Of Wolves and Men by G. A. Hauser Read Free Book Online Page A

two before, hit the glass. “He’s goin’ to break the damn thing.”
    Intending to go around the side of his cabin and chase the bird away, Charlie opened the front door and the bird flew over his head into the room, scaring him to death. He spun around, expecting to be pecked in the face. Instead he found Roman Burk sitting naked on his floor, catching his breath.
    Charlie choked in shock and quickly shut and locked his door. “Now hang on…”
    “Don’t go with Sherlane or Suzie. Please.”
    Charlie hurried to the window and looked out. “Please tell me that you aren’t that crazy bird.”
    “Charlie…I need you!”
    “How the heck? Look. Are you puttin’ LSD into my drinking water?” Charlie knew he was not right in the head. “Did you see a big crow fly in here? Or am I desperately in need of a doctor?”
    Roman struggled to get to his feet. Charlie could see his legs shaking. “Buddy, you seriously need to stop runnin’ around like a madman. You sprinted so fast after what we did up the mountain I thought…well, I don’t know what I thought.” Charlie scratched his head. “I don’t know what to think at all.”
    Roman seemed to struggle to walk, to close the small gap between them. He hung his arms over Charlie’s shoulders and shifted all his weight onto Charlie for support. “Don’t go with either of them. Please.”
    Charlie struggled to hold Roman up. He was a big man. “Look, here…Roman, I have no
    intention of goin’ with either of Vernon’s daughters. But, how did you get in here? I mean it. I don’t believe in paranormal bullshit, but I swear a crow just flew in here, and then there you are again, naked as a jaybird.”
    “Don’t go with them. Don’t go with them.”
    “I should get you some help. I don’t mean any offense, Roman, but somethin’ ain’t right.”
    Roman leaned back, staring into Charlie’s eyes.
    Charlie not only melted from the need in them, he grew hard. Shaking his head, Charlie said softly, “What you do to me…the way you excite me, well…it’s a crime.”
    “It is a crime. It was a crime.”
    “I meant that as a joke. Bein’ gay ain’t illegal.”
    “No. No. What they did to me. What they did to me! ”
    Charlie’s cell phone rang. “Crud. That’ll be the gang wonderin’ why I’m not up there eatin’
    lunch. You’re goin’ to get me into hot water.”
    “Charlie…I need you.”
    The pain in Roman’s eyes tore Charlie apart. He tried to get him to stand on his own, accidentally brushing Roman’s shoulder with the fresh wound on it. He noticed the gauze was gone. “Sit.”
    Roman did, reluctantly, reaching to touch Charlie’s fingers as Charlie took his phone out of his jacket pocket.
    “Hello?”
    “What’s taking so long?”
    “Sherlane, I’m tuckered out. I’m goin’ to just rest a bit.”
    “No. Come on, Charlie. You have to eat lunch. And Suzie is here. She wants to say hello.”
    Charlie gazed down at Roman’s eyes. “No. And don’t come here neither. I need some shut eye.
    I’ll see you’all at dinner.”
    “Charlie,” she whined.
    “You just stay with your mom and dad.” Charlie toyed with Roman’s fingers. “They miss you most.”
    “Suzie will be disappointed.”
    “She’ll live. Let me rest. Bye.” Charlie shut off the phone. He set it on the side table and stared at Roman.
    Roman held Charlie by his hips and brought him to stand between his knees.
    “I don’t get answers from you, Roman. But your appetite for sex is another question I have. Are you what they call a nympho?”
    “It’s called a satyriasis if you’re male.” Roman kissed Charlie’s zipper flap. “And yes. I am now.”
    “Are ‘now’.” Charlie ran his hands over his own head in confusion. “What were you before?”
    “An ATF agent.”
    Charlie tried to back up, but Roman had him in a firm hold. “Okay, what mental hospital did you escape from? You really are a mess, buddy.”
    “A mess you want, Charlie.” Roman