Robert Harrison - Biting Comfort.pdf - Robert Harrison - allforjesus2001

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Edited by Lynne Anderson

Cover Art by T. Jay

Proofed by Kay Derwydd

means, without the written consent of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the

author’s imagination, or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or

persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

WARNING: The contents of this book are intended for mature audiences 18 years of age and

older only. Language, violence, and sexual situations may apply.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Biting Comfort

Standing in the dim light of their master bedroom, Andrew Street flinched at the touch of the

vampire's hands as they came to rest lightly on his shoulders. Morning had arrived over an hour

ago, but Andrew had been reluctant to retire, reluctant to examine, even subconsciously, the

dangerous turn his life had taken since being forced by circumstances to become a vampire’s

companion and ally. In a subtle, unobtrusive gesture to dislodge from the casual embrace,

Andrew shrugged one shoulder and made to step away.

Centuries old and very possessive of his reluctant human companion, the vampire Braddock

Devoe’s gentle touch suddenly became a firm grip holding Andrew solidly in place.

Feeling the heat of embarrassment rise as Braddock pressed his body against the length of

his back, Andrew closed his eyes. He pushed away his first impulse to escape the physical

comfort Braddock so easily and frequently offered, but it was hard for him. Even the most casual

of Braddock’s touches made Andrew squirm and flush with embarrassment.

It wasn't just Braddock who made Andrew respond this way. It was anyone who attempted

to use physical affection with Andrew. A hand on his arm, an arm across the shoulders, an

impulsive hug from a grateful patient or family member, or even when someone chose to sit or

stand too close; all made Andrew uncomfortable and edgy.

Andrew had long ago accepted this fact about himself, but Braddock refused. Braddock took

advantage of every possible opportunity to touch Andrew in an effort to accustom the other man

to the feel of his hands, the pleasure of another person's affection, to make Andrew want to be

touched. Andrew continued to withdraw from even the most casual overtures Braddock had

made thus far.

Frustrated but challenged by the doctor's attitude, Braddock had declared an all-out war to

change Andrew's lifetime of conditioned responses. There was a growing physical attraction

between the two of them and Braddock was determined that Andrew’s reluctance to be touched

would not leave him with an interested but unresponsive partner. Braddock was positive that if

he could tap into the passion and creativity Andrew had shown for his work, he would find

locked within him the kind of lover his own passions demanded.

Since they had joined forces, Andrew’s interest in expanding their relationship had been

subtle and hesitant, but very much in evidence over the last few months. There were little

moments at first—a stare that lasted too long, a tone of voice that implied more than the words

spoken, a lingering look when Braddock had been undressing for the night. Braddock had once

even heard Andrew sigh his name in his sleep.

Robert Harrison

BITING COMFORT

Suspecting that intimate relationships, male or female, had been few for Andrew, Braddock

allowed some special consideration for the annoying, but strangely alluring, nervousness on the

young doctor's part. Braddock had been slowly breaking down Andrew's wall of resistance to his

touch and tonight was the night Braddock intended to bring more than just his de-sensitization

project to a climax.

Nightmares had begun to plague Andrew. These events combined to leave Andrew

exhausted, edgy, and emotionally devastated. If ever he needed a comforting embrace from a

friend or lover it was now, but Braddock suspected Andrew didn't even know how to ask. He had

decided tonight would be the end of Andrew's self-induced isolation.

Pressing his body more firmly against Andrew's back, Braddock increased the force of his

grip and gently drew Andrew back until his lips were resting against Andrew's dark curls.

Keeping his voice low and soothing, he whispered into the soft, silky strands, "You're tense.

You'll never sleep well tonight with your neck and shoulders so rigid. Let me loosen them for

you. My hands have been said to be very soothing."

Braddock kneaded the taut flesh beneath his palms in time to the soft rhythm of his words.

He could feel the tension lessen as Andrew relaxed his neck and allowed his head to fall back

slightly. Taking the advantage opened to him, Braddock turned his head to one side and allowed

his cheek to rest against Andrew's. The rough texture of Andrew's unshaven face prickled

teasingly against Braddock's sensitive skin and sent a flash of desire to his groin.

Braddock turned enough to see Andrew's eyes were tightly closed. He lightly scraped his

cheek along the stubble again to reproduce the electric rush of pleasure. Dropping his gaze,

Braddock took in the sight of Andrew’s moist, full lips held partially open—his mouth

seemingly relaxed despite his eyes clenched tight—and listened to the sudden heaviness in the

doctor's breathing.

Using one hand to continue massaging Andrew's neck, Braddock slipped the other up the

back of the man’s shirt. Making sure his touch was strong and therapeutic and not overtly

seductive or threatening, Braddock purposefully moved his other hand to join the one under the

shirt. Smooth, warm skin slid enticingly under his cool palms, the silky flesh of Andrew's body

warming and relaxing with each new pass.

Braddock’s breath puffed against Andrew's cheek and neck, warming his skin and breathing

life into the embers of desire he had tried vainly to extinguish over the last few weeks. The

weight of Braddock's body against his spine made him want to push back and bury himself in the

shelter the other man offered.

With each passing week, Andrew had come to depend on the vampire a little more. Lately,

he found himself wanting more than friendship and protection from their partnership. He wanted

affection and emotional shelter from the stress and pressure of their life. He wanted love, but he

realized he would have to settle for possessive lust instead. Anything more permanent from a

vampire lover didn't seem feasible.

The touch of warm skin against his bare back startled Andrew. He suddenly realized his

shirt had been removed and Braddock's smooth skin was now pressed to his back. A shudder of

need rolled through his body, making him gasp at the power and depth of it. Surprisingly, he

literally ached to feel another's touch. It had been too long and his life had been far too

distressing for him to continue handling the stress in complete isolation any more.

At the release of a soft sigh of relieved surrender from Andrew, Braddock slid his hands off

Andrew's shoulders and down his lean back to slender hips. Rubbing gently at the sensitive skin

just above the waistline of Andrew's jeans, Braddock gradually worked his fingers along the

Robert Harrison - Biting Comfort.pdf

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