Helter Skelter, page 1
Table of Contents
Books by L.M. Somerton
Title Page
Legal Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Epilogue
Read more from L.M. Somerton
More exciting books!
About the Author
Pride Publishing books by L.M. Somerton
Single Books
Mountain Rescue
Black Dog
The Portrait
Stroke Rate
Chemical Bonds
Testing Lysander
Owned by the Sea
The Wyverns
Mantrap
Deathtrap
Rattrap
Sand Trap
Steel Trap
Tales from The Edge
Reaching the Edge
Living on the Edge
Dancing on the Edge
A Double-Edged Sword
Rough Around the Edges
Scorched Edges
Driven to the Edge
Binding the Edges
Investigating Love
Investigating Love: Rasputin’s Kiss
Investigating Love: Evil’s Embrace
Investigating Love: Tarot’s Love
Warlocks
Warlocks: Elemental Love
Warlocks: Elemental Hope
The Retreat
Serving Him
Trusting Him
Fairground Attractions
Ghost Train
Merry-Go-Round
Anthologies
Racing Hearts: Keeping the Luck
His Rules: Tagging Mackenzie
Fairground Attractions
HELTER SKELTER
L.M. SOMERTON
Helter Skelter
ISBN # 978-1-78651-799-9
©Copyright L.M. Somerton 2019
Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright July 2019
Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2019 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.
Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.
Book three in the
Fairground Attractions series
Life can slide out of control when you least expect it.
Of his group of friends, Zach is the only one yet to find his kinky-ever-after. The contract killer, Harlequin, is still on the loose, Zach’s dad is ill, a result of the stress caused by knowing the family amusement park is being used as an exchange point by drug runners, and Zach is faced with problems much tougher than the mathematical equations he’s used to.
Daniel Raynott has had his eye on Zach for some time. Now that Zach is no longer in his class at the university, he can act on his instincts and give Zach the guidance he desperately needs. As a Dom, Daniel demands obedience. As a man, he falls hard for Zach’s vulnerable innocence.
A boring summer has a lot of appeal, but Zach has about as much control over events as he does a trip down the helter skelter. He finds himself in danger more than once. Will Daniel be able to protect him or will the holiday season culminate in tragedy?
Dedication
To the power of friendship.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Tupperware: Tupperware Brands Company
Rice Krispies: The Kellogg Company
Mensa: Mensa International
Scooby gang: Scooby-Doo, Warner Bros. Animation, Inc.
Mission: Impossible: Paramount Pictures Corporation
Extreme Restraints: XR LLC
The Stockroom: Stockroom, Inc.
National Trust: The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
Chapter One
Zach dragged his feet as he walked along the beach, stooping every now and again to pick up a pebble to launch into the waves. He was distracted, with far too much on his mind to admire the way the morning sun glittered on the water, turning blue-grey to gold. It was already warm, the clear sky promising a fine day—perfect for spending by the side of Clem’s pool with his friends. At least it would be if his thoughts weren’t haunted by his father’s exhausted pallor over breakfast and the undercover police operation going on at the amusement park his family owned. Two of the friends he was on his way to meet had been hurt, the contract killer known as Harlequin was a constant threat and, worst of all, Zach was still single while Garth, Adam and Stevie were all hearts and flowers. Well…more butt plugs and bondage, but the sentiment was the same. They had found love and Zach was green with envy.
He walked closer to the sea, letting the shallow waves wash over his feet. He wore shorts, a faded T-shirt bearing the slogan Maths rule #1—if it seems easy you’re doing it wrong, and carried a pair of battered deck shoes in one hand. In a backpack over his shoulder were a few offerings for lunch—three punnets of strawberries, a pot of clotted cream and a Tupperware box full of his mum’s homemade scones. His stomach growled. He’d had little appetite at breakfast but now, after twenty minutes’ steady walking, he regretted refusing anything cooked in favour of a bowl of Rice Krispies.
Clem’s house was at the far end of the beach, one street back from the seafront. With heavy legs, Zach fought the shingle to scramble up-slope to the sea wall. He sat on the bottom of some steps to put on his shoes, brushing sand and grit from his feet. After a final, wistful glance out to sea, he made the climb to the road then strolled the last few yards to Clem’s place. The side gate was unlocked, so rather than ringing the bell, Zach made his way down the side of the house to the back garden. Clem was lounging at a table on the patio. Adam, Stevie and Garth were already in the pool, tossing a rainbow-striped ball between them. To Zach’s surprise there was someone else at the table with Clem. Concealed by the shadow of an umbrella, he seemed to be deep in conversation with Clem. All Zach could see was wavy black hair and the back of the man’s light green polo shirt.
“Hey, Zach! Get in here. The water’s perfect,” Adam yelled from the pool. Zach wandered over to the side. He kicked off his shoes then dipped a toe in. His feet were hot so the water felt icy, but his skin soon cooled. He couldn’t wait to get in.
Garth waded over to the edge, so Zach crouched down to talk to him. Garth’s arm was wrapped in plastic, protecting the stitches beneath.
“Adam and Stevie only arrived a few minutes ago. You haven’t missed anything…other than the arrival of our sixth guest, of course. Clem invited him. I had nothing to do with it, promise.”
“Who is it?” Curious, Zach glanced over to the table. Clem gave him a brief wave.
Garth grinned. “I think you should find that out for yourself.”
“And I think if Clem knew you were being an annoying brat, he’d paddle your arse.”
“Been there, done that already this morning.” Garth shrugged. “My brattiness is as indelible as my waterproof mascara—not going anywhere.”
“Ain’t that the truth?”
Garth scowled. “Some friend you are.”
“I’m exactly the kind of friend you need—the one who sees straight past the snark.”
“Go say hello to Clem.” Garth flicked water at him. “Then get your butt in here… You’ll probably need to cool off.”
Zach rolled his eyes, but he did want to say hello to his host as well as get the strawberries and cream into a fridge. He strolled across the patio, blinking into the sun.
“Good morning, Clem. I brought a few things for lunch. Is it okay to take them into the kitchen?”
“Morning, Zach. Of course you can, but first let me introduce you to our other guest, though I think you already know each other.”
Zach put his backpack on the floor then turned to the other man at the table. His mouth fell open and his burning cheeks had nothing to do with the heat of the sun.
“Good morning, Zach.” Dark green eyes twinkled beneath thick lashes.
“Professor Raynott! Sir.”
“I think, out of the classroom, you can call me Daniel. We’ll save the ‘Sir’ for when we are better acquainted.” Daniel’s smile was definitely more of a smirk.
Garth had been absolutely right about Zach needing to cool off. He wanted to take a running jump into the deep end of the pool, submerge himself beneath the water and stay there for the rest of the day.
“I decided that since Daniel has an involvement in our ongoing dealings at the amusement park,” Clem said, “that I’d take the opportunity to bring him up to speed with what’s been going on.”
“You’ve been having an exciting summer so far,” Daniel said.
“I’m not sure I’d use the word exciting,” Zach muttered. “I should take these things inside.” He made a dash for the kitchen, glad to be out of Daniel’s line of sight. The tiles were cold against his bare feet and he took the opportunity to splash some water over his face at the sink. “If Garth knew about this and didn’t warn me, I’m going to make sure he experiences a slow, painful death.” He unloaded his backpack, stashing the strawberries and cream in the fridge and putting the box of scones on the counter. He put his backpack and shoes in a corner then debated how to get outside without being noticed. Daniel’s words played over and over in his head. The professor had always exuded an aura of command in lectures and that was no different in the more casual environment of Clem’s garden. Zach wondered if he were a Dom like Clem. The thought had crossed his mind before—it was part of the professor’s appeal—but he had no way of knowing. He wasn’t even certain if Daniel was gay. The rainbow sticker he’d seen in the back of his car could just mean he was an ally, though Zach hoped that the comment Daniel had made about addressing him as ‘Sir’ meant that he was everything Zach hoped for. Gay, dominant and interested. “Wishful thinking, idiot. Why on earth would a man like him be interested in me?”
If he hid in the kitchen much longer someone would come in to find him, so Zach padded outside. The patio stones were hot, in stark contrast to the kitchen tile, and Clem’s sun trap of a garden provided little shade. The pool looked very tempting.
“Take your clothes off and get in here,” Stevie yelled.
Zach ambled across to where sun loungers were positioned at the side of the pool. He stripped off his shirt, keeping his eyes firmly on his friends. Stepping out of his shorts took a bit more courage, knowing that Daniel was watching. His swimming trunks were modest, but fitted. They wouldn’t hide an erection. With that in mind, he took two steps to the edge of the pool then jumped in. At first the cold water was shocking and he surfaced gasping. He shook his head like a wet retriever, sending droplets in all directions.
“It’s fine once you’re in,” Stevie said, swimming over to him. “What do you think about your hot professor being here?”
“He’s not my professor and I’m trying not to think about it,” Zach said. “If I’d had any idea he was going to be here, I don’t think I would have been brave enough to show up.”
“Sure you would. He likes you, you know.”
“Don’t talk rubbish.”
“He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you arrived. When you went into the kitchen, he kept looking inside. If you’d taken any longer, he would have gone in and dragged you out of there. He’s even dommier than Clem, and that’s saying something.”
“Who’s dommier than who?” Adam swam over to them. He encircled Stevie in his arms and Stevie nestled against him.
“Professor Raynott. Daniel. He seems more glowery and stern than Clem.”
“What about me?” Adam asked, slipping his hand under the water to cup Stevie’s package.
“You’re the perfect Dom for me, love.”
“You two are sweeter than candyfloss,” Zach said. “And I think you’re right, Stevie. Daniel is more than a bit intimidating.”
“Doesn’t stop you lusting after him though, does it?” Garth suggested, grinning.
“Hush, he’ll hear you.” Zach sent an anxious glance toward the patio, where Daniel, staring straight at him, crooked a finger, beckoning Zach over.
“Someone is going to get his arse spanked before the day is out, I’d bet my pay check on it,” Garth said. “And I don’t mean me, ‘cos the odds on that are way too low to bother with.”
Zach swam the few strokes to the side of the pool where Daniel crouched.
“You need to put sunscreen on or you’re going to burn. Get out of the pool.”
It wasn’t a request. The rebel in Zach wanted to refuse, but he had forgotten to apply any cream that morning and did have a tendency to get pink rather fast. He clambered out of the water and walked across to one of the sunbeds, where a bottle of sunscreen sat in the shade underneath it.
“I’ll do that for you.”
Zach jumped, not realising how close behind him Daniel was.
“That’s okay, I can manage.”
“Lie on the bed, Zach.”
Zach gulped. Now he was out of the water, his cock was doing its best to embarrass him. He threw himself face down on the lounger, wincing as his dick got squished beneath his body.
“That’s better. It’s good to know you can follow orders.”
Zach rested his head on his arms and squeezed his eyes shut. He heard the cap on the lotion open, then a slight squelch as Daniel squeezed the bottle. The first touch of Daniel’s hands on his skin made him moan. By the time the professor had coated him from neck to ankles, Zach had decided that the chance of him reaching his next birthday was slim, because he was going to die from a pleasure overdose.
“Turn over.”
There was nowhere to hide. Zach rolled onto his back, lacing both hands over his groin in an attempt to conceal his arousal.
“Hands above your head.”
“I…” Zach’s face burned.
“Now, Zach.”
Zach stretched his arms up, sinking his teeth into his lower lip, waiting for Daniel to say something about his condition.
“Good boy.”
The words, which could have been demeaning had Daniel’s tone not resonated with pride, made Zach glow with happiness. He had pleased Daniel, even if this was the most embarrassing moment of his life to date. The tent in his swim shorts was far too obvious for anyone to miss. Daniel said nothing, just smoothed lotion over the rest of Zach’s body. He wiped his hands on a towel when he was done.
“There you go, that should last for a while. I’ll reapply it later.” He leaned across Zach to put the bottle back in the shade, brushing the tip of his erection as he did so. Zach whimpered, knowing the contact had to be deliberate. He wanted to come. He had to. He shot off the bed and made a run for the downstairs toilet.
“I’ll just use the facilities before I get back in the pool,” he shouted. As soon as he made it to the privacy of the bathroom, he yanked down his shorts, grabbed his cock and gave it two swift pulls. That was all it took. He came in a shuddering rush, sobbing with relief.
He was under no illusions. All his friends would know what he had done and the thought was mortifying. He cleaned up, washed his hands then went back outside. To his astonishment, no one took a blind bit of notice as he slipped back into the water. The only person watching him was Daniel Raynott, and he was smiling in a way that spoke of deep satisfaction at a job well done.
“Did you enjoy that?” Garth asked as Zach doggy-paddled over to him.
“Why? Are you lining up a few barbed comments?”
“I wish. I tried to watch, but Clem glared at me so hard I felt the sudden urge to do a few laps of the pool. Adam kept Stevie facing away from you, so none of us saw anything fun, more’s the pity.”
“Daniel, I mean Professor Raynott, helped me out with the suntan lotion, that’s all. You know how easily I burn.”
“You do have a tendency to turn into a lobster every time the sun breaks through the clouds. Still, it must have been fun to have his hands rubbing all over your body, making you all oily and slick and…”
“Garth, get your backside out of the pool. I want your help with lunch,” Clem shouted from the patio.
