Chapter Twenty-five

Morrisey had needed that hug so badly. Will dead. A rookie dead. If Morrisey believed in such things, he’d think death stalked the halls of the precinct, waiting for victims. He bolted from the car the moment he and Farren arrived at the facility, lighting a cigarette. In a daze, he trudged toward his RAV4, trailing smoke in his wake. Footsteps sounded behind him.

Apparently, Farren wanted to tag along. That might be a good thing.

“We’re off the clock, right? I need to take a break from here for a bit. Forget dead bodies, forget the task force, just forget everything. Will you come with me?” Morrisey couldn’t believe he asked, but right now, he suddenly needed Farren like he needed air. He handed the keys over after a brief hesitation. “I’m in no condition to drive.” The confession drained him completely.

Farren said nothing, merely took the keys and got into the SUV, adjusting the seat and mirrors while waiting patiently. He had his phone out, talking low when Morrisey finally extinguished his cigarette and got in. “I understand. Yes, sir. I’ll tell him.”

Fuck. “You’ll tell me what?” Morrisey’s voice came out on a pack-a-day growl.

Farren returned his phone to his pocket, then gripped the steering wheel with both hands. “We’re to file our reports on what we found, then the case is being handed over to someone else.”

“What the fuck?” People might”ve heard Morrisey”s roar all the way to Augusta. ”The victim is with Atlanta PD, and I have the right to track down those motherfuckers and make them pay.”

To his credit, Farren kept his voice composed. “Which is precisely why we can’t take this case. You’re too close and have a conflict of interest. You might blame the first traveler you see.”

Morrisey couldn”t hide his irritation. “Which would be you.” No, not fair. “Sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

”I don”t take a life if I don”t have to. And I’d never do what we saw in the alley.” The clench of Farren’s jaw gave away his irritation. “I build a portal of my own and transport the offenders to oblivion.”

“But you can’t make a portal for Domus.”

“I can’t. Nor any other realm.”

Yeah, made sense. Still, Morrisey didn’t have to like it. Even so, with Farren convinced he couldn’t reach Domus, had he even tried?

“Besides,” Farren said, “you and I are the only two members working the field and can spot travelers on sight. We’re needed elsewhere.” He put the vehicle into gear and slowly exited the parking lot, plastering on a smile for the gate guard.

Morrisey folded his arms tightly against his chest, staring out the window without really seeing. A short time ago, he’d not known about travelers, alternate realms, or any of this bullshit. Now, he found himself neck-deep in murders he might never fully understand.

And he stank to the high heavens of dumpster.

Uncomfortable silence rode with them, darkness both outside and inside the vehicle. How Morrisey wished Farren would offer reassurances, make things all better.

But no. Years of hard-won lessons had taught him sometimes there was no simple answer. But would Morrisey ever be so casual as Farren amid so much otherworldly shit?

Probably not.

Farren parked facing a boarded-up convenience store and placed a hand on Morrisey’s shoulder. “Look, I know you’ve been thrown into this, and some of your first encounters with travelers haven’t been good. But please. I’m on your side and want to get these assholes just like you do. Remember, I’m not your enemy. Neither are most other travelers. There”s both good and bad in any group. If I can help you in any way, just tell me.”

Tempting, oh, so tempting. Morrisey turned his head, finding his face far too close to Farren’s. For one insane moment, he felt like pressing their lips together, just for the contact, the need to feel close to another person.

Farren finally closed the distance. They connected, their tongues winding against each other. Farren wrapped his strong arms around Morrisey, applying the right amount of pressure to hold his broken, jagged pieces together.

Morrisey didn’t fight the embrace. He wanted, no, needed, the embrace. He broke away when the need for air grew too great, wiping his damp eyes with his hands. “Sorry.” Seemed he was making a habit of needing Farren’s touch.

Farren managed a weak smile. “Nothing to be sorry about. Humans take comfort from touch. I said I’d do whatever you needed.”

Had the kiss been only about making Morrisey feel better? The past few moments soured.

How pathetic was he to get a pity kiss?

They gazed at each other for several moments. Heat bloomed deep inside. Desire. Need. Lust. Morrisey’s entire body cried out for Farren’s touch.

“What the hell’s going on?” Farren”s voice barely registered in Morrisey’s hearing. “I feel drawn to you as though you were like me. I keep trying to fight the urges, telling myself nothing can come of them, that it’s just my human host’s influence. But then I see you like this. Vulnerable and lost, and I see so much of myself there. Me, Aluxi, and also me, Farren. The growing bond between us won’t take no for an answer.”

Who moved first? Who cared? Morrisey lost himself in the slide of tongue against tongue, a deep groan rumbling from Farren’s chest.

Farren pulled back, eyes closed. “Let’s take this somewhere else,” he said, opening his eyes, nearly paralyzing in their intensity. “Your apartment?”

Throat too tight to speak, Morrisey merely nodded. Aluxi. Farren’s former name?

Farren drove a little faster than normal, clutching Morrisey’s hand all the while. The two of them reached the apartment building less than ten minutes later, then raced each other upstairs. Who had time for an elevator? Morrisey didn’t even bother to ask how Farren knew his address or even the right parking space.

Of course he knew. He’d shown up in a van to move Morrisey to the gray abyss, hadn’t he?

Morrisey scarcely got the door open when Farren attacked, pushing Morrisey back against the wall with a loud thud, rising on his toes to meld their mouths.

Morrisey could do nothing but answer tongue stroke for tongue stroke, adding his moans to Farren’s. His skin prickled with the need to be touched, and his cock ached for release. Thrusting against Farren’s leg didn’t provide enough friction. “Off!” Morrisey commanded. He snagged the hem of Farren’s FBI polo shirt, whipping it over his head.

Their hands met on Farren’s fly, both fumbling until they got the stubborn zipper open. Morrisey cupped Farren’s cock through soft cotton underwear, letting out a hum of appreciation for how well it fit his palm.

Their clothing came off in a blur, and they stumbled to the couch, their mouths joined. Morrisey had a mere moment to say a silent thank you for Jessa ensuring he didn’t impale himself on broken bottles before he found himself naked, lying on his back on the couch, Farren straddling his hips.

A light dusting of golden curls covered Farren’s pecs, with slightly darker hair from his navel down to his groin. His flushed cock rose from a bed of neatly trimmed pubes, a drop of fluid clinging to the tip, in perfect proportion to the remainder of his body. Not too long or thick, but a beautiful handful.

Long, lean muscles rippled beneath Farren’s skin as he writhed, rubbing their cocks together. Oh, damn. So fucking good. Morrisey longed to slam Farren to the floor, hike the man’s calves over his shoulders, and drive home.

Only that would mean getting up, finding lube and condoms, and possibly losing the mood.

Instead, Morrisey gripped both of their erections in one hand, thrusting into his fist, reveling at the silken feel of another man’s cock against his own after so long with nothing but his own hand.

Farren wove his deft fingers into Morrisey’s hair, anchoring him for a plundering kiss. Damn, but the man could kiss. Nothing practiced or studied, just full-on hunger.

Still, Morrisey stroked them. Nothing else existed within the universe but Farren, Morrisey, and the fast-burning inferno of passion. He needed to cum, needed to make the time last, lose himself in a place of intense feeling with no thinking.

Electricity pulsed through him, from his groin and outward. Oh, fuck. His brain engaged again. Should he fight the oncoming climax and enjoy the journey for as much time as possible, or give in to the inevitable and let himself be rolled under its heated wave? Would this be their only time, a few moments they’d later call a mistake?

If so, he’d take full advantage of this encounter. Thrusting harder, groaning into Farren’s mouth, Morrisey shot, pulse after pulse firing from his groin, nerve endings overloading.

Farren’s chanted “Oh, fuck! Oh, fuuuuuck!” He jerked one, twice, three times, then crumpled onto Morrisey’s chest.

Farren twitched several times, goosebumps on his arms rough against Morrisey’s caress. Chest to chest, they lay in a tangle, soaked in sweat and cum, panting like marathon runners.

Morrisey lazily brushed his hand against Farren”s ass while his mind floated back to earth. Damn, he’d needed the release and the connection. A warm glow surrounded them. He didn’t have the energy to question now.

Farren nuzzled Morrisey’s neck, his breath warm against Morrisey’s slick skin.

What time was it? Morrisey should get up, shower, dress, and get back to the gray abyss. Since his latest case was now someone else’s, maybe he could find more time to cross reference Jessa’s ill-fated friends with his cases.

Work. Fuck. He flinched as memories of the last few hours returned. What was he doing here in post-orgasmic bliss when he should be out catching killers?

Farren placed a reassuring hand on Morrisey’s shoulder. “Shhh… You needed to recharge and get your bearings. There’s nothing we can do right now, anyway. Rest. You need it.”

Morrisey relaxed, soothed by the sound of Farren’s voice.

In a gentle tenor, Farren sang words Morrisey couldn’t make out. A lullaby? They seemed familiar somehow.

Morrisey’s eyelids grew heavy. Maybe he should close them for a minute. A minute wouldn’t hurt.

He woke, still naked, covered by a blanket, alone.

Aside from the woman singing in the kitchen.

The same song Farren had sung. Steak aroma made Morrisey’s stomach rumble.

But… “Jessa?”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing?” Morrisey’s voice sounded creaky.

“Fixing your dinner. Or breakfast. Whatever you prefer to call food at four a.m.”

“I’m not complaining or anything, but why?” Morrisey didn’t remember giving her a key. How had she gotten into his apartment?

“Because I stopped in to see you shortly after your lover left. I’m returning the favor because, yowza, what a meal. I rarely get to eat so well. Not just lust, but honest lust for someone you care about. Yummy.” She made her way over to the couch, tray in hand, wearing Mary’s body today. Or maybe Piper’s?

Wait a minute. “You fed off me and Farren?” You just crossed a line, sister!

“No, just your lust,” she remarked casually, like feeding from a human was no big deal. Of course, to her, it probably wasn’t. “All the lovely lust wafting around, free for the taking. Don’t blame me if I took advantage. It would have only gone to waste. Now, eat up. Mr. Hotness took a lot out of you.” She placed the tray on the cable reel and stared down at Morrisey with her hands on her hips. “Please tell me y’all are gonna do that often, because dayum! Oh. He left a note.” She handed over a slip of paper.

Morrisey,

I’ll cover for you at the compound. Get some sleep. I’ll see you later.

F

“He kissed you goodbye before he left and covered you with a blanket.” Jessa gave a dramatic sigh, placing her hand on her chest. “How adorable! It’s not lust, but it is cute. I think he really cares about you. You should keep him.”

Morrisey glared. “Jessa, how are you getting into my apartment?”

“One of my former hosts picked locks.”

“You retain information from all your former hosts?” Dangerous concept. Especially if bad guys did the same.

“How else would I learn?”

Her earlier words caught up to Morrisey. Your lover. He had a lover. His compulsion for Farren lay dormant for now, likely regrouping to make more demands. Bringing Farren home was probably a terrible decision. Right now, Morrisey couldn”t find it in himself to care. Because having a lover and a steak might’ve been the best experience he’d had in years.

If only he hadn’t had to endure carnage to get here.