Embrace My Reflection (8 page)

His lover’s crude words stiffened Ronnie’s cock and he could feel dampness on the front of his panties from his pre-cum. He needed to tell Lucius why he chose the clothes he did soon because he wanted Lucius to take him.
“Some people believe a man dressing like a woman is deviant or insane.”
Lucius rolled his eyes. “Those same people think gays are crazy or deviants. I don’t pay any attention to them.”
“I started to dress like a girl because I thought it would make my father happy.”
Lucius tensed, and Ronnie shook his head, rubbing his hands over Lucius’ lightly furred chest.
“He never touched me in any inappropriate way. It’s just he always told me I was ugly. He said I was a hideous monster and should’ve been killed at birth.” He bit his lip as the hurt welled inside him at the memory of his father’s words.
“What kind of asshole would tell any child that?”
The anger in Lucius’ voice eased some of Ronnie’s turmoil.
“A mean, sadistic one. He mentally and emotionally abused all of us for years until he died of exposure one night. He’d gotten too drunk to drive home, so he slept out in his truck. Well, it got below freezing and he froze to death. After his funeral, Mom packed us up and moved us down here. I was twelve and my sister was sixteen.”
“Your sister? I didn’t know you had one.”
“She ran away shortly after we moved here. I have no idea where she is or if she’s still alive. But she was the one I compared myself to every minute of my life before she left. My dad would say how pretty she was and everything. So I started out thinking if I dressed like her, he might like me more.” Ronnie glanced down at the pink sheer negligee he wore. “It wasn’t too long before I discovered I actually liked wearing pretty clothes. I like high heels because they make my legs look a mile long.”
Lucius ran one hand over Ronnie’s calf, up over his knee to rest it high on his thigh under the hem of Ronnie’s nightgown. “I have to agree with you there.”
Ronnie rolled onto his back and stripped off his panties. He reached for Lucius’ hand and yanked him over on top of him. He sighed as Lucius’ warm hard body pressed him into the mattress. He spread his legs and welcomed Lucius between them like he was welcoming him home.
They rocked together for a little while, relearning how each of them felt against the other.
“It still took me a few years and a couple hundred therapy sessions to realize I had every right to want to feel beautiful and desirable. If wearing lace and silk does it for me, then why should I suffer in clothes that make me feel hideous? I’m an adult and I have the right to chose to do what I want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.” Ronnie stroked his hands up Lucius’ chest and gripped his shoulders. “I still have a hard time believing I’m beautiful, Lucius. When I look in a mirror, I don’t see what you see. I see an ugly little bug. Yet at my worst, the way you look at me tells me, to you, I’m gorgeous and perfect. That’s all I need.”
He pulled Lucius down to him, and their lips crashed together hard enough Ronnie tasted blood. He didn’t care. They devoured each other like the sweetest candy. He arched his hips and spread his thighs wider, encouraging Lucius to take him. Lucius broke away and braced himself by his hands on either side of Ronnie’s head.
“Wait. Are you sure you want me to take you? Would you rather take me? I don’t want to assume anything about you, Ronnie.”
God, what more could Lucius do to make Ronnie fall even deeper in love with him? He slid his hands down to Lucius’ ass and flexed his fingers into those tight cheeks.
“Thank you for asking, and not just assuming I’m a bottom. Maybe next time, I’ll take you, but tonight, I want you inside me. I want to relive the best night of my life up until now.” He arched his back, bringing their groins together. “I got myself ready while I took a shower. Please take me, Lucius. Let me feel you.”
Lucius groaned. “I need a condom.”
Ronnie kept contact as Lucius scrambled across the bed to the nightstand and dug around in the drawer. He laughed softly as Lucius swore.
“Are you telling me you don’t have any rubbers by your bed? Do you not bring men home with you?”
“Not usually. If I pick them up, it’s for a quick fuck at their place and I leave.” Lucius looked over his shoulder at Ronnie. “You’re the only one I ever wanted to bring home. And I can’t believe this. Now I have you here, I don’t have any condoms.”
Waving a hand in the general direction of his bag that Lucius must have carried in while Ronnie showered, Ronnie said, “I should have a condom in there.”
He never saw a man move so fast. Lucius was off the bed and crouched next to Ronnie’s bag in a blink of an eye. Digging through the clothes and shoes, Lucius crowed in triumph as he held the foil packet overhead.
“Then suit up, big boy, and come back here.”
Lucius gave him an incredulous stare, and Ronnie burst out laughing.
“Sorry. I can’t believe I just said that. While the words were rather cheesy, the sentiment is still the same. Get the hell back here and fuck me. I’ve been waiting for ten years to feel you inside me again.”
His lover practically launched onto the bed. They bounced and chuckled. Lucius tore open the packet and rolled the rubber on. Ronnie lay back and pulled his knees up to his chest, offering himself to Lucius.
After settling between his legs again, Lucius positioned the head of his cock at Ronnie’s hole and pressed in. Ronnie closed his eyes, braced his hands against the headboard, and pushed back. They froze when Lucius was buried deep inside Ronnie.
Lucius looked down at Ronnie. “I’ll try to make this better than the last time, Ronnie.”
“It already is,” he whispered as Lucius started moving.
Each thrust nailed his gland and he groaned, undulating as they moved together. The way Lucius leaned over him, his stomach rubbed over Ronnie’s cock. The hard ridges of Lucius’ abs stroked his shaft, drawing moans and shudders from Ronnie.
“Harder, Lucius. Please, do me faster.”
Lucius complied, thrusting until the sound of their bodies slamming together filled the bedroom. Pleasure pooled at the base of Ronnie’s spine and tingled along his nerves. He tightened his inner muscles, and Lucius grunted.
Before Ronnie could do any more, Lucius rolled and Ronnie ended up on top with his hands gripping the sheets on either side of Lucius’ head. He blinked, hoping his head would stop spinning.
“What was that?”
“I didn’t want it to be over too soon. We’ve both waited a long time for this.” Lucius ran his hands up Ronnie’s thighs to his hips. “Besides maybe you’d like to drive for a little while.”
Ronnie looked at his lover, so used to being the submissive one that Lucius allowing him to control their lovemaking shocked him. As he pushed up on his knees, Lucius’ cock slid out until just the head stayed inside. Ronnie eased back down, a sigh pushing out as Lucius buried deep.
God, he loved the feeling of being filled and being able to look down to see it was Lucius who claimed him made it even more special. Ronnie tightened his inner muscles and massaged the length of Lucius’ prick.
He steadied himself on Lucius’ chest, impaling himself faster and harder with each down stroke. Lucius grabbed Ronnie’s hips and thrust up, meeting each downward shove by Ronnie. Ronnie tilted his hips and the new angle insured Lucius’ cock would nail his gland with each inward push.
“I’m coming,” Lucius warned Ronnie.
Ronnie couldn’t answer as his own climax exploded through him and his cum landed on his negligee, soaking through. He yelled and trembled as Lucius sank into him one more time and stilled, flooding the condom.
He held Lucius close to him as the aftershocks rippled through them. Humming softly, he ran his fingers through Lucius’ sweaty curls. His lover rolled to one side and Ronnie hissed slightly as the soft cock slipped from him.
“I think we need another shower,” Lucius murmured.
Nodding, Ronnie accepted Lucius’ help up and out of bed. He stripped off the sheer fabric, drawing a laugh from Lucius.
“We managed to ruin another one of your pretty nightgowns,” Lucius commented as Ronnie walked by.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got more.” He winked over his shoulder and sashayed into the bathroom.
“You’re going to kill me,” Lucius grumbled.
The water steamed as the shower ran. Lucius took care of the condom while Ronnie waited. They stepped into the stall, and Lucius adjusted the showerhead so the water hit around the middle of Ronnie’s back.
Taking their time, they washed each other, learning the ticklish spots and the places that made them moan. It was gentle and passionate, but exhaustion danced along their muscles, reminding them of the lateness of the night.
They dried off and headed back to bed. After climbing in, Ronnie rolled to his side, and Lucius cuddled behind him, spooning close. Sighing, Ronnie closed his eyes, savoring Lucius’ warmth. This was how their first night together ended as well, but Ronnie had the feeling that the next morning would be different. Lucius would be there when he woke up.

Lucius stretched as he opened his eyes. Frowning, he patted the mattress beside him. It was empty and felt cold, like Ronnie hadn’t been lying there for a while. He sniffed as the smell of chicory coffee drifted into the room. Since he hadn’t set the coffee maker last night, he assumed Ronnie had made it.

As Lucius glanced at the doorway, Ronnie strolled in, wearing jeans and a dark blue blouse. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail and black eyeliner made his hazel eyes stand out. He smiled at his lover before focusing on the tray Ronnie carried.

“You brought me breakfast in bed?” He sat up and stuffed some pillows behind his back.
“Of course. I’m not sure you really eat enough.”
Ronnie set the tray over his lap and sat cross-legged on the bed next to him. Lucius eyed Ronnie’s slender body.
“I’m the one who doesn’t eat enough?”
With a roll of his eyes, Ronnie snatched a beignet from Lucius’ tray and took a big bite. “There, are you happy?” Powered sugar flew everywhere as Ronnie spoke.
Lucius nodded. “Now I am.”
After taking a bite of his beignet and a sip of his coffee, he leaned back. “This is a better way to wake up than after our first time, huh?”
“Much better, but I’m not going to dwell on the past anymore. Let’s just look forward from now on.” Ronnie bent forward and brushed a powdery kiss over Lucius’ cheek.
“I can do that.”
They ate the rest of their breakfast in companionable silence. After they finished, Ronnie took the tray, while Lucius cleaned up and got dressed.
Curled up on the couch, Ronnie waited, ready to leave.
“Where are you going?” Lucius asked as he clipped his gun and badge to his belt. He grabbed his keys and held open the door for Ronnie as the slender man walked by him.
“I have some shopping to do, after which I thought I’d grab Cindi for a late lunch. We’ll probably head over to the club after that. Will you be picking me up from there tonight?”
Lucius locked the door behind him and caught up to Ronnie, taking his bag from him and offering him his arm. “Yes. If I can’t, I’ll call and have Tomas escort you home.”
“I’m a big boy, Lucius. The senator hasn’t bothered me in a couple days. Maybe he hasn’t found out where I’m staying.”
“Maybe, but I’d feel better if you have someone with you on your way home at night. It’s not just the senator I’m worried about, Ronnie. A lot of predators out there will to try their luck with a single person walking the streets at night.” Lucius pushed open the front door and stepped out.
“How did I ever survive without you here to protect me?” Ronnie teased.
Lucius laughed along with his lover as they strolled down the walk to the gate. He noticed Ronnie’s giggle had died away and he looked up to see Ronnie glaring at a man blocking his way on the sidewalk.
“Did you spend the night with this man, Veronica?”
“What the fuck?” Anger surged through Lucius when he realized it was Senator Cameron standing there, not just any random crazy man. He took a hold of Ronnie’s arm to push him behind him, but Ronnie stood his ground.
“I told you my name is Ronnie and I’m a guy. Why won’t you leave me the hell alone?” Ronnie gestured toward Lucius. “I have a boyfriend and he’s a cop. I’m sure if I asked him, he’d shoot you.”
Cameron didn’t even glance in Lucius’ direction. “You keep running away. I love you, and I have so many plans for us, if you’d just come with me.”
Lucius knocked the senator’s hand away as the man reached for Ronnie. “Oh, hell, no. Ronnie isn’t going anywhere with you, now or ever. You need to stay away from him, Senator, or you’ll find yourself slapped with a restraining order.”
“That’ll never stick.” The smug arrogance in Cameron’s voice annoyed Lucius.
“It will now, when I report it to my fellow officers.” Lucius pushed back the corner of his jacket, revealing his badge and gun. “I think you should get the fuck out of here, Cameron, before I forget I’m an officer of the law and you’re an elected official.”
The crazed look in Cameron’s gaze gave Lucius a bad feeling, but the senator backed off.
“I’ll convince you at some point, Veronica. You can’t hold out against me forever.” Cameron stalked off.
Lucius hustled Ronnie to their car, not taking a chance the senator might come back. After they settled, Lucius pulled away from the curb.
“I’m going to take you to my precinct and have you fill out a stalking report. We’ll get a restraining order slapped on his ass.”
Ronnie rested his hand on Lucius’ arm. “Thank you. If you hadn’t been there, he probably would’ve pushed it further.”
Lucius covered Ronnie’s hand and promised, “I’ll always be there for you, Ronnie. Protecting you is vital to me now since you have my heart.”
Leaning over the center console, Ronnie kissed his check. “My hero.”
They laughed and Lucius relaxed slightly. A restraining order was just a piece of paper, but it was another step in building a safety net around Ronnie.

Ronnie glanced up as the door to his dressing room burst open.
Damn!
He’d forgotten to lock it. He was about to yell about being rude because he figured it was one of the guys needing something from him. He didn’t have time to deal with it since he had to change and get ready for his third set.

“Get the fuck out of here.” Ronnie backed up to his make-up table, reaching behind him to grab whatever his hand found.
When Lucius taught him to fight all those years ago, he’d informed Ronnie to use whatever he could find to get away. Luckily, there was a lot of crap in his dressing room that he could use.
“Veronica, you have to know I love you,” Cameron said as he stepped closer to Ronnie.
“I’m not Veronica. I’m a guy, and you have some serious issues, man.” Ronnie threw his pot of powder at Cameron, aiming for his eyes.
It hit the senator in the face, but didn’t stop the man from grabbing Ronnie’s arm and dragging him toward the door. Ronnie’s heels didn’t make it easy to get purchase on the floor, so Ronnie caught a hold of one of the director’s chairs set up in front of the table. He yanked the senator to a stop and managed to swing the chair. A satisfying crash sounded as it broke over Cameron’s back.
“Son of a bitch. What the hell are you doing? Why are you fighting me? You want to come with me. You know it.” Blood trickled from Cameron’s forehead where the chair struck him.
“I don’t want to go anywhere with you, asshole. Why can’t you get that through your crazy head?”
Ronnie shoved the senator away from him and dashed toward the door, but right before he got there, Cameron swept him up and threw him back onto the couch. Ronnie gasped as he rebounded off the cushions and onto the coffee table in the middle of the room. Something in his side gave, warning Ronnie he’d probably broken a rib or two. He gritted his teeth and shoved to his feet.
Turning, he braced himself to fight until someone came. The noise they were making should alert someone soon. Cameron wasn’t facing him. The door swung open, and Ronnie closed his eyes in fear as Andrew strolled in. Before he could warn the younger man, Cameron slammed a fist into Andrew’s face, dropping the man where he stood. Ronnie only had time to wince as Andrew’s head bounced off the floor.
“You bastard, what the hell did he ever do to you?”
Ronnie sprang at Cameron and punched his fist at the back of Cameron’s head. The senator whirled around, slapping Ronnie hard enough to draw blood and fling him to his knees.
Cameron bent down and picked Ronnie up in his arms. Ronnie couldn’t get his mouth to work. No sound came out and he tried to scream for help, but nothing happened. As they slipped onto the street behind Cindi’s, Ronnie saw a couple spot them.
“Help me,” Ronnie asked.
The man started forward, but Cameron shook his head.
“It’s okay. Just a lover’s spat. We tend to be a little rough when we fight.”
There wasn’t any time to contradict what Cameron said. The couple disappeared back into the building as Cameron tossed Ronnie into the trunk of a car and slammed it shut. Ronnie pounded on the metal, yelling. The car started and he felt it pull away from the curb.
Where the hell were they going? He thought about Andrew. God, Ronnie hoped he was okay because Ronnie was going to be pissed if Cameron had hurt the younger man. As much as he wanted to continue to beat his hands against the trunk, he knew better. There wasn’t any way out until Cameron stopped and opened it.
Ronnie closed his eyes and thought about Lucius. Christ, his boyfriend was going to have a conniption when he found out about Cameron taking Ronnie. He just had to hold out until Lucius showed up. Ronnie trusted Lucius would find him. He didn’t plan to let Cameron do anything to him before they were found.
He closed his eyes and thought about last night when Lucius held him close. Ronnie savored the feel of Lucius’ warmth breath bathing the back of his nape and his arms wrapped tight around Ronnie’s waist.
The car drove on for a while until it turned and hit some bumpy road or something. He braced his hands against the sides so he didn’t hit his head again. Please stop, he pleaded silently as his stomach started to roil as he bounced. His side burned, and his head throbbed.
By the time the vehicle stopped, Ronnie was pissed. He’d had enough. Footsteps crunched along toward the back of the car and the trunk popped open. Ronnie shot out of the trunk, ignoring the ripping sounds of his dress as he tackled Cameron. He got in three good punches before Cameron snagged his wrists and rolled him over, pinning him to the ground.
“I don’t understand why you’re fighting me,” Cameron panted out. “I’m just trying to show you how much I love you.”
“You don’t love me, you fucking ass. I’m not sure what you see when you look at me, but I’m not some blonde woman you’ve fallen in love with.”
Ronnie struggled, wiggling one way and another to get away from Cameron, but the senator outweighed him. Cameron stood, jerking Ronnie to his feet, and dragged him toward the house a few feet away from them.
Up the front steps and inside the house, Ronnie stumbled behind Cameron, jerking and tugging to free his hands. Nothing worked, but Ronnie wasn’t giving up. Cameron slung him into a back room and left, locking the door behind him.
The room was empty except for a single bed. He eyed it in disgust. No way was he going to let Cameron get him near that mattress. He paced and tried to think of some way he could get away.
He didn’t know how long he’d been locked in the room before Cameron returned. The door opened, and Ronnie kicked, nailing Cameron in the nuts. The one thing Lucius told him would always work against another guy was to hit the man in the groin. Ronnie winced internally as Cameron yelled and cupped his wounded privates, sinking to the floor, writhing.
Ronnie kicked him again as Cameron managed to make his way to his knees. The senator crashed to the floor and Ronnie whirled, racing out the door. Lucius stood in the hallway, gun drawn, and two other men stood with him.
Ronnie threw himself into Lucius’ arms.