My story, Prelude to Enchantment appeared in the 2017 Solstice Calendar. With Suzan Lovett’s kind permission, this is a brief second chapter.
“Whatcha got there, Starsk?”
“Oh, just something I picked up at the art supply store for the party this weekend.” Starsky handed over the bag.
“I didn’t know we were having a party.”
“You do now!”
Hutch opened the sack and peered inside. “Henna?”
“Yep. Five different shades.”
“Didn’t know there were that many.” He looked more closely. “And sable-hair brushes?”
“Soft, Hutch. Soooooo soft.”
“Exactly what kind of party are we having?”
“A very private one.”
“And henna’s required?”
“It’ll be our costumes.”
“Henna?”
“Sure! You remember that time we posed for Suzan?”
“Vividly!”
“Well… I saw these and got to thinking I want to paint your body, like you painted mine. The feel of your hands, and brush, on every part of me –”
“Not every part. I left a few strategic areas unenhanced.”
Starsky put a hand to Hutch’s cheek. “I know. But what I’m trying to say is those sensations were something I’d never felt before.” He grinned quickly. “When I saw this stuff in the store I realized I want to feel them again. And I want you to feel them!”
“We’ll be matching zebras, huh?”
“Nuh uh, definitely not! Tiger stripes on me this time!” He held up two of the bottles. “I got russet for the base color and black for stripes.”
Hutch appraised the deep tones and imagined applying them to his lover’s entire body. “Perfect.”
Starsky put the containers back in the bag and the bag on the dining room table. “There are three more colors in there. With them, I’m going to decorate you into a leopard.” Slowly, he unbuttoned Hutch’s shirt and pulled the tails out. Hutch wanted to help but one look into the cobalt blue eyes said it was Starsky’s show and he would brook no interference. Anticipation turned to slow fire in Hutch’s veins.
Starsky slipped the cotton off his shoulders and let the garment fall, never taking his intense gaze from Hutch’s. “I’m gonna paint your arms… legs… back…” Starsky broke their eye-lock on the final word and began to circle. Hutch shivered as his partner cat-footed around him, his hands caressing each surface he had named. “Desert tan for the overall and dark brown with bronze for the framed splotches. Gonna cover you everywhere with two-toned spots, babe. Everywhere…” he repeated, his voice a hushed promise of Good Things To Come, stopping in front of Hutch again. “Except your chest and belly.”
With his fingers barely touching, Starsky ran his hands over those areas of Hutch’s anatomy before he delicately circled each nipple. When he leaned forward to lick and lightly suck the left bud, Hutch had to stiffen his knees to keep them from buckling.
“Leopards have solid black spots on these parts.” When Starsky looked up through eyelashes any woman would kill for, Hutch was utterly lost. “I stopped at the library and copied some photographs. You’re so lean and tawny and golden… you’ll be gorgeous as a leopard.”
“Uh…” Hutch swallowed and tried again. “Did you get some photos of tigers, too?”
“‘Course I did. In living color!”
Starsky was still caressing and Hutch was having trouble breathing. “Are you sure about this, Starsk? I think tigers and leopards are natural enemies.”
“Maybe we’ll make Nature Channel history. Besides, not all natural enemies kill each other. I’ve seen pictures of a mother cat nursing puppies. Kittens sleeping in a pile with bunny rabbits and wolf cubs. And a fawn nestled between a lion’s front paws. Animals and people just need to love each other.”
“Like we do.”
“Yeah, Hutch, like we do.”
“Well… is there any reason why we have to wait for the weekend to start this party?”
“Hell, no!” Starsky dumped the bag out on the table and spread the bottles of color plus the various-width sable-hair brushes.
While Starsky laid out the materials, Hutch carelessly consigned his jeans, shorts, shoes and socks to the floor on top of his shirt, never taking his hungry eyes off his best friend. Watching Starsky get undressed had never yet failed to turn him on.
Starsky lifted his t-shirt over his head at the same time he toed off his sneakers. Then he shimmied out of his too-tight jeans and briefs, yanking the socks off with them.
When he turned around, Hutch was already so aroused his shaft was weeping and his balls were painful.
Starsky, fully erect himself, returned Hutch’s stare with equal parts love and lust. He purred/growled deep in his throat.
To Hutch, it was exactly what he imagined a tiger on the hunt would sound like. He threw his head back and laughed.
“Do you still have Suzan’s number?” Starsky moved toward him with slow, fluid grace.
“Of course.”
“She might want to do another painting.”
Henna, a sex toy?
Who could have imagined it?
Our Starsky, of course
END
OHHHH!!
SEXY!!
Funny!!
Love this!
KUDOS, ladies!
What Pat and Suzan
Have created for today
Is pure love and joy
Thanks, Nancy, I wanted it to be all those things. Sure glad it struck the right chords with you. Suzan’s paintings always inspire me and, when the idea for this scene popped into my head, she generously gave me her permission to write it. I dreamed she’d do the painting, but I never hoped it would accompany my piece. Am I in HEAVEN??? Oh, yeah! Thanks for reading and then for writing. Your Haiku is wonderful, as always.
Whew! *fans self* Awesome work, Pat. I… think I need to lie down now… 😉
So happy to have raised your heart rate a bit, Baby; we all need a jolt once in a while, right? Thanks for reading and then for taking time to leave your sweet comment! It’s greatly appreciated.
Wow! I’ll never feel the same way about henna again.
What a lovely thing to say, Veronica, thank you. I’m happy to have given you a new window onto a traditional medium. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this one, too.
Oh my word!! That was inspired. And it let me to the original story, and the original artwork, that I had never seen before – A triple treat! Just wonderful!! Thank you!
You are most welcome, Mystic. If I’ve led you to the original artwork, I’m very happy. And the original story was a fun piece to write. I had as much fun with this one and Suzan’s accompanying image is beyond words. Thank you for your lovely comment, I’m grateful.
Thanks for sharing this sequel. The way you put so much fun and love underlying the sex was excellent.
You’re welcome, marianrose; so glad you liked it. I can’t seem to write the boys in a slashy context without some fun. I truly believe laughter helps keep love (and sex) alive! Thanks for reading, and for writing!
That’s hot enough to melt the Northeast Ohio snow!
Melting the Northeast Ohio snow would be A Good Thing, right? Spencer? I sure hope so. I’m happy to know you think I raised the temps where you are. Thanks so much for your great comment!
Now that was hot!!! With extra exclamation points! Thanks, P!
Boy, do I love extra exclamations points, Kat! You’re welcome, and I thank you for feeling like my little piece deserved them. THX!!!
Ohhh, damn. Sweet, hot and sexy! You are spoiling us with gifts this year, Pat. Thank you.
LOVE your descriptive words, Matsir. Thank YOU. I was writing all summer and am just truly grateful that Flamingo thought my submissions were worthy to be included with all the other wonderful stuff!!! I really appreciate your reading and then commenting.
You hit me right in the heart again, Pat! I was given a Henna tattoo kit as a gift from my daughter after saying how much I love Henna tattoo bracelets and hand art. I’ve been planning on playing with it over the holidays. Wowser! How am I going to top this!!!
We must be on a wavelength, mvernet, and I’m so glad! A Henna tattoo kit, what a super idea; never knew they existed. Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed this one; I love the idea that I hit you right in the heart. I’m smiling this afternoon.
Wow! Heart pulls! Love their love. Pure sweet joy. Thank you !
Wow! I LOVE all your wonderful phrases, littlestar! You’re very welcome. Thank you for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it.
Oh, Pat, you *are* devious. What a delicious way to challenge/entice Suzan to work her visual magic from your literal magic.
Thanks (I hope) for the devious reference, Choc. My first drafts of the story didn’t include the ‘enticement’ at the end but I’m sure glad I added it. Suzan took my words and made them SING. I’m very happy that you think we worked magic together.
Fun story! And so lucky to have the accompanying visual!
I’m glad you liked it, Jennifer. It was lots of fun to write but, when I opened the Day yesterday and saw that Suzan had actually put my words into paint, I was blown away!!! I never imagined that would happen but am thrilled that it did. Now everyone can read, and SEE, the love. Thanks for reading, and for leaving your sweet comment.
These kitty cats will be purring before long!
BIG kitty cats, Ragdoll, and purring up a storm even as we speak, I should think. Thanks very much for letting me know you enjoyed the story.
Very hot! Enjoyed this story and am amazed by the art it inspired!
My stories, even the slash ones, aren’t usually intended to be ‘hot,’ Shazta, but this one sure was. Thanks for letting me know it came through. Suzan’s art is always amazing but you can’t know the thrill I’ve had since yesterday, knowing my words gave her the image she painted. I’m glad you enjoyed both!
Slowly, he unbuttoned Hutch’s shirt and pulled the tails out. Hutch wanted to help but one look into the cobalt blue eyes said it was Starsky’s show and he would brook no interference. Anticipation turned to slow fire in Hutch’s veins.
Wow! This story was smoldering, from Starsky’s verbal mapping of where he’s going to paint Hutch, to his purring growl at the end. And I like the idea that they’re going to have these animal print markings on their bodies under their clothes for quite a while!
Love your word, ‘smoldering,’ Garrideb; it evokes just what I had in mind. And, yes, since henna lasts a nice long time, it is great to imagine all that decoration under their outerwear, isn’t it? I’ll have smile on my face all day from that image. Thanks so much for reading and then for leaving your mental-image-creating comment.
All I’ve ever done with henna is paint mehndi designs on my hand! Very original.
You’re one better than me, Dawn; I’ve never painted *anything* with it. Thanks for reading and then for commenting.
Oh my, Starsky gets creative! Thanks for the fun story.
(I had to google leopards and tigers, and look what I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvEKa-XdykI )
You’re welcome, Mortmere, I’m glad you enjoyed it! And thank *you* for the link to that incredible footage. Wow, I’ll never think about licking the same way again. A leopard and a tiger; I thought I’d made it up!!! Cool that I didn’t. THX.
Mmm, romantic and sexy? Sweet and hot? What a perfect combination.
I like your combinations, too, vassalady. Glad you enjoyed this one, as well. Thanks for the read, and the comment! They’re greatly appreciated.
Very nice. Sweet, hot, sexy and wot everyone else said. Thank you.
Oh, WF, I haven’t checked my stories in weeks so I didn’t realize that you’d read this one, and then left a comment. I REALLY hope you get a notice that I’ve replied. You’re very welcome and I THANK YOU for the kind words; I’m so glad you enjoyed it.