Girl Most Likely To
Page 13
A well-built man in a zipper-and-stud-covered leather jacket held Sanjay in a chokehold, his fist wrapped around the formerly knife-wielding hand. Tomas stumbled to his feet, breathing heavily, his ribs aching, relieved nothing appeared broken. Even more relieved he didn’t have a knife in his chest. Fuck, that was close.
“He’s mine,” the guy said to Sanjay. “Understand?”
Oh shit. And Tomas’ relief turned sour. Get out of there.
Sanjay struggled but the man kept squeezing and squeezing and Tomas couldn’t move. When Sanjay’s gasps fell away and he lost consciousness, his body going limp in powerful arms, Tomas finally took a step back, panting as his heart played leapfrog with his lungs. Why didn’t I run? The guy let Sanjay fall and bent to pocket the knife Tomas should have grabbed. I’m an idiot. Had he lost one problem and found another? The man unzipped the top part of his jacket and showed him a glimpse of what was pinned there before he zipped up again. Thank God. Julia had ignored him and sent backup.
“You can do better than that.” The cop kicked Sanjay’s inert butt.
Tomas wasn’t sure whether that was a comment about his fighting skills or for the benefit of anyone listening. Probably both.
“I not interested in either of you.” Tomas rubbed his cheek and his fingers came away wet, the earlier graze bleeding again.
“Then don’t use this alley as a shortcut.”
“Thanks for advice.”
He stumbled toward the brighter lights of the city. He should have been able to handle Sanjay on his own but he’d allowed himself to be distracted. It would never have gotten as far as rape but that wasn’t the first time he’d been threatened and attacked for sex, and memory of that hit like a fist to the gut.
Last time he’d been young and stupid. Blown off by his friends, he’d gone to Voyager, a gay bar with a reputation for badass guys, and within minutes he’d been cruised by several men. Tomas understood the rules, the gazes that met his for the right length of time, smiles that lured, heads that beckoned him toward the back rooms where anything could happen. Or so he’d heard. What he didn’t understand was not everyone obeyed the rules.
A teenage Tomas hadn’t been tempted until he saw a guy who looked like sex on legs leaning against the bar. Sharp creases in his chinos, white shirt, salt-and-pepper hair, square chin and a smiling mouth. Tomas didn’t spot the cruel streak in Pearson’s eyes. If he had, it probably wouldn’t have made any difference. The man stood out like a beacon of color in a monochromatic world. Christ, I had it bad.
His heart cramped when he thought of him, and he walked faster, trying to ignore his aching ribs, though they were nothing to the pain he’d been in after the bastard finished with him. That night there hadn’t even been a single glance his way by the handsome guy at the bar, but Tomas knew he’d been noticed. And even though he understood on some level this man would only be interested for as long as it took him to come, Tomas wanted to be irresistible to someone like him.
He’d been thinking blowjob and that maybe he’d get back what he gave, but Pearson had something else in mind. Tomas had stood at the other end of the bar and stared. Eventually Pearson looked straight at him, and it felt as if the guy had slid a hand down his pants and squeezed his cock. Blood rushed south, unfortunately leaving his brain shortchanged, and his dick surged against his zipper.
One nod toward the rear of the club and Tomas had put down his half-drunk, extremely expensive bottle of ordinary beer he’d intended to last him an hour, and made his way to a corridor at the back. Rooms lined the sides, all with solid doors and large glass windows that might or might not be covered by heavy drapes. Tomas didn’t know the rules but he could guess. Door open, he could go in. No drapes over the glass and door closed, he could watch. Door and drapes closed, what went on inside was private.
Recalling that night made him uneasy, and Tomas hurried under the railway bridge toward Dock Street and safety only a few minutes away. Thinking about something that happened sixteen years ago shouldn’t make him anxious, but it did.
He’d shifted a few feet along the club’s corridor, his attention snagged by a four-guy daisy chain in the first room, when he felt Pearson come up behind him. The man had bulldozed him into a room, slammed the door and closed the curtain.
I don’t want to remember this. He told himself he hadn’t thought about it in years but it wasn’t true. Every now and again flashbacks reared in his head like some pernicious weed. Pearson had kept his clothes on but wanted Tomas naked, and stupid naïve boy that he was, he’d complied. Until that night, he’d done nothing more than give and take handjobs or blowjobs from other guys. Hell, he’d had the same from women. He assumed he’d come down on one side or the other eventually. Why not enjoy himself in the meantime?
He didn’t enjoy himself that night. He’d thought he couldn’t call it rape because he’d let it happen. He knew better now. Pearson had forced him. He hadn’t even used a condom. He’d walked out and left Tomas bleeding on the floor from his mouth and ass. It had been a year before he’d even touched another person, and that didn’t mean sexually. He hadn’t even been able to stand shaking hands. The fucking bastard.
Tomas hadn’t unwound by the time he pushed open the gate of his apartment block. Banishing thoughts of Pearson, he wondered if Marco had been behind this evening’s attack, told him to leave early and then informed Sanjay. It hurt when he sucked in a breath. Maybe he’d broken a rib. He should have taken a roundabout route home in case he was being followed, but if Marco was behind the attack, it didn’t matter because he knew where he lived. His hand shook as he keyed in the code. He entered the wrong numbers and had to do it again. Was his cover compromised? Tomas pushed the gate closed and headed across the parking garage.
The sound of the gate clicking open behind him sent his heart rate soaring and he spun round, fists ready, but it was Adam and Tomas sagged with relief. He should have been more careful walking back here. Adam had his laptop bag over his shoulder, which suggested he’d not been back since he left Ezispeke. Where the hell had he been until this time in the morning?
Wren.
A pool of acid churned in Tomas’ gut as he waited for Adam to catch up. He was filled with unreasonable fury at the idea of Adam enjoying his evening while he could have died.
“She good fuck?” he asked.
Adam bristled. “Piss off, you wanker.”
He passed Tomas, unlocked the door of the building and though Tomas hadn’t expected him to, he held it open. When Tomas stepped into the light, Adam’s eyes widened.
“What the hell happened to you?”
He lifted his hand to his face. “Argued with concrete.”
“You fell?”
He could have lied but he wanted Adam to feel guilty, even though it wasn’t his fault. He wanted the guy to know someone else fancied him, even though Sanjay was a fucking lunatic.
“Pushed. Asshole wanted my asshole.”
The moment the words were out, Tomas wanted them back. What had that gained him? He didn’t want kind words or sympathy for a stupid mistake.
Adam’s jaw tightened. “Are you okay?”
He shrugged. No, I’m not. I should be. I’m an undercover cop. I’m supposed to be big, tough and strong, but I was fucking scared.
“Want a coffee?” Adam asked.
I want to forget.
Adam pressed the button for the elevator. “Something stronger?”
“Want to fuck.”
“Anyone in mind?”
Tomas gave a short laugh. “Yeah.”
Adam smiled. “What’s changed your mind?”
“Life looked short.”
Adam stepped into the elevator and gave him a concerned stare. “Sure you’re okay?”
He nodded. I don’t care about the fucking, but I don’t want to be alone.
Oh shit, yes I do care about the fucking.
They went up in silence. Tomas unlocked his door and waited. He wouldn’t beg.
The offer to take care of him thickened Tomas’ throat to the point that he couldn’t speak. He beckoned him in. Adam put his bag on the floor in the hallway, hung up his coat and followed him into the kitchen.
“Aren’t you going to take off your coat?” he asked.
Tomas stumbled to a halt. Shit. He’d forgotten what he was wearing. “I clean up blood. You go.”
Adam glared. “What the hell is the matter with you? I’m not going to fucking rape you.”
Tomas turned his back. He couldn’t risk Adam seeing his face. “Get out.” If Adam touched him, he’d hit him.
“Take your bloody coat off and sit down,” Adam snapped.
And harsh words worked when kind ones would have failed. He gritted his teeth and stomped to fling himself on a couch. Mistake. Shit, shit, that hurt.
Adam came over with a bowl of warm water, paper towels and a bottle of Jack Daniels. “Found this in the cupboard.” He offered it to Tomas. “Take your damn coat off.”
“I keep on.” He held his hand out for the bottle and Adam held it back.
“Coat off.”
Tomas sighed. “Tonight I work in club. Behind bar. Not my clothes.”
“Okay. I get it. You’re not wearing your gear.”
Why the hell was he embarrassed about showing Adam what he wore when he’d already as good as told him a guy had tried to rape him? Tomas stood and unfastened the buttons of his coat. He winced as he shrugged it off. A bruise was forming over his grazed ribs. Adam’s jaw dropped as he stared at the harness, then his mouth curved in a slow smile. If the guy made one sarcastic comment, Tomas would hit him. He fumbled for the buckle and Adam caught his hand.
“Don’t.”
He spotted the slow smolder in Adam’s eyes and sat. Okay, so he likes the look. And that made Tomas’ cock stir. Adam handed him the bottle, perched next to him and dipped a sheet of paper towel into the water.
Tomas took a swig and exhaled. “Feel like soldier about to have leg amputated.” He flinched as Adam wiped his cheek.
“It’s just a nasty graze. You’ll live.”
“Guy had knife.”
“Jesus.” Adam froze and water from the towel dripped onto Tomas’ chest. “Would you recognize him? Did you tell the police?”
“Yes, police know.” In a way.
Adam continued cleaning his face. “Is it a gay club?”
“Cirque mix of BDSM and fetish. Some gay, some het, some bi. Some have no fucking idea.”
“And which are you?” Adam asked.
“Same as you.”
“Klingon?”
Tomas laughed and then winced from the pain in his ribs.
“You know who the Klingons are?” Adam asked.
“I’m from other country not other planet.”
They both chuckled then.
“Maybe I’m the ‘no fucking idea’,” Tomas said.
Adam’s fingers lingered on his cheek. “No, you’re not. You know what you are.”
And he suddenly couldn’t take sympathy, caring. He’d managed without it so far in his life, he didn’t want to start relying on someone worrying about him. That wasn’t what this was about. He wanted to prove to himself he was still in control. “Was she good fuck?”
Adam scowled. “Leave it.”
“How you know her?”
“I said leave it.”
“I can smell her on you.”
“Shut up.”
Tomas smirked. “Make me.”
Fuck. What am I doing? Trying to provoke Adam into a fight? Or something else?
Adam stared at him for a few seconds and then put the bowl down. Tomas expected him to walk out but he didn’t move. He had to fight to stop himself reaching for Adam, stroking his face. He could feel Adam fighting too. They stared at each other, not moving, hardly breathing. It came down to will.
Who was stronger?
Adam shifted and Tomas thought again he was going to leave, but instead he climbed onto his lap, planting his knees either side of Tomas’ hips. The bulge in Adam’s pants matched the one in his own.
“I’m not leaving. I’m not fighting,” Adam said and leaned in. “But I’m going to win.”
The kiss was soft and sweet and gentle, and more than Tomas deserved. Adam ran his tongue along the seam of his mouth until he parted his lips and let him in. He detected a faint, underlying tang of pussy and moaned into Adam’s throat, his cock growing to full hardness so fast it made his gut ache.
He grabbed hold of Adam’s butt and tugged until they were tight together, their cocks fighting to get out of their pants, and he tried to ignore the throbbing in his ribs. Their mouths grew harder, wilder, greedier, and Tomas yanked Adam’s sweater up, pulling his shirt from his pants so he could touch his back. Hot, smooth muscles rippled under his palms.
Adam pulled back, breathing heavily, and ran a finger along an edge of the leather harness before he snagged the empty ring at the bottom. “What’s this for?”
“Hanging up picture.”
“What?”
“Guess.”
A long second and then Adam’s face darkened. “Where’s the other part?”
“Bedroom. Looked complicated. Not sure which bit went where.”
He laughed and brushed his lips over Tomas’. “Liar.”
Tomas didn’t think he could be more turned-on, but he was wrong. And the weird thing was that a few hours ago, he’d have rather died than wear the other half of that harness, now he almost wished he had it on. Adam bent and sucked his nipple. Tomas shuddered with pleasure. He could feel Adam’s fingers working between their bodies, pulling at the zippers on his pants, and then his cock was in Adam’s hand and Tomas sucked in a breath. Fiery flashes ran up his spine like lights coming on in a city street, overwhelming his aches and pains and setting him ablaze.
A tug by teeth on his nipple and his back arched as he gasped. His hands rose to clutch Adam’s head.
“Like that?” Adam whispered against him.
Tomas suspected there was nothing this guy could do that he wouldn’t like. And when Adam slid down to kneel on the floor in front of him, he didn’t have any doubt at all. He tried to control his jerky respiration, not wanting to appear too eager, too desperate, but it was like trying to stop coming when he’d already started to spurt.
He gave a loud sigh as strong, firm fingers wrapped around his cock. Tomas rocked his hips into Adam’s touch, pushing his dick through the tight, hot fist stroking him. He wished they were both naked but he was too far gone to do anything about it. All he could do was sit here and let this happen and hopefully get blown away, so he stopped thinking altogether.
Adam maintained the pressure on Tomas’ dick as he licked his way up his body. He ran his tongue along the edges of the harness until he reached his throat. When Adam nibbled the fragile skin, Tomas gasped at the sharp sensation. He shouldn’t have enjoyed that, but he had. Pain tinged with pleasure, just the right amount to wind him higher and not bring him crashing down.
He wanted Adam to say something. He wanted to say something but he was afraid of saying the wrong thing, letting Adam think this meant anything. Adam lifted his head, gave him a shit-eating grin and then nipped and sucked his way to Tomas’ crotch, avoiding the bruise, down to where the open flap on the pants left him in full display.
A hot mouth and Adam’s hand on his cock had Tomas praying he didn’t come faster than a randy teenager. Adam fondled Tomas’ balls, rolling them in his palm before he put his mouth there and laved the soft skin in long, slow swipes. Tomas could feel his legs shaking as his nerve endings caught fire. Adam slid a hand under his backside as he pulled one and then the other ball into his mouth.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Tomas kept swallowing and swallowing, but the lump in his throat stayed right where it was. Adam sucked and released, sucked and released, and Tomas’ dick wept more and more pre-cum, the silky threads trickling o
ver Adam’s hand.
As lips played with the delicate sac of his balls, Tomas’ fingers carded Adam’s hair. His hips rocked up no matter how hard he tried to keep them down. He wanted to sink his cock deep into Adam’s mouth. He wanted him to suck hard and fast. He grunted as Adam licked a wet path up his shaft. But all noises stopped when Adam licked the crest, his tongue delving into the slit.
OhGodohGodohGodohGod. Fast sucks at the head and Tomas’ body began to race. Too fast, too soon, but he no longer cared. All he wanted was to come. His fingers tightened in Adam’s hair, his hips bucked harder trying to push the guy to take more and then he was running free, sprinting for the finish, white lights flickering in his vision while every cell in his body trembled with anticipation.
Like a blow to the back of his skull, pleasure-pain flared in his brain and shot down his spine to detonate his balls. He cried out at the first wrenching spasm gripping his cock and then he was blasting into the sweet heat of Adam’s mouth while the sound of glass shattering grew louder and louder.
As Adam lifted his head in confusion and Tomas came back to his senses, he realized what the noise was and checked his watch. Fuck.
“Sorry. I have to get that,” Tomas blurted and wriggled out from beneath him.
He yanked up his pants and hurried into the bedroom. His phone was tucked under his pillow.
“Sorry,” he blurted to Julia.
“You moron. Are you okay?”
“Yep. I’m fine,” he whispered.
“Give me the word.”
“Archangel.”
“Ten past five, Tomas. What were you supposed to do?”
“Call you. I’m sorry. I got…caught up in something and lost track of the time. Thanks for the backup.”
“You know this guy—Sanjay?”
“No. I’ve never seen him before tonight.”
“Be careful. If anything happens to you, I’m going to drown in paperwork.”
He laughed quietly. “And I love you too.”
“Arsehole.”
As Tomas ended the call, he turned to see Adam staring at him from the doorway, his face expressionless. Oh Christ, what have I done?