closing his eyes. “Yes, oh, please… God, I’m so hard.”
“Let me see for myself,” Malik said, efficiently shoving at Leo’s sweats so that they bunched at his knees. “Mmm, you are hard—hard and straining for it.”
Leo opened his eyes and stared at Malik.
Malik had his head bent and was studying Leo’s cock. Leo was circumcised and his glans, a large, glossy dome, jutted upward. The slit was deep and wide and his shaft, mauve- colored, was wrapped with thick veins.
“I like it.” Malik nodded. “A lot.”
“Touch me,” Leo said, shifting his hips forward. His cock bobbed and his balls retracted all the more. Damn, he’d grab it himself in a minute.
But he didn’t have to, because Malik wrapped his hand around Leo’s erection and squeezed.
“Ah, fuck,” Leo said, locking his knees and clutching the wall behind him. The sight of Malik’s huge black hand holding his shaft was
one of the most erotic things he’d ever seen—his knuckles were prominent and the tendons and veins on his wrist stood out. His skin looked so smooth and dark next to his.
“What is it?” Malik asked. “Something wrong?”
“No, it’s good. I like you touching me.”
“I haven’t even started yet.” Malik grinned, a slow, sinful grin that showed a new side to him.
Leo liked this side very much—it was teasing and sexy and was making him buzz for sensation.
“Well, feel free to start…anytime,” Leo said. His mouth fell open. He was frantic for more but didn’t dare move.
Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, Malik pumped Leo’s cock—small, firm movements from root to tip.
Leo hummed his pleasure, curled his toes on the tiled floor and clenched his stomach.
“Tell me, is this how your white cock likes to be handled?” Malik asked, watching his own movements carefully.
Leo stared at Malik’s face. “Yes, like that, and more, harder, faster.”
“Harder and faster. Is that a theme for your fucking preference?”
“Yeah, I like it hard and fast.”
“Like this?” Malik sped up his movements tenfold. He also increased his grip and slid the palm of his hand over Leo’s cock head.
“Ah…ah…ah…yeah,” Leo panted. “Fuck, yes, more, faster.”
He stared down at his cock. The shiny red end popped out of Malik’s fist with each rapid downward movement.
A spiral of pressure took hold in his arse. It spread to his balls and up his shaft. Cum simmered for release. Soon it would have to be on its way.
“Fuck, I’m gonna…” he managed.
“Come? Yes you are going to come? That is the idea.”
“Yes, yes…” Leo couldn’t blink, could barely breathe. He was racing toward the point of no return. The erotic sight a wildly powerful force. He leaned harder against the wall, struggling to stay upright.
Malik increased the tension of his grip, banging his hand onto Leo’s body with each rapid jerk of his cock. “You feel amazing, Leo, and damn, you’re hot, so hot for me to handle.”
“I’m coming.” Leo gasped. “Fuck, Malik... I’m going to...” He was going to come and make a mess and spew his desire all over Malik’s hand. He didn’t care. Leo let it out, all that tension. It burst from him in several pearly jets that did indeed cover Malik’s hand and also splattered onto the floor.
