Now Comes the Night Read Online Free PDF Page A

Conrad had managed to sleep until full dark and not been immediately and dangerously ravenous upon awakening. It was the first hopeful sign he’d had to indicate that his strength was returning, that his disordered nervous system was finding its balance and starting to heal. That he might yet recover from last summer’s ordeal.
    Given that it was Damian who was largely responsible for his recovery, it was also another debt to be added to the vast amount Conrad already owed him. A debt it would be his great pleasure to repay.
    Conrad slid his hand across Damian’s midsection, thrilling not just to the sweet sensation of bare skin, warm and alive beneath his palm, but also to the joy and amazement of knowing he was, once again, entirely within his right to do so. He could give his hand free rein tonight, let it roam wherever it pleased and play however it liked.
    Moving his hand to Damian’s chest, Conrad lightly flicked one of the gold rings piercing Damian’s nipples.
    Damian stirred. A slight frown furrowed his brows then his dark eyes fluttered open. A faint trace of alarm registered for just an instant in his expression, and then it was gone again. His gaze, when it oriented on Conrad’s face, gave nothing away. “You’re awake already.”
    Even mostly asleep, Damian still managed to keep the surprise from his voice. Conrad envied him his control and yet, at the same time, he could not resist the urge to try and shake it. He nodded. “I am.”
    “Are you all right? Nothing’s happened has it?”
    “No, everything’s fine.” Conrad gave the little gold ring a final flick. “I’ve merely been lying here for the past several minutes, watching as you slept and contemplating a most interesting question, one that’s only just occurred to me.”
    “Really?” Damian eyed him curiously. “What question is that?”
    “I’ve been wondering with what other piercings I might wish to see your body adorned.”
    Damian raised one eyebrow. “As I recall, you said once you didn’t care for such things.”
    Conrad shrugged. “I’m allowed to change my mind, aren’t I?”
    A wry smile played across Damian’s lips. “Indeed. Who would dare try and stop you?” He lifted his hand from the pillow and caressed Conrad’s face. “So, might I ask what ideas you’ve come up with?”
    In answer, Conrad let his hand trail slowly down the length of Damian’s torso, enjoying the way his muscles rippled in response. He wrapped his hand securely around Damian’s erection and smiled menacingly. “I was thinking…here perhaps.”
    Damian’s eyes widened at the implication. A faint flush colored his cheeks. “You’re joking.”
    “Why would you think that?” Conrad squeezed gently. The organ in question jerked lightly within his grasp. “You know I’ve always loved to see you wearing my mark. Just imagine it.” He drew his thumb in slow, lazy circles all around the slick crown then asked, “Well? What do you think of the idea?”
    Damian grimaced faintly. “I think it’s not the kind of question one should decide after only several minutes contemplation.”
    “And yet you’ve always been so impulsive. Are you sure, my dear? Because I think it could be the kind of question I could easily decide for you—and without the need for any additional contemplation.”
    Damian’s eyes narrowed. He studied Conrad’s face, assessing him. “You’re feeling much better tonight, aren’t you?”
    Conrad hesitated a moment before answering. “I’m feeling…good,” he said at last. Better than he’d been in a long while? Yes. Definitely. Better altogether? No, not yet. He still had a ways to go before he reached that point, and who knew if he ever would?
    A smug, self-satisfied smile suffused Damian’s face. “So, I was right then. This was what you needed after all.”
    Conrad sighed. He released Damian from his grip and gave up the attempt to tease him. There was no need to ask what Damian meant; “this” meant