New Leather (9 page)

Or did he? He and Mike had been awfully quiet during the meal and Mike was drinking out of a glass that Carl would have sworn was empty a minute ago. He watched Seve watch Mike. Good Lord!

Carl quickly filled a tray with dirty dishes and hustled the other subs into the kitchen. Sheer willpower kept his mouth shut until the dishwasher was loaded and the leftovers put away.

“Seve... ” He stopped at the look on the kid's face. “Okay, thanks guys. We're done in here if you want to go back outside.” He couldn't get the other two out fast enough. As soon as the door swung shut behind them, he turned to Seve. “Tell me you didn't.”

“Okay, I didn't.”

“You did!” Carl grinned. “It's always the quiet ones.”

Seve smiled at Carl's reaction. “It's exciting to have Mike jerk me off in public. We have done this a few times and you are the first person to notice.”

“That you know of.”

“True. I have learned not to look around when Mike wants my submission. Only he matters anyway.”

Carl frowned. “What if it's not what you want?”

“But it always is, Carl. I want whatever pleases him.”

“I guess I don't get that part yet. I try to do what James wants, but it feels... forced.”

“He forces you?” Seve was shocked.

“No, of course not. I have to talk myself into permitting him free reign, though.” Carl sat down, careful not to jostle the plug too much. If Seve had a smirk on his face, Carl ignored it. “How did you know you were a submissive?”

“I didn't. Not consciously. A co-worker sent me to The Leatherman as a joke and I met Mike there. He knew.”

“How?”

“My response to him, I suppose. I get turned on when he is pushy.” The shy smile had Carl smiling back.

“That part I understand.”

James was not surprised when Billy and Gary came out of the house without Carl and Severo. He could just imagine the conversation about Mike's little power game under the table.

Mike refilled his glass with scotch before idling over to James. “What is keeping them?”

“They are probably swapping stories. It is why Carl is here, after all.”

“So long as they are not swapping spit.”

“I have not forgotten how to spank you, Mike.” James chided him. “They have no interest in each other, but they are both new to BDSM and feel a natural kinship.”

“I know, but I'm new to having a real lover instead of a rent-boy.” He gestured to Gary. “I'll calm down eventually.” He walked away to talk to Andy. “Maybe in ten years or so.”

James could not help himself and called out to Mike. “Thank you for sterilizing the glass.”

Mike gave a bark of laughter and raised his scotch in salute.

Fifteen minutes went by before the two subs rejoined the group. James hoped Carl gained some insight on submission. As a Dom, James didn't have the tools to explain the submissive mind-set properly to him. Severo might be a beginner, but his devotion to Mike was unquestionable in spite of his inexperience. He might get through to Carl where James could not.

It worried him that Carl was so adamant about the whip. He may never be able to take a hard whipping. Not many people have the stamina needed to break through to the endorphin high, including most subs. It was beautiful when it happened, but rare.

The endorphin rush, flying, took a submissive out of reality, much like a trance. James had seen it several times and even caused it a time or two, but he never felt it. He suspected part of Carl's irritation stemmed from getting a taste of that rush before the pain overtook him and he panicked.

If Severo managed to show Carl that giving his trust to James was all he had to do, James could lead him to the fulfillment he sought.

The party wound down as the sun rested on the tops of the trees beyond the pond. Karen wanted to get her money's worth out of Gary and the four men needed to be up early Monday morning. Carl and the other subs took care of the last of the clean up. James was amused to note that Mike threw a warning look at Carl, who made sure there was not another tete-a-tete.

“Your boy surprised me.” Andy had an arm over Billy's shoulders in casual affection. They had been together for so long no one could remember a time they were not.

“How so?”

“He didn't hit us with a million stupid questions and he never asked what our last names are. He seems like a nice guy.”

James smiled in agreement. “He is.”

“Is he going to stay past the contract agreement?” Billy asked.

“I have no idea. We haven't talked about it.”

“Oh, but... ”

Andy interrupted him. “They will work it out without your help, Bill.”

“Yes sir.”

“I love it when he pouts. I get to spend half the night coaxing him to smile.” Andy squeezed Billy. “Good night James.”

“Good night.” James looked around the yard and located Carl by the chaise, staring at the sun as it disappeared behind the woods. They were alone and the long afternoon of teasing Carl was at an end. He grabbed two of the tiki torches and stuck them into the ground at either end of the lounger.

“I like your friends.” Carl did not turn as James approached. “I'm not sure what I expected, but they are smart and fun-loving in a way I did not imagine.”

“Even Karen?”

“Ha! She is a barracuda in drag, but yes, she's a hoot.” He sighed as James fitted himself to his back and supported some of his weight.

“They like you too.” His erection nudged the plug his lover still wore and they swayed together to increase the friction. “You were a very good boy today.”

“I was the perfect toady wasn't I?”

James slapped his ass and Carl hissed as the plug shifted and his cock refilled for the umpteenth time. He nuzzled the boy's neck. “You and I have some unfinished business, I think.”

Carl turned in his arms. “Yes please, sir.”

The kiss they shared was earthy. The day of understated desire exploded into hunger and they gave themselves over to it. James tugged on the trunks Carl wore and the younger man panted into his mouth when the cloth chafed his swollen shaft. By mutual agreement, they took the few steps necessary to reach the chaise lounger.

James broke the kiss and let Carl sit gingerly on the padded rattan chair while he stripped off his own clothing in unbecoming haste. “Lower the back of that thing.” His lust for Carl was feral as he stood beside the chaise and waited for him to adjust it. “Lie back.”

His boy was beautiful and decadent as he reclined and lifted his legs up to hang off the rattan arms. The yellow plug peeking out of Carl's ass drew his eyes. He imagined the tissue was tender after a day of stretched irritation. The thought brought more blood to his cock, making it bob on his belly when he sat on the foot of the lounger.

The sun disappeared completely and the torch light danced on Carl's muscles, defining them. “You cannot know how you look to me.”

“Desperate? Dirty?”

“Yes.” James tapped the base of the plug and relished the pained sounds Carl emitted. “You are succulent.” He leaned forward to lick the pink skin around the obstruction, hoping for more moans.

“Damn, James! Quit playing and fuck me!” Carl held his knees open and the knuckles of his fingers turned white.

James shook his head. Carl should have chosen his words with more care. A moment to retrieve the lube from his pants in the grass and he was ready to drive the poor man nuts. “Be careful what you wish for, Carl.”

The plug resisted leaving its warm home and pulled free with a pop. Ignoring Carl's curses, he dribbled lube on the tip and fucked his boy with the toy. Protests aside, Carl's cock was stiff and leaking. His hips rose and fell instinctively as James nailed his prostate repeatedly. “No! I want you. Your cock, not some damned... James please!”

James pulled the colorful toy from Carl's body for the last time and tossed it to the ground. He used the lube to grease his prick and scooted up to rub the tip of his erection across the inflamed hole. Carl pulled harder on his legs, folding himself into a ball.

“Don't wait for me.” James sank into Carl with a steady thrust and unsnapped the cockring. The body in front of him bucked in unbearable rapture when he grasped the oozing cock and pinched the slit. Taking advantage of the moment, he fucked Carl with a deep, slow glide in and out to entice more quivers from the passage that sheathed him.

His boy broke into a sweat as each push into his ass made him slide a little further on the padding of the chaise. His head fell back to drop off the end and the cords of his neck stood out in relief. James had to grab his shoulders to keep him on the structure. His weight pressed Carl's knees against his chest so Carl shifted his hands to hold on to James’ arms. He could feel the fingertips dig into his biceps.

They climaxed simultaneously. James’ shout of triumph drowned out Carl's cry.

Calmer and unwilling to lose the closeness, James let his dick soften and abandon his lover in its own time. Both men were silent when they stood and carried their clothes into the house. James wondered what would happen in four weeks’ time— he had no idea what thoughts kept Carl quiet.

The Tuesday dinner would be a small affair tonight. The summer months were always busy for the members of the group. Mike had his construction business, Karen had to deal with inexperienced tourists at her fetish boutique and the two remaining friends would not reappear until fall when things quieted down. Once Andy and Ben entered the restaurant, James gestured to a corner table in the main dining room.

“I hope you don't mind. It didn't seem worth the trouble of opening the private room for only the three of us.”

Andy grinned. “Are we ordering from the menu?”

“Yes, Andrew.” He returned the grin, knowing what was coming.

“I want a lobster. Make that two.”

James laughed. “Let's sit and order our drinks.”

Ben sat back in his chair. He was the poster child for retirees worldwide thanks to his robust health and a parade of college bunnies with daddy issues. “Sorry I missed Sunday, James, but I played a round with some of the visiting high rollers.”

James suspected that Ben had relieved several of the local casinos’ patrons of serious cash. “Don't get me started on golf, Ben. I'm still disappointed Carl couldn't hit a ball if it had a magnet attached to it.”

Ben's booming laugh echoed in the large room. “I heard he set some kind of record for strokes? I promise to show up at the next barbeque, I want to meet this paragon of sportsmanship.”

Andy winked at James. “Karen was there Sunday.” He paused for effect. “Naked.”

Ben clasped his chest in pain. “What I wouldn't give to have her under my whip!”

“Careful, my friend, she will tear you up.”

James was enjoying his friends’ wit when his cell phone started buzzing in his pocket. He checked the number, intending to let it go to voicemail. The display showed Carl's number and he changed his mind. “Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen.”

James left the table to stand at the bar as he answered. “Pauly.”

“James! I'm so sorry to interrupt your meeting, but disaster has struck.”

The transition from sub to free man was easier this time. Carl had a boatload of work at the paper to keep him occupied and Tony on Monday night to ask again if James had beaten the snot out of him. At least this time he could answer “Yes.” and watch Tony's jaw drop.

“No way! I could never let anyone do that to me.” He allowed himself to become serious for a minute. “Are you okay? ‘Cause I've been online looking this shit up and it's pretty intense.”

Carl agreed. “It is, but James is what they call a ‘good whip’ and he stopped when I asked him to. I wish I hadn't though. I don't know if he'll let me try again or not.” Tony was still staring at him. “I'm fine, Tony.”

“You're crazy, you know that?”

“This from the reigning champ of the county fair for cow dung throwing.”

Tony managed to look hurt. “It's dried and it doesn't try to hit me.” Then he cracked up. “Except for the time that old lady threw hers backwards and it landed on my shoe.”

Carl shook his head at his friend and pushed his plate away. “I'm done. Take the rest of the pizza home with you tonight.” After the healthy stuff James fed him, the pizza seemed disloyal somehow. And he called Tony crazy!

“Man, you only had three pieces.”

“I'm on a diet.”

The following evening, he walked through his door, exhausted. The day had been nothing but chasing shadows for Sunday's column. He knew a good story was there, but in spite of his vow to keep names out of it, no one wanted to talk to him.

He missed James.

The man was just another story, right? So then, why did he feel an overwhelming need to call him? He couldn't fix the current problem. He probably would not even appreciate the intrusion. Carl looked at his watch. It didn't matter anyway— James was having dinner with his friends.

His house phone rang. “Hello.”

“Hi Honey.”

“Hi Mom.”

“I saw Tony at the grocery store today and he told me you might not make it to my party on the Fourth. Is that true? He said you would be tied up.”

Carl groaned. He had completely forgotten about his mother's annual Fourth of July gig on Saturday. Now what should he do?

“Mom, I don't know if I can be there. I already told you that my weekends are spoken for this summer. I probably won't be able to get free.” Great! Now Tony has
him
doing it.

“Unless you are dead or dying, you will be here. You missed my party last year because you went fishing.”

“It was for a story Mom.” She knew that, damn it.

“Are you working on another story now?”

Okay. He had avoided telling his mother about the BDSM story because she would worry. In fact, he didn't plan to tell her at all. She didn't buy the Herald unless she knew he had an article there so he stood a good chance she would never know. Still, he would have to give her something.

“I'll ask if I can... ”

Mom always heard what he didn't say. It was her special gift. “You are seeing someone aren't you?”

“Not exactly... ”