Page 99 of Under His Heel

Tracht’s expression rarely strayed from the completely blank mask, but when it did, Alex could see moments of absolute fury. Alex clutched at his bondcollar and was suddenly one hundred percent certain he’d made the right choice.

When Tracht threw the cat down, the room was silent save for the heavy breathing from both him and Parsons. Parsons was barely standing upright anymore; Alex was sure that if he weren’t cuffed to the beam, Parsons would have slipped to the floor.

Sweat dripped down Tracht’s forehead. “Alex. Come here.”

Without any hesitation, Alex closed the space between them. Tracht gripped him roughly and pulled him into a searing kiss, pressing their bodies so close that Alex could feel Tracht’s erection against him. Yeah. Of course this would have turned Tracht on.

Tracht pulled on Alex’s shirt just enough to be able to stick his hand under it, and he started pulling and scratching at Alex’s skin, still kissing him rough and messy.

This was so messed up. Alex kissed back, and he ignored the burning in his eyes or how his heart was beating twice as fast. He let Tracht push him against the wall, and simply tried to meet Tracht half way, their hips grinding against each other. A moan filled the air, his or Tracht’s, he didn’t know.

Finally Tracht pulled back, his lips slightly redder, his hair disheveled. He settled his forehead against Alex’s and closed his eyes.

He took a deep breath, and then stepped away.

When he spoke, he was emotionless once more. “Mr. Parsons.”

Parsons’ head jerked up, and he hissed loudly. The wounds on his back had to be excruciating.

“You will be confined to this room. I cannot trust you even with the most menial of tasks. Dr. Singh will treat your back.”

Parsons let out a pained chuckle. “Why… why bother?” His voice was hoarse and broken.

Tracht circled around so he and Parsons were facing each other. “Have you heard the story of Prometheus?”

When Parsons didn’t reply, Tracht went on, “He was a god who stole fire from the other gods and then gave it to humans. In punishment, Zeus, the king of gods, chained Prometheus up and had a large bird peck out his innards.

“Since Prometheus was a god, he couldn’t die. So he would heal every night, and in the morning, the bird would come to peck at him, pulling him apart all over again. Prometheus spent eternity in agony.” Tracht got in close and gripped Parsons’ shoulder. “You’re mortal, so I can’t rip you apart, but rest assured that I can cause you a lot of agony in our remaining time in space.” And then he raked his fingernails down Parsons’ bloody back.

Parsons screamed.

Alex wrapped his arms around himself and tried to ignore the sound.

When Parsons’ scream ended—in a loud, disgusting sob—Tracht stepped away. “Alex, unbind Mr. Parsons.”

Alex scrambled to do as he was asked. He avoided looking at Tracht’s bloodied hand as he passed by.

He tried to be gentle, but the moment he undid the cuffs Parsons slumped to the ground with a loud grunt. He was lucky enough not to have landed on his back, at least, but Alex had the urge to pick him up and put him face down on the cot.

“We’re leaving, Alex.”

Yeah, not arguing with Tracht. Alex glared at Parsons one last time—why did he have to be so stupid?— and followed Tracht out.

[Chapter 31]

They walked back to Tracht’s quarters in silence. The short elevator ride was torture.

Once inside, Tracht immediately sat down on the couch and gave Alex a look.

Alex hurried to remove Tracht’s boots, carefully kissing each one. He pulled the socks off too, and kissed the arch of each foot separately, carefully.

He flinched when Tracht placed his hand on Alex’s head. The bloodied hand.

“Did I scare you, Alex?” Tracht asked.

“No,” Alex growled, because he wasn’t a coward. He looked up at Tracht and inched closer, laying his head on Tracht’s thigh. “But, uh, do you… do you want to do that to me?”

“Hmm.” Tracht continued to stroke Alex’s scalp. “I would enjoy it, I think. Seeing your back split open like that. But—” and here Tracht chuckled, “I have found, lately, that I would much rather keep you.”

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