“No! No, this isn’t good!”
“That’s it. You can yell all you want.” More swats covered his ass.
He kicked and struggled, hitting at Tide’s legs. Tide just kept talking, telling him how good he was, how he could fight as much as he wanted. And kept spanking him.
“Leave me alone!” Lance cried out.
“I know you don’t want that.”
“I want to go home!” He sobbed, his ass burning.
“You are home, darling.” Tide swatted twice more, then began rubbing again, making everything ache.
“Am not….” He moaned, deep in his chest.
“You are.” Tide tugged him up against the broad chest, holding him and dropping sweet kisses on his mouth.
“I don’t like this….” He couldn’t stop moving.
“No?” Tide grabbed his ass, pulling him to rub against Tide’s amazing abs.
“No. No. I don’t,” he insisted.
“Do you need another one to push you over the edge, darling?”
“What?” He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t focus.
Tide’s hand came down on his ass twice in succession. Lance came, crying out, sobbing with overwhelmed sensation. Tide’s arms wrapped around him, rocking him slowly back and forth.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He kept saying it over and over.
“For what? Why are you apologizing, Lance?” Tide asked.
“I don’t know,” he admitted.
“Then you shouldn’t. No apologizing unless you actually have something to apologize for.”
He leaned in and let Tide hold him.
“Mmm. That was so sexy.” Tide dropped another kiss on the top of his head.
“Not weird?”
“Nope. Not weird at all.” Tide held his head, keeping him close.
He could feel Tide’s chest rising and falling beneath his cheek. It was worth it—even if he hadn’t come, this was worth it, to be held.
Tide’s hands swept over his back, following his spine right to his crack. From there Tide’s fingers fanned out across his burning ass, rubbing before sliding up along his back again, this time to the sides of his spine.
“I’m so proud of you—you did so well,” Tide told him.
The words heated Lance to the bone.
Tilting his head back up, Tide took his lips in yet another long, slow kiss that threatened to leave him dizzy. He opened up, the kisses overwhelming, stealing his breath clean away. Through it all Tide was solid, there, keeping him warm and safe.
Finally he let himself melt, trust. Relax.
Chapter Six
THEY’D STOPPED back at Lance’s place long enough for him to change into a nice pair of slacks and a light blue silk shirt, which he looked great in. Tide had dressed in a pair of suit pants with a dark gray dress shirt, and he thought he looked pretty good himself. The hostess at La Belle Table was certainly eyeing them as she showed them to their seats.
Tide checked out the muted elegance. It was his first time here, and he was glad he’d saved it for Lance—he wanted his boy to feel special. Lance looked around, taking everything in, eyes so curious, so quick.
“Is there anything you don’t eat?” He would order for his boy, but if Lance had any dietary restrictions, he’d need to know.
“Uh…. Not really? I’m pretty easy. I like spicy, I like to try new things.”
“Excellent. I’m going to order for you.”
“Yeah? Do you know what’s good here?” Lance asked.
“It all should be.” At these prices, it had better be.
“You hope so, don’t you?” Lance chuckled, smiled at him across the table. “But it seems like every place has the good dishes and the mediocre ones.”
“I guess we’ll find out tonight for this place, hmm? If we have different stuff, we can taste each other’s.” He figured Lance wasn’t ready yet for them to actually feed each other in public, but everyone shared off each other’s plates, right?
“Oh, that sounds fun!”
Tide found himself staring at the eager, confident, happy man sitting across from him. Lance was stunning. And an amazing, interesting set of contradictions. He was intrigued and falling more than a little for Lance.
The waitress came up, filled their water glasses. “What can I get you to drink, sirs?”
Tide answered her. “We’ll have water to start with and then we’ll pair our wine with our meal.”
“Sounds perfect. The wine list is here and I’ll give you a moment to look at the menu.” She offered another smile. “Our specials tonight are squid ink risotto and a baked haddock with pilaf.”
“Thank you very much.” He gave her a polite smile before turning to the menu. “I have to admit, I’m not sure food should be black.”
“I know, right?” Lance made a face. “Green, red, brown, even purple, but black means spoiled.”
“Exactly. It’s like pink food. Dessert, okay, but pink just isn’t a color you should otherwise eat.”
“So, no squid ink rice. What are our other options?” Lance asked.
“I’m getting you the seafood trio.” Shrimp, lobster tail, and scallops with garlic butter. He couldn’t wait to watch Lance eating, licking his fingers clean….
“Yum. What are you getting?”
“I will be getting the pork belly.”
“Yeah? What does that taste like?”
“I don’t know, I’m going to find out.” He gave Lance a grin. He liked trying things he’d only heard about.
“Oh, you are brave! If you hate it, we’ll switch,” Lance offered.
“And you are the sweetest for that offer. I think I will, though. I like bacon, right?”
“We’ve never had bacon together, Tide. I don’t know.”
“Ah. Well, I kind of assume that everyone loves bacon. It’s the food of the gods, right?”
Lance nodded vigorously. “God, yes. I love bacon sandwiches. It’s like the best comfort food ever.”
“Well, there you go. Pork belly is just unsliced bacon.”
“Mmm. Chunky bacon.”
“Yeah.” Leaning forward, he gave Lance a conspiratorial smile. “We won’t tell the chef that’s what we called it.”
“No. You never piss off the chef or your barber.”
That had him chuckling, and he sat back, still smiling as the waitress came back and topped up their water glasses.
“Have you decided what you want?”
“Yes, we’d like the liver pâté crostini please, and the stuffed mushrooms for starters. Then we’ll have the seafood trio with garlic and the pork belly delight, please.”
“Very good choices. And your wines?” She asked.
“A bottle of Riesling, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lance grinned at him. “That was very classy.”
“I feel very classy. When I signed with my first modeling agency, they sent me to a course on how to order, converse, etcetera with the jet set.”
“Oh yeah?” Lance leaned forward, gaze focused on him. “Was it cool or horrifying?”
“It made me feel like a total hick.” He loved being the center of Lance’s attention. “I had a few jobs at mansions, though, where I was glad I’d had the training.”
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s easier being the photog. I just slip behind the lens and I’m not real.”
“Oh, we models, especially when newbies, are terrified of the photographers,” Tide admitted.
“Yeah? Do you see them, though? I always feel like we’re a lens and a voice.”
God, he loved how Lance’s mind worked. He tilted his head, considering the question. “Yeah, you might be right, maybe I didn’t. Not really.”
“It’s cool, you know. We’re supposed to see you.”
“I see you now, though. No matter how much you try to hide.”
Lance pinked and looked away. Tide slid his foot across the floor and touched the inside of Lance’s leg.
“Flirt,” Lance ac
cused.
“Yep.” He was not in the least bit ashamed of flirting with Lance.
Lance chuckled softly. “Cool.”
“It is. You’re a sexy boy, and I want you to be as intrigued by me as I am with you.”
“I think that’s easy. You’re fascinating,” Lance told him.
“I’m glad you think so. I want to be to you.”
Lance grabbed his phone, took a picture of Tide. Chuckling, Tide struck a few poses right there in his chair. His boy was addicted to images.
“You like what you see, Lance?”
“I do.” Lance lowered his voice. “You’re stunning.”
“Thank you, boy.”
Lance’s cheeks heated.
Reaching across the table, he stroked Lance’s jaw. “You deserve every compliment I give you.”
“You don’t have to. I’m okay. In fact, I’m great.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” Tide thought Lance should know.
The appetizers came, the mushrooms looking amazing.
“I’ve never had liver pâté,” he admitted to Lance.
“No? Me either.”
“You want to take first bite?” Tide wondered if Lance would be brave about the food.
“Sure.” Lance grabbed a little toast, sniffed it, then took a bite.
He watched for a moment. “Well… you haven’t spit it out yet.”
“It’s creamy, a little grainy. Lots of garlic.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound bad.” He took one himself, biting into it. The bread was crunchy, the pâté everything Lance had said. He kind of liked it, more than he’d thought he would.
“It’s not bad, huh?” Lance asked. “Not like set the world on fire, but okay.”
“Totally edible.”
“Yeah.”
They both chuckled and he finished his piece, then grabbed a mushroom. Oh, those were hot and crispy. Rich.
“These are a winner.” He popped another one in his mouth.
“Totally.” Lance ate another, closing his eyes to taste.
Tide’s breath caught. Lance was fucking stunning. So into the experience, the flavor. That same focus was going to be amazing when Lance turned it toward being a sub. He couldn’t wait.
“You’re stunning, Lance. Beautiful.”
“What? Me?”
“Of course you. I’m not sitting here across from anyone else.” Tide wanted Lance to feel confident that he was the center of Tide’s attention.
“I was just eating. Nothing interesting.”
“I beg to differ. There’s a sensuality to the way you enjoy things. And you’re stunning.”
Lance blushed, but he looked pleased. “You make me feel amazing. Thanks.”
“Well, you are amazing, so that’s a fine thing.”
The restaurant was filling up, but Tide didn’t care. He only had eyes for Lance.
“Is it going to be weird for you tomorrow? To work, I mean, with me?” Lance asked.
“I don’t think so. I wanted you yesterday and today while we were working. And I’m used to the photographer being the boss on set.”
“Yeah. I’ll have to jack off a thousand times.”
“No, no you won’t.” Tide shook his head. “I forbid it.”
Tyrone and Bran wouldn’t care that Lance was hard or if they had to break now and then to get Lance off. Hell, Bran would probably volunteer to suck Lance off…. Oh now that was a pretty, pretty picture. His and Tyrone’s boys getting orgasms together. Although he had to admit, as pretty as it was to imagine, the thought of it actually happening put his back up a little.
“What?” Lance looked at him, eyes wide, the air electric.
“No more masturbating unless you have asked my permission. If you do, you will be punished. Five swats for the first offense, increasing by one every time you disobey.” He held Lance’s gaze.
“When… when we’re together?”
“No. All the time. If we’re not together and you need, you can phone or text me for permission.” He said it all as matter-of-factly as he could. As if this was perfectly normal. Which it was going to become, for him and Lance.
Lance just stared at him, lips parted.
“A ‘yes, Sir’ would be good. If you understand.”
“Yes… yes, Sir?”
“Very nice.” The words sent a thrill down his spine.
Lance stood. “I’m going to hit the head. I’ll be right back.”
Tide grabbed Lance’s arm before he could go. “You’re not going to masturbate, are you?”
“Tide! You don’t ask people that!”
“I do.” Was Lance really going to go run to the bathroom and violate the very rule they’d just discussed? He had a hunch his boy was.
“No. No, I just need to wash my face.”
He let a single eyebrow go up, meeting Lance’s gaze.
“I’m not lying. I’m wigged and hot and weirdly queasy from nerves.”
“Okay.” He tugged Lance down and whispered, “Don’t be long,” following it up with a short, hard kiss.
“Tide….”
“Yes, boy?”
“You kissed me.” Lance blinked at him.
“I did. Would you like me to do it again?” He wasn’t embarrassed to be kissing his lover in public.
“I….” Lance just grinned, rolled his eyes, and ran off.
Fuck, Tide did love those contradictions.
The wine arrived, along with two glasses and he tasted it, then nodded. It was a silly tradition, but he’d been taught how to do it so he didn’t look stupid. Lance fascinated him, made him want to learn all his boy’s expressions. He waited as patiently as he could for Lance’s return.
Lance came back, cheeks shining. He let his eyes linger over Lance’s limbs. The sweet cock was erect, filling Lance’s slacks. His boy hadn’t played with himself. Excellent.
“I’m very pleased,” Tide said quietly.
“Pleased?” Lance settled in his chair.
He nodded toward Lance’s crotch. “You kept your hands to yourself.”
“I said I would.”
“It’s not always easy obeying that kind of order, though. But you did.”
Lance ducked his head, hiding from him.
“I’m going to make you cut all that hair off if you keep hiding behind it.”
That surprised Lance enough he shot Tide a look. “You would not.”
“I would. You should invest in a hair tie or two until you can remember not to.”
“I don’t—here come our entrees.”
“Saved by the lobster.”
“Yep.” Lance smiled at the waitress. “Smells good.”
“I hope you like it, honey.” She gave Lance a very warm smile, then gave Tide his pork belly. “You too, sir.” She was still smiling at Lance when she said it.
Tide chuckled as she left. “I guess she didn’t see the kiss.”
“Hmm? How do you know?” Oh so sweet and oblivious.
“She was flirting hard with you, darling.”
“Who was?” Lance asked.
“The waitress.”
Lance chuckled, rolled his eyes. “I never noticed.”
“Did you notice me watching you? At the shoot?” He would bet not. Oh, Lance had seen him and Tyrone and Bran, but did he notice that they were watching him?
“I noticed you.”
“I knew that—it’s kind of your job. But all three of us were taken by you.”
Lance shook his head. “How’s your meal?”
“I haven’t tried it yet. And don’t shake your head at me, we did notice you. All three of us discussed you right from the start.”
“You should try it while it’s hot.” Lance kept trying to change the subject.
“I should. But you’re more important, you know?”
Lance met his gaze and then offered him the sweetest smile. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
He smiled back, then nodded at their plates. “Okay. F
ood. Let’s eat, because this all looks amazing.”
“It does.” Lance cracked the lobster claw, pulling out the meat.
He cut into his pork belly and his eyes actually closed for a moment as he ate it, the flavors so big on his tongue. It felt like kissing Lance for the first time—new and wonderful.
“Oh. Can I try a bite? Please?” Lance asked.
“Yeah, you need to try this. It’s like über bacon. The king of bacons.”
He cut a small piece and held his fork toward Lance’s mouth. Lance opened up, easy as you please. He slipped the morsel into Lance’s mouth, watching his boy’s face to catch every reaction. Lance’s eyes closed too, and if Tide had made that face, no wonder Lance had asked for a bite. He actually groaned, Lance’s pleasure almost orgasmic and turning him on big-time.
“So. Good.” Lance moaned softly. “Wow.”
“I know! You want half my plate? I might be willing to share half and half right across the board.”
“I’ll just share a couple bites. You want some lobster? It’s succulent.”
“You know I do.” From Lance’s fingers, full of garlic butter that he’d have to lick off.
Lance pushed his plate closer.
“No, let me watch you eat first. And then you can feed me a few bites.”
“What?” Lance dipped a bit of lobster in the butter. “Have this bite. It’s the best.”
“Oh, you have amazing instincts.” Leaning forward, he took the piece from Lance’s fingers, tongue dragging on his boy’s skin.
Lance made a soft, soft sound. Tide licked at Lance’s fingers again, taking the last of the garlic butter from them before eating the lobster.
“You’re like a wet dream,” Lance whispered.
“You’re my wet dream,” he countered.
Lance glowed, so pleased. His boy thrived with some attention, care, and compliments. Spanking wouldn’t be a real punishment for Lance, being left on his own would be, made to sit in a room by himself or facing the corner. There was a visual. His boy in the corner, ass warmed.
They shared bites and stories, laughing as they sipped their wine. The food was good, but the whole evening was so much better because of the company.
Lance offered to pay, but he waved his boy off. He’d made the date. “My treat.”
“Thank you. It was amazing.”
“It was, wasn’t it? Almost as good as the company.” Standing, he held his hand out to Lance. Lance took it, and they headed out into the night. The breeze felt good, the air almost cool.
Dreamspinner Press Year Nine Greatest Hits Page 28