Scorched Edges (13 page)

“So good. So full.”

Beau pounded his ass then withdrew, flipped Marty onto his back and pulled his calves up to his shoulders. “Want to see your face when you come.”

Marty writhed as he was skewered over and over. He reached for his cock but Beau pushed him away. “Hands off. That’s mine.” Beau gripped him and tugged.

As he came, Marty screamed Beau’s name and let the aftershocks roll through him. Beau didn’t let up and seconds later thrust hard then froze, his expression a picture of ecstasy. Marty would remember the sight for as long as he lived.
I did that. I put that expression on his face.
He sighed happily as Beau’s weight pressed him into the mattress, holding him down. The night couldn’t have been any more perfect.

Chapter Eight

Marty waited outside The Marmalade Factory, scanning the street for Alistair and Christian. He checked his watch. “Ten to six, I’m early.” He hopped up onto the low wall that fronted the building behind him. The South Bank buzzed with activity. For once the weather was mild and tourists and Londoners alike had taken advantage of the opportunity to get some fresh air. Street sellers had their wares laid out on brightly colored blankets and a caricaturist made lightning fast, uncannily accurate sketches for his customers. On the river, several pleasure boats and tugs chugged up and down.

Marty swung his feet, not caring that he was acting like a big kid. Beau was working the night shift so when Alistair had called inviting Marty along to a ‘sub social’ as he called it, he’d jumped at the offer. Christian was joining them along with Kai and a couple of the waitstaff, Ellis and Benjy. Marty remembered Ellis from his first date with Beau at the Club but he didn’t know Benjy. Kai was the bar manager’s sub. Marty was keen to get to know a few more Club members because he guessed that he’d be spending quite a lot of time there with Beau. It would be good to have some friends of his own to meet with.

Alistair had given Marty directions to the venue they were meeting at and he’d searched for it online. The Marmalade Factory was just that, an old factory owned in Victorian times by a company manufacturing jams and spreads. It had recently been converted to a social center and housed a range of small craft shops, artisan businesses, a restaurant, coffee shop and an art house cinema. The coffee shop was in the basement and that was where the ‘sub social’ would take place. Marty chuckled. “Strange kind of gathering, but more interesting than meeting up to discuss trainspotting or stamp collecting.”

Beau’s attention was drawn to the sound of laughter and he grinned at the colorful group strolling along the riverbank toward him. Christian spotted him first and waved. Soon Marty found himself surrounded by a gaggle of chattering young men, all trying to introduce themselves at once.

“Hush, you lot, you’ll scare Marty away,” Alistair scolded. He lined everyone up. “Marty, let me introduce you in a civilized manner. You already know Christian.” Christian gave Marty a hug. “I think you’ve met Ellis?”

Ellis shook Marty’s hand. “He has, though I wasn’t wearing very much at the time so I probably don’t seem very familiar.” He giggled.

“Ellis served Beau and I in the restaurant at The Underground,” Marty explained to the others, his face heating.

“Of course. Well, Benjy here is another server, so you can expect to see him semi-naked as well.” Alistair chuckled. “And last but not least, meet Kai. Kai managed to snare the gorgeous Harry, our bar manager at The Underground.”

Kai gave Marty a shy smile. “And you’ve bewitched Salter Beauman, haven’t you? What’s it like to be with a hunky fireman Dom? I’ll bet he’s got muscles on his muscles, hasn’t he? You will tell us won’t you? We share everything.”

“I apologize, Marty,” Alistair said. “Kai’s mouth to brain functionality needs a little attention. He’s been up at The Edge and I think Olly has rubbed off on him. You only need to share what you want to.”

Marty laughed, appreciating the warm welcome to the group. “I have lots of questions for you all… I’m new to the scene.”

“Oh goody!” Kai clapped his hands. “Me too… Well, I was. Harry has been training me.” He peered down at his groin and pouted. “He’s trying out a new chastity device. He’s really mean.”

Christian patted Kai’s back. “He adores you and you know it.”

Kai beamed. “I do. I’m a very lucky sub.” He bounced on his toes. “I wish Olly and Aiden were here. They helped me a lot, Marty, especially Olly.”

“I’ve heard a lot about Olly.” Marty grinned. “He has quite the reputation. I’ll meet him soon, though, because Beau’s taking me to a party at The Edge in a few weeks’ time.”

“The masked ball? That’s fabulous! We’re all going too.”

Alistair nodded. “Carey’s closing the Club that weekend so that everyone can go. Most of the members have taken courses at The Edge at one time or another so the Club would be empty anyway. He’s organized a coach for anyone who doesn’t want to make their own way, but hey…we’re stood here gossiping on the pavement when we could be doing it in comfort. With coffee.”

They trooped inside and down the stairs to the lower level.

The café proved to be warm and inviting. Comfortable chairs and couches surrounded low tables. Bookcases lined the walls and eclectic knick-knacks were strewn everywhere. On the counter, glass domes covered a dozen or more huge cakes, all with slices cut ready. A blackboard listed an enormous variety of hot drinks.

Marty and his new friends commandeered a seating area. Ellis took their orders.

“Aren’t you going to write them down, Ellis?” Christian asked.

“Nope. I’m used to taking orders…”

“Aren’t we all!” Benjy fell about laughing.

“Not those orders, dummy… I mean in the restaurant. I can remember. Two cappuccinos, one low-fat vanilla latte, one disgusting double espresso, one peppermint tea and a hot chocolate with whipped cream, chocolate curls and marshmallows for Kai.” He rolled his eyes at Kai’s whoop of joy. “Three slices of chocolate cake, one lemon drizzle and two Victoria sponge.”

“Make sure you get the biggest slices.”

“You need a hand?” Alistair asked.

“Nah—the guy at the counter will help me out, though I might have to pay him with Benjy’s phone number from the way he’s been slobbering in his direction ever since we walked in.”

Benjy immediately stood up and stared. “Oh, very nice. Just see if you can gauge how Dommy he is.”

Ellis shook his head. “There is no hope for you.” He went off to fetch their drinks.

* * * *

Two lattes and a huge amount of hilarity later, Marty decided that the call of nature couldn’t wait a minute longer. He stood up.

“I’m going to find the men’s room…be back in a bit.”

“Follow the corridor and take a right, it’s down there somewhere,” Ellis said.

The bathrooms were at the back of the building, a fair way to go, but Marty was grateful to stretch his legs. He hummed as he walked, stopping now and then to peer into little shops.
They are such a nice bunch, I can’t remember the last time I had such a good evening. And they really like to share! I’ve learned more about D/s relationships in the last two hours than I’d ever get from the Internet. They all seem so happy and relaxed too. I suppose that’s what accepting yourself brings. I need to stop stressing about what’s right and wrong in the eyes of other people and concentrate on what I need.

He pushed open the door to the bathroom and moved to one side as another man left. For a second their eyes met. Marty shivered and a cold trickle of fear slid down his spine. “What the hell?”

Mr. Evil Glare had gone.

“Anyone would think I just murdered his puppy. Must have been having a bad day.” Marty shook off the feeling of foreboding that tensed his shoulders. He made use of the facilities then gave his hands a scrub. He raised an eyebrow at his reflection in the mirror. “Time to get back to the fun.”

Marty pushed at the bathroom door but it seemed to be stuck. He shoved harder but it wouldn’t budge. He rattled the handle and tried again, shoving with his shoulder, but there was no movement at all. “Some idiot’s locked me in!”

There was no glass in the door and when Marty ducked down to peer through the keyhole he found it blocked up. He sniffed. A strange scent filtered into the room. Marty caught movement at his feet. Wispy curls of smoke drifted beneath the door. His stomach knotted.

“Oh my God!” He stepped back as more and more smoke seeped through the gap. He patted his pocket, hunting for his phone. “Damn! Left it on the table.” Searching around frantically, Marty could find no escape. He retreated into the room. There were no other exits and no windows. He jumped as a fire alarm started screaming.

“Don’t panic…someone will be here soon. The others know where I am.” He went back to the door and began to bang on it, shouting for help. Someone would hear him. They had to.

* * * *

Beau sat in the station rec room and pretended to read a book. In his head he replayed the previous evening’s scene with Marty over and over. He had years of experience of playing with willing subs but nothing could compare with the perfection of that simple scene with Marty.

“What the hell you grinning about, Beau? Did you win the lottery or something?”

Beau looked up into the smirking face of his friend and colleague, Griff Jones. “Something like that.”

“Well it’s either that or you got laid last night and don’t give me any details.” Griff held his hands up. “My poor straight mind can’t handle it.”

Beau smirked. “That’s got nothing to do with being straight, you idiot, it’s because you’ve got mashed leeks for brains.”

“Hey! That’s my national plant you’re insulting. Gotta love a country that picks a phallic vegetable as its emblem.”

Beau snorted and tossed his book down on the seat next to him. “Now you’re making me hungry. Who’s on the cooking rota?”

“I am.” Griff grinned. “My infamous pot roast has been simmering for a while now. It’ll be ready in half an hour or so.” He threw himself down next to Beau. “Hey, you’re vibrating… Man, you need to leave those toys at home.”

Beau rolled his eyes. “It’s my phone you idiot.” He pulled his mobile from his pocket. “Text message… Oh shit.”

“See me dance, betrayer.” Griff read the words when Beau held up the screen.

“Spurned lover?” He frowned. “Fuck, that’s our firebug isn’t it?”

“Who else would know that reference?”

“If he’s got your number, it’s personal. Who have you pissed off recently?”

Beau shrugged. “Damned if I know.” He checked for a number but it had been withheld. He saved the message anyway. “Better go and tell Archer.” He got up and headed for the boss’s office, Griff right on his heels. Before they got there, the klaxon announcing a shout began to wail. Beau and Griff switched direction and jogged toward the engine bays. They stopped to pull on their boots and gear alongside their colleagues. Archer pulled a sheet from the printer and read it out as they prepared.

“We’ve got one in progress. All units required. The Marmalade Factory on Egerton Road, South Bank.”

Beau checked his watch as he climbed aboard his assigned vehicle. “Eight o’clock, broad fucking daylight.” Then his entire body went cold. Marty had told him that he was going to meet up with a group of subs from The Underground after work. He hadn’t said exactly where, just that it was a café on the South Bank. Beau prayed that it was too early and that Marty was still firmly chained to his desk under Becket’s tender supervision. Archer and Griff were both in the other engine. Beau kept his worries to himself. He and his crew needed to focus on the job ahead. Distraction in firefighting cost lives.

The two fire engines screamed toward Egerton Road, sirens wailing and lights blazing. Cars scattered to the sides of the roads like multicolored marbles. Pedestrians stopped to stare. A few little kids waved and jumped up and down in excitement. Beau tried to call Marty’s mobile but it went to voicemail. Becket’s number did the same. He had no time to make more calls.

As they approached their destination, the lead truck slowed. Two other fire trucks from another station and several police cars were already on the scene. Beau’s heart skipped a beat as caught sight of The Marmalade Factory from the side window. Black smoke billowed from the roof.

“Seems like this one’s fully engaged, boys. Stay alert and listen for orders. We’re second on scene so we’ll take our lead from Station Fifteen.” The crew dismounted and joined their colleagues. Archer walked toward the commanding officer, easily identified by his white helmet. Beau ordered his team to start preparing and they went into action like a well-oiled machine. After a while, Archer crossed the road and joined them again.

“Are there people in there?” Beau asked.

“Yes. The building manager believes up to six people may be trapped in the basement. There are shops, a cafeteria and bathrooms down there. It’s all a bit vague because they don’t have a sign-in system so we’re relying on witnesses and people with missing friends. In the confusion it’s possible that people left by different exits, have wandered off or are just stuck in the crowd. The upper floors of the building were successfully evacuated via the outside fire escapes. Fire wardens checked the spaces up there before leaving themselves. It’s unlikely that anyone would have headed up toward the roof.”

Beau extracted his phone from the depths of a pocket and showed the test message to his boss. “This arrived just before the shout came in.”

Archer read it. “Fuck. I can’t let you go in there, Beau. That’s playing right into this lunatic’s hands.”

“Are we going in or just providing support?”

“As soon as Fifteen’s crews come out for relief, we’re next up.”

“Then you need me. There aren’t enough of us for me to sit out here fucking knitting, and besides, I don’t think he wants to kill me. What would the point of that be? He wants attention.”

Archer didn’t seem convinced but he had little choice and Beau knew it.

“Two teams. You and Jones, Francombe and Woods. Go suit up.”