La Petite Mort, page 2
“Take a look at these two.” Garen took his coffee from Luke and sipped the spicy brew as his husband studied the two photographs and the computer screen. “Do you see the same as me?”
“They’re identical.” Luke looked up at Garen. “Apart from the makeup.”
“Spot on.” Garen tapped the image that showed a dark-haired woman with vivid green eyes. “This is Lilith Samaelson—a beautician, masseuse, skin specialist and so on for this particular exclusive spa.” Garen then tapped the other image which, other than the lack of cosmetics, showed the same face. “And this is Sam Lilithson.”
“Samael, the fallen angel, better known as the ‘Grim Reaper’,” Luke murmured.
“And Lilith, the night monster, a spirit of darkness.” Garen nodded.
“And yet also a figure of uncontrolled sexuality.” Luke sipped at his own drink. “Both are perfect names for an incubus or succubus.”
“Given that they are in two different, but equally exclusive, spas, I’d be tempted to say that this demon preys on men and women alike. Whatever you want, this creature”—Garen tapped the screen again—“will fulfill your sexual fantasy.”
“Older people, rich but lonely, find themselves with a younger, beautiful, attentive lover who will deny them nothing.” Luke nodded. “Your every sexual need or want catered for, with nothing held back. It becomes like a drug. You can’t get enough, always wanting more.”
“And at the end, your very essence is sucked from you by a demonic being with a voracious appetite—who is already looking for its next victim.” Garen took another mouthful of his coffee.
“If this creature is working two spas that we currently know of, then I’d say that while one persona has a lover, the other is seducing the next victim. Then, as the one is drained, they move onto the next in line while already having chosen the victim after that.” Luke continued to peer from face to face. “Unless you really look hard and expand the images, no one would notice how alike these are.”
“A spa that caters to aging, rich clientele is the perfect cover for a succubus or incubus. So many people these days think their worth is based on how good they look and by being able to attract a younger lover.” Garen sighed. “It’s a shame more people don’t focus on what’s on the inside more.”
“Keep young and beautiful. It’s a mantra that has existed throughout the ages, my love.” Luke pecked a kiss to Garen’s chin. “Fake nails, hairpieces, silicone boobs, fillers, Botox, plastic surgery… It’s a million-dollar business with no shortage of people willing to do or try the next big thing to achieve it.”
“I guess you’re right.” Garen turned to pull Luke against his chest. “I hit the jackpot—a man with intelligence, compassion and humor as well as skilled at his art. And you’re as attractive today as the day I first saw you. But it wasn’t how you looked or what you said that drew me. I felt a call here.” Garen tapped over his heart. “I knew you were the other half of my soul. You were like a beacon, calling me home. You complete me.” Garen sealed his lips over Luke’s, indulging his senses in the man he loved before slowly easing back.
“And you claim you’re not a romantic.” Luke rested his head on Garen’s shoulder. “I’d rather have a few words spoken from the heart than any number of glib platitudes.”
“No platitudes from me, my love. Not my style.” Garen grinned and Luke snorted.
“No, you’re much more the strong, silent type.”
At the sound of the door opening, Garen and Luke instantly stepped apart and Garen stood a little straighter as Thomas came in.
“Luke.” Thomas nodded. “How are you?”
“Good, thanks,” Luke replied.
“Excellent. Things are moving, Garen.” Thomas stopped beside Garen. “Everything’s arranged. I’ve secured a room like you wanted, directly over the area where this shindig’s going to take place. It’s a store cupboard, but I’ve told them to clear it out. Is that enough, Luke?”
“Yes, thanks, Thomas. I’ll make sure to purify it once it’s empty, then set up a protective circle inside.” Luke absently patted his pockets as if he were going to start right then.
“And the fountain. I need to team to ensure it’s drained and sanctified water be used instead.” Garen tapped the schematics. “It’s a sealed unit. We can also add a sigil of protection to it. I also want to create a safe space under the conference rooms they’re using for the soiree for a group of our people to wait in. I get the feeling this is the place.” Garen pursed his lips. “I want us to be ready.”
“We will be.” Thomas patted Garen’s shoulder. “My best team’s on the case. Let me know what else needs to be done.”
“Will do. How about we go to the hotel, make sure they’re clearing out where you need, and I can get one of our teams working on the floor below. The manager does know to say nothing to anyone about this, doesn’t he, Thomas?”
“Yes.” Thomas nodded. “I was quite clear. If he mentions anything and the safety of anyone in that hotel—guest, staff or one of my people—is jeopardized, he’ll be out of that job so fast his teeth will rattle.”
“Perfect. Right, then. Let’s get our team and pay him a visit.” Garen rubbed his hands together. If all goes well, that incubus will have sucked dry its last victim.
Chapter Three
While Garen had his conversation with the hotel manager regarding the fountain unit, Luke got busy in the room they’d been given. The rest of the team were working in the basement area. First things first. I need to make a blessing oil.
Humming softly to himself, Luke rummaged in the bag he’d brought and set out what he needed. To a flaxseed-base oil, Luke added five drops of sandalwood, three of rosemary, one of orange and one of patchouli. This gives me a mix of spirituality, cleansing and purification, joy and protection. With this, smudging and salting, the areas should be safe enough.
Walking once around the room to familiarize himself with it, Luke retraced his steps. Starting with the door, he moved in a clockwise direction, smearing a little of the oil onto every door frame and windowsill.
“With this blessing oil I cleanse this space. I ask the god and goddess to give their blessing and make it sacred and pure. Negative energy be gone. I release you. Away!” Luke raised his hands, releasing some of his power, then took a deep breath. “That’s much better.”
The oil in one hand, Luke grabbed another and tucked it into his pocket before leaving the room to find the cupboard Garen had selected. Thanks to Thomas, the room was bare. Luke set his oil down and pulled out the bag from his pocket.
Bending over, Luke sprinkled a line of the salt just inside the door. After getting onto his hands and knees, Luke continued the line so that there was an unbroken circle of salt inside the cupboard. Standing up, he dabbed the doorframe with his oil.
Taking a step forward so that he was inside the salt circle, Luke set down his jar of oil and raised his hands.
“Et mundaret. This is now a space of safety and purity. I ask it in in the name of the god and goddess. As I will, so mote it be.” Luke inhaled deeply and nodded. “Fresh and clean. Perfect.”
Having purified the room and the cupboard, Luke stood outside and waited for Garen to join him.
“All sorted?” Garen asked as he approached, and Luke nodded.
“Both the room and this cupboard are clean and safe for our people to use. They just need to renew the salt circle in there.” Luke indicated the cupboard.
“Good. I think we should go home and get some rest while we can. We won’t be relaxing much after today.”
“Good idea.” Luke stood on tiptoe to peck a kiss to Garen’s nose. “I’ll run a bath for us—to both relax and help protect us for the coming days.”
“Perfect.” Garen slid his arms around Luke’s waist and drew him close. “I have other ideas about relaxing—for after the bath.”
The trip home didn’t take too long, and Luke left Garen to his own devices while he worked getting their bathroom ready. Humming and murmuring softly to himself, Luke prepared their bath. The room always had a range of candles they lit if the bath was in the evening. However, in the center of the room, he set a thick blue candle. Blue to represent peace, tranquility and calmness.
Then he turned his attention to their oversized bath. Luke dipped his fingers into the water and nodded. The temperature was perfect. He added a scoop of Epsom salts, a half scoop of dried jasmine flowers and a quarter scoop of rose petals.
Running his finger along his selection of essential oils, he set jasmine oil beside the bath, ready to add as he and Garen were about to settle. Jasmine is good for calming stress or anxiety and fatigue. Checking his iPod, Luke picked pan pipes.
“Everything is ready in here.” Luke slipped off his robe as Garen came in. Already naked, Garen held a couple of glasses of wine—a red, which was Garen’s favorite, and a rosé for Luke. Garen set them where they could be easily reached from the bath, then turned to Luke.
With a smile, Luke held out his arms and enfolded Garen in a gentle hug. As Garen readied himself beside the bath, Luke moved the table with the blue candle closer. He added a couple of drops of oil and he and Garen stepped into the bath together.
Luke reached for the candle and held it up as Garen lit it. Then he intoned softly…
“Water run and river flow, goddess, I call you here. Bad thoughts, I let you go. We are calm and have no fear.” He set the candle down, then they settled into the bath. Garen rested against the sloped end, his head on a pillow, and Luke sat between his husband’s spread thighs, leaning back against Garen’s broad chest.
For long moments, they simply lay in the hot, scented water, relaxing and enjoying the simple intimacy.
“Would you like me to wash your hair?” Garen’s voice was a soft whisper in Luke’s ear, and he smiled and nodded.
“Yes. I would.” With a contented sigh, Luke enjoyed the single-minded attention of his husband.
As he did, he indulged all his senses in the hedonistic experience—the scent of the water and his own specially blended shampoo and conditioner, the sound of the music and the water, the gentle light of the candles, the taste of the wine, cool and slightly sweet and finally, the feel of Garen massaging his skull as he washed, then conditioned, Luke’s hair.
“Enjoying it?” Garen asked, his voice deeper than usual and slightly raspy, which always sent tendrils of arousal throughout Luke’s body. His cock swelled, his nipples tightened and he groaned softly.
“Oh, yeah.” Luke ran his hands along Garen’s toned thighs and smooth calves. His own were as furry as his chest, but Garen obviously liked it. Luke twisted around to gaze up into his husband’s eyes and basked in the love he saw. He reached up to stroke his knuckles down Garen’s cheek.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Garen smiled softly. “Let me rinse your hair. “I doubt I can hold out much longer.
“Me either.” Luke wasn’t pandering to his husband. His cock was hard and leaking and he was every bit as eager to be making love.
The rest of their bath was done with the speed and efficiency that Garen was so renowned for. Toweling dry was quick and effective, but the way to their bedroom was slow as they traded kisses along the way.
Once inside the room, Luke smiled as he looked around at the candles, flickering in tall, glass lamps, that illuminated the room, and he inhaled deeply.
“Jasmine. Nice.” Luke stretched out on the bed and reached for Garen.
“Not as nice as you, my love.” Garen eased down slowly, blanketing Luke’s body with his solid weight and using his knees to urge Luke to spread his thighs. He covered Luke’s lips with his own in a soft kiss, gradually increasing the pressure until Luke darted his tongue into Garen’s mouth, earning a low rumble of pleasure.
With a soft sound of his own need, Luke arched up into the contact, letting Garen explore his mouth. When the sensations coursing through his body almost became too much to bear, he wrapped his arms around Garen and ran his hands up and down his husband’s back.
“You’re so beautiful.” Garen murmured the words against Luke’s lips. “Want to make love with you.”
“Yes, my love.” Luke kissed his way from Garen’s lips to his earlobe. “Yes.” Luke sucked on the soft flesh, smiling at the groan from his husband. “Love me, now.”
In reply, Garen left a trail of open-mouthed kisses along Luke’s cheek down Luke’s jaw and pressed his lips against the pulse Luke felt thundering at his throat. Luke gave another soft moan of encouragement, holding Garen in place as his husband sucked hard, nipping and gently biting.
When Luke tilted his head back, giving easier access to his neck, everything else ceased to exist for him other that the scent and feel of the man he adored and the love they shared. Luke gasped his encouragement as Garen licked a path from Luke’s throat down to a hardened nipple.
With the single-minded care that Luke so loved about his husband, Garen scraped his teeth over the sensitive nub, then licked over it to soothe the inflamed flesh.
“Yes…more.” Luke ran his fingers over Garen’s skull, massaging gently as Garen repeated his actions on the other nipple before kissing his way down the center of Luke’s chest, occasionally tugging at the abundant hair.
After dipping his tongue into Luke’s navel and nipping at the rim, Garen looked up, and as Luke gazed deeply into his beloved’s eyes, Garen spoke softly.
“I love you—my nurturer, my soul mate, the other half of me. There will never be anyone else for me but you.”
The words, filled with an equal amount of love and possessiveness, inflamed the primal forces deep within Luke.
Luke reached out to clasp Garen’s hand, and his gaze never faltered as he made his own vow.
“And you are mine—my protector, my soul mate, the other half of me…now and forever.” For a moment, Luke was aware of the way the air shimmered and crackled with the power he and Garen shared. “Make love with me.”
“As you wish.” Garen bent forward to take Luke’s cock into his mouth, sucking slowly, sliding up and down with the same deliberation that Luke knew so well. When Garen finally slid off Luke’s dick and reached for the oil they used, Luke rolled over, resting his head on folded arms and raising his ass high.
The scent of their oil permeated the air, one that Luke had blended himself. Luke gave a purring sound of approval as Garen ran oiled hands across his back and down to his ass cheeks.
But instead of an oiled finger, it was Garen’s tongue that Luke felt at his entrance. Murmuring wordlessly, Luke pressed back into the pleasurable sensations as Garen continued to tongue him, driving the slick muscle inside.
“Oh, yes.” Luke sighed. “More, please.”
Garen’s chuckle sent a delightful vibration through Luke, and he gasped his husband’s name as Garen thrust his tongue deeper. A last sucking kiss and Luke felt the displacement of air as Garen moved back.
As Garen shifted his position, the anticipation built, and the air around Luke shimmered as their power reacted to their display of love and trust. He felt Garen’s cock at his entrance and a thrill of anticipation vibrated through Luke.
“Are you ready?” Garen asked and Luke smiled, loving the way Garen protected him, even when they were making love.
“Yes…more than ready. Join us in body as we are in soul.” Luke looked over his shoulder, locking his gaze briefly with Garen’s before dropping his head and pressing back slowly. The gentle entreaty worked. Garen’s grip of Luke’s hips tightened, holding him in place.
“I love you.” Garen murmured the words softly as he pressed forward and Luke relaxed his body, welcoming his husband inside him.
There were times when they both craved hard and fast, but right then, Luke was glad that Garen slid forward slowly. Luke closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation of Garen sliding deeper, their bodies becoming as unified as their hearts and souls.
When Garen was fully inside, his body pressed hard against Luke’s, he ran a hand over Luke’s back, the touch raising goosebumps in their wake. Luke clenched his inner muscles, indicating he was ready for his husband to move.
Luke raised his head slowly as Garen began. Luke quickly found the right rhythm to rock backward, meeting each of Garen’s thrusts. When Garen’s dick nudged Luke’s prostate, he moaned Garen’s name aloud as waves of ecstasy washed over him.
“Let me do the work.” Garen stretched over Luke’s back, nibbling at his ear, then sat back, pulling Luke with him to sit on his lap, Garen’s cock still buried inside.
With a nod, Luke reached back, running his hands over Garen’s hips as his husband thrust deeper. Garen bit gently at Luke’s neck as he reached around to begin stroking Luke’s neglected dick.
The touch inflamed Luke, and he groaned loudly at the additional stimulation. He twisted slightly, offering more of his throat. Then he tried to rock up into Garen’s hand and press down onto the hard cock impaling him, torn between the two sensations and wanting more of both.
Already Luke’s body was tightening, preparing for release. All his senses were immersed in Garen. The air shimmered, and golden motes danced before his eyes. He was filled with a sense of belonging, of rightness. Luke felt their love like a living entity, strengthening and growing. Their heartbeats thundered in unison until they were no longer two but one being forged by love. Luke felt as if they were soaring, spinning, stretching out into infinity.
And the world exploded. Luke’s body shook with the force of his orgasm, but he still felt their connection coalescing. His pleasure was doubled as he sensed Garen’s climax hit, flooding Luke with his seed.
Exhausted, Luke slumped back against Garen and his husband wrapped his arms tight around him. His last coherent thought was the strength of their bond— two minds, two hearts, two souls joined forever as one.
With his wits slowly recovering, Luke moved onto the bed, burrowing close against Garen as they came fully down from their highs. Words of love and devotion were exchanged until they recovered. Luke raised himself up on one elbow to gaze down at Garen.
