Sentries Box Set

Chapter 8

Todd read the message that had been delivered to his door, folded the paper, and stuffed it into his pocket. Pressing his lips into a thin, tight line, he tuned out Nick’s chatter and let his heart and head war it out. Nick had only been here with him for a week. It hadn’t been long enough. Todd wanted more time. Todd’s heart wanted forever, but Todd’s head knew that in order to keep Nick, provide for him, they both had to work. Nick still didn’t know what it was they’d be doing, and Todd wanted to keep it from him for a while longer.

It was selfish, but he wanted time for them to connect, to learn each other, to simply be together. Too much of what they knew of each other had come in the form of letters. Living with someone was different than sharing a written conversation, even one that took place over years. They’d each been forced into this situation, but there was nothing that said they couldn’t make it work out the way that suited them best. Todd still had high hopes Nick would take that final step to being his mate, not simply his slave.

He turned around and watched Nick. A week ago his boy was shy, quietly blending into the background and unsure of everything. In the past few days, Nick’s true personality had come bubbling to the surface. He was insatiably curious, delighted by even the smallest gestures, and more affectionate than anyone Todd had ever met. Although they hadn’t done anything s****l other than kiss during the four days since their experience at the bathhouse, that didn’t stop Todd from touching. He was thrilled when Nick began returning those small gestures, and even gave Todd a few hugs without prompting. Though Nick was still painfully shy about being naked around Todd, Todd saw how Nick watched him, how the younger man’s eyes grazed over Todd’s body, whether he was clothed or not.

Probably sensing Todd watching him, Nick looked up, bright smile lighting up his face and eyes—and Todd’s heart.

Perhaps what Todd liked most was that Nick talked to him. He hadn’t realized how lonely his life had been until he had brought Nick to their home. While Nick talked very little about his life in the village, he asked endless questions about Todd’s life, the protectorate, and what it was Todd—and now by extension he—did. Some questions Todd answered in detail; others he deflected.

The one thing Nick didn’t talk about was the nightmares he’d started having a few nights ago. He claimed he didn’t remember them, though Todd suspected otherwise. He could have ordered Nick to tell him, but he wanted Nick to trust him enough to offer the details on his own. Unless it became an issue, Todd was willing to let it go for now.

The supplies he’d purchased, as well as the clothes and goods for Nick, had arrived. Nick sat in the middle of the lounge surrounded by boxes and bags, sorting through everything. Todd stood watching Nick. Warmth and protectiveness surged through him, and he smiled, amused by the whole scene.

“You bought all this? For me?”

Todd shrugged. “I thought some of the food we could share.”

Nick snickered and blushed. Holding up one of the two heavily woven overshirts Todd had bought him, Nick asked, “Do you want me to put these away for you?”

“They’re yours, Nick.” Todd nodded at Nick. “You have on mine.”

Pulling the shirt in tighter, Nick blinked at him and gave Todd a look any kicked puppy would have been envious of. “I like this one.” His lowered his eyes and stared at the ground.

“You don’t want a new one? That one has definitely seen better days.”

Nick shook his head. “No.”

Todd knew when he was beat. Sighing, he held one hand out. “Give me the green one. The black one we’ll have as an extra, and you can keep mine.” Nick’s smile, complete with dimples, made Todd’s heart flutter. “Get this stuff put away. We have to go out. You’ll need to change.” After pulling a plain button-down shirt, jeans, and a denim jacket from the pile, Todd tossed those items to the side and waved at Nick to store away the rest. “You’ll wear these.”

“Where are we going?” Nick asked softly, picking up the clothing.

“Just get changed while I put the food away.”

A few minutes later, their supplies were properly stored and Nick was dressed. Todd took a small knife in a sheath from the cabinet behind the bar. “This goes on your belt. Make sure it stays hidden under a shirt, or coat, or whatever unless there’s an emergency.”

Nick nodded. “What kind of emergency?” He took the knife. “I know how to wear it, hide it…and use it.”

“Sorry, I forgot.” Todd loaded two handguns and slipped on shoulder holsters. As he moved about the apartment gathering up his own knives and sheaths, he hardened his voice and began speaking.

“Where we’re going isn’t like any place we’ve been up to now. You’ll call me ‘sir’ or ‘master’; never use my name.” Todd hated this. “You’ll follow the strictest rules and laws. Don’t speak to anyone except me, and then only to answer a question. Keep it to yes or no if you can. You don’t make eye contact with anyone—including me. Eyes down unless I tell you otherwise. You are my property and you’ve been trained. You will behave as such.” Jerking on his leather jacket, Todd couldn’t bring himself to look at Nick, to see the hurt he was sure was in the boy’s face. “You’ll be tethered the entire time.”

“Todd.” Nick’s fingertips brushed Todd’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I know what to do.” He chuckled. “I’ve sort of trained for this my entire life.”

Turning, Todd finally looked at Nick. What he saw surprised him. Instead of hurt, or anger, there was trust and devotion. “No, Nick, it’s not okay. But, unfortunately, there isn’t much either of us can do about it. Sit down so I can put your collar on.”

Nick retrieved the box with his collar, sat quietly on one of the large stuffed chairs with his hands in his lap, box on his knees, waiting. When Todd gently wrapped the woven leather around Nick’s neck and buckled it, Nick turned his head and pressed his lips to the inside of Todd’s wrist, looking up at Todd and away almost at once.

Brushing his hand over Nick’s hair, Todd smiled at him. “This really does look incredible on you.” Todd ran his fingers over the soft leather, then up and down the length of Nick’s neck. Todd held Nick’s head in both hands, leaned down, and pressed a kiss to Nick’s lips. A swipe of his tongue, and Nick’s lips parted, offering Todd entrance.

Todd took it, pulling Nick in close with a hand tangled in Nick’s hair. A minute later he was rewarded with small, breathy noises coming from Nick. His arms wound around Todd’s waist and tightened. The shiver coursing through Nick from Todd’s low growl of “Just us” was intensely pleasing. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “We have to go. Let’s get this over with.”

Nick’s cheek nuzzled Todd’s chest for a few seconds more, releasing his hold on Todd.

This time Todd didn’t wrap Nick’s tether around his waist. Today, he snapped the latch into the ring on Nick’s collar. They were silent on the walk down the stairs and to the street. As Todd was about to shove through the building’s entrance to the outside, Nick’s fingers brushed his wrist and across his palm.

“It’s okay,” Nick whispered.

Hating what he was about to do to Nick, Todd couldn’t look back and see Nick’s trust in his face and eyes. Barely nodding, he wound the end of the tether around his fist and marched to the street.

Their destination was on the opposite side of the city. Todd thought he’d never be happy enough to know he didn’t have to live near this place he was forced to visit every few months. They stopped on the street corner, and Todd hailed a carriage. Climbing in, he watched Nick slide in after him, settling on the carriage floor at Todd’s feet. He gave the driver the address, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. He rested his hand on the seat so it was next to Nick’s head and moved his leg so he lightly touched Nick’s shoulder. Despite his own mood, which he was sure Nick sensed, he was pleased to feel only slight tension in Nick’s muscles.

He knew Nick didn’t understand what was going on or why. That was Todd’s fault. He should have explained it more, but he didn’t have it in him, not right now. Ever since Nick had been branded, Todd had been waiting for this day. He was going to find those men who’d harmed this young man Todd cared so deeply for. He might not have wanted to take Nick to this place, but at least it would provide Todd with the necessary first step in finding the branders. He’d find them, and he’d make them pay.

When the carriage came to a stop, Todd nudged Nick’s thigh with his toe, reached over, and opened the door. Nick obediently climbed clear and knelt beside Todd after he was out of the carriage and while he paid the driver. A soft tug on the tether, and Nick was up, hands in pockets, eyes down, following one step behind Todd.

Todd decided Nick was getting a double helping of the pancakes and coffee he liked so much when they were back home.

Todd led Nick to a two-story building. They went in, going down to the main level. People were scattered around the tables and large horseshoe-shaped bar in the center of the room. Along one side of the bar was a row of metal rings. He pointed to a bench. Nick crouched on it, back against the bar. Todd looped Nick’s tether through one of the rings, tied it, and perched on the barstool beside him.

He scanned the bar, making note as to where various people were and who they were, nodding to a few he recognized. Leaning down so he could speak in Nick’s ear, Todd kept his voice low and stern. “This thing goes south, you take that knife, cut yourself loose, and go home. You don’t let anyone in our apartment unless they bring you my head.” Todd took a deep breath to steady himself when Nick’s eyes jerked up to his for a few beats. The color dropped from Nick’s face, and then his focus went back to his hands, which were folded in his lap. “I mean it, Nick. I’m not playing around. If I say to get out, you get out. I don’t give a damn what you have to do or who you have to go through to do it. Got it?”

“Yes, Master.”

Todd bit his lip to keep from stroking Nick’s hair when he heard the tremble in Nick’s soft voice.

When his father slipped onto the stool beside him, Todd ordered beers for both of them.

“Cantor wants you up at his place.”

Todd nodded, sipped his beer. “Okay. You’re drunk.”

John cracked a grin, pulled up his shirt sleeve to reveal a large gash, and laughed. “I’m alive.” His gaze skated to Nick. “I’ve also been playing cards with them.” He nodded to three men sitting around a table near the back of the room.

Shoulders sagging, Todd sighed. “Dad, for chrissake. You can’t play poker for shit.”

“Now he tells me.” John clapped Todd’s shoulder and shrugged.

“How much?” Todd was doing some fast calculations, working out how much cash he had on him.

John chuckled. “Don’t waste the cash. I think they’d rather have twenty-four hours with your pet, there.”

“His name is Nick. No.”

“It wasn’t a question, Todd. I’m your father, your family. It’s family first. Or did you forget that?”

“No.” Shaking his head, Todd met his father’s eyes steadily and quelled his quaking insides. “Not this time, Dad. Not with Nick. He’s mine, we’re family, too and it’s my way. Who did the branding? I want real names. You didn’t seem to think about me being family when you arranged for Nick to be branded and me knocked cold,” Todd snapped.

John sat glaring at him. “I had no choice. The City Elder committee demanded he be branded before you took him into the city. I told you that. The branders contacted me.”

Todd glared back for a few seconds. Then he shoved away from the stool and made his way to the poker table. An hour later, he’d cleared his father’s debt and had a bit extra for him and Nick, who he’d kept an eye on the entire time. He knew that, even though Nick sat quietly, looking as if he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, somehow the kid hadn’t missed a single thing happening in the bar. That was a valuable ability: to look as if he was doing nothing but staring at the floor or walls but in reality all the while taking in every detail. For the past fifteen minutes, Nick had covertly watched, fascinated, Todd could tell, the pool games going on opposite the poker table.

“One more hand?” Todd smiled his most charming smile at the men.

“Son, you sure play better than your daddy. Too rich for my blood.” One of the men shook his head and extended one hand across the table to Todd. “Good game.”

After tossing half the extra money back to the middle of the table, Todd looked around at each man. “How about some information? I’m looking for a pair of branders.”

The man who had just spoken nodded, casting a quick glance to the side and at Nick. He pulled a piece of paper out, spent a few seconds writing on it, and slid it to Todd, his other hand pulling the money toward him. “That’s the only village I know of. They train there. Most live there. Be careful, boy. It’s right near the border.”

“Thanks.”

The three men left, and his father sat in the chair opposite him. Todd looked up at him. “Stick to hunting, Dad. It’s not like you don’t make enough money and need to gamble. You’d starve if you had to live that way.”

John snorted and leaned forward, arms resting on the table. “Todd, son, he’s nothing more than another weapon or tool.”

“I don’t get you. You spend most of my life telling me I have this responsibility, this binding I have to go through with, that this kid has something special, and he needs someone who can protect him and won’t be afraid of what he can do. Someone who can use what he has. You and Jimmy Cantor told me I was that someone. Now that I’ve done it, you’re pissed. What do you have against him? He’s a kid.”

John’s eyes narrowed. “You care about him.”

“What did you expect?” Todd shouted. He looked around when the groups near them stopped talking and glanced for the briefest second at them.

“I expect you to do your job,” John snapped. “I expect you not to lose your head.”

“In order for me—for us—to do our job, Nick has to trust me without question. You taught me that, remember? Partners have to trust each other.”

John rolled his eyes. “Oh, for Christ’s sake, Todd, he’s a f*****g slave! He doesn’t have to trust you. All he needs to do is what he’s told.”

“Not in my world,” Todd hissed. “My slave, I do this my way. I want him to learn and to trust me. He won’t stand a chance on a job if he’s just following orders. I keep telling you—my way. Get it through your damn thick, pigheaded skull and do it now.”

“You bed him?”

“Who I do or do not have in my bed is none of your business.”

“It is when that someone can get you killed. f**k him all you want but believe me when I say you care about him, open yourself up to someone like that, and it’ll destroy you.”

“I’m not backing down on this, Dad. Either you do this and treat Nick how I say or stay away from us. Both of us.”

“I’m your father. You can’t mean you’ll pick a slave over me.”

“He’s my responsibility. Nick depends on me, and I need to be able to depend upon him. Without that we’re both dead and you know it. Frankly? He’s better company, and I think he cares more for me than you ever did. You’re not who I work with or live with, and that’s how I want it. My way or no way. Where do you get the idea that will destroy me?”

Slamming the chair back, John stormed away, ignoring Todd’s plea to wait and explain more. Todd had been suspicious all along it’d been his father who’d made sure he and Nick were left alone after Nick’s branding. John’s words and actions now confirmed Todd had been correct. Of course, John would allow a wendigo to fillet him before he would ever admit Todd was right. He’d also honor Todd’s wishes and give them some space, leave them alone unless his presence was invited. Other than running into one another here at the tavern, Todd doubted he’d see much of his father for some time to come.

Dropping his head to his chest and massaging the back of his neck, Todd pulled a few deep breaths into his lungs. It was time to collect Nick and go before his luck turned sour. Standing up, he looked over at Nick, who was no longer focused on him or the fascinating pool games as he had been a few minutes earlier. Now Nick’s attention focused completely on a stranger across the room. So did Todd’s. He watched the stranger walk. His movements had the barest hint of stiffness, as if he wasn’t used to working arms and legs. The man ducked out a side door. Todd moved quickly back to where Nick was tethered.

“What did you see?” he whispered.

Nick shook his head, looking very bewildered. “I-I don’t know. He’s wrong.”

“Wrong? Wrong how?”

“It’s like he has no soul. He’s blank inside, black. Not human and not good. I don’t know how else to describe it. I’m sorry.”

“Stay there.” Todd reached out and tapped Nick’s shoulder.

“Todd? Master? Where—”

“Stay,” Todd hissed and darted after the man. The side door took him into an alley. Running down it, he took a quick look behind some dumpsters, turning up nothing.

What the hell? Just what the freaking hell?

He shouldn’t be doing this alone and he knew it, not after two more beers and a shot of whisky during the poker game. Nick shouldn’t have been left there alone. These thoughts flitted through Todd’s mind as he darted after the man.

The alley was a dead end. The guy couldn’t have gotten out without running into Todd. Movement to his right and above him grabbed his attention in time. Sidestepping, he was knocked back a few paces, but not to the ground, when the man landed on him. He felt the sting of a blade run along his ribs. Twisting, Todd was damned lucky the blade merely cut him, didn’t kill him. The blow to his head had colors exploding in front of his eyes and sent him to his knees, stunned, long enough for the man to run from the alley.

He staggered to his feet and ran sideways more than straight. When Todd reached the sidewalk, he knew he’d lost the stranger. Todd hadn’t gotten a good enough look at his attacker’s face, and the man’s clothes were nondescript and he blended right in with crowds of pedestrians.

If Nick could do this, see a creature disguising as human, he’d not only be a target for those things he identified, but other sentries. Now Todd understood why Nick needed to belong to a sentry—to be a sentry.

Laughter from the bar made Todd suck in his breath. “Crap. I left Nick in there alone.” Todd’s stomach got queasy all over again. His heart was nearly in his mouth when he ran back into the bar.

Nick was still where Todd had left him. Eyes closed, Nick’s hands were clenched into fists. Todd saw fine tremors running through him. The swell of pride at Nick’s courage and determination to do what Todd had asked was overshadowed by Todd’s guilt. He never should have left Nick alone like that.

He strode to Nick and shoved the man standing over Nick away. “Ruben, I told you before. He’s mine.” After unwinding Nick’s tether, Todd turned on his heels. “Come on, Nick.”

Nick was up and moving before Todd had the words completely out of his mouth.

“On second thought, Nicky, this piece of s**t obviously needs a stronger reminder.” Todd shoved Nick behind him and whirled on Ruben, drawing his hunting knife while at the same time grabbing Ruben’s wrist. Pinning his hand to the bar, Todd drove the tip of the blade through the fleshy part of his hand between thumb and forefinger. Todd grabbed Ruben by the back of the head and slammed him face first into the bar, silencing his scream. “Last time I say it, asshole. Nick is off limits. Hands off! Next time I take your hand off. Or maybe I’ll just cut out your heart.”

Todd yanked the knife free, wiped it clean on Ruben’s shirt, turned, and stalked out the door, Nick two steps behind him. Once out on the street, he slowed down and calmed his harsh breathing. He loosened his fist, letting Nick’s tether go slack. Finally, after a few blocks, he stopped, unhooked it, and threaded it through his belt loops.

“That guy, the one I chased after, tell me, what did you see again? You said he was wrong. How?”

Nick shrugged. “Like I said, it’s hard to explain. Um, maybe it was more like he was a shell, but there wasn’t anything inside but black. It’s different with different people.”

After flagging down a carriage, Todd climbed inside, Nick following. This time Todd pulled the door separating them from the driver closed. He patted the seat beside him.

Smiling shyly, Nick slid from the carriage floor to sit with his leg pressed against Todd’s. “What was that man?”

Todd rested his hand on Nick’s knee and rubbed a few times. “I’m not sure. You still want to see the caldera? We’ve got some traveling to do tomorrow if you’re healed enough and up to a trip.”

Nick’s face split into that smile Todd simply treasured. “We can really go?”

“Yep.” Todd shifted to a more comfortable position, wincing when the cut on his side pulled.

“You’re hurt.” Nick’s eyes went wide, and he paled.

“Nah, not so much. I’ll clean it up, and be good as new in a day or two. I promise.”

As soon as they were back in their apartment, Todd downed three more shots of whisky. The throbbing of his side eased to a dull ache. Sitting in the kitchen, he gingerly peeled off his jacket and shed the shoulder holsters. Nick appeared next to him, first-aid supplies in hand. After kneeling and pushing between Todd’s legs, he tugged on Todd’s shirt.

“You took such good care of me.” Nick eased Todd’s shirt away and began cleaning the wound with gentle dabs of cotton soaked in antiseptic.

The warm burn of whisky was replaced by the warm burn of Nick’s body being so close. Todd pulled at Nick’s shirt until Nick stopped and pulled it off. Hand on Nick’s shoulder, Todd ran his thumb over the brand. It was no longer red and angry, but almost healed. “I’ll always take care of you.”

Nick smiled and smoothed a large bandage over Todd’s side. For the first time, he seemed oblivious to the fact that he was half naked in front of Todd. Todd pressed his thighs tighter against Nick’s waist and slid his fingers through Nick’s hair a few times before taking hold of a fistful. He pulled Nick in slowly, pressed his mouth to Nick’s, and slid his tongue into Nick’s mouth, twisted and slipped it over his teeth and around his tongue.

Moaning, Nick arched up against Todd’s chest. He slid his hands up Todd’s back and over Todd’s shoulder blades to anchor on the beefy muscle of his shoulders. Leaning back, Todd broke their kiss just long enough to speak. “I’m sorry,” he breathed. “Those men hurt you and I didn’t protect you. Won’t happen again.”

“Todd—”

Todd claimed Nick’s mouth before he could say any more, relishing his taste, how his body shivered and arched under Todd’s touch. Todd moved back again, groaned, swiped his tongue over Nick’s cheek, then down Nick’s neck, nipping lightly. “I’m sorry for how I had to treat you today.”

Nick let his head fall back and to the side, exposing more of his throat to Todd. Nick dug his fingers into the flesh over Todd’s shoulder. Dragging his tongue up the length of Nick’s neck and over his jaw, Todd moved Nick’s head to kiss the younger man again. Nick was his, and Todd wanted him. The whisky swirled around his head, telling him to take what was his.

Todd’s brain kicked in and reminded him of a few things.

He pushed Nick away from him, scooting his chair back so they were separated by a few feet. Not like this. It wasn’t right, not what he wanted.

“Are you all right?” Nick reached out and touched Todd’s cheek.

Taking Nick’s hand in his, Todd chuckled. “I think I’m a bit drunk. I need to lie down, and you need to give me a little space.” He couldn’t be this close to Nick right now.

He let Nick help him to his feet and guide him to his bed. He dropped onto it, kicked off his boots, and yanked the blanket over him. As Todd drifted off to sleep, he saw Nick stop at the door to his own room, looking back at Todd over his shoulder. Todd saw confusion and maybe a bit of hurt on his face.

Todd was determined to do this right, and being drunk and overpowering Nick wasn’t his idea of right.

* * * *

Nick cringed away from his tutor, a small bald man with narrow eyes and missing teeth. He carried a riding whip and never hesitated to hit Nick. Each of Nick’s whimpers seemed to please him.

Curling into a ball, Nick squeezed his eyes shut and tried to close his ears to the man’s words. His master would be disappointed Nick couldn’t learn his lessons the first time. Nick was useless. He’d be a blemish to his master’s family, no doubt put to death for his inadequacies.

A disappointment. Only ten years old and already nothing but a waste of time. He was a fool to think his master cared anything beyond what Nick could do for him, despite the letters sent.

Each word was punctuated with a slap of the whip until Nick was sobbing.

“Hey, hey.”

Strong hands gripped Nick and shook him gently. Waking up so fast, it took Nick’s brain a second to catch up and put him in the present.

“Nicky. Hey. Just a dream.” Todd folded one leg under him, eased onto Nick’s bed, and pulled him in close, as he’d done the past five nights. “Come on. You need to tell me what this is. You can tell me.”

Battling with himself, Nick was pretty sure Todd wouldn’t be disappointed. Nick had been a small child. Making mistakes was something surely Todd would understand. Gripping Todd’s shirt in both hands, Nick bit back a sob and huddled closer to Todd’s broad, powerful chest. How could he tell Todd? Nick couldn’t bear to confess his shortcomings and see Todd’s face go from caring and warm to disappointed and cold. Todd’s hands rubbed in large, soothing circles over his back and arms. “I can’t remember.”

“I wish you’d try to remember. If you’d tell me, I bet whatever is causing these nightmares isn’t nearly as bad as you think.” Todd moved one hand to smooth over Nick’s hair and pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head. “It’s because of what those bastards did, isn’t it? I swear, Nick, they’ll get—”

“Not that.” He couldn’t let Todd take the blame.

Todd sighed and rested his chin on Nick’s head but dropped the questions. Nick was grateful. They stayed like that, quiet and holding each other, until Nick’s tremors subsided and he was feeling drowsy again.

Easing away slowly, Todd yawned. “I’m gonna grab a shower. We won’t leave ‘til midmorning, so get some more sleep. We can hit the café for breakfast.”

Nick rolled onto his side and watched Todd amble off to the bathroom and push the door mostly shut. The sound of Todd moving about the bathroom and starting the shower made Nick’s thoughts drift back to Todd in the bathhouse, his body covered with droplets of water, glistening and perfect. His mind wandered over the past week. What Todd looked like, felt like, invaded his mind, despite his trying to stop them.

Thoughts of how Todd watched over him, protected him, and cared for him mingled with the memory of Todd’s lips against his. How his hands moved over smooth, water-slick skin at the bathhouse. How he’d felt with Todd’s hands trailing the length of his back, stroking his c**k, touching him everywhere. The kind words and gentle touches Nick was given every day. Todd had so invaded every bit of him that Nick’s life before, in the village, seemed a distant bad dream.

Nick flopped onto his stomach, trying to ease how his c**k hardened, despite his willing it not to. He’d loved how Todd’s instructions to refrain from touching himself made his release so much better than he’d ever experienced. He desperately wanted that physical pleasure repeated.

Remembering how Todd’s fingers felt skimming over his skin, made him moan and shiver. He bit his lip to stop his rebellious hips from moving against the bed.

Fingers wound around his ankles and gripped hard, making him jump so much he nearly hit his head on the wall behind the bed.

“Roll over, Nick.” Todd’s voice was low, thick, and gravelly, making sparks of excitement shoot straight through Nick.

Nick did as he was told. He watched as Todd’s eyes traveled over his bare chest, feeling wanted and vulnerable all at once. Slowly, Todd let go of Nick’s ankles and inched his hands up Nick’s legs, over his hips, and to the waistband of the soft woven pants Nick wore to bed. Todd pulled them down, along with Nick’s underwear, inch by excruciating inch. By the time his clothes were slipped over his feet and deposited on the floor, Nick was panting and sweating.

“I…could I do…that thing again?” Nick panted.

Todd arched an eyebrow. “Liked that, did you?”

“Y-yes. Please?”

Todd grasped Nick’s left arm and moved it over Nick’s head. “Keep it there.” Todd’s mouth skimmed Nick’s face, breath hot on his neck, and then was gone, leaving a cool spot on Nick’s skin.

Todd moved down Nick’s body, pushed Nick’s legs wide, and knelt between them. His other hand grasped Nick’s right hand and placed both their hands over Nick’s hard, aching c**k, making Nick flinch. The small noises Nick couldn’t stop from creeping from his throat made Todd smile. Moving their hands together, Todd stroked Nick’s hand slowly over his own c**k.

The way Todd was wedged between Nick’s spread thighs made it nearly impossible for Nick to move much, which only heightened Nick’s senses and ramped up his want, his need. Just like the afternoon in the bathhouse, any bit of pleasure Nick received was totally under Todd’s control.

Stretching and arching his back, Nick pushed his head against the pillow. Pressing his eyes closed, he groaned.

“Look at me, Nick.” The sound of Todd’s voice, the feel of his hand with Nick’s on Nick’s c**k, shot him through with electric waves of sheer want. Every inch of his body tingled and begged to be touched.

Nick opened his eyes, and met Todd’s. The sight of Todd’s vibrant green eyes sparking with lust made his breath catch in his throat and his heart thunder in his chest.

Locking eyes with Nick, Todd ran one finger of his free hand through his mouth. All the while, Todd’s hand guided his slowly, evenly over his c**k, making Nick’s breath come in shorter, more desperate pants, the muscles of his chest and abdomen flutter and twitch.

Todd pressed his fingertip to the soft flesh behind Nick’s balls, making him arch off the bed, only to be pushed back down at once by the hand over Nick’s c**k. Working slowly, Todd moved his finger in small circles over Nick’s skin until it moved around Nick’s entrance. Pushing against it for a few seconds, Todd continued holding him to the bed. The fingers of Nick’s free hand gripped the bedsheets next to his head. He threw his head back and opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Every sensation, his very breath, seemed to stick in his chest. He concentrated on his breathing, the ceiling, anything to keep from spurting.

When Todd’s finger slipped inside and moved around slowly, Nick gasped. The strangeness of it, the odd feeling of having Todd’s warm finger inside him, evaporated in a jolt of pure pleasure when Todd crooked that finger and raked it over a spot. Todd did it again and again until Nick could barely breathe, yet words tumbled from his mouth: “Please…please…please…”

One more swipe over that bundle of nerves and Nick thought he’d stop breathing. Then Todd’s finger was gone, and Nick felt empty. After closing his and Nick’s fingers over Nick’s c**k, Todd picked up the pace. His free hand worked his own pants down, and he gripped himself. Nick refused to disappoint Todd by disobeying him. He wouldn’t get release until Todd offered it.

A few more twists and tugs and Todd leaned down, whispering to Nick with a thick, rumbling voice, “Give it to me, Nick.”

As before, Nick was powerless to control his own body. It reacted at once to Todd’s command. Hot ropes of c*m spilled out of him, over his hand and onto his belly, sending great waves of pleasure through him with so much force he was nearly paralyzed from it. A second later Nick felt Todd stiffen, heard him groan, and felt how Todd’s own c*m covered Nick’s belly and chest.

Leaning on one hand, Todd panted, shuddered, and righted himself. He let go of Nick, eased off the bed, and stood on legs Nick saw shaking ever so slightly. “Go get a shower, Nick. You’ll sleep better.”

It took Nick a few minutes to get himself composed, slowly pulling his trembling, rubbery legs together and pushing onto his elbows before he could work out how to get up and to the bathroom. Todd was right when he was finished showering he was relaxed, loose, and tired.

Nick slid back into his bed and rolled to his side so he could see Todd. Even though he was facing away from Nick, he could tell Todd was asleep. Nick’s gaze wandered to the shelves, to the carved bear, and then landed and stayed on the box holding his collar. He remembered waking up with Todd that first morning, feeling so safe and warm. Only on the hottest summer days did Nick ever wake up warm and comfortable as a child. His one thin blanket barely covered him, let alone kept him warm in the winter, even in the milder southern climate where he grew up. He never woke up feeling safe and cared for.

In public, his collar signified he was owned and dictated how he was treated, how he acted. There was no significance of affection or relationship beyond master and slave. In the privacy of his master’s home, its meaning increased and became far more powerful. Wearing his collar in private didn’t simply symbolize Todd’s ownership; it brought them together as mates. Not only would Nick belong to Todd; he’d be Todd’s partner and mate. Nick very much wanted to be Todd’s and in return have Todd be his.

There were laws concerning what slaves could and couldn’t do in public. There was no law that dictated an owner couldn’t make a slave their mate. Todd had made it abundantly clear; he was hoping for a mate. All the letters they’d exchanged over the years backed up the words Todd spoke now. Nick might have been sequestered from the world until recently, but the world wasn’t kept from him. All his life he had access to newspapers, books, political essays, he understood the workings of their society. There were plenty of owners and slaves who were more to each other. Some raised families together, they worked together—they became mates and partners in every sense.

Life in the village was much different from what it was out in the real world. Nick was beginning to see that now. He’d been offered a path to be something other than his education and training.

Nick didn’t want to wake up alone anymore. Todd had offered him the choice of being strictly a slave or becoming Todd’s mate. No one had ever given Nick a choice before. No one had ever cared enough.

If Nick wanted this, he knew what he had to do.