Joseph Read online

  Joseph’s gaze traced over the massive shoulders before dipping down to the well-shaped derriere of his friend. The big, delicious creature was an artist. Of all the characteristics to discover, it somehow ranked high on the list. Joseph again wondered, what else did he not know about Almon?

  In the office, Almon set the paintings he carried down on the floor, leaning them against the wall. He claimed the sunrise art from Joseph and set it down too. “I’ll hang these later.”

  His voice, always rough, was huskier than the norm. It was the voice he’d used when teasing Joseph about the things he couldn’t wait to do to him when he finally got the Earther alone. Joseph was suddenly, blatantly aware of the Nobek’s burning gaze on him. Of how close they stood to each other, close enough that he warmed in the other man’s heat. Though Joseph stood over six feet tall, the massive Almon left him feeling small and vulnerable.

  I’m living with him. Others will figure out what we share.

  The room tilted, grew fuzzy at the edges. He was gasping for air, his lungs heaving, but he couldn’t seem to get adequate oxygen. Then his feet left the floor, and he fell up, not down. It took a moment for him to realize Almon had picked him up.

  The Nobek sat on the lonely cushion, settling Joseph on his lap so he could cuddle and pet him. “You’re hyperventilating. Easy. Joseph, look at me. Do you think I’m going to hurt you?”

  “Not that. Okay, some of that. But—I mean—you want to—we want to—and everyone will know—they’ll know that I’m—I’m a—”

  Almon stopped his frantic words by sealing his lips over Joseph’s. The Earther shoved against the hard-as-stone chest, but the arms circling him were bands of steel, holding him still. Terror spiked down Joseph’s spine. At the same instant, liquid heat flowed into his cock, electrifying his senses. As if responding to the siren call of desire, Almon reached between his legs and rubbed the aching hardness.

  Joseph cried out into the Nobek’s mouth, pushing against him more frantically. Yet his hips moved of their own accord, shoving him into Almon’s palm, grinding against the exciting pressure. Exposing how much he craved contact with another man despite the suffocating fears that had kept him from doing that for so long.

  Almon continued to kiss him. Joseph realized that despite the resistance he’d offered, he’d been kissing the Nobek in return the whole while. Unmasking who he was despite decades of careful, unwavering control. All the effort to escape Almon’s clutches were exposed as lies by his betraying mouth and swelling masculinity.

  Then Joseph was flat on the soft cushion, blanketed by the Nobek’s solid weight. Almon pulled Joseph’s pants open and shoved the front of his underpants down. His calloused touch burned hot on the Earther’s shaft. Joseph cried out, his brain short-circuiting. The rough hand tugged on his bare flesh, providing friction to turn him into an inferno.

  His balls grew heavy and tightened, pushing excitement towards his length. The pressure of Almon’s grasp encouraged the rising tide to crest, to break free.

  The bruising kiss ended. Joseph saw a flash of blue-purple eyes with slitted pupils and an avid face, handsome despite the small scars spattered across its dark surface. Almon headed down toward where Joseph burned and throbbed and yearned.

  When Almon’s mouth closed on his manhood, Joseph screamed. The sensations crowded in on him, each demanding individual attention.

  Cradled, his scrotum fondled, rubbed.

  Enclosed, his length slowly sheathed all the way to the base.

  Wet heat, seething, sinking into his flesh.

  Rasping tongue, rough velvet caressing, twining about his masculinity.

  Slow, enthralling pull, Almon sucking and swallowing him.

  The feelings swam into each other, becoming a single immense tapestry of melding threads, blending into an overwhelming ecstasy until Joseph couldn’t tell where one experience ended and another began. It coalesced deep in his groin, drawing his balls up tight to his body until the pressure was forced into his swollen cock in an explosive surge. He shrieked.

  Elation jolted through him, out of him, erupting in frenzied bursts. He sobbed as he surrendered it all at long last, his body offering every drop it could muster to the insistent pull that would take nothing less than all he had to give.

  Then, peace. It filled and supported Joseph as the final gentle pulses eased from him. For a few precious seconds, he felt both depleted and whole, adrift everywhere and nowhere.

  A gentle brush against his lips opened his eyes. He blinked at Almon, whose lips curled in a knowing smile. “Welcome back, my boy. Did you enjoy yourself?”

  He had. Prophets save him, it had been astounding.

  Sudden fear nibbled at him, taking the serenity so recently gained. Joseph had been granted his desire, an astounding awakening he’d never imagined in his wildest dreams. Now it was Almon’s turn.

  Joseph steeled himself for what was to come next.

  Chapter Three

  “No need to look so resolved just yet. We have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the rest,” Almon chuckled. He adjusted Joseph’s clothes, covering him. With an affectionate pat to the Earther’s crotch, he stood. “Lunch? I have Earther and Kalquorian food. What’s your pleasure?”

  “You don’t want me?” Joseph stared up at the other man. Almon’s crotch was swollen, incredibly so. Why wasn’t he turning Joseph over and fucking him?

  “Within an hour since you got here? Give me a little credit for having some restraint, my boy. Besides, your first time shouldn’t be about abrupt physical urges. It supposed to be special.”

  Guilt stabbed Joseph. “You gave me an orgasm. I should do the same for you.”

  Almon’s dark gaze sent a thrill down his spine. “You will. Trust me, I have every intention of enjoying you in ways that you can’t imagine.” He grabbed Joseph’s hand and hauled him to his feet. “What just happened—that was spur of the moment. I had the abrupt urge to warm things up with a special welcome. To show you how glad I am that you’re here.”

  Joseph could hardly believe he wasn’t about to be ravished. “What happens now?”

  “Now? Lunch, I would hope. I’m starved. Then you should take the afternoon and evening to settle in. We’ll get to the rest of it later.”

  With that, he patted Joseph on the ass, turned and walked out. From the hallway he called, “Was that Earther or Kalquorian food?”

  Joseph padded after Almon to the kitchen, trying to sort out if he felt more relief or disappointment that the Nobek wasn’t cramming his cock in his ass. After years of anticipation, shouldn’t he have figured this out by now?

  He reached the kitchen to find Almon standing before the cooling unit and asked, “Would it be difficult to have Earther food? All they ever had at the center was Kalquorian. I enjoy your food, but I wouldn’t mind a meal I haven’t had in a while.”

  Almon tossed frozen packages on the counter. “Not a problem at all. Italian, Chinese, Mexican, French—I bought a variety.”

  Joseph had worked hard to learn Kalquorian, but the packages were labeled in a few Earther languages as well. “Spaghetti with meatballs.”

  “Pay attention. You’ll have to cook these yourself when I’m at work.” Almon showed him how to operate the cooker, which consisted of little more than scanning the package and sticking it in.

  “How is work going? Do you still like the Dramok you guard?” Joseph was eager for a safe subject to talk about.

  “Guherf is an excellent employer. And a brilliant businessman. You should see how he strikes deals with the hardest negotiators, all while acting as if he’s the most cheerful person in existence.”

  “I wouldn’t have supposed a farming systems manufacturer could be such an interesting occupation. Or require a bodyguard.”

  “He’s at the top of his field, and one of the biggest innovators in the industry. That always invites jealousy and cutthroat tactics from competitors.” At Joseph’s disbelieving gaze, Almon laughed and confessed the truth.
“It’s a bullshit assignment. I’m more an accessory than a needed defender, a token of his success.”

  “You regret leaving the fleet.” For me.

  Almon scowled at him, perhaps guessing Joseph’s suspicions. He turned his back, hiding his face. “I’m getting too old for the Imperial Fleet’s shit. Even with the war over and Bi’is contained, I can’t keep tearing around the galaxy. After almost fifty years, I’m due some relaxation.”

  Almon was not that old for a Kalquorian. Joseph wondered if he’d been wrong about the reasons the Nobek had quit.

  What if it had nothing to do with some weird fixation on repaying Joseph for saving his life? What if Almon had left the fleet because of the trauma? How bad had the blow to his esteem been from being taken a prisoner by Joseph? Was Almon’s weak excuse of age covering for losing his sense of self? Was he suffering from a feeling of weakness?

  Joseph didn’t want to believe he was at fault for Almon’s lesser career decision. But it had been on his watch, in his brig, that Almon had nearly been beaten to death by Joseph’s crew. How much had it taken out of the Nobek?

  Almon almost heaved a sigh of relief when Joseph acted as if his pre-packaged meal was all he could have hoped for. After insisting the Nobek try a bite of spaghetti and meatballs and the accompanying garlic bread—and yes, Almon did think it tasted rather good—Joseph polished off every bite with the air of a diner at the finest of restaurants. When Almon surprised him with ice cream, the kid rewarded him with a gorgeous, rare smile. Lunch had been successfully navigated, and the Nobek allowed himself to relax a touch.

  Fighting enemies determined to kill him was far less stressful than anticipating Joseph’s needs and calming his fears.

  There were hopeful signs, however. The smile was one. The way Joseph had let go in his office, allowing Almon to pleasure him to climax, was a bigger accomplishment. After all the therapy, the boy continued to fear his sexuality. And he feared displaying it even more. His culture had done a number on him, and there were days Almon had despaired of him getting past any of it.

  Slow. Careful. As his doctor said, over time Joseph will figure out the world won’t crash down on him for being who he is. Over thirty years of terror can’t be undone in the space of two.

  Almon found more reason for optimism after their meal. He led Joseph to the common room so they could relax in front of the entertainment system. Though the Nobek wasn’t a man who enjoyed lounging around, Joseph accepted him sitting close with his arms around him. The Earther was tense at first, though he tried to hide it. But little by little, he eased in the embrace and stopped flinching when Almon stroked his hair, his arm, his cheek.

  While the Nobek had seen snuggling as a mere necessity to help Joseph grow accustomed to casual closeness, he was startled to find he enjoyed it too. The news vids and the shuttle races they watched on the vid barely claimed his attention as Joseph’s slight but solid body settled against his. The shared warmth, his clean scent, and the sensation of him breathing was a revelation.

  It made the lonely decades seem to Almon like someone else’s distant memory. The past losses and disappointments melted, draining away along with Joseph’s rigidity. Cuddling was amazing. The Nobek marveled at his discovery.

  Would he have figured this out before, with those who’d come before Joseph? Or would he have stayed aloof, not attempting such embraces because the others hadn’t had the kind of trauma that required nurturing and care not usually demanded of a warrior?

  Or was that my mistake? The reason they found another?

  Almon was glad Joseph seemed content with wasting the day on broadcast vids of shuttle races, picking favorites and making silly bets over whether or not they’d win. It allowed him to soak in this unexpected thrill of holding the man he’d waited so long to be with. And it brought out the kid’s smile at increasingly frequent intervals.

  “You owe me a kestarsh,” Almon teased when Joseph’s choice of racer left the course in flames, its pilot bailing out a moment before the craft exploded. “I hope you have the small fortune those creatures cost, or you’re in trouble.”

  “Can I pay my debt with an installment plan? I’m acquainted with a guy who can deliver a leg next week.”

  Almon chuckled and hugged Joseph closer. “You know a guy, huh? Who takes kestarsh apart and sells them in pieces?”

  “For a price you can get just about anything, or haven’t you noticed? Speaking of which, can I borrow a few hundred credits?”

  “So you can buy the bits and pieces of that kestarsh you owe me? You have a wicked sense of humor, my boy.”

  “Never mind. The next race is ready to start. I can win back my losses now. I bet a kestarsh and seven Adraf hides on Nobek Stog.”

  “Seven Adraf hides, huh? I’ve gotten myself mixed up with a high roller.”

  An afternoon of ridiculous, lighthearted bets that weren’t expected to be paid off stretched on. Almon sat on his lounger for hours, holding his snickering Earther love. He hadn’t believed himself capable of such pointless frivolity, but it was among the best days of his life. He was genuinely disappointed when the races ended.

  Who knew activities as simple as watching a vid and embracing his love could be so amazing? The simplicity of the bliss was no less shocking than the moment about two years prior when Almon had realized that he’d fallen in love with Joseph.

  The Earther scowled when he couldn’t find any programming as diverting as the shuttle races. Almon pretended it didn’t matter. “We should have dinner anyway. And you can’t afford to lose anymore bets. You already owe me a pair of kestarsh, seven Adraf hides, a mountain of coffee beans, twelve cargo holds of fluffy kittens, and a battlecruiser built entirely of Tragoom skin.”

  “Dinner already?” Joseph blinked at the chronometer. “The day never passed this fast in the psych center.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Almon regretted the words, worried Joseph would relate the idea of his incarceration to the year he’d held the Nobek in a cell. Fortunately, the kid was already debating whether he wanted sesame chicken over rice or pepperoni pizza for his evening meal.

  Almon watched him operate the cooker, not because Joseph needed to be supervised for such a simple task, but because it was a joy to gaze at him. He couldn’t quite believe after two years, the young man was there, in his home, with him. When the moments of realization that this was no dream hit, the flood of feelings threatened to sweep him under. Ancestors, he could hardly breathe.

  I will make this work.

  Instead of sitting in the kitchen nook, Almon urged Joseph back to the common room. “You said you like games, and strategy is a strength of yours. Let’s have a challenge while we eat.”

  “Am I allowed to place bets?” A naughty gleam lit Joseph’s eyes.

  “You’d better learn the rules to this first. They are deceptively simple. It’s when you have to deal with the permutations and multiple-dimension factoring that it becomes complicated. Even by a former fleet officer’s standards, the contest is a monster. The most intelligent lifeform in the universe designed it, and she’s defeated in single-player mode half the time herself.”

  “Druusqi of Dokith?” Joseph spoke the name with appropriate awe.

  “The very same.”

  “Now I’m intimidated.”

  “Nowhere near as much as you should be. Trust me, I’ve amused myself with it often enough to know.”

  They settled down and began play, each munching his dinner of choice and splitting a small pitcher of kloq. It wasn’t long before they were both swearing and threatening bloody carnage on the competition’s inventor—not a surprise since they were challenged by not just each other, but the game itself.

  “Damn it!” Joseph burst out after an hour. “I figured out a strategy to sneak past the obstacles the contest throws out, just to have you decimate me.”

  “It’s a bitch, isn’t it? Only five percent of those who try it in any of its variations attempt a second round.”
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br />   “I can believe it. Hey, what’s this pity you’re showing me? I see my latest mistake now. You let me get away with that move.”

  Almon grinned at him from across the table. “If I’d taken advantage, the competition would be over.”

  “Well, don’t do that again. I won’t cry if I lose.”

  “You should have lost five times already. The first defeat came by your third move.”

  Joseph’s jaw dropped. “Really? Show me.”

  Almon replayed the start and pointed out the error.

  Joseph pounded the table top. “I thought I was getting the hang of this.”

  “You are. The fact you caught your last mistake shows you’re figuring it out. Remember: Druusqi concocted this nightmare. The fact we can have fun with it at all should be a boon to our self-images.” Almon made a move and instantly regretted it. It was his turn to pound the tabletop, which was fortunately constructed to withstand the wrath of losing opponents. “You merciless cocksucking bitch!”

  More maneuvers. More strategy. More cursing. The men dug in, devoted not so much to winning, but to showing they could achieve some fraction of success against the most brilliant mind in existence and her malicious entertainment.

  At length, Joseph took advantage of a lull in impossible scenarios to ask, “Did you tell your parent clan and brothers I was being released?”

  “They plan to throw you a celebration as soon as you’re ready. I figured you might appreciate a couple of weeks to gain your bearings.”

  “That’s nice of them to offer. Especially considering what my actions did to you.” He blinked hard, as if affected by the compassion.

  “They told you that they don’t hold a grudge about that. And neither do I. When push came to shove, you acted in the right way, including saving my life.”

  “If I’d done the right thing to begin with, your life wouldn’t have needed saving.”

  “And we wouldn’t have met.” Almon dared to reach across the table to touch Joseph’s hand. He counted it a victory when the boy didn’t move away, and he withdrew to keep that from happening. “The Book of Life has a saying: don’t label events as good or bad, because negative situations can resolve into positive change.”