by Tatum Throne
“You gave me your house address? I can’t…unfucking believable.”
“I have an upstairs apartment you can rent.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not renting a room from you.”
Phoenix stiffened his shoulders. He didn’t care if Hunter wanted to rent the room or not. He was offering him a place to stay. He couldn’t believe he was turning it down. “At least take a look at the room before you decide,” Phoenix said.
Hunter appeared as though he didn’t want to trust him but he had no choice. He was obviously desperate. He looked like a man who needed help but was too afraid to ask for it. “At least come on in and take a look at it.”
After several seconds of not being able to decide, Hunter stepped through the doorway and Phoenix closed the door. “This way.”
Phoenix led the way through the old Tudor house he bought years ago in Hyde Park when it had gone into foreclosure. Off-white stucco and dark wood accented the outside and it was nestled on a quiet street, surrounded by other houses. Dark hardwood floors spilled from room to room. “There’s a third-floor upstairs I’m not using. It’s completely private.”
Their footsteps were heavy on the stairway as Phoenix led the way upstairs. Hunter didn’t say a word. Phoenix was curious to know what he was thinking. He wanted to know what he thought about his home. For the first time in a long time, Phoenix had a potential lover walking through his house. Too bad Hunter didn’t see it the same way that he did.
He opened the door to the third floor he had renovated as a separate living space. Everything anybody would want was right here. It was even furnished. “It’s completely furnished and ready for you to move in. The bath is the second door in the hallway here.”
Hunter looked around, unsure of what to say. Phoenix studied him closely, trying not to pressure him, but he wanted him there. “So what do you think? You want to rent the place?”
“How much?”
“Two hundred a month.”
Hunter laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s ridiculous. You can’t cut me a deal like that.”
“Yes, I can. You’re practically family.”
The comment seemed to stun Hunter before he shook his head. “I really need a place to stay. Fine. I’ll take it.”
“Good.”
“I need to grab my things.”
“Want some help?”
“No. I’m good.”
Before he turned for the door, Phoenix reached out and stopped him. “You’re forgetting this. It’s a key to the front door.”
Hunter looked down at the key he was holding up. He took it without meeting his gaze. “Thanks.”
They went downstairs together. From his vantage point at the front windows, Phoenix watched him go to his car, popping the back. Several duffle bags were pulled out and a single box was in his arms. Phoenix went to the door to open it before he even asked.
“Is that it?”
“It is.”
There were questions burning within Phoenix’s mind, but he knew he wouldn’t get that far with Hunter tonight. The man had secrets—an expensive car and a lot of cash in his wallet. What was going on with him? And the fact that he barely had any possessions at all. Where was he putting his money? Was it all going to that car and in his wallet? It didn’t matter. Not right now.
Phoenix took the box from his arms before he could even protest. He shut the door behind them and they headed upstairs. It was getting late. Really late. They both had to work tomorrow morning. After getting Hunter settled, Phoenix headed toward the doorway. “Since you don’t have any food with you. You’re welcome to use my kitchen until you get settled.”
“Thanks. I appreciate this.”
“You don’t have to worry about things between us.”
“I’m not.”
His words were coming a little too fast and a little too hard. It was clear that Hunter was worried about that stupid kiss. Phoenix had pushed him too far. “Look, I’m really sorry about what happened. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
Hunter’s shoulders stiffened but he didn’t say a word. After a while, he turned and looked at him. “I liked it. I loved it too much. I think you know how much I enjoyed it.”
The admission rocked Phoenix to his core. No submissive had ever been so direct with him. Of course, they hadn’t drawn the lines defining their relationship yet. And it was too early in the relationship to even define things, but Phoenix knew he needed to take back control and show Hunter just where things stood.
Phoenix crossed the room and stood directly in front of Hunter purposely using his size to intimidate him and back him into a corner he couldn’t escape from. “You should know that I always get what I want. And right now, I want you.”
Hunter’s eyes went wide and his mouth fell open. He looked as though he didn’t know what to say or how to say it. His mouth opened and shut several times before he nodded his head. A slight whisper came from him. “I want you, too.”
It was all Phoenix needed to hear. With the admission still burning on Hunter’s tongue, he closed the distance and kissed him ruthlessly. He used his tongue to invade and attack Hunter’s mouth, owning his senses. He held him tightly against his long length. He didn’t stop kissing him until Hunter was bent backward and clinging to his broad shoulders. Everything Phoenix ever wanted was right now in this moment. He had never wanted any man so desperately before.
He felt as though he was throwing out all the rules from his playbook he used when he took on a new submissive. That scared the hell out of him. He always had his rules. He always had his playbook. With Hunter, all that was changing and that frightened him. The kiss intensified with frantic, wet sucking noises that echoed within the room. Phoenix’s heart was pounding wildly and his dick clenched.
Pre-cum slipped from his tip and cranked out before he had the chance to stop it. He wanted this man and there was nothing he could do to stop it. After a long time, Phoenix finally broke his lips away. A moan of desperation sounded from Hunter. His lips were bruised and his cheeks were flushed. It was clear that the kiss had affected him deeply, too.
“It seems that I’ve done it again.”
Hunter bit his lip and nodded once. His eyes moved over Phoenix’s face and settled on his lips. “I want you to do it again.”
A moan sounded deep within Phoenix’s body as their eyes connected again. Their mouths collided in an intense, penetrating kiss. Phoenix pushed him up against the wall and moved his hands down over his ass, squeezing it tightly. He wanted to show Hunter how good it could be between them. He wanted to take this thing as far as he could. Something inside of him snapped, reminding him that he was a Dom who needed to have control.
Ever so slowly, he broke his lips away from Hunter’s. Regret filled his heart. “There’s something you should know before we go on.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m a Dom. And I only take on submissives.”
Hunter’s mouth fell open, and his eyes went wide again. “I’ve never been a submissive before.”
* * * *
Hunter could see that Phoenix was emotionally and physically pulling away due to his admission. It was just as well. Hunter was afraid of becoming a submissive. He didn’t like the idea of handing complete control over to somebody else. So what did this mean for them? He had no choice. Well, he did have a choice. He could walk away from Phoenix forever, but that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Instead, he took a step forward asked him, “Tell me what I need to do.”
“First rule, no touching your cock without my permission.”
A tremor of lust spiraled through his body. He bit his lower lip, licking it. “Fuck me.”
Phoenix reached up and caressed his cheek. “Not tonight. You’re not ready to have me. Not to mention, we both have to work tomorrow. I don’t want out first time together to be rushed. Sleep well and remember our rule.”
A shiver raced through Hunter’s body as Phoeni
x left him alone. He thought all about the long evening alone he had ahead of him as he listened to Phoenix’s heavy footsteps going downstairs. He gave in to the restless energy flowing through his body. Hunter tried to settle into his new place. He turned on the TV Phoenix had put in the room and got the Internet going on his laptop. It wasn’t long before he decided to change and shower. He grabbed his things and head toward the shower in the hallway. He undressed and got the hot water going. He stared at himself in the small round mirror over the sink. What did Phoenix see in him? There were so many other guys at work who were a thousand times more attractive.
A shiver of need raced through his body as he stepped naked under the hot spray. His cock was ready and hard at the hot memory of Phoenix taking control of that steamy kiss. He smoothed his hand down over his throbbing prick, whimpering with need as he stroked his shaft. He thought about how he was breaking Phoenix’s rule and guilt fluttered through his mind. How would he know?
Hunter took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He reluctantly released his quivering dick. Pre-cum leaked from his tip, mixing with the water. He bit his lip as the water beat the tip of his cockhead, sending a shot of cum arching through the air. He groaned, stopping himself from orgasming completely. Pain rushed through his cock. He would not come until his Dom gave him permission. He flipped the hot water to cool, hoping it would ease his pain. It didn’t. Frustrated, he shut off the water and got out, wrapping a towel tightly around his waist. He stared at his disobedient dick.
Tortured with need, Hunter slipped on his pajama pants and a T-shirt. He wanted Phoenix. He wondered what he was doing.
It was close to midnight. It’d been a long time since he’d bothered to eat. So, he headed downstairs to find the kitchen that Phoenix had graciously said he could use. He made a quick sandwich. As he was standing in the kitchen eating, he heard the sound of Phoenix’s voice carrying through the house. He headed to the hallway and found a door cracked partially open.
Hunter opened the door, seeing a long hallway that led to the back of the house. Quietly, he moved along the hallway. At the bend in the hall, he looked around expecting to see Phoenix somewhere nearby, but he didn’t see him. He only heard his voice. It sounded like he was talking to someone on the phone.
Hunter’s heart pounded as he moved. He felt as though he were spying on Phoenix. The hall opened into a living room with a big screen TV and a comfortable couch. Hunter walked through the living area and headed toward what he thought was a study. He froze in place when he saw Phoenix wearing only those tight jeans. That wasn’t the only thing that caught his attention.
It was a playroom used for sex.
There were paddles positioned along the wall, leather strips, chains, cuffs, ball gags, and even long glass wands that looked like butt plugs. Curiosity had Hunter entering the room even though he hadn’t asked for permission. When their eyes locked, Phoenix finished up his phone call.
Finally, he cleared his throat nervously. “What is all this stuff?”
Controlled heat moved through Phoenix’s eyes. He looked as though he was about to say something but was keeping it under control.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come down here. I just thought I heard something.”
Hunter could hear himself stammering and hated how shy and unsure he was at times. He liked to think that he could find his words when he needed them, but right now he couldn’t. Right then, Hunter had no words at all. Heat moved across his face as Phoenix’s gaze traveled up and down his body.
“What do you want to know?”
The tension in his shoulders began to relax. He went over to the wall and picked up one of the floggers, feeling the weight of it. “Do you use this on lovers?”
“I have.”
“Do they like it?”
“They do.”
Phoenix crossed his arms, accentuating his muscled biceps. Hunter nervously put the flogger back. “Do you like using it on them?”
“I do. All of them.”
“Which one is your favorite?”
Hunter felt his heart start to beat wildly as Phoenix moved over to the wall to look at the various floggers. He wanted to run away and go back upstairs to the safety of his private room. The thought of Phoenix using one of these floggers on him made his dick flex. Pre-cum spiraled through his cock, leaking from his tip as their eyes connected.
The leather of a woven flogger caressed the palm of Phoenix’s hand before he picked it up. “This one.”
Hunter licked and bit his lip nervously. He wanted to feel the sensation of that flogger falling across his skin. He wondered what Phoenix was going to do as he circled around with that flogger in his hand.
“Take off your shirt.”
The order sent a shiver racing through Hunter’s cock. Hunter lifted his arms, pulling his T-shirt over his head. He dropped it to the floor as the cool leather of the flogger smoothed over his skin.
A shudder raced through his body when the flogger moved over his nipples and pulled back, stroking him with a hard slap. A moan of pleasure escaped his lips before he could stop it. Phoenix took that flogger and tilted up his chin until their eyes met.
“This is what I do. I’m a Dom. I take control of you in the bedroom. I take control of you in your life. And you submit to me completely.”
A sigh rushed through Hunter’s body. “I will.”
Something within Phoenix’s eyes snapped. He looked as though he were losing control fast. He pulled away and turned from him. He looked like he was breathing fast. Without warning, he turned back around and their eyes locked. “Undress. Now.”
Hunter’s cock was straining as he dropped his pajama pants to the ground. His boxers followed quickly behind. He’d never gone so far so fast with anyone, but he was now. There was something about Phoenix that made him want to do everything he said. Without fear. He wanted to obey all of his orders without question and that scared the hell out of him.
As he stood there looking at Phoenix, waiting for his next order, he felt something shift between them. He lowered his gaze, waiting patiently for Phoenix to make the next move. He was certain that this was what a submissive was supposed to do. He would wait for his lover to take control.
“First, we need to do a body inspection to see if you are worthy of becoming my submissive.”
Hunter did not want to question him. He never had his body inspected by anyone before. Not even a doctor really. Phoenix circled around, eyeing every part of him. Finally, his hand came up, snaking in gently to touch and pull on his balls and cock. The pad of Phoenix’s thumb raced up over his cockhead, rubbing across the tiny slit. A moan of desire escaped Hunter’s mouth.
Phoenix let go of his cock, making his dick snap back against his abdomen. “Your job is to be silent when you’re with me and to stay focused. You will only answer me, “yes, Sir.” Understand?”
He was going to obey Phoenix fully. “Yes, Sir.”
His eyes caressed his skin again. “Get down on your hands and knees.”
Hunter acted as ordered and got down. He arched his ass out without being asked. Phoenix came behind, looking at his rim. The cool leather of the flogger raced up and down between his ass cheeks. Finally, Phoenix took his thumb and rubbed it over his rim. Hunter bit his lip desperately trying to keep from moaning. He knew he had to learn to maintain control, and Phoenix was the only one who could teach him that restraint.
He felt as though Phoenix was going to break him down. There would definitely come a time in their encounter where he would be lost within the throes of passion and completely crumble. When that happened, Hunter knew he needed Phoenix there to catch him when he fell.
He felt Phoenix pull way. He waited for the next order. He waited so long that he wasn’t certain if it would come again. And that scared him. He wanted Phoenix to give him orders tonight. He wanted to feel his body sliding against his. He held perfectly still as he waited. He saw Phoenix walk around, diming the lights. A shudder of need rac
ed through Hunter’s cock. They were about to get it on hard.
Chapter Five
Phoenix was hungry for the man on his hands and knees. As a Dom, he wasn’t so normally out of control. He took a steadying breath. He wasn’t even in his leather. He looked back at Hunter who was patiently waiting for him. They had to settle things up first. Phoenix came in close, getting down on his haunches and tilting his chin up with the flogger.
“You need a safe word. Just one word to use if things get too intense for you.” Hunter nodded his head. “You have my permission to speak.”
Relief eased the tension in Hunter’s shoulders.
“Black.”
Nice. Phoenix loved the way Hunter’s body relaxed. He circled around, slipping the tip of the flogger around his ass as he moved. He took the leather tip and slid it up and down over his spine, watching as his body shivered with goose bumps and came to life. He slipped the flogger off his ass, feeling the weight of the air whip around it. He brought it back, striking his ass with a slight hit, watching a small red mark move across the muscle. Hunter started to moan but stopped himself. He held his position. Phoenix struck him several more times, watching as his balls bounced back and forth and pre-cum leaked from his dick.
He loved the way his prick was throbbing for more—straight out and rubbing against the six pack on his abdomen. Phoenix adjusted his cock beneath his jeans. He knew there was a reason why he didn’t bother putting on a pair of boxers after his shower. He needed the freedom tonight. Phoenix couldn’t touch Hunter or he would lose complete control. He had to use the flogger to keep his hands busy. Once he touched Hunter’s skin and they had skin-to-skin contact, he wouldn’t be able to stop touching him. He would want more. And he could tell Hunter wasn’t ready to go there. Not yet.