Time: Immediately following "Encounters, Part 3"
On the drive back via the Bay Bridge to Berkeley, Jim feigned a headache, asking his lover if they could wait until they get home before talking about the encounter with Julian Luna. He needed to process the information they'd just been bombarded with.
Blair, concerned, acquiesced, though he hoped Jim just wasn't avoiding talking about it.
Lost in his reverie, then, Jim reviewed the evening at Luna Mansion. Cash, the Gangrel whom they'd met early in the evening on campus... at that time, he'd impressed Jim and Blair with his smooth manners and formal, old-worldish attitudes. But the transformation of him at the mansion had been... astonishing. That is, when he came into the presence of the Ventrue Prince, Julian Luna.
Jim had worked Vice once. He was aware of the SM community in Cascade, understood its workings and philosophies, though he didn't know if he could ever ascribe to "consensual bondage and domination." Or worse. Looking at Cash's responses to Julian, he thought he could make an assessment on their relationship. They were lovers, that was clear, but what was also adamantly obvious was that Cash was Julian's submissive as well. He almost became a different person, cowering under Julian's hand, eagerly responding to every touch as well as every veiled threat. Yet Cash was primogen of his clan! Jim could see why, though. Julian Luna was...
The Sentinel shifted in his seat, staring straight ahead, trying not to let his thoughts stray into the erotic. Julian Luna was, for all his diminutive stature, larger than life, exuding presence and power, truly a Prince in the city. Darkly attractive and sensual... damn! Jim argued with himself. [I canNOT lust after Luna,] he told himself reasonably, [I'm committed to Blair!!] But the allure of the Prince was undeniable. Though the Prince was devoted to his beloved Cash, Jim had no doubt that the Kindred were unconcerned with mortal conventions like fidelity.
He'd felt Luna's eyes on his body more than once. Jim knew he had been fortunate in the genetic category, and was well built, but even so, seldom did another man grope his body with his eyes the way Julian Luna had. He couldn't help but wonder if Julian's "protection" would ever have a price, if Luna would ever invite him to... [NOT going there, Ellison,] he sternly told himself.
He'd stated to both Cash and Julian that he and Blair were lovers. Would that make a difference? For that matter, Cash had definitely had eyes for Blair. They were going to have to talk about that...
The matter of protection... Julian said that normally when a mortal breached the Masquerade, he was offered two choices: death or the Embrace. Was Julian hoping to Embrace him someday? The looks he'd given him, the inquiry about what might happen to his Sentinel powers once Jim became Kindred...
[This is totally nuts,] Jim told himself sternly. [I'm a police detective, a Sentinel...] But if he became Kindred, he would still be that, wouldn't he? His life might not even change that much, though of course he'd be subject to Kindred laws then. Not that that would be a problem.
Jim shivered, thinking of something else. [If Julian Embraced me, would I have to become his submissive, too?] Jim did NOT think he could do *that*. [I want to see Sonny with Julian, see if he responds the same way...] Abruptly he had a very odd thought that shook him - Blair... his beloved Blair... would tend to be a submissive, he realized. The younger man beside him was so eager, such a slut for sensation... [No way, Ellison, Sandburg is...] He was amazed for everything he was thinking led to one thing.. [Sandburg is mine... He'd never sub to anyone but me... He's pretty obedient to me... what am I saying!!!]
Forcibly, Jim turned his thoughts away from that potential danger. [Julian wants me, I can feel it,] he considered instead. [Do I want him?] He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his jaw clenching. [Oh, SHIT!]
He was suddenly aware that Blair was staring at him. "What?"
"Jim, what is WRONG with you? Talk to me!" His lover's eyes were wide, concerned. "You're holding onto that steering wheel like you're trying to rip it off the column!"
Jim untensed his hands. "Sorry, nothing's *wrong*, Sandburg." He flipped his thumb over his shoulder, back in the direction of the city. "Just thinking about all that Kindred stuff, I guess. Pretty... intense."
Blair gestured widely and excitedly. "Tell me about it! Whooo, what a rush, I mean, weren't they SOMETHING? I've never met anyone like Cash, or geez, that Daedalus! And Julian... YOW!" He playfully punched his partner in the arm. "He, ah, seemed rather taken with you, Jim. Not thinking of throwing me over, man, are you?"
If Jim could have ripped that steering wheel off, he would have and pounded Sandburg with it. "Fuck, Sandburg, what the hell??" There was a black jaguar growling somewhere, somehow. "We are NOT going there! But, hell, while we're talking, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?? They could have just shoveled a load of manure at us, for all we know! Sure, they're 'nice people', but plenty deadly. I just can't believe you were...."
"Hold on right there, Jim," Blair interrupted, his voice sharp. "We have NO reason to believe the Kindred were anything but sincere. And as for your Blessed Protector stunt, what was THAT? Jesus, Jim, I swear your Rambo routines can get to be a bit much sometimes!"
"Rambo?" Jim couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Fuck, you have NO idea how much danger you could have been in!!" He pounded his fist on the steering wheel, and ignored his lover's flinch in reaction. "He was going to 'heal you' as he said, but for all we know, it could have been a way to lure you to him. I suppose that never occurred to you?"
Blair narrowed his eyes, having a hard time believing his staid lover was so inflamed still. "Jim, there's something else here, isn't it?"
Jim pulled off the Bay Bridge, pointing the Ford Ranger toward Berkeley. "I don't know what you mean. I just think we have to be a hell of a lot more cautious from now on. Not all Kindred are likely to be like... them."
Blair laid his hand on Jim's thigh. "You *were* attracted to Julian, weren't you?"
His partner threw him a glare. "And you're attracted to Cash, right?"
"Yeah, kinda," Blair admitted honestly, but his tone was still firm. "That's what's throwing you, isn't it? Shit, Jim, I know we're solid, but there were major pheromones or something operating in that room. It wasn't exactly a regulation come-on, but I think things got communicated rather well. I think they do want to Embrace us."
Jim pulled the truck over to the side of the road, stopped it. He crossed his arms and looked at his partner, stunned. "How do YOU feel about that, Chief?"
Blair shrugged. "I'm flattered, actually." He smiled, rubbing his hand on his lover's thigh in reassurance. "You've got to admit, the whole thing is rather erotic. These... creatures, these Kindred, are definitely sensual people."
"Yeah," Jim said, subsiding a bit under the caress. "I wasn't expecting... that."
The caress moved to Jim's crotch. "Oh, my..." Blair murmured, looking up into his beloved's face. He palmed the firm erection there, as Jim shifted under his hand. "You see what I mean? They didn't put the moves on us, but they put the moves on us, man, you know what I mean?"
"I guess so." Jim leaned one arm on the steering wheel, the other on the door, his eyes looking elsewhere. Then he looked back at Blair. "This doesn't mean.... I mean... Blair, I'm committed to you!"
Blair smiled warmly. "Of course you are, man. I'm not in the least worried about that. I told you we're solid. But... isn't it rather exciting to be so... desired? Not that you don't thrill me when you look at me... like you do." He patted the firm bulge in Jim's pants shyly. "Or when I can do this to you..."
Jim took Blair's hand in his. "Yeah, Chief, it's a rush." He sighed, and managed a smile. "You know, I don't think fidelity is going to mean much to the Kindred..."
Blair chuckled, squeezing Jim's hand in response. "I think you're right, Jim! I mean, Cash and Julian are clearly an item, but the way that Julian was eyeing you... and even when he talks about Frank. You think Frank knows?"
The detective pictured the passionate, emotional Frank Kouhanek. "Oh, yeah, he knows."
Another squeeze. "Jim, you're right. I was a little too trusting in there. I'm sorry I didn't trust your instincts better. I know only too well those instincts and your Sentinel powers have saved my life several times over." He looked into Jim's eyes, hoping he was communicating his contrition.
"Nothing might have happened," Jim responded, looking back deep into the other's blue eyes. "But you're too precious to me to take that risk. I just can't do it."
As usual, Jim's sweet words melted Blair's heart, and he suddenly pulled the big man down for a kiss. His eyes were shining when they parted. "I love you, Jim, and you are going to drive us home so I can take care of this, okay?" He slid a hand against the front of Jim's jeans, which still sported a bulge.
The heart of the Sentinel melted as well. "Sounds good to me, Chief," he said huskily.
Fifteen minutes later, his Guide was on his knees in front of him, sucking expertly on his cock. Jim had threaded his fingers into the long, wavy hair, holding his head... when abruptly his fingers tightened on the hair, holding him more forcefully as he pumped his hips, fucking his mouth. In a couple minutes, Jim started moaning loudly as he came into Blair's mouth, still holding him firmly by the head, his fists bunched in his hair. He shook as the final convulsions of his orgasm shuddered through him, then he released his grip. Sated, Jim sagged down onto the floor of their apartment and pulled his lover into his lap.
Blair waited until Jim had calmed before he spoke. "Jim?"
"Thanks, Baby," Jim crooned, kissing his neck. "That was so good..."
"Jim, what was that? The hair thing?"
"What hair.... oh..." Jim froze. "I'm sorry, I don't know..." But he did know where it had come from. He could still see, in his mind's eye, Julian Luna's fingers twisted into Cash's hair. "Shit..." he breathed, then shifted and took his lover's face in his hands. "I'll never do that again, baby, I'm sorry."
Blair just beamed at him. "Hey, I didn't mind, lover, you know it was kind of a turn on! You can do that anytime. You know I get a rush from your power... you're so strong..." He ran a hand over a muscled thigh.
Jim stared at him in astonishment. "You... liked that?"
"Sure," Blair grinned. "Hey, you usually top anyway. I like to give myself over to you." He shuddered with arousal, pulling one of Jim's hands down to the zipper of his own jeans. "Like now?"
The jeans were off in seconds. "We could have done this in the first place," Jim reminded him with a smirk. "Some top I am." He palmed the firm, hefty erection of his partner, stroking him slowly.
Too slowly. "Great," Blair gasped, "Top me later when you can get it back up, big guy, but just get me off right now? Please?"
Jim laughed at his lover's urgent tones. "Will you be thinking of me or... Cash?" he teased.
"JUST DO ME!" Blair groaned, surging into Jim's fist as he pumped him. "You, lover, only you, I swear!"
"Just checking," Jim grinned, and reached down to massage his anus as he worked his lover's cock.
"Oh, MAN!" Blair yelled two minutes later as he spurted semen onto his belly. Jim held his cock until he stopped shuddering.
"Feeling better, baby?" Jim asked, kissing his forehead as he sagged against him.
"Yeah... wow... I swear, every time you do that to me, lover, it's like a whole new experience for me." Blair grinned, his hand on Jim's cheek. "Just... let me know the minute you can get it back up, Jim. I think I'm in need of a strong top."
"I'll let you know the very second, Chief," Jim sighed.
The End
