“Yeah, I kinda figured that last night.”
“Shut up and listen.” She sticks a finger in my face. “I don’t have a regular submissive I work for. I’m kind of a sex freelancer. Anyway, that’s where I met Niko—”
“So you lied to me.” My hackles go up. “You two were lovers.”
She shakes her head and sighs. “No, Chad. Like I told you before, he’s as gay as you are. We’ve never been intimate. Niko met me through his brother, Ivan, who is also a member of Surrender. I was working for Ivan at the time. Niko found out I was a tattooist by day, liked my work.” She points to the sleeve of tats that decorates her left arm. “So he asked to book an appointment. You don’t remember him coming to the shop that day, do you?”
I frown at her. “You did set me up.”
She holds out a hand as if to keep my anger at bay. “Niko was impressed with more than my tat work. He kept asking about you while I worked on him. You were doing a back piece on some hot Marine that day. Guess you only had eyes for your client, but Niko barely looked away from you. He asked if I would set you two up. I told him you were still getting over Isaac, and Niko and I worked something out.”
“So, what, he paid you to get in my pants?” My fists close around the arms of the chair.
“For fuck’s sake, no!” Laura jolts to her feet. “I knew your walls were high. How many times did you rant about going celibate for good?” She tolls her eyes. “Knew that wouldn’t last. So I helped Niko play Cupid. I knew you and him would be perfect for one another, but you’re so stubborn I knew you’d never see it. So I nudged fate a little.”
I don’t know what to say. Part of me is fuming that my best friend arranged this without my permission, lied to me, but another part isn’t that surprised it was a scheme between the two from the start. And I know Laura had the best of intentions. She’s always looking out for me.
She reaches out and gives my cheek a gentle pinch. “I told him about Isaac bullying you, about the money, and he wanted to help. He’s crazy about you, Chad, and he misses you like hell. You should go see him.”
My pulse quickens at this news. In hindsight, I feel like an asshole. How could I have mistaken his gesture for anything but love? Because I’m too suspicious for my own good, and let my anger get the best of me too easily.
I press the keys to the shop into Laura’s hand. “What’re you doing Wednesday?”
Her eyebrows knit in bewilderment. “Why?”
I smile, reach out and cup her shoulder as I stand. “I’m gonna see if Niko could arrange an appointment with his lawyer. This shop is yours now, and we need to make it all legal. Consider it a belated Christmas present.”
She gapes at me. “What? We’re partners. Where are you gonna go?”
I swipe a quick kiss over her cheek before I grab my jacket. “Change of career plans. You’re looking at a magician’s apprentice now.”
Before she can say more, I’m out the door and in my car. A light snow fall starts as I drive toward Niko’s penthouse.
***
Niko wears a poker face when he lets me in, and my stomach tenses as I try to gauge his mood. How angry is he that I walked out and haven’t spoken to him over Christmas?
“It’s good to see you,” he says, then steps aside to let me in.
“You too.” I shove my hands deep into the pockets of my leather jacket.
“I thought you weren’t coming back. Does this mean you’ll be performing in the New Year’s show?”
“Sure, I’d like that.” I follow him toward the kitchen. “Didn’t know if you’d want me on stage anymore.”
He turns and pours us a drink. “Of course. I wouldn’t perform the new illusion without you. You helped me create it.”
I stare into the scotch he pushes toward me. “I’m sorry I took off like that. It was stupid of me to assume.”
After a long sip, he replies, “You’re right. It was stupid. But you’re forgiven.” He sets the tumbler down and puts his hand on mine. “We haven’t much time before the New Year’s performance. We’ll need to practice.”
I smirk, knowing where he’s going with this. “I should probably stay over for the next few days so we can cram in as many rehearsals as we can.”
He smiles. “I agree.” Then his voice softens and he draws nearer to the counter that separates us. “I missed you.”
Reaching up, I stroke his beard. “Me too.”
“I tore that contract up because I didn’t want you to feel like my possession. This relationship—I want it to be on equal terms. You’re more than a companion to me.”
Emotion surges in my chest and I move around the counter so I can be close to him, wrap my arms around his broad waist. “You’re more than an employer. I love you, Niko.”
Before he takes my lips in a rough kiss, he murmurs, “I love you too.”
He leads me to the bedroom, and we make out frantically along the way. Our tussle knocks over a plant and smashes a vase. I mumble I’m sorry but he says not to worry. It wasn’t expensive anyway.
In the bedroom, we part long enough for him to grab something from his dressing table. He turns and holds up a pair of glinting handcuffs. “Your turn.” He tosses the cuffs to me, strips naked, and climbs up on the bed.
I shed my clothes quickly as well and join him. “I’m going to dominate the fuck out of you.”
His eyes flash with desire. “I’m counting on it.”
I snick the cuffs around his wrists and attach them to the bedposts. Then I pause, soaking in his powerful physique. “There’s something else I want.”
“Greedy.” He shakes the cuffs. “Name it, then let’s get started.” Already his dick swells with arousal.
“I gave the tat shop to Laura. I’m changing careers.” My hand smoothes over the dark hair covering his chest. “You’re looking at your new apprentice.”
He arches up to meet my fingers when they curl around his cock. “Two magicians sharing the stage.” He considers this. “Well, it worked for Siegfried and Roy. Master your apprenticeship and I may even make you full partner.”
I agree to this, but for now my focus is on mastering him.
I go to one of the drawers where he keeps his toys and select a cock ring. Then I return to the bed and slip it down to the base of his shaft. He moans, but I press a finger to his lips.
“No reactions until I allow it,’ I say, and he obeys, gritting his teeth when I bow my head and lave my tongue over his balls.
My tongue moves to his asshole. I nip at his perineum and he hisses air between his teeth as his hips buck up. With firm hands, I hold him down, keep him still. My teeth sink into his scrotum and I tug this sensitive flesh while I pump his cock with one hand. When he moans again, I slap him hard on the thigh.
“Behave,” I admonish.
“Yes, sir,” he growls.
I retrieve a vibrating butt plug from his toy stash, lube it up, and then tease his hole with it before I shove it into his rectum and notch the speed to high. His jaw works as he holds back his cries of pleasure. I watch his face, enjoying his struggle.
Then I leave the bedroom long enough to grab an ice cube. When I return, I wrap my lips around his cock and suck him off with the cold piece in my mouth. He lets out an “Ahhhh,” of surprise and I squeeze his balls hard to punish the outburst. I continue to torture him with the ice as he thrashes in his shackles. The cube swirls over his glans, and I guide it under the ridge with my deft tongue. I sweep it up and down his shaft as he bucks his hips up, shoving his penis deep into my mouth.
“Let me cum, you bastard,” he snarls. “I can’t take it anymore.”
I slap his thigh hard again. “That’s no way to talk to your dom. I should leave you here, unsatisfied.”
His eyes blaze with fury and desire. “Let’s remember who the real dom is.”
This makes me chuckle, but I sense I’ve pushed him as far as I should. So I remove the ring and suck him hard then soft, moving my mouth up and down his co
ck in a frenzy as I bring him to release. He soon spews his pearly seed into my mouth and I swallow it all.
“Untie me,” he commands when he’s done.
“Say please.”
He gives me a glare. “Please.”
I still hesitate, enjoying this turnabout. “Please, sir.”
“Please, sir. Right now!”
I do as I’m told, and when his shackles are removed he takes me into his arms and pins me to the bed. He stares into my eyes and his raw lust sends a thrill up my spine.
“Now I’m going to return the favor,” he says. “Again and again.”
As he binds me to the bed, my heart speeds up, thinking of how our few days of practice will also be filled with much torment and pleasure. And we have a lifetime of this to look forward to.
Later, as he drifts off to sleep, I whisper in his ear, “Did you cast a spell over me during that ritual?”
“You returned to me, didn’t you?”
***
Bonus Story: Christmas Wolf
(from the Waking Up Werewolf Series)
By C.J. Sneere
Sid gaped at the handsome vampire standing outside the apartment door. It had been years since he’d seen his old trainer and former lover, Lord Richard. The suave Council Liaison tipped his dark gray bowler hat at Sid and asked, “May I come in, old friend?”
Few monsters could make Sid dry in the mouth, make him stammer and feel like a young school boy, but Lord Richard could. The vampire had been turned during the Victorian Era by a rogue attack. Much like Sid, he’d never known his maker, but recruits from Underground had seen the rogue attack perpetrated on Lord Richard and had brought him into the arms of the monster society long ago. He was a dapper gent who always wore a three piece suit, usually pinstriped. He sported a gray ensemble today, complete with a polished cane made of walnut wood.
“Lord Richard.” The words came breathy from Sid’s lips. “Of course, come in.” He stepped back from the threshold, hating himself for being struck stupid by this surprise visit. “What brings you here?”
The Council Liaison walked past him and surveyed Sid’s bohemian surroundings. He ran fingertips across a dusty wall shelf, ran his thumb over the fuzzy results, and raised an eyebrow at Sid. The vampire simply smirked and shrugged at the Council Liaison, who stepped farther into the main room.
He took his name from his favorite Shakespearean play and the brief King of England, Richard III, but he added “Lord” instead of “King” because he liked the sound of the former better. Of Richard, he always told Sid, ‘The most slandered king in England’s history. How can I not admire him?’
“Why is it you never keep a couch, Sidney?” he asked drolly, before he sat down on the floating bed that served as the area’s main piece of furniture.
Sid gathered some pillows together on the floor and sat opposite his guest. He knew the effect Lord Richard had on him, and considering his pact of faithfulness to his two partners, he thought it best to avoid temptation.
“You haven’t answered my question yet,” Sid said. “Tell me why you’re here, and I’ll tell you why I never keep a couch.”
Lord Richard smirked as he removed his hat and placed it beside him. He smoothed a hand over his slicked back hair, which shone a rich mahogany under the glow of a wall lamp. Sid knew his former teacher was making him wait, purposely taking his time. Lord Richard liked to make him sweat.
Finally, he said, “I’ve come with a special request from Council Headquarters.” Then he leaned his elbows on his knees and bent forward, bringing his face close to Sid’s. “But why sit so far away, friend? Come.” He patted the pillows on the floating bed. “Sit with me. Let’s get … reacquainted.”
Sid swallowed hard, thought of his promise to Warren and Avery. They had agreed the triad would remain just that, and there would be no more affairs outside their bond. Sid had sworn this along with them. It was the end of his philandering ways.
But Lord Richard would try to seduce him. That was simply the Council Liaison’s way when it came to Sid. Before he’d met Avery, Sid and Richard had a long, torrid affair as teacher and student. And even after they had ended it, they’d often hooked up for brief flings and one night stands. Although Richard claimed he came with a message, delivering it wasn’t the only thing on his mind.
Sid breathed deep, ignored the tingle growing low in his belly. “I’m fine here, thank you. Now, the special request—”
In a flash of movement, Lord Richard was beside him, pressed close. His spicy scent filled Sid’s nostrils. His arm wrapped around Sid’s back and pulled him tight against his body.
“Are you in a rush to get rid of me Sidney?”
Sid winced, felt his face heat. He hated it when anyone used his full name. Few monster even knew it, but Lord Richard used it frequently when they were together. A display of his innate dominance over Sid, reminding him that he would always be student and Richard would always be teacher.
He closed his eyes, breathed deep and even, and muttered, “Just tell me why you’re here. Get on with it.”
The hand left his side, but his teacher remained close. “There is a young werewolf new to Underground who has requested he be trained by the triad. He comes from a wandering pack who were not a part of Underground, but he has heard stories of you and your companions, or so he claims.”
Sid looked at Richard. “What do you mean ‘or so he claims?’“ He took a moment to study those steely grey eyes, that aquiline nose and square jaw. But the heat below grew hotter and he forced himself to glance away.
“I don’t trust the young werewolf,” Lord Richard said. “Or, rather, I don’t trust the werewolf he’s traveling with. They claim their pack was mysteriously killed in the night. They blame trolls, but I’ve never known trolls to slaughter a pack before. Say only they survived, but when I read the older werewolf’s energy,” he shook his head, “he doesn’t believe his own story. There is doubt and deception in his signature.”
Sid considered this, his thoughts drifting to Purity as he did so, and he shivered. He didn’t want to brood on the death and destruction he and his companions had witnessed and faced on the island while bringing the insidious organization down. But what if there were traces left? What if some agents of Purity escaped the main lab’s destruction? For that matter, what if the remains of Purity now knew of the destruction, and they came seeking revenge?
He’d have to meet these two werewolves to know if something was up for sure. He wished Avery and Warren would come home for two reasons. One, they all needed to be informed on this situation. Two, Lord Richard wouldn’t be able to use such seduction tactics in the presence of Sid’s two protective lovers.
“Can you stay until the others get back?” Sid asked reluctantly, for he knew this would give Richard further opportunity to try and get in his pants. “My partners and I will need to make this decision together. But I do think we need to see the young werewolf as soon as possible.”
Lord Richard put a hand on his knee and gave a sideways smile. “Partners? Does that mean your off the market?” He leaned closer, until their lips were only inches apart. “Pity. I was hoping we could have some fun.” His hand slid higher up Sid’s thigh.
Sid’s dead heart beat faster in his chest, his breath grew shallow. Though his body needed neither to work anymore, it still repeated patterns from when it knew human life. And, right then, Sid felt the very human torture of temptation.
Soft lips brushed over his. A tongue flit out to taste his cherry red mouth. It parted his lips and he sighed, giving his former lover access. This hot, wet caress entwined with his own tongue and he sucked his lover deeper into his mouth.
Then an image of Warren and Avery broke through his lust. Sid molded his hands to Richard’s chest and reluctantly urged him back. They breathed hard as they parted.
“I can’t do this.” Sid shook his head. “I made a promise to my partners we’d be exclusive.” He got up from the pillows and put some dista
nce between him and Richard. “I can’t fall into your arms this time.”
His former teacher came up behind him and braced Sid’s hips in strong hands. “Ah, so informal now.” Richard leaned close to his ear. “So aloof.” The hot, wet touch of his tongue flicked in and out of Sid’s ear. “Yet I remember when you called me Master and offered your ass up freely to me.”
Sid whirled on him, but tried to keep his composure. His cool façade. Lord Richard wanted to unnerve him so he could gain the upper hand in this sexual duel. But not this time. For the sake of the monsters he loved, Sid could not allow it.
“Those days are over.” Sid pressed a hand against Richard’s chest again to make space between them.
Richard plucked the vampire’s fingers from his crisp, white shirt and said, “I wish they weren’t,” before he sucked Sid’s index finger into his mouth. He slurped and tongued at the digit as if it were a stiff cock.
And it was getting tight in his jeans, Sid realized, as his horniness swerved closer to unbearable.
Richard noticed his erection a moment later. The dominant vampire reached down and cupped Sid’s penis, smoothing his thumb back and forth over the growing bulge.
“It might be over between us, but someone is quite happy to see me.”
“Please stop,” Sid begged in a reed-thin voice. “I can’t do this.”
But it was too late. Richard’s laved the tip of his tongue over his parted lips. He dipped it in and teased his tongue into submission. As he did so, the dominant vampire continued to tease his cock until the hard muscle ached to be naked, to be sucked.
He plundered Sid’s mouth, exploring every inch of it with his hungry kiss. Then he eased up and teased the vampire, sipping at his lips with tiny, seductive kisses. He unzipped the vampire’s jeans and Sid gave a throaty moan when warm, soft skin enveloped his throbbing penis.
The dominant vampire cradled the back of his head and yanked him near for another mouth ravaging kiss. He whirled Sid around and pushed him toward the floating bed. In Sid’s mind, he screamed at his lusty side to control itself. He would soon betray his promise to his beloved if he did not. But that carnal creature he’d always been soaked up the erotic high and was loathe to say no.
Surrender Boxed Set (Surrender Series Volume 1 - 7. BDSM romance with man love, bad boys, and billionaires.) Page 52
