Page 46 of Psychic Obsession
"What?Why do you even know that?"Nikolai rubbed his neck, uncomfortable with the topic.
Hjalmar frowned at him."I've asked."
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?He's my brother."
Nikolai huffed."It's not normal to talk about your sex life with your brother, especially not in detail."
The frown didn't go away."Why the hell not?I mean not indetail.It's not like he describes what he's doing in the bedroom, but why wouldn't we talk about it?"
No words formed on Nikolai's tongue, so he shook his head to scramble some free."If I'd so much as hinted about guys fucking to Dimitri, he'd have beaten me black and blue."
Something hard crept into Hjalmar's eyes."Yeah, but I'm not like Dimitri.I love my brother, and while I don't care what he does when he's in bed with someone, I wanted to know how he--"
"But he is with people?"Nikolai remembered Isaac's comment about him, maybe not being able to have an intimate relationship with someone."I mean, his touch-thing doesn't get in the way?"
The hardness didn't leave Hjalmar's eyes, and Nikolai suspected he'd overstepped, but then Hjalmar rolled his shoulders and blew out a breath."He doesn't read skin."
Meaning?Nikolai watched Hjalmar for a second or two."So...he can touch skin without gloves?"
"Yeah, but not clothes."
"Ah."Nikolai nodded as he tried to understand what it meant in reality.
"I'm showering.Are you coming with to Frode?Food and a game?"
He nodded and watched as Hjalmar typed something on his phone.Most likely informing Frode of him tagging along.
As Hjalmar disappeared into the bathroom, he slumped on his couch and did his best not to think about Frode naked in bed.Could he be naked in bed, or would the sheets trigger things for him?Fuck, maybe keeping gloves on him at all times was for the best.It would be no fun if he got caught up in a steady stream of faces while Nikolai had his way with him.How many had touched Frode's sheets?
He snorted to himself.Given how much Frode disliked him, he didn't think he'd ever get the chance to be with him.
* * * *
Chapter 12
It was lucky Frode had made lasagna, so there was plenty of food.He'd believed they'd have a relaxing evening at home, but no.Hjalmar had texted to say he was bringing Nikolai.
Fucker.
Though, he guessed Nikolai hadn't had the most pleasant day, and should you complain about having two men of the law in your house when there was a murderer on the loose, one who'd killed someone next door?
Frode didn't want to admit it to himself, but he was a little rattled.He hadn't known Morgan Benham, but to know she might have been screaming for help and fighting for her life while he'd been sitting across the field twiddling his thumbs was upsetting.
There were murderers among them.Frode had always known.There were murderers forever living in his memory.But this man, this specific murderer, had been close to his house.
Restlessness made his bones vibrate, and he pulled the pan of lasagna out of the oven, put it on the stove, and walked toward the front door.Hjalmar and Nikolai would be here any minute now, but he walked outside anyway.
The door to the barn whined in protest as he opened it.He couldn't see Captain Scratch anywhere."Aye, aye, Captain.Are you in here?"He went over to the bag of cat kibble and poured some into the bowl.
Motion in the corner of his eye made him turn."Hey, buddy."Joy spread in his chest."I was starting to get worried.I haven't seen you in a while."
Captain Scratch yawned and stretched as if he had been sleeping.
"Did you have a good day?"
He was gifted with a one-eyed glare, but it only made Frode smile.
