by Drew Hunt
After flushing the toilet and giving his teeth a quick brush, Joey padded back to his bed, where his lover was waiting with open arms. It touched Joey deeply that this man who had been shown so little happiness in his life, was willing to open up his heart and give so much of himself. As he cuddled up to Kevin and soaked up his caresses, Joey knew he was one lucky son of a bitch.
Chapter 14
“I think that’s everything,” Joey said, cramming another plastic shopping bag into the already overstuffed motorcycle pannier.
“Ya think?” Kevin said, shooting Joey an exasperated look, causing the bigger man to chuckle.
“Don’t be cheeky. You needed some new clothes, and with us going out tonight, this afternoon was the perfect time to get you kitted out.”
“Yes, Sir, but...”
Joey shook his head, dismissing Kevin’s feeble protests. After donning his crash helmet, Joey straddled his Harley and coaxed the huge machine into life, relishing the vibration of the powerful engine as it let out its throaty roar. As was his usual practice, Joey allowed himself a sneak look round at the pedestrians walking past. A small group had stopped and were watching with barely concealed envy, causing the area around Joey’s crotch to become a little tighter. Focusing his attention on a guy who had his arm around his girl’s waist, Joey reached down to rearrange himself. His actions caused something of a stir with the girl, who thought she was the one being stared at. Joey didn’t hang around to see what else happened. After reassuring himself Kevin had gotten a good grip, he let out the clutch and nudged the large black and chrome cycle onto the street.
As he weaved through the Friday evening traffic, Joey revelled in the warm glow he’d had while picking out clothes for his pup. He’d dragged Kevin round almost every retail outlet in the city centre. For the most part Kevin had gone along with things, but after they almost got caught fooling around in a fitting room, Kevin had put his foot down, insisting Joey remain on the other side of the curtain from then on. Joey had agreed to his demands; it was so cute watching the little bloke assert himself.
As he conveyed his lover back to his flat, Joey marvelled at how much more self-assured Kevin had become since their trip to Holland. Of course he would always be compliant and submissive, that was his nature, but Joey was delighted at how Kevin was now able to stand up for himself when he thought he was in the right.
Joey was still stoked at Kevin taking care of him during the return ferry crossing. Kevin hadn’t taken advantage of the situation as many men would have. All the little bloke had done was open up his arms, providing Joey with a much-needed safe haven where he could rest and regroup. For the most part Joey believed he’d got over whatever had affected him, but he’d agreed to go and speak with the Rabbi about it. He didn’t think it was necessary, but Kevin had insisted.
* * * *
“You look fucking hot!” Joey stared at Kevin as he modelled a tailored button up shirt. Joey couldn’t resist running his fingertips along the sheer silk; the dark red material clung so invitingly to Kevin’s chest.
When Joey had picked out the shirt, Kevin had protested, saying it was too loud and way too expensive. Despite Kevin’s newfound sense of independence, Joey had no qualms about overruling him. He’d told Kevin he was having the shirt and he’d be wearing it that night.
“I suppose it’s okay,” Kevin said examining himself in the mirror.
Joey grinned. He knew his pup secretly liked the shirt, but his sense of low self-image wasn’t allowing him to see what he saw. Sighing, Joey knew he still had a lot of work on his hands to overcome the many years of mental abuse and constant put-downs that Kevin had suffered.
“And your new hair style really suits you, too.”
“It’s not really me,” Kevin said, reaching up to touch the gelled spikes.
“Crap, you look bloody sexy, and so absolutely fuckable. I’ll have to beat the blokes off you tonight.” Joey had had to overcome a fair amount of resistance when he’d marched Kevin into the barber’s and told the swishy queen what he wanted doing to his lover’s hair. What with the hairdresser’s constant innuendos and double-entendres, combined with Kevin’s protests, Joey had had a hard time keeping a lid on his temper.
Kevin turned from the mirror, an unsure expression on his face.
“Trust me. It really does look great. I’d never allow anything that would make you look silly or less of a man.”
Reaching up, Kevin wrapped his arms around Joey’s neck and pulled their lips to within kissing range. “I’m sorry for making such a fuss. It was just that it was all so expensive, I hate to think how much you spent on me.”
Returning the kiss, Joey said, “You’re worth every penny, and much more. And besides, I had a blast spoiling you.” Staring deep into those captivating brown eyes, he continued, “And it was worth every penny to see you looking as handsome as you do now.”
“Oh, Sir.”
Joey was treated to a dose of Kevin’s adoring expression at full wattage. Joey knew if they didn’t get moving now, he’d rip the clothes off his pup’s back and take him right there on the bed. Delivering a light smack to Kevin’s bottom, Joey said, “Now hurry up, otherwise we’ll be late.”
Handing his lover a new pair of skin-tight black leather trousers, Joey watched with keen interest as Kevin slid himself into them.
Joey sat on the bed, a hard on growing in his pants as his pup displayed himself to him in his new clothes. After undoing a couple of buttons at Kevin’s neck—revealing more of the white undershirt —Joey leaned back to admire the ensemble.
“Fucking awesome,” he said in a low voice. “God, I don’t want to go out now, I just want to stay here and run my hands all over your bod.”
“Oh, Sir, stop it,” Kevin said, ducking his head.
Joey lifted Kevin’s chin and stared lovingly into the brown pools of life. “I mean it, Pup. Just look at my stiff boner, and it’s all because of you.”
Kevin blushed.
“Right, one last thing.” Joey said, standing up and reaching for a plastic shopping bag. He was surprised at how nervous he’d suddenly become. Withdrawing a studded black leather dog collar, Joey looked down at Kevin’s awestruck face. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Joey said, “Pup, would you wear this for me?”
Joey watched as Kevin’s body started to shake, his eyes filling with tears. Sinking to the floor, Kevin began to kiss Joey’s engineer boots.
Whimpering, Kevin said, “Sir, my sir. Thank you. Oh, Sir, I love you.”
Growing uncomfortable at such signs of obeisance, Joey reached down and lifted Kevin into a tight embrace. “Is it okay? I saw it in a shop when we were out today and…” Joey swallowed. “It’ll be just for tonight, I don’t expect you to wear it all the time.”
“No, Sir, no. I’ll never take it off, not ever.” Kevin slid to his knees and gazed up at Joey with the most earnest and worshipful expression of total devotion on his face.
Joey was shaken. This symbol of belonging, of ownership, was exactly what was needed to cement them together. With trembling fingers, Joey brought the strip of leather to Kevin’s neck. Pulling the end of the collar through the buckle, it struck Joey that he ought to say something profound, but his mind went blank.
Clearing his throat, he said the first thing that came into his head. “Stand tall, stand proud.”
Kevin attempted to get up on his wobbly legs, Joey having to help him.
In a louder voice, cracking with emotion, Joey said, “Kevin David Lawrence, I claim you as my pup.” Bending forward Joey kissed Kevin’s lips passionately.
Kevin flung his arms around Joey’s chest and pressed his face into the man’s shoulder. His wracking sobs soon soaked through Joey’s blue silk shirt, which he’d bought to match the one Kevin wore. He held his pup tight and whispered comforting words to him.
Once Kevin’s tears had been stemmed, Joey cupped his lover’s face in his hands. “You okay?”
Kevin smiled and nodded his
head.
“Good,” Joey said, returning the smile. “Shit, I almost forgot.” Joey reached into his pocket and took out a silver disc. “I had them engrave ‘Pup Kevin’ on the front, and ‘Owned by Joseph Goldman’ as well as my mobile phone number on the back, just in case you ever get lost,” Joey chuckled to try and lighten the mood.
“Please,” Kevin sniffed, “Sir, please put it on for me.”
* * * *
Kevin removed his arms from around his sir’s broad frame and took off his helmet when Joey cut off the motorbike’s engine. However, Kevin made no attempt to dismount. He still couldn’t believe that only a few minutes earlier, his sir had collared and claimed him. A quick touch to his neck confirmed he hadn’t imagined the whole thing. As his fingers—numb from the cold—came into contact with the supple leather, Kevin felt a comforting flush of warmth wash over him.
“It’s not too tight is it?” Joey asked, removing his helmet and twisting round in the saddle.
Kevin shook his bowed head.
“It’ll be fine, you know,” Joey said, pointing his thumb at the rather dilapidated red brick single story building that was The Black Bear.
“It isn’t that, Sir.” Now Joey had mentioned the pub, Kevin felt himself beginning to tense.
Joey slid from the saddle, “Did Briggs ever bring you here?”
“Just once,” Kevin said, looking down at the ground. Unpleasant memories surfaced as Kevin remembered the events of a couple of years earlier. “As usual it hadn’t taken Cal long to get rolling drunk. As he was surrounded by all his mates, he started to get more obnoxious and verbally abusive towards me.” Kevin shuddered. “Cal told his cronies that ‘his boy’ was a great cock sucker, and anyone who didn’t believe him could have a free demonstration.”
Joey put his arms around Kevin and gave him a tight hug. “That fucking bastard.”
Kevin clung to his sir tightly and inhaled a couple of deep breaths. Joey’s cologne smelled of safety, of quiet protective strength. Looking up into the concerned, loving face of his lover, Kevin knew he was safe; nothing or no one could hurt him any more.
“I wouldn’t suck them off, though, Sir. You have to believe me, I just couldn’t.”
“It’s okay, I know you couldn’t.”
Kevin searched Joey’s face for any sign of revulsion. Thankfully all he saw reflected back at him was deep love and understanding. He could see a certain amount of anger in those piercing blue eyes, but Kevin knew it wasn’t aimed at him.
“Would you rather we went back home?” Joey asked.
“No, Sir, I’m okay.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Joey kissed Kevin’s lips. “I promise I’ll not let anything bad happen. I’ll sort out anyone who so much as looks at you the wrong way.”
Kevin dismounted from the saddle, eager to get indoors out of the cold.
“Come on, stow these helmets away. Then I can show everyone what a fucking stud pup I’ve got on my arm.”
Kevin blushed; he knew his sir was only trying to boost his self-confidence. Though it was embarrassing, Kevin loved Joey all the more for saying it.
When Kevin opened the bike’s pannier, he noticed a plastic shopping bag in the bottom. Pulling it out, he said, “I thought we’d emptied everything.”
“Shit!”
“Sir?” Kevin raised his eyes to Joey, who was looking distinctly uncomfortable.
“I got it when I, um, bought the collar, but…” Joey seemed to find something fascinating to stare at on the tarmac.
Kevin was dying to know what was making his usually unflappable sir so nervous.
“You might as well have a look inside the bag, I know you’re dying to.”
Opening the bag, Kevin discovered a long, thin strip of hide. Stretching it out, he saw it had a shiny metal clasp at one end; the other was folded over to form a loop. Wordlessly he held it out to Joey. He could feel his knees beginning to knock, his body awash with a curious mixture of emotions. He felt excited, fearful, but there was an overriding sense of doing something a bit naughty and kinky, too.
“You sure? It isn’t too far out or anything?” Joey asked.
A shiver of fear ran along Kevin’s spine when he looked up to see a rowdy group of rough biker types as they approached the pub’s entrance. Staring back down at the leash, he realised it would give him a greater sense of security if he wore it.
“Please, Sir,” Kevin said hoarsely through his tightened throat.
Gathering Kevin into his arms, Joey kissed him passionately. The bikers called out telling Joey to “Get a room.” But neither man paid them any attention.
“You’re fucking awesome,” Joey said before clipping the lead to Kevin’s collar and starting for the pub’s entrance, Kevin remaining a respectful single pace behind.
* * * *
The interior of the pub was nicer than Kevin remembered. The place now had a thick blue patterned carpet on the floor, a vast improvement from the pitted concrete from his previous visit. The central bar area had been revamped. Gone was the bare brick façade with its chrome fittings. It all seemed much more inviting and comfortable than the spit and sawdust dive it used to be. The music was loud, but not uncomfortably so.
“What do you want to drink?” Joey asked once they’d made their way over to the bar.
“Um, I liked the rum and Coke I had on the ferry.” Kevin had to raise his voice. The music was a good deal louder in the bar area due to the proximity of the dance floor.
As Joey stood trying to catch the attention of a member of the bar staff, Kevin took a quick look round. All aspects of gay life seemed to be present. Over by the pool tables stood a group of younger men, probably in their late teens or early twenties. They wore tight T-shirts and even tighter jeans. Those who weren’t playing stood around and admired the view of the rears of those who were.
The area surrounding the jukebox was where the transvestites and those with body piercings seemed to congregate. Their brightly coloured clothing and effeminate mannerisms irked Kevin. He was a little surprised at his negative reaction, he’d always been one to live and let live. However, he couldn’t help smiling when a couple of the drag queens started to blow kisses at the leathermen who propped up the right hand side of the bar. The muscular and not so muscular men jeered at the transvestites, but it all seemed to be good-natured. Kevin felt most at home with the ordinary looking crowd, those men who were just out to have a good time and enjoy themselves. The small dance floor over on the other side of the bar was occupied by several men, some of whom didn’t seem to have the first idea of how to move to the music. Others seemed to use every opportunity they could to rub up against or grope their dance partner. Kevin wondered if Joey was into dancing. He didn’t think he’d enjoy being so publicly on view, but if his sir wanted to dance, he’d try.
“Let’s go and grab a booth,” Joey said, turning back to Kevin, drinks in hand.
Still attached to his sir by the leash, Kevin made his way across the pub. A few of its inhabitants impeded their progress, Kevin growing unsettled at how popular his man was. He knew he could never compete with any of the drop-dead gorgeous men who seemed to know his sir well.
Finally they came to a small corner booth, which contained a sole occupant mournfully looking out at the crowd of guys.
“Hay, mate, mind if we join you?”
Kevin could tell Joey was in his big man-about-town persona, which was somewhat at odds from the caring and loving man he knew so well. Was this how his sir was normally? Would he grow tired of a shy, unprepossessing bloke like him? Kevin gave himself a severe talking to. He knew his sir loved him, God knows he’d told him often enough. He was wearing the man’s collar.
The guy’s eyes appeared to bulge out of their sockets; Kevin could swear the bloke started to drool at the sight of Joey, decked out as he was in his leather jacket and tight-fitting leather jeans. However, when the man’s gaze swung over to Kevin and the lea
sh that connected him to his owner, the guy’s expression instantly changed to envy, tinged with hate. At first Kevin shrank under the harsh glare of the long-haired blond, but realising he was the one out with Joey, not this pathetic wannabe, Kevin went on the attack.
Turning to Joey, Kevin stood on tip-toe and laid a kiss on Joey’s lips. “Thank you for bringing me here, Sir.”
“Glad you like it. I used to come here a lot, and it’s not a bad place, all in all.” Joey returned Kevin’s kiss, with interest.
They took their seats. Kevin sneaked a quick look at the table’s other occupant. If looks could kill, Kevin knew the guy would have him six feet under.
Joey put an arm around Kevin, drew him close and kissed him again.
Kevin got lost in the daringness of the public displays of affection. The next time Kevin remembered to glance at their table companion he discovered, much to his relief that they were alone.
“You did that on purpose.” Joey said, nodding to the now empty seat.
“Sir, I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Kevin couldn’t prevent the corners of his mouth from lifting up.
Joey shook his head in amusement.
“Sir, he was giving you the eye, and I had to eliminate the competition.”
Joey laughed. “I see I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you tonight, eh?” The arm around Kevin’s shoulder tightened momentarily.
Kevin stared up into the chiselled but loving face of his sir.
“Here, don’t let it go flat.” Joey held Kevin’s glass to his lips, Kevin taking a healthy sip.
Was it the alcohol, or the heat of the room, which made him feel so light-headed? Kevin wasn’t sure.