The Great Wall

by Z. Allora

“When joy or—” Jin paused as if finding the right words. “When joy or love is out of balance, depression can result.” He continued with barely a breath, “It also has an uplifting effect on the person, so it makes sense to include this oil. It’s vital for many reasons.”

  Jin knocked over the vial of rose oil. Luckily, it fell into a hand towel saving the wooden floor. The potent smell filled the air. He righted the vial to save the last bit of precious oil, lifted the towel to his nose, and took a deep breath.

  “Mm, smell this.”

  Styx took a whiff as Jin held the towel under his nose.

  “Smells great.” He grinned. “I’m uplifted and balanced.”

  Jin whacked Styx’s shoulder. “I’ll show you balance.” He fiddled around a bit more before he asked, “Are you comfortable?”

  “Yeah.” Contrary to his affirmation, Styx wiggled like a two-year-old. The thought of Jin’s hands on him made him crazy with a mix of anticipation and dread. He needed to relax and get through this without embarrassing himself.

  “Take some deep breaths. In, hold… and release.” Styx heard Jin’s patient smile in his voice. He obeyed, following Jin’s breathing. “Inhale, hold… and release. Good. Again. In, hold… and release.”

  Jin’s hands on his shoulders caused him to shiver.

  “Are you cold?”

  “No.” Styx needed to get a grip; otherwise, he wouldn’t survive this experience.

  “Okay. Tell me if you do get cold. I can get you a blanket off one of our beds.”

  Jin ran his gentle hands through Styx’s long hair, fingers combing through the strands. The touch wasn’t meant to be erotic, but the scrape of his fingers felt sexy as hell. Jin’s fingernails tenderly stimulated Styx’s scalp as he gathered the hair, sending more shivers down Styx’s spine. “It’s gotten long in the last year. I like it.”

  This would be harder than he thought.

  Jin clipped Styx’s hair in place. “There, this will keep your hair out of the way.” He took the vial he’d mixed and smoothed some of the oil on Styx’s shoulders and back.

  Styx tensed.

  “You’re uptight. Relax, it’s only me.”

  Yeah, which is why I can’t relax! He kept his lips pressed shut, inhaling the deep, rich aroma.

  Jin seemed unaware of the war raging within Styx. He murmured about nothing in particular as his talented hands coaxed Styx to release his rigid hold on his body. Finally Styx’s muscles relaxed.

  Allowing the calm to take hold was a bad idea. Styx’s brain celebrated that Jin touched him. He couldn’t shake the thought. Here he was, practically naked, wearing only his underwear and a towel over his butt as Jin rubbed him. It was like one of the fantasies he’d tried for years not to indulge in.

  He tried to blank his mind, thinking about painting a white wall with white paint.

  Not helping.

  Jin stroked down his spine to his lower back. When he found a tight spot, he applied the right amount of pressure to loosen and liberate the stiffness from the muscle. The massage felt wonderful on too many levels not to be mystifying.

  “You’re skilled at this.” Styx didn’t intend the surprise in his voice.

  “I’ve been told… by everyone but you.” Jin huffed, maybe to cover something akin to hurt. “I like helping people. And I want to help you, if you’ll let me.”

  Styx exhaled in frustration. Jin might be the only one who could help him, but Jin didn’t know what Styx really wanted. Maybe it was best he never find out. Did anyone really get a second chance?

  The song drifted from the CD player to fill the apartment with its sad melody. Jin’s hands roamed over Styx’s body, stopping to unblock his qi. The massage should have resulted in a heavenly calm, but Jin was touching him. The little taste only strengthened Styx’s craving and made his need harder to control.

  Jin continued to stroke Styx’s body, unaware of the divine torture he inflicted. The pleasure of those strong, capable hands kneading the muscles in Styx’s legs caused his cock to strain against the rings binding his length.

  Styx almost wished the symptoms of his overmedication still muted his body and emotions. Every need he’d tried to bury thundered to the surface, leaving him to figure out how to meet them.

  “Turn.” Jin lifted the towel and held it like a screen.

  Styx wished he’d convinced Jin to perform foot reflexology instead of the full-body massage. Jin’s gaze traveled down Styx’s body as he flipped over. At least he wasn’t overtly erect; the chastity belt’s discipline made erections impossible. However, his swollen cock pressed tight against the rings. It had only been a couple of days, but his bloated balls ached for relief. Thankfully, Jin didn’t seem to notice.

  Jin draped the towel over Styx’s pelvis and began to work on his front. Styx closed his eyes, biting his lip in an attempt to mask his appreciation as the muscles in his chest unwound. He couldn’t stare while Jin’s touch glided over him.

  It took everything Styx had not to respond inappropriately. He wanted to touch back and make Jin feel good too, but most of all, he wanted to pull Jin down and kiss his sexy, smiling mouth.

  The usual warning flashed through his mind but did little to dampen the necessity. Styx might die from want.

  Jin cleared his throat. “Shhh, it’s okay. Slow your breathing.” He massaged one leg before he got the kinks out of the other, while Styx squeezed his crossed eyes shut. Until Jin spoke, Styx hadn’t realized he was panting.

  “Sorry.” A groan fell from his open mouth when Jin’s caress moved back to his chest.

  “You must be sore here.” Jin rubbed his chest deeper, relaxing the muscles in Styx’s torso. Jin’s breath whispered across his body, tantalizing him with promises Jin didn’t realize he was making.

  Styx sighed with relief when Jin’s attentions moved to his arms. This was safe… until Jin reached his hand.

  “Mm.” The soft moan escaped before Styx could stop it.

  Jin’s fingers dug in places Styx didn’t realize were tense. “Yeah, let me rub these drumming muscles. You don’t realize how these muscles are overused.”

  Why did Jin have to sound suggestive? His voice shouldn’t make Styx want to do things to him. And why in hell did a hand massage torment his prick? Maybe somewhere there was an old Chinese medicine diagram that would show a direct line connecting his fingers to his cock.

  No blockages of the meridians along that pathway.

  Trying to ignore the delicious sensations, Styx grasped at grains of rice. “We haven’t practiced together in a while.”

  “I know. Oh, by the way, Uncle Bao-zhi is still trying to find a band for us to join.”

  The first band fell apart before they’d even met the guys. The members had returned to the Philippines in a huff.

  “Whatever. I don’t care if we ever play with a band. I miss playing with you.” Styx wished he sounded less needy.

  “Me too. I love playing with you.” Jin didn’t realize how that sounded to Styx’s perverse mind. Jin sighed, forcing Styx’s muscles into a rhythmic pattern until he was boneless. “We’re both working too many hours.”

  True, they worked six days a week, seven if they were able to get the hours.

  “Yeah, but I have to send money home.”

  “You need to relax too.” Jin moved to the other arm.

  Styx didn’t deny the obvious. “I guess my muscles are tight.”

  “Maybe you’ll let me do this for you again?” Jin seemed clueless about how his words affected Styx as he rubbed a tight spot.

  Styx wanted to shout, Yes, please! More? When? Fear sliced through him, and he hedged. “But you’re tired too. I don’t want to make you do more work.”

  That’s a viable reason.

  Styx opened his eyes to find Jin studying him.

  Jin softened his voice. “But I like massaging you, Styx. Touching you is not work.”

  Styx melted at the thought of Jin enjoying touching… er, massaging him. He tried to
figure out what to say, when Jin reached his other arm. Jin worked the muscles of his bicep and slid down to his forearm. Knots were untying.

  He tried to monitor his breathing. His eyes slid shut, and a groan of pure delight Styx couldn’t control broke the silence as Jin manipulated pressure points of his palm.

  Jin worked his left wrist, and the hand was next. “Plus, you make the prettiest sounds of appreciation.”

  Styx’s face grew hot; he must have blushed.

  “Don’t turn away or be embarrassed. I like making you feel good.”

  Styx’s breath caught. “You shouldn’t.”

  “Why not?” Jin snorted. “You’re my best friend. If I can’t make you feel good, what’s the point?”

  Styx didn’t know what to say, so as usual, he said nothing.

  Chapter 4

  THE FUCKING chastity belt became a problem. At first, the idea was more troubling than the reality, but after yesterday’s massage, Styx’s cock fought the restraint every minute.

  Jin barely mentioned the chastity belt, aside from checking nearly three days ago that it wasn’t chafing or hurting. Styx tried to ignore the contraption, but with each passing hour, avoiding his need became harder to do.

  Part of him thought he deserved the torment. He’d done something idiotic and almost died. He’d risked his life for fleeting pleasure and felt extremely guilty for making Jin upset.

  A few days ago, being locked up seemed like an answer or, at the very least, a just sentence. Now that his twenty-two-year-old body was back to normal, his cock craved attention it was unable to get.

  The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on him.

  Styx sat under a pavilion, gazing at Golden Chicken Lake and trying not to gawk at Jin practicing qigong. All of Jin’s slow sensuous moves tortured Styx below the waist. Unconsciously he tried to soothe his cock, but encountered the plastic rings instead.

  Jin’s extreme methods made Styx sigh in frustration, but it warmed his heart that Jin would go to such lengths to keep him safe and from doing something stupid.

  Styx never shared the darkness that enveloped him when he thought about his life. It was his burden to carry. The future his family had planned for him would make most guys happy, but to Styx, the prospect stretched ahead like a vast wasteland of despair. It would only get worse as time went on.

  Instead of staring at the man who made every part of him ache, Styx focused on the many bridal couples taking prewedding pictures around the man-made lake. Only a few seemed to like their soon-to-be grooms, and even fewer appeared to be in love.

  Marriage was a tradition, a plan for stability. The man he was in Yintang, his parents’ dutiful son, Jun Tai, wanted to write off love as a Hollywood concept of the romantic West. But when his gaze returned to Jin, he recognized that as a lie.

  Love existed. It was right in front of him, but to claim it meant risking everything he was raised to value.

  No wonder depression had set in.

  Styx stared back at the water, reminded by the numerous couples that if he didn’t find a reason to stay in Suzhou, his family would want him home sooner rather than later. His mother already complained. Maybe if they got into a band, the extra income would justify a longer stay. Musicians made more than what he made at the spa. He hadn’t expected to hit it big, but maybe if he made enough, he wouldn’t be forced to marry the girl next door.

  Bi Yu didn’t love him any more than he loved her, but the small patch of land between their families’ homes wouldn’t be disputed if they married. Of course, both mothers would be thrilled with a grandchild to raise and play with as soon as possible. Their fathers would congratulate themselves on orchestrating such an advantageous match.

  Too bad the thought of his future made Styx’s skin crawl.

  Duty demanded he bury Styx and become Jun Tai forever. But for right now, he needed to try and make the most of the time he was given to be Styx, the wannabe drummer in love with his best friend. This youthful luxury couldn’t last, but he’d been handed a second chance at life, and he shouldn’t waste it.

  When he glanced at Jin, his friend was facing the lake. Muscles rippled under his white traditional jacket as his body flowed into the next qigong position. The serene movements appeared erotic.

  Styx fought not to dwell on running his hands over Jin’s beautiful body, but he failed, the way he had for years. In Yintang, he had the option to go to his own house, but in Suzhou there was no escape. At least he had his own room.

  Turning his head toward the huge block of apartments, taller than any building in his hometown, he stared at the twenty-six floors. Jin’s uncle Bao-zhi had put the apartment in which they resided in his nephew’s name until the government dropped its regulations on the owning and selling of apartments. Bao-zhi appeared to be a decent guy. Styx had only met him a couple of times, but he felt a connection to the man, like he understood who Styx wanted to be and accepted it without judgment.

  Styx shifted his weight and returned his attention to the lake. Jin performed a stretch, which pulled his loose, white cotton pants snug across his ass until Styx’s mouth watered.

  The chastity belt’s tight rings strangled Styx’s cock into check. It was ironic that when his dick had been free, it wouldn’t get hard, and now when restricted, his cock wouldn’t relent. Within a few quick strokes, he was positive he’d find relief… if he had the luxury.

  Jin executed a deep bend, and the way his back arched stole Styx’s breath. He should’ve turned away, but he was enthralled by Jin’s contortions.

  The things Styx wanted to do—had always wanted to do—with Jin no longer seemed as wrong as they once had.

  “Everything all right?” Jin’s voice snapped Styx from his daze.

  “What?” Styx winced at being caught staring. He walked to the end of the pavilion. “Yeah, why?”

  Jin shrugged before assuming what Styx recognized as the last pose of the workout. “You moaned. Are you in pain?” Jin had his hands pressed together in front of him and slid his foot halfway up the other leg.

  Shit!

  As Styx’s cock stiffened further within its confines, he lied through his teeth. “Nah.”

  Jin’s sexy little smirk called Styx out without saying a word.

  “Come on, let’s head back.”

  On the stroll back to the apartment, they passed another couple taking strangely posed pictures—gazing off into the sky or reaching toward the trees.

  Jin leaned close enough to whisper, “Do you suppose the look on the couple’s faces means they have to go to the bathroom?”

  Styx snorted but stopped short when the photographer and three assistants gave him a dirty look.

  Jin laughed harder.

  STYX’S MIND replayed the image of Jin’s bent-over position on a loop. His cock demanded release and the pressure grew unbearable. A shower only intensified the problem. Finally, frustration overrode his embarrassment. He stalked across the apartment in search of the man who held the key.

  He found Jin in his en suite bathroom blow-drying his hair upside down. The position supposedly gave him volume, and it definitely gave Styx a captivating view of his ass encased in thin, gray jersey boxer briefs. The things tripping through Styx’s mind at seeing Jin in that pose as if he were waiting—

  Stop!

  Jin flipped his tousled blond hair back over and set the hair dryer down. Then he focused on his reflection as he fluffed and sprayed the pieces into place. He wore his hair as if he’d stepped from the pages of a manga. Somehow it was sexy and adorable at the same time.

  “Jin, I need you to take it off of me.”

  Jin blinked. “Take off what?”

  As if he didn’t know.

  Styx’s problem had only worsened when Jin faced him. He pointed to his groin. “This stupid thing.”

  A small smile curled Jin’s lush mouth. His pink pout incited thoughts of things Styx wanted those lips to do and where he wanted them.

  “Why?” Jin smir
ked.

  “Why? Why!” Styx’s irritation erupted. “Because I want it off.”

  Did it require explanation? He wanted his freedom to do what he was sure most guys did. He shouldn’t have to ask permission.

  “How can I be sure you aren’t going to do something stupid again?”

  Styx wanted to ignore the trace of hurt and concern in the tone, but he couldn’t.

  “I won’t. I promise!” Styx was upset at the world: furious at his family for forcing a future on him he didn’t want, pissed off because he wanted things he was taught he shouldn’t have, irate he’d carry the burden of the imposed guilt, desperate for the courage to make use of his second chance, and angry because he’d been punished enough.

  He needed to get off!

  Jin turned back to the mirror, seeming to dismiss Styx as he continued styling his hair.

  As Styx stared in disbelief, Jin’s muscles rolled beneath his tank top. Fuck. Everything Jin did enticed him. Styx wanted to scream.

  “Take it off.” Styx pushed Jin against the bathroom vanity, his hips flush against Jin’s ass. He barely restrained a whimper when Jin shifted against him and his pert cheeks transferred heat to Styx’s imprisoned cock. He savored the moment.

  “Why? What do you want to do?” Jin met Styx’s gaze in the mirror.

  Styx met the question with a harsh exhalation.

  Jin twisted to reach Styx’s ear. “Are you going to touch yourself?”

  Styx tried to hide the tingle of excitement that coursed through him as Jin’s sweet, minty breath brushed across his face. Jin wasn’t flirting with him on purpose, but the attention got Styx hot as hell.

  He needed to keep reminding himself Jin wasn’t trying to be sexy; it was just Jin. Styx stood staring at their reflection.

  “Are you?” Jin’s breath tickled his neck.

  He should deny it, but what was the point? “Yeah.”

  “Are you hard?” Jin purred as Styx pressed back against him.

  Did Jin want details?

  “I would be if these rings weren’t stopping me.” Styx struggled to pull himself together, and he stepped away from his obsession. Though the honesty in his words gave him a measure of liberation he wasn’t aware existed.