“This is unacceptable, Michael, and I know you realize that. What I can’t understand is why you’re acting this way.”
“Don’t lie to me! You know exactly why. I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me and I’m not referring to my position as a greeter.” Michael swung a leg over the bench, jumping to his feet. “Don’t you know I’d give you everything?” His voice had softened, his face distorted in pain. “I know I’m not perfect, that I disappoint you. And it’s clear that you don’t desire me as a lover, that there must be other men, perhaps one whom you love the way you can’t love me.” His voice wobbled. “But I’d been willing to give myself to you whenever you requested, to take whatever scraps you had left over for me even if I could never have your love.” Michael raised his eyes. “Even though I’m in love with you and have no interest whatsoever in any Master Saul finds for me.”
Javier gasped, his heart pounding. “Michael.” He took a step forward, his arm extended, but Michael jumped out of reach.
“Don’t touch me. I’ll do the best I can at my job, but I’d prefer to be left alone otherwise.”
Michael’s eyes filled with water and Javier had the sensation that his own chest was being crushed.
What the fucking hell have I done? “Please, Michael. Let’s go to my room where we can discuss this in private.”
“No. If we were alone—” Michael’s voice broke. “I can’t be alone with you ever again.”
Michael ran from the kitchen before Javier could respond. His body shook as he stumbled to the bench, falling onto the hard surface. He dropped his head into his hands, tears flowing before he could stop them. Michael’s words had ripped him open.
‘I can’t be alone with you ever again.’
Javier no longer believed he could survive the loss of Michael.
I’ll never be over him.
Chapter Four
Michael had done his job to the best of his ability all day, as well as the previous night, even while his heart bled from the loss of Javier. Every time his thoughts would stray to the man he loved, the man he’d hoped would one day master him, he’d run through the task lists in his head to distract himself from the pain.
Recite the special protocol for the orgy to every member as they arrive. If a guest inadvertently appears at the club who isn’t participating in the orgy, he is to be politely asked to come on another evening. Any problems should immediately be brought to Javier’s…
Tears threatened for perhaps the hundredth time that day. Who could keep count? He simply had to maintain the fight to prevent them from falling.
The knocker sounded, the heavy thud of the twisted iron piece against the solid oak door snapping Michael to attention. If it hadn’t been for Javier’s strict guidance he would have already come unraveled. He wanted to be grateful for the focus, but by the same token, he wouldn’t have needed it to such an extent if Javier had never come into his life.
Inhaling deeply, he set about doing his job as greeter. As he swung the door wide, he was met by three very imposing men. Michael was close to six feet tall, but the shortest of the men who stood before him had to be at least six-foot two. One was stockier than the rest, but they all cut striking figures, dressed to the nines complete with top hats. He’d learned never to make assumptions, but he was hard pressed to imagine any of the commanding gentlemen taking on the submissive role. He didn’t recognize any of them, but it was possible that they’d been invited solely for the special event.
“Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome to Hampton Road. May I see either your membership cards or your invites for the evening?”
No one who needed to be photographed as insurance against club secrets being revealed was ever admitted to the orgies. Javier had to be available at all times throughout the event and it was vital that all resources remain concentrated on the festivities themselves.
“Certainly.”
The bigger man stepped forward, handing one of the official invitations to Michael. Part of his assignment ahead of time had been to become familiar with the cards in order to be certain that none had been forged. He turned it over in his hands, verifying that it was legitimate. He added it to the pile in the silver tray on the console table. The club couldn’t risk any invites landing in the wrong hands after the party.
“Thank you, sir.” He tried to turn his attention to the next guest, but the man who’d already given his invite stood his ground. He stared down at Michael, an unsettling leer radiating from his eyes.
“You must be Michael. Saul told me all about you.”
Michael couldn’t move, couldn’t utter a word. He’d been propositioned by guests at the door before, even if they knew it was against the rules to approach staff members, but this was…
Awful.
He cleared his throat, regaining his composure. Even if Saul had said something to the man who towered over him, Michael had never been advised that any of the rules had been changed. In which case, the guest shouldn’t be speaking to him in such a way.
“I’m sorry, sir. But club rules prevent me from having any personal interaction with the guests while I’m on duty.”
“Yes, Barnaby.” One of the other men shoved him aside, pushing closer to Michael. “Trying to get an advantage?” He locked gazes with Michael. “Mmm. Saul was correct. You’re quite beautiful. When are you off duty, boy?”
“S-sir, I… This… This is hardly…”
“Don’t upset the poor thing.” The third man shoved his way through, his voice gentler than the others, but it still gave Michael no consolation. “You’re only trying to do your job properly, aren’t you dear? You’re obviously a good boy, you ache to please. Am I correct?”
Michael was terrified. He’d never been in such a position before. The whole situation was too overwhelming with all three of them at once. Logically, he was sure they meant him no harm if Saul had invited them as possible candidates to take him on, but still, these men were strangers. More than that, they weren’t Javier.
He struggled to speak, but no words came. They bickered with little heat among themselves, each one proclaiming to the other that he’d be the better Master for Michael. He couldn’t stand it any longer. Michael turned from the Masters then tugged on the thick, decorative rope hanging from the ceiling. The gong it caused would resound throughout the mansion so that wherever Javier was, he could immediately come to Michael’s aid.
The man called Barnaby regarded Michael again. “Forgive us, Michael. We’ve been quite rude, and it seems, improper.” He smiled as he continued, “You must understand that finding a submissive man to keep is difficult enough, but when one has been recommended by Saul, a man whom we hold in the highest regard, well, I suppose we got overly excited and ahead of ourselves.”
“I, uh, thank you for explaining things, sir. But I must insist that we keep to the rules.”
“Ah, yes.” The one with the gentler voice spoke. “The rules. Such a good boy.”
“Now, Horace.” Barnaby frowned at him. “That’s enough. We need to leave him to do his job until Saul brings him to meet with us later, privately.”
What? Oh God. He placed a hand to his forehead. I won’t survive this night.
The door that led to the mansion’s interior swung wide as Javier rushed in, out of breath. Michael started at the touch of Javier’s hand gripping his shoulder, noting the immediate scowls from the three men. They no doubt questioned the familiar touch from another staff member. Michael kept his reaction as tempered as he could, but the circumstances were not the most ideal.
“What seems to be the trouble, Michael?”
Barnaby raised his eyebrows. “No trouble. We’ve only just arrived and were giving our invites to your delightful greeter.” He indicated to Michael.
“Michael can speak for himself.”
Javier’s tone was close to a snarl and Michael was not only surprised that he would speak that way in front of a guest, but was a bit shocked by Javier’s words. Since when did he de
cide I could speak for myself?
Barnaby chuckled. “He certainly can. Michael has made it clear that we aren’t to have any discussions with him now regarding our interest in mastering him. So we’ll wait until we meet with him later when Saul calls us to a private meeting. In the meantime, we’ll leave you both to it.” Barnaby winked at him. “He’s quite the obedient boy, isn’t he?”
Javier’s grip tightened on Michael’s shoulder to the point where he almost cried out.
“Gentlemen. If you would please show Michael your invites then move along?”
Javier finally released Michael, but didn’t move away. The heat from Javier’s body radiated against his own and he resisted the urge to lean back into it until they touched.
The Masters exchanged confused glances with each other then complied with Javier’s demand. Michael regretted that he’d called for Javier. He was sure Javier’s curt manner would be mentioned to Saul, and even though things had ended badly between them, he loved him too much to wish him ill. What was worse is that it would’ve been because of Michael summoning him.
Once the men had entered the mansion, the next knock at the door sounded and Michael caught a frustrated grunt from Javier. He had the sense that he’d been about to speak with him regarding what had just occurred. Michael couldn’t let the incident pass by without comment, though.
He turned so he could face Javier. “Thank you for your help. I wasn’t aware that they’d… I hadn’t expected…”
Michael frowned. Why was he explaining himself? It wasn’t as if Javier cared whether those men were interested in him as a sub. He was merely responding to protocol being broken.
“Saul didn’t mention them to you beforehand?”
The knock became louder and more insistent. Michael glanced over his shoulder then back at Javier. He stared at Michael as if he hadn’t heard the pounding.
“No, Sir. And I know you don’t want me anymore, but I do think I have the right to be informed of something so important to me personally.”
Javier appeared as if he’d been slapped. His head had jerked back, his expression stunned. “You don’t understand. I never… All I meant…” Javier let out a growl. “I was acting in your best interest, Michael. It has nothing to do with me not wanting you. I—”
The pounding on the door started up in earnest right as the gong sounded.
“Fucking hell.”
It was Michael’s turn to be stunned. He’d never heard Javier utter a curse before. Everything was confusion and chaos. He didn’t know what to think. Javier grabbed his arm.
“I have more to say later.”
With one final squeeze of his arm, Javier rushed from the room. Michael struggled to keep his breathing even. How would he last the entire night without going crazy, wondering if his whole world might be turned upside down once the party was over?
How will I wait until then to find out what Javier has to say?
* * * *
The night hadn’t been uneventful, but it hadn’t been a disaster either. Javier gazed down at the three men who’d passed out after consuming copious amounts of unapproved reefer and hooch that they’d managed to smuggle into the orgy. Javier knew the drill. Their membership status would be reviewed post-orgy, and if they had any other marks on their record, their membership would be rescinded. If their record was clean, then they’d be on probation.
“I’ve verified that the rest of the playrooms are clear.” George peered around the doorway, one of his meaty paws gripping the frame. “The only men left in the mansion are the ones Saul has in the study with Michael.”
“What?” It was too early still. Saul wouldn’t have called Michael away from his post yet—he should’ve still been at the door verifying that no one else would try to gain entry. I thought I still had time.
“Yeah. He told me to let you know so that you wouldn’t worry”—George frowned—“or something. I dunno. It didn’t make sense, but I guess he figured you’d know what he was talking about.”
“But…” Javier had already planned out what he was going to say to Michael. He’d run it through his head over and over as the night’s revelries had dragged on. It had become startlingly clear to him that he couldn’t live without Michael, so it meant two things. First, he’d beg for Michael’s forgiveness, then subsequently beg his boy to come away with him. He wouldn’t leave Saul in the lurch, he’d help train their replacements, but any existence without his beloved Michael in it was no existence at all.
“So anyway, I’m gonna head off to my room.” George winked at him. “Don’t want Bruce and Angelo starting without me.”
“H-hold on.” Javier lurched forward. “They’re in Saul’s study?”
George regarded him as if he were loony. “Yeah. That’s what I said.”
“And…” Javier wiped sweat from his brow, panic filling him. “The front door, it’s secure?”
“You okay? Ya don’t look so good.”
“Is it secure?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t get all worked up in a lather. Everything’s ducky.” George shook his head. “I think the stress of this place is gettin’ to ya.”
“Right. If you’ll excuse me.” Javier pushed past George, the rudeness of the move below the standards he typically maintained for himself, but he had to get to Saul’s study in time. Had to keep every one of those awful men away from his boy.
* * * *
Michael shook. It was severe enough that there wasn’t the slightest chance it would go unnoticed by Saul and the Masters he’d invited to Hampton Road. At least he hadn’t been forced to endure watching the men engage in various debaucheries during the orgy. As always, Michael’s place had been to man the entrance to the mansion.
But it was time to stand up for himself in a way he’d never thought he’d have the nerve to do. If nothing else, his confidence had grown from knowing Javier. Maybe not as a lover, for surely he mustn’t have much to offer in that area based on Javier’s lack of interest, but as someone who was smart and capable of handling a great amount of responsibility. As Javier’s assistant and the official greeter of the club, he’d shown himself to be worthy.
Saul said I must ask for what I want. Or in this case, it will be what I don’t want.
He raised his hand then knocked on Saul’s study door with more conviction.
“Come in!”
Saul’s warm, strong voice sounded, but it didn’t put Michael at ease the way it typically did. Michael knew those men would be in there, squabbling over which one of them should have him, examining him as if he was some sort of prized service animal.
Disgusting.
The thought of Javier owning him had always made his cock hard, but these men? He shuddered as he sucked in a breath, boosted his resolve, then opened the door, rushing ahead.
“Sir, before anything happens, I need to speak with you about…”
Michael stopped short, glancing around the room. Only Saul was present. Maybe they haven’t finished… He wrinkled his nose. Doing whatever it was they were doing.
“Have a seat, Michael.” Saul appeared relaxed, one ankle crossed over the opposite knee. He had an arm draped along the back of the love seat, a snifter of brandy in his hand. He swirled the amber liquid in the glass as he regarded Michael with an almost giddy smile. Michael couldn’t help but feel a twinge of hurt.
Seems as though Javier isn’t the only one at Hampton Road who’s glad to be rid of me.
“Forgive me, sir. But I prefer to remain standing since I won’t be staying long.”
Saul arched his eyebrows then took a swallow of his brandy. “Oh? Wouldn’t you like to see the Master I’ve chosen for you?”
Anger coursed through him, building in the same way it had the day before when Javier had shown up in the kitchen, daring to give him what for.
Michael held his chin up. “I regret to inform you that I’ve no interest in any Master you’ve chosen for me. Instead, I’m tendering my resignation from Hampton Ro
ad. Will two weeks be sufficient time to find a replacement for me?” Michael swallowed. He wasn’t sure who was more shocked by his outburst—him or Saul.
Saul furrowed his brow. He leaned forward, placing his drink on the small mahogany table before him. Then he rubbed his chin as he appeared to ponder Michael’s words. At last, he shook his head.
“No, I don’t think that is sufficient time.”
“Oh.” Some of the steam had been taken out of Michael after his fevered declaration. “Well then, how long do you anticipate you’ll need?” Saul had been so good to him, after all.
Saul glanced up, a severe mien on his face. “I’m afraid I’ll need you here indefinitely. And really, it will be up to your Master to make that final decision anyway.”
Michael pressed his lips together in an attempt to keep his fury contained. He’d never experienced such a rage. How dare he? After all that Michael had confessed to him and to which Saul had been so understanding and seemingly helpful. Then this? Michael had put up with so many people either using him, not caring about him or outright treating him badly. He was done.
“Perhaps I wasn’t clear, sir. I said I have no interest—”
“Stop this instant!”
Javier had thrown the door wide, rushing in. He halted on the carpet that covered the entrance to the study, a wild look in his eyes. His breath came in fast pants as if he’d raced across the mansion. Javier glanced around the room frantically until his gaze landed on Michael. The desperation and longing radiating back at him were almost too much to bear.
When he said he wanted to speak with me later…?
Javier whipped his head around to face Saul. “I don’t understand. George said you were here with Michael, that you were giving away my boy to one of those men you’d selected for him?”
Michael gasped. My boy?
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry.” Saul appeared much too amused given the gravity of the situation. “George must have misunderstood.” He turned to Michael, then indicated to Javier. “Michael, I’d like to introduce you to the Master I’ve chosen for you.”
A Master For Michael Page 4
