Billion Dollar Love: Manlove Edition

by 6 Author Anthology

  “I’ll only say this once to you. No Dom worth his salt abuses his sub. They don’t do anything that both parties don’t want. Don’t need.” Liam pressed a single finger to those full lips he’d had such erotic thoughts about. “I don’t have a sub. My last one used me. I believe your Dom abused you. We can spend this weekend getting to know one another as a Dom and sub, as well as Liam and Zeno. If it’s what you wish. If not, I’ll walk away right now. But I’ve wanted you. Even if it was in a vanilla relationship, I’d still want you.”

  “I wanted you, too. But thought you were way out of my league.” Zeno shook his head.

  “Did my work ethic teach you nothing? What do you want, Zeno?”

  “You. I’ve dreamed of you for so long. I may be what Merlin terms a sassy brat, but I’m no slut. I come to parties to enjoy the vibe and play out my fantasy. Others can look, but they can’t touch. But that’s only part of what I want. I want someone to show me I’m beautiful, that I’m wanted, and who wants to care for me.”

  “Then give me that chance. But it’ll be the last time tonight I give you power over me. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” Zeno nodded, then dropped gracefully to his knees. He gazed up at Liam, his dark eyes filled with a mix of trust and trepidation.

  “Good boy.” Liam trailed his fingers along Zeno’s cheek. He fully intended to demonstrate to Zeno just how good he could make him feel. “You did that very well. From now on, if you address me, you call me Freyr, Master, or Sir. Understood?”

  “Yes … Sir.” Zeno purred the word after a second or two’s hesitation, and Liam grinned.

  Liam had never wanted a slavish companion. He wanted a man with a mind of his own, and one who would offer that edge of challenge when they were in Dom/sub roles. And with Zeno, it looks like I’ll get the perfect companion.

  “You are indeed a sassy brat. I’ll think of a suitable punishment for that display. And if you try to give too much of that lip, I’ll give you something to put those lips to much better use.”

  “Promises, promises.” Zeno flashed Liam a grin. “May I suggest we go to the gaming room, Freyr? While you play one of the tables, I could demonstrate what these lips can do.”

  As tempting as that offer was, and as much as Liam wanted it, he took a deep breath and looked directly into Zeno’s eyes.

  “Before we do anything else, I need to know you’re good with this. I haven’t had a sub to call mine for a long time. I got burned, just like you. I don’t do casual. I never have. I’m happy to have you as my companion, nothing more. I don’t want you waking up in the morning and regretting anything. Nor do I intend to wave goodbye as if nothing has changed between us if you did decide to … take things further. If we don’t gel, well, that’s entirely different. That’s what this next couple of days can be for.”

  “I’ve fantasized about you, wanted you for so long. I might be a sassy brat, but as I said, I’m no slut, and I want someone who will care for me; Zeno the brat as well as Zeno the man, not use or abuse me.”

  “I can promise you this. I will never abuse you. Anything, everything we do, stops immediately if you want it to. This is about trust. Trusting me to give you, and us, exactly what you need.”

  “I-I trust you, Liam.” A look of horror flashed across Zeno’s face, but Liam shook his head.

  “I prefer to know you do trust Liam.”

  “Thank you, Sir. May I ask a question?” Zeno cocked his head.

  “Yes.”

  “Why Freyr?”

  “Freyr is the Norse god who bestows peace and pleasure on mortals. He’s also associated with virility and prosperity, with sunshine and fair weather, and in many instances his images include an immense phallus since he’s also seen as a fertility god in Norse mythology.” Liam slipped a hand between the leather slats of his kilt. “If you’re a good boy, you see why I thought that particular detail about Freyr settled me on the choice.”

  This time Zeno’s eyes went wide, and then they darkened to black.

  “I promise to be a very good boy if I’m to get such treats.”

  “Then let’s go. You may walk two steps behind me. Is that clear, boy?”

  “Yes, Freyr.” The way Zeno purred the name sent a bolt of lust direct to Liam’s cock, but he purposely ignored it. He’s going to keep me on my toes. Perfect.

  Chapter Three

  Aware of Zeno keeping behind him, Liam led the way into the gaming room. For a moment, no one paid them any attention, but as Liam deliberately paraded around, more gazes followed their progress as it became clear that they were a couple. To Liam’s intense satisfaction, some of the glances became admiring.

  “I’ll sit there.” Liam indicated a card table. There was plenty of space both between each seat, and between the seat and the table. “You’ll sit at my feet.”

  “Yes, Freyr.” Zeno purred the name and smiled, and a few low groans echoed around the room.

  “Do carry on, gentlemen.” Liam strolled to his preferred seat, and Zeno gracefully folded himself under the table, hidden from sight by Liam’s stool.

  Indicating he’d participate in the game, Liam smirked when he felt Zeno running hands over his shins, gently caressing his legs. Although Liam hadn’t given permission to touch, he was pleased Zeno that had. I want that spark of rebellion. Not too much, not too often, but I think we have a good vibe, that special spark, already.

  Since there hadn’t been any reprimand, it was obvious to Liam that Zeno was going to test his boundaries. The touches slid higher, stroking along Liam’s thighs. Then lips and tongue joined in the increasingly arousing touches.

  Shaking his head at the dealer to decline to play the next card game, Liam spread his legs wider, allowing Zeno to tease the skin just beneath his shorts.

  The next touches were over Liam’s already half-hard cock, which swelled further to press insistently against the confines of the leather. Liam leaned to the side.

  “If you go any further, you had best be certain you can deal with it and that when I stand up, no one will know what you did. Think carefully. I warned you I didn’t choose the name Freyr lightly.”

  A drawn-out sigh reached Liam’s ears, and he smiled as the wandering hands moved back to stroke over his thighs.

  “Good boy. Although there’s still the matter of touching without my permission I need to mull over. I’m sure I’ll think of something suitable to make you think about doing that in future. For now, come out and kneel beside me. I want the others to see what they can’t have.”

  “Yes, Freyr.”

  A second later, Zeno appeared and took his place at Liam’s side. With a nod, Liam reached to lay his hand on Zeno’s head, toying with the dark hair, watching rather than participating in the card game.

  “I think it’s time to stretch my legs. Excuse me.” Liam nodded to the man at his side, and walked from the room, and Zeno walked two paces behind. Once out of the room, Liam turned, and drew Zeno into a kiss. “Excellent,” he whispered against Zeno’s lips. “For now, you don’t have to wait for me to give you instructions. I want you to enjoy yourself without constantly seeking my permission. If you’re hungry, you eat, or have a drink. However, don’t go too far, and always come back to me. Understand?”

  “Yes, Freyr.” Zeno nodded.

  Out in the hall, the lights were dimmed, and waiters wandered around with glasses of bubbles on silver trays. Adam, husband in tow, passed by, and his smile at seeing Liam and Zeno together seemed to light up the entire hall.

  With a self-deprecating shrug, Liam allowed himself to be drawn over to a small crowd where Adam introduced him to some other guests who were also close, personal friends of his.

  In addition to the waiters with trays of drinks, others brought around trays of canapes and finger food. Liam glanced at a waiter as he walked by, but the man’s attention was caught by a couple who waved him over.

  A moment later, Zeno appeared at Liam’s side. In one hand was a glass of wine, in the other a selectio
n a plate on which he’d collected a selection of sweet and savory treats. Liam smiled and nodded. He picked a few of the canapes, leaving the rest for Zeno, then took the wine.

  During the exchange, Zeno never spoke, acknowledging his submission.

  “Thank you, Maleficent. You may sit to eat the rest of these and get yourself a drink if you wish.” Liam indicated a large armchair nearby, and Zeno ducked his head but peered up at Liam.

  “Thank you, Freyr.”

  A moment later, Liam glanced over at Zeno, who appeared to be oblivious of Liam’s study of him. He’d selected a glass of bubbles and had added several of the plump strawberries on offer to it. Liam stared entranced as Zeno carefully hooked one out with his nail, sucked at it, then bit it in half.

  Visions of other things, those lush, full lips could be around filled Liam’s mind. Especially when Zeno licked at his lips. It took a touch to his arm from Adam to draw him back into the conversation.

  As the group separated, Liam joined Zeno, who stood to allow Liam to sit on the chair and then settled himself on Liam’s lap, wriggling until his bare ass cheeks were on Liam’s thighs, rather than the cold leather kilt.

  For a moment or two, Liam indulged in kissing the younger man, tasting strawberries and champagne, each of them taking great care since their masks were horned. Liam didn’t want either of them trying to explain what they’d been doing to a doctor at the local ER.

  “Do you like to dance?” Liam asked, snagging a strawberry and holding it between his teeth.

  With a smile, Zeno pressed his mouth to Liam’s, biting the strawberry in half. Then he nodded.

  “Yes, I do … Freyr.” His smile was nothing short of devilish, and Liam grinned.

  “Good, then let’s go. I’d like to have another roomful of Adam’s guests see you and know you’re mine.”

  “Oh fuck. That sounds so sexy when you say it.” Zeno shuddered, and Liam moved in close.

  “You like the sound of that, hmm? Being mine. Being my possession?”

  “Yes.” Zeno nodded, and Liam pulled him into his arms.

  “Good. Then a little later, I’ll show you what that means. Nothing too heavy. Not until you’re sure about everything. But most especially, sure about me.”

  For a moment, Liam was certain that Zeno was going to try to argue. Then he took a deep breath instead.

  “Yes.” Zeno nodded. “Thank you, Freyr.”

  “Good boy. Let’s go. Don’t forget, until I’m ready to dance, two steps behind. Let’s make them green with envy.”

  Liam basked in the smile that lit up Zeno’s face.

  Just as he had in the gaming room, Liam made sure to walk around, allowing the men in there to realize that the gorgeous young sub behind him was his. The lighting was dim, so it was more difficult for him to see expressions, but he smirked at the one or two “fuck me”s he overheard.

  The music began a new song, and Liam turned to hold out his arms. Without a word, Zeno pressed himself as close to Liam as possible, and Liam held him tightly. They moved slowly around the floor, not paying any attention to the beat of the music.

  The proximity of the near-naked man in his arms set Liam’s libido alight, and his cock strained painfully in its leather confines. It was impossible for him to tell how aroused Zeno might be, given his cock was already restrained, and that notion raised his arousal up yet another notch.

  However, Liam tempered his arousal with the fact that he hadn’t asked the man in his arms if he even wanted to be bedded. Liam only bedded those who wanted to be, and being told no always meant just that.

  Pressing his mouth to Zeno’s ear, Liam nibbled at it, pleased to feel the tremors through the lithe body.

  “I was thinking about another, more intimate dance. One done in the bedroom.” Liam paused to lick Zeno’s ear, but also to let his words sink in. “If it’s not what you want, tell me now. You’ll be free to resume the party, and, if you wish, we can meet tomorrow.”

  “No.” Zeno clutched at him. “I mean, yes.”

  Liam eased back a fraction, just enough to gaze into Zeno’s eyes.

  “Look at me and tell me what you want. This is too important to me for there to be any misunderstandings. I want to know what you want.”

  This time Zeno met Liam’s gaze, and he spoke slowly and clearly.

  “You. I want you. I’ve wanted you for a long time, but I never imagined you’d give someone like me a second look. Yes, I heard everything you said in work, and never doubted your sincerity. But this.” Zeno shook his head. “Never this. I want the chance. I like to indulge in this side of me, I don’t live it every day. My last experience was a bad one, but I-I trust you. I want to try this with you. Try us.” Zeno took a deep breath, then fell silent.

  “Thank you, that makes it very clear. I live my personal life like my work ethic. Everyone is equal, but I didn’t think you’d want an old man.”

  “You aren’t old.” Zeno pressed closer.

  “I’m over forty, and you aren’t yet thirty. It’s a gap that some would find too great.”

  “Not me.”

  For a long moment, Liam stared into Zeno’s eyes. He’s offering me all I could ever ask for. It’s a risk for us both, and if he’s willing, then so am I.

  “Okay. How about we retire to my room, I’ll take the edge off us both, and we take it from there.” Someone else, perhaps anybody else, and Liam wouldn’t be so cautious. But he couldn’t help feeling that there was something special between him and Zeno. Something he didn’t want to crush before it had chance to fully bloom.

  “Yes.” Zeno nodded firmly.

  “Follow me.” Liam released the lithe body, instantly feeling the cold from the loss of Zeno’s intimacy. Without a backward glance, Liam strode from the room, fully expecting obedience.

  Chapter Four

  As much as Liam wanted to go directly to his room, he didn’t. Instead, keeping his gaze firmly fixed ahead, he wandered around the house, acutely aware of Zeno’s presence just two steps behind him.

  Reactions were all he could have wanted and more—envious glances, heated glances, Doms reaching to pull their subs close, or subs leaning into their Doms, Liam relished them all. As he passed Adam, his friend looked closely at him, then at Zeno, and nodded slowly.

  Liam didn’t acknowledge the gesture, but he felt a thrill that had been absent for a long time. Liam didn’t stop until he was outside his room. He opened the door but didn’t walk inside.

  “Last chance.” Liam didn’t look around. He didn’t want Zeno to feel pressured. Nor did he want to see him walk away if he decided not to proceed.

  “May I come in, Freyr?” Zeno’s voice was soft and his hand warm in the small of Liam’s back, and Liam let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d held.

  “Yes.” Liam went into his room, then stepped aside for Zeno to pass before putting up a “do not disturb” sign on the door handle and then locking it. “Let’s get a little more comfortable.” Liam took off his mask and helm, then sauntered over to Zeno.

  With care, he eased the elaborate headdress and mask free, stroking along Zeno’s brow where he noticed it had rubbed, chafing the skin. Liam ran his fingers through Zeno’s hair, teasing back some of the volume it had lost.

  From the way Zeno closed his eyes, Liam guessed that the younger man liked head massages. Moving behind him, Liam began to knead Zeno’s skull, earning a low moan of appreciation. The sound seemed hot-wired to Liam’s cock, which tried to twitch in its confines, and Liam envisioned Zeno making that sound again, under much more intimate circumstances.

  Liam took a few precious seconds to rid himself of the kilt, then resumed the massage. He couldn’t help but smile at the way Zeno unconsciously leaned back, his ass pressing against Liam’s tortured cock.

  Deciding to up the ante a little, Liam moved his hands to knead Zeno’s neck and shoulders, feeling the way the muscles had tensed, and hoping to urge them to relax. His slid his hands down Zeno’s arms, then aroun
d to his chest, toying with the peaked nipples.

  From there he trailed them lightly to Zeno’s hips, then to the leather encased cock. He traced its length, cupping the ball sac encased in thin leather below, absently wondering just how long Zeno had kept his cock imprisoned.

  “How long?” Liam asked, feathering a fingertip the length of the taut flesh.

  “Since an hour before the party. I did it to show I didn’t need a Dom, and that no one could touch.” Zeno’s voice was the right side of breathy, and Liam smiled unseen.

  “Then it’s past time you had some relief. Stand and watch.” Liam stepped out from behind Zeno and stripped out of all except the shorts. Instead of removing them, he simply lowered the zipper and let his cock spring free, watching the way Zeno’s eyes widened, then darkened with desire.

  Already the dark eyeshadow and mascara Zeno had painted around his hazel eyes had smudged, but it didn’t detract from his beauty.

  “Come here.”

  Zeno obeyed the command, and Liam released Zeno’s cock from its confines. Zeno shuddered as his dick was handled, but he didn’t speak or otherwise move. Liam stepped back to appreciate the full view. Zeno’s cock jutted out from very well trimmed brown curls. The notion of completely shaving Zeno flittered through Liam’s mind, and he filed the idea away for future consideration.

  “Lie on the bed and stroke yourself. As I said, I want to take the edge off things.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Zeno stretched out on the bed, leaned back against the pillows and reached for his hard cock. At the touch of his own hand, his hips jerked slightly, ready to thrust at any moment into the willing grip. Zeno started a rhythm neither fast nor hard but just enough to make it look good.

  “Very nice, Zeno, I want you to make yourself feel good. But I also want you to show me how you make yourself come.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Zeno turned his head to stare at Liam, who nodded.

  With a gulping breath, Zeno shifted and switched hands from left to right. At the new grip a small moan escaped him, and he slid his left hand over his stomach and over his smooth chest.