Page 18 of Shrouded Desires
“Yes, Sir.” The weary acceptance spoke to a part of Storm that had been buried deep since the last time he’d had a boy of his own.
“In deference to your welted behind, I’m going to leave your pants up, but next time you risk your body in such a manner, I will show you no mercy even if your ass is split open. I’ll take my belt to it. Got me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. I hope you remember that as I dole out this spanking. I decided one swat for every minute you risked your body beyond the allotted time negotiated with Mistress Nadine.”
The body on his lap stiffened at Storm’s decree. He almost thought the boy might safeword. Instead, Raine sighed. “Agreed, Sir.”
“Count them.” Storm ordered before bringing his hand down on Raine’s ass. Even as Raine counted off the stroke, this was different than the last time that Storm had paddled him. There wasn’t any frustration on either of their parts, just a determination on his to make sure the boy understood the risk, and acceptance on Raine’s. A tentative truce that would hopefully form into a bond between dominant and sub. Something that Storm hadn’t realized he’d actually missed until this very moment.
Chapter Eight
“Thirty, Sir.” Raine cried out. His bottom burned like hell on fire, but it was no more than he deserved. Master Storm’s hand came to rest against his flaming bottom, the weight both a comfort and an atonement. Raine wanted to brush the tears away from his cheeks but his position over Storm’s thighs prevented such a thing. He continued to push off the floor with his hands, his weight distributed between his palms and toes.
“That’s my good boy.” Storm lifted him upright, turning him to perch on one leg. “All is forgiven.”
Raine hissed as his weight sent a fresh spurt of agony through him. More moisture spilled down his cheeks. This he welcomed. It was a reminder that his slate was wiped clean, and he could try again. He brushed futilely at the tears running down his cheeks. “Thank you, Sir.”
“It’s my responsibility, Raine, to make sure you’re the best you. Punishments are meant to correct bad or foolish behavior.” A handkerchief appeared in front of his nose, where Storm wiped the tears away, then held it to his nose. “Blow.”
Raine dutifully blew as requested. Afterward, he let his head drop over to rest on Storm’s shoulder. He shouldn’t be so relaxed in the other man’s presence. The logical part of him warned him that nothing good could come from this, but after everything that happened, he’d take what he could get.
“That’s it. Relax.” Storm stroked a hand up his back. “In a few minutes we’re going to go over our new arrangement. Understand?”
“I guess.” He toyed absently with a button on the front of Storm’s polo. He shouldn’t be so forward, but until he learned the rules of their new arrangement and they were in place, he was good to touch. Unless of course, Storm told him to stop. Surprisingly however, Storm didn’t seem to notice the movement. He just continued to hold Raine.
Raine was almost on the verge of sleep, when Storm finally stirred. “I know Max mentioned that we’re going back to basics. Do you understand why, Raine?”
He nodded. “Master doesn’t want me to backslide. And by ignoring my needs, they build up inside of me and I do foolish things. Things that can potentially harm me.”
“Correct.” Storm shifted a bit under him. “You’re important to him and Lizzie. More than you probably realize. Which is why I’m going to step outside of my own comfort zone to make sure you stay as whole as possible.”
Raine wasn’t sure what to do with that. Why would taking control of him be so difficult for Storm? The man was a dominant. All dominants loved to take control. So why was Storm reluctant? “Is it because I’m a male?”
“Why would your sex matter?” Storm tipped Raine’s head up to gaze down at his face.
“Straight guys, sometimes even bi-guys. aren’t always comfortable with topping another man.” He shrugged. “Master is an exception. He sees topping me as an extension of topping Lizzie. She cares about what happens to me, and to keep her happy, he makes sure that I’m in a good place.”
Storm chuckled. “One, Max would never top another man just to make his sub happy. You know he’s bisexual?”
Raine nodded. “However, I’m not, Sir.” He shuddered dramatically. “I love Lizzie, but girlie parts...ew.”
Storm rolled his eyes. “I get you, boy. I’m not all too fond of them myself.” He brushed a finger along Raine’s jaw. “I think Lizzie is cute and everything, but I’m strickly-dickly.”
“You are?” Raine couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. “But the papers are always going on about this woman or that woman you’re with at various functions.”
“All team stuff.” Storm sighed. “I’m older than most of my teammates, I come from a different time where men could enjoy the company of other men but only as long as they were discreet. My football career and personal life stay separate.”
“A fancy way for saying you’re still buried deep in the closet, Sir?”
“If you will.” Storm nodded. “But here at the club, I don’t have to worry about that for the next few months.”
Understanding dawned. At Redemption, Storm could be an openly gay dominant and none would be the wiser.And why does that make my dick hard? Even if he’s willing to top me, he hasn’t said anything about sex.He pushed the thought away. Now wasn’t the time for his dick to perk up and take notice of the man holding him. “Of course not, Sir.” He swallowed then forged ahead. “So, what does this arrangement you and Master came up with entail?”
“You assume that Max had an input on this?”
Raine nodded. “I know Master. He never would turn me over without a plan or at least discussion in place. He takes his responsibility seriously.”
