by Helen L Lowe
John didn’t answer. He was standing by the door of the physiotherapy room which he now opened.
‘In here.’
Julian didn’t move.
‘Do you remember what I told you last night? It’s my decision, not yours.’
‘Here? You’re joking, aren’t you?’
‘If you come in here we can discuss your disrespect and infringement of the rules in private,’ John said.
Julian still didn’t move.
‘I won’t ask you again politely – I’ll drag you in.’ John saw the apprehension on Julian’s face and he felt a familiar excitement run through him. His dick was already hard. After a few moments of hesitation, Julian walked past him into the room.
John locked the door when they were both inside and turned towards him. ‘I’m trying to go slow with you, Julian, I really am but how can I when you’re walking around this place in a towel?’ He pushed Julian back against a wall and grabbed hold of his head as he moved in to kiss him. After a long kiss, he broke away and stepped back, giving Julian’s towel a sharp tug as he did so. The towel dropped to the floor.
‘How did you get to look so good?’ He took time to drink in the sight before him. The man looked like a Greek Adonis with sweat making his skin glisten, chest muscles expanding and contracting as they responded to his breathing, and blood vessels in his neck pulsating to a strong steady beat. John could see where Julian had been punched and kicked by the fading bruises still visible but now he noticed fading scratches and bites over his chest and stomach.
‘What are these?’ He ran his fingers over the marks. ‘It looks like you’ve been fighting with a cat?’ He shoved Julian hard against the wall. ‘Was it that fucking tart you were with at the Coleherne?’
‘It’s none of your business.’
For his disrespect, John lashed out with three fast blows across Julian’s face making his head jerk from side to side. The third hit with a closed fist opened up the cut on Julian’s lip and blood spurted from his mouth.
‘Answer me - who was it?’
Julian spat out blood.
John moved to hit him again but the pager attached to his belt started bleeping. ‘For fuck sake.’ He went over to a phone mounted on the wall by the door. For the first time since having the pager system installed a year ago, he regretted the decision.
He dialled the number for reception. ‘What?’
‘We’ve got a fight in the boxing gym?’
‘Well, that is the place for them,’ Erikson snapped.
‘One of them has a knife - Coach says he needs help.’
‘Shit.’ He glanced over at Julian who was still by the wall with blood dripping from his mouth down his chest. The intermingling of blood and sweat running over his chest and ribcage turned John on so much he nearly came in his pants. ‘I’m busy now – get one of the pool attendants to help.’
‘I already did but the bloke with the knife is threatening to kill someone.’
John struggled to think clearly and had to turn his back on Julian. ‘Ok, tell him I’m on my way.’ He picked up the towel and flung it at Julian. ‘Have a shower and get dressed. I’ll see you in my office.’
After sorting out the fight, John had time in his office to reflect on his behaviour. He hadn’t meant for things to get violent but as often happened when he became sexually aroused, he couldn’t help himself. For him, sex without violence was a non-starter. He needed to feel in control in a relationship but because he only fancied men who looked and behaved like real men, conflict was a foregone conclusion.
His thoughts were disturbed by a knock on his door. ‘Come in.’ He sat down at his desk ready to receive Julian but no-one came in and the knock sounded again. When he opened the door, Julian was standing there with his coat on and holding his sports bag. John stood aside and beckoned him in but Julian didn’t move.
‘Come in.’
‘I came up here out of courtesy to say goodnight.’
‘And I told you to get . . .’
Two young women walked past at that moment and smiled sexily at Julian. It irritated John that women found him so attractive and yet he knew it was a paradox because the man’s looks and masculinity were exactly what turned him on. It seemed that Julian would do well as bisexual but he would do his best to discourage that by any means he had available. On this occasion, he could do nothing but accept defeat as he watched a group of half a dozen women wearing leotards walk passed Julian. There were sexy looks and giggles from the women, and one of them stopped by Julian and tied her shoelace making sure she bent over close to him.
The passageway on the first floor outside John’s office was a busy thoroughfare between the café and the Crow’s Nest, a lounge area that looked down onto the pool, so it was impossible for John to do what he wanted to do which was to physically drag Julian into the room.
‘Good night,’ Julian said.
‘Do you have to leave now?’
Julian nodded.
‘I have a bottle of expensive malt whisky that needs opening.’
‘Not tonight,’ Julian said, as he started to walk away.
‘See you in the Coleherne?’
Julian, now merging into a stream of people making their way to the stairs, held up his hand in a gesture that John hoped was affirmative and not obscene. Either way, he watched helplessly as Julian disappeared from view.
CHAPTER 17
Julian sat in his car for several minutes after leaving the gym. He thought back to Erikson’s behaviour and his own reaction to it. There was no way he would be able to get close to Erikson, as Chase had suggested, without becoming his sexual partner. It had been stupid of him to agree to help them and there was no proof that Erikson had Sam or knew where he was. In the shower at the gym when he was alone, he kept his head under the shower’s steaming hot water and let the tears fall. His life had come full circle from a terrifying incident when he was ten years old to now, when he was a grown man and should be in control of his life. How was he ever going to move on from this?
He was in a dark mood when he drove back to Sussex House. He parked behind an E-Type Jag which he recognised as Charlotte’s. As he walked by the car he tapped on the side window and she opened it.
‘Are you waiting for me?’
‘Yes, of course,’ she said, sarcastically. ‘Who else would I be waiting for?’
He guessed she must have been waiting for a long time and was in a bad mood but he really didn’t have the patience or the energy to deal with her right now. He walked on towards the house.
She got out of the car and followed him. ‘I’m sorry, Julian - can we talk?’
He stopped and turned to face her. ‘About what?’
‘I know I behaved badly but please let me explain.’
He hesitated. ‘Ok - we can talk in the car.’
‘Can’t I come in?’
‘I’m not allowed girls in my room.’
‘Honestly? What century does your landlord think we’re in?’
‘Landlady, actually.’
She reached up and gently stroked his cheek. ‘I’ll be quiet – please, let me come in?’
He was tempted, very tempted. After the incident at the gym, he knew he would open his last bottle of whisky and try to drink himself senseless. He glanced at the windows of the sitting room and Harriet’s bedroom on the first floor, checking for any light showing between gaps in the curtains.
‘Only to talk - nothing else.’
‘Yes - just to talk.’
‘Ok, come on but be quiet.’ When they were standing on the doormat inside, he pointed to her shoes. ‘Take them off and carry them.’
‘Honestly, what a performance.’
‘Shh.’ He grabbed hold of her hand and led her into the hall towards the stairs. The house was in complete darkness and he was hoping Harriet was asleep. When they were inside his room, he locked the door and turned on the light.
Charlotte turned towards him to give him a hug but stopped and backed off.
‘You’ve been in a fight. Well, two fights by the look of it.’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘Whatever it is, it most definitely is not nothing. It wasn’t anything to do with the Coleherne, was it?’
He turned away and went into the kitchen. ‘What would you like to drink - I’ve got tea, coffee, Coke or whisky?’
‘Oh my God - it was, wasn’t it?’ She followed him into the kitchen. ‘Tell me.’
‘There’s nothing to tell.’
’Ok, tell me about nothing?’
‘Quite honestly, I’m reluctant to tell you anything in case I end up on the front page of your newspaper. Though, from what you’ve told me about how highly you’re regarded at work, it would probably be a side-line on the third page.’
She let out a heavy sigh. ‘Ok, I deserved that but please tell me - I promise on my mother’s grave that I’ll tell no-one.’
‘Is your mother dead?’
‘No, not yet but after hearing Daddy fuming about how much she’s costing him in the divorce settlement, I think she soon will be.’
He suppressed a laugh. ‘I really can’t tell you.’
‘Why not, have you been sworn to secrecy?’
‘Did you decide on your drink?’
‘Whisky - on the rocks.’
He poured doubles and added ice to hers. She took her glass and looked around the room. ‘It’s a bit of a dive, isn’t it?’
‘It’ll do for a few months. I have to give notice to the tenants in my parents’ flat.’
‘Your parents are dead, aren’t they?’
‘Yes - but I still think of it as theirs.’ He sat down on the sofa. ‘Anyway, you said you wanted to explain - I presume you mean about using me and Sam as a subject for your article on the murders?’
She looked aghast. ‘How did you know that?’
‘I worked it out.’
She flopped down on the sofa beside him, looking close to tears. ‘I thought you were just upset about me taking the cassette recorder to the Coleherne and saying awful things about Sam. You must hate me.’
‘I’m not happy with your behaviour but I’d never hate you.’
‘I’m just trying to make it in a man’s world. They don’t take me seriously. I think I only got the job because the owner plays golf with Daddy.’ She sipped at her drink. ‘But I’m ashamed of my behaviour to you and I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again.’
‘D’you like Buddy Holly?’ he said, getting to his feet.
‘Not really, why - is that all you have?’
‘I’ve got some jazz.’
She pulled a face. ‘Perhaps we’ll stick with Buddy.’
He searched through his albums and selected “That’ll be the day”. He turned the volume down low.
‘So, are you really not going to tell me how you got those injuries?’
He hesitated. ‘If you can promise me that whatever I tell you is off the record, I can tell you a little.’
‘Yes, definitely, I promise.’
‘Well, it wasn’t a fight - I would have stood a chance if I could have fought back. I was arrested by the police when I left the Coleherne and beaten up while they had me in handcuffs.’
Her jaw dropped open. ‘I’m so sorry - I feel terrible. It was my suggestion that we went to the pub before going to the police.’
‘You may be able to blame yourself for a lot of things but not for me being arrested. It was just my bad luck the police had that big guy at the bar under surveillance.’
‘The one that took a fancy to you?’
Julian nodded.
There was a moment’s silence.
‘Well, go on - you can’t leave it there. Did you find out who he was? Why were the police interested in him?’
‘They suspect him of a crime.’
‘What sort of crime - a violent one?’
He held up his hands. ‘No, that’s enough - I really can’t tell you anymore.’
‘You don’t trust me, do you? I can’t blame you.’
‘It’s not that, it’s just - well, the situation could turn nasty and I don’t want to put you in any danger.’
She smiled. ‘It’s sweet of you trying to protect my feelings but you really can say it like it is.’
‘I’m not being sweet, I’m being honest.’
‘I suppose you want me to go now?’
Julian looked down at her handbag sitting on the floor next to the sofa. ‘Is that big enough to carry handcuffs and a whip?’
‘Why, do you want it to be?’
‘No, but I think you do? How about, we change places and you can be the submissive.’
‘Ok – I’m up for that – when?’
He smiled. ‘You’re a naughty girl, Charlotte Stratton-Brown. What on earth am I going to do with you?’
She gave him a sexy grin and started kissing him everywhere on his face except his lips.
‘Your lip is swelling up.’
‘That’s not the only thing, right now.’
She scooped some ice out of her drink and held it over the cut.
‘Ouch. That stings.’
‘Shh, don’t be such a baby - keep your head still.’
Five minutes later, when he was losing all feeling in his lip she removed the last bit of melted ice.
‘Can I stay the night - to do a bit more than talk?’
Julian looked into her dark blue eyes and wrestled with his conscience. A night with a beautiful woman was probably exactly what he needed after Erikson’s attempt to emasculate him.
‘I’m not sure that would be fair on you,’ he said.
‘What does that mean?’
‘I’m not really single – available - whatever you want to call it. I’m still in love with Sam’s mother.’
‘She’s married with children, isn’t she?’
‘I keep telling myself that but I can’t seem to let go.’
‘I’m not asking for commitment - just some love and affection for tonight.’ She looked up at him through her lashes in an incredibly sexy way. ‘Not to mention hot sex with a gorgeous man.’ She sat astride him and started kissing his neck and biting his earlobe.
‘Ouch. Take it easy.’ Julian could feel his willpower ebbing away. ‘Ok, on one condition.’
‘What’s that?’ She sat back on his knee and unbuttoned her blouse to reveal naked breasts.
‘No biting and no scratching.’
‘That’s two conditions,’ she said, running her fingers over her breasts and around her nipples, which she pinched until they became erect.
‘Two conditions?’ Julian repeated, losing track of the conversation. He pulled her towards him to suck her nipples.
‘Yes, I have two conditions,’ she said.
‘What are they?’
‘That you think only of me tonight and fuck me until I beg for mercy.’ She let out a shriek as he suddenly got to his feet and swept her up into his arms.
‘Ok,’ he said, giving her a wicked grin. ‘It’s a deal.’
* * *
It was in the early hours when Harriet finally went to bed. Ben had been so difficult all day, whining about this and that but they knew he would be like that when he first moved into the house. It wasn’t surprising that Harry lost his temper. He went on and on about Ben using her kind nature to drive a wedge between them and in the end, Harriet relented and said he could look after Ben on his own.
She was exhausted when she climbed the narrow stairs that connected the kitchen with the other floors. They were the old servants’ stairs and many residents in Sussex Gardens had removed or blocked them off but Harriet liked the privacy they gave her away from the tenants. She preferred not to use the same facilities. Her parents had turned the small nursery adjoining the master bedroom into a bathroom and toilet, so she had her very own private area.
She was just unlocking her door when she heard a woman’s laughter coming from Julian’s room. The laundry cupboard between her room and his was kept loc
ked, so she had to unlock it very quietly. She moved the stack of towels on the fourth shelf and sat down on a stool. It placed her at exactly the right height to look through the hole. She had a clear side view of the bed just a few feet away, and of Julian having sex with a woman.
They were horizontal, a pretty staid position Harriet thought but to his credit he had his head down between her legs. How long he had been there she had no way of knowing, he could have just started which could mean no real action until the bitch reached orgasm, so she was relieved when he re-surfaced and moved up her body to kiss her on the mouth. In Harriet’s opinion, he lost several Brownie points with that move; who wanted to taste their own crotch.
Harriet was quite startled with his next move. He rose up like a vision with muscles swathed in sweat, lifted and spread her legs apart and pushed his solid penis into her hole with a long steady thrust. After ten minutes of relentless pounding, he stopped, withdrew, and started kissing and running his tongue down her body. The bitch was begging him to come inside again but he continued until he was down between her legs for a second time and had her groaning in ecstasy.
Harriet unconsciously reached down between her own legs and gripped hold of the erect penis. When Julian turned the bitch over on all fours, so he could enter from behind doggy style, Harriet started wanking so that she climaxed as one with him.
She took a long time to settle down to sleep that night. There was a moment of confusion after Harry had surfaced and forced his erect penis into her hand and she was furious with him. It broke their boundaries, their code of conduct. Nevertheless, she was up at her usual time of 6 a.m. to give her time to prepare for the day which included perfecting her make-up and selecting which wig she would wear. She ate a small breakfast of a boiled egg and a piece of toast before beginning her daily chores. By the time she had finished cleaning the bathrooms on the three floors and vacuumed the carpets on the landings and stairs, it was 10 a.m. She was sorting out the post on the hall table when she saw Julian walking down the stairs.
‘Good morning, Julian. How are you this morning?’
He smiled. ‘I’m good, thank you - and you?’
‘I’m a little tired - something kept waking me up. It was probably the tom-cat from next door, he’s a noisy little bugger - been servicing all the queens in the district.’ She watched the expression on his face to see if he would pick up the inference, and held out a letter towards him. ‘This one’s for you.’ He took hold of it but she didn’t let go until their eyes met. ‘And did you sleep well last night?’
