Deviations: Submission (27 page)

You relax."

"Thank you, sweetheart," Tobias said as he rolled over and closed his eyes. Five minute nap, a nice bath ... and then the matter of punishment. Ah, well, with that out of the way he could take Noah to bed and hold onto him, imparting all sorts of comfort to take the sting away.

His weekend was nicely back on track, he thought.

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Deviations: Submission

by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen

Chapter 25

Morning brought calm and quiet to the farm. Tobias woke minutes before the alarm clock was due to go off and admired his boy for those few quiet moments in the pre-dawn half-light. Noah looked even younger asleep. His eyes were closed, his chest rose and fell gently with his soft breathing, his hair, what little there was of it, stuck straight up off the top of his head. The tell-tale lines of age that Tobias had come to accept about his own face hadn't settled on Noah yet—no laugh-lines, no furrowed brow lines, nothing but smooth skin, soft eyelashes, and pale lips.

Tobias was just letting his protective urges settle on him when the alarm finally interrupted. Noah opened his eyes, awake in an instant. He yawned and stretched, then reached over to shut the thing off.

"Good morning, sir," he said with a sleepy sigh when he saw Tobias was already awake.

In short order Tobias kissed him, paddled him, and sent him off to make breakfast.

Apparently the morning calm was working its magic on Noah as well, because there was no panic in the kitchen, no fuss over the percolator, and no swearing associated with breakfast at all. Noah's omelet was lovely, and as soon as they finished eating, Noah warmed up Tobias' coffee and disappeared to turn the horses out.

Tobias sat and read a bit of the Sunday paper, trying to dissuade himself from peering out the window. There was no need to check up on Noah after all; it wasn't his first 244

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experience with horses and they'd turned them out together the Sunday before.

Still, though, he could watch. One of his pleasures, right?

One of his rights? On the one hand, it would go further with Noah if he simply let the boy do his chores and rewarded him for a job well done. But on the other, how would he know how well the job was done if he didn't check up on him?

He was actually still mulling it over and trying to decide if he was terribly concerned about his horses or merely smitten with his sub when Noah came in, evidently finished.

"All done, sir," Noah told him with a smile from the other side of the screen door where he was removing his muck boots. "The horses are out, stalls raked." He set the boots aside to be hosed off later and came inside. He was a lovely mess with his stained hands, a smudge on his cheek, and dirty jeans. "And it's about to rain, hard by the look of it."

"A good day to stay in and play then," Tobias said with a smile. "Or at least plan, and then-perhaps-a mad dash through the elements to our lair." He stood up and walked to Noah, startling him with the gift of a quick kiss. "Take a shower, pet. I'll make some tea, and we can be warm and cozy in the safe room."

God, he smelled good. Sweat and dirt and outdoors ... oh, and horse. Yes, a shower was still a good idea.

"'Our lair.'" Noah grinned. "I like the sound of that, sir." He backed away from Tobias a couple of steps and then turned and hurried upstairs.

He was quick about his shower and joined Tobias in the safe room only moments after Tobias had arrived with the 245

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tea. "You should have waited, I'd have made that for you, sir."

"I know," Tobias replied with a smile. "But then it would be too hot at this very moment, and this way we can enjoy it immediately. Now, come here and warm me."

He sat back on the bed and gathered Noah's naked body into his arms, still warm and moist from his shower. He smelled good again, although Tobias missed the scent of his sweat. "You're warm," he purred approvingly.

"Yes, you're generous with the hot water, sir," Noah agreed. "I love a hot, hot shower, especially when it's getting colder out." Noah leaned into Tobias, resting damp hair on his shoulder. "I like that soap, it smells like ... I'm not sure, jasmine is it? Wakes you up a little."

"Gingerlily." Tobias stroked a hand over Noah's side, enjoying the smooth feel of his skin, how soft it was just out of the shower. "I want to play," he whispered. "I think ... I think we should make up a story."

"A story. I'd like that, too." Noah reached for their tea, handing Tobias his mug first and then taking his own off the side table. "Once upon a time ... hmmm," Noah grinned and chuckled softly. "Well, what are you in the mood for, sir?

Pliant and willing? Reluctant but seducible? First time virgin?

Quid pro quo? Or maybe adamantly unwilling?"

Noah's voice was playful. He sipped his tea and continued wooing Tobias with his words. "Maybe you want to hear me scream? Beg you to leave me alone and you can have your wicked way with me anyway?"

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"That has merit." Tobias sipped his tea and studied Noah's body, curled around him, one leg tossed just so. "Are you actually able to pull off reluctant virgin, or is that a pipe dream?"

Noah gasped. "I swear I've never done anything like this before," he said, adding a touch of air to his voice for effect.

It worked. "I haven't done that one in a while, but if you want it, I can pull anything off, sir." He sipped his tea again.

Tobias chuckled. "I see. Could you pull off ... pirates? Or maybe a prince I've stolen from his castle as a spoil of war? A hustler I've bought and paid for?"

"Pirates? Arrr ... only if I don't have to talk like one," Noah chuckled. "Avast ye matey! That's the extent of my pirate talk. Oh, but a spoil of war! Lovely, I like that one. 'My father will come for me!'" Noah was enjoying this, it was nice to see.

Tobias relaxed back a little and sipped at his tea again, considering. "I don't know about that one, actually. Some day, certainly, when I'm feeling more energetic and can subdue you while fending off your father. Today ... today I see you in white, all innocent and unsuspecting. Or ... maybe already fallen and full of deception..." He laughed and stroked a hand over Noah's skin again. "I really don't know, pet. Do you have bite today, or will you come quietly?"

"I can have a bite if you want one, sir, but I'm sensing you want something more like naïve, fearful reluctance turned wide-eyed worship. Like ... a college freshman, or a new boy in your harem? Maybe a young entry-level associate in your firm. Hustling the new boy in town into the back room of a local club." Noah set his mug down having finished his tea.

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"Am I reading you wrong? If you'd prefer I can try to dig up a hustle."

"I think we can wait on the hustle, pet," Tobias said with a grin. "You've given me an idea, however." Reluctantly Tobias moved away from the warm body and got off the bed. "I'm not sure if I have the proper costume for you, though. I know I don't have a suit jacket that'll fit your shoulders, but I might have a shirt ... and I certainly have a tie."

He crossed to the wardrobe and opened the large doors, exposing all sorts of fabrics and designs. As he flipped through hangers until he found black silk trousers and a suitable dress shirt, he noted a few other things he'd like to try on Noah sometime soon-he was born to wear leather, really.

"What's your shoe size?" he asked absently, almost ready to dress Noah up as a business tycoon.

"I'm usually a ten, sir," Noah answered, flipping around to lie on his stomach so he could watch. "I'm intrigued. What's on your mind? I might need time to get into character." He winked and laughed softly.

"You'll have time. Trust me, I'll walk you through the set up when we get to the playroom-if I do it now we'll be all ready and then boom! Pasture, not a club. Which would sort of throw us out of it, yes?"

"You know best, as always, sir," Noah agreed playfully and slid off the bed to get dressed.

Tobias held out a pile of clothes: silk trousers, dress shirt in a rich cream color, shiny black shoes. "Here you go; I'm 248

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thinking underwear will be useless, but I'll get socks and a tie from my room. You dress here, I'll be right back."

Noah took the clothing, and set it on the bed, and by the time Tobias returned with his socks and tie, he was dressed.

The pants were a tad tight in the hips and ass and the shirt was a bit taut across his shoulders, but they were pressed and crisp and would work well. Noah had even combed his hair to look more conservative and corporate, which was an excellent touch.

He handed Noah his tie and Noah wrestled with it a bit.

"Did you know cop ties are clip-ons? They do that so we can't get choked with them. Oh, wait." Noah tugged and the proper knot appeared. He tightened it around his throat. "Ah. I've got it, sir." He grinned, clearly proud of himself, and sat on the edge of the bed to put his socks on.

"Good job," Tobias said with a smile. "Now, I'm going to get dressed; you ... ponder. I'm your boss, you've been working with me for about a month. You're not sure if the vibe you're getting is real or your imagination-you just know I'm more friendly with you than with the others, that you've suddenly started subconsciously leaning back when I walk behind your desk so I brush against you. There's a tension building, but you're not sure what it is."

Tobias walked to the door and smiled, building his world in his head. "We've been out with clients for dinner, and we've just sent them off to their hotel. I'm to drive you home, but I've suggested we stop somewhere first..." He shook his head and grinned at Noah. "Ponder. I'll dress."

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Noah was sitting in the chair in the safe room, dressed and waiting by the time Tobias returned. After complimenting Tobias on his suit, he stood up and followed him down the stairs, moving eagerly. Thankfully, Noah thought to grab an umbrella on their way out the door and he held it over Tobias'

head as they walked, leaning into him to keep dry.

Once inside the door, Tobias had Noah shake out the dripping umbrella while he set the lighting. He didn't turn on the track lighting down the middle of the aisle, but instead turned on every second stall light on the left hand side, and on the right only the light in the black stall. The effect was muted, shadows playing out in odd angles and changing the look of the entire area.

With a flick through a small box Tobias selected a CD he'd had made for just this sort of thing, and in moments the sound of wild electronica with a pounding backbeat filled the space, the soundproofing keeping the music from being jarring.

Noah had finished with the umbrella and stood looking down the row of stalls, taking it all in. Tobias moved behind him and, wrapping an arm around his waist, began to whisper in his ear.

"I've brought you here, to a seedy little bar I know. You've sat with me, watched men dancing and kissing, listened as people I know came over to greet me. You've been wide-eyed and a little shocked, but not quite daring to leave. You've even watched as I kissed a man right in front of you, leaving him with blood on his lip. I've pretended not to notice as you looked around, the color on your cheeks growing. The music 250

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has gotten to you, and I invite you to walk with me. We go down a hallway, there's a man leaning on the wall getting sucked off. I let you watch, feel your breath speed up. Can you see it, pet?"

Just like that Noah's breathing changed-a little shallower, a little quicker, and Tobias could feel his heart begin to pound in his chest. Noah swallowed and took two steps forward out of Tobias' grasp, then turned and looked right at him. The uncertainty in his eyes appeared genuine.

"I, uh..." He glanced over his shoulder and then back at Tobias, backing very slowly down the corridor. "I don't know if this was a good idea. I mean, I'm sure you're very ... I should probably go." He swallowed hard and tugged at his collar, loosening the tie a bit.

"You don't want to," Tobias said smoothly. "I know you don't, I can feel it, the way you lean into me, the way your heart is pounding." He let Noah take another step. "The way your cock is hard in your pants." Tobias slipped his hands into his pockets. "I promise I won't do anything you don't want.

Just ... come and see with me. Watch. There are men here who can open your eyes to a whole new world, Noah."

Noah stopped walking and ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. "Is this right, though? I mean, we have to work together-you're my boss. Even if I wanted to ... to ... and I don't know if I do, okay? Shouldn't we, you know, be keeping a professional distance?"

"Certainly, if you wish," Tobias said with a smile. "I have great success in keeping my personal life out of the office, however. It really doesn't effect my work if I know what your 251

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prick tastes like or not, or if I know that you like to watch men being flogged."

Noah blinked and froze, rooted to the spot. "F-flogged?"

His eyes went wide and he swallowed again, then glanced back over his shoulder and ran his hand slowly across his own chest. "They do that here? You're into that stuff?"

Tobias allowed himself a slow smile and stepped toward his prey. "Yes. And yes. Come with me. Watch. You can leave whenever you want, Noah. I just thought that you might be

... interested." He let his gaze roam freely and obviously over the man, the tip of his tongue teasing along his lower lip.

Noah's brow furrowed slightly and he looked into Tobias'

eyes for a long, still moment, working his lip between his teeth. Finally, after a deep breath and a steadying sigh, he moved cautiously back to Tobias' side.