by Clayton Wood
Eventually, Ekrin had been satisfied, at least enough to let Hunter go. He’d even given Hunter another set of keys to his apartment, seeing as he’d lost them, probably during his swim in the lake around Vi’s house. Now all Hunter wanted to do was go home and sleep.
He navigated the streets of Lowtown, passing the church and heading toward the Outskirts. It wasn’t long before he reached his old neighborhood, walking across the docks toward his apartment. He was going to head straight there, but his stomach growled viciously at him, no doubt upset that he hadn’t eaten since the night before. He turned toward the community center, bypassing the line in front of it in the usual fashion, then going inside. He scanned the tables for Sukri and Gammon, but they weren’t there…it was already past noon. Ekrin had told him that Sukri and Gammon were still alive, for which he was immensely grateful. As vigorously as the man had interrogated Hunter, he still had a heart.
Hunter grabbed two plates heaping with food, then sat down, devouring his meal with unfettered glee. After the gamey, unseasoned bird-meat he’d eaten day after day at Vi’s, the meal – glorified cafeteria food at best – was practically orgasmic.
That done, he exited the community center, walking back to his apartment. He climbed the three stories to the front door, unlocking it and stepping into his tiny room. It was, he found, exactly as he had left it…except that his Seeker medallion was missing. He sighed, flopping onto his back on the bed, marveling at how soft and comfortable it felt. Compared to his bed on Earth, it was a stiff cot…but it was a far cry better than a bed of leaves and dirt thrown over a frickin’ boulder.
He sighed again, closing his eyes, feeling his meal starting to work on him. He always felt sleepy after a big meal, and after being woken up in the middle of the night yesterday, he was already exhausted. His mind started to wander, sleep pulling him into its otherworldly embrace.
There was a knock at the door.
Hunter groaned, slapping the bed with one hand, then pulling himself upright.
God fucking damn it, he thought. He really wanted that nap.
There was another knock, and he sighed, standing up and walking to the door. He unlocked it, then opened it…and froze. There, standing before him, was Trixie.
“Hunter!” she cried, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. He stumbled backward, then caught his balance. “You’re alive!”
“Hey Trixie,” he greeted, hesitating, then hugging her back. She pulled away, staring at him, a huge smile on her face. She was wearing her usual outfit, a tight black low-cut shirt and tight black shorts, her blond hair tied into a ponytail. She was attractive, sure, but hardly the gorgeous bombshell he remembered. Time away from her had helped him gain perspective, it seemed.
“I was so sad when I heard that you’d gone missing,” she said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. “When Ekrin told me that you were alive…”
“It’s good to see you too Trixie.”
“Can you tell me what happened?” she asked, walking up to the bed and sitting down on it. She patted the bed beside her. “You can sit down if you want to.”
Hunter glanced at the bed, hesitating. He knew exactly what would happen if he joined her there.
“I’ll stand,” he decided, forcing a smile.
“Oh, okay,” she replied, smiling up at him. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“I uh,” he began, not sure how to proceed. “I can’t really talk about it,” he confessed. “The Guild of Seekers doesn’t let me talk about their secrets.”
“Oh,” she replied, frowning a little. But she perked up quickly. “That’s okay,” she added. “I’m just happy to see you.”
“Yeah,” he mumbled, scratching the back of his head. “Uh, well, I was actually going to take a nap when you knocked.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Trixie blurted out. “Did I wake you?”
“No, but I’m exhausted,” he replied. “I just need to get some sleep.”
“Okay,” she replied, patting the bed again. “We can do that then.”
He grimaced, feeling suddenly very awkward. Trixie clearly wanted to stay. And while the thought of her doing so was vaguely enticing – no doubt as a result of her aura already starting to work its magic on him – he had no real desire to do anything with her. He was done being played around with. Being manipulated by some politicians from afar.
“It’s been a long day,” he replied at last, giving her an apologetic look. “I kinda just want to be alone.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled. She stood up, giving him a smile.
“You don’t have to be sorry,” she replied. “I understand,” she added, walking up to him. She gazed into his eyes, then leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tight. “I’m glad you’re okay,” she murmured, her lips brushing against his ear. He hesitated, then hugged her back, his hands on the scoop of her spine. She was very warm, and soft, and her faint, sweet perfume brought back memories. Memories of the time they’d spent together here.
He felt his groin stirring.
She held him, rubbing his back with one hand, then kissed him on the cheek. He felt a tingling sensation where her lips touched him, and when she pulled back, staring into his eyes, he felt his resolve wavering. Sure, she wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed…and she was a prostitute…but she was genuine. There was nothing manipulative about her personality, after all. It wasn’t her fault that she had such an effect on him. Hell, she probably didn’t even realize that she was having an effect on him. She probably thought he just really liked her.
And in a way, he did.
“I missed you,” she murmured, staring into his eyes. She leaned in, pressing her lips against his other cheek, and he felt his groin grow, straining against the front of his pants and pressing into her lower belly. She stepped back, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the bed.
“Trixie…” he began, but she sat down, pulling him down to sit beside her. She put a hand on his thigh, gazing at him with those perfect blue eyes.
“You can lie down if you want to,” she offered. “I can help you relax.”
“I’m too tired,” Hunter protested. “I just need to sleep.”
“Aww,” she murmured, leaning in and kissing his cheek again. “You know I’m good at putting you to sleep.”
Hunter grimaced, his groin uncomfortably full now. He found his gaze wandering downward, to her low-cut shirt, to the recesses of her cleavage.
It would help me sleep, he thought.
“Come on,” she urged. “Lie down. You need to get some sleep.”
He hesitated, turning away, staring at his feet. He was exhausted…and it was clear that Trixie wasn’t going to leave. He didn’t really have much of a choice if he wanted to get some sleep. Besides, after everything he’d been through – nearly being killed by the Ironclad, and almost drowning – he deserved a little something special for himself. Life was short, he knew now, and it could end in a blink of an eye. It would be downright stupid to turn down something good like this.
“Come on,” she repeated, grabbing his shoulders and twisting him around. He let her, and she lowered him onto his back on the bed, sitting beside him. She put a hand on his chest, smiling down at him. “There you go,” she murmured.
“I’ll see you later?” he ventured, halfheartedly hoping she’d get the hint and leave.
“Of course,” she replied, her hand trailing down to his belly. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.” Her hand stopped, resting on his lower belly. She frowned then, glancing down at his pants. “We can’t have you sleeping in these,” she stated disapprovingly. She unbuttoned his pants, then pulled them off, leaving him in his underwear. “There,” she murmured, resting her hand on his naked belly. Her palm was warm, her touch sending a shiver down his spine.
“Trixie…” he mumbled.
She slid her hand down, her palm resting against his member. She stopped there,
the gentle pressure making his breath catch in his throat.
You deserve this, he thought. Just this once.
“Relax,” Trixie murmured, her hand sliding down, then up, slowly caressing him. “I’m going to take care of you.” She continued, patiently and gently massaging him through his underwear. He felt his heart beat faster, his breath catching in his throat. He bit back a moan.
She paused, then slipped her hand into his underwear, grabbing him and pulling him free from it. He stared down at her, watching as she leaned forward, pressing her lips against him. She kissed him once, then again, glancing up at him, her blue eyes twinkling.
Then she slowly took him into her mouth, her eyes locked on his.
This time he did moan, closing his eyes and resting his head back on his pillow. He felt her on him, going very slowly at first, then picking up speed, her mouth warm and wet…and amazing. She kept going, reaching a steady rhythm now, yet still slow and sensual, as was her way. He felt the unmistakable sensation of mounting pleasure, a feeling that promised only one possible conclusion. It grew, slowly and steadily, more powerful with every second.
Still she worked on him, keeping that same slow rhythm.
He groaned, feeling himself getting closer to the point of no return, his hips lifting off the mattress involuntarily.
You don’t have to do this, he told himself. You can still stop it.
He opened his eyes, glancing down at her, seeing her blond bangs spilling across his belly. He reached down, placing his hands on the sides of her head. This only made her go faster, her mouth tightening suddenly around him.
Oh god.
He let go, feeling his pleasure peak, so powerful that he couldn’t resist it anymore. She went faster and harder, bringing him well beyond the point of no return, far past any hope of resistance. He cried out, feeling pulse after pulse of ecstasy, coming one after another so quickly and uncontrollably that he couldn’t hope to hold them back. Still she worked on him, until he was utterly drained, his body limp on his mattress. Sweat beaded up on his skin, trickling down his temples.
She released him then, climbing to his side and lying down next to him, draping an arm across his chest. He felt her lips on his cheek, and he turned to her, seeing her staring at him with her perfect blue eyes, a smile on her lips.
“Sweet dreams,” she murmured.
And then, just as she’d predicted, he felt his eyelids grow heavy. He closed them, and within moments was fast asleep.
* * *
Hunter groaned, opening his eyes.
He was in his room, he realized. Sunlight streamed through his window, and he heard the sound of people talking outside of his building below. He rubbed his eyes, then rolled out of bed, sitting at the edge, feeling disoriented. It took him a moment to remember that he’d gone to sleep early that afternoon…or was it yesterday now? He wasn’t sure how long he’d slept for, but judging by the angle of the sunbeam coming through the window, it was late morning now. That meant he’d slept almost an entire day.
He yawned, stretching his arms to the sides, then froze, remembering what had happened.
Shit.
He glanced back at the bed, half-expecting Trixie to be laying there, but she wasn’t. She hadn’t woken him at all throughout the night, not after she’d…helped him. True to her word, she’d let him sleep, which was the first time she’d foregone their usual marathon sessions. Once again, she’d been thoughtful and considerate…qualities that unfortunately made her even harder to resist.
Hunter sighed, rubbing his eyes again, then dropping his hands to his lap, staring at the floor. He closed his eyes, remembering how she’d smelled, how soft her skin had been. How it’d felt when she…
Get off the goddamn bed!
He stood up abruptly, walking as far away from his bed as he could and turning around to stare at it.
You’re a fucking idiot, he thought.
He’d fallen for Trixie’s wiles yet again, giving in to her despite every intention not to. He’d promised himself he’d never be manipulated by her again, and yet here he was, back in the same pattern.
“Damn it!” he swore, walking up and kicking the bed. He backed away quickly, then pulled his clothes on, strapping his sword to his waist and placing his bow and empty quiver on his back. He didn’t want to leave them in his apartment, after all, and keeping them close would allow him to continue to absorb their power.
That done, he glanced one more time at his bed, then turned to the door, opening it and stepping through. He went downstairs, then walked across the docks toward the community center.
Vi was right, he muttered to himself as he walked. You’re nothing but a goddamn addict.
He sighed, kicking a pebble off the dock and into the water. People around him gave him dirty looks, keeping as far away from him as possible, but he didn’t care. For the first time, he felt like he deserved it.
They made you an addict, he thought.
That was the worst part, of course. Some bureaucrat had planned it this way…and he’d fallen right into their trap. He grit his teeth, clenching his fists.
It’s over, he swore. I’m done.
He glanced forward, seeing the community center ahead…and the usual line to get in. He strode right up to the front doors, taking perverse pleasure in the fact that everyone moved out of the way to avoid him.
Never again.
But even as he told himself this, he felt doubt creep into his mind. He thought of Trixie, of how good it’d felt to be with her. How good it’d felt to finally give in to her, to give in to temptation. It’d been ever more enticing because it’d been wrong. Because it was forbidden.
And he had the sinking suspicion that if she pressed him again…pressed hard…that he’d probably give in again. And it would feel, at least in that moment, incredible.
Hunter made it through the double-doors, trudging up to fill a plate, then walking toward one of the empty tables. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Hunter?”
He turned around, seeing none other than Gammon standing there. The big man smiled down at him, giving him a big bear hug, lifting him right off the ground. His feet dangled in midair, and he grunted, relieved when Gammon set him down.
“Gammon!” he cried, grinning back. “You’re okay!”
“Yes I am,” Gammon agreed. “Come on,” he added, walking toward a different table. It was empty as well…except for someone sitting in a chair at the end of the table. Or rather, a wheelchair.
“Sukri!” Hunter cried, rushing up to her and bending over to give her a hug.
“Crispy!” she exclaimed, hugging him back. He pulled back, and she grinned at him, punching him in the shoulder. “How the hell are you still alive?”
“I got lucky,” he admitted. He sat down, telling the tale of his rescue. He left out most of the detail about Vi and her home, and their training, but relayed their harrowing escape from the Ironclad.
“Damn Crispy,” Sukri said when he was done. “This chick sounds like a total badass.”
“I felt pretty good about how I did against that Ironclad until just now,” Gammon confessed.
“Aww, mad that you got shown up by a girl?” Sukri teased, punching Gammon in the arm. Hunter doubted the big guy even felt it.
“How’s your leg?” Hunter asked. Sukri glowered at him.
“It sucks,” she replied. “Wheeling myself around in this damn chair all the time. At least it doesn’t hurt as much anymore.” She grimaced. “Itches like hell though.”
“So you’re still in the guild?” Hunter pressed. Sukri glanced at Gammon, who nodded.
“So far,” he confirmed.
“So everyone thinks I’m dead, huh?” Hunter mused. “Anyone come to the funeral?”
“Nope,” Sukri replied. “But really, we did miss you.” Hunter smiled.
“I missed you guys too.”
And it was true. Gammon and Sukri – and Kris – had been his first and only friends here,
the people that had made him feel like he was part of something. They were all he had in this world, other than Vi of course.
“I’m guessing they’re not expecting me back at the guild,” Hunter ventured. Again, Sukri and Gammon exchanged glances. Sukri gave him an apologetic look.
“Sorry Crispy,” she replied, putting a hand on his arm. “Master Thorius disqualified you. He had to disqualify two people from our team, remember?”
“I get it,” Hunter reassured her. “I’m okay. Vi told me I can stick around with her. Besides, I won’t go hungry,” he added with a grin. “She’s been teaching me how to hunt.”
“I want to meet this chick again,” Sukri decided, folding her arms under her chest. “She sounds awesome.”
“Yeah she is,” Hunter agreed.
“We’d better get going,” Gammon interjected. “It’s almost noon.” He stood up, getting behind Sukri’s wheelchair, but Sukri turned around to glare at him.
“I got it,” she grumbled. She turned to Hunter, putting a hand on his. “Let’s hang out after,” she proposed. “We can go for some drinks. You in?”
“Sure,” Hunter replied.
“I’ll make sure you get home safe,” Gammon offered.
“Deal,” Hunter agreed.
“Shit, we’re gonna get wasted,” Sukri exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. She wheeled herself back from the table, then waved at Hunter. “See ya Crispy!”
Hunter waved back, watching the two as they made their way out of the community center. Then he turned his attention back to his plate, shoveling food in his mouth. He was starving, after all, having slept yesterday away. In fact, he planned on having a second plate after he was done with this one. He felt much better after having talked to his friends, his problem with Trixie seeming far less important than it had earlier. But he knew he was in trouble…that he was stuck. For the first time in his life, he had to admit that he couldn’t fix this by himself. He needed help.
