Friendship House; Members Only - NSFW!!

Night clasped the city in her grasp, casting out her demonic mist to further hamper the paths of any travellers. The light of hissing gas lamps cast strange, ethereal orbs in the fog and the sounds of the city were dulled almost to nothing.

Cursing quietly, Billy stumbled over the uneven cobbles of the Darker Quarter, regaining his balance before bones connected with the unforgiving road. In its usual disarray, it was the area the local government had chosen to forget about, instead letting fall into ruin. Not even the City Guard dared to walk its paths, choosing instead to let the local inhabitants deal with any disputes.

Muttering to himself, Cedo could only just make out the shadow of his mate ambling through the misty streets. His fingers grazed a wall, trailing through grime and moss. It almost felt as if it were alive, waiting to slither to life and pull him to his doom.

“Billy!” His voice were muffled by the mist. “Just where in Inferno are you taking me?”

Through the wisps of fog, Billy chuckled, a low and husky sound. “You'll see when we get there. Trust me, you're goin' to love it.”

“Well, how much farther do we have to walk?”

“Not far. Just keep your 'and on the wall an', when you feel an iron 'and twistin' out of it, we're there.”

Shaking his head, Cedo did as he was told, fingers trailing over the slick, mossy bricks. Unlike Billy, he was not accustomed to the Darker Quarter and never felt completely safe. Nothing had ever happened to him, but it was only a matter of time before someone, or something, stole him away. He could almost feel the eyes of his Master boring into him from the roofs above, the demon of death come to claim him once more.

“Nearly there...” Billy's voice tumbled off the brickwork.

Placing his hand flat to the wall, Cedo felt the cool ironwork, dampened by the mist. His fingers slid over a strong wrist and to a clasped hand. It held something in its metallic grip. Peering through the murk, Cedo read the words of the plaque that dangled from its fingers.

Welcome to Friendship House.

Members Only.

He arched an eyebrow and glanced to the cloud of fog that wrapped around him. From it, Billy emerged, his face lit by the gas lamp that swung above the door of the tall house. A grin was etched into his face, his eyes darkened by shadows.

“What is this place?”

Billy did not say a word, just took his hand and lead him up the steps.

The door swung inwards as his mate knocked and they stepped into an unlit hallway. A cloaked figure, the hood pulled up over their head, swept towards them, a lamp gracefully held before them. Cedo felt his skin prickle at the unusual atmosphere. Despite its size, the house was strangely quiet. Yet there was a warmth to it that he could not identify.

The figure swung the hood from their head, revealing a tall, ghostly looking woman. Her face was pale, her lips painted a deep red. One corner of her mouth twitched upwards.

“Mr Burton,” her voice was soft and lilting. “It is a long time since you last graced my house with your presence. May I inquire as to your absence.”

“I've been away, fightin' the Dynastians. Took me a while to get back.”

“Ah.” She gave a small nod. “I have heard that they are coming to our shores. And whom, may I ask, is your friend?”

Billy's hand curled around his wrist, drawing him closer. He could not take his eyes from the woman. She was captivating in a strange way, unlike any he had previously met.

“This is Cedo. Nicked 'im for the night from 'is Master. Boy needs to get out more.”

She stepped to one side and gestured towards a closed door. “Well, you know your way around Mr Burton. You enjoy your evening.”

Strong fingers slid from his wrist and to his hand. In the low light, Billy smiled at him before leaning in, lips brushing his ear.

“You'll be fine. Just follow me.”

The hallway was narrow and claustrophobic and Cedo was when they stepped through the door.

Beyond it was a darkened room, a few candles dangling from a chandelier in the high ceiling. As his eyes adjusted, Cedo noticed that the room was devoid of furniture. Instead, it was filled with overstuffed cushions, upon which several couples embraced. A chill ran through him as he watched them writhe, limbs tangled together. Yet none of them turned to see who had stepped through the door, in the same way that they were only interested in their partner.

Grabbing his wrist, Billy gently guided him to a corner, settling them both on the cushions. Cedo could feel his heart racing, thundering against his chest.

Leaning into Billy, he whispered, “What is this place?”

A hand stroked over his hair, twisting it around fingers before tucking it behind his ear. “This is the friendship house,” he softly replied. “Just relax, okay? All will be revealed.”

Gazing into a face he could not read, Cedo allowed himself to be pulled upright. One arm wrapped tightly around his waist while the other brushed hair from his eyes. Trembling beneath the touches, he arched his back and strained to press his lips to Billy's. Softly he sighed as they kissed, lips barely touching, tips of tongues gently exploring. Jolts of pleasure coursed through him, thingling over his skin and lighting passionate fires. Never had he craved the touch of another so much. Never had he wanted them to teach him as much as he did Billy.

The dark room melted away, leaving them to wrap themselves in each other, the cloying scent of incense mixing with the heavy scent of what was to come. Still locked in the passionate embrace, they stretched over the cushions, letting the deep ravines hide them from all who wanted to pry into their private world. Their kisses became eager, lips chapping, each gasping and sighing. Limbs wound around one another, tugging on hair and sliding over the slender lines of their bodies.

Pulling away, Billy relieved himself of his coat and, in the dim light, Cedo could make out the lust that lay over his face. His mate had became serene, movements slow and flowing as he encouraged Cedo from his patched and aging frock coat. Tossing it to one side, Cedo returned to the warmth of the cushions, his clothes becoming a burden. They clung to him with a film of sweat, the heavy wishbone necklace weighing him down. Now he was enslaved to another, eager to please the whims of both his Master and Billy.

Gently his head was tilted and warm lips gently suckled his flesh, fingers creeping over his chest. Sighing, Cedo dropped his hand to Billy's head, stroking over thick waves of hair. Teeth nipped at his throat, marking and bruising him, but he did not care. Billy could mark him all he wanted. His only regret was that, come sunrise, the bruises would barely be visible. Just as Erus had placed the necklace upon him, Cedo longed for a more permanent symbol of Billy's affection.

In the darkness, Billy began to pick at his shirt, carefully undoing the buttons before exposing his chest. Taking deep, ragged breaths, Cedo could only watch as his mate moved lower, lips and tongue tracing the lines of his body. Hair settled over his skin, tongue lapping at his collarbone. Stifling a groan, Cedo arched his back as a nipple was sucked into the warm, welcoming mouth. A hot lust screamed through him and he grasped at Billy, tugging his head up. Baring his teeth, Cedo growled. Billy just chuckled and shook his head.

Lying over Cedo, he kissed the marks on his throat. “Calm down. This ain't a race, you know. Just lie back an' enjoy.”

The rough fabric of his trousers only goaded his arousal, his cock painfully hard. Groaning softly, he allowed Billy to continue his gentle kisses, his flesh tingling beneath his lover's lips. Finally, just as he thought the torture would carry on all night, Billy shifted and lay back beside him, arms pulling Cedo back to him. Wrapping a leg around Billy's waist, he hungrily kissed him, gasping and mewling as he rubbed himself against his mate. In the same way that Billy had, Cedo pushed him back until he was sprawled over the cushions, hair a stark white against the darkness. His lips were parted, eyes staring up at Cedo and he lifted his hands to stroke along his jaw. Closing his eyes, Cedo leaned into the touch, feeling the roughly calloused fingertips scratching at his skin.

“Kiss me,” Billy hissed. “Kiss me like you mean it.”

Cedo felt himself smile and lowered his head to nip at Billy's throat. Beneath his lips, the supple flesh was sheened with a light film of salty sweat. Hungrily he lapped at it, swallowing and savouring the taste of his friend.

Wrapping his tongue around the shell of Billy's ear, he whispered, “I always kiss you like I mean it. Never have I not meant it.”

Trailing his tongue along the strong jaw, he pressed his lips back to Billy's. Beneath him, his mate groaned, hands coming up to hold his head just as Cedo had held his. Straddling his lover's hips, he swayed, drunk on the excitement that coursed through him. Leaning forward, he pressed their still clothed erections together, snarling as Billy bucked beneath him. It was an agony of the greatest kind and, as slow as the coming of winter, he peeled away the thin material of Billy's shirt. With his mouth watering, Cedo attacked the expanse of golden skin, lips and tongue sucking and licking, taking in the swell of muscle and the dip of his stomach. Touching the tip of his tongue to a budded nipples, he gently pulled it into his mouth, sucking as he listened to Billy groan. Teasing Billy's trousers down to his hips, Cedo glanced up to him, his tongue tracing the line of his pelvis.

Above him, Billy was sprawled over the makeshift bed, head back and hands bunched into the satiny fabric. He groaned as Cedo nipped at his flesh, a hand unwinding and guiding him back to lie beside him. One hand cradled the back of his head, forcing Cedo to look into his shadowy eyes. A howl ripped from his throat as the other was pushed into his trousers, fingers wrapping around his cock. For a moment, they just held him, tightening and loosening before slowly, teasingly beginning to stroke.

Carefully he followed, shivering as he wrapped his own fingers around Billy's thick shaft. They stared at each other, hands mercilessly teasing the other, saliva slicked skin sliding together. The pace picked up and slowed down, breath coming in shaking pants as they rocked their hips into the others hand. A rough thumb slid over the head of his cock, smearing warm fluid along his shaft, making Cedo nearly cry. The pleasure was building to a painful level, the need for release threatening to choke him. But each time he felt he would come, Billy cruelly stopped, kissing him as his hand hung limp around Cedo's cock.

Mirroring his lover's movements, he watched as Billy changed, face contorted before relaxing only to spasm a moment later as he slowly began to stroke. Sweeping his thumb over the slick head, he felt Billy buck into his hand, murmuring a quiet plea for release.

Resting his head in the crook of his lover's neck, Cedo whispered, “I shall give you release if you give me the same.”

Beneath his forehead, Cedo felt him nod. Pausing for what felt like an age, he gently began to stroke, Billy's cock throbbing against his fingers. Cedo could feel his own doing the same, Billy's fingers ghosting over veins and warm flesh. Doing his best not to make a noise, he buried his face in Billy's shoulder, quietly muttering and pleading.

It came in a flash, his body shaking and the sticky warm soaking his stomach, just as Billy came in his hand. They lay, hands still wrapped around the other, their hips bucking as they spent themselves. Billy's lips were pressed to his hair, muttering quiet words of thanks.

Regretfully he drew his hand from Billy's clothing, looking at the pearlescent semen that coated his fingers. Grinning, he wriggled from Billy's grip and sat on his stomach, winding his tongue around his fingers. Deftly Cedo cleaned them, delighting in the taste of his lover. Once he was finished, Billy offered him his own soaked hand, letting Cedo taste himself.

When he was done, Billy laid his hands at Cedo's waist and pulled him down. “There are more rooms. You want to go an' sample another?”

In the candlelight, Cedo saw him wink. Glancing over his shoulder, Cedo saw another closed door and smirk twisted his lips. Sliding from Billy's lap, he swept up his coat and walked towards it.

~~~

Cedo and Billy feature in the Veetu Industries series. Book 1, Mars On The Rise, which is now available in ebook form from Torquere Press.
Print books are available from Amazon and The Book Depository.