“You. He was talking about you.” Wren shoved the chair back, his face pale, but determined. “I told him he can get what he needs from another Dom, but he wants you. He’s desperate to impress you. To gain even the slightest bit of your attention. So much that…” Wren looked down at Jamie’s file, with the rules he’d signed. “He couldn’t read this. He didn’t understand what he agreed to. And he’s trying to do it anyway.”
“He didn’t…” Noah stared at the folder. “Jesus Christ, what have I done?”
He didn’t remember standing. Crossing the room. Bracing his hand against the rough, bare wood of a pillar, he inhaled slowly. And realized he didn’t have the luxury of a meltdown. He’d sent Jared to Jamie. Alone.
Bolting across the bar, he slammed through the door and raced up the stairs, stumbling into the wall as Jared came out of his own loft. The other man’s cool expression shifted to one of annoyance.
“Yes, having him around is doing wonderful things for this place.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you here to save him from me? Is that now an option?”
Noah’s jaw ticked. “Did he pass?”
“He did.” Jared’s tone told Noah his patience had reached its limit. “Do you have anything else to waste my time with?”
Calming his breaths, Noah cocked his head. “Your time—which I compensate you well for? No, Doc. That will be all.” As much as he respected the other man, he’d been ignorant to his maneuvering and wouldn’t leave Jamie vulnerable to his ire. Not anymore. He waited for Jared to open the door to his loft before speaking again. “Work on your bedside manner when it comes to my sub. Your place here will always be secure, but your comfort will not.”
Jared turned back slowly to face him. “You might want to rethink that.”
“No, I don’t believe I will. But feel free to challenge me.” Noah’s lips slanted as the black of Jared’s pupils overtook the icy blue of his eyes. “I’m bored.”
“You won’t be when that boy destroys everything you’ve worked for.” Jared shook his head and let out a cold laugh. “Maybe I’m not as reluctant to see that happen as I was. Keep playing your games with Lawson and your new pet. If there’s anything left of you when they’re done, come see me.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.”
Not exactly the outcome he’d hoped for, but Jared’s aggression would be aimed at him from this point on, where it belonged. And he could fucking take it. Jamie had been through more than enough.
Once Jared had disappeared into his loft, Noah stepped into his own. Crossed the living space quietly and came to the door of Jamie’s room. He opened it as silently as possible to avoid startling the boy and looked to where the sub was facing the wall, stiffening at Noah’s approach.
One hand on his shoulder, Noah had Jamie face him. Curved his hand around his throat gently, recalling how the touch steadied him. How he leaned into the control of even the slightest pressure with so much yearning and trust that the first time had almost been enough to tear down the structure of Noah’s whole existence.
He couldn’t let that happen, it wouldn’t serve either of them. But he would use the touch to give Jamie what he’d been practically begging for, without saying a word.
But the words were needed now. Noah needed to hear exactly what Jamie wanted from him. There could be no misunderstandings. No room for mistakes.
Gaze lowered, Jamie spoke softly. “I’m not as pathetic as this usually. I swear.”
Tracing his thumb over the rapid pulse of Jamie’s throat, Noah nodded. “Why?”
Why hadn’t he told Noah he couldn’t read the contract? That he would submit to any kind of pain, any level of shame, just to prove himself to Noah? That his submission was for him alone?
“I didn’t want you to feel like you had to avoid me even more than you already do.”
That made sense, but Noah needed it all. “Keep going.”
“You’re the first— You pay attention. You see me. You’re real. I don’t feel like you want to use me up and throw me away.” Jamie’s breath hitched and he sucked in a deep breath. “I trust you... but I’m not the kind of guy you’d go for, and even if I was I fucked up everything. So you can’t be seen with me in the bar. And now you don’t even—” He cut himself off.
“Finish.”
The last came so softly, Noah almost didn’t hear Jamie’s whispered words. “You don’t even want me in your bed.”
Noah frowned and shook his head. “One of the first things I did was to invite you to—”
“You told Wren I had to stay in the study when I was here.”
Ah, well that explains a lot. His little bird had taken his words literally, rather than as intended. Noah’s lips slanted. “That was to give you options, not to keep you from me. After being the cause of so much pain, I didn’t want you to feel trapped.”
An incredulous laugh escaped Jamie’s lips. “Are you serious?”
“Almost always.” Noah winked at him, relieved that the boy didn’t seem traumatized by his interaction with Jared. Or having to bare his soul. “But we seem to have a dilemma. I won’t wait for you to come to me anymore.” He tightened his grip on Jamie’s throat, relishing in the way his boy’s eyes instantly filled with heat. “And I refuse to be limited by my bed.”
“Fuck.” Jamie cringed and a flush stole over his cheeks. “I’m sorry, I’ll stop that—eventually. Maybe.”
Noah cocked his head and smirked. It would be expected that any sub of his would speak sweetly. Always perfectly respectful. But he had his own demands and his rules were his to enforce—or change—as he pleased. “Don’t. You will not speak to any other Dom without my permission, but so long as you aren’t swearing at me, I think I’ll enjoy your filthy little mouth. I’d like you to feel comfortable coming to me with any concerns. Being honest in your reactions.”
Jamie’s eyes went wide. “Dude, everyone will freak.”
“All right, that you will not do. Not ‘dude’.”
The attempt Jamie made to keep his expression serious as he nodded was adorable. But he eventually burst out laughing. “You draw the line at dude? Really?”
“Mhmm.” Noah brought his lips to brush over Jamie’s ear. “You will call me sir. Or master.” He flicked his tongue over the soft skin in the small hollow. “Or in moments like this, you may use my name.”
Little pants stirred his hair as he licked the curved of Jamie’s throat. The scent of his sweat was heady, not unpleasant, but his boy had been working hard in the ring. He’d been with Reed when he’d gotten hurt—he’d warn the young man to be more careful with him. Tomorrow, he’d take some time off to watch. Tonight, he would do what he should have after taking the cane to him. Maybe even before, so the punishment wouldn’t have been necessary.
“Come with me.” Noah didn’t wait for Jamie’s mind to register the command. Latching onto his wrist, he took him from the room and went to his own, through it to the master bathroom. He released Jamie only long enough to turn on the shower and adjust the temperature. Tugged off his shirt, then Jamie’s, irritated that he had to allow him to wear clothes at all.
“From now on you wear nothing when you cross the threshold to my room. Not that it will save you if I decide to enjoy you anywhere else.” He shoved down the shorts Jamie wore, letting him kick off his sneakers and step out of them as he removed his own boots and jeans. He lifted Jamie into the shower and pressed him against the wall, his fully erect dick slipping against Jamie’s as he curved his hand around his throat and claimed his mouth in a slick kiss, fully in control of his every breath. He let Jamie inhale on his exhale and smiled against his lips. “Are you sure you’re ready for all I will take from you?”
Trembling, Jamie’s gaze met his. Droplets of water clung to his kiss-swollen pout. “I already gave it to you. You didn’t notice.”
“I won’t make that mistake again.” Noah slid his hand down Jamie’s side, curved it around his ass, his fingertips digging into the marks he’d left there,
drawing a sharp hiss from Jamie’s lips. He shook his head as he realized the shower would be nothing but a painful tease for them both. “You’re driving me out of my fucking mind, little cat. I never forget protection, but I don’t have any condoms in my wallet. I’ll wash you before bringing you back to my room. Making you wait isn’t intentional.”
Jamie groaned as Noah slid his fingers between his ass cheeks, pressing one into him. “Jacks...he told me a blood test was required. I had a new one I’d just done for my label.”
Oh fuck...yes. Noah withdrew his finger. Added another, sliding his dick against Jamie’s as he slowly fucked him with his fingers. “I had my blood work done when I got out of prison. The results came in a few days ago.”
“Then…” Jamie shifted his hips, taking Noah’s fingers in deeper. “Can we not wait?”
“You.” Noah turned Jamie to face the wall. “Are going.” Between the shampoo bottles was a bottle of lube. Curtis must have stocked up for him, this was his favorite brand. Bless the man. He grabbed it, snicked it open, and poured a liberal amount into his palm. “To be the death of me.”
Slicking the lube over his dick, Noah fisted himself, holding Jamie in place with one hand on his hip as he pressed the head of his dick to that snug ring of muscle. Jamie canted his hips and took him in, an inch at a time, moaning as Noah’s dick stretched him.
There were only two men Noah had ever taken raw, both after months of enjoying them as his own until he decided to take other lovers and allow them to explore their options because he wouldn’t limit them to the little he had to offer.
And he wouldn’t limit Jamie either. One day he might need more as well. Noah hadn’t forgotten who he was. Who Jamie was. How unlikely it was that their two lives would intersect for long.
But right now, they did. And he was done thinking about which other Dom could give this man what he needed. He’d be that Dom until Jamie had to leave. The memories they’d share wouldn’t be limited to pain and regret.
He pressed forward, his pelvis hit Jamie’s bruised ass. Eased back, admiring every mark as he sank back in. They’d been put there for the wrong reasons but fuck they were beautiful. An intense reminder that there was nothing his boy wouldn’t give to him. Wouldn’t do on Noah’s command. The power of that knowledge sizzled under his skin as he gripped Jamie’s hips and pistoned in and out of his body, awakening the pain to add it to the pleasure his boy would experience at his hands, again and again, until the two were one and the same.
“Noah!” Jamie tightened around him, so close, but he was waiting. Trying so hard to let Noah have that last bit of submission.
It’s already mine.
Noah took Jamie’s dick in a loose, wet grip, stroking him in time to his steady thrusts. He didn’t want Jamie to come on command. He’d make it impossible for him to hold back.
“Ugh...fuck!” Jamie’s shout echoed around them and his knees almost gave out as his come hit the shower wall. He trembled as Noah barred an arm across his chest, a hand on his hip as he fucked his boy until his whimpers followed a harsh cry.
Pleasure ripped through him and he bit the side of Jamie’s neck hard enough to leave another mark. Liquid heat spilled deep inside Jamie and Noah drew back to let the last few spurts land on his flesh.
Releasing his dick, he ran his fingers over the gleaming white, watching the water rinse it away. Next time he’d lick it from Jamie’s skin. Tease his sensitive flesh until he was hard again. Leave him so worn out he wouldn’t have to worry about him getting himself in trouble.
Once Jamie was able to stand on his own, Noah wet a washcloth and soaped it up to wash him, smirking as Jamie’s dick hardened against his thigh as he was shampooing his hair. He rinsed him and turned off the shower. Covered him in a towel and took him to his bed.
This time, he fucked Jamie slow, wrapping his legs around his waist and holding his wrists above his head.
“Louder, little cat.” He sucked Jamie’s earlobe between his lips. “Wren won’t doubt if you’re welcome here again by the time I’m done with you.”
Singing had definitely trained Jamie’s voice well to follow that command. He let out a low growl as Jamie’s body brought him over the edge once again. He didn’t pull away. Instead he rolled Jamie on top of him and drifted off, his dick softening as Jamie’s body still clung to him in every way.
In the morning, he woke to find Jamie curled at his side, head on his shoulder. He smoothed his hand over his boy’s naked body, brow furrowing when he saw some of the bruises on his ass had swelled a bit. Not a fast healer then. Noah would take care not to mark him in a way that would stay with him this long.
“Hey.” Jamie opened his eyes, a shy smile on his lips. “Should I get up or…”
“Greedy, little cat.” Noah chuckled and leaned in for a kiss. “Yes, you may get up. But don’t get dressed yet.”
“Yes, sir.” Jamie grinned and scooted from the bed. He started for the bathroom. “I just need to—”
“Leave the door open.”
Jamie stopped short. Glanced back and blinked at him. “What?”
Noah gave him a slow smile but didn’t answer.
Hesitating, Jamie chewed at his bottom lip. Then gave a firm nod and went into the bathroom, relieving himself with the door opened wide. When he returned, the question in his eyes remained the same.
Crooking his finger, Noah waited until Jamie crawled onto the bed and pulled him up to straddle his lap as he sat up. “While you are mine, I won’t take any chances with you. I’ll allow you to continue your training, but much of it will be at my hand. You’ll be by my side whenever possible. I’ll control most of your day-to-day life, but I will take into account your inexperience. Does this appeal to you?”
“Fuck yeah.” Jamie snuggled close, his dick already showing its interest. “I mean, fuck yeah, sir.”
“Ha.” Noah shook his head. “If you do not understand something, ask. You’ll be wearing my collar, so no one will question when you don’t speak or respond to another Dom. It will protect you, but do try to avoid pissing anyone off.”
“I’ll be good.”
“Try.” Noah wasn’t expecting miracles, but his reputation would serve them both. And frustrate everyone because Jamie could walk all over protocol and no one could say a damn thing to him.
Which would be...fun, come to think of it.
Jamie wiggled his hip, which made focusing on the conversation difficult. “Can I ask you something now?”
“Does it involve torturing me when I’m trying to be careful with that sore ass of yours?”
“Maybe?” Jamie wrinkled his nose. “It’s not really that sore…”
Noah chuckled and wrapped an arm around Jamie’s waist, lifting him as he positioned his dick and lowered his boy onto him, groaning as Jamie began to move. “That’s all I needed to know.”
Chapter Nine
November rains battered The Asylum’s bar windows, plinking with sleet’s brighter notes. Cradling his coffee, Jamie sat across from his Dom while Matt puttered sleepily behind the bar. The day was still new and dark, and the fucking this morning had been a languid awakening in his Dom’s arms. Jamie shifted in his seat to feel the pooling heat in muscles that were getting used to frequent, and sometimes harsh, use.
He loved gentle interludes like today, when Noah, behind him, had positioned Jamie’s leg so it rested over his arm, and had nudged forward inch by inch. What he loved even more were the moments when Noah claimed him, wherever and whenever he wanted. Even when Noah was rough, he was somehow careful. Nothing went further than Jamie could handle, and sometimes he ached for Noah to push him, just to see how much he could take. How much he could give.
Stories around The Asylum abounded about Curtis and Lawson and Noah. How Noah had trained them to bend to his will with a look. With Lawson it must not have taken, but with Curtis sometimes it felt like Noah still had him on a leash. The other Dom’s entire energy shifted whenever Noah walked into the room. Mig
ht be a bit twisted, but Jamie found it sexy as fuck.
Noah’s finger tap to his cheek made him blink. “Did you hear a word I’ve said, little cat?”
He let his eyes tell his story for him, along with a poke at his lip with his tongue. “No, sir.”
“I see.” Bringing the ceramic coffee mug with its Asylum logo to his lips, Noah considered him, heat in his eyes. “Care to share what’s consuming the space in that pretty head today?”
With anyone else, being called pretty rankled. Not with Noah. Any way the man wanted to refer to him was just fine as far as he was concerned.
Forearms stacked on the table in front of him, Jamie leaned forward to share his secret. “I want you to do the dirtiest fucking things to me, and I can’t stop thinking about them.”
Behind the bar, Matt stilled with a sharp inhale.
For the briefest moment, something ghosted the gray in Noah’s eyes. The mug lowered halfway. “Do you now?”
Jamie looked down and frowned. Maybe that had been a step too far? The power of the statement had felt good, but once it fell away he was exposed, having admitted something that he wanted to take for himself—something that hadn’t been given. It felt like he’d stepped into a rowboat too hard, rocking it so he had to stand with his arms out to rebalance.
He lifted his gaze to find Noah regarding him. “That sucked. I’m sorry.”
Noah looped one finger into the ring at the base of the golden collar Jamie now wore at all times, tugging with gentle insistence until he was forced to rise up out of his chair and circle the table. Noah shifted, making room between his legs.
Slipping his hand down Jamie’s chest, Noah patted his own lap. “Sit.”
“Oh.” Jamie blinked, relief rushing over his skin.
Noah’s lips lifted.
Canting his head, Jamie looked for the trick. He’d been so sure he was about to get his ass beat. Which would have sucked because punishments were no fun.
Hard Justice: The Asylum Fight Club Book 3 Page 11