Through trial and error, he’d learned that he didn’t owe anyone an explanation of who he was or why he was the way he was. Darin simply was. He didn’t ask other people about their orientation, and he found most people didn’t give a crap about his. It was almost funny how little people cared to learn about him when he kept them talking about themselves. He’d made friends effortlessly after that and kept them for a long time. Eventually, when they did figure out how smart and gay he was, they generally didn’t care. And Darin found he didn’t either. Neither his lusts nor his intellectual pursuits made him who he was. They were a part of him, but not all of him.
“Darin?”
“What?” Darin realized he’d drifted away into deep contemplation.
“Are you angry at me for insisting you wear the clothing?”
“No.” Darin smiled over his shoulder at Axoev even though he felt a million miles away from happy. “I understand now why it’s important.”
Darin had learned one trick. Rather than having his hard cock levitate the edge of the skirt, he’d pointed it up and pressed it tight to his body with the waistband of the skirt. That way, he could get hard all he wanted without flashing the whole clan his cock and balls. Although, with what he’d just realized about Axoev, he was no longer as hard as he was just moments ago. But the other clanspeople were certainly looking at him. Not just the women, either, who mostly looked pissed off, but the men, who looked curious and mildly interested. Darin was pretty sure no one would touch him since he belonged to the leader of the clan, but their eyes said if he ever displeased Axoev, they would either touch him to beat his ass to a pulp or they would touch him by fucking him into unconsciousness.
“I swear to you that I will find you a way home.”
“I know you will.” Darin had actually thought that was impossible given the technology of the clan. Axoev’s reassurances that he could contact others who would in turn contact those with ships had seemed strangely hollow, too. He’d felt angry, but then a pleased kind of resignation had taken over because it meant he had to stay and that meant he had to be with Axoev. Ironically, being forced into a relationship with Axoev was better than any guy Darin could have picked for himself because he knew he never would have picked anyone. His one drunken and utterly pathetic encounter with his best friend convinced him he would never be able to summon the courage sober.
Last night with Axoev was nothing short of intense. Defying him, running from him, surrendering to him—all of it had heightened Darin’s senses. Oh, he’d told himself it was okay because he was a little drunk on ball juice—a inadvertent snicker rose up, but he quashed it quickly—but the truth was he’d only had four swallows. As skinny as he was, that simply wasn’t enough to get him drunk.
What the fruit juice had done was gotten him to relax that ever-present guardian of his emotions. Even his fear of anal penetration was tossed out the window. He’d begged Axoev to slide his finger deep, and it had felt so incredible Darin climaxed within moments. Afterward, Axoev had washed him tenderly, showing him how there was a huge canvaslike funnel that collected rain water then held it close to the tree where it was warmed. The soap he’d used was made out of something the trees oozed. The floor of the shower was tilted toward the center of the tree, allowing the water to fall down to the bottom like the other refuse. Everything was recycled. Darin was enchanted, and he’d stayed up asking Axoev a dozen questions while snuggled in his arms and buried in the furs. He’d fallen asleep thinking his entire life could be like this. Stretching out before him was a chance to live a very simple and peaceful existence.
All that was gone now.
Darin felt a little foolish for falling so fast and hard for Axoev. Not that it was surprising, given the circumstances. He had been so terrified of what would happen to him, and then they’d had two intense sexual encounters. Just about anyone, male or female, would be attracted to Axoev. Sadly, Axoev was just marking time until he was ready to mate. Darin tried not to feel heartbroken, but he did anyway. Intellectually, he knew he hadn’t actually known Axoev long enough to fall in love with him, but the knowledge that if he did it would always be one sided was simply devastating.
“Are you tired?” Axoev’s arms came around Darin, pulling him back into the divot made by his crossed legs. Since it was warm near the enormous fire, Axoev had left his boots at home. His weapon, a double-bladed axe, was placed at the head of his blanket, but Darin was fairly certain that had been more for show and tradition than an expectation of any kind of fight.
If the other clans lost their forest, a war could break out, but Axoev would know long before it happened. Sickness in the trees was spotted early and tended to promptly. Even though all in the clan, including the women and children, looked war-hardened, the truth was they were extremely peaceful. They were actually super fit because of the way they lived. Simply climbing up the trees to their homes several times a day gave them powerful muscles.
Claiming the gifts of the tree was also labor intensive and kept them conditioned. Darin knew that if he stayed, he would eventually be far fitter than he was now. No more endless days hunched over a desk or slumped in a gaming chair. He was going to have to learn to climb a tree. And he was going to have to figure out how not to fall in love with his tough but tender master.
As if to taunt him, Axoev’s body against his back caused his cock to harden, pressing the firm cylinder of flesh against his own belly. Squirming, he struggled to free it from the pinching fabric, but all he did was make Axoev harden.
“You inflame me.”
“I’m trying to get comfortable.”
“I am going to have to ease my needs before long.”
“Right. I guess that’s what I’m here for.”
There was a moment of hesitation, but then Axoev did something Darin wasn’t expecting. He rose to his feet with Darin in his arms. It was utterly shocking how he went from seated to standing in the blink of an eye.
“What are you doing?” Darin asked as he suddenly found his feet touching the ground.
“I must take you home. Now.”
“Why?” Darin looked wildly around, wondering if he had broken some kind of rule without meaning to. He’d answered Axoev sarcastically, but he was certain no one heard him over the snapping and popping of the fire. Besides, once the initial glares tapered off, all the women had settled down on other men’s blankets. The children were all safely tucked away in their beds, tended to by elderly adults. Darin was willing to satisfy Axoev, but he wanted to do it in such a way as to keep himself emotionally distant. Home was his goal, and he’d like to get there with his heart intact. If he was clever with his mouth and hands, he might be able to get there with his virginity, or most of it, intact as well.
“There is something about the fire I didn’t tell you.”
“What?” Panic pushed adrenaline into Darin’s blood, making him shake with a need to fight or run.
“The trees. They…” Axoev trailed off and then started sniffing the air. “It is too late.”
“What—” When the scent hit him, Darin almost dropped to his knees. Hunger unlike anything he’d ever felt gripped a firm hand around his body and squeezed, but rather than urge him to eat, this pressure urged him to fuck. Long-standing fears of anal sex had been lessened by what Axoev had done last night, but this scent, this commanding, irresistible smell urged him to get down on his knees and lift his ass high in offering to his master.
Obviously unable to help himself, Axoev lifted Darin up, plastering him against his body as their mouths met and their tongues dueled. Thoughts of keeping himself separated emotionally were lost in the sheer force of physical need. What stunned Darin was that his compulsion wasn’t as if he was doing something against his will. It was as if the scent reached into his body and brain to bring out his purest desires. He wanted Axoev. Regardless of the future or the fact that he wasn’t fully and completely gay, Darin wanted him. All of him. Now.
Working together, they retu
rned to the blanket. Axoev placed Darin on his back and then rose above him as he struggled to lower his pants. When he wasn’t able to get them down fast enough, Darin growled and pushed him to his back.
Axoev smiled up at him, clearly pleased by Darin’s aggressive need.
Darin’s fingers danced over Axoev’s trousers with quick and amazing skill. In under a second, Darin had Axoev’s pants unfastened and his cock exposed. Like Darin, Axoev was hard and ready.
“We need a way to slick you up for me.” Darin thought he was going to die if he couldn’t have Axoev inside his body.
“I brought this.” Axoev handed him what looked like folded leaves but turned out to be a pouch with some kind of very slippery and sweet-smelling lube.
“From the tree?”
“All comes from the tree.”
There was a moment where Darin realized Axoev had to have known this was going to happen because he’d come prepared. Rather than worry about that, he slathered plenty of the lube on Axoev’s cock and tried to mount him. No matter how excited he was or how the scent of the tree urged him to keep going, Axoev was simply too large.
“Easy, little one.” Axoev slicked up his fingers and then held his hand low against his body. “Ride this first.”
Completely uninhibited, Darin sank down, taking Axoev’s thick finger as deeply as he could. It felt even better tonight than it had last night. Better still was the connection he felt to Axoev. This night they were facing one another, adding an intense layer of intimacy to their act. As Darin worked his hips around in a circle, Axoev’s gaze washed over his body. His free hand followed, stroking all the hot spots that the outfit exposed.
Hating it so intensely had fallen away last night as Axoev showed and told him the benefits. Tonight, he was again struck by the perfection of what little he wore. Axoev had offered out a shawl-type covering for Darin’s shoulders, but the fire had been warm and he’d slipped it off. When he did, Axoev had grown even more attentive. And now, he was utterly engrossed in Darin.
“I hunger to kiss you but also to watch you.” Displaying the amazing power of his form, Axoev tightened his abs to lift his head up for a kiss then rested back on the blanket, spilling his black hair around his shoulders. He did this several times. He was doing sit-ups while watching Darin squirm on his finger. Just when Darin was ready to try to take his prick again, Axoev inserted another thick finger.
Darin’s head went back, but not in pain. It was good. So impossibly good. Wild and free from all his worries, Darin focused fully on what he felt. Not just physically, but the emotional connection, too. He continued to gyrate on his master’s hand, not caring who saw him or what they were thinking. Once he lowered his head, his attention was riveted on Axoev. Watching the firelight dance over his features, highlighting his powerful muscles, made Darin’s erotic dance all the more powerful.
“You want me inside?”
“More than anything.”
Teasingly, Axoev inserted another finger. But rather than just watching Darin move upon his digits, he helped by lifting and lowering his hand. Darin’s weight was no match for him and he was able to effortlessly plunge his fingers into Darin.
Rather than wait for Axoev to move forward, Darin rose up and off his fingers, then centered himself on Axoev’s thick cock.
“Don’t go too fast and hurt yourself.”
Darin shook his head. He’d feared this so deeply, but now he hungered for full penetration. Blaming the scent the tree emitted would be too easy, but he would always know that was just the catalyst. The true chemical reaction had happened in Darin’s brain. Something about Axoev’s scent, the way he looked at him, the way he caressed him—all of it blended together and told Darin he was safe. That was it. This wasn’t like any other time where he was so afraid because those times fear had ruled him, and here, in the middle of nowhere, with a man who lived an idyllic life, everything was effortlessly, beautifully, and totally safe.
As Darin sank down, taking Axoev inside, he was shocked at how perfect their union felt. Everything was shimmering and flawless in the light of the fire under the shadow of the trees. When he reached the limit of what he could take, he found himself pressed against Axoev. By going slowly, he’d taken his entire prick within, stunning himself.
Axoev sat up, just as he had a dozen times before, so Darin prepared himself for a kiss only to have Axoev press his forehead against Darin’s. Axoev cradled Darin’s face between his big hands and peered into his eyes.
“Don’t move. Just let me have a moment to feel you. To enjoy how right this feels.”
Touched, Darin held steady. At the moment, he felt certain he could keep his posture all night. Nothing could tear him away from Axoev.
“I was so worried,” Axoev confessed, his voice so low he was barely audible over the noises emanating from the fire.
“Worried about what?” Darin grasped onto Axoev’s shoulders, loving his strength and his tenderness.
“That I wouldn’t know what to do. That I would never have the courage to go after what I really wanted.” His eyes met Darin’s, and to his shock he realized a soft film of tears softened his alien gaze. “I feel safe.”
“Safe?”
“Once, with one of the women…” He trailed off, clearly reluctant to speak, but Axoev found the courage. “She was aggressive with me.”
“And you didn’t like that?”
“I wanted to be the aggressor.” Axoev looked down then back into Darin’s eyes. “But not with her.”
“With another woman?” Darin couldn’t believe they were having this conversation while joined together so intimately.
Axoev frowned.
“With another man?”
After drawing a deep and somewhat hesitant breath, Axoev asked, “Is that strange?”
“No.” Darin had a moment of sublime bliss. Maybe his hope for something more with Axoev wasn’t impossible after all. “Me, too.”
“You wish to be aggressive with me?”
“No.” He laughed gently, gripping Axoev’s shoulders tighter. “I worried it would hurt, or I’d be embarrassed, or—all kinds of things.” Darin didn’t want to think of them now, not when everything was right. “But I always knew I wanted to do things with a man and not a woman.”
Axoev’s eyes widened. “I thought you were only willing because I could get you home.”
“I was willing because I’m attracted to you.”
“You are not simply pretending?”
“No.” Darin tightened his buttocks. “I’m gay.”
“I am happy, too.”
“Okay, clearly you don’t have a word for what I’m trying to say.” Darin chuckled, loving the way his body rippled on top of Axoev. “It means when one man is sexually attracted to another.”
“Like we are.”
“Yeah.” Darin kissed him softly. “Is there…” He trailed off, trying to figure out how to ask if homosexuality was a crime or forbidden, but since they didn’t have a word for it, Darin figured it was either very rare or possibly done only—“Oh. That is the purpose of a faunsha.”
“I do not understand.”
“You don’t prevent men from having sex with other men. You just don’t call it that.”
“I do not know what you are saying.”
“Oh, wait. Only the leader can have a faunsha?”
“Other men can if they capture one.”
Darin grinned.
“What does that smile mean?” Axoev grasped Darin’s buttocks and pulled him tight, snuggling his cock deeper into Darin’s bottom. It felt so damn good he almost forgot why he was grinning.
“Back on Earth, there are stories of capture brides. Men would raid villages and steal women away to claim them as wives. Your kind does the same thing but only with men.”
“And this is humorous to you?”
“It’s like you can be gay as long as it’s a dom/sub capture thing.” In many ways, Darin was relieved. He was afraid that falling for
Axoev would ultimately end with him getting hurt when the truth was they simply couldn’t have gotten together in any other way than for Axoev to claim him as his faunsha.
“I do not know what those words mean. Are you suggesting that you are only with me because I captured you in the forest when you ran?”
“It means I’m going to shut up and enjoy this instead of worrying about your people’s culture.” Darin kissed Axoev while rolling his hips in a slow circle.
“That is…very…good.” Axoev struggled to speak through his obvious pleasure. “Wait.”
“What?”
“Hold still.” Axoev met Darin’s gaze. “I just want to take in all of this and hold it in myself forever.”
Darin had never imagined he’d be lucky enough to actually find someone who would understand his quirky nature or accept his crazy concerns. Who knew that he would have to literally leave Earth to find that man and that the man in question would have the soul of a poet?
“You’re crying.” Axoev wiped Darin’s tears away.
“I’m happy. I’m so unbelievably happy.”
“I am very gay, too.”
Darin laughed, loving everything about the moment, the man he was with, and the message in his unique alien eyes. Slowly, they began to move together. All around them the sounds of frantic fornication rose up into the air like the smoke from the fire, but they were content to keep building one another’s lust without allowing it freedom.
Once they were done, most of the tribe drifted away, blankets tucked under arms as the lovers held hands. Some watched their leader for a moment, but they didn’t stop walking. It wasn’t an invasive kind of looking but more they were seeing them together and smiling that they were happy. Darin had the overwhelming sense that Axoev’s men were pleased he’d finally found someone to share his blanket with.
“They really love you.” Darin cupped Axoev’s face. “Even the women who were envious of me are simply glad you now have someone.”
“I think they feared I would never join in the passion fire.” Axoev drew a deep breath and seemed to shudder ever so slightly.
Enslaved by a Barbarian [Sold! 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 7