Deviations: Submission (5 page)

Breath finally coming in regular if rapid intervals, Tobias smiled. "That's a good look on you, boy. Well done."

"Thank you, sir." Noah smiled back. "Permission to fetch a towel, sir?" His look was amused.

"Granted. And then I want you right back here, understood?" Tobias concentrated on his breathing, on calming himself as quickly as he could. He was still in charge, and no matter how much he wanted to stretch and nap, he had a responsibility to take care of.

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Deviations: Submission

by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen

"Yes, sir." Noah hopped up and disappeared briefly into the tiny bathroom, returning in a hurry with his towel. He knelt beside Tobias and offered it to him first.

Tobias raised an eyebrow. "Yes? I believe it's your fault I'm a mess."

Noah nodded. "Of course it is, sir," he said and set about cleaning Tobias up himself before he scrubbed his own face and chest dry. When he was done he set the towel aside and folded his hands in his lap, lowering his soft brown eyes once again to the floor.

Tobias looked at him for a long moment, drinking in the pose and the smooth skin. He was well aware of the endorphins he was riding, but it didn't really seem to matter.

"Come here, Noah," he said softly, holding out one arm and gesturing for him to lie down with him. "You earned your reward."

The smile Noah gave him was worthy of every shuddering tear Tobias had forced from him earlier. Noah stretched out in the pillows with Tobias, though once settled, he looked a little uneasy. "Forgive me, but I've never been kissed by a Dom before; I'm unsure where to look, sir."

Tobias stared for a moment, utterly stunned and unable to hide it. "Never? Oh, sweetheart, you've missed so much." He took a breath and reined himself in. "How about you close them, then? Would that work?"

Noah nodded. "Thank you, sir," he answered and closed his eyes as Tobias suggested.

Tobias studied the face before him for a moment, touching Noah's hair to let him know he was there. Noah's lips were 38

Deviations: Submission

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still slightly swollen, his eyelashes spiked from dried tears, and Tobias could feel him start to tense as he waited. Slowly, carefully, he moved closer and brought their mouths together in a gentle caress, kissing him slowly, waiting for Noah to respond.

Noah, in true submissive fashion, opened his mouth, welcoming Tobias' tongue. Tangling his tongue with Tobias', he moaned softly and rolled a little closer to him. Tobias deepened the kiss slowly, keeping it gentle and smooth. He stroked his tongue along Noah's, tasted him and teased him, and then withdrew, nibbling on his lower lip before he drew away.

"Another boundary moved?" he asked, amused and pleased by Noah's acceptance of the kiss.

"Obliterated, I think, sir." Noah grinned, eyes still closed.

He licked his lips. "You taste good."

Absurdly pleased, Tobias said, "Thank you." Then he started to laugh, unable to stop it. He was more relaxed than he'd been in weeks, more at ease in his own skin. He hadn't known how badly he'd needed this particular release, these conversations. "Thank you," he said again, for an entirely different reason.

"It is my delight and my honor to please you, sir," Noah answered, a genuine smile on his lips as well.

"You did, boy," Tobias assured him. "You really did."

Tobias finally gave into the urge to stretch and sighed, utterly content. He could get used to this again, this feeling of pride in a sub learning about himself. He could get used to guiding.

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Deviations: Submission

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Before he could talk himself out of it, he stood and went to the bed, to his jacket. In the inside pocket he found a pen, and on the desk some paper. He had to think a moment before he remembered the number but it came to him, and he neatly printed his first name above it.

"This is a pager number," he said, turning to show it to Noah. "Only one other person has this. If you decide you'd like to play again, explore your boundaries with me, call. I may not be able to call back immediately, so make sure you have time to wait, up to an hour. If I don't call back, it's because of something unavoidable having to do with my work. Also, don't call this weekend-I'll be away. Leave only a phone number, and the usual code if it's needed-911 for an emergency, 411 if you need to know something. And, of course, it's your choice to call at all. Do you understand?"

Noah nodded, though the look on his face was difficult to read, especially with his eyes once again on the floor. "I understand, sir. Thank you, sir, it's a high compliment and it does not go unappreciated."

"It's not entirely selfless, boy. You're damn good at what you do, and..." Tobias paused, "Well. You have the number.

I'll trust that it stays with you or vanishes." He walked over to where Noah knelt and touched his shoulder gently. "Come.

Lie on the bed and I'll tend to your back. You can sleep here if you wish."

"Thank you, sir." Noah stood and made his way to the bed, stretching out comfortably on his stomach and pillowing his head on his arms.

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Deviations: Submission

by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen

Tobias examined Noah's skin carefully, making sure he wasn't overly abraded or raw anywhere, that the skin had not broken. Satisfied that he was merely well-warmed and tender, Tobias wet a face cloth in the bathroom with cool water and laid it gently over Noah's back to take the sting out. Methodically, he made sure that Noah was as comfortable as he could be, and then he got one of the fresh water bottles to leave by the bedside.

"Goodnight, Noah," he said quietly, not sure if the man was awake or asleep.

"Thank you, sir, goodnight," Noah mumbled, eyes closed, evidently already sinking into sleep.

Tobias picked up his tie and jacket and let himself out of the room, making sure to leave the key. If Noah didn't need it, the cleaning staff would get it in the morning. Quickly, he headed down the stairs and right into the bar, still unrolling his shirt sleeves. He really needed a drink.

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Deviations: Submission

by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen

Chapter 4

Bradford was dressed in a stylish suit and leaning on the bar, talking with yet another waiter that Tobias didn't recognize, but when he spotted Tobias coming Bradford smiled and made his way over.

"Tobias! Let me get you a drink," he said, ushering Tobias to a table where he could sit more comfortably than at the bar. Without needing to ask what he wanted to drink, Bradford moved away and ordered and then joined him at the table. "I'm concerned to see you downstairs so soon. I hope you weren't disappointed by Noah."

Tobias glared at him and pointedly stuffed his tie in the pocket of his dinner jacket. "This," he said vehemently, "is entirely your fault."

Bradford looked stunned and was immediately apologetic.

"Ah ... Tobias, I really thought he would be a good match for you. I apologize profusely. Your dinner will of course be on the house, and if there is anything I can do to remedy the situation, I am at your disposal." The poor man looked about ready to kiss Tobias' ass if that were what he wanted.

Completely disgusted with himself, Tobias waved it off.

"No, not that. You were entirely too correct, damn you." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm afraid I've done something rather foolish, Bradford," he admitted.

Bradford looked puzzled. He raised his hand and called to one of the waiters. "Nikki! Where are our drinks? Ah, never mind, just bring two glasses and the damn bottle. Hurry up 42

Deviations: Submission

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now." He looked back at Tobias. "Nikki is new, I've taken him in hand for the time being."

Tobias watched as Bradford leaned back in his chair and a timid-looking young man with unruly blond hair and enormous blue eyes set a bottle of scotch and two glasses in front of him. He started to kneel by Bradford, but Bradford waved him off. "That's all right; confidential conversation, pup, run along."

Nikki was gone in an instant.

After pouring them each a glass, Bradford took a sip, and looked at Tobias expectantly. "All right. I'll bite. Do I have a mess to clean up upstairs?"

Tobias stared, not sure he could take so many shocks in an evening. "No! What do you take me for? He's all nicely asleep, tended to and tucked in. The mess is sitting across from you-you could have warned me, you know."

Bradford regarded Tobias a moment and then burst into hearty laughter, loud enough to draw the attention of some of the men at the bar. Tobias sat uncomfortably, waiting for Bradford to be able to breathe again. "What sort of warning were you looking for, Tobias? I knew he'd break for you. I knew he would pique your interest." The man looked pleased with himself. "You don't pay to be warned, you pay for the experience. Besides, if I had warned you, you know very well you'd have passed him up."

"Yes, well." Tobias picked up his glass and swallowed a healthy mouthful. "When one expects a pleasant night and walks away having been ... piqued into handing out a specific pager number, one tends to be a little unsettled." He looked 43

Deviations: Submission

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at his glass and sighed. "Oh, Bradford. He needs so much.

He's lost and looking and ... Damn."

"You gave him your pager?" Bradford looked shocked.

"Well." He lifted his glass and sipped it slowly before speaking again. "Noah hasn't found what he's looking for in nearly two years of trying, Tobias. He's got a lot of depth and a lot of issues and he hasn't found anyone ... challenging enough.

Two years of searching and practically begging me for someone to work with and not one Dom here has been able to satisfy him, despite reporting excellent experiences themselves. I was beginning to worry we'd lose his business before long and then, wonder of wonders, your name showed up on the reservation list."

"Lovely," Tobias grumbled. "Just what I was looking for."

He drank again, slower this time. "He's going to get hurt, Bradford," he said quietly. "He's ... He dislikes safe words, but I think it's more a matter of not knowing what his limits are, or how to push them. He needs to be taught. Don't get me wrong, he knows all the pretty tricks, almost too well. He lowers his eyes and acts the part perfectly, naturally. He gave it up to me for an orgasm, but he utterly lost it over a minor failure which he couldn't really have won. He was shattered by letting himself down, even though he's still looking to reach true submission. And he's been abused."

Bradford nodded slowly, and Tobias realized that he already knew everything Tobias was telling him. "Forgive me if I'm a little smug," he said, reaching for the bottle and refilling both glasses. "So what do you need to know about him?"

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Deviations: Submission

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Tobias shook his head, suddenly tired. "I don't know. Who he's played with, who his last exclusive was. What kind of fight I'm facing."

Bradford shook his head. "Well, for starters, the question really is who hasn't he played with? But if you're looking for his last exclusive, he's at the end of the bar in the cowboy hat. His name is Brett. They both insist it was a mutual parting, and they've been friendly since. I have some idea what kind of fight you're facing but he'll have more specifics."

Tobias had never dropped a drink in his life, but it was a close call. "His last Dom is a member?" he asked sharply.

Noah hadn't said. He looked over at the man in the cowboy hat and frowned slightly. "I don't know him. Does he know me?"

Bradford laughed again, but it was quieter this time.

"Tobias, my friend, everyone knows you."

"Of course," he sighed. Usually it was to his advantage, but in this particular matter, perhaps not. "Noah didn't."

"Oh, I assure you he knows of you, he just didn't make the connection, and I didn't clarify it for him."

"Oh, thank you ever so." He knew he was crossing the line into petulance and that it was neither here nor there if Noah had known or not. What mattered now was if he was going to cross the bar to talk to Brett or not. If he was willing to make that choice. "Oh, damn," he said again, draining his glass. He stood up and straightened his jacket, looping his wrinkled tie around his neck. "Thank you, Bradford. It's been a memorable evening, as always." And then he poured himself another drink and crossed the floor to the bar.

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Deviations: Submission

by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen

Brett didn't turn his head as Tobias approached, but it was likely that he was watching in the mirror behind the bar.

"Good evening," Tobias said politely, taking the seat next to him. "I'm Tobias. I wonder if you're willing to discuss Noah with me?"

"Nothing like the forward approach." Brett grinned, turning at last and offering his hand. "A pleasure. I'm Brett, but I suppose Bradford told you that." He was rough looking and had a five o'clock shadow. "I saw you take him upstairs, how'd it go?" He didn't hide his skepticism.

"Depends on your definition, I suppose," Tobias said, shaking Brett's hand. "He broke and we talked a lot about limits. He's messed up and I want to know how to avoid making it worse."

Brett raised his eyebrows over his beer as he sipped it, then set his bottle down on the counter before speaking.

"Broke?" He sounded surprised. "Then you might already know more than I do," Brett admitted. "That's a step further than I got in the last six months of our sessions. I guess they're right about you."

Tobias resisted the urge to scream. He'd earned his reputation, earned his place, but sometimes it got in the way.

He shrugged a shoulder and took a quick sip of his scotch.

"He told me he wanted discipline, that he couldn't be still. I think he wanted to see what I'd do with bondage, so I didn't use any. He submitted beautifully, begged to come, but when he did his body relaxed and my bell ball rolled off his feet.