by Kelex
“You meet this relative yet?”
Brody shook his head. “No.”
“I’m glad someone managed to make it to day two with you, but be sure this one deserves that spot. Please.”
Brody eyed Lex. “I will.”
“Good,” Lex muttered before an argument exploded on the other side of the club. “Later.”
He watched as Lex and another bouncer got between the two old friends and calmed the situation down. Before it was over, his attention got pulled back toward Chris and that tiny bikini. A new song came over the PA, and he smirked.
It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini…
Brody stiffened as he saw another hand snake out and pinch Chris on the ass. Shoving himself through the crowd, he yanked the man’s hand off and glared at the dude. Stan. The same guy who’d danced with Chris the night before. “Hands off,” Brody spat.
Stan’s eyes widened before a smile played over his lips. “Then you shouldn’t let him dress like that.”
Brody snarled. “How he dresses is our business. Keep your motherfucking hands off.”
Stan’s hand went up in mock surrender. “Message received.”
Brody relaxed some and then noticed multiple regulars were staring his way.
As was Chris.
One of his boy’s eyebrows rose an inch, and a smirk spread over his lips. The sudden need to wipe that smile off his face overcame Brody. He marched toward his boy, grabbed Chris by the back of the head, and planted a big, fat, wet kiss on the guy.
Making his claim public.
After one fucking day. I’ve gone crazy.
He stepped back and regarded Chris’ kiss-addled face. His eyes were narrowed. His lips open and swollen. Nothing would’ve made him happier than to take Chris upstairs and leave the club behind for the night. But if he did, it might lead to more—and his boy needed a break. “Get back to work,” he snarled instead, before returning to the bar.
When he got there, a bemused and slightly amused Chris still stood where he’d left him, wearing a hint of a smile on his lips. Brody forced himself to focus on work and took a customer’s drink order, trying to ignore that luscious ass for the rest of the night.
Noah trailed behind Brody, exhausted, after a very long night. All he wanted was a shower and then bed, though there was a hint of longing within since that kiss Brody had planted on him in the middle of the club. Since then, Brody had barely paid him much attention—although he had felt the burning of the man’s gaze all night. Or so he thought.
Brody opened the apartment door and herded him inside. “Want something to drink?”
“Shower and then bed. That’s all I can think of right now.”
Brody headed for the kitchen. “Have at it. I need a drink.”
Noah paused near the door. “Did I do something to piss you off tonight?”
Brody turned from the open refrigerator, beer bottle in hand. “No. Why?”
“You seemed almost mad when you kissed me earlier.” Mixed messages was an understatement.
“I wasn’t mad,” Brody spat a little forcefully.
“Oh, sure,” Noah responded.
Brody had a long drink from the longneck bottle before sighing. “All those guys touching you. It bothered me more than it should have.”
“I warned you when we bought this scrap of material that this would happen.”
“I’m not one of those jealous assholes,” Brody cried before his shoulders dropped. “I’ve never been one. There’s no reason I should feel like this after a day. I don’t like it.”
Noah crossed the space between them, closing the gap. He pressed his hand onto Brody’s nearly bare chest—there was only a leather harness there. It didn’t exactly match the short swim trunks he wore, but his daddy wore leather, it seemed. The closet was full of the stuff. He’d yet to see Brody not wear something leather.
“I’d be jealous if I saw someone all over you.”
Brody captured his hand. “We just met, Chris. It’s been a little over twenty-four hours, at this point. I shouldn’t feel like that. Nor should you.”
Noah was beginning to hate the name Chris. He sidled closer, ignoring the lie between them. “It feels right… you and I. Doesn’t it?”
Brody squeezed his hand slightly. “I don’t believe in love at first sight.”
“How about lust at first sight?” Noah asked. “Love is… suffocating.”
Brody released his hand and captured his chin. “He really fucked you up, didn’t he?”
Noah pulled out of Brody’s arms, the guilt caused his stomach to roil. Turning his back, he weighed his options.
“You got out of a bad relationship—days ago, right? You’re clinging to the first decent guy in your path. That’s all it is, Chris.”
Noah spun to face Brody. “That explains why I feel like this. What about you?”
Brody opened his mouth, but no words fell. He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Regardless, we need to throw on the brakes.”
Noah winced. “Is that my notice to get out?”
“No. I offered you a place to stay. I wouldn’t kick you out in the middle of the night. But maybe I should take you to see that relative of yours sooner than later… maybe then we can slow this whole thing down.”
Noah inhaled deeply. “Okay. The job?”
“It’s yours if you want it. You did well for your first night.”
Noah nodded.
Brody dragged him closer. “I said slow. Not stop.”
Noah lifted his gaze to Brody, unsure. “Then why does it feel like an ending?”
Brody rubbed his shoulders and upper arms. “I’ll draw you a bath so you can soak those sore muscles of yours. Then we go to bed. Tomorrow, we can take a trip so you can see your family and at least make them aware that you’re safe and in one piece.”
Noah stiffened, worry filling him.
“I’ll go get you that bath started.”
Brody left him. Soon, he heard the water flowing from the bathroom. He stole a long sip from Brody’s leftover beer before heading toward that sound. Slowly, he stripped in the bedroom, leaving his tiny bikini on the bare, wood floor. He padded barefoot into the bathroom. Brody’s stare washed over him, but there was something different about it.
A wall had gone up between them. Noah hated it.
Brody helped him into the tub and started washing him with a soapy cloth.
“I can wash myself.”
“But I’m your…” Brody sighed and dropped the cloth into the water.
The pause killed Noah. The word unspoken. He’d just lost the best thing in the world, though it was right there in front of him. “You’re right. I can’t have it both ways.” He rose and eyed Noah. “Soak for a while… it’ll help with the soreness you must be experiencing.”
Alone, he closed his eyes.
He’d allowed himself to get wrapped up in some fantasy that wouldn’t have lasted, truth or not. Noah lowered some in the warm water and stayed in until he’d nearly drifted off. Forcing his eyes open, he crawled out and dried off. When he entered the bedroom, he saw Brody was already in bed, appearing asleep.
After another trip back to the bathroom to use the cream he’d been given and a good wash of his hands and teeth, he slipped into bed beside Brody. More than anything, he wanted to curl up into Brody’s strong arms and revel in the safety he’d enjoyed the night before. Instead, he lay on his side, back to the man.
Dragged over, he was tucked into Brody’s embrace.
A smile played over his lips, but it didn’t last. His lies, the reality, and what he had to do kept him awake. He stared up at the ceiling, the shadows threatening.
Go! Leave now, before you start having feelings for this man… before you hurt him and you both, his inner voice screamed.
Start having feelings? Too late for that.
Noah closed his eyes, surrounded by Brody’s heat, scent, and protection. He’d never had such an immediate c
onnection to anyone. One look, one touch—and he’d become Brody’s. He gently rolled until he was facing his sleeping daddy. With one hand, he caressed the handsome man’s face. So much promise lingered between them.
But it was all based on lies.
He lay there for a long while. Tears burned the backs of his eyes. Once he was sure Brody was asleep, he quietly slipped from the bed. He tossed a few of his things into the duffel and headed for the door.
Noah eyed the knob, a war raging inside him.
He turned his attention toward Brody’s bedroom, unsure.
What the hell should I do?
8
Sunshine filled the bedroom when Brody awoke. He breathed deep before reaching beside him in the bed… only to find the other side empty. Lifting one lid, he saw he was alone. I’ve pushed him away. He sat up, searching the bedroom. There were no signs of Chris.
His chest ached. His stomach flipped.
No… he can’t be gone.
It was hard to breathe as he jumped out of the bed and headed for the main living space. The second he saw Chris in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee, he was able to truly breathe.
Chris turned, searching his face. “Something wrong?”
I thought you’d left me. “No… I was… only wondering where you’d run off to.”
Chris’ stare dipped to Brody’s naked body, and there was a twitch to his lips before his gaze lifted. Brody’s cock was semi-hard—as it often was in the morning.
Chris lifted a cup. “I made coffee.” A half-assed smile hinted at his lips. “I think. I’ve never made it before.”
Brody padded over and snagged a mug from the cabinet. After tossing in a spoonful of sugar, he gave it a sip. “Not bad.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I thought you weren’t a coffee drinker?”
Chris shrugged. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
He spun and rested his hip on the counter. Searching Chris’ face, he could tell his boy was worried. “About last night…”
“We don’t need to rehash it. I understand. You want to put the brakes on.”
“Chris… I don’t do relationships. I just don’t. Not anymore.”
Chris shrugged. “Okay.”
Yet there’s this pull toward you that I’ve never had with anyone else. “But maybe I was a bit hasty in what I said. I was tired… it was a long day. I enjoy your company. And I believe you enjoy mine… perhaps we should simply relax and see where this goes.”
Chris lifted his gaze and met Brody’s. He was silent. Uncertainty filled his face.
“I mean, maybe it’s only a brief flash of wonderful and soon enough we’ll realize it’s lust making us think it’s more than it is. Or maybe not. Who knows?”
A small smile crossed over Chris’ lips. “You sure?”
When I woke up and you weren’t there beside me… I freaked out. Brody shrugged, offering a smile. “Yeah. Why not?”
He opened his arms, and Chris walked into them. Wrapping his boy in his arms, he sighed with contentment.
“Thanks, daddy.”
Brody growled against Chris’ forehead. “Welcome, baby.”
“Wanna go back to bed and take care of this?” Chris asked, his tone low and deep, as he caressed one hand along Brody’s thickening erection.
Brody swatted Chris’ ass. “You need a little more time off.”
“Nothing wrong with my mouth,” Chris whispered before leading Brody back to bed by the hand.
Later that night, Noah cleared an empty table, filling the bus tub with the glasses, discarded bottles, and other litter while the music pulsed around him. His second night on the job and he had been demoted from bar back to busboy—but only because someone had called out and they desperately needed someone to keep the tables clean. The place was packed, wall-to-wall, with men and women displaying their wilder sides.
Fetish Friday was a very popular night, it seemed.
At the table beside him, there were three guys dressed as dogs—all wearing leather muzzles with dog ears attached. They had little tails that were apparently attached to plugs because the jocks they wore sure weren’t supporting them. Another table had a guy with a saddle on his back and a bridle over his head—with a bit in his mouth. He’d come in with a woman on his back and another man leading the bridle. That guy also had a tail—a long horse’s tail— swaying between his bare cheeks.
Noah wondered if the plug was horse-sized, too.
While it was shocking, he also sensed excitement when he scanned the varying outfits and items. Leather, latex, bondage, and submission, those were on display, too, in varying degrees. Some folks within the club seemed as everyday as anyone else. Honestly, even the wilder fetishes were simply the ones he knew about taken to an extreme.
Mr. Suit and Tie in one corner didn’t appear out of the ordinary—except for the barely-dressed young man kneeling at his feet wearing a thick collar and chain. The chain hanging from it rested in the Suit’s meaty palm as he talked excitedly to a friend at his side—who had their own submissive kneeling close by.
Earlier in the night, Noah had witnessed a man arrive alone in a lovely dress. His garters were clearly visible, along with his stockinged legs. Little red bows hung where the garter belt held up the stockings—and they matched the ones tied in his long beard.
Young and old, thick and thin, wild and tame—they were all there, mingling together. What struck him most was how free everyone seemed—to openly show off their own fetishes and delights. It compelled Noah to peel off his jeans and display the red lace covering his bottom—he’d made sure to wash them in the first load so he could have his own fetish on that night—but he wasn’t sure what Brody would think of that.
Lifting his stare, he saw his daddy behind the bar, mixing a drink and laughing with a customer. A smile came to his lips seeing Brody’s dazzling smile, but it quickly dulled.
I should’ve told him the truth this morning. Then and there, I should’ve told him.
Noah went back to cleaning up the table, struggling with his conscience.
Brody seemed of a mind that whatever this was, it could be temporary. Maybe it was. If that was the case, the truth didn’t matter. He could enjoy his fun ride for as long as it lasted and then move on when it sputtered out.
But what if it’s more?
Noah didn’t have an answer to that. He didn’t want to consider it, either. Later, when the night was over and he was exhausted from a long night’s work, he crawled into bed with his daddy who held him tight. Sleep still wouldn’t come easily… not that night. Or the next.
What was there was his daddy’s strong, warm embrace, holding him close.
And keeping the shadows at bay.
Sunday mornings were Brody’s favorites. The bar was closed on Sundays, so it was his only true free day. After an intense morning of sex, he and Chris were still in bed. Once he’d started a pot of coffee and returned to bed, he’d lent his laptop to Chris, so his boy could attempt to contact the friend who’d dropped him off at the bus station. While his boy was busy, he used the time productively, drinking coffee and browsing a site one of his regulars had suggested he check out on his iPad.
“Look what I found.” He tilted the screen to show it off.
Chris glanced at the iPad, eyes widening. It was a lovely young man wearing lingerie. “Oh wow… that’s hot.”
Brody’s grin grew wider. “A regular told me to check this out Friday night. Said they had the best men’s lingerie around. I thought we could buy you some.”
Instead of enthusiasm, he sensed the opposite. Chris seemed downtrodden. Disappointment filled Brody.
“I thought you’d be excited?” He paused, giving his boy a closer peek. “You okay?”
Chris forced a smile. “Yeah. I am excited.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Brody said before leaning closer and brushing a hand through Chris’ mop of hair. He pressed a kiss to his boy’s forehead. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
�
�I didn’t sleep well. That’s all.”
He’d heard that excuse the last few days. What was eating his boy? Brody cupped Chris’ cheek and forced his attention up. Searching his boy’s troubled expression, he sensed there was more to it. “Demons haunting you?”
Chris’ stare lowered. “Something like that.”
“You know you’re safe here, right?”
Chris’ gaze fluttered back up… there were mixed emotions swirling in his eyes. Brody couldn’t tell what was going on in his boy’s head. The smile that played at his lips was a little more convincing than the last. “So you say.”
“I may not comprehend what you’re running from—and I’m not pushing you to tell me anything you don’t want to. But I can’t help you fight against an enemy I don’t understand.”
Chris lowered his chin, pressing his forehead on Brody’s shoulder. “I can’t… Brody… I can’t… I don’t want you to send me away.”
Brody captured Chris’ chin again. “Why would I send you away?”
Tears shone in Chris’ eyes, and Brody felt terrible for putting them there. He drew his boy close, hugging him tight. “Shhh, baby. You don’t have to tell me anything right now. I realize I have to earn your trust… and I will.” He pressed a kiss to Chris’ head. “Just know you are safe here. No one’s getting past me.”
Chris’ arms wrapped around him, and his boy trembled in fear. He ran a palm over Chris’ back, trying to soothe away the pain of the past. Whatever his boy had gone through, it had apparently been horrendous.
That boy is hiding something.
Lex’s words came back to haunt him. He frowned, wondering if Lex was right. He should’ve pushed for more, but he hoped Chris would open to him.
In time.
Once Chris calmed against him, he leaned back against the padded headboard and surveyed that incredibly handsome face, wondering what those secrets might be. He hoped like hell they wouldn’t put an end to whatever wild and wonderful thing was blossoming between them.
“Better?”