“Yeah, inside.” He wondered if he looked as lost as he felt. A brisk breeze brushed over him and under his robe, reminding him he was standing in nothing more than his kimono on his porch in January. Not his wisest move, considering he lived in Chicago.
He stepped back to allow Hark to pass into the house. Shutting the door behind him, Bryan turned and wondered what the other man was thinking as he took in the open space and minimalist furnishings of the living room. “As you can see this is the living room.” He stopped next to Hark. “The side facing us is our game area. Master enjoys our game nights and the table is perfect for playing...”
“Chess or checkers. Yes, I remember Diachi's fascination with the game the first time I brought out the checker board.”
A surprised sound escaped him. “You were the sub who taught him how to play?”
Hark shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, growing up as the only illegitimate child of my mother’s clan, I didn't have many friends, so I spent my nights playing board games with my mother.”
Bryan chewed on his lower lip, suddenly contrite. Now he felt like an ass. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories.”
“You didn't. I loved my mother, and teaching Diachi to love the games as much I as did is a fond memory. It pleases me to see he still enjoys them. I’m also happy to know what happened between us didn't ruin that.” Hark shifted his attention to the other side of the room. “Ah, a fireplace. Your master always wanted one, but in Arizona it was too hot most of the year to justify having one. Not that we could've afforded it on struggling student's income.” A smile tugged at the corner of Hark's mouth. “Does he make S'mores on it?”
Dazed at the ease Hark seemed to have in his presence, he only nodded.
“Good, it's nice to know he’s achieved one of his dreams.”
“Dreams?” Everything seemed surreal to Bryan. The last thing he’d expected when welcoming his Master’s former submissive into his home was for Hark to reminisce about the life he’d shared with Diachi.
“Yes. When we were together, eating pork and beans and franks out of a can for the millionth time, we'd talk about what we wanted in our future. It wasn't just save the world type of things. Simple things …like one day owning a fireplace where we could roast marshmallows and make S’mores.” Hark shifted a bit. “But I can see my familiarity is making you uncomfortable, so I'll stop. If you could show me where I'm to stay, I'll get out of your hair.”
“Ah, sure. Follow me.” He led Hark through the kitchen and to the open doorway leading to the basement. Flicking on the light in deference to Hark, who wouldn't be familiar with the steps, he padded back down to the basement. “Our guest room is down here, along with our offices and laundry room, which is why it took me so long to answer when you rang the doorbell.” He gestured to the laundry room. “Laundry is over there, the two doors on the left are the offices. I do occasionally work down here, but you're more apt to see Master down here than me. He doesn't make a lot of noise usually, if you don't count the quiet cursing he indulges in when his clients won't listen to reason.”
Hark nodded. “Probably much like the way he used to curse at the professors who assigned homework over our school breaks.”
“Yeah, probably. He never screams, but just lets loose a bunch of Japanese curses I’m afraid to ask the meaning of. Anyway, you probably won’t see me down here much other than to work on laundry. I usually try not to bring work home, but Master doesn't normally work outside the house, other than a few business meetings here and there. Which is where he is this morning.” Bryan opened the door to the guest room. “He owns a consulting business where he fixes broken companies. His area of expertise is in streamlining them to make them more profitable.”
Hark joined him in the open doorway. “That doesn't surprise me in the least. It’d suit the Diachi I used to know.”
“Yeah.” He flipped the switch next to the door, then scowled when a loud buzz filled the room but no light came on. “Oh, for Christ's Sakes. I asked Master to have someone come in and fix this. Stay here for a second. I don't want you to kill yourself in here. There's a light by the bed that works.”
* * * *
Hark sighed as he watched the dark figure make his way across the darkened room. The meager light spilling into room from the hall was just enough for him to make out the bed and Bryan. As the man bent over to fiddle with the light, he stifled his groan. Inwardly, he cursed his good eyesight. Even without being able to clearly see him, his imagination was quickly filling in the details of what Bryan's ass would like pressed against the silk. He hadn't expected to be attracted to his former master's current sub. But when he'd turned at the home’s entrance and saw the blond standing in nothing more than a silk robe, his desire to strip away the offending material had been strong. Only the self-control he'd honed in the service had kept him from acting. If he'd met Bryan around the time he'd met Diachi, he'd have been torn, wanting both men, but for opposite reasons.
“Shit.” The light on the nightstand flared briefly then went out. “I can't believe this. The damn bulb’s burnt out.”
“It happens. Perhaps it's a sign I shouldn't be here,” he said softly. As a Navajo, he had strong beliefs in balance of everything around him.
“Nonsense.” Bryan straightened. “We haven't used this room in a while. Can you go over to the laundry room? Under the sink is a package of halogen bulbs.”
He nodded, then remembered Bryan couldn't see his head nod as he dropped his bags. “Sure. Under the sink. I'm setting my bags down next to the door. Be careful you don't trip over them if you come back this way.”
“Yeah, no problem. I'll stay right here.”
Darting across the hall, he found the bulbs. Taking one out, he cradled it in his palm. Fragile. Just like he felt. His body hummed with awareness even as his emotions felt exposed. The unexpected attraction to Bryan had him wondering about the sanity of staying under the same roof as them. I promised I'd try. Zhenya and Gabriel will be disappointed if I don't make it at least one night. Taking a few deep breaths, he reminded himself he was strong and he'd get through this. His body returning to life was going to be uncomfortable.
“I found them.” He spoke clearly from the doorway so as not to startle Bryan. With the dark shadows it looked as if Bryan had sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Great.” Bryan stood and made his way around the bed. Deciding to meet him half way, Hark moved further into the room, never seeing the obstacle in his path. He cursed low under his breath when his knee hit something solid which sent him stumbling into Bryan. The other man cried out and grabbed at Hark's jacket. The unexpected tug so high up on his body pulled him further off balance. Dropping the light bulb, he wrapped his arms around Bryan, trying to keep them both upright.
“Dammit,” he cursed when he realized he was too far off balance to keep from falling. Twisting awkwardly, he tried his best to not land on Bryan, but in the end found himself half under the other man with his back pressed against the floor. Warm bare skin from where Bryan’s robe had opened rubbed against the taut plane of Hark’s belly where his own t-shirt had ridden up. The heavy weight of Bryan against his groin had a predictable effect. His erection rubbed against Bryan's exposed mid-drift.
“Fuck.” Bryan tried to scramble off him.
Hark groaned, as the man's knee found his balls, in his frantic effort to get away. He tried but failed to suck in a breath as severe pain hit him low and hard. His erection went limp as he rolled free of Bryan, drawing his knees up to his chest to keep from vomiting.
“Shit. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to land on you. Are you okay?” Concern seemed to lace his words.
“In a second...” he gasped, waiting for the waves of pain to recede.
“Hark...” The sudden touch of hands against his back had Hark jerking back.
“Don't.” He gritted out.
“I...okay.” Judging by his voice, Bryan was on his right and sounded hurt.
&n
bsp; He wanted to assure the man it was just as much his fault as it was Bryan's, but the agony in his nuts hadn't relented yet. Finally the feeling eased and Hark was able to draw in a breath without puking. He slowly sat up.
“Sorry. I didn't mean to snap. It's just you got a killer knee there, young man. I can't remember the last time someone nailed me that hard. Maybe Alex.”
“Alex?” He could hear the confusion in Bryan's voice.
“My second-son. Those little white kids shoes are killer on the gonads.”
A hesitant laugh came from Hark's left this time. “Hey, don't be moving around. I dropped the light bulb when we fell. It could be broken.” His warning was too late as Bryan cried out in pain. “Bryan?”
“I found the light bulb.” Bryan’s tone was pain-laced.
“Shit. We’re a real pair.” Rising to his feet, he growled. “Don’t move. I mean it. You’re barefoot. Stay put. I’m going to go get another bulb.”
“Yeah…okay.”
* * * *
Several minutes later, Hark examined the wound on Bryan's knee. Sitting on the guest bed with the lights on, Bryan winced when he used the tweezers to pull out a rather vicious looking piece of glass. “When's the last time you had a tetanus shot?”
“Ah...about a year ago? I sliced my hand open on a can. Master made me get one.”
Hark nodded. “Good.” Setting the tweezers down next to the open first aid kit, he pulled out a small brown bottle. Bryan sucked in a deep breath and tried to scoot away when he opened it. “Where are you going?”
“Ah...nowhere, but I'll give you twenty bucks if you don't put that on me.”
He glanced down at the bottle. “You've got to be kidding me. You're scared of a little peroxide?”
Bryan crossed his arms over his chest. “That shit stings.”
Sighing, Hark set aside the bottle. “Peroxide does not usually sting.”
Bryan stuck his lower lip out. “Yes it does. My mom used to put that shit on me every time I fell down. Swore I'd never let another person do it again.”
“Are you sure it was peroxide?”
“I don't know. It was in a brown bottle like that, but it had a rubber stopper in it. It came out orange and stung like no other.”
A chuckle escaped him. “Dude,that was iodine. My own mom used that crap until I finally bought her a bottle of peroxide and dumped the other shit. And yeah, it stings like a bitch. Let me show you something.” Pouring a small amount into the palm of his hand, he urged Bryan to look. “See clear. Not orange.”
Bryan looked at him skeptically. “So. Times have changed. Maybe they did away with the dye because of all the skin allergies.”
“You're grasping at straws.” Wiping his hand on the leg of his jeans, he used the same ploy on Bryan that he'd used on Alex when the boy had protested getting doctored up. “Look. If I don't clean this out, it's going to get infected. What will your Master say about that? He'd probably kick my ass before tossing me out on my ear.”
Bryan frowned. “No he won't. Master wouldn’t blame you. He’d probably warm my ass for giving you a hard time though.”
“Then let’s get this done, and I won't mention to him about you being a brat when I tried to clean this up.”
Finally, Bryan nodded. “But if it stings I'm gonna kick your ass.”
“If it does, I'll let you.” Hark reached for a cotton ball. Dousing it with the peroxide, he began to lightly dab at the area surrounding the wound.
“You make it sound like you don't think I can.” Bryan grumbled. “Shit, that's cold.”
“I'm an ex-ranger amongst other things. There are very few men who can kick my ass.”
“Really?” Bryan seemed to scrutinizing him. “I mean you've got the physique for it but...I thought Native Americans didn't do the military. Something about having to give up their dual citizenship.”
Cleaning out the wound, Hark chuckled. “Who told you that? We can still hold dual citizenship in the military.”
He frowned. “I didn’t know. I thought someone told me they knew a guy who did give it up when he entered the military.”
Hark looked up at him before setting aside the cotton ball. “Then the man didn't have honor in his people’s way.” Tearing open a large butterfly bandage, he pressed it against the skin. “All done.”
“Oh...” Surprised crossed Bryan’s face. “I didn't even notice.”
“Exactly.” Hark rose and gathered up the used supplies and snapped the first aid kit shut. “Shall we finish the tour of the house before you have to leave for work?”
“Ah sure.” Standing, Bryan straightened his robe. “No problem.”
Hark frowned. “Small problem - broken glass and bare feet.” Swinging Bryan into his arms, he carried him over to the open doorway. Setting him down, he nodded. “Now we can continue. Perhaps on this tour you’ll show me where the vacuum is, so I may clean up my mess.”
“There's one in the closet. We keep it down here for the maids. They come in one day a week, and Master doesn't want them lugging a heavy vacuum up and down the stairs. They clean everything but the playroom, but if you don't want them in your room, just let me know and I'll tell the service.”
“What man in his right mind would turn down free housekeeping?”
Bryan laughed. “Yeah, no shit. Well, thanks for doctoring me up. I just have enough time to show you the rest of the house and grab lunch before I have to head into the office.”
“Lead the way.”
* * * *
“And this is our playroom.” Bryan opened the door at the top of the stairs. Hark seemed like a quiet shadow as he'd followed him around the house, declining to enter the bedroom he shared with Diachi, but taking an interest in the formal Japanese garden behind the house. “It's normally locked on cleaning days, or when we have company.”
“Then why are you showing it to me?” Hark stood two steps below him, making Hark shorter than Bryan.
“Because Master asked me to. You’re more than just a guest. You're part of our lifestyle and won't speculate what these things are for, or assume the worst if you happen to stumble onto them.”
“True.” Hark moved up a step, putting him at eye level with Bryan. “But if you feel uncomfortable having me see this, I won’t go in. A playroom, especially a private one, is a sacred place. It’s a place where Master and sub feel safest. I won’t violate that trust.”
Bryan tipped his head. “More of your balance stuff?”
“No. More of my ‘I'd be pissed if someone entered my playroom uninvited’ stuff.” Hark crossed his arms over his chest. “Those who would dare to enter without permission would find my foot up their asses.”
Bryan laughed and stepped through the doorway. “With that expression, I can see you as a Dom. But believe me, if Master trusts you to enter our playroom, I can do no other. Come in and see where Master drives me out of my mind with pleasure.”
Hark nodded and slowly crossed the threshold.
Chapter Five
Hark held onto his control, barely, as he crossed the threshold of the playroom. It wasn't like other dungeons he'd been in during his time in the lifestyle. Instead of dark furnishings and shadows, this room was light and airy. It had beautiful white oak dungeon furniture. The pale wood had a lustrous shine that absorbed the light until it almost glowed. The floor to ceiling windows on the east wall gave a spectacular view of the lake. The artist in him assumed sometime in its varied past, the room had probably been an artist's studio. A sense of peace washed over him, unlike the nerves he'd felt when he'd entered the playroom he'd shared with George and Teresina after their deaths. Perhaps it's the fact this playroom is totally different
“This is probably one of my favorite places in the entire house, aside from the master bedroom.” Bryan moved in front of the windows.
Hark swallowed hard as the light outlined his form under the kimono. His dick, which had been behaving since his run-in with Bryan’s knee, perked up. Shit…not now
!
“There's just something peaceful about being up here. Like you can touch a little bit of heaven. And you can't beat the view. It's spectacular...especially in spring when thunderstorms stir up the lake.”
Coming to stand next to Bryan, Hark nodded. Even during the winter, Lake Michigan was a sight to see. “I can only imagine.”
“Of course, I love the silk shoji-like screens Master has up here. He got them on his last trip to Japan.” Bryan nodded toward a pair in the corner. “They’re beautiful but functional at the same time. Those two there cordon off the bath. There's a sink, a claw foot tub, and toilet behind them.”
Curious, Hark slipped over to the screens and used his height to his advantage. Peeking over the top of the Japanese screen, he spotted a very immaculate bathroom and a door. “Where's the door go?”
“Oh that? The balcony. Once upon a time this used to be a studio apartment, but Master converted it all into one house. There are steps leading down into the garden.”
“I can see this being an artist's studio. The light in here is great for painting.”
Bryan groaned. “Don't remind me. We had a helleva time covering the weird abstract thing the last owner had painted on the wall over there.” He nodded to the white wall behind the St. Andrew’s Cross and bondage bed.
“I take it you're not an art fan?” He couldn't help but stare at the bare expanse. It was like a blank canvas. It had Hark itching to create. The wall needed a mural. Not the same scene as the one that had been in Alex's room. The mesa, which had reminded Hark of his childhood home in Arizona, had belonged to his second-son only. But it still didn’t stop him from itching to paint. With the minimalistic feel to the room, he could easily envision a much different scene. There was the small temple he’d run across in Japan a few years ago. The worn stone and beautiful cherry blossom trees would remind Diachi of his youth spent in his grandparents’ home. It would be a wonderful way to thank the man who'd set their differences aside and opened his home to him. That’s if I choose to stay.
“Depends on what you call art. Do I enjoy art deco or some of the more abstract artists? Not really. But give me a good Boris Vajello and I'm a happy man.”
Healing Hark (Doms of Chicago) Page 4
