by Brina Brady
“I was extremely worried about your whereabouts. Everyone is looking for you.” Kaden pulled out his phone and sent a group message that he had found Emilio.
“I needed to be alone to think. You told me I could go to the brook alone.”
“I did say that. I had forgotten about that, but a short note goes a long way. Let’s go back and get your jacket.” Kaden wasn’t buying Emilio’s story. Obviously, he was still upset with both Rafe and him for their past and learning about Rafe being his biological father. Granted, it was a lot to deal with, and he must be overwhelmed.
They went straight to the van without speaking. Emilio had dark circles under his eyes, looking worn out, but he sat up in the bed with a look of despair on his face. Emilio was far more sensitive than Kaden had thought. At first, he seemed to live life without looking back. There were many layers to peel away to find the real Emilio. For once in his life, Kaden wanted to take the time to find out who Emilio was instead of just enjoying the fruits of the relationship.
“Are you tired?” Kaden smiled at him.
“No, I’m fine,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
“Do you remember when you got angry because I was upset that you fooled around with Valerik before we met?” Kaden asked.
“Yes. How can I forget?” Emilio yawned several times.
“Don’t be upset with Rafe or me because of our past. We’re best friends and share everything, but we don’t fuck. The sex never really worked out for us. I told you we’re both tops. I’m happy with you sexually, but that’s not all. It’s more than fucking your delicious ass. I’m emotionally attached to you. I’d say I love you.”
“Are you just saying you love me, or do you mean it?” Emilio asked.
“Emilio, I love you, and I mean what I said. I know it’s too soon, but that’s how I feel. I want you to stay with me and want us to be a couple.”
“I love you, too. I thought you loved Rafe and not me. That’s why I needed to be alone to think about us.”
“Ah. The last time we spoke, I should have told you then. I’m such a damn fuckup in relationships. I’m trying. I really want you with me.”
“Are you angry I went to the brook so early in the morning? I couldn’t sleep.”
“I understand you wanted to be alone this morning, but next time, wake me up. We were all worried about you.”
“Sorry.” Emilio grinned, not looking sorry at all.
“Somehow, Rafe knows you’re aware of our past.”
“I told Alek yesterday, but I didn’t think he’d tell Rafe.”
“Alek was worried about you, and he didn’t want to lose you. I’d expect you to tell me everything, as I’m sure Rafe wants Alek to confide in him. Remember, nothing is ever kept a secret in this group. I learned that the hard way, as did the others.”
“I’ll remember that next time.”
“I’m going to mark your ass as mine to remind you we’re bonded.”
Emilio nodded. “With your hand?”
Kaden shook his head and said, “Not this time.”
Emilio seemed amused by Kaden’s answer.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Emilio
“I have a paddle that will make an imprint for your re-marking,” Kaden said.
“I didn’t know you had a paddle like that. Where is it?” Emilio asked, looking around the van.
“At the bottom of my suitcase.”
“And you packed it to use on me?” Emilio asked.
“None other than you. I want my mark on your cute red ass,” Kaden said as he closed the drapes and blackened the front window with a navy sheet.
“Are you sure you’re not punishing me instead of re-marking me?” Emilio smirked, half believing Kaden’s intention for using a paddle. The last time Kaden had used his hand to mark him. Imprinted paddling bumped it up a couple of notches as far as Emilio could figure. He wondered what Kaden would mark on his ass. Was it a design or words on the paddle?
“Why? Are you changing your mind about getting marked again?” Kaden asked, looking disappointed.
“No, but I’d like to see it first if you don’t mind.”
Kaden lifted his suitcase from the overhead, rummaged through his clothes, and found the paddle. He showed Emilio the imprinted side. Emilio’s ass cheeks clenched at the sight of the black leather paddle with the raised red, thick lettering in a mirror image that would surely leave an imprint of Kaden’s boy on his ass. A loop was attached to the handle for hanging it on a wall. He wondered if Kaden had ever hung it so others could see it.
“Kaden’s boy?” Emilio said emphasizing the last word. The imprinted paddle reminded him of the BDSM videos he had viewed on the online porn sites. Kaden was edging into BDSM, or so it seemed—not that Emilio had known everything about those types of relationships. His entire limited education of BDSM and gay sex originated from porn videos.
“That’s right. Don’t forget it. You’re mine.”
“But I’m your boy?” Emilio wondered what Kaden meant by boy. They were crawling another inch into the BDSM realm. That’s what James called Dante.
“It’s an endearing term in my world or the world I used to be in,” Kaden said.
What had Kaden meant by his world? Had Kaden been a Dom like James? Who had been the Dom when he and Rafe had been together? No wonder that relationship had failed. They had been doomed from the beginning. Why had those two begun a relationship in the first place? They were definitely not suited sexually for each other, but their bond to each other was strong. Emilio would be lying if he said he wasn’t jealous of their close friendship.
“So how many swats will mark me?”
“When I can read Kaden’s boy on your beautiful sweet ass.” Kaden spoke as if he would be receiving great pleasure from marking his ass. His gorgeous blue eyes even sparkled inside the shaded van.
Moments later, Kaden unzipped Emilio’s jeans and tugged at the waistband, pulling them and his briefs to his knees in one movement. Gravity did the rest of the job, and then Emilio stepped out of them so he wouldn’t trip. Emilio’s naked ass was an open invitation for the punishing paddle.
“Bend over the back of the front seat, stick your ass out, and spread your legs.”
Following Kaden’s order, Emilio moved into position. Hopefully, he could stay still and take the marking, even though it was going to be challenging at best. Moving around was a natural defense to a physical attack. This particular position placed his ass in direct range of the thick paddle. He wanted Kaden’s mark more than he had the first time. It meant more to him after the time they had spent together. He wanted this.
“Spread your legs apart so I can see those beautiful balls dangling.”
It took Emilio several attempts before his body was positioned to Kaden’s satisfaction. Each time, he’d kicked Emilio’s legs further apart. Once Emilio positioned himself correctly, Kaden rolled up Emilio’s shirt to have his bare ass in clear view
“This isn’t a punishment, although it may seem that way. I’m going to paddle your ass in the same spot each time. That’s the only way to get Kaden’s boy printed on your ass. Do you understand it will hurt more because of me paddling you in only one area?”
“I get that part.” Emilio still wasn’t so certain it wasn’t punishment for disappearing without permission. He was sure Kaden wanted him to suffer for his mistakes. On the other hand, they had agreed for Kaden to mark him as needed. So, maybe it was somewhere between the two.
“Tell me why I’m re-marking you?”
“So, I remember I’m yours. We also agreed you’d re-mark me as needed when we first bonded.”
“That’s right.” Kaden nodded with approval.
Emilio turned around to look at Kaden.
“Are you ready?” Kaden ran his hand over Emilio’s ass, sending chills throughout his body.
“Yes, Sir,” he drawled unconvincingly.
Immediately, he clenched his ass cheeks, preparing for the onset of the brut
al paddle. He always did. He had no control over the natural reflex. The crack of the leather paddle connecting with his naked flesh echoed in the van. The first swat sounded like a gunshot. The paddle crashed full across his ass, taking away his breath. He winced, suppressing a cry yearning to escape his lips. Tears pricked his eyes from the mortification of his uncomfortable position and the terrible sting of the paddle.
Another whack, just overlapping the first, added fire to the spreading patch of heat. His lips pressed together tightly. Emilio desperately wanted to grab the fiery area with both hands but didn’t dare. His legs did a spontaneous little dance, hoping to alleviate the burning that was spreading fast.
“Stay still. I have to strike the same area to make the imprint.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The third swat landed in the same spot. It was too much to endure on the exact place each time. He fought the urge to scream stop. He wanted Kaden to use his hand, but he couldn’t imprint the words that way. So Emilio stayed quiet until the next swat.
“Damn, this stings,” Emilio said, turning his head around to face Kaden, who looked like a warrior in battle.
“Do you want me to stop?” Kaden stepped away from him.
“Umm. No. Am I almost marked yet?” Emilio asked, wishing the imprinted words had taken place.
“Almost.” Kaden lightly ran his hand over Emilio’s sore ass.
Emilio howled, twisting around in vain, just in time to see Kaden wind up for another whack. The whistling paddle caught him right across the same blistering hot area.
“Kaden! Please!” His ass burned like someone lit a match to it, and there was much more to come.
“Almost done.”
Emilio nodded and realized his cock was hardening. Kaden raised the paddle high and, with a sharp downwards swipe, sent it crashing down across Emilio’s bare ass. The imprint of the paddle’s raised word burned into the naked flesh. Emilio’s legs buckled, and silently, he expelled air through pursed lips. Kaden straightened his legs. His touch felt good. Within a few moments, another swat landed and sent him over the rainbow. He let out a quiet groan with each whack. How many more swats would he have to endure to satisfy Kaden? He wanted to take his marking without fuss; that was what Kaden probably expected. Even so, with each blow, he wriggled his hips, and his ass writhed. Kaden gripped him around the waist, steadying him. Kaden carried on whacking Emilio with a steady rhythm. One swat every five seconds or so.
Emilio wasn’t crying, but the pain was getting to him. He kept his palms flat on the front seat, but his shoulders and back continued to writhe with the blows.
“Keep still, or you’ll ruin the words.”
“I’m trying.”
“I know you are. Just a few more and we’ll be done.” Kaden leaned over him and kissed Emilio on the side of his face. “I love you, Emilio.”
“I love you too.”
Emilio felt like raw hamburger meat. Sweat soaked his back despite the chill in the van.
“Done!” Kaden threw the paddle on the side table. “It’s a beautiful bright red like the words on the paddle. Let me get a mirror so you can see.”
Kaden returned and handed the mirror to Emilio. It worked! Part of Emilio hadn’t believed Kaden would paddle the printed words on his ass. He could actually read them. His ass was so sore.
“Don’t move.”
“Why?” Emilio asked.
“I’m going to rub lotion on you to settle the stinging.”
“I love it, but it’s a shame no one will see it. Can I show Dante?”
“You can show any of the protectees if you want, but don’t show your bare ass to any of the protectors and that includes Rafe. Oh, and by the way, when Mateo returns with Anouska, don’t show it to her either.” Kaden’s phone beeped and he read a message.
“Thanks.” Emilio wanted to know who sent a text to Kaden. Why didn’t he say? Probably one of the protectors asking if everything was okay since the van must have been rocking like a seesaw.
Kaden rubbed the lotion onto the heated area, soothing the ache, but Emilio hoped the pain would stop long enough so he could sit down. Kaden kissed Emilio on the cheek. “It’ll feel better soon. I want to see the marking every night. You’ll present your naked ass to me so I can read it.”
“That sounds kind of kinky.”
“Because it is.” Kaden left a trail of kisses from his waist to his neck.
“Oh…feels so good now,” Emilio whispered.
“That’s good, but you’re going to be sore.”
“It’s worth it.”
“Get dressed, sexy,” Kaden said.
“You’re not going to fuck me?” Emilio asked.
“Later. I have to meet the protectors now. You need to stay here. The protectees will stay here during our meeting.” Kaden kissed Emilio.
A loud knock on the door interrupted their kiss. Kaden answered it, and all three guys walked inside.
“See you guys later,” Kaden said and left.
“Is everything okay?” Dante asked.
“Fine. Why wouldn’t it be?” Emilio leaned on the wall.
“We’re all sitting, and you’re the only one standing,” Dante said.
“Kaden marked me again for our bonding.”
“That sounds hot,” Dante said.
“Want to see?” Emilio asked, just dying to show off to the guys.
“Yes, show us,” Liam said.
Emilio proudly lowered his jeans, bent over so they could get a full view.
“I want James to do this to me. I’m jealous,” Dante said.
“It looks like it hurts. It’s so red,” Alek said.
“It does hurt, but I don’t mind because we just bonded again. Kaden said he wants me to present my ass every night so he can read it.”
“You’re making me so jealous,” Dante said.
“How did he paddle his name on it?” Liam asked.
“Kaden used an imprinted paddle. Do you want to see it?” Emilio pulled up his jeans, taking care not to cause any further pain.
“Yes, I want to see it,” Alek said.
Emilio fetched the suitcase and pulled out the paddle. The guys surrounded him to get a closer look. He handed it to Dante, who seemed very interested.
“That thing looks dangerous,” Alek said.
“Are you afraid of it?” Dante asked.
“No.”
They sat in a circle while Emilio rested on his stomach and continued talking.
“Do you know what the meeting is about?” Dante asked Alek.
“No. Rafe was on the phone last night and today. He was punching walls, and he’s in a bad mood. Really bad,” Alek said.
Emilio got cans of soda and passed them out. The meeting was longer than he’d thought it would be. He became worried about Rafe. If he was so upset he was punching walls, it had to be bad. As far as Emilio could remember, Rafe was calm and thought things out. He never displayed a temper and had an overload of patience. That was the Rafe he had known all these years. Emilio felt guilty he’d avoided him for a day. He thought about all the times Rafe had helped with so many issues in his life. He was always there to bail him out and uplift him to be a better person. Even now, he’d opened the door and taken him into the Protection Society.
Kaden and the other men entered the van. Then the other protectors left with their protectees. Kaden looked stressed out. He probably wasn’t in the mood to fuck. He grabbed a beer and sat beside Emilio on the bed.
“Is everything okay?” Emilio asked.
“I don’t know. A few bad reports about some potential issues. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“You look upset.”
“How is your ass feeling?”
“It’s hurting again.”
“Get naked and I’ll put some more lotion on you.”
Emilio rushed to undress as fast as he could. He didn’t know why it hurt so much, but relief was in sight. He spread out his body on his side of the bed, facedown. Kad
en lightly spread the lotion on Emilio’s ass.
“What kind of lotion is that?”
“Arnica. It helps reduce pain, swelling and bruising. I’m going to pick up some vitamin E for you to take daily. It cuts down the time of bruising. Just in case more spanking occurs.”
“More spanking?”
“There could be. I’m going to read to you tonight. No fucking.”
“Why not?”
“You’re too sore.”
“Can I give you a blow job?”
“In the morning. I want you to heal. All you need to do is to listen to me read.”
“Do you have a good book to read to me?”
“I downloaded a BDSM romance story. Sound good?”
“I’ll probably get hard when you’re reading it.”
“All the better. You’ll still have to wait until the morning.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Emilio
Emilio sat at the bar alone thinking about all the events that had occurred during the summer in New Jersey. Staying in Seaside Heights had highlighted one of the best times he had with the Gay Protection Society. All the protectees had become close friends. Emilio looked forward to next summer and hoped they could return to enjoy the boardwalk and beach. Their move to the New Jersey cabins allowed Emilio to return to school as well as some of the others.
Mateo and Anouska had returned to the group. His cousin Mateo was now his uncle Mateo. Emilio was still trying to accept Rafe as his father. All those years they were cousins, Rafe had been his favorite one, and now it turned out he was his biological father. Something sacred between them had died in the transition from cousin to father, though. He doubted he could ever address Rafe as Dad. His relentless concern for Emilio in the past made sense because Mateo had never put the same energy or time into Emilio as Rafe had. For all that Rafe had done for Emilio, he felt guilty he couldn’t return a son’s love. It was too late. A part of him demanded he try harder with Rafe because Emilio did owe him for all he had done. Being here with the Society was due to Rafe.