Slice Of Life 2016 Read online

  Even with the mask, he could feel Saul assessing him. Kyle had heard stories of subs who refused to safe word because they feared it made them look weak. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. The word was there as a safety measure for both of them. How else would a Dom know if his or her sub was in trouble? In his mind, not using it and risking physical or emotional distress was as much a violation as a Dom not honoring it. Though he hadn’t yet had reason to stop Saul, he had no trouble asking for a breather and knew Saul didn’t think him weaker for doing so. If anything, he respected him more for understanding the needs of his own body and expressing them without reservation. To Kyle’s way of thinking, anything less than complete honesty between them would impact their whole precarious dynamic.

  “Okay, pup.” Saul’s fingers drifted over his neck, soothing him back into the proper headspace.

  How long he drifted there, he didn’t know. He was so deep that he hadn’t felt the shift in the room until a gentle finger tipped up his chin and an equally tender mouth whispered over his. Javi. He didn’t need eyesight to know who touched him and though he might wish to see his lover’s beautiful face, he didn’t need his eyes for that either. In his mind, he could easily picture Javier bent over him, his dark gaze filled with desire, and Kyle’s whole body shivered in response.

  That finger trailed down, tracing the slim leather collar he wore. He worried the first time Javier saw it, but instead of being angry or hurt, he declared it the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. The easy acceptance had surprised both him and Saul, but it also gave him courage. Enough that he wore the collar most of the time whether they were in their playroom or not. He did it for himself, because he loved the feeling it gave him, and he did it as a way to encourage the dynamic growing between them.

  Though Javier wouldn’t recognize it for what it was, every time he touched the collar and used it to control Kyle’s movements, he showed them another glimpse of his dominant nature. Today he slipped two fingers beneath it and used it to tug him to his feet. Kyle went easily, eagerly, and sighed when he felt Saul hand over his leash. They both knew how much he loved that leash. The feelings they had for one another tethered them together and the leash felt like a tangible representation of that. They used it to keep him close and after being let go so many times, he needed to know that his lovers wanted to hold onto him.

  He knew they felt the same way because they never let the leash drop. They might pass it between them, might loop it around their wrist so their hands were free, but it never just dangled thoughtlessly off his collar. Instead, the passing of the leash represented their trust in each other to keep him safe and that was a huge accomplishment for all of them. When he wasn’t wearing it, and he didn’t as often as the collar, it was coiled up neatly on the dresser where it was easily accessible if Kyle needed it.

  Others might find it controlling simply because they didn’t understand, but Kyle didn’t give a rat’s ass what anyone else thought.

  Javier tugged him forward until he felt the edge of the bed against the front of his thighs. Another slight tug downward made him stop from crawling onto the surface. He and Saul had worked through several leash commands and he loved that Javier had taken the time to learn each one. The short downward tug meant he should stop where and how he was, whereas a longer downward tug would mean Javier wanted him to kneel.

  “Hands out,” Javier murmured, his tone low but firm just the way Kyle liked it. Wanting to encourage that authority, he complied instantly, giving Javier the satisfaction of having his demands met.

  Chase once told him that he didn’t see the need to disobey Ty just to prove that he could and now Kyle understood what he meant. His lovers knew he was an independent, self-sufficient man, and it would erode the dynamic they wanted if he disobeyed simply to prove something that didn’t need proving.

  Leather cuffs encircled his wrists, their locks snapping into place before they were joined by a metal coupler. Once bound, his leash was tugged again, maneuvering him up to kneel on the foot of the bed. Javier moved quietly around him, adjusting his position until he was exactly where they wanted him. Then the bed dipped and he felt the brush of bare skin gliding around his shoulder until he was sure Javier was standing naked in front of him. The vision in his head nearly made him lunge forward, but he held position and waited for the next order.

  Javier let the moment drag out and Kyle was sure he knew exactly how badly he was squirming inside. Having Javier toy with him was so very hot and Kyle wanted more of it. Finally, Javier gave him the words he’d been waiting for. “Very good, pup. For a second there I thought you were going to tackle me to the bed.”

  “It was close, Javi.” Kyle didn’t feel an ounce of shame in admitting that. He wouldn’t hide how much he wanted them and he could feel pride knowing he held that desire in check because, while he knew his needs would be met, his biggest need was for them to control how that happened.

  A soft chuckle and a gentle hand in his hair expressed Javier’s pride in him, and that was all he needed to hold his resolve. “Okay, hands over your head.”

  Again, he complied immediately and then groaned when the wet tip of Javier’s cock brushed his cheek. “Javi.”

  The soft whine drew another chuckle, darker and deeper than Javier’s, and Kyle tilted his head. With the mask, he couldn’t be completely sure, but it sounded like Saul was still sitting in the chair in the far corner of the room. He could feel the laser focus of his gaze like a touch and Kyle often wondered what he saw when he watched the two of them together. One thing he knew for certain, Saul wouldn’t stay out of the action for long.

  Another tug on his hands and then Javier was stepping back, leaving him connected to the hook that hung from the ceiling. The bed dipped and jolted, a sure sign that Javier had jumped down, and the movement of the leash was the only thing assuring Kyle that he hadn’t gone too far. Those soft hands moved him again, spreading his knees as far as they could without putting unnecessary stress on his arms. Leather cuffs were secured to his ankles, snug but not uncomfortable, followed by the placement of the steel bar that would keep his legs spread just so.

  With his knees balanced on the edge of the bed, his arms stretched securely over his head, and his ankles held firmly apart, he was unable to shift his position at all. Any attempt would have him toppling off the bed and though he was sure they wouldn’t let him fall, he wouldn’t risk injuring his arms by trying.

  The leash moved left, then right, and Kyle knew Javier was looking him over, both to check for distress and to admire his handiwork. “You’re beautiful like this, pup.”

  He blushed at the compliment. Over the course of his career as a model and porn star, he’d heard plenty of compliments about his appearance, but none affected him as much as whispered words of praise from his men. “Thank you.”

  Knowing fingers teased over the sensitive flesh of his inner thighs, the barely there flutter doing crazy things to him, before his balls were cupped in a supple palm. His sac was handled with that signature gentle touch that was both soothing and arousing. If Javier wanted to, he could play with him like that for hours before he let him orgasm. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying.

  Javier continued to work him over, both hands moving over every inch of him, giving him just enough to keep his arousal humming. “I love the look on his face when he watches us. Can you picture him?”

  The words were murmured against his ear before sharp teeth nipped at his lobe. He cried out more from surprise than real pain, and the additional visual had him barreling toward an orgasm faster than he thought possible. He cried out again, the word garbled with frustration as he struggled to hold back. They were just getting started, Saul hadn’t joined them yet, there was no way he was going to lose it so fast.

  A strong hand clamped around the base of his dick, the palm rough with callouses, and Kyle shuddered in relief. Saul. “Breathe through it.”

  Kyle shuddered again and forced air into his lung
s. “Sorry...his hands, his words, knowing you were watching…it just came on too fast.”

  Saul growled low, the sound full of disapproval. “Don’t ever apologize for reacting to us.”

  “I pushed him.” Javier was quick to take the blame, but really, there was no fault here.

  “Yeah, you did.” Now Saul’s tone was amused. “He likes when you push him and you like doing it. There’s nothing wrong with that, but he needs to learn control if he’s going to fully enjoy it. Isn’t that right, pup?”

  It really was. “We’ll just have to keep practicing.”

  Saul laughed, the rich sound rolling through him. After a moment, Javier’s soft laughter joined in and he felt any lingering tension ease from the room. “I think he needs to cool off. Undress me, little one.”

  October 2016

  Happy Belated Halloween hosted by Divine Magazine

  Colin & Arnaud’s story, His Premier, released on September 20th and is one of my favorite tropes—second chance romance. These two had a lot to overcome and before I reached the end, I knew I would be writing a sequel. One thing I heard from several readers was that while I suggested there was a big family dinner, I didn’t write one. I thought what led up to it was more important, but fans of the series wanted to see all the guys together.

  What better way to do that than with a party? Just remember, when you’re reeling over the number of people I got into this scene, it wasn’t my idea!

  Enjoy!

  “How is possible that there are still people I don’t know?” Arnaud whispered in a combination of shock and not so little fright. “Who’re Cleopatra and Mark Antony?”

  Following the direction of Arnaud’s gaze, Colin smiled at the sight of Claire and Dante Bennett mingling in full costume. Last year’s Halloween party was such a big hit that it quickly became a tradition and even though schedules forced them to have it a little late, everyone had outdone themselves dressing up.

  “Those are Ric’s parents and the Harlequin with them is his sister Beth.”

  Arnaud relaxed a little and pointed to another couple. “Shrek and Fiona?”

  “Kyle’s parents.” Colin looked around until he spotted Chase with the twins and gestured to them. “You know Kyle and Chase are cousins, right? Well, Chase’s parents are gone, so Barbara and Luke have happily stepped in as honorary grandparents. Are you sure you haven’t met them? They visit every few months from Georgia.”

  “Pretty sure,” Arnaud said with uncertainty. “There’s like a hundred people here, Col, how am I supposed to keep them all straight?”

  “Hardly a hundred, Twinkle Toes.” The teasing voice had Arnaud flipping around in surprise. “Like forty, tops.”

  Colin tilted his head and looked Ty over thoughtfully. “Robin Hood?”

  “Got it in one.” Ty smirked and adjusted his quiver. “The often-misunderstood hero of the story.”

  “You’re my hero, no misunderstanding about it,” Chase teased, sidling up close to his Master with a beaming smile.

  Dressed in similar fashion, Chase looked quite handsome in his tunic and leggings. “Little John?”

  “I’m not exactly the Maid Marian type.” Chase gave Ty a heated looked before amending, “And who’s to say those two weren’t keeping each other warm in the Sherwood Forest?”

  Colin looked at Arnaud who was dressed as Hephaiston, Alexander’s second in command, and grinned. “Well, we’re pretty sure we were getting it on back in ancient Greece. Right, Baby?

  With a dramatic bat of his eye lashes, Arnaud practically swooned as he said, “Who do you think tacked on ‘the Great’ after your name, huh, love?”

  “Like Colin’s ego needed to get any bigger.” Bull joined them, dressed in a three-piece suit with a fedora perched on his bald head and holding Rory secure in his big arms.

  “Okay, I know I saw Red earlier dressed as DaVinci, but I have no clue who you’re supposed to be,” Arnaud said as they looked at the pair.

  “He’s my Godfather, silly.” Rory, dressed as The Little Mermaid, rolled her signature Connor eyes at the four of them and kissed Bull loudly on the cheek. At two, she was proving to be quite expressive.

  “Rory!” Ava and Luc came barreling through the crowd, Barbara in tow. “Can she play with us? Huh, Uncle Bull, can she?”

  “That’s up to her. What say you, little princess?” Rory leaned over and lifted the Fiona mask until she could see Barbara’s jovial smile. With a finger on her lips as if to say it was a big secret, Barbara held out her arms and Rory happily went along.

  Colin watched them go and still marveled that he’d been there the day she was born. He couldn’t have loved her more if she was his own niece. “I can’t believe she’s already two. Did I hear Maddie say they’re looking at nursery schools for September?”

  “Don’t get me started. She’s too young.” Bull growled low and glared across the room at his sister. As if sensing his scrutiny and the reason for it, Maddie turned with an impressive glare of her own. Colin knew those Irish tempers ran hot and with Maddie being four months into her second pregnancy, he wouldn’t want to get into a confrontation with her.

  “You know she’s really not,” Chase offered softly. “She’s so smart and curious, Bull. She soaks up everything she sees and hears, and…”

  Bull wasn’t buying it. “She’ll just barely be three!”

  “You didn’t have a problem with her coming to my Tiny Dancers class,” Arnaud pointed out.

  “That’s because we trust you.” Bull answered as if it were obvious and Colin found himself preening even as Arnaud looked surprised. His family had more than accepted his lover and while Arnaud might still find himself shocked by their eager welcome, he was so proud.

  “Don’t tell me you’re talking about Rory going to school again.” Red came to stand in front of his clearly agitated husband and put a comforting hand on his cheek.

  “Colin started it,” Bull grumbled and gathered Red up close.

  “Uh huh.” Red nuzzled against him for a long moment before turning and gracing them with a soft smile. “You know they say that Alexander was so distraught over Haphaiston’s death, that he died of a broken heart?”

  “Naw, Red, he died of some ancient STD.” Jacky bumped up against him and draped an arm over Arnaud’s shoulders. As predicated, they had bonded easily and Arnaud never once shied away from the affection Jacky so desperately needed. “Chlamydia or dandruff, or something.”

  Colin hip-checked him back. “Is that why you’re dressed as a doctor? Are you here to cure me of my dandruff?”

  “Please.” Jacky flipped up the collar of his signature red cloak and looked at them all in disdain. “I’m much too brilliant for your pissant problems.”

  “Not quite the adjective I would’ve used.”

  Jacky gave him a withering stare and leaned in close to Arnaud’s ear, his stage whisper loud enough for the all to hear. “When you get tired of Zoolander here, you know where my bed is.”

  With a last haughty flick of his cloak, Jacky disappeared back the way he came. As they watched him go, Colin noticed Bella and Craig whispering to each other furiously in the corner, and found himself glancing at Bull in concern. “So, uh, your siblings seem to be…”

  “Stop,” Red cut him off before Bull could. “We are not interfering.”

  “I’m just cur…”

  “Nope, we’re not talking about this.” Red assured them in no uncertain terms. “Whatever happened or happens, they’re adults and need to work it out on their own. In fact, we’re walking away now before this escalates.”

  “But…” When Ty butted in, no doubt just for the sake of stirring the pot, Red leveled him with a rare heated glared that had him throwing his hands up in surrender. Bull tugged him away before anything else could be said, leaving them all looking at the couple in question.

  “You don’t think there’s actually something’s going on with Craig and Bella?” Arnaud asked into the awkward silence.

&nbs
p; Ty was quick to scoff. “I think they’re swinging off the damn chandeliers every time they’re alone.”

  “But…” Again, Arnaud looked toward Craig and Bella, his frown darkening as he thought it over. “What would be wrong with that?”

  “Nothing if they don’t hurt one another.” Colin knew that was the concern. No one would begrudge them their happiness, but if one or both of them got hurt, the ramifications wouldn’t just affect the two of them.

  “What’d you say to piss off Red?” Billy asked as he joined them with Liam in tow.

  Colin looked beyond the couple and saw their shadows only a few feet behind, and knew when to give up. “Just talking about Rory going to school.”

  “Shh,” Liam hissed, glancing back at Owen. “You don’t want to bring that up right now.”

  Chase looked at Ty and shook his head. “I’m going to go see what the kids are up to before I get branded a troublemaker like these two. Do you want anything from the buffet?”

  “Us?” Colin called, but Chase was already walking away. He looked to Ty for support, but those dark eyes were following Chase’s departure—or, more precisely, Chase’s ass in his tight leggings—and couldn’t even pretend to be surprised when Ty just walked away.

  “Do you think they’re gonna get it on in the bathroom?” Arnaud grinned up at him since they already knew the answer.

  “Or Saul’s office, if our favorite trio isn’t already hiding out in there.” That had them both looking around the room and finding no sign of Saul or his boys. Just the idea of who might be sneaking off to a quiet corner had him looking back at Arnaud with a leer. After all, he did have a perfectly good bed right upstairs. “Maybe they have the right idea?”

  That got him a seriously dirty once over that he felt all along the length of his dick. “Why, Colin Sinclair, are you propositioning me?”