The Captive Flesh by Cleo Cordell

Author:Cleo Cordell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780753532010
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

8

In the house of Selim the screened windows let in the late afternoon sunlight. The light in the small side room was smoky and diffuse, yet not dark enough for lamps to be lit.

Gabriel approached the figure on the divan. He held a brass tray. On it was a bowl of jasmine-scented water and a pile of hot damp towels.

Selim yawned and stretched. As he sat up his silk robe fell open and the great bowl of his belly was revealed. He was sweating; runnels trickled down his forehead and had collected in drops on his top lip. He passed a meaty hand over his face. The still-handsome face, slack at the jawline and with a look of dissipation, was blurred with sleep.

Gabriel smiled and greeted his master. Once Selim had been strong and vital, the imprint of his intelligence giving his face a singular distinction. The young Gabriel, purchased in the slave market, had been drawn to his new master by the power of his mind. But that bright intellect seemed to have dulled lately. Selim was overly fond of bodily comforts and, as he grew richer, he had allowed his senses to rule his life completely. The only exercise he took now was on his back, with the most handsome slaves for company; male and female – Selim liked to vary his pleasures. The only task he set himself was to think up new ways to punish and humiliate the slaves for real or imagined slights.

Since that day in the marketplace Selim had ordered Gabriel to come to the chamber, where he took an afternoon rest at the same time every day. Gabriel knew what was expected of him. With the memory of the public whipping fresh in his mind, the humiliation of having his agonised sexual release witnessed by the common crowd, he took pains to appear good-natured and willing, whatever Selim’s taste should be. But though he was willing, eagerness was beyond him at any price. Selim’s bloated body held no attraction for him.

‘Ah, Gabriel.’ Selim swung his thick legs over the side of the divan and planted his feet on the tiled floor. ‘You gladden my eyes indeed.’

Gabriel inclined his head in a respectful gesture. He had come fresh from the small bath house. His thick fair hair was secured at his nape. His powerful body was oiled and perfumed with sandalwood. As Selim requested, he was naked. He put the tray on a side table and stood ready, waiting for Selim to order his actions.

Selim stretched his hand out indolently and reached into a covered dish. While Gabriel waited for his command, Selim chewed on a pastry flavoured with honey and rosewater. Finishing the sweet, Selim licked his fingers then pushed himself to his feet and stood with his arms out to the sides. He nodded to Gabriel.

Gabriel eased the silk robe off Selim’s fleshy shoulders and folded it neatly. He half-turned, reaching for a damp towel and the bowl of scented water, and felt Selim’s hand at his neck.

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