by Rae Marks
Shopping was much easier and much harder than Sam had expected. Easier because Bray hadn’t balked when Sam paid for his clothes. But it had been hard to watch Bray dress up in all those outfits.
Bray looked good in every single thing he tried on. If it was his size, he looked good in it. His ass was flawless as it filled out the back of his pants. Sam knew the front was filled with just as much perfection.
They spent most of the day out of the hotel room, seeing the sights, finding good places to eat, strolling around the city. Sam found himself enjoying Bray’s company. He had an optimistic outlook on virtually everything and it forced Sam to look at things from a different perspective.
Whenever Bray was nervous or embarrassed for blurting something he tried to take back, he would fidget. Mostly he’d take that same coin out of his pocket and twist it through his fingers. If they were working together, Sam would point out all Bray’s tells, but they weren’t really working together.
Bray’s nerves were understandable. What normal person got sucked into a world of drugs and trafficking and had no second thoughts? It also made him appear more authentic to the men Ax and Sam knew were following them.
That night, Sam was able to continue the no-sex rule, since Bray’s bruises were still an angry color. Bray was able to undress and bathe himself with no assistance. Sam was both relieved and disappointed.
The next day was much the same, except more sightseeing than shopping. When they stopped for dinner, they ended up at the same high-end restaurant as Kozak. Sam didn’t know if it was a coincidence or not, but they drank the local delicacies Kozak sent over to their table. Drinking both had probably been a mistake, especially for Bray, who seemed to be a bit of a lightweight.
“Looks like you two had fun,” Ax said as he opened the rear door for them.
“Did you see Kozak’s men?” Sam asked.
“Yep. Made sure they came nowhere near our car and also tested it just now to be sure,” Ax said quietly.
Bray started singing some pop song as he struggled to get his seatbelt on.
“Too much champagne for the kid?”
“Try too much Spotykach.”
Ax laughed as he closed the door behind Sam. He was still chuckling when he slid into the driver’s seat. Bray was still singing, though more quietly.
“Why’d you let him order Spotykach?”
“I didn’t.” Sam rolled his eyes. “Kozak sent over Horilka and Spotykach. I couldn’t exactly remind him in the restaurant that he needed his wits about him, so we could pretend to be boyfriends when we got back to the hotel.”
“I can still pretend to be your boyfriend,” Bray said with only the tiniest slur in his voice.
Why did Sam find it adorable? He should be pissed as hell that Bray had drunk too much. He took a deep breath as he assessed the kid.
“Maybe a quick stop for coffee might be a good idea.”
“You want coffee? Now?” Bray asked.
“Not for me. For you.”
“Pfft. I don’t like coffee.”
“You drank coffee this morning,” Sam reminded him.
“Of course I did. Ax called me a child for wanting pancakes. I love pancakes. Grown men can love pancakes. I mean, millions of men eat chicken and waffles. They even eat them for dinner. Why can’t I have pancakes for breakfast, the meal they were actually made for?”
“Nothing you just said related in any way to coffee.” Ax shook his head.
“Sure it did. I said I didn’t want to be called a child for not liking coffee.”
“That’s not—”
“Ax. He’s not firing on all cylinders.”
With a shrug, Ax let it drop. Sam and Ax remained quiet for the rest of the drive back to the hotel. Bray continued to sing softly as he looked out of the window. Sam shook his head as he caught himself smiling once again.
Bray pulled the silver coin out of his pocket and began sliding it in and out of his fingers. His coordination wasn’t at its best, so he struggled for a moment until the coin flew through the air and landed on the floor at Sam’s feet. Sam reached down and picked it up.
“Can’t lose that. It’s for luck,” Bray said.
He reached for the coin but apparently forgot he was buckled into his seat. Bray lunged forward only to be jerked back by his seatbelt. He sucked in a breath at the jolt.
“Relax. I was going to give it back.”
Sam didn’t think it could be that lucky, since Bray’s luck had been nothing but bad since they’d crossed paths. The phrasing he’d used also piqued Sam’s interest. He hadn’t said it was his lucky coin, only that it was for luck—like someone had given it to him for luck, but who?
Even though it was none of his business, Sam wondered about it anyway. He ran his fingertips over the smooth metal. He also didn’t give it back to Bray immediately.
In the passing streetlights, Sam looked at the coin. It wasn’t US currency. It was about the same size and weight as one of those old, large silver dollars.
By the time they reached the hotel, Bray was practically asleep. Sam pocketed the coin and got out. He had to go around the car and help Bray up out of his seat.
When they reached their room, rather than passing out as Sam had hoped, Bray seemed to get his second wind. Ax arrived a few moments later with one of the bellmen in tow, along with bags and boxes of items they’d purchased the day before that had needed to be altered.
While Sam tried to put things away, Bray would take them back out as he explained to Sam what he liked about each one.
“Bray, we need to put your clothes away.”
“I want to try some of them on again.”
“Why?”
“I liked how you looked at me in these pants,” Bray said.
Sam stood in shock as Bray dropped the pants he was currently wearing and kicked them aside. Sam remembered those particular pants. They’d looked like they were made specifically for Bray, except they’d been a touch too long.
Bray wanted Sam to look at him like that? Like he wanted to slip off every shred of clothing he was wearing and lick his body from head to toe?
Beads of sweat popped out on Sam’s forehead when Bray kicked off his boxers as well. A naked Bray was apparently a dangerous Bray.
It wasn’t an option to tell Bray to get his fucking clothes back on. A guy would only say that if he caught his boyfriend with another man. Before Sam could get another word out, Bray pulled on the slacks they’d been discussing.
Sam had liked the pants before, but knowing Bray was going commando underneath had him loving them. How the hell was he going to stop Bray from making a horrible, drunken mistake without blowing their cover? Boyfriends in a committed relationship had drunk sex all the time, didn’t they? It wouldn’t ring true if he used that as an excuse.
“Fuck,” Sam groaned.
Bray must have zeroed in on Sam’s obsession with his ass, because he was showing it off by bending, stretching and dancing. With the fluid way Bray was moving, Sam had a sinking feeling that using Bray’s injury wouldn’t work either.
“B, your ribs,” Sam said but it was only half-hearted.
“Mm-m, I like it when you call me that.”
Sam was already justifying to himself that they wouldn’t actually have sex. He just wanted to see Bray naked and turned on. He wanted the chance to touch all that skin. He’d find a way to get them off without using the condoms and lube that were in his toiletry bag.
Trying to reel himself in, Sam shook his head. He’d use a different tactic on Bray, one that would probably have the kid hiding under the covers. He’d show Bray what he really liked in bed.
He’d make the kid back off before they both did something they’d regret. It was the only scenario he saw working in both their favors. He’d push Bray too far and piss him off. It would sound like a lover’s quarrel. Now if Sam could just keep his hands and his dick to himself…
“B, you’d better not be getting pre-cum all over those new s
lacks I bought you.”
Bray turned around at that. His eyes were glazed with alcohol and lust. His pupils were blown. And the smile he gave Sam was sex and sin.
“What if I am?”
“Take them off and hang them up,” Sam ordered.
Bray rushed to do just that and almost tripped over his own feet. When he turned to hang the pants, Sam ran a hand over his ass cheek before smacking it. Bray gasped but didn’t move. In fact, Sam could have sworn he stuck his ass out a little farther. He was well and truly fucked if Bray liked a little power play.
The pants dropped from Bray’s hands, and when he bent over to pick them up, Sam smacked the other cheek, much harder. This time, Bray didn’t gasp. He took a deep breath in and out like he was settling in for more.
“Hang them up and do it right. I don’t want any wrinkles when you accompany me.”
“Yes, Sam,” Bray whispered and hung the pants perfectly.
When he was done, Sam inspected his work. With a nod of approval, he commanded Bray to go lie on the bed.
Chapter Seventeen
Brayden
Bray wasn’t drunk. Well, he wasn’t that drunk. He was aware of everything. The alcohol had just given him a boost of confidence and a little freedom to be reckless.
He’d been sure Sam was going to put a stop to what was happening, but he hadn’t…yet. Was this the result when Sam was pushed past his limits? Bray sure hoped so. Pushing the man when his hands were tied might not be the brightest idea, but Bray would at least be able to see if there was a spark.
He’d been shocked when Sam had spanked him, but he hadn’t hated it. In fact, he’d liked it. He had never played any kind of sex games, but now he had to wonder if he’d been missing out on something.
As he crawled onto the bed, he wondered what position he was supposed to be in. Didn’t people normally kneel while waiting in sex games?
“Fuck,” he grumbled.
He’d never thought S&M shit would have him panting. Maybe it was the way Sam looked at his ass, or maybe it was just that he wanted Sam badly enough that what turned Sam on would turn him on.
When he got a few moments to himself, he’d have to think about how deep into this he might be willing to go. Was this something Bray was truly interested in? Was this something Sam wanted or was this Sam’s way of getting Bray to back out before they did anything physical?
That made his position on the bed even more important. Should he lie on his stomach and display his ass? Not wanting Sam to think he’d passed out, Bray decided to stay on his back. Sam wouldn’t be able to miss how turned on his body was. The idea that Sam would walk out and see his hard dick was should have made Bray shy, but he was tingling with anticipation.
Sam came out a moment later. He stopped mid-stride when he saw Bray on the bed. Bray tightened his ass cheeks and squeezed his thighs together to try to alleviate some of the tension throbbing through his body. Sam’s broad chest was bare and he only wore his sleep pants.
His heavily muscled arms and chest bulged as he clenched his fists around what he held in his hands. His erection was trying to point north as the head peeked from the waistband of his pants.
Sam strode forward again. He threw lube and a couple of rubbers onto the bed, but he didn’t climb on. Rather than cover himself, Bray was surprised at his desire to arch up and make sure Sam’s attention stayed on his cock. Sam paced around the bed. When he got to the other side, he slowly walked back, but he didn’t say a word.
Normally Bray would think he’d done something wrong. He suspected Sam was still trying to make him retreat first. Rather than cover himself, Bray reached for his aching dick.
“Did I say you could touch yourself?”
The harshness of Sam’s tone had Bray’s gaze clashing with his.
“That’s mine to do with as I will. Keep your hands at your side, B.”
Bray smiled at his use of the nickname. The idea of Sam calling him something no one else did made his chest ache a little. Bray did as he was told.
“It’s all yours,” Bray said. “Hop on.”
He sent Sam what he hoped was a cheeky grin. Sam didn’t smile back. Something flashed over Sam’s face, but Bray didn’t know what emotion it was. He would have called it pain, but that couldn’t be right. Sam looked a little haunted for a moment before giving his head a slight shake and meeting Bray’s eyes once again.
“If anyone’s ass is getting fucked, it’s yours.”
“I’ll take it any way I can get it.”
Sam looked at him for a long time. Bray didn’t know what he was searching for until it dawned on him that Sam might think he was lying about being vers. Bray gave him a nod of confirmation. Sam seemed to relax as he walked around to the end of the bed. He licked his lips as he assessed Bray’s body.
“Show me,” Sam said.
For a full minute, Bray just lay there, not knowing what Sam meant.
“Show me,” he said again.
Bray swallowed when he realized what Sam was asking. He avoided being watched, avoided making himself so vulnerable. But he wanted Sam and he loved the way Sam looked at him. He slowly bent his knees and pulled them up toward his chest, exposing himself to Sam’s gaze.
“You know exactly how gorgeous you are, don’t you?”
Bray shook his head.
“Yes, you do. You’ve been teasing me with this ass all day. I’ve never seen such perfection.”
Bray didn’t demur like he might have with anyone else. He simply kept his eyes on Sam’s face. But Sam’s gaze was glued to Bray’s opening. His hole quivered and Sam groaned in response.
Sam leaned forward for a closer look. When Bray felt a rough fingertip graze over his puckered flesh, he fluttered his eyes at the sensation. He struggled to keep them open so he could watch. Sam’s nostrils flared. His eyes never left that spot between Bray’s legs, even as he spoke.
“Pink and sweet. That’s you, isn’t it, B?”
“Not so sweet,” he replied as he tried to spread his ass cheeks farther apart.
“Bullshit. You’re sweeter than honey. Probably deserve someone better, someone who isn’t as twisted as me, but here you are spreading yourself out for me. Red means stop, yellow means slow down, green means go.” There was a pause before Sam added, “Unless you want to pick a specific safeword this time we play.”
“Green,” Bray whispered.
Sam flicked his finger back and forth, back and forth over the sensitized flesh. Bray tried to push himself harder against Sam’s finger, but his position didn’t give him much leverage.
After plucking up the bottle of lube, Sam fell to his knees between Bray’s feet. The move had Bray struggling not to close his legs. This position was more intimate than Bray had ever been with another man. No one had ever…
Bray moaned as he felt the heat of Sam’s breath caressing the skin of his ass. A lubed finger began rubbing circles around the small opening, loosening him up. Bray tried to relax, but Sam’s face was right there.
He didn’t know if Sam intended to use his mouth. Bray found himself both hoping for and dreading the feel of Sam’s tongue on him. It was such a personal experience, something one did with a lover they were extremely familiar with. Yet here they were, pretend lovers, and Sam had his face in Bray’s crack.
“I can hear your brain whirring from here,” Sam said. “Relax.”
Bray stiffened. If Sam had told him how pretty he was again, he probably could have relaxed, but calling attention to his nerves only made him more anxious.
“We’ve never done this before,” Bray said.
It was true, and yet it worked with the roles they were playing for their audience. Bray waited for a response, but nothing came. He wasn’t going to be the one to call a stop to this, so he continued to wait.
Finally he received his answer in the form of a wet tongue gliding all the way up his crease. When it rasped over his opening, Bray cried out. He knew some guys liked this, but he’d never imagi
ned it would be that good.
“Holy fucking shit.”
Bray arched his back, his dick beginning to throb. He wanted so badly to let go of one leg so he could jerk himself off. Why did the wet rasp feel a million times better than the pad of a finger?
As Sam’s tongue circled him, poked at him, Bray heard a needy whimper. It took him a moment to realize that the sounds were coming from him.
When Sam’s stiffened tongue finally breached him, Bray had to reach farther under his leg and tug at his balls to stop himself from coming. Before he could even take a breath, Sam was on him. They were nose to nose as Sam scolded him.
“I said that dick was mine.”
“I didn’t touch my dick. I touched my balls.”
“Your whole body is mine. Isn’t that right, B?”
Bray couldn’t get his mouth to work in order to respond.
“I decide how to use this body,” Sam said.
Bray was writhing around, trying to get some relief. The move brought their cocks together. The little bit of friction and pressure had them both groaning. Bray watched as Sam’s eyelids fluttered. There could be no doubt that he was as turned on as Bray. He could feel the evidence not only pressing against him but leaking on the underside of his erection.
“What color, B?” Sam asked as he reached for a rubber.
Bray had to give his head a shake to get his brain to kick in enough for him to process what Sam was saying.
“What color?” He asked again.
“Green. Green. Fuck me, Sam.”
Bray felt a surge of humiliation at the whine in his voice, but he didn’t change his color. In fact, he tried to pull his legs wider apart to give Sam more room to maneuver. They hadn’t even really kissed, and here he was, spread-eagle and begging.
The tear of foil echoed in the room. Sam rolled the rubber down his length—his large and very girthy length. He was easily bigger than anyone Bray had ever had inside him, not that there had been that many.
Sam covered the condom in lube and suddenly Bray felt a pressure against his opening. He tried to relax and bear down, but Sam was big, really big.