by Gale Stanley
Noah had pushed away the tray and sat quietly waiting, head bowed in an attitude of frozen stillness. Waiting for what? To be told what to do most likely. Jesus, the man acted like a ghost, sad and not really here. Not that Simon blamed him. If he were in Noah’s position, he’d want to make himself invisible, too.
“Noah?”
The blond head snapped up as if the man had been deep in thought.
What is he thinking about? The life he used to have?
Noah’s old life was far behind him. Did he even remember who he used to be? Blue eyes focused on Simon, but nothing else moved, as if Noah dared not twitch unless Simon okayed it. It freaked him out. He liked submissive men, and he had an uncanny instinct for recognizing them. An image of Levi came into his head. Yeah, the half-breed was one submissive cocksucker. Heat curled low in Simon’s belly—followed by guilt. God, I hope he’s okay. He shook off the self-reproach by promising himself he’d leave this place as soon as possible.
Yeah, Simon liked to dominate men, but only if it was what they wanted. Noah had been forced into this lifestyle years ago. It had been so long, the slave probably didn’t know what he wanted anymore. And it was such a waste. If Noah had a little more meat on his bones and some spirit left to animate his features, he would be a very desirable man.
Even those narrow stripes across the boy’s back—scars from past beatings—could be sexually exciting in the right situation. A flogging could be extremely arousing, but in Noah’s case it had been brutal and savage. Now there were fresh bruises on Noah’s body that could have come from the tight harness. The man had been abused beyond reason.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He led Noah into the bathroom. A wet room, really. Simon had used some well-appointed wet rooms, but this one was just an open shower with a cement floor that sloped toward a drain hole. There were no benches or grab bars.
Fuck it, I need a shower anyway.
So much for keeping his distance. Hoping for hot water, Simon started to unbutton his shirt. Noah braced himself against the wall and looked at him with a surprised expression.
Simon stared back. “Noah, as weak as you are, I can’t leave you in here alone. You need my help.” Simon stripped off his clothes and turned on the water. There was no way to adjust it, but at least it was warm. Thank you, Jesus. He held out a hand. “Okay, come on in.”
Chapter Nine
Noah hesitated. He didn’t understand this game. It was Noah’s job to bathe the Master, not the other way around. Yes, Simon had been nice to him, even given him food and water, but he was one of them—a Master—and they always wanted something. Sex. To think otherwise would be foolish.
Noah would give this man what he wanted. It was his job after all. The only one he’d known since El Lobo had taken his virginity. When the rebel leader tired of him, he gave him to the Were-slavers. Noah had been bought and sold many times. Too many times to count.
“What are you waiting for?”
Noah let Simon haul him under the water. The warm stream pulsing against his sore body felt terrific. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back to let the water run over his face for a few seconds. A sigh escaped him, but then he heard Simon moving and he remembered his place.
Noah sank to his knees at Simon’s feet to service him. Disappointed, he nuzzled the man’s flaccid prick. If he couldn’t get Simon hard, he’d be punished.
Suddenly two strong hands gripped Noah under his armpits and pulled him to a standing position. Simon was big, bigger than some wolves. He could crush Noah easily. Anxiety made his stomach knot. “Don’t you want me—”
“Everything isn’t about sex,” Simon said tightly. “You need a shower, and that’s what you’re getting.”
Noah looked down, embarrassed. Maybe Simon just wanted him clean before he fucked him. Usually there was no uncertainty to what was required of him. He hated feeling like this. So confused. He really, really needed his drugs.
Simon rubbed the soap between his palms and spun Noah around so he faced away from the bigger man. Behind him he heard a bottle being opened and then a woodsy smelling shampoo was poured on his head. Those long fingers that had touched his back so gently now massaged the lather into his scalp. Others had washed his hair before, but not like this. Always before, his tormentors rushed through the washing, pulling his long hair and hurting him as much as they could manage. This felt wonderful. A low moan escaped him, and he leaned back into Simon’s touch. Was his hair so dirty, or was Simon taking his time because he liked doing this? Noah didn’t care. He just wanted the shampoo to go on forever.
All too soon, Simon rinsed his hair and reached for the soap. He rubbed it between his palms and started to wash Noah with soap slick hands. He started at Noah’s shoulders and worked his way down. Noah’s breath caught in his throat as Simon’s hand slid along the crease of his ass. A long finger rimmed his hole. He expected to be penetrated, but it didn’t happen.
Big slippery hands reached around to stroke his cock and balls. Noah stood perfectly still. This was his lot in life. He just hoped Simon would be pleased with him because there weren’t enough drugs left in his body to cushion the blows of a beating, should Simon decide he deserved one. Of course a Master didn’t need a reason. Some men just liked to beat others.
For some reason Noah didn’t think Simon was one of those men. His hands were firm, but light on Noah’s abused flesh. For a big man, Simon had a gentle touch, and Noah’s body responded to each soft caress. More and more, he enjoyed having Simon’s hands on him. Noah’s dick stiffened, and for the first time he felt pure pleasure in a man’s touch. Sensation flooded through his body, and he thought he might come, but he steeled himself against an orgasm. It was the Master’s right to come first. He was supposed to hold off, no matter what. But it felt so good.
Is this a test? If so, Noah feared he might fail. He felt his control slipping.
Simon’s rhythm speeded up. Noah focused on slowing his breathing. Simon stroked faster. Harder. Noah could no longer focus on anything but the slip and slide of Simon’s hand and the hot spikes of sensation that centered in his cock and balls. His entire body quivered under Simon’s touch. His breathing came in quick pants now.
Suddenly, betrayed by his body, Noah let out a low, keening cry. His balls drew up tight and the pleasure of an orgasm took him to another place. Simon pulled him against his hard chest and held him through the spasms as spurts of cum mixed with the water and washed down the drain.
Finally, Simon released his genitals, and Noah braced himself for the first blow.
It never came.
Simon turned him so they were facing each other. Noah lowered his head. Simon gripped his jaw and lifted his head, and then he captured Noah’s mouth and swept his tongue inside. The kiss was surprisingly gentle. No one had kissed him in years. With a soft sigh, Noah stood on his toes and put his arms around Simon’s shoulders. The heat of the kiss melted him. He felt Simon’s hard cock rub against him, and he knew that Simon would probably fuck him now, but he didn’t care. It would keep Simon close for a time, and that was what he wanted. Simon made him feel desired, like he was worth something. He just wanted to hang on to that feeling for a little while longer.
* * * *
What the fuck am I doing?
Simon released Noah and took a step back.
Remember what you’re doing here, Simon.
He had to focus on the mission. There was no time for sex or sympathy here. Simon’s deep awareness of Noah’s suffering and his desire to do something about it could get both of them in big trouble. And this physical attraction could get them killed.
He saw confusion in Noah’s eyes, and Simon’s heart twisted. It hadn’t been his intention to make things harder for the boy. On the contrary, for just a few minutes he wanted to make Noah forget his plight, forget where he was, and just experience a tiny bit of pleasure. Of course it didn’t hurt that Noah was beautiful and the boy’s submissiveness captivated him. Giving the
boy an orgasm had been just as enjoyable for him as Noah. But Simon was crossing a dangerous line here.
Simon rinsed off quickly and hustled Noah out of the shower. He dried them both off with towels and led Noah to the bed. Noah immediately lay on his back, raised his knees, and planted his feet flat on the mattress.
An offering.
But not one that he would accept. Tempted beyond reason, Simon ignored Noah and started dressing. He wished there were clothes for Noah so he wouldn’t have to look at the blond’s slim, hairless body any longer. Noah had lost weight, but he still had muscle tone. Someone had made sure he exercised. From the corner of his eye he saw that Noah was flushed. Simon was amazed that such a well-used man could still blush. He appreciated Noah’s spirit. He’d never come across a man who had been tortured and trained for so many years and yet still retained his humanity. If things were different…No. He tried to push away the thought, but he kept remembering how Noah’s body had felt against his in the shower. How it felt to hold the boy’s hard cock in his hand. The little animal noises that Noah tried to hold back but couldn’t.
Shit!
The boy was his for the taking, but it would be wrong. He pushed Noah’s knees down and covered him with the blanket. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at him. Spread out over the flat white pillow, Noah’s hair looked darker now that it was wet. Yellow-gold strands framed his high cheekbones and full lips. Those blue eyes stared up at Simon. They turned him to mush. He didn’t know if he wanted to grab Noah and run for the hills or cover his slim, hairless body and fuck him senseless. What would happen to Noah when he left? His conscience nagged at him. Maybe he could convince Graham to let Noah off the island. Fat fucking chance. Graham had already insinuated he wanted Noah for himself. Instead of helping Simon figure out his next move, coming here had only served to confuse him more.
Focus on your job, Simon.
“Do you feel better, Noah?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, I need to ask you a few questions.”
A look of trust flickered in Noah’s eyes. Why? Just because he hadn’t beaten or sodomized him. It was wrong. He’d done nothing to earn this boy’s trust.
Simon forced himself to continue. “Can you remember back to when you were first kidnapped by the Weres?”
“Yes,” Noah whispered.
“Do you remember Levi?”
“No.” Noah shook his head, and Simon knew he wasn’t lying.
Simon smacked his forehead with his open palm. Of course! Levi had changed his name when he escaped. “Do you remember the boy who lived with your family back then? What was his name?”
Noah chewed on his lip but didn’t say anything.
The boy was compliant but loyal. Obviously he didn’t want to say anything that might hurt his friend. “I won’t hurt you. Or him.” Simon looked around. Force of habit. He already knew there was no surveillance equipment in here. Graham had told him that state-of-the-art technology would be installed as soon as the architects and engineers got their shit together. “In fact, I might be able to help him.”
Noah’s eyes darkened with the tortured dullness of disbelief. “He’s dead.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because he would have come—” Noah stopped short, as if he’d already given away too much.
Simon put a hand on the blanket over his leg. “It’s okay. What was his name, Noah?”
“Rolf,” he said softly.
“His name is Levi now.”
Noah’s face crumbled. Something very close to real heartbreak showed in his expression. All these years he’d held on to the hope that the half-breed would come if he could. And he’d been right. Levi’s love for the boy was obvious. It had given him the incentive to search for Noah, and even though he had little chance of finding him, he’d never given up. The connection between these two men amazed Simon and gave him a new appreciation for the wolf. Noah had seen the good in Levi and it had given him an anchor all these years.
“You’ve seen him?”
“Yes, and so have you.”
Noah bolted up, his whole body was shaking. “You’re a liar.” Then he realized his mistake and froze.
Simon squeezed his leg. “I already told you I’m not going to hurt you. And I’m not a liar. The boy you knew as Rolf calls himself Levi now. He works at the club where I bought you.”
“You bought me?”
Noah had been so drugged he’d hadn’t been aware who bought him. Now a bit of hope showed in Noah’s eyes, and Simon was sorry he was going to have to squelch it.
“Yes, but you don’t belong to me. I was only acting for someone else.”
The light went out in Noah’s eyes, and Simon hated himself for being the cause. This emotional crap was not helping either of them and he debated telling Noah more about Levi. A happy reunion was not in the cards and Noah would just suffer more disappointment. Still, the kid deserved to know that his faith in his friend had not been misplaced.
“Listen to me, Noah. Your friend, Levi, Rolf, whatever, he recognized you. He’s been looking for you all this time. He actually threatened to kill me unless I told him where you were.”
“Oh my God.” The light came back on. “Is he here?”
How could the kid look happy and sad at the same time?
Simon shook his head. “No. If I had brought him here, he’d have been locked up, too.” So what’s the difference smart guy? He’s still confined, just in a more luxurious prison.
“Thank you,” Noah whispered. “Please…”
“What is it, Noah?”
“Please tell Rolf…I mean Levi. Please tell him I know it wasn’t his fault.”
Simon’s throat went tight and he couldn’t speak. How much more proof did he need that Levi was no monster? If this beautiful boy cared for Levi, he had to be a decent guy.
“And tell him I love him.”
Oh, fuck. “You’ll tell him yourself one day.” Simon waited for lightning to strike him down dead for lying.
Noah smiled sadly.
He knows. “I’ll tell him.”
“Please don’t bring him here. I’ll do whatever you want if you protect him.”
What harm can a little white lie do, especially if it makes the kid feel better? “I’ll try my best, but whatever happens, you can’t tell anyone we had this conversation.” Could the kid hold out if Graham beat him?
Can I?
The thought of Noah being hurt again made Simon sick to his very core. He wondered if the boy would be better off sedated, but there’d be no more drugs to help him get through any abuse the director might dish out.
Almost as if Noah could read his mind he broke in. “I’m not weak. I won’t say anything. I promise.”
“I know that.” Simon really, really needed to get out of this room and put some space between him and the boy. “You’re not weak, Noah. You’re very brave. You’re a survivor, and if Levi was here, he’d say the same thing. You did whatever you had to, in order to survive.”
But will you survive this island?
Chapter Ten
Simon was almost tempted to spend the night with Noah. Almost. He squelched the idea real fast.
This is a job. This is a job. This is a job.
He kept repeating the mantra while he walked back to the barracks. And in the long run it wouldn’t be helping the kid. On the contrary, spending more time with Noah would only make the boy more dependent on Simon. It would just get his hopes up and that would be the cruelest thing Simon could do to the boy. It would only make it harder for him when Simon left the island for good. For damn sure, he didn’t plan on coming back again.
Don’t be so sure about that.
If Graham finds out about Levi…
What do you mean, if?
Fuck. The longer Simon put off telling Graham, the more he risked. Why was he putting off the inevitable? He saw his career going down the tubes.
Tell him. Tell him now.
<
br /> But he couldn’t do it. Not after coming from the boy.
I’ll tell him tomorrow when we meet for breakfast.
Having made a decision, Simon felt a little better. His stomach rumbled, and he realized he hadn’t eaten. Hoping he wouldn’t run into the director, he went to the kitchen and looked in the fridge. Frozen meals packed the freezer. At least there was beer. He choked down a nuked chicken dinner, grabbed another beer, and went to his room. Gulping down his meal only made his stomach feel worse. He chewed a couple antacid tablets. A couple of beers and jetlag were enough to knock him out, and he slept for hours.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Simon woke in a sweat. He’d been dreaming about Noah. They were in the alley having hot and dirty sex. Simon had been fucking the boy, and Levi caught them at it. He’d pulled Simon off the blond and turned into a wolf right in front of Simon’s eyes. The beast drew his lips back in a snarl and crouched, ready to leap on Simon and tear his throat out. Christ, it had felt so real. His heart raced wildly. No way could he fall back to sleep.
An urge to see Noah again came over him. Just to make sure the boy was okay. He pulled on a pair of shorts and flip-flops and left the building as silently as a cat. The cellblock wasn’t far. An island paradise with a barracks and a cellblock.
Jesus.
A different guard stood in front of the door. Any unexpected activity would be reported to Graham for sure, and how could Simon explain away a visit in the middle of the night? He turned around and went back to his room.
It took forever to get back to sleep. When he woke again, sunlight shone through the shutters, but Simon had time for a quick shower before he met Graham. Simon’s bathroom was a little better than Noah’s. At least it had a working toilet and a sink. It seemed like all he did was take showers since he arrived. This place made him feel dirty. The water streamed over his shoulders and pounded some of the tenseness out of him while he thought about what he was going to say to the director.
