Slave For Rent

by Samantha Cayto

  Paul glanced over at the boy. Danny looked almost as miserable as he had standing next to Fahey. “Baby, I’m not mad. Not at you anyway. I just didn’t like what I saw. He obviously makes you uncomfortable and that’s not okay.”

  “I think that’s the reaction he’s going for. He says stupid things that embarrass me. Sex stuff, you know?”

  Paul’s grip on the wheel tightened, although he kept his tone as soft as he could. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  Danny squirmed in his seat. “Things like how I must love taking it up the ass to spend every night with you now. He’s teasing me. No big deal, really.”

  At the next red light, Paul took the opportunity to look at Danny more closely. The kid still had his gaze down, so it was hard to see his face. Nevertheless, Paul wasn’t convinced Danny believed his own words. Maybe he was scared of the supervisor even though he no longer worked directly under him. Then Paul remembered what Danny had said the night before about how he wasn’t worried about himself.

  Of course. God, Paul could be really dense sometimes. He let the matter drop for a few minutes while he drove onto the highway that would take them home.

  “You know,” he finally said. “The frustrating part about all of this is that if you were free, you could tell Fahey to fuck off. Given that you’re not, I did it for you.” Danny’s breath hitched. “I bet that makes you worried that he’ll take it out on your dad, huh?”

  Danny’s breath hitched again. “Yes, sir.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to worry. Fahey is a bully and the thing about bullies is that they keep on bullying people until someone stands up to them. You can’t make them stop by appeasing them. That strategy only encourages them to keep it up. Usually, once someone calls them on their bullshit, they back down. I’m hoping that’s what will happen with Fahey. If it doesn’t though, if he gives you any trouble, I want you to tell me. Understand?”

  He dared to glance over at the boy for a second to see the effect his words were having. Danny still looked down. “I understand, sir. Paul,” he amended. “But only free people have bullies. For a slave, it’s just someone doing what they have a right to do. It’s not my place to try to stop it, but I’m glad you did.”

  The simple gratitude made Paul want to weep. He’d never really thought much about slavery or empathized with how hard it must be for a slave to constantly have to suppress the natural human inclination to protect oneself. It made him more determined to take care of Danny and give him the best life Paul could manage.

  “Good,” he said with a firm nod. “That’s settled then. You make sure to tell me if Fahey hassles Big John. I may not have any pull at the lumberyard, but I believe Ben is a decent guy and won’t allow Fahey to get away with anything.”

  “Yes, Paul. I promise to let you know, and I agree that Master Ben is a kind man.”

  Danny’s tone seemed lighter, although Paul thought he heard a bit of doubt mixed in there. He decided to let the matter drop for the moment. The day had been long enough for the both of them. They needed dinner and sleep and maybe a good fuck in between those two things if his boy was willing.

  “No way I want you to have to cook tonight,” he said, putting as much cheer into his voice as he could. “What would you like for take-out?”

  “Um, pizza?” came the hopeful reply.

  Paul tossed Danny a grin. “Pizza it is.”

  ****

  Later, despite their being both tired and full, Paul made slow love to Danny. They lay face-to-face, Paul gently rocking his hips to thrust shallowly into Danny’s languid heat. Neither of them seemed in a hurry to come, their lips meeting again and again for deep kisses. Paul loved the way Danny’s hands clung to Paul’s back, fingers digging into Paul’s skin just a bit as if he were afraid Paul might slip out of his grasp. No chance. Possessiveness had taken hold of Paul, a product of the thrill of having Danny on a week night coupled with the anger over Fahey. Paul had his hands threaded through Danny’s hair while propping himself up on his elbows. The position gave him the feeling of both containing the boy and protecting him.

  “I could fuck you like this forever,” Paul said on a sigh.

  Danny, with his eyes at half-mast, gave Paul a lazy smile. “Promises, promises.”

  Paul huffed out a small laugh. Danny had teased him. The small miracle of the slave feeling comfortable enough to do so elated Paul. He swooped down to claim Danny’s mouth once more in a playful kiss that turned quickly into a wrestling match with their tongues. Despite his declaration, Paul couldn’t keep up his slow pace. A sudden need rose within him and he picked up his pace. Soon he pounded hard enough into his boy that he had to keep him from sliding up the bed by holding more firmly onto his hair. Danny levered his hips up to open himself more to Paul and met each thrust with a counter push.

  Neither of them lasted more than a minute after that. Paul shouted into Danny’s mouth as the orgasm ripped its way out of Paul. His fingers clenched and he ground both his hips and his lips against the writhing boy beneath him. Warmth splashed up against Paul’s chest. The friction of their bodies coupled with Paul’s cock hitting Danny’s prostate caused the slave to come with his master. When the spasms had abated, Paul collapsed flush on top of Danny.

  Paul was a wreck, every muscles lax in the wake of his climax. He lay huffing on his boy, thinking he needed to get up, yet lacking the energy to do so. Slender fingers carded through the sweaty strands of Paul’s hair. Paul hummed in appreciation, the touch soothing and sweet. He pressed his lips against the equally sweaty skin he lay on, liking the salty taste because it was the taste of his boy. His Danny. Those protective and possessive feelings rose up once more, causing his heart to stutter. He rolled over, taking Danny with him, so that he landed on his back with the slave in his embrace. Danny squeaked at the sudden change in position, but quickly settled himself into the crook of Paul’s arm. He pressed his cheek against Paul’s pec and sighed.

  With a squeeze of his arms, Paul said what was in his heart. “You’re mine. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” He didn’t need to say these words again. He’d been clear on this point already, and yet, he felt compelled to repeat them. Whether his need was for Danny or himself, he couldn’t say.

  Danny nuzzled Paul’s chest. “I know.”

  The simple acknowledgment, said with obvious conviction made Paul’s heart swell. He squeezed the slick body plastered against his own. “Good.” He should stop talking, let them both go to sleep. Given the distance between his house, Tanner Lumber and his worksite, dropping Danny off and picking him up again would add almost two extra hours to Paul’s commute. Not that he cared, but it did mean they needed to go to sleep. Still, his earlier fatigue had been chased away by the raw emotions running through him. He lightly rubbed his hand up and down Danny’s back.

  “You know what would be a great idea?”

  “Hmm?” was Danny’s sleepy reply, a cue to shut up.

  “We should go away for the Fourth.” The simple brilliance of the plan hit him like a lightning bolt. No family gathering to worry about, although Danny might not see it that way. “I mean if you like the idea.”

  Danny shifted so that he could look at Paul, his chin resting on his hand that was curled against Paul’s chest. “Away? You mean like on vacation?”

  “Yeah, exactly. We could drive up to this little town I know in Maine. It only takes a little over an hour to get there, is very gay friendly and they have a fireworks display right by the beach. I think you’ll love it.”

  Danny gave him a tentative smile. “That does sound like fun.”

  “But….?”

  Danny shrugged. “No, buts, except where would we sleep?”

  “They have lots of hotels and inns and efficiency units you can rent by the week. Lodging’s not a problem, and it’s a pretty progressive town so there should be places we can go out to eat. I’ll do some research into it before we decide if we want to go.”

  Danny hummed a bit and sl
id back down so that his cheek once more rested against Paul’s pec. “I’ve never been on a vacation before, not even to serve one of the Tanners. What would we do all day?”

  “Whatever we want, baby.” The more he thought about it, the more Paul loved the idea of taking Danny on a vacation. He’d never been on one with a lover before and everything would be shiny new to the slave, making the experience even better.

  “We can walk on the beach,” he continued. “Poke around in the shops, eat until we can’t move.” He slid his hand down to cup Danny’s bottom. “Fuck.”

  Danny wiggled. “I like the sound of that. The beach sounds like fun and I’ve always wanted to see the ocean up close.”

  The boy’s statement, so innocently made, stabbed at Paul’s heart. “You’ve never been to the beach before or even near the ocean?”

  When Danny just shook his head, Paul swore under his breath. If that small truth didn’t boil the institution of slavery down to an essential truth, he didn’t know what else would. A boy who’d spent his whole life a few miles from the ocean had never been allowed to see it. Paul bet Danny’s life had been restricted to the Tanner’s home and the lumberyard and now Paul’s home and the places he’d taken him. Knowing that made him more determined to change Danny’s life.

  “Well, you’re going to see it next month, I promise. We’ll spend a few days up there.”

  “I can’t imagine spending so much time doing nothing. I mean no work.” Danny’s voice dripped with sleepiness.

  Feeling guilty for having kept his boy awake longer than necessary, Paul just kissed his head once more and said, “You’re going to love it. Now, let’s get some sleep. Morning comes early.”

  “Yes, Master,” came the soft, slurry reply.

  Paul just rolled his eyes at the use of the honorific, grabbed the blanket as best he could with one hand and covered them both. When sleep still eluded him, he concentrated on the rhythmic rise of Danny’s chest. He closed his eyes and pictured the two of them running hand-in-hand down the beach. In his fantasy image, no collar covered Danny’s neck. The boy was laughing with the sheer joy of being free and Paul laughed right along with him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Danny had never been so happy in his life. Each day at work, his skill as a woodworker increased. Mr. Fiorello said that if Danny had been born a freeman he’d would have become a master carpenter in great demand. The praise thrilled him. To a slave, being a skilled worker, adding value beyond mere strength and endurance, was the greatest satisfaction one could expect. Before Master Ben had moved him to the woodworking shop, Danny had despaired that he’d ever be useful enough at the warehouse to justify keeping him. He’d constantly worried about being sold off, never to see his parents again. Now, he knew he’d become too valuable to toss away. And even if Tanner Lumber no longer wanted or needed him, he knew he always had another, perhaps better, place to go.

  Paul wanted him. That simple truth was undeniable now and gave Danny a comfort and excitement that he couldn’t imagine ever going away. Every night, he went home with Paul, something to look forward to even on the rare days when things went wrong for him. No matter how tired or frustrated Danny felt at the end of his work day, seeing Paul, hopping into his truck and driving away always lifted his spirits and pumped energy back into his mind and body. It wasn’t only the awesome sex they had, either. Many nights they just ate a quick dinner, watched some television and fell asleep. Those simple pleasures mattered just as much to Danny. The hominess of them, the comfort of knowing he had a place in the world where he was always welcome and safe, made him the happiest of not only slaves, but of any person.

  All of this momentous change in his life had happened in a matter of weeks, barely a month. In a few weeks, Paul would take him on his first vacation. Danny could hardly believe it. The idea of going to a new place, staying at a hotel and eating out every meal both fascinated and scared him. To hang out carefree like a free person in all of those public places seemed like a fantasy. Could it really be that simple? Paul assured him that he’d planned it all out and they’d only go to slave-friendly places. Danny, of course, trusted Paul’s judgment. His master would never do anything that could hurt Danny. Still, it seemed unbelievable.

  But he couldn’t wait for it, either. Paul had taken him to a local beach before booking the hotel room. He’d wanted to make sure it was something Danny would enjoy, as if his master’s pleasure wasn’t reason enough to plan the vacation. Danny hadn’t been surprised by the gesture. Everything Paul had said and done since the leasing had started demonstrated how committed he was to Danny’s happiness. The beach had been its own kind of miracle. The sight, sound and smell of it had delighted Danny. He hadn’t been able to resist running around the wet sand, dipping his feet in the freezing cold ocean and chasing the birds that strut around. He hadn’t cared that he looked and acted like the little kids around him. He’d been having too much fun. When he’d turned to look at Paul, the expression on the man’s face had made the experience all the better.

  He’d seen not just desire, but affection. Maybe even something more. But he didn’t dare dwell on that possibility. Danny knew, had known even before that day on the beach, that he loved his new master. Danny loved Paul. The realization had hit him one night when Paul slowly fucked him face-to-face, as he frequently did. Danny loved the position because it allowed him to see how much Paul enjoyed having him. As their mutual climaxes had peaked, Paul had thrown his head back with a look of purest ecstasy. At that moment, Danny’s feelings had become crystal clear to him. The knowledge had driven his orgasm to a greater height, as well. Sex was great. Sex with someone you loved was incomparable.

  He hadn’t declared his feelings to Paul, however. A slave loving a master wasn’t something new, at least not according to the television shows and movies he’d seen. It was almost expected. The reverse, though, didn’t happen, again according to what he’d seen. A free person could show some affection for a slave, like how they might to a pet. They just couldn’t love them. That emotion was reserved for other free people. Danny understood and accepted that universal truth. He wouldn’t burden Paul with his feelings. Paul was such a nice guy, a decent master, that he’d probably feel bad that he couldn’t return the sentiment. So, Danny would just keep his feelings to himself and enjoy his time with Paul. If he made Paul happy enough, he could maybe stay with him forever, and be content with that. Even if, likely when, Paul met, fell in love with and married another man, Danny would be grateful to be kept in Paul’s household.

  The thought of having to share or even relinquish Paul to someone else made his heart ache, though. He knew he was being stupid to feel that way. He couldn’t help it. It was probably a long way off anyway. For the moment, he had Paul all to himself. Besides, he had work to do. Dreaming or fretting over the near and far future wasn’t going to help him finish up the bathroom cabinet Mr. Fiorello had assigned to him. He needed the right knobs for the doors. Mr. Fiorello had given him a slip of paper with the brand and style that the customer had picked out. Now, all Danny had to do was find them. He studied the shelving where the small fixtures were kept, his teeth gnawing on his lower lip. Spying the box he needed on a shelf a little too high up for his reach, he sighed in frustration. He’d need to get a ladder. A quick glance around told him that there wasn’t one readily available. Crap, he’d have to fetch one from the warehouse.

  The back of his neck pricked in worry, as it always did these days when he entered Fahey’s realm. The supervisor hadn’t bothered him since the day Paul had chewed him out over it. Still, Danny could see the man watching him from time-to-time and didn’t believe the man had gotten over his interest. He crept into the warehouse and spied a nearby step ladder. Perfect. He hurried over to it, and hooking one arm around it, started back.

  “Stealing my ladder, boy?”

  Oh, fuck! Danny stopped, heart dropping to his toes. The supervisor’s words were bullshit as the ladder could be used by anyone for
any business purpose. Danny knew that. He also knew that Fahey’s intent was to upset Danny. Well, mission accomplished. How had the man seen him so quickly, unless he spent his days just waiting for Danny to enter into his field of vision? That made no sense. Why would he care so much about one stupid slave? He’d once seen a movie where a slave had developed an unhealthy fixation on a freeman. It hadn’t ended well for the slave, of course. Things rarely did.

  Fahey’s beefy body stopped a foot in front of Danny. “You haven’t answered my question, boy.”

  The slave in Danny had him keeping his gaze down, staring at Fahey’s beat-up work boots. “I’m sorry, sir. I need the ladder to reach some doorknobs.” He hated the quaver in his voice, although maybe that show of fear would satisfy Fahey.

  Fahey’s hand shot out and he grabbed the back of Danny’s head. “No excuse, cunt. You don’t take what’s mine without asking first. You’ve just become a little too big for your britches. You need a reminder of what you are.”

  Danny cried out as the man’s grip tightened, pulling at Danny’s hair. He didn’t resist when Fahey all but dragged him away. His hold on the ladder was wretched free so hard and fast that the ladder toppled over. The sound reverberated throughout the cavernous warehouse. Danny stumbled in Fahey’s wake until they reached a secluded corner by high stacks of boxed lumber products. The area was dark, yet not dark enough that Danny couldn’t see the malicious gleam in Fahey’s eyes as he shoved Danny against the wall.

  “On your knees, cunt.”

  What? No way. Even Fahey couldn’t be that bold. For all of his menacing acts prior to this, he’d never actually tried to make Danny service him. A whiff of alcohol reached Danny as he stood wide-eyed staring back at the man with growing horror. Fahey had been drinking again. Of course, booze gave him the courage to do this thing. Oh, God. Someone had to be around. Did Danny dare scream for help? The mobile phone Paul had given him so that they could keep in touch during the day lay deep inside Danny’s front pocket. Maybe he could reach it and call for help before Fahey stopped him.