Mask

by Jan Irving

  He stroked Kain s arm as they traversed the hallway, the now familiar draft giving away the location, and then the key rattling so he knew theyd reached his room.

  He was shortly lowered to his bed. He clutched Kain s forearms. “It wasnt so bad, being in the same room with me, was it?” He reached up, blind, his fingers stumbling over Kains collar to his neck, feeling the rasp of new beard under his touch.

  Kain pulled sharply away.

  Heart thudding, Nick sat up and tried again, his hand moving over Kains back, gripping. “I want you. You made me want you….” He strained up, grazing Kains lips with his own. Prodding them, coaxing. Please.

  He heard the sound of uneven breathing, felt Kains pulse pounding in his neck, under his fingers. The larger man was actually trembling.

  “Be careful what you invite! Christ!” Kain shoved him away.

  Nick reached for his blindfold as the door slammed, the lock turned.

  Aroused, hurting, he put his head on his knees.

  “CAN I help you?”

  “ Detective Lisa Manners. Is Mr. Mitchell at home?” A hard-faced woman in her early forties with blunt-cut auburn hair sprinkled with white flashed her badge.

  Nick rubbed his eyes, still waking up. A detective? What the hell? Something to do with Miguel?“I, uh, havent seen him.” Wasn’t that the truth!

  In fact, he d still be sleeping since hed had a restless night, tormented by his embarrassing desire for Kain, but hed been jolted awake by the dull sound of the bolt in his bedroom door unlocking at dawn.

  Apparently the master didnt want him wandering the house at night, maybe finding him, forcing things between them. It seemed Kain knew him very well, knew that sooner or later, despite what he feared he might find in the shadows, Nick would go looking.

  But fine and dandy. Nick would save his snooping for the daylight hours. He did a lot of his painting at night anyway, spilling out his feelings and confusion and slightly pissed-off longing for Obsidian.

  “I would like to speak with him,” Manners repeated, mouth firm. “ Im afraid thats impossible,” Finn called, interrupting Nicks uncomfortable standoff with the cop. Finn was wearing a green silk robe; his mussed red hair and his sharp, elfin features made him look sexy and secretive, like the love slave of a fey king.

  Manners, though, only gave Finn a derisive glance, as if judging him for his choice of clothing only. “Why is that? And you are?” “ Finn!” Finn gave her a sunny smile. “Mr. Mitchell is… indisposed this morning since he had one of his migraines last night. But you are very welcome to come inside and enjoy a latte with us. I was just whipping one up for Nick.”

  “Uh-huh.” Manners eyes went from Nick to Finn, as if she was wondering if they were up to something. But whatever it was, Nick was out of the game. He took the opportunity to probe, wondering what the hell a detective wanted with his boss.“Why are you here?”

  “ Hustler murdered last night. Found in a ditch not too far from this…” Manners eyebrows rose as she took in the vegetation-covered entranceway of Telemachus,“house.”

  Nick swallowed sickly and looked to Finn, whose mouth only tightened in reaction.

  “Oh,” Nick said, drawing a blank.

  Manners cocked her head, studying Nick. “Slim little blond, like you.”

  Nick ran a hand over his unshaven jaw. “Im sorry to hear that. Do you know who he was?”

  “His wrist was stamped last night at the club Manticore, which I understand Mr. Mitchell owns.” “ He does?” Nick blinked. Shit! The same club where Miguel had run into trouble…. Coincidence?“Is that why you wish to speak to him?”

  “ Yes, but he doesnt go clubbing there anymore, kitten,” Finn said, waving a hand dismissively. “That was Kains… well call it a past life. So he wasnt there last night, Detective.”

  Manners raised a brow. “Mitchell may not frequent his club, but there are other places for a man of his… tastes. Other connections a powerful man can utilize.”

  Finn gave the detective a bland look. “Whatever do you mean? But Ill be sure and pass on your message.”

  “You do that,” she growled. “And tell him I want to see him.” Nodding, Finn closed the door and then looked at Nick. “So, ready for that latte?”

  Moonbeam: Why can’t you just understand? I don’t feel like talking to you.

  Obsidian: Um hum. I understand you are working on a piece for the charity drive hosted at the university. Moonbeam: So? Obsidian: I happen to also own a share in a gallery downtown which is auctioning works by the most promising young talent.

  Moonbeam: Why am I not surprised? You seem to have your tentacles everywhere, Obsidian. Obsidian: I’m saying that I have a connection.

  Moonbeam: :sputters: Not interested!

  Obsidian: Nick. You are talented, but finding recognition for your work means grasping opportunity.

  Moonbeam: :primly: It’s “Moonbeam” here, remember? Obsidian: Funny, but you don’t exactly put me in mind of a ray of light today. And now we are living under the same roof, I will call you Nick when it pleases me. Now tell me what’s wrong? Something’s upset you.

  Moonbeam: ...

  Obsidian: Your “offer” last night, perhaps?

  Moonbeam: You pushed me away.

  Obsidian: Nick, I was trying to do the right thing. You don’t know…

  Moonbeam: All right, fine, we’ll start with that. You were afraid, I think.

  Obsidian: ...

  Moonbeam: You left bruises on my shoulders. Did I imagine that? Did I imagine you were trembling? Obsidian: You made a clumsy pass. Moonbeam: Don’t try to shake my confidence because you don’t want to face what happened between us last night. You know I can have just about anyone I want.

  Obsidian: I’m sure you can, Nick. Moonbeam: Grrrrr. And I don’t need you to play the patron for my art. I prefer to make my own connections, thank you. I’m not blind to opportunities—I just prefer to make them on my own.

  Obsidian: You telling me off is oddly arousing. Moonbeam: Right now, do you know what I feel? Like biting your bare shoulder. Feeling your skin under my teeth. Marking you so you feel me, hear me!

  Obsidian: Christ! Don’t say shit like that! Didn’t I warn you? Moonbeam: All night I felt the air against my skin, almost like a touch. I ached for your hand on me. On me, Kain. You woke this sleeping beauty. Like I said last night, you made me want, so deal with it!

  Obsidian: ... Moonbeam: So don’t tell me I don’t know what I want, you patronizing son of a bitch. By the way, we have a guest coming, so you better stick to your lair since you seem to have an aversion to being seen.

  Obsidian: :Eyes narrowing: I don’t remember saying you could have your little friends over. Moonbeam: Probably because I didn’t ask. We’re going to work together on a collaborative metal sculpture for the event you mentioned.

  Obsidian: Oh, good. I’ll tell Finn to break out the milk and cookies.

  Moonbeam: :lightly: Be sure to watch, Kain, since that’s all you do.

  Obsidian: I told you to be fucking careful what you invite! You don’t know what could happen if I—

  Moonbeam: Moonbeam has left the room.

  Obsidian: FUCK! NICK massaged his sore shoulder, since he hadnt been kidding about the bruises Kain had left on his body, while studying the metal that his companion, Mark, had begun welding since Nick had run out of steam for the moment. The brass was stained from the chemicals theyd rinsed it in so blotches of greens and azures covered the blade, reminiscent of the shades of a peacock feather.

  Mark shoved his goggles up, huffing from the heat of welding. “Fantastic!” he said, face glowing. “This is going to be the top piece in the show. You know that, right?”

  Nick gave him a sideways look, forcing himself to take in the way Marks T-shirt was sticking to his chest. Nick was single now and he was determined not to be too vulnerable to Kain, as he had been with Miguel, not be shoved away because he desired more than Kain was ready to give. This time, he was keeping his
options open, as much as he could.

  Finn interrupted his brooding by placing a heaped plate of cookies on the table. “Here you go, fellas. Mr. Mitchell thought youd like some cookies and, er…. What would you like to drink?”

  Nick raised an eyebrow and Finn shrugged, looking rueful, as if he was fully aware he was playing the pawn in the game between Nick and Kain.

  “Soda for me,” Mark said. “I need steady hands, especially with Nick here directing the action.” Marks eyes slid over Nick. And Finn gave Nick a very sober look, as if asking him if he knew what he was doing.

  Nicks lips quirked and he eyed the camera as he bit into a cookie. Are you watching me now, Kain? See what you pushed away? “So how long have you two known each other?” Finn asked, folding his arms and lingering. Mark munched on a cookie, happily oblivious to the undercurrents, like the chill breeze that worked through Telemachus House. “I helped Nick and Miguel move a couple times. We, uh, are all friends.”

  “ Uh-huh.” Finn settled on the long table and Nick wondered if Kain had ordered him to play chaperone. “I dont think Ive seen you around before at the clubs.”

  “ Students are too poor to afford the scene,” Mark said. “In fact, I have to fucking move again. I managed to get my stuff in storage when my lease ran out, but I dont have a place to crash for a few days.” He looked rather pointedly at Nick. “I may have to sleep rough.” “Shit, Mark, you didnt say! That sucks,” Nick commiserated.

  “Yeah.” Mark lifted his T-shirt, scrubbing his face.

  Finn and Nick couldnt help but examine his softly muscled torso since hed put himself on display.

  “I can help you,” Nick offered quietly. “Im pretty experienced with moving. And maybe you could stay here until you find a place.” Finn cleared his throat and hopped off the table.“Nicky, help me get Marks soda?”

  Nick rolled his eyes at that excuse, but followed Finn just out of earshot, while Mark ate another cookie, studying the budding sculpture. Face suddenly looking weary and much older, like an aged elf, Finn said, “Youre playing with fire when you play with Kain. Hes not like other men, Nick.”

  Nick tugged his T-shirt down at the neck, showing off a fingershaped bruise. “I know. But it cant be all the way he wants it.” “He wants you, kitten. Dont doubt it. He wants you, but hes….” Finn sighed. “He just wants you safe.” “ He shoved me away last night! He seduced me for weeks, woke me up, and then he fucking pushed me away like he couldnt stand my touch!” Nicks throat tightened as he remembered. Innocent need. Crushed. The slam of a door. Shaky, uncertain.

  Rejected. “ He wants inside you as much as you want him there,” Finn repeated, shaking his head. “Okay, work with your friend—who is delicious, by the way, and so obviously available—and after youre done, come to my room in the north wing. Ill give you a massage for those sore shoulders.”

  “I should ask Kain if Mark can stay the night.” Finn chewed his lip. “Nuh-uh. You let me do that. And to be on the safe side, Ill ask his lordship if Mark can be my guest.”

  SO THAT was how Nick found himself later on Finns massage table, relaxing against the heating pad that warmed the skin of his stomach. It was covered with fresh white towels and a linen pillow, smelling faintly of freshly crushed rosemary.

  Finn obviously took massage seriously.

  Acting on a hunch, Nick probed, “You do this for him, dont you?”

  “Sometimes he cant sleep because hes hurting, yes,” Finn sighed. “Did you ask him about the cop this morning?” Nick shook his head. “Not yet, and since you told the detective Kain was with you after… after he was with me, he couldnt know anything about that hustler, right?” Nick raised his brows at Finn.

  “Um. Ive warmed some river rocks. Im going to put them on the center of your back.” Nick turned his head to watch since this kind of exotic pampering was new to him. The stones felt smooth and oddly comforting as Finn carefully placed them.

  “All right, just lie there and relax for a while. Ill go find Mark and see if he wants to stay here and then prepare him a room.”

  Nicks eyes were closing, as he hadnt had much sleep. “„K….”

  “OBSIDIAN…?”

  Nick blinked, malleable from the combination of warm oil, hands digging into his shoulders, his back. Hed be embarrassed at his hardness but some time during the massage hed recognized it wasnt Finn ministering to him.

  A single candle lit the space. He saw a shadow through the curtain that surrounded the cot and sat up. “ I felt one of your hands so I know its you. Why is it gloved?” “I didnt reject you, Nick. Christ!”

  A black silk scarf was held out in silent invitation, fluttering to Nicks lap.

  Heart pounding, Nick took the olive branch, covering his eyes. He felt the breath of sudden movement against his face. Kain pushed him down on the massage bed, took hold of his wrists. Ruthless, gentle, totally in control.

  Kain fastened them above Nicks head, with what felt like another silk scarf, leaving Nick totally helpless. Hed obviously come prepared. Nick held his breath, waiting….

  A gloved finger ran down the center of his chest, circled one nipple.

  “Please! Please dont pull away from me this time!” Nick begged, exposing his hurt, his need.

  The towel was yanked aside and Nick could feel Kain looking at him. A gloved hand bracketed his sex, possessive over his thigh. Lips brushed the tip of his needy erection. A tongue. Tasting him…. Nick shuddered, whimpering, open.

  “This is mine,” Kain said, very firmly.

  “Yes,” Nick whispered.

  “I MEAN… um,” Nick backpedaled, blushing.

  “ You cant take it back.” But Kain was smiling against Nicks thigh. Nick could feel it, his senses hypersensitive to every sensation since he was blindfolded. No, more than that, it was like his body, heart and mind tuned up to another level when Kain was around. Like Kain unlocked something inside Nick and unleashed it so they could both enjoy his effect on Nick.

  “ Can too,” Nick rasped, his body tight as wire, eager slave to Kains breath, lips, tongue, touch. “I feel a bit like one of those Victorian maidens Ive read about. If a man took down her hair, it meant—”

  “ She belonged to him now. It meant sex.” Kain stroked Nicks hair. “Id like it if you grew it longer. Maybe down your back so I could wrap it around my wrists.” Kain bent closer to Nick and whispered, “You wont be deprived or guilty or stifled the way you were with your boyfriend. Ill give you everything you crave.”

  “Uh-huh….” Nick closed his eyes tightly under the blindfold. “In the meantime, I have the idea we are going to argue a lot.”

  “Youre just naturally contrary, kitten. If I said „white, youd say—” “„ Vermilion, seeing as Im an artist. I wouldnt want to be clichéd. Kain….” His hands knotted into fists in his silk bond. He needed—but it was completely up to Kain when he would be touched. He had submitted himself when he gave Kain his sight and now trusted him with his vulnerable body.

  “ I shouldnt get so close to you.” Kains fingers brushed the bruises on Nicks shoulders, as if he was aware of the direction of Nicks thoughts.

  Nick frowned, not liking that at all. “What if I want you close?” “ You dont know what you want. You were pulled away from a long-term relationship, from your regular workplace, from your home, even. And Im the bastard who shoved you from your safe rut, so I should know.”

  “Brought me under your roof. Regrets? Its too late, Kain.” “Arent you afraid of me? A detective came by this morning, wanting to speak to me. You should be afraid.” Nick brushed Kain s fingers. “You feel like shit because you left bruises on my shoulders. It doesnt strike me as the behavior of a killer of prostitutes.”

  “ Then I guess Ill just have to reward your belief in me.” Kain swallowed Nicks cock, smooth.

  “Oh! Oh, shit! Oh, Obsidian!”

  “Like me, Nick? Like me taking you, owning you?”

  “ I want to come, come inside your mouth,” Nick begged, e
mbarrassed by the sound of his voice, begging, but needing it even as he flushed at his own bald admission. Yet how often had he thought about this after a sizzling back and forth with Obsidian? His come on Kains lips.

  Kain asked,“Can you hold on? It will be better if you can, little one.” “ Tease me. Kain, please tease me, use me….”

  Kains gloved hand slid up to cover Nicks. “Youre mine to use.”

  Nick gripped it, hanging on, both anchored and aroused. He felt like the only solid thing was Kain, like his own body was a feast to be eaten, to be enjoyed. Only for Kain. Archaic thoughts, but deeply sexy to Nick.

  “ I bet youre a wonderful little cocksucker, arent you? I cant wait to have you on your knees, hands cuffed behind your back, maybe with your ass red from my hand, while I feed it to you, fuck your mouth, use my little cocksucking whore.”

  Nicks opening contracted as a finger circled it…. His lips parted. Kain would penetrate him. Fuck him. Spend on his skin at some future time when Nicks hair was longer, so Kain could fist it in his hands as he rode Nick.

  Wait. Dazed, he frowned, wondering what it was about Kain s finger that had caught his attention, but then Kain devoured him, humming, ruthless, demanding Nicks absolute seduction, absolute release.

  Panting, Nick spread his legs wider, raising his heels so they dug into the padded surface, so they shifted, restless, as he pushed up, his body an arc of need, suspended, toyed with at Kains will.

  When he came —a starburst kindled in their chat room, teased by Obsidian, so now he wanted nothing more than to be Kains slut, to be what Kain said he needed to be, a hot little whore—when he came, his balls tightened, Kain greedily sucking him. His nipples, his fingertips, up his arched throat and through his ragged cry of submission.

  “Kain! Take me!” PANTING, he felt lips on the chilly trail on his cheek, touching the single tear. Kain nuzzled him, his heavier stubble marking Nicks skin, as his touch had marked Nicks feelings.