“Hark accompanied Bryan to work today. With the recent attack on Bryan's assistant, I feel it’s safer having Hark with him.”
Olivia frowned. “I see.”
Sitting down in the chair across from her, he tilted his head. “Then why do I hear disapproval in your tone, Olivia?”
She sighed and pushed back from the desk – rising to reveal a short black leather skirt and thigh high boots. “I know I said I'd trust you to do the right thing, but putting Hark back in a protective role will only do so much. We tried that with Zhenya, and while it worked to some extent, he ended up withdrawing once more when the job was over.”
“Of course he did. You only addressed part of his need – his protective instincts.” Diachi crossed one leg over the other. “I, however, am doing more.”
Olivia wandered over to the service tray sitting on top of one of her filing cabinets. “Want anything?” She gestured to the carafe. When he shook his head no, she poured herself a cup. “So have you gotten him to stay in the room long enough to even know how it is between you and Bryan?”
Diachi smiled. “I got more than that.”
“Do tell.” Olivia wandered back with her coffee, lifting the porcelain mug to her lips and taking a tentative sip.
“Not only is he topping Bryan right now, we’re easing him back into the lifestyle as my sub.” Diachi sat back to watch the blow out — Olivia didn’t disappoint him.
She sputtered and nearly spit out her coffee. Taking a tissue from the box on her desk, she dabbed at her lips for a few seconds, obviously processing what he’d said. “Look, it’s great you’ve made progress with Hark, but I can’t believe you gave him Bryan. Or that either one of them would agree to it. Bryan is devoted to you. I can't see him being comfortable with giving the same kind of submission to another, nor would Hark be one to willingly take over your sub.”
Sighing, Diachi relaxed back against the chair. “I had to sooth some ruffled feathers at first, but both men came around when they realized Hark's authority over Bryan would merely be an extension of mine. Part of Hark's issue is the fact is he needs to be needed — to be in control for more than just a mere scene.”
Olivia sat back down, cupping her mug between her palms. “So by allowing some control over Bryan gives him this? What about Bryan? The fallout from the last time his Master tried to share him still makes me shudder. Allen was a good man and didn’t deserve what happened, and the guilt Bryan carried for so long was hard to overcome. Tell me you’ve at least thought of consequences of this?”
Diachi nodded. “Of course, I have. But there’s a major difference here. I'm not as foolish as Allen, nor is Hark an unknown entity like Steven. Despite his current struggles, both Hark and I are taking Bryan's emotional and physical well-being to heart. So Hark is there for him during the day at work – which Bryan insisted upon even before the attack on his assistant. Then I take over at home. So far, Bryan seems to be happy.”
“So if it's going so well, then why are you here?” She leaned back, causing the chair to squeak.
He smiled. “Because I need a little bit of help with a small matter of retribution.”
“Retribution?” Olivia set down her cup. “What exactly are we talking about?”
“Something to remind both Bryan and Hark of their places.”
Olivia pursed her lips and tossed her braid over her shoulder. “And what exactly did they do for such a lesson to be needed?”
Feeling his cheeks heat, he forced the embarrassment aside. “My subs decided tying me to the bed so they could play with me was an appropriate way to wake me this morning.”
Olivia stared at him for a moment before a burst of laughter escaped her. “They didn't!”
“Unfortunately, they did.” Diachi rolled his shoulders.
“Unbelievable.” Olivia shook her head still grinning. “The incomparable Master Rai at the mercy of his...did you say subs?” Her brow furrowed.
He nodded. “Yes. We're taking it slow, but Bryan is guiding Hark back into a submissive role.”
“Well it's obviously working if they tied you up and fucked you.” Her eyes glittered. “I seem to remember, on one or two occasions, Jude and Micah stripping my control away. It was liberating at the time.”
Diachi stiffened. “Make no mistake, Olivia, even bound I was still in control.”
Taking several moments, she mused it over, as if she couldn't equate the possibility of a master like Diachi being bound, and still having complete control over his subs.
“It’s more than possible. I may have been bound and blindfolded, but both of my men took my orders.”
“Then why did they bind you?” She seemed to be confused.
“To pleasure me. My sneaky men were trying to even the playing field, as you Americans say. The day before I saw to both of their releases, but took none for myself. My subs objected.” He smirked. “While I can understand their need, I can’t allow them to think they can bind me anytime they want without consequences. Besides I like being a few steps ahead of them.”
“So this retribution thing is your way of reminding them of their places?”
He shifted in his seat, his cock stirring. “Oh yes. My boys will think twice about pulling such a stunt again.” He gave her a knowing smirk. “Or perhaps they won't, when they remember how I blew their minds.”
She leaned forward to grab a pen. “And for this, you want my help?”
He nodded. “Yes. Yours and your men. I plan on putting on a demonstration which will not only blow their minds but also satisfy one of your Micah's requests.”
Olivia twirled the pen in her fingers, her expression eager. “Ooo, tell me more of this plan.”
* * * *
Hark shifted in what should have been a comfortable chair. They’d only been at Sterling Foods for less than forty minutes and he was already on edge. Against the placket of his slacks, his cock throbbed. He'd been aroused like this since Diachi had ordered them to untie him. Then he’d commanded them to kneel before handing them each a cock ring from the bedside table. When he’d given them very specific instructions, he'd thought Diachi's retribution had started. But once they were in place, Sir had climbed from the bed, patted both of them on their heads, and went to shower, leaving both of them with aching cocks and matching cock rings. He glanced at the clock – nine o’clock couldn’t come soon enough to remove the torturous device.
“Sir?” Bryan's soft inquiry had him looking up from the magazine he'd tossed over his erection.
“What is it, Bryan?” He couldn't help the fact his voice came out a bit rough. He was tense from unrepentant lust.
Bryan got up from his desk and shut the door. The snick of the lock seemed really loud. When Bryan dropped to his knees between Hark's splayed legs, Hark bit his lip at the proximity of the man’s mouth to his groin. Another facet of their punishment was neither man was allowed any release until they returned home.
“I ache.” The words were so soft Hark barely caught them before Bryan tipped his head to rest it against Hark's knee.
“Me too.” Hark ran his fingers through Bryan's tousled curls. “I'd forgotten what a sadistic man Diachi could be.”
“Yeah.” The word was sighed against his knee as Bryan took what comfort he could. “I never expected him to be this devious. I guess I should be glad I don't have any staff meetings today. Walking in with an erection would be damned embarrassing.”
Hark glanced at the clock. “We only have about another half hour then we can remove the damn things.”
“I know, but it’s driving me insane.” Bryan shifted closer.
“I think that's the idea.” Hark chuckled wearily, letting his hand drop to one of Bryan's shoulders. He began to knead it absent-mindedly. “To keep us aware of who controls our pleasure.”
Bryan stirred, arching into his caress. “Do you think this will be the end of his retribution?”
Hark bit his lower lip. “Unfortunately, no. Unless he's changed, this i
s just a small reminder of who's in charge. He'll have something bigger planned which will probably end up with us begging him for release.”
“Damn, if that's the case, then we just may want to try it again. I can't believe we got him tied and blindfolded without him waking. You've got some pretty slick moves. If I'd tried it, he'd have woke up and been all over my ass.”
Hark smiled, thinking how they'd gently rolled Diachi onto his back and eased his arms up. “What can I say? It's a gift.”
Bryan laughed softly. “No, it's your damned shaman voice. When you started to whisper, I could swear I saw you dressed in a loincloth with a feather in your hair as you gentled a wild mustang.”
Hark hissed at the sudden pain in his chest at Bryan's words. Teresina had accused him more than once of using his shaman voice on her after he’d coerced an explosive orgasm out of her with nothing more than the ropes and soft coaxing words.
“Sir?” In tune with him, Bryan lifted his head. “I didn't mean to prod at old wounds.”
The sincerity in Bryan’s gaze had him softening. “It's okay, little one. You didn't know. Teresina used to tell me all the time I had these mystical shaman powers, because I could make her come without so much as touching her.”
Bryan perked up. “Can you?”
Hark shook his head. “No. Not really. I'd just wait ‘til I had her in my ropes and on edge. Then I'd whisper what I wanted from her. She'd go off like a rocket every time. I think it had more to do with her than anything I did.” He rubbed his palm over Bryan's back. “Some subs are very sensitive to ropes and fly very high with very little effort. I lucked out with her.”
“Or you found a rope whore. There are subs out there who love ropes so much they wear them under their clothing.”
Hark chuckled. “Like you do?”
Bryan swallowed hard and averted his eyes. “I don't have a clue...”
Hark reached down and pinched Bryan's side. “Don't lie to me. Did you think I wouldn't notice the Turk’s Head Rope Knot Bracelet you wear around your wrist or the fact you rub it when you’re stressed?”
Bryan shot him a rather sheepish look. “I keep forgetting what an observant son of a bitch you are.”
“Sometimes too observant.” Hark ran his hand through Bryan's hair one more time. “Which is why we need to talk about the security videos we brought home. I watched them this morning before we came in.”
Bryan nodded. “That's what I assumed you did when you disappeared after breakfast.”
“Yeah. Diachi let me use his office while you were in the shower.” Dread at revealing what he’d found built in his stomach. “Most of them didn't have anything on them out of the ordinary.”
Bryan searched his face. “Why do I feel like there's going to be a ‘but’ here?”
Briefly tightening his fingers, Hark released the hair. “Because there is. Due to the early hour of the attack, we have only two people who could've possibly done it.” He lifted Bryan up off his knees and sat him across his legs.
Bryan laid his head against Hark's chest. “So hit me. Which executive am I going to have to fire?”
“Your uncle came into your office about an hour before Sharonda.”
Bryan sighed. “Shit. He's been against the Wheaton-Free line ever since I brought it in front of the board. But why the hell would he attack Sharonda? He and she used to date a couple years ago.”
Hark mentally filed it the tidbit. “Like I said, he’s one suspect.” He brushed a kiss across the top of Bryan's head.
“Okay. Who’s the other?”
“Easton.” Hark rubbed a hand up and down Bryan's suddenly tense back. “He came into the office about ten minutes after your uncle left.”
“Fuck. Are you sure, Sir? Easton is...” Bryan kept his head buried.
“A good man. I know, but until I can eliminate one or the other, it’s only reasonable to assume one of them attacked Sharonda. They had the opportunity, but until I dig deeper, I can't say truthfully which one had a motive.” Hark continued to pet Bryan. “But what I need from you is permission.”
A watery chuckle escaped Bryan. “You need permission?”
Hark tipped Bryan's chin up and brushed a kiss across his lips. “The only thing at Sterling Foods I want control over is the sexy CEO who runs it. Period. If you don't want me to look any deeper, I won't. But I’ll stick to your ass like glue until either the culprit is found, or Diachi steps in and forces your hand.”
Bryan sighed. “That he would.” He brightened a little bit as a naughty look entered his eyes. “Only the sexy CEO?”
Leaning in, he nipped Bryan's lower lip. “Only you.” Then he sucked the lip into his mouth and laved away the sting before kissing the breath out of the man. When he finally lifted his head, he smiled down at him. “So who's it going to be? Me or Diachi?”
Bryan opened his eyes and tried to focus on him. “What?”
“Who's helping you with this? Me now, or Diachi later?” Hark knew he was pushing. But the need to go hunt down both Easton and Corbin was riding him hard. However, he knew from experience letting a submissive think they had a choice was important. Especially when said submissive was being shared with Diachi Rai. Bryan had no real options — it would either be him now or Diachi later, once the man found out Hark wasn't handling the situation. “You have to choose, little one.”
Bryan licked his lip and Hark could tell it was tearing him up. “You, Sir. But please be as discrete as possible?”
Relief flowed through Hark. As a reward, he tucked Bryan's head against his shoulder. “Of course.”
Chapter Nineteen
For Hark the following week took turns dragging and flying by. When he went to work with Bryan, the time passed quickly as he split his attention between keeping an eye on Bryan, and investigating the motives behind the attack. The more he dug, the more he became certain what happened to Sharonda was related to the ongoing sabotage on the Wheaton-Free line. As usual the puzzle of trying to find out who was behind it was thrilling. He honestly enjoyed using his brain as opposed to his brawn. Not in the end, he wouldn't kick some deserving asshole's butt for putting Bryan through this nightmare.
But even as busy as the days were, the nights dragged. He walked around on eggshells — scared he was going to fuck something up and Diachi would wash his hands of him again. The routine when they returned home was now comfortable. But they hadn’t progressed any further. Diachi would greet them, make dinner, then they’d either watch TV or play chess, but not once had there been a manila card on the table. It seemed to Hark as if the men had put their sexuality on hold because he was fumbling around like a fool. As a result the tension inside of him kept growing.
As a switch, his need to Dom was being met in spades while he was at Sterling Foods, but unfortunately his need to submit was only growing with every passing day as Diachi petted him and treated him no better than an injured sub in need of coddling. It was frustrating to the extreme and he felt as if he were going to blow at any moment. He needed relief. Lust was his constant companion. Perhaps a trip to the club was in order, since Sir seemed reluctant to do anything more than curl around him at night while they slept.
By the time he pulled up to the house, the need to escape his own desires had grown to the point he was shaking. Stopping in front of the garage, he let the car idle. He needed his little one to go inside before he did something he regretted. He barely glanced at Bryan. “Here you are. I have a few things I need to do. I'll be back later.”
Confusion crossed Bryan's face. “What things?”
Clenching his jaw, he reminded himself to be calm, to not snap at Bryan. It wasn't his fault Diachi had him strung out. “Just things. Please let Diachi know I'll be quiet when I come in. I’ll probably sleep downstairs so I don’t disturb either of you.”
Bryan placed a hand on his arm. “You’d never disturb us. Come in and talk to him. He'll be disappointed if you don't at least —”
Hark snapped. Even after prom
ising himself he wouldn't lash out at Bryan, he lost it. “Dammit. I'm a grown man. If I want to go down to the bar and have a few, I will! If I want to go to the club and find a sub to fuck, that's my business too. I don't need permission from either of you.” He slammed his fist down on the steering wheel.
Bryan jumped. “Sir, tell me what's wrong. We can go to Master and he'll help.”
Hark was becoming more desperate as his anger grew. “He's not going to be able to fix this! I'm fucking broken and this thing between us is temporary — I'm nothing more than a noble cause for both of you. Let's heal the big man because life shit on him. Tell me what the fuck happens when you decide I can't be fixed? You kick my ass to the curb and say 'sorry, we tried.’ Maybe — ‘better luck next time?’” He wanted to hit something. “I'm tired of being the object of pity —”
Bryan cut him off. “Stop right there. I've never once pitied your stubborn ass, but I'm coming really fucking close to kicking it.”
Hark turned to face him. “Really? Wasn't it you who told me you'd come into the dark with me? Well guess what? In the past week, you haven't even come close to the dark angry places inside me. Instead all you've done is shine more of your Pollyanna sunlight on me. All it's done is make the damned shadows worse. I'm stuck half way between heaven and hell, with no way out. And it's all because of this cockamamie scheme to rescue me.”
Bryan flinched and drew back. “You son of a bitch.” The tears welled up in his eyes.
Immediately Hark felt horrible. The last thing he'd wanted to do was make his little one hurt. He'd just wanted the man out of the car before he did something he couldn’t take back. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Bryan was already scrambling out of the car and running toward the house. This was why he needed a strong Dom. Someone to keep him in line when the darkness became too much. Hark sat there with his hands wrapped around the wheel long enough to make sure Bryan made it inside, then he put the car in reverse. He had to get out of here before he did any more damage. Aiming the car back toward the Edens, he wasn’t sure where he was going to go, but anything had to be better than facing the mess he’d just created. When will I ever fucking learn? I'm no good at this anymore.
Healing Hark (Doms of Chicago) Page 17