TableofContents

WhatHeNeeds
DEDICATION
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
Epilogue

WhatHeNeeds

DesiresBookOne

By

E.M.Denning

DEDICATION

ForShaw

ChapterOne

Craig

H

eshouldn’tbenervous.He’ddoneitbefore.He’dwalkedintoclubsbeforeandnever

feltthesickeningswirlofhisstomachasitscontentspreparedforlaunch.Craig

swallowed,thenpoppedanotherantacidintohismouthandcheweditup.

Hecoulddothis.Heneededtodothis.Henormallyhatedtheclubatmosphere,but

ithadpleasedTimtotakehimplacesandshowhimoff,andifhehopedtomoveonhe

neededthis.HehadneededtogetoverTim.Heneededsomeonewhowouldgivehimthe

thingsTimgavehimandtherewasonlyonekindofplacewhereyouwereguaranteedto

meetthekindofpersonCraigneededtomeet.Tailshadareputationasapopularkink

club.Timhadnevertakenhimtothisclub,andCraighopedthathe’dbeabletogoin

there.He’dtriedtovisitadifferentclubafewweeksago,butcouldn’tmakeitpastthe

bouncer.

Itwasaplacehe’dfrequentedwithTimandthebouncerrecognizedhimonsight.

Helookedathimwiththosebig,sympatheticbrowneyesandCraig’sinsidesliquefied.He

quicklylosthisnerveandhurriedbackthewayhecame.Everyoneunderstoodwhat

happenedtohim,well,everyoneinthatcircleknew.Itwaswhyhehadn’ttalkedtoanyof

hisformerkinkfriendssinceTimlefthim.Maybeifhedid,hecouldatleastfigureout

whathedidtodriveTimaway.Perhapshecouldfindoutwhyhecamehomefromwork

onedaytofindallofTim’sstuffgone.

Craigcursedhimselfandwipedawayanerranttear.Heneededsomeonetoget

himoutofhisheadbeforehelosthismindcompletely.Timhadbeenperfectforhim.

Roommatesatfirst,thenfriends,thenlovers.Onefatefulnighttheystumbledinto

somethingmore;somethingthattookeverythingtheyhadtogetherandmadeitallthat

muchbetterandmorepowerfulandmeaningful.OrsoCraigthought.

Theyspentayeartogetherexploringthelifestyle.Bothnewbies,theymuddled

throughalittleontheirownbeforeTiminsistedtheyjoinaclubanddoitright.

Everythingseemedperfect.TimwasagoodDom.Sure,hemadeafewnewbiemistakes,

butCraigmadesomemistakesasafirsttimesub.Despitethetimestheystumbled,

discoveringhisneedforsubmissionhadtobethebestthingthateverhappenedtoCraig.

EvenwhenTimwantedthingsthatCraigdidn’tfeelcomfortablewith,hestillrelished

belongingtohim.Craigfiguredthateventhoughtheywereoutofsynctobeginwiththat

overtimethey’dgetbetteratthewholeDom/subdynamicoftheirrelationship.

ThenTimleft.

Now,eighteenmonthslater,Craig’slifewasawasteland,andhehadtiredofit.

Tiredofbeingtired.Tiredofbeingangryandmiserableandfeelinglikeatotalfailure.He

neededtogetoutofhishead.Heneededtobreakthesickcycleofthinkingthathadhim

awakemostnights.

Craigsteppedoutofthecabafewblocksfromtheclubandwalkedtherestofthe

way.Hekepthisheaddownandstuffedhishandsinhispocketsandreturnedtotheclub

he’dvisitedafewdaysagotosetupamembership.

Mostplacesusedthesamebasicsetup,goinonedoor,signinwhilethey

remindedyouofthebasicrules,gaveyouacolor-codedclubstandardBDSMwristband

indicatingDomorasub,availableorunavailable.Thenyougottoentertheworldofkink

unfettered.

Craighatedplaceslikethese,buttheywerebetterthanmeetingsomeoneona

randomapp.Hedidn’tliketheideaofmeetingacompletestrangerwholikedtotiepeople

up.Atleasttheclubprovidedacontrolledenvironmentwithpeopleemployedtokeep

theirpatronssafe.

Itwaslittlecomfort.

Craigorderedajuicefromthebarandlookedaround.He’dalreadybeenhere

once,forafewminutes,butduringthedaywhentheplacewasempty.Nowitcrawled

withleathercoveredstudsofallvarieties.Craigrakedhiseyesoverthecrowdandtooka

deepbreath.Inaminutehe’dgetupthecouragetothrowhimselfintothefray.Hedrank

hisjuicefirst,sippeditslowlyuntilheemptiedtheglass.Whenhe’dreturnedtheglass,he

tookadeepbreath.Inanotherminutehe’dslipintohissubmindsetandmaybethenahot

DomwouldapproachhimandmakehimsoarandforgetaboutTim.

Tim,whoseeyesmethis.

Tim,whohehadn’tseenineighteenmonthsstoodtenfeetfromhim.Helookedat

Craigwithwideeyesandaslackjaw.SomeonenexttoTimputahandonhisshoulder

andleanedin.That’swhenCraignoticedthethick,blackcollararoundTim’sneck.

TimhadaDom.

Timwasasub.

BeforeCraigcouldwraphismindaroundTimbeingasub,oraswitch,orthere,

tenfeetfromhim,Timmovedcloser.Craigstoodstockstilllikeacorneredrabbit,too

afraidtomove.

ThejuiceinCraig’sstomachchurned.Hedidn’tunderstandanythinganymore.

He’davoidedalltheclubsTimusedtodraghimtoforthisexactreason.Itwasn’tfair.

Timlefthimandnow,theonetimehe’dgatheredthecouragetoenteraclub,Timnotonly

turnedup,butasafuckingsub.Acollaredsubwithamammoth-sizedDom.

Onlyafewfeetfromhim,Timstopped.Hismaster’shandlayonhisshoulderand

Craig’sfisttightened.ThefactthatTimhadamasterenragedhimasmuchasitconfused

him.

“Craig.It’sgoodtoseeyou.Howareyou?”Timsmiled,butCraigknewhimwell

enoughtoknowthatitwasfake,asfakeastherestofhim.BetrayalfuelledCraig’sanger.

Hewantedtobeanywherebuthere.

“Gofuckyourself.”Craigturnedtoleave,butahandonhisshoulderstoppedhim.

“You’reanastylittlesub,aren’tyou?That’smyboyyousworeatandIexpectyou

toapologize.”

CraigspunaroundandknockedtheDom’shandoffhisshoulder.“Don’ttouchme.

I’lltalktohimhoweverIwant.Imaybeasub,butI’mnotyoursub.”

Timdidn’tsayanything.HestoodthereandlethismastergrabatCraigandbarkat

himtoapologizeandhestoodthereandwatchedwithcompletedisinterest.AsifCraig

nevermatteredtohimatall.

CraigglaredatTimasangrytearssprangtohiseyes.Hedidn’tcareifTimsaw

himcry,itwouldn’tbethefirsttime.“You’reapieceofcowardlyshit.”

“Itoldyounottotalktomyboylikethat.”

CraigflinchedattheDom’svoice.Powerfulandcommanding,thetonewasalso

edgedwithabitofanger.Craigtookastepback.“Screwyou.”Heknewheshouldn’tget

somouthywithaDom,buthishearthammeredashisvisionblurred.Atthesametime,he

couldn’tcatchhisbreath.Worse,hisbraindidn’tappeartobeincontrolofhismouth

anymoreandheheardhimselfyell.“Screwyouandscrewhimtoo.”Craigturnedtoleave,

buttheDomcaughthisarm.

Beforehecouldwonderwhatwouldhappennext,anothermancameoverand

pulledtheDom’shandoffCraig’sarm.

“What’sthetroubleoverhere?”HehadtobeaDom.Notastalloraswideas

Tim’sgiantofaman,heoozedacertainpresenceandhadtobeimportantbecausethe

angryDomsuddenlycurbedhisattitude.

“Thislittlesubhereseemstohaveaproblemwithmyboy.Theyexchangedwords

andIwanthimtoapologize.”

“Fuckyou,youshit.”Craig’svoicecracked.“Andfuckhimtoo.”Craigpanted,

andfreshtearsstreameddownhischeeks.TheotherDomappearedtobetryingtospinit

tomakehimlooklikethebadguy,andhemightbe,butallhewantedtodowasleave.

Theguyshould’velethimgo.

Ahandtouchedhisshoulder.“Kneeldown,boy.”

Craigdroppedtohiskneeswithoutgivingitathought.Hedidn’tdaredisobeythat

voice.Thatdeep,smoothbaritonethatdidn’tbarkathimtoobeyasthefirstDomhad

done,butcommandedobediencenonetheless.

TheDomputahandonCraig’sheadandsmoothedhisfingersthroughhisshort

brownhair.“Breathe,boy.Justbreathe.”

Craignolongerobeyedoninstinctalone.Hefoundhimselfwantingtopleasethe

manwhocametohisrescue.

“What’sgoingonhere?”

CraigheardtheDomstarttoanswer,buthegotcutoffbythesecondDom.“Iwant

tohearitfromyourboy.Whatdidyousaytohimtoupsethim?”

“Nothing,Sir.”Timalmoststammered.

“Nothing?”CraigheardthetotaldisbeliefintheDom’svoice.“Didn’tlooklike

nothing.”TheDomstrokedhisfingersthroughCraig’shairandCraigtookanotherdeep

breath,onethatsomehowhelpedreleasethepressureonhislungs.“Oneminutetheboyis

atthebar,thenyoucomesaunteringoverandhegoestenshadeswhiterandIwantto

knowwhy.”

“Iwasonlysayinghello.”Timmumbled,andCraigstiffened.Hewantedtogetto

hisfeetandpunchhimintheface.Orgrabhimanddemandanswers.Orrunaway.Then

thegentlefingerscontinuedstrokinghisscalp;heunderstoodthesilentcommandand

forcedhimselftorelax.

“Ithinkitwasmorethanthat.”Atensesilencefollowed,andpartofCraigwanted

tolifthisheadsohecouldseewhatwasgoingon,buthekepthisheadbowedandhis

eyeslowered.HeknewthatifhelookedatTim,he’dloseitalloveragain.“I’mgoingto

insistthatyouleavethissubalonefromnowon.”

“But…”

“Donotarguewithme,boy.”WhenthesecondDomspoketoTiminthattone,

Craig’sbloodheatedwitharousal.“Theboyisobviouslydistressedandwhateverthe

reason,you’rethecause.Donotapproachhimagain.Getyourboyoutofhere,Paul,he’s

pissingmeoffandsoareyou.Ibetternothearsomuchasawhisperthatyou’vetalkedto,

lookedatorapproachedthisboyinanymanner.Doyougetme?”

Silence.

“Comeon,boy.Timetoplay.”

Craigliftedhisgazeenoughtowatchtwosetsoffeetturnandleave.Thenhe

buriedhisfaceinhishands.

Thehandthathadbeenplayingwithhishairsmootheddownhisback.“Youokay,

boy?”

Craigcouldn’trespond.Histhroatsqueezedshutwithdespair.Heshookhishead

instead.

“It’sokay.I’lltakecareofyou.”Craigdidn’tprotestastheDompulledCraigto

hisfeet.Shameburnedthroughhimandhebowedhisheadtohidehistearstainedface.

Hecouldn’tbelievethathelostitinfrontofeveryone.Craigmeltedintothewarmth

offeredbytheDom’sarmwhenitslidaroundhiswaist.Hefoundhimselfbeingledinto

thebackthroughanareathatwasmarkedemployeesonly.Thenoiseintheclubfadeda

bit,thenallbutdisappearedwhentheDomkickedadoorshutbehindthem.

TheDomtookaseatonanoversizedsofaandpulledCraigdownnexttohim.He

slippedhisfingersthroughCraig’shairandcradledhimagainsthischest.Despitehis

effortstocomposehimself,Craigbrokedown.HeclutchedtheDomandletthetears

come.HewhisperedsoothingwordstoCraigandwhenhissobssoftened,andhis

breathingevenedout,hedidn’tdisobeythesweetDomwhenhegavehimonemore

command.

“Sleep,boy.I’vegotyou.”

ChapterTwo

Alan

A

lanclockedtheboytheminutehe’dsetfootintheclub.Helookednotonlyshyand

unsure,buthalfterrified,andthatwasbeforePaulandTimapproachedhim.Thenthekid

wentwhiteasasheet.Alandidn’tknowexactlywhathappened,buttheminutetheboy

knockedPaul’shandoffhisshoulder,heknewhe’dhavetostepin.

Bythetimehe’ddislodgedhimselffromanotherover-eagersublookingtogethim

backintothescene,andmadehiswayovertothetrio,thekidwasalreadyfallingto

pieces.Hehadtoadmirehimthough;hethoughtasherakedhisfingersthroughtheboy’s

shorthair.He’dbeentotallyunwillingtotakeshitfromPaul.Hecouldstillhearthe

venominthewordshe’dhurledatthepair.Whateverhadgoneonbetweenthem,itstarted

longbeforetonight.

Alanleanedbackandkepttheboycradledagainsthischest.Whoeverhewas,this

boywasexhausted,probablylostandwounded,probablybyPaul’ssub.Therehadtobea

historythere,butforthelifeofhimhecouldn’tfigureoutwhat.PaulandTimfirst

appearedseparatelyabouttwoyearsago.Theydidafewscenestogether,thenthey

enteredintoatrialcontract.TheDomcollaredTimeighteenmonthsago.Wherethekid

cameintothepicture,hehadnoidea.

Whereverhefitin,andwhoeverhewas,Alanintendedtofindout.Asweet

lookingboy,withlongeyelashes,paleskin,andbrownhair.Thesubhadatightbody,not

tootall,greatass.Alanwantedtoknowhisname.Hewantedtomakehimsmile,andbeg,

andletgoofthehurtthatweighedhimdown.

Alanfelttheboystirinhisarms.Helookeddownattheboywholookedupathim

withsleepy,red-rimmedeyes.Theywereasbrownashishairandfilledwithinfiniteand

equalamountsofangerandsadness.

“Howareyoufeeling,boy?”

TheboymadenomovetodislodgehimselffromAlan’sarms,sohecardedhis

fingersthroughtheboy’shairagain.

“I’malittlebetter,Sir.”

God,thatwordwasmusiconthatkid’slips.ComparedtoAlanhewasakid.He

couldn’tbemorethantwenty-five.Alanhadreachedthirty-fiveandwascareeninghead

first,fullspeedaheadtowardforty.

“What’syourname,boy?”

“Craig,Sir.”

Alantookadeepbreath.Hehadtoplaythisjustright.“MynameisAlan.Didyou

drivehere,Craig?”

“No,Sir.Itookacab.”

“Areyouhungry?”

Theboychewedonhislowerlipforaminute.“Alittle,Sir.”

“Okay,thenhere’swhatwe’regoingtodo.I’mgoingtosendsomeoneforyour

coatandwe’regoingtoslipoutthebackandheaddownthestreettomyfriend’s

restaurant.Whenwegetthere,we’lleat,andwhenyou’reready,you’regoingtotellme

whathappenedoutthere.”AlanfeltCraigstiffen.“I’msorry,butIreallymustinsist.If

there’saprobleminmyclub,orwithoneofmymembers,Ineedtoknow.It’smy

responsibilitytokeepeveryonesafe.Doyouunderstand?”

Alanforcedhimselftoremaincalmdespitehishearthammeringagainsthisribs

andhisstomachdoingloop-the-loops.Hefearedthatanysecondthespellthistoo-

beautiful-to-be-trueboywasunderwouldbreakandCraigwouldscrambleoutofhis

arms.

ThenthekidnoddedandifAlanweren’tdesperatelystrainingtohearanystray

syllablethatslippedoutofCraig’slips,hemighthavemissedtheveryquiet,Yes,Sir.

“Goodboy.”Alandidn’tmissthesparkofsatisfactioninCraig’seyesatthose

words.HedraggedhisthumboverCraig’scheek.Hiscocktookaninterestalongtime

ago,butitwashiswholebodythattwitchedwhenCraigleanedintohistouch.Hewethis

lips.“I’mgoingtohavetomoveyouforaminute,boy.I’mgoingtocallforyourjacket

andthenwe’llgo,okay?”

“Yes,Sir.”

Craigdidn’tmove.HeseemedcontentinAlan’sarmsashewaited.With

reluctance,AlanletgoofCraig.Buthesmoothedahandthroughtheboy’shairbefore

standing.Hewonderedwhyhecouldn’tseemtostoptouchinghim.Sure,hewas

beautiful,butAlanhadbeenaroundalongtime.He’dseenplentyofbeautifulsubs

before.SubsfarnicerlookingthanCraigwholookedabittoopaleandfartootiredforhis

liking.

AlanshotaquicktexttohisdoormanandrequestedhimtofindCraig’sjacketand

bringittotheback.

ThejacketarrivedamomentlaterandCraigslidintoit.Unlikealotofsubs,Craig

hadshownupfullydressed.ThatalonebroughthimtoAlan’sattention.Inaseaofleather

andskin,abeautifulyoungmaninashinyblackshirtstoodout.Anditaddedtothe

mystery.NotonlywasAlandesperatetoknowwhoCraigwasandhowheknewTimand

Paul,buthewantedtofindoutwhatlayundertheshirt.Alanwantedtounderstandwhat

causedthehurthesawinhiseyesandtheexhaustionthatseepedoutofhim.

“Thisway,boy.”Alanknewheshouldstopcallinghimthat,buthe’dbeenso

angrywhenPaulputhishandsontheboythathisinnerDomhadkickedintohighgear

andhecouldbarelykeepthevoiceinhisheadatbaythatwantedtochantmineminemine

minemine.

“Noonewillseeus,right,Sir?”

AlanputhishandonCraig’sshoulder.“That’sright.Iftheyarestillaround,they

won’tbebackhere.”AlansmiledwhenCraigrelaxedalittleandlethimselfbeledoutof

thebuildingandaroundthecorneruntiltheywerebackontothestillbusystreet.

HetookCraigtoTheDragon’sDenandwithanodtothehostess,theygotseated

immediately.Alan’sfriendkeptatablereservedforhimatalltimes.HeandStevewentall

thewaybacktohighschool,anditworkedoutnicelynow.Alanalwayshadareservation

atoneofthehottestrestaurantsinthecity,andStevedidn’thavetopayforhis

membershipatAlan’sclub.

Themanhimselfappearedamomentlater.HeflickedhisgazetoCraig,whohad

strippedoutofhisjacket,andAlanshookhishead.Theyhadasilentconversationtheway

onlythebestoffriendscan.

Heyours?

No,butdon’ttouch.

Gotit.

“Longtimenosee.”Stevebeamed.HeignoredCraigasperAlan’ssilentwarning

andpulledhisfriendintoahug.“You’reluckyyougotdibs,he’shot.”Hewhisperedin

Alan’sear.

“I’llexplainlater,”Alanwhisperedback.Hepulledoutofthehugandsankinto

thechairoppositeCraig.“Canwegettwoicewatersandacoupleofbacondouble

cheeseburgers.”Therestaurantdidn’tevenserveburgers,butSteveinsistedtheymade

themspecialforAlan.

“Comingrightup.”Steveturnedandvanished.HewasgoodatgaugingAlan’s

moodsandSteveguessedthatAlanwantedtobealonewithCraig.

“So,Craig,whatdoyoudoforaliving?”

“I’maconciergeatahoteldowntown,Sir.”

“We’renotattheclubanymore,Craig.YoucancallmeAlan.”

Craignodded,andAlanwatchedashesatabittallerandreachedforhiswater

afteritarrived.Someoftheresidualtensionbegantoleave,butnotthemelancholyinhis

eyeswhichheldfirm.AlanfoundhimselfdesperatetodiscoverwhatCraiglookedlike

whenhesmiled.

“Howlonghaveyoubeenatthehotel?”

“Tenyears.”

Alanfurrowedhisbrow.“Tenyears?Howoldareyou?”

ThecornerofCraig’slipturnedup,itwasn’tevenasmirk,butitwastheclosest

thingAlanhadseentoasmile,toanysortofamusementorhappyemotionsincehefirst

laideyesonhim.“I’mtwenty-three,butmyuncleownsthehotelandIstartedyoung.”

“Why?”

Craigshrugged.“Itwassomethingtodo,tobehonest.MyMomdiedandmy

uncletookmein.IneededsomethingtokeepmebusyduringthesummerbecauseifI

stoppedtothinktoomuch…”Craigtookalongdrinkofhiswater.“Istartedinthe

laundryroomandworkedmywayupfromthere.So,Alan,whatdoyoudoattheclub?

I’massumingyouworkthere.”

Alanforcedasmile.“It’smine.”

Craigstoppedmoving.Heblinkedandpaledalittle,notthatAlanwould’ve

thoughtthatpossible.“Yours?”

“Mine.”Likeyou,Alanwantedtoadd,butdidn’t.Hewantedthisboy.Wantedhim

witheverypartofhisbody,everybitofhissoulfeltattractedtoCraig.Alantookadeep

breathandoptedforfulldisclosure.IfCraigwasgoingtoopenuptohim,Alanwould

havetotakethatfirststep.“Ipurchaseditwithmypartnertwelveyearsago.Whenwe

splitup,IboughthimoutandnowIrunitalone.”Alone.Alanhatedthatword.Helived

alone.Rantheclubalone.Atealone.Sure,hehadfriendsandheusedtodotheoddscene

withasubnowandthen,butahandfulofscatteredsceneswouldneverfulfilAlan.Infact,

hislastscenehadendedearly.He’dhadagorgeouslittlesubtiedtoacross,butwhenit

cametimetopickuptheflogger,Alancouldn’t.He’dfeltcompletelyunaffectedbythe

subanditstirredanemptinessinsidehimhestillhadn’tbeenabletoshake.Thatwas

monthsago,andAlanhadyettotryanotherscene.

Thecheeseburgersarrived,andtheconversationhaltedasCraigeyedhisburger.

“Thislooksamazing.”

AlanwatchedasCraigliftedtheburgertohismouthandtookabite.ThenCraig

fuckingmoanedandAlan’salreadyinterestedcocktwitched.Heshiftedanddidhisbestto

ignorehisdiscomfort.

Theyatetheirburgersinsilence,exceptfortheoccasionalmoanfromCraig.If

Alandidn’tknowanybetter,he’dhaveswornthekidwasdoingitonpurpose.Theidea

thathemightbepleasedAlantonoend.

Alanwaiteduntiltheywerebothpickingattheirfriestobringupthesubjectof

PaulandTim.

“So,Craig,doyoucaretoexplainwhathappenedbackthereintheclub?”Alan’s

heartsankashewatchedCraigshrinkintohimself.Hisshouldersrolledforward,andhis

gazedroppedtothefloor.Hestartedtoreachforafry,butthenpulledatremblinghand

backandtuckeditdownintohislapandoutofsight.

“Notreally.”

“Wouldithelpifweweresomewheremoreprivate,boy?”Alantackedthe

endearmentontotheendofhisquestionsoCraigwouldknowthisconversationwasn’tan

option.TheonlychoiceCraighadwaswherehefeltcomfortablehavingit.

“Yes,Sir.”

“I’dsuggesttheclub,buttheretendtobeinterruptions.Woulditbeokaywithyou

ifwewentbacktomyplace?”

Craig’seyesliftedandmetAlan’sandforaflashofasecondtheydidn’tlookquite

asmelancholy.

“Yes,Sir.”

ChapterThree

Craig

W

henCraigsetfootintheclubearlierheneverimaginedrunningintoTimoranything

thathappenedafterward.Butifhisnot-so-awesomerun-inwithhisexgothimtowherehe

stood,insideAlan’samazinghouse,healmostcouldn’tcomplain.

Hishearthadn’tstoppedjack-hammeringsinceAlanhadleanedforwardalittlein

hisseatattherestaurant.WhenCraigheardthewords,myplacecomeoutoftheman’s

mouth,henearlywhimpered.Alanwasgorgeous.AfewinchestallerthanCraig’sfive

footeleven,comparedtoCraig’sslenderform,Alanwasbroad.ButwhatCraiglikedthe

bestwereAlan’sblueeyes.HelikedthecrowsfeetthatappearedatthecornerswhenAlan

smiled.Whenhe’dbeencurledupwithhimattheclub,hewantedtoreachupandrunhis

fingersthroughAlan’sdarkhairtoseeifitwasassoftasitlooked.

Alan’sfingersskimmedoverCraig’sshouldersashegentlystrippedhimoutofhis

jacket.CraigturnedhisheadandglancedatAlanoverhisshoulder.

“Let’sskipthegrandtourfornowandgetrighttoit.”

Craig’sbreathhitched,andAlangrinnedathim.

“Coffee?Tea?Soda?I’mafraidIdon’tdrink,andIdon’toftenhavecompany,soI

don’thaveanyboozeonhand.”

“Teawouldbefine,thankyou,Sir.”CraigturnedhisheadsoAlancouldn’tseehis

faceanymore.AlanseemedtolikeitwhenCraigcalledhimSir,butthenagain,whatDom

didn’tlikeit?WhenAlantoldCraigtousehisname,hethoughtitmightbestrange,butit

rolledoffhistongueanditmadehisinsidesshiverinafunnydelicioussortofway.Craig

hadthefeelingthatonlycertainpeopleinAlan’slifegottousehisnameandhefeltmore

thanalittlespecialatthethoughtthathemightbeoneofthosecertainpeople.Evenifit

wasonlyforonenight.

Craigtookaseatononeofthetallstoolsatthecounterandlookedaroundat

Alan’shome,whathecouldseeofitfromhislocation.Itwasastunninghome.Tall

ceilings,nicelydecorated,butnottoonicely.Itwasn’tascary,cold,cataloguetypeplace

thatmadeCraigafraidtotouchanything.Itwaswarmandinvitingandratherhomey,he

thought.

HewatchedAlanashepreparedatray.Firstwithacouplecups,thenwitha

creamerandasugarbowl.Finally,ateapot.Andwhenthewaterwasheated,Alan

droppedafewbagsintothepotandfilleditwiththehotwater.

“Followme,we’llhaveaseatintheden.”

HefollowedbehindAlanandwatchedhimwalk.Helovedthewayhemoved,so

gracefulandmethodical.CraigfoundhimselfadmiringthewayAlan’sassflexedinhis

blackslacks.HisfaceflushedwhenAlanbentoverandsetthetrayonacoffeetable.The

wayAlan’smusclescontractedwhenhebentremindedhimofhowgooditfelttobeinhis

arms.

AlanturnedhisheadandCraigfelthisblushdeepen.PartofhimhopedAlan

wouldpullhimintohislap.HelikedthewayAlan’sarmsfeltwhentheywrappedaround

him,butbeinginthesameroomasAlanwasahighinandofitself.Hefeltsafearound

him.

Afantasyofwhatitcouldbelike,tohaveeverythingheeverwanted,unfoldedina

splitsecond.HeimaginedAlantakingcareofhimthewayhe’dalwayswanted.Well,not

always,butdefinitelysincehestumbledacrossthatblog.Somethinginsidehimclicked

intoplacewhenhereadthepostswrittenbyHisDaddysGoodBoy889.Alanwascalm,but

strong,andhemadehimfeelsafe.HecouldbetheperfectDaddy.

CraigsnappedoutofhisdaydreamwhenAlanmotionedtothelargerecliner

oppositetotheonehesaton.“Please,sit.”

Craigallbutscurriedovertothechairandploppedintoit.Heclaspedhishandsin

hislaptostillthem.Hewasfidgetybynatureanditonlybecameworsewhenhegot

nervous,orexcited,orscared,or…okay,somaybehewasalwaysabitfidgety.

AlanpouredtwocupsofteaandCraigaddedasinglespoonofsugartohis.He

didn’tlikethingsthatweretoosweet.ThenherememberedthatAlandidn’tbringhim

hereforidlechitchatabouthisjobortheweather.Hewantedtoknowwhatwentoninthe

club—hisclub.Craigalmostsnorted,buthedidshakehishead.

“Youlookalmostamusedaboutsomething.Caretoshare,boy?”Alan’stonewas

gentleandwhileCraigknewthathewasaDomandhadalreadywitnessedascrapofhis

commandingDompersona,hedidn’tdoubtthatAlan’sgentlenaturewentallthewayto

hiscore.

“Ithoughtthatitwasabit…funny,ironicIguess…Idon’tlikeclubs.”

“Andyetyouwereinonetonight.”

Craigshrugged.“It’ssafertomeetsomeonewhocould…”heshruggedand

broughthisteatohislipstocutofftherestofhissentence.

“Whocouldwhat?”

Craiginhaledandfoughttheurgetoclosehiseyes.Thehardedgewasbackto

Alan’svoiceasheswitchedintofullonDommode.AndbedamnedifCraigdidn’twant

tokneelathisfeetandbegforanythingtheDomwaswillingtogivehim.Hetooka

breathandstareddownintohisteaasheanswered.“Whocouldtakecareofme,Sir.”

CraigwaitedandforamomenthethoughtforsureAlanwouldaskhimexactly

whatitwashewaslookingfor.ButAlantookadrinkofhisteaandleanedbackinhis

chair.

“HowdoyouknowPaulandTim?”

Craigflinchedandforcedhimselftotakeadeepbreath.“TimwasmyDom,Sir.”

Alan’seyebrowsroseupinshock,thencrasheddowninconfusion.“YourDom?

Hemustbeaswitchthen.Whathappenedwithyoutwo?”

“Truthfully.Idon’texactlyknow,Sir.”Craigtookasipofhistea,gratefulhehadit

toclingto,tokeephishandsbusy.Takingadrinkgavehimtimetopauseandcollecthis

thoughtswhiletryingtotampdownthemiserythatstillwantedtobubbleoutofhim.“I

camehomeayearandahalfagoandhewasgone.Allhisthings,itwasasifhewasnever

eventheretobeginwith.Hequithisjobandchangedhisnumber.Hejust…vanished.”

Craigtookasipofhisteaandwilledhimselfnottofallapartagain.Sobbingin

Alan’sarmsmorethanonceontheirfirstmeetingwasafewmilesbeyondtheborderof

totallypathetic.“Heleftanote,butitdidn’texplainmuch.Notreally.Iknewwewere

havingproblems,butIthoughtwe’dhavetimetoworkonthem.”Hetookadeepbreath,

anditshudderedoutofhim.“That’showIknowTim,Sir.IhavenoideawhoPaulis.”

“PaulishisDom.”

CraigraisedhisgazeandmetAlan’s.“Ithinkhehatesme,Sir.”

“You’relikelyright,butdon’ttakeitpersonally.Pauldoesn’tlikeanyonewhohas

alreadyhadwhatheowns.Tellme,boy,”Alansethismugdownthenleanedbackagain.

“Doyoumisshim?”

“Yesandno,Sir.”

Alan’smouthtwitched.“Well,thanksforclearingthatup.”

CraiglikedthisnewsideofAlan.Thegentleteasinghelpedtoeasesomeofhis

distress.“SometimesImisshim,usuallywhenIforgetthatIshouldn’tmisssomeonewho

thoughtsolittleofmethattheyabandonedmewithnowarningandleftonlyashittynote

toexplain.ThenIremembertobeangryathimandIdon’tmisshimasmuchwhenI’m

angryathim.”

“Whydidyoucometomyclubtonight?”

“Well,Icertainlywasn’tlookingforTim,Sir.”Craigscoffed.“TheoneclubIpick

becauseweneverwentthereandtherewouldn’tbememories,andhe’srightfucking

there.”Craigflinched.“Sorry,Sir.Ididn’tmeantoswear.”

Alanwaveditoff.“It’sokay,boy.I’dswear,too.Butyoustillhaven’tanswered

thequestion.Whydidyoucometotheclub?”

Craigshuthiseyes.Hefoundithelpedhimsaythethingshehadtroublesayingif

hecouldclosehiseyesandpretendthatmaybethewordsweren’tcomingoutofhis

mouth.Andifyoureyeswereclosed,youneverhadtoworryaboutseeingtheirreaction.

“I’vebeenaloneforalongtime,toolong.I’mreadytomoveon.Iwanted…Ihopedto

findsomeonetolookafterme,atleastforalittlewhile.”

“Soyouwenttomyclub,hopingtomeetaDomwhowouldtakeonelookatyour

tightlittlebodyandsnatchyouup.Youwerelookingforsomeonetomakeyoufeelgood

andforgetallaboutwhat’s-his-name?”

IttookCraighalfaminutetogetthewordstowhisperpasthislips.“Yes,Sir.”

“WhatifItoldyouthatnotonlycouldImakeyoufeelgood,butthatIcouldmake

youfly?”

Craig’sheadsnappedup,andhecaughttheDom’sheatedgaze.Hispalms

instantlygotdamp,andhesetthemugonthecoffeetableincasehestartedshaking.

“Sir?”

“Itwouldonlybetonight,soIwouldn’tbotherwithacontract.Idon’thave

anythingtooheavyinmind,butyoucouldtellmeyoursafewordanyway,forthesakeof

protocol.Idon’tmakeahabitofsleepingwithmysubs,soyoudon’tneedtoworryifI’m

cleanornot,wewon’tbegoingthatfar.”

“LetmeseeifIunderstandthis,Sir.Youwanttodoascenewithme,butnot

anythingtoointense,soyou’retossingouttheneedforacontract,becauseit’sonlyfor

tonight.You’renotgoingtofuckmeandI’massumingI’mnotgoingtofuckyouandyou

sayyoucanmakemefeelgood?”

Alannodded.

Forthefirsttimeinforever,Craigsmiled.“Soundsperfect,Sir.”

AlanrosetohisfeetandheldhishandouttoCraig.“Comewithme.”

“Yes,Sir.”

Alanledhimupthestairsandintoabedroom.HedoubtedthatitwasAlan’sroom,

itwasfurnishedwithaqueen-sizedbedandadresserandhadveryfewdecorationsand

absolutelynopersonaltouches.

“I’llberightback.WhileI’mgone,Iwantyoutoundress.Youcanfoldyour

clothesandstackthemonthedresser.Layfacedownonthebedwhenyou’redone.”

“Yes,Sir.”

TheminuteAlanwasgoneCraigwhippedhisshirtoff.Hefoldeditandplacedit

neatlyonthedresser.Hepausedforamomentandquestionedifheshouldbedoingthisor

not,butCraigimmediatelybrushedthethoughtaside.Theyweredoingsomethinglight,

somethingsolightthattheyhadn’tevenreallydiscussedCraig’slimits.Itsoundedweird,

butAlanownedaclub,hedoubtedhecould’veendedupwithasaferDom…oratleast

withaDomthatmadehimfeelassafeasAlandid.

BythetimeAlanreturned,Craiglaysprawledoutonthebed,facedown,as

instructed.HeheardAlanputsomethingsdownonthedresser,buthe’dhavetomoveto

seeexactlywhat,andhedidn’twanttomove.HewantedtopleaseAlan.

AlansatontheedgeofthebedandCraigdidwhimperthistimewhenAlanswept

hisfingersthroughhishair.

“Here’swhat’sgoingtohappen,boy.I’mgoingtoblindfoldyouandI’mgoingto

putearplugsinyourears.I’mgoingtotakeawaythosetwosensesandIwantyoutolie

thereandfeel.Youcanmakenoiseifyoumust,butyoucan’ttalkunlessyouaskmeto

stop.Ifyouneedmetostop,saysoandIwill.Isthatokay?”

“Yes,Sir.”

Alan’shandsweptdownCraig’sspineandhedidhisbesttolaystill,buthearched

upintoAlan’stouch,anyway.Ithadbeensolongsinceanothermanhadtouchedhimthat

hesuddenlyfoundhimselfknowingexactlywhathe’dbeenmissing,andhefeltstarved

formore.

“Liftyourheadalittle,that’sagoodboy.”

CraigliftedhisheadenoughforAlantogettheblindfoldinplace.“Isthattoo

tight?”

“No,Sir.”

“I’mgoingtoputtheplugsinyourearsnow.Theywon’thurt,they’resoftand

foamy.Okay,boy?”

“Yes,Sir.”

“Ipromise,whileyou’reblindfoldedandwithoutyourhearingthatIwillnotleave

thisroom.”

“Thankyou,Sir.”CraigexhaledandfoundhimselfrelievedthatAlanpromisednot

toleavehim.Itwasn’tlikehewasboundandunabletomove,buthewasunderAlan’s

controlandhelikedthereassurancethatAlanwouldn’tleavehim,evenforasecond.

AmomentlaterCraigwasfloatinginaseaofnothing.Hiseyeswereshut,but

evenifheopenedthemhe’dseenothingbutaninkydarkness.Hishearingwascompletely

gone,butheknewAlanwasstillthere,becausehe’dpromisednottoleave,andCraig

trustedhiminawaythatapersonprobablyshouldn’ttrustanalmoststranger.

ThefirstthinghefeltwasthebeddipasAlanclimbedon.Thenhestraddledhim.

Craig’sthighsweresandwichedbetweenAlan’s.Twowarmandslickhandsstrokedover

hisshouldersandCraigthoughthemightdieofshock.Alanwasgivinghimamassage.

Hetookadeepbreathandexhaledalittlemoreofhistensionandhecould’veswornthat

hefeltAlanlaugh.

CraigallbutmeltedintothemattressasAlan’spowerfulhandsmassagedhis

shoulders,thenfollowedthelengthofhisspine.HeworkedhiswaydownCraig’sback.

Hispowerfulhands,slickwithmassageoil,easedallthetensionoutofCraig.Hewasn’t

eventhinkinganymore.Hisbrainwasblissfullyblank.Theonlythoughtstakingup

residencetherewereofthehandsthatworkedagonizinglyclosertohisass.

ThenAlanshuffleddownthebedandthosegorgeoushandsdidtouchhisassand

thenthatbecametheonlythoughtinCraig’shead.Theotherman’spowerfulhandsdug

intothemusclesandCraigmoaned.Hedidn’tcareifhesoundedlikeashamelessslut,it

hadbeenagessinceanyonetouchedhimatallandnowthoseamazinghandstouched

Craigeverywhere.HiscockhadalsobeenpayingattentiontoAlan’shandsandfullyerect,

squashedintothemattress.Craigwantedtobuckhishipsandgiveintothedelicious

friction,buthedidn’thavepermission.Hedidn’twanttoriskdoinganythingtodisappoint

Alanandendthisgloriousmassage.

Alan’shandsleftCraig’sassandworkedtheirwaydownhislegsandCraig

doubtedthathecouldbuckhishipsevenifhetried.Hefeltbonelessandweightless,asif

hewasmadeofliquidallover—well,maybenotallover.Onepartofhimwasstillvery

stiffandsolid.ThenAlanrolledhimover,straddledhishipsandstartedmassaginghis

chestinwide,slow,circles.

Ohshit.CraigthoughtasAlan’sclothedcockalmostbrushedagainsthis.Hewas

sadthatAlandidn’tgrindhimselfintoCraig,becauseitwould’vesurelyfeltdelicious,but

hewasalsogladbecausehewassohardanddesperateandachingthatonestraytouch

wouldprobablysendhimflyingandhedidn’twanttocomelikeateenagerwithahair

trigger.

Alan’shandsworkedlowerandglidedupanddownhistorsonow.Halfdelirious

frompleasureandhalfcrazywithneed,Craigbegged.HebeggedandpleadedforAlanto

touchhim,tomakehimcome.Heneededit,neededAlan.Thenawarm,slickhand

wrappedaroundhiscockandCraig’sworldwentwhitewithecstasy.

ChapterFour

Alan

A

lanhadneverseenasightmorebeautifulthanCraig.Whenherolledtheboyoverand

startedmassaginghischesthewascompletelypliantunderhistouch.Alan’scockwas

rocksolidalmosttothepointofbeingpainful.Beingtrappedinhistrousersdidn’tmake

thingsanyeasier.FromthemomenthefirsttouchedCraigandtheboywhimperedand

thenrelaxed,Alanwantedhim.Hewantedhimrelaxed,andhappy,andbegging.Then

AlanrolledhimoverandCraig’sbreathingbecameshallowandneedy.Hisbeautifulcock

wasrocksolid,anditwasallhecoulddotoignoreit.Thiswasn’tsupposedtobeabout

that.Thiswassupposedtobeasimplemassage,somethingtorelaxCraigandhelphim

floatforawhileandhopefullyforgetaboutthatbastardTim.

ThenCraigwhimperedagain.

“Please,Sir.Please.Please.”Craig’svoicewasthickwithneedandhiseyebrows

startedtodrawtogether.Thepoorboywasachingforrelease.Alanranhishandsdown

Craig’storso.HelovedthewayCraig’smusclesseemedtochasehistouch.

“Please,Sir.Please.Ineed…Ineed…”

Alancouldn’tresist.Craigwastoobeautifullayingthere,shinyandslickwithoil.

Hisfaceaperfectcombinationofblissandneed,hisbodytaut,musclestwitching.

“Please,Sir.Touchme,please.Please,Sir.”

AlanwrappedhishandaroundCraig’scockandeventhenCraigmadenomoveto

chasemorefriction.Theboywastotallyandcompletelyimmersedinhissubmissionand

fuck,hewassoperfectAlancould’vecried.HestrokedhisoilslickhandupCraig’scock.

HelovedthewayCraig’slipspartedashepantedandmoaned.

AlantightenedhisgriponCraig’scockandstrokedupward.Headdedabitofa

twistandfinally,Craigfellapart,bitbybit.Hebitbackamoan,hishipsthrustupslightly,

thenheslammedthembackdownandforcedhimselfnottomove.Alanstrokedhim

again,andCraig’sheadtiltedback,hisbackarched,hishipsbuckedandspurtsofcum

splatteredhisbeautifulstomach.

Alanreachedfortheboxoftissueshe’dleftonthedresseranddutifullymopped

thecumoffCraig’sstomachandcock.Normallyhewould’vepreferredtousehistongue,

butAlandidn’twanttogotoofar.He’donlymetCraigrecentlyandhedidn’twanttodo

anythingtoscaretheboyorchasehimaway,andjudgingfromthewayhisbreathinghad

evenedout,Craigwasasleep.

Alancarefullygotupoffthebedandturnedthelightoff.Whenheclimbedback

ontothebedhepulledCraigintohisarmsandcarefullyremovedtheearplugsandthe

blindfold.God,itfeltgoodtohavesomeoneinhisarms.IthadbeensolongsinceAlan

gottotakecareofsomeonehealmostforgothowfantasticitfelt.ItamazedhimthatCraig

trustedhimasmuchashedid,buthe’dbealiarifhesaidhewasanythingbutthrilled.

Craigseemedtobecomingbacktoearthinincrements.ThenCraigturnedalittle

inhisarmsuntilhewastuckedinagainstAlan.HewrappedanarmaroundAlan’smiddle

andsnuggledintohimevenmore.

“Thankyou,Sir.”Hemumbledsleepily.

“Iguessthatmeansyouenjoyedyourself,boy?”

AlanlookeddownatCraig,whohadopenedhiseyesandAlanfoundhimself

wishinghewould’veleftthelightonsohecouldseehimbetter.Hewantedtolookinto

hiseyesandseeifhe’dmanagedtochaseawayevenafractionofthepainhe’dseenthere

earlier.Noonesoyoung,sobeautiful,andsosweetshouldwalkaroundwithsomuch

angeranddevastationintheireyes.

“Yes,Sir.”CraigclosedhiseyesandsnuggledintoAlan.“Thankyou,Sir.”

AlansmoothedhishandthroughCraig’shairandhenearlycameinhispantswhen

Craigletoutacontentsigh.God,thisboywasbeyondperfect.Sweetandsubmissiveand

sofuckingresponsive.AlanfoundhimselfiratethatTimhadtreatedthispreciousboyso

horribly.Thenhehatedhimselfforallowingevenalittlegratitudetopokeitswayin.Ifit

weren’tforTim,Craigwouldn’tbehere,cradledsleepilyagainstAlan’schest.

“Sir?”

“Whatisit,boy?”

Craigsaidsomething,buthewasclearlyembarrassedorunsureaboutit,because

eventhoughAlanhadbeenlistening,hewasn’tabletomakeoutwhathesaid.Heranhis

fingersdownCraig’scheekandtracedtheedgeofhisjaw.ThenhetiltedCraig’sfaceup

andlookeddownathim.

“You’llhavetospeakupalittle,boy.”

Craigkepthiseyesshut,buthemanagedtospeakalittlelouderthistime.“Can

I…canIstayheretonight,Sir?I’mnotreadytogohomeyet.Please,Sir.”

Craig’svoicecrackedonthewordpleaseandAlan’sheartdamnnearsplitinhalf

andbrokeforthesweetlittlesub.Inthenextmomentthough,Alangrinnedfromearto

ear.Heleaneddowntopressakisstotheboy’sforehead.“Ofcourse,youcanstay.I’ll

cleanyouupand…ifyou’dlike,youcansleepwithme.”

ThatmadeCraigopenhiseyes.“Withyou,Sir?”

“Yes,mysweetboy.Iwantyounexttometonight,butfirstIwanttoholdyoua

littlelonger.Isthatokay?”

CraigsmiledandtuckedhimselfdownonceagainsohisheadrestedonAlan’s

chest.“Yes,Sir.It’smorethanokay.”

AlanheldCraigforawhilelonger.HecardedhisfingersthroughCraig’shair.He

strokedhisarmandhisbackandanypartoftheboyhecouldcomfortablyreach.He

cataloguedallofCraig’slittlereactions.HisdelicatewhimperswhenAlantoucheda

sensitivespot.Thetinyflincheswhenhehappeneduponaparticularlyticklishpatchof

skin.

Alancurbedhisreluctanceanddecideditwastimetogetthemintothebath.

“Comeon.Bathtime,boy.”Alanknewheshouldswitchbacktocallinghim

Craig.Alanwasn’thisDom,Craigwasn’thissub,butbedamnedifhedidn’tliketheway

Craigrespondedtoit.

“Yes,Sir.”

AlanshiftedCraigoutofhisarmsandtoldhimselfthathedidn’tinstantlymissthe

feelingofthesmallermanpressedagainsthim.Heclimbedoffthebedandproduceda

robeforCraig.“Up,boy.Let’sgetyoutothetub.”

CraigrosetohisfeetandallowedAlantohelphimintotherobe.Alanhadtorein

inhisurgetograbCraig,wraphisarmsaroundhimandkisshimsenseless.Heneededto

knowifhislipswereassoftastheylooked.Hewonderedwhatkindofsoundstheboy

wouldmakewhenAlanslidhistongueintohismouth.Hewantedtoknowifhe’dlean

intothekiss,orturnintobeautifulsubmissiveputtyinAlan’shands.

CraigleaneddutifullyagainstthecounterandwatchedAlanashepouredthebath.

WhenAlanreachedforthetopbuttonofhisshirtCraigpushedoffthecounter.

“MayI,Sir?”

Alanforcedhimselfnottogrinlikeanidiot.“Youmay.”

Craigcameforward,stilldrapedinAlan’srobe.Itwasmuchtoobigforhim,but

Alanlikedhowhelookedinit.Thesleevesdrapeddowntohisfingertipsandtherobe

wenthalfwaydownhiscalves.Hisboylookedsosmallandsweetandpositivelyediblein

it.

Alantwitched.Hisboy.Hewantedtopretendthathedidn’tknowtheexact

momenthe’dbeguntothinkofthesweetsubashis,buthedid.Thatfirstcommand.Kneel

down,boy.CraigsanktohiskneesandAlanhadbrushedhisfingersthroughtheboy’shair

andwhenAlanfelthimsagwithrelief,he’dlatchedontotheboyandhefoundhimself

wantingtokeephim.Theconnectionhefeltwasinstantandelectric.

Alanwaitedpatientlywhilehisboyundideachofhisbuttons,thenhiscuffsand

slidtheshirtoffhisshoulders.HefoldeditneatlybeforereturningtostartonAlan’spants.

Hisboywassweet,methodical,andnotproperlytrained,Alannoted.Alanfoundthelack

ofexperienceendearing.Itwasthelittlethingshedid,likethewayhe’dsneaktoomany

glancesatAlan’sface,ratherthanalwayskeepinghiseyesdowncastuntilordered

otherwise.Helikedthathewasforwardenoughtoaskforthings,mostsubsAlanhad

comeacrossknewhisreputationasaDomandwouldneverbesoboldastoaskifthey

wereallowedtoundresshim.Buthisboywassweet,andhelikedhowcomfortablehe

waswithhim.

IthadsurprisedAlanalittletolearnthathedidn’tliketheclubscene.Andit

surprisedAlanevenfurtherwhenhefeltalittlesighofrelief.Itwassomethinghe’dhave

tothinkaboutlaterwhenhisboywasn’tgentlystrippinghimoutofhispants.

Whenhewasnaked,andhisclotheswereneatlyfoldedandstackedonthecounter,

Alanstrippedhisboyoutoftherobeandhelpedhimintothetub.Heclimbedinbehind

himandpulledCraigagainsthischest.Hecradledtheboyinhisarmsandshuthiseyes.

Hecouldgetusedtothis,hethought,tohavingCraigaround,tohavinghiminhisarms

andinhisbathandinhisbed.

AlansqueezedsomebodywashintohishandsandrubbeditintoCraig’ssmooth

skin.Ifhewerecleansinghimselfhe’dhaveusedacloth,buthewantedtofeelthesmooth

exposedskinunderhishands.Satisfiedthathe’dwashedalltheoiloff,heplacedan

impulsivekissonthetopofCraig’sshoulder.

“Okay,outweget.It’stimeforbed,boy.”

“Yes,Sir.”

Craigclimbedoutofthetub,andlikeagoodlittlesub,hehandedAlantwotowels.

Alantookoneandwrappeditaroundhiswaist.Hegrabbedtheotherandgentlydabbedit

alloverCraig’sbody.Withtheboydry,AlanwrappedthetowelaroundCraig’swaist

beforedryinghimselfoff.

“I’llgiveyousomethingtosleepin.Ihavesomeloungewear,it’llbealittlelarge

onyou.”Alanwasdesperatetofeeltheboy’sskinagainsthis.Hetookhimbythehand

andledhimintohisroomwherehegrabbedapairofloungepantsoutofthetopdrawer

andhandedthemtoCraig.

“Idon’tthinkIcouldcontainmyselfwiththatsweetlittlenakedasspressedup

againstmeallnight.Intothepantsyouget,boy.”Alangrinnedattheflushofpinkthat

sweptupCraig’schest,cheeksandeventintedthetopsofhisears.

“WhatifIdidn’twantyoutobeagentleman,Sir?”

Oh,fuck.Thislittlesubwasgoingtokillhim.Alanbitbackagroanandcupped

Craig’scheekinhishand.Hedidn’twanttheboytofeelbadovertherejection,becauseit

wasanythingbutthat.Itwastheopposite.Theboywasvulnerabletonightandhedidn’t

wanttotakeadvantage.SofarAlanfeltconfidentthathe’dstayedontherightsideofthis,

butpinningtheboydownandfuckinghimintothemattresswouldcrossthatline.He

simplydidn’twanttofuckthisup.“Tonightisn’taboutthat,boy.”

WhenCraig’seyesdroppeddowntolookatthefloor,Alantuggedhimintohis

armsandkissedthetopofhishead.“You’vebeensogood,andsosweet,butyou’vealso

hadareallylong,hardday,haven’tyou,boy?”

“Yes,Sir.”

“Tonight,I’mgoingtoholdyouandwe’regoingtogotosleep.InthemorningI’m

goingtomakeyouthebestcupofcoffeeyou’veeverhadandthenwe’regoingoutfor

breakfast.”Alanfurrowedhisbrow.“Unlessyouhavetoworktomorrow.Itisaweekday.”

“Iworkweekends,Sir,whenit’sbusier.IusuallygetTuesdayandWednesdayoff.”

“Good.Thenputthoseonandcrawlintobed.”

Alanslidintobedandturnedbackthecovers.HewatchedCraigslideintohis

pants.TheybothlaughedwhenthepantssliddownCraig’swaist.Theybarelyheldonto

hiships,onetinytugwouldleavetheminapuddleoffabricaroundhisankles.Craig

hikedthemupandheldthemwithonehandwhilehecrawledintobed.

AlanopenedhisarmsandCraigwentintothem.HepressedhisfaceintoAlan’s

chest.AlantuckedtheminandlethimselfindulgeintouchingCraigsomemore.He

smoothedhishandupanddownCraig’sbackandfelttheboyrelax.Hisbreathing

softenedandevenedoutandforamomentAlanthoughthewasalreadysleeping.

“Thankyouforeverything,Sir.”Hewhispered.

Alan’sarmstightenedaroundhisboyandhelayawakeforalongtime,holdinghis

boyinhisarmsandwonderingexactlywhathedidtodeservethissweetboy.Hehopedhe

couldkeephimformorethanonenight,becausenowAlanknewwhatitwasthathe’d

beenmissing.

Him.

This.

Someonewhoneededhimtodosomethingotherthanfloghimintosubspace.

Someonewhoneededcomfortandprotectionandreassurance.Craigneededsomeoneto

talktohim,tobesweettohimandtocomforthimandcuddlehim.Alanneededsomeone

whowouldletthemselvesbetakencareof.Someonewhowouldn’ttakeAlanforgranted,

orbebrattytotrytoekeapunishmentoutofhim.Alanwantedsomeonewhowantedto

submit,whorelishedit,nomatterwhatthatsubmissionledto.Mostofthesubshe’dcome

acrosswantedaspecifickindofdomination.Flogging.Caning.Humiliation.Ifhewas

right,Craigwantedsubmission,hewantedtoplease,nomatterwhatthatmeantatthe

time.

Alandidn’tfallasleepforalongtime.Ifhewasonlygoingtobegivenonenight

withthisbeautiful,perfect,sub,hewasgoingtoenjoyasmuchofitashecould.

ChapterFive

Craig

C

raigwokewiththesunonhisfaceandwithtwostrongarmstwinedaroundhim.He

snuggledclosertoAlanandbreatheddeep.Thankgodithadn’tbeenadream.IfCraighad

wokeinhisownapartment,aloneonemoretime,hemightnothavebelievedanyofit

happenedatall.ButhereinAlan’shouse,inhisbedandhisarmshecouldbreatheinthe

realityofitall.

AndtherealitywasthatCraigfoundmorelastnightthanheeverhopedfor.When

heenteredthatclub,heexpectedtostumbleonsomesortofgiantDomwho’dwanttotie

himupandfloghimormaybehe’dwanttoputhiminacockcageandshoveabuttplug

uphisassandparadehimaroundforawhilebeforehefuckedhimsenseless.

Whathefoundwassomuchmorethanthat.Kindandgentle,notonlydidAlan

cometoCraig’srescue,buthestayedwithhimafterwardandmadesurehewasokay.He

seemedtobegenuinelyinterestedintheeventsthatledtotheconfrontationintheclub,

andnotonlybecauseitwashisclub—somethingCraigwouldhavetospendsometime

wrappinghisheadaround.HegottheimpressionAlanwantedtoknowwhathappened

becausehecared.Whyhecared,Craigdidn’tknow,butwasgladhedid.

HecertainlyneverexpectedtheDomtoclimbontopofhimandmassagehiminto

subspace.ThenCraigrememberedthegriparoundhiscock,powerfulandfirmandnottoo

much,butnottoolight.IthadtakenonlyafewstrokesandCraigsoaredsohighsofast

thattheonlywaytorecoverwastoimmediatelyfallasleep.AndwakingupinAlan’sarms

thefirsttimehadfeltalmostasgoodas—andmaybeevenbetterthan—hisorgasm.

Craig’sstomachclenched.andhesqueezedhiseyesshut.Alantookcareofhim

lastnightinawaythatnooneeverhadbefore.Wasthiswhatitwasliketobelongto

someone?WasthiswhatitfeltliketohaveaDaddy?Craigexhaledadeepbreathand

triednottodwellonit.Itwasonlyapipedream.

“Icanhearyouthinking.”Alanmumbled.Hisvoicethickwithsleepwassexyas

fuck.Craig’scock,whichwasalreadyawake,twitchedwithrenewedinterest.Hegavehis

assalittlewiggleandlaughedwhenAlanputhishandonhishipandforcedhimtostay

still.

“Istodaynotaboutthateither?”Craigquipped.Hewantedtosoundpoutyand

indignant,buthecouldn’tkeepthejoyandtheblissoutofhisvoice.Itwasonlythenthat

herealizedthathe’dcomeawakewithasmileonhisface…andthatheactuallysleptall

nightlong.Nightswereusuallyspentrestlesslytossingandturningandgrabbingafew

hoursbeforedawn.Lastnighthe’dfallenasleepsoeasilyandsleptsosoundlythathe

almostfeltlikeadifferentperson.Ormaybehefeltlikehisoldself,butithadbeenso

longhealmostforgotwhattheoldCraigwasreallylike.

“Doyoualwaysthinksohardfirstthinginthemorning?”

“HowcanyoutellIwasthinking?”Alanhaddroppedtheendearmentwhichmade

Craighappy.Whilehelovedbeingcalledboy,hewantedtobemorethanthattoAlan.He

didn’twanttobenothingmorethansomekidAlanpluckedupofftheflooroftheclub

anddecidedtoplaywith.

“Whenyouthinktoomuchyougetallrigidandunresponsive.”

CraigtookadeepbreathandmadehimselfrelaxinAlan’sarms.Hedidn’twantto

doanythingtoruinthisbeautifulfeeling.Thisbright,floatyfeelingwasthestuffthat

dreamsweremadeof.But,allgoodthingsmustcometoanend.

“Ihavetopee.”Herolledover,sohecouldseeAlan’sface.“AndI’mprettysure

thatyoupromisedmecoffeelastnight.”

AlanreachedupandbrushedhisfingersoverCraig’scheek.Helovedhowtactile

Alanactedwithhim.Helovedbeingtouchedandpetted.ThewayAlantouchedhimmade

himfeelliketherewassomethingabouthimthatwasworthappreciating.“Ididpromise

youthat,didn’tI.”AlanleanedinandpressedakisstoCraig’sforehead.“Firstthing’s

first.”Alankissedhimonemoretime,thenseemingalittlereluctant,priedhimselfaway

fromCraig.“I’llusethebathroomdownstairsandgetthecoffeegoing.Youcanusethe

ensuiteagain.There’sanewtoothbrushinthebottomdrawer.”

CraigwatchedasAlanstrodetothedresserandpulledoutapairofloungepants.

Healmostwishedhe’dstaynaked,butatleasthisasslookedfabulousintheclingyfabric.

BythetimeCraigfinishedinthebathroomandmadehiswaydownstairstothe

kitchen,Alanhadthecoffeestarted.

“Wow,doesthateversmellgood.”Craigheldontothewaistbandoftheborrowed

pantssotheywouldn’tfalldownagain,andtookaseatonthesamestoolhe’dsatatlast

night.AlothadhappenedinthetwelvehoursthatCraighadknownAlan.Shit.Only

twelvehours?Craigchewedonhislipandmulleditover.Yeah,itwasabouteightwhen

he’dgonetotheclubandhemetAlanshortlyafterentering.Itwasnowalittleafternine

inthemorning.

“Somethingwrong?”

“No,notall.Iwasthinkingthat…I’mreallycomfortablewithyou,youknow.We

onlyjustmet,but…I’mhavingareallynicetime.You’vebeengoodtomeandIwas

thinkingthatitwasnicetoconnectwithsomeoneagain.”Craigdroppedhisgazedownto

thefloor,notoutofsubmission,butembarrassment.Hehadn’tmeanttosayallthat.But

whenhestartedtalking,Alansmiledandtheman’swholefaceseemedtoglowwithjoy

thatshoneoutfrominsideofhim.Craigfoundhimselfsomewhatembarrassedthathe’d

saidsomuch.

“I’mreallygladyoucametotheclublastnight.”Alanpouredthembothacupof

coffee.“Doyoutakemilkorsugar?”

“Andruinthebestcoffeeever?Notachance.”Craigtooktheofferedcupandgave

itanappreciativesniffbeforetakingasip.“Shit,that’sgood.”

Alanwinkedathim.“Toldyou.”Alantookadrinkofhisown.“So,doweneedto

runbyyourhouseandgrabyousomethingtowearbeforewegotobreakfast?”

Craigwinced.“Iguessweshould.Or…Icouldcookussomethingandwecould

stayin.”

“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”

“Doyouhavethestuffforomelettes?”

“Ishould,butareyousureyouwouldn’trathergosomewheretoeat?”

Craigfelthisfaceheat.Normallyhehatedhistendencytoblush,butAlanseemed

toapproveofthepinkhueonhisskin.“IthinkI’dratherstayhereandhangout,ifthat’s

okay.”

AlansmiledwarmlyandreachedforCraig.Craigleanedintohistouchwhenhe

strokedhisthumboverCraig’scheek.Hefoughttheurgetoclosehiseyesandsigh.“That

soundslikeafantasticidea.”AlanpulledawayandsmiledatCraig.“Letmemakeacall.

I’mtakingthedayoffandwe’regoingtohangoutuntilyougetsickofme.Howdoesthat

sound?”

“Amazing.”Craigwantedtoscoff.Likehe’devergetsickofAlan.

AlanmadehiscallwhileCraigwashedhishands.BythetimeAlancamebackinto

theroom,Craighadstackedallthenecessaryingredientsonthecounter.“Wheredoyou

keepyourfryingpans?”

AlanpointedtoacupboardandCraigbenttoretrieveapan.Whenhestoodup,the

too-largeloungepantsfelltothefloor.Craigblushedandhikedthembackupwithone

hand.“NotsureIcancookwithonehandthough.Mightprovetobeabitdangerous.”

Alanlaughedandcrossedtheroom.HeopenedadrawerandCraiglaughedwhen

hesawthatitwascrammedfullofrandomjunk.“I’msogladyouhaveoneofthose.”

Alancastaglanceoverhisshoulder.“Oneofwhat?”

“Ajunkdrawer.Seriously.Itmakesmefeelmilesbetteraboutmylife.Youowna

clubandyouhaveanamazinghouseandyou’resofreakinghot.Yourjunkdrawermakes

youseemalittlemorehuman.”

Alanlaughedandshutthedrawer.“Comehere.”

CraigcrossedtheroomandnearlyfaintedwhenAlandroppedtohisknees.Craig

reachedoutandgrabbedthecountertosteadyhimself.

Alan’sfacewasonlyafewinchesfromhisdick,whichreally,really,enjoyedthe

closeproximity.

AlanlookedupathimwithhisbeautifulblueeyesandCraigbarelyresistedthe

urgetorunhisfingersthroughAlan’sdarkhair.Hedidn’tlookthirty-five.Maybeitwas

becausethedarkhairdidn’thaveahintofgrey,ormaybeitwashissmooth,youthful

expression.Histonguepokedoutandslidoverhislowerlip,thenhespokeinalow,husky

voice.“Staystill.”

FingertipsgentlybrushedagainstCraig’sexposedstomachandheresistedtheurge

toflinchawayfromthetouch.Hewassuperticklishinsomeplacesandunfortunatelyfor

him,hisstomachhappenedtobeoneofthoseplaces.

Then,AlanrosetohisfeetandcardedhisfingersthroughCraig’shair.“There.All

done.”

CraiglookeddownandsawthatAlanhadsecuredhispantswithasafetypin.It

wasn’tideal,butatleasttheywouldstopfalling.

“Becareful,okay.Don’tforgetthat’sinthere.Idon’twanttoseeyougethurt.”

Alan’ssoftexpressiongaveawaythedeepertruthofthesentiment,butCraig

decidedthatconversationslikethatwerebesthadafterbreakfast,andafteryou’dknown

thepersonlongerthanhalfaday.

“Ipromisetobecareful.”Daddy.Hebithislipsothewordwouldn’tslippast.But

inthatmoment,withAlansogentlyandcarefullytakingcareofhimwithoutasecond

thought,CraigwishedAlancouldbethatforhim.

“Good.”

Theyfellintoaneasyrhythm.Craigcrackedtheeggsandwhiskedthemtogether

whileAlanchoppedsomeofthevegetables.HeletCraigtodothecookingwhilehe

gatheredacoupleofplatesfromthecupboard.Craigfoundhimselfawestruckathow

easyitwastobewithAlan.Theydidn’tseemtohaveaproblembeingcomfortablewith

eachotherwhethertheyweretalkingornottalking.Thesilenceswereasstress-freeasthe

conversation.

Whentheysatdowntoeat,AlansatonthestoolnexttoCraigatthecounter.They

talkedalittlewhileeating.Nothingearthshattering,theymadegeneralconversation.

EverytimeAlan’sarmbrushedagainstCraig’s,oreverytimetheirlegsbumpedagainst

eachother,anoddlittlethrillshotupCraig’sspine.

“Tellmeaboutyouruncle.What’shelike?”Alanpushedhisemptyplateofftothe

sideandturnedinhisseatsohecouldleanagainstthecounterandlookatCraig.

Craigpushedthelastfewbitsofhisomelettearoundhisplate.“He’s…myuncle.”

Hefrowned.“I,uh,”Craigstoppedtotakeadeepbreath.“Hewasn’tsogoodwiththe

whole,raisingakidthing.Hewasabachelorhiswholelifeandheneverhadanyinterest

inhavingakid.Itwasabitofanadjustmentforhim.Hedidn’treallyknowwhattodo

withme,andIsupposeIdidn’treallyknowwhattodowithmyselfeither.”

“Soheputyoutoworkinthehotel?”

“Yeah.Hepaidmewellthough,andhetaughtmetobesmartwithmymoney.

WhenIfirststarted,he’dbankseventy-fivepercentofmypaycheckandtheothertwenty

fivepercentwasmyspendingmoney.Hetoldmethatbecausehehasmoney,itdoesn’t

meanthatIhavemoney,andthatifIwantedtobeloadedlikehim,thatI’dhavetomake

myownfortune.”

“Soundslikeasmartguy.”

Craigfoundhimselfsmilingatthatcomment.Mostpeopledidn’thaveafavorable

reactiontothatstory.Theyfeltthathisunclewasmeanandnastyandgreedy,butCraig’s

unclewasn’tmean.Hedidn’tteachCraighowtomanagemoneytobeajerk,hediditso

Craigwouldbeabletotakecareofhimself.“Thanks.Heis.”

Craigfinishedthelastbiteofhisomelette.“Ithinkyou’dlikehim.He’sbusyalot

ofthetime,buthepencilsmeinfordinneratthehotelwheneverhecan.Maybeyoucould

comesometime.”Craighoppedoffthestoolandquicklygatheredtheplates.Heheaded

tothesink,kickinghimselfthewholewayforbeingsoforwardandfullofassumptions.

Hedidn’tknowifAlanwantedthistocontinuebeyondtoday.Forallheknew,thiswasa

one-timething.

“I’dlikethat.”

Craiggrinnedandrinsedtheplatesinthesinkbeforestackingthemnicelyinthe

dishwasher.HetriednottoreadtoomuchintoAlan’scomment.Hewasonlybeingnice.

Oh,butitwouldbesoeasyforCraigtobelieveotherwise.HehopedAlanfeltafraction

oftheelectricitybetweenthemthathedid.

ButAlanhadn’tevenkissedhim,andmaybeitwasbecauseAlandidn’tkiss

anyone.Craighadmetguyslikethatbefore,guyswhowereallaboutthehook-ups,but

thatdidn’tfitAlan.Alandidn’tseemlikehewasshirkingawayfromintimacy.He’dspent

thewholenightpettingandcuddlingandtouchingCraig.Soithadtobehim.Alansimply

didn’twanttokisshim.

Determinednottodwellonthatsadfact,CraiggaveAlanabrightsmile.“So,

what’snextontheagenda?Thegrandtour?Ibettherestoftheplaceisasamazingas

whatI’veseensofar.Ibetyouhaveakillerdungeon,right?BigbadDomwiththehuge

in-homedungeonforallhisnaughtylittlesubs.”

Alangotastrangelookonhisface,buthesaidnothing.Heheldhishandoutfor

Craigtotake.“Comehere.I’llshowyou.”

CraigfurrowedhisbrowandtookAlan’shand.Alantwinedtheirfingerstogether

andledhimbacktowardthemasterbedroom.Heopenedthedoortotheroomnexttoit

anddroppedCraig’shand.“That’stheplayroom.Checkitout.”

Craigdidn’tknowwhatexactlyhe’dexpected,butitsurewasn’tthis.Hewalked

intotheroomandlookedaroundasheturnedinaslowcircle.HisgazesoughtoutAlan’s.

“It’stheguestbedroomIwasinlastnight.”

Alannodded.“Yes,notwhatyouwereexpectingwasit?It’saveryunassuming

room.MikeandIseldomplayedathomeandwhenwedidweplayedinhere.Hesaidhe

couldn’tgetintherightheadspacewhenweplayedinourbedroom.”

Craigfrownedandcrossedtheroom.HeslidhisarmsaroundAlan’swaistand

leanedintohim.HeknewAlanlikedtouchinghimandunlesshewaswrong,Alanseemed

uneasyaboutthis.

“WhenIwaswithMike,wedidmostofourplayingattheclub.Weusedthisroom

forplayingathomewhichdidn’thappenoften.Neitheroneofussawapointin

constructingabigin-homeplayroomifweownedaclub.Whenmyrelationshipwith

Mikedeterioratedandcametoanend,Ihitabitofaroughpatch.Iplayedwithafew

differentsubs,butIneverbroughtthemhomefromtheclubandIdidn’tfuckthem.I

couldn’tbecausenoneofthemwererightandittookawhile,butIeventuallyrealizedthey

weren’twhatIwantedanymore.”Alantookadeepbreathandsmoothedhishandsdown

Craig’sback.“Mikewasmysubandmybusinesspartner.Weweretogetherforquitea

whileandwhenitendedittookmealongtimetorealizemyneedshadchanged.Ididn’t

needahardcoresubtoscenewithanymore.Ididn’tneedtheleatherandthewhipsandthe

benchesandthepropsandthetoys.Ididn’tneedanyofthat.Ihavesomestuffhere,

bondagestuffmainly,afewofmyfavoritefloggers,thatkindofthing.Iknow,itseems

fuckedupforaDomwhoownsakinkclubtoonlyhaveafewbasictoysathome.”

CraigtightenedhisarmsaroundAlan.“Itdoesn’tseemstrangeatall.It’snotwhat

youneed,sowhyhaveabunchofstuffherethatyouhavenointerestinusing.”He

guessedthatmustbethereasonTimfounditsoeasytogetridofhim.Hewasn’twhat

Timneededanymore.

Craigflinched.HehatedhowthoughtsofTimhadinfiltratedhisquietmoment

withAlan.HewastiredofthinkingaboutTimandobsessingoverhim.Timhadclearly

movedon.IfCraigwasn’tdeterminedtodosoyesterday,fantasiesofhimandAlan

wakingupbathedinsunshinetogetherredoubledhisdeterminationtoday.

HeburiedhisfaceagainstAlan’schestandsqueezedhiseyesshut.Hereally

wishedhehadthegutstokissAlan,butifAlanreallydidn’twanttokisshim,hedoubted

thathecouldhandletherejectiongracefullyenoughtonottotallyruineverything.

Insteadofentertainingfurtherthoughtsofkissing,CraiglookedupatAlan.“What

kindofmoviesdoyoulike?”AlangrinnedandCraigfeltreliefwhenthestrangelookleft

theotherman’sface.Ifhehadtoputanameonthefacialexpression,he’dcallit,

reluctantnostalgiaofthemelancholicvariety,somethinghewasalltoofamiliarwith.

TheyspenttherestoftheirdaycurleduptogetheronAlan’sbigsectionalcouch.

AlanhadaloveforoldactionflicksandseemedhorrifiedtofindoutCraighadnever

watchedtheDieHardmovies.

Craigwould’vebeenaliarifhesaidhewashappytogetdressedandgohome.He

hatedthethoughtofgoinghometohisemptyapartmentandlayingawake.Evenashe

pulledhispantsupoverhiships,heknewhewasinforalongnightofstaringatthe

ceiling.

Alandidn’tseemveryenthusiastictogetridofhimeither.OrmaybeCraigwas

projectinghisowndisappointmentontoAlan,buteitherway,Alandrovehimhomeand

theydidn’ttalkmuch.Thatsilencewasn’toneoftheirusualcomfortableinterludes.Itfelt

loadedwithuncertaintyandthingsthatbothofthemwantedtosay,butneitherofthem

could.

Howdidyoutellsomeonethatyou’donlyknownforasingleday,thatthey’d

madeyourlifeinfinitelybetterjustbyexisting?Howcouldyouadmitthatyoudidn’twant

togohomebecauseyoualreadycouldn’tstandthethoughtofbeingawayfromthem?

Craigdidn’tloveAlan,hehadn’tknownhimlongenough,buthewantedtolovehim.It

wouldbetheeasiestthingintheworldtofallinlovewithamanasamazingasAlan.

Likethegentlemanhe’dbeenformostoftheirtimetogether,Alanheldhishand

andwalkedhimtohisdoor.

Alan—typicaltactileAlan—reachedoutandcuppedCraig’scheekandCraiglet

himselfmeltintothetouch.“WhencanIseeyouagain?”

“Wheneveryouwant.”Craigsmiled.“I’moffworkbysixeachnight.”

Alansmiledandleanedinalittlecloser.“Dinnertomorrownight?”

“I’dlikethat.”Craigcouldn’tkeepthesmilefromhisface.

“Wonderful.I’llpickyouuphereateight,then.”

“Soundsgreat.”

Craig’spulsespedupandhisworldtiltedonitsaxiswhenAlanleanedinand

kissedhim.Itstartedoutslowandsweet.HislipsbrushedagainstCraig’sallsmoothand

softbeforeAlanmeltedintoCraig.HepulledhimcloseandsighedandpartedCraig’slips

withhistongue.CraigturnedtobonelessmushinAlan’sarms.Hewrappedhisarms

aroundAlan’sneckandheldontightasAlankissedhim.

Bythetimehepulledaway,Alanwasbreathlessandpanting.Craigcouldfeelhis

rock-soliderectionpressagainsthimandhewantednothingmorethantotugAlanintohis

apartmentandtakecareofit,buthesettledforanothertoecurlingkissinstead.Alan

exploredeverybitofCraig’smouthwithhistongue.WhentheypartedAlanrestedhis

foreheadagainstCraig’swithasigh.

“I’vebeenwantingtodothatsinceIfirstsawyou.”

“Itwasworthwaitingfor.”

ChapterSix

Alan

A

lanthoughtofdrivinghome,buthefoundhimselfneartheclubandwalkingintoThe

Dragon’sDeninstead.Heneededsomeonetotalktoaboutthelasttwenty-fourhoursand

hethoughtStevetheperfectperson.He’dknownAlanthelongestandheknewwhathe’d

beenthroughwithMike,andwhathewentthroughwhenMikelefthim.

AlanhadbarelysatdownwhenStevetooktheseatacrossfromhim.

Steveputhisarmsonthetableandleanedin.“Whowasthatsweetlittlehottieyou

hadherelastnight?”

AlanlaughedinspiteofhatingthefactthatStevenoticedCraig.Craigwas

absolutelyofflimits.Besides,hewasallwrongforStevewholikedthingsroughanddirty.

Craig’ssoftsweetnesswouldnotmatchwellwithSteve.“HisnameisCraig.”

Stevewhistled.“Craigiscute.What’shedoingwithanoldfartlikeyou?”

“Hey.Whoareyoucallingold?You’retwoandahalfmonthsolderthanme.”

“Isheevenlegal?”Steveaskedwithagrinashewavedoneofhiswaitersover.

“He’stwenty-three.”

“Ah,sohe’sbarelylegal.”Stevewinkedandturnedtohiswaiter,astrapping

youngmanwhohadyettowinSteveoverwithhischarms.Stevedidn’tcareifhisstaff

fuckedeachother,butheknewthatfuckinghisstaffwasabadidea.Alanhadtohanditto

thekidthough,he’dbeentherefortwoyearsandwasstilltryingtowinhisfriendover.

StevelookedathimasthewaitersweptawaytogetthebottleofwineSteve

orderedforthem.Finishedwithribbinghisfriend,Steveturnedserious.“Itakeityoumet

himattheclub.”

“Ispottedhimtheminutehewalkedin.”

Steverolledhiseyes.“Ofcourseyoudid.He’sexactlyyourtype.”

Alanraisedaneyebrow.“Mytype?”

Stevegrinned.“Please,Alan,Iwatchedthetwoofyoutogether.Thekidseems

quitesweetandvulnerable.Admitit,himandhisbigbrownpuppydogeyestripallyour

triggers.”

“IfIadmitthatIlikehim,willthatmakeyoustopsayingstupidshit?”

Steveleanedback,andhelookedatAlan.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischestand

staredathim.ThewaiterchosethatmomenttoappearwithasodaforAlanandthewine

Steveordered.HepouredSteveaglasswhileSteveburnedholesintoAlan’sbrainwitha

knowinglook.

WhenthewaiterleftAlanreachedforhisdrink.“Howmuchdoyoulikethiskid?”

Alanwasn’tquitesurehowtoanswerthatatfirst,sohetookabigswallowofhis

soda.“IlikehimenoughtoaskyouifIlikehimtoomuch.”Hischeeksburnedashehalf

spokehalfwhisperedhisadmission.

“Shit,youreallydolikehim.”

“Isthatfuckedup?ImethimlastnightandwhileIwon’tgointodetail,wehadan

amazingtimetogether.”

“Jesusfuck.Iknowthatlook.Youwanttoofferhimacontract,don’tyou?”When

Alandidn’timmediatelyrespondSteve’seyeswidened.

Alandroppedhisgaze.Ifherefusedtoanswer,itwasstillandadmissionthatyes,

he’dthoughtaboutofferingacontracttothesweetlittlesub,buthecouldn’tbringhimself

toconfirmordeny.Whichwasexactlythereasonhesatthere.Heneededtoknowifhe

waslosinghismind.

Stevegrabbedhisglassofwineanddrainedhalf.“Fortherecord,Ithinkyou’re

absolutelyinsane,butyoualwaysdidgoaboutthingsinyourownweirdway.Younever

reallywereonetofollowthepack.So,whatisitaboutthiskidthathasyoualltwistedup

inknots?”

Alantookadeepbreath,anotherdrinkandtriedtogatherhisthoughtsinaway

thatwouldmakesenseto,well,anyone,becausehecouldn’tmakesenseofithimself.

“Okay,tellmehowthetwoofyoumet.Iknowyoumetintheclub.Elaborate.”

“Isawhimwhenhewalkedin.”Alanlaughedalittle.“Inoticedhimbecausehe

wastheonlyotherfullydressedpersonintheplace.Iwatchedhimforabit.Hewentto

thebar.Helookednervousandmorethanalittleuncomfortable.Itlookedlikehewas

goingtojumpintothescene,thenTimtargetedhim.”

Steve’seyebrowsrosesohightheywould’vetouchedhishairlinehadhenotbeen

completelybald.“Tim?Paul’sboy?”

“Yeah.CraigwenttenshadeswhiterwhenTimapproachedhim.Ididn’treally

knowwhatwasgoingon,butthenextthingIknow,Paulputoneofhisbigbearpawson

Craig’sshouldertostophimfromwalkingawayandCraigswatteditoff.”

“Holyshit.Kid’sgotballs.”

“IgottherejustasPaulgrabbedhimbythearm.”

“Shit.What’dyoudo?Pleasetellmeyoupunchedhim.”

“No.Butonewrongmoveandhismembershipistoast.Idon’tgiveashitifIhave

toinventareason,I’llcuthimloose.”Alantoldhimtherestofthestory,abouthowhe’d

orderedCraigdowntohiskneesandthendealtwithPaulandTim.Hetoldhimabout

takingCraigintohisofficeandalltheotherthingstheydidthatnight.IfStevewasgoing

tohelphimgethisheadonstraight,hehadtohaveallthedetails.

“So.TellmeI’mcrazy.TellmethatI’mabsolutelyinsane.”

Stevedidn’tmissabeat.“You’retotallynuts.”

Alan’sshoulderssaggedalittle,andhestaredintohisemptyglass.Beforehe

coulddecideifhewashappyaboutSteveagreeingwithhimornot,Stevelaughed.

“Alan,it’sobviousthatyou’retotallytakenwiththekid,sowhat’sholdingyou

back?I’veneverknownyoutohesitatelikethis.Onceyoudecideyouwantsomething

youlockontoitlikeagoddamnedheat-seeking-missile.What’sthedeal?”

“AllIcanthinkaboutishowgreatIfeelwhenI’mwithhimandhowshittyIfeel

whenI’mnot.Idroppedhimoffanhourago,Steve,andit’sallIcandonottodriveback

overthereandbeghimtocomehomewithmeagain.”

“So?”

“So?”Alanrepeated,incredulously.

“It’sobviousthatyouliketheguy.Abitofobsessiontobeginwithisnatural.It’s

likewhenyougetashinynewtoyforChristmasandyouwanttoplaywithitalldayevery

day.That’sthefirstflushoflust,myfriend.”

“HowcanItellifit’smorethanthat?”Alan’sheartraced.Hedesperatelywantedit

tobemorethanlust.TherewassomethingaboutCraigthatwasaddictive.

Stevegrabbedthebottleofwineandtoppeduphisglass.“Whenthenoveltywears

offandyoustillwantyourtoywithyouallthetime,evenifyoudon’tplayquiteasoften,

andyoucan’tbeartothinkwhatwouldhappenifyouweretosuddenlyloseyourtoy,then

you’reprobablyinlove.”Steveswirledhiswine,thenlookedatAlanwitharaised

eyebrow.“Butyoushouldknowallthis.YouandMikeweretogetherforalongtime.”

“Thatwasdifferent.”Alansnatchedthenapkinoffthetablesohe’dhave

somethingtofidgetwith.

“How?”

“BecausewhenImetMikewewerebothyoungandstupid.Weplayedhardand

fellharderandbythetimeIrealizedthatMikewasprobablyneverreallyrightformeto

beginwith,he’dalreadybeengonefortwoyears.”

Steve’sfacefell.“Hereallydidanumberonyou,huh?”

Alancouldonlynod.Thepainwasn’tfreshanymore,buthecouldstillfeelthe

wound.Onnightsliketonight,whenhefeltcompletelyunsureofeverything,including

himself,itmadehimawareofhowmuchMikehadhurthim.Needy,Mikehadcalledhim.

Needyandclingy.AccordingtoMike,Alanpossessedampleamountsofbothofthose

traits.He’dhopedAlanwouldgrowintohisbig-badDomovertheyears,andfeltbitter

disappointmentwhenitdidn’thappen.Truthbetold,Alanwasneverabadass,nottheway

Mikewanted,buthe’ddonehisbesttobewhatMikeneeded.Itwasn’tenough.ButCraig

seemedtorelishthethingsthatMikehated.CraigrespondedtoAlan’stactilenature.

“Alan?”Stevesaidafteralongsilence.ThegentletonecausedAlantotense.

Stevewasonlygentleifheknewhewasabouttobeacompletebastard.Hethoughtit

softenedtheblow,butitreallymadeitworse.Ifhewasacockybastard,Alanmightfeel

justifiedinpunchinghiminthemouth,butwhenhewasnice,itmeantthathewaslooking

outforAlanandifhepunchedSteveinthemouthitwouldmakeAlantheasshole.“Isit

possiblethatyouseethiskidandthink,gee,Iwentthroughthesamedamnedthing,and

youwanttomakeitbetterforhimbecauseyoustillhaven’tfoundawaytomakeitbetter

foryourself?”

Alan’shandtightenedonthenapkinandhisteethgroundtogether.Hehadn’t

consideredthatpossibility.Theroomspun,andAlan’sstomachlurched.No.Hisfeelings

forCraigwerereal.TheywerenewandscaredthelifeoutofAlan.Maybethat’showhe

knewtheywerereal.Becauseiftheyweren’thewouldn’tfeelhalfasterrifiedashedid.

Heforcedhishandtorelaxanddroppedthenapkinonthetable.“No.”Hesaid

withaconfidencethatshockedhim.“That’snotitatall.Thisisn’tsomebrokensubthat

thebigall-knowingDomisridingtotherescueof…exceptforlastnight.Craigdoesn’t

needtoberescuedandhe’snotbroken.Hewenttomyclublastnightbecausehewas

readytomoveonandInoticedhimbecausesoamI.”

Stevegrinnedandpluckedhiswineglassoffthetable.“Ihavetogetbackto

runningthisplaceorit’sallgoingtofalldownaroundme,butI’mgladyoucame,Alan.”

Heraisedhisglass.“Toyouandthekid,mayCupidshootyourasseswithamatchingset

ofarrows.Youdeserveallthehappinessyoucanget.”

Alanshookhisheadandstifledasmile.“Getbacktowork,slacker.”

ThepairstoodandStevetuggedAlanintoabonecrushinghug.“Seriously,Alan.

Ifyouwantthekid,goforit.”

Alanclappedhimonthebackandpulledaway.“Onlyifyoustopcallinghimthe

kid.HisnameisCraig.”

Stevewinked.“Nopromises.”

Insteadofgoinghome,Alanwenttotheclubandslippedintohisoffice.Helocked

thedoorbehindhimtoavoidbeingdisturbed.Hepouredhimselfaglassofwaterand

drankit,allthewhilehestaredatthefilingcabinetinthecorner.Whenhiswaterwas

gone,hewenttothecabinet,openedthetopdrawerandpulledoutablankcontract.He

rolleditup,slippedoutoftheclubandwenthome.Waitinguntileighto’clockthenext

nightwouldbemurder.

ChapterSeven

Craig

C

raigbroughthishandtohislipsandtouchedthem.Hehadn’tstoppedsmilingsince

Alanleftafewminutesago.Hedoubtedthathe’dstopanytimesoon.Craigjustentered

thelivingroom,stilldaydreamingaboutAlanwhenheheardaknockathisdoor.

Hisheartflutteredinhischest.MaybeitwasAlan.Maybetwokissesweren’t

enough.Craigcertainlyfeltthatway.Hecould’vespenthoursdoingnothingbutlayingin

Alan’sarms,kissinghimuntiltheywerebothsenseless.

Craighurriedtohisdoorandflungitopen,hisbrightsmiledimmedwhenhesaw

itwashisneighbor.Craig’sshouldersdrooped,andheranahandthroughhishair.“Oh,

heyEverett.WhatcanIdoforyou?”Handsstuffedinhispockets,Everettrockedback

andforthontheballsofhisfeet.Whennotfilming,Everettwasaquiet,laidbackguy.

Craigmethiminthehallwayafewtimesandtheystruckupafriendship.Theyoften

soughttheotheroutandsomehow,theystartedsharingabottleofwineeverysooftenand

wouldtalkabouteverything.Everett’sfriendshiphadcometomeanalottoCraig.

“Therewasaguyherelookingforyoutoday.”Craigsteppedasideandmotioned

forEveretttocomein.

“Aguy?”

“Yeah,somemoronlethimpastthesecuritydoors.Hewasinthehallway,banging

onyourdoorandyellingatyoutoopenup.”

Craigleanedagainstthewallforsupport.“Didyouseehim?Whatdidhelook

like?”

“Um…alittletallerthanyou,shortblackhair.”

Craig’sstomachlurched,andheswallowedarushofbile.“ThatsoundslikeTim.”

Everett’seyeswidened.“Theguywhodumpedyou?Whatwashedoinghere?”

Craiglaughed,anditcameoutstrainedanduneasy.Hesuddenlyfeltoffkilter.

“That’sagoodquestion.Imovedhereafterwebrokeup,heshouldn’tknowwhereIam.”

Craigwrappedhisarmsaroundhimselfandfelthischesttighten.“Didhesaywhathe

wanted?”

“No.Itoldhimyouweren’thome.”EverettnarrowedhiseyesandgaveCraiga

curiouslook.“Youstayedoutallnight,didn’tyou?”

Craig’scheeksheated,andhemanagedanod.Alan.God,whathewouldn’tgiveto

beabletocrawlontohislapandmeltintohisarmsatthatverymoment.“Iwonderhow

TimknewwhereIlived?That’screepy.”Craig’sskincrawled.Therewasatimewhenhe

would’vewelcomedthethoughtofTimshowingupathisdoor.Heusedtoimaginethe

euphoriahe’dfeelifTimshowedup,knockedandthrewhimselfonhisknees,beggingfor

forgiveness.ButCraiggrewoutofthatdaydreamfast.ThentheideaofseeingTimonly

enragedandsickenedhim,sohemoved.

“Ihavetogethome,Ihaveatonoffootagetoedit,butifyouneedanythingI’m

here,okay.”

Craignoddedandcrackedaweaksmile.“Thanksforlettingmeknow,Everett.

We’llcatchupsoon,okay?”

Everettnoddedandlethimselfout.Craig’skneesrefusedtoholdhisweightany

longerandhesanktothefloor.Hedidn’tlikethecreepy-crawlyfeelingthatmadehisskin

itch.ThereweretoomanyquestionsandCraigdidn’tlikenothavingtheanswers.Why

afterallthistimedidTimchoosetodaytoseekhimout?HowdidTimknowwherehe

lived?WhatwouldAlanthinkofTimshowingupathishouse?

Craigdroppedhisheadtohiskneesandforcedhimselftotakeafewdeepbreaths.

Therewasnosenseindwellingonanyofit.Stewingandworryingweren’tgoingtogive

himanyoftheanswershewaslookingfor.

Ashowerdidn’twashoffthecreeped-outfeelingandwatchingTVdidn’tdistract

himfromtryingtofindanswersforthequestionsthatplaguedhimandnoneofithelped

himgetanysleep.BythetimemorningrolledaroundCraigfeltwrecked.He’dbarely

slept,butotherthanthenightwithAlan,sleeplessnightswerethenorm.

Hearrivedatworkontimewithhissecondextralargecoffeehalfgone.Heditched

itinthestaffroom,tookaperfunctoryglanceinthemirroranddecidedthathelookedno

worsethanhedidmostdays.

Workprovidedawelcomedistraction.Therewasalwaysaproblemtosolveanda

customertopleaseandthepettinessofsomeoftheirproblemswaswelcome.Atleast

insignificantproblemslikearoomthatfacesthewrongdirection,orapillowthat’snot

fluffyenoughhadeasysolutions.

ItwasalmosttwointheafternoonandCraigwasabouttoslipintothebackfora

break.He’dtakenabottleofchampagnetoafrequentflyerinoneofthesuitesto

apologizeforsomesortoftragiclinenmix-upthatshortedthemafewtowelsor

something,Craigcouldn’tquiteremember.Hismindwasapuddleofgooandallhecould

thinkaboutwasthefactthathehadsixmorehourstowaituntilhegottoseeAlanagain.

Craiggothalfwaythroughthelobbywhenheheardhisname.Heturnedand

wasn’tatallshockedtoseeTimthere.CraigstormedovertoTim,righteousindignation

fuelledthevolcanicangerthatstewedinhim.“Whatareyoudoinghere?Andwereyouat

myapartmentyesterday?HowdoyouevenknowwhereIlive?Doyouknowhowcreepy

thatis?”

Timraisedhishands.“Woah,there,buddy,calmdown.”

Craig’scheeksflamed,andhecrossedhisarmsinfrontofhimself.“Iwillnotcalm

down.Youhavetensecondstotellmewhatthehellyou’redoinghere.”

“Iwantedtoseeyou.Ineedtotalktoyou,toexplainsomethings.”

Craigshookhishead.“Idon’tgiveashit,Tim.DoyouknowwhyIwenttothe

clubtheothernight?”Hedidn’tgiveTimachancetoanswer.“BecauseI’moveryou.I

movedon.Youleftme.Youwalkedaway.Youdon’tgettocomehereayearandahalf

latertoexplainanythingtome.Whateverforgivenessyou’relookingfor,you’llhaveto

livewithoutitbecauseIdon’tforgiveyouandIwon’t.Nowleave.”

“Craig,please.Fiveminutes,that’sallIwant.”

Craigshookhishead.Timseemedperfectonpaper.Collegegrad,goodjob,nice

parentswhodidn’tcarethathewasgay.Heexcelledattalkingwithpeopleandgettinghis

ownway.Timwascharming,butCraigwasn’tgoingtofallforanyofitanddidn’twantto

hearanythinghehadtosay.

“Leave.”

Timfurrowedhisbrowandhadthedecencytolookannoyedinsteadofharddone

by.“Comeon,Craig,please.”

Craigpulledhisphonefromhispocketandsentatext.Godhowheloved

technologyattimeslikethis.“Youhavetenseconds.”

“Fiveminutes,please.Okay,two,twominutes.”

“Thereaproblemhere?”Oneoftwoverylargemeninhoteluniformsappeared

seeminglyoutofnowhereandCraigtuckedhisphonebackinhispocket.HewatchedTim

turnhisheadandrealizehewaseye-to-chestwithahotelsecurityguard.

“No.Please,Craig.Youdon’tunderstand,Imadeamistake.”Timreachedfor

Craig,butCraigsteppedback.

“Thismaniscausingascene.He’snotaguestandshouldbeescortedoffthe

premises.Ifhegivesyouanytrouble,callthepolice.”Withafinalthought,Craigpulled

hisphoneoutofhispocketandtookapictureofTim.“I’llsendyouthispicture,Iwant

himbannedforlife.Ifhecomesbackhere,havehimarrested.”

Craigturnedonhisheelandleft.HeignoredTim’sangryshoutsanddisappeared

intotheback.Hesankdownontoacouchinthestaffroomandburiedhisfaceintohis

shakinghands.Hewantedtoyell,screamandthrowthings.Noneofthisfeltfair.Ithadto

besomesortofcosmicjoke,theminutehewasreadytomoveon,Timwassuddenly

everywhereanddemandingattention.

Hisphonepingedinhispocketandhealmostignoredit,buthereluctantlypulled

itoutandlookedatthescreen.NotTim,orworkoranyoneelse,itwasAlan.Can’twaitto

seeyou.Craigshotatextbacktohim.Hewasn’tgoingtowaitandpretendhedidn’twant

toreplyrightawayorplaysomesortofotherheadgame.Truthfully,hecouldn’tmake

himselfwaitifhetried,helikedAlantoomuch.Ican’twaittoseeyou,either.

Witharenewedvigour,Craigpriedhimselfoffthecouchandthrewhimselfinto

hisjob.Theguysfromsecuritycametocheckonhim.Craighadbeenatthehotelsolong

everyoneknewhim,andtheyalllookedoutforhim.Hesometimesfeltlikethehotelpet.

Hisassurancesthathewasfinegotaccepted,ifnotbelievedandhewasecstaticwhenhis

shiftendedsohecouldescapetheeverrepeatedquestion,areyouokay?Ifhe’dknown

theanswerhemightnothavebeensoannoyedbythequestion.

Alanpickedhimupathisdooratfiveminutestoeight.Hedresseddowninpairof

darkbluejeansandadarkgreypoloshirt.HegreetedCraigbysteppinginclosetohim.

AlanputahandonhiswaistandanotheronthesideofCraig’sfaceandpulledhimintoan

agonizinglygentlekiss.

ItwasjustwhatCraigneeded.HelethimselfmeltintoAlan’sarms.Hewoundhis

armsaroundAlan’swaistandlethishandsroamupAlan’sback.Alan’ssoftkisswashot

andCraigletoutasighwhenitended.

“Hi,”Alansaid.“Readytogo?”

“Orwecouldstayhereanddothatallnight.”Craiggaveintotheurgetobury

himselfagainstAlan’schest.AfterthehellishnightandthenthescenewithTimatwork

earlier,Alanwasexactlywhatheneeded.

“Comeon.We’llgrabsomedinnerandyoucantellmeallaboutyourday.”

HalfwaytothecarAlanglancedatCraig.

“Everythingokay?Youlookstressed.”

“Thatobvious?”

Alannodded.“You’recompletelytense.Whichmeanseitheryou’renotasexcited

abouttonightasIthoughtyouwere,orthere’ssomethingelseonyourmind.”

“Definitelythesecondone.”

Whentheystoppedbesidethecar,AlanopenedthepassengerdoorforCraig.“If

you’dlike,wecouldgetsomethingtogoandtakeitbacktomyplace.Wecanrelaxand

maybeyoucantellmewhat’stroublingyou.”

Craig’sdismalmoodliftedalittle.“Thatsoundsfantastic.”Onimpulseheroseup

onhistiptoesandkissedAlanonthecheek.GoingbacktoAlan’splacehadbeenon

Craig’smindalldaylong,whenhewasn’tthinkingaboutTim.HealsoknewthatAlan

wouldwanthimtotalkaboutwhatwasbotheringhimandhehadlittledesiretositina

restaurantandgossipabouthislife.

CraigwasbackinAlan’shomebeforesomeofhistensionstartedtoease.They’d

stoppedatalittleChineseplaceonthewayandgrabbedenoughfoodtofeedanarmy.He

discoveredthatAlanhadn’ttriedmanyofCraig’sfavoritedishes.

“Istillcan’tbelieveyou’veonlyevereatenChowMeinandChopSuey.”Craig

saidashehelpedAlanunpackthefoodandarrangeitonthecoffeetable.Craighad

jumpedattheoffertoeatinthelivingroom.Asfarasfirstdateswent,itreallydidn’tget

betterthanAlan,atablefulloffoodandtheprospectofcurlingupinhisarmsafterward.

“WhatcanIsay?”Alanshruggedashetookaseatonthesofa.“IguessI’mnot

thatadventurous.”

“SaidthedommyownerofakinkclubtothesubholdingacontainerofKungPow

Chicken.”

Alan’smusicallaughterliftedhisspiritandevenbetterwastheruffleofhisfingers

throughCraig’shair.“Howaboutyousithere?”Alan’seyesflasheddowntotheempty

spaceathisfeet.

Craigdidn’thesitate.HekneltbyAlan’sfeet.Hedidn’trealizehowmuchhe

neededituntilAlan’sfingerscardedthroughhishairagain.Moreofthetensionthathad

builtupoverthecourseofthedayleft.Hisshouldersloosened,andhetookadeepbreath.

CraigleanedintoAlan’stouch.Hecouldgetusedtothis.QuietdinnerswithAlan,

kneelingathisfeet,beingtakencareof.Itwasperfect.

AlangrabbedacontainerandshowedittoCraig.“Whatarethese?”

“Deepfriedprawns.”HelaughedwhenAlanwrinkledhisnose.“Don’tknockit

untilyoutryit.”

Alanrolledhiseyesbutpluckedaprawnoutofthebox.“YousoundlikeSteve.”

Hebittheprawninhalf.“Hmmm.Notbad.Here,youtry.”

AlanheldtheprawnoutandCraig’sdickdidahappydancewithhisheart.Oh,

fuckyes.HeleanedinandcarefullytooktherestoftheprawnfromAlan’sfingers.His

lipsdidn’ttouchAlan’sfingers,butitdidn’tmatter,thejoltofelectricityzappedthem

both.CraiglookedupatAlan.AlansmiledandstrokedafingerdownCraig’scheek.

“Tellmewhathappenedtoday.”

Craigdidhisbesttocurbhisimagination,buteverythingAlandidconvincedhim

thathe’dbetheperfectDaddy.Tellmewhathappenedtoday,Baby,Alanwouldcommand.

Craigwouldkisshimonthecheek,orsnuggleinclose,andhe’dtellhisDaddyallabout

it.

Craigtookadeepbreath,andreachedforacontainerandasetofchopsticks.He

would’velikeditifAlanfedhimallnightlong,butheneededsomethingtooccupyhis

hands.“Afteryoudroppedmeofflastnight,myfriendEverettcametoseeme.Helivesin

theapartmentacrossthehallfrommineandworksfromhome.Hewantedmetoknow

thattherewasaguypoundingonmydooryesterday.BasedonEverett’sdescriptionand

whathappenedatworktoday,IthinkitwasTim.”

“Whathappenedatwork?”

“Timcametoseeme.HecausedasceneinthelobbyandIhadsecuritythrowhim

out.”

Alandidn’tspeakforamoment.Thenthequestionscame,“Whatdidhewant?Did

hesay?”

Craigfrownedandstaredathiscontaineroffoodasherealizedhisappetitehad

vanished.Itdidn’tshockhim,henevercouldeatwhenupset.Heputthecontainerbackon

thetable.“Hewantedtotalktome.Hebeggedmeforafewminutesofmytime.”Craig

frowned.“Hesaidhemadeamistake.”Craigscoffed.“Finetimetorealizethat,ayearand

ahalfafterheupandleftme.”

“Doyouthinkhewastheretotryandwinyouback?”Alan’svoicesounded

strainedandunsure,likethemanfearedCraigwouldrunbackintoTim’sarmsifTimsaid

hewassorry.

Craigshrugged.“Idon’tknowwhatTimwantsandIreallydon’tcare.Idon’twant

toseehim,andIcertainlydon’twanttogetbacktogether.”

AlanrestedahandonCraig’sshoulderandheleanedintothetouch.“I’msorry

yourdaywasrough.”

Craigsighed.“I’mannoyed.Iwasn’tgoodenoughtotalktowhenhedumpedme,

andIwasfranticallytryingtoreachhim,butI’mgoodenoughtotalktonowwhenI’m

finallymovingon.”

“Maybeseeingyouattheclubaffectedhiminsomeway.”

“Idon’tcare.”Craiggotangry.He’dspentsomuchtimeandenergytryingto

moveonandnowallofasuddenTimwantedtotalk.Hehadn’tbeengoodenoughforthe

othermanwhentheyweretogether,norimportantenoughtoTimwhenhelefttogive

Craigaproperexplanation.“Idon’tcareifhesuddenlyfeelstheneedformyforgiveness

orsomething,hehasnorighttoshowupatmyjob,ormyhome.Idon’tevenknowhow

heknowswhereIlive.”

AlanrakedhisfingersthroughCraig’shairandCraigclosedhiseyes.Heleaned

intoAlanandsavouredthegentletouch.“Hedidn’tknowwhereyoulive?”

“AtfirstIstayedintheapartmentwehadtogether.ItwasallIhadleftofhim,at

first.Butitdidn’tevenfeellikehomeanymore,notwithoutTim.Imovedmonthsago.

Therentisalittlemore,butthebuildingisnicer,anditdoesn’tcomewithbaggageand

talkingwalls.”

“Talkingwalls?”

Craiglaughed.“Youknowhowitiswhenyou’reusedtospendingtimewith

someoneinaspecificlocationandthey’renotthereanymore,youlookaroundandsee

flashesofwhatyourlifeusedtobelike.Ilikemynewplacebecausetherearen’tany

memoriesassociatedwithTim.”Craigunclenchedhisfistsandtookadeepbreath.“He

ruinedityouknow.WhenIgothomefromworktoday,Icouldalmostseehiminmy

hallway,bangingonmydoor,yellingmyname.”

“Doyouthinkhewantsyouback?”Alanaskedagain.

“Idon’tcarewhatTimwants.IcareaboutwhatIwant.”Craigturnedhisheadand

lookedupatAlan.“Icareaboutwhatyouwant.”

Craigcouldn’treadAlan’sexpression.Amixtureofapprehension,excitement,and

maybeeventenderness,itwasgoneassoonasitappeared.Themanwasfartoogoodat

schoolinghisexpressions.Alanreachedoverandgrabbedanenvelopeoffthesidetable.

HehandedittoCraig,whowilledhishandsnottoshakeashetookit.

“What’sthis?”

“It’swhatIwant.”

ChapterEight

Alan

H

ewatchedCraig’shandstrembleasheopenedtheenvelopeandremoveditscontents.

Alanfoundhimselfwishinghedrank.Somealcoholicfortificationwouldhelpquellthe

nervesthatcrashedthroughhiminsickeningwaves.Hewantedtoburyhisfaceinhis

hands,hideandnotwatchCraig’sfacewhilehesearchedeverylittletwitchforthe

answerstheboy’smouthwasn’tgivinghim.Butasmuchashedidn’twanttowatch,

couldn’tbeartowatch,healsocouldn’tbeartolookaway.

“It’sacontract.Atrialcontract.Threemonths.”

Craigdidn’tsayanything.Hestareddownatthepagesinhishands,which

thankfullystoppedtrembling,buthisexpressionremainedblank.

HeturnedhisheadandlookedupatAlan.“Youhadthisready,sittingthere,

waitingforme.”

Alannodded.HegotthesensethatCraigwasworkingthroughsomethinginhis

headanddidn’twanttospeakuntilhegotitout,incaseitsidetrackedhim.Hewantedto

understandCraig’sthoughtsandfeelings.

“Youweregoingtooffermeacontracttonight,evenbeforetheTimthing.So,this

isn’tsomejealousDomthing?”

AlansmiledandresistedtheurgetograbCraigandkisshim.“No,it’snota

jealousDomthing.Iwantthis.Iwantyou.Iwanttogettoknowyouinallthewaysthere

istoknowyou.IwanttoknowwhatyourfavoriteChinesefoodstastelikeandIwantto

knowwhatshowsyouwatchandIwanttoknowwhatyoulooklikeboundandbegging

andkneelingatmyfeet.”

Craigmoaned.“You’rekillingme.”Helookeddownatthecontractandgrinned.

BythetimeCraighadgiventhecontractaquickperusalhissmilehadfaltered.

“Whatisit?”

Craigclosedthecontractandlookedatit.Alanwatchedashishandsmoothedover

thefrontofit,asifhewerestillwonderingifitwasreal.

“WhatifthekindofthingIwantedisn’tinhere?”

“We’dtalkaboutit,ofcourse.Beforewedoanything,wehavetoagreeonit,

always.Ifthere’ssomethingyouwantorneed,youshouldtellmesowecandiscussit.”

Craigstayedsilentforalongtime.Alancouldtellhewasnervous.Herakedhis

fingersthroughCraig’shairoverandover.HehatedseeingCraigtiedupinsomany

knots.“Whatisit?I’maDom,Craig,there’snothingyoucanaskforthatI’mgoingto

findshocking.”

“It’sjust…whenTimleft…Ispentalotoftimewonderingwhatwentwrong.He

wasalwayssoaggressive,youknow.Healwayswantedtodotheextremethings.

Sounding.Flogging.Caning.Hewantedmetolikeallofthat,butIdon’t.WhatIreally

wantedwastohavesomeonetotakecareofme.”

“Takecareofyouhow?Whatdoyouneed,Craig?”

CraigslowlyturnedhisheadandlookedupatAlan.Hisbrowneyesshimmered

withapprehension.“ADaddy.”Craig’svoicewasthinandbarelyaudible.Alanheardthe

quiveroffearinit.

AlancuppedCraig’scheekswithhishands.HesmoothedhisthumbsoverCraig’s

cheekbonesandsmiledathim.“I’dbehonoredtotakecareofyou.”

Alanalmostcouldn’tbelievehisears.He’dwantedthissomuch,andthoughtit

wastoomuchtohopeforit,butnowitwashere.He’dofferedCraigacontractandhe

hadn’tsaidno.“IshouldletyouknowrightnowthatI’mnotlookingforafull-timeboy.I

wanttobemorethanjustyourDaddy.”

Craig’scheeksturnedthesexiestshadeofpinkhe’deverseen,andheflippedthe

contractopentothefirstpage.“Good.BecauseIwanttobemorethanjustyourboy.I

lovebeingtakencareof,andIlovehavingaDom,butIwanttodoregularboyfriend

things,too.”Craig’scheeksflushed.

“Okay,LittleOne,takealookatthecontract.Ineedtoknoweverythingyoulike

anddon’tlikeandeverythingyou’renotsureof.Iexpectcompletehonesty,doyou

understand?”

“Yes…Daddy.”

Fuck.Hedidn’texpectthis,butitwasbetterthananythinghe’dimagined.Alan

losthisappetiteintheexcitement,buthepickedawayatacontainerofdrygarlicpork

whileCraigperusedthecontract.Afterafewsilentmomentsthatswitchedbetweentense

andawkward,thenCraigputthecontractinhislapandlookedupatAlan.Hiseyes

harbouredalookofuncertaintythatunsettledAlan.HereachedforCraigandranhis

fingersthroughhishair.

“What’swrong?”

“Well…Idon’treallyhaveatonofexperience.Besidesmyhardlimitsandthefew

thingsIknowIlike…Idon’treallyknowaboutanyofthatotherstuff.Iknowwhatitis,

don’tgetmewrong,butIdon’tknowifIlikeanyofit,orifIwilllikeanyofit.Tim

wasn’texperiencedenoughtotryalotofthethingsonthislist.”

AlanhatedwatchingCraigstrugglelikethis.Ononehand,itwasendearing.He

wasabsolutelygorgeouswhenhewasshy,butAlandidn’tcaremuchforthetremorof

fearinCraig’svoice,sohedidhisbesttoalleviatehisworries.

“It’sokay,LittleOne.I’mthedommyownerofakinkclubandyou’reasweet

littlesubwhoIcan’twaittoplaywith.Inexperienceisneverabadthing.Everyoneatone

timeoranotherwasnewtothis.There’snothingtobeembarrassedabout.”

“Thatsoundsgoodintheory,butthenIrememberthatI’vebeeninyourclub,I’ve

seenwhatgoesonthereand…”

Craigdidn’tfinishhissentence.ThatkindofbehaviourwouldchangewhenAlan

becamehisDom,buthe’dletitslidefornow.Craigwasunsureofhimselfanditwas

Alan’sjobtoputhisfearstorest.

HerakedhisfingersthroughCraig’shair.CraigleanedintohistouchandAlan’s

cockstiffenedinhispants.Theboywasgorgeous.“Sweetheart,youhavenothingtobe

embarrassedabout.Yourinexperienceisadelight.”

SomethingthatlookedalittlelikehopeshoneonCraig’sface.“Really?”

AlannoddedandslidhisfingertipsalongCraig’sjawuntilhewascuppinghis

chin.“Itmeansthatwegettoexploreallkindsofthingstogether.We’llgoslowandyou

never,everhavetodoanythingyoudon’twanttodo.That’swhythiscontractisso

important.Communicationisthemostimportantthinginarelationshiplikethis.Well,that

andahealthyappetiteforkink.”

“So,ifIsayIdon’twanttodosomething,wedon’thavetodoit,nomatterwhatit

is?”

AlanwantedtofrownatthelookofnearterroronCraig’sface,butheschooledhis

expression.“Ofcoursenot.That’swhywe’retalkingaboutlimitsnow,andthat’swhy

therearesafewordsforlater.Ifyousaysomethingisofflimits,it’sofflimits.Wecan

alwaysdiscusslimitsagaininthefuture,andyoumightchangeyourmindaboutcertain

things,andyoumightnot.”

“Andyouwon’tbemadifIdon’twanttodocertainthings?”

NowAlandidfrown.“WhywouldIbemad?Thisissupposedtoequally

enjoyableforbothofus.Icouldn’tenjoymyselfknowingthatyouwerehonestly

uncomfortablewithsomething.”

“So,ifIsaidthatIdidn’twanttobeputondisplay…orthatIdidn’twanttolike…

play…atyourclub…inanyway…orthatIdon’tlikepain…”

“Iwouldneverforceyoutodoanythingyouweren’tcomfortablewith.Ever.”

“AndifIdotrysomethingandIusemysafeword…whathappensthen?”

Alanreallydidn’tliketheroadthislineofquestioningwasgoingdown.Alarm

bellsstartedtoringinhisheadandhewonderedwhatkindoftraininghe’dreceivedand

whatkindofDomTimhadbeen.“Westop.Immediatelyandwithoutrepercussion.”

Alantookadeepbreath.Hewarredwiththeideaofaskingabouthisexperiences

withTim,butdecidedthatCraigwouldopenupmorewhenhewasready.“Ifyoudon’t

wanttoplayattheclub,that’smorethanokaywithme.Youdon’tevenhavetocallme

DaddyorSirthereifyoudon’twantto.I’mnotgoingtobeatalldisappointedifyouwant

tokeepourprivatelifeprivate.Ifyouwantthistobekeptstrictlybetweenus,I’mfine

withthat.”

“Youare?”Craig’suncertaintywasabsolutelykillinghim.

Alannodded.“Howaboutyoubringthatcontractuphereandwe’llfinishlooking

itovertogether.”

CraigwastednotimeclimbingontothecouchandintoAlan’slap.Craigrestedhis

headagainstAlan’sshoulderandhewasrelievedtofeelsomeofthetensionleavethe

youngman.

Craig’shardlimitsweren’tacompletesurprise.AlanalwaysguessedthatCraig

wasn’tgoingtobeintothemoreextremescenesinBDSM.Therewasatimewhenthe

ideaofhavingasubwhodidn’twanttobefloggedandwhippedintooblivionmightnot

havebeenappealingtoAlan,thenmemoriesoftheirfirstscenetogetherfloodedAlan.

CraigwassoresponsivetoallofAlan’sgentletouches.Alanrememberedhowmuchhe’d

enjoyedbeingwithCraigandtakingcareofhim.Craigwasn’tintopain.Spankingwas

fine,buthedidn’tlikemuchelse.Alancouldlivewiththat.Exhibitionismwasupinthe

air.Hesaiditmightbefun,butheadmittedthatitscaredthepantsoffhimtothinkabout

ittoomuch.Helikedbondageandadmittedthathe’dneverthoughtmuchabout

humiliationplay.Basedontheresultsoftheirtalk,Alanknewthatsensoryplaywouldbe

oneofhisfavoritethingstodowithCraig.

Despitehowinfrequentlyhe’dhadtodoit,contracttalkswereneverAlan’s

favoritethingtodo,andhewasgladwhentheyweredone.Withaflourish,Craig

scrawledhisnameonthebottom.Alanaddedhisown,thensetitaside.

“So…”CraigfidgetedinAlan’slapalittle.“Howexactlydoesthisboyfriendslash

Daddyandboythingworkforus?Like…doIcallyouDaddyallthetimenow?”

“Well,howdoyouwantittowork?”AlanwrappedhisarmsaroundCraigand

pressedakisstothetopofhishead.

“IlikedcallingyouSir,andIreallylikecallingyouDaddy,butIalsolikebeingus,

andIthinkI’dliketostartoutslow,likeyousaid,but…thisisgoingtosoundstupid.”

“Yourfeelingsandyourthoughtsareneverstupid.”

Craigtookadeepbreath.“WhenTimandIdiscoveredBDSM,itwaslikeaswitch

flippedinhisheadanditwasallhewantedtodo.Hewantedeveryintimatethingbetween

ustobeascene.Hedidn’twanttoshowerwithmeanymoreunlesshecouldputmeon

mykneesanduseme.Hedidn’twanttofuckmeanymoreunlesshecouldtiemeup.

Everythingwedidgotmoreandmoreintense.”Craigfrowned.“Hegotreallyobsessed

forawhile.Hemusthaverealizedhewasgettingtooextremeformebecauseafew

monthsbeforeheleft,hesuddenlybackedoff.”

Alancouldguesswhy,andhehatedtheideaoftellingCraigaboutTim’s

unfaithfulness,buthedeservedtoknow,especiallyifTimcontinuedharassinghim.Alan

wantedtomakesurethatCraigknewexactlywhatTimhadbeenuptointhoselastfew

monthsoftheirrelationship.Maybeitwasselfish,butAlancouldn’tstandthethoughtof

TimwinningCraigback,ifthatwashisplan.Sure,himandCraighadamazingchemistry,

butCraigandTimhadhistory.

“Craig,there’ssomethingyoushouldknowaboutTim.”Alanpausedandwhen

Craigdidn’tobjecttoAlanrelayingtheinformationhecontinued.“He’sbeenamemberof

myclubfortwoyears.”

CraigremainedsilentandAlancouldpracticallyfeelhisheartfall.Eventhough

himandTimhadn’tbeentogetherinalongtime,sometimesoldbetrayalleftfresh

wounds.ButCraigdeservedtoknow,sohecontinued.

“Hecameinonenightabouttwoyearsago.PaulhadhissightssetonTimfrom

themomenthewalkedinthedoor.PaulisaDom,andwhileTimmighthavebeenthe

Dominyourrelationship,hejoinedtheclubasasubandmadeitknownthathelikedto

switchonoccasion,whichisrightupPaul’salley.Theydidafewscenestogetherbefore

signingatemporarycontract.IfIremembercorrectly,Timleftyouaroundthesametime

thatPaulofferedhimapermanentcontract.”

AlanheldCraigtighterandpressedakisstohishead.“I’msorry,Sweetheart.”

Alanwasgladwhentheendearmentdidn’tmakeCraigflinch,buthewasn’tpleasedwith

hissilence.“Areyoumadatme?ShouldInothavetoldyou?”

Craigshookhisheadandwipedhisface.“No.I’mgladyoutoldme.”Hisvoice

warbled,andAlanwassorrythathe’dtoldhim.Maybeheshould’vekepttheinformation

tohimself,becausenowCraigwascrying,andAlanfeltresponsible.

CraigturnedinAlan’sarmsandburiedhisfaceintoAlan’schest.Alanheldhimas

astreamoftearsfell.Craigwasheartbreakinglysilent,andAlanfeltstupidandmeanand

selfishfortellinghim.

“Idon’tevenknowwhyI’mcrying.He’sbeengoneforsolong,andIdon’teven

likehimanymore,andIlikeyounow,andit’sstupidtofeelhurtoverthis,butfuck,Alan.

Hesaidthathewasn’twhatIneededwhenthiswholetimeitwasme…Iwasn’twhathe

needed.Iwasn’tenoughforawannabeDomwhowasreallyasuboraswitchorwhothe

fuckcares.HowcanIbeenoughforyouifIwasn’tenoughforhim?”

TearsprickedatthecornerofAlan’seyes.HecradledCraigagainsthim.“Oh,

Sweetheart.I’msorryItoldyou.Idon’twantyoutofeelthisway.Idon’twantyoutofeel

likeyou’renotenoughforme.RememberwhenItalkedaboutallthesubswhoonlywant

hardcorescenesandnothingmorefromme,thosesubsweren’tenough.Idon’twant

someonewhowillletmedoanythingtothem.Iwantsomeonelikeyou,whostillwants

hisownlifeandhisownpassionsandwhowantsarealrelationshipandwholikestoplay,

butneedsmetotakecareofhim.Idon’twanttoalwayshavetobethebigbadDom.I

washimforsomanyyears.Mikewantedthebigbaddom.MikewaslikeTim,Isuppose.

Hewantedthehardcorestuff,andyeah,thatwasallwellandgoodandIlovedbeingwhat

heneeded,butheneverwantedmetotakecareofhim.Hecalledmeneedyandclingy.

ForthepastwhileIhaven’tbeenadom.I’vebeenAlan,andIreally,reallylikebeing

Alan.Ialsoreallylikebeingtheguywhogetstotakecareofyou.”AlankissedCraig’s

headagain.“Doyouunderstand?”

Craigsnuggledcloserandhistearsseemedtohavestopped.Hisbreathingevened

outalittlemorebeforehefinallyspoke.“I’mnotsorryyoutoldme,Alan.And…yeah,I

reallydounderstandwhatyoumean.”

“Staywithmetonight?Ilikedwakinguptoyou.”

“I’llstay.”

ChapterNine

Craig

E

mbarrassmentlingeredwhenAlanbroughthimaclothtowipehistearstainedface

with.AlansatbackdownnexttohimasCraigmoppedhisface.“Thisisprobablythe

strangestfirstdateever.”

AlanrubbedCraig’sbackandCraigshuthiseyes.HeenjoyedthewayAlan

alwayswantedtotouchhim,hedoubtedhe’devergetenough.

“It’sdefinitelyanightI’mgoingtoremember.”

CraigturnedhisheadandcockedaneyebrowatAlan.“Why?Goingtotakeyour

newsuboutforaspin?Tiehimupandflogupandseeifhe’llcome?”Craiglaughedand

wasrelievedwhenAlanshookhishead.

“No.I’mgoingtotakemynewboyfrienduptomybedandI’mgoingtokisshim

untilwepassout.Andthen,inthemorning,I’mgoingtokisshimsomemore,butonlyfor

alittlewhile,becauseIhavetogethimtoworkontime.”

Craigstoodupandstartedtogatherthecontainersoffoodoffthecoffeetable.

“ThenIguessweshouldcleanthisup,sowecangetonwithourplans.”

Alanlaughed,androsetohelphim.“Eager,arewe?”

CraigsighedandlookedatAlanfromthecornerofhiseye.“Truthfully,I’vebeen

lookingforwardtobeingwithyoualldaylong.”Craigstilled.“Doyouthinkit’sweirdfor

ustomovethisfast?Wejustmetandwe’vealreadylike…crossedcertainlinesandsigned

aDom/subsexcontract.We’veestablishedthatyou’rewillingtobemyDaddyandmy

boyfriend.Doesitbotheryouatall?”

Alanarchedaneyebrow.“Doesitbotheryou?”

“Itfeelslikeitshouldbotherme.Idon’tthinkit’sfast,butthenIthinkofwhat

otherpeoplewillthink,orhowthey’dseeitanditmakesmewonderifwedidmovereally

fast.”

AlanwalkeduptoCraigandleanedin.Hekissedhimsweetlyonthelips,then

winkedathimwhenhepulledaway.“Ithinkwe’removingattheexactpacewe’ve

decidedisrightforusandIthinkanyonewhoisn’tusdoesn’tgettovoiceanopinion

aboutourrelationship,notonethatmatters.”

“Gah.”Craigexhaledandthenlaughed.“Areyoutheperfectboyfriendor

something?”

ThatmadeAlanlaughastheyheadedforthekitchen.“I’mnottheperfect

boyfriend.I’msometimesjealousandalwayspossessiveandI’llprobablyforgetan

anniversaryatonepointoranother.”

CraiglikedtheideathatAlanwasalreadythinkingofbeingwithhimlongenough

tohaveananniversarywithhim,letaloneforgetaboutone.CraigwatchedAlanasheput

allthevariouscontainersinthefridge.ContracttalkoverChinesefoodhadn’treallybeen

whatCraighadexpectedtohappen,notthathewascomplaining,buteverytimehe

thoughthehadhismindwrappedaroundeverything,he’dthinkofanotherquestion.

“Hey,won’ttheotherDom’smindifyoubringyourboyfriendtotheclub,whois

yoursubsometimes,butnotattheclub?Won’tthatcauseaproblem?”

AlanshutthefridgeandpulledCraigintohisarms.“Whywouldit?It’smyclub.

It’sasafespaceforeveryone,andeveryoneincludesyou.”

“How’dyoucometoownakinkclubanyway?”

“Well,it’salongstory.”AlantuggedCraigtowardthestairs.“Itreallywasn’tmy

idea,buttheopportunitycameup.I’drecentlycomeintosomemoneyandMikereally

wantedtobeapartner,sohegotaloantocoverhalf.Itwasn’twhatIreallywantedtodo,

butIwasinastrangeplaceinmylifeandIdidn’treallyknowwhatIdidwanttodo,andI

figuredthiswouldbebetterthannothing.”

“Whatdoyoumeanyouwereinastrangeplace?”CraigaskedasAlanledthem

intothebedroom.

Alan’sfingerstuggedatthebottomofCraig’sshirt.“Liftyourarms,Sweetheart.”

CraigobeyedandstoodstillwhileAlanpushedtheshirtuphisbodyandgently

removedit.CraigmeltedintoAlan’stouchasheranhishandsdownCraig’sbareback.

ThenAlanwrappedhisarmsaroundCraig’swaistandnuzzledintothecrookofhisneck.

“MyparentshaddiedandthemoneyIeventuallyinvestedintotheclubwasfromthe

wrongfuldeathlawsuitthatIwon.”

“Shit.I’msorry.”CraigfeltAlanshrug.

“Itiswhatitis.”

CraiggottheimpressionthatAlan’sparentswereasubjectthatwasofflimits,so

hecarefullysteeredtheconversationinadifferentdirection.“Why’dyoubuyMikeoutif

theclubwashisideainthefirstplace?”

“Hedidn’twantitanymore.”

“Doyou?”Craigpoppedthebuttonofhispantsopenandslidoutofthem.Hekept

hisbriefsonandturnedtotugAlan’sshirtoverhishead.

“Whywouldn’tIwanttheclub?”

Craigshruggedandfocusedonhisshakingfingersasheworkedthebuttonof

Alan’spantsopen.“YousaidthatyouonlyinvestedinitbecauseMikewanteditandyou

didn’tknowwhatelseyouweregoingtodowithyourlife.Seemslikeyousortofended

upthereandstayedtherebecauseit’scomfortableandfamiliar.”

CraigwatchedasAlankickedhispantsoff.Asfarasfirstdateswent,thiswasthe

weirdestandprobablythebestonehe’deverbeenon,CraigthoughtasAlantossedthe

coversbackandclimbedintobed.HepattedtheemptyspacenexttohimandCraig

dutifullyclimbedinbesidehim.AlanpulledhiminclosetohimandCraigrestedhishead

onAlan’schest.HeslunganarmaroundAlan’smiddle.

“You’reright,youknow.Idon’treallywanttheclub.I’mnot,not-happythere,and

it’snotsomethingIsawmyselfdoing.ItwasfinewhenIhadMike,butMike’sgoneand

soismyenthusiasm.”

Craig’seyesflutteredshutasAlanabsent-mindedlystrokedhisfingersthrough

Craig’shair.“Whatwouldyoudoifyoudidn’thavetheclub?”

“Istilldon’tknow.Iguessthat’swhyI’mstillthere.It’snotlikeIhaveanartistic

passionIwanttopursue.Idon’tlikecookingenoughtowanttodoanythingwiththat

particularskill.Igotabusinessdegreeincollegebecauseitmadethemostsense.Itwas

stupidluckthatIendedupbeinganygoodatit.”AllannuzzledhisnoseintoCraig’shair

andbreathedin.“Ifyouweren’tatthehotel,whatwouldyouwanttodo?”

“Ilikemyjob.I’dstillwanttobeaconcierge.”

“Whatdoyoulikeaboutit?”

Craigwinced.“Okay,thismightsounddumb,but…Ilikefeelinguseful.Ilike

solvingpeople’smostlyfirstworldproblems,likenothavingenoughtowelsorgettinga

roomthatfacesthewrongview.TheyhaveproblemsthatIcanfixandmostofthetime

peoplearegenuinelygratefulthattheygottheirtowels,ortheirfancyvieworthatIfound

themticketstotheconcerttheywantedtoseeorthatIhadacarwaitingtotakethemto

theairport.”

AsCraigrambledon,thefeelofAlan’sbodypressedtightlytohisandthe

sensationofhisstrong,smooth,handsroamingCraig’sbodydrovehimcrazy.“Ihaveto

admitthatthiswasn’twhatIthoughtwe’dbedoingaftersigningthatcontract.”

AlanchuckledandkissedCraigonthetopofthehead.“Letmeguess,youthought

I’dimmediatelyorderyoutokneel,soIcouldinspectmyproperty.”

ThewordsalonewokeCraig’sdicktherestoftheway,butthementalimagemade

himrocksolidinseconds.“Somethinglikethat.”Hisvoicewasthickwithlustandhe

didn’ttrytohideit.HewantedAlantoknowhowmuchhewantedhim.“Whatwouldyou

havedonenext?”

OneofAlan’shandstravelleddownCraig’sback.Craigresistedtheurgetoarch

hisbackandseekmorecontactwhenAlan’sfingersbrushedpastthecreaseofhisass.

“Well,youwerewearingtoomanyclothes,soIprobablywould’veorderedyoutostand

soIcouldstripyou.OrmaybeI’dhavemadeuseofmyboyandhadhimsuckmycock.”

WhitehotwantsurgedthroughCraig.HewhimperedandAlan’sfingers,which

hadreturnedtohisheadandhadbeendelicatelytoyingwithhishair,grippedtight.

“Doyoulikethesoundofthat,LittleOne?”

“Yes,Daddy.”Craiglethishandslidelower.Hecouldn’trememberthelasttime

hehadacockinhismouth,andnordidhewantto.HewantedAlan’scock.“Please,

Daddy.Please,canI?”Craigcouldn’tkeeptheneedytoneoutofhisvoice,butthehintof

desperationseemedtopleaseAlan,whokissedCraigonthetopofthehead.

“Goon.I’vebeendyingtoseewhatthatgorgeousmouthofyoursiscapableof.”

CraigknewthateventuallyAlanwouldwanttohavehimboundandbeggingand

onhisknees.Onedaysoon,Alanwouldwanttotiehimupandwhilethepossibilitywas

thrilling,Craigwasgratefulthattheywereeasingintoit.MaybeAlansensedhis

apprehension.Buttherewasnoroomforanythingbutdesireinthismoment.

CraigshiftedontohiskneesandnuzzledintoAlan’sneck.Hekissedthetender

fleshbelowAlan’sear,thenplacedaseriesofkisseslowerandlower.ToseehowAlan

wouldreact,henippedgentlyatAlan’scollarbone.

Alanhissed.“DothatagainandI’llhavetospankyou,Boy.”Hissternwordswere

contrastedbythewayhelightlydraggedhisfingersupCraig’sside.

Craig’scocktwitchedatthevisionhegotofhimselfdrapedoverAlan’slapandhe

toyedwiththeideaofnippingAlan’scollarboneagaintoensurethathe’dgettofeel

Alan’shandasitsmackedhisassuntilhewastenderanddelicate.Buthewantedtoplease

Alanmorethanhewantedthatspanking.Hecontinuedhisjourneylower,stoppingateach

nippletosuckandlaveitwithhistongue.Hekepthisteethtohimself,fearinganother

rebukefromhisDaddy.Hisbreathcaught.HisDaddy.Heneverreallythoughthe’dhave

that.

AlanflinchedwhenCraigplacedakissnexttohisbellybutton.

“Daddy?”Craig’svoicewasslightlymuffledbyAlan’sstomach.

“It’sokay,LittleOne,”AlanreacheddownandruffledCraig’shair.“I’malittle

ticklish,that’sall.”

CraigreachedupandbrushedathumboverAlan’snippleashekissedthesame

spot,makingAlanflinchagain.

Craigfollowedthedark,butbarelythere,treasuretraildowntoAlan’seagerly

throbbingcock.Alan’sfingersslidthroughCraig’shair.Alan’sbreathhitchedwhenCraig

nuzzledintohisthatchofcoursedarkhair,thenslickedhistongueupthesideofAlan’s

shaft.

“Oh,fuckyes.”

Craigwantedtosmileattheeasilywonpraise,butsettledforswirlinghistongue

aroundtheheadofAlan’scock,anactionthatelicitedalowmoan.Theinkhadbarely

driedonthecontractandCraigwasalreadyaddictedtoAlan’ssounds.

NormallyCraigwouldshiftpositionssothathewasnestledbetweenAlan’slegs.

Helikedtolookupataguywhenhesuckedthemoff.Helikedthesenseofpowerlessness

itgavehim,knowingthattheycould,atanymoment,takehisskullintheirhandsandfuck

hisface.CraigcontinuedtolickandlaveAlan’scockandAlan’shandcaressedthecheek

ofhisass,hisfingersdippedinsidethecreaseandCraigshuddered.

Alan’shanddisappearedforamoment,thenreturnedandaspit-slickfingertoyed

withhishole.Craigwhimpered,andhetookmoreofAlan’scockintohismouth.Alan

wasn’thuge,buthewasthickandlong.Craigsqueezedhiseyesshutandtriedtorelaxhis

gagreflex.Someguysthoughtitwasahugecomplimentifyouchokedontheirdick,but

itturnedothersrightoff,andCraigwastoodesperatetofindoutexactlywhatAlanwas

goingtodowiththatfingertowanttoriskit.

PatiencewasrewardedwhenAlan’sfingerteasedhisentrance,thenpressedinside.

Spitwasn’tthebestlube,soitwasabitrough,butthatonlymakeCraig’scockthicker.He

wrappedahandaroundthebaseofAlan’scock,thensuckedhimdownasfarashecould

withoutgagging.HewhimperedagainwhenAlan’sfingerdisappeared,criedoutwhen

tworeturnedinitsplace.AlanbuckedhishipsslightlyandCraigfocusedonteasing

Alan’scockwithhistongue,andnotthefranticneedtoreachdownandgrabhisowndick

andgiveintothedesperateneedforfrictionthatclawedathisinsides.

Alankeptupasteady,slowpace,thatslowlypulledCraig’scontrolapart.Hewas

writhingbackonAlan’sfingersashesuckedandlickedandjackedAlan’sthickcock.

ThenhepulledoffandslidhistonguedownthelengthofAlan’sshaft.Slowly,heslicked

histonguealongAlan’ssoftsack,thentookitgentlyinhismouthashishandpumped

Alan’scock.Thiswashisfavoritepartofgivinghead.Craiglovedtesticles.Heloved

havingthemostdelicatepartofamaninhismouth.Helovedthewaythesoftskinfelton

histongueandheespeciallylovedthesoundsAlanmadeandthewayhisbodystiffened

andtwitched.

Alanwasfiercelyfuckinghisasswithhisfingers,butCraigkepthisministrations

slowandgentle.

“Oh,fuck.”Alan’shipsjerked,andCraigfoughttheurgetosmileasheheardthe

lastbitofAlan’srestraintsnap.“Fuck.Fuck.”

AlanhissedwhenCraigwentbacktosuckinghiscock.Asgentleashewaswith

Alan’ssack,hewasfiercewithhiscock.Hegrippedthebaseandsuckeddowntomeethis

hand.HisotherhandwanderedupAlan’schestandhepinchedoneofAlan’snipples.

Alan’sotherhandflewtocupthebackofCraig’shead,butheonlyresteditthere,he

didn’tpushdown.Thenhishipsbucked,andAlancriedoutasheshothisloaddown

Craig’sthroat.

Craigstrugglednottogagasthesemenshotthebackofhisthroat,andhe

succeeded,butonlybarely.BeforehecouldreleaseAlanfromhismouth,Alan’sfingers

slidoutofhisass.CraigwhimperedandreleasedAlan’scock.Herestedhisheadon

Alan’shipandbreathedheavilyasAlanwentbacktocaressinghisass.

“Please,Daddy.Please.”

CraighissedwhenAlangrippedahandfulofhisasscheek.“Nottonight,Little

One.”

CraigraisedhisheadandlookedatAlan.Hedidn’tevenconsiderarguingwith

Daddy.IfDaddywassatisfied,that’sallCraigcaredabout.

Alansmiled,andwarmthsurgedthroughCraigasAlancuppedhischeek.“Good

boy.Iknowyou’rereallyworkeduprightnow,andI’mproudofyoufortakingitsowell.

Comeupforacuddle,okay.Youwon’tbecomingtonight,butthatdoesn’tmeanI’mnot

goingtorewardyouatall.”

Craigcouldn’tstopgrinninglikeanidiotasheshiftedpositionandcurledinto

Alan’sside.Hewasstillhardasarockandhisballsached,butthediscomfortwasasmall

pricetopaytoseetheimmensepleasureonAlan’sface.Craigwasthrilleddowntohis

soultohearthehappinessandcontentmentinAlan’svoicewhenhestrokedhisfingers

throughCraig’shairandtoldhimoverandoverhowgoodhewasandhowproudofhim

hewas.

Inspiteoftheheavyachebetweenhislegsandtheneedthatstilltriedtoclawits

wayoutthroughhisskin,ormaybebecauseofit,Craigeasilydriftedofftosleepwrapped

upinAlan’sarms.

Craigwalkedintoworkthenextmorningwithballsthatstillached,anitchthat

neededtobescratched,butwithstrictinstructionsnottotouchhimselfandnoneofthat

evenbegantosourhismood.Infact,itonlymadehimsmilebigger.Alanhadbeen

nothingbutsweettohimthatmorning.Eventhoughhe’dissuedthestrict,donotdare

touchyourself,LittleOne,orderinhismostdeliciousDaddyvoice.He’dbeentheperfect

boyfriendafterward.HemadeCraigbreakfastandhelpedhimshowerandmadesurehe’d

gottoworkontime.

Craighadbarelyswipedhiscardthroughthetimeclockbeforehisuncleappeared

outofnowhere.“UncleHank.You’reback.”Craigsteppedintotheopenarmsofhisuncle

andtheyhugged.“Howareyou?Iwasn’texpectingyouuntilnextweek.”

“ThingswrappedupsoonerthanIexpected,soIflewinlastnight.”HisUncle

furrowedhisbrow.“Icalledyourcell,butyouneveranswered.”

Craigblushed.“Ishutitoff.Sorry.Iwas…ah…Iwasonadate.”Craigwantedto

shifttheconversationinadifferentdirection,buthisUnclehadotherideas.

“Adate?Well,you’llhavetotellmeallaboutit.”

Craigwincedwhenhisunclethrewanarmoverhisshoulder.“Myshiftjust

started.I’msurethere’saguestsomewherewhoneedstowels,ornewsoaporsomething.I

havetogettowork.”

HanktightenedhisgripwhenCraigtriedtopullaway.“There’sabunchofother

peopleonshiftwhoarefullyqualifiedtodelivertowelsandkisstheassoftherich.I’m

takingyoutotheloungeforacoffeeandyou’regoingtotellmeallaboutyourdate.”

Hankpausedandcasthimawink.“Maybenotallaboutit.Sparemesomedetails.”

Craiglaughedandthreadedanarmaroundhisuncle’swaistandlethimselfbeled

tothelounge.Itwasgoodtohavehisunclehome,sogood,thathefoundhimself

surprisedtoliketheideaofintroducinghimandAlan.

“Hey,youdidsaytotellyouallaboutit.”Craigjoked.Hisunclewasagreatman

andhehadanopenmind.Buthesupposedthateventhemostopenmindedindividuals

wouldn’twantthedetailsoftheirnephew’ssexlife.“It’sgoodtohaveyouback,Uncle

Hank.”

ChapterTen

Alan

S

tevestormedintoAlan’sofficeanddroppedheavilyintooneofthechairsthatsatacross

fromhisdesk.Alanglancedathim,thenglancedbackathiscomputer.“CanIhelpyou?”

“Youhadadatewiththekid,”whenAlancuthimasharplookStevepausedand

correctedhimself.“Okay,sorry.HowdiditgowithCraig?”ThecornerofAlan’smouth

twitchedandStevegrinned.“Youdirtydog.Thatprettyyoungthingreallytookashineto

you,huh?”

Alanleanedbackinhischair.“Hesignedthecontract.”AlandebatedtellingSteve

abouttheirDaddy/boyrelationship,butthoughtbetterofit.Hewasn’tsurehow

comfortableCraigwouldbewiththeideaofAlansharingthosepersonaldetails.

“Noshit?”

“Noshit.”

Stevesweptahandoverhisbaldhead.“Damn,man.That’sonehotsubyougot

there.Pleasetellmeyoutiedhimupandmadehimbeg,orwhippedhimorfloggedhimor

whothefuckamIkidding,that’snotevenyourstyle.Man,you’relucky.Youownthis

place.Youcanhaveyourpickofanysubinhere.”

Alan’ssmilefaltered.“Well,that’sthething.IthinkI’mgoingtoselltheclub.”

Alancouldn’thavesurprisedStevemoreifhetoldhimhewassecretlyinlove

withSteve’ssister.

“Sayagain?”

“I’msellingtheclub.”There.Thatsoundedfinal.Itwasfinal.Alanrealizedlast

night,withCraigcurledagainsthim,happilysleeping,thathedidn’twanttheclub.Craig

wasright,hehadnorealreasontokeepitandhe’donlydonesobecausehethoughthe

should.Hell,that’swhyheboughtitandhewastiredofdoingthingsbecausehethought

heoughttodothem.Hewantedtowanttodosomething.

“Whatthehell,Alan?Yourclubisyourlife.”

Alanshookhishead.“Itwasinthebeginning.Imustadmit,Ilovedturningthe

placearoundandmakingitgreatagain.Thatfirstmonththatweturnedaprofit,thatwas

thebestfeelingofmylife.ButIneverreallywantedtheclubinthefirstplace.Itwasn’t

whatIwantedthenandit’snotreallywhatIwantnow.”

Steveexhaledandleanedbackinhischair.Helookedlikehe’dagedtenyearsin

thepasttwominutes.“Whatdoyouplantodoinstead?”

Alancouldonlyshrug.“Idon’tknow,butI’mokaywithnotknowing.”

Alanwassurprisedtoseeaslow,sly,smilespreadacrossSteve’sface.Heleaned

forwardinthechairandrestedhiselbowsonhisknees.“Selltheclubtome.”

Alan’seyebrowsshotup.“You?”

Stevenodded.“Me.I’vebeenafteryouforyearstorenovatetheplaceandputina

kitchen.Thinkofhowlongyoucouldgetpeopletostayiftheydidn’thavetoleavetoeat.

Itwouldbeahugeboost.”

Alanrakedhishandthroughhishair.“Iknow,butIdidn’teverreallyhavethe

desiretorunarestaurant.”BeforeStevecouldinterjectheshothimapointedlook.“And

youknowyouandIwouldneverworkwelltogether.We’regreatfriendsandI’dliketo

keepitthatway.”

“Sosellmetheclub.I’lldoitmyself.”

“Andthatwouldn’tbetootaxing,havingtoruntherestaurantdownthestreetand

thisplace?”

Steveshrugged.“Icanrollbothbusinessintoonebrand.Sellthesamefoodhere

thatIdothere.IalwayssaidTheDragon’sDenwasagoodnameforakinkclub,sowhen

Ibuy,I’llrebrand.Icanbringstaffherethat’salreadytrainedfromtherestaurant.It’llbe

seamless.Youhavethesecondflooryouneveruse,Icanrenovatethatintotheprivate

playrooms,andtheonesonthemainfloorcanbeconvertedtoakitchen.IfIdothe

upstairsrenofirst,businesscancontinuetochugalongasusualandnoprofitswillbelost

duringtherenovations.”

Alantookadeepbreath.“You’resureaboutthis?”

“Hellyeah,I’msure.I’dbestupidnottodothis.Whenyouboughtthisplace,it

wasashitholemoneypitandyouturneditaround.Iknowyouhadfunwithit,butlet’s

faceit,Alan,I’mnotshockedthatyou’resellingit,notafterthinkingaboutit.You’re

boredhere.Thechallengeisgone.Irememberthepassionyouhadduringthosefirstyears

asyoustruggledtoturnitaround,andthenwhenitstartedtosucceedyouwereoverthe

moon.Butnowit’sdoingwellonitsownandyou’rebored.”

Godyes.Alanthought.Stevewasright.Hewasbored.Thethrillwasgone.When

he’dfirstboughttheclub,ithadbeenindirestraights,butMikeconvincedhimthatthey

couldturnitaround.Mike,asitturnedout,wasn’tasenthusiasticabouttheactual

businessendofthebusinessandwanteditmoreforaprivateplayground,butAlanhad

thrownhimselfintoit.Thethrillofwatchingitevolveandimproveandattractingnew

membershadkepthimgoingforyears.

Alangrinned.“Haveyourlawyerscallmylawyersandwe’llgetthisgoing.”

Steveseemedshocked.“Justlikethat?”

Alannoddedashegottohisfeet.“Itoldyou,Steve,I’mdonedoingthingsthat

don’tmakemehappy,andthatincludesowningthisplace.”Hewalkedaroundhisdesk

andpulledSteveupintoahug.

Stevewasstiffatfirst,thenlaughedandthrewhisarmsaroundAlan.“You’rea

crazymotherfuckeryouknowthatright.Youtakeonelookatthiskidandsuddenlyyou’re

handinghimacontractandsellingyourbusiness.”

AlanstiffenedinSteve’sembraceandhemusthavefeltitbecausehesuddenly

grippedAlanbythebicepsandheldhimatarmslength.“Listentome,Alan.Wehave

beenfriendsalongdamnedtimeandIknowyou’reprobablyexpectingmetotryandtalk

yououtofthis,ormaybeyou’rewaitingformetolistallthereasonswhythisisabad

idea,butfuck,Alan,Isaygoforit.”

AlanwonderedifhehadbeenwaitingforStevetoresisthisdecisions,oratleast

offeranargumentagainstanyofit,becausewhenStevedidn’t,Alanfeltrelieved.Steve

grinnedandtuggedAlanintoanotherhug.

“Iwantyoutobehappy.”

AlanpulledoutofthehugandgrinnedatSteve.“IthinkIam.”Hisbrow

furrowed.“Isthatstupid?I…”

StevestuckhishandoutandcoveredAlan’smouth.“No.You’renotgoingtostand

hereandverbal-diarrheaallyourdoubtsandshitsoIcanpatyourbackanddryyourtears

andtellyouthatyou’rewrong,becausewebothknowyou’rebeingafuckingmoron.You

likethekid.Sowhatifyouhaven’tknowhimverylong.Ihaven’tseenyouthishappyin

alongtime.”

AlanpulledSteve’shandoffhismouthandwatchedasStevewipeditonhispants.

“Letmeguess.NotsinceMike.”

StevelookedupatAlanandraisedaneyebrow.“Nope.Youwereneverthishappy

withMike.Mikeexhaustedyou.HepushedyouabouteverythingandIknowIsawthe

kidforalloffiveseconds,butIdon’tthinkhe’deverpushyou.Encourageyes,

browbeat…notachance.”

Alanleanedagainsttheedgeofhisdesk.“YouthinkMikepushedme?”

Steverolledhiseyes.“Please,Alan,useyourbrain.Theclubwashisidea.Thebig

fancyhouseyouhadtobuyhishalfofwashisidea.Yougivinghimastackofcashforthe

clubandthehousewhenyousplitwashisidea.Andthat’sjustthetipoftheiceberg.He

wasthebrattiestfuckingsubI’deverseenandforthelifeofmeInevercouldfigureout

howthetwoofyouendeduptogether.Youdon’tlikethebrats,theywearonyour

patience,andnowit’sworsenowbecausetheyallremindyouofMike.”Steveputahand

onAlan’sshoulderandgaveitasqueeze.“Haveyourlawyerscallmylawyersandthey

cangettheballrolling.Inthemeantime,gofindthatsweetnewtoyofyoursandplaywith

himforawhile.”

SteveshotAlananothersmileandwalkedoutofhisofficeandAlandroppedinto

hischairandclosedhiseyes.Foraminutehewonderedifhewashavingsomesortof

strangelyearlymidlifecrisis.First,hemeetsasweetyoungmanwhohetakesonashis

boyfriendandhissub.Next,heagreedtosellhisbusinesstohisbestfriend.Thecraziest

thingofall,Alanrealizedashescrubbedhisfacewithhishands,wasthatnoneofitfelt

allthatinsane.

Anyoneontheoutsidelookinginmightthinkthathe’dlosthismind,butforthe

firsttimeinalongtime,Alanwantedsomething.HewantedCraig,andnotforalittle

while.Hewantedalifewithhim.Theboywasalreadyunderhisskinandetchedintohis

bonesandhe’dsoonercutoffoneofhisownlimbsthanletthemanslipthroughhis

fingers.

Alanleftworkearlyandwenthome.He’dwishedthathe’dtriedtoconvinceCraig

tocomebacktohisplaceafterwork.Atleastthenhe’dhavesomethingtodo.Hecould

cookdinnerforthemboth,insteadofmakingabowlofsoupandagrilledcheese

sandwichforhimself.Theycould’vespenttheeveningcurledupunderablanketwatching

amovie,ormaybethey’dgoforawalk,ortakeabathtogether.Heknewitwasprobably

stupidtomisssomeonesomuchwhohebarelyevenknew,buthedid,andhemissed

gettingtoknowhim.

Itwastooearlyfordinneryet,soAlansettleddowninfrontoftheTV,notthat

therewasanythinggoodon.Alanhadjustfinishedflickingthroughthechannelsasecond

timewhenhisphonevibratedonthecoffeetable.Alanglancedatthenameonthescreen,

thenattheclock.Craigwasn’tduetobeoffworkforanothertwohours,yethe’djust

textedhim.Alangrinnedashereadthetext.

CanIcomebyafterwork?

Alantookabreathandtriedtosteadyhistremblinghandssohecouldrespond.

Ofcourse.I’llcookusdinner.Soundgood?Alansentthetextasheheadedfor

thekitchen.HewantedtomakesomethingniceforCraig,somethingsimple,butdelicious.

AlanwastakingstockofthepantrywhenCraig’sresponsecame.

Soundsfantastic.Seeyousoon.

Alanrummagedinthefridgeandgatheredtheingredientstomakehisfavorite

homemadebakedmacaroniandcheese.WithtwohoursuntilCraigwasoffwork,hehad

plentyoftimetogetitassembledandintotheoven.

Heflickedtheradioonandgottoworkchoppingthebacon.Hewasdumpingthe

pastaintheboilingwaterbeforeherealizedthathehadbeengrinning,anddancing,and

completelyenjoyinghimselfinawaythathehadn’tinalongtime.Theideaofmakinga

nicedinnerforCraighadinstantlythrilledhim.HewantedtopleaseCraig,tolookafter

himifhehadabaddayortoenjoyhiscompanyifhehadagoodday.Hewantedtobea

goodDaddyforhisboy.

Alangrinnedatthatthought.Hisboy.Whenhe’dfirstthoughtofofferingCraiga

contract,neverdidheimaginethatCraigwouldwantthat.Itmadesensethough.He

wasn’tintothehardcorestuff.Hewantedsomeonetobeinchargeandtolookafterhim

andAlanwantedsomeonetotakecareof,someonehecouldreallyconnectwith.Alan

smiled.Hefeltlikehe’dfoundthatwithCraig.Abalanceofreallifeandthelifestylewith

someonewhowouldlethimbeasclingyanddotingashewantedtobe.

Alanhadthetimingdowntoascience.Bythetimethecheesesaucewasready,the

noodlescouldbedrained,thetwoweremixed,smotheredinyetmorecheeseandhe

stuffeditintheovenonalowtemperature.He’dturnitupalittlebeforeCraiggotthereto

makesurethecheesethoroughlymelted.

Whenhisdoorbellrangshortlyaftersix,Alanhadjustclimbedoutoftheshower.

Hetuggedhispantsonandslidintohisshirtbeforeheansweredthedoor.

Craigstoodonthedoorstep,hishandsstuffeddeepintohisjacketpockets.“Hey.”

“Heyyou,comein.”AlansteppedtothesideandCraighurriedpasthim.“I

thoughtyouwereoffatsix?”

“Iwas.IkeepachangeofclothesatworksoIcamestraightover.”Heshrugged

outofhisjacketandAlansawtheuncertaintyinhiseyes.“Ihopethat’sokay.”

“It’smorethanokay.”Alantookhiscoatandhungitinthecloset.“Doyouwant

somethingtodrink?IcanmakeyouateaoracoffeebeforeIthrowthesaladtogether.”

“Teathanks.I’vehadmyfillofcoffeefortheday.”

Craigslidintohisstool—inAlan’smindthatwashisspotnowanditwould

alwaysbehisspot.Alangottheteagoingandstartedpreparingthesalad.Craigwasquiet

andseemedslightlypreoccupied.

“Howwaswork?”

Craighuffedasighandrolledhiseyes.“UncleHankshoweduptoday.Hesaidhis

meetingswrappedupearly,butheonlysaidthatbecausehethinksI’mtoodumbtofigure

itout.”

Alancaughthiseyeandraisedaneyebrow.

“Hecamebackearlytocheckonme,whichisstupid,hecould’vecalled.Security

toldhimabouttheTimincidentandhewantedtotouchbasewithme.”

Alanfocusedonchoppingthecucumber.“Thatdoesn’tsoundsoterrible,sowhat

areyoureallyupsetabout?”

Therewasalongsilence,Alanhadquicklygrownaccustomedtothat,toCraig

needingtimetogatherhisthoughts.Alanfeltnoneedtohurrytheconversationalong,he

couldtalk,ornottalktoCraigallnightlong.AllthatmatteredwasthatCraigwashere

andAlangottolookafterhim.

“Hewantstomeetyou.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundsoterrible.”Alansaidinwhathehopedwashismost

reassuringvoice.“Youevenofferedtointroduceus,eventually,justtheotherday.What

changedtomakeyounervous?”

“HemetTimandhehatedTim.Idon’twanthimtohateyou.”

Alanfrownedandplacedhishandsonthecounter.“Willhisopinionofmeaffect

yours?”

Craigshookhishead.“Ofcoursenot.”

Alanshruggedashoulder.Thiswasthefirsttimefeltthedifferenceintheirages.

HewantedtobepatientwithCraig’suncertainty,butithadbeensomanyyearssincehe’d

soughtoutanyone’sapprovalthathefoundCraig’sdesperationhardtorelateto.“ThenI

don’tgiveashit.Lethimhateme.”

“TimhatedthatUncleHankhatedhim.Ofcourse,myunclenevercameoutand

saidasmuchtohim,butTimcouldtell,youknow.Ijust…”Craigtookadeepbreathand

finallyforcedhimselftolookatAlaninsteadofhisownfidgetingfingers.“Iwantthisto

bedifferent.IwanteverythingaboutustobenothinglikeitwaswithTimandpartofthat

isthatUncleHankhastolikeyou.”

Alanfeltforhim,hereallydid.Ithadtobehelltobesototallydevastatedbya

relationshipthatitleftyouquiveringandquestioningeverythingaboutthenextone.“I

couldtellyouthatI’mnotTimuntilI’mblueintheface,butyou’renotgoingtolistento

that.”Alangavethesaladaquicktossanddeliveredittothediningroomtable.Hedidn’t

wanttobeangrywithCraig,butunlessheunderstood,andfast,thathewasn’tTimand

certainlywasn’tgoingtodothethingstoCraigthatTimhaddone,Alanfeltlittlehope

thattheycouldmakethisworkinthelongrun.AlanneededtoshowCraigthathewas

different.

“I’llgetthetablesetifyou’dlikeaminutetowashup.”AlanbreezedpastCraig

whoslowlyclimbedoffthestoolanddisappeareddownthehallway.Alantookadeep

breathandsetthetablewhileCraigwashedup.Hewasputtingthedishofbakedmacaroni

onthediningroomtablewhenCraigappearedinthedoorway.

AlanturnedaroundandCraig’sheadwaslowered,hishandswerestuffedinhis

pockets,Alanguesseditwastokeephimselffromfidgeting.“Dinner’sready.Comeeat.”

AlanextendedhishandtoCraig,buthedidn’ttakeit.Insteadheraisedhisheadand

lookedatAlanwithglassyeyes.

“You’remadatme,aren’tyou?”

AndthebottomdroppedoutofAlan’sheart.Whatwashegoingtodowiththis

man?Thispoor,sweetmanwhoseonlycrimehadbeenlovingthewrongman.Loving

TimhaddevastatedCraig.Itlefthimshakentothecore,evennow.Thoughhewas

determinedtomoveon,hecouldn’tshakethedemonsthatTimleftbehind.Alanstrode

overtoCraigandgatheredhiminhisarmsandcradledhimagainsthischest.

“I’mnotmadatyou,love,never,notforhavingfeelings.You’reallowedtofeel

howeveryouneedtooandI’llneverbeangrywithyouforit.”

ChapterEleven

Craig

C

raighatedfeelinglikethis,likehewasn’tenough.Wasn’tgoodenough.Wasn’tbrave

enough.Wasn’toverTimenough.MaybehewasoverTim,buttherewerethingsrelated

toTimthathehadn’tgottenover.

ButAlantuggedhimcloseandCraigrestedhisheadonAlan’schestandbreathed

himinandmaybe,justmaybe,hewouldbeenoughforAlan.He’dletallhisquivering

insecuritieshangoutandinsteadofscoffingathimormakinghimfeellikeless,Alan

tuggedhimcloseandheldhimandtoldhimhehadtherighttofeelwhateveremotionshe

wasfeeling.InthatmomentCraigbelievedthatthiscouldbedifferent—wasdifferent—

moredifferentandmorerealthananythinghe’deverfelt.

Heclosedhiseyesandtookadeepbreath,thenonemorebecauseAlansmelledso

fuckinggood,sofreshandcleanthatCraigwantedtoclimbintohislapandholdhimand

kisshimanddothingstohimthatmakethembothmessyanddishevelled.Instead,he

lookedupatAlanandsmiled.“NexttimeIgetstuckinmyheadI’mgoingtodemandthat

youhugme.”CraigslidhisarmsaroundAlanandraisedhimselfuponhistiptoes.Alan

methimhalfwayandtheystoodinthediningroom,kissinguntilthefoodwascool

enoughtoeat.

CraiglovedkissingAlan.HelovedthatAlanwastallerthanhimandhelovedthe

wayAlanheldhimtightwithhislarge,powerfulhands.HeloveditwhenAlan’scheeks

weresmoothandfreshlyshavedandhelovedkissinghimwhentheyhadstubblethat

scratchedathisskin.Helovedthesoftnessofhismouthandthewaytheintensitylitup

everysynapseinCraig’sbrain.Inthepast,kissinghadbeenameanstoanend,butkissing

Alancouldeasilybeamainevent.

WhenthekisscametoanendAlan’sarmswerestillwrappedaroundhimand

Craigsighedhappily.

“Better?”AlanaskedbeforeplantingagentlekissonCraig’sforehead.

“Yeah.Iam.”TheamountofconvictionthatcameoutinCraig’svoiceshocked

himselfalittle.Hewasfeelingbetter.Alanwassocalmabouteverythingandsomatterof

factthatitmadeiteasyforCraigtobelievehim.Everythingwouldbeokaynomatter

whathisunclethoughtofAlan.“I’mstarving.”

CraigandAlansatdowntoeatandforafewminutesCraigstayedquietandlet

himselfsoakintheexperienceofeatingwithsomeoneatatablelikeanadult.WithTim,

theyoftenateinfrontofthetelevision,orstandinginthekitchen.Timnevertookhimout

toeatandhecertainlydidn’tcookforhim.Then,whenitwasjusthim,he’doftengraba

biteintherestaurantatthehotel,standingupinthecornerorhe’dtakeittothebreak

roomandeatononeofthesofas.Itdidn’tmakesense,butitmadehimfeellikehimand

Alanwereasseriousastheyclaimedtobe.

“Howwaswork?”Craigasked.

Alanshruggedashoulder.“I’msellingtheclubtoSteve.”

Hewascompletelynonchalant,asifhe’dsaidthathegothiscarwashedortook

thetrashout.

“Really?Isn’tthatabit…sudden?”CraigstaredatAlanandheseemedcompletely

calmaboutit,asifitwereanyotherdecisionlikechoosinganewfabricsoftenerinstead

ofanewcareer.

Alantookadrinkofwaterandhiseyebrowraisedslightly.“Notreally,Iguess.I

knewIwastiredoftheclub,thechallengeofturningitaroundwasthrillingandexciting

andIgenuinelylovedit,butit’stimetomoveon.Stevewantstorenovatetheunused

spaceupstairsandbuildakitchendownstairs.He’sconvincedhavingarestaurantattached

willbeahugedrawandhe’sprobablyright.He’sbroughtitupbefore,butkitchensand

restaurantsaren’tmything.”

“Ifthat’swhatyouwant,thenI’mhappyforyou.Anyideasonwhatyou’regoing

todooncethesaleisfinal?”

Alanshookhishead.“Notreally,butIhavemoneysaved.Iwon’tneedtoworry

aboutfindingsomethingdifferentrightaway.”

CraigwantedtobemoreenthusiasticforAlan.Hewasn’thappyattheclub

anymoreandfindinganewandexcitingcareerwasclearlyimportanttohim.Theproblem

wasthatCraigdidn’tknowwhatkindofcareerAlanwouldwant.Whatifhewantedtodo

somethingthatwouldtakehimawayfromhere?Whatifhehadtotravel?Craighatedthe

ideaofstayingbehindwhileAlanwentawayonbusiness.

Craigshovedthethoughtsaside.Whenhewasaboyhismotherhadwarnedhim

abouthistendencytoborrowtrouble,buthecouldn’thelpit.Hismindwouldgetgoing

andhisimaginationwouldtakeoverhiscommonsenseandhe’doftenworryhimselfsick

aboutthingsthatmightneverhappen.

“Thisisreallygood.”

AlanreachedoverandputhishandonCraig’sthigh.“What’swrong?”

CraigbothlovedandhatedthatAlancouldreadhimsowell.Itgavehimasense

ofpeaceandcomforttoknowthathecouldn’thidehismoodsfromAlan.“I’mokay,it’s

beenareallylongandsortofstrangeweek,that’sall.”

Alan’shandstrokedCraig’sthigh.“Iknow.”HishandslidalittleclosertoCraig’s

cock.Craigtightenedhisgriponhisforkandstruggledtostaystill.Hereallywantedto

shiftalittlesothatAlan’sfingerswouldgrazehiserection.Anycontactwasbetterthan

thewayhealmosttouchedhimwhereheneededit.

“It’sbeenagoodweek,though,right,LittleOne?”Alan’svoicesoundedthicker

andlower,asiflustandanticipationwerealreadystranglinghim.

LittleOne.Notboy.Notsomethinggeneric.Anyonecouldbeboy,butonlyhe

couldbelittleone.Ohgod,yes.CraiglatchedontothewordthatclaimedhimasAlan’s

andheletoutashakybreath.“It’sbeenaverygoodweek,Daddy.”

“Butyou’restressed.”

Itwasn’taquestion,butCraigfeltitrequiredaresponse,sohenoddedhishead.

“Yes,Daddy.”

Alan’shandslidoffhisthighandCraigimmediatelymissedtheheatfromhis

palm.

“Eatyourdinner.”Alan’scommandwassoft,butstern.

“Yes,Daddy.”Craig’sappetitevanished,butheatedutifullyanyway.Everyso

often,AlanwouldreachoverandcardhisfingersthroughCraig’shair,orrubhisthigh.

EachtimeCraig’scockwouldgetharderandthickeranditwouldgetmoreandmore

difficulttoeat.

BythetimeCraigfinishedeating,hiscockwasswollenanduncomfortableinthe

tightconfinesofhispants.Alanstoodupfromthetableandgatheredtheiremptyplates.

HepausedandkissedCraigontheforehead.“Headupstairs,Sweetheart.I’llbealongina

minute.”

Craigstood,butpaused,aflickerofuncertaintycoursedthroughhim.Iftheywere

goingtodothis,hedidn’twanttodoitinthespareroom,thepseudo-playroom,or

whateverithadbeentoAlanandMike.HewantedtobeAlan’sineverywayandifthey

weregoingtodothishewantedtodoitinAlan’sroom.

“Daddy?”

“Whatisit,Sweetheart?”Alan’sforeheadcreased.Craigcouldtellthathewas

pickinguponhisnerves.Hetookabreathanddidhisbesttosteadyhimself.

“Doyouthink,Imean,canwe…inyourroom,Daddy?Idon’twanttousethe

spareroom.”Craiglookedatthefloor,then,whenhedidn’timmediatelysinkintoitand

vanish,heclosedhiseyes.

HeheardAlansettheplatesdown,thenapproachhim.Softfingerstracedtheline

ofhisjawandCraigsubmittedtothegentletouchthattiltedhisheadup.“Lookatme.”

Craigobeyedthesmoothbaritone.Hecouldn’thelpitifhetried.Therewas

somethingaboutthesoundofAlan’svoicethatreachedintohimandsoothedhim.

“Youdon’twanttousethespareroom?”

Craigdidhisbestnottotremble.“No,Daddy.”

“Whynot?Youwerefinewithitbefore.Whatchanged?”

Craigswallowedandwishedhecouldclosehiseyesandshrinkaway,orclosehis

eyesandpresshimselfclosertoAlan.Hewantedtobeinhisarmswherehefeltsafe.

“ThatwasbeforeIwasyours.”

AlancuppedCraig’schin,thenleanedinandpressedachastekisstohislips.

“Thengoonupstairsandstripdownandwaitformeinmyroom.”

Craigdidhisbestnottorunupthestairslikeanexcitedchild.Hewantedtoshow

Alanthathecouldbematureandcomposed,buthecouldn’thelptakingthestairstwoata

timeandhealmostrippedhisshirthetoreitoffsofast.

Hefoldedhisclothesneatlyandkneltonthefloor.Hedidhisbesttoremember

howexactlyhewassupposedtodothis,ithadbeenawhilesincehe’dkneltandpresented

himselfproperlyandhewasmorethanalittleexcited.Hiscockwascertainlyintotheidea

ofhavinghisfirstproperscenewithAlan.Whatthey’ddonesofarhadbeenhotandwhile

hewasgladthatAlanhadbeenwillingtotakethingsslow,CraigwantedtoprovetoAlan

himthathecouldsatisfyhim.CraigknewthatasaDomandaclubowner,Alanhadalot

moreexperience,butaccordingtoAlanthatdidn’tmatter.Hesaidthathelikedhislackof

experience.AllCraighadtodowassubmitandtotrustthathissubmissionwouldmake

upforhisinexperience.

Heforcedhimselftoclosehiseyesandregulatehisbreathing.Hebowedhishead

andwaited.Andwaited.Finally,thedooropened,andAlancameintotheroom.He

resistedtheurgetoraisehisheadtolookatAlan.

CraigleanedintoAlan’sfamiliartouchashecuppedhischeek.

“Suchabeautifulboy.SoeagertopleaseDaddy,aren’tyou?”

“Yes,Daddy.”Godyes.HewantedtopleaseAlanmorethananything.Hewanted

topleasehimsobadhethoughthemightquiveroutofhisskininanticipation.

Alancircledhim.Hetouchedhishead,strokedhisfingersthroughhishair,ranhis

handacrossCraig’sshoulders,thendownhisspine,stoppingjustshyofhisass.Alan’s

lipsgrazedtheshellofCraig’searandheinhaledsharply.“WhatifItoldyouthatyou

alreadypleaseme,LittleOne?”

Fuck.Hisheartwasagonerandheknewitrightthen.Therewasn’tanythinghe

wouldn’tdoforAlan,nomatterifhewasinDaddymodeoriftheywerehangingoutas

boyfriends.HewantedtomakeAlanhappy.Hewanteditmorethananything.Buthe

hadn’tdoneanything,notreally.Feargrippedhim,andhetrembledinvoluntarily.

“Sweetheart?”

“I’daskwhy,Daddy?Ihaven’t…wehaven’t…we’vebarely…”Craigpressed

squeezedhiseyesshutandbithislip.Hefeltlikehewasalreadyfailingatthis.He

couldn’tevenanswerasimplequestion.

“Standup,Sweetheart.”Alan’svoicewasfirm,buthistonewasgentle,andCraig

gottohisfeet.Hewasungracefulandstillshakingashedidso,buthemanaged.

Thenextthingheknew,Alanhadpulledhimcloseandranahanddownhisback

astheothercradledhisheadagainstAlan’schest.“Youaresoeagertopleasemethat

you’retyingyourselfupinknotsoverthepossibilityofnotpleasingme.Ineedyouto

relax,canyoudothatforme,LittleOne?”

AtthatmomentCraigthoughtcouldlethimselfbetiedupandfloggedorchained

toacrossandcanedbeforehe’dbeabletorelax.“Icantry,Daddy.”Heexhaledandlet

himselfenjoythewarmthofAlan’sbarechest.“Foryou,Icantry.”

Alan’shandsroamedlowerandtheygaveCraig’sassaplayfulsqueeze.“I’llbe

rightback.”

Alansteppedoutthedoor,butonlyforamoment.Hereturnedwithoneofthe

diningroomchairsandsetitdownbehindCraig.“Haveaseat.”

Withouthesitation,Craigsatinthechair.HelookedupatAlananddecidedthathe

likedthisviewofhimthemost.HelikeditwhenAlanloomedoverhim.Heseemedso

composedandsopowerful.CraigshiveredatthethoughtofAlanlosingcontrol.He

wonderedwhatAlanwouldbelikeifhelethimselfgo.Craig’smouthwatered,andhis

dickhardenedevenmoreatthethoughtofAlanwildandblissedout.

AlancircledCraigasifhewereprey.HewatchedasAlancrossedtheroomand

openedoneofhisdrawers.Hereturnedwithahandfuloftiesanddroppedthem

unceremoniouslyintoCraig’slap.Wordlessly,AlanarrangedCraigsothathisasswas

onlyhalfontheseat.Heleanedhimback,sohisshouldersrestedonthebackofthechair.

CraigshiveredwhenAlandraggedhishandsdownCraig’slegsandarrangedthemsohis

feetwerenexttothelegsofthechair.

Craig’scockstrainedupward,andCraig’sbreathingbecameshallowasAlanknelt

infrontofhimandcarefullygrabbedatieoffCraig’slap.Craig’seyeswidened,andhis

pulsespedasAlansecuredhisanklestothelegsofthechair.Stillkneeling,Alanlookedat

CraigandranhishandsalongtheoutsideofCraig’sthighs.Alanleanedinandbrusheda

softkissagainstCraig’slipsasheretrievedtwomoretiesfromhislap.

CraigshuthiseyeswhenAlanstoodandcircledaroundbehindhim.Alanusedthe

tiestosecureCraig’sarmstothebacklegsofthechair.Stillbehindhimheleaneddown

andCraigshiveredashislipscaressedtheoutershellofhisleftear.

“Comfortable,LittleOne?”

“Yes,Daddy.”

CraigarchedhisbackintoAlan’sgentletouchwhenhishandsrandownCraig’s

chest.Hetiltedhisheadbackandsoakedintheeuphoricfeelingthatfilledhim.

AlanretrievedthelasttiefromCraig’slapandthesilkyfabrictickledhisskinas

Alandraggedituphistorso.“I’mgoingtoblindfoldyouagain.Iwantyoutositthereand

relaxandfeelandlistentome.Canyoudothat?”

“Yes,Daddy.”

ThefabricwascoolagainsthisskinasAlancoveredhiseyes.“Tellmeyoursafe

word.”

Craigswallowedathicklumpofnervesthattookupresidenceinhisthroat.When

hewaswithTimhehadtochoosehisownsafeword,buthedidn’twanttousethathere.

NotwithAlan.

“Canweusethestoplights,Daddy?They’reeasytoremember.Greenisgo.

Yellowisslowdown.Redisstop.”

Alanchuckledsoftly.“That’sfine,Sweetheart.”Warmlipstouchedthetopof

Craig’sbareshoulder.“Iwantyoutocloseyoureyesandrelax.”

AlancircledCraig,buthishandsneverlefthim.Alan’sfingertipsbreezedacross

thetopsofCraig’sshoulders.ThenAlanflattenedhishandsandrakedthemdownCraig’s

chest.Alan’slipsdancedacrosshiscollarboneandgoosebumpseruptedwhenAlan’s

breathwashedoverhisskin.

“Blacklooksamazingonyourskin,too.”Alanstrokedhishandoverthetiesthe

boundhiswrists,elicitingashiverofpleasurefromCraig.“You’resobeautiful.”Alan

barelybreathedthewords,buttheysankintoCraig’sheartandheclutchedthemtight.He

feltbeautiful.Healmostwantedtocrybecausehe’dneverfeltbeautifulbefore.He’d

neverfeltsoappreciatedjustforexistinguntilhemetAlan.Alannevermadehimfeelas

ifheweredoingsomethingwrong.HeneverfeltasifhewerefallingshortofAlan’s

expectations.

Alan’sfingertipsflickedoverCraig’snipples.Thesensationsentshockwavesto

hiscockandhisentirebodytwitched.

ArumbleofpleasurerippledoutofAlanandherepeatedthemotion.Craiginhaled

sharply.“Fuuuuuuck.”Craigcouldn’tstopthewordfromslidingpasthislipsanymore

thanhewasabletocontainthewayhisbackarchedintoAlan’stouchorthewarmththat

heatedhischest.Helethisheadrollbackandrestonthebackofthechair.

“You’resoperfect.”Alan’shandsexploredlower.Hisfingersdancedacross

Craig’sabs.Craigchuffedalaughwhentheydancedacrosshisbellybutton.Hegroaned

whenAlan’sfingerstravelledlower.Theyskimmeddownthesideofhisstomachandinto

thecreaseofhisthighs,thenlower.CraigwantedAlan’shandwrappedaroundhiscock.

Hewantedtofeelthosepowerfulhandsonhisachingcock,butAlanhadotherideas.

Feather-lighttouchesdanceddowntheinsidesofhisthighs.Ahuffofhotair

washedoverhisballs.Craigwhimperedandbarelyresistedtheurgetothrusthiships.

ThenCraigdidlosecontrolandthrustintotheairwhenAlan’shandsskimmeduphis

thighsuntiltheyframedhiscock.Adelicatetouch,fingerstoyedwithhisthatchofdark

hair.

“I’mgoingtoshavethisoneday.”

Craig’schestheavedashegroaned.

“Canyouimaginehowthatwouldfeel?”

HotbreathcaressedCraig’scock.Hewassoclosehealmostfeltthebrushof

Alan’slipsonhisskin.

“CanyouimaginethewaymyhandswouldfeelonyouasIspreadtheshaving

cream.Coldcreamonhotskin.”Alanmadeasoundthatwasalmostapurr.

“Ung.”Craig’sattemptatacoherentwordwasthwartedwhenAlanleanedforward

andflickedtheundersideofhiscockwithhistongue.

“God,”Alangroaned.“Thewayyou’dtrembleastherazorwouldscrapeagainst

yourskin.Itwouldlightyouupfromtheinsideout.You’dbesobeautifulandsensitive

after.”Alan’shandwrappedaroundthebaseofCraig’scock.

“OhGod.Ohfuck.”Craig’sheadlolledbackandforth.

Alan’slaughterwaslowandhusky.HesoundedasifhewereasaffectedasCraig

was.Woundtight,hisbodythrummedwithbarelycontainedneed.

AlandraggedhishandupCraig’scockashistongueswirledaroundthehead.

“Allthathairstrippedaway.Yourprettycockallnakedandhardforme.”

CraigtwitchedsohardthechaircreakedwhenAlan’sfingersbrushedagainst

Craig’sballs.ThegentletouchescombinedwithAlan’sdeep,soothingvoice,lacedwith

huskyneeddroveCraigclosertotheedge.Theyfilledhimandcoursedthroughhisveins

likeadrug.MaybeAlanwasadrug.Sincehe’dwalkedintoCraig’slifeeverythingwas

brighter,lighter,easier.

AlancontinuedtoassaultCraig’ssenseswithhissmoothhuskyvoiceandhis

experttouches.FirebuiltinCraig’sstomachandslowlyspreadoutward.Uphischest,

downhistremblingthighs,anduphisrock-soliderection.

Craig’swriststuggedattherestraintsandhestruggledtokeephiseyesclosed

whenAlan’shot,wet,mouthencasedCraig’scockandtookitallin.

“Ohfuck.”Craigpantedandthrusthiships,butAlanquicklytossedanarmaround

hismiddleandpinnedhisrestlesshipsdown.

“OhGod.Ohshit.Yourmouth.Ohfuck,Daddy,I’m…”

EverymuscleinCraig’sbodystiffenedandtwitched.ThenAlan’smouthcameoff

Craig’scockwiththelewdslurpingsoundoflipsbreakingsuction.Histouch

simultaneouslyvanished.Craig’schestheaved.“Fuck.”Thewordcameoutchokedand

Alanchuckled.HeplacedhishandsonthetopsofCraig’skneesandslowlyslidthemup

histhighs.

“ThoughtItoldyoutostaystill.”Alansaid,andCraigstoppedstruggling.His

breathingwasstillerratic,andheballedhishandsintofists.

“Sorry.Fuck.Sorry,Iwassoclose.”

“Mmmmm,”Alanmoaned.“I’mnotsurewhat’ssexier.Watchingeverymusclein

yourbodytwitch,orthatdesperateedgeyourvoicegetswhenyou’resoclosetofalling

apart.”AlangrippedCraig’scockagainandgaveitalanguidpump.

Craigjerkedinhisrestraints.“Fuck.”

“Youhaveafilthymouth,LittleOne.”Alandidn’tsoundupset.Hecontinuedwith

theslowandlazywayhetorturedCraig’scock.Craig’sbodythrummedwithneedthat

onlyseemedtobuildtheslowerAlanstroked.

“Shit.”CraigtwitchedwhenAlan’stongueslickedalonghistightsack.“Andyou

sayIhaveafilthymouth.Goddamn,that’sgonna…”Adesperatedesirespreadthrough

himandfeltlikeflameslickedhisentirebody.Hotalloverandrightneartheedge,hewas

soclosetolosingcontrol,butlikebefore,Alansensedhisimpendingorgasm,andall

contactceased.

“Youshouldseeyourself.Allflushedandonedge.You’resowildrightnow,so

desperate.”AlankissedthecreaseofCraig’sthigh.HiswordswereabalmonCraig’s

charredheart,butthetenderkisswaswhattouchedhimthemost.Alanhadneverbeen

anythingbutgentleandgenerouswithCraig,butthatkissfeltlikemore.Itwasasifthe

kissspokeallthethingsthatAlanhadn’tsaid,anditmadeCraigfeelprecious.

Alan’shandsreturned,andhisministrationscontinued,butCraigcouldtellbythe

movementthatAlan’scontrolmightbeslipping.Craigwantedittoslip.HewantedAlan

toneedhimwiththesameferociousneedthatcoursedthroughhisveinsandstrangledhis

words.

“CanI…canwe…God,Daddy.Ineedyou.Please.”

Thetiesonhisankleswerethefirsttovanish.ThenAlanquicklyreleasedhis

wrists.Beforehecouldgetawordin,AlanpulledCraigoffthechairandintohisarms.

ChapterTwelve

Alan

S

omeDomAlanwas.Hewassupposedtobeincontrol.He’dintendedtoedgeCraig

untilhewasred,trembling,anddesperateforrelease.Then,andonlythen,wouldheallow

theboytofly.Butthenhe’dbegged,andAlancouldn’tholdoutanylonger.Heneeded

him.HeachedforCraiginawaythatmadeitseemwrongtoleavehimboundand

begging.

HekissedhimwithaferociousnessthatsurprisedCraig.Hetookadvantageofthe

sexywayCraiggaspedandslidhistonguethroughhispartedlips.Craigmeltedintohim.

TheonlythingkeepingCraiguprightwasAlan.Inhisarms,Craigwaspliant.Evenhis

mouthsubmitted.Craig’stonguecaressedAlan’sasitexplored.

Craig’sarmswrappedaroundAlan’sneck.FingersslidupintohishairasAlan

kissedhiswaydownCraig’sjaw.HeflickedCraig’searlobewithhistongueandCraig’s

fingerstightenedinAlan’shair.Craigmoaned.Thesoundwasfullofdesperation,desire,

andpureneed.ItwasmusictoAlan’sears.HescoopedCraigupintohisarmsandcarried

himtothebed.

“Iwantedtoedgeyouintooblivion,butGod,LittleOne,Ican’t.”Alansaidashe

setCraigdownonthebed.Hequicklyundidhispantsandslidoutofthem,thenyanked

hisshirtoff.“Ineedyou.Ineedtotouchyouandkissyouandpossessyou.”

Stillblindfolded,Craigscootedupthebedalittle,thenleanedbackonhiselbows.

“Ineedyou,too.Somuch,Daddy.”

Daddy.Alanneverforamomentconsideredhowmuchitwouldturnhimonto

hearthatwordcomeoutofCraig’sneedymouth.Hewasbeautifulwithhislust-flushed

cheeksandhiskiss-swollenlips.Andhewashis.Alan’sboy.HisLittleOne.His

Sweetheart.

AlancrawledupthebedandstraddledCraig.Heleanedinandpressedakisstothe

cornerofhismouth.Hedidn’tknowwhathedidtodeservehim,buthe’dalwaysbe

thankfulforCraigandthewayhe’dcrashedintohislife.

“Layback.”Laybackandletmeloveyou,Alanthought,butitwastooearlyfor

suchdeclarations.HecouldloveCraigthough.Thethoughtshouldscarehim,butit

didn’t.HewantedtoloveCraig.TherewassomethingaboutCraigthatdrewAlantohim,

aninvisiblestringconnectedthem.He’dfeltthepullthemomenthiseyeslandedon

Craig.Allhewantedtodosincehe’dmethimwaswraphimupinhisarmsandneverlet

himgo.HewantedtopossessCraiginwaysthathe’dneverfathomedbefore.

AlantookhistimeexploringCraig’sbody.Helovedhissoftskinandhistrim

figure.Craigwasn’ttoothin,ortoomuscled.Hewasthatperfectcombinationofhard

muscleandsoftangles.

Craig’shandstwitchedathissides.“Daddy,please.”

AlancuppedCraig’scheek.WhenCraigleanedintohistouch,Alan’sheartdida

kick-flip.Sociallyacceptabletimelinesofhowsoonyoucouldfallinlovewithsomeone

couldrot.Craigwashis.Hewassoearnestineverythinghesaidanddid,andAlanloved

himforit.“Yes,Baby.Whatdoyouneed?”

Craigexhaledandifpossible,relaxedevenmore.“Ineedtopleaseyou.”

AlanstrokedCraig’scheek.“Youdopleaseme.”

Craig’stwitchingfingersreachedforAlan.TheytickledtheirwayupAlan’sside.

“Letmepleaseyou.Iwantto.”

DesperatetoseeallofCraig,Alanremovedtheblindfold.Craigblinkedacouple

timesandAlancouldn’tresiststealingakiss.Alancuppedhischeek,histhumbstroked

alongCraig’scheekbone.Alan’sheartfloodedwithwarmthwhenCraigleanedintothe

touch.

“Iwantthosebeautifullipsaroundmycock.”

Craig’seyesflutteredshutandheexhaled.“God,yes.Please.”

AlanstrokedhishanddownthesideofCraig’sneck.Helethisfingerstracethe

slantofhiscollarbonebeforetheyventuredlower.Hishandcametoastoprightabove

Craig’sheart,thepartofthemanhereallywantedtoown.“Staystill.”

Alanleaneddownandstoleafleetingkissthenshimmiedupthebed.Hegripped

theheadboardwithonehandashestraddledCraig’schest.Hewrappedthefingersofhis

freehandaroundhiscock.Hedidn’tneedtocommandCraigtoopenforhim,hiseyes

werealreadyglassywithlustandhislipswereparted.Slowly,Alanloweredhiscockto

Craig’slipsandslidtheheadacrossCraig’slowerlip.

Craig’smouthopenedfarther,andAlanacceptedthewordlessinvitation.Heslid

hiscockintoCraig’smouth,thenletgoofhiscocktogriptheheadboard.“Fuckyes.”

Craigdidn’tmovewhileAlanthrusthiships,gentlystrokinghiscockinandoutof

Craig’smouth.

Craigremainedmotionless.Theirgazeslocked,anditwasallAlancoulddonotto

ramhiscockdeepintoCraig’sthroat,buthedidn’twanttogaghim.Craigwastoo

beautifullikethis.Thoughherodelust’srazoredge,helookedblissedout.Alanliked

knowingthathedidn’thavetogohardcoreDomtogetareactionoutofCraig.

“God,you’resofuckingperfect.”Alangroanedandthrustalittledeeper.Craig

winced,butdidn’tgag.“Suckme.Now.”

Craiggotawickedlookinhiseyes.HislipsclosedaroundAlan’sthrobbingcock.

Histongueswirledaroundthehead,caressingeverycurveandignitingeverynerve

ending.Alan’sbodytoldhimtoclosehiseyesandthrowhisheadback,buthefought.He

kepthiseyesopen.HewantedtowatchCraig.Hewantedtomemorizethewayhiseyes

gleamedwithpleasurewhenAlanhissedorthewayhealmostsmiledwhenAlanmoaned.

“Yourmouth.”Alangrippedtheheadboarduntilhisknucklesturnedwhite.“Fuck.

Yourmouth.Sogood.”

Craig’shandsslidupAlan’slegs.Heglancedatone,thenlookedbackatCraig,

whoraisedaneyebrow.ThenCraig’shandsgrippedAlan’sassandCraigsuckedAlan

harder,deeper.

“Ohshit.Fuck.”Alanbucked.Craiggagged,butrecoveredquickly.Alan’scontrol

wasontheraggededge.ThewayCraig’stonguecaressedhiscock,thewayhishandsfelt

astheykneadedhisass,hisfingersignitingfiresoflustastheygrazedhiscrease,itwas

toomuch.ItconsumedAlan.Hesqueezedhiseyesshutasecstasyunfurledinsidehim.

“Oh.Fuck.Baby.Ohshit.”Alanbarkedashisorgasmslammedintohim.Hiswholebody

shookandtrembledashecamedownCraig’sthroat.Hisheadfloppedforward,andhe

panted.Craighadtotallywreckedhim.

HeopenedhiseyesandCraigstaredupathim.Craigblinked,andafewtears

slippedawayfromthecornerofhiseyes.“God,Sweetheart.”Hepantedashegently

pulledout.“Thatwasfuckingamazing.”

AsmilespreadacrossCraig’sface.AlanthoughtCraigwasbeautifultobeginwith,

butlikethis,beneathhim,smiling,redfacedwithhisswollenlips,CraiglitAlanup.Craig

washisandhewasn’tevergoingtolethimgo.

Craiglickedhislipsandtuckedhishandsbehindhishead.“Youreallythinkso,

daddy?”

Alancouldn’thelpbutsmile.“Yes,Ido.Butnowit’syourturn.”

Craig’scheekspinked.“Actually,Daddy…um…”

Alanglanceddownandsureenough,Craig’sformerlyjuttingcocklookedassated

asAlan’swas,thoughitdidgiveavaliantlittlekickwhenAlanlookedatit.Hisstomach

wascoatedincum.AlanglancedbackatCraig.“Youcame?”Morerealizationspiledon

andAlanmovedsothathewaslayingnexttoCraig.“Youcamewithouttouching

yourself,andwithoutpermission.”AlanraisedaneyebrowandCraigimmediately

droppedhisgaze.Hisfacepaledslightly.

“Sorry,Daddy.”

AlanleanedoverandkissedCraigonthecheek.“That’sfuckinghot.”Helaughed

andpulledCraigclosertohim.HetossedalegoverCraig’sandanarmaroundhiswaist.

“What’sthematter?”

CraigwasquietforawhileandAlandidn’tpressurehim.HeletCraiggatherhis

thoughtsandcatchhisbreath.Craigsighed.“Ididn’twanttodisappointyou.”

AlanpulledCraigcloserandkissedthetopofhishead.“Youcouldn’tpossibly

disappointme.”

Craigtensed.“Ibeggedyou.YouwantedtoedgemeintooblivionandIbeggedfor

more.ThenIcamewithoutpermission.”

AlanresistedtheurgetosqueezeCraiganytighterthanhealreadywas.“AndI

enjoyedeverysinglemomentwithyou,LittleOne.”Alantookadeepbreath.“We’re

connected,youandme.We’reconnectedinwaysthatI’veneverfeltbefore.”

“Butyou’remyDom.MyDaddy.There’slike…rulesandstuff…forme,for

submissives,andIfeellikeIkeepbreakingthem.”

AlancardedhisfingersthroughCraig’shair.“ThelasttimeIwasinascenewitha

submissivewasmorethanhalfayearago.”Craigtwitchedinhisarms,butstayedquiet,as

ifhesensedthatthiswasastoryAlanneededtotell.“I’dbeeninsceneswithothersubs

sinceMikeandIbrokeup,butIwasfallingoutoflovewiththewholething,tobehonest.

Ididn’trealizeituntilIhadhim,thesubmissiveIwaswith,strappedtoacross.Hewas

nakedandwaitingformetopickupmyfloggerandworkhimover.ButIcouldn’t.I

couldn’tevenpickitup.Istoodthere,andIrealizedthatIfeltnothing.Absolutely

nothing.Iwastotallyempty.Iletthesubmissivedownfromthecrossandwenthomeand

Ihaven’tevensomuchasglancedatasubsince.Untilyou.”

CraigpulledawayalittleandlookedatAlan.Hisbrowneyeswereroundandlarge

andfullofhope.“Me?”

“Whenyouwalkedintomyclubandyoukneltthatfirsttime,God,Sweetheart,it

waslikeyouturnedallmylightsbackon.I’vebeenaDomforalotofyears,andyeah,it’s

amazingtohaveyoukneelatmyfeetandcallmeDaddy.It’sthrillingtocommandyou

andyoursubmissionisthemostbeautifulthingintheworld.Butyou,Craig,youarewhat

Iwant.Youarewhatamconnectedto,notyoursubmission,nottheruleswecreateinour

relationship.You.You’rewhat’simportanttome.Besides,youwantedtotakethingsslow

andI’mokaywiththat.I’mokaywithgoingslowandearningyourtrust.”

Craiglookedathimwithshiningeyesandateartrackeddownhischeek.“Ido

trustyou.”

“ThentrustmewhenIsaythis.Youareenough.You’reabsolutelyeverythingI

need,andIdon’twantyoutoeverdoubtthat,okay?”

CraigwiggledaroundandburiedhisfaceagainstAlan’schest.Hetookadeep

breath.“Okay.”

*

*

*

“AreyousureIlookokay?”Alansmoothedhisblackpoloshirtdown.“Yousaid

nottodressup,butIcan’timaginemeetingyouruncleinjeansandaT-shirt.”

Craigshookhisheadashelaughed.“Relax.Youlookfine.”CraigeyedAlan

appreciatively.

“Butyouwanthimtolikeme.It’simportanttoyouthathedoes,soit’simportant

tome,too.”

CraigentwinedtheirfingersandledAlantowardthediningroom.“Idowanthim

tolikeyou,butIrealizedsomethingrecently.”

“What’sthat?”

CraigturnedandpressedakisstoAlan’slipsinfrontofthewholediningroom.“I

don’tgiveashit.Ilikeyouandthat’sallthatreallymatters.”

“Oh,youlikeme,doyou?”AlanwrappedanarmaroundCraig’swaitandhauled

himclose.

“Maybealittle.”

Craigpracticallysparkledtoday,andAlancouldn’tgetoverthechangeinhim.

FromthemomentAlanmethim,heknewthatCraigworehisheartonhissleeve.Itwas

neverhardtoguessexactlyhowhewasfeeling.WhenhemetCraig,hecouldseethatthe

wayhe’dbeenhurtweighedhimdown.Alansawitinhiseyesandhearditinhisvoice

andevennoticeditinthewayhemoved.ThismorningCraigwokehimupwithablow

job.HewashedAlanintheshowerandsangthewholetime.Whentheymadebreakfast

thismorning,CraigturnedonmusicandshookhistightassalloverAlan’skitchen.

AlanbrokeawayfromhisthoughtstocaptureCraiginakiss.“Youareabsolutely

wonderfuldidyouknowthat?”

“I’vebeentellinghimthatforyears,butifyousayingitputsthatdopeylookon

hisface,thenIlikeyoualready.”Craig’seyeswidenedatthesoundofthevoice.Alan

turnedaroundandgreetedthesmilingman.HewasclearlyrelatedtoCraig,andifAlan

hadn’thaveknownbetter,he’dhaveguessedthatthiswasCraig’sfather,nothisuncle.

“I’mHank,andyoumustbeAlan.Craig’stoldmealotaboutyou.”Hankwinkedat

Craig.“Notwillingly,mindyou.Ihadtodragitoutofhim.”

HankwasalittletallerthanCraig,andalittlethickerinthemiddle,greyerontop,

buttherewasastrongfamilyresemblance.Theyhadthesamecheekbonesandthesame

eyes.“It’sgoodtomeetyou,Hank.”Alanshookhishand,thenwatchedasHankpulled

Craigintoaquickhug.

HankpulledawayandclappedCraigonthearm.“Let’seat.”

TheyfollowedHanktoatableonthefringeofthediningroomwheretheywere

immediatelygreetedbyaserver.Conversationstucktosmalltalkuntilthecoffeethey’d

orderedhadarrived.Hankspoonedsomesugarintohiscup,thenliftedhisgazeand

traineditonAlan.“So,whathaveyoudonetomyboyhere?”

Alanraisedaneyebrow.“Ibegyourpardon?”Alanknewthisconversationcould

gomanywaysandhedoubtedthatmanyofthemweregood.ThenHankgrinnedovertop

ofhiscup.

“IonlyaskedbecauseCraigisactuallysmiling.Andthisisthefirsttimeinmonths

thatIhaven’thadtochasehimoutofhereonhisdayoff.”

“I’mnotthatbad.”Craig’sprotestwasweak,andHankimmediatelyquashedit.

“Notthatbad?Please,Craig.Imightnotbehereallthetime,butIhearthings.

You’vebeenapainintheassaroundhere.Youworkyourselfsick.Youdon’tdelegate

anythingunlessyouabsolutelymust,andIdon’tknowhowmanytimesI’veheardthat

they’vehadtotossyououtonyourdayoff.”

Craig’scheeksflushed,andhestaredintohiscoffee.“IguessIwassortofbad,

huh?”

HankreachedoverandpattedCraigontheback.“Worse.”HankshotAlana

knowingglance.“Itlookslikeyou’vefoundyourselfanicedistraction.Tellmeabout

yourself,Alan.Whatdoyoudo?”

“Well,Irunaclubdowntown,butI’mactuallyintheprocessofsellingit.After

that,”Alanshrugged.“Idon’tactuallyknow.”Alan’scheeksburnedwithahintof

embarrassment,buthe’dneverhidwhathedidforalivingandhewasn’tabouttostart

now.

Hankregardedhimwithcuriosity.“Whyareyouselling?

“Inthebeginning,itwasalotoffun,actually.Theclubwasrundownandfailing.

Everymonthendedinthered.Ittookawhiletoturnitaroundcompletely,butthe

challengeofmakingitsuccessfulwas,frankly,exhilarating.”Alantookasipofhiscoffee.

“I’msellingittoafriendofmine.Hehasbigplansforit.”

“Soyoutookadyingbusiness,turneditaround,andaresellingitforatidylittle

profitandyouhavenoideawhatyou’redoingnext?”Hankleanedbackinhischair.He

tiltedhisheadslightly,asifhewereacuriousdog.

Alanshruggedashoulder.“Theclubwillsellforaprofit,andIhavesomemoney

saved.Idon’tneedtodeciderightaway.”

Hankleanedforward.“Butifanopportunitypresenteditself,you’dconsiderit?”

Alanraisedaneyebrow.HankwasonafishingexpeditionandAlantookthebait.

“Whatkindofopportunity?”

“Ihavetheopportunitytoinvestinafailingchainofsmallerhotels.Itoyedwith

theideaofbuyingthemoutandrollingthemintothischain,butIhavetoomuchonmy

plate.I’dneedsomeonewhowasuptothetask.Someonewhowasfamiliarinbailingout

failingcompanies.Someonewhowasuptothechallenge.”

Alan’sheartspedup,butheforcedhimselftoremainsceptical.Ifitsoundedtoo

goodtobetrue,itoftenwas.“Thatsoundslikeanambitiousendeavour.”

Hanknodded.“Itwouldbe,andIthinkyou’retherightmanforthejob.”

Alaneyebrowsscrunchedtogether.

“UncleHank,areyouseriouslyofferingmyboyfriendajob?”Craiglooked

incredulous.

AlanreachedunderthetableandputhishandonCraig’sthigh.Craigputhishand

ontopofAlan’s.“HowdoyouknowI’mthemanforthejob?We’vespentalloffive

minutestogether.”

HankgrinnedslylyatAlan,thentookasipofhiscoffee.“Ihavefriendswho

frequentyourestablishment.I’veheardstoriesabouttheplace.FromwhatIhearyou’ve

achievedtheimpossible.Itusedtobeacesspoolandamoneypit,butyoumanagedtopull

itoutofthegutter.I’mimpressed.”

Alanhadn’tbeenexpectingthat.Clearly,neitherhadCraig,whoclosedhismouth

sohardhisteethclackedtogether.

Hankshruggedashoulder.“Wecantalkaboutallthatlater.”Hank’seyesskirted

fromAlantoCraig.“Youlookwell,betterthanyouhaveinalongtime.”

AlanwatchedCraigbristleslightlyathisuncle’swords,butthenCraigshotAlana

lookfromthecornerofhiseyebeforehegrinnedathisUncle.“I’mactuallyprettygreat,

butyoudidn’tforcemetobringAlanhere,soyoucouldfawnalloverme.”

Hanksethiscupdown.“Actually,Craig,Idid.IknowIprobablycameonalittle

strongyesterday,butyouknowme.WhenIgethotunderthecollarlikethat,there’sno

reasoningwithme.Iwasupsetthatyouhadaproblemhereatworkwiththatslimyson-

of-a-bitchyoucallanex-boyfriend.NomattermyfeelingsaboutTim,you’reanadult.I

didn’thavearighttoshowupoutoftheblue,pullyouoffthefloorandinterrogateyou

likeachild.Youhandledthesituationperfectly,andIknewthatwhensecuritymademe

awareoftheincident.I’mnotsorryIcheckedonyouthough.Icanseenowthatyou’rea

lothappier,”HankwinkedatCraig.“I’mnotsorrytoseeyouhappy.”

Thefoodarrived,breakinguptheconversation.AlaneyedHank.FromwhatCraig

said,Hankcouldbeatoughnuttocrack,buthe’dyettoshowanyanimositytowardAlan,

andhadevenofferedhimajob…potentially.Alanstillhadn’tcometotermswiththattid-

bitofinformation.

Therestoflunchseemedtoflowabitsmoothernowthatthetopicsofworkand

Craig’sshittyexhadbeendropped.AlanfoundthathelikeCraig’suncle.Hewasquick

wittedandhadamillionstoriestotellabouthisvariousadventuresaroundthecountry.

WhatAlanenjoyedthemostwaswatchingCraighangoffhisuncle’severyword.

AlanpushedhisemptyplateawayandlookedatCraig.“Didyoueverwantto

travel?”

Craigshruggedashoulder.“I’veentertainedtheidea.”

“Whydon’tyou?”askedAlan.FromthecornerofhiseyehewatchedHank,who

hadhisfullattentiontrainedontoCraig.

Craigpokedatthelastofhisfoodwithhisfork.“Tome,travelwouldbegreat,but

I’dliketostayplaceslongenoughtoactuallyexperiencethem.”Craigshruggedagainand

loadedhisfork.“Iwouldn’twanttogoaloneeither.Travelling,tome,itseemslike

somethingI’dwanttosharewithsomeone.”CraigshovedtheforkinhismouthasHank’s

phonerang.

Hankansweredhisphoneandinformedwhoeverwasontheotherendthathe’d

callthembackintenminutes.Herosefromthetable.“Ihatetorunoutonthetwoofyou,

butIreallydohavetoreturnthatcall.”HeshookAlan’shandthenyankedCraigintoa

hugandclappedhimontheback.“Ihavetoleavetownweekafternext,getintouchwith

mebeforethen.”HankglancedatAlanbeforelettinggoofCraig.“Youtoo.I’dliketo

discussthatambitiousendeavourofmineinmoredetail.”

Hankwalkedawayashedialledhisphone.

Alansighedwithrelief.HeturnedtoCraigandofferedaweaksmile.“So.Idon’t

thinkhehatesme.”AlanexpectedCraigtoshowsomerelief,butheseemedtobestressed

morenowthanhehadbeenearlier.HegrabbedCraig’shandandthreadedtheirfingers

together.“Ihavetogoseemylawyerinabitandgetthepaperworkgoingforthesaleof

theclub.Wecanmeetfordinnerifyou’dlike.”

Craigsqueezedhishand.“Ihaven’treallyseenEverettinawhile.Ishouldcheck

onhim.”

“Everett?”

Craiglaughed.Hesoundedawkwardandalittlenervous.“He’smyneighbor.He’s

theonewholetmeknowTimhadstoppedby.WemetwhenImovedintothebuilding.

Wehangoutalot,butIhaven’treallybeenaroundrecently.”CraigglancedatAlan.

“Ah.Pointtaken.Youfeellikeyou’vebeenditchingyourfriend?”

“Alittle.”Craig’sshouldersslumpedalittlewhenhesighed.

Whentheexitedthehotel,AlanpulledCraigofftothesideandyankedhiminto

hisarms.“Goseeyourfriend.”HekissedtheshellofCraig’searandrelishedthelittle

shiverthatrocketedthroughCraig.“I’llcallyoulatertonight,okay.”

CraigrestedhisforeheadagainstAlan’schestandhefelthimnod.“Okay.Sounds

good.Tellmehowitgoeswiththelawyers,okay?”

“Promise.Doyouwantalifthome?IhavetimetotakeyoubeforeImeetthe

lawyer.”

Craigpulledawayandkissedhimquickly.“It’sokay.Ihavetorunacoupleof

errands.”

AlanreluctantlyletCraiggo.PartingwiththewordsIloveyou,seeyoulater,

would’vebeennice,buthehadtobitethemback.Theyweren’tatthatpointintheir

relationshipyet.AsAlanturnedandwalkedawayfromCraighecouldn’tfighttheballof

regretthatbuiltinthepitofhisstomach.Heshould’vetoldhim.Heshouldn’tcareso

muchthathefellsofast,butifhewashonestwithhimselfhewouldbeabletoadmitthe

truth.Hedidn’tsaythewordsbecausehewasafraidthatCraigwouldn’tsaythemback.

ChapterThirteen

Craig

C

raig’serrandwasatriptotheliquorstoreforabottleofwineforhimandEverettto

share.Craigcouldn’tgettheimageofAlanwalkingawayoutofhishead.Itwasstupid.

Heknewitwas.Herecognizedhowirrationalhewasbeing.Alanwasn’tTim.Alan

wasn’tabouttodrophimlikeahotpotatoandjetofftodothejobhisuncleofferedhim.

Craiggrippedthebottletighterashethumpedupthestairstohisapartment.What

washisuncledoinganyway,offeringAlanajobashedid?ThejobwouldtakeAlanaway

fromCraig.Wasthathisuncle’splan?DidhenotapproveofAlan?Wasthejobawayto

getridofhim?Craigshookhishead.Nothingmadesenseanymore,whichwaswhyhe

neededtoseeEverett.Inthemonthsthatthey’dknowneachother,Everetthadfrequently

beentheshoulderthatCraigcriedon.

HeknockedonEverett’sdoorandwaited.Hisfriendansweredaminutelater

wearingonlyanapron.Thesightmighthavebeenunusualtoanyoneelse,butCraigwas

usedtoEverettansweringthedoorlikethis.HewasTheCrockCock,theinternet’s

hottest,gayest,andmostnakedchef.Hisvloghadahundredthousandsubscribersand

Everettwasabletolivesolelyofftheincomeitbroughtin.Therewasevenawhisper

latelyofsponsorshipsandtelevisiondeals,butEverettwasn’tcountinghischickens

beforetheyhatched.

Everettcockedaneyebrowwhenhenoticedthewine.Hesteppedasideand

motionedforCraigtocomein.“Goodtiming.I’mwrappingupmyshoot.Makeyourself

comfy,uncorkthatbadboy,andI’llbewithyouinthreeminutes.”

Craigtoedhisshoesoffandpushedthemofftotheside.Everettplacedacoupleof

wineglassesandacorkscrewonthecoffeetablethenhurriedbacktothekitchen.Craig

workedonuncorkingthewinewhilehisfriendfilmedtheout-troofhisvideo.

ItwasnowonderwhyEveretthadahugefollowing.Hehadacleancut,charming,

boynextdoorsortofvibegoingon,buthissmilewasalwayswolfishandpairedwellwith

hisinnuendoladencookingvlogs.

BythetimeCraiggotthewineuncorkedandfilledthetwoglassesEveretthad

finishedfilming.Heslippedintohisroomandreturnedamomentlaterinapairofsweats

thathunglowonhishipsandafadedSupermanT-shirtthathadseenbetterdays.Black

bondagecuffshuggedEverett’swrists.TheonlytimeEveretttookthemoffwaswhenhe

filmedforhiscookingvlog.

Everetttookhisglassofwine,curledupinhisreclinerwithhislegstucked

underneathhimself.Hisimmediatelydrankhalfofhiswine.“Areyougoingtotellme

whereyou’vebeenrunningofftoolately?”

Craig’scheeksflushed.Hehidhisgrinbehindhisglass.“RememberwhenIstayed

outallnightnottoolongago?Imetsomeone.”

Everett’seyebrowsraisedinsurprise,thenthecornerofhismouthtiltedin

amusement.“Goodforyou,man.Tellmeabouthim.Doeshetieyouupandwhipyou?Or

isheoneofthoseguysthatpreferyouonallfourswithacutelittlepuppytailwagging

awayashemakesyoucrawlaround?”

Craigshookhishead.SometimeshewonderediftellingEverettabouthiskinkier

sidehadbeentherightdecision.“You’reimpossible,youknowthat,right?”

Everettleanedback.Heusedhisfreehandtoshovehishairoffhisforehead.

“Seriously,Craig.Tellmeabouthim.YouknowI’mthelastpersonwhoisgoingtojudge

you,right?”

CraigknewEverettwasinthelifestyle,thoughheneversharedanyspecificsand

Craigneverpushed.AllheknewwasthatEverettwasfarkinkierthanCraigeverthought

ofbeingandthathedidn’tdoclubs.WhichmeanthehadotherwaysofmeetingDoms,

probablythosefreakyappsthatscaredtheshitoutofCraig.

Craigsighed.“Ifeellikeashit.Ican’tseemtostopcomparinghimtoTim.Idoit

allthetimeandItellmyselftostop,buteverythinghedoesissodifferent,somuchbetter

thatIcan’thelpit.”

Everetttookasipofhiswine.“It’snaturaltocompareonerelationshipagainst

another.Especiallywhenit’snewandyou’restillfiguringthingsout.Itdoesn’thelpthat

thingswithTimendedsoabruptlyandwithsolittleclosureforyou.”

“Alanisnothinglikehim.He’snothardcorethewayTimwas.Hedoesn’twantto

Domallthetime.Heusedto,butIthinkbothofourpastrelationshipschangedwhatwe

wantgoingforward.”Craigrefilledhisemptywineglass.Ifhewereseriouslygoingtosit

thereandtalkabouthissexlifeheneededalcoholicfortification.“Neitheroneofuswant

hardcore,full-time,BDSM.”Craigconfessed.

“Yousayyoubothwantthesamething,sowhat’sworryingyou?”

Craigtookadeepbreath.“Heownsaclub,Ev.He’ssellingit,andmyuncle

offeredhimajob,buthe’sownedaclubforyears.He’sgotwaymoreexperienceandI

knowhesaidhewantsarealrelationshipwithadashofkink,butIcan’thelpbutworry

thatI’mnotenough.”

Everettwhistled.“Shit,dude.That’salottounpack.”Hedrainedtherestofhis

wineandstretchedoutsoCraigcouldrefillit.“Obviouslytheguyisintoyou,hemetyour

uncle.”

“Goodpoint.”

“Sowhydon’tyouthinkyou’reenough?Isitbecauseheownsaclub?”

Craigrakedahandthroughhishair.“He’sbeenaDomforyears.Heusedtohavea

full-timesubmissive.Youknowmyexperience,”Craigscoffed.“Ibarelyhaveanyand

I’msuperpickyaboutmylimits.I’materriblesub.Ikeeptellinghimthis,buthesayshe

doesn’tmind.Onedaythough,whatifhedoesmind?”Craigknewtheanswertothat.One

day,Alanwasgoingtomindandthenhe’dleave.LikeTimhad.

Everettfrowned,butbeforehecouldcomment,Craigwentoffonatangent.He’d

finishedspillinghisgutsandneededtoredirecttheconversationforaminute.“Heshowed

upatthehotel.”

“Who?”Everettasked.“Tim?”

“Yeah.Notlongafterhewasherehecorneredmeatwork.Hesaidweneededto

talk,butIhadhimthrownout.I’mnotinterestedinanythinghehastosay.Notafterwhat

hedid.”

Everettgracefullyunfoldedhimselfandgotupofftherecliner.Hesethiswine

glassdownonthecoffeetableandploppeddownonthecouchnexttoCraig.Heslunga

slenderarmaroundCraig’sshouldersandtuggedhimclose.“Iknowyou’refreakedout.

Timreallyhurtyou.Beingbrokenupwithisonething,butthewayTimdiditwas

especiallycruel.Butifyou’vebeenthisunsurearoundAlan,thenIbetthathe’sas

confusedasIam.Youneedtodecidewhatyouwantandthengoforit.Alanisn’tamind

reader.”

CraigsethisglassonthetablenexttoEverett’s.Hisstomachchurnedandfrothed

likeanoceanduringastorm.“UncleHankofferedhimajob.Ajobthatprobablyrequires

travel.Alanissellingtheclub.He’llprobablytakethejob.”Craigclaspedhishands

together.“Wheredoesthatleaveme?”

“There’sSkype.Besides,itdoesn’tsoundlikeAlanisexactlyhurtingforcash.

He’llprobablybebacktoseeyouallthetime.Oryoucouldflyoutandseehim.Butyou

reallyshouldn’tborrowtrouble,Craig.Nothingisdecidedyet.Alanmightrejecttheoffer,

oritmightnotbewhatyouthinkitis.”

Craigsighed.Hecouldn’thelpbutfeelalittlecrestfallen.Somanytimesinhislife

hefeltasifhe’dfoundeverythinghe’dbeenlookingforandeachtimeitendedup

slippingthroughhisfingers.Timhadbeentheworstofitthough.EvenbeforeTimdid

leaveCraigfeltlikehewaslosingTim.Itwasatruthittookhimalongtimetoaccept.

CraigclosedhiseyesandtookadeepbreathasEverettgrippedhisshoulder.Theweight

ofhisarmacrosshisbackgavehimalittlecomfort.

“Idon’twanttolosehim,Everett.TimandI…weweredoomed.Weneverwere

goingtomakeit.HefiguredthatoutbeforeIdid,though.ButAlan,Ithinkwecan.We

reallymesh,youknow.Weseemtowantallthesamethings,butyou’reright.I’mscared.”

“Thenyou’llhavetofindawaytotrusthim,Craig.That’sallthereistoit.”

Craigsnorted.“Yeah,becausetrustissoeasy,right.”

Everettshruggedashoulder.“It’snotcalledaleapoffaithfornothing.”

BothCraigandEverettturnedtheirheadwhensomeoneknockedonEverett’s

door.

Everettfurrowedhisbrow.“Ihavenoideawhothatcouldbe.You’rebasicallythe

onlypersonIknow.Well,there’sAndrewandXavier,butAndrewleftyesterdaytohelp

Xavierpackuphisstuff.”

“AndrewandXavier?”

Everetthoistedhimselfoffthecouchandstartedtowardthedoor.“Andrewismy

childhoodbestfriendandXavierishiskidbrother.Herecentlyfinishedculinaryschool

andhe’smovinginwithAndrew.”

ThepoundingonthedoorbecamemoreaggressiveandEverettyelledoutthathe

wascoming.“Sheesh.Noonehasanypatiencethesedays.”

CraigwatchedasEverettputhisfacetothedoorandlookedoutthepeephole.

Everettturned,hisfacealittlewhiter.ThehairsonthebackofCraig’sneckstoodup.

“It’sTimandhedoesn’tlooksogood.”

Craigballedhisfistsandnoddedhishead.“Lethimin.”

Everettundidthesecuritychainandopenedthedoorandsteppedaside.Craig

watchedasTimswayed.HeputonehandonthewallforsupportasEverettclosedthe

doorandlockeditbehindhim.

“Everett.Ithinkyoushouldcallthepolice.”Craigsaidashewrappedhisarms

aroundhimself.Hepattedhispocketsuntilhefoundhecellphone.

“No.”Tim’svoicewashoarse.“Nocops.PleaseCraig.Nocops.Ican’t.Please.”

TimleanedagainstthewallandEverettgrabbedhisarmbeforehecollapsedcompletely.

CraigcouldbarelylookatTim.Hisfacewasamess.Hislefteyewasblack,hislip

wassplit,andhewascoveredindriedbloodfromableedingnose.Hewaspaleandbarely

abletostandonhisown.Everetthelpedhimovertothecouch.Craig’shandshook,andhe

nearlydroppedhisphone.He’dtotallyforgottenhewasholdingit.Heglanceddownathis

phoneandshotatexttoAlan.

AtEverett’s.Timishere.He’sbeenroughedup.Pleasecome.

“Nocops,Craig.Please.”Tim’svoicebroke.

“Notcops.Alan.”Craigstaredathisphoneandbackedupanotherstep.Theroom

felttoosmallanditwastoostrangetobesoclosetoTimagain.He’dthoughthesawthe

lastofhimwhenhethrewhimoutofthehotel.

Everettreturnedwithaglassofwaterandafirstaidkittuckedunderhisarm.He

satnexttoTimandhandedhimacoupleofpainkillersandthewater.Timacceptedboth

graciously.OnceTimswallowedthemanddrankhisfill,Everetttooktheglassandsetit

aside.Herifledthroughthefirstaidkit.Afterheprocuredanantisepticwipe,hecarefully

cuppedTim’schinwithonehand.

“Thismightsting,butIwanttomakesurewecleanyouupokay?”Craignoticeda

slighttrembleinEverett’shandsashehelpedTim.HehopedthesightofTimhadn’t

broughtbackbadmemoriesforEverett.Craigknewhe’dbeenthroughsomethingbadin

hispast.CraigputahandonEverett’sshouldertocomforthim.

Timnodded.HewincedalittlewhenEverettcleanedthedamagetohisface,but

otherthanthathekepthisgazefocusedonthefloor.

“Whathappened,Tim?”

TimglancedatEverett,butdidn’tsayanything.HelookedatCraig,butwasbarely

abletomaintaineyecontact.“Ifuckedup.Ifuckedupsobad,Craig.”

Therewasatime,monthsago,whenCraigwould’vekilledtohearthosewords.

CraigimaginedathousanddifferentscenariosinwhichTimwouldcomecrawlingback,

orwouldatleastadmitthathe’dbeenwrongtoleaveCraiglikethat.Butneverinhis

wildestimaginationdidCraigpicturethis.

“Whathappenedtoyou?”Craig’sphonechimedwithatext.ItwasAlan.

Bethereintenminutes.What’stheapartmentnumber?

CraigshotAlanatextlettinghimknowthathe’dcomedowntomeethimatthe

frontdoors.Heneededsomespaceandpossiblysomefreshair.AndAlan.Heneededhis

boyfriendandhiscalminginfluence.ThewineinCraig’sstomachwasn’tsittingwell.He

glancedatEverettandmotionedtothedoor.Everettnodded,andCraigslippedout.

Hedidn’tbothertakingtheelevatorandheadedforthestairsinstead.Heraced

downthem,desperateforsomedistancebetweenhimandTimandwhateverthefuck

happened.Craigassumeditwasthathot-headedDom,boyfriend,whoever,thatCraighad

runintoattheclub.

Craigburstoutthefrontdoorsandintothefreshair.Hestoodonthestepsofhis

building,afour-storyapartmentthatwasontheoldersideofthings,butthelandlordskept

itmaintained.Craigtookaseatonthesteps.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundhislegsandset

hischinonhisknees.Maybeheshould’velistenedtoTimwhenhe’dsoughthimout.Was

thereawayCraigcould’vepreventedallthisfromhappening?Craigshookhisheadand

remindedhimselfthatTimwastheonewhomadethedecisiontoleave.Anythingthat

happenedtohimwasadirectresultofthatdecision.Thatdidn’tmakeitTim’sfault,andit

certainlywasn’tCraig’s.Hefeltguiltyanyway.

Craiglookedatthetimeonhiscellphone.Alanwouldbethereanyminute.Craig

couldn’twaittothrowhisarmsaroundhimandbreathehimin.HeneededAlan.Everett

wasright.ItwasuptoCraigtocommunicatebetter.Heknewwhathewanted,nowallhe

hadtodowasreachoutandaskforit.

Craig’smindstartedworkingoutexactlywhathewantedandhowhewasgoingto

getit.RehearsingconversationsinhisheadwasagoodalternativetothinkingaboutTim.

Craigwassoimmersedinhisthoughtsthathedidn’tnoticeAlanarriveuntilheheardhis

namecalled.

Craigliftedhisgaze.HisheartlightenedwhenhesawAlan.CraigstoodasAlan

gottohim.AlanpulledCraigintohisarmsandhekissedthesideofCraig’shead.“What’s

goingon?”Alanasked.

CraiglethisforeheadrestagainstAlan’schestandheshuthiseyes.“Iwashaving

adrinkwithEverett.Weweretalkingaboutstuffandthensomeoneknocked.Timshowed

uphere.He’sallroughedup.”

“Didyoucallthepolice?”AlanrubbedCraig’sbackashespoke.

“Heaskedusnotto.”CraigclutchedatAlan’sshirt.“Ihatethis.Ihateseeinghim

atall,butIhateseeinghimlikethisevenmore.EvenwhenIabsolutelyhatedhimInever

wishedanythinglikethisonhim.I’mnotsureIcandothis.”

“Notsureyoucandowhat?”

“Bethereforhim.Ididn’twantthistohappentohim,Ididn’t.Butheshowsup

hereallfuckedupandlookingforhelpandIdon’twanttoturnhimaway,butIdon’thave

itinmetositthereandnotwonderiftherewassomethingIcould’vedonetopreventthis.

MaybeIshould’velistenedtohimwhenhecametome.Iknowit’snotmyfault,Alan,I

knowthis,butIcan’tshaketheguilt.”

“Takeadeepbreath.It’sokay.”AlanstoodthereandletCraigcollecthimselffora

minutebeforeAlaninsistedthattheygoupstairstoseewhattheycoulddoaboutTim.

AlantookCraig’shandanddidn’tletgo.

ChapterFourteen

Alan

I

twasn’tawonderthatCraighadbeensoshakenupwhenhearrived.OnelookatTim’s

faceandAlanwasshakenaswell,butunderthatwasalayerofrage.Hewasangryat

whoeverdidthistoTimandatTimforshowinguphereanddumpinghisproblemson

Craig.HewasmadathimselfforbeingworriedthatCraigmightwantTimback.Logic

dictatedthattakingTimbackwasn’tsomethingCraigthoughtaboutdoing,butsomewhere

insideAlan’smindtherewasatinyirrationalpartofhimthatwasworriedsickthatthis

wasthebeginningoftheend.

Itwasirrational,butAlancouldn’tstopcomparinghimselfagainstCraig’sex.Tim

andCraighadahistory.Theyhadafriendshipthatevolvedintosomethingmore.Alan

hadn’tknownCraigverylong,theyhadn’teven—forlackofabetterterm—goneallthe

way,yethisfeelingsforCraigrandeeperthanhe’deveranticipated.Hehadn’tsaidthe

words,buthe’dwantedto.HewantedtokissCraiguntilhewasbreathless.Hewantedto

toucheveryinchofhimandpossesshimineverysingleway.Mind.Body.Soul.Alanwas

greedywhereCraigwasconcerned.Hewanteditall.

FirstAlanhadtogethimthroughthis.Timwasamess.HesatnexttoEverett,who

gaveAlanapolitenod.EverettwhisperedsomethingtoTim.TimnoddedandEverettgot

upoffthecouchandsignalledforCraigandAlantofollowhimoutintothehallway.

CraigkepthimselfgluedtoAlan’sside.“Whathappenedtohim?Wasithis

boyfriend?”

Everettnodded.“It’salongstoryanditdoesn’thaveaparticularlyhappyending.”

“Giveusthecondensedversion.”Alansaid.Hemadeamentalnotetorevoke

Paul’smembershiptheminuteheintotheoffice.Healsointendedtosendanemailtothe

otherclubsinthearea.

“PaulsawTimandCraigataclubawhileback.PaulapproachedTimonthesly

andofferedtotrainhimtobeabetterDom.That’showitstarted.Itwasneversupposedto

bearelationship,notatfirst,fromwhatTimtoldme.HewantedtopleaseCraig.Heknew

somethingwasoffwiththetwoofyouandhedidn’twanttoloseyou.”

AlanfeltCraigflinchandhepulledhimcloser.HeunderstoodTim’scompulsion

todowhateverwasnecessarytokeepCraig.Itwasallhecouldthinkabout.

“PaultoldTimthebestwaytolearntoDomwastobeasub.”Everettstoppedand

chewedonhislip.Hewasclearlyuncomfortable.

Craigdroppedhisgazetothefloor.“Iknowhecheatedonme,Ev.It’sokay.Can

youjustfinishthestory?”

Everettnoddedandplungedintotherestofthetale.“BythetimeTimleftyouPaul

hadhimconvincedthatyoudidn’tcareabouthimbecauseyouneverseemedtomindall

thetimehewasn’tspendingwithyou.HehadTimconvincedthathe’dbehappierwithout

you.Timwasclearlyaverse,andyou’reallbottom,”Everett’scheeksflushed,andhe

lookedatAlanuneasily.“Hewasconvincedthatthetwoofyouwouldneverworkoutand

thatacleanbreakwaswhatwasbestforyou.HecollaredTimandmovedhimintohis

house.HeconvincedTimtoquithisjobbecauseyoucouldtrackhimdownthereandhe

didn’twantyoumakingTimfeelbad.Itwentdownhillfromthere.”

“Howbad?”Craigasked.Alanhatedthethin,dejectedtoneofCraig’svoice.

“Paulconvincedhimthathedidn’thavetofindanotherjob.HetoldTimhe’dtake

careofhim.BythetimeTimrealizedthatPaulhadstrippedallhisfreedomaway,he

thoughtitwastoolate.Hehadnofriendsleft.Hehadnowheretogo.”

“HowdidhefindoutwhereIlive?”

“Hewouldn’ttellme.”

AlanfeltCraigstiffenathisside.“IthinkIneedtotalktoTim.”

CraigstormedintoEverett’sapartment.HeheldontoAlan’shandthewholetime.

AlanlovedthatCraigneededhim.ItgavehimhopethatCraigwasn’tabouttoleavehim

foramanwho,forwhateverreason,wassoquicktocasthimaside,evenifhewas

manipulatedintodoingso.Alancouldn’timagineaworldinwhichhe’dwillinglygive

Craigup.

TheystoodacrosstheroomfromTim,whostillsatintherecliner.Hehada

blanketwrappedaroundhisshouldersandhisfacewasturningagrotesqueshadeof

purplearoundhiseye.

Craigwastednotimejumpingintohislineofquestioning.“Howdidyouknow

whereIlived?Whydidyoucomehere?Whywereyouatmyjob?”

TimlookedupatCraigandAlansawhowemptyandsadandbrokenthemanwas.

“Ididn’tknowwhatIwasgettingintountilitwastoolate.Iknewwhereyoulived

becauseIlookedforyou.Ilookedforyouandyoumoved.Ihadtoaskaround,but

eventuallyIfoundoutthatyoumovedintothisbuilding.”Timshrugged.“Yournameis

ontheintercomatthemaindoors.That’showIfoundyourapartmentnumber.Islippedin

whenanothertenantopenedthedoors.”

CraiggrippedAlan’shandtighter.“Whydidyoucomehere?Idon’tgetit.You

fuckingvanished.ThenIseeyouintheclubandsuddenlyyou’redesperatetofindme.”

Tim’seyesstartedtowater,andheswipedatthetears.“Paulwasmadaboutthat.

Hewasmadthatyougothimintroubleattheclub.Hewasembarrassed…andImadeit

worse.Ialwaysthoughthewasright.Thatyouwereokaywithhowthingswentdown

withus.Thatitwasbetter.ButthenIsawyouintheclubandIsawhowmuchIhurtyou.

Iwasangry.Icameheretotryandtalktoyou,toexplainwhathappened.Idon’tblame

youfornotlistening,butIwasmad.Iwasmadabouteverything.Icalledhimoutfor

manipulatingme.”

“Wasthatallhewasmadabout?”Alanraisedaneyebrow.Hedidn’tknowTimat

all,buthesensedthattherewassomethinghewasleavingout.

Timswallowedandshookhishead.

“Whatelsewashemadabout,Tim?”Craigasked,hisvoicebarelyaudible.

Timlookedatthefloor.“WhenIsawyouattheclub…heknew.Hesawitwritten

allovermyface.”

“Sawwhat?”AlanaskedthequestionheknewCraigwastooafraidto.Itwasn’t

likeAlandidn’tknowtheanswer.AnyfoolcouldseethatTimwasstillinlovewithCraig.

Itwaswrittenalloverhisface.Itwasapparentinthewayhecarriedhimself,sofullof

regretandshameandselfhatred,thatTimstillcarriedatorchforthemanhe’dwronged.

ThenTimopenedhismouthandAlan’sworstnightmarecametrue.

“HeknewIwasstillinlovewithyou.”

Therewasdeadsilenceforamoment,thenCraigletoutashakybreath.“Callyour

brother.YoucanstayherewithEverettuntilhecomesandgetsyou,oryoucanstayinmy

apartmentandI’llstaywithAlan.Ithink,giventhecircumstances,thatit’sbestifyou

leavetown.Gostaywithyourfamily,they’llsupportyouandhelpyouthroughthis.I

can’t,Iwon’t,andIdon’twantto.”

Timflinchedasifhe’dbeenslapped.

“Youleftmeforwhateverreason,Idon’tevencareanymore.I’llhelpyouget

awayfromPaulbecausehe’sbadnews,butthat’sit.I’mnotyourshouldertoleanon.I’m

notthelightattheendofyourtunnel.I’mjustaguyyouusedtoknowwhoisdoingyou

onelastfavor.”CraiglookedatAlan.“Canwego?Ineed…Ican’tbehereanymore.”

Alannodded.EventhoughCraighadlaiddownthelawwithTimandoutright

rejectedhim,ithardlyfeltlikeavictory.Oncetheywereoutinthehallway,Craiglooked

upatAlan.“Youdon’tmindifIstaywithyou,doyou?”

AlanwrappedhisarmaroundCraig’sshoulders.HewantedtowrapCraigupinhis

armsandholdhimuntiltheintenseuneasefledhisbody.“Let’spackyouabag.Youcan

stayforaslongasyouneedto.”HewantedtotellCraigthathecouldstaywithhim

foreverifhechoseto,butnowwasn’tthemomentforgranddeclarationsoflove.That

wouldcomelater,becauseAlanwasgoingtotellCraighowhefeltabouthim.

Fromthemomenthe’dfirstlaideyesonCraig,hewasstruck.Thenhetouched

him,heldhim,andtalkedtohim.ThemorehewasaroundCraigthemoreherealizedthat

hedidn’twanttolethimgo.Helovedhim.Alanknewthatwiththesaleoftheclub

loomingonthehorizon,thathisfuturewasalittleuncertain,buthe’ddoanythinghe

couldtomakesureCraigwasinit.

Craigwassubduedashepackedabag.Alanstayedclose,butdidn’tpresshimfor

conversation.TheystoppedbyEverett’squicklytothankhimforhelpingTim.Alan

watchedasEverettwrappedhisganglyarmsaroundCraigandpulledhimintoahug.

EverettwhisperedsomethinginCraig’sear,thenpattedhimontheback.Helookedat

Alanandnodded,thendisappearedbackintohisapartment.

AlanledCraigtohiscar.CraigreachedoutandputhishandonAlan’sthigh,but

stayedquiet.AlanguessedthatCraigwasgoingtoneedsometimeandspacetoprocess

everythinghe’dlearned.HisrelationshipwithTimmight’vebeendoomed,butthe

manipulationfromPaulwasarevelationofsortsandAlanwonderedhowCraigwould

handleit.

Craigthumpedhisheadagainsttheheadrest.“Ihavetoworktomorrow.”

AlanglancedatCraig.“Whydon’tyoutakesometimeoff?Youcanstaywith

me.”

“Idon’twanttobeyourtag-a-longwhileyouworkattheclub.I’llfeelpathetic.”

“I’llworkfromhome.WhatIcan’tdofromhome,Icandelegate.”

AminutelaterCraigwasonthephonewithhisUncle.“Yeah,uh,UncleHank,”

Craigexhaledashakybreath.“Ineedtimeoff.Yeah,uh,Timshowedup.No.Ofcourse

not.”AbsolutedisgustfilledCraig’svoice.“I’mstayingwithAlanforacoupleofdays.”

Pause.“Ipromisetofillyouinlater.”Pause.“Yeah,hewill,don’tworry.”

AnotherpausemadeAlanwishhecouldhearbothsidesoftheconversation.

“Yeah,wecandothat.”CraiglookedatAlan.“UncleHankwantstohavedinner

withusinafewdays.”Craigpressedthephoneagainsthischestsohisunclewouldn’tbe

abletohear.“He’sworriedaboutme.”

“It’snoproblem,Craig.”

Craignoddedthenputthephonebacktohisear.“I’llcallyouinafewdaysand

we’llsetsomethingup,okay.”Craigexhaledandleanedagainsttheheadrestandclosed

hiseyes.“IwillUncleHank.Youtoo.”Craigendedthecallanddroppedhishandsinto

hislap.HekepthiseyesshutandAlantookthatasasignthatheneededafewminutesof

quiet.

Theydidn’tspeakagainuntilCraigwalkedthroughAlan’sfrontdoor.Craig

shiftedhisbagfromonehandtotheotherandtoedhisshoesoffbeforelookingatAlan.

“I’mgoingtoheadupstairs,ifthat’sokay.”

AlanresistedtheurgetowraphisarmsaroundCraig.Hewantedtotouchhim,

soothehim,andmakeitallbetter.Instead,Alannodded.“Putyourstuffinmyroomand

makeyourselfathome.I’llbeupinalittlewhiletocheckonyou,okay?”

Craignodded.Alanthoughthewasgoingtowalkaway,butCraigcamecloser.He

puthisfreehandonAlan’sshoulder,thenroseandkissedhimonthecheek.“Thankyou.”

AlanfollowedhimtothestairsandwatchedCraigasheclimbedthem.Hehatedto

seeCraiglikethis.Alanshookhisheadandwanderedintothekitchen.Hetriedtostophis

imaginationfromworkingovertime,butevenasheputthekettleontoboilwaterforhot

chocolate,hecouldn’tstopthinkingaboutCraig.Thenighthemethim,heknewCraig

hadsomesortofhistorywithTimorPaul,buthedidn’tknowwhat.Nowthatheknewthe

wholetruth,Alancouldn’tstoppicturingCraigandhowruinedhemust’vebeenwhen

Timleft.

WhenAlanmetCraigtherehadbeenasadnessinhiseyes,likelythelingering

effectsofTim’sbetrayal.Slowly,ashegottoknowCraig,itseemedtoease.Ithadn’t

totallyvanishedyet,andthatbotheredAlan.MorethananythinghewantedtomakeCraig

happy.Hewantedtochasetheshadowsoutofhiseyes.

Alan’shandshookalittleashestirredthecupofcocoaforCraig.Hewasn’tsure

howtoproceed.HecouldbringCraigacupofhotchocolateandsuggesttheywatcha

movie.HecouldseeifCraigwantedhimtoorderdinnerorifhefeltuptocookingwith

Alan.They’dbothenjoyedthetimetheyspenttogetherinthekitchen.Alanwasn’tusedto

feelingsohelpless.Withanacheinhisheart,Alancarriedthecocoaupstairs.

Healmostwalkedintohisbedroomunannounced,butstoppedatthelastmoment

andknocked.“Craig.I’mcomingin,okay.”

Therewasnoresponse.Alansighedandpushedthedooropen.

“Ibroughtsomehotchocolate.”Alanheardhisvoicetrailoffwhenhespotted

Craig.

Craig.Nakedandkneeling.Hisarmswereclaspedbehindhisback.Hisheadwas

bowed.Alan’sinnerDominstantlywokeupandeverythingclickedintoplace.Hisboy

neededsomethingthatonlyhisDaddycouldgivehim.Alansetthecuponthedresserand

lethimselfstareatCraig—hisboy—foraminute.

Alan’sthroattightened,hispulseraced,andhisdickhardenedinhispants.He

adjustedhimselfasherakedhisgazedownthegracefulcurveofCraig’sspine.Heloved

hisperfectass,roundandfirmAlan’scocktwitchedwhenhewonderedhowtightCraig

wouldbe.

AlanwalkedinaslowcirclearoundCraig.Hekepthishandstohimselffornowas

hegatheredhiscontrol.Hisboywassobeautiful.TherewasanairofcalmthatCraig

hadn’thaddownstairs.Hewascalmer,butAlansawthetensioninhisneckandshoulders.

HesawthewayCraighadtoforcehimselftobreatheevenly.

AlanreachedoutandbrushedhisfingersthroughCraig’shair.“Tellmewhatyou

need,boy.”

Craig’sshouldersdroppedalittleassomeofthetensioninhismusclesfled.“I

needyou,Daddy.”

AlansmiledalittleeventhoughhereallywantedtoliftCraigintohisarmsand

kisshimsenseless.Therewouldbetimeforthatlater.Instead,Alanlethisfingersslide

overCraig’sscalp.Herelishedthewayhisboyshiveredalittle.“Youneedme,Little

One?”

“Yes,Daddy.”Craig’svoicewassoftandsteady.Withoutbeingpromptedto,Craig

liftedhisgazetofindAlan’s.WhereAlanexpectedtoseethefamiliarshadowsofsadness,

hesawonlyadoration.Heexpectedtohearhesitantwords,butinsteadwasflooredby

conviction.“Ineedyou.Ineedyoutomakemeyours,Daddy.I’vewantedtobelongto

yousincethatfirstnight.”

Alancouldscarcelybreathe.He’dbeensounsureofhimselfwhereCraigwas

concernedthathe’dheldback.Hehadn’twantedtopushtoohardtoosoondespitehis

urgetoownhimcompletely,andherewasCraig;kneelingandbeggingfortheverything

Alanwantedmost.

AlansmileddownatCraigandcuppedhischeek.Helethisthumbglideover

Craig’scheekbone.Reluctantly,hepulledhishandawayandcrossedtheroom.Despite

tellinghimselfthathehadn’texpectedtousethisanytimesoon,he’dstillboughtitjustin

case.Alanwantedtolaughathisownignorance.Nowwasthetimeforabsolutehonesty.

He’dwantedthisfromthemomentCraigwenttohisknees.

Heopenedthetopdrawerofhisdresserandopenedaboxthathe’dstashedinside.

HeretrievedthecontentsandwentbacktoCraig.Hekepttheitembehindhisbackso

Craigcouldn’tseeit.

AlanstrokedthecurveofCraig’sjawwithhisfingertips.“Youaremine.The

minuteyouknelt,weconnected.Fromthatfirsttouch,Iwashooked.You’remineandI’m

notevergoingtoletyougo.”AlanshowedCraigtheitemhe’dhiddenbehindhisback

andCraig’seyeswidened.

“Isthat?”Craigswallowed.AnticipationflickeredinhiseyesandAlandidn’thide

hissmile.

“Yes,LittleOne.Itis,andIgotitespeciallyforyou.I’mgoingtobecompletely

honestwithyou.”Alan’sfingersslidoverthesmoothblackleatherofthecollarandhe

unfastenedthebuckle.“ThisisacollarandIwantyoutowearit.IwanttobeyourDaddy.

Iwanttoownyouanduseyouandfuckyouuntilyou’reboneless.ButI’mgreedy,

becauseIalsowanttobeyourlover.Iwanttoholdyouandcaressyouandmakeloveto

you.I’mselfishandIwantyoualltomyself.Iwanttocookdinnerwithyou,watch

movieswithyou,travelwithyou.IwanttobeyourDaddy,yourlover,andyour

boyfriend.Iwanttobeyoureverything,Craig.”Alanheldhisbreathandtheworld

seemedtostopspinningforamoment.Maybeitfadedawaycompletelybecausetherewas

onlyAlanandCraig.Alantookabreath.“Willyoubemyeverything,LittleOne?”

“Yes,Daddy.”ThosewordswerethesinglemostglorioussoundsthatAlanhad

everheard.

AlanbentandbuckledthecollararoundCraig’sneck.Hedidn’tmisstheway

Craig’sAdam’sapplebobbedwhenheswallowed,orthelittlehitchinhisbreathwhen

Alan’sfingersskimmedacrosshisthroatanduptohischin.HetippedCraig’sheadup.

God,hewasperfect.Hisfulllips,partedsohecouldpant,thoughhewasalmost

breathlessatthatpoint.Lust-filledeyesframedbydarklashesstaredupathim.

Unabletoresisthim,AlancapturedCraig’smouth.Withalittlemoanthatsounded

alotlikereliefandconsumingdesireallwrappedupinonetinypackage,Craigsubmitted

toAlanashepartedhislipsandslidhistongueintoCraig’smouth.

Theirkisswasallsoftnesswithanundercurrentofscorchingheatandbarely

controlledneed.AlanneededCraiglikeheneededair.Heneededtoownhimand

consumehimandcontrolhiminawaythathehadn’tneededanyoneinalongtime.Craig

waswearinghiscollaranditwasthemostglorioussightintheworldandAlanwasgoing

toshowhimwhatitmeanttobelongtohimcompletely.

Alanstraightenedhisback,rolledhisshoulders,andhisDomvoicerolledout,

smoothassilkandfirmlikesteel.“Standup,Sweetheart.”

ChapterFifteen

Craig

H

olyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit.YES!Craigtriedtostophismindfromgoingamillion

milesanhour,butbetweenAlan’swords,thefeelofthesmoothleatheraroundhisthroat,

andthatsoul-destroyingkiss,Craigwasalreadyabouttoblowapartattheseams.Then

AlanwhippedouthisDaddyvoiceandCraignearlycameonthespot.

Asgracefulashecouldmanage,hegottohisfeet.Heknewheshouldlookdown,

buthewasn’tabletotakehiseyesoffAlan.HisDom.HisDaddy.No,notjustthat.Alan

washiseverythingandhewasperfect.Fromthecrowsfeetatthecornerofhiseyesdown

tothefuzzypatchofhaironhischest.Therewasn’taninchofthemanthatCraigdidn’t

appreciatethefuckoutof.

“Climbontothebed.Kneelinthecenter.”

Craigdidn’ttrusthimselftospeak.Hisentirebodywaspulledtightwith

anticipation.Hehurriedovertothebed.Fuckbeinggraceful,hewasn’tshowingofffor

anyoneandAlan’sdarkchuckleindicatedthatheenjoyedCraig’senthusiasm.Hekneltin

thecenterofthebedandwaited.Andwaited.Behindhimheheardnoisesandhenearly

turnedaroundtoseewhatAlanwasdoing,buthestoppedhimself.Hewantedtoplease

Alan.Hewantedtobeperfectforhim.

Craigclosedhiseyesanddidhisbesttobepatient.

“Leanforward.Putyourcheekonthemattress.Assintheair.”

Godhisvoicesoundedgood.TherewasaferociousintensitythatCraighadn’t

everheardfromAlan.Hiscocklikedit.Slowly,obediently,Craigloweredhimselfuntil

hischeekwaspressedagainstthemattress.Hetookadeepbreathanditshudderedoutof

himwhenAlanreachedoverandarrangedhisarmssotheywerestretchedoutdownhis

sides.

Coldleatherwrappedaroundonewrist.Thentheother.“Doyourememberyour

safeword,LittleOne?”

Craigdidn’trecognizehisownvoicewhenhespoke.Hesoundedsofargone

already,sobreathyandthin,yetwoundsotightandAlanhadn’tevendoneanythingyet.

“Red,Daddy.”

AlansmoothedhishandoverCraig’sback.Hecaressedthecurveofhisass.

“GoodBoy.”ThenAlan’stouchwasgone.Withoutit,Craigfeltnaked…well,

metaphoricallynaked.Hewasalreadyliterallynakedexceptforhiscollarandthecuffs

Alanhadputaroundhiswrists.AlanputcuffsaroundCraig’sthighsthensecuredthemto

thecuffsaroundhiswrists.Thepositionhewasinwasalittlehumiliating,buthisdick

hadnocomplaints.Withhisarmsathissidessecuredtohisthighs,hisfacedown,assup,

legsspread,Alanhadfullaccess.Craigbitbackamoan.

Forafewminutes,Alanseemedcontenttopethim.Hestrokedhishandsover

everyexposedinchofCraig’sbody.Powerfulhandscaressedeverycurve,everymuscle

downhisback.HisfingertipsgrazedovereveryvertebrathenthecreaseofhisassasAlan

caressedit.HekepttellingCraighowperfecthewas.Howbeautifulhelooked.Craig’s

chesttightenedwitheveryounceofpraise.

He’dwantedtobethosethingsforAlan.Hewantedtobethemsobadheached.

Hewastiredoftryingandfailingandneverbeingenoughforanyone.Buthere,onAlan’s

bed,withthecomfortofhiscollararoundhisneck,thefeelofAlan’shandsonhim,and

thesoundofhisvoicesingingCraig’spraisesoverandover,Craigbelievedeverything

Alanwassaying.

“That’sit,LittleOne.You’resoniceandrelaxednow.”Alanpracticallypurredas

hishandsonceagainsmootheddownCraig’sass.Alan’shandtravelledlower.Craig

chokedoffastartledsoundthatmorphedintoamoanwhenAlan’sfingerscuppedhis

balls.Craigmoaned,andAlanchuckled.Thensomethingwrappedaroundthebaseofhis

cockandaroundhisballsandtightened.Craiggaspedandwriggledhisfingerslookingfor

somethingtograbonto.“Holyshit,Daddy.”Craigpanted,andhisfingersscrabbled

unsuccessfullyforsomethingtogriponto.“Isthat…”

“It’salittletoytohelpyou.You’resobeautifulwhenyou’reeager,butIdon’t

wantyoucomingtoosoon.”

Craigdidn’tlikethesoundofthat.Notreally.Eventhoughhesworetheroom

heatedfivedegreesandhisballstightened.Okay,sohewas,infact,fightingtheurgeto

rollhiseyesintothebackofhisheadandfloatawaywithalltheideasthatflashedthrough

hismindofwhatAlancouldpossiblyhaveinstoreforhim.

Craignearlyleaptoutofhisskinwhenabreathofwarmairwashedoverhishole.

“Ilovehowyourbodyrespondstome,LittleOne.”Alanstrokedhisthumbdown

thecreaseofCraig’sass,thenbackupagain.Craiggruntedwhenthethumbstoppedand

lightlypressedagainsthispucker.Heclampedhiseyesshutandtriedtosteadyhis

breathing.Alanhadbeenageniustoputthecockringonhim.He’dhaveblownhisload

alreadyforsure,buthecouldn’t.HewastrappedontheedgeofecstasyandAlanwas

determinedtomakehimrideitforaslongaspossible,becausethenextthingheknew,the

thumbdisappeared.Craigheardsomethingopen.Hejerkedwhenawelllubedfinger

swirledaroundhishole,thengentlypressedinside.

“Ung.Fuck.”Craigwantedtoburyhisfaceintothemattress,biteapillow,maybe

screamoratleastrockbackandfuckhimselfonthatonefinger,butAlan’sotherhand

presseddownonthecurveofhisass,keepinghimstill.

“That’sright.Letmehearallthoseglorioussounds.Iwanttohearyoufallapart.”

AlanslowlyworkedinasecondfingerasCraigchantedastringofexpletives.Alan

chuckleddarkly.“Ifyoucouldseehowbeautifulyoulook,Sweetheart.”Alan’shand

strokedacrossCraig’slowerbackandCraigbithislip.“You’retryingsohardnottofall

apart.”Alan’svoicewassoothing.ItslidunderCraig’sskinandmadehimwanttoletgo

forAlan.CraigexhaledandclosedhiseyesandhesworeheheardAlanpurr.

CraigjerkedalittlewhenAlanslidhisfingerout.Hefeltempty,voided,bereft

even.HiseyessnappedopenandhecaughtsightofAlan,whosmiledasweetsortof

smilethatCraighadneverseenbefore.“Relax.It’sokay.I’vegotyou.”

Craigfeltthewordsmorethanheheardthem.Theyuncoiledsomethinginsidehim

andhefeltthelastbitoftensionleavehisshoulders.Alanhadhim.Alanwasthere,and

Craigtrustedhimlikehe’dnevertrustedanyone,becauseAlanhadn’teverpushedfor

anything.Heneverhintedthathewantedmore.Heneverdidanythingbutbetherefor

Craigandsupporthimandbelievethathewasenough.

Hewasenough.

Hewasenough,andAlanhadhimandheletgo.Forthefirsttime,maybeever,

Craigletgoforreal.Herelaxed,andAlansmoothedhispowerfulhandsoverCraig’s

back.Thensomethinghardandslickpressedathisentrance.Craigdidn’tneedtobetold

whattodo,heletAlanworkthepluginsidehimbecausehewasAlan’sandAlanwashis.

AlansworehehadhimsoCraigsubmittedtohisDaddy.HisDom.Hisloverand

boyfriend.Hiseverything.

TheplugwasbiggerthanCraigwasusedtoanditstretchedandstungalittle,even

thoughAlanworkeditinslowly.Alanneverstoppedtouchinghim,pettinghim.Hedidn’t

stopspeakingtohimeither.Craig’sworldhadshrunkdowntocontainonlyAlan.He

surroundedhimwithhisvoiceandhistouchandthescentofhimthatclungtothebed.

WhentheplugwasfullyseatedAlangaveitasharpsmack.Craigyelpedand

jerkedinhisbindings.ThesmackmadeajoltofelectricityshootstraightthroughCraig,

rightfromhisasstothetopofhisheadandexplodingoutwardlikeafirework.Then

Alan’shandsstrokedlower.Hekneltonthebed,onehandslidupCraig’sspineandcame

torestatthebackofhisneck.HisthumbstrokedalongCraig’sheatedskinandAlan’s

warmthblanketedhimashewrappedhisotherhandaroundCraig’sthrobbingcock.

“Ohgod.Yes.Please.”Craigbegged,forwhatexactly,hedidn’tknow.Buthe

needed…something.Everything.Alan.HeneededAlan.Heneededtomakehimhappy.

HeneededtobeeverythingAlanneeded.“Please.Fuck.God.”CraigsworeasAlan

slowlyjackedhim.Hisballstightened,butcouldn’treleaseandhisentirebodygothotter,

sweatier,needier.HepracticallyburnedwiththedesireforAlantoriptheplugfromhis

assandtakehim,fuckhim,fillhimandmarkhimandmakehimhisforreal.

“Whatisit,Sweetheart?”

Alanknewwhatheneeded.Therewasnowayhedidn’t,notwhenCraig’smouth

washanginghalfwayopenandhewaspantingandsofuckingturnedonhecouldn’tbarely

think.ButAlanwantedthewordssoCraiggavethemtohim.

“Ineed…you.Ineedyou.Somuch.”Andthenthewordscameslidingoutof

Craig’smouthliketheanswertoaprayer.“Daddy.Ineedyou.”

Hedidn’tmissthewayAlan’sbreathhitched,orthewayhisfingerstightenedon

hiscock.“Youhaveme,LittleOne.Youdo.Youknowthat.I’myoursandyou’remine.”

Alanmovedaway,andCraigdidn’tbothertrackinghismovementsandworrying

aboutwherehewasgoingandwhathewasgoingtodo.Itdidn’tmatter.Alanwasthere.

His.Everything.Craigwaitedquietly,notmovingamuscle.ThenAlanwasbackand

somethingsoftbrusheddownhisspine,slowly.Thesoftnesscaressedeachvertebraeand

Craigshuddered.Itwassoslow,anditfeltsogood,soamazing,thatitfeltalmostlike

torture.Thetouchwasthere,butalmostnotanditmadehimsquirm.Hejumpedand

barkedoutinsurprisewhenthesoftnesscontinueddownthecreaseofhisassand

underneathhim.Hechokedbackamoanwhenthesoftnesslickedathisballs.Thenit

vanished,andCraig’snerveschasedthephantomsofitstouch.

Alancontinuedtotouchhimeverywhere.Withsoftthingsandpricklythingsand

thingsthatfeltslightlyscratchy,butmostlyamazingonhisnowsupersensitiveskin.His

brainsparkedwithwhite-hotawarenessofeverythingthattouchedhim.Thesoftscratch

ofthecomforterwhenheshiftedevenalittle.Theglideofprecumasitbeadedonhis

engorgedcock.Eventhefeelofhisownpantingbreathspassingoverhislipswaspulling

himfartherapartandsomehowputtinghimbacktogether.

ThenCraigwasbegging.“Alan.Please.”Alan.NotDaddyorSiroranythingelse.

Alan.HeneededAlan.BecausethoughhewashisDom.HisDaddy.HisSir.Hewasfirst,

last,andalwayshislover.Hiseverything.“Alan.Please.”Craigpantedagainashe

clenchedandunclenchedhisfists.“Ineedyou.Please.God.Fuckme.”

AlanstrokedahanddownthecenterofCraig’sspine,amovethatCraigguessed

wasbecomingAlan’sfavorite.ThereasoneludedCraig.Butthatdidn’tmatter,because

AlanunfastenedCraig’sarms.Craigdidn’tmove,notyet.Alanwastouchinghim.

StrokinghishandsupthesidesofCraig’sthighs.Thendownhisass.Alan’sthumbs

grazedthecreaseandCraigshudderedwithanticipationasheexhaled.

AlanpluckedattheplugthatstillsatinCraig’sass.Craigtwitchedasamillion

fireworksofpleasureshotoffinsidehim.Hisdesperatecocktwitched,butdidn’tshoot.

“Ung.Fuck.Please.”Craigpantedandfinallyforcedhiseyestoopen.Alanwasgazingat

himandtheexpressiononhisfacemadeCraiglightupontheinside.Somuchlust.So

muchadoration.SomanyemotionsthatCraigcouldn’tputanametoandtheywereall

focusedonhim.Him.“Please.”Craigsaidashegavehisassalittlewiggle.He’dintended

thewordtobeplayful,buthe’dpassedurgencyalongtimeagoandhisentirebody

practicallyvibratedwithneed.

Alanstrippedoutofhisclothes—fuckingfinally—andabovethesoundofCraig’s

harshbreathingheheardthecrinkleofacondomwrapper.Alan’seyeswerehooded,and

Craigcouldalmostseethelustradiateoffhisskin.Alantookholdofthebaseoftheplug

anditmadealewdsquelchingnoisewhenheeaseditout.

ThebeddippedalittleandCraigpulledhisarmsupandstretchedthemoutinfront

ofhimselfasAlanclimbedupbehindhim.CraiglikedthatAlantookamomenttosmooth

hishandsupCraig’ssides.HiscocknestledinthecreaseofCraig’sassandAlanleaned

forward.HisfingersbrushedthebackofCraig’sneck,thentickleddownhisspine.

Helovedhowsilenttheroomwas.TheonlysoundsCraigheardwerethe

poundingofhisheart,hisraggedbreathing,andAlan’sgentlehumofappreciationashe

grippedhiscockandpresseditagainstCraig’sentrance.

AlanslidintoCraig’sbonelessbodywithonelongsteadypush.

“Fuck.”Alan’sgriponCraig’shipstightened.Hestayedstillforamoment.Craig

feltAlan’sheavygazeonhim.Craigsighedandrockedbackalittle.

“Sogood.Youfeel,ohshit,”ajoltofpleasurerocketedthroughCraigandhe

twitched.Hisfingersgrippedintothecomforteruntilhewasclenchinghisfistsaround

handfulsoffabric.“Ohgod.Amazing.Sofuckingamazing.”

AlanswivelledhishipsandthegrindingmotionhadCraigpantingandforcinghis

assbackintoAlan.ThesoundofAlan’sgroanwasdeepandthrillingandknowingthathe

madeAlanmakesuchaprimitiveandgutturalsounddidsomethingtoCraig’sinsides.

“You’resofuckinghot.Tight.Fuuuuck.”Alansaidashepulledbackuntilonlythe

headofhiscockwasstillinsideCraig.ThenheslammedhomeandCraigpushedhimself

uponhiselbows.

Alanleaneddown,hisweightandwarmthpressedintoCraig’sback.Hemouthed

theshellofCraig’sear.“You’rebeautiful.You’resofuckingbeautiful,Sweetheart.”Alan

wrappedanarmaroundCraig’storso.ItloopedunderoneofCraig’sarmsandhishand

cuppedtheoppositeshoulder.

Alanfuckedhimwithslowsteadystrokesthatlithimupfromtheinside.Each

lazykissonhisneckandshoulderhadhiscocktwitching,weeping,practicallybegging

forrelease.

ThenAlan’sgriponCraig’sshouldertightened.Hestoppedthrustinglongenough

toslowlypullCraigtowardhim.ThenCraigwaskneelingonthebed.Hewasupright,and

Alanwasbehindhim.AlanwrappedhisotherarmaroundCraig’swaist.Thehandthat

wasonhisshoulderblazedatrailoffireuphisneck,andAlanturnedCraig’shead.The

kisswaspassionateandonlyslightlyawkwardandallkindsofhot.Alanwasinsidehim.

Aroundhim.Underhisskinandinhisheart.

Thekissbrokeapart.CraigleanedhisheadbackagainstAlan,whoburiedhisface

inthecrookofCraig’sneck.HisarmstightenedaroundCraig.Heheldhimtight,but

careful,asifheweresomethingprecious.Somethingtobetreasured.Craigalmostsaidthe

wordsrightthen,buthedidn’twantthefirsttimehetoldAlanhelovedhimtobeinthe

middleofsex.HewantedAlantobelievethatthewordscamefromhisheart,andwere

notspokenhastily,inthemiddleofpassion.

Nolongerabletostayupright,Craigloweredhimselftothebed.Hepressedthe

sideofhisfaceintothemattress.Alanputahandonhisback,betweenhisshoulder

blades,theotherhandgrabbedahandfulofassandAlanthrustinsidehim.Hefuckedhim

hardandrelentless,hiscockendlesslypressedagainstCraig’sprostate.Astringofsounds

thatweren’tquitewordsbutstillmanagedtosoundlikebeggingpouredoutofCraigas

theneedtofallapartrumbledthroughhimlikeafreighttrainwithfailedbrakes.

Alanleaneddown.HebracedonehandnexttoCraig’shead,theotherslidacross

Craig’sstomach,thendown.Heremovedthecockring,thenslammedintoCraig.Craig

criedoutashecameandsplatteredthebedwithhiscum.

AlanpulledoutandCraigfelltothemattress.Heturnedhisheadintimetosee

Alanripthecondomoff.Hethrewhisheadbackandgrippedhiscock.Hejackedonce,

twice,thenshotalloverCraig’sback.ThelookofabsoluteblissonAlan’sfacemade

Craigfeelgiddylightheaded.

AlancollapsedontopofCraig.Alanwasheavy,butwarmandhedidn’teven

mindthestickymessonhisback,orhischest.Afteramoment,Alanshiftedabittothe

rightsohewasn’ttotallysquishingCraig.Craiglaidthereandenjoyedthefloatyfeeling

thatturnedhisbraintomush.Hebarelyregisteredthehotpuffsofaironthebackofhis

neck,ortheglidingfingersthatmadethehaironhisarmstandonend.Softlipsbrushed

againsthisshoulderashedroppedofftosleep.

ThefirstthingthatCraignoticedwhenhewokewasAlan’sheartbeatthumpingin

hisear.HewassprawledovertopofAlan.HisheadrestedonAlan’schest,hisarmwas

thrownacrossAlan’sstomachandtheirlegsweretangledtogether.Familiarfingers

strokedhisscalp.

“Hey.”Alanwhispered.“You’reback.”

“Mmmm.”Craigwasstillbonelessandcompletelysatisfied.“Thatwasawesome.”

Hehatedthathewasn’tarticulate,butawesomewasthebesthecoulddowithhissleep-

addled,post-orgasmbrain.

AlanpressedakisstothetopofCraig’shead.“Youknow,”Alansoundedalittle

hesitanttospeak,soCraigstayedquietandwaitedforhimtocontinue.“WhenMikeleftI

didn’tknowwhoIwasforawhileafter.IwasaDomwithoutasubandthen,aftera

while,Ididn’tfeellikeaDomatall.Icouldn’tconnectwithanyone.Icouldn’tgive

anyonewhattheyneeded.Ifeltlikeacompletefailure.IfailedMike.Ifailedallthose

substhatIdidn’treallyconnectwith.”

AlanstrokedhishandupanddownCraig’sside.“Andthenyouwalkedintomy

club,weconnected,andyouneededsomethingandIfuckingprayedthatIcouldbethe

somethingyouneeded.Itwasterrifying,Craig.AbsolutelyterrifyingtohopethatIcould

beenoughforyou.”

Craig’sbreathcaught,andheproppedhimselfuponhiselbowsohecouldlookat

Alan.WithhisfreehandhecuppedAlan’scheek.“I’mnothardcore.Ineverwasand

that’swhyitneverworkedwithTim.WhenImetyou,Iwantedyou.Iwantedtobeyours

fromthatfirstmoment.Foralongtime,IwasconvincedthatI’dneverbeenoughfor

anyonebecauseIthoughtTimwasperfectformeandIwasn’tenoughforhim.”

AlanlookedhorrifiedinonemomentandinthenexthelookedatCraigwith

adorationsoabsoluteitmadehisinsidesquake.“You’reenough.You’resomuchmore

thanenough.”

CraigleaneddownandkissedAlan.HesmiledagainstAlan’smouth.“Iknow.”

CraigpulledbackandlethimselfdrownalittleinAlan’ssoftblueeyes.“Iloveyou,

Alan.”

AlanwrappedhisarmsaroundCraigandhauledhimupsothatCraigwas

sprawledoutontopofAlan.“Iloveyou,too.”

Craiggrinned,thenkissedhim.Itwassoftandslowandhotandsofullofpassion

andheatandAlanandeverythingthatCraigthoughthemightburstwithhappiness.Then

Alanflippedhimoverandfuckedhimintooblivionandhedidburst,alloverthemattress,

again.

*

*

*

“Youdon’thavetodothis,youknow.”AlanreassuredCraigastheyheaded

towardthelivingroomwhereCraighadaskedTimtowait.

“IthinkImight.Notforhim.Forme.”CraigsqueezedAlan’shand.“Thankyou

forbeingwithme,though.IknowIcouldn’tdothisalone.”

“There’snowhereelseI’dratherbe.”Alanshotaglanceinthedirectionofthe

livingroom.“Icanaskhimtoleaveifyouwant.”

“No.I’mgladheshowedup,sortof.Maybe.”Craigexhaledthendidhisbestto

steadyhisnerves.“Let’sgetthisoverwith.”

CraigtookadeepbreathasAlanslidhisarmaroundCraig’swaistandpulledhim

close.ItfeltlikeaterritorialmaneuveronAlan’spart,butCraigdidn’tmind.Thefactthat

AlanwaslayingclaimtohiminfrontofTimmadehisheartsing.InthedayssinceCraig

hadgonehomewithAlanthey’dfallenintoalovelyroutineofabsolutedomesticbliss.

DomesticblissthatwasinterruptedthismorningwhenTimshowedup

unannounced,withahugeapologyforusingtheinternettotrackdownAlan’shome

address.Tim’sbrotherwaswaitingdownthestreetatalittlecafeandhe’dpromisednotto

staylong.Craigaskedforfiveminutestogatherhimselfandthosefiveminuteswereup.

TimwasashylumpwithslumpedshoulderssittinginthecenterofAlan’scouch.

WhenCraigandAlanwalkedintotheroom,Timdidn’tstraighten.HelookedatCraig,

thenAlan,andhegavethemalittlenodbeforedroppinghisgazeagain.

Craigdroppedintotherecliner.Alanperchedonthearmnexttohimandkepta

handonhisback.HetuckedhishandunderCraig’sshirtandhisthumbstrokedbackand

forth.Craigwasgratefulforthecontact.SittingacrossfromTimandwasasurreal

experience.Foralongtime,he’dhadconversationsinhishead.Herehearsedathousand

differentspeechesbutnowhehadnowords.Therewasnothinghereallywantedtosayto

Tim.

Timspokefirst.HeliftedhisheadandmadeeyecontactwithCraig.“I’msorry.

I’msofuckingsorry,Craig.”

Craigfurrowedhisbrow.Thebruiseshadreallysetinoverthepastcoupleofdays

andhisfacewasamixtureofpurple,blackandgreenaroundhislefteye,buttheswelling

hadgonedown.“IalwaysthoughtthatI’dwantanapologyfromyouTim,butIdon’t.I’m

notheartbrokenanymore.I’mnotmadanymore.I’msorryyougotyourselfhurt.”Craig

tookabreathandwrappedhisarmaroundAlan.“Thewayyouleftmewascruel,Tim.It

washeartless,anditfuckedmeupforalongtime,butitbroughtAlanandItogether.I’m

notabouttothankyouorfallatyourfeetforscrewingmeover,nomatterhowgreatI

haveitnow,itstillhurt.Gohome,Tim.Gohometoyourfamilyandgetyourheadon

straight.That’sallIwant.”

Timsighed.“Ididn’tmeanforthingstohappentheywaytheydid,youknow.

WhenImetPaul,hetoldmethathecouldtellthatweweren’thappytogether.”Timraised

hisgazeandCraigsawthesamesortofsadnessthatlongagohauntedhisowngazeevery

timehelookedinthemirror.“Weweren’tgoingtomakeit.Youknowthat.ButIwanted

ustomakeit.Ireallydid.”Timtookadeepbreath.Hewrunghishandsinhislap.Hisleft

legbounced,tell-talesignthatTimwasnervous.“Hesaidthathecouldhelpme.Butwhat

hedidwasn’thelp.Itwascontrolandmanipulationandabuse.”

CraigcockedhisheadtothesideandTimshrugged.

“ItalkedtoEverettalotthepastcoupleofdays.Hehelpedmesortofputthingsin

perspective.Orstarttoatleast.”Timwipedanerranttear.“Ipushedyou.Ialwayspushed

youformoreandIshouldn’thave,notthewayIdid.IwishIcouldsaythatEveretttaught

methat,butitwasPaul.”Timshrugged,andCraigthoughthesawhimshudder.“Some

thingsyoulearnfirsthand.”Tim’sphonechimed.Helookedatthescreenandstood.

“Gregisinthedriveway.Hewantstogetgoing.”Timshovedhisphonebackinhis

pocket.

“I’llwalkyouout.”Alanoffered.

TimlookeddownatCraig.Craighadnodesiretostandupandmakeagrand

declarationofwantingtobefriendsoneday,orexchangingpleasantriesaboutkeepingin

touch.Hewouldn’tmeananyofitanyway,sohestuckwiththetruth.

“Bye,Tim.Takecareofyourself.Okay?”

Timnoddedandshovedhishandsinhispockets.“Okay.”

HewatchedTimandAlanleavetheroom,thencollapsedintothechairasifhe’d

deflated.Heclosedhiseyesandlistenedasthefrontdooropened,thenclosed.Gravel

crunched,andTimwasgone.Probablyforeverthistime.

AlanreturnedtoCraigamomentlater.Hesatonthecoffeetableandleaned

forwardsohecouldgrabCraig’shands.“Youokay?Doyouneedanything?”

CraigcrackedaneyeopenandsmiledatAlan.“TheonlythingIneedisyou.”

AlansmiledthentuggedCraigtohisfeetandtookhimupstairs.

Epilogue

Craig

FourMonthsLater

A

ftertwomonthsoflivingoutinahotel,itwasstrangetowakeupbackinAlan’s

bedroom.AlanhadtakenthejobCraig’sUncleHankofferedhim.Alanwasnowin

chargeofturningaroundsomeofthenewlyacquiredhotels.Hank,knowingthatAlan

wouldturndownanyjobthattookhimawayfromCraig,offeredCraiganewjob.Craig

receivedafancyraiseandwasnowinchargeofretrainingallthestaffinthehotel.This

wasthefirstweekendthey’dbeenhomeintwomonths.

Craigslidintoashinyblackshirtandapairofblackpants.Itwasthesameoutfit

he’dwornthatfirstnighthemetAlananditseemedfittingtowearittonighttothegrand

re-openingoftheclub.Thesalehadgoneoffwithoutahitchandtherenovations

completed.Stevewasreadytolaunchhisbrandnewkinkclub.

CraigturnedtoAlan,whosatonthebedtoputhissockson.“How’sStevedoing

anyway?”

“He’sstillpissedthatMattputhisnoticein.Iguesshepromisedhimeverything

shortofthemoontotryandconvincehimtostay,butMattinsistedthatitwastimeto

moveon.”

Craigfrowned.“Seemslikeashitthingtodo,youknow.Mattwasanexperienced

waiterandhequitsjustwhenSteveexpandshisbusiness.”

Alanshrugged.“I’msureMatthadhisreasons.”HestoodandsweptCraigintohis

arms.Craigwriggledalittleinahalf-heartedattempttoescape.“Wecan’tbelate.Steve

willkillus.”

Alan’slipskissedtheirwayupthesideofCraig’sneck.“Itwouldbeworthit.”

AlanwhisperedinCraig’sear.

CraiglaughedandpushedAlanaway.“YouonlysaythatbecauseStevedoesn’t

scareyou.”

Alanbarkedoutalaugh.“Andhescaresyou?”

Craig’seyeswidened.“Yes.Haveyounotseenhim?He’shuge.Hisarmsarethe

sizeofmythighsandhisswitchisalwaysflippedtosuper-domorsomething.He’s

frightening.”

AlanlaughedaboutCraig’ssuper-domcommentallthewaytotheclubandonly

promisednottotellStevewhenCraigthreatenedtowithholdsex.AlanandCraigwalked

intotheclubwhichhadalreadyamassedadecentsizedcrowd.“Areyounervous?Iknow

youdon’treallyliketheseplaces.”

Craigshrugged.“I’mfine.It’snotlikeyou’regoingtoaskmetokneelnakedat

yourfeetallnightorsuckyourdickinfrontofeveryone.”

AlanleanedoverandkissedCraig’stemple.They’dspentalotoftimeworking

throughCraig’shang-ups,butsomeofthemstilllingered.He’dprobablyneverbe

comfortabledoingasceneinaclub,buttheyweren’thereforthat.Theywereherefor

Steve,whostormedover.Hehadasmileplasteredonhisface,butCraigcouldtellthat

somethingwasoff.

WhenStevereachedthem,henoddedhisheadtowardanemptytablethathada

big‘reserved’signonit.Stevedroppedintoachair.AlanandCraigsatacrossfromhim.

“What’swrong?”Alanglancedaround.Everyonewasmingling,smiling,eating,

andgenerallyhavingagreattime.

Stevescrubbedhisfacewithhishands.“Mattwashere.Doyouknowwhyhe

quit?”

Alanshrugged.“ShouldI?”

Steveshookhishead.“Heshowedupherewearingthesetinylittleshortsanda

wholelotoffuckingglitterandhefuckingthrewhimselfatme.Hequittherestaurant

becauseheknowsIhavemoresensethantofuckmyemployees.”

Craigwhistled.“Shit.Itakeithisadvancesdidn’tgoovertoowell?”

“Hethrewhimselfatmeinfrontofaroomfullofpeople.Hewalkedrightupto

meandmadeablatantpassatme.”

CraiglookedatAlan.Alanhadastrangelookonhisface.“Youmakeitsoundlike

that’sabadthing.I’vetoldyouthathe’shadathingforyousinceyouhiredhim.”

“Idon’tfuckmyemployees.”

“Buthe’snotyouremployee.”

Craig’sgazealternatedbetweenSteveandAlanandhewatchedthemdothat

annoyingthingwheretheystaredateachotherandhadanentireconversationthathe

wasn’tprivytobecausehedidn’tspeaktheirsecret,silent,BFF-mind-meld-lingoor

whateveritwasthatenabledthemtodothat.

Steveshrugged,andCraigknewthatpartoftheconversationwasover.“Ihaveto

checkonthingsinthekitchen.Mingle.Havefun.Eatwhateveryouwant,it’sallonthe

house.”WhenSteveleftthetableheseemedslightlycalmer,butmaybealittlesadder,too.

“Isheokay?”CraigaskedAlan.

Alanshrugged.“Idon’tknow.Ithinkheknowshefuckedup.Whetherhe’lladmit

itornot-whichhewon’t,he’shadasoftspotforMattsincethedayhehiredhim.Ithink

he’ssadMattwon’tbeworkingforhim,butIthinkit’smorethanthat.”

CraigknewbetterthantotryandprytoodeepintowhatAlanknewaboutSteve.

Thetwofriendswentbackalongwayandwhilehe’dsharestoriesfromtheirglorydays,

thiswasdifferent.Thiswastoopersonal.

CraigshovedhischairalittleclosertoAlan’s.HerestedhisheadonAlan’sarm

andentwinedtheirfingers.“Imaynotlikecomingtoclubs,butI’mgladIwalkedinto

yours.”

“It’sashameyoucouldn’tconvinceyourfriendEveretttocome.He’dbepopular.”

Craiglaughedandrolledhiseyes.“Itried,butgettingthatguytoleavehis

apartmentisliketryingtoscrapeoldgumoffthebottomofatheatreseat.”Craigcringed

atthevisualhegavehimself.“Okay,thatwasagrossexample,butyougetmypoint.”

“Doyouthinkhe’sagoraphobicorsomething?Anxietymaybe?”Alanasked.

“Nah.”Craigsaid.“Heleaveswhenhehasagoodreasontoleaveandhenever

seemsbotheredbyit.Buthe’smorecomfortableathome.”Craigsighed.“Speakingof

home…”

“Yes,LittleOne?”

CraignestledupagainstAlan.“Iboughtanewcanofshavingcreamandastraight

razor.”

Alanarchedaneyebrow,butsaidnothing.

“Youdidmentionshavingmeonce,didyounot?”

Alan’seyessparkledwithinterest.“Getyourcoat,LittleOne.We’releaving.”

“Yes,Daddy.”

*

*

*

“Ithinkyoushouldsitdownforthis,LittleOne,”Alansaidasheplacedachair

nearthecounterinthespaciousbathroom.“You’repracticallyvibrating,andyouhaven’t

evenundressedyet.”

Craigofferedhimaslysmile.“Iamalittleexcited,”headmitted.WhenAlan

scoffedCraigrolledhiseyes.“Okay.I’mlikealittlekidonChristmasmorning.”

Alanfilledabasinwithhotwaterandgotafewtowelsready.

“I’vewantedtodothisforalongtime.”AlansaidasheapproachedCraigandput

hishandsonCraig’ships.HeslidhishandsupCraig’sbody,takingtheshinyblackshirt

uphistorso.CraigraisedhisarmsandAlanstrippedtheshirtoffhimthentosseditaside.

Alan’shandsstrokedCraig’snakedchest.Evenaftermonthsofbeingtogether,Alannever

seemedtogetenoughofCraig.ThenAlanundidCraig’spantsandslowlyremovedthem.

“I’vewantedthisforalongtime,too,Daddy.I’vepictureditamilliontimessince

youmentionedit.”Hereallyhad.EversinceAlantiedhimtoachairandteasedhimwith

filthywordstheimageofAlanshavinghimwouldn’tleavehismind.Craigcouldn’teven

thinkaboutshavingwithoutgettinghardnow.

AlanguidedCraigovertothechair.“Sitdown,LittleOne.”

Craigsat.Hiscockwassoharditstrainedupwardandbrushedagainsthis

stomach.AlankneltinfrontofCraig.HisgentlehandsslidupCraig’scalvesandcameto

restontheinsideofhisthighs.Slowly,hepushedCraig’slegsapart.

“Handsbehindyourback,LittleOne.”

Craigtuckedhishandsbehindhisback,thenleanedback.HealmostwishedAlan

hadtiedhimupforthis.Maybenexttime,becausetherewouldbeanexttime.

Alanstood.NormallyCraigbarelynoticedthedifferenceintheirheight,butwith

CraigsittingandAlanloomingoverhim,helookedsotallandimposing.Thenheleaned

downandpressedhislipsagainstCraig’s.

“Thankyou,Sweetheart.Thismeansalottome.”

“You’rewelcome,Daddy.Iloveyou.”

“Iloveyou,too.”Alan’ssmiletransformedfromsweet,tosly.Craig’scock

twitchedinanticipation.

CraigwatchedAlanreachfortheshavingcream.Hesquirtedsomeintohishands

andlathereditupalittle.

“Youcan’twait,canyou,LittleOne?Youknowthisisgoingtofeelamazing,

don’tyou?”

“Yes,Daddy.”Craig’svoicewaslosingstrength.AllhisfocuswasonAlan’s

hands.

“Youcanmakeasmuchnoiseasyouwant,Sweetheart,butyoucan’tmove.

EspeciallyonceIgetgoingwiththerazor.Daddydoesn’twanttohurtyou,soyouneedto

stayreally,reallystill.Canyoudothatforme?”

“Yes,Daddy.”Craig’sbreathingwasshallow.

“Goodboy.”AlansaidashereacheddownandlatheredthebaseofCraig’scock

withshavingcream.Craig’sbreathinghitched.Thecreamwascoolonhisskinandthe

wayAlantouchedhimwithsuchgentleadorationmadeCraig’sinsidesmelt.

“Lookatyou.Sobeautiful.”Alancooedashegatheredmoreshavingcream.Craig

decidedthatAlancouldshaveCraig’sentirebodyifhewantedtoandCraigwouldn’tcare.

ThefeelofAlanapplyingtheshavingcreamalonewasworthit.

ThenAlangrabbedtherazor.LightglintedoffthebladeasAlanstrokedhisthumb

acrossthebladetotestforsharpness.

“Remember,LittleOne,”AlanmadeeyecontactwithCraig.“Youcan’tmoveat

all.Notevenatwitch.”

“Yes,Daddy.I’llbestill.Ipromise.”

Alankneltandgotclose.HewrappedthefingersofonehandaroundCraig’scock

andhelditoutofthewaywhilehemadethefirstslowstrokeoftherazor.Thesharpmetal

scrapedCraig’sskinsmoothinonesinglestroke.CraigexhaledwhenAlanreleasedhis

cockandreachedovertorinseanddrytherazortoprepareforthesecondpass.

“Itoldyouthatyou’dlookamazinglikethis.Withyourprettypinkcockallhard

forme.”AlanmadeanotherpasswiththerazorandremovedevenmoreofCraig’sdark

hair.Craigcouldn’tfindwordstospeak,hecouldbarelyremembertobreathe.

“You’redoingsogood,beingsostill.Ifyoukeepitup,I’lldefinitelyhaveto

rewardyou.”Alankepttalking,keptpraisingCraigashedraggedtherazordownCraig’s

skin.

Craigwatchedtherazorscrapeanotherpatchoffleshclean.Nowallthehairthat

surroundedhiscockwasgone.Craigitchedtoreachdownandfeelthefreshlyshaven

skin.

“Isitsoft?”Heasked.

Alanranthetipofhisfingeralongthenakedskin.Hehummedhisapproval.“Yes,

Sweetheart.It’ssosoft.ImaginehowsofttherestofyouisgoingtobewhenI’mdone.”

“Therestofme?”Craig’sbreathcaughtinhisthroat.

Alan’ssmilewassweetlydevious.“Youdidn’tthinkI’dleaveyournutsallfuzzy,

didyou?It’sallgottocomeoff.”

Craigshiftedalittle.Hewasn’texactlynervous.Alandidagreatjobsofar,butthe

ideaofsomeonehavingsomethingthatsharpthatclosetohisnutsmadehimswallow.

“Ithinkyou’regoingtoneedtocloseyoureyesforthis,LittleOne.”Alansaidas

hecleanedtherazoroff.“You’refidgeting.”

“Sorry,Daddy.”Craigtookabreathandshuthiseyes.Itdidhelpalittle.Hedidn’t

havetowatchtherazorgetclosertohisskin.Craigforcedhimselftorelax.Alanhad

nevernotlookedafterhim.

Alanliftedhissackandshavedthebacksidefirst.Craighadnevershavedhimself

therebefore.Once,heshavedthehairaroundhiscockandititchedlikeabitchwhenit

grewback,sohedidn’tdoitagain.Shit.Theitching.He’dforgottenaboutthat.

Awarm,wetclothgentlymoppedthenaked,andsupersensitiveskin.Alan’s

handsrestedonthetopsofCraig’sthighs.Hotbreathwashedoverthenewlynakedskin.

Craiggaspedattheforeignsensation.Whenwarm,wetlipsbrushedagainsthim,Craig’s

eyespoppedopen.

“God.Daddy.What’reyoudoing?”CraigarchedhisbackasAlan’stongueslicked

aroundthebaseofCraig’snakedcock.Itwasasighttobehold,though.Alanhadbeen

rightaboutthat.Allthehairaroundhiscockhadbeenstrippedaway.Hefeltnewand

nakedandreally,really,dirty.“Fuck,thatlookssogood.”CraigexhaledasAlan’stongue

sliduptheundersideofCraig’sshaft.

“Itoldyouthatyou’dlookamazinglikethis.Allbareforme.Youhavesucha

prettycock,LittleOne.”AlanswirledhistonguearoundtheheadofCraig’scock.Thenhe

dippedhisheadandwentlower.Warm,wetheatenvelopedCraig’snutsandhetwitched.

Everythingwaswaymoresensitivenow.

“Fuck,that’sgood.”

“Ithoughtyou’dlikethat.”Alangrinnedathim,thentookCraig’scockinhis

mouth.

“Ohshit.”

Alansuckedhimallthewaydown,thenpulledoff.Craig’sbrainwasfried.Helet

hisheadfallbackandhestaredattheceiling.

“I’mgoingtobesoitchywhenitgrowsback.”

Alan’sfingerscaressedthesensitiveskin.EverymuscleinCraig’sbodyscreamed

ashefoughttostaystill.

“IfIletitgrowback.”

Craig’sheadsnappedupandheshotAlanaquizzicallook.

“IthinkIlikeyoulikethis,Sweetheart.Lookatyou.SoprettyforDaddy.”

“Ifyoukeepsayingshitlikethatyoucanshavemywholebody.”

AlanstoodupandheldhishandouttoCraig.“Comeon,LittleOne.Daddywants

tododirtythingstothatprettycockofyours,butI’mgettingtoofuckingoldtokneel

downformuchlonger.”

CraiggrinnedandgrabbedAlan’shand.“Ithinkyoushouldkeepmelikethis.”

Craigsaid.

Alancockedaneyebrow.“Yeah?Youlikeit,doyou?”

Craigranahandoverthesmoothskin.“Ilikeit,butmostlyIlikethatyoulikeit.”

CraigwrappedhisarmsaroundAlanandpulledhimintoakiss.“Now,aboutthosedirty

thingsyouhadplannedforme.”

TheEnd

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Herecomesmyfavoritepartofwritingthebook.Thesappy‘Iloveyou’portion

whereIgettotelltheworldwhatanawesomecircleoffriendsIhave.WhenIwriteIstart

withasceneandabooksortofunfoldsfromthere.Thisbookwasnodifferent.Itstarted

offwithCraigwalkingintoakinkclubandbeingconfrontedwiththefactthathisformer

Domisnowasub.Surprise.Ofcourse…I’dneverwrittenaBDSM-ishbookbefore

(despitereadingthembythetruckload)andI’dwrittenonlyalittleMMromance.Socolor

menervous/terrified.IturnedtoShawMontgomery,who’sakinklovingfriendofmine,

(goreadherbooks,she’sawesomesauce)andherencouragementandenthusiasmfor

CraigandAlanandtheirslightlyunorthodoxrelationshipreallyhelpedmegetthosefirst

eightchaptersout.Ioweherone.Ortwo.Orten.

MarieNamerswoopedinonedarkdayandlitmeup.Shewaskindandsweetand

saidthingsIneededtohearwithabsoluteconvictionandshemademebelievethatmaybe

Iwasn’tatotalhack.

ParkerWilliams.BecauseParkertriedtodistractme.ButI’mundistracta—

squirrel!

CourtneyBassettfromLesCourtAuthorServices.Iloveyou.You‘got’mybook.

YoulovedmyboysasmuchasIdid.Youhelpedmakethemshine.

KateHawthorne.AKAMammaKink,thankyouforlettingmepickyourbrain.

Thebestiegetsabsolutelynorecognitionwhatsoeverbecausehe’sbeentoobusyto

payattentiontome.Sothere.

***

AboutTheAuthor

E.M.DenningisamarriedmomofthreeandawriterfromBritishColumbia.Sheloves
herfamilyandheranimalsandanythingcuteandfuzzy.Shewritesromanceforthe18+

crowdbecausesheisbothahopelessromanticandadirtyoldwoman.

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