BlackMoonRising (4 page)

“I’m not ready to leave you.” Steve raised his eyebrows.
“How about a private room?”

Herman nodded. “I’m game.”

They wrapped towels around themselves as they walked to the
front desk and paid for the room.

The small space looked like a sparse hotel room with a
double bed and a bathroom. A wicker basket containing packages of lube and
condoms sat on the bedside table. As soon as Steve closed the door, Herman put
his arms around him and they gazed into each other’s eyes. Steve stared at him,
ready for whatever happened next. As Steve parted his lips, ready for the kiss,
Herman settled his mouth over Steve’s and slipped his tongue into his waiting
cavern. Steve met him with equal urgency with soft lips and a mouth warm and
inviting.

Herman melted into the arms of this man and his eyes closed.
The arms held him tight, making it hard to breathe. With chests and dicks
crushed together, maddening desire rushed through him. It was as if they had
gone back in time five years.

“What are you doing to me?” Herman breathed out once their
kiss ended. He ran his fingers through Steve’s short blond hair and looked into
his hazel eyes with longing.

“I could say the same thing. It makes me wonder what your
mouth would feel like on my cock.” Steve arched a brow.

“Oh really?” Herman smiled. “Let’s start making use of the
bed we’ve paid for.”

They dropped their towels and Herman stared at Steve’s cock.
He went to his knees to see it better. A drop of pre-come clung to the smooth
head and Herman bent over to capture it with his tongue. It was a warm,
slippery wetness that he hadn’t tasted in so long.

They both groaned, climbing on the bed and facing each
other. Steve moved one of his legs over Herman’s and grinned.

Herman felt the friction as their hairy legs touched. He
leaned forward to Steve’s mouth and the kissing became passionate immediately.
Their tongues wrapped tightly around one another, caressing and stroking.

“Your cock was as sweet today as it was the first time I
tasted it.” Steve rubbed Herman’s cheek.

Herman smiled. “How did you find me after all this time?
Strange you came here when I did. The stars must have finally aligned or
something.”

Steve cleared his throat and glanced away. “I, ah, was
looking for you.”

“What do you mean?” Herman frowned.

“I was looking for Herman Fleming.”

Herman pushed him away, immediately fearful. “What the fuck
are you talking about?”

Steve put his hands up. “Calm down! I’m not going to turn
you in.”

“Oh fuck.” Herman froze. “You’re a cop?”

“No! Not a cop. A fugitive recovery agent. A bounty hunter.
I work with my family at Beck Recovery. We do jobs for bail bondsmen when
someone jumps bail.”

“Great.” Herman turned over on his back and crossed his
arms. “Fucking great.”

“You really didn’t kill him?”

“No, of course I didn’t kill him. I loved my dad.”

Steve’s eyebrows rose. “Then tell me more.”

“All right, Mr. Fugitive Recovery Agent.” Herman let out a
short but labored breath as he gathered his thoughts. This certainly wasn’t
what he had expected to happen today. “Let me give you a little history that
you’ve never heard. My mom died when I was young. It was only me and my dad for
many years. My father was an astute businessman and I was his only child. Being
a firefighter wasn’t the job he envisioned for me. He was always disappointed
with the path I chose. He wanted me to take over the business world, like him.
Follow in his footsteps. But that wasn’t me. Never could be.”

“Poor little rich boys are difficult to feel sorry for.”

“I know.” Herman bitterly chuckled. “Once I told him I was
gay, that was it. I was disowned and that was really rough. He was my only
family. I ended up being depressed and seeing a counselor. It was during that
time I met you at the gym.”

“Lucky me.” Steve’s sarcasm was evident. “Why couldn’t you
tell me your name?”

“I was ashamed of who I was. My own father couldn’t accept
me. Why should anyone else accept Herman Fleming as a gay man? It seemed better
to stay anonymous.”

Steve propped himself up on one arm.

“You were a bright spot in my life.” He stared into Steve’s
eyes. “One of the only things I did right. I couldn’t wait to see you and have
our trysts.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

Herman touched Steve’s arm and rubbed it. “Like I said
earlier, my dad was one of the reasons I never came back to see you. We had
started talking again and were getting along great. He had health issues and
wanted me with him. He accepted who I was finally and we spent quality time
together. With him getting older, I didn’t want to lose any more of that time.”

Steve looked down to the bed.

“I know that isn’t any consolation now. I was wrong for not
saying something to you.”

“I’m trying to understand but it’s difficult,” Steve
muttered. “Yes, you were wrong. You tore me up.”

“I can barely look at you now when I think of my actions.”
Tears burned in Herman’s eyes at the pain he knew he had inflicted on Steve.
“That last night we were together, I planned to tell you my name and was going
to ask if you wanted to go out as a couple in public. But I couldn’t do it. I
chickened out and never came back. Feeling the way I did about you scared me.
My father became the most important person in my life and I tried to forget
about you and what we had going on. Even though my dad accepted me as a gay
man, I guess I still hadn’t fully accepted myself as one.” Herman could hardly
choke out the last sentence.

Steve nodded and drew in a deep breath.

“You were my first real relationship, even though that
relationship never moved out of this gym. I casually dated a couple of guys
before, but with you it was different. I know we had something special. I felt
awful about what I did to you, what you must have gone through. I am ashamed of
the way I treated you. I’m sorry, Steve.”

Steve pursed his lips. “Hmm. It was rough. I’ll give you
that. I never got over you. But it is nice to know you never got over me
either.“

“Not by a long shot.” Herman shook his head.

“I’ll think about forgiving you but it will take time.”

“I guess that’s all I can ask.” Herman offered a weak smile.
“Is there any way you can help me with this fugitive thing?”

“Let me think about that awhile too.”

“I’m a mess.”

“A hot mess.” Steve took one hand and rubbed it over
Herman’s chest and down his torso to his cock. “Look at this. Spectacular chest
and abs. Beautiful cock. So ripped. You must start more fires than you could possibly
put out.”

Herman gave him an amused glance.

“Any gay men at the station that you shower with?”

“There are a couple, but we’re just friends. We have a group
shower, but no sex goes on there. It’s like a locker room.” Herman smiled. “And
we’re at work.”

“Well, this place is almost like a hotel room and we’re
alone right now.” Steve blinked. “The problem is that nasty clock ticking away.
I want to be fucked by that sweet dick of yours before our time runs out.”

As Steve’s face came closer, Herman closed his eyes. He
concentrated on the sensation of their deep kissing and nothing else. It was
pure joy being together. He didn’t want to come up for air and have this
wonderful feeling end. The pleasure shot down his body, filling his heart with
warmth and his cock with desire. They broke apart and Herman leaned over him,
flitting his tongue down Steve’s muscular chest to his flat abdomen.

As Steve opened his legs, Herman moved his lips and tongue
fleetingly over his shaft and balls to drive him crazy. It did. Herman couldn’t
help but let out a moan of excitement himself.

Steve stiffened and smiled. “More.”

Herman licked the silky head of his erection and Steve
groaned in approval. All thoughts melted away except for the sensation of
giving this man pleasure. He took Steve’s rod deep into his mouth and started a
masterful suck as he worked up and down the shaft.

Steve’s hips came off the bed and he rolled his eyes,
apparently with pleasure. “Ah.”

“You like that?” Herman’s mouth vibrated against Steve’s
dick as he spoke.

“Oh, yeah. You’re amazing.”

Herman sank his mouth over Steve, withdrew and pulled him in
again. He twirled his tongue around Steve’s thick shaft. His body tingled as he
glanced up into Steve’s eyes, which were glazed with arousal.

He loved knowing that his mouth was the reason for that
arousal. After all these years, it was wonderful being with him again. Herman
sucked harder. Steve’s rod throbbed with heat as Herman continued to let it
slide in and out of his mouth. Steve moved his pelvis faster, pushed his dick
deeper. He could feel Steve’s release upon him. Suddenly, Steve cried out as he
exploded. Hot bursts of come filled Herman’s mouth and he didn’t lose a drop.

They lay in each other’s arms, wrapped in a warm embrace for
close to a half hour. Herman thought he had even dozed off for a few minutes,
he felt so relaxed. The sweat from Steve’s body coated Herman’s chest and he
loved the closeness. Nothing seemed as wonderful as being with Steve. All those
years melted away and they were in each other’s arms again. He felt alive for
the first time in years and enjoyed every second of it.

Steve slid his arm around Herman’s neck and leaned into his
ear to whisper, “I want your fireman’s pole to disappear in my ass.” He turned
over on his side, facing away from Herman, and moved his upper leg at an angle,
bending his knee so his ass was better exposed to Herman.

“Do you now?” Herman rubbed a hand over Steve’s beautiful,
firm butt and greedily enjoyed the view. This man was hot no matter which way
he turned. Herman lifted up one cheek to expose Steve’s taut hole and felt his
cock pulse at the sight. He grabbed some lube from the basket next to the bed
and squirted some onto his index finger. He slipped it between Steve’s cheeks
and into Steve to stretch him.

The finger pushed deeper into the warmth and a few moments
later, Herman added another. “You’re so tight.” He moved the fingers in and out
of Steve with a slow rhythm. All he could think of was how much he enjoyed
being with this man. The desire was overwhelming and he trembled.

Steve moaned as he lifted his ass for more attention.

After Herman took a condom from the basket, he rolled it
over his rod and slathered it with lube. He couldn’t wait to feel the pleasure
of being inside Steve again. “That ass is about to get a lot of attention.”

“Give it, baby.”

He eased his cock into Steve’s asshole. Taking his time, he
slowly began to fuck him. In and out. Pushing deeper, he added a little more
force with each stroke until he was balls-deep.

“Harder,” breathed Steve. “Fuck me hard.”

Herman pumped harder and Steve groaned at every stroke. Damn
if he didn’t look gorgeous when his face turned back to Herman in the thralls
of passion. Fucking him was overwhelming, just as it had been years ago. Like
riding the swell of the sea in a perfect storm. He slammed into Steve’s ass
with more force and knew he was close. They both came seconds later with grunts
and groans and sounds of pleasure.

As they held each other, Herman felt his body quiver a few
more times as he recovered. He bent over and kissed Steve’s damp forehead. He
placed a hand around Steve’s dick and pulled it closer to his body. They
nuzzled into each other’s necks and sighed in contentment. Euphoria seemed to
buzz all around them.

“I don’t like your hair blond.”

“I don’t like yours short. And I detest that beard you’re
trying to grow. It’s ugly.”

“I’m trying to hide my identity. Can you make it tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. I have to work.”

“Tell me what time to be here. My schedule is open.”

“Ha ha, Mr. Bail Jumper. That’s real funny.”

“Can we stay here and forget the world for a few more
minutes?” Herman tilted his head back and gazed into Steve’s eyes. The corners
of his gorgeous lips were upturned. Herman knew his safety wasn’t in jeopardy,
because Steve enjoyed their time together as much as Herman. “I’ll be ready
whenever you want me. It won’t be like last time. I’m not going to leave.
Promise.”

“We’re finally getting somewhere with the case on our end.
Eric called earlier that he had information. He should be here shortly.” Joni’s
voice trailed off as a commotion brewed outside her office. A dog barked and
Steve’s sister, Suzy, screamed.

Steve and Joni jumped from their seats and opened Joni’s
office door. They encountered a tense scene. Steve’s brother pulled on a pair
of blue jeans as he argued with Suzy, who stood on the desk, hands over her
ears.

“Come on, Eric.” Steve crossed his arms. “Not a German
shepherd again. You know you shouldn’t shift into that hundred-pounder unless you’re
in danger.”

Suzy hopped down from the desk and over to her brother. She
pointed a finger into his face and burst, “Don’t you ever do that again, Eric!
You scared me half to death. All I did was open the door to go out and I saw a
huge dog right in front of me. Why did you start barking so loud?”

Eric put up his hands in resignation. “Sorry. You opened the
door when I arrived and startled me too.”

Suzy huffed. “I need to get out of here for a while and get
some lunch. Mom, I’ll make the bank deposit too.”

“Okay, dear. Thanks.” Joni waved as Suzy left the office.

“I didn’t mean to scare her.” Eric frowned. “I was in the
mood for something big and mean when I shifted.”

“Why?” asked Joni.

“Because I felt a little intimidated today and needed a mood
change.” He shrugged. “I have news with the Fleming case.”

Steve’s heart pounded. “What’s the news?”

Eric pulled a shirt and socks from the closet nearby. He
buttoned the shirt and sat down on a chair to put on the socks. “The stepmother
has been going to the local country club for years. It seems as if the club has
become her primary source of entertainment. She used to go out with girlfriends
to movies and shopping, but that has changed.”

“Maybe her friends go to the club now,” offered Steve.

“Go on,” prodded Joni.

“I followed her there today and waited in my car. She came
out about two hours later and left. Since I didn’t know what she was doing when
she was inside, I came up with an idea. I went to the local florist and bought
some fresh flowers in a nice arrangement. Had the florist write a quick note
and put it into the envelope. Then on into the country club, and let me tell
you, that place is sweet. Very plush. Marble floors, fancy furniture. I could
see through the lobby across to the back, where the floor-to-ceiling windows
show what’s outside. Great-looking in-ground pool, fountains with what appeared
to be expensive cement work around it.“

“What happened with the flowers?” Steve questioned.

“I went up to the front desk and told the man the flowers
were for Barbara Fleming. He told me she had already left, so I asked if she
had a friend currently in the club who could pick them up for her or the club
could keep them until she visited next.”

Eric smiled. “The man didn’t know if she would be in the
next day and didn’t want the flowers to sit. He said he could call her but she
was probably already home and might not want to come back out. He picked up the
house phone and made a quick call. I couldn’t hear what he said, but it only
took seconds before a man with coat and gloves came from the outside area to
the front desk. I could smell him a mile away. A werewolf.”

Steve frowned. “At that club?”

“It took them years to let paranormals in,” Joni said. “The
club used to have a strict policy that no paranormals could be members, even if
they were recommended and met the income requirement. Once paranormals became
accepted in society, the club figured it’d better get with the times and not be
so restrictive.”

“I had no idea.” Eric slipped into sneakers. “Unfortunately,
the wolf sniffed me out too. I could feel the rumblings of a growl coming from
his gut. He stared me down for a minute. You know those stares—the ones that
are trying to see into your brain and take their slimy fingers to go through
the files up there. I stayed as blank as I could, just in case he had powers
going on that weren’t apparent. I don’t think he was able to read anything. For
all he knew I was the shapeshifter delivery boy from the florist, and that was
the story I stuck to. He looked at the card on the flowers and said thanks.
That was it.”

“Wow.” Steve gasped.

“But I haven’t even told you the best part.” Eric crossed
his arms and offered a Cheshire-cat grin.

“What?” Steve and Joni bellowed in unison.

“As he left with the flowers, someone shouted to him from
down the hallway.” Eric shook his head. “They called him by name. I couldn’t
fucking believe it when I heard.”

“I’m going to smack you if you don’t spill it right now!”
hollered Steve.

“His name was Merlotti.”

Steve and his mother both dropped their mouths open in
shock. They hadn’t heard that name in quite a while, although the Merlotti
family name was one they knew well. Beck Recovery had been instrumental in
getting a member of that crime family put in jail many years ago for murder,
racketeering and assorted other charges. The most important member of the
family too. The alpha.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to do.” Eric shook his head
“But I couldn’t.”

Joni frowned. “The Merlotti wolves. They’ve been quiet since
Johnny was put in jail. I’ve often wondered what was going on with them. No big
arrests within the higher echelon of the Merlotti pack, only the smaller thugs.
I had heard that one of the family members was trying to legitimize a sector of
the business. Trying to break away from the family. Wonder if that’s true and
if it might be this Merlotti.”

“I don’t know, Mom.” Eric shook his head. “Didn’t seem that
way to me. There was something about him that freaked me out. Can’t quite put
my finger on it, but I can almost guarantee he’s not the good wolf you’re
referring to. This dude had no respectable vibes. He’s a big, bad wolf all the
way.”

“Well, hopefully he’s just an acquaintance of Barbara
Fleming and doesn’t have anything to do with the actual case.”

“I thought of something I forgot to mention earlier.” Eric
put up a finger. “There’s something strange going on with his left eye. It’s
like the pupil is blown or something. Right eye looks normal, left one doesn’t.
There’s also a vertical two-to-three-inch scar above and below that eye.”

“Good work.” Joni let out a breath. “I want you two working
together on this. See what kind of information you can get and what this has to
do with Barbara Fleming. Maybe Merlotti is the club manager or something. Who
knows? Just get moving.”

Steve shivered and he had no idea why.

* * * * *

Herman kept a low profile as he sat in the dark corner booth
of the bar waiting for Steve. It didn’t feel dangerous here, but comforting.
The people who sat at the bar talked and laughed as if they’d been friends for
years. The gas fireplace gave off that extra bit of heat he craved on a chilly
February day. This was one of those warm and inviting kinds of places that so
many strive for but few achieve. No pretenses.

They had decided to go to lunch together rather than meet at
the gym. A first step out in public. A Caesar salad with salmon strengthened
the offer. Herman knew that Steve needed more information about the case and he
wanted to help. Best to do this in a neutral area, rather than in the throes of
passion in bed.

He saw Steve coming through the door and stood to wave.
Steve came over his way and bent down. They kissed. It was firm and warm,
almost possessive.

“How are you doing today?”

“Actually, I’m feeling more hopeful about my situation. I
have no idea why, unless it’s all because of you.”

Steve picked up the menu and grinned. “I liked hearing that,
but don’t know if you should be any less nervous about your problem. We have
nothing concrete and you’re still the main suspect. That was why we needed to
meet and go through some details.”

Herman looked at the table. “I try not to think that I could
go to jail. That would be my worst nightmare and not just because I’m innocent.
I’m afraid of what the other inmates would do to me once they figure out I’m
gay.”

“I’m going to do everything I can to help.”

“Thank you. You’re a great recovery agent.”

Steve shook his head. “Not really. If I were, you’d be in
police custody now, no questions asked.”

“Are you going to get in trouble?”

“If the bail-bonding company finds out I’m helping you they
wouldn’t use Beck Recovery anymore. We have a good reputation for making a fast
and clean arrest and this could hurt us.”

“I’m sorry.”

“As a side job, we try to help prisoners who were wrongly
accused. So I guess we’re doing it in advance this time.”

Herman ordered a Boddingtons Pub Ale and Steve a Guinness. A
salmon Caesar for both. It wasn’t long until the waiter returned with their
drinks.

“I was thinking about how my dad loved
Moby Dick
.”
Herman took a sip from his pint glass. “I was even named after the author. How
would you like to have been named Herman as a kid?”

Steve wrinkled his nose. “Rough one?”

“Yep. Bullied to hell and back. That was the reason why I
started lifting weights in high school. After I became strong, nobody messed
with me anymore.”

“Sorry.”

“It was a long time ago.” Herman’s eyebrows rose. “Do you
know the story?”

“What the book was about? Not really.” Steve shrugged. “I
know Moby Dick was a big white whale. That’s about it.”

“Captain Ahab was out for revenge to kill Moby Dick, due to
the whale maiming him on a previous voyage. Dad was obsessed with Captain Ahab.
He used to say they had something in common, once Dad lost his leg.”

“Nice.” Steve smiled.

“He tried to make me like the book but it never happened.
Don’t get me wrong. I tried to like it.” Herman laughed. “It was a difficult
one to read. I did have a few pages I enjoyed. Glued them to a small table in
my room and painted shellac over the top of them when I was about fourteen.
It’s still upstairs somewhere, unless the evil stepmother got rid of it.” His
face darkened. All he had now were memories and some of those weren’t good.

Steve grabbed his hand and squeezed it. That small act of
support meant a lot to Herman. It made him feel like he wasn’t alone.

“Dad had books about old whaling ships that he read over and
over again. The knife that killed him wasn’t the only one he had. He had a wall
of them.”

“I saw the knives at the house.”

“Barbara never touched them, as far as I know. She thought
they were primitive and gross.”

Steve put a finger up. “But she knew specifics about them.
You don’t think she could have done it?”

Herman shook his head. “No. I don’t. I always thought she
was a gold-digger but they seemed to get along fairly well. Why wouldn’t they?
She could spend all the money she wanted and do whatever she pleased. She never
seemed like a violent person.”

“Where did they meet?”

“The country club. Once Dad lost his leg, he didn’t go out
much, but Barbara continued to go to the club often. According to my dad, she
was there more than she used to be.”

“My mom and brother interviewed a few of your co-workers.”

Herman looked questionably at him. “Why?”

“Sorry,” confessed Steve. “That’s what we do. One of them
said that you thought Barbara was having an affair.”

“My dad mentioned it. I didn’t see her enough to have any
idea.”

“Why did he think so?”

“Just little things here and there, like he thought she
dressed up for somebody else.”

“We’ll check her phone records again. From what I heard,
there were a lot of calls to and from the club.”

Herman nodded.

“Let’s think about this for a minute. You already said you
thought she was a gold-digger. With your dad out of the way, she’d still have
to split things with you from your dad’s estate.” Steve paused. “Do you know
where I’m going with this?”

Herman’s eyes widened. “If Barbara did have anything to do
with this, she would want to get rid of me. You think I might be in danger?”

“It’s always something to consider. Barbara would get
everything, unless there were other stipulations in the will.”

“Except for a few charity items and a couple of relatives, I
already know that Barbara and I get the bulk of the estate. Dad trusted me with
that information.”

“That’s another reason we need to clear your name. You
shouldn’t have to be in hiding. You’re entitled to part of a large estate right
now. All of that is being held up due to you jumping bail.”

Herman let out a breath. “It’s a good thing she doesn’t know
I have the book. It’s just another thing she could try and take from me.”

“Book?”

“Dad gave me a first-edition hardcover of
Moby Dick
a
few weeks ago. He told me to never tell Barbara. He said the book was rare and
worth a lot of money.”

“Did you know he had the book?”

“Nope, and neither did Barbara. I was shocked when he gave
it to me but he was adamant that I accept it as a gift. No matter what happens
to his whaling collection at the house,
Moby Dick
will be my reminder of
Dad’s devotion to the giant whale and his love for me.” Herman’s voice cracked
with emotion.

“Where’s the book now?”

“At Mike and Amelia’s, under my bed.”

“We need to get it to a safe today. Sounds like it’s too
valuable to be under a bed.”

“All right.”

“If you don’t mind, we have a safe at Beck Recovery.”

“Fine.”

“I’m sorry to make you go through this but I need to hear
about the night of the murder.”

Herman sighed. The waiter brought their salads but neither
man picked up a fork.

“It was an accident that I was even there. I was supposed to
be covering for a co-worker who had taken the day off for his sister’s surgery.
The surgery was canceled so he came into work. Since I now had an unexpected
day off, I called up Dad to see if he wanted to go out to lunch. He did.”
Herman stopped talking, feeling as though he could cry.