9. Ranen
Chapter 9
Ranen
L et me keep you safe.
That sentence runs through my head as I set up my equipment a few days later. Since North has been using the room for its intended purpose, nothing is set up how I had it before.
Let me keep you safe.
It shouldn’t have touched me as much as it did. I mean, he’s offering to watch me jerk off for my subscribers, but I don’t know, it’s touching.
Little does North know, he’s been keeping me safe every day he’s been here. His very presence relaxes and calms me. Proof of that is me moving around the very room I got my ass kicked in. Though I had a small panic attack before I entered early this morning—my pulse racing, hands sweating, and my breath coming out in pants—I was able to get through it to acclimate myself to my surroundings again.
And North was there, comforting me until I came back to myself.
“Ranen!” I hear through my phone, and I snap back to the conversation I was having.
“Yeah, sorry. I was distracted.”
Olly sighs and it sounds almost pitying. I hate it, but I know he’s only worried about me. I told him today I was going to try to stream again. He knows the trouble I had the past few times, so I decide to chalk the sigh up to worry, not pity.
“I know it’s stressful,” he says in a more upbeat voice, “but you’re going to kill it. A few of our mutuals have messaged me and they’re eager to see you on cam again.”
I smile despite my nervousness. It’s nice that people are waiting on me—that sounds narcissistic, but whatever. The fact that my subs miss me makes me happy and confirms that going on cam tonight is the right decision.
After I straighten the bed, I flop down on it. North has been using this room and his scent is everywhere. He is everywhere. Everywhere I look, some of his clothes, his shoes, his damn toothpaste is in my line of sight.
It’s strange that I’m totally okay with a random dude showing up at my house and making himself at home, but I am. Over the past few weeks, I’ve felt safe. I’ve felt taken care of. North hasn’t been hovering, but he’s made sure I haven’t had to lift a finger unless I was determined to. It’s been… nice to be taken care of.
I do feel a little ill at ease right now because he’s gone. I’m not sure where he took off to, but I didn’t want to ask—it wasn’t my business. Though I longed to ask the question. He’s only been gone for two hours, but it feels longer. Which is why I called Olly. I needed someone to keep me company while I was here alone, even if it’s only over the phone.
“That’s good to hear,” I say, really meaning it. “I’m ready today. North is going to—”
Olly makes a squeaking sort of noise in his throat. “That creepy guy from the hospital is still there? I thought you said it would only be for a few days.”
When I told Olly that North was crashing with me until I was better, at the time it was only supposed to be a few days. But I don’t think North has any intention of leaving anytime soon. And if I’m honest, I don’t really want him to. Our routine is comfortable. We don’t get in each other’s way and he lets me enjoy my silence while still being there for me. We talk often, North making jokes with his dry humor that has me cracking up. He’s an excellent cook, making dinner almost every night and helping me clean up when we’re done.
I don’t know, I really like North. If he wants to stay for longer than a few days—technically, he already has—then so be it. Right now, I’m enjoying having him around. Maybe when he’s done helping me feel more comfortable camming again, he’ll leave.
That thought settles in my stomach like a lead weight. I don’t think I want him to leave when I’m feeling better in front of the camera.
Something he and I will have to talk about, I guess. We never established how long he’d be here. He had three large bags by my door when I was discharged from the hospital, but that wasn’t indicative of how long he’d hang around.
I pull at a loose thread on the blanket. “Yeah, well, he’s helping me, so he’s going to stick around for a little longer.”
“Helping how?”
Olly’s voice sounds weird… strained and hard. I pull the phone away from my ear, eyeing it with confusion as if it could tell me why he’s being so weird. “He’s going to stand in the hallway and make sure no one breaks into my apartment and beats the shit out of me,” I mumble, a helpless feeling rolling over me.
I’ll never forget how utterly powerless I was when that man broke into my place. I had no one to call for help, no one to depend on to keep me safe but myself. And I failed.
“Shit,” Olly says, that hard edge being replaced by one of sympathy. “I’m sorry. You have the right to feel safe. If he’s there to help, that’s good. Sorry I sounded so… protective. You’re my best friend. I could have come to keep you safe. I could have brought my stuff and we could have made a party of it.” He chuckles lightly and I join in, the oppressive mood dissipating.
“It’s all good. I couldn’t ask that of you. You have your shit set up how you want it. I wouldn’t ask you to move things around for me. And I’d feel like I was intruding in your space.” I talk over him when he makes a noise to interrupt. “It’s all good, Olly. North won’t be here much longer. Whoever is after me will slip up in some way, and I’ll call the cops on their asses so fast it’ll make their head spin.”
“Damn right,” he says with conviction. “I’ll let you go. It’s almost time for you to go on. I’ll be watching to make sure there aren’t any shitty comments.”
I smile. “Thanks. I’ll call you later. Love you.”
“Love you more.”
I click off the call, the grin still on my face. It feels nice to have both Olly and North watching out for me. I’m not usually a dependent person, but after going through what I did, it’s nice to have someone—or someones— to lean on.
“Who do you love?” The voice comes from my doorway and I jump, my hand flying to my chest. North holds his hand out, an apologetic look on his face. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I called to you when I came in, but I didn’t realize you were on the phone.”
I chuckle, my heart rate still going haywire behind my ribs. “It’s okay, I was talking to Olly. He’s going to tune in to the show in a bit to make sure no one inundates me with shitty comments.”
“I can do that,” North says, pushing off the jamb. “I mean, I can drag your laptop into the hall and—”
“No,” I interrupt. “You can stay in here. If you’re looking at comments, it only makes sense. And like I said before, it’s not like you haven’t seen my body already.”
A soft smile touches his lips. “You sure? If your friend is watching out for you, you won’t need me.”
“Two sets of eyes are better than one.” I step past North and hurry to my room to get changed.
I lean back against the door and try to catch my breath. The thought of North being in the room with me while I touch myself already has me hard, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about him watching me pleasure myself one day—or think about me pleasuring him . Down on my knees, looking up into those blue-green eyes as they flare with arousal when I suck him in.
I scoff and push off the door to get dressed. Never in all my years have I gone down on someone. One kiss. I’ve only had one kiss and I think I can suck a dick? Not likely.
Quickly, I get dressed and head to my cam room—or North’s room, as I see it now. My heart rate quickens when I see North sitting at the desk my camera is propped up on. He has my laptop open and turned to face him, a dip in his eyebrows.
“Everything okay?” I ask, moving to the bed to straighten it up again. I grin when I spot one of North’s bags peeking out from under it. I told him he could use the closet, but he declined.
“Oh, yeah. Just making sure everything is good to go. You’re logged in, but not streaming yet. When you’re ready, I’ll start the livestream.”
I pull the lube from the nightstand drawer and toss it onto the bed, right on the pillow North uses every night. Is it weird that I fixate on his things in my apartment? Probably, but fuck it.
Before I climb onto the bed, I blow out a long, nervous breath. Maybe things will be different now that North is here. He can keep me safe while I have fun, jump back into my work and have a bomb orgasm.
Once I have everything I need, I take a seat at the end of the bed and nod to North. When I see the red light flashing on my camera, I paste on a smile and feel in my element.
“Hey, everyone. I’m so sorry it’s been so long since I’ve made a video.” I swallow roughly and let out a deep breath, gripping the mattress. “I’m sure most of you saw what happened last time I went live. I had to heal and rest before I came back here to you guys.” I lift my head and smile. “But here I am. Back and ready to work.”
A few pings go off on my computer and I raise an eyebrow at North. He turns the screen around so I can read what the subs are saying. He slides closer to the end of the desk—out of the eyesight of the camera—so he can still read what’s being said.
derbycockrider69: So glad you’re back, Cas! You look great. We missed you.
“Hey, Derby. I missed you all too.” My chest feels warm. Even though some might not think it’s a big deal to be back camming, I like it and want to make sure my subs are happy. “I’m glad you aren’t all upset with me because of my last few shows. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
camfan09: Glad ur ok. that looked brutal.
A sad smile crosses my face. “It was even worse experiencing it. I still have a few bumps and bruises, but that’s to be expected. But I’m fit as a fiddle and ready to show you all a good time.”
kodachrome99: Can we see your ass while you give us life updates?
North growls, but I don’t look over at him. I don’t want viewers to know he’s here.
Even though I smile, I let some heat enter my voice. “Koda, you’ve been on thin ice with me for weeks. Chill out or I’ll boot you from the room.”
Koda’s light goes from green to grayed out, showing he’s logged off. Whatever. I move on to one more comment.
cooper99: I’m excited to see you work again. Will you be back to twice-weekly shows?
“Yes, Cooper. I think from here on out, I’ll be good to continue twice-weekly shows.” After a few seconds, I say, “Now. Are you all ready?” I slide back on the bed, playing with the hem of my pants. “I said, are you all ready? I don’t see any tips.”
Dings sound from the computer speakers and I grin. This is usually just the beginning of the tips. Once I really get into my routine, I’ll make a killing tonight.
It feels good knowing that my absence hasn’t affected them wanting to see me perform. I thought for sure they’d forget about me and move on to the next hot camboy.
I’m glad no one asked about the attack, other than to see if I was okay. It helps me keep it separate, like I can dive into the Cassidy role and leave Ranen behind for a little while. It’s good to have a break from the trauma.
I lean forward and read a few comments, smiling as they flood the chat box. My smile drops when a private message comes through, but I try to put on a brave face. Even still, my heart rate spikes and my erection deflates. North reads it and his scowl is clear.
WELCOME BACK. I MISSED SEEING YOUR HOT ASS.
North deletes the message super quick, but it’s still unsettling. In a voice that doesn’t carry, he says, “I’m here. Do you wanna stop?”
I shake my head to answer him and clear my thoughts at the same time. This person won’t take my joy like he did last time.
Not giving my stalker any more thought, I slide to the top of the bed then hook my fingers into my briefs. “Let’s get this show started.” I slide my underwear off. I would usually try to do it with a bit more finesse, but that message really did my head in. I feel confident, but not as much as I did before.
Fuck! I should have known whoever this motherfucker is, he wouldn’t stop. Is it the same person who attacked me? If it is, he knows why I haven’t been around to do shows. He put me in the fucking hospital!
Trying to shake off the fear and agitation, I squirt lube on my palm and grip myself, jerking slowly. My cock refuses to even twitch since I’m no longer in the Cassidy headspace. Nope, Ranen is back, fear clinging to him like a second skin.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I’ve been thinking about all the packages I received from you guys. All the toys I can use. My ass clenches every time I look at the large lime-green dildo someone gifted me. Wanna know what I named it?” I pause for effect. “The green-eyed monster. Who wants to see me fucking myself on it?” A chorus of dings sounds through the speaker, and slowly but surely, I’m getting back to where I was.
But not soon enough. I don’t have to look at the comments to know some viewers are wondering why I’m still soft. I’ve been playing with my dick for close to five minutes and it’s not getting any harder. Usually, my cock is standing at attention as soon as I grip it. This isn’t normal and I know my usual subs know that.
Though I try to hide it, my eyes widen with panic. Can I do this? Along with my sense of safety at being home alone, did my attacker take this from me too?
Before I sit up and tell my subs—again—that I have to stop, movement from the left of my computer desk catches my attention. North is watching me with intense eyes, the tent in his pants prominent. What really draws my focus is how his hand is slowly going to the bottom of his shirt, dragging it up his torso and catching it in his teeth.
Holy fuck, North is stacked. His tight abs and hard pecs tease me, begging for my touch and my tongue. I have to swallow hard so I don’t start drooling.
His hand drifts over to one of his nipples, circling the bud until it hardens. I bite my lip, stroking my hardening cock slowly so I don’t blow my load too fast. Looking at North this way has my orgasm at the tip of my dick. I’ve never seen someone in person like this—not if they weren’t performing. I mean sure, I’ve seen Olly play with and tease himself for the fans, but that was all fake. What North is doing now? It’s real.
And it’s all for me.
After making his other nipple pebble, he unhurriedly drags his hand down his torso. The entire time, he stares at me, his gaze bouncing between my eyes and my cock. Does he like what he sees? Compared to North, I’m so tiny. Does he like men as small as me? His expression and hard cock tell me he does, but that could be to put me at ease while he’s protecting me. Could he be interested in something more?
That’s a question for another time, not while North is giving me a free show. The dinging of my computer reaches my ears, but dimly, as all my focus is on North and where his hand is going.
I bite my bottom lip when he undoes his pants, slides his hand inside, and squeezes his cock. His eyes become half-lidded as his lips part. I track his tongue as he licks across his lower lip, wetting the plump flesh.
“Fuck,” I groan, tossing my head back so I can get away from the image of North palming himself. I’ll come in a flash if I’m not careful.
But that’s not helpful. Since I’m lying on North’s pillow, I get a lungful of his scent when I turn my head to the side.
“Oh, shit,” I murmur, my hand moving faster on my cock as I take greedy pulls of the scent on that pillow. It fills my nose, burrowing into my senses, shooting my arousal higher.
The sound of skin on skin has me looking back towards North, and what I see has my balls drawing up close to my body, my orgasm so close that if the wind blew over my cock head, I’d explode.
North has his beautiful dick out, stroking in earnest as he watches me. And fuck, does he watch me. His eyes are glued to my body, drifting over me like a caress. The head of his thick cock is an angry red, as if it hurts from holding his release at bay. My mouth waters as I stare at it peeking out from North’s fist.
I’m riveted to his hand and how his chest rises and falls with his panting breaths.
Then North runs his thumb over his cock head, collecting precum, and I come undone.
“Oh fuck, I’m coming. Oh god!” My back bows off the bed as my cock kicks off, wave after wave of my orgasm painting my belly. I jerk myself through my release, milking every drop for my viewers.
I’d mostly forgotten about them until just now.
When my balls are empty, I collapse back on the bed, my chest heaving with the force of my release. Glancing over at North, I see he also made a mess of himself, his pecs and abs covered with his seed. I’ve never seen a more arousing sight.
God, how did he know? How did he know what I needed to get through this week’s show? That had to be the biggest release I’ve had to date, and I’m a pro at prostate orgasms. But watching North… seeing his fat cock peeking out of his tight fist pushed me over the edge in the best possible way.
With tired eyes, I look over at the camera and rub my hand through my release—something I usually do when I come, since my subs like to see me messy. “Sorry guys,” I say in a voice still sounding like sex. “It’s been a few weeks since I had an orgasm. I was pretty backed up.”
Gathering my strength, I crawl to the end of the bed, shooting a secret smile to North. He chuckles silently, pulls his shirt from his body, and wipes his chest. I hope this doesn’t get weird. I like having him around.
Tons of comments are on my feed, most of them saying how much they missed me and how that was the best money shot they’ve ever seen. I’d have to agree.
Another private message appears on my screen, but North deletes it so fast that I only make out “HOW DARE—”
My hands tremble, but it doesn’t last long, since I’m still floating from that orgasm. “I’m sorry that was so quick, you guys. But…” I say, holding up a cum-coated finger that I slide into my mouth. “I’ll make it up to you all, I promise.” I lick the rest of my fingers clean and get a flood of tips.
derbycockrider69: that was super fuckin’ hot. more of tht plz. it was like you were watching a show of your own. i don’t think i saw you cum so hard before.
I blush at how spot on Derby is. My own show was my sexy, self-proclaimed bodyguard and his way of getting me out of my head.
cooper99: can we have a clue on what we get next
I shrug because I really don’t know. I was going to think during this week about how I can create an explosive show. “You’ll have to come back and see. Same time next week, lovelies. Thanks for tuning in.”
North closes the live chat and I whoop, doing a little happy dance. I rush into his arms, hugging him around the waist. His large, warm arms wrap around me and he rocks me from side to side. “Thank you,” I say, the words muffled in his chest. “I didn’t know how I would get through that.”
The rumble of his laugh vibrates under my cheek and I smile. “It was no trouble at all. You did good.” He tips my head up, one of his big beautiful hands cupping my face. “I’m sorry you got those messages, but I’m glad I was able to delete them.”
I nod and pull my lips in, but don’t stop looking into his fathomless eyes. He’s so fucking handsome. “It’s okay. What did that last message say? It looked angry.”
North grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing for you to worry about. I blocked that user and I’ll keep blocking them if they make another until they get the hint to piss off.”
“Thank you, North.” I look between us and feel my face heat. “And I’m sorry for making you all messy.”
With a cheeky grin, North says, “Yeah, well you made me messy before you touched me, so it’s all good.”
I bark a laugh and reluctantly extract myself from his arms. “I’m going to get in the shower. You can hop in after me. The hot water doesn’t run out.”
North looks at me with the same intense gaze he had when I was jerking off. I stand there, wondering what he wants to say.
Before I can inquire, he puts his hand on the back of my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. It’s short—way too fucking short—but the press of his lips sends fire licking over my skin. God, his lips are so soft, but firm on mine.
When he pulls away, I try to chase his mouth, wanting more.
But North just chuckles, turns me around to face the hallway, and gently slaps my bare ass. “Go shower. I’ll hop in after you, then we can go out to eat and celebrate your first day back at work.”
I nod woodenly, my feet moving on autopilot as I step into the bathroom. When I’m under the spray, I smile as my hand trails up to my lips. They’re still tingling from his kiss.
I want more.