Chapter 23
Nikolai got Frode into the car and drove toward his house.
He kept coming back to Frode not trusting Saylor.
He worked on the case. Surely, he wanted the killer caught as much as they did.
But maybe, maybe, he'd said rug number four because he had it in his department and wanted Frode to come to him to read it.
"You trust Dubose over Saylor?" He glanced at Frode when they stopped at a red light. He was still pale, and he looked exhausted. Nikolai wanted to gather him in his arms and hold him.
"I don't know."
"But you asked her. What made you ask her?"
"Nerves? It's fucking terrifying to know you're about to touch something that might melt your brain. I might have felt better if she'd said the same thing as Saylor did. Reassurance, I guess."
Nikolai tightened his hold on the steering wheel. "But she didn't, and you touched it anyway."
"It was too late to back out."
"No. If you suspect your brain is gonna melt, you back out."
Frode gave him a weak smile.
"I'm serious, Frode. We'll catch him or someone else will. I don't think we're gonna be able to hold on to the case for much longer."
"Federals gonna take over?"
"By all accounts, they already should have." He didn't want to let it go, but Isaac was right; the important thing was to catch the murderer. He could allow someone else to be the one to take him down as long as he got to be the one who looked out for Frode.
Nikolai drove them out of town, onto narrower roads, and finally onto gravel roads. It was nice out here. Small scattered houses, surrounded by fields. Tranquil unless there was a murderer sneaking around.
"I'll touch the other rug tomorrow." Frode looked over at him right as he parked the car by his house.
"Frode--"
"No, I need to. Something isn't right."
Okay, so they were back to that. He wanted to argue, but maybe he should wait until tomorrow. Frode was tired and most likely not thinking rationally.
"Come on, baby. Let's go inside."
Frode watched him for a few seconds. "You're staying?"
"There is still a murderer on the loose who might know who you are and where you live."
"Ramen? I don't have the energy to cook anything taking more than five minutes."
Nikolai dropped his shoulders. He'd expected Frode to argue. "I can cook."
"Nope. Don't touch things in my kitchen." He opened the door and got out, but instead of walking toward the house, he walked to the small barn. "O Captain! My Captain!"
Nikolai snorted but followed on silent feet.
He lingered in the doorway, not wanting to startle Frode or the captain.
The sound of kibble hitting a bowl had the ugliest cat Nikolai had ever seen sneak closer along the wall.
It looked at Frode, but then it noticed Nikolai and scurried back to wherever it had been hiding before.
Frode sighed. "Did you have to scare him?"
"Sorry."
He shrugged and headed toward him. Nikolai curled an arm over his shoulders when he was close enough, shut the door behind them, and guided Frode toward the house. "We can order something to eat so you don't have to cook."
"Nah, you'll get a pack of five-minute Ramen and nothing else. I've already had takeout once today."
Nikolai hummed. He didn't care much other than not wanting Frode to have to do anything.
The moment they crossed the threshold, Nikolai closed and locked the door, then he pinned Frode to it. A surprised huff left him, and Nikolai grinned down at him. "Hello."
He dipped his head and gave Frode a chaste kiss. "How are you feeling?"
Frode's eyes sparkled, but he didn't answer. Nikolai kissed him again, lingered a little longer, and nipped at Frode's lower lip before letting go of him. "Ramen, then bed?" He didn't think he'd be able to sleep yet, but Frode looked half asleep.
"Sounds like a plan."
* * * *
Frode fixed them some food, and they ate in front of the TV. There was no sport to keep them company, so they ended up watching the news. Depressing.
One yawn followed another, and Frode's eyes were watering.
"Go to bed, honey."
"Will you join me?"
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep yet."
"But you'll come later?"
Nikolai studied him. "Yes."
"Remember to get naked and not have anything on you."
Nikolai nodded. "Are we changing the sheets."
Frode shook his head in reply. There was no use if Nikolai was joining him again. He'd only been in bed once, so it wouldn't be too bad to get in there. His brain was tired, but he could handle one more face.
"Okay."
Frode got up, carried their bowls out into the kitchen, placed them in the dishwasher, then he headed for the bathroom to get ready for bed.
He'd touch the third rug tomorrow, and then he'd have a pattern.
He hoped. The sense of unease was back. Could someone make themselves invisible to him?
What if Altman's accomplice was a psychic who could hide from other psychics?
He spat and rinsed his toothbrush before hurrying out into the TV room where Nikolai was. He was staring at his phone. "Can you change the channel? There will be an NHL game later."
Frode was thrown off for a moment, then he hurried over to the coffee table, grabbed the remote, and changed the channel.
"Did you find the listings of psychics Saylor was talking about?"
Nikolai nodded.
"How many are there in Berg?"
"They claim to know of forty-eight."
Forty-eight? It was more than he'd expected, but he guessed it made sense statistically. "And they know who everyone is? Name, picture, what their skill is, and so on?"
"Not what their skill is. Or some have confirmed--"
"Yeah, I know. Some are idiots."
Nikolai grinned. "Why?"
"What if the accomplice is psychic and can erase his touches, hide them from me?"
The amusement vanished from Nikolai's face. "Right. How sure are you there is an accomplice?"
Shaking his head didn't help much. "Not sure at all. I can't tell you why, but I don't think Altman did it. I think he's involved, neck-deep, but I don't think he's slitting their throats."
Nikolai studied him for several long seconds. "Is it because he's a teacher?"
Frode looked out the window and took a deep breath. "No. I don't know why." He waved a hand. "I'll sleep on it. You'll join me after the game?"
Nikolai nodded, and Frode sauntered off into the bedroom. He left the door open as he undressed, braided his hair, and finally tugged off his gloves.
The sheets were cool, and Nikolai's face took over his vision the moment he slid in, but it was over fast. He was dizzy for a second, his brain overtired, but it was fine. He closed his eyes and went limp.
He didn't know how much time had passed when there was a rustle in the room. A blue light was spilling in from the TV, but it was dark otherwise. Then the bed dipped, and Nikolai slid underneath the covers. Warm, naked skin brushed against his, and he shivered.
"Hi." His whisper was low.
"Sorry to wake you." Nikolai slid an arm over his middle and spooned him. "I left the TV on. Is there a sleep timer on it?"
"Yeah, it'll ask if you're still watching after a while, if you don't press a button on the remote, it'll shut off."
Nikolai kissed his neck. "Good."
Frode hummed and rubbed his ass against Nikolai's groin. It was met by a huff and a hand clamping down on his hip. "Sleep."
He should. "But you feel good."
"You're more asleep than you are awake. Rest."
But heat was curling in his gut now, and his cock was starting to fill. He rolled his hips again and felt a responding twitch against his ass.
"Frode." The low growl sent tingles down his spine. A syrupy horniness spread inside, and he let out a moan.
Nikolai huffed. "You need to rest." But there was a thick length poking his ass. Frode rubbed against it, a smile playing on his lips.
"Stop it." Nikolai pulled away, and Frode whined in protest.
"No, don't go."
The hand on his hip slid up to his chest, pressing him against Nikolai. "I'm not going anywhere, but you need to sleep."
"I bet I'd sleep really well after an orgasm."
* * * *
Nikolai should say no. Frode needed to rest. It was scary to see how much of a toll it took on him to read things. Scarier still to know there was nothing he could do to help him. All he could do was take care of him when he was unable to do it himself and make sure he rested.
Fooling around when he needed to sleep wasn't taking care of him.
"Nico?"
"We should sleep."
"Or you could fuck me, nice and slow, until I'm boneless and drowsy."
His cock twitched at the suggestion. "Frode." It was a growl and a warning all in one.
"I'm not talking about anything acrobatic or complicated. Calm. Controlled. Unhurried."
Heat was rushing through him, but Frode was tired, and he'd seen how he'd flinched all through the day as if he had a headache.
He slid his hand over Frode's chest, down his stomach, and farther until his fingertips reached his neatly trimmed pubic hair. He caressed him with circular motions, the hard, hot shaft brushing against the back of his hand.
"Nico."
"No fucking." He grazed his cock with a teasing caress, and Frode groaned.
When he curled his fingers around the base and moved upward, Frode pushed back against him.
Nikolai let go of him, grabbed his cock, and guided it between Frode's legs, adjusting his position until the tip of him was sliding over Frode's taint.
Lube would've been nice, but he didn't want to ask Frode to find any, and he didn't think digging around and touching things in Frode's nightstand was a good idea.
He'd have to make do with precome.
With a few gentle thrusts, he made sure he had the angle right, then he took Frode in hand again.
"Fuck yeah, that's nice." Frode flung an arm back and dug his fingers into Nikolai's ass cheek. He gave a careful roll of his hips, squeezing Nikolai's length best he could.
"Mmm." Nikolai nipped at his ear and could sense the shiver going through Frode. Good.
Their pants filled the air. When he'd put them in this position, Nikolai had planned to do most of the work, but Frode was like liquid. He undulated in Nikolai's hold, moved like water, and Nikolai got lost in the sensation. He kissed and licked and squeezed as heat consumed him.
His cock throbbed, precome leaked, and he wanted more and more and more.
Every warm, slick thrust drove him closer to euphoria, but he didn't want it to end.
He worked Frode's length, alternated between playing with his balls and working his cock until he was a blabbering mess.
Nikolai loved him like this. All hostility gone as he surrendered.
So fucking hot.
"Feels good, baby." Nikolai nipped at him again. He wasn't normally a biter, but he wanted to consume Frode, wanted to own him, and sinking his teeth into him soothed some of the urge.
"Nico, please." Frode cupped his neck, his body moving in a primal dance, and Nikolai tightened his hold on him, worked him faster.
Frode's moans sent tingles down his spine, and heat filled him.
He placed open-mouthed kisses over Frode's neck and shoulder as his hips stuttered, moving beyond his control.
Frode's cock swelled in his grip, and he could tell he was close. Fuck, yeah. He bit his shoulder and allowed his climax to claim him. He spilled over Frode's taint and balls, thrusting into the slippery mess until he couldn't take it anymore.
Frode moaned and came. Nikolai had the presence of mind to try to catch as much of his release as possible in his hand.
They stilled, and their ragged breaths filled the dark room. The TV must've shut off.
"Fuck, my head hurts." Frode went lax in his hold. Shit.
"How bad?" Should they go to the hospital? Should he call Hjalmar? And say what? Hey, I jerked your brother off, and now his head hurts. Nikolai didn't look forward to that conversation.
"Not too bad." Then he rolled over Nikolai and put his feet on the floor. "Ugh, why did you have to make me so messy?"
"Eh..."
Frode snorted, walked out of the bedroom, and left Nikolai there with a hand full of jizz. He rested it on his stomach and waited. Frode wouldn't want him to leave the bed, but he couldn't stay here when he was all--
Frode walked into the room and handed Nikolai a towel. He cleaned up the best he could, feeling a little sticky, but then Frode gave him a damp cloth. He wiped off again. Good enough.
Tugging at the cloth, Frode walked over to the corner of the room and, Nikolai suspected, dropped them in the hamper. Shortly after, he was by the bed, and Nikolai pulled him down to lie beside him. "How are you feeling?"
"Like maybe it was a bad idea."
Nikolai pressed his eyes shut. "Fuck."
Frode chuckled. "It was nice, though. Thank you."
"You're so weird." Nikolai searched in the dark until he found Frode's lips and kissed him. "Do you need anything? Should I call someone?"
Frode groaned. "No, my head is throbbing a bit. It was great until right after I came. Endorphins, I guess."
Nikolai tightened his hold on him. "Okay, no orgasms on days you've read something."
"I do not agree. It feels like double punishment, and I'm not into punishments."
Nikolai snorted. "It's not a punishment. It's for your own good."
"I'm rolling my eyes really hard right now."
"Don't hurt yourself."
Frode gave him a light slap before burrowing closer and yawning. "I'm fine. It's like when you have a headache and move too fast, you know? A swoosh of pain. Nothing to worry about."
Nikolai kissed his forehead. "Rest."
Frode's breath was warm against his skin, but Nikolai could tell he was awake. He ran a hand over his back. Frode curled an arm around him, but he didn't relax, not fully.
"What are you thinking?"
He made a sound Nikolai wasn't sure how to interpret. "It's nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, only thinking. We'll deal with it tomorrow." He yawned again, and Nikolai ran a hand over his hair.
* * * *