The Master Arrives

by Julia Talbot

  Jess watched every moment of his orgasm before pulling him close, then driving into him, hips punching up until Jess came for him as well. “Well,” Jess finally said after they sat, heaving for breath. “That wasn’t rushing anything.”

  Kane burst out laughing, his heart lighter than it had been in ages. “Nope. Not one bit.”

  “Can we rush into something else again tomorrow? Or maybe you could stay the night?”

  Kane jumped right off the cliff. “I would love both, Master Jess. I really would.”

  “Good.” Jess kissed him, long and hard, which made even his poor, spent cock jerk. “I want to hold you.”

  Maybe this was a huge mistake, but -- well, he trusted Master Jess already. Damn his reckless heart anyway.

  Chapter Four

  “So, we haven’t seen you for a bit.”

  Jess jumped, then laughed out loud, reaching out to hand clasp and man hug Deacon. “I suppose not. I’ve been busy.”

  “Uh-huh.” His friend sat across from him. “Not a hiatus then?”

  “No. I asked someone on a date.” He’d been seeing Kane for three weeks now, and he was buzzing tonight because Kane had agreed to do a scene with him tonight after work. They had all weekend for the aftercare.

  Jess had to admit, he’d never been so excited to start working a new sub.

  “Imagine that. Are you getting fond?”

  “We’re past fond, I think.” He was moving toward slightly obsessed. They needed to do a real scene, however. They were both sunk deep into BDSM, and if they weren’t able to mesh there… Though, really, Jess had little doubt they would.

  “Excellent. Are you eating tonight?”

  “I am. Kane is adorable when he waits on me.” His boy blushed and wiggled and begged to be on his knees, hands behind his head, waiting on Jess’ next order. Just the thought made his cock press against his zipper.

  “Wow. I’m so tickled to see you engaged. Shall we go to the dining room, or is he waiting tables here in the lounge?”

  “He’s out here tonight. Do you mind?”

  Deacon scoffed. “I love bar food.” He settled back in his seat. “Geoff will be joining us. Is that all right?”

  “More than.” He hadn’t seen Deacon’s sub in ages.

  “Cool. He’s changing in the playroom I rented.”

  “Nice. Going to have a private scene?”

  “You and your boy are welcome to come watch…” Deacon waggled his brows. He did love to show off Geoff.

  “I’ll ask him, but he prefers to keep his sub life separate from the job.”

  “Of course. Maybe we can do a scene together at your place in the future.”

  “I imagine I would like that. We’ll see if he will.” Jess winked.

  “Master.” Geoff appeared at Deacon’s side, his outfit consisting mostly of leather straps and metal rings. His brief thong of shiny vinyl left nothing to the imagination. “Master Jess.”

  “Geoff. That rig suits you.” Geoff bowed his head, and then knelt gracefully on the floor by Deacon’s chair. Not long ago he’d fought every overture Deacon had made, his need to hide who he was too strong. Jess was incredibly pleased at how far his friends had come.

  “Master Jess.” Kane was next to arrive, cheeks pink. “Good evening, Master Deacon. May I greet Geoff?” Deacon inclined his head, so Kane bent to kiss Geoff’s cheek. Then he popped back up to smile at Jess. “Are you eating here tonight, Sir?” Kane asked.

  “We are. What amazing nibbles do they have for us?”

  Kane smiled for him. “There’s a pu pu platter of sorts, with spring rolls, wontons, pork ribs, Szechuan chicken skewers and fried shrimp. Or there’s the Mexican platter with cocktail tacos, flautas, guacamole and queso with chips, fried chile strips and mini quesadillas.”

  “Oh, that’s tough.” He and Deacon looked at each other. “One of each?”

  Deacon laughed. “Sure. We can take home anything we don’t eat.”

  “What to drink, masters?”

  “I would like a tonic with lime,” Jess said. He needed a steady hand.

  “Same for me, please, and some still bottled water for my sub.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Kane swooped away, and Jess watched that tight ass, which he knew well now. He liked it as pink as Kane’s face.

  Deacon was smiling at him that way again.

  “What?” Jess knew what, but he had to tease.

  “You’re really in it bad.”

  “So are you.” He pushed his chin toward Geoff, whose bowed head never came up, but his ears went red.

  “I am.” Deacon just grinned to beat the band. “He has me wrapped around whatever finger he wants.”

  “Mmm.” Jess winked. “Then you understand. Every time I see him I can’t wait to see him again.”

  “Here we are, sirs.” Kane brought the tray of drinks, serving them smoothly. “Your food will be out soon.” Kane looked at him almost shyly. “I spoke to Maya. She said she could cover my last hour…”

  “That sounds perfect. I love the idea of getting you earlier.”

  “Then I’ll tell her it’s a date. She loves when I owe her a favor.”

  “I understand why.”

  Deacon laughed, drawing their attention. “You two make me happy.” He stroked Geoff’s hair, and Jess couldn’t help but think of taking Kane somewhere public someday. Maybe a party at one of his friends’ homes, if not at Endless.

  Kane cleared his throat. “I’ll be back with your food in a bit.”

  “Thank you, boy.” He couldn’t stop grinning. An hour could be a wonderland.

  “Lord. I love how happy you look, Jess.”

  “Thanks, man. I am. Like really engaged.”

  “That’s good to see, isn’t it, baby?” Deacon titled Geoff’s head up so Geoff could look at Jess.

  Geoff smiled. “Yes, Sir. It’s wonderful.”

  “Thank you, Geoff.”

  He chatted with Deacon, watching the club members coming and going, wrinkling his nose a little when he saw one of the masters he didn’t care for too much enter the lounge. “Wow, how long has it been since Mykel came in?”

  “Ages. Who’s that with him?” Deacon was squinting a bit.

  “You need new contacts.”

  “My eyes are all dried out.” Deacon turned back, rolling his eyes. “Long story, but I’m fine. I don’t think I know him.”

  “Well, don’t look again, because he’s coming this way.”

  “Damn.” Deacon grimaced, but pasted on a pleasantly neutral expression. Geoff chuckled, and Deacon flicked him on the ear. “Behave, bad one. You’re earning more swats.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Geoff said it softly, but he sounded pleased.

  “Jessup! Deacon. Long time no see.” Mykel clapped Deacon on the back, and Jess was grateful to be facing him with his back to the wall.

  “Mykel. How are you?” He kept his voice even but not really welcoming. Mykel had a tendency to invite himself to join groups, so Jess knew he had to border on impolite to keep the man at bay.

  “Good. Good. I just wanted to introduce a friend of mine. It’s his first time at Endless. Thom, this is Masters Jessup and Deacon. This is Thom Lyster. He’s also a Dom.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Deacon said.

  “Thanks.” Thom grinned, and he was kind of… toothy. “Thinking of joining. Used to think I wanted a full time sub, but I think it would be better for me to have a setting like this.”

  “Good deal. Well, I hope you like it.” Deacon was pretty clear. That was an “Okay, bye,” kind of moment.

  “Well, we’ll be in the dining room if you want to join us.”

  “Thank you.”

  Myk and his friend turned away, and Jess was just breathing a sigh of relief when an enormous crash sounded, along with a pained cry.

  They all turned to see Kane standing nearby holding an empty tray. His black pants and shirt were smeared with food, and their pu pu platter and Mexican sampler lay all ov
er the floor.

  “Jesus, Kane? Is that you? You were always so damn clumsy.” Myk’s new friend’s voice was strident, kind of awful given the situation.

  Jess popped to his feet even as Maya ran to Kane. “Are you okay, honey? Did you burn yourself?”

  Another server came with a towel and a small fire extinguisher for the sterno that came on the pu pu.

  Kane met his eyes, pure panic there. “I’m sorry,” Kane said, then turned tail and ran off the lounge floor.

  Jess glanced at Deacon, who waved him off. “Go.” Jess charged off after his lover. Whoever that Thom man was, he had it wrong. Kane was rarely, if ever, clumsy, so something else was going on.

  “I’m so sorry, Master Jess.” Amy, the lounge manager, made a beeline for him.

  “Thank you, Amy. Can you have another round sent out to Master Deacon and his sub?” Jess brushed past her, needing to find Kane. He slipped past the Employees Only door, since he was still a contractor, thank you, and made his way to the server’s locker area. Sure enough, Kane was there, stripping out of his soiled shirt.

  “Kane?”

  “Sorry. Sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to.” Kane wouldn’t turn around to look at him.

  Jess stepped up to put a hand on his shoulder, gently turning him. “Kane, tell me what’s wrong?”

  “I -- Thom was here. I used to see him. Date him. Whatever. It was just a shock.” Kane was shaking like a leaf. That looked way more like PTSD than “we used to date.”

  “I see. I’ll have a word with the manager. Clearly he doesn’t need to be working with the subs here.”

  Kane shrank in on himself more, crossing his arms over his chest. “He ignored my safeword. Beat me until I bled.”

  Jess clenched his teeth against the curse that wanted to slip out. Kane didn’t need to see, and misconstrue his anger.

  Jess reached out, sliding his fingers along Kane’s cheek. “Thank you for telling me. We’ll talk more on it later. Right now, I want you to change clothes, then go to the private playroom Deacon rented.” He pressed his fingers against Kane’s lips. “That way you don’t have to see him. Once he’s gone, I’ll come get you and we’ll go.”

  “But my shift --”

  “I’ll speak to Amy.” She was a fine Dom in her own right. She would understand.

  Kane looked at him for a long moment, then nodded, his lips no longer quivering. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “Go on, sweet boy.” He kissed Kane on the mouth. “I’ll be there soon.” He left Kane to change, then headed back to the lounge. Maya met him at the door.

  “It’s a slow night, Master Jess. I can take his tables.”

  “You’re a good friend, Maya. Thank you.” He smiled, because Endless was always a wonderful place.

  “Another order is on its way out.”

  “Put it on my tab, as well as a twenty percent tip for you, please. Can you tell Deacon I’m taking Kane home?”

  “Of course, sir. Thank you.” She gave him a grateful look, then hurried off.

  “Amy, a word?”

  The manager joined him when he motioned her aside. “What can I do, Master?”

  “Mykel brought a guest tonight. I would suggest asking discreetly for him to leave. He’s abusive and shouldn’t be with the subs.”

  Amy’s eyes widened. “Kane?”

  “Yes. Beat him until he bled, apparently. Kane is terrified, and it’s quite genuine.” No one could fake that pale, cold sweat and shaking thing.

  “I’ll see to it.” She paused. “Will Kane be all right? Maya said she would finish out his tables.”

  “I’m taking him home. I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I’d rather not take a chance on him running into that man again.”

  “Naturally.” She seemed relieved. “He’s off all weekend, but have him call if he needs more time.”

  “I will.” He made his way back to the playroom, texting Deacon. Heading home with Kane. Enjoy the food.

  He got back, Much love, friend.

  Jess never stopped to see if Thom was kicked out. He went to his lover, ready to sneak him out the back. Knocking gently, Jess called out so Kane would know it was him. “Love? Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Kane answered the door. “I’m ready.”

  “Let’s go out this way. I parked on the side.” He knew the back way out, taking it often after he did a scene at the club and wanted to avoid people.

  “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”

  “Nonsense. My night was only going to begin when you got off work. I was merely waiting.” He put on his Dom voice, because Kane needed to learn, to believe. That got him a ghost of a smile, and they slipped into Jess’ car without a confrontation. Good. Kane didn’t need more of that man tonight. He pulled out on the main road. “Would it be easier to tell me now, while I’m driving?”

  Kane took a deep breath. “It would. Your eyes see too much. We dated for six months. In fact, Mykel introduced us.”

  “So Mykel knew what happened?” Oh, he would have the asshole’s membership revoked.

  “I think so? He knows how Thom is. They’re both sadists, but not in the safe sane way.”

  “I see. So, how bad did it get?”

  “Not too bad until the very end. He mostly did subtle stuff.” Kane glanced at him sideways. “Like telling me how clumsy I was. I was never good enough.”

  “You’re amazing, Kane. Never anything but wonderful.”

  “I try to be, but I’m too needy. Too eager. I know it. That’s why he got tired of me. I think he beat me so hard that last time to get rid of me.”

  “Most people break up with a ‘we need to talk.’ Sometimes a text. Not through making someone bleed.”

  Kane stared at him for a long moment. Then he burst out laughing. “I suppose that’s true. I love that about you, how you make things easier.”

  “I’m glad.” He hoped he could ease Kane, who he was very sure he was falling in love with.

  “Anyway, I haven’t had a real scene since then.” Kane twisted his hands in his lap.

  “You don’t have to do one tonight, boy. You know that, right?”

  “I do.” Kane turned toward him. “I want to. With you. I want the comfort of subspace. I miss it.”

  “Then we’ll do it.” He turned up his street, anticipation curling in his belly. He reached out to touch Kane’s hand. “You’ll find that space.”

  “I want to, Master. I do. I’m tired of letting Thom steal that from me.”

  “Good.” The plan might change some. He knew Kane liked assplay and spanking, but a beating might not be the best thing.

  In fact, he thought he had just the thing to make Kane feel beautiful, worthy, and able to find that space within himself.

  “Thank you for being so understanding, Master.”

  “I care for you very much, Kane. Anyone who loves you would understand.”

  Kane’s eyes widened even more. “I -- Yes. Oh.”

  Well, it was out there now. Jess wasn’t going to take it back. Jess parked in the driveway, then turned to kiss Kane on the lips. “Let’s go get ready, hmm?”

  Kane nodded, that delicious flush back on his cheeks. “Just tell me what you want me to do.”

  “Absolutely.” That, at least, Jess was good at.

  Chapter Five

  Kane had showered, cleaning himself thoroughly inside and out. He’d waxed everything but his privates, though he’d trimmed everything down neatly.

  He was ready, and he knew he had to stop wavering and just go to Jess’ playroom. A soft knock sounded on the bathroom door. Looked like Master Jess thought it was time for him to be ready too. Kane ducked out of the bathroom, smiling. “Sorry. I wanted to make sure I followed all your instructions.”

  “Ah. Well come on out in the light and let me look at you.” Jess held out his hand. Kane took it, letting Jess lead him into the hallway. “Perfect boy.”

  He flushed, his cheeks heating. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “I hav
e everything set up, love. Come to the playroom.”

  Kane followed, his cock already rising. They made it to the playroom, and he stepped in, holding his breath to see what Master Jess had in store for him. Kane blinked when he saw a large mirror leaning against the wall, and a pad on the floor. “Sir?”

  “I have an idea.” Jess pointed to some soft-looking rope piled on a chair in the corner. “Have you ever experimented with shibari?”

  “The ropes… No.” Kane was intrigued, though.

  “I thought it would a good scene for tonight. Kneel on the mat for me, hands behind your head.” When Kane moved to comply, Jess tsked. “Facing the mirror, please.”

  “Oh.” He made the tiny sound of protest, but did as he was told. Maybe there would be a blindfold.

  “First I’m going to bind your cock,” Jess said once he was settled, hands behind his head. Moving to the ropes, Jess pulled out a black cord. It wasn’t as long as the ropes, but it looked just as soft, and Jess came to him to wind it around his cock and balls, knotting it at the base of his cock.

  “Look how that contrasts with your skin.” Jess lifted his chin so he could see himself in the mirror. The black cord did stand out against his much paler skin, making his cock look very red by comparison. “Now I’ll start with your ankles. Tell me if your balance becomes compromised.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Jess began with his ankles, wrapping each one separately so he could balance, then starting wrapping his legs together from knee to thigh. A knot was tied between his legs at each wrap to give a decorative look to the ropes, almost perfectly symmetrical. Then Jess crisscrossed Kane’s hips and ass, looping the ropes around his lower belly and upper thighs, avoiding his bound cock.

  The more rope Jess wound around him, the more supported Kane felt. His legs could relax, not shake, as they held him up. Kane was also fascinated by how he looked in the mirror. He couldn’t stop staring at the way the ropes crisscrossed his body, the deep red color so rich, making his skin glow.

  Jess wrapped his chest in x’s, knots over his nipples, so they rubbed. Then his arms were tied behind him, lacing them together to the elbow, before Jess wrapped the rope around his neck. That wrap was only tight enough to be decorative. Even when he squirmed it never tightened. Finally, he was tied up, head to toe, and what he’d expected to be claustrophobic was… cradling. Comforting.