Fire Inside Me

by J. Hali Steele

  His head bounced faster, took more with each assault. Sage was so fucking close when he halted.

  Straightening, blue eyes, clear and sure, gazed at Sage. “Come in my mouth, I will fuck you so hard you’ll scream my name all goddamn night.” He resumed pleasuring Sage. This time he drew one, then the other nut into his mouth. “On the sink.” Strong for a slight man, he helped lift and shove until Sage sat on the tiny counter.

  He ran his tongue back until it rimmed Sage’s asshole. “Ah-ah, Jesus, Em!” It pushed inside, pulled out, nudged in again. “Aww yeah, that tongue, damn that’s good.”

  Stopping he asked, “Are you going to come for me?”

  “Yes. Please, please, don’t stop.”

  “You want this?” Emory lifted his peach colored, ankle length dress showing he did wear underwear today. He pulled them down and clasping his dick, he rubbed it against Sage’s. “Think about my fat cock in your ass, Sage. Look at it all wet on the head. Shit, I want to fuck you hard.”

  “Yeah… Jesus, yes.”

  “Show me how much you want it. Come for me. Send a load of cum up your stomach.”

  “Ah-ah… Aww…shit, shit, fuck…now…damn it…coming.” Sage watched a line of cum hit his abdomen. When Em bent to lick it, another stream splashed onto Emory’s chin. “Fucck me!” Pulling him close, Sage kissed his eyelids, his nose, and then he captured lips. Tasted himself and damn if he didn’t release another rivulet of cream. Sage’s hand rifled thick, dark hair. Didn’t want to let go. Tongues explored, tasted, sought satisfaction. God, he could kiss this man forever. It went on and on as they searched for what both longed for.

  Separating, Emory murmured, “You come a lot.”

  “You made me come a lot.”

  Tap, tap. “You better not be screwing in there.”

  “Fuck’s sake. A minute, Wiley.”

  “Buy your own goddamn transportation and fuck like bunnies all over the friendly skies. Hurry, I have to piss.”

  Probably could purchase his own jet if Sage opted for slightly used. Depending on circumstances, benefits reaped from jobs became personal property. He’d fence it, then invest in items suiting his taste. Safe in his gun room was laden with valuables he handpicked. “Ready?” Disheveled clothes had been fixed and he envisioned rings he thought would be beautiful on Em’s… Fuck me! Sage threw the door open and pushed Emory past Wiley. “You’re a prick.”

  “I’m a prick ‘cause your old ass takes forever to come?”

  “You did not go there, we weren’t…”

  “Bullshit. Smells like you got close.” Grin pronounced a dimple on one side of Wiley’s face. “Baby boy got you by the short hairs.”

  “Son of a bitch.”

  Vick approached and hugged Wiley’s waist. “Go pee.”

  Sage, his nose damn near touching an ear, whispered, “You want to talk about age?” He stared over Wiley’s shoulder. “Thanks, Vick.”

  “For what? Sage, I’ve not seen you this relaxed and happy in years.” Her head angled toward Emory. “If it’s him, hang on and make it work.” She moved on to the private bedroom.

  Sage took his seat. When he glanced toward Emory, saw him holding Vegas and cooing. God, that man did things, made his… Christ, his heart fluttered. I’m having goddamn palpitations.

  Emory desired sex with him. Sage whispered, “It’s him, alright.”

  But could he live with what Sage did?

  Limp wound up and up. Approaching the house, Emory couldn’t fathom having access to anything like it. Being inside was magical. Whirling round and round, Emory couldn’t believe what he surveyed. Wood and glass. He stared out the window at mountains in the distance. It was as if Sage’s house hung over a precipice and might fall away. “What if there’s an earthquake?”

  “I don’t think about it. I’ve survived a couple big temblors. You get used to it.”

  He raced onto the balcony. “This is all yours?”

  “Yes.”

  “Vegas will love it. So much space to roam.”

  “Before we eat, I’ll show you the bedrooms.”

  Checking out Sage’s room, Emory exclaimed, “Oh. My. Lord!”

  “What?”

  “A dressing room and… Why do you wear jeans all the time?” He rifled suits, handled shoes and sifted through a drawer of ties. “You have damn fine taste. I liked my job at the boutique. I learned to appreciate finer things though I could never afford them.” He placed a tie back. “I will one day.”

  After the tour, Emory sat in the kitchen holding Vegas. “Where will I sleep?”

  Sage removed a pie crust from the freezer, grabbed spinach, mushrooms and cream along with eggs he placed on the counter, pulled out a whisk and grabbed a bowl. Twisting to look at Em, he replied, “Wherever you want.”

  “Can we sleep with you?”

  “I’d like that. I won’t have to worry.”

  “Never mind. If that’s your reason.”

  “Considering how you feel about my profession, what’s your reason?” He stopped what he was doing. “Follow me.” Sage led Em down a hallway and into a room that had six small screens built into the wall. Opposite was a metal door but he saw no way for it to open. A computer set on a desk. Flipping a few switches, it beeped to life. “I can monitor movement all over the property. Inside and out.” Using the mouse, he changed camera angles in various rooms. He mumbled, “Still, I’ll worry.”

  “I want to sleep with you. I’m not looking forward to the time I have to return to Pennsylvania. Shoot, Sage, I don’t believe I’ll ever want to leave here.” No longer hiding, Emory laid himself bare. “I know I won’t want to.” Yet, couldn’t help admitting it disturbed him to think of what Sage did for a living. “I don’t like what you do.”

  Back in the kitchen, Sage rested hips against the counter. “I’m aware you don’t care for my profession. After our situation is handled, you’ll be able to finish school and I’ll go back to accepting contracts. I won’t lie to you.”

  “Your gardens are enchanting.” Emory gazed out French doors to a beautiful scene rampant with color. “Almost like another world, a place I wish I could get lost in.”

  “I love landscaping. Vegas and here, I designed and built both gardens. It calms me.” Chest rose and fell. “Perhaps I surround myself with nature’s splendor because, beyond my home and gardens, the real world is ugly.”

  “I don’t want you to lie, Sage.” Head bowed. “Maybe me and Vegas should use another room.”

  “Whatever you decide, Emory.” Sage returned to his preparations.

  “What are you making?”

  “Quiche. Vick and Wiley are coming for dinner.”

  “I don’t feel up to seeing people.”

  “You’re free to remain in whatever room you select.”

  Until talking about it, Em had been able to keep it away from his mind. Not realistic and not how his difficulty should be managed. By rights, he should leave but Farrington hadn’t gone anywhere. What Sage might do stood between them as if a shoe waiting to be dropped. Only much more serious. “Would you kill Jeff’s dad?”

  Never stopped whipping eggs. “Yes.”

  There it was. Emory didn’t know how or if he could process Farrington’s death should it transpire. May not know others Sage eliminated but it didn’t make it any less… Unsuitable, wicked, sinful. Lord, he could go on and on. It was immoral and wrong.

  “Think I’ll go rest. I’m jet lagged. Doesn’t flying affect you?”

  “I’m used to it.” Sage didn’t look up.

  Emory strode to the doorway and stopped. “If I weren’t Rusty’s brother, what would you have done?”

  “Fuck’s sake, Em. What do you want from me?”

  “I have to know.”

  “So you can fuck me?”

  “Sage!”

  He crossed to where Emory stood. “After I looked in your eyes, watching you move on a dance floor, the way y
ou smile, no one will touch you unless I’m dead. Is that what you want to hear?”

  “You really did follow me!”

  “Ground already covered.” Stepped back to the counter. “Em, go rest, take a walk in the garden, please—Get. Out. I don’t want to talk business.”

  “Business! How do you do it?”

  “For God’s sake, let it fucking go.”

  “What if I want to leave?”

  “As soon as Farrington is under control, I’ll personally take you home.” This time green eyes raked Emory. “Until then, you’re mine.”

  “Fucker.” Em picked a room and deposited his belongings. Pulled his phone out and decided to charge it. Place tighter than Fort Knox, doubted Sage would care. “I don’t care.” Large, airy, the room also had a balcony. Em filled a bottle with prepared cat formula and carried Vegas outside. She’d hardly finished when Em heard a monotonous beeping. It stopped and he soon saw car lights winding up the drive. Vick and Wiley.

  Wished he hadn’t been quick in declaring he wanted to be alone. Vick might have been able to help him understand. How does she live with it? He did want to fuck Sage but it was more. A man who could protect him, one who liked how he looked and dressed. One who had no problem with the fact he never wanted to be fucked.

  What a joke God played. “I find you but can I accept you?”

  Chapter Nine

  V

  ick’s eyes bore into him. “Sage, what did you think? Tell a man his age something like that and not expect him to be horrified?”

  “He’s not a goddamn child. Fuck’s sake, he’s twenty-three… It’s done, Vick, and I’m glad. I can move on.”

  “Move on?” Fingers combed her hair. “There’s something between the two of you or you wouldn’t have been so smiley faced and, and, shit, you were… Hell’s sake, that young man makes you happy.” Maybe the second time Sage had heard Vick curse. She meant business.

  “So? If he can’t live with how I… Fuck, I like what I do. I feel useful.” He included Wiley in his glance. “The world is not always a pretty place. Imagine if some of the delinquents I eradicated survived. Think how many innocent people might not be alive. Does it make it right? Hell no. I’m not God but guess who put me on this fucking journey? God, Vick. Without a choice, I was conceived and born. I live and I choose to kill.”

  “Is that how you told him? Good Lord, I’m going to go talk to him, see if he’s okay.”

  “He wanted to be alone.”

  “To borrow a word from you—so? He’s floundering and my perspective can help.”

  Wiley’s eyes narrowed. “I’d like to hear your point of view.”

  Vick whipped around. “What?”

  “I’ve been afraid to ask.”

  “God’s sake.”

  “Vick, it’s a fair question. We never seriously discussed my craft. Not knowing how you felt about it is part of the reason I left the states.”

  She crossed to where Wiley sat, Sage watched her gently touch his friend’s cheek. “You left me. I felt lost but found a way to survive, thanks in part to Sage. I waited years. What does that tell you? Aside from Sage who holds the same occupation and was your friend before mine, I didn’t have anyone to talk to, nobody to ask was it right or okay to love you in spite of your craft.” She leaned and kissed Wiley. “I kept loving you and soon, nothing else mattered.”

  “Jesus.” Wiley pulled Vick into his lap. “I thought I loved you the minute I saw you. I knew I did when I could no longer be near you without imagining losing you. Feels like I might die if you’re not there.”

  “Hey, am I interrupting?”

  Sage jerked around and stared into those damnable blue eyes. “Emory. You hungry?” Stupid question. How long had he stood there?

  “Wanted to say hi to Wiley and… Vick, you got a minute?”

  “Sure.” She left Wiley looking on in wonder as they hiked upstairs and out of view.

  “Amazing. And I wish…” Wiley stood and one brow did that thing.

  “Fuck me.”

  “Syl offered me the contract on you.”

  “That son of a bitch. It’s a few days shy of two weeks. You said?”

  “I’d think about it.”

  “Jesus.”

  “Buying time, Sage. I’m all in with you.” He slapped his shoulder. “As I know you’d be if the shoe were on the other foot. Hell, you were there for Vick and I’ve never told you how much it meant.” Steps to the window were slow. “Meet with Farrington day after tomorrow. You’re going with me.”

  Sage should deal with details of that meeting but all he could think of was what Vick might be saying. Would Emory hear her? Was he old enough, wise enough to comprehend the kind of world he lived in? “Fifteen years is not a drastic gap.”

  “Neither is twenty.” He faced Sage. “Our hearts don’t know they’re old, they just feel.” He grunted. “Unless they stop ticking. Shit, heart failure screams old.”

  “That’s why I like your ass, Wiley.”

  “Why?”

  “You always give me hope before using honesty to kick the shit out of me.”

  Observed car lights wind down the drive. Sounds of cookware and dishes being taken care of ended nearly an hour ago. Vegas had become quite frisky and Em decided to give her a dollop of wet food. She’d eaten and promptly gone to sleep. For a tiny bundle, she shit a lot. Rabbit sized turds dappled litter. “Automatic cleaner would have been better.” Two small bags of clumps set in Emory’s bathroom trash receptacle. Time to discover where it should be discarded. Carrying bags, he went downstairs to search for Sage. Cool air buffeted his bare chest as he traveled the hallway. Should have put on a shirt. Inspected each room until he reached the surveillance chamber. Door stood ajar permitting entrance. Eyeing the dimly lit space, he noted the metal door at the rear gaped. Looking in, he saw Sage cleaning a gun. Jaw dropped at how many weapons covered walls.

  “Close your mouth. Can’t guarantee there are no flies.” Green eyes were fixed on Emory. “Need something?”

  “Where should I dispose of Vegas’ poop?”

  “Cans for trash and recycling in the garage. Sit it down; I’ll take care of it.”

  Wondered how anyone got into pick up trash. “How do they get garbage if you’re not here?”

  “You planning an escape?”

  “Seriously?”

  Went back to cleaning components. “I don’t worry about recyclables if I miss a week. Most everything organic gets composted. If I’m going away, I discard what remains in a dumpster near the highway.”

  “Oh.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I can cope with poop.”

  “Door next to the refrigerator leads down to the garage.”

  Reaching the bottom of stairs, saw both cans tucked behind a pillar. Dropped bags inside and turned. “Fuck me.” Blue front end of a low-slung car gleamed behind the staircase. “Big ass tires.” Curious, he strolled around and stopped mid-step. Sage had told him about his sports car but he didn’t give make or color. “You are pretty.” Lotus Evora GT. Emory had never seen one.

  It’s unlocked if you want a closer look.

  “What the fuck?” Sage’s canned voice unnerved him. Glanced about but could find no camera. Moved to the other side of the car. Damn. Where is it? Circled twice checking walls and beams near the vehicle. Nothing. “How…why are you watching me?”

  “In case you required help.”

  Swiveling, found Sage scrutinizing from his position near the bottom step. Em felt naked as nipples began to harden. “To open a trash can?”

  “To find them. Christ.”

  “Liar.”

  “You were searching for cameras. I’m making sure you don’t try to run away.”

  “I’m free to leave.”

  “We’ve discussed this. You can go when I let you go.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Worse, Emory.” He crossed the fl
oor. “You look cold.” Using his body, Sage pressed against Em until his legs were backed against metal.

  “You’re going to make me scratch your car.”

  “I don’t care.”

  Fuck it. Vick had told him enjoy what time he had with Sage. “It’s not mine so I sure as hell don’t give a shit.” Grasping Sage, he twisted and shoved until his big ass hit the hood. Tugging his cotton pants down, Emory demanded, “Suck my dick.”

  “What took you so long?”

  “Suck it, Sage.” Em stroked his shaft coaxing it to a full erection. “Then I’m going to fuck you on your pretty blue car.”

  “My question stands—what took you so fucking long?” Car set low; Sage only had to bend his neck to capture Emory’s dick in his mouth.

  “Yesss,” Em hissed. “Ah, you are a cocksucker.”

  Who would fare better in their battle of wills? Emory only knew he had to quench flames blazing through his soul. Worry about tomorrow after he comes in this man’s ass. The man who’d cracked open the door Em thought sealed—the man whose sins he would gladly overlook if he could have him.

  Sage had fucked men. He’d come and then he’d go home. It was never good enough. He would stand in his shower, water sluicing over his body, and masturbate thinking about the sexy man he had picked up and taken to some tawdry motel hoping it would be different each time. Closing his eyes, envisioned small, soft hands running over his body. He pretended they grasped his dick; he’d imagine their cock slipping deep in his ass as they rode him, and then he’d really come.

  And he’d forget all about his having to fuck the man.

  Then there were times he paid to be pounded into some smelly mattress, times his cock dripped while they thrust in and out of his hole, times a pretty, painted mouth kissed his back, their tongue leaving a heated trail down his spine and, ahh, the times they licked the crease of his butt, pushed their tongue inside his clenching asshole.

  Big, assertive, rough around the edges, Sage was told he was handsome by petite, beautiful men who excited his libido. Men like Liam whom he met at the café he mistakenly took Emory to, men who latched on expecting something entirely different. Those wanting what he did were out there, he stumbled on a few but none he connected with on any kind of level indicating he wanted to bring them home.