BlackMoonRising (5 page)

“Go on,” Steve coaxed.

“I was supposed to go over there at one. Barbara was at the
country club, where she spends many a day and evening, so I knew Dad and I
would be alone. As soon as I entered the house, I heard him moaning. I raced
into the living room where he usually spends his waking hours in front of the
television. That was the room where all the whaling tools were displayed. But
one of the leaning knives had been stabbed into his back.” Herman’s words
caught in his throat, causing him to break down. He sobbed uncontrollably.

Steve went to Herman’s side of the booth and held him. “I’m
so sorry, Herman. That’s something no one should have to see.”

It took a few minutes before Herman stopped crying and wiped
his tears on a napkin. He looked into Steve’s eyes and they kissed with a
gentleness Herman hadn’t thought possible. This loss of control was something
Herman needed to accept his dad’s death and move forward. He was relieved to
get it all out. “Thank you. I think I’m ready to continue.”

“We can stop.”

“No. Let me go on.” Herman let out a breath. “Being a
firefighter, I know basic emergency medical treatment. When you have an object
impaled in someone, it shouldn’t be removed until the person is at the hospital
in surgery. Instead of helping the patient, more damage can be done. The knife
was heavy and hanging out of his back at an odd angle, pulling down on whatever
it compromised. I knew it was probably a mortal wound but I had to try. All I
did was hold it stable with one hand so it couldn’t move farther. I told him I
was there right before he passed out. I hope he realized it was me because I
wouldn’t have wanted him to think he was alone.”

“I’m sure he knew you were there.”

“I pulled my phone from my pocket with my other hand. I was
ready to dial 911 when Barbara came in and started screaming bloody murder. I
tried to talk to her, to help her understand what I was doing but she wouldn’t
listen. She called 911 instead of me.” Herman clenched his fists. “Looks bad,
doesn’t it?”

Steve nodded. “Yep. I’m sorry, but it does.”

“My fingerprints are all over that knife. Even as a child, I
was allowed to hold all the tools.”

“Your childhood fingerprints would have been gone a long
time ago. They don’t stay on an object, due to the oils. The fingerprints will
only be your adult fingerprints and the murderer’s.”

“What if the murderer wore gloves?”

“Then it looks even worse for you. We need to find out what
really happened.”

“I didn’t get to go to his funeral.” Herman’s stomach
tightened. “I’m such a bad son.”

“No!” Steve fired back. “You are not a bad son. This was a
situation beyond your control. We need to fix it.”

They both looked down at their salads but neither felt like
eating.

“I have an idea,” Steve put up a finger. “Let’s finish our
drinks and take our salads to go. We’ll go pick up the book.”

Herman nodded.

They walked the blocks in silence until they reached Mike
and Amelia’s home. Herman opened the door and their cat ran out from a bedroom.
It stopped short at seeing Steve and rapidly retreated.

“What’s up with the cat?” asked Herman. “Never saw him do
that before.”

“That can be a story for another day.” Steve smiled. “Let’s
just say that cats don’t like me.”

Herman eyebrows rose. “Oh.” He grabbed the book from his
bedroom and brought it to Steve. “It’s stored in this custom clamshell case to
help preserve it. Dad told me the book was the publisher’s blue-cloth edition
and first binding. It has a little wear and tear but I guess that’s to be
expected from something this old.”

Steve opened the case and glanced at the book. “You sure you
trust me with this?”

“Yes.”

Steve sat the case down on the table. “Do you trust me
enough to move into my place for safety? Your friends might be in danger with
you living here.”

“Seriously?”

Steve nodded. “There is a warrant out for your arrest. Not
only are you a target for recovery agents and the police, but the real murderer
is still out there.”

“I wouldn’t want any trouble for them. They were here for me
with no questions asked. Plus Amelia is pregnant.”

“Then you definitely need to leave.”

“I guess I could.” Herman glanced at Steve. “You’d be
willing to put me up?”

“I thought about this last night and all morning. I even
confessed everything to my mother. She thought it was a safer idea for you to
do that, rather than stay where you are.”

Herman moved closer. “You’ve been wonderful to me.”

“My place is a mess though. I’m not a good housekeeper.”
Steve shrugged. “I barely cook and rarely clean.”

“I’m not worried about that. I’m more upset about not
deserving your trust with the way I treated you in the past.”

“The past is over.” Steve put a hand on Herman’s cheek.
“This can be a new beginning if you want it to be. Think about it. You don’t
need to give me an answer now. We can take it slow.”

He put his arms around Steve’s neck and they kissed gently.
The closeness they felt from talking about Herman’s problems was apparent in
their touch. All of the fearful emotions that had haunted Herman suddenly
faded. He was thrilled that Steve had enough forgiveness in his heart to try to
make this work, to take a chance on him after what he had done.

By the time they reached Steve’s apartment they were more
than ready to have sex. It had been difficult keeping their hands to themselves
on the bus ride over. The smiles as they looked and lusted on the public bus
without touching made Herman’s heart pound. The walk from the bus stop to
Steve’s apartment made Herman dizzy with desire as he thought about what the
next hour would hold. The kissing started in earnest as soon as they closed the
door. Steve’s lips covered Herman’s with firm pressure that spiraled out of
control. As their arms wrapped tightly around one another in a clutch they
suddenly lost their footing and stumbled over a pile of shoes in the middle of
the floor.

“Don’t worry about the mess. That’s not why you’re here.”
Steve smiled.

He pulled Herman into the bedroom, where they abandoned
their clothes to another pile on the floor. Steve crawled on top of Herman and
they kissed long and deep and passionately. Their dicks pushed against one
another, hardening with each touch of skin on skin. Steve straddled him and
they ground their cocks against each other, both groaning with need.

“Your rod is something else,” Steve breathed out as he ground
into Herman again. “It’s big and hard and beautiful, just like the rest of you.
You’re my kind of man. Sexy and strong and smart. You know that, don’t you?”

“I’m getting the picture.” Herman smiled. Steve was
attracted to him and the feeling was definitely mutual. He’d never felt so
wanted.

Steve kissed Herman’s lips and neck and moved down his chest
slowly, devouring every inch of his body with his lips and tongue. Herman
shivered from the excitement and couldn’t help but grin. When Steve’s face
reached his shaft, Herman opened his thighs and it bobbed over to the right,
hard and curved against his flat abdomen. Steve looked up to Herman’s face and
smiled.

“Hottest fucking fireman I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
And what do you know? He’s in my bed.” Steve chuckled. “I’m gonna suck his dick
and pummel his ass. You’re mine, lover.”

Steve squeezed Herman’s cock tightly and dipped his head
down to capture the drop of pre-come that escaped from the slit. His mouth
covered the head as he sucked and licked and acted like he couldn’t get enough.
He looked up to Herman for approval.

“Oh, yes, baby,” Herman purred. “Don’t stop now.”

Herman moaned as Steve twirled his tongue around the girth,
pulling each ball into his mouth one at a time and sucking gently. He lifted up
Herman’s thighs and pushed them against his chest. Steve teased his anus with
his tongue and Herman almost came off the bed with desire. Herman felt more
pleasure these last couple of days than he had known for years. He moved his
ass rhythmically, wanting more. He needed to feel Steve inside him.

“I want to fuck you so bad,” moaned Steve as he raised his
head.

Herman wet his dry lips with his tongue. “You said I’m
yours. That means I’m not going to say no. Take me any way you want.”

Steve flipped Herman over on his side. After grabbing a
condom and lube from his bedside table, he slipped on the condom and covered
his erection with the lube. He nudged at the entrance to Herman’s muscled ass
and sank his dick in slowly, inch by inch. Herman moaned with delight as each
movement opened him more. Finally moving deep within his body, Steve gradually
pumped harder with Herman meeting every thrust. They found their pace and the
fucking intensified.

Herman put a hand on his own shaft and started stroking. His
grip was slow and leisurely. He wanted this encounter with Steve to last as
long as it could.

“Jerk off for me while I fuck you,” murmured Steve as he
watched over his shoulder. He squeezed some lube onto Herman’s hand.

Herman rubbed it over his rod. He stroked and played and
enjoyed knowing that Steve was watching him fuck his fist. He loosened his hand
a little, so that Steve could see his dick better. Then he’d hold tight, so
that his cock head poked out of his hand and drove Steve wild.

“Love it,” moaned Steve.

The sounds of slick flesh being manhandled added to the heat
between the two of them. It didn’t take long until Herman’s body tightened with
desire as the rod in his hand and the one in his ass took him to the edge of
reason. He suddenly couldn’t think anymore. He wouldn’t last much longer and
the speed on his shaft increased.

“You’re so hot,” groaned Steve as he continued to stroke
inside Herman. “Come for me. Aim it toward my mouth.”

Herman felt his release upon him. He slowed down on his
stroking, to make his orgasm hit hard. Moments later, it tore through him. It
was so powerful that he was unable to focus on anything but the pleasure. His
aim was off with his come as it shot in spurts passed Steve’s open mouth, but
it didn’t matter. They both enjoyed it. Seconds later, Steve stiffened and came
with a shout inside Herman.

They held each other as their heart rates slowed down. Arms
touched, fingers intertwined. Steve stayed inside, filling him and causing
overwhelming feelings.

“You’re incredible,” Steve breathed. He put his head next to
Herman’s and sighed. “I think I need a nap.”

Herman thought that he and Steve fit together like a puzzle
piece that had found where it belonged. Their time together since reconnecting
had been wonderful. He closed his eyes. He loved every second spent with Steve,
every kiss, every caress, every thrust of his cock. Having Steve inside him was
something he didn’t want to ever end.

Muffled noises later on, in the dead of night, startled
Herman enough to wake him. It was obvious that Steve having a nightmare. He
whimpered in his sleep, thrashed around the bed from side to side.

Herman shook him roughly. “Steve, wake up!”

Steve didn’t, just mumbled incoherently. Herman’s throat
ached as he held back the tears from watching him. How horrible for Steve. His
arms held Steve in the dark until the dream passed and all became quiet again.

Steve checked his phone. Eleven thirty. He and his brother
were in the parking lot of the country club. Barbara had been going there every
day this week and today was no different. They had followed her BMW from home
into the lot a few minutes ago.

Stakeouts could be boring if nothing went on. The first few
hours this morning were tedious as the brothers waited down the street from
Barbara’s home for some movement on her part. Since Herman was no longer a
suspect, Beck Recovery had decided to focus on Barbara.

“So Herman is at your place?”

“Yep.”

“You two an item?”

Steve turned to Eric. “Don’t be telling anyone outside our
family.”

“Gotcha.” Eric made a motion of pulling a zipper over his
lips.

Barbara talked on her phone and laughed as she exited her
car. She went into the club through the main entrance and was lost from sight.

Once they found out that Roberto — one of the famous
Merlotti wolves — was a member of the club, everything changed. Roberto was
evil and manipulative — at least that was what two former employees and one
ex-girlfriend had told the Becks, who had no personal knowledge of the man. He
had been off the radar for quite a while. He’d lain low, not getting into any
trouble, since his brother had been put in jail fifteen years ago.

The brothers glanced around the parking lot.

“Wanna shift and do some nosing around?” asked Eric.

“You sure there aren’t wolves patrolling the grounds? I bet
they’d love a tasty snack.”

“I didn’t see any of them yesterday. Besides, they wouldn’t
be out patrolling during the day. Wolves don’t own this place. Merlotti is only
a member.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Not completely, but we should know soon.”

“Wonder if he’s here. Do you know what kind of car he
drives?”

“No car registered to him and the last known address is
actually an old apartment that he’d never live in. Too shabby for a Merlotti
family member.”

“How about we shift to a couple of cute little nondescript
dogs? We’re getting nowhere here. At least we can sneak a look through the back
windows of the club and see what’s going on.” Steve put his passenger-side
window down and unbuttoned his shirt.

A few minutes later, two small dogs peeked out of the open
window and jumped from the car. One was a beagle mix and the other looked more
like a terrier of some sort. They moved stealthily between the cars to the back
of the club, hiding in the bushes by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A door opened and an older man walked outside with Barbara.
They strolled along the concrete walkway away from the building as the dogs
glanced at each other. Once the couple made it farther out onto the grounds,
the pooches followed quietly at a distance.

“Barbara, we’d love to place a stone or plant a tree in one
of our gardens to commemorate your husband. Since he became ill, many people
around here had missed seeing him. We were shocked by his death at the hands of
his own son.”

“Thank you for your kind words.” Barbara smiled. “I know
Lawrence would love to be remembered that way.” She put her hands inside her
coat pockets. “It’s chillier than I thought it would be today.”

They came to an area of rock and stone garden beds full of
tall grasses, spiraeas and low-growing evergreen shrubs. Barbara sat down on a
wooden bench. The dogs inched between the shrubs nearby to listen.

“Thank you, Cyrus. Please let me know when it’s time to pick
something out.”

“Will do.” He nodded. “Here comes Roberto.” Cyrus turned to
the handsome man with salt-and-pepper hair. He had on a dark overcoat and black
leather gloves.

“Cyrus, thank you for keeping Barbara company for me.”

Cyrus bowed. “See you two inside.” He started walking back
to the building.

Roberto sat down next to her. “Any news about Herman?”

“No. I’m afraid not.”

“I’m tired of waiting for the police or recovery agents to
pick him up.” He crossed his legs. “Some of my own people are looking for him.
Don’t fret. We’ll get that bastard.”

The dogs turned to each other. Steve couldn’t help but
whimper at the news.

“I feel guilty seeing you so soon in public.”

“Public, private. What does it matter? We can finally be
together. After a reasonable time period, we’ll marry.”

“Please, Roberto.” She shook her head. “I can’t think about
anything like that right now.”

“In due time.” He took her hand and held it inside his
gloved hands. “You’re shivering.”

“I forgot my gloves today.” She smiled.

He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Let’s go
inside and have lunch. I have a business meeting later.”

When they stood, Roberto saw Steve and Eric in the shrubs.
He stared a moment and the expression on his face darkened. He picked up a
handful of small stones from the garden and started throwing them at the dogs.
As they ran, his aim became better.

“What are you doing?” Barbara asked, frowning. “They’re so
little. You’re going to hurt them.”

“Hurting them is the objective. They’re not supposed to be
on the premises.” Roberto picked up more stones. He continued to bombard the
dogs, hitting his marks numerous times as they hurried away. A last stone hit
the beagle mix squarely on its left hip, and it fell to the ground with a thud.

“Oh dear.” Barbara gasped, putting a hand to her mouth.

“Leave it for the wolves,” Roberto hissed as he turned away.

“Wolves? Here?”

He laughed. “I’m joking, Barbara. Quit taking everything I
say so literally.” He took her arm with his gloved hand. “Let’s go.”

Roberto and Barbara started for the club and moved out of
sight just in time. Steve and Eric had shifted back into human form on the
ground.

“Steve, Steve.” Eric shook him. “Wake up.”

Steve opened his eyes, but then closed them again. “Are they
gone?”

“Yes.”

“I hurt all over,” Steve said.

“Me too. That bastard.”

“He knew we were shifters.”

“I’m sure of it.”

“Those two obviously have something going on. I didn’t like
what he said about his people looking for Herman.”

Eric let out a breath. “Scary. But they didn’t actually say
anything about killing the elder Mr. Fleming. He just acted like Herman did
it.”

“Right. They didn’t admit it this time. I need to rest a few
minutes but I won’t be able to shift again. You’ll have to go to the car and
get our clothes.”

Eric glanced around them. “Looks like nobody’s out here.
Damn cold, though.” He crossed his arms and rubbed them together.

“He hurt my leg and my arm.” He moved his right side and
grimaced in pain.

“I’m already feeling sore too. We’re sure to have bruises
later.”

“I saw that blown pupil you were talking about. It certainly
stands out. Could have been from a previous traumatic eye injury.”

“Yeah, I thought so too.” Eric stood. “I’ll be back as soon
as I can.”

Steve closed his eyes and let his body rest. He hoped he
would be able to get up by the time Eric returned.

* * * * *

Herman was shocked at Steve’s appearance when he entered the
apartment. His right eye looked bruised and his cheeks were swollen. “What
happened? Tell me!” He jumped up from the couch.

“There’s something we need to discuss first. Sit back down.”

He fell to the couch. “What’s going on?”

“I’m a shapeshifter.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Herman croaked.
“That’s kind of an important piece of information.”

“I’m sorry, Herman. We’ve had enough issues with your
problems that I hadn’t thought about telling you mine. Eric is one and so was
my dad. Suzy and my mom aren’t.”

“What do you shift to?”

“My family can only be domestic dogs.” Steve shrugged. “I
was told that a hundred years ago my ancestors could shift into any animal they
chose. But living in this city, even all those years ago, it wasn’t normal to
see a tiger or bear. A dog always blends in. I don’t know whether it was by
choice or necessity but it happened and stayed with us.”

He shook his head. “Unfuckingbelievable. It’s one thing
after another with you. Since we haven’t known each other very long, I guess
I’m on a need-to-know basis. Is there anything else you’re not telling me? Any
other issues that will shock me when I’m least expecting it?”

Steve cocked an eyebrow. “I could ask you the same
question.”

“Really?” Herman snorted. “Is that the best you can do? No,
Steve, I have no other secrets. I’m just a boring, gay human firefighter who is
on the run from the law for a murder he didn’t commit. The bounty hunter out
for my arrest hid me in his apartment, where we have hot-blooded sex that I
hope will never end. End of my fucking story.”

Herman went into the bedroom, slammed the door and threw
himself on the bed. Not only was he in hiding for a crime he didn’t commit,
he’d fallen for a guy with his own issues. His life was a mess. He didn’t know
if this whole romance thing was a good idea or not. But damn, why was their
private time together so passionate? Why did things feel so right? Why was he
already in love?

Steve knocked on the door. He opened it and peeked around
the corner. “I’m sorry. Can I come in?”

Maybe Herman should go with the flow. Throw caution to the
wind. Live and let live. All the clichés. He let out a breath. “Yeah. Why not?
It’s your place. Your messy place.”

“You now know all my secrets, Herman. One, I still have
nightmares about my dad’s death. Two, I had anxiety about why you left me.
Three, I’m a shapeshifter. Four, I’m gay. That’s it.”

“All right.” Herman shrugged. “Whatever. You shouldn’t have
anxiety about me anymore because we’re both gay and we spend a lot of time
naked together. Two of your issues are gone. I do know a little about
paranormals. We have a couple at the fire station. There’s a shifter who is a
firefighter, and a vamp who works a desk job since he can’t get near fire. I’m
comfortable with them, but wasn’t expecting this from you.”

“How many times do I have to say I’m sorry? I truly didn’t
mean to keep this from you.”

Herman put up a hand. “Let me finish. I’ve never had a
paranormal as a lover and have no complaints so far. I guess you’ll have to let
me know when something comes up that is unfamiliar to me. Keep me in the loop
and let me learn. We’ll see how it goes.”

Steve smiled. “I will.”

“Now three of your issues are gone. I don’t know what we’re
going to do about the dad nightmares. Something to work on.” Herman’s eyebrows
rose. “Are you ever going to shapeshift during sex?”

“No.” Steve leaned over the bed and gave Herman a quick
kiss.

“How about when there’s a full moon?”

Steve froze. “Yes. We are compelled to shift during a full
moon.” He pulled his phone from a pocket and opened the calendar. “That reminds
me. This is February and there are two dark cycles of the moon this month.
Guess you’re safe.” He pinched Herman’s arm.

Herman let out a breath. “Now tell me why you look beat up.”

Steve explained what had happened to him and Eric at the
club. “I’m sure that Merlotti and Barbara have something going on. There have
been many calls to and from the club on her phone.”

“I’m not surprised.” He shook his head in dismay. “My dad was
good to her, too.”

“We still have no proof of anyone killing him.”

“What about that Merlotti guy?”

“There was nothing to indicate forced entry into the house.
We studied the police report and checked everything out the day we were there
looking for you.”

“Maybe Barbara gave him a key.”

“Possible.” Steve nodded. He winced as he pulled off his
shirt. Bruised areas were starting to show up on his arms and chest.

“That looks painful.” Herman glanced at his injured lover’s
body.

“A little.”

“Let me help you get cleaned up. You’ll take some
anti-inflammatories and rest tonight.”

They moved to the bathroom, where Herman tugged off Steve’s
pants. There were areas on his legs where bruises showed. As he pulled down
Steve’s briefs, he moved to his knees on the floor and kissed each perfectly
protruding hipbone. He felt horrible that Steve was hurt.

He moved to Steve’s cock and pulled it fully into his mouth.
His lips sucked and his tongue twirled as Steve’s rod grew larger. He only
wanted for Steve to feel better. He kissed the velvety head gently.

“This will make me forget my bad day.” Steve tried to smile
but lost his balance and stumbled to one side. “Oops. Almost fell.”

Herman stood. He refused to let Steve get hurt further
today. “Let me turn on the water and you can sit on the shower seat. It’s less
dangerous than you standing.” An elderly woman had lived in the apartment
before Steve, and had left a shower seat intact inside the tub. It was perfect
for relaxation and, hopefully, the sex that hadn’t yet been attempted.

As soon as the water was hot, Steve sat down on the thick
plastic seat and closed his eyes. The water rushed down and quickly steamed up
the bathroom. Herman removed his own clothes and climbed in. He went to his
knees in front of Steve and spread his legs. He caressed his dick and balls
with wet fingers and pressed his mouth to Steve’s inner thighs with quick licks
and kisses.

Herman looked up. “If you’re able to scoot your butt to the
end of the seat, I can suck your cock and finger your ass at the same time.”

“Mmm.” Steve grinned and did what he was told.

Herman moved his mouth to Steve’s shaft and swirled his
tongue around the beautiful head. He took it completely into his mouth, and
savored the slickness in the back of his throat. His finger slid over Steve’s
balls and into his tight ass. Steve moaned as Herman’s slippery finger moved
back and forth through the thick ring of muscles, so he added another. The only
thing that mattered right now was for Steve to feel better.