Hunter stretched his limbs in his California king-sized bed, then kicked at the light blanket covering him, working the tangled fabric free until he’d pushed it onto the floor. He didn’t want anything in the way of ravishing Tobey once he’d returned from the bathroom. Tobey would likely want to stay up since he’d been stressing out over their housewarming party for days. However, Hunter had his own ideas on how to get his boy to relax.
Tobey emerged from the en suite master bath, naked, gorgeous—and headed straight for the kitchen.
Oh no, I’ll have none of that.
“Whoa, hey there.” Hunter propped himself up on his elbows. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Tobey halted a few steps from the threshold of the bedroom then turned to him, his brow furrowed. “I was going to get the coffee started. I can bring yours in here if you’d like to relax while I get started on the preparations.”
Hunter let out a snort. “The only thing I want you to bring me is your fine ass back to this bed.”
Tobey chewed on his bottom lip. “Uh…” He chewed some more. “But the party…”
“Is six hours from now and you’ve been cleaning all week, rearranging the furniture, and truthfully, I’m not sure what else. I can’t even find my coffee mug anymore.” Hunter sighed. “I’m a neglected boyfriend, partner and Master, so I need your body rubbing up against mine immediately. Possibly a few other things too, but we can get into that once you’re back in bed.”
Tobey’s chin had been dipping lower as Hunter spoke, and he started to feel bad about his growly tone. He just wants everything to be nice. It would also be Tobey’s first time officially meeting his sister Alita, and since she was almost all the family either of them had left, it had to be important to him that their home be perfect.
“Hey, baby. C’mere.” Hunter rolled onto his side to face Tobey and patted the mattress. “I didn’t mean to come off so harsh. I just need some alone time with you before things get crazy later, and you’ve done such a great job on the place that I can’t imagine what else you need to do.”
Tobey gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I guess I’m just nervous. I know the place looks all right. I mean, your house was already spotless before I did anything to it.”
Hunter gave a loud clear of his throat. “I think what you actually meant was our house.”
Tobey still hadn’t lifted his head, but the corner of his mouth tugged into the beginnings of a smile. “Yeah. Our house.” He raised his eyes. “Thank you.”
Hunter patted with more vigor. “Then your ass, in this bed, now.”
Tobey giggled. “I still have to make the appetizers.”
“I’ll show you some appetizers. Don’t make me come over there.”
Tobey arched his eyebrows. “Oh yeah? What happens if you do?”
“Cock cage for a week.”
Tobey raced over, launching himself at Hunter and landing half on him and half on the mattress. They wrestled and rolled on the bed, laughing, until Hunter gained the advantage. He pushed Tobey onto his back and straddled him. They paused, both of them out of breath from their play. Hunter took a moment to gaze down at his beautiful sub, to appreciate how fortunate he was that Tobey hadn’t run away from him forever. His stomach clenched at the thought of how close he’d come to losing him because he’d been such a jerk.
Hunter brushed back some of Tobey’s long hair that had gotten tangled, then had stuck to Tobey’s lips and brow while they’d tumbled on the bed. He leaned down to give him a leisurely kiss before straightening again. “I love you more than you know. I’m so thrilled that we’ve made our own family, that we can build our lives together with love and leave the bullshit behind.”
Tobey reached up, running his thumb along Hunter’s jawline, against the scruff decorating his skin. He couldn’t help but smile as he recalled how adamant Tobey had been that he grow it again. In his bid to clean himself up to win Tobey back, he’d miscalculated his boy’s preference for the rougher look.
“And you’re sure Alita’s okay with all this?” Tobey had let his hand fall to Hunter’s shoulder, but kept rubbing his fingers over his skin in light circles.
Hmm. Much more concerned than I’d realized. Hunter placed small kisses on Tobey’s forehead, nibbling his way down his face until he reached his mouth, pressing one last peck to his lips before straightening. “What is it that has you worried when you say ‘all of this’?”
Tobey averted his eyes but kept running his palm up and down Hunter’s arm. “Well, obviously she knows we’re gay and living together as boyfriends. And you said she knows you’re in the lifestyle…” Tobey lifted his gaze. “I guess I’m so used to judgment after judgment from my family with every single thing I did being another reason why I was wrong or shameful or an embarrassment. I can’t remember if I told you or not, but I never said a word about being into BDSM. Just being gay made me not worth being their son anymore.” Tobey rolled his eyes. “Oh my God. My dad would’ve probably beaten the shit out of me had he known about my love of the lifestyle. At least I knew better than to open up my big mouth about that.”
Hunter bit back the angry words that wanted to fly free. He hoped he never met Mr. Chen. After hearing about how he’d given Tobey a concussion when he’d come out to his family, he didn’t need his restraint to be tested.
“Babe, look at me. I want you to really hear the truth of what I’m saying.” Hunter adjusted his frame, stretching his body over Tobey. He cupped Tobey’s cheek as he locked onto his eyes. “Alita is not like your father. She’s not like my father or my brothers or any of our family who’ve shit on us. She’s already told me how happy she is I’ve found such a wonderful person to spend my life with.” Hunter snorted. “Now she can finally quit busting my chops about it. She’s been on me for years.”
Tobey pulled his eyebrows together. “She’s never met me, though.”
“Well, she did point out that you had to be a saint to put up with me at all, but beyond that, you guys have talked on the phone.” Hunter grinned. “She already gave me her stamp of approval.”
“Really?” Tobey worried his bottom lip. “I hope I live up to her expectations then.”
Hunter groaned. “That’s it.” He rolled off Tobey. “Turn over. I need to spank your cute little butt before I fill it.”
Kink Aware #9
Cruella eyed Ray from behind the desk at Rogue Tattoo, Piercing and Body Mods Studio, their gaze traveling to the tight as fuck, chocolate brown leather pants he wore, then drinking in the sinful way the supple fabric hugged his ass. When Ray reached up to hang his latest tattoo art award next to the entrance, his T-shirt lifted. Cruella held in a moan as Ray’s movement revealed the dimples at the small of his back highlighted by dragons facing each other above the tempting indentations. Cruella bit their lip then lifted their gaze to track Ray’s colorfully inked biceps that bunched and rolled as he completed his task.
Hot damn.
What Cruella wouldn’t give to run their hands across the rounded, muscular butt of the man they’d been lusting after for… Almost a year? Even before they’d begun working the reception area at the shop, they’d been getting inked by Ray.
Back when I was still living with Tucker.
Cruella sighed, then returned to sorting through the new shipment of body piercing jewelry that had arrived that morning. Working at Rogue for the past six months had been amazing. They needed to focus on the pros instead of pining after one of the co-owners. They’d made a wonderful new friend in Liam, finally had a steady income and gotten off the streets and was surrounded by cool people. But more importantly, they weren’t treated like a punching bag the way they’d been before.
Be happy with what you have.
Ray stood back from his project, staring at the picture as he tilted his head. He regarded Cruella. “Does that look straight to you?”
It was hard to tell from the angle where Cruella sat, so they came out from behind the desk, tugged at the bottom of their black, stretch mini-skirt and took a few tentative steps toward Ray. They were careful not to stand too close. The temptation to touch was becoming harder to resist.
“I think the barest of taps on the bottom left corner, and it’ll be perfect.” Their voice tended to be soft and a bit breathy under normal circumstances, but whenever Ray was nearby, it became more pronounced.
Ray gave Cruella what they were sure was an appraising glance before returning his attention to the picture. He did as Cruella had instructed then moved back again. He crossed his arms and smiled, nodding his head.
“Yup. That’s much better.” Ray shifted on his feet then coughed into his fist before returning his attention to Cruella. “So, I was wondering if maybe—”
“Hi Cruella, hi Ray.” The automatic bell on the door went off at the same time as Liam’s voice sounded. His gaze darted between them. “Oh, sorry. Should I come back later?”
Cruella ducked their head as their cheeks heated. Ray mumbled something then sighed.
“Of course not, Liam. These are business hours, and anyway…” Ray let out what sounded like a growl of frustration. “Well, anyway, I have stuff to do.”
His face flushed and Cruella hoped, wished with all their might, that maybe Ray was flustered because he’d been about to ask them out. Even if it wasn’t anything more than hanging out for a beer, it would at least be something.
Maybe if he spends time with me, I can figure out if he’s someone I might want to start something up with. Cruella sighed. If he’s even interested in taking things that far.
Cruella had spent over a year waiting for Ray to make a move. They figured it was due to Ray being their boss. He’d always been very respectful and responsible, cared about doing the right thing.
Unlike some people I used to know.
Like Cruella, Liam tracked Ray’s hurried steps as he made his way up to the inking and piercing part of the shop above reception. Liam regarded them with a fallen expression.
“I messed up, didn’t I?”
“No, hon, you didn’t.” Cruella shrugged at the futility of it all. “There was nothing to mess up.”
They turned and went back to the desk to take a seat again. Liam was the only person who knew Cruella had a crush on Ray, but that was only because he’d guessed. Cruella had been keeping that juicy piece of info to themselves ever since the moment they first eyed the sexy tattoo artist.
Liam took a furtive glance upstairs, then rolled the other office chair next to Cruella. He leaned closer and brought his already quiet voice lower as he spoke, “I keep telling you he likes you. I mean, you know, wants to go out with you. On a date, I mean.” Liam huffed as he frowned. “You know what I’m talking about.”
Liam’s anxiety wasn’t nearly as pronounced when they spoke alone. Since Cruella tended to be quieter as well, Liam seemed less nervous around them. But when Liam did need a moment to take a breath, or had to abruptly leave the room, Cruella always understood.
“I do, baby, I do.” Cruella ran their long, purple fingernails through their hair. “And if I can figure out a way to ask him to hang without it sounding like a date, I will.” They locked eyes with Liam. “Ever since the situation with Tucker, I’m a lot more careful.”
Liam sucked in a sharp breath. “B-but Ray…he… he would never…” Liam’s breathing took on a frantic edge, and being mindful not to touch, Cruella caught Liam’s gaze again.
“Look at me, Liam. I’m not implying anything bad about Ray, all right? Let me explain.” They regarded him with concern. “If you need a minute—”
Liam shook his head, then let out a long exhale. “No. I’m okay. I was remembering your ex and I started thinking about all the bad things he did to you, then I thought about how Ray is so good and kind and funny and that he’d never do anything like that, and…and…” Liam rubbed the back of his hand across his forehead. “Wow. I shouldn’t have thought you meant anything bad about Ray. Don’t be mad?”
Cruella gave a light laugh. “I’m not mad, hon. Listen. I’m more careful because of my heart. I’m not being a big chicken, I promise. I want to meet another guy, I want to love again. But I don’t want to waste my love on someone who isn’t ready to be with someone like me, or who starts to hate themselves because they do, then…” Cruella lowered their head. “Then take it out on me.” They inhaled, lifting their gaze. “I don’t need to apologize to anyone for who I am. And I sure as hell don’t need to explain myself. If a man can’t handle that, then whatever. I don’t need them.”
“You’re right, Cruella.” Liam nodded. “I’ve begun feeling that way about my anxiety. Neal is always reminding me that it’s no one else’s business what I’m going through, and I don’t need anyone’s unsolicited advice or opinions, either.”
Cruella smiled, pleased to hear the conviction in Liam’s voice. His fiancé Neal had been such an amazing source of support for Liam. Watching them grow together as partners, both in love and business, had been a joy to witness.
“I admire you for learning that at such a young age, hon.” Cruella bit their lip. “Back then, it really mattered to me that people like me, accept me. I made it too much about what others thought rather than how I felt. More from men than others.” Cruella shrugged. “But I had a fucked up family, as you know, so there was also that.”
Liam fidgeted, and Cruella imagined his thoughts had gone to his own foster family upbringing. Rather than get into a contest of who had the worst time of it growing up, they’d instead become the type of friends who understood where the other was coming from without trying to top each other’s horror stories. They’d been down that road before too. At the age of twenty-six, Cruella was more interested in moving forward and not focusing on all the toxic bullshit they’d already been through.
Liam reached for them, squeezing their arm then letting go. The quick touch warmed Cruella. The gesture was rare for Liam, and Cruella understood the strong intent behind it.
“I think we both deserve lots and lots of love and happiness because of where we came from.” Liam averted his gaze as he picked at his jeans. “Which is why I think it would be great if you and Ray—”
“There you are, boy.”
Liam broke into a wide grin at the sound of Neal’s voice, and Cruella was relieved at the distraction. While they loved their friendship with Liam, they still weren’t sure when they were going to make the move with Ray and didn’t want to discuss how interested Ray might be.
But, it seemed as if Ray was about to ask me something when Liam came in… Cruella slumped in their chair. It was probably only something like whether I could cover someone’s shift. Cruella was always the go-to for shift coverage. They could barely get by as it was, so accepted whatever was offered as much as possible.
I’ll think of something. They had to admit that Ray was an awesome enough catch that if they didn’t make a move soon, someone else would.
A thread of fear coursed through Cruella at the thought of Ray finding anyone else. That’s it. This week for sure. Cruella tucked their hair behind their ears. Now all I have to do is come up with a credible invitation.
“You missed dinner.”Dillinger breezed past me and into my room, setting the dinner tray he was holding on my table.
“You could have at least said thank you.”Dillinger strode back toward the doors connecting our rooms.
