BREAKAWAY (The Dartmouth Cobras) (32 page)

"I am prepared to hurt you if you fight me, Luke."

"Good." Luke frowned at him. "Why'd you get dressed?"

"To avoid scaring you." Sebastian grabbed Luke's wrists and jerked them over his head, the circle of tape around his hand, the lube dropping to the bed. He held tight as Luke struggled. "Any more than necessary."

"You don't fucking scare me, man!"

"Don't I?" He growled, restraining Luke's wrists with one hand as he pulled out a length of tape with his teeth. He easily overpowered the smaller man, using his weight to pin him as he bound his wrists together. "Say red."

Luke bared his teeth. "No."

"Say it or I won't stop."

The muscles in Luke's forearms bulged as he tugged. "I don't want you to stop."

Fuck.
Showing any restraint after that admission was almost impossible. He let Luke feel how close to losing control he was in a bruising, open mouthed, kiss. And pulled away at the taste of beer. "You've been drinking."

"I'm not drunk."

"How much did you have?"

"Three. Not enough to make this okay if it wasn't." Luke threw his head back. "Please!"

Sebastian used his fingertips to explore Luke's face, the golden stubble on his jaw uneven in a way that made him seem a wild thing. The soft, barely there curls on his chest showing how young he still was. He grazed his teeth over Luke's ribs. Power surged through him as Luke hissed in a breath and bucked his hips. He flipped Luke over and pressed down between his shoulder blades to stop him from twisting around.

"How is your back?" He braced one hand between Luke's shoulder blades and rose up enough to feel the tight muscles, spotted with dark bruises where Luke had been hit. "I expect you to tell me if the pain becomes unpleasant."

Luke groaned and buried his face in the pillows as Sebastian carefully massaged around the worst of the bruises. "Oh god, that feels good. Don't hurt much anymore. Can't be half as bad as your ribs. Did you get them checked?"

"Your concern is touching." Sebastian kissed the nape of Luke's neck, slowly breathing in the clean scent of soap, a hint of musk and sweat. He stroked down Luke's side, over his hip, then up again. Worked his fingers into muscles wrought with tension. Going slow while relaxing his hold. Giving Luke a chance to adjust to being touched by him. Waiting for him to become aware that he wasn't being forced to accept the attentions of another man. A dominant man. To understand that he had finally submitted.

A shudder went through the solid body beneath him and he could practically taste Luke's fear as a fine sheen of cold sweat covered his skin. He rose up as Luke panted, then rolled him onto his back. "Stretch your arms over your head. I don't want them in my way."

Luke swallowed and nodded. He lifted his arms, twisted his wrists in the tape binding them, and squeezed his eyes shut.

"No. You will look at me." Sebastian waited until Luke opened his eyes. Stared into them as he moved down. "Don't pretend you are with someone else. Someone who it is not wrong to let do these things to you. I am the one touching you. Tasting you. I am the only one who will until you understand that you belong to me."

"Fuck." Luke trembled and made a rough sound in his throat. "Fuck, Sebastian, what are you doing to me? I still can't believe—"

"Believe it." Sebastian let his breath tease the swollen head of Luke's cock and smiled. "As for what I am doing? Whatever I please, semental. And you have no desire to stop me."

"No."

 
His fingers bit into Luke's thighs as he took his throbbing dick between his lips and arched his neck so the feverishly hot head hit the back of his throat.

 
"No!" Luke arched his back and groaned. "I should—"

"I will tell you what you should do." Sebastian held Luke down as he teased the pulsing veins along his length with his tongue. "Don't think about what is right or wrong. Feel what I am doing to you. You have no choice but to accept it."

"I already have." Luke tossed his head. His back bowed and he moaned as Sebastian sucked his length between his lips once again. "I had a choice though. And I made it."

"Good." Sebastian cupped Luke's balls, enjoying the weight of them in his hand, all too aware of what it meant for Luke to allow him to handle the most vulnerable parts of him. Not only physically, but mentally. Emotionally. He fisted his hand around the base of Luke's cock, increasing the pressure as he ran his tongue over the bead of precum at the tip. "I was willing to let you go, but not anymore."

"Don't ever make decisions like that for me again, Sebastian. God!" Luke let out a sound half between a roar and a scream, like an animal in exquisite pain. He came deep in Sebastian's throat, trembling with each hot spurt. And then he went still and turned his head, staring at the wall. "Don't fucking give up on me. I know I'll give you plenty of reasons to, but just . . . just don't, okay?"

Sebastian nodded slowly as he stretched out on the bed behind Luke, releasing his wrists before pulling him tight against his chest. He spoke softly, barely a whisper, his lips brushing against Luke's throat. "I won't give up on you. I will be here as long as you need me."

Luke nodded and settled into his arms, likely exhausted from the game as well as what had taken place between them. Sebastian knew very well most of what Luke had said came from a pleasure induced haze, but he wouldn't worry about that now. He would hold on to tonight, and hope not too much changed in the morning. Or in the days to come.

Anything more was beyond his control.

Chapter Fifteen

With a happy chirp, Peanut bounced off his perch and onto Jami’s hand, wings fluttering as he chatted excitedly. Jami carried him to the sofa where Akira was sitting, stroking under his chin before easing down carefully and holding him out to Akira's cupped palms. Peanut cocked his head and let out a little shriek.

Akira winced and withdrew her hands. "Maybe he's not comfortable with me yet."

Jami rolled her eyes and wrapped her fingers around Akira's wrist. "Don't be silly. He just likes the sound of his own voice."

Peanut whistled softly as he hopped into Akira's palm. When Akira smiled and cooed to him he made a sound like he was
cooing
back.

"Oh, he's precious." Akira used her fingertip to pet him. "You're so lucky! Most guys give their girlfriends flowers and chocolate, but you got a bird!"

"I know! But Sebastian isn't most guys. He's . . . ." Jami bit her bottom lip and hugged herself. Damn she missed him. Friday couldn't come soon enough. And he had a game on Saturday which meant they wouldn't be able to spend much time together—unless she went to the game. "Hey, what would you think of coming with me on Saturday to watch the Cobras play?"

Eyes wide and bright with excitement, Akira almost jumped off the sofa, but held still when Peanut fluffed up his feathers and scolded her with irate chirps. "I'd love to!" Then she frowned. "But it's the playoffs. The forum's probably sold out."

"I can get us into one of the boxes." Jami pressed her lips together in thought. If she called her dad, she could get them into the
pressbox
, but that would mean talking to him. Which she wasn't ready to do just yet. Being all sweet after what he'd said, only to get what she wanted, so wasn't her style. Fortunately, he wasn't the only option. "Give me a minute, I
gotta
make a phone call. You okay with him or should I put him back in his cage?"

"I'm fine as long as he won't try to fly away."

"He won't, he's a little suck up." Jami grinned. "As long as you're willing to hold him, he won't go anywhere."

Leaving Akira with Peanut, Jami took her cell to her bedroom and pushed the door almost closed. Not that she was worried about Akira listening in, but she had a feeling her friend wouldn't approve of what she was about to do.

What's the point of having contacts if you don't use them?

Not that she made a habit of using people. In this case, it was payback and she refused to feel guilty about it.

Ford answered on the first ring. "Jami. This is a pleasant surprise."

"Isn't it though?" Jami smirked and plunked down on her bed. "How you doing?"

"Not bad. I'm a little disappointed in you though."

Her brow shot up. "Excuse me?"

"Why weren't you at the Ice Girl practice today? You do know the finalists will be putting on shows in groups during the playoffs, don't you? I was hoping to see if you're really as good as they say, but you didn't show. Not very dedicated, are you."

"Ford, you're obviously way out of the loop. I didn't make the last cut."

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't. I ruined the little chance I had with those photos—or hadn't you heard?" Bitterness left a sour taste in her mouth, but she took a deep breath and did her best to sound like she couldn't care less. About the pictures or about what Ford thought of them. Or her. "Gives me more time for other stuff, so it's all good. That's why I'm calling actually. Think you could get me into the
pressbox
on Saturday?"

"I could, but I don't see why you don't just ask your dad." Amusement lightened Ford's tone. "Let me guess. Daddy wasn't too happy about seeing his baby girl getting banged on the balcony. By Carter of all people. You really that desperate, kid?"

"Fuck you, Ford. Who I let bang me is none of your business." Her grip tightened on her phone as she resisted the urge to hang up on him. "So will you get me in the box or not?"

"What happened to Sebastian? Was he too nice for you?"

"Ugh. Forget it." She jammed her thumb on the 'End' button and tossed her phone on her bed. "What a dick."

The phone rang. She ignored it until it stopped.

I should ask Silver.

It rang again.

Or Oriana. She won't say anything to dad.

And again. She snatched it up and snapped as she answered. "What?"

"Relax, Jami. I'll get you in," Ford said, dryly. "Under one condition."

"Naturally." She dropped her head onto her pillows and stared at the ceiling. "What do you want?"

"There's another practice tomorrow morning. Be there."

"What aren't you getting? I. Am. Not. On. The. Team."
Idiot.

"Actually, you are on the team." He used the slick, arrogant tone she'd always hated. His every word made her wish they were talking face to face so she could slap him. "Say 'Thank you, Ford'."

She bit back a string of insults, recalling how much it used to turn him on when she got 'all feisty'. Her tone came out tight, but level. "I don't need you pulling strings for me."

"You're right. You don't." He paused and sighed. "Seriously, Jami, I've been following the whole judging process and they were going to take you—you impressed them. The photos messed things up a bit, but I fixed it. I'm kidding about the 'thank you'. You did this on your own."

And there he was again. The man she'd fallen for before things had gone bad. A decent human being when he wanted to be. She still wasn't sure if she could accept his help though. Not if he still wanted her back—which she should have considered before calling him.

"I'm with Sebastian, Ford. If you're doing this hoping—"

"I'm hoping we can be friends." He laughed. "And I've never wanted that with one of my ex-girlfriends, so count yourself lucky."

"You're such an ass." She shook her head and smiled. "Okay. Friends. And I'll be there tomorrow. Anything else?"

"Would you consider upgrading to friends with benefits?"

"Don't push it."

He chuckled. "Couldn't help it. All right, we've got a deal. And, Jami?"

Tonguing her bottom lip, Jami sat up and spoke quietly. "Yeah?"

"Sebastian's a lucky guy."

After ending the call, Jami returned to the living room, watching Akira with Peanut for a bit without saying a word. She knew her friend would be excited to hear that she was back on the team, but she couldn't quite believe it herself. Or even understand why it mattered at all. All she'd wanted to do was show her dad she supported him. Because mom never had.

It wasn't about him anymore though. Now it was about being part of something. Part of something she cared about more than she'd been willing to admit, even to herself.

A smile broke out on her lips, so wide her cheeks hurt. She approached Akira. "Hey, guess what!"

Akira murmured soothingly to Peanut, who shrieked, startled. "What?"

"We're going to the game
and
. . . ." Jami held her breath, then let it out with a laugh. "I'm on the team!"

Muffling a scream with her hand, Akira slowly moved away from the sofa and put Peanut back in his cage. Then she spun around and threw her arms in the air. "Oh my god! Are you serious? How—wait, never mind. I don't care how!" She lunged forward and hugged Jami. "This is awesome!"

"I know!"

"We should celebrate!"

"We should." Jami grinned. "Strawberry daiquiris?"

"Works for me." Akira danced towards the door. "You have no idea how much I missed you at practice today. Amy was nasty to everyone, but no one sees it. All they see is how perfect she is. They split the finalists into five groups of ten and, just my luck, I'm with her. And she's the team leader."

"Ugh, that sucks." Hell, she didn't like taking advantage of who she knew, but in this case . . . "Maybe I can do something about that—get you moved to whatever group I'm in."

"I hope so. I won't argue that Amy is talented, but I swear she's trying to ruin the chances for anyone who doesn't worship her." Akira ducked her head as if saying anything bad about Amy made her uncomfortable. "Maybe I'm making too much of it, it's just . . . she put me and two other smaller girls in the back. We had a hard time seeing the choreographer and Amy made sure to point out every mistake. We get cut to thirty after the playoffs. Only thirty get to go to the mansion and take part in the show. I need this."

"I know you do." Jami put her hand on Akira's shoulder as they left the apartment and went out to her car. "And don't worry, I'll—"