Uproarious laughter rose into the sky along with thinning smoke. Since they had wrapped up business, and night was falling, the children were tucked away and the women came out to choose a blanket.
To Darin’s surprise, Nemro stayed. He sat very tensely on his blanket, almost as if he feared a blow, but Darin realized he was afraid no one would choose to sit with him.
When woman after woman went past him, Darin actually felt sorry for him. Nemro seemed to reject everyone first because he figured they would eventually reject him. Tonight, perhaps because of the situation with Axoev, he’d decided to allow himself to be vulnerable. Darin hoped someone, anyone, would take a chance and sit with him. And then, something very unexpected happened. One of the younger males, who had just become of age to attend the fire, rolled up his blanket and took up residence on Nemro’s.
There was a bit of hubbub over this, because it was women who picked men, but Sieg said there was no rule prohibiting a man sitting with another man. Both of them were full clan members who had the right to choose.
Nemro looked rather stunned. And then he smiled tentatively. So did the young man. Darin hoped that this was the start of a new life for Nemro. It certainly was proof that anything could happen.
Tonight, hardly any females looked at Axoev, and Darin was actually angry because it seemed to him they only were interested in him when he was the leader, but Darin realized that wasn’t the case at all. They recognized when a man was in love. Once a man was taken in that emotional way, they moved on to another. Like Pabb and Inin. According to Axoev, those two had shared a blanket for a few fires, then separated, but they kept coming back to one another. Or rather Inin came back to Pabb since the men were stationary while the women selected.
Darin had asked Axoev if a man had ever refused a woman, and he’d tilted his head, thinking. He didn’t think any had. It wasn’t an issue of looks or wealth or anything like that. They shared a blanket as a way of enjoying themselves but also to determine if they were compatible. Some searched forever and never found the one, but others found many and were happy. Once women were no longer of child-bearing age, they didn’t come to passion fires. Neither did the older men. By the time most reached older age, they were already emotionally paired off and no longer needed the passion fire to help them select someone.
While the younger adults fornicated up a storm, the older adults stayed to tend to the children. Since the passion essence from the trees was heavy, it stayed low to the ground, thus anyone above twenty feet would remain unaffected. All this was gleaned from pillow talk on the night after the first passion fire and during their time trying out all the assistors in the needaling room. Axoev wasn’t a man to get his then roll over and to go to sleep. He enjoyed staying up and talking. He loved to tell Darin all he knew about his people, the trees, and their unique culture.
Another thing Darin was fairly certain about but had no way to prove scientifically was that he believed the mating scent exuded by the trees was slightly flammable. By building a large fire, they drew the essence into a concentrated area that overwhelmed them and also consumed it. Again, it was only a guess, but in the end, Darin had no desire to test his theory. Maybe when he was an old man he would, but for now he was happy to be at the whim of the trees.
“So now you are a man of the clan.” Axoev spoke softly, drawing Darin closer to him.
“I am.”
“You could have your own blanket.”
“I don’t want my own blanket.” With careful movements, Darin urged Axoev to lie on his back so he could straddle his hips. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Axoev smiled and tried to lift his arm, but Darin cautioned him against doing so. Carefully, he moved his arms to the side with his elbows bent and his forearms up.
“Does that hurt?”
“No. It actually feels good.”
“From what I remember, it’s the best position to keep your arms in so that the muscles all heal the right way.”
“How can I keep them out like this?” Axoev asked, looking down at his arms. “It doesn’t feel as natural as having them across my chest.”
“That way won’t heal correctly.”
Axoev flashed him a rather dubious frown.
“What?”
“Are you trying to make me look silly as revenge for having to wear the faunsha outfit?”
“No!” Darin laughed. “I’m doing my best to doctor you so after this heals you’ll still have a full range of motion and your shoulders won’t dislocate again.”
“You mean that might happen again but only if I fall in another lighone pit, right?”
“No. If the muscles aren’t healed properly, you can dislocate your shoulders much easier a second time. If it happened while you were climbing up the tree…” Darin trailed off because they both saw how deadly that could be.
“How long?”
“Let me worry about that.”
“How long, Darin?”
“At least until the next fire.”
Axoev’s eyes widened.
“I know that seems like a long time.” The span between fires was about a month long. “But better immobilization for a month than to lose mobility for a lifetime.”
“The injury doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it did at the pit.”
“I know.” Darin leaned forward and kissed Axoev gently without putting any of his weight on his upper chest or shoulders. “That’s because I popped the joint back in, but having it come out like that makes all the muscles and tendons around it go wonky. Soaking in the cold water will help with inflammation. Which reminds me.” Darin grabbed one of the fermented fruits. “You should drink some of this to relax you. On Earth, they’d give you muscle relaxers, but we’ll have to make do.”
“But my tree, the work, I—”
“I will assist you. If you do what I say, you will be able to do all of that again without worry. So I guess the question is, do you trust me?”
Chapter 12
“I trust you more than words could ever say.” Axoev reluctantly resigned himself to his fate. He didn’t like the thought of being so vulnerable, but he liked the idea of being permanently disabled even worse.
Darin grinned. “You are so amazingly poetical.”
“And I am very happy.”
“Gay, dear.”
“That, too.” Axoev hesitated for only a moment before asking what he needed to know. “And you are not upset at having to tend to me?”
“Are you kidding?” Darin teased his fingers lightly over Axoev’s chest as he helped him drink ball juice. “Being the boss of this big, beautiful body is going to be more fun than I’ve ever had in my life.”
“I knew there was some form of payment in this for you.”
“Of course.” Darin concentrated his touches on Axoev’s nipples, making him arch up and long to touch Darin the same way.
“But I can’t touch you.” Axoev realized the many things he would need assistance with, but not being able to touch Darin would make him crazed.
“You can with my help.” Darin leaned over, and while holding Axoev’s hand still, he moved so that his nipple swiped over Axoev’s fingertips. It was a curious kind of touching that probably could keep him content, at least for a while.
“It will do. But when the healing time is up, be aware that I will demand many encounters where you are not allowed to touch.”
“Fair deal.” Darin seemed to enjoy being in charge of Axoev’s touches.
When the passion essence began to flow around them, Axoev watched as Darin’s eyes changed. The dark spot in the center widened, his lids got heavy, and he lowered his head so that it was easier for him to look at Axoev’s face. All were signs of his lust increasing. And then he rotated his hips, rolling his bottom against Axoev’s cock, making him harden against his pants.
Darin’s ass was bare since he still wore the faunsha clothing, but he didn’t seem to be in a hurry to expose Axoev. Concerned, Axoev murmured, “I am
not so injured that I can’t have you.”
“Oh, I know.” Darin didn’t make any effort to speed things up even when the powerful scent increased. Moans and groans around the fire increased in number and volume. “I’m not in any hurry tonight.”
Despite the fact that Darin had determinedly attended to Axoev’s needs in the water while ignoring his own, Axoev was hard and needy. Darin’s hands had been good, but Axoev knew there was nothing like the gripping heat and tightness of his ass. If he was able to use his hands, Axoev would grasp Darin’s waist, pull him close, and hold him while kissing him into submission. Since he couldn’t, he had to find another way to entice Darin into doing his bidding.
“Don’t even try it, mister.”
“Try what?”
“Making that sad face. You’re not in pain. I know you’re not because I took care of you earlier.”
“But I’m in need now.” Axoev gave Darin his most profoundly hungry gaze. “I ache for you.”
“Damn you.” Darin shook his head. “How can I resist those big puppy-dog eyes?”
“You can’t. You must do my lustful bidding.” Axoev had wondered what that animal was that Darin had sometimes compared his eyes to, and the answer had surprised him until he explained that though humans owned dogs, it was really dogs who bossed humans around with their undeniable cuteness.
Darin moved back until he was sitting on Axoev’s thighs. With taunting slowness he teased the fasteners of Axoev’s pants apart, exposing his cock. Rather than leaping on him and trying to take him deep like he had during the other passion fire, Darin took his time slicking up Axoev’s cock until he was thrashing in need.
“How can you be so unaffected by the trees?”
“I’m affected.” Darin darted his glance down, and Axoev followed. “I’m as hard as you.”
“Then why are you not wild?” All around them the sounds of people striving toward climax were only aggravating Axoev’s need.
“Because I’m in charge tonight and I find I’m loving it.” Darin wrapped his hands around Axoev’s cock and then rocked his own along the length. It was wickedly sexual, almost as if Darin were fucking him without actually penetrating him. Had he been able to use his arms, Axoev might have stopped him, but since there was nothing he could do, he found himself relaxing and letting Darin do as he wished.
It didn’t take long for Axoev to realize that what Darin wanted to do was make Axoev utterly crazy for him. Watching his intensity as Darin rubbed his cock along the shaft of Axoev’s penis made Axoev fall in love with him even more. Darin truly had come into his full name. He who Dares was fearless today when he’d saved him, and he was fearless as he explored the range of physical sensations they could share.
“I am shocked that I cannot resist.” Axoev was thoroughly impressed by Darin’s stamina.
At long last, Darin rose up and placed the tip of Axoev’s cock against his hole. Anticipation caused Axoev to tighten his belly. He wanted to lean up, but Darin refused to move until he’d relaxed against his blanket.
“Your shoulders need to rest, and that means you can’t move at all.”
“Not at all?”
“Nope. Now hush and let me do the work.”
So slowly it was a wonder he wasn’t going backward, Darin slid down Axoev’s cock. When he finally was fully buried, Axoev hungered for a kiss. As if he sensed his need, Darin leaned forward, placing his lips against Axoev’s. While they kissed, Darin rocked his hips, making Axoev growl and groan. There was something to be said for being passive. Since he couldn’t move or direct Darin in any way but for words, sounds, and expressions, Axoev had more time to simply experience the moment. Allowing Darin to be in charge was oddly freeing.
After keeping him aroused and simmering most of the night, Darin suddenly began to ride on Axoev in earnest. His breathing rate grew harsh as he planted his hands on the side of Axoev’s body. Normally, Darin liked to grab his shoulders, but he was being very careful to avoid touching anywhere on Axoev’s upper body.
Faster and harder Darin went. It was beautiful to watch the passion steal over his features, turning the sweet dark. He went from looking so bright and innocent to an appearance that was wicked lust brought to life. When Darin’s head went back, Axoev knew he was close to climax. Timing his one and only thrust to coincide with that moment helped Axoev to not only join Darin in a powerful release, but to enhance Darin’s pleasure as well.
After the shakes left him, Darin rolled his head forward. “You weren’t supposed to move.”
“Only one thrust.”
“Hmm. You did show remarkable restraint.” Darin stayed where he was for a moment then gently settled down, resting his head on Axoev’s chest. It was the perfect position for Axoev to place his hands on Darin’s back without moving his arms.
They stayed this way until the scent faded and the fire began to cool. This time, rather than order them to go, Nemro quietly asked if they would extinguish the fire before they left.
Axoev looked up and saw that Nemro and Terro were holding hands. Apparently, it had been a good pairing. Axoev was hopeful that Nemro might change his behavior now that he had something, or rather someone, to focus on.
“We’ll take care of the fire, Nemro.”
Nemro nodded, showing the first and only genuine smile Axoev had ever seen on his face, and then walked off with Terro pressing into his side.
“Is that a first?” Darin asked.
“A man sitting on a man’s blanket? No. You were first. But I do not think Terro will be the last.”
Axoev and Darin slept out under the canopy of the trees. Darin got up once or twice to add wood to the fire, but then he was back, sleeping on top of Axoev so he could keep his arms in the proper position. Darin managed to say love without saying a word.
Epilogue
Darin Poole was a wanted man. As he dashed through the forest, he heard his pursuer gaining ground. The only reason he was able to have any advantage was that he had a substantial head start. Before he knew it, Axoev ate up the distance between them.
“I’m close, little one.”
“Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades!”
“You will explain that when I catch you.”
It was only a matter of another dozen steps before Axoev managed to catch up to him.
“Aha!” Axoev grasped the back waist of Darin’s pants, halting him abruptly. “Now you will surrender.”
“I won’t.” Darin struggled but not with all his might. Today was the first day that Axoev was fully restored. He had been patient through his treatment despite his hatred of being dependent. Once he’d learned to let Darin take care of him, things got easier, but it hadn’t been a cakewalk for either one of them.
“Now that I’m healed, you have to lie still while only I can move.” Axoev crushed Darin to his chest, kissed him breathless, then sank down to the soft ground. Here, on the edge of the forest, they had shade from the sun and a certain measure of privacy. Not that anyone in the village was nosey that way. All they had to do was watch during passion fire if they were. No, Darin wanted privacy because he wanted time alone to simply be with Axoev. Now that he’d reclaimed his role as leader, with Sieg’s grateful acquiescence, Axoev would once again have a hundred and one demands on his time.
“You don’t seem to be resisting me.”
“Do you want me to?”
“Not really.” Axoev grinned. “But I thought you had grown accustomed to being in charge.”
“It was fun while it lasted, but I knew you would go right back your aggressive, dominating ways.”
“Do you wish for me to change?”
“Hell no! I don’t mind. It’s the whole captive dom/sub thing that you seem to enjoy. I’m willing to indulge you.” Darin grinned mischievously. “Because we both know who’s really in charge.”
“You.”
“Yep.”
Axoev had Darin’s pants off after a bit of a struggle. “This was so mu
ch easier when you wore the faunsha outfit.”
“But pants make you have to work harder for me.” Darin had worn the clothing on occasion to please Axoev, and he would again. It was fun when it was play and not his life.
“I do not mind working hard for you.” Axoev took Darin’s hand and placed it on his exposed cock. He was indeed hard. “And I must confess that you cannot leave now.”
“No?” Darin didn’t want to, but he was curious why Axoev would bring it up at this moment.
“Wetoo is dead.”
“Oh.” Darin was genuinely sad. Wetoo had stolen him from Refann, who had stolen him from Dartalli. If Wetoo was dead, it was unlikely his original owner would ever be able to find him. Wetoo was the only one besides those of the Clan Shadow who knew where Darin was or where he’d come from. “Wait, why would I not be able to leave? Surely Wetoo didn’t have the only ship?”
“He had the only starship on the whole planet.”
“But there’s the landing area.”
“Other ships have come and gone, but Wetoo was the only way off the planet unless you wish to go and wait at the landing area for someone to come.”
“Are you asking me if that’s what I want?”
“Do you?” Axoev hesitated in his determination to get his own pants down far enough for a serious romp in the soft plants.
“I’m not ever going.”
“Good.”
“Did he crash?”
“Who?” Axoev was busy kissing, licking, and stroking Darin’s entire body like a blind man suddenly able to see. In his case it was a man denied much of his tactile ability, and he seemed to want to make up for it now.
“Wetoo. Did he wreck, or did his crappy ship just explode when he landed it?”
“He was eaten by a byssangi.”
That caused Darin to peer up into the thick layer of leaves.
“They are not in our forest. We are vigilant for our trees.”
Darin thought of another question he wanted to ask, but he forgot about it when Axoev sucked Darin’s cock into his mouth. Damn but he was good at that. He had a way of sucking almost hard enough to hurt then going completely slack. It was sexy as hell. And then he was pinning Darin to the ground by holding his mighty body above him. Darin wrapped his legs around Axoev’s hips, urging him inside.
Enslaved by a Barbarian [Sold! 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 12
