What He Craves

by E. M. Denning

  “You? Why?”

  “I thought…”

  Cam cut him off. “Oh, boy wonder here thought he was doing you a favor. Wanted me to see how in love you and your boy toy are. He spouted something about how important it is to you that I accept your relationship.” Can sneered. “But this isn’t a relationship. This is you making another shit decision, letting some jerkwad boss you around and tell you what to do.”

  Matt’s eyes widened, and he swayed on his feet a little, as if he’d been physically struck. “Excuse me?”

  “You don’t think I know what kind of place this is? I didn’t know your boyfriend was the owner, but I knew that there was no way in hell you’d be a Dom.” Cam shook his head then his expression softened a little. “Matt, come home, okay. I’ll get you the help you need.”

  Matt took a step back and pressed his back tight against Steve. “I’m clean, Cam. I’ve been clean for years.”

  Cam rolled his eyes. “Come on, Matt. You can’t expect me to believe that. You were living in your fucking car and now you’re a kink master’s boy toy. You’re not thinking clearly.”

  Steve put his arm around Matt and moved him to the side. He stepped forward, putting himself between Cam and Matt.

  When he spoke, his voice was edged with rage. “You dirty, rotten, son-of-a-bitch.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Steve

  Steve had been angry plenty of times. Never before had he been so full of rage that his body thrummed with the need to plant his fist in someone’s face. He wasn’t a fighter, and he didn’t get off on physical violence, but punching Cam in the face would be a euphoric event.

  “Matt’s clean.” When Cam rolled his eyes, Steve fantasized about smacking him so hard his eyeballs popped out of his skull.

  “Says his abuser.”

  Red. Steve always thought people were full of shit when they said they got so angry they saw red, but now he believed it. He took a deep breath and reined in his anger before he beat Cam to a bloody pulp. “Abuser? Oh, I think you have me confused with yourself.”

  Cam unfolded his arms and pointed his finger at Steve’s face.

  “I looked after that little fuck-up his whole life. I bailed him out of every stupid fucking problem he ever created for himself.”

  Steve didn’t want Matt to find out like this. He’d wanted to curl up on the couch with him and break it to him gently, but Cam showed up and forced his hand. He wasn’t going to let Matt walk out of here without knowing the truth.

  “Is that why you shoved him into a rehab facility right after your father died. You needed a reason to get Matt’s power of attorney.”

  The color drained from Cam’s face. Steve heard a squeak from Matt and Matt’s fingers tightened on his arm. Steve turned and pulled Matt into him. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

  “Find out what?”

  “He’s lying. You’re so full of shit. Don’t listen to him Matt.” Even Steve couldn’t miss the desperate edge in Cam’s voice.

  Steve stroked his hand through Matt’s hair. “The time you went to rehab after your dad died, do you remember that?”

  “Yeah. Dad died, and I got totally wasted and Cam tossed me into treatment.”

  “Cam also had you sign something before you went in, right?”

  Matt furrowed his brow. “Yeah. How d'you know?”

  “Matt. Cam got you to give him your power of attorney so he could fuck you out of the will.”

  Matt’s head snapped, and he narrowed his eyes at Cam. “Cam, how could you?”

  “You’re going to take his word for it? I’m your brother, Matt. Your brother.” Cam’s face was red and his balled-up fists shook at his sides.

  Matt scowled at Cam. “You bet your ass I’m going to believe him. I’ve never been good enough for you, Cam. You always treated me like I was nothing. Like I was a fuck-up. I went to you for help and you told me to grow up. That’s all you’ve ever done is watch me fuck-up then yell at me about it forever. You never let me live anything down. You’re always throwing my mistakes back at me.”

  “Because you never learn.” Cam shouted, and Matt flinched.

  There was so much Steve wanted to say to Cam, but Matt was doing a fine job on his own.

  Cam’s expression darkened. “Do you know why the shop was failing, Matt? Do you? Because of you.”

  Matt recoiled, and Cam took a step forward. “I know the two of you argued, and things got ugly after you came out, but he loved you, Matt. I had to take your half of the business from you. I know it sounds shitty, but Dad wanted us to work together. He wanted us to turn the place around, but we both know that would never work. You weren’t trustworthy, Matt. I know it seems shady that I took it from you and didn’t tell you, but there was nothing to take after Dad died. Your credit was fucked, Matt. I couldn’t keep the business if your name was on it. Your credit was ruined. There was no way to turn the place around with your dismal credit history attached. And after what happened with Dad, when you came out and he was a jerk about it, you took it bad, Matt. I thought it would be better if you never knew.” Cam’s shoulders drooped, and his anger seemed to be fading. “When the place started turning a profit, I started banking half the profits for you. They’re yours. I have an account that’s all set up.”

  “But I came to you begging for a job, and you turned me away. You wouldn’t even let me work in a place that I’m technically supposed to own part of.”

  “Yeah.” Cam scoffed. “You came to me with some bullshit story about how you were laid off. I thought you were on drugs or drinking again and I was done with it. Then I felt bad, and I went to your place to talk to you, but you were already gone and then I figured for sure you were using.”

  “And that scene at the mall?”

  “I thought you were hooking up with some abusive asshole for money and I don’t think I’m wrong. Matt, please. Come on. Let’s get out of here. Let’s go home and we’ll get you straightened out, for good this time.”

  “I’m sober, Cam, and I’m not abused and I’m not going anywhere with you. Maybe court.”

  Cam flinched. “Court? Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Matt shrugged and sagged against Steve. “You need to leave. I can’t do this anymore, Cam. You don’t understand, and you don’t want to.”

  “This guy does things to you, Matt.”

  “No.” Matt snapped, cutting him off. “He does things with me, Cam. With. Not to me. There’s a big fucking difference. I’m involved in all the decisions of this relationship, even if he does have final say, because, yeah, I don’t always have the greatest ideas. But he doesn’t do anything that I don’t like. He doesn’t do things to me that I don’t want done. He doesn’t toss me in rehab and not bother to pick me up after. He doesn’t call me a fuck-up and he doesn’t treat me like a child.”

  “You can’t possibly like this.” Cam recoiled.

  Matt sighed. “You need to leave, Cam.”

  “Matt, please.” Cam pleaded.

  “No. We can talk later, maybe. I don’t know. But this is my friend’s party and we’re ruining it.”

  Cam opened his mouth, then closed it without speaking. He glared at Steve as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Without another word, Cam turned and left.

  Craig stepped forward. Alan’s hands were on his shoulders and he had a stormy expression on his face. Steve didn’t think Alan liked Craig’s interference and the trouble it caused.

  “I’m sorry, Matt. I invited him for dinner. I wanted him to see you here, with Steve, having fun. I thought he’d come around if he saw you to together. You’re so in love even I find it nauseating.” Craig’s voice warbled. “I’m really sorry.”

  Matt turned and wrapped his arms around Craig in a bone-crushing hug. “It’s okay. You meant well. I know that.”

  “I ruined the party.” Craig moaned.

  “Hey, it’s your party. You can ruin it if you want to. Besides, it’s not over yet.” Matt let go of
Craig and walked into Steve’s arms. “Can we start over?”

  Steve furrowed his brow. “Look at me.”

  Matt raised his gaze to meet Steve’s.

  “Are you sure, Matty?”

  “I want this. I want what we planned.”

  Steve nodded. “Okay. We can do that.” Steve glanced at Alan. “We’ll be right back.” Before Steve got back up on that stage though, he wanted a minute alone with Matt. He trusted that Matt felt fine, and he understood he needed this scene, but Steve laced their fingers together and he pulled him away from the crowd and down the hallway.

  Steve stopped and pinned Matt to the wall. He buried his face in the crook of Matt’s neck, wrapped his arms around him and held him. Matt’s hands slid around Steve’s waist and Matt rested his head on Steve’s shoulder.

  “How did you know I needed this?” Matt mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, Matty. I wanted to tell you about Cam after the party. I didn’t keep it from you on purpose.”

  “I’m not mad.” Matt scoffed. “Okay, I’m mad at Cam but not at you. If you say you were going to tell me at a better time, I believe you. You’ve only ever wanted what was best for me.”

  Unlike some people, Steve wanted to add, but didn’t. Matt’s night had been eventful enough without Steve throwing barbs at his brother.

  Matt tightened his arms around Steve’s middle. “Master?”

  “Yes, Matty?”

  Matt wiggled a little, brushing his erection against Steve. “Can you give me my spanking now, Master? This plug is about to drive me absolutely insane.”

  Steve grabbed Matt’s ass and growled in his ear. “You ask so nicely, Matty. Okay, then.” Steve gave Matt a playful swat on the ass and motioned toward the stage. “Get up there.”

  “Thank you, Master.” Matt grinned and hurried up to the stage. Despite Matt’s cheerful demeanour, Steve fully expected the other shoe to drop later. Cam had some hefty claims, and Steve’s private investigator was still at work, which might eventually prove Cam wrong. It was equally possible that Cam was telling the truth.

  Matt smiled at him from his place on stage and Steve shoved all thoughts of Cam aside. His sub was waiting for him. Steve strapped Matt back down and smoothed his hand over his shoulders, easing some of Matt’s tension. Most of Steve’s marks had faded, but he’d let them fade on purpose. Tonight, he’d give Matty some new ones.

  “Safe words, Matty?” To anyone else it would seem redundant to ask the same question at the beginning of every scene, but the routine of it helped his sub slip into the proper head space and that was especially critical now that they’d had a scene interrupted earlier.

  “Red is stop. Yellow is slow, Master.”

  “Are you ready, Matty?”

  Matt took a deep breath. Exhaled. His muscles relaxed. “Yes, Master. I’m ready.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Matt

  The first strike of Steve’s hand against his ass made Matt arch his back and cry out. Fuck, he needed that. He needed to not think. He needed to be owned and taken and he trusted Steve to do it. Steve massaged his ass cheek. The friction of the blue, boy-short style panties he wore felt so good it was almost sinful. He could come from that alone, but he wouldn’t. Not until his Master told him he could.

  The second strike came out of nowhere. His ass stung and flamed hot. After only two strikes, sweat beaded on Matt’s forehead. He writhed with need. Every swat made the plug in his ass bounce and shift. The fullness was incredible, and irritating, because he wanted it to be Steve in him. He wanted to be fucked.

  Slowly, Matt’s shorts were pulled down over his ass, and down to his knees. Matt thought Steve would take them all the way off, but he left them there. For some reason, Matt’s cheeks flushed, and embarrassment coursed through him. Being naked was one thing. Having your bright blue panties wrapped around your knees while you were spanked into oblivion was another. Matt’s dick loved every minute of it.

  The strikes came faster. Harder. Steve alternated from cheek to cheek. He spread out his strikes and Matt’s ass felt like one giant red ember. Then Matt heard Steve’s belt buckle jingle. His knees shuddered in anticipation of that first delicious strike of leather against his flesh.

  It hurt as much as Matt remembered. Steve, insisting that he had all of Matt’s firsts to himself, had taken a belt to him at home to test it out. The kiss of leather against his skin was as delicious now as it had been then. His body stiffened. He threw his head back and cried out. His cock leaked precum and Matt forced himself to relax so he could have another kiss of leather against his skin.

  The second strike was as ferocious as the first. Matt heard the leather sing through the air before it connected with his ass like a lightning strike. And his brain went blissfully blank. The world dropped away and the only thing that mattered was remembering to breathe and not come all over the spanking bench.

  Strike after strike rained down on Matt’s ass. He felt hot all over. Sweat dripped down his face. He was thankful for the spanking bench for support. Then Steve’s belt clattered to the floor. Steve stopped briefly to check on Matt’s wrists and hands. He rubbed Matt’s wrists and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze.

  “Good boy.” As Steve stood he ran a hand up Matt’s arm. “You’re such a good boy, Matty. You took that so well.” Steve’s hand slid across Matt’s shoulders and down his back. “Time for your reward, darling.”

  Steve circled around behind him and tugged on the plug.

  “Oh, fuck.” Matt threw his head back and strained to stay still. The sudden movement of the plug ramped up Matt’s need. “Please, Master. Please.”

  Steve gripped a handful of Matt’s ass and squeezed. “Do you need something, Matty?”

  Matt writhed and balled his fists. “You. Please, Master. You. I need you.” Matt’s power of speech was reduced to babble as Steve gripped the base of the plug and slowly eased it out of his ass.

  The emptiness was both a relief and absolute torture. Then, suddenly, he wasn’t empty anymore. Steve entered him with one quick thrust. The grip Steve had on his hips was like a bear trap. Matt moaned and strained against his bindings. He hoped there would be bruises later for him to admire. He wanted his Master’s marks all over him. He wanted bruises and bite marks that he would feel for days. Steve gripped harder. He fucked Matt brutally. Short sharp thrusts that stroked his prostate had Matt keening and begging.

  Then Steve pulled out and a moment later Steve groaned, one hand still held Matt’s hip in a death grip as warm cum splattered up Matt’s back.

  Matt sagged against the bench, thankful for its existence or he’d be in a heap on the floor. The straps on his wrists were undone and Steve helped Matt stand. Matt fell against Steve’s bare chest.

  “My Matty. You’re always so good for me.” Steve whispered the words in Matt’s ear, keeping the sweet sentiment between the two of them.

  “Thank you, Master.”

  Steve reached down and wrapped his hand around Matt’s still hard cock. Matt flinched but managed not to thrust up into Steve’s hand.

  “Good boy.” Steve purred. He stroked Matt slowly. “Kiss me.” Steve commanded.

  Matt obeyed without hesitation. He kissed Steve the way he knew Steve liked it. Hot and hard and fast. Passionate and breathless. As he kissed him Steve stroked faster. Then Steve pulled away. His teeth nipped at Matt’s earlobe.

  “Come.” Then Steve bit his neck. As Matt clung to his arms and came all over Steve’s hand, Steve bit and sucked and marked Matt’s neck. Then, when Matt was finally sated, Steve scooped him up in his arms. Matt curled against him and dropped.

  The world came back to Matt in steps. First, warmth and familiar arms around him. Then sounds. Steve spoke to him, touched him. Ran his fingers through Matt’s hair. The words themselves didn’t register, but Matt knew he was being lavished with praise from the tone in Steve’s voice.

  Finally, Matt opened his eyes and blinked up at Steve. “Hi.” His voice sounded
strange and sleepy but satisfied. Matt pulled at the thick blanket that covered him and yanked it up a little higher.

  “How are you feeling, darling?” Steve didn’t stop touching him. Caressing him. He brushed his fingers through Matt’s hair. He stroked his cheek. His fingertips brushed against the fresh and tender marks on Matt’s neck.

  “Wonderful.” Matt closed his eyes. “So wonderful. We need to do that again.”

  “What part? The spanking? The fucking? The audience?”

  “All of it.” Matt giggled. “Maybe an actual demo next time.”

  “You’d like that?”

  Matt sighed and snuggled into Steve. He couldn’t get close enough to him. The world hadn’t fully returned yet, and Matt wanted to keep it that way. “Yes.” Matt stifled a yawn. “It would be hot, you know. Having you teach people what to do. Describing proper flogging technique and using me for a crash test dummy.” Matt frowned. “That’s probably not the right term for it, but you get it.”

  Steve chuckled softly. “I get it. And if it’s something you want we can discuss it, but not tonight.”

  Matt opened his eyes and looked around. “You brought me to your office?”

  “You're familiar with it. I wanted you to be comfortable.”

  “You’re so good to me.”

  “You’re good to me, too, darling. We’re good to each other, that’s how relationships work.”

  Matt sighed. “Tell that to Cam.” Matt couldn’t believe that Cam thought he was using again. He hadn’t touched anything since he was a teenager. His addiction would be a ghost that always haunted him, but he hadn’t felt like he’d struggled in years. More often than not, he didn’t even think about it, or anything else from his past for that matter. There wasn’t a point in dwelling on things he couldn’t change. Sometimes Matt wondered if his drug problem had been as bad as his dad made it out to be, or if he used it as an excuse to keep his queer kid out of his sight. Matt tried not to wonder too much. His dad had been dead for years and there would never be a way for Matt to find out for sure.