Page 86 of Obey

I close my eyes, fighting back a groan. I can imagine it already. I’m going to be so ready for him—beyond ready for him. “Hell, yeah,” I say hoarsely, leaning in to claim a savage kiss. Fuck, my cock is already getting hard just from the thought of what he wants to do with me.

He kisses back, but when I start grinding against him, he tugs on my hair roughly to break the kiss. “Getting ahead of yourself there, Mads.”

I’m not going to get tired of him calling me that any time soon. I didn’t even realize how much I’d missed it. A few people have used that nickname, but it didn’t mean anything.

Not like it does with Knives.

With Nayeem.

It still feels strange to call him that, though, especially in public.

“Am I, though?” I ask him. “I think I’m just getting in the mood.”

Knives laughs and releases me. “Let’s find those floggers so I can really put you through your paces. It would be a shame for the show to end before it even gets started.”

I want to argue, but it’s not like I’ve been going without sex. I’ve had more sex in the past few weeks than I have in years—and a surprising amount of it has been in an actual bed.

“This way,” I tell him, leading him through the club.

It really shouldn’t surprise me when we run right into Carl, and my erection starts to wane. Fuck. I’d known this was probably going to happen, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t been hoping it wouldn’t.

“Hi, Carl,” I say, looking warily between him and Knives.

Knives crosses his arms and scowls, but he stays quiet. I’m grateful he isn’t picking a fight right off the bat.

Carl is just as tense. “Maddox. I’ve been trying to reach you. I was really worried about you after…” He trails off and glances at Knives.

“Yeah,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I was out of town, and I lost my phone…” I trail off, all too aware that it all sounds like excuses—and fake ones, at that. “Seriously. It was hell at work, then I just haven’t had a chance to answer texts or anything. This is my first night off in?—”

He’s giving me that look, the one that’s all serious, by-the-rulebook Dom and completely no-nonsense. I realize too late that he’s not going to like that answer because he doesn’t like it when I work myself half to death.

If only he knew the truth.

“It’s none of your business,” Knives cuts in. “I’ve been taking care of Maddox. You don’t have to worry about him.” He drapes an arm around my shoulder possessively.

“Which is why he’s been working himself into an early grave,” Carl snaps at him. “Or are you just not letting him talk to other men?”

“It’s not like I can’t take care of myself,” I say sharply, scowling. “I’m not some helpless twink who needs to be coddled. For fuck’s sake, Carl. I could probably bend you over my knee.”

Carl has the decency to look sheepish, at least. He sighs. “Yeah, I know. But when you go under, you really go under. Can’t help it if I get a bit protective.”

Knives bites his lip, and I can tell he wants to argue, but in the end he only squeezes me lightly.

“It’s my choice,” I say to Carl. “But you can watch while Knives flays my back open.”

Carl’s eyes widen in alarm. “Flays your back open?”

“Not literally,” Knives interjects. “Jesus, Mads, now you’re making me look bad on purpose.”

I smirk. “Okay, fine. He’s just going to?—”

Knives gives me a look.

All right, so maybe I’m pushing it just a little.

“It’s just going to be a mild flogging,” I say, sighing. “The scene has already been negotiated, Carl.”

Carl doesn’t look convinced—or happy about the situation—but he backs off. “They moved the floggers,” he says begrudgingly. “They’re in the second play room instead of the big closet.”

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