by Jodi Payne
“Of course.”
“Twenty-four seven.”
“Indeed.” Bradford leaned back in his chair.
Nikki sighed. Fine. “I want us to be exclusive in everything. Including sex.”
“Ah.” Bradford took a sip of water, looking thoughtful. “I will not have intimate relations with any other sub during the term of our agreement. However, it happens that part of my job is the well-being and suitability of our subs. I need to know all of them—how they work, what they need. And some of them I work with regularly. I have to ask that you understand the difference between my work and my personal time with you.”
Right. Noah, Phan, Brian, Cade, Levi…Bradford worked with all of them. “Work, okay. But when you’re not working…can we not have other subs here all night? Would that be okay? And you won’t bring Levi home, right?”
Bradford took his hand. “I hear you, boy. Outside of work, you would be my sub exclusively. In everything. I hadn’t thought about the overnight help, but of course I will suspend that practice as I will have no need of them. And I won’t have the need, or the desire for anyone else in my bed.”
Okay, then. He took a deep breath and smiled, knowing he’d been heard. “I guess the only thing I really need then is your patience.”
Bradford smiled, the look happy and lighting up his eyes. “You have it already. That won’t change.”
He wrote the words “EXCLUSIVE” and “PATIENCE” in big capital letters in his notes, then took another breath, trying to quiet the anxiety and arousal and excitement all churning in his stomach. “I feel kind of wound-up. Am I supposed to be nervous?”
“That means you understand this is a big step, Nikki. Nervous, excited, worried, curious, hopeful…there are no wrong emotions here. Unless you’re scared. Fear should not enter into this equation.”
“No. No, I’m not scared. I want to try this.”
“When would you like to start? I’m ready right this moment, but I’ve been thinking about this for a few days. If you’d like to sleep on it, I absolutely respect that.”
He didn’t need to sleep on it. All he’d do was stay up all night anxious—anxious about being exclusive, anxious about the future, and anxious to get started. “Now is good.”
“All right.” Bradford offered a hand across the table. “Shake on it, then come kneel by my chair and we’ll have an agreement.”
“Kneel?” That was so awkward the last time.
“It’s a custom here at the club when a Dom and a sub come to a formal agreement.”
“Will people—” Bradford always drew so many eyes. “Again?”
“I apologize, but we will likely get a bit of attention, yes. Try to keep your eyes low and your mind focused on me.”
He was hoping that if he did this enough, if he stood up in front of people, if people looked at him enough, he’d get used to it.
He would, right? He had to. Eventually.
He hoped.
His heart was pounding as he took Bradford’s hand and shook it. He stood and moved to Bradford’s side, keeping his eyes on the pristine wood floor, and carefully sank to his knees next to Bradford’s chair.
Someone called out, “Congratulations!” and the sentiment was echoed around the dining room with light applause and knives clinking against wineglasses.
Bradford reached down and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Good boy. They are as proud of you as I am.”
That was fine, but Bradford was the only man in the world he wanted to make proud beside himself.
Bradford gave a wave and the room went quiet again. “So, boy. Tell me, are you hungry? Or would you prefer to get out from under all these eyes and pay a visit to my St. Andrew’s cross?”
He was actually feeling okay, kneeling there with Bradford. But he wasn’t hungry, and he didn’t think he could eat right now anyway. He was too excited. Too curious. And way too eager for Bradford’s attention.
“I’m ready if you’re ready, sir.”
“I’m ready. At my heel, then, eyes low. Remember, I’m proud of you, boy. The only opinion in this room that matters is mine. I’ll move quickly.”
“Yes, sir.”
The only opinion in this room that matters is mine.
Could it really be that simple?
Bradford stood and Nikki joined him, following hard on his Master’s heel, eyes low.
The only opinion that matters is his.
And Bradford was proud.
Nikki finally got it. He’d just come to an agreement with the owner of the club.
With Master Bradford.
He kept his eyes low, but he lifted his chin and straightened his shoulders. He was Master Bradford’s boy. Fuck if he wasn’t proud too.
The rest of the dining room disappeared as he focused on matching Bradford’s stride, and he discovered it really could be that easy. He had a Master to please. His Master. He didn’t have time to worry about who was judging him.
Bradford stopped outside the room and handed him the key. He took it, opened the door, and held it.
“Good boy. Hang the key up, then strip as usual and kneel.” Bradford went to the intercom on the wall and checked in with security while Nikki undressed. He folded his clothes and set them on the table by the door, then went to the middle of the room and settled into kneeling display. He closed his eyes and listened to Bradford move around the room, concentrating on what he wanted to give his Master.
“Safe words, please, boy.”
“Nickel and dime, sir.”
“ ‘Nickel and dime.’ I expect you to use them, boy. You and I are learning each other. We’re only human, yes? It’s entirely possible you will need them tonight.”
“Yes, sir. I will use them if I—” If I know I need them? Will I know? “Sir, what if—may I ask a question, sir?”
“Of course. Tonight you have my permission to ask questions any time you like, all right?”
Oh, that was helpful. “Thank you, sir. What if I don’t know if I need to use a safe word?”
“If you’re unsure, then the answer is always yes. Better to err on the side of caution. Use ‘nickel’ and we’ll talk about it.”
“If I’m not sure, then…oh, that makes sense, sir, thank you.”
“Remember.” Bradford rested a hand on the back of his head, and Nikki leaned into it. “You can’t disappoint me if you’re doing your best, boy.”
He nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“On your feet, boy.” Sir moved away and he stood. A second later, his Master was behind him again, crowding close, bare chest warm against his back. “To the cross. We both deserve to get what we want tonight.”
“Sir.” His heart started pounding and he forgot to move, but Sir herded him along, maneuvering him right to the cross. Sir’s hands touched him all over as they buckled him in, securing his hands and feet; then the falls of a flogger began to land lightly on his ass.
“I’m going to give you a little of my arm, boy. Give you stripes you won’t forget for a couple of days. And…” The flogger fell harder and in moments their touch became a sharp sting. “I will have you.”
Fuck, yes. Please. His balls drew up tight, making him moan, and his Master hummed approval in response. “Mmm. You like that, boy?”
“Yes, sir.”
Bradford took in a sharp breath behind him. “Shoulders now. Don’t forget your safe words. I’m listening.”
Sir started in slow, the flogger’s blows only warming his skin at first. Over and over they fell on his shoulders, intensifying until they burned just right. His breathing grew shallow but steady, in and out with the rhythm of his Master’s arm.
“Beautiful boy.” The blows stopped and Sir stepped up beside him.
He took a deep, deep breath and let it out. “Master.” God, he wasn’t ready. Close but…it wasn’t enough. “More. Please.”
He felt Bradford studying him. “Are you sure, boy?”
He nodded. “Need you. Please.”
“Very well. A few more. Good boy.” Sir’s warmth disappeared but it was replaced by his Master’s strong, commanding voice. “Harder, boy. We’ll try four and see where we are. Breathe. Tell me when you’re ready.”
Nikki breathed in and out, focusing on his Master. “Ready, sir.”
“Four in a row and we’ll breathe again. Breathe.”
He heard the first blow before he felt it; then the four blows seared his skin like fire, making him rock against the cross and cry out.
“Boy?” Master was at his side again.
“Sir. Oh, God. So good.”
Bradford’s hand landed on his belly, fingers hot and burning almost as much as the flogger had. He moaned and leaned into the touch. He breathed in deep and this time when he exhaled, he felt different.
New.
Clean.
“Master.”
Sir’s voice was rough, but his reply was clear. “My boy.”
“Yours, Master.” The hand on his belly moved lower, fingers curling around his shaft. Oh God, he ached. “Want you.”
“Mine. My boy.”
He loved the way his Master’s words dissolved into a growl at the end. He let himself beg and pushed through Sir’s fingers. He had no shame. Everything he was belonged to his Master now.
“Please, sir.”
His Master moved away, and he floated for a minute. Or an hour. He just couldn’t tell.
“My good boy.” Bradford watched Nikki as he slowly rolled on a condom, taking in the way the boy moved, the way that lean body swayed and arched, begging for his attention. He found the warmer and pumped some lube into one hand and made his way back over to his boy.
His boy.
Finally.
Soon to be even more his own.
He gripped Nikki by one hip and tucked his slippery fingers tightly up against his boy’s hole. He wasn’t wasting another second. “We’ve waited long enough.”
“Yes, sir. Please, yes.” Nikki arched into his touch and took his fingers right in, the move making his mouth go dry.
“Needy boy.”
“Yes. Oh, God.” Nikki rode his fingers, rocking and arching, and he allowed it. It was the hottest fucking thing he’d seen in ages. But his abs were tight and his balls ached, and he wasn’t going to let the boy be indulgent for long. He knew what he wanted—what they both needed.
He had every intention of getting it.
He leaned over Nikki’s striped back, letting the boy feel the heat and get a taste of his aching cock against that lovely, pale ass. “Going to take you, my boy. Are you ready for me?”
Nikki practically howled for him. “Sir! Yes, so ready. Oh, God.”
He withdrew his fingers and replaced them with the head of his swollen prick. He’d had every intention of making this first connection slowly, easing the boy into things. But Nikki had other ideas. He’d just started to push past the boy’s entrance, had only just nudged that tight ring of muscle, when Nikki rocked hard and took him in deep.
“Boy!” He shouted, both hands taking hold of Nikki’s hips for balance until he could breathe again and his brain was back in the game.
Oh, he did love a naughty boy.
He let Nikki ride another second, then shoved the boy against the cross, pinning him there with hard thrusts. Nikki grunted and gave him a little bit of a struggle, which only made everything sweeter.
“Mine, boy.” Bradford’s breathing was ragged and his voice was rough.
“Sir! More!”
He’d been careful of the boy’s back, but now he leaned right up against it, his chest pressing against the hot stripes. Nikki let out a long cry but never gave him a hint of a safe word, the boy’s ass arching toward him, begging for more.
A few more hard thrusts and his own climax started to twist and coil in his gut. His boy was babbling to him and trembling now, sweating and hard to keep a grip on. Bradford pulled back on Nikki’s hip and slipped a hand around the boy’s pretty cock, and that was all it took. Nikki shook and shot hard, hips jerking and the muscles around him contracting.
They both groaned and panted; then Bradford followed Nikki over the cliff, pumping inside his boy.
They hung there a moment, high as kites, flying on hormones and endorphins as he marveled at Nikki’s unexpected depth. He’d laid into the boy pretty hard at the end, and Nikki had never once seemed anywhere near a safe word. They had so much to explore together and he was looking forward to all of it.
They couldn’t remain standing there long; he had responsibilities. Almost as soon as he’d had that thought, Nikki’s knees buckled. Bradford caught him and set him against the cross.
“I’ve got you, boy. Feet first.” He quickly unbuckled Nikki’s feet and went for the boy’s wrists. As soon as Nikki was free the boy moved into his arms, leaning heavily.
“Sir. Master,” Nikki babbled as Bradford moved him to the divan and stretched him out on his stomach.
“Such a good boy. My good boy.” He offered soft words in return and a gentle tone as he disposed of his condom and began his aftercare routine. He pulled over a stool and sat as he carefully applied ointment to the beautiful stripes on Nikki’s back. Only a few had cut into the skin, but Nikki would be sore for a couple of days.
Nikki sighed at his touch. “Thank you, sir.”
“I can’t wait for you to see your back, boy. How do you feel?”
“Good. So good, sir. I’ve never…I…I don’t have words.”
Bradford smiled and bent to kiss Nikki’s cheek affectionately. “That’s all right, my boy. As long as you feel good.”
Sometimes words came later, and sometimes there just weren’t any.
Bradford felt as if his own feelings might fall into the latter category.
Epilogue
“Everything all right, Timmy?”
“Yes, Master Bradford. You wanted to know when Master Tobias arrived. His car just pulled up.”
“Oh. Wonderful. Thank you.” Timmy was calling from the valet desk. Bradford could hear the street noise through the phone.
“My pleasure, sir.”
Bradford grinned as he hung up the phone. Timmy was such a good boy. He got up from his desk and made his way out to the foyer, arriving just in time. He opened the door to welcome his oldest friend, mentor, and confidant, Tobias Vincent.
“Tobias! Timothy said you were here.” Forty-one years looked good on the Dom. He was as handsome as ever and owned it.
Tobias shook his head and smiled. “I trust you don’t mind me appearing again after all this time?”
Bradford met him on the steps and shook his hand. “The day we turn you from here, my friend, is the day I close the old place up. Now, come in! Eat. Enjoy your birthday. I have a room reserved for you, as you requested. You’re not meeting anyone, are you?”
Tobias shook his head again and was looking around the foyer and into the bar area. “I don’t have a guest, if that’s what you mean, but I’m open to possibilities.”
“I was hoping you would say that.” He gave Tobias a long look. “In which case…”
“Wait,” Tobias said, laughing. “I’m not saying I want you to find me a date. I’m just saying I want to have a pleasant evening—a nice meal, people I like around me—”
Oh, please. How long had they known each other? Bradford knew better than that. A Dom wanted a sub. Needed one, in point of fact. “And it’s been eight months since you’ve been here, Tobias. I know you spend your weekends on the farm and your weeknights in town. I’d certainly have heard if you had someone new.” He shook his head sadly, making Tobias grin. “No, my friend, you deserve to play. And I might just have the right someone for you.”
Bradford had been so excited when Tobias had finally said he was going to have dinner at the club. It had been so long. It was time to let the past go. And the Dom’s timing couldn’t have been better.
“Tell me,” Tobias invited, accepting a glass of ice water from the bartender.
Bradford bea
med at him, delighted. “I can do you one better. Come.”
Bradford led Tobias through the bar to a small table where he’d asked Noah to sit and wait for him. The boy rose quickly as they approached.
“Tobias.” He swept an arm toward Noah. “I would like you to meet Noah. Noah, this is Tobias. It is my opinion that the two of you are well suited. Of course, you may decide otherwise, but I encourage you to at least discuss the matter.”
He had no intention of staying for more than introductions. He knew Tobias needed to be a little off-balance for this to work. Bradford bowed his head and stepped back, wishing them a good evening before turning and walking away, leaving Tobias and Noah on their own.
Enjoyed Soft Limits? Try First Rodeo!
First Rodeo
The Cowboy and the Dom Trilogy, Book One
By Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga
https://jodipayne.net/books/first-rodeo/
When a killer strikes, Texan and former rodeo cowboy, Sam O’Reilly, loses his older brother. Unbeknownst to Sam, James was also the lover and sub of a sophisticated New York City Dom named Thomas Ward. Sam comes to the city determined to stay until he can bring the murderer to his own brand of justice, while Thomas’ more ordered mind is hoping for a legal solution. Neither man expects their connection to the other, but having each lost someone irreplaceable, their hearts are crying out for comfort almost as loudly as their bodies are screaming for each other.
Some yearnings refuse to be ignored, but transcending their differences to explore the fragile connection between them will prove to be a steep a hill to climb--the first of many. As Sam and Thomas take the first tentative steps on the rocky path that might lead to a relationship, the killer steps out of the shadows...
And this time, his sights are set on Sam.
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