Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 161257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 806(@200wpm)___ 645(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 806(@200wpm)___ 645(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Scott paused at the foot of the staircase. “What’s up?”
Yup, he still looked happy, going by that smile. Guess his workout earlier with Tad went well. Max should probably be happy, too. Happy for his friend. But the jury was still out on little hottie shy guy, so he was reserving all judgment until later.
Max tipped his head toward the basement door. “Need you to help me move something into the demonstration room.”
“Something big, eh?”
“The platform.”
Scott lifted a brow. “What’s the occasion?”
“Gonna make a home movie.”
“With Sean?” Scott grinned, following Max to the dungeon.
“Yeah. Wanna get my little a stór on tape.”
“A stór? That’s a new one. I’m assuming it’s Irish?”
“Yeah. Means my treasure.” Max shoved into the playroom.
“Your treasure?” Scott paused. “Heh. I knew you fucking liked him.”
Max glanced over his shoulder and rolled his eyes. “He’s pretty. That’s all.” He turned back and started gesturing. “All smooth and golden and flawless and shit. Was just trying to be creative. Goddamn.”
Scott chuckled behind him as they entered the storage room. Max paused to shoot the fucker a glare.
“What?” Scott laughed, holding up his hands. “I didn’t say anyth—”
“Shut up.”
Scott smirked and shook his head, then pointed to the platform—that big, wooden black circle folded in half, leaning against the wall to Max’s left. “We gonna do this? I don’t got all fucking night.”
Max eyed him. “Why not? You’re done lifting weights.”
“Yeah, I know. But Tad’s gonna hang out.”
Max’s brows shot high. “No shit?”
“Yeah. He’s in the shower now.”
“Well, hot fucking damn. What’re the two of you gonna do?”
Scott shrugged and moved to one side of the platform. “Just chill, I guess. Maybe drink some beer.”
Max nodded, stepping to the other end. “That’s cool. Guess your Hail Mary earlier paid off.”
“Yeah.” Scott grinned a little. “Glad I followed my gut.”
Max bent at the knees and took hold of the structure. “Shit. Your gut had nothing to do with it. More like your He-Man body.”
Scott grasped the thing, too. “Nah. I don’t think so. As of now we’re just friends.”
“Friends? Oh, please.” They both stood in unison. “I bet he finds your ass irresistible and stayed away so he didn’t make a fool of himself.”
Scott chuckled. “Nice theory, but I don’t think he wants that. At least not anytime soon.”
Max regarded him skeptically as he back-stepped out the door. “If you say so, bro. And as long as you’re cool with it. Don’t want that fucker messing with your head.”
“I got this. I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”
Max nodded with a shrug, navigating them into the demonstration room. “Alright. Whatever. Just watching your back.”
Scott grinned. “My loyal guard dog.” He glanced at Max’s neck. “Equipped with a spiked collar and everything.”
Max smirked as they carefully set the thing down. “Think Sean’ll like it?”
“Mm. Hard call.” Scott stood back up. “Does the kid like wicked? ‘Cause you definitely look wicked. Nice touch with the guyliner, by the way. It’s been a while.”
Max chuckled and rose, too. “Thanks. And, yeah, so far he does. That blond little shit’s a kinky fucker.”
“Perfect for you, then.”
“Perfect indeed. Gonna rock the shit out of his comfort zone tonight.”
“Yeah?” Scott smiled. “What’re you gonna do?”
Max clutched his hips and shrugged. “Gonna use the pillory. The cane. Most likely the hook. Got a couple other fun things up my sleeve, too.”
Scott chuckled, not sounding even remotely surprised. “While videoing the whole fucking thing.”
Max glanced at the two-way. “Yeah, but Sean won’t give a shit about that. He’s a tough one to unnerve.”
“Eh. Next time book an audience. That’ll definitely freak him out.”
Max froze, then looked at Scott. “That’s a great idea. You and Tad should do that for me tonight instead of the video.”
Scott stilled. “Whoa, what?” Max grinned. Scott shook his head. “Yeeeaaah, I don’t think that’s a very good—”
“Oh, come on. You said yourself the two of you are just gonna sit around and drink. Bring your damn beers in the observation room.”
Scott made a wary face. “I dunno. You’ve seen Tad. He’s pretty fucking modest. And awkward.”
“Pfft. Whatever. He looked fine earlier at dinner.”
“You mean, while your ornery ass was staring him down? That was not fine, Max. That was disturbed. Pretty sure he doesn’t come across guys like you every day.”
“Please,” Max scoffed. “He let you flog his ass, didn’t he? And then he came back for more a week later.”
Scott chuckled uneasily. “A week and a half. And that’s not exactly how it went.”
“Screw the semantics. Does he like gay sex?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“And BDSM?”
“Uh, I think so, but—”
“Just ask him, Scott. Just ask him.”
Max knew he was being pushy, but truth be told, a part of him really needed to do this. Not so much to push Sean’s boundaries as to see if he could honest to god rattle him. But not like he had three weeks ago when he’d run Sean through test after test. Or even like last week, when he’d bound Sean to his spanking bench and banged him till he fucking passed out. Because chances were Sean could withstand anything comparable. This concept, however, was provocatively different, and just might finally reveal Sean’s Achilles. Something that, deep down, Max suspected he’d better unearth in case he ever needed to drive Sean away. Worst case scenario? Sean would soar through this test, too, while Max had a blast working him over.