happy_never_after | Love is Blind-- Chapter 23 (Reply)

Ennis sat up, his leg beneath him. He saw nothing. The blindfold was snug-- no light seeped beneath. He wondered was this what's it's like fer Jack? Was this his world? Did he see the same patterns and shapes before his eyes or was it black like night ta him? Ennis felt compelled ta ask, but shook it off-- now wasn't the time for askin' such questions. Later he would. Now he needed ta use them other senses.

Ennis ignored the swirlin' geometric shapes. Instead he listened. He felt. He concentrated, scrutinized. He heard a semi roar down Highway 287, felt its rumble, its vibration through the walls, the floor, the bed he was on. In the hallway, he heard a child's muffled cry, felt the wet slap of a ball on the floor.

He heard Nina as she lumbered to the door, nails stretchin' carpet threads as she circled. Heard her flop down and sigh. Heard, and yes, felt, the electric hum of the alarm clock next to their bed.

Ennis heard the springs beneath the mattress groan as he inched himself closer to Jack, and felt the memory of his own body's impression forgotten behind him. He heard Jack's shameless body rub against the sheets, that always impatient body, always cravin' to be held, to be smothered. That impatience echoed in the way Jack licked his lips, the way his breath'd hiss between his teeth. Was like every pore soaked Jack in, every sense inhaled Jack's sweet warmth under him.

Ennis bowed down, lettin' the old attraction pull them together. Like a magnet, that's what Jack was. He longed fer this so many nights. Those were dark nights. Dark for his soul. Now, he had that closeness he longed for; this darkness was welcome. Ennis knew he could never know what this was really like fer Jack, but this-- was special. Sensual. Like the senses. Ennis let his own lips feel. He kissed thick brows, the nose he knew so well. He let himself taste the salty-sweet sweat at the corner of Jack's mouth. His tongue traced over the small mole-- rememberin' all them times he used to tease Jack about his "beauty mark." Ennis tickled it now. Felt them lips curl.

At last them lips.

That was when Jack pulled him down.

Was then Ennis let himself use his hands-- was then that he could feel Jack's hands on him.

"Jack," he whispered.

Jack's hands answered, movin' down Ennis' back, workin' lower, cuppin' the curve of his ass. Ennis held his breath. His own hands lighted on Jack's face first. Jack tickled his palms with them long lashes flutterin' atop flickerin' eyelids. Imagined blue. Wondered what it was like not ta remember color-- not ta see color no more. Did Jack still see it in his dreams? What did a body think of instead a blue? Did a body feel color like hot 'n cold?

Ennis let his fingers roam, let 'em comb Jack's hair. Soft and silky fine between his fingers. Warm. He felt the scar, a raised ridge, on the back of his head, caressed it.

Jack arched his neck ta get his face nearer, arched his back to press his need.

Ennis pressed back.

Then went for the lips. Jack's first breath blew cool against his face, then hot like flame. Ennis shivered. He cupped Jack's face in his hands. Jack laughed as his hand touched the knot of blindfold at the back of Ennis' head.

"Tight?" Jack murmured.

Ennis' throat, dry with passion, croaked, "Yeah."

Ennis moved his hands lower, splayed his fingers over the ripples in Jack's chest, feelin' the rise and fall. Scars there too. Marks. Some beautiful. Some cruel. All Jack. Ennis knew now, marks ain't only for seein'; they go deeper than skin. They was life.

Moved his elbow, proppin' himself up. Then right hand reached lower, touchin' the part of Jack he loved that stood proud.

Jack's fingers whispered against Ennis' cheek as Ennis took hold. His own breath rippled, then hushed as Jack's fingers ghosted lower. Jack tickled his chest and moved his hand lower, then lower. Ennis slipped his left hand lower like an answer while his rough fingers on his right worked Jack's cock. Ennis bathed in the stillness of Jack's body. He waited for Ennis. Just a stutter in Jack's breath. There was no one word for this. Felt like warm water swirlin'. Felt Jack's pulse quicken under his fingertips.

"Turn over," Ennis whispered. Jack obliged, trappin' his impossibly rock-hard bulge against the impossibly feather-soft mattress while Ennis slid his length slow, between the cheeks of Jack's backside until he moaned for Ennis.

He pulled Jack to his hands and knees.

Ennis let his fingers define Jack's body: the curve of his back, the soft hairs on that perfect ass, the hard muscles of his thighs. The man's body was as beautiful to the touch as to his eyes. He let one hand wander between Jack's legs, move up, knuckles brushin' the pucker of his ass.

"Christ, Ennis," Jack moaned, "fuck me."

Ennis fumbled for the pillow. The lube was somewhere underneath it. Jack's eager hands helped Ennis, leadin' Ennis' hand to the spot, helpin' him open the tube, slick his cock, trace to Jack's pucker and push inside

Jack pushed back; he rolled his hips. Ennis took out his finger and pressed his weight between them perfect soft cheeks. Oily, hot, hard against snug openin'. Head proddin' then the blunt end meetin' protest. Then pressure, pressure, heat. So tight, so close. He held himself there. Not movin'. Jack bucked against him, lungs pushin' air out, hands grabbin' sheets in.

Seemed ta Ennis that over the years so much of their love-makin' had been a rush-- never enough time, always tryin' to get in as much of each other as they possibly could. Now was different. Ennis moved slow-- he had all the time in the world.

But, like always, Jack was anxious ta git there. His hands ran smooth down Jack's backside, soothin' him. Felt how it clutched and released, so tense. Ennis pushed in and pulled out, slow, deliberate. Jack shoulders rounded. His thighs bunched. Ennis smiled and filled him deeper.

"God, yes," Jack answered.

He rode him slow 'n easy. Ennis pushed his present cravin' down; he remained steady, not increasin' rhythm, instead he angled his right arm around Jack's body, aimin' fer Jack's helplessly bobbin' cock, and he grasped it wickedly hard.

"Milk ya," Ennis whispered. "I'm gonna milk ya."

"I'm close," Jack moaned back.

Ennis was on the brink. Was pushin' in deeper until there wasn't no more ta push inside. It was Jack's tremors that sent him over, was like fallin' blind from high. He landed, plungin' Jack flat to the mattress. Stayed deep inside then slippin' out. Jack turned over. Kissed Ennis.

Ennis had ta believe, kissin' them sweet lips was almost better. Almost.

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Jack could hardly believe it. Way Ennis had made love ta him was different. Was like the way Ennis talked, slow and deliberate. Jack laid there smilin' up at the ceilin'. Damn.

"'Course ya know that makin' love with a blindfold ain't the same as bein' blind day ta day," Jack said, nuzzlin' into Ennis' neck.

Ennis grunted back.

"Ain't sayin' that I wouldn't mind ya doin' that again. Damn-howdy that was good lovin'. Still got that blindfold on?"

Ennis grunted again. Jack reckoned that was a yes.

"What ya need ta do is go through the day with it on sometime. Have Nina lead ya around. 'Course considerin' the circumstances now won't be the most opportune time ta be doin' such a thing. Maybe later when all this confusion is behind us. Sound like a good idea, Ennis?"

"Huh?"

"Did ya hear anything I said?"

"How kin ya talk? Can't even think."

"Was good. Mmm, yeah. I have one hot man."

"Crimeny, Jack, shut your yap." Ennis flopped over, huggin' Jack to him.

Jack didn't mind shuttin' up if it meant a little snuggle time. Always liked that. Felt good with Ennis rollin' his head on his shoulder. Was startin' ta doze off when Jack heard Nina jump up off the floor next to the bed and head for the door. One loud rap on the door, then two. Both Jack and Ennis shot up outta bed, Nina started yippin' 'n doin' the happy dance.

"Hey, Jack? Ennis? It's Nick."

Knocks came again, louder.

Jack searched for his jeans, which materialized in his hands a second later. Ennis musta discarded that blindfold mighty quick.

"Got that PD here with me. Gonna let us in?"

Shirt found its way to Jack's hand magically too.

"Comin'," Ennis mumbled.

Jack heard Ennis makin' the bed up.

Nina barked happy-like, skippin' around Jack's feet.

Ennis was fumblin' and cussin', heard a few bang 'n hollers as he made his way to the door. Made Jack all kinds of happy-- loved it when Ennis got flustered-- he was so fuckin' hot that way.

Jack heard the door swing open 'n shut.

"Afternoon," Nick said.

"Afternoon," Jack returned, holdin' out his hand. Nick grasped it firm, big hand, rough, gave it three shakes. Jack turned ta where the PD was standin'.

"Afternoon," Ennis growled back.

"Hi, I'm Wesley Linden," came a male voice that sounded more kid than man. Ennis must be shakin' his head, Jack thought. "Karen told me your story. I called Nick here to help us out. I thought we'd go over a few details I'm not clear on-- I hope now is a good time." Jack felt his face go hot and wondered if Ennis was doin' the same. Was like the PD knew what they was just up to. Spoke like the weatherman, one of them eastern educated ones. Voice was sorta quiet, soft. Calm. He offered Jack his hand-- was small, but confident grip. As his hand slipped away, Jack noticed stubby nails. A man who chewed his nail ta nothing-- Jack wondered if that was a good sign or a bad sign in a private investigator.

Could tell he was short too. Jack judged about five-four, five-five maybe. He wondered what he was wearin'.

"Mind if I smoke?" Linden asked.

Jack shook his no, then Ennis added a nonchalant, "Nah." After a flick of a Bic, Jack's nose was assailed with a sticky-sweet smell. "What the fuck are ya smokin'?" Ennis bit out. "It ain't the marijuana shit?"

"No," Linden let out kind of a squeaky hiccup of a giggle. This guy sure was different-- not what Jack expected a PD ta be like. "It's a kretek-- a clove cigarette."

Jack never heard of a clove cigarette before-- cloves were them little bitty things Lureen stuck in the ham fer Easter dinner.

Jack heard a chair draggin' on carpet and Linden sittin' down.

"Let's talk about motive here," Linden said, exhalin'. "Where's an ashtray? Thanks. Um, Donaldson strikes me as the kind of man who doesn't like loose ends. Hanging a fake death rap on Mr. Twist isn't what he's about. My guess is that he said that just to get under your skin and try to flush out Miss Newsome. Karen told me she has concerns for Miss Newsome's safety, and if Karen's concerned, I put stock in that. Be careful contacting your wife. Back away, I know it's hard, but you need to make sure they can't find her."

"We'll be careful," Jack said.

"Good."

"Ya said ya needed ta clear some things up," Jack continued. "What ya need?"

"Answer me this: Why do you think Donaldson didn't finish the job? And I know this was Newsome's idea. I understand he hates you. But why choose Donaldson and then why keep you hidden in some out- of- the- way place? I heard Newsome has a god complex, but that's a lot of trouble."

"That's the truth. Hated me from the first day he met me, but didn't know he hated me that much. Don't know why he kept me alive other than he liked seein' me suffer. LD felt a whole lot of powerful kickin' my sorry ass down. Then Lureen found out and all kinds of crap let loose."

"Yeah, I get that-- what I don't get is why Donaldson didn't finish the job that night? Frankly, Mr. Twist, I amazed you're still alive. You're one loose end Donaldson can't afford to have around. Why'd he just leave you without making sure you were dead?"

"What do ya mean?"

"What I'm gettin' at is this, someone else came up on them-- they were interrupted. They left you on the side of the road like that, hopin' you were finished off, but they left quick. Someone had to take you to the hospital. I'd be willing to bet it was someone who knew or found out what was going down--"

"Yer not sayin' it was LD?" Jack asked.

"I thought that at first. But why? If Newsome came up on them, I don't think they would have scattered. And if it was some good Samaritan, than it would have all come out immediately or more likely, they would have killed that person-- they wouldn't want a witness. No, it was someone else-- someone who knew Newsome so Newsome did the cleanup afterward. Someone close. Someone who called Newsome; someone that those men knew. He was protecting someone close to him from Donaldson."

"Lureen?" Ennis asked.

"No," Jack said. "No way Lureen knew I was a live-- shit, she's not that kinda person. No way Lureen would do that-- she ain't got that kinda spirit."

"Then who?" Ennis asked.

"Who else?" Collinson said. "The wife."

"Can't be Faye. She went ta the police with Lureen. She left LD 'cause of it all."

"Then there's someone else-- someone close to Newsome, someone Donaldson and the boys would recognize and run from. Someone who would take Jack here and get him help, but call Newsome."

Jack sat still. Then it came at him like a bolt, "LD was steppin' out on Faye!"

"Has to be-- the other woman," Linden said. "We need to find her. You have any idea who it might be?"

"No idea," Jack said. "Couldn't be no one at work-- with Lureen there and all."

"It shouldn't be too hard to find out. Small enough town, people talk."

"LD has been seein' this woman since Fayette left him," Collinson offered. "Name's Chloe Parker."

"Shit, six degrees of separation is more like two, Christ-- world's too small," Linden huffed.

"What ya mean?" Collinson asked. "Ya know her?"

"No, but I know her brother."

"Oh," Collinson said, "oh-h."

"Yeah, oh," Linden said. "Guess it doesn't matter anyway. Jack's our best bet at getting through to her. Just Jack and me. I don't look scary. Too many people will scare her. She'll probably be afraid to talk, but she has a conscience we can appeal to. I'm hoping since she wouldn't leave you at the side of the road, she'll talk-- I'm betting she'll tell her story to Jack."

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"I think that PD is gay," Jack said later as he ate his fries.

"No kiddin'? Giggles. Wears pastels. Smokes clove cigarettes. Knows someone's brother, as in, knows 'em. Hm-m, ya think he might be?"

Ennis chewed his hamburger. Tonight was Burger Chef and Jeff.

"You sure about the brother?" Jack asked.

"I'm sure. Shoulda seen his face. He blushed-- real perdy-like."

Jack laughed.

"So, what's he look like?"

"He's short."

"That's not what I mean."

"He's short and needs a haircut."

"Straight?"