by Zoey Marcel
The frosted musk of Justin’s sporty cologne, whatever it was, smelled tantalizing. It was some kind of fresh, clean aquatic and citrus scent with delicious undertones of lime and water mint. An orgasm for the nose, really.
“You should go,” Aiden told him, voice edged with a mild warning the younger man didn’t detect. He’d meant to say, “You can go,” but the hidden urgency from within had been given free reign of his mouth, compliments of the liquor.
“Okay. Thanks for talking with me. It means a lot that you opened up to me.”
In a flash, Aiden’s hand was clamped down on Justin’s wrist, stopping him. Emotions fired through him like shrapnel, piercing, burning. Panic summoned the need to control. The beguiling little man chipping away at his barriers like an insistent pickaxe needed to be stopped.
It was the liquor’s fault, of course, but he got the feeling he wouldn’t have exposed that much of himself to anyone but the person staring right back at him. The gobby fella looked surprised. His erratic pulse thrummed against Aiden’s clenching fingers.
The wet, vulnerable sound of Justin’s swallow mellowed the screaming banshee of fear in Aiden, and darker needs came roaring to the surface. The slight thing’s breathing came out in faint, uneven puffs. Only the silence ensured that Aiden heard them.
For a split second there he almost gave in, nearly succumbed to the powerful drive to run his thumb gently along Justin’s skin, to feel, to caress. Blinding need clawed like a rabid animal from within, a craving so intense he felt the hot ache smoldering all over him, even down at the cellular level.
Had it ever been this strong? Had instinct ever mauled his better judgment to shreds with such reckless fervor before?
Justin had a big mouth. He was Shane’s youngest brother. The risk was too high.
Slowly, Aiden found his words. “What we talked about…don’t repeat it.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
The boy looked so damned vulnerable and gorgeous it was almost painful. In one very private way, it was painful, so incredibly painful…and so fucking hard.
He let go of Justin and reached for his glass again. The cool hardness of the tumbler that emitted chilly tears was a perverse counterfeit to the soft warmth of flesh, the susceptible beat of an excited pulse. Whether that rush had been from arousal or fear, he didn’t know.
“I’ll pay you extra for workin’ off the clock,” Aiden told him before knocking back his liquor.
“Thanks.” Justin gave him a distracted smile, hand trembling in a way he couldn’t seem to steady. “I’m gonna head out.”
When Justin walked around the bar to leave, Aiden kept his back to him from where he sat on the barstool. “I tried that frozen coffee you recommended.”
He didn’t even have to look at the young thing to know he was beaming.
“You did? What did you think?”
“Like you said…” Aiden tipped his glass toward his lips while speaking. “Heaven in a cup.”
“Heck yes! I told you frozen coffee was epic.”
He smiled. “You were right.”
“I hope your day gets better.”
Something about that comment rubbed him the wrong way. It was too much. “Off with you now.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Cheers.” Aiden glanced back over his shoulder to watch Justin leave.
Jaysus, that ass.
* * * *
Aiden was near adrenaline mode as he walked into a bar in Sioux Falls several nights later. He’d wrestled with himself all week, trying to convince himself that he didn’t need it, but the conversation with Justin, that touch that set his blood on fire, the sympathy that had left him shaken and open had driven him to this.
The atmosphere in the bar was dark with blue lighting. A distinct veil of booze and the scent of men who had drowned themselves in aftershave and sporty young cologne littered the air.
He didn’t want to be here, but he felt like he was going crazy.
Scanning the barroom, he was about to move on when he noticed a fit young thing sitting up at the bar. Aiden approached and then sat down next to the person.
“I’m Shelby,” the youth said.
“Aiden.” He shook the looker’s extended hand, disliking that he’d given his real name.
“I like your accent. What is that, Scottish?”
“Irish.”
“Close enough.”
Hardly.
Most people he encountered could tell the difference, but the few who couldn’t annoyed him.
“It’s crowded tonight,” Shelby remarked.
Aiden pursed his lips and glanced at the one addressing him. “How about we dispense with the formalities and get down to business.”
Shelby grinned. “Sounds good to me. Your place or mine?”
“Hotel.”
“Cool. What do you like?”
“Obedience,” Aiden said impatiently, looking over his shoulder.
“Are you into BDSM? You seem like a top.”
“I am.”
“Nice. Do you ever bottom?”
He eyed Shelby carefully. “Never.”
Shelby grinned. “I like you already. I should warn you I’m kind of a masochist.”
Aiden peeked down at the bar he tapped with his finger. “I don’t play with masochists.”
“It’s cool. I can do vanilla.”
“A word to the wise, don’t go around tellin’ strangers you’re a masochist. You’re askin’ for trouble.”
“I’ve got to find the right sadist.”
Aiden took a drink from his glass. “You’re fucked if you find the wrong one.”
“I’m not scared.”
“That’s because you’re young and innocent. You think the world is made of sunshine and glitter. Trust me, it’s not.”
Shelby snorted. “Well, aren’t you just a fucking little ray of sunshine? I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m not exactly what you would call innocent.”
Aiden looked at him and smiled slowly. “Glad to hear it.”
“What do you say we get out of here?”
He tipped the glass to his lips. “I decide when we leave.”
“That’s hot.”
Aiden smirked a little and set his glass down. “Does role-play offend you?”
“Depends on what it is.”
“You don’t hafta do anything. Just answer to Justin tonight and do what I tell you to.”
“Who the hell is Justin?”
“It’s who you’re gonna be tonight.”
Shelby wore a mischievous grin. “Oo, somebody has a secret crush.”
Aiden fought with the smile that threatened to betray his cool facade. “Finish your drink and then come with me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Okay. What am I supposed to call you?”
“I have a name. Use it.”
After downing his fruity drink, Shelby followed him out to the parking lot.
“The hotel’s not far. We’ll hafta walk,” Aiden said.
“You don’t have a car?”
“I do. I left it at the hotel.”
“So you wouldn’t drink and drive.” Shelby touched his arm briefly. “Aw, you’re a sweetheart.”
“Hardly.”
Something caught Aiden’s eye and he froze in his tracks. He saw a man he never would have expected to see there. He’d driven over five hours to get to Sioux Falls just to keep from being seen, but apparently it didn’t matter.
The man had just been in the bar, but he left alone. He got into his car and drove away.
Aiden was stunned. Was that man…? He’d left alone, but there was only one reason to come to a place like this.
Shelby took Aiden by the hand. “You coming?”
Aiden pulled his hand away. “I don’t hold hands.”
“Touchy thing.” Shelby winked at him. “Good thing you’re hot.”
Aiden rolled his eyes and smirked as t
hey started walking again.
Shelby was a far cry from Justin, but with a little imagination and some brown dye to cover over most of Shelby’s natural blond hair, Aiden could pretend. He hoped that took the edge off his lust for his barman. Heaven help him if pretending wasn’t enough.
* * * *
“Blood everywhere,” Greg Friel said with a wide sweep of his hand in front of him as they walked down the footpath together in Stone River the following day.
Jaysus, not again.
Aiden tried to act like he was listening, but he was in kill mode when he saw Sean standing across the street talking with Malachi Brodie.
“It looked like a bunch of zombies had gone through and—”
“Christ, Greg, that’s a lovely story,” Aiden said quickly, turning to him. “I’ve been thinkin’ Sean should come to live with you. He’d be protected livin’ with a cop, and you’re family.”
Greg made a “Huh, how about that” face. “Well, I guess that’s all right. He’s a good kid.”
“Thanks a million.” Aiden patted his arm and then crossed the street.
“Fucking car! Watch it!”
Someone honked, but Aiden ignored it.
“Sorry!” Greg apologized, jogging after him. “Aiden, you nut job! What the fuck?”
Aiden stepped onto the footpath next to his son. “What’s the story?”
Sean smiled up at him. “Just having a chat and enjoying the sun.”
“Sean, you spend too much time with the man,” Aiden said. “Give him some peace. How do you expect him to practice those fancy sermons when you’re always talkin’ his ear off?”
“It’s no trouble,” Malachi told him. “Sean’s a pleasure.”
Aiden faked a smile, but there was a part of him that thought he might like to knock the man’s head off.
Greg stood with them now. “You couldn’t wait until the cars passed to cross the street?”
“Sean, your uncle just told me he wants you to live with him,” Aiden said. “What do you think of that?”
Sean gaped at them before his expression turned sad. One would think he’d just been denied a trip to a theme park. “That’s nice of him, but what’s wrong with me living with Malachi?”
“I enjoy having Sean live with me,” Malachi said.
“I’m sure you do.” Aiden gave him a saccharine smile and unveiled eyes.
Something passed through Malachi’s eyes. Curiosity rather than the intimidation Aiden might have expected.
Greg turned to Sean. “Come on, Sean. It’ll be fun. I’ll tell you stories and you can play with my gun collection.”
Aiden threw him an indignant look. “What’s the matter with you?”
Greg cracked a smile. “Well, I’ve got to make it sound good.”
“You don’t need to coax him,” Aiden said. “Sean, do as you’re told.”
“But, Da—”
“It’s all right, Sean,” Malachi interrupted, seeming as disappointed as Sean was. “Your father means well. I’m sorry I wasn’t at home last night. I was at a bar handing out tracts to reach lost souls.”
Aiden’s heart nearly stopped. He hadn’t considered that, though it sounded dodgy. He was calling bullshit on that one, but the idea of Malachi being gay was equally ridiculous.
Sean’s face lighted up. “See, that’s what I like about you. Where other people go to bars to drink and get laid, you go there to save the lost and change lives.”
Malachi smiled at Sean and then looked Aiden in the eye.
Fuck!
Had the preacher seen him with Shelby in the parking lot last night?
Who the hell drove for hours to go to a gay bar just to hand out tracts?
Malachi didn’t act threatened or anxious in the slightest. Was there a chance that had been the reason he was there? He’d left alone and then driven away, so he probably hadn’t been drinking and obviously hadn’t taken anyone to a hotel with him.
Still, why bring up that he’d been at a bar handing out tracts? Had he seen Aiden there?
Shite!
“We can still see each other even if you move out,” Malachi said to Sean. “I have to go practice my sermon. It’s on self-control.” He glanced at Aiden and then smiled at Sean as he turned to leave. “I’ll see you later.”
Sean waved at him, beaming.
Aiden’s hand was shaking. He hoped he was wrong. It was a moment of weakness, one night where he had a lapse in judgment. No one must know.
He was at an impasse. He couldn’t question Malachi about last night without giving away that he’d been at that bar as well.
The idea of his son living with a gay man infuriated him. He hoped he was wrong about Malachi, but he had to protect Sean. An older man like Malachi would likely be a top. Maybe even into edgy things he couldn’t bear to think of his son being put through. He had to get him out of there.
Sean turned to him. “Why do you want me to live with Uncle Greg all of sudden? Where is this coming from?”
“There’s a serial killer runnin’ around the area, targeting young lads,” Aiden said.
Greg looked confused. “There is?”
Aiden threw him an annoyed glance.
Greg finally got it. “Oh yeah, blood everywhere.”
He swept his hand out in front of him.
Sean sighed in defeat. “Malachi is strong enough to protect me.”
He’s strong enough to hurt you.
Anger tensed every muscle in Aiden’s body.
“Greg is a cop. He has loads of weapons to protect you.”
“Malachi has guns, too,” Sean informed him.
Aiden felt unwell over the news, wanted to wrap his son in his arms and shelter him.
“This isn’t a political debate. You’re movin’ in with your uncle, and that’s final.”
Sean looked the other way in frustration.
Greg let out a phony chuckle. “Well, this is awkward. Sean, if you’d rather—”
“He’s livin’ with you,” Aiden snapped.
“Calm down, Yosemite Sam. I just want my nephew to be happy.”
“He’ll be happy when he does what I tell him to.”
“I’m an adult, you know,” Sean reminded him. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
“I just did. You’re not even old enough to drink legally.”
“I am in the UK.”
Aiden caught the amused smile in time. “Well, we’re not in the UK, young otter.”
“Then I’ll move there,” Sean threatened before storming off.
Without question it was the most unexpected comment he’d ever received from his son in a moment of teenage drama.
Greg shook his head as he watched Sean stomp off. “Well, that’s a new one. ‘I’m moving to the UK.’”
A lopsided smile hitched Aiden’s lips up. “He’s a character, that one. I wonder where he gets the drama from.”
“You, I’m sure.”
“I don’t act like that.”
Greg smirked as they walked away together. “Oh please. Like father, like son.”
Aiden grinned through the fear inside. The last thing he wanted was for his son to turn out like him.
Chapter Eleven
It was odd. Heath agreed to have a foursome with her, but only if they indulged in the act at his apartment. He said having a liaison at the McAlisters’ home made him uncomfortable. Maybe he was worried about the servants walking in on them during their licentious tumble, or perhaps their wealth intimidated him. Either way, Danielle was thankful that he was open-minded enough to try it with her.
Three men at once. She’d never done that before. She felt a little nervous, but the idea of it thrilled her out of her mind.
She’d handled two men just fine. She hoped adding another one wouldn’t throw her off her game.
It bothered her that she had feelings for Heath as well. The McAlisters were generous enough to share her with him for the fun of it and for her pleasure, but would they be ok
ay with doing so permanently? David had said they were, but even so, would Heath ever consent to a polyandrous relationship like that? Sex was one thing. Forever was entirely another.
She rested on her knees with them on the queen-sized mattress that lay on the floor since Heath hadn’t set his bed up yet. They were all completely in the buff. The men started with slow, steamy kisses and gentle, intimate touches to set the mood and relax her.
“Are you ready?” David asked her after gradually drawing back from their kiss.
She smiled, trying to hide her coyness. “I’m ready.”
He had her lie on her side and spread her legs so he could kiss her between them. His lips on her sex drew a breathy sigh from her.
Brighton smoothed his hand over her breasts and drew her into himself. She gasped in his mouth, blown away by the delicate sensuality of the kiss. Lips sucking and nibbling their interest. Tongue tangling with hers in a sexual exploration that would have driven her to her knees had she been standing. For being so young, he was quite a skilled kisser.
Heath’s hand caressed her spine before sliding on down to the curvaceous hump of her backside. His calluses raking over her soft skin made her feel especially dainty and feminine.
David nibbled on her labia and used his tongue to trace the seam of her needy pussy lips.
Brighton’s hand kneaded her breast while he stroked her tongue with his, snatching a desperate whimper from her. He drew back and snaked his fingers through her hair.
Next he enveloped her mouth in a ravaging kiss while David ate her out and Heath traced a finger in her ass crack to relax her. Lust spiraled through her like a summer rain, balmy and unyielding.
“Ask me for permission to come when you’re close.” David’s whisper seared her skin with the heat of his breath.
Brighton relinquished her mouth so she could answer him. “I will.”
In truth, it surprised her that David wanted her to ask permission before climaxing. He was more vanilla from what she knew of him. Either he had varied tastes or was simply indulging Heath’s topping tendencies so they were in the same boat with her.
She let out a cry of ecstasy as David’s firm, sensuous lips kissed her labia. She pounded the mattress when he split her folds apart and delved into her sex lips, lapping her sheen of arousal up as though it was sex candy.
