by Xenia Melzer
“Of course, Mr. Miller.” The man on the other side of the line sounded apprehensive. Richard made no courtesy calls, and when he said he had a problem, that meant everybody else had a problem as well.
Richard had taught Sebastian quickly that it was best to go along with whatever the scary boyfriend of his publishing house’s most successful writer wanted. Since Richard always got his way in the end, there was no point in delaying the inevitable.
“Dean just told me about the cover. He’s not happy with it, and he told you so. Now can you explain to me why his wishes were completely ignored?”
There was a heavy silence on the other end while Sebastian seemed to mull over his answer. “The marketing team suggested a different approach for this title, since it’s not within the series but a rather dark spin-off. They think it would be better to market it differently.”
“And Dean’s suggestions were not appropriate?”
Richard could almost see Sebastian wince. “They were. Just not what the marketing team had in mind.”
“So you’re telling me, because some guys at PR think they need to prove a point, my boyfriend had to put up with something that really makes him unhappy?”
Richard knew just the way he’d pronounced the word “boyfriend” was enough to inform Sebastian how serious this was. He wisely remained silent while Richard went on. “Dean’s last book garnered you a net win in the seven digits, all with a cover he had personally selected. What makes you think this time will be any different?”
“Nothing, Mr. Miller. I will see to it that Dean gets the cover he wants. Can I do anything else for you?” Sebastian clearly knew when he had lost.
“No, thank you. That was all. Have a nice day, Sebastian.”
Richard disconnected the call. “Now, that wasn’t so difficult.” When his gaze fell on Dean, he raised a brow. “You’re flushed.”
Dean panted. “Can’t help it. I love it when you go all dominant and unrelenting. I’m so horny right now, my hole is itching to feel you.”
Richard could feel his inner predator waking. “Let’s take care of that. Get the lube and prepare yourself.”
A malicious grin appeared on Dean’s face. “Already done.”
Richard laughed and pulled Dean into his arms. “I love the way your mind works. Let’s take the edge off.”
RICHARD DIDN’T waste time with preparations. They were both horny and, since Dean was already lubed, good to go. Richard grabbed Dean’s hips and maneuvered him onto his lap and waiting cock. His voice sounded a bit breathless from excitement. “You’re so beautiful, boy. So fucking beautiful.”
Dean held still for a few heartbeats, enjoying the feel of Richard’s length stretching him in the most delicious manner, before he started moving his hips. He loved and needed the kinky sex they usually shared, but once in a while, he opted for the vanilla version.
Simple, straight sex without any toys or games, just the two of them. No designated roles, no dynamics determining their actions. Only Richard Miller and Dean Connelly, two men who loved and complemented each other in ways neither of them had ever thought possible.
After their exhausting games of the previous night, they didn’t last long. They climaxed together, sealing the orgasm with a deep, passionate kiss.
Richard retreated slowly from Dean’s body but didn’t let go of him. “Let’s have a shower. Then we can talk punishment.”
Dean slung his arms around his Dom’s neck and let Richard carry him into the bathroom.
AFTER A prolonged shower with lots of groping and lathering each other, they returned to the bedroom, ready to follow up on the punishment Richard had promised. The moment Dean went down on his knees, the phone started ringing.
Dean groaned. He clearly recognized Richard’s business ringtone, the one that always took Richard away from him.
Richard sighed but accepted the call. When somebody was suicidal enough to call him on a Sunday morning, it had to be urgent—and if it wasn’t, the person in question had made their last call to Richard. “What?”
There was no reason to be overly courteous. He hated to be interrupted when dealing with his boy, especially when it was an occasion as delicious as this one. The person on the other end of the line paused, no doubt intimidated by his gruff tone. When she finally spoke, her tone sounded hesitant.
“This is Amber Smith speaking, Mr. Miller. I’m really sorry about phoning you on a Sunday, but it’s urgent.”
“Get on with it.” Richard wasn’t in the mood to waste time with pleasantries. Amber was his lawyer in New York, who handled all the businesses he had there. Her call meant he’d probably have to fly over, and soon, which sent his mood plummeting.
“The manager of your Diamond Spa has been arrested for fraud and identity theft. I’ve managed to keep it from the press, but the situation is not under control. It would be best if you came.”
“What?” Richard couldn’t believe it. “Wasn’t it your office that did all the background checks on the employees? Didn’t you assure me they were all clean as a whistle? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“As I said, I’m really sorry, Mr. Miller. Apparently Mr. DeLuca has been leading a double life for so long, he knew how to slip under our radar.”
Richard was pacing the bedroom, barely able to rein his anger in. “If he’s that good, how did he get caught? No, don’t bother answering me. I’ll be in New York in”—he checked his watch—“about six hours. By then, I expect you to have all the facts for me, as well as something we can tell the press.”
“Yes, Mr. Miller. Shall I start looking for a replacement?”
That question forced a snort from Richard. “Don’t bother. Your replacement is going to do that. Tell your bosses it was no pleasure doing business with them. I would also advise you to try to clean this mess up as best as you can, or I might feel inclined to sue you over your incompetence. I’ll call you once I’m in New York.”
With that he disconnected the call. He knew he was being harsh, but being lenient had never made a successful business. At least being lenient with lawyers. Those leeches charged horrendous sums just for being available to him, and they topped those sums when they actually had to do something other than see to papers being properly signed. For the fortune he spent on them, Richard expected flawless performance.
Messing up a new project was something he was capable of himself. That’s why he had the lawyers, to prevent scenarios where he lost money because of wrong choices. He most certainly did not pay them for losing money in his stead. And a scandal like this could lose him a fortune if not handled carefully. He had to call Martin to redo all the backup checks for employees at the Diamond Spa.
“You’re leaving?” Dean didn’t sound happy.
He never was when Richard had to go on business trips. In the beginning of their relationship, that had been a major problem. Before they met, Dean had lived for his writing and didn’t care for the outside world. Once they had become permanent, he started to grow restless whenever Richard wasn’t there.
Dean needed structure and stability in his life to function properly. Richard provided both, although it was harder to do when he wasn’t there. For a moment he contemplated taking Dean along to New York. After their intense scene last night, everything inside him screamed to stay close to his boy. Unfortunately things would get ugly at the spa. Having Dean there was not a good idea. Which meant he had to come up with a strict routine for the next two or three days.
Richard closed his eyes and breathed in deeply a couple of times to get back into the right headspace before he addressed his boy.
“Present, boy.”
Dean’s eyes widened. As Richard hoped, the commanding tone didn’t fail to jostle him out of his pouting. He hastened to do as he was told, a happy smile tugging at his lips.
“I have to fly to New York, boy. I will try to be back in two, three days, tops, but me not being here does not mean you won’t be punished. You will wear the cock cag
e all the time except when you’re in the shower. Since I can’t fuck you myself, you will wear the vibrating plug, the one I can control over my cell.”
Dean made a whimpering sound. His cock was standing proudly in front of him.
Richard grinned evilly. “You’ll have trouble fitting into the cage, aroused as you are. You better start thinking about cold showers and roadkill.”
“Please, Master! Just once more before you go?” Dean sounded like a puppy, and Richard loved it.
“I don’t know, boy. If I let you come once more, then the punishment has to be increased. Are you willing to accept whatever I deem appropriate?”
Richard could see Dean’s mind working. He wouldn’t have been surprised if steam had come out of his boy’s ears. Dean needed to come, desperately, but he also knew how ingenious Richard could be when it came to punishment. It was a risk he never took lightly. This time his need got the better of him.
“I accept, Master.”
“Then get over to the bed. On your back.”
While Dean hastily scrambled onto the bed, Richard had to suppress a snicker. His boy wouldn’t like what was coming.
As soon as Dean got into position, Richard grabbed the lube, squirted a generous amount on Dean’s right palm, and stepped back. “Master? I don’t understand.”
“You said you needed to come. Go ahead. Give me a show, and don’t forget to lube your hole as well. I have a vibrator waiting to go there.”
Understanding dawned on Dean, but he did not complain. Only a slight frown betrayed his disappointment.
Since Richard had taken the fun out of this particular orgasm, Dean got over with it quickly. He stroked himself with his right hand while his left fingered his hole, slicking it with lube. It didn’t take him long to shoot, and Richard could tell that his boy wasn’t truly satisfied.
Well, tough luck. He would be in a week, when Richard would allow him his next orgasm. He went into the bathroom, wet a cloth, and cleaned his boy quickly before he put the cock cage on. Once the device was in place, Richard slapped Dean’s thigh playfully.
“On all fours, boy. Show me your hole.”
Again, Dean complied without protest, the very picture of an obedient sub. Except Richard could tell by the tense line of Dean’s shoulder muscles how upset his boy was.
Pushing his sub was a Dom’s job, one Richard took very seriously.
“Well lubed, boy. I think I’ll fill you with my seed once more before I go.”
Richard poured some slick on his own rock-hard cock before he slid easily into Dean’s tight hole. His boy’s body welcomed him as it always did, although there was a strain to his moans. Being fucked with a cock cage on was not a pleasurable experience.
Richard felt lenient enough to make it quick. He thrust into Dean with an unrelenting rhythm, trying to hit his prostate in the process. When his boy squirmed and whimpered beneath him, Richard allowed his own orgasm to build. He pumped his semen into the tight channel and then retreated quickly.
“Don’t lose a drop, boy. I’m going to trap my spunk inside you.”
“Yesss, Master.” Richard knew Dean loved it when he did that. It reassured him of his master’s love and care.
Richard retrieved the fat, vibrating butt plug he intended to use on his boy from the cabinet. After lubing it up, he inserted it carefully, sliding the thick rubber shaft in and out of Dean’s twitching hole before pushing it in all the way. He twisted it a few times, until Dean’s desperate moans told him it was nudging his gland. Satisfied with his work, Richard grabbed his phone to test the plug. When he hit the button on the app, the plug started to vibrate, causing Dean’s hips to thrust helplessly.
“This is going to be fun. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this, boy.”
Dean looked at him dazed. “Whatever you wish, Master.”
“My good boy. I love you.”
“I love you too, Master.”
Richard kissed Dean once more before he got dressed. He took out the bag he had always sitting packed in his wardrobe for emergencies like this, told Dean he would give him instructions on his cell, and went to put the fire out in New York.
Chapter 5
RICHARD HAD been gone for two days.
Dean hated every second of it. He never did well without his master, but this time it was particularly bad. Even though Richard had come up with some truly interesting ideas to keep Dean occupied and took the time to text him new instructions every three hours, Dean felt restless.
It wasn’t the cock cage, although that definitely added to his stress. It was a feeling of dread he just couldn’t shake. Knowing he was being silly didn’t make it any better.
He had spent the better part of four hours going over the edits for his latest novel when the phone rang. Nightwish’s “Sleeping Sun” told him it was Richard. Dean fumbled for the phone with trembling fingers, eager to hear his master’s voice. “Yes?”
“Good afternoon to you too, boy. Did you have a good day?” Richard’s voice sounded as deep and affectionate as always. Nevertheless, Dean could hear the strain in it. Things were obviously not going well over in New York.
“Now that you’re calling, my day has turned wonderful, Master.”
Rumbling laughter came through the connection. “Flattery won’t get you out of the cage, boy.”
“I know. So please tell me you’re coming home. Please.” Dean knew he sounded desperate, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread.
“I know this is hard for you. I ask you to be strong for one more night. I’ll be back tomorrow evening.”
“Really? Thank God.”
“Dean! What is it? The last time you were so out of it when I left was after we first met. Is something wrong?”
Richard’s tone was rife with concern. Dean hated himself for adding to his Dom’s burden, but he had learned a long time ago to trust Richard with everything. Telling the man his concerns and worries, letting him deal with them, was part of their relationship. And as much as Dean loathed himself for being so weak sometimes, he was still glad to have somebody to carry him.
“It’s nothing concrete, Master. I just feel antsy, unable to concentrate. It’s as if I’m waiting for something to happen. I’m restless.”
There was a moment’s silence on the other end, Richard, no doubt, contemplating Dean’s problem and thinking about a solution. When he spoke, his voice had that confident Dom ring to it that always managed to calm Dean down.
“Thank you for telling me, boy. That was very good of you. Now here is what you’ll do. I want you to write a story for me, one about a Dom and his sub. Make it kinky. If it pleases you, add a paranormal angle. It’s three o’clock now. You keep writing till six. Then you order dinner from Mamma’s and, boy, I expect you to eat, do you understand? After dinner, you go into the shower. You’re allowed to take the cock cage off and the plug out to clean yourself. When you’re done, you put both back on and go to bed naked. Starting at eight, I’m going to torture you with the vibrator. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Master.” Dean sighed with relief. Just like that, with a few well-placed commands, his Dom had given him structure, a safety line he could use to get through the rest of the day. “Thank you, Master. I can’t wait for tomorrow to come.”
“You’re welcome, boy. And not only tomorrow will come.”
It was a rather cheesy innuendo, but it made Dean laugh. “I love you, Master.”
“I love you, boy. Now get with the program.”
DEAN WAS busy writing the story Richard had required from him when his phone rang. His first impulse was to ignore it and keep the story flowing, but the unknown caller didn’t seem inclined to give up. The call went to voicemail three times and started ringing again shortly after. Dean finally gave in. “Connelly.”
“Mr. Connelly? Elisa Connor from Connor and Partners speaking. Do you have a moment?”
Dean already regretted having taken the call. The woman sounded formal; her tone of voice sugges
ted she was a lawyer, and Dean already knew that nothing good ever came out of him talking to them.
“I’m quite busy at the moment. If it’s not too urgent, we can make an appointment sometime later this week.” Or never. That would be fine with him as well.
“Unfortunately, it is urgent. Very urgent. And nothing I wish to discuss over the phone. If you could give me just an hour of your time….”
The woman was good, he had to give her that. Her voice had just enough drama in it to make him wonder. But he hadn’t been with Richard Miller, entrepreneur par excellence, for five years and not learned a thing or two.
“Can you call me back in ten minutes? I need to check my schedule and arrange some things.”
“Of course, Mr. Connelly. I’ll call you back.”
With that, Elisa Connor disconnected, sending Dean into action. First, he tried to call Richard and went straight to voicemail. Then he typed Connor and Partners into his laptop. When the site of a law firm in Miami popped up, he knew there was trouble.
From the looks of it, it was a big firm, and from the lack of information given, one that dealt with rich clients only. They did have a list of their lawyers, though, and Elisa Connor’s name popped up.
Dean stared blankly at the screen for a few heartbeats; then he pulled out his phone once more. Since Richard wasn’t available, he had to go for the second-best choice.
“Carmichael.”
“Master Martin. It’s Dean.”
“I guessed as much from the caller ID, boy. What’s the matter? You sound stressed.”
“A woman named Elisa Connor has called me. She says she has urgent business to discuss. My master is still in New York, and I don’t know what to do.”
Dean could hear the panic in his own voice and tried to take deep, calming breaths. Martin’s voice over the phone helped him with that. He sounded reassuring, strong. Just what Dean needed.
“It’s fine, boy. You did the right thing. I assume this Elisa woman is a lawyer?”
