Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

become
quite a hedonist. Just imagine if I’d taken up that post in Ireland, you’d never have known any of this.” Orlando swallowed hard, hating to be reminded of how close he’d been to not having Jonty by him.
“Don’t remind me of that. Small turning points, that’s what life consists of. One little decision and the
whole world changes.”
“It does. As it did for us.” Jonty reached up to kiss him. “Come on, I want you to lie with me. Been
far too long.”
Orlando didn’t reply. Lips and hands could talk for him, kisses saying yes as loudly as tender touches
did. Jonty’s skin was warmer than expected beneath his boyish pyjamas, and wafts of something lovely,
which might have been lavender soap, assailed Orlando’s senses as he undid any buttons which had
survived his first assault. To feel Jonty’s chest against his own, downy skin on smooth, was a necessary
part of their lovemaking for him, a sign that they were indeed one, and not meant to be split asunder. He still wasn’t sure how far Jonty wanted to pursue this. There was hesitancy in his touch, some slight
tentativeness which didn’t usually grace their bed. He gently caressed the small of his lover’s back and was
pleased to find that, at least for the moment, his hands were allowed to carry on.
Jonty twisted in his lover’s arms, using his powerful muscles to turn Orlando, give himself the
dominance. He stretched over his lover, a protective canopy against the cold, the world, anything which
might disturb them this night. Orlando burrowed into the security, enjoying the unusual sensation of being
looked after. He preferred to be the protective one, guarding his most treasured possession, but Ariadne
Peters’s words had stuck with him. He knew he shouldn’t always be the protector.
Tender kisses on the side of his neck made him tingle, firm strokes on his lower back made the
sensation spread. However far Jonty wanted to go, he was ready, more than ready. He inched his fingers
from the smooth skin of Jonty’s lower back down towards their target, a movement which normally
brought delighted acquiescence, manoeuvring of body and legs to allow access. Not this time. “What’s wrong?” Orlando spoke into his lover’s hair. Jonty had tensed—he was trying to hide it, but
Orlando knew.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.” Jonty pulled away, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling. “Is it this wretched thunder?” Orlando laid a tentative hand on his lover’s arm. A protective,
comforting gesture, with no hint of desire.
“No. Yes. It’s everything.” Jonty crossed his arms over his face, shaking off Orlando’s hand in the
process. “I’m back there, in my mind. A boy of thirteen in a cold room praying for a fire alarm to sound, or
anything that would make it stop.”
“Dear God.” Orlando knew this had happened before, but never with him—all he could do was wait
for Jonty to come out of the slough of despond.
“Put off the light and go to sleep, sweetheart. I don’t think I’ll be able to get off for a while.” “Should I stay here? I’ll do whatever you think best.”
“Please, if you could bear it. I’ll be fine, soon. Just tonight…I couldn’t do it tonight.” Jonty turned,
pulling the covers over his head.
“Of course.” Orlando didn’t attempt to touch his friend. For the moment they were beyond words or
contact. There was a chance, more than a chance, that it would be a long time before doing it became a
viable option again.
In a future ruled by superstition and fear, wanting the wrong man can be deadly.

Dragon’s Kiss
© 2009 Ally Blue
    A Mother Earth Story
The rules governing a Pack-Brother’s existence are simple. Love your Brothers. Protect each other and your Tribe with your life. Seek sex only within the bonds of Brotherhood, or your life is forfeit. The laws are harsh, but fair. Or so Bear has always thought. Then he and his Brother Lynx capture a stranger in the Carwin Tribe’s outlying lands—Dragon, a Brother from a distant Pack, banished from his Tribe for the crime of challenging things he shouldn’t.
Dragon intrigues Bear from the start, and not just because of his exotic beauty. Interest in the decadent old world is discouraged in this post-Change society. Dragon is the first person Bear’s ever known, other than himself, who’s curious about the vanished past. That kinship sparks a forbidden attraction between them. An attraction which is, if they give in to it, punishable by