Page 15 of Matthew

“No!”

A dark figure appeared in the hall door. A scream welled in Matt’s throat.

Chapter Five

The shadow became two. Neither was the monster. The scream Matt had been ready to unleash died soundless.

Avir and Masok, eyes alight, walked in the kitchen.

“Nice. A bedtime snack,” Avir said, pulling on Matt’s shirt, stripping it from him.

“My favorite.” Masok captured Matt’s mouth with his, pushing his tongue in to stifle desperate whimpers.

“Delicious,” Avir sighed. He swirled his raspy tongue over Matt’s nipple. He sucked it almost as hard as Kom sucked his cock, and Matt was suddenly there, on the brink of explosion.

He tried to shout a warning, but it was too late. Lightning blasted free in shattering bursts, giving him precious seconds of freedom from fear.

He was still gasping when Kom slung him over his shoulder and carried him to the sleeping room. There, the clan teased him until he came again, once more with Avir’s finger in his ass, stroking his cumspot. Afterward, Kom gave him his sedative, though he weakly protested he doubted he needed it after all.

He probably didn’t, because they aroused him again before it took effect. Though he had little seed left for Masok’s eager mouth, the spasms were strong. His loins were still clenching when sleep claimed him, ebbing pleasure following him into the dark.

* * * *

Matt did his best to smile understandingly while Masok grouched the next morning.

“I can’t believe so much nonsense waited for us to take vacation to show up.” The Imdiko piloted his shuttle toward the underground shopping district most local residents preferred. “I’m just glad Avir was able to go to the office and handle it on his own.”

“It’s okay. Life insists on doing its thing, no matter what we plan.”

“That’s the truth. Hey, it gives us the opportunity to buy you some nice clothes and other things.” Masok’s grin and pat on his knee warmed Matt despite his misgivings about their outing.

He glanced at his shirt and pants. Maybe they weren’t high-end and fit badly, but why did it matter what he wore? He was nobody important, no business executive. He wasn’t a big, bad, head-busting Nobek. Just Matthew Larsen, an undersized gay man from what many considered the most backward planet besides Trag.

“It was funny to see Kom in clothes,” he said to distract himself. It had been stranger to witness him dressed in slacks and shirt as nice as what Masok wore.

Masok chuckled. “He should go on more job interviews. He does clean up nice. Matt, I’m so glad…and relieved…you and Kom are home. You have no idea.”

Matt’s warm, fluttery feelings increased. “He wasn’t overly dressed for a dock security position?”

“Presentation is everything, even for a spaceport job. Especially a supervisory position. Ah, here’s the landing pad. No vehicles allowed in the underground.”

A few Kalquorians and Earthers were walking to and from the shuttle parking. Matt spotted Earther men walking hand-in-hand with their Kalquorian companions. His anxiety edged down a notch.

I’m safe here. I have nothing to worry about on this planet.

He drew a deep breath and exited the shuttle behind Masok. When the Imdiko took his hand, he quelled the urge to jerk away.

A couple of lone Kalquorians passing them glanced at him and Masok and smiled. Masok snorted and tossed his hair back. “Along with women of any kind, you and I will get a lot of attention. Imdikos are kind of rare, so Dramoks and Nobeks can be flirty until they’re told to shove off. Which I have no problem doing on my behalf and yours.” His eyes twinkled as he glanced at Matt. “You might be too cute for them to resist, even if I threaten to kick their asses. Be ready to bite those knees.”

Matt laughed.

An elevator-like conveyance took them down to the underground market and living area, which had once been a vast mine. Matt saw his first free-standing buildings on Kalquor. As long as they were underground, such structures were permitted.

He goggled at the vid stretching across the smooth ceiling overhead. The broadcasted sky stretched wide and blue over them and those who strolled through the marketplace. The place was a hive of activity, crowded by clubs, restaurants, and stores. There was a breeze. There was no way to tell they weren’t in an open-air market.

There was so much to see, and they were early for the appointment Masok had set. The Imdiko set an indulgent pace so Matt could explore as they walked through an area consisting mostly of restaurants, then another of clubs. Each was set up like a large square. A statue stood in the center of the first, and a fountain in the next. Buskers entertained there as well, and Matt wondered if his playing would gain any attention were he to bring the Martin. Most of the musicians he noted weren’t bad. One was particularly talented. The lone Earther, scraping his bow on a poorly tuned violin, made him wince, but the guy was handsome and he was winning tips and come-ons from the Kalquorian men who stopped to watch him play.

Matt hated the thought of people paying him because of his looks and not because he possessed actual talent. He sighed as he watched the violinist.

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