Touch Me Read Online Free PDF

voice light. He didn’t want George to know how much the kid had affected him. There was silence on the other end of the line. He didn’t know if it was because George was thinking or trying to speak.
    “Share?” his partner croaked with a hint of excitement. Erik smiled to himself. George was looking forward to hearing all about it.
    “Of course,” he responded. “I’m leaving now, so I’ll be home soon. Don’t fall asleep.”
    “Love,” George said. It sounded like “luh”.
    “I love you too, babe. See you in a bit.”
    Erik hung up, his smile fading. He put on his coat and hat, turned out the lights and headed home.
 

ALLAN
     

“WHAT THE HELL IS THIS PLACE?” Allan demanded angrily as soon as he caught sight of the sex toys on the shelf. Erik sighed and closed the door to his sanctuary. Apprehension flooded his gut. He never took clients without speaking to them directly first, and this was why. Apparently Cindy had neglected to mention a few things to her husband when she arranged this little surprise. Erik had been too caught up in their story, and wanting to help, to think much about the repercussions. But he realized now that he had no idea how receptive Allan would be—all he had to go on was what Cindy had told him.
    Allan leaned heavily on his cane and glowered. If Erik hadn’t been blocking the exit, he likely would have stormed out. Or tried to. But the stroke and his recovery had left him gaunt and pale, and obviously weakened. He was only sixty-one according to his wife, but he looked much older with a shock of thick, white hair and sallow, papery skin. His left eyelid drooped slightly, as did the corner of his mouth. Still, beneath the scars of his illness lurked the remnants of a once very good looking man.
    “I take it Cindy didn’t explain things to you,” Erik said.
    “She said she was taking me for a massage. Not to some queer jack shack.” When he spoke, it was slowly, annunciating every word.
    “I prefer the term erotic massage. But we don’t have to use those.” He gestured to the toys.
    Allan’s laugh was harsh and grating. “What a bitch. Why couldn’t she have just walked out like she’s been itching to do? Why humiliate me like this?”
    “I don’t think that was her intention at all.”
    Allan dug into his pocket for his wallet. “How much does she owe you? I’ll reimburse you for your time.”
    He lay a gentling hand on Allan’s arm. He smiled. “Put that away. I don’t charge my special clients. Let’s have a seat and talk.” He took Allan’s elbow and led the older man to the chair in the corner. He sat with a sigh of relief but still regarded Erik warily.
    “You’re wasting your time. Maybe a year ago, before my stroke, I would have been up for this. But not now.”
    “Up for what?” Erik asked innocently. “I’m just a massage therapist.”
    “Yeah, and those dildos are just for display.”
    Erik chuckled. Even Allan smiled, although on his lopsided lips it looked more like a grimace.
    “Cindy says you don’t let her touch you anymore.”
    “Jesusfuckingchrist.” Allan struggled to rise to his feet. Erik took the man’s cane and set it to the side so he was effectively hobbled. “Are you some quack doctor, too? Are you going to hold me prisoner until I talk about my feelings?”
    “I told you, I’m just a massage therapist. And you’re not a prisoner. If you really want to leave, you can. But I’d like to help you. Make you feel good again. So would Cindy. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger. This is a safe place. In here there is no judgment. You can say anything you want to.”
    Allan’s glare faded. He swallowed, looked away. “The woman emptied my bedpan. She wiped my ass. I don’t know how she can stand to look at me…” Allan’s voice trembled with shame.
    Erik took the man’s left hand. He uncurled the gnarled fingers and began massaging the palm almost absently. “Being a caregiver does change things. On