Page 8 of Doubts of the Egoist
Not paying the captive any attention, Kuon made his way to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, facing the window. A little sunlight snuck into the room through the half-drawn curtains. It got caught in the crystal drops of the chandelier and cast colorful, refracted spots on Kuon’s front while his back was washed in the yellow light of the sconces.
“What are you doing?” Yugo frowned, watching the sturdy fingers with bluish nails fumble over the tablecloth and grab a plate. Without bothering to use a fork, Kuon picked up a piece of lamb and shoved it into his mouth. Thick globs of gelatinized meat juices skated down his wrists as he grabbed a larger piece and sank his white teeth into it.
Brown gravy splattered across the white tablecloth as Kuon tore at the food with his fingers and teeth like an animal. From time to time, his fingertips disappeared into his mouth as he licked them clean.
Fascinated, Yugo watched his captor without blinking. The last sparks of rage died as the personification of his dream—naked, strong, and honest in his desires—sat before him.
Sure of the absence of surveillance, Kuon relaxed, ceased to mind his manners, and ate with a wolfish appetite.
“Eating. I’m hungry,” came a mumble after Yugo had lost all hope of an answer. Kuon wiped the grease from his lips with the back of his hand, then sank his teeth into another piece and tore meat off the bone.
“Uncuff me.” Yugo lowered his voice. “Come on.”
The sharp bulge of Kuon’s throat jerked. A moment later, he shook his head and said, mouth full, “Not now.”
“When?”
“When you calm down.” He dropped a bare bone onto the plate before picking up another piece of meat.
“I am calm.” Yugo scowled. The longer he watched Kuon eat, the more ravenous he became. “What are you scared of?”
“Well…You?” Kuon huffed as if the answer was obvious. He opened his mouth and licked off a trickle of meat juice running down his left wrist. “I can’t take such a risk. You’ll have to wait.”
A bolt of desire struck Yugo, blinding him for a beat. He wanted to be the one to lick Kuon like that and be licked with such attention in return. “Then feed me. I’m starving.”
Kuon’s back snapped straight, chin lifting. He pondered for a moment before his hands reached for the table but shrank back. He froze, hesitating, or perhaps afraid to stain the already ruined tablecloth. His head moved from side to side before he cringed and wiped his hands on his bare hips, leaving long, greasy trails glistening in the mixed artificial and natural light. After finding the silver meat dish, he returned to the bed.
CHAPTER 3
Kuon crawled onthree limbs, carrying the plate on his open palm. Darkness swarmed around him as he concentrated on the atmosphere of the room and the smooth silken sheets shifting under his weight. The air felt slightly warmer on one side. He turned right, and his shoulder brushed against Yugo’s raised knee as his hand landed on his stomach—rock hard and searing hot.
The passionate scenes Kuon had tried to eradicate from his mind with the cold shower intruded again. His skin warmed; what little water remained on his back evaporated. He withdrew his hand and sat back on his heels.
“Lift my blindfold, hm?” Yugo murmured in a sugary baritone. “I want to see you.”
Kuon hesitated. Despite the placid undercurrent in Yugo’s voice, it was hard to believe the man could calm down so quickly. Still, finding no harm in the request, he lowered the dish onto the bedsheet and reached for Yugo’s face. An impudent mouth pounced on his hand, warm and velvety tongue lavishing attention on the knuckles and the tender spots between his fingers.
“Mhh, delicious…”
Kuon froze, disturbed by how intimate Yugo’s kiss on his hand felt, perhaps even more so than sex. Sensations sparked in his hazy darkness, confusing and pushing him beyond his comfort level. It felt as if Yugo’s tongue penetrated his flesh to lick his nerve endings. Borderline painful, yet addictively good.He wanted more but didn’t know how to ask for it.
To quell the ill-timed arousal, he rasped, “What are you, a dog?”
“Would that turn you on?” Yugo chuckled against his palm, then caught his hand with his teeth, and shook it like a dog would a toy, growling. Kuon snorted, trying to free his trapped limb and pluck the blindfold off Yugo with his other hand. It took him a second to find the tie’s tail and pull it down. The silk slipping down Yugo’s nose made him unclench his teeth.
Kuon rubbed the edge of his palm where Yugo’s teeth had nearly punctured his skin. It throbbed with heat and served as a warning not to let his guard down. Centering himself, he picked up a piece of lukewarm meat and offered it to his prisoner.
“To the right,” Yugo instructed and groaned when Kuon’s hand hit something soft. “It’s the finest Chinese silk. For fuck’s sake, uncuff me before you completely ruin the bedding.”
Kuon lowered his hand and tilted his head, suspicious. Hating unnecessary waste, he wanted to stop and spare the finest silk from its fate inthe dustbin, but Yugo’saccusation of vandalism rubbed him the wrong way. The Black Duke cared no more for linen than he did for his partners, and he frequently soiled both with cigarette ash and bodily fluids.
The thought scratched his nerves.
Wanting to teach Yugo a lesson and get a little revenge, hebridged the gap between them with an outstretched arm, letting his aim slip just a little. His greasy fingers tangled in thick, smooth hair, and Kuon bit his lip to keep from grinning.
Yugo was right, this game could be fun.
“Are you takingthe piss?” Yugo hissed, ducking aside from the cold meat that greased his cheek and ear. His shoulder bumped against Kuon’s forearm, knocking the dubious treat out of his slippery fingers. The bite landed on Yugo’s chest, tumbled down his pec, and disappeared into the silk folds. Yugo worked his jaw as gravy cooled on his skin, solidifying.Gross…
