RufflingThePeacocksFeathers by Charlie Richards

tongue from the man’s anus, over his balls, and up the crease of his groin, pointedly ignoring Rueben’s semi erection.
    “Feel better?” he crooned. He lifted the warm rag and rubbed away the remaining fluids.
    Rueben smiled sleepily at him and heaved a sigh. “Perfect,” he muttered.
    Lamar hesitated, uncertain if he would be welcomed to stay in Rueben’s bed, since he was human.
    Fortunately, Rueben took the decision from Lamar by grabbing his wrist and tugging. “Come here.”
    Lamar obeyed and crawled into bed. Rueben turned him, spooned up behind him, and draped his top arm over him. “Night,” Rueben whispered, kissing the back of Lamar’s neck softly.
    “Night.”
    From the other man’s even breathing, Lamar knew Rueben had already succumbed to sleep. Unable to resist the strange peace that still permeated him and the pull of slumber, Lamar also drifted into dreamland.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Rueben heaved a sigh and dropped his head against the headboard. For good measure, he lifted his head and banged the headboard again. He had no idea what the hell had happened. He and Lamar had had a wonderful night together. When they’d woken, they’d cuddled, made out, then had a fantastic frottage session.
    That had been three days ago. After Lamar had left, claiming a need for a shower and a change of clothes, the man hadn’t come back. While taking his own shower, Rueben had missed a call from Lamar. His lover had claimed that something had come up and he needed to run out to see his buddy who had a problem. Lamar hadn’t elaborated, and when Rueben had called him back, the blond hadn’t answered and hadn’t called him back.
    Normally, being blown off like that, Rueben would have chalked it up to a fantastic one-night stand and moved on. Now that he knew his brother was fine—Ricky had dropped by his motel room and they’d chatted for over an hour about their lives, although Ricky had been careful to keep clear of giving any reason for why he’d been in the area—Rueben should just head home to Portland. He’d already received one call from his physical therapist, asking when he would schedule an appointment.
    Thinking about that, Rueben was actually surprised at how good his foot felt. Between his fall in the bathroom and the vigorous sex, he would have thought he’d be popping Ibuprofen to keep his foot from throbbing. He felt pretty grateful and hoped it wasn’t a sign that he’d reinjured it.
    “Damn it,” Rueben muttered. “I should just go home.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “It’s obvious he isn’t interested in talking to me,” he grumbled to himself, scooting toward the bed’s edge. He grabbed his crutches and levered himself to his feet…or foot.
    “Then, what the hell am I doing?” he grumbled.
    His confusion didn’t stop him from leaving his room and hobbling down the hallway to the room where his brother still resided, at least, for one more night. Ricky had told him he planned to leave the next morning and return to work in San Francisco. It wasn’t often Rueben got to hang out with his brother without them sniping at each other, so the dinners they’d shared together the last couple evenings had been really, really…nice.
    “Yeah?”
    Ricky’s voice through the door caught Rueben’s attention. Damn, when did I get here and knock? Shaking his head, Rueben hollered, “It’s me.”
    The lock flicked open and Ricky pulled the door wide. “Hey, what’s up?”
    “Any idea which room is Lamar’s?”
    Scowling at him, Ricky crossed his arms over his chest. “I told you not to get involved with him. Why do you want to know?”
    “Don’t give me shit,” he snapped. “Just tell me.”
    Ricky rolled his eyes and pushed away from the wall. “Why would you bother listening to your older and wiser brother,” he griped.
    “Well, you’re half right.”
    After flipping the metal loop used to lock the door from the inside, effectively keeping