Unbehold
We all meet death sooner or later—it’s
not pretty.
Addison Blakemour lost something
precious that’s not coming back. Merely a diversion from pain, he dispenses
punishment and anyone he deems worthy, they meet death. Lately, he takes little
pleasure in revenge. Each day he anticipates nightfall to stalk one more
criminal. Minutes, days, months, he waits for deliverance until he encounters a
man wearing—lipstick and panties!
Jeremy Hadley’s incident with a lethal
man he comes upon fighting in an alley should send him running; Addison
Blakemour should repulse him. He doesn’t. Jere tells himself he hangs on
and even comes out the closet to prevent the thug from harming others, to
hinder Addison’s self-destruction. Lies. He holds on because the
terrible man excites him, makes Jeremy feel alive.
Can two desperate people find
happiness?
Warning: On-page violence and near-rape
experience. Addison Blakemour kills without remorse.
Contains: #angst; #comingout; #drama;
#lingerie; #gay; #maydecember; #romance; #shortstory
Excerpt:
Addison intended to go home until he smelled
his fingers, caught the delicious scent Jeremy wore mingled alongside sex’s aroma.
Don’t need a hassle but, shit… I need him. One time. Suspected if he
showed up at the man’s door, he’d let him in. Jeremy, professing fear,
displayed a physical reaction at the bar that was unrestrained, wanton. Jesusfuckingchrist.
Addison often used strangers to satisfy himself following Jan’s demise. Hadn’t taken
anyone in months making due with his hand. This guy might be trouble. Not only
had he seen Addison belt the hell out of someone, sexy motherfucker, as if a
beautiful butterfly, flitted through his mind for days on end. An exotic
butterfly. Addison became intimately aware he exhibited something no other man who
had ever accompanied him practiced. His chest blissfully hairless, body-hugging
pants encased narrow hips showing off a perfect round ass. Panties. He wore
goddamn silk panties. And lipstick.
Jeremy Hadley wasn’t only pretty, he embraced
being beautiful.
Passed the man his phone intending to leave
but Jeremy invited him in. He stared into blue eyes outlined in emerald and
sapphire liner, watched his tongue stroke lips painted a pale shade of red.
“You didn’t look like this last time.”
“I don’t always…why are you here?”
“What was different tonight?”
“Are you coming in or not?”
“I’d like a cold beer.”
A protective maneuver, Jeremy tightened the
sash of his plain black robe and left Addison standing in the middle of a
nondescript room. Small but clean, no family pictures graced walls, nothing to
tell him about this youngster. One thing became blatantly clear. He was
young. Had not even developed taste in furnishing. Or he lived on a sparse
budget. Sofa and matching armchair could have come from any furniture
warehouse. Tiny metal desk in one corner held a computer and printer. The chair
at least looked expensive. One of those ergonomic designs used by people who
spent lots of time in the seat. His blog. Many now made decent money
blogging and he recollected Jeremy had a rather large following. Checking out
the tiny hallway the man vanished into, Addison glanced at the print he posed
in front of for his selfie.
Appearing unsure of himself, Jeremy returned carrying
beers and one glass which he handed to Addison. “I’m sorry. You can sit
anywhere.” He blushed. “I prefer drinking from the bottle.”
Taking the chair, Addison said, “You like
Edward Hopper.”
Jeremy sat on the sofa and curled feet
beneath him. “A statement, not a question.”
“You posed in front of it for the picture on
your blog.”
“You visited my site?”
“I prefer the bottle myself.” Addison set the
glass on a wooden coffee table in front of him and took a long pull of beer.
“Jeremy, did it occur to you to lock your phone? Anyone could have discovered
your whereabouts.”
“Actually, didn’t imagine I’d be robbed by a
probation officer thrashing a client.”
Tell the truth or let it ride? “Awful things
happen to people who shouldn’t be in dark alleyways.” Let it ride.
“How do you know Hopper?”
“A favorite of mine. Stark realism; his
portrayal of…loneliness.” Finished his beer and set the bottle down,
Addison added, “At least that’s how he makes me feel.”
“I get that.” Jeremy glanced into the hall.
“Even though three people sit in that diner, they look lonely as hell. Have you
seen his couple in the office painting?”
“I’ve caught a few exhibitions. Is that really
what you want to talk about?”
“I don’t want to talk about Fortnite’s.”
“Neither do I.” Addison stood, took two steps
to stand in front of Jeremy. “Why’d you invite me in?”
“I’m not sure I know why.”
“Yes, you do.” Addison pulled him from the
sofa. “You wanted someone. I’m available.”
“I can’t form any kind of relationship.”
“I’m not looking for one.”
“No strings?”
“I tie lousy knots so they wouldn’t hold.” He
kissed red lips. Soft, inviting. Trouble. “Name’s Addison.” Untying the
sash at Jeremy’s waist, he reached in, grasped buttocks forcefully, and hiked
him tight against his raging hard-on. Disappointment flooded Addison. “No
panties?”
“I undressed to shower.”
Breathing cologne, no, it was perfume,
Addison murmured, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“What?”
“Take your shower, I’ll be right here.”
“Now? But…”
“I gather you relish a little roughness.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Fortnite has a reputation.” Large hands grabbed
Jeremy’s small fingers, entwined them in a firm grip. “I won’t do anything you
don’t like and judging by the size of your apartment, neighbors would hear you
scream and call for help. Am I right?”
“Yes.”
“Give me what I want. I swear I won’t hurt
you.”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking for.”
“Put something pretty on, something lacy I
can remove slowly or rip off if I choose to before I fuck you.” Stole his mouth
once more, shoved his tongue past lips that didn’t try to keep him out. Small
hands pressed to Addison’s chest. Tongues warred, searched deliciously.
“Christ, you smell wonderful.” Addison licked down his neck to a smooth chest where
his tongue encountered a stiff nipple. He sucked the tiny bud until it peaked
even more. “No hair. Fuck, that turns me on. You want this to happen.”
A groan filled the room as his slight frame
nudged into Addison. “God, yes.” Tiny hitches of air brushed his cheek.
“You…you won’t leave?”
“I got all night, Jeremy.”
Cock stiff and poking through the robe, he
backed away. “Kitchen’s to the left before the end of the hall. There’s more
beer.”
Removing his tie and jacket, he draped both
over the chair. “Hurry.” Addison gave it a minute before striding to the
kitchen. Door at extreme end of the hall remained cracked and he heard keys
jangle. Shamelessly, he viewed the man unlock a door and slip inside. He
stepped out carrying underwear. What the fuck? No signs of a roommate;
who’d he hide belongings from? Why do I care? Addison desired nothing
more than fucking the beautiful bastard which, considering their chance meeting
in a dark alley where Addison fully intended to murder a man… Shit, a bad idea.
He waited to hear the shower before withdrawing.
Hand on knob, prepared to leave, Addison stopped. Turn the knob. That’s
all it would take. Open the door. Escape. “Goddamn you Jeremy Hadley.”
For the first time since his death, Addison
couldn’t conjure Janson’s face.
Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele
