Pup (3 page)
“While I may enjoy casual sex with those not in the lifestyle from time to time, I don’t like engaging with men who only pretend to be subs or view the scene as a kinky kids’ game. That can be —”
The clerk interrupted by handing him his coat. “Have a good night, Mr. Austin.”
“Thank you,” he responded. He pressed a bill into the man’s hand, then shrugged into his wool dress coat before turning back to Micah, who was staring at him with a confused expression. “—a very, very dangerous game for a young man to play, especially with a man like me.”
Micah visibly shuddered. Was it fear? Excitement? Tackett didn’t ask, nor did he wait for a response. He gave Micah a curt nod and left the club.
stood there, once again watching Tackett walk away. A witty retort sat on his tongue, but he snapped his mouth shut. Fuck! He’d only meant to entice, tease a little, but he’d gone too far in his antics. Tackett had the wrong impression, and it was all Micah’s fault.
Even before his first sexual experience, when he was sixteen, Micah had known he had a proclivity for kink. He’d spent hours and hours surfing the net, jerking off to the vast array of gay porn the web had to offer, but he’d always come back to the bondage sites. When he’d lie in his bed—eyes closed, hand wrapped around his cock—the images behind his closed lids were always of large leather-clad men dominating, overpowering him. He always came quick and hard to those naughty mind shows.
His first experience with spanking and pain had come when he was seventeen, and by twenty-one he’d known exactly who and what he was: submissive. The problem was, in addition to his difficulty in focusing, most men he’d encountered played at being a Dom. Micah glanced at the door where Tackett had exited the club. “Kind of like you accused me of, only in reverse,” he muttered.
Did that mean Tackett had the same feelings he did? That those playing a game were a total turnoff and those who truly lived the lifestyle were hard to find? He knew exactly who he could get the answers from. Micah turned on his heels and headed back toward the bar.
Ty had taken over when Micah’s shift ended, and unless there was a problem that required his assistance, Micah knew exactly where he could find his boss, Blake Henderson.
Blake sat at the end of the bar on what had become known as the boss’s stool. It provided the perfect vantage point. From his perch, Blake could see the bar, the stage, the dance floor, and the rest of the club except the back rooms. It wouldn’t surprise Micah if Blake also monitored that area with video surveillance. He had panic buttons in them, so why not video? The thought made him feel safe and, at the same time, got him hot and horny. He’d been privy to some of the things that had gone on in those hidden back rooms. Kinky shit, hot-as-fuck stuff, and the thought of someone watching, maybe even jerking off from their seat in front of the computer terminal—oh yes, it called to his naughty, exhibitionist side, ramped it right up, and his cock swelled against his thigh.
Focus, Micah. You were about to ask about Tackett, remember?
Micah gave himself a little internal shake.
Oh yeah, right, Tackett.
Micah approached Blake. “Sir, could I speak to you for a moment?”
Blake motioned toward the empty stool next to him. “I’ve been expecting you. Have a seat.”
Micah took the offered stool and asked, “You’ve been expecting me, sir?”
Blake smiled. “I’ve seen the way you look and behave when Tackett is around. Go ahead and ask your questions.”
“That transparent, huh? Well, to everyone but Tackett.”
“I don’t know about that, Micah. I’d say you’ve left quite the impression on Mr. Austin.”
Micah met Blake’s gaze, trying to find the meaning of his statement in his expression, but Blake’s features were frustratingly neutral. Micah picked at a hangnail, not sure what to do with his hands and feeling a little strange talking to Blake about Tackett. Maybe he should be talking to Ty. From their conversations, there wasn’t a cockier sub than Ty. At least he had been when he’d first met Blake, and things sure had worked out for the two of them.
“Hey.”
Micah blinked slowly. It took him a minute to realize he’d been staring at Blake while zoned out with his own thoughts again. “Sorry, sir. I’m thinking I should probably talk to Ty.”
“About what?” Ty asked, joining them.
“Our Micah has a dilemma.”
“What’s the matter, can’t figure out who to irritate next?” Ty chuckled and set a fresh glass of water in front of Blake.
Micah thought about sticking his tongue out, but bit it instead. He’d get Ty back later. “Ha-ha. You need to work on your bartending skills. You’re supposed to serve drinks and advice, not be a dick.”
Ty held up a hand and started counting off on his fingers. “One, you’re trying too hard. Two, Tackett is twice your age—ever think maybe you make him feel old? Three, you haven’t done your research. You don’t know enough about the man you’re trying to catch. You’re obviously going to need more than just your pretty looks to impress him. And finally, it wasn’t me that was the cockiest out of the duo. That would be Blake. I didn’t really give a shit about him, nor did I want to know him when we met, so knock off the cocky submissive shit. It’s oxymoronic. There’s your advice.” Ty set Blake’s half-empty glass he’d just replaced with a fresh one back down in front of Micah. “Now here’s your drink.”
Blake had covered his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter, but he couldn’t control the way his body shook. Micah glared at him, but the man turned away and the shaking increased.
“I take it back, you’ve got the advice thing down,” Micah huffed, shoving the glass back toward Ty. “But you need to work on the bartending part. I’ll take a beer.”
Ty didn’t even try to hold back his laughter as he walked away.
“No disrespect, sir, but how do you put up with him every day?”
“I’ve got a very big paddle.”
“Can I borrow it?” Micah asked, still glaring in Ty’s direction.
“Not even for a minute.” Blake gave up on trying to suppress it and laughed heartily.
“Didn’t think so, sir.” Micah took a sip of the water and turned on his stool. “So, about Tackett Austin?”
opened and Bobby’s smiling face appeared. “Tackett! I was beginning to worry you were going to stand us up. Come in.”
“I’m not that late.” An hour wasn’t that bad. Tackett gave Bobby a strong hug, patting him on the back. “I wouldn’t have missed it,” he said, and then he released his old friend and stepped into the foyer.
“That’s because you knew I’d come drag your ass out of your cave. You’ve been spending way too much time alone these days. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
Actually, he had been hiding. Taking some time off from friends to do a little self-evaluating, or rather, trying to figure out what the hell his plans were for the future. Three months after he’d gone into self-imposed isolation, Tackett still hadn’t come to any conclusions and still had no plans.
“Bullshit. You’ve been avoiding everyone since your birthday. As soon as I get back, we
are
going to be talking about it,” Bobby said adamantly.
Tackett followed Bobby through the house and out to the pool area, smiling when he spotted Rig. “Maybe I can talk Rig into extending your trip to Florida, say, by a couple of months,” he deadpanned.
“Don’t even think about it,” Bobby grumbled.
Bobby wasn’t a big fan of Florida; he complained the humidity was the breath of the devil himself. Rig, on the other hand, loved the steam-bath weather. Tackett ignored Bobby’s grumbling. Laughing, he headed over to the small group around the pool.
Bobby and Rig’s going-away party was a small, intimate affair, and Tackett recognized everyone. Blake was lying in a lounge chair, Ty on his knees next to him with his head on Blake’s thigh. Blake was stroking Ty’s long blond hair lovingly as they spoke to each other. The sight inflamed the morose feelings Tackett had hoped he’d left back at his penthouse.
Also in the group was Max, another Dom Tackett had known for many years. In fact, he’d been the man’s mentor when Max first began exploring the lifestyle. Christ, how many years ago had that been? Max was reclining on a lounge chair too, but he had a slim man Tackett didn’t recognize lying half across him with his head on Max’s chest, teasing at the thick patch of dark hair on his stomach with his fingers.
A prickling sensation began at the back of Tackett’s neck as he took in the rest of the partygoers: Isaac and his new boy, Darren, and two men whose names he couldn’t quite remember but who were quite obviously a couple. Bobby and Rig, both Doms, were for all intents and purposes a couple who had been together for many years and looking for a sub to complete their threesome. The one man who didn’t have a date, like himself, and who held no interest for Rig and Bobby, was Micah.
Micah sat in a lawn chair in nothing but skimpy swim shorts, his tanned body oiled and glistening in the bright afternoon sunshine. Dark shades covered his baby-blue eyes, but Tackett felt Micah’s gaze on him, wandering down his body, and judging by the way Micah licked his lips, he appreciated the view.
“Hey, Tackett. Glad you could make it,” Rig said, stretching out a hand in greeting.
Tackett grasped the offered hand and shook it. “Wouldn’t have missed it, my friend.” He greeted the rest of the men with a nod or a wave, and everyone but Micah welcomed him.
“Everyone has already eaten, but there’s plenty of food left. Go get a plate and we’ll catch up.”
Tackett patted Rig’s shoulder and headed for the buffet table. There was indeed plenty of food left. Bobby loved to cook and tried new recipes often, and he was damn good at it, as evidenced by the large pot belly he sported, and the growing one on Rig. Tackett’s stomach growled, reminding him he’d missed lunch, so he filled his plate with potato salad, a couple of burgers, and some kind of pasta with broccoli and raisins, then grabbed a beer from the cooler before rejoining the group. Of course, the only available chair was a lounger next to Micah.
He was going to fucking kill Bobby.
“Afternoon, Mr. Austin, sir,” Micah said. His tone didn’t have a sliver of the arrogance it’d had the last time they’d spoken.
“Afternoon, Micah. How have you been?” He could make conversation. Just because Bobby had set him up and he was feeling a bit uncomfortable, that wasn’t Micah’s fault, even if he had asked for it.
“Good, sir, and you?”
“Can’t complain.” Tackett took a bite of his burger, the flavor of grilled meat, garlic, and onion delicious, and groaned. “Mmm, this is really good, Bobby. You outdid yourself.”
“I made those,” Rig protested. “Bobby was too busy playing with new recipes.”
Rig ducked in time to avoid a chip as it whizzed by his head, causing everyone to laugh.
“I, for one, am glad he was playing with his food. This broccoli stuff is amazing,” Tackett complimented and took another big bite of the sweet salad.
“Thank you, Tackett,” Bobby said, giving Rig a so-there expression. “At least someone appreciates my skills.”
“I appreciate your skills just fine, baby.” Rig chuckled and patted his belly.
“Now that everyone is finally here….” Blake coughed “Tackett” to cover up the name. “A toast to Bobby and Rig. May you have safe travels, enjoy the change in scenery, find what it is you’re looking for, and come back to us renewed.”
A group round of “hear, hear” went up. Tackett raised his beer bottle, then popped the top and took a long pull.
Tackett finished his meal, the others around him chatting. Although Micah was being discreet, Tackett still felt his gaze on him. He stole a glance—the man had his head tipped back, legs splayed out in front of him, roaming one hand along his chest and stomach, rubbing in more suntan oil. He was the picture of relaxation. At least part of Micah was relaxed—the hard cock straining against his shorts was proof positive the little shit was trying to bait him, tease him. It was working too. Tackett’s prick started to harden as Micah moved his hands along the ridges of that tight belly, the smell of his skin still discernible over the coconut-scented oil.
Tackett tipped up his beer and finished the brew in one large gulp, doing his damnedest not to stare at the sexy man next to him. But he found it more and more difficult when he spotted one of those slick hands passing over the tented shorts on its way down to the inside of a well-formed thigh.
Perhaps a little more to eat?”
“No, thank you, Micah. It’s getting
a little hot.” And not just from the
midday sun. Tackett ran his napkin over his damp brow. “I think I’m going to take
a swim.”
Tackett started to rise, and Micah
jumped to his feet and held out his hand.
“Can I take those for you, sir?”
Tackett handed his empty plate and
bottle to Micah, and then stood. Tackett
moved closer, his voice low when he
said, “There’s the persistent little shit
I’ve come to know.”
Micah’s smile didn’t slip in the
slightest. “I’m very persistent when I
want something badly enough.” He
leaned in, his warm breath tickling,
making Tackett clamp down on the
shudder that threatened. “And I want you
very, very badly.”
The tip of Micah’s tongue licked the spot just below Tackett’s ear. A jolt of arousal rushed through him when Micah moaned, and he had to call up all his reserves of strength to contain his
reaction.
“Wanting is a bitch, isn’t it?” “I don’t know, sir. Sometimes it’s
the wanting, the anticipation, that makes
it all the better when a goal is reached.” “And sometimes it makes it all the
worse when denied.”
Tackett wanted to kick himself as
he walked away. His voice had come
out more of a squeak, and the smug grin
he saw on the kid’s face told him Micah
knew he’d affected him.
stood with his hands on his hips and watched Tackett dive into the pool.
Wanting is only a bitch if you don’t get it. I plan on not only getting you, but being owned by you.
He wasn’t going to
take no for an answer.
He’d taken Ty’s advice and learned
everything he could about Tackett
Austin. The subs were in awe of him; the
Doms had nothing but good things to say
about him. He was hard-core, and from
what Micah could conclude, while
considered a big-time player in the
scene, he didn’t treat it like a game.
Micah knew the sudden change in
Tackett had come with his recent
birthday. He had a sneaking suspicion
what that was all about and had every intention of setting the man straight.
Well, not straight, that would be detrimental to my plans
. Micah chuckled. But yeah, he’d prove the man
wrong.
The cool water felt good on his
heated skin as Micah dove into the pool
minutes after Tackett. He popped up and
shook the water from his hair, instantly
seeking out Tackett. Micah spotted him,
muscles working as he swam. Not even
the cool temperature of the water could
hold back the heat racing to his groin.
Good God, the man was gorgeous.
Thick, solid muscles, tanned olive skin,
and the only thing Micah could think was
want, want, want
.
The man was attracted to him; he’d felt him holding back, trying to keep his body from betraying him and showing his desire. Tackett, however, hadn’t been able to control the stiffening of his muscles when Micah licked him, nor the catch of his breath, and he for damn sure couldn’t hide the tent in his shorts. To be admired for his looks wasn’t exactly what Micah wanted from Tackett, but it was a start, and he could surely use it to
achieve his goal.
Micah watched, enthralled by the
power in Tackett’s arms and legs as he
sped through the water with speed and
ease. Rhythmical was how Micah would
describe it, something almost musical
when he added in the sounds of the
splashing water and Micah’s own rapid pulse. Micah stayed engrossed in Tackett, unaware of anything or anyone around him as he waited for Tackett to finish his laps. Once Tackett pulled himself from the pool to sit on the edge,
Micah went to him.
“That was impressive, sir,” Micah
complimented. “You’re a very good
swimmer.”
Tackett scowled at him. “What?
You’re surprised an old man can do
more than lounge or doggy-paddle in a
pool?”
Micah smiled. He’d been right—
Tackett was taking his birthday hard. A
little midlife-crisis pity party.
“You’re very sexy when you
scowl.” Water ran from Tackett’s thick hair, flowing down his furred chest, droplets briefly clinging to his nipples before falling. The urge to lean in, lick, and taste was huge. “In fact, you’re sexy
as fuck when you breathe.”
Tackett laughed and leaned back on
his hands, putting that perfect body on
display, ratcheting Micah’s lust even
higher. “Got a daddy fetish, do you, boy?
Looking for the father-figure approval
you never had.”
“Oh, my daddy approves of me just
fine, sir. Trust me when I tell you, you
look nothing like the pudgy middle-aged
straight guy sharing my mama’s bed.”
Micah had planned to try the perfectlittle-sub tactic again, but the lust that
consumed him when he was near Tackett short-circuited his brain and the need to touch was just too strong. He reached out and skimmed a fingertip along Tackett’s well-defined thigh. “And the things I want you to do to me never once crossed my mind when looking at my
daddy.”
“That’s good to know.”
Tackett’s words came out as
uninterested, blasé, even, but Micah
could feel the tightening of muscles
beneath his fingertip, see the desire in
Tackett’s hazel eyes, and if that wasn’t
enough to embolden him, the growing
bulge in the Dom’s shorts did.
“What about you, sir?” Micah
moved his finger to the inside of
Tackett’s thigh, teasing the soft, damp hairs. “What kinds of things do you think
of when you look at me?”
Tackett held Micah’s gaze. He
looked thoughtful, as if choosing his
words carefully before he spoke them.
That didn’t surprise Micah in the
slightest. For a man of Tackett’s
reputation, the authority he demanded
just by his presence was obviously well
earned. Micah continued to caress the
man’s leg, not to distract him, but
because he loved the feel of those
twitching muscles.
“That you need far more than just a
simple spanking.”
“I won’t argue with you there,”
Micah said, chuckling. “What else do
you see?”
“That you’re one naughty little pup
playing a game in a big boy’s world, and
if you’re not careful, you’re going to get
hurt.”
“That’s the second time you’ve
accused me of playing with you, sir.” Tackett ran a hand through his wet,
tousled hair, pushing it back from his
face. “Just calling it like I see it. Are you
saying I’m wrong?”
“Not at all. When two people meet
who are obviously attracted to each
other, like we are, it always starts out as
a game. I make a move, you make a
move, and if the moves are correct, we
both win.”
“You seem pretty sure I’m attracted
to you and I want to play the game.” Micah could have pointed out the
way Tackett was now pushing into his
hand as he continued to massage his
thigh as proof. Or the fact that, as Micah
inched his fingers higher, Tackett didn’t
try to stop him. Instead, he just smiled up
at Tackett and nodded.
“I’m always honest about my
attraction and what I want. What about
you, sir? Are you always honest?” “I try to be.”
“Good! So the question now
becomes, do you really know what I
need, and more importantly, can you
give me what I need?”
A hesitant, almost unsure
expression crossed Tackett’s face before
he once again schooled his features. Micah would be damned if the age difference or the Dom’s new worries of his own mortality were going to stand in the way of what he wanted. Boldly, he reached up and cupped the hard cock straining beneath the material of
Tackett’s shorts.
“Look around you, sir. Nothing but
couples, and then there’s you and me.
Bobby and Rig must have thought our
kinks would make a good match, so stop
thinking about all the other bullshit.
Instead, concentrate on what your body
needs from mine.”
Tackett didn’t respond at first; he
sat there with that same neutral
expression on his face, like he couldn’t
care less one way or the other. But Micah felt the throbbing pulse and the hardness against his palm, heard the slight increase in Tackett’s breathing, and saw the way his hazel eyes darkened with desire. Micah waited, challenging the man with his gaze and steadily increasing pressure against Tackett’s
shaft.
Tackett slid into the pool, grabbing
Micah’s ass in both his hands, and
pulled Micah against his hard, muscular
body. “You have no idea what you have
just unleashed, boy.”
A jolt shot down Micah’s spine and
robbed him of breath and voice. It didn’t
matter since Tackett was shoving his
tongue into his mouth, devouring
Micah’s mouth in a demanding kiss. He went passive in Tackett’s arms, letting the older man take whatever he wanted. He might not have any idea what he’d unleashed, but Micah knew he was going to enjoy having this beast turned loose on him.
