Deviations: Submission (7 page)

"Sir?" Brian blinked at him as they passed in the hallway.

"Oh, my."

"Mind your manners, pup," Tobias said, knowing that if the club had been worked up last week, this was about to send the place into a tailspin. He walked into the bar, ignoring the speed with which Brian had fled to the kitchen and the muted whispers that seemed to spread before him. He'd endured this before, years ago, and he knew it would calm down.

He stood in the doorway for a moment, knowing he looked every inch the expected presence his name seemed to call to mind. He'd put on black leather pants, but that was his only concession to the point-his boots were normal dress boots, his sweater a soft gray cashmere.

Noah was sitting at the same table he'd had the week before, and Tobias moved toward him, deliberately slowing his pace.

"Tobias," a familiar voice said to his right, and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from swearing.

He turned casually and said, "Phantom. How are you?"

Phan looked good, happy and bright, like a new copper penny. His mop of red hair was a lovely mess, his tiny, tiny body was encased in tight leather pants and a leather chest harness. He was already standing, coming to him, and Tobias steeled himself for what he knew was about to happen. There was every chance he'd have to kill Phan for this.

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Deviations: Submission

by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen

"Better now," Phan purred, dropping to the floor. He kissed Tobias' shoes, slithered up to kiss each wrist and then indiscreetly mouthed Tobias' cock through the leather before standing. "Call me," he hissed.

Tobias blinked slowly at him and turned away, going to Noah. Yes, he would have to deal with Phan, and soon.

"Good evening, Noah," he said as he approached the table.

Judging by the look on Noah's face, he had observed the exchange with Phan with some interest. Tobias noted the point Noah made of looking him in the eyes while he took a seat opposite Noah at the table and assumed that Noah needed further negotiation before the evening got under way.

"Evening." Noah greeted him, looking casual in a comfortable oxford shirt and blue jeans.

"Was there any trouble getting the room arranged?" Tobias asked, admiring the shirt. The fabric looked rich and soft and he decided suddenly that he would make a point of finding out if it was.

"Hardly, I told Bradford it was for you and he said he'd take care of it." Noah was clean-shaven and evidently recently showered, judging by the clean scent of soap and aftershave coming from Noah's side of the table. "I apologize for my tone on the telephone. I was in the squad car, my partner was sitting right there, you know." He smiled and gave Tobias a helpless shrug.

"I assumed as much," Tobias said easily. "There is always a certain amount of leeway for things like that-such as having to wait for me to call, who could be around during phone conversations ... and then, the sudden appearance of people 58

Deviations: Submission

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you don't expect to see. As long as you remain polite and respectful, I'll accept the situation as it happens."

"The sudden appearance of people like him?" Noah asked, indicating Phan with his eyes. Tobias sighed, but he knew Noah was going to inquire at some point. Noah sipped his water and leaned back in his chair, waiting on Tobias expectantly.

He had always found it a little difficult, explaining Phan.

But then, he'd never had to say anything to someone in the lifestyle, so this was, oddly, easier than explaining to Deidre or Mrs. Miller. The latter experience had him taking a long trip away before he could face her again, only to be greeted with,

"Tell that lad he needs a tailor. And a hair cut."

"Phantom is an active member," he said. "He travels on weekends, however, so I'm not surprised you've never met him. He was also mine for a rather long time."

"I noticed," Noah answered. He wasn't hiding his distaste for Phan's display very well. "Live-in? Slave?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I want to know if that's what you're looking for."

"I was looking for someone to play with on my birthday. I seem to have found more already," Tobias said smoothly, pushing gently but watching for agitation or fear. He wanted to know, needed to know as much about Noah's thinking as possible. His reactions, his intentions-even those that he wasn't even aware of. His instant dislike of Phan had probably given away more than he knew, which interested Tobias very much.

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Deviations: Submission

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Noah seemed to chew that over and find it bitter. "I don't share well."

Tobias laughed, honestly pleased with the answer. "Oh, we do have a lot to discuss, don't we? If it'll make you feel better and help to erase that line on your forehead, Phan and I don't play anymore."

"I'm glad to hear that." Noah sipped his water. He did look relieved. "So did Brett clarify anything or are you more confused?" He grinned slightly. "He's a sweetheart, isn't he?"

"He's..." Tobias sighed. "I have no intention of sitting here discussing your past or mine or our old relationships. If you want to play, fine, I'm more than happy to do so. If you want to discuss everything that has led us to this point, I suggest we meet sometime next week. Clear?"

Noah nodded. "Of course. I was just making small talk.

Anything you need to ask me before we begin? Do you have anything planned that wasn't covered by our discussion last week?"

"I have very little need for small talk, you'll find," Tobias said. He finished his water and set down the empty glass, turning it to watch the condensation drip on the sides. "I'm afraid my plans are somewhat rudimentary this evening; given more time I would happily create elaborate scenes, but perhaps next time. I'm ready if you are."

Noah swallowed down the last of his water and set the glass down on the table. After one last look into Tobias' eyes, he slid from his chair to his knees.

"Good boy. Display." Tobias didn't move as he watched Noah's hands go behind his back, his chest and hips moving 60

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forward for balance. He really was good at this, the motions smooth and easy. A natural, who had no idea what he couldn't take.

Tobias glanced toward the bar and found Phan watching, his face interested as he studied Noah's form. Tobias smiled inwardly as he saw Phan nod slightly to himself, a gesture Tobias knew to be unconscious. Phan always gave away too much; in some ways Noah was very like him.

That thought was uncomfortable and it took him a moment to push it away. "Come, boy," he said softly. He stood and walked away, knowing without a doubt that Noah was following perfectly; he had to, Phan was watching. It would have been comical if it wasn't so obvious that Noah was insecure about it.

They went up the stairs slowly, two flights this time to the larger rooms on the third floor. "Key," Tobias said as they walked down the hall to room six. "You may open the door."

"My pleasure, sir." Noah obeyed, pulling the key from his pocket and opening the door. It was heavy and swung wide, revealing immediately the large Saint Andrew's Cross against the far wall. Bradford had always had excellent taste in furniture, but this cross was new since the last time Tobias had been in this room. It stood floor to ceiling and was upholstered in black leather, with heavy rings at ankle, hip, and neck, adjustable cuffs on either side above head-height, and lace-up foot bindings. Optional wrist cuffs that hung from the ceiling by thick chains were neatly hooked to the wall.

There was a matching studded leather armoire in one corner, a gymnastic horse in another, and a rack of various 61

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whips, chains, cuffs, masks and hardware decorating a third wall. And, as Tobias was well aware, there was an enormous bathroom, complete with mirrors and a cleverly equipped shower and tub just beyond the leather-covered door on the right.

Noah turned and locked the door with his key once they had entered the room then dropped to his knees on the hardwood floor and held the key out in front of him for Tobias to take.

"So, boy," Tobias murmured as he stood in front of him to claim the key. "As this is our second time playing together, I won't go through the elaborate security check I did last time.

You understand that I have your safety in mind and that I expect you to use your safe words if you want to. Will you use the same safe words?" He stroked the top of Noah's head absently. A sensualist, Brett had said. He could work with that. Surround him, soothe him, hurt him. The thought of it, the smell of leather, the smell of Noah's soap all combined to half-drown Tobias himself, and he felt his cock begin to grow hard.

"If it pleases you, sir," Noah responded. Tobias felt him lean unconsciously into his touch.

"It does," Tobias said softly, enjoying the arousal in him.

He rarely took the time to just feel it; usually he was well into a scene before it started. He'd have to wait, of course, but he was happy enough to let things be like this for a few minutes.

He stroked Noah's hair some more, down to his neck and back. "You want to please me," he whispered.

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"Yes, sir. It's important to me that I be everything you need, sir," Noah's response was creative.

It was also the one thing that could tear Tobias in two if everything fell apart, the one thing that could make his cock throb and his control drift long enough that he wondered what it would be like to take this boy to the country house, to the stables. To bed.

"Good," he made himself say. "That's good, sweetheart."

He took a hated step backward and cleared his throat. "I wish to inspect you. Stand and undress, take your time." He pulled the one large chair to the middle of the room and sat, leaning back into it. He wanted to cross his legs, but currently it didn't seem wise; instead he made very sure that he was sitting where Noah would be perfectly aware of the effect he had on Tobias' body.

Noah stood. His shoulders were square and confident, a hint of a smile tugged at one corner of his lips, and his gaze landed directly between Tobias' legs.

He untucked his shirt, then bent to unbuckle his boots slowly, letting Tobias get a better look at them this time.

They were made of a stiff, black leather and had a heavy sole with a bit of a heel, so that when Noah stepped out of them he was a good two inches shorter than he had been a moment ago. The boots set aside, Noah tugged off his socks and reached under his shirttails to unbutton the top button of his jeans.

Noah's fingers paused for a moment at his waist and then he changed his mind, deciding, it seemed, to remove his shirt first. He unbuttoned it slowly, the soft fabric tugging at his 63

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shoulders and his hips. He spent a moment unbuttoning the cuffs, too, and then rolled his shoulders backwards and caught it in his fingers as its own weight caused it to slide to the floor.

He then went back to his jeans, button-flys, which he undid one button at a time before sliding them off and stepping out of them, leaving him bare except his briefs. They were white this time, and they left nothing to the imagination as Noah's erection pressed against them. He folded his jeans and set them aside, then wiggled out of his briefs and tossed them on top of the pile.

Tobias nodded, pleased at the show and at the end result.

He stood slowly. "Display," he ordered.

Noah's hands went behind his back, once more squaring his shoulders. The benefit to Tobias this time was that Noah's cock was thrust out, bobbing gently. Tobias smiled and gathered Noah's balls in one hand, rolling them. "You don't come until I say so," he purred.

Noah hissed first and answered second. "Yes, sir."

"You will warn me if you get close-there is nothing wrong with that. It isn't a failure, it is a way to please me, do you understand? I will be trying to make you come; it's your job to tell me your reactions."

"Yes, sir," Noah replied with a short nod, and Tobias was pleased to see his shoulders relax, responding well to the absolution.

"Good. Now, I said I was going to inspect you, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Stand in front of the chair, bent at the waist, your legs apart." It was a humiliating pose, 64

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Tobias knew, but it also let Noah look down and distance himself from the hands roaming over his skin. Tobias wanted to touch everywhere, every inch of him. He wanted to know every scar, so he could work them into his mental map of Noah's life.

Noah obeyed silently, stepping forward and bending at the waist. He was limber and probably could have braced his hands on the floor if he needed to, but instead he rested them on the arms of the chair. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"This won't hurt," Tobias said, opening the toy cabinet.

"But it won't be terribly fun. Call it a necessity, if you want."

He opened a bottom drawer and got a fresh tube of lubricant, setting it down just out of Noah's possible line of sight. He began his inspection with Noah's feet, tapping at the ankle to make Noah lift up. He suddenly remembered Phan hating that, laughing later when he realized that's what Tobias did for the animals.

Noah was in wonderful shape physically, Tobias decided as he slid his hands over the smooth skin. His muscles were strong and well developed, and he had every appearance of having a balanced diet. He wasn't terribly defined, but that was perfectly acceptable to Tobias, preferable even.

His tan lines were sharp and crisp, his skin clear and healthy. The only marks Tobias could find were typical of most people, in the scene or not-an occasional pock mark, a healed scratch which could have happened in childhood.

Carefully, Tobias ran his hands over Noah's head, searching for scar tissue and finding none.