Storm and Lightning began on the 13th January. Catch up here: week one, week two, week three, week four, week five, week six, week seven, week eight, week nine, week ten, week eleven, week twelve, week thirteen, week fourteen, week fifteen, week sixteen, week seventeen, week eighteen, week nineteen, week twenty, week twenty-one, week twenty-two

On a mining colony planet a long way from Earth, bandit Jedd Lightning dreams of making enough money to get off the planet for good. When a robbery at a high-class brothel goes wrong, he meets gorgeous rentboy Storm and is instantly smitten. But Storm has a few surprises up his sleeve, and when Jedd helps him escape, he realises he might have taken on more than he can handle…

JL Merrow and Lou Harper are once again my fabulous beta readers – any remaining mistakes are my own. Lou Harper also designed my fabulous banner artwork. Check out more of her cover art here.

But now, on with the story:

The stone hummed in Storm’s hand, vibrations running through his body. It wanted to be against his skin. He sensed its contentment when he slipped the glove off and held it in his naked palm.

He didn’t realise they’d nearly reached the end of the alleyway until Jedd’s arm came out to block his way.

“Would you stop looking at that thing?” Jedd hissed. “You’ll draw attention if you wander around looking like you’re holding something valuable. You want to get robbed?”

Storm blinked, shaking off the trance-like state the stone had lulled him into. “Robbed? Is that likely?”

“We’re in the Market Quarter—of course it’s likely. You’ve got an inside pocket in your shirt. Try that, if you want to keep your precious rock safe.”

Prickles of annoyance jabbed at Storm’s psyfield. And was that jealousy? Surely not. Captain Gorgeous was getting narked at having to compete for Storm’s attention. Storm grinned and pulled down the front fastening of his shirt, watching Jedd’s pupils dilate, his breathing grow shallow. Seduction was way too easy, the learned techniques coming automatically. “Can you help me find my pocket?” he purred. “I’ve no idea where it is.”

“Fucking hell. We don’t have time for this.” Jedd grabbed the stone out of Storm’s hand and shoved it into his shirt, finding the interior pocket far too quickly. “There.” Jedd pulled his hand out, but not before giving Storm’s nipple a rough tweak, drawing a gasp from him as sensation sizzled through his body. “Now, are you going to pay attention properly? We have to head back to Bluebird and get planning. We need to study the maps to figure out where we’re going tonight, and we need to pack up everything we might need, okay? I’ll need you to concentrate, not start mooning over some stupid rock.”

“It’s not just a rock. It’s something more.” He needed Jedd to understand, not think he was soft in the head. “It’s interacting with my psyfield in some way. I think it’s important. Maybe it was left by my people. Some kind of tool. There were other things in that box that looked like Jiali crafts.”

“Your people?” The annoyance simmered down, and Jedd fixed Storm with a forlorn yet tender gaze. “If this was from them, they’re long gone. Yakin said this was found in some ruins.”

“That’s just one settlement. There’ll be others out there still, hiding. There has to be.”

Jedd gave him a long look, and for a moment Storm thought he was going be told he was just kidding himself. But then Jedd’s hand came out to stroke the strip of skin between his mask and bandana. “Maybe. We can go look. After we’ve got Marty back.”

“You’d help me? Seriously?” They could cover so much more ground in Bluebird than Storm would be able to by foot.

“Sure. It’s gonna be too damn dangerous to hang out in the city any longer, anyway. I know some places we can lie low in the desert. We can take a few day trips. Comb the sand.”

Emotion welled up inside Storm.. “Thank you.” He blinked hard, willing the tears to dry up. Damn this human body Jedd had given him. It teared up way too easily. He concentrated instead on the gentle song of the stone threading through his mind, not as overpowering now it wasn’t pressed to his naked skin. “Sorry I got distracted.”

“No worries. Just stay focused and help me out. I’m going to need your help.” Jedd’s hand squeezed Storm’s shoulder, the touch grounding him.

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all I ask.” Jedd quirked his lips, the half-smile tugging inside Storm in a way the smooth grins never did.

After that, the journey back to Bluebird was relatively uneventful. As Jedd had promised, Storm’s outfit didn’t attract undue attention, and nobody seemed to want to jump his bones, which was a relief. At one point a menacing looking guy stepped out in front of him, but a snarl from Jedd made him back off pretty sharpish. Storm winked and tipped his hat at the man, his stride growing jauntier with every step. Yes, this could work. He could have a life, of sorts, outside of the brothel. He just had to keep covered up at all times.

When they reached the ship Jedd directed him to the cockpit and sat in what was clearly the captain’s chair. Storm took the other chair and unlaced his boots, flexing his toes with relief while Jedd fired up the main computer. He pulled his bandana down, now there was only Jedd around to distract. “Are we going somewhere, then?”

“Huh? Oh, no, I’m not flying her. Not yet. I just wanted to use the viewscreen.”

As Jedd gestured towards the windows, Storm noticed for the first time a second transparent layer in front of them, which darkened and flashed up a “starting up” message. Jedd’s thick fingers danced across the console screen in front of him, a series of diagrams flashing up on the main screen. “So, this is the street plan of Artaxico’s neighbourhood.”

Storm stared up at the maze of streets, watching as a red star appeared along an unnamed, narrow passageway.

Jedd continued tapping at his screen. “This is where we came out of the cellars, and this is where Artaxico’s palazzo is.” A yellow block appeared in close proximity to the star.

“They’re really close.”

“Exactly, and if I’m right, there should be a way into the cellars from those tunnels.”

“So we need a map of the tunnels.”

Jedd grimaced. “Chance’d be a fine thing. The main sewer systems are mapped, but I can’t find a single poxy trace of the smaller passageways. I’m guessing they were originally meant to be for sneaking in black market goods.”

“Or escape routes, or so lovers could meet in secret.” There was something strangely romantic about the idea of two Talmaki from opposing families, so in love with each other they’d risk sneaking around in the sewers in order to spend time together.

Jedd raised an eyebrow. “Maybe. Whatever they’re for, it’s clearly something the architects didn’t want common knowledge. So, I can only overlay the main sewerage map.” A second set of coloured lines appeared on the screen.

“They follow the main roads.”

“Exactly, and I think it must have been here where we found the secret door into the tunnels, and then we headed this way.” Jedd leant forward. He trailed a fingertip across the map, leaving a silvery line in its wake. “Ending up here, meaning there must have been a side passage we missed to get to Artaxico’s.”

Storm frowned at the line Jedd had added. It passed near Artaxico’s, but even then a whole other building stood between them. “No. There were no side passages.”

“Are you sure? It was pretty dark.”

“I’d remember. And we didn’t leave there. It was here.” He touched his finger to the main screen, pleased to see it light up green where he touched.”

“How can you know? I didn’t have a clue which way we were going.”

“Seriously? How do you ever manage to get anywhere?” Trying to explain the way his sense of direction hadn’t fled, even when in the dark, would be almost impossible. Humans clearly didn’t sense things the same way. “I always know which way I’m facing, and I can remember how many steps I took, and where the passage turned.” He traced his finger across the map. “Now I remember it took me fifty-four steps to walk this piece of road, so that must mean that twenty-seven steps would take me about this far…” He worked the calculations quickly in his head. It was second nature after growing up among the dunes. If you didn’t count your footsteps then, you might never make it home again. When he’d finished, a precise line zig-zagged its way across the map, this time passing right alongside the limits of Artaxico’s home. “We need to take the eighth door on the left, after turning right out of the cellar we left from last time.”

“Shit. You’ve gotta be yanking my chain.” Jedd’s face was a picture of shocked disbelief, eyes wide, jaw hanging open. “You sure about this?”

“I’m positive. Well, ninety-nine percent positive. We were running at times, so I’m not sure if my pace length was consistent.”

“I was thinking we’d have to try dozens of doors before we hit on the right one, and you’re telling me we can just head straight there?”

Storm nodded. “If I’m wrong, it’s only going to be by one door either way.”

“A maximum of three to try, then?” Jedd’s face transformed into a slow smile. “You know what that means, then?”

“We save ourselves some hassle?”

“Even better.” Jedd lounged back in his chair, a glint in his eyes. “Artaxico doesn’t return from the Senate till nineteen-thirty, at least. We’ve just gone and gained ourselves an extra couple of hours. And since it’s not going to take more than half an hour to pack what we need…” Jedd’s legs fell open, the invitation as blatant as the rapidly engorging flesh at his crotch. “I figure we’ve got a few spare minutes recreation time.”

Storm crossed his arms. “And what makes you think I’d want to spend them with you?”

“Aww, come on. I know you want it.” Jedd rubbed his thigh slowly, the motion pulling the fabric tight over his erection.

“I do, do I?” Storm kept perfectly still, ordering his mouth not to salivate. There was no way he was letting Jedd find out just how much he wanted him. The resulting arrogance would be unbearable.

“Yeah, you do. I had to practically drag you off me earlier.”

“That was then. Maybe I just wanted to get the taste of that awful thornapple tea out of my mouth.”

But Jedd’s smug smile didn’t drop. If anything, his eyes crinkled up at the corners even further. “You were gagging for a big sausage to finish up with. Come on. Admit it. You couldn’t help yourself. No one can, when faced with the Lightning rod.” He stroked his erection through his trousers, probably to ensure there was no doubt about what the crude euphemism related to. Had his previous boyfriends really been so vacuous they needed sign language?

Feathery strokes of amusement brushed all around Storm, waking up mischievous urges. He stood and stepped towards Jedd, ending up towering over him. “Okay, say I do you a favour and give you what you’re clearly desperate for, what’s in it for me?”

“A mouthful of heaven?”

“Try again, Spaceman.”

Jedd’s smile turned wicked as his hands ran up the outsides of Storm’s legs. “The chance to bend over and experience the best shafting of your life?”

Storm pretended to consider it. “You know, in my lifetime I’ve had more men, human and Talmaki, than you’ve probably had protein bars. What makes you think you’re going to be so much better than the rest of them?”

A crease appeared on Jedd’s brow. “Well, if Marty were here he’d probably say it was my insufferable egomania, but since he’s not, let’s just call it well-deserved confidence.” His hands moved around to Storm’s arse, pulling him in close. “I’ve never had any complaints from any of those lucky men, anyway.”

“Probably because none of them could get a word in edgewise.”

“You might be right. It’s pretty hard to talk when you’re being fucked with such a fine degree of precision and may I say, consummate style.”

It was no good, Storm couldn’t keep a straight face. “Do these lines really work for you? I think you’ve been hanging around with the wrong men.” Because when he gave in—and he knew he was on the verge of it—it would be down to the good humour that sparkled around Jedd’s psy-field, not because of the desire lurking behind it. In fact, Jedd seemed to be keeping a pretty good control of his more animal urges, despite all the flirtation.

Jedd frowned as if pondering Storm’s words, but his emotions remained effervescent. “I’ve been hanging around with easy men.”

“You like them easy?” Storm stifled a gasp as Jedd’s hands wormed their way under his shirt, homing in on his nipples and rolling them firmly. “You’re in for a disappointment with me, then.”

“Hmmm, you think?” Jedd rubbed his cheek against Storm’s thickening cock. “Your body’s telling me a different story.”

Storm arched his back as Jedd pinched his nipples, thrusting his cock against Jedd’s face. Dammit, he couldn’t conceal his reaction, and more to the point, he didn’t really want to. But did that mean he wanted to hand over control of their encounter to Jedd? No, that would feel too much like being with a client. He grabbed hold of Jedd’s ears instead, rubbing his crotch against Jedd’s cheek. Jedd moaned and his lust fizzled around Storm’s psy-field, giving himself away. Yes, Captain Smug might not want to admit it, but he secretly craved having someone else take charge.

The realisation gave Storm a rush of power. He thrust Jedd back into the chair, enjoying the dazed expression on that handsome face. “Strip,” he ordered, tugging on Jedd’s clothing. Jedd didn’t need to be told twice, and moments later he sprawled naked in front of Storm.

“You gonna get naked now?” Jedd asked, waggling his dick around and smirking.

“No.” Not that he needed to keep the stone in his pocket next to his skin or anything. He just liked keeping the new clothes on. He stripped off the mask and hat, though.

Jedd grinned. “You gonna blow me, then?”

“Maybe. If you behave yourself.”

“Behave myself how?”

“Keep your hips still and don’t go thrusting into my mouth or grabbing my head. I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.” Yes, Storm could get into this role. Talmaki clients had always wanted to be in charge, and it was only the occasional human who preferred Storm dishing out the orders. It worked so much better. And watching Jedd’s eager response to his words? That was even better yet.

Storm sunk to his knees between Jedd’s outspread legs, and leaned in to lick a line up Jedd’s inner thigh. His tongue slid over golden fuzz, tasting salt, sweat and human musk. The flavour kicked in another pulse of pleasure, and Storm nuzzled at the base of Jedd’s cock, greedy for more of it. But there was so much more to explore. That hard column of flesh, patterned with veins and throbbing with blood. The heavy sac beneath. Storm licked and sucked, drawing increasingly desperate noises out of Jedd.

“Arrgh! Come on, stop teasing. You promised.”

“I did no such thing,” Storm said, holding Jedd’s cock loosely, stroking with minimal pressure to drive the man wild.

“You didn’t? Fuck. I knew I should’ve got it in writing.”

Storm grinned and placed both hands on Jedd’s hips, pressing him down into the chair. Jedd’s cock waited, just millimetres from his lips. What he was about to do seemed momentous. It deserved marking, somehow. Celebrating. “You know this is the first time I’ve ever done this of my own free will?”

“It is? Are you sure you want to-oooh!”

Storm took just the head in first, mapping out every last inch with his tongue. He tasted the different flavours—skin and sweat and bitter-salt precome. As he explored further, filling his mouth with Jedd’s cock, arousal washed over him. His or Jedd’s, he couldn’t tell and he didn’t care any longer. It wouldn’t take long. He wanted to make it last, draw it out, but the lust spurred him on. He sucked deeper, shoving his face down hard until Jedd breached his throat. He swallowed. Once. Twice.

Jedd’s hand landed on Storm’s head and he tensed, but instead of the hair pulling he’d come to expect, Jedd simply caressed him, moaning all the while. Jedd’s fingers twined through his hair, but the touch of those fingertips was soft against his scalp. They tensed once and Jedd’s hips stuttered, but Storm held him down, swallowing down the shots of salty fluid.

Fire raced through Storm’s body, his nerves thrumming with the pulsing pleasure of Jedd’s orgasm. It drew him on, tipped him over as he rutted against thin air. All was joy, pure and limitless. He floated on the high. Drifting. Singing wound through his consciousness. The song of the stone.

A hand twining in his hair pulled the world gently back into focus. Storm looked up to find Jedd staring down at him, bemused. “You came just from sucking me? That’s so hot! No one’s ever done that before.”

Storm shrugged. “It was you.”

“Well yeah. I mean, I know I have a great dick—”

“Not that. Your orgasm. I couldn’t help it. I never can.”

“What do you mean?” Jedd frowned, his brow creasing as he worked it out. “Hang on. Are you telling me you can’t stop yourself from coming when your partner does?”

“It’s so powerful. The rush. It takes over.”

“Well, shit. You mean you don’t have any choice? I come, so you come?” A flash of anger flared out, bruising Storm’s psy-field.

Storm stood on shaky legs. “What’s the problem? It doesn’t make any difference to you, does it?” Clients had always seemed gratified by Storm’s ability to climax with them. No one had ever questioned him like this, or got angry with him over it.

“Of course it makes a difference. How can I tell if you’re really enjoying yourself if you have to come when I do?”

“Well excuse me, but I think the fact I came in my pants just proved I enjoyed myself. Look, I get your arousal all mixed in with mine. That’s an irresistible aphrodisiac.”

But instead of his words calming Jedd, it only seemed to increase his distress. The anger wasn’t growing, but sorrow welled up and overtook it. Jedd’s eyes had that lonely cast to them again. “Irresistible. That’s the problem. I’m just taking advantage of you and you can’t stop me. I get turned on, you get turned on. That’s about the size of it, isn’t it?”

“So? I don’t get it. Why does it matter to you?”

Jedd stared at him like he’d gone sun crazy. “It matters because you’d be like this with anyone, right? If Marty finds you irresistible too, which he will, you’re going to be turned on by his interest.”

“I’ll keep wearing the mask.”

“That’s not the point! I mean you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself, if anyone else took an interest.”

“I can still turn them down.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so.” He’d managed it occasionally. Not for long, but he could certainly resist up to a point. “It’s only when things get close to orgasm that I’m totally overwhelmed.”

“So you’re telling me that you came for all those men who captured you? That’s twisted.”

Storm stared into Jedd’s desolate eyes. “I couldn’t help it.”

Jedd grimaced and rubbed his eyes savagely. “Fuck. You’re right. Sorry. It’s just totally screwed up, you know that?”

A bitter smile forced its way onto Storm’s lips. He didn’t need this kind of treatment. He should leave right now.

But he couldn’t. He’d promised to help save Marty, and besides, he’d started to care for the arrogant, judgemental fucker.

“Come on. Get your clothes back on. We’ve got work to do.” Maybe they’d be safer sticking to work rather than confusing it all with sex.

Jedd bent over and flashed Storm a curve of beautiful arse.

Yeah. Like abstinence was going to happen with Jedd around.

***

Will Jedd get his head out of his own arse and see what a good thing he has going here? And when are they going to stop messing around and get on with their mission? Find out in next Friday in another thrilling installment of Storm and Lightning!

Storm and Lightning – © Josephine Myles, 2012. No part of this serial fiction may be reproduced elsewhere without prior permission of the author. Thank you!