The Soldier's Hostage

Chapter Twenty-Three

Just out of curiosity, I eyed a woman running on the treadmill. Her full bosom bounced and her long legs were gorgeous. It stirred some lust in the pit of my stomach. I turned my attention to a man working on a machine, strong arms flexing and broad chest rippling. The lust sputtered out.

I tried again. A woman doing sit-ups. Lust. A man lifting weights. Nothing. Women doing yoga. Lust. Men swimming. Nothing.

I let my eyes close and imagined Arthur. I couldn't see him on any of these machines, so I just pictured him as I always saw him, coming home tired after a long day of work. Bending over to grab a beer. The bobbing of his throat as he tipped back the last swallow. The easy way he lounged in front of the TV.

Lust. And something else that was so much stronger.

I ground my teeth and opened my eyes again, clenching my hand into a fist around the empty water bottle. It crackled angrily and I heartily agreed. I stiffened when someone stopped next to me, glancing up. Then I relaxed with a sigh as Max sat down next to me.

We sat in silence for a moment, Max giving me a moment to prepare for his inevitable question. Finally, I dropped my shoulders in defeat. Max cocked his head at me. "So? What's going on?"

I took in a deep breath and let it out as I gathered courage. "I may have fallen for Arthur."

Max blinked in surprise. "But I thought you were straight. Like, never ever even consider a guy. What turned you around?"

I shook my head with a frown. "I'm not gay. I don't like guys. There is no attraction for me whatsoever." I waved dismissively at the people in the gym, indicating my whole experiment and its futility at convincing myself that I only liked women. I dropped my hand and scowled as I grit through my teeth. "It's just Arthur."

Max puzzled on that one for a minute, then scrubbed the back of his neck as he made a confused face. "So you're only gay for Arthur."

I sighed but nodded. That was really the only way to explain it. I couldn't even explain how it was possible. It was just the way it was. Max abruptly shrugged.

"So roll with it. Or does he not feel the same?"

I shook my head. "I haven't told him so I don't know." I groaned and leaned back. "Even if he does feel the same, I can't do the same things he would do with a woman! I'm useless to him! That alone will probably kill my chances."

Max stared into his lap. "Why can't you do anything?"

I scowled at him. He knew very well why. "It hurts!"

He flushed and I deflated in surprise. "Actually, it doesn't have to. Pierre was doing it wrong." He gave a huff of self-deprecating humor. "Obviously he was doing it wrong. But I promise you it's possible to do it without pain."

I turned towards him a little more, very interested in this information. He quirked a half smile. "You'd have to ask Katty or Jason for the details. All I know, is that she did something that obviously made him feel good. I haven't let them do it to me yet, but Jason never seems to be opposed when it comes to me doing his ass."

I licked my lips. "You're gonna have to give me more than that. And since when do Vampires let humans mount them?!"

He snorted. "I know, right?!" He sobered again as he scraped a hand through his hair, frustrated that he wasn't giving me what I needed. "I don't know. I guess there's this spot that feels good? At the very least, mutual masturbation is a thing, right?"

I groaned and leaned my elbows on my knees. "Great."

"I can't tell you what to do Tucker. But, I guess that's part of the problem huh?"