Cataclysmic Shift

by Tara Lain

  When he pushed open the door to the waiting room, he stopped. Three men stood together talking. They all turned their faces to him, and the impact rivaled a cannon blast. Beauty, intensity, power. Oh my.

  The one who looked like a brown-haired Roman gladiator stepped forward. “Hi. You must be Alain. I’m Jimmy Janx. Killian Barth told us about you.” He extended his hand, and Alain took it. Strong, young, curious. The one called Jimmy pointed to his companions. “This is Ryder McMasters.”

  Alain had to work to keep his mouth closed. It was hard to imagine anyone more amazing-looking than Killian Barth, but this man came close. Tall, with hair so silver it appeared sterling and eyes that glowed, Ryder did not look human. Alain shook his hand. So guarded. This one was even better at hiding than Luke.

  Finally, the most ordinary-looking boy of the three approached him with a smile. “Hi. I’m Sammy.”

  Tall and thin with dark auburn hair, he looked like any college boy—but he wasn’t. Alain took his hand, and some piece of his heart stopped. Power. Kindness. Friend. Protect.

  Alain smiled back at Sammy, and a circuit closed with energy zipping in a circle between them.

  He pulled his hand away, but it was harder to stop staring. He forced his head to turn to Jimmy. “I’m so glad to meet any friends of Killian’s. How can I help you?”

  Jimmy was staring, no doubt about it. He blinked. “I’m thinking of getting a pet for my wife.”

  Alain cocked his head. So this one was not gay. “What would you like? A dog? Cat? Bird?” He grinned. “Actually, we have no birds.”

  “I’m not sure. Sit with us for a moment if you have time, and I’ll tell you about Lavender. Then you can help me decide.”

  Lavender? Hmmm. “Yes, of course.” They all sat on the simple, fake-leather couches. Alain sat nearest to Jimmy, but his eyes kept seeking out Sammy. “What kind of woman is she?”

  “Well, she’s very beautiful and kind.”

  Ryder nodded. “And powerful.”

  Jimmy smiled. “And she has a wonderful sense of humor. You’d like her.”

  Why did he feel he already did? “I have two dogs and a cat looking for homes. Would you like to see them?”

  “Sure, that would be great.”

  He led the way into the back. When he opened the door, all the animals stopped whatever they were doing and looked at him expectantly. “Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I brought friends. So show them how great you are.”

  The big yellow Lab, who had a very good home already, padded over and licked Ryder’s hand. Ryder laughed and ruffled the dog’s fur.

  Alain picked up the calico cat that Amy had found in a junkyard. “We call him Joseph because he has a coat of many colors.” Alain held him toward Jimmy. “Joseph, this is Jimmy. He’s looking for a friend. Are you the one?”

  The cat stared at the big handsome man solemnly. “Mraowr.” He sprang from Alain’s arms to Jimmy’s shoulder and purred.

  Jimmy laughed. “Gods, he’s like Aloysius.”

  Alain’s breath caught. The three men looked at him with wide eyes. This was important. But why? He knew who Aloysius was, didn’t he? From the closet.

  Jimmy cleared his throat. “Uh, Joseph is a great cat. I think he likes me.”

  Alain nodded. “Yes, he does.”

  “Then can I get him for Lavender?”

  “Yip.” A white ball of fluff leaped out of its cage, skidded on the linoleum floor, and wound up in a heap at Ryder’s feet. “Yip, yip.”

  Ryder leaned down and picked up the little dog. “Who are you?”

  Alain smiled. “You already know.”

  Ryder looked up with an enormous smile. “Yes. Her name is Eloise, and she’s my dog.” He hugged her against his face and got licked for his trouble.

  Sammy leaned against Ryder. “She’s so great. Can I share her?”

  Alain wagged his finger. “You don’t have to.”

  From one of the big cages under the counter, a big, thin dog with ruffled, mangy brown fur padded straight for Sammy. He sat at the young man’s feet and looked up at him with somber eyes.

  Sammy looked at Alain with tears glistening. “He’s mine, isn’t he?”

  Alain smiled mysteriously.

  The pretty face split in a grin. “He’s like me. Not so much to look at.”

  Ryder hugged the boy with one arm, still holding the tiny dog in the other. “If he’s like you, my love, he has an enormous heart, great power, and the wisdom to use both wisely.”

  Alain patted the dog. “He’s quite a dog. We found him guarding a litter of kittens from a fox.”

  Sammy knelt and faced the canine. “Would you like to be my dog?”

  “Woof.”

  Sammy glanced up at Alain. “Do you like him too, Alain?”

  “Very much.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Aristotle.”

  “We’re a team, Aristotle. If you don’t mind living in a small apartment with Eloise and two guys.”

  “Woof.”

  Alain stepped beside the dog. “He agrees.”

  Sammy raised his hand. “Shake.”

  When Aristotle lifted his paw and put it in Sammy’s hand, the young man almost fell over laughing.

  Jimmy scratched Joseph under his chin. “Who knew we were all coming to get our pets?”

  Alain shrugged. “Of course. I had three.”

  Jimmy laughed. “What do we have to do? Papers and such?”

  “I’ll have to ask Madeline.”

  “Before we do, anytime you want some company, you and Luke, we’d love to have you come over, hang out, whatever.”

  “Thank you. That’s very kind. Do you all go to the college?”

  Jimmy shook his head. “I graduated, and I work for Killian. Ryder’s a teaching assistant getting an advanced degree in history, and Sammy’s getting his MFA. Do you go to school?”

  Alain frowned. “I think perhaps I have. I remember classrooms and students.”

  Jimmy glanced at Sammy, then back at Alain. “Well, I’m sure you’re welcome on the campus whenever you like to check it out.”

  Alain gazed at Sammy. “I think I will be checking it out.”

  ALAIN SNUGGLED his head against Luke’s shoulder and got a similar snuggle from Amelia on his chest. They no longer pretended that Alain or the kitten had their own room.

  He sighed. This was perfect—almost.

  Luke kissed his hair. Alain loved that gentle gesture. “Did you enjoy meeting Killian’s friends today?”

  “Very much. They’re very young, though. I think they’re more his students.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t meet them.”

  “The surgery went well?”

  “Yes. It’s a simple procedure on a male.”

  “I’ll bet he didn’t think so.” Alain smiled.

  “It’s better for a dog that’s going to be a pet. It doesn’t hurt him.”

  Alain sighed. “I know. He didn’t mind. He wanted a family more.”

  Luke chuckled. “You do say amazing things.”

  “It’s an amazing world.”

  Luke threaded his fingers through Alain’s hair. “I love it that you think so. I’m afraid I got pretty jaded and came to like animals a lot better than people.”

  “We’re not so different from our pets, really.” Alain held up his hand. “Thumbs. And we don’t understand each other’s languages too well.”

  “You understand animal language.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I don’t know.” For a moment, they both settled into the silence. “Luke, what if I never remember?”

  “You’re remembering a lot of things.”

  “Yes, but what if I go around for the rest of my life doing strange, inexplicable things and never remember why?”

  Luke’s arm tightened. “I guess that would be pretty difficult for you.”

  He stilled. “How would it be for you?”

  “Wh
y do I matter?”

  Alain swallowed hard. “You matter to me.”

  Luke seemed to stop breathing, and then he let out a breath. “I can’t imagine not having you in my life. But I don’t know what’s—”

  Alain leaped up and pounced on Luke, getting a yowl from Amelia as she jumped onto the pillow. “I can’t imagine not being with you either.” He flattened himself so they were body to body, cock to cock. “You don’t have to promise me anything. And you don’t have to take care of me. I know in my heart that I’m a creature who can take care of himself even without memories. So just enjoy being my friend and my lover, and I’ll do the same.”

  Luke laughed. “But I like taking care of you.”

  “That will be fine.”

  Luke really laughed at that.

  Alain crossed his hands on Luke’s chest and rested his chin on them, looking up at the gorgeous, lean face with its high cheekbones and slender nose. “Was your life very terrible?”

  Luke blew out a breath. “No. Well, kind of. I actually chose it, so I have no right to complain.”

  “Chose it? How?”

  “When my parents died, I came to New York to live with a distant relative. It became obvious that she didn’t want me. I could’ve washed dishes or worked in retail, but when this guy—you know, Nicky—offered me big money as a rent boy, I took it.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Seventeen. I already knew I didn’t want a life anything like my parents’. Dirt-poor from the hills of West Virginia. Seeing New York was a revelation.”

  Luke’s arms trembled under Alain’s hands. “But it couldn’t have been easy?”

  A sheen in his eyes testified to how not easy it had been. “Pretty awful at the beginning. I knew I was gay, but I’d never had anal sex. That didn’t last long. After a while I got used to it.”

  Alain kissed his chest.

  Luke closed his eyes. “I was stashing money everywhere I could find. I knew I had to get out in a big way, but I didn’t know what I wanted. Then somebody brought a kitten to the apartment where Nicky lived. He kept it there to charm the customers and entertain the boys when we weren’t busy. It was love at first sight. I stole her and gave her a better home. After that, I knew I wanted to be a vet. It took me years going to school all day and sucking guys’ cocks at night, but I finally made it. I graduated with no debt and the deposit on the clinic.”

  “I think that’s very admirable.”

  He shrugged. “Hardly. But it’s what I chose, and I can’t complain about it.”

  “How did your parents die?”

  “A weird bridge washout. They drowned in their old pickup truck. I was sad, but I would have run off anyway. I didn’t understand them any more than they did me.” He shook his head. “My father used to set cats on fire. Called them a damned nuisance.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  “Yes. I thought so then and now.”

  “And your mother was a witch.”

  He made a huffing sound. “Good God, no. There’s no such thing as witches. You know that.”

  Hmmm. Do I know that?

  “She just believed in them very profoundly and wanted to be one of them. She was always poking around in weeds and roots. She almost killed our neighbors by feeding them toadstools.”

  “Ah, but I think she was a witch.” He tried to keep his face straight.

  “Alain—”

  “Because that would explain your bewitching qualities.” He leaned down and gobbled on Luke’s neck, which finally got a laugh.

  Luke raised his head and looked at Alain. “Hey, cutie. If you’re going to keep giving me the third degree, I think I should get a reward.”

  “And what sort of reward should you have, pray tell?”

  “You could satisfy my lascivious instincts, but I’d be happy if you tell me something you remember about you.”

  “Ummm. How about I do both?”

  “Okay. That sounds even better.”

  Alain scampered to the end table and grabbed the lube and condoms. “I remember that I was an excellent horseman and had my own steed.” He scooted back to Luke and took up his position facing a rapidly rising member.

  “So you must have been rich.”

  “I was a gentleman of quality, I believe.” He squirted lube into his hand, glanced up to see Luke’s grin, then began to stroke his rod. “With that in mind, don’t you agree you should provide me with the luxuries to which I’m accustomed?” He tightened his grip as he stroked.

  Luke’s hips lifted off the bed even with Alain sitting on his thighs. “Oh hell yeah!”

  “Good.” He rolled on the condom and slathered on more lube, then hopped up onto his feet and squatted over Luke. “Please observe my equestrian form.” He shuffled forward until he was raised over Luke’s penis. Luke’s gray eyes lit with lightning as he stared at that spot where his cock touched Alain’s hole.

  Alain gazed at those eyes with concentration as he lowered. Oh my. The tight, hot burn as Luke’s member pushed in and squeezed past the ring of muscle. And then…. Olly olly oxen free. In he went. Deep, deeper. Divine.

  “Ohhhh, kitten.”

  Yessss. He grinned as he rose and felt that welcome intruder try to escape. “Pay close attention. Posting is a method of riding that allows me to rise and fall as you trot, my palfrey.” He slid back down. Then up. Then down. Luke’s mouth opened, and his breath came fast. “Notice the control is all in the thighs.” He sat down hard, pushing Luke’s cock as deep as it would go, sending waves of electrical shocks through his balls and stiff member. He could barely gasp the words out. “Or I may choose a… a sitting trot.” He rotated his hips around and around.

  “Oh God.” Luke’s head flew back, and his eyes rolled up in his head.

  “You’re so wonderful.” Alain pressed his body forward onto Luke and rode hard against his cock, letting his own member rub between their bodies. Surely this was heaven. One he would happily dwell in forever.

  “Oh, kitten, I’m going to come.”

  “Yes, my darling palfrey. Come for me.”

  Luke’s body trembled through the orgasm as Alain kissed his shoulder.

  Alain pressed down harder against that smooth skin and gave his member that last portion of friction it required. Perfect. “Luke. Yes. Such a worthy steed.” A blinding flash lit up his head, seared through his balls, and squirted out onto Luke’s chest, sealing them together. Not at all a bad place to be. Could it be forever?

  Chapter Twelve

  ALAIN GLANCED into the back of the clinic. Luke and Madeline were with Mrs. Holmes and her sick dog. The dog would be fine. He just had indigestion. But it gave Alain a moment….

  He grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from behind the counter. Will be back soon. Have gone to observe the college. Alain.

  He slipped out the door and stopped. Damnation. The impulse had returned. Protect. Defend. Like some deep inner drive. Why couldn’t he resist? He’d pretty much promised not to do this anymore. He thought he could. Having a quiet life with Luke like last night, that was what he wanted. Didn’t he? Luke didn’t want him to protect. Oh gods. Protect!

  His feet started running on their own. He couldn’t stop. People stared as he raced past them on the sidewalks—a crazy boy with dark hair flying. He must look like some wild animal.

  Animal? He stopped. Important.

  His feet took over, and he started running again.

  Not even breathing hard, he covered the twelve blocks to the university, then slowed to a stop. He looked around. Young men and women walked along the city sidewalks that connected the large college buildings. History. Ryder would be in there. He turned. A pretty redheaded girl walked by. He reached out. “Excuse me. Where’s the art building?”

  Her eyes widened as she looked at him. She pointed down the street. “Next block, I think.”

  “Thank you.” He started to turn.

  “Anything I can help you with?” She gave him a big smile.

/>   “No, sorry. I just have to save someone.” Gods, what was he saying? He ran down the block and saw the big wood-and-glass building ahead. He watched closely. What had brought him here? No idea.

  He stopped and breathed.

  Inside.

  He walked up the stairs and into the main hall of the building. Nothing special. Just a wide place in the halls that probably led to classrooms. He moved down the hall to his left a few paces. No, wrong. After a quick backtrack, he took the right-hand hall. Only a few people remained in the long hallway, but most of the classrooms seemed full. He glanced into one room through the glass window in the door. A lot of easels and painting supplies stacked everywhere. A man with no garments sat on a chair in the middle of the room. Ah yes, an artist’s model.

  He started walking slowly down the hall. Wait. Who was that?

  A fair-haired woman, quite beautiful, lurked outside one of the doors. “Lurk” was the only description. She peeked in, then backed up and spoke into a cell phone.

  Protect. No place to hide. She looked up, and her eyes got huge. Pausing in her conversation, she stared at Alain.

  Danger. A young man was walking toward Alain behind the woman. Alain plastered on a smile and sped toward him. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” The guy started to speak. Alain took his arm and led him away from the woman. “I need to get that assignment from you.”

  He practically dragged the guy to the end of the hall, turned the corner, and peeked back. The woman was talking and staring after him. Had he fooled her?

  The guy pulled his arm away but without rancor. “Hey, I don’t think I know you, do I?”

  Alain smiled. “No. Sorry. That female was someone I didn’t want to see. I just saw you and took advantage of the situation.”

  “Hey, man, I get trying to duck a female. Anytime.” He laughed and extended his hand. Alain shook it and then did that one-armed hug that contemporary straight men seemed to favor. Quite amusing, actually.

  Protect. He walked a few steps, as if going down the opposite hall, until his unwitting accomplice left the building, and then he tiptoed back to the other hall. The woman was still there. Damn. Some chime sounded, and a couple of doors opened as students left the classrooms. The female stepped back against the opposite wall but was clearly waiting for someone.