Tarot's Touch

by L. M. Somerton

  Conor rested his head on Alex’s shoulder and soaked up his strength. “It feels so weak to be affected by him after all this time. So stupid.”

  Alex stroked his hair. “Don’t ever think that. Bates put you through hell and I don’t think the memories will ever disappear. They might just fade a bit more—become easier to live with.”

  Conor sighed and nuzzled against him. “The stupidest things set me off. I was just thinking that my hair had got a bit longer and remembered him cutting it off.”

  “Do you want to grow it long again?”

  Conor turned so that he could look in the mirror. His back rested against Alex’s chest.

  “I thought you preferred it shorter?” Conor stroked Alex’s forearm that encircled him protectively.

  “I do, providing it’s long enough to get a good grip…” Alex illustrated his point by threading his fingers through Conor’s hair and tugging it, tilting his head and exposing his slim neck for a gentle bite.

  Conor moaned and squirmed in his grip. “Then I’ll get it trimmed… Oh Christ!”

  Alex rubbed Conor’s nipples through his thin T-shirt, agitating them until they hardened into sensitive peaks.

  “Please, Alex…stop!”

  “I know you don’t mean that.” Alex yanked Conor’s T-shirt off over his head and resumed his torture against bare flesh. “Do you?”

  “Yes! I mean no… I can’t… Fuck!”

  A sharp tweak sent bolts of lightning toward his groin. Pain and pleasure fired his nerves into hypersensitivity and he ground shamelessly against Alex’s cock.

  “I thought not.”

  Alex pulled him round and replaced pinching fingers with lips and teeth until Conor’s nipples throbbed. He trailed his tongue up to Conor’s shoulder and sucked up a dark red mark.

  Conor sobbed with need.

  “One day, I’ll have you pierced.”

  “No…”

  “Oh yes. Pierced here.” He flicked one nipple. “And here.” The other got the same treatment. Alex smirked and turned his attention to the button on Conor’s waistband. He slipped it free then ripped down leathers and underwear in one aggressive motion.

  “And definitely here!” Alex shoved his hand between Conor’s legs and rubbed the sensitive skin behind his balls.

  Conor kicked away the clothes tangled around his feet.

  “You want to pierce me there? No…you can’t!”

  “One day. Soon.” Alex sounded so certain.

  Why the hell does that turn me on so much? Conor held his breath as Alex sank to the floor in front of him, grabbed his arse with both hands then took Conor’s aching dick into his mouth. The edge of the sink pressed a bruising line into his back as Alex sucked fiercely. He wasn’t gentle. Conor grabbed the towel rail with one hand to keep his balance and closed his eyes against the onslaught. Distracted by a hot, wet mouth, he didn’t notice what else Alex was doing until Alex pushed a dry finger into his channel and twisted. Conor bit his own lip so hard he tasted blood and came with a hot gush down Alex’s throat.

  Conor shuddered, his legs almost giving way. Alex half carried him into the shower where he leaned gratefully against the cool tiles and let the spray wash away the film of perspiration that coated his body. Alex stripped and joined him, hugging away the last tremors that shook Conor’s frame. Alex kissed him beneath the spray and for a few precious moments, Conor was lost to everything but his lover.

  Words weren’t necessary as he enjoyed the sensation of Alex stroking his slick, soapy skin. The scent of fresh mint cleansed his senses and his mind of the darkness that lurked there. Alex left the water first, wrapping a dark blue towel around lean hips.

  “I’ll leave you to shave.” He picked up the fresh razor next to the sink and gave Conor a meaningful look. He rubbed his towel up and down then threw it onto the rail. Conor swallowed as he took in gleaming golden skin over hard muscle and an even harder erection jutting from cropped blond curls. The rear view was just as good. Alex swung the door shut behind him and Conor took some deep breaths. He didn’t want to use a razor around his most delicate parts when his hands were shaking.

  He shaved his face first, taking his time. The routine of it calmed him so that, once he was done, applying the razor to his groin was not such a nerve-racking experience. It still took a while, even though his balls were hairless and didn’t need to be done. Satisfied that his skin was nice and smooth, he applied a layer of moisturizer. Razor burn around his dick was not something he ever wanted to experience.

  He gave the bathroom a cursory tidy then tentatively pushed open the bathroom door. He wasn’t quite as comfortable in his skin as Alex was—the scars across his chest still made him self-conscious. There was something hanging from the door handle… A closer look revealed flimsy briefs made from the sheerest black silk. His face heated. Alex had a thing for impractical underwear, even though Conor preferred simple black cotton. The pleasure it gave Alex was worth the embarrassment, though, and Conor knew it was unlikely he’d be wearing them long. He slipped back into the bathroom and pulled them on. The fabric was sheer and clung to him tenaciously. His cock and balls were clearly outlined and the silk dipped between his arse cheeks, pulling tight. Alex will love these. Against his freshly shaved skin, the wispy garment felt like the gentlest caress and he began to get hard again. He’ll like that even more!

  A tingle of anticipation traveled the length of his spine as Conor crossed the landing from the bathroom to the bedroom. It was dimly lit—the heavy curtains drawn, shutting out the night. Alex waited in the armchair in the corner of the room. He sucked in his breath with a hiss as Conor quietly closed the door and turned toward him. Conor took in the sight of Alex, naked and relaxed, sprawled in the chair. His legs were spread, his cock hard. Conor wanted nothing more than to drop to his knees in front of him and have a taste, but he wouldn’t do anything without an order from Alex.

  “I know you don’t like me to comment on the way you look, but you’ll have to indulge me,” Alex drawled. “You are absolutely gorgeous.”

  Conor ducked his head and scuffed a foot into the carpet pile. He licked his lips, trying to get some moisture into his dry mouth. His dick throbbed in time with his quickening pulse as Alex stood.

  “That underwear is perfect.”

  “It’s virtually transparent, Alex.”

  “Mmm. It is, isn’t it?”

  Conor turned toward the bed, and a little jolt of anxiety shot through him. On the covers lay several long strips of black silk. Nestled among them was a metal ring with a curved metal arm extending from it, ending in a small metal ball bearing. He retreated a pace and found himself imprisoned by Alex’s embrace. Alex’s erection jabbed into his lower back, and he kissed Conor’s neck softly.

  “Don’t be scared. It’s just you and me. If this isn’t okay with you, it isn’t okay with me.”

  Conor relaxed and enjoyed the feeling of Alex’s bare chest against his skin. Alex loved to tie him up and Conor found it hugely erotic, even more so because Alex always checked first.

  “I love you, Sir.” Conor’s whispered words were also permission and he could sense Alex’s smile.

  “I love you too. I love that you trust me enough to allow this. Now, I want you to stand still.”

  Conor locked his knees in an effort to stop his legs from shaking as Alex moved away from him, the security of Alex’s body behind him already missed. Alex pulled one strip of cloth from the bed, folded it lengthways then positioned it across Conor’s eyes, tying the ends in a tight knot behind his head. Conor tried to slow his breathing, adjusting to the darkness and disorientation. Alex was supporting him, helping him maintain his balance, but he was also touching. He stroked every inch of Conor’s skin, brushed across the sheer fabric of his underwear, gave him a gentle squeeze.

  “Can you see anything?”

  Conor shook his head. “No, Sir. Nothing.”

  “Good.”

  Conor took a rapid intake of breath as
Alex peeled the flimsy shorts down his legs. He stepped out of them carefully, letting Alex balance him. He straightened, the weight of his semi-hard cock bobbing.

  “I’m going to put the ring on you now. Did you see it?”

  “Briefly, Sir.”

  Conor had seen enough to know that it wasn’t an average cock ring.

  “It fits just below the head of your dick. I’ll warm it up a bit first. It’s hinged, so I don’t need to push it on. Don’t worry. I’ll be very careful.”

  The solid band nestled below Conor’s cockhead.

  “It’s tight, Sir. The pressure just there is…amazing. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

  “Now the good bit. There’s a hook, ending in a solid metal ball that’s going to swivel around and sit just inside your urethra.”

  “No! Alex… Sir!”

  “Don’t worry, I’m putting plenty of lube on the ball.”

  “No!” Conor gasped as the little ball penetrated the end of his dick and sat just inside, making its presence felt. It didn’t hurt at all. It did press into ultra-sensitive flesh.

  “Bloody hell!”

  “Feels good, doesn’t it? It makes the head of your cock feel harder.”

  Alex gave the tip a light flick and Conor saw stars beneath the blindfold. His thighs trembled.

  “No more soft and gentle.” Alex’s voice had a rough edge.

  The shove that pushed Conor back onto the bed was forceful enough to make him bounce as he landed. Silk whispered against his skin. Alex knotted strips of fabric around his wrists then pulled Conor’s arms high and wide over his head. He tied the free ends to the cast iron headboard. The bindings were immoveable but not uncomfortable. He flexed his arms experimentally but there was no give. He wouldn’t be going anywhere until Alex allowed it.

  Without warning, Alex bit into one nipple, then the other. Conor’s back arched and he gasped at the feeling—the sensation of sharp, delicious pain heightened by his lack of sight. He was intensely aware of the small ball inside him, rubbing, stimulating. As the head of his cock became more swollen, the metal ring tightened, pressing against his sensitized flesh. It was the most exquisite torture but when Alex began to flick his cock with sharp little taps, Conor’s whimpers of pleasure turned to yelps of frustration.

  Alex applied pressure until Conor bent his legs, then pushed them back. Conor felt the cool slick of lube around his exposed entrance. Alex took his time using two, then three, fingers to stretch Conor thoroughly. He found Conor’s prostate and applied a little pressure.

  “Do you think you’re ready for me, love?”

  “Yes!” Conor shouted his frustration. “Please! Now. I need you now.”

  He felt the press of Alex’s blunt cock against his entrance. Alex wasn’t talking now. It wasn’t going to be a soft and gentle penetration. Conor rested his calves on Alex’s shoulders and tried to relax as much as possible.

  “Fuck!” Conor’s scream as Alex slammed into him cracked his voice. It didn’t hurt too much. There was just a slight burn as Alex’s thick, hard length filled his channel completely.

  Alex pushed Conor’s legs back even farther, lifting his hips off the bed, allowing even deeper access then he began to thrust into him without mercy. His hands gripped tighter, thumbs digging into Conor’s thighs. Every push was accompanied by a grunt of satisfaction from Alex and a gasp from Conor as their bodies met. Every bounce of his cock sent jolts of pleasure into the very core of Conor’s body. He pulled against his bonds, fighting his own helplessness against Alex’s onslaught. Tears streaked his face, wetting the blindfold. When Alex came, he lunged forward so hard that Conor couldn’t stop his scream. The sweet pain, the inescapable pleasure, had him grinding his arse down as hard as he could. Alex’s gentle touch as he swiveled the hinge on the cock toy was too much. As soon as the little metal ball slipped free, Conor’s hot seed forced its way to freedom.

  Alex collapsed on top of him. “Holy fuck!”

  Conor enjoyed the weight pressing him down. He managed an exhausted chuckle. “Very apt. That was almost a religious experience.”

  “Only almost?” Alex complained. “I’m devastated.”

  “You’re heavy.”

  A hard kiss landed on Conor’s lips, and he responded willingly. Alex brushed stray strands of hair from his face then untied the blindfold but left the ties around Conor’s wrists. Next, he tackled the head ring around Conor’s now flaccid cock. He kissed his way up Conor’s body, licking both nipples as he passed.

  “Untie me, Alex! Stop it!”

  “No. You look just perfect as you are. I think I have a vibrating butt plug somewhere… What do you think?”

  “Don’t you fucking dare!” Conor scowled and pulled frantically against his restraints. “My arse has had quite enough attention for a while, thank you.”

  Alex trailed one finger across Conor’s heaving chest. “If I let you go, promise you won’t hit me?”

  “Hit you? I’m quite tempted to shoot you.”

  “I think we’ve both done enough shooting for one evening, don’t you?”

  Conor groaned at the appalling misuse of the English language and stopped struggling. Alex released him, albeit a little warily, and gave him a gentle kiss. “I love you so much.”

  Conor propped himself up on one elbow and chewed on his lip. “I know. I love you too.”

  Alex’s pale blue eyes gleamed. “Time for dinner. Then we still have work to do.”

  “Spoilsport.” Conor hit him with a pillow.

  Chapter Four

  Alex and Conor drove to work together the following morning. Alex was behind the wheel, while in the passenger seat Conor stretched out his legs and leaned back with a tired sigh. It was six-thirty and they hadn’t gone to bed until after two, by which time they had both been awake for almost twenty-four hours. Alex watched from the corner of his eye as Conor fiddled with the gray metal band around his wrist.

  “I have a bad feeling about this case. If the arson and murder are linked, that’s a huge escalation in a very short space of time.”

  Alex grunted. “It could still be coincidence.” He yawned.

  “It’s not likely though, is it?”

  “No,” Alex admitted a little reluctantly. “We can’t rule it out but I wouldn’t place money on the two events not being connected.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I have a feeling this one is going to challenge the overtime budget.”

  Conor sighed. “These cases just seem to roll into each other. We haven’t had any free time together for months. The work’s relentless.”

  Alex looked across at him. “I’m neglecting you, aren’t I? I’m sorry.”

  Conor rested a hand on Alex’s thigh. “Never. I’m not complaining, but it would be nice to get away for a few days.”

  Alex couldn’t ignore the weight of Conor’s hand on his leg. His thigh muscle twitched.

  “If you don’t move your hand, the likelihood of us making it to work without being involved in a major accident is very small. So unless your idea of quality time together is visiting me in the hospital…”

  Conor chuckled but removed the offending hand, albeit after giving Alex’s thigh a gentle squeeze.

  “Very kind.” Alex rocked his head from side to side until his neck gave a satisfying crack. “When this case is over, we can go down to Cornwall if you like. You haven’t seen your family for a while.” Alex knew that Rory and Maggie Penrissen weren’t Conor’s real family, but they were the closest he had and he thought of them as such. Alex really liked them both too, especially as it was all too evident how much they cared for Conor.

  “That would be great.” Conor sounded really happy. “I’ll ring them tonight and let them know. Even if I can’t say exactly when it will be, Maggie will want to air the cottage and give it a good clean.”

  “Crab sandwiches, sea air and you—the perfect combination.” Alex licked his lips at the thought. “It’ll be good to have something to look forward to.�
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  “It’s good to know that crab sandwiches come higher up the list than I do.”

  Alex put on his best repentant expression, even though he didn’t feel that way at all. “Maggie’s crab sandwiches are sublime. You come very close, though.”

  “You know you can’t pull off innocent, don’t you?” Conor fell about laughing, half-strangled by his seatbelt.

  Alex gave him a pained look. “You are showing a remarkable lack of respect. There’s not enough discipline in your life—something I will have to rectify very soon.”

  “Hey! I’m the one that’s just come off second best to a dead crustacean. Give me a break.”

  “No. Punishing you is too much fun.”

  Their arrival at the station saved Conor from any further reprimands. It felt good to hear him laugh and to remember that they had a life outside work. Alex resolved to make sure that the trip to Cornwall happened as soon as possible.

  “Have a good day, love. I’ll be upstairs most of the day today. I have divisional budgets to sort out and a training roster to plan, on top of all the case work.”

  “The pain of being a senior officer… You have my sympathy.” Conor grinned.

  “You don’t sound very bloody sympathetic!”

  “I’m just a lowly detective constable, sir. I can’t possibly comprehend the complexities of your job. I’m sure it’s very harrowing work.”

  “Brat. Get out of here.”

  Conor scuttled away, laughing. Alex would have liked to drag him somewhere quiet and give him a thorough spanking but that would have to wait.

  * * * *

  Sitting in his office later that morning, surrounded by an entire Himalayan mountain range of paperwork, Alex thought back to their conversation. He’d long ago realized that being with Conor was more important to him than any part of his job, and recent events just embedded the certainty even deeper. His interview with Toby Walsh the previous day had hit him harder than usual. Alex had delivered bad news many times before, but watching the man’s face crumple, the devastation that had hunched his shoulders and reddened his eyes had been horrible. They might not have been together that long but there was no doubting that Toby and Sam Teller had been deeply in love.