Page 72 of Protecting his Secrets

Nick tensed but nodded slowly. “I can’t guarantee I can answer, but you’re welcome to ask anything.”

“Is there any truth to Club Royal?”

Malachi would give Nick his dues; his poker face was spot on. But it was that poker face that gave him away. If it hadn’t been true, Nick would’ve probably laughed it off.

“The reason I ask,” he continued, gathering his courage, “was because I wanted to know if someone could give me some advice about…something who knew what they were talking about. We haven’t spoken about much to do with BDSM or limits, though we touched on them, but there’s something I’d like more info about.”

Nick exhaled shakily. “I might know someone who could help answer your BDSM questions, though it might depend on what those questions are. Would you feel comfortable enough to share with me? You don’t have to. I’m not pressuring you at all.”

Malachi cupped Nick’s cheeks. “I know you’re not. You’re the last person who would.” He inhaled again. “Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, there lived a young, reckless reporter, who loved everything royal. He was obsessed from a young age, and that obsession gave him the courage to do what he thought was right. So when he started having feelings about something that wasn’t regular and ‘normal,’ he panicked and kept it to himself, making it into this big ogre of an idea that he couldn’t let out.” He inhaled shakily. “Then one day, he saw a video showing this same something as being an escape, a place he could disappear to, a place he was still safe in. But he didn’t understand how. How it could work. How it could happen. How it was right. And so he left it stewing inside him, feeding it videos and images irregularly to keep it at bay. And then, this reporter met a knight, who made him feel wonderful, and they fell in love. He gave him the courage to ask about that something that was still tightly held beneath the surface.”

Malachi’s heart pounded once he’d finished. He couldn’t say out loud what his “something” was because he wasn’t sure he could explain it properly, but he knew he would have to try at some point; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

“What’s simmering beneath the surface, Kai? Will you tell me?”

Malachi licked his lips and focused on Nick’s chest instead of his face. “I would like to be…” He exhaled, not sure if he could say it aloud. He winced, chewing his lips. Then he inhaled and said, “Whipped.”

He couldn’t look at Nick, not wanting to see whatever expression was on his face. He’d done some research on the subject, but he could never tell what was truth and what was not, so he’d never tried it, and he’d never gathered the courage to visit a club, especially with his name and face being known as it was, he’d be front page news before he’d made it two steps into the club itself.

Nick’s hands cupped his cheek, but he didn’t force him to look at him. He just brushed his thumb across his skin. “Thank you for telling me. I know someone who might be able to help, but I need to ask them if they’re willing to, first. If you could sign an NDA and promise nothing will ever be written about it, I’m sure it would be okay. I wouldn’t be much help myself because although I know something about BDSM, I’m no expert. I will ask them today.”

“Thank you.”

Nick hadn’t answered his question with words, but Malachi could read between the lines, though he’d tell no one. Club Royal was the perfect place to hide in plain sight, and if that’s what the royal family were doing, they had done an amazing job of it.

“As we are awake so early, I think we need a pick-me-up before we get ready for work. What do you think?”

Now his cheeks had calmed down, Malachi glanced at Nick, seeing the smirk on his face. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. What did you have in mind?”

Nick rolled them over until Malachi was beneath him, and Malachi’s dick perked up immediately. He’d been half hard all night, but he hadn’t minded. Delayed gratification had its time and place.

When Nick kissed him, wrapping his hands around his wrists and holding him to the bed while his hips thrust against Malachi’s, grinding their cocks together, Malachi’s brain went offline. Nick licked into his mouth, and Malachi chased his tongue. He lifted his head, following when Nick rose.

“Keep your hands there,” Nick said, bracing himself on one hand and wrapping his other around both their shafts.

“Oh god,” Malachi gasped, pushing his head back into the pillow as Nick kicked up the speed and tightened his hold. “I’m going to come if you keep that up.”

“As I said, a quick pick-me-up.” Nick groaned, his eyes on his movements.

Malachi tried to hold back. He tried so hard, but he couldn’t. “Fuck, oh, fuck.”

He tensed as ropes of come streaked from him, covering his stomach and chest, and Nick cursed, following him over the edge. Malachi’s mind eventually came back online, and he stared down at Nick, who had collapsed on him at some point.

“I like your kind of pick-me-ups,” he said, and Nick chuckled, the vibration flowing through him.

Nick rolled off, and Malachi immediately missed his warmth, but the shock of cool air stopped him from falling asleep again. He sat upright, staring down at the mess on him.

“I definitely need another shower.”

Nick jumped off the bed, startling him. “Okay. Shower it is. I like showers.”

Malachi laughed as Nick grabbed his hands and dragged him towards the bathroom. “Are you equating showers with happy times now?”

“Is that wrong?”

Malachi pretended to think about it. “Probably not.”

An hour later, they finally got dressed and headed to Sec HQ for an update before Malachi had to leave. As they entered,a group of people stood in front of the screen, watching and listening to something.

---