DOMINION MYCHAEL BLACK SHAYNE CARMICHAELONE
"So full. Master..." Jason tugged at the restraints, causing the heavy link...
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DOMINION MYCHAEL BLACK SHAYNE CARMICHAELONE
"So full. Master..." Jason tugged at the restraints, causing the heavy links of the chains to thump and slide over the polished wood. The St. Andrew's cross had been somewhat of a gift, presented to Jason just two months ago on his thirtieth birthday. Though Dominic had bought it for all of them, he was the only one to utilize it. He couldn't blame Grif, his lover, in the least for avoiding it. Hell, he would have, too, if he'd been in Grif's place. After Grif's blood brother, Tristan, had whipped him beyond endurance, it'd taken several months before Grif would even venture into the dungeon. Turning back to his beautiful captive, Dominic just smiled. The rather large plug had been another gift, this one from Tage. It shot to the top of Jason's toy list the first time he'd taken the entire thing for longer than five minutes. It was the most he'd ever had. Dominic looked at the intercom, with its digital clock that Grif had installed the first time he'd been back down to the dungeon. Ten more minutes. "You're doing excellent, Jason," he purred in Jason's ear. He slid his fingers down Jason's spine, and when he reached the flared base of the plug, he gripped it tightly and gave it a good jiggle. Jason gasped and cried out, that sweet body surging, muscles going taut beneath sweat-slick skin. Dominic saw Grif smile from where he stood in the doorway. Lately, except for when Tage begged him for a play session, it wasn't often that Grif ventured into the dungeon. Though it had been several months, he still avoided the small area where Tristan had chained him. Although Dominic knew the memories were distant enough not to readily feel, the scars lingered. Grif smiled back at him, though it seemed to require some effort to appear so casual. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Grif leaned against the doorframe, wearing nothing but his usual loose white cotton pants. Dominic could tell just by Grif's eyes that he still wasn't thoroughly comfortable being in the dungeon. It had given Dominic a great deal of satisfaction in killing Tristan, but it hadn't fully rid Grif of his fears. "So sweet," Dominic murmured, returning his attention to Jason. He licked at the salty, smooth skin of his sub's neck as he pulled Jason's hair to the side. Peppering Jason's neck with soft kisses and nips, he reached for the flogger on the table beside the cross. Then he stepped back and slid his fingers through the leather tails. It was a game they had been working on for several weeks, and as the first snap of the leather across bare flesh rang sharply in the room, Dominic knew?just knew?that this time would be different. Jason's fingers curled around the leather cuffs holding his arms apart and his breath hitched, small shudders sliding through his body. Dominic changed his angle and snapped the flogger again. A trail of angry red lines crossed Jason's buttocks, just above the base of the plug. Setting the flogger to the side, Dominic stepped up to Jason and whispered: "Come."
Jason jerked immediately, hips thrusting forward as he shot. Dominic smiled and gave Grif a quick wink before turning Jason's head toward him. "Very good." Jason opened to him, whimpering and humming into Dominic's mouth. Deepening the kiss, Dominic reached down and eased the plug out, dragging a throaty cry from Jason. After giving him a moment to come back down, Dominic unfastened the restraints. Jason turned into him, planting soft kisses over Dominic's chest. Placing a soft kiss to Jason's hair, Dominic said, "Off with you." "Thank you, Master." Standing on his toes, Jason lifted his head for another kiss before leaving the dungeon, smiling and nodding at Grif as he walked out. Once Jason was gone, Dominic walked over to Grif and slid his hands up his lover's arms. "You okay, love?" "I'm fine." While Grif happened to be an excellent liar, he always failed in that category with Dominic. His arms encircled Dominic's neck as he leaned in closer. "I thought you might want to go out tonight. Just the two of us. Dinner...dancing." "Liar," Dominic whispered on Grif's lips. The kiss was soft and slow, a stark contrast to moments before. As Dominic pulled back, he kissed Grif's forehead and chuckled. "Dinner? Anyone in particular? Or just to get the edge off?" It was no secret Grif had been avoiding any discussion of his mental state, and he'd been more than happy to take advantage of the kiss so he wouldn't have to answer at all. "I thought we could check out the new crop at Petrie's. Then after publicly arousing you, we can come back here." "And then...?" Dominic licked at Grif's lips, working his way slowly over Grif's jaw and down to his neck. "What would you do after publicly arousing me?" "Obviously, we'll stay at the club until you just can't stand it anymore." Losing track of his thoughts, Grif tilted his head, arching his throat toward Dominic. His fingers kneaded against the nape of Dominic's neck. Dominic purred, the nick of his fangs grazing Grif's skin. He whispered, "I love you," just before sinking his fangs in deep, arms sliding protectively around Grif. In answer, Grif's emotions welled up, seeking the connection between them. He shuddered with the flicker of pain and slid his hands to Dominic's hair, holding Dominic in place. He hadn't the words to respond, so he let his heart speak for itself. Licking the wounds, Dominic pulled away and smiled. "Come on, love. Let's go change and get out of here. Should we leave the boys to their own devices tonight?" Grif grinned. "Some night we really are going to have to deprive those two of their excuses to play with each other." Dominic lifted an eyebrow. "Has Tage actually admitted to how he feels about Jason then? Or is he still trying to deny it?" "He's in worse denial than I've ever been." Laughing, Grif snaked his arm around Dominic's waist as they headed out and toward the stairs. "I take it Jason finally decided to open up to you." "After I finally sat him down and wouldn't let him up until he came out with it." Dominic shook his head and laughed. "Never thought anyone could be more stubborn than you, love." "I think I'll have to do that to Tage. I have no problem with emotions developing between them. It's rather easy to see that they have." Grif let go of Dominic to walk up the steps
and led the way to their bedroom. "Shall I change with you or go as is?" "I assured Jason that it would not affect things, unless he wanted out of the contract. If he does eventually want out, I will grant that," Dominic said. "And Hell, itdoesn't matter how you dress?I'm still going to want to fuck you through the dance floor." Giving Dominic a look over his shoulder, Grif smirked. Then he stopped abruptly in their bedroom doorway and stepped back against Dominic, grinding slowly against him. "There. Now you can think about it all the way there, too." Nonchalantly, he moved away, walking to the dresser and opening one of the drawers. "I still haven't decided if I want to change or not." Dominic was suddenly behind him, one arm going around Grif's waist, pulling him back hard as Dominic ground his hips forward. "Keep it up," Dominic growled, "and I'll bend you over the dresser." "Not allowed," Grif laughed as he leaned back. Turning his head, he begged silently for a kiss. Dominic turned him around and lifted Grif up, sitting him on the dresser. "Just a taste?" Dominic leaned in for a kiss, tongue sliding into Grif's mouth as a hand slipped down the front of Grif's pants. Grif moaned softly as his lover's fingers glided over the tip of his cock. He tightened his hold around Dominic's neck as he opened to the demanding kiss. A small shift of his hips almost had him falling off the dresser as he tried to press harder into Dominic's hand. "Fuck, Dominic, fuck." They were the only words Grif could get out before his lips tightened against his lover's. Dominic had the power to scatter all reason simply with the touch of his hand. Dominic curled his fingers tight around the shaft and started fucking Grif's mouth with his tongue. With every pull up, his thumb grazed the head, pressing into the slit. His other hand worked Grif's pants down just a bit more and then Dominic pulled away from the kiss, dropping to his knees to swallow Grif to the root. Grif couldn't even think about anything else as he felt the hot mouth closing over him. He lifted his hands to Dominic's head, fingers catching in his hair tightly. It would take very little to send him over the edge. An upward thrust of his hips kept him buried inside Dominic's mouth as he began to shake. Eyes rolling up to stare into Grif's, Dominic started a continuous suck-and-slide motion, hands wrapping around Grif's hips to encourage the movement. Come for me, love. A sharp cry rose in Grif's throat and broke free as Dominic's words took over his mind. "Dominic!" He came hard, shudders rolling through him. Dominic swallowed and licked him clean before standing back up, giving him a wink. "Now we can go out." "Bastard." Grif's lips quirked into a smile as he slid off the dresser and tried to pull his pants back up. He always enjoyed the little displays of Dominic's power over him, which was why he egged his lover on. Dominic chuckled and landed a slap on Grif's ass. "Yeah, but I'm your bastard." "You got that right." Laughing, Grif reopened a drawer and pulled out one of his black shirts. He slipped it over his head and tucked it into his pants before retying them. Leading the way out, Dominic stopped at Jason's bedroom door. Just as he raised his hand to knock, he stopped and glanced over at Grif. He grinned slowly as the soft moans grew more intense, needy. "They really are beautiful together," he whispered.
"Now if only they can get themselves to see that," Grif said thoughtfully. Dominic looked back at the door and nodded. Smiling, he took Grif's hand and continued downstairs. "Come on, love. We have a date." Stopping at the front door, Grif slipped on his tennis shoes. He kept a covert gaze fixed on Dominic. How he could resist staring at the man? His lover looked damn hot in the tight leather and loose silk?a combination Grif had come to love. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts, he led the way out of the door. Since the club wasn't that far away, he always preferred to walk the short distance. As they walked, Dominic held him close, arm tight around Grif's shoulders. It was an automatic reaction these days, for Dominic to become overprotective when they left the house. Grif knew his lover no longer trusted anyone. If any looked overly long at Grif, the unfortunate soul?vampire or mortal?would find himself in a dire situation. Since Grif had grown antsy about his own personal space in the last several months, he was beyond thankful. Relaxing against Dominic's side, Grif's arm casually hugged around Dominic's waist. However, his mood could shift far too rapidly whenever someone other than Dominic, Tage, or Jason got too close to him. "I keep wondering if we should nudge those two a little or just leave it be." Casting a questioning side glance at Dominic, Grif asked, "What do you think?" "Tough call. It's obvious there's something strong developing there, but both of them?Tage especially?are too stubborn to admit it. What did you have in mind?" Asthey passed by a group of men hanging around the doorway to one of the other clubs, Dominic tightened his grip on Grif's shoulders. "Nothing in particular..." Grif fell silent as he realized several of the others were watching him. Attention wasn't something he handled very well anymore. A faint sneer curled his lip as he looked away and up to Dominic. For some reason, certain types had an annoying habit of wanting to thrust their attention on Grif. Dominic had his own fair share, but the ones who were attracted to him generally left him alone after Dominic brushed them off. In Grif, others seemed to sense something, and often as not, they wanted to close in for the attack, so to speak. Just as Dominic opened his mouth to respond, anger flashed into his expression. Grif didn't have to look to know they were being followed. Before Grif could form any sort of thought, Dominic had one of the men pinned to the wall of a building in the nearby alley, fingers digging into the man's throat. His other hand was wrapped around Grif's wrist, deathly tight. "Do not even think about looking at him," Dominic snarled. "Do I make myself fucking clear?" The man clawed at Dominic's hand, his eyes wide and pale. Fangs were just barely visible as the man struggled against the iron hold on his neck. With a quick movement of his wrist, Dominic threw the vampire to the ground. The vampire took off, bolting out into the street and disappearing into the night. Grif stood immobile against Dominic, his gaze following the quickly retreating vampire. "What the hell is it about me? Do I have a sign on my fucking forehead?" His normal confidence in dealing with inopportune people had yet to return. It kept him inside their house, like a prisoner, unless Dominic went out with him. "Because they want what they can't have." The words were snarled as Dominic continued down the sidewalk, body still tense as he glared at anyone unfortunate enough to simply
look their way. Shaking his head, Grif decided to forget about it. "Never mind, Dominic. Not important." His arm tightened to Dominic's waist, feeling the tension practically pouring off of his lover. Reaching for the club door, he opened it and drew Dominic inside with him. Catching him just as the door closed, Dominic turned Grif to face him. A hint ofthe warrior beneath was clear in the dark blue eyes. "It is very important. You are the world to me." "I know how you get with me, Dominic," Grif spoke quietly as he leaned against Dominic. Staring into his eyes, Grif had no problem reading the message within them. "You just can't fight the whole world, love." "That doesn't mean I won't try." Lowering his head, Dominic kissed Grif softly, the edginess in his mood slowly fading. "Want to dance with you," Dominic whispered. "Want to feel you everywhere." For a brief moment, Grif's lips molded to Dominic's. "Then we'll dance." He took hold of Dominic's hand and drew him farther into the club. Somehow weaving through the throng of bodies, they made it to the dance floor. Turning to face Dominic, Grif's arms encircled his neck. They both began to move in time to the thrum of the music as Grif smiled up at Dominic. For Dominic, no one existed but the man in his arms. Arms around Grif's waist, Dominic moved to the music, hunger building with every grind of their bodies together. Only then, when the throb of the music seeped deeper inside him, did he begin to catch the racing of sweet blood in veins. Closing his eyes, he could taste the need and desire in the air, mingling with the lingering taste of Grif on his tongue. As the hunger grew, Dominic's movements became harder, more urgent. He opened his eyes and fixed them on Grif. Dominic watched his lover's face as his mood drenched over them both, drawing a soft growl from Grif. Dominic felt the struggle within Grif, felt it surge through Grif's being, pulling hard at his lover's instincts. "You're hungry, love," Grif said. "Maybe we should feed before you take things out on me." The slow smile on Grif's lips widened as his body shifted with each hard press against it. Dominic took a slow, deep breath, eyes closing. "Blame it on my mood earlier." He opened his eyes once more and smiled at Grif. "I can wait." Grinding hard, his voice lowered to a whisper. "Don't stop dancing." Giving him a knowing look, Grif just shook his head. Then he rested his head on Dominic's shoulder. Before long, Grif's body pressed tightly to Dominic's, and Grif whispered, "God, you feel so good to me." The flow of music and voices around them washed over Grif, the scent of mortalbodies kept the beast inside him aware and alert on its own level. "Have you looked around yet and decided on your pick for the evening's hunt?" he asked after a few minutes of silence. Nodding toward the bar, Dominic just grinned. "Redhead, far end of the bar. You?" Grif looked over at the mortal in question and nodded. "Yeah, the blond near him. The one in the blue shirt. I think you have a thing for redheads, Dominic." Lifting an eyebrow, Dominic said, "And you're telling me you don't have a thing for blonds?" Grinning, Grif ducked his head slightly as he murmured, "I think I have a bigger thing for dark hair. Same exact shade as yours as a matter of fact." Not so oddly, his preference
always came back to Dominic. Grif even preferred the taste of his lover's blood, especially when Dominic had been drinking. Dominic's laugh was low and sultry, and he tilted Grif's head up for a light, teasing kiss. "Dinner time." With that, Dominic stepped off of the dance floor, tugging Grif behind him until they reached the bar. From there, he let go, giving Grif a wink before making his move on the redhead. Grif remained right where Dominic left him, his eyes traveling slowly over the other vampire's body. He paid no attention to the blond he'd mentioned to Dominic. His eyes were on Dominic instead, watching him approach the redhead. Grif wanted to watch him feed. Taking a side step toward the bar, he rested his elbow on the counter. As Dominic drew closer, the redhead looked up, his smile hopeful. Dominic slid behind the young man, cupping the man's jaw and tilting his head back. The redhead's eyes closed slowly and his breathing grew shallow, his chest rising and falling quickly. Dominic whispered something in his ear, lips moving slowly down to the curve of the man's throat. When he struck, it was swift and discreet, appearing to be nothing more than an extended kiss on the neck. The man's eyes rolled back as he shook in Dominic's arms. Eyes fastened on Grif, Dominic licked the bite wounds to close them a moment later. The redhead smiled and laughed. Dominic moved away then, licking his lips. Grif barely stifled his growl, and he'd lost interest completely in the blond for a moment. Finally he stirred from his position when Dominic came toward him. Before he could say anything, the young blond insinuated himself next to Grif at the bar counter. Turning his attention to him, Grif smiled faintly as the man made an obvious playfor him. Keeping his distance, Dominic sidled up to the bar not too far away and leaned against it casually. It did make it so much easier when the donor was more than eager to get up close and personal. Grif held Dominic's steady gaze for a moment before he leaned in toward his overeager victim. A gentle brush of Grif's hand pulled back the long strands of hair as his head descended toward the man as if to whisper to him. Clouding the man's mind, Grif struck quickly, drawing the nourishing, hot blood from him. When Grif finished, he healed the marks. It took no more than a simple mental nudge and the blond chuckled and looked over at the redhead that had so interested Dominic. Without a word, he moved further down the bar to stand beside the other man. "Playing matchmaker again?" Dominic teased as he walked up, sliding an arm around Grif's waist. "It's an interesting occupation, Dominic," Grif answered with a grin. Turning his back to the bar, he sidled up onto a stool. His legs caught at Dominic, drawing him close. "What do you think? There is a certain something about them together. It'd be a kick to watch them." "Mm," Dominic hummed against Grif's neck. "It would be, wouldn't it?" Moving lower, he exhaled on Grif's shirt, just over his nipple. "Or we can go home and you can ride me." Resting a hand against Dominic's ass, Grif's fingers kneaded into the tight leather. "Believe me, I wasn't talking about watching them now." He tilted Dominic's head up and pressed a soft kiss to his lover's lips. "Good. Take me home and I'll fuck you through the mattress." Dominic stepped back and helped Grif back down, taking hold of his hand to lead the way out of the club. Positively grinning like the cat that got all the cream, Grif let Dominic lead him. As he looked toward the door, he saw a face that sent a chill rushing through him, and his mind
blanked. He stopped, his hand slipping free of Dominic's. When he blinked, nobody was there. He couldn't have seen what he thought he did. Blinking rapidly in confusion, he swiftly scanned the bar before hurrying to catch up with Dominic. "Griffith? Are you all right?" Nothing and nobody seemed out of place in the bar. There was no way in hell he could have seen his former master. Looking back at Dominic, he nodded slightly. "Yeah, I'm fine." Tugging at Dominic's hand, Grif pulled his lover quickly out of the bar. Just the momentary belief of thinking he'd seen his old master, Quinn, brought back all the memories of what had been done to him. Echoes of the agonizing pain of skin shredded to ribbons from a bullwhip wielded by Tristan flit over Grif's nerves. His body had long healed from that fateful night in the dungeon, but his mind was far too easily pushed off balance. And even deeper from the past came the memories of the rape and torture he'd suffered at Quinn's hand. The man who had created him had also damaged him nearly beyond repair. Still Grif tried to hide behind a bland facade of being perfectly all right. TWO ? ? ? Tage knelt on one of the pillows on the floor. Each strike of the flogger and the accompanying sound from Jason made him squirm slightly. Completely naked, the influence the scene had on him was obvious, his cock twitching with every strike to Jason's skin. Tage tried to keep his movements unnoticeable since he'd been instructed to remain silent until Dominic ordered otherwise. "Such sweet sounds," Dominic purred. "Wouldn't you agree, Tage? Is this not a fine sight before us?" Jason's head fell forward and he wrapped his hands around the chains holding his arms to the cross. When Dominic's fingers slid down Jason's spine, Tage knew what was coming next. Every muscle in his body tensed, waiting for long fingers to push deep inside Jason. "Yes, Jason," Dominic said as two slick fingers slid into Jason's ass. Jason gasped and rocked. "Yes, Master. A beautiful sight." Tage nearly stuttered over the words as he swallowed hard. He had to bite at his lip as he watched Dominic's fingers enter Jason. Every frustrated muscle in his body ached and begged for release, yet he still held his position just as he was supposed to. Fingers still deep, Dominic unlocked the restraints on Jason's wrists. He nipped at the sub's neck and chuckled. "Have a seat, Jason. Enjoy the show." As he withdrew his fingers, he pulled out a seat from between the bottom cross-beams. Jason waited, breathing labored, as Dominic unlocked the cross' rotating platform, turning it until Jason was facing Tage. Then Dominic eased him down onto the chair, every inch of descent maddening as the dildo anchored on the seat slid deeper inside Jason. With his ankles still locked in place, he had no choice but to stay seated?full and breathless. Then Dominic turned to Tage. "Come," he said, holding out a hand. Dominic positioned Tage between Jason and the wooden cross, and strapped Tage's wrists up. Reaching up to the ceiling, he pulled down a black leather sling, suspended on heavy duty chains. After fitting it around Tage's back and shoulders, he pressed a button on the wall. The chains groaned and rattled as the sling was lifted. By the time he was
done, Tage's legs were restrained as well, holding him open, his ass level with Jason's face. "Now, since you two seem to greatly enjoy each other," Dominic said, "you should enjoy this. Jason, you are forbidden to come. Tage, however, is allowed?but only by your tongue. You may hold him open, but your tongue is the only part of you that will enter him." "Yes, Master," Jason replied, looking up at Tage suspended before him. Finding himself completely restrained and hanging in mid-air, Tage looked down at Jason impaled on the chair and shivered. It wasn't unusual for either Dominic or Grif to order them to play with each other while they watched. A soft whimper escaped Tage with the teasing anticipation running through him. Keeping his eyes fixed on Tage, Jason spread him open and leaned forward. Jason moaned as he licked Tage's hole, pushing his tongue in just enough to tease before licking around the rim again. Unable to move, Tage was helpless with the little Jason gave him; he wanted to feel Jason's tongue buried in him. The position left him completely exposed and gave its own feeling of vulnerability. A breath hissed between his teeth with the teasing wetness of Jason's tongue, and Tage whispered his name, "Jason." Tage's fingers clawed at the air as he writhed. Each thrust of Jason's tongue into him drew a shuddering response, and increasingly tightening sensations made him cry out as he tried to change the angle of his body. Unfortunately, he was denied movement and the soft whimpers rose in pitch, wanting and needing to reach Jason. The friction of Jason's tongue shot exquisite ripples through him, driving him mad. Turning his head, Tage saw Grif and Dominic. He silently pleaded with his eyes before they closed as another wave of torturous pleasure hit him. Jason neither heard nor saw anything beyond Tage. He groaned as he leaned forward, the dildo shifting and sliding. He couldn't begin to stop the rocking of his hips, fucking himself on the toy as he fucked Tage's ass with his tongue. On one particular move, the dildo slid over his prostate at just the right angle and Jason cried out, thesound muffled by Tage's body. Fingers tightening on Tage's buttocks, Jason plunged his tongue in and out, sucking on the puckered skin. In the back of his mind, he knew Dominic and Grif were watching, but all that mattered was the man spread out before him like a buffet. His cock throbbed, leaking pre-come steadily, as he ground his hips against the chair, fucking himself harder and faster on the dildo. Control was something Dominic had taught him long ago and now, he was cursing it. When the sling started moving again, Jason nearly jumped. He looked up at Dominic and Dominic just grinned. It was then that Jason realized Dominic had unhooked Tage's arms from the cross. Blinking, Jason soon found himself staring into Tage's eyes as Tage hovered in front of him, still in the sling. "Once again, Tage is allowed orgasm. Jason, you are not." "Oh, fuck," Jason whispered as Dominic lowered Tage just enough for the head of Jason's cock to push inside him. Tage's hands curled to the sling and the smallest wiggle of his hips sent more sensations rocking through Jason. "I need you to fuck me," Tage whispered hoarsely, his eyes closing as his lips parted, dragging in a deep, ragged breath.
"Master, please..." Though he begged Dominic, Jason's eyes never left Tage's face. He was right there, riding the edge as he rocked on the dildo. Every move he made pushed the head of his cock into Tage's ass, then pulled it out. He was already shaking uncontrollably, fingers clutching Tage's hips tightly. When Dominic reached down to slick up his cock, Jason knew their ordeal was ending. As Dominic stepped back again, the sling lowered, pushing Jason balls-deep into Tage. Tage's heart raced and the high state of anticipation kept his body literally on the edge. Trembling now, the only sounds he could make were the pleading whimpers that escaped him. He needed Jason in the worst possible way. Every part of him ached to be filled, to feel the release Jason would give him. The stretching sensation inside him short circuited Tage's brain, and he completely lost it. A violent shudder rocked his body as his muscles constricted around Jason's cock. Losing himself in the overwhelming rush, he screamed Jason's name as his body strained on Jason. "Come." Dominic's command seemed to ripple through the room and Jason roared, shoving his cock inside Tage as he pulled Tage down hard, cock pulsing. Tage ground tightlyagainst Jason, desperate to reach for him. His own eyes were wide as he listened to the other sub and felt the surge of Jason's body to his as he came. Tage's awareness slowly returned to him and he whimpered softly, though he didn't struggle against the restraints. "Very good," Dominic purred. "Both of you did very well." When Dominic finally unlocked the restraints from Tage's wrists, Jason gathered him close. Tage snaked his arms around Jason's neck. It always required time for him to come down. Still trembling slightly, he clung to Jason as he burrowed in against Jason's throat. Keeping his voice low enough to be heard only by Dominic, Grif said, "You are a devious bastard, love." "I know," Dominic chuckled. Grif watched silently, allowing the time needed. He knew his slave best of all. Nodding to Dom, he smiled slowly. "You both are free for the rest of the evening," Dominic whispered in Jason's ear. "Thank you, Master," Jason answered, albeit breathlessly. Finally moving, Grif reached for Tage's arm to help him up and out of the sling. Then they stepped aside as Dominic helped Jason to stand. Brushing a soft kiss to Tage's ear, Grif spoke quietly to him while Jason regained his feet. After a nod in Jason's direction, Grif released Tage to Jason's care. Jason gave Dominic a kiss and then turned to Tage. With a smile, he slid his arms around Tage and kissed him softly before turning and leading the way back upstairs. **** Reclining in their sanctuary, Grif stretched out on the couch, clad only in a pair of flimsy white cotton pants. Drawing one leg up, he rested his hand on his knee as he closed his eyes. He still wasn't fully certain that he saw what he thought he saw at the bar three nights ago. The man had looked like his old master. Thoughts of Quinn made Grif wince involuntarily as he tried to suppress the flicker of fear nagging at his mind. Slowly he drew in a deep breath. He needed the calming scent of his lover; it pervaded the room, helping him to relax. A few minutes later, the couch dipped just between his thighs and then a tongue slid up the middle of his chest, lingered at the hollow of his throat, and finally between his lips.
Dom's hair tickled his bare skin, falling over them both as Dom's body pressedto his. Automatically, Grif's arms encircled his lover and the arch of his body pressed to Dom's. Hunger and desperation tinged the kiss as he suckled at Dom's tongue. I need you. I know. Pulling slowly from the kiss, Dom brushed Grif's cheek with his lips, moving toward his ear. "What can I do, love? What do you need right now?" Not wanting Dom's lips far from him, Grif turned his head, mouth lingering over the taste of Dom's skin. "Everything you can give me. No holds barred." Dominic rocked his hips forward, pushing up against Grif. Pulling back just enough so Grif could see his face, Dominic thrust again, eyes locked onto Grif's. "Do you miss the kiss of a whip? That place it takes you, so far away from this world?" Groaning softly, the movement of Dom's body held Grif's rapt attention. He wanted and needed Dom to brand him beyond doubt. To leave neither of them in question as to whom he truly belonged. His mind, body, and soul?all that he was?would be Dominic's. "Yes." The word escaped in a soft hiss breath. As he opened his eyes, the truth was laid bare in them. "Mine," Dominic growled, capturing Grif's mouth. Biting down on first his tongue and then Grif's, he filled the kiss with their combined blood, the possessive sound growing deeper, hungrier. "Downstairs. Now." Grif shuddered. Those words went through him far deeper than a physical level, and he wanted far more than blood. Untangling from Dominic, he slid out from under him and stood. Giving Dominic a look over his shoulder, he said, "No safe word. Only me and the hand of the man who owns me, at his whim." "As you wish," Dominic said under his breath. Once inside the dungeon, Dominic pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the side, leaving him in his leather pants and nothing more as he closed the door. "Kneel." Without hesitation, Grif knelt on the floor, parting his legs wide to Dominic. He rested his hands on his thighs, palms up, and proudly arched his body for Dominic's inspection. Lowering his eyes respectfully, he waited for his master's command. Dominic walked around him, fingers tracing along the tops of his shoulders. When Dominic stopped, he lifted Grif's head. There was no distance in Dom's eyes, only intense, deep love. He slid his thumb over Grif's lips, parting them. touched Dominic's thumb before he opened his mouth willingly. He accepted pain or pleasure, whatever Dominic chose to give him. Within the warmth of love, Grif implicitly trusted Dominic to never damage him. "Perhaps we should try the cross for ourselves." Dominic released him and helped Grif to stand. Turning him toward the St. Andrew's cross, Dominic brushed Grif's hair away from his ear and whispered, "I love you. There is only trust here." With that, he moved Grif toward the cross, dropping a kiss to his neck before reaching up to the restraints at the top crossbeams. "I know, Master," Grif answered quietly as he let Dominic position him to the cross. From somewhere deep inside, he could feel the edge of control slipping away from him as he allowed Dominic to take it. It became defined in his words, tone, and posture, all visible signs of his unquestioning obedience. Dominic locked Grif's wrists into the restraints, then slid his hands down his arms, tracing every stretched muscle with his fingertips. As he moved lower, he kissed a path
down Grif's spine, his breath hot as he exhaled. Hooking his fingers in the waistband of the thin pants, Dominic pulled them down and helped Grif to step out of them. Then he parted Grif's legs and secured his ankles into the restraints at the bottom. Only a slight tug of his arms tested the restraints as a faint flutter of fear stirred in Grif's stomach. Being chained had been something he'd never allowed before, yet he said nothing. Though Grif felt fear at being restrained, his trust in Dominic was far stronger. He was completely naked and vulnerable to Dominic and that knowledge sank deep into the core of Grif. He was Dominic's slave, a toy to be taken whenever his master wished, or denied if it were Dominic's whim. His breath caught in his throat as his body trembled slightly. Yet he still welcomed all of it. Moving back up Grif's body, Dominic slipped a hand between his legs, stroking his fingertips lightly over Grif's balls before sliding back to graze over his ass. "I know what you need," Dominic whispered. He reached for the riding crop hanging on the wall nearby with the rest of the whips and floggers. Stepping to the side, he spread Grif's cheeks apart with one hand and tapped his hole with the flat end of the crop. "Yes, Master, please." Grif barely got the words out as his ass jerked slightly. Closing his eyes, he let himself begin to more fully drown in the whisper of promise in Dominic's voice. Dominic slid the crop between Grif's legs, moving it back and forth. Then hepulled it away and snapped it against Grif's hole again. The slight sting brought out the craving for more in an overwhelming rush. The continued trembling of his body betrayed the need coiling inside Grif, but he remained dutifully silent as he waited for Dominic's pleasure. Giving Grif one last tap, Dominic stepped back. "Remember: it is me." Then he snapped the crop across Grif's buttocks. The burning sensation of pain flowed over Grif and he welcomed it, the arch of his body searching for more. "Only you. Always." "Yes." Another strike left a second welt over his skin and was followed by the cool, soothing touch of Dominic's hand. Twin sensations of pain and pleasure blossomed through Grif and a low groan escaped him as he bowed his head. Dominic stepped forward and crouched down behind Grif. The touch of Dominic's tongue surprised Grif, the licks tracing each angry red line over his ass. Then Dominic parted his cheeks, spreading Grif open, leaving him exposed. Thrusting slightly back, Grif pleaded silently for his master's attention. Leaning forward, Dominic kissed Grif's hole before sinking his fangs deep into the puckered skin as he pushed his tongue inside. Grif nearly lost it then and there. The unexpected bite sent reverberations of pain through him, but instead of trying to get away, Grif arched into it. He struggled to contain the almost overpowering urge that rode his body, leaving him shuddering in the restraints and crying out. "Master!" Dominic growled against Grif's ass before giving it one last sucking kiss to close the wound, then he stood. A few minutes later, Grif heard him rummaging in one of the cabinets. When he returned, Dominic parted Grif's buttocks again. "Deep breath," Dominic murmured as he pushed the head of a dildo against Grif's hole. Thankfully, Grif had calmed the worst of what had hit him when he felt the stretch of his body, trying to accommodate Dominic's toy. Drawing in a deep breath, he pressed back,
feeling the entire girth fill him. "Feels so damn good. Oh, fuck." Dominic worked the dildo in and out of Grif's body. Giving the toy a twist, he sped up the thrusts. "Do not come." Grif clung to the sheer power of his will as the exquisite waves enveloped him. The movements of his body pushed back on to the toy, letting it fill him. His cock was hard and aching, drops glistening at the tip. He couldn't come yet, not until Dominic told him to. Biting at his lower lip, his teeth drew blood as the friction rubbed against his most sensitive spot, making his body tremble. Standing, Dominic eased the toy out and stepped away. Then he returned, sliding three fingers inside Grif, working them in and out, spreading him open. "So hot," he breathed across Grif's ear. He added a fourth finger, increasing the pressure to a new intensity. While he could withstand the assault of the toy, Grif wasn't so sure he could do the same with Dominic's probing touch. A sharp breath hissed between his teeth, then came out in a groan as he pressed into Dominic's fingers, pleading, "Yes, fuck me, Master. Need to feel you." "With what?" Dominic chuckled low. "My cock..." He tucked in his thumb and pushed. "Or my hand?" For a moment, Grif struggled with the restraints before he stopped. The control Dominic had over him was excruciating. Grif drowned in a rush assailing him. "You. Come inside me, please. Use me, Master." Dominic twisted his fingers inside Grif, his knuckles grazing over Grif's prostate with every turn. Then he started pumping his hand, pulling out just enough so the outer ring of Grif's ass was stretched taut, before he plunged back inside. With his other hand, he quickly worked his pants open and moved to stand behind Grif. Slicking his cock with his free hand, he pushed it inside, sliding against his other hand still buried inside Grif's body. Grif writhed against Dominic with the engulfing pain and pleasure as his body stretched beyond what he had ever known. He cried out incoherently as the pressure filled him, making him feel as if he would split in two. Deeper pulses centered in his ass and spread through him, nearly sending him over the edge. Desperately he clung to the knowledge he couldn't come, no matter what. The cry fell off into whimpers with each movement inside him. Dominic struck suddenly, fangs driving deep into Grif's throat. As he drank, he started moving, hand and cock alternating, sliding in and out, never leaving Grif empty. Come. With permission, Grif fell mindlessly into the void of intense sensations runningthrough him like lightning. As he screamed, his body shuddered violently and inner muscles contracted around Dominic. He could hold nothing back. The spasms of internal release wracked him, then he came again, his come spilling onto the floor. Growling, Dominic thrust hard, driving both hand and cock deep inside as he came. As he licked the wounds on Grif's neck, he pulled out before easing his hand out of Grif. Once the restraints were undone from Grif's ankles and wrists, Dominic grabbed a towel from one of the shelves under the table and wiped them both off. "Love..." Easing them both to the floor, Dominic held Grif close, cradling him protectively as they both came back down. As much as he needed the release, Grif equally had to have Dominic's embrace. He sank gratefully into Dominic's lap as he clung tightly to him. His body still trembled, and Grif
tucked his face in against Dominic's neck. Barely coherent yet, his mind sought its full place inside the other vampire, burrowing deeply into him. "Drink, love," Dominic murmured. "Everything is yours." He tipped his head, baring his neck to Grif without easing his hold on him. With no thought, his fangs pierced Dominic's throat and Grif shuddered with the rush of power within Dominic's blood. Yours, always yours. "Always." Dominic held Grif's head to his neck, letting him take what he needed. THREE ? ? ? The face grinning at Grif was a nightmare from hell. With no preparation, the burning sting of a lash cut across Grif's skin. His body jerked away from the sensation of pure pain. Yet all Quinn did was laugh as the next hit drew more blood. Ties held Grif to the cross, keeping his body flush with the wood. Somewhere in his mind, Grif knew he had to get away. Things had gone too far lately, and his master had listened to none of Grif's pleas. "Count them, Grif." The harsh voice cut through Grif's thoughts, and he screamed with the pain. "No!" "Grif!" Hands cupped Grif's face. "Griffith, it's me! Just me. No one is going to hurt you." Still gripped by the nightmare, Grif trembled in stark fear. Momentarily forced to the past, it wasn't so easy for his mind to realize what had been happening. When he finally could focus on Dominic's face, a sobbing cry tore at his throat before he twisted to get as close as he could to his lover, damn near trying to crawl into Dominic. "Shh..." Dominic eased them back down to the bed, tugging the covers over them before enveloping Grif. "You're safe, baby. You're safe." Grif wanted desperately to believe that, yet he found his world turned upside down. Simply because he'd imagined he'd seen Quinn. "I'm not right, Dominic. Not right." Grif sobbed out the words. Part of him finally recognized how little he'd truly accomplished over the years. He had yet to get away from his former owner. Dominic pulled back slightly and tilted Grif's head up. He remained silent for a moment, before he sighed. "I know. Something is seriously wrong, Griffith. These nightmares of yours have been getting worse over the last week. They started the last time we went out. What's going on?" Generally, he did try to keep things to himself, but after what happened the lasttime, Grif understood the value of telling the truth. "When we were at the bar, I thought I saw Quinn. But that's impossible. Isn't it?" For Grif, reality had become a twisted blur, leaving him uncertain of even his own eyesight. Clinging to Dominic, he burrowed tightly against his lover, draping his leg over Dominic's. His fingers curled tightly into those strong arms, refusing to let go. "What?" The word was growled, Dominic's body stiffening. "What does he look like?" At a loss to describe Quinn, Grif lifted his head, staring helplessly up at Dominic. Biting at his lower lip, it took him a moment to form the words. "He has black hair with a white wing. He is very distinctive, Dominic. Most people are instantly attracted to him." "I don't want you out of the house," Dominic said sternly, the tone brooking absolutely no argument. Gripping Grif's chin, Dominic fixed a dark stare on him. "I will kill anyone
who comes anywhere near you." The very tone of Dominic's voice helped Grif begin to relax. He just needed to remember that he was safe with Dominic. A bit of a smile peeked out as he whispered, "Yes, Master." Dominic owned him now, but it went far beyond that. What they had between them encompassed not only those elements but also a deep friendship and love. Grif couldn't even begin to explain everything they were to each other. The tension in Dominic's body eased and he slid his thumb over Grif's bottom lip. Smiling, he said, "At least you know when to rein in that stubborn streak." Pressing a kiss to Dominic's thumb, Grif murmured, "I was going to argue, but after I messed everything up so badly with Tristan, I thought I better just listen to you." "You didn't mess anything up, though I'm glad you're finally listening to me," Dominic said as one dark eyebrow rose. "Only when I have to," Grif shot back tongue in cheek, looking everywhere but at Dominic. "Don't think I've given up arguing when you're wrong." Suppressing his grin, Grif tried to look completely unknowing of the pot he stirred with his words. Dominic growled and rolled them over, pressing Grif back into the bed. "Only when you have to?" Squirming to get out from beneath Dominic, Grif broke out laughing. "Of course. Would I listen to you if I didn't have to?" "Oh, really..." Taking both of Grif's wrists in one hand, Dom pinned them to thepillow above Grif's head. "Perhaps you are in need of a reminder." His gaze never leaving Grif's, Dom slid one fingertip down Grif's side, making a point to move slowly over Grif's ribs. The squirming increased with the ticklish sensation over his skin. Trying to tug his hands free, Grif stared up at Dominic, still laughing. "No fair. You're taking advantage of me." Grinning wickedly, Dominic straddled Grif, never releasing his arms. "On the contrary, I'm quite enjoying this." He danced the fingers of his free hand across Grif's stomach, from one side to the other. Grif's body bucked slightly beneath Dominic in an attempt to free himself, but Dominic was stronger. Laughing helplessly, he ended up writhing beneath his lover, trying to avoid the tickling hand. Dominic never relented, and with every buck of Grif's body, Dominic just tickled harder, laughing as Grif squirmed and writhed beneath him. "Dominic!" Grif gasped his lover's name out between his own gales of laughter. As ticklish as he was, the feel of Dominic's hand became pure torture, and he couldn't get away from it. Leaning down, Dominic licked Grif's lips, his fingers sliding back up Grif's side. "Now that I have your full attention, whatever shall I do with you?" Lifting his head, Grif tried to get a kiss but couldn't quite reach. Twisting as best he could to avoid the hand, he stared up at Dominic. "Whatever you want, Dominic. Anything and everything you want." Dominic smiled slowly and sat up, keeping a firm hold on Grif's arms. Lowering his other hand to his cock, he stroked himself, licking his lips as he watched Grif. "Mmm," he hummed softly, hissing as he pressed his thumb to the tip. "Feels so fucking good." Dropping his gaze, Grif watched the movement of Dominic's hand intently. The glistening drops at the head of Dominic's cock had Grif licking his own lips. A persistent tug of his hands yielded no freedom, so Grif ceased to struggle and could only watch as Dominic played with himself.
"When I close my eyes," Dominic said, voice gone deep and rough, "I can feel your lips around my cock, sucking and stroking." He groaned and tugged on the shaft, rocking his hips over Grif's cock. "Want to know one of my greatest fantasies?" Unable to help the movement, Grif's hips pushed upward, feeling the grinding ofhis cock against Dominic's ass. Grif's groan mingled with Dominic's as a rush of awakening need flooded him. Raising his eyes to look at his lover's face, he whispered, "What do you want, Dominic? I'd do anything for you." Fist still pumping slowly on his cock, Dominic leaned down and whispered on Grif's lips, "I want that long, sweet cock of yours...deep inside me." Grif stared up at Dominic as his hips rocked. For a long moment, he couldn't say anything through the wash of desire that enveloped him. His movements stilled momentarily, and Grif hissed softly, "Yes." He'd never made love to Dominic, nor had he ever asked to. But at times the thought had crossed his mind. "Need you, Grif." Dominic released Grif's arms and kissed him, tongue sliding into Grif's mouth as he rocked his hips. Please. No Master, no sub... Just you and me, baby. Once his hands were freed, they moved quickly to Dominic's head as Grif returned the slow, drugging kiss. You have me, my love. Mind, heart, body, and soul. One of his hands remained tangled in the strands of Dominic's hair and the other slid downward to Dominic's hip, pushing his lover against the slow, grinding rock of his hips. "Griffith," Dominic gasped. "Love...please..." "I will, beloved. Give me a few seconds to enjoy the moment." Chuckling at Dominic's sudden impatience, Grif had the feeling the tables had been turned on his lover. Thankfully, the lube was always kept near at hand. Grif reached for it, popping the top before he handed it to Dominic. He did make a considerable effort to still the rising urge inside him. Grif wanted nothing hurried between them, and his first chance to make love to Dominic was something he wanted to savor. Dominic slicked his fingers and reached behind him, gasping as he pushed a finger inside himself. Then he reached down and slicked Grif's cock, working his fingers up and down the shaft. "So long," he whispered. Tilting his head slightly when he caught the odd inflection in Dominic's voice, Grif watched Dominic silently. The feel of Dominic's hand sent a shiver through him. His hand worked its way to Dominic's cock, wrapping around it and stroking slowly over it. "I've wanted to feel you before, but I was never sure if you wanted that between us." "I... Oh, God..." Dominic's head fell back and he thrust slowly into Grif's fist. "In me. Need this. Need you." Shifting back, Dominic's eyes went wide as he began lowering himself onto Grif's cock. When the incredible tightness surrounded the head of his cock, Grif suddenly had to struggle not to thrust as hard as he could into Dominic. As his hands reached for Dominic's hips, his fingers dug into the bare skin and a sharp hiss escaped Grif. In a split second, he realized what Dominic's initial hesitation had been over. A look of wonder crossed his features as he whispered, "Relax, my love. I won't hurt you if I can help it." "Oh, God...Grif..." Dominic panted, shaking as Grif's cock pushed deeper inside him. "So fucking tight." A deep groan answered Dominic as Grif fully penetrated him. The sheath of Dominic's body played total havoc with him as he fought for self control. Lifting his hand to his lover's face, Grif gently caressed the line of Dominic's jaw. "When you're ready to move,
do whatever you want, love." "Don't move, don't move." Dominic shook his head and closed his eyes, taking slow, deep breaths. "God, it's been so long." The tender drift of Grif's hand trailed over Dominic's features, his own expression a quiet reflection of the deep emotion within him. Remaining completely still, it took quite a bit of Grif's control to subdue his own instinctive urges. His voice softened over his words. "I didn't realize what you were offering me, Dominic. How long has it been?" "Too long, hundreds of years." Dominic smiled slowly and opened his eyes. He took Grif's hands and put them on his hips. Resting his own hands flat on Grif's chest, Dominic started to move, sliding and grinding slowly on Grif. "Feels so good, baby. So deep..." Wanting Dominic to control the movement and depth, Grif remained still, relishing the exquisite friction over his cock. With deliberate slowness, he began rocking his hips. His fingers flexed against Dominic's hips, holding tight. Dominic shuddered and his fingers curled against Grif's chest, the movements increasing. "Grif..." Dominic started shaking, nearing the edge of release quickly. "Don't stop." With the pleas, the upward grind became thrusts, Grif pushing deep inside Dominic. Grif watched the fire of need ignite in Dominic's eyes and one hand released his hip to move to Dominic's cock. The stroke of his hand matched the rhythm of his hips as Grif kept control just long enough to ensure his lover's pleasure. Dominic's thighs tightened and his eyes widened suddenly. "F-fuck...oh, God." Hips snapping, Dominic roared, body shaking uncontrollably as pleasure drove him over the edge. A sharp growl rumbled from Grif as Dominic came, and he felt Dominic's seed slicking his hand. His own need became paramount, tightened sharply by Dominic's uncontrolled movements. Thrusting more deeply, his nails curled into Dominic's skin with the harder rhythm. The intensity of his sounds rose in pitch right before Grif tumbled into his own release, crying out Dominic's name. A split second later, Dominic's fangs were embedded deep in his throat. Dominic drank deeply, coaxing the pleasure to last, fingers twisting in Grif's hair. Turning his head, Grif bit at Dominic. The rest of the world washed away leaving Grif balanced for once. As they both started to slowly come back down, Dominic licked the wounds closed. He opened his mouth, then shook his head. Understanding, Grif healed the wounds and drew slowly back. Staring at Dominic, he smiled slowly as his hand cupped Dominic's cheek. "I know." **** Drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair, Grif had gotten to the point where he felt a bit ridiculous. After spending two weeks cooped up in the house, he'd started to rethink his original problem. Chances are he hadn't seen Quinn, and he'd already spent the last few hours castigating himself as a fool. The fact that fear still ruled him annoyed him a great deal. Determinedly, Grif continued balancing the account book. "Master?" Grif looked up from the ledger he'd been working on to see Tage hovering uncertainly near the open door. Instantly his mind changed gears and his own mood slid away in the presence of his slave. He had no problem shelving everything crowding his thoughts to deal with Tage. "Do you need something, Tage?" "I..." Tage gestured helplessly as he spoke. "Can we talk?"
Standing, Grif moved around the desk and motioned to the nearby couch. The minute he sat down, Tage was next to him, nudging against his side. Smiling, Grif draped his arm around Tage's shoulder. Tage seemed to need the protective contact with his master, and Grif easily provided it. Ever since they had dealt with Tristan, Tage had his moments of needful clinging. "Now what did you want to talk to me about?" Grif asked quietly"Something is wrong. I can feel it, but I don't know what it is." Curling against Grif, Tage scooted down until his head rested in Grif's lap and his body stretched out on the couch. Grif stroked a hand gently over Tage's hair as he listened. He wasn't surprised Tage had caught onto the sense of unease. Tage had always been extremely sensitive when it came to his master. No matter what else was in his life, Grif had to quell his problems in order to give Tage the safety his slave needed. The time for worrying about what he might have seen was now over. He would never allow it to intrude on his sub. "There are some matters I have been dealing with, Tage, but it's nothing for you worry to about. It will never affect you." "But, Master, I think it has already." Greatly daring to speak as he did, Tage rolled to his back to look up at his master. Though Grif frowned, he didn't reprimand Tage for the words. Instead he asked, "How do you believe it has?" Drawing a deep breath, Tage's eyes never wavered from Grif's. "You don't spend as much time as you used to in the dungeon with me." From Tage's expression, Grif knew Tage only spoke to him out of deep concern and love. "That is something I will quickly rectify, my pet." **** While Dominic had Jason on the other side of the room, Grif had Tage bound by restraints hanging from the ceiling on this side. It allowed Grif to slowly circle around him, applying flicks of his whip to random areas of his sub's body. Already welts striped Tage's ivory skin across his thighs, ass, and groin, staining the flesh a beautiful red. Anticipating each strike, Tage's body arched slightly in Grif's direction, silently begging for the touch of the leather as the sub moaned softly. "You want more, don't you, my beautiful toy?" Grif spoke softly as he wielded the whip, "Something is wrong. I can feel it, but I don't know what it is." Curling against Grif, Tage scooted down until his head rested in Grif's lap and his body stretched out on the couch. Grif stroked a hand gently over Tage's hair as he listened. He wasn't surprised Tage had caught onto the sense of unease. Tage had always been extremely sensitive when it came to his master. No matter what else was in his life, Grif had to quell his problems in order to give Tage the safety his slave needed. The time for worrying about what he might have seen was now over. He would never allow it to intrude on his sub. "There are some matters I have been dealing with, Tage, but it's nothing for you worry to about. It will never affect you." "But, Master, I think it has already." Greatly daring to speak as he did, Tage rolled to his back to look up at his master. Though Grif frowned, he didn't reprimand Tage for the words. Instead he asked, "How do you believe it has?" Drawing a deep breath, Tage's eyes never wavered from Grif's. "You don't spend as much time as you used to in the dungeon with me."
From Tage's expression, Grif knew Tage only spoke to him out of deep concern and love. "That is something I will quickly rectify, my pet." **** While Dominic had Jason on the other side of the room, Grif had Tage bound by restraints hanging from the ceiling on this side. It allowed Grif to slowly circle around him, applying flicks of his whip to random areas of his sub's body. Already welts striped Tage's ivory skin across his thighs, ass, and groin, staining the flesh a beautiful red. Anticipating each strike, Tage's body arched slightly in Grif's direction, silently begging for the touch of the leather as the sub moaned softly. "You want more, don't you, my beautiful toy?" Grif spoke softly as he wielded the whip, giving Tage three more successive blows against his inner thigh. Lost in the sublime world of increasingly burning pain, Tage shuddered in the restraints as the blows rained down on his skin harder and faster. As he looked over at Jason, he saw Dominic playing with him, and another jolt ran through Tage, drawing a harsher groan from him. After several hits, Grif's hand replaced the stinging whip, soothing over his hot flesh as it slid downward over the curve of Tage's ass before slowly sliding a finger inside him. The simple action made Tage shudder again as his giving Tage three more successive blows against his inner thigh. Lost in the sublime world of increasingly burning pain, Tage shuddered in the restraints as the blows rained down on his skin harder and faster. As he looked over at Jason, he saw Dominic playing with him, and another jolt ran through Tage, drawing a harsher groan from him. After several hits, Grif's hand replaced the stinging whip, soothing over his hot flesh as it slid downward over the curve of Tage's ass before slowly sliding a finger inside him. The simple action made Tage shudder again as hiships arched back, trying to grind against his master's hand. Jason bit at his bottom lip so hard he saw stars. His fingers itched to slide over that beautiful skin, to feel the searing heat as he stroked the welts lining Tage's body. Dominic moved up behind him and licked his neck. Jason groaned softly as two fingers slid deep inside him, his master spreading him open. "What would you do," Dominic whispered, adding a third finger, "if you could touch him?" Jason gasped as all three fingers pushed deep. "Kiss him," he panted. "Soothe the pain, drink in the burn as I sank inside him." Dominic's fingers disappeared then and Jason moaned as a plug replaced them. "Master..." Jason had only a second to draw in a breath before the warmth of Dominic's body disappeared. He knew what was coming. His gaze locked onto Tage's just seconds before the first blow from Dom's riding crop landed across his ass. Jason gritted his teeth and arched, body shaking as he rode the sensations. The snap of Grif's whip on Tage followed on the heel of Dom's crop to Jason. Welcoming the pain, and with it the intense sensitivity of his own body, Tage meet Jason's eyes in a pleading look. Tage needed to feel more, he wanted touch, and everything blended within the straining line of his body. Grif applied the whip with a skillful ease, keeping Tage right on the edge. Jason's hips jerked suddenly and he shook, crying out as he came. The blows from Dominic's crop stopped just as abruptly. Grif stepped up behind Tage and his hands caressed over Tage's flesh as he nuzzled against Tage's throat.
Instinctively Tage sought the contact, leaning back against Grif as he whispered, "Master." His entire body trembled with each drifting touch of Grif's hands and lips on him. "Since you seem to have lost the ability to control yourself," Dominic said to Jason, his deep voice stern, "then you will relearn control." Jason hung his head down, body lax against his bonds. "Yes, Master." He licked his dry lips and shuddered. Dominic's punishments were harsh at best, and they never failed to serve their purpose. Dominic walked around to stand in front of him and tilted Jason's head up. "I have a new gift for you." He coated Jason's softened cock in oil and slipped it into a clear cock cage. The plastic cage was just barely long enough for him while limp. Jason swallowed as Dominic situated the chastity device snugly on him and locked it with a tiny padlock. "For one week, you will have no genital contact and no orgasms of any sort. This remains on at all times except for bathing. When you need to bathe, I will unlock it. There's a hole in the tip for urination. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Master." FOUR ? ? ? Jason waited until the butler's head was turned before he stole a meatball out of the bowl. Popping it into his mouth, he tried not to laugh as he chewed. He was just licking the spaghetti sauce from his fingers when Egbert turned around. Jason's eyes went wide; Egbert's narrowed. "It works better if you eat it with the spaghetti, Jason." Jason just grinned, totally unrepentant. "You're no fun." Tage came in just in time to see Jason's grin. His stomach rumbled, but he wasn't as daring as Jason in trying to steal a tidbit for himself. Grinning as Egbert bent down to take out the garlic bread from the oven, Jason stole another meatball and walked over to Tage. "Open wide," he whispered. After quickly looking over at the busy butler, Tage's wide-eyed gaze returned to Jason. Tage opened his mouth, and a half-ass grin peeked out as he took the meatball from Jason's fingers. Turning his head slightly, Tage tried to hide the fact that he was chewing. "Jason Richards. I'm going to pretend that I did not see you steal another one." Despite the words, there was a good hint of humor in Egbert's voice as he set the baking sheet on the stovetop. A few seconds later, a soggy dishrag flew across the room, smacking Jason's bare back. "Hey!" Jason jumped, almost bumping right into Tage. "That wasn't fair." Laughing, Tage stepped back. "You think he doesn't see everything. Yeah, right." Knowing the drill, Tage obediently got out the dishes and cutlery to begin setting the table. With a wink, Egbert returned to finishing the dinner. "You get dishes tonight, Jason." Pouting, Jason got two glasses out, sticking his tongue out at Egbert as he did. Egbert turned and lifted an eyebrow at him. "Keep it up, hotshot, and I'll give you dishes for a week." "Man..." Jason rolled his eyes and laughed. Looking over at Tage, he asked, "What are you drinking tonight, gorgeous?"
"Grape juice." The delicious scent of the food made Tage's mouth water as he settled in one of the chairs to wait for Jason to join him. "You gonna sit with us tonight, Egbert?" Jason asked as he poured their drinks. Egbert snorted. "And watch all my hard slaving over a stove go to waste while you two feast on each other?" He gave them both a knowing look before leaving the room. Just as he set the glasses down on the table, Jason leaned over to steal a kiss from Tage. Jason moaned softly and a slight tug pulled Tage's head back, deepening the kiss. Unable to resist, Tage's breath escaped him with a soft sigh. "Time to eat," Jason murmured. "Though I'd much rather make Egbert good on his comment and feast on you." "You'd waste away to nothing if you ignored the food in favor of me." Piling some spaghetti on his plate, Tage spooned some of the sauce and meatballs on top of it before he reached for a piece of the garlic bread. "You're as bad as Dominic," Jason laughed as he sat down. After he had his food on his plate, he seemed to pay more attention to Tage than to his food. "Egbert might be a great cook for a vampire, but I'll take you over food any day." Giving Tage a wink, Jason scooped up some sauce on his fingertip, then sucked it off in the most suggestive way imaginable. "Love the way you taste." Thankfully, Tage had grown somewhat used to Jason's antics, or he would have been flustered by now. As it was, he covertly watched, or tried to, as Jason sucked on his finger. He purposely ignored the stirring between his legs. "No wonder you're so skinny." "Hey, I eat," Jason said as he made good on his word, taking a bite of his spaghetti. "Still say I'd rather have my tongue in your ass, though." Tage couldn't hide the flush he felt burning over his cheeks as he lowered his gaze to his food. Jason had a way of talking to him that caused a tightening in every part of his body. Damn hard not to think about Jason's tongue in his ass, making him squirm. Applying himself to his food, he devoured the plate of spaghetti. Once he finished, Jason pushed his chair back from the table and reached out for Tage's hand. "Sit," he said, patting his lap. No matter the things they had done, Tage couldn't get rid of his shyness, especially when it came to Jason. Hesitantly he stood and moved around the table. "Master Dominic wants us for a session soon, Jason." Still, he slid onto Jason's lap, resting his arm across the back of the chair. Gripping Tage's hips, Jason leaned close. Catching Tage's cloth-covered nipple in his teeth, Jason tugged just enough to tease. Tage's breath caught in his throat and even through the fabric, he could feel the scrape of Jason's teeth. Unable to hide his own responses, Tage squirmed down to meet the slow rock of Jason's hips. "Can't wait to see those restraints around your wrists and ankles," Jason murmured, "spreading you open. Can't wait to see what Dominic slides in your ass, stretching you." Scrambling suddenly from Jason's lap, Tage had to stand or risk coming. Jason's sultry voice and the very words themselves had Tage reacting far more than he should. "Maybe I should go take a shower before Master Dominic calls for us." "Want help?" The look Jason gave him was purely devilish. Outside of the controlling situation they were in, Tage felt very uncertain when it came to Jason. Of course, he'd been forbidden to take care of his problem himself, and he groaned inwardly at the thought of Jason with him in the shower. "I probably should take that
shower by myself." Quickly he picked up some of the dirty dishes and took them to the sink. Jason got up and stopped him. "My job tonight, remember?" Smiling, he leaned down and kissed Tage softly. "Go get your shower. I've got the dishes." Just barely stopping himself from melting, Tage murmured, "I was going to help you." Taking the dishes from Tage's hands, Jason set them in the sink before turning to Tage. "If you stay in here, I'm likely to just bend you over the table, or fuck you on the countertop." Tage had to bite at his lower lip to stop himself from saying 'please'. Hastily spinning around, he retreated from the kitchen. **** Tage knelt obediently beside Grif, listening as his master spoke with Dominic. Occasionally, Tage raised his eyes, covertly looking in Jason's direction. The other subknelt near Dominic. Lately Tage had a hard time keeping his focus where it was supposed to be. All around them others went about their business in the club, but Tage paid little heed to anyone else. In one of the far corners of the room, a scene was taking place with another sub. The young man had been tied to a St. Andrew's cross and his body writhed beneath the expert touch of a bull whip. It wasn't often such displays were given since very few masters used bull whips, and a small crowd stood in a half circle, silently watching the session. As another man approached them, Tage shifted slightly closer to Grif's chair. Lowering his eyes, he kept his gaze fixed on the floor. He really didn't care for dealing with other people that much and some made him exceedingly nervous. He possessed a type of mental radar that warned him in some indefinable way he couldn't understand. He could feel the man's eyes on him and knew the man's name. Tage knew Bran Holden had been watching him for some time. Yet every time he caught the man's look on him, Tage would always quickly look away. Addressing Grif, Bran said, "We need to talk, Griffith." Fear flickered in Tage's eyes as they darted up toward Bran. Pausing in his conversation with Dominic, Grif looked up as well with a questioning look. With a small smile, Bran looked down at Tage. "Such a precious toy. He's interested me for some time, and you know that." Returning his gaze back to Grif, he continued smoothly. "I'm willing to seriously up my offer. I figure that's what you wanted." Bran seemed entirely confident in his notion that he had only to name the right amount and Grif would give Tage to him. Looking back down at the floor, Tage tried not to tremble. He didn't believe Grif would let someone else have him, but if Grif decided to the contrary, Tage would have to obey. It was the form of the contract they had between them; Grif owned him completely. Grif's gaze drifted slightly between Bran and Tage, and his hand reached to brush over Tage's shoulder. "It doesn't help that I've mentioned before that I'm not interested in selling him, does it? I am curious as to your offer this time, Bran." "I think a hundred is a fair enough offer, Griffith." Smirking faintly, Bran let his gaze travel slowly over Tage. A gleam of avarice glittered in the vampire's eyes, denoting thoughts already of a possessive nature. Grif's fingers tightened on Tage shoulder as he smiled. "I will agree that it is more than a generous offer, Bran. But one I'm not interested in." Turning down a hundred thousand dollars for a slave wasn't something a person did
everyday, but it was clear that Grif wasn't willing to sell Tage at any price. Tage hadn't looked at anyone during the whole conversation. He could feel eyes on him and had been too afraid to look anywhere else but the floor. Even Grif's hand on him hadn't stopped the frantic beat of his heart. As he drew a shaky breath, his eyes lifted to Jason, seeing the other sub's look of sheer relief. A panicked edge still remained in Tage's mind, and it took everything he had to remain obediently kneeling where he was. A flicker of anger was directed at Grif before Bran veiled the look in one of congenial acceptance. "I'll come up with the correct figure sooner or later, Griffith. Anticipation makes the reward all that much sweeter." A smirk crossed Grif's lips. "Maybe some night you'll get it right. But I highly doubt it." After Bran was out of earshot, Dominic growled low. "I don't fucking trust him." "That makes two of us, love," Grif muttered. A narrowed gaze followed Bran until the man disappeared into another room. "I think we should return home for now, and take Jason and Tage with us." As Grif's hand slipped lower to beneath Tage's chin, Tage raised his face to his master's, meeting Grif's gaze with a grateful look. "Don't worry, pet. I won't be selling you to the likes of him." "Good idea," Dominic said as he stood. When Dominic snapped his fingers, Jason stood, obediently keeping his hands folded behind him and his eyes downcast enough to be respectful, but still high enough to see where he was going. Tage kept his position behind Grif, a proper demeanor in place as he moved beside Jason. Daring a quick look in the other sub's direction, he caught Jason's eyes on him. No matter how badly he wanted his own form of reassurance, he kept to the sedate pace Grif and Dom set. The walk home was quick and quiet. As soon as Dominic closed the front door, Jason fell back against the wall, eyes closed. "I don't ever want to go through that again," he muttered. Still, Tage said nothing to Grif about the matter. Even if Grif had decided to sellhim, there would have been nothing Tage could do. Bowing his head, he remained silent near Jason. Turning to glance back at Tage, Grif seemed to sense his thoughts. Quietly, Grif said, "You are right, Tage: it is who you are. And I do have the right to sell you whenever I wish. But I'm not going to, and certainly never to someone like Bran." Jason opened his eyes and gazed at Tage. It was the closest he'd come to losing Tage and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. When he looked at Dominic, Jason found himself under a sharp, knowing stare. Dominic knew?without Jason needing to say a single word. "Thank you, Master." Nodding gratefully to Grif, Tage pressed a kiss to his master's hand. "Go ahead and get yourselves some dinner. If either I or Master Dominic want you, we will call you later." Reaching for Dominic's hand, Grif headed for the stairs. Jason reached out and pulled Tage close. "I thought I was going to lose you," he whispered. Without any protest, Tage pushed in against him, clinging tightly. "I would have to obey." "I know." Jason slid a finger under Tage's chin and lifted Tage's head to see his eyes. "But I'd fight like hell over it." Tage gave him an unsure look. Jason smiled and said, "Just nod and say 'okay, Jason'." He leaned in for a kiss then, keeping it light and chaste, waiting to see if Tage would take it further this time.
Smiling a bit at the comment, Tage laughed softly against Jason's lips. "Okay, Jason." The soft pressure of Tage's lips met Jason's as Tage's arms snaked around his neck. Jason hummed happily, sliding his arms around Tage as he opened to the gentle kiss. He licked at Tage's lips, relaxing back against the wall. The press of Tage's body kept him there as Tage's tongue teased his own. A sound somewhere between a moan and a sigh escaped Jason and he practically melted right then and there. It wasn't often Tage took such initiative, but when he did? God, it took all Jason had to keep from going to his knees. Sucking hungrily on Tage's tongue, Jason slid his hands up Tage's sides, loving the way the muscles moved just beneath the smooth skin. Pulling back slightly, he rested his head against the wall and just looked into Tage's eyes for a moment. "You really have no idea how special you are, do you?" The comment earned Jason a quizzical look. "I know most won't allow a full contract, and I think that makes me something to be acquired by others." "Let me rephrase that," Jason murmured, pulling Tage close again. "You have no idea how special you are to me." The startled look in Tage's eyes was clear before Tage dropped his gaze back to Jason's chest. Plucking at the material of Jason's shirt, it was obvious Tage was confused. "I'm not sure what you mean, Jason." "I'm saying that this is about more than just sex, Tage," Jason said softly. He lifted Tage's head and kissed him softly. Apparently that was enough. Startled eyes met Jason's before they closed, giving in to the kiss. Parting his lips, Tage's breath warmed Jason's as Tage opened to him. "Bed," Jason whispered. "I want you, Tage. Want to touch and taste every inch of you." FIVE ? ? ? "Dominic, please have a seat." Andrew gestured toward the one empty chair at the counsel table. All the other members were already present. Dominic sat down and looked at each of the other elders in turn. They were his peers. He'd sat at this particular table for longer than he really could remember. "The Counsel of Elders does not call a meeting without reason." "We've had a petition requesting the return of Griffith St. James to his creator, Dominic. That's why you are here." Andrew glanced down at the official document before he picked it up and handed it to Dominic. "What?" Dominic read over the paper and felt his blood run cold. "No." "No?" Jacob Littleton blinked over at Dominic. "This is not a matter of choice, Elder Marcellus." Dominic looked up and glared at Jacob. "You have no idea what Grif has been through with that monster." Andrew spoke up quietly. "The counsel sees no reason not to grant Quinn St. James' request. Griffith is his creation. The law is clear on the matter." Pausing, he held up his hand to silence any more outbursts. "If you have some reason to dispute this, the counsel requires an explanation." Tightening his hands around the paper, Dominic reined in his temper in record time. "Quinn was abusive to Grif?in every way imaginable. Grif is not safe with that bastard."
"As an elder of this counsel, I acknowledge your statements and concern, but the fact remains that we must honor Quinn St. James' request." Jacob sat back in his seat and drummed his fingers slowly on the varnished wooden tabletop. "Do you have proof of this abuse?" "I have Grif's word," Dominic said dryly. Leveling a grave look on Dominic, Andrew shook his head. "That won't be enough for us to set aside the law. You know that as well as I." "But nonetheless you may further explain what you know, Marcellus. If it warrants further investigation, the counsel will see that it is undertaken." Jacob glanced around to the other counsel members who each nodded their agreement in turn. "What the bloody hell do you want?" Dominic glared at Jacob. "I can bring Grif in, but I don't know what good it will do unless you go into his memories." "You know we cannot do that without Quinn St. James' permission, nor would he likely give it," Jacob said with infuriating calm. "Would you object to an investigation?" "What sort of investigation?" Dominic did not like the sound of that. "If the situation warrants it," Jacob carefully stressed his words, "we will send a servant of the counsel into St. James' household. But you have yet to give us any particular reason to do so, Marcellus." Clasping his fingers together, another elder?Lawrence?rested his chin on them as he spoke. "In order for us to bypass the clear legal right St. James has to his creation, there must be severe abuse to Griffith St. James. That is the law." "But there is!" Dominic gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. "There is severe abuse in Grif's past with Quinn. Send someone in, have them report it. If Grif goes back to him, there's no doubt in my mind that Quinn will return to his old ways." Looking around the counsel, Andrew asked, "Is there any opposition to this?" Each of the counsel members voiced a nay except for two of them. Nodding, Andrew looked back at Dominic. "Then we will begin the proceedings to investigate your claim, Elder Marcellus. Until we've gathered proof either way, Griffith St. James will be returned to his creator." Dominic was sick. With nothing more than a nod, he stood, bowed his head, and walked out. **** Chuckling, Grif relaxed in his seat, watching Jason and Tage play. Both had to wait for his permission for their orgasms, yet they were intent on attempting to send the other completely over the edge. Reaching for his brandy, Grif took a drink as he lightly ran his fingers downward over Tage's back. His slave straddled Jason, rocking his hips slowly back and forth with Jason's cock inside his ass. The tight grip of Jason's hands clung to Tage's hips as his own bucked upward, driving himself deeper into Tage's ass. Low groans of pleasure sounded from both of them. Grif studied their features, understanding how lost they were in each other. After they had tortured each other for long enough, he spoke quietly, "I want you both to come." No more than a few seconds later their shuddering bodies and groans answered Grif as they came. When Tage collapsed against Jason, Grif reached over lightly slapping his sub's ass. "Very good, both of you." "Master Griffith, there are some gentlemen here to see you." Egbert announced as he entered the room.
Setting his brandy down, Grif nodded as he stood and left the room. Walking down the hall, he got a clear view of Quinn standing in the foyer. Shock rushed through him and nearly froze him on the spot. An unpleasant smile crossed Quinn's lips as he saw Grif. "It's taken me long enough to find you, Griffith." "Get the hell out of here, Quinn. You have no business in this house." Grif snarled out the words, trying to suppress the cold chill of fear rising inside him. "On the contrary..." Quinn took a folded sheet of paper from one of the men standing behind him. "I have every right to be here." Grif knew, he just knew. He'd been afraid Quinn would find him. Unable to get too close, Grif stopped several feet away from him. "Is something wrong, Master Griffith?" Egbert asked as he moved up behind Grif, his posture taking on an aggressive edge. "No, it's all right, Egbert. I'll take care of this." With a nod, Egbert had no choice but to retreat toward the back of the house. "What do you want, Quinn?" Folding his arms against his chest, Grif forced himself to a brave front that he didn't feel at all. "You are to return to your home," Quinn said, opening the letter. "By order of the Counsel of Elders, Griffith St. James is to return to his creator and master, Quinn St. James." "No. I will not return with you, Quinn," Grif said between gritted teeth. The menacing smile widened on as Quinn moved toward Grif, grabbing Grif's arm in a bruising grip. "You have no choice. And these gentlemen are here to ensure that, Griffith. So do we do this the easy way, or will you make it difficult?" Looking quickly over at the three guards who stood near the front door, Grif knew he had no choice. He'd known it the moment he saw Quinn in the house. Nodding with whatever dignity he could muster, Grif didn't even flinch with the punishing hold on his arm. "Very good." Quinn sneered and tilted his head toward the door. "Go." Masking the sheer terror he felt, Grif walked through the door when one of the guards opened it for them. In silence, he moved to the black limousine parked in front of the house. The chauffeur opened the door for him and he slid into the seat. When Quinn got in, Grif pressed up against the opposite door to keep distance between them. "Marks, take us home," Quinn said as the door closed. "Now, come here, Griffith." He patted the seat beside him in a far from loving manner. When Grif refused to move, Quinn gave him a piercing stare. "You should know better, my toy. Or have you forgotten disobedience gains you nothing?" Holding out his hand, Quinn's fingers curled to Grif's wrist, pulling him closer. Cornered, Grif growled, jerking his arm away from Quinn. "Very well." Quinn scowled at him. "Perhaps a night spent on the block will change your tune." The sound abruptly faded, bitten back as Grif closed his eyes and shifted closer to Quinn. If anything, the bastard knew exactly what would get to him. "Ah, that's better, my little pet. But there is still much for you to make up for, and you know that." When Quinn's fingers curled around his hand, the nails dug into Grif's flesh. "Now give your Master a proper kiss." Quinn waited silently for Grif to obey and when a second too long passed, one of the
nails pierced Grif's skin. Leaning in toward Quinn, Grif lifted his face slightly, presenting himself to Quinn as he parted his legs. "Yes...much better." Quinn's other hand came up to hold Grif's chin in a firm grip as the older vampire's lips molded over Grif's, Quinn's tongue forcing its way in. As Quinn's mouth claimed him, Grif shuddered, but not in pleasure. Fear and loathing nearly choked him. He desperately wanted to escape, wanted to fight, but he knew what Quinn would do to him if he did. Divorcing his mind from the reality, Grif slipped quietly into the part of himself where Dominic resided. It was all he had. **** The front door nearly snapped off its hinges as it burst open. When Dominicslammed it shut, the impact shook the entire entryway, causing the suit of armor to sway slightly on its stand. He stormed into the library and with a thunderous roar and one swipe of his arm, he sent everything on the desk crashing to the floor. Egbert, Tage, and Jason came running to the doorway. Egbert blocked the way when he saw the state Dominic was in. Motioning the other two away, he entered the library silently. "He's fucking gone!" Dominic screamed, throwing the bottle of scotch against the far wall. Glass and liquid rained over the floor, wall, and bookshelves. Egbert closed the door, taking care to lock it. "Master." Dominic spun around and glared at him. "They took him from me!" "What happened, Master?" Egbert stared calmly at him as he moved to clean up the mess Dominic had made. Within seconds, Dominic had Egbert's shirt fisted in his hands and he slammed Egbert up against the wall. "Do you fucking hear me? He's gone!" "Dominic..." Egbert whispered. "I'm sorry. Please..." Blinking, Dominic seemed to return to his senses. He loosened his hold on Egbert and set him down on the floor. Then Dominic turned away. "Quinn could easily kill him." Feeling helpless, Egbert laid his hand on Dominic's shoulder. Not knowing what to say, he tried to impart some calm and order to Dominic's thoughts. Dominic sighed, the sound ragged. "I'm sorry." He reached back, laying his hand over Egbert's. "I didn't mean to hurt you." "You didn't hurt me." Egbert exerted a bit of pressure, getting Dominic to turn around. "I love you, Master. We all do. We all love Master Griffith." "I know." "No matter what happens, you'll get him back. I know you will. And you have to believe that as well." Dominic nodded before he looked around. "Christ, I made a mess. I'll help you clean it up." "I'll get it," Egbert said. "Tage and Jason need you. They're terrified." "Oh, God..." Dominic hurried to the door, unlocked it, and headed for the kitchen. As Dominic entered, Tage didn't even look up from where he sat huddled next to Jason, clearly terrified. Even Jason was shaking, though not nearly as much. "Master?" Dominic knelt down in front of them both and looked down at his lap, working to gather his scattered thoughts. "I am sorry, to both of you. I never wanted you to see me like that." "It's okay," Jason said quietly, reaching out to touch one of Dominic's hands. "What about
Master Griffith?" "We're going to get him back," Dominic said with renewed determination. Looking at Tage, he added fiercely, "that I promise." Tage clung to Jason with one hand as the other reached for Dominic's. He didn't speak, but the tears spilling down his cheeks said everything. "Come here," Dominic whispered. He pulled them both close, pressing a soft kiss to both of their faces. "I love you both. So does Grif. We will get him back." Tage pulled Jason with him as he scrambled to get closer to Dominic. Clearly needing reassurance, he buried his face against Dominic, hugging tightly to him. "You will. I know you will." "Come on. Let's go to bed. It's almost dawn." Dominic stood and helped them both to their feet. "Sleep with me. I don't think any of us can handle being alone tonight." Making a visible effort to calm himself, Tage pulled away from Dominic. Leaving the kitchen, he headed up the stairs to Grif and Dominic's room. Dominic and Jason followed behind him. "Master." Dominic had to do nothing more than turn around. Jason was suddenly in his arms, shaking uncontrollably. "Shh," he murmured, "I'm so sorry, Jason." Before he could say another word, however, Jason's mouth was on his, the kiss sharp and hungry, desperate. Although sex was the farthest thing from his mind, he opened to it, stunned at the barrage flooding him through Jason's kiss. This one would take time to heal. Sitting heavily down on the bed, Tage just stared silently at them before he turned his back, curling up on the bed. Pulling away from the kiss, Dominic glanced over at Tage. "Stay here," he whispered to Jason. Jason nodded. Dominic released him and went over to the bed, pulling the blankets up around Tage. With a soft kiss to Tage's temple and a quiet thought, he put the young man into sleep. "Can we talk?" Jason asked as Dominic turned to face him. Dominic walked back over to Jason and nodded. "I think that's a really good idea." He followed Jason into his sub's bedroom, closing the door behind them. Jason sat on the edge of the bed, looking everywhere but at Dominic. It seemed to Dominic that he would be the one to initiate this line of discussion. He'd been expecting it, though he'd hoped for a time less troubled. Sitting in the chair near the bed, he did his best to appear relaxed. There really was no easy way to approach this. "Turning isn't something to be considered lightly." Jason nodded. "I know." "How long have you thought about it?" "A while, actually," Jason said with a shrug. His gaze fixed on the door and he sighed. "Several months." "Look at me." When Jason's gaze met his, Dominic continued. "I am not saying yes." He held up a hand when Jason started to speak. "But I am not saying no, either. I will think about it, but I want to know your reasoning for wanting it." Jason got up and walked over to Dominic, kneeling between Dominic's legs. "I wouldn't want it...if it was anyone else. I become a part of you?and you become a part of me?in a way that can't be undone." As Jason looked up, the expression on the sub's face reminded Dominic just how strong the bond was between them. "It can't be challenged," Jason
whispered. Ah, and there was the truth of it. Reaching out, Dominic carded his fingers through Jason's hair. "I understand. I'll give it some serious thought. For now, go to Tage. He'll need you when he wakes." "How did you know...?" Dominic smiled and slipped his hand down to cup Jason's face. "It would take a fool to miss the love there, Jason." He leaned forward and kissed Jason softly. "Now off with you. I need to speak with Egbert." SIX ? ? ? Sometime the next day, Tage had gotten up and wandered to Grif's old room. Shutting down proved to be no problem for him. Jason had Dominic, and Tage only had Grif, and his master wasn't there. Curling up in the bed, Tage's tears wet the pillow until he'd fallen back asleep. Jason stood in the doorway, feeling more helpless than he ever had before. He wanted to be the one Tage came to, but he knew that wasn't the case. And now he had his own troubles to deal with. Moving quietly, he approached the bed and finally slid under the covers, spooning his body against Tage's. He draped his arm around Tage, holding him close. Tage stirred, mumbling in his sleep before he began to wake up. He turned his head to look back at Jason with a wan smile. "Hey." "Hi." Jason hugged him and sighed. "I wish I could make this all better," he said quietly. "I wish I could bring you back." "I'll be all right, Jason." Rolling onto his back, Tage's hand reached up to touch Jason's face. "And Master Dominic will get Master Grif back." "I know." Jason nodded and pressed a soft kiss to Tage's fingers. "I talked to Dominic after you were asleep." "You needed him." "I asked him to turn me, Tage." Completely confused, Tage stared at him blankly for a long moment before he asked, "Why?" Propping himself up on his arm, Jason looked down at Tage, smoothing a hand over Tage's chest. "Quinn created Grif, Tage. If that alone gives him the right to take Grif, then what protection do you and I have? If we are turned, then no one can take us away from here." "Did he say he would?" Covering Jason's hand with his, Tage frowned slightly, still clearly puzzled. "Are you really sure you want that? It's not something I've ever thought about." Jason sighed and turned his hand over, threading his fingers through Tage's. "He hasn't given me an answer. He said it's something he would have to think greatly over; the only person he's ever turned is Egbert. As for what I want..." He looked back up into Tage's eyes. "I know I can't bear the thought of someone taking us away." "Only Master Griffith can give me away, Jason. Nobody can take you away unless you decide to leave, but if it's what you really want, I hope Master Dominic gives it to you." Smiling a bit, Tage lifted his head and pressed a small kiss to the corner of Jason's lips. "What about you?" Jason turned his head slightly and kissed Tage softly. "What do you
want?" "I don't know what I want, but I think you should really think about being turned. It has to be something you really want, not because of fear, Jason." Jason laughed and shook his head. "You sound like Dominic." "And you need to listen to him because he's right. If it is something you really do want, then I'm all for it." "You'd still want me if I was turned?" Jason asked, leaning down to kiss Tage again. "You don't even have to ask that, Jason." Opening to him, a small whimper emerged from Tage as he shifted closer. Jason fell silent, content to lose himself in Tage's kiss. He snaked an arm around Tage's waist and held him tight, pressing their bodies together as his tongue swept through Tage's mouth. **** Four more nights passed with unbearable slowness. Tage sat in the chair at the club, staring morosely around at the others. He'd left Dominic and Jason in the other room, setting up a demonstration. Never in his life had Tage ever felt so helpless. Then shock froze him in his seat when he saw Grif in a collar and led by a leash in another man's hand. Swiftly, white hot rage followed and Tage wanted to kill the bastard who had taken his master away. "Stay here, Griffith." Quinn unfastened the leash from the collar and set it downon a table. "I will be back shortly." Grif nodded obediently and the man headed toward the back of the club and disappeared into another room. "Master?" Tage's voice didn't rise above a whisper yet Grif heard it. Turning to face Tage, the look of gentleness on his master's face soothed through Tage as he scrambled out of his chair to go to Grif. "Master Dominic is going to get you back. He already talked to the counsel." Tage's tone remained low so that nobody else would overhear them. He just didn't dare tell Grif the rest of what he'd overheard Dominic and Egbert talking about. Raising his hand, a fingertip smoothed over Tage's lips, silencing him as Grif's other hand cupped Tage's cheek. "It's all right, Tage. Master Dominic will take very good care of you, you know that. Don't worry about me." "I miss you, Master." Tage almost broke out into tears then and there, his voice trembled as he whispered, "I love you." The warmth of Grif's calming touch flowed through Tage, quieting the turmoil. For a moment, Grif's expression completely opened, reflecting the depth of emotion inside him. "I love you, Tage. I always will." After pressing a gentle kiss to Tage's lips, Grif stepped back, releasing him. "Now I want you to go back to where you were before Quinn comes back and sees you." Though he had to obey Grif, Tage felt exceedingly reluctant to do so, his mood had calmed because of Grif's presence, and he no longer felt the nagging emptiness of the last several days. Nodding, he daringly gave Grif a kiss of his own before he quickly turned. The chair he had vacated was already occupied so Tage moved toward the back of the room to an empty chair. Moments later, he heard Quinn's voice coming from the hall behind him. It grated on Tage and brought out the earlier rage. "I expect everything to be delivered to my home, Bellingham. Not to 10 Wellford, but to 16."
"I apologize for the mistake, St. James. The six looked like a zero to the delivery men, and your phone number wasn't written on the order form." The man's annoying tone oozed an apologetic whininess. "If it happens again, you will be out a very lucrative customer. So there had better be no mistakes on this order." As they moved passed Tage, he stared at Quinn with a deep loathing. Watching Quinn nonchalantly reattach the leash to Grif's collar and drag him off only strengthened the hatred. Tage couldn't sit there and do nothing. When they walked out, he sprang from the chair. His mind raced while he discreetly moved behind them as they exited the club. Grif looked back at him before he entered the limousine, and Tage just smiled at him. Instead of following, Tage turned in the direction of home. His plan had already started to formulate in his head. Hurriedly walking the distance, Tage wanted to get to Grif as soon as he could. Entering the house quietly, he didn't want to alert Egbert that he'd come home early. Racing up the steps, he went to his bedroom. After getting out his keys from the top dresser, he rummaged through the drawers for a black vest. Tage figured if he dressed similar to the clothing he'd seen on Grif, he might be able to move through Quinn's house without raising suspicion. Or at least he hoped so. Pulling off the shirt, he slipped on the vest and grabbed his wallet. He shoved the wallet into his back pocket and headed back downstairs. He had more money in the bank if he needed it. The idea would be to get Grif away from Quinn's house and run like hell. They wouldn't be able to come back to Dominic's house, but once they found some place to hide, he knew Dominic and Jason would join them. After leaving a quickly scrawled note in the study, he crept quietly through the house and outside to the garage. Though he didn't drive much anymore, he'd still wanted to keep his old car. Now he felt grateful that he had. After opening the garage door, he got into his car and started it. There were two Wellfords in the city. Since Wellford Street was closest, Tage decided to look there first. Maneuvering through the traffic, Tage cursed every red light he had to stop at. Keeping calm wasn't an easy thing to do knowing where his master was. Drumming his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, Tage waited for the light to change. When the green arrow flashed, he turned left onto Wellford and quickly looked at the street sign for the numbers. Realizing he was at the eight hundred block, he sped up the car. As he passed the one hundred block, he slowed down, looking for a house with the number sixteen. Not finding it, he continued across the intersection to North Wellford. Tage hit the steering wheel in a frustrated impatience as he realized there was no number sixteen on the street. After pulling into a driveway, Tage backed out and drove back down the road. Wellford Drive was a couple of miles to the east. Doing his best to keep his temperunder control, Tage flicked on the radio to drown out his own thoughts as he drove onto the 183 freeway. Thankfully there was no rush hour traffic, or Tage would have been pulling out his hair. Turning off onto Exit 222, he made an immediate right from the off ramp. Stopping at the light, Tage saw a branch of his bank and decided to pull into a parking spot to get more money, just in case they needed it. He could only take out four hundred dollars, but it would be better than the forty he had on him. After getting the money out, he got back in his car and pulled into traffic. As he
approached Wellford Drive, he looked up at the sign and turned right. The houses were spaced farther apart on the street and it took Tage a few minutes to find the right one. Trying to slow his speeding heart, he parked the car slightly down the road from the house and got out. His only hope would be to boldly enter the house like he belonged there. Determinedly he strode across the street and up the driveway to the door of the house. When he opened it and stepped inside, he didn't see anybody in the foyer. Relieved, he closed the door behind him. Walking toward the closest door, he opened it and looked inside. Two men were in the room cleaning it. Both looked at him and since they weren't Quinn, Tage felt safe in asking, "Where's Griffith? Master Quinn wants him brought to him." One of them stopped and looked over at Tage, the other continued his work as he watched the two of them. "Probably upstairs in his room." When Tage didn't move, he received an impatient look from the man. "You're new, aren't you?" With a roll of his eyes, he didn't wait for Tage's answer. Instead he muttered, "Idiots. Master Quinn is hiring idiots." Raising his voice slightly, he said, "Second floor, to the left and the last door." Nodding, Tage hurried out of the room, praying he didn't run into Quinn. Taking the steps three at time, he headed toward Grif's room. The servant he passed didn't even question his presence. Saying a thankful prayer, Tage stopped at the door and opened it. Once he was inside, he shut it quickly behind him. Stretched out on the bed, Grif looked up at him, shock registering immediately. "Master, we've got to get out of here." Tage walked toward the bed, but before he could get to Grif, Grif jumped up. "Tage, what the hell are doing? You can't be here." Grif reached for him and held him at arm's length. "We can run, Master. So far away that bastard will never find you. Please, Master." Pushing in against him, Tage wrapped his arms tightly around Grif. "If he finds you here..." Grif trailed off as he turned his head, nuzzling in against Tage's throat and drawing a deep breath. Before Tage could react, Grif drew back to turn him around and gently pushed him toward the door. "I've got to get you out of here." Before either of them could move, however, the bedroom door opened and Quinn came into the room. A brow rose as Quinn saw Tage, and a distinct glitter appeared in his eyes as they traveled over Tage. "Well, now. Who is this?" With a snarl, Grif yanked Tage back and stepped in front of him. "He's going back home, Quinn." "It appears he broke into my house. I think not, Griffith." Tage briefly felt a presence in his head as he pressed up against Grif's back. "Tage, is it? Come here, Tage." As Quinn held out his hand, his tone commanded Tage to obey him. Grif growled angrily in warning before he launched himself at Quinn. The surprise attack blindsided Quinn and both of them fell to the floor. Grif landed on top of him, savagely tearing at Quinn with fangs and nails as his mind screamed to Tage, Run now! Get the hell out of here! SEVEN ? ? ?
"Yes, Master?" Dominic sat up on his bed and patted a space beside him. "Sit down, Jason." Jason closed the bedroom door and walked over to Dominic, sitting down beside him. "Yes?" "You were right," Dominic said quietly. He gave Jason a weak smile. "It will hurt, and it's a terrifying experience, Jason." "I understand," Jason said, nodding slowly. "What do I do?" "Nothing yet." Dominic twisted and eased Jason down onto his back on the bed. "Just know I'm here, Jason, and that I would never leave you." With Jason's nod, Dominic leaned down and sank his fangs into the sub's throat. Jason gasped and shuddered. Dominic swallowed his fear with every mouthful of blood. When survival instincts kicked in and Jason started clawing and fighting, Dominic held him down, blanketing Jason's mind with promises of peace and love. "Dominic..." Jason's voice shook as his body trembled, slowly losing its strength. "Shh," Dominic murmured as he pulled away. He made a quick cut on his own throat and gathered Jason to him. "Drink." He pressed Jason to his neck and growled softly when he felt the pull of the sub's mouth. A moment later, Jason's arms snaked weakly around Dominic's waist, holding on. A small whimper followed and then Jason ripped away, eyes wide. "Master!" Dominic pinned him to the bed as Jason screamed and bucked with the throes of death. Dominic's gaze never left Jason's eyes, even when his sub took his last breath. Several long minutes passed before Jason's eyes opened once more. Dominic smiled down at him, stroking a finger over Jason's cheek. "Welcome back." "I'm hungry." Nodding, Dominic helped Jason sit up and guided him to his neck. "Take it slow, lick first, and find the vein with your tongue." He shivered when Jason did as told. "That's it. Now feel your fangs?" Dominic didn't have the chance to finish. He groaned as Jason's fangs pierced his throat. The pull was strong and he held Jason tightly to him, letting the sub take what he needed. When Jason pulled away, Dominic willed the wound to close. "When you are done, one lick will seal the wound." Jason nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Master." Dominic opened his mouth to respond, but Egbert stepped into the room. "Master, we have a problem." **** Dominic flung the doors of the counsel chamber open and stormed into the room, Jason right behind him. "I demand that Quinn return my property!" Several of the counsel were already present and turned in their seats to look at Dominic. Calmly, Andrew addressed him. "Elder Marcellus, Giles has yet to return from his assignment. You must be patient until we've looked into the matter of Griffith St. James." Slamming his hands down on the table, Dominic snarled, "Quinn has Tage Gilbert. Tage is my property. I demand his return immediately." Jacob leaned slightly to the side and peered at Jason, who stood quietly behind Dominic. "And who is this? You know it is forbidden to bring mortals into?" "He's mine," Dominic growled. "Jason was turned last night." "How do you know Master Quinn has Tage Gilbert?" Andrew inquired mildly as he
settled back in his seat. Several of the members nodded in greeting to Jason with polite smiles before their attention returned to Dominic. "This." Dominic slapped Tage's note on the tabletop and shoved it over to Andrew, along with a photograph of Tage. "I warned you all, yet no one listened." "I see," Andrew said with a slow nod. "And you have proof of ownership?" Dominic turned to Jason and took the papers. "Here," he said, waving them before setting them on the table. The counsel doors opened and an auburn-haired man stepped inside. Bowing his head respectfully, he approached the table. "Elders." Andrew carefully looked over the contract as well as Tage's note before he passed them to Jacob. He picked up the picture of Tage as he glanced over at the man standing near. "Giles, you've just returned from the St. James household. Did you see this man?" With his question, Andrew held up the picture. "Yes, Elder McComb. I thought he was a new servant. When I was cleaning, he came into the main room and asked where the subject, Griffith St. James, was." "Aye, we have no question of the ownership of Tage Gilbert. He must be returned to Elder Marcellus." Jacob nodded his agreement as he handed the papers to the next counsel member. "What have you found regarding Quinn St. James and Griffith St. James?" Andrew asked Giles. "The reports of abuse are not false, Elder McComb. I witnessed several of Quinn's slaves rape Griffith St. James. And Griffith bears physical marks of abuse and torture." Dominic's blood ran cold and only the soft touch of Jason's hand on his shoulder kept him from nailing Giles to the table in a rage. Glancing over at Dominic, Andrew sighed quietly. "It will be dealt with, Dominic. I promise you that." Andrew turned to one of the guards near him, issuing the orders. "You will enter Quinn St. James' house and take both Tage Gilbert and Griffith St. James into custody. We want them and Quinn St. James brought before us immediately." Every one of the counsel members nodded their heads in agreement with Andrew's pronouncement. "To insure cooperation, the Red Guard will escort them," Jacob added. "Jacob and I will also accompany them," Andrew said. Looking to Dominic and Jason, he added, "You must remain here. The lounge is at your disposal. When we return, there will be a formal trial." "Thank you, Elders," Dominic said with a bow. Jason's hand tightened on his shoulder. **** Grif, carrying Tage, followed behind Quinn as the guards pulled him into the counsel chambers. "This is a mistake, Elders," Quinn snarled in anger, though he refrained, for the moment, from struggling against the hands that held him. "Quinn St. James," one of the elders announced as he stood, "you have been brought here to answer to the crimes of abuse and rape of Griffith St. James." "That is a lie!" Quinn yelled as he stood before them. "You can speak to Griffith if you wish."
As he woke Tage, Grif said nothing to Quinn as he kept Tage tightly held against him. Tage's eyes flew open, but he remained calm under the influence of Grif's power. Carefully Grif set Tage down and slipped his arm around him. "Is it now?" Andrew walked into the room, Dominic and Jason following behind him. "Giles, would you be so kind as to restate your report?" Nodding to the elder, Giles stepped forward and stood at the head of the table. "I bear testimony to witnessing the brutal abuse of Griffith St. James by Quinn St. James on two separate occasions, as well as the rape of Griffith St. James by several members of the household, on orders from Quinn St. James. The full details are in my report, which every counsel member has." Quinn glared as he stiffened. "My household is mine to do with as I please." "Not in this territory, Quinn St. James," Jacob barked sharply at him. "You have broken our laws with your barbaric treatment of your own creation." "By order of this counsel, Tage Gilbert must be returned to Elder Dominic Marcellus," Andrew spoke quietly yet decisively. He nodded to the guards and two of them approached Tage and Grif and took them safely out of Quinn's range. Dominic and Jason stood silently off to the side. As soon as Tage and Grif were moved, Jason ran to them. Both Grif and Tage reached for him at the same time. A faint smile quirked Grif's lips as he held both of them. Glancing over their heads, he looked at Dominic questioningly. "It has been determined Dominic Marcellus has right ownership of Tage Gilbert, and Quinn St. James willfully retained his property. In the matter of Griffith St. James, it has been decided he is free to leave the household of Quinn St. James and choose his own domicile. Quinn St. James' rights as Griffith's creator have been terminated by order of this Council." "It has been decided." The chorus of the counsel voices echoed in the room. "This is an outrage!" Quinn roared, jerking his arms free from the guards. "I will fight this!" "Then I challenge you to the death." All eyes turned immediately to Dominic. Grif released Tage and Jason, and moved toward Dominic. When he was close enough, he leaned in to whisper, "Let it go, love." None of the counsel spoke in Quinn's defense as they sat in their seats. As Andrew looked at each one, they remained silent. Finally Andrew spoke, "No one will dispute your right, Elder Marcellus." Quinn sneered at Dominic, appearing utterly confident in his own ability. "Would you let it go if you were in my place?" Dominic asked, looking into Grif's eyes. A quiet sigh escaped Grif as he shook his head. "No, I would not. I want to kill him myself." "No matter what happens," Dominic whispered, turning to face Grif fully, "remember that I love you." He kissed Grif softly and turned back to Quinn. "To the death," Andrew said. "No weapons, claws and fangs only. You both must remain in full human form. Are the rules clear?" "Yes," Dominic said with conviction. I love you. Grif spoke silently to him as he headed back to Tage and Jason. Sliding his arms around both of them, he drew them back further toward the wall. With an abrupt nod, Quinn signaled his agreement and a second later he was on Dominic,
giving him no room as he sent Dominic to the floor, straddling him and keeping him pinned. "With your death, I will have all three of them," Quinn snarled, eyes turning blood red. "I think not." With a hard thrust of his hips and shove of his hands, Dominic sent Quinn flying over his head and across the room. Flipping over, Dominic was on his feet within seconds. Quinn lunged at him again and Dominic caught him, slamming Quinn back into the wall. All eyes were on them, in particular, Grif's. He watched intently, distrust etched on his features. As he pushed from the wall, Quinn bared his fangs and lunged at Dominic, nails slashing at Dominic's face, tearing to the bone beneath. Dominic roared in pain and shook his head. The cuts began to heal and as he held Quinn at bay, still slashing awayat his clothing and skin, Dominic let the beast take over without shifting. Though he remained in pure human form, nothing of his mind remained human. Pure bloodlust drove him and he lifted Quinn over his head, slamming the vampire back down onto the floor. The impact shattered the marble tiles beneath them. When Dominic came at him again, Quinn grabbed him by the leg and pulled him down. As Dominic went down, Quinn rolled out of the way before he leapt up, aiming a jarring kick to Dominic's head. The same animalistic twist marred his features. Out for blood, he gave no advantage to Dominic as he crowded him, landing several blows with his feet before jumping back. "Dominic!" Jason struggled against Grif's hold on him. Grif had to tighten his hold on Jason. "Jason, don't. He needs to focus on Quinn, not on protecting you if you get in the middle." Dominic twisted and shot to his feet again. As the myriad of cuts on his face healed, he grabbed Quinn's throat and slammed the vampire face-first onto the floor. Straddling Quinn's back, Dominic jerked him up, snapping Quinn's spine as he ripped open the vampire's throat with fangs and claws. Struggling beneath him, Quinn couldn't gain the upper hand. The loss of blood from the massive wounds weakened him. Movement stilled as Quinn's back broke. Dominic, kill him. Grif's quiet words reached Dominic through the haze controlling him. Tearing away from Quinn's throat, Dominic growled and shoved his fist through the vampire's back. When he broke through the other side, Quinn's heart was in his hand. Grif's face twisted slightly the moment Quinn died, but he remained immobile beside Tage and Jason. It took him a moment to collect himself before he moved forward to lay his hand on Dominic's shoulder. The carcass of Quinn's body rapidly degenerated to nothing more than dust. "Grif..." Dominic dropped to his hands and knees, swaying slightly as the beast subsided. The loss of blood was great and he began shaking, unable to say anything else. "It's done, Dominic." Leaning over, Grif carefully helped him up as Jason hurried toward them. "The car is outside. We need to get him home." Without a word, they supported Dominic between them as they left the counselhall. Tage followed silently behind them and drove them all home. **** When they reached the house, Egbert followed them up the stairs and hurried to open the bedroom door for them. Looking up at Grif, Egbert smiled weakly. "I'm so glad to see
you back home, Master Griffith." Jason hung back near the door, holding Tage close. "Will he be okay?" Grif answered him quietly. "He'll be all right, Jason. Let me get him cleaned up and fed. You two go relax, and I'll have Egbert come and get you when I'm done." Tage grabbed Grif's hand, drawing it to his lips and pressing a fervent kiss to it before letting him go. His other hand tugged on Jason's to pull him down the hall. "Do you need me for anything?" Egbert asked quietly. "We both may need to feed him." Helping Dominic into the bedroom, Grif supported him. Egbert followed quietly and shut the door behind them. "Dominic, you need to feed, love." As Grif tilted his head, drawing Dominic to his throat, Egbert moved up behind him, helping to support Dominic. Dominic's movements were reactionary and he bit down, swallowing mouthfuls of Grif's blood. When he'd taken enough from Grif, Egbert coaxed Dominic to stop and offered his own throat. After several minutes, Dominic was able to stop on his own. When he closed the wound, Dominic groaned and stumbled back to the bed. "Grif?" "Egbert, get a bath ready for him, please." Sitting on the bed, Grif hovered over Dominic as he began to undress him. "I'm here, love. Everything is fine now." Egbert went to the bathroom to start a hot bath for Dominic. A few minutes later, he said, "It's ready." "Jason? Tage?" Dominic blinked up at Grif and smiled. "Love..." "Both of them are relaxing right now, and as soon as we get you cleaned up, Egbert will go get them. They need to see everything is okay." Smiling, Grif helped Dominic up off the bed and toward the bathroom. "Egbert, would you please change the bed and give us about ten minutes before you go tell Jason and Tage to come to the bedroom." "Yes, Master Griffith." Dominic groaned as Grif helped him into the bathtub. "Everything hurts. I never wanted them to see that side of me, Grif." "What they saw was you willing to protect all of us, Dominic." Grif knelt besidethe tub and leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss to Dominic's lips. "Thank you." Returning the kiss, Dominic murmured, "You are the world to me, all three of you." Leaning back, Grif reached for the wash cloth and soap, lathered them, and began gently washing Dominic off. "I do have a question, though. Why did you turn Jason?" Dominic moaned softly, settling back against the tub, eyes closed. "He asked me to. At first, I didn't like the idea, but the longer I thought about it, the more I realized his fears made sense." He opened his eyes and looked up at Grif. "His reasoning was that, if you were so easily taken away from us because Quinn created you, then what was to stop someone from taking him or Tage...unless they belonged to me." "I can't say I'm surprised it affected him that way. Our family has been torn apart, Dominic." Lowering his eyes, Grif washed the blood from Dominic's chest. Slipping a finger beneath Grif's chin, Dominic tilted his head up. "You're home now. That's all that matters, Griffith. You're home and you're safe where you belong." Nodding, Grif smiled a bit. "Yeah." Rinsing off the wash cloth, he began gently washing off Dominic's face. "Let's get you cleaned up so Tage and Jason can talk to you." "I've known you for ages, Griffith St. James," Dominic said firmly. "Don't you dare think I'm going to let you retreat into a shell." With a tug on Grif's arm, Dominic had him in the
water, clothes and all. Surprised, Grif spluttered and laughed. "Damn it, Dominic. I was trying to be stoic for both of us." Holding Grif close, Dominic had a satisfied grin on his face. "It was worth it just to hear you laugh again." His smile relaxed a bit and he crooked his finger. "Come here." Snaking his arms around Dominic's neck, Grif eyed his lover with a raised eyebrow before he leaned in slowly. "What is it you want, Master?" The touch of his lips parted over Dominic's and the teasing lick of his tongue wet them. Dominic's only answer was a low rumble of pleasure as he threaded his fingers through Grif's hair. With a slight tilt of Grif's head, Dominic deepened the kiss, the sound growing stronger as Dominic's tongue swept through Grif's mouth and licked one of Grif's fangs. Instantly the urge translated to action and Grif bit down, drawing blood. His mouth tightened to savor the rich, crimson drops, and a low growl vibrated at the back of his throat. Fingers tightening in Grif's hair, Dominic thrust his tongue into and out of Grif's mouth, licking at Grif's fangs. Love those sounds. Love the way you feel, the way you taste. Mentally, Grif drowned himself in the sound, scent, and taste of Dominic. Then he heard a startled laugh. When Grif pulled his head back, he saw Jason and Tage standing in the bathroom doorway, watching. Laughing, Grif struggled to get out of the tub. As he helped his sopping wet lover to stand, Dominic chuckled. "We really need a bathtub for four." "I take it you're okay now?" Jason asked tentatively. Dominic stood, not missing the way his sub's eyes were glued to the lines of water running off of him. "I am." Tage moved quickly to strip the wet clothes off of Grif. Standing patiently, Grif looked back at Dominic and winked. "At least the bed is big enough for four. Just remind me to talk to Malcolm about designing a new tub for us." Dominic nodded and grinned, a low growl rumbling deep as Jason dried him off?with tongue and towel. Just before Jason knelt before him, however, Dominic stopped him. "Bed. I want equal access for all of us. We need this, need to reconnect." "Yes, Master," Jason whispered, the smile needy and happy. As Tage finished drying off Grif, Grif pulled the towel from his hand. "Into the bed with you. Now." Tossing the towel back into the bathroom, Grif slipped his arm around Dominic as Jason and Tage climbed into the big bed. "One of the most beautiful sights in the world to come home to." "Get your sweet ass on that bed with them and I'll agree to every word." Dominic urged Grif toward the bed and waited until Grif was sandwiched between Tage and Jason. "Now there is my idea of Heaven." "Not quite, Dominic. You're still over there and we're here." Quirking a brow, Grif smirked at him as Tage happily snuggled up to his side, pressing a series of kisses to Grif's chest. "No man in his right mind could resist the three of you for long," Dominic said as he crawled onto the bed. He worked his way between Grif's legs and leaned down, dropping kiss after kiss along Grif's stomach. "Are there rules?" Jason asked before flicking his tongue over Grif's right nipple. "No rules tonight. Just the four of us, Jason," Grif answered as he shifted slightly, parting
his legs further for Dominic. "No fucking rules at all." Tage nudged his head under Grif's hand as his mouth fastened to Grif's left nipple. "Good." The word was breathed over Grif's skin as Jason nicked the nipple with his fangs. Then he sucked it into his mouth, moaning around it as his hand drifted down to hold Grif's right leg up for Dominic. When Tage got Grif's other leg, Dominic settled lower, flicking his tongue over Grif's ass. "Open him up for me." "Oh, fuck." Already Grif's body squirmed, knowing he was in for it. Tage and Jason held his legs, raising his hips and spreading him for Dominic's pleasure. Tangling the fingers of his free hand in Jason's hair, Grif moaned low in his throat. Tage nipped playfully at his other nipple before his lips moved lower, wetting Grif's skin with his tongue. Dominic moaned as he pushed his tongue into Grif's hole. Hands on Grif's buttocks, he held his lover wide open, thrusting his tongue in and out. Jason reached down and touched Tage's hair, sliding his fingers through the soft curls. With a deep growl, he bit down fully, fangs sinking into the soft flesh around Grif's nipple. A shudder ran through Grif with the full bite of Jason's fangs as his hips pushed downward toward Dominic's tongue. Tage lifted his head to watch Jason feed, then returned to lavishing kisses on Grif's body. Slowly moving lower, Tage's hand lifted Grif's cock and wrapped his mouth around the hard flesh. Dominic took the lube from Jason and slicked two fingers. Lifting his head to watch Grif's face, he eased both fingers inside, curling them forward. "God, you're beautiful all spread out like this." Licking the bite marks, Jason moved down to join Tage, both of them working up and down Grif's cock. Grif couldn't answer. With Tage's and Jason's mouths taking turns on him, and Dominic's fingers inside him, his body writhed as it began to tremble. The sound of his moan rose in pitch each time Dominic's fingers rubbed over his prostate. "I'm going to lose it," he warned them with a growl. "Come on, baby," Dominic urged, pushing his fingers deeper. "Come for us." As Tage swallowed Grif's cock to the root, Jason moved lower and sucked one of Grif's balls into his mouth, working one of his own fingers into Grif alongside Dominic's. A hard jerk of Grif's hips buried the fingers in his ass as he came in Tage's mouth. As he lost himself in the bliss of his orgasm, Grif screamed with pleasure. Quickly swallowing it all, Tage's mouth continued massaging his cock. Dominic groaned and when Tage finally pulled off of Grif's cock, Dominic leaned down for a kiss. His tongue swept through Tage's mouth, drowning in the taste. Jason rose up and joined them, turning it into a three-way kiss. Tage moaned as his body rubbed against Grif's side, hungrily kissing Jason and Dominic as his hands ran over their chests. Lazily, Grif's hand encircled Tage's cock, stroking over it as the three went at it above him. A slow smile drifted over his lips as his other hand reached for Jason's cock as well. Turn around was fair play and Grif wanted to see Dominic get his fair share. Somehow, Dominic found himself flat on his back with Tage and Jason hovering over him, both men grinding against his thighs. He spread his legs, giving them both some much-needed friction. Rolling to his side, Grif chuckled as his hand reached over Tage to get to Dominic's chest, fingers pinching sharply at Dominic's nipple. Tage grabbed the lube and quickly slathered Dominic's cock as Grif nudged against Tage's back. The slow backward grind of Tage's ass to his cock sent a familiar stirring
through Grif. Dominic groaned and his hips rocked up, thrusting into Tage's fist. "Jason. Ride me." Nodding, Jason moved quickly and straddled Dominic. "Oh, fuck yes," he moaned, body swallowing Dominic's cock in sweet, tight heat. Reaching behind him, Tage's hand ran along the length of Grif's cock. As Grif leaned over to kiss Dominic, Tage ducked his head so Grif could reach him. Grif's mouth caught Dominic's moan as his tongue explored every inch of his lover's. A low groan built in Grif as he felt Tage slick his cock with the lube and guide him into his ass. "Oh, God," Jason murmured. "Fuck, that's hot." Hands on Dominic's chest, Jason began riding and grinding, hips working over Dominic's cock. One of Dominic's hands gripped Jason while the other reached for Tage. With both slaves in hand, Dominic rolled his hips under Jason and fucked Grif's mouth with his tongue. Tage's hips worked between Grif in his ass and Dominic's hand around him. His own hand smoothed over Jason's hip, kneading into the flesh as he rocked against Dominic. Grif's cock repeatedly drove into his slave as his mouth suckled at Dominic'stongue. The four of them together became a heady, erotic mixture of sound and motion. Jason's sounds grew in intensity and volume, his nails digging into Dominic's chest. "Dominic...gonna come..." Dominic tightened his hold on Jason's cock, jerking harder and faster. He thrust up repeatedly, driving his cock deeper into Jason's body. His own orgasm was quickly approaching and when Jason cried out, cock throbbing and pouring wet heat over his fingers, Dominic followed. He screamed into Grif's mouth as his own prick pulsed, filling Jason with his release. A few seconds later, Tage cried out, body shaking as he came in Dominic's hand. When Grif didn't pause in his rhythm, Tage pressed back tightly into the forceful thrusts, grinding against Grif until the throb of Grif's cock rewarded him. "Oh. Oh, damn." Jason slumped down onto Dominic, breathing ragged. Dominic brought both hands up and grinned at Grif as he licked their slaves' come off his fingers. "So sweet, baby." Chuckling, Grif fully relaxed as he spooned against Tage, reluctant to let his slave go. Tage didn't seem to mind at all. "I think we're one big happy family again," Grif said. "Just like it should be." Dominic's smile reflected in his eyes as he slid his arms around the most important men in his life. "Just like it should be." EIGHT ? ? ? Leaning against the doorway, Tage watched silently as Jason bent down and rummaged through the refrigerator. Grabbing a bottle, Jason closed the door and set the bottle under the tap, letting the hot water run over it. With his master back in the house, Tage had regained a great deal of his balance, though it had taken him a few nights to do so. He'd not said anything when he returned home and discovered Jason had been turned. It bothered him a little because he'd wanted to be there for Jason, but he guessed it was no big deal. "Are you upset with me because I was turned?" Jason asked quietly. "No, I'm not upset, Jason." Tage had yet to get used to Jason's more uncanny senses. "I just wish I had been here."
"Dominic kinda surprised me," Jason said. He lifted the bottle, peered into its dark red contents, then turned slowly to face Tage. The bottle remained unopened. Seeing how Jason stared at him, Tage wasn't quite sure how to take it. He recognized the look of hunger, but kept his thoughts to himself. "I'm glad he gave you what you wanted." Moving past Jason, Tage opened the fridge to get a snack for himself. At this point, he was now the only mortal in the entire household. "It's not all I want, Tage." Jason's fingertips ran down Tage's spine. Unable to still his shivering response to the touch, Tage straightened with a box of chocolate candy in his hand. Closing his eyes, he stepped back toward Jason. Arm snaking around his waist, Jason drew Tage back against him. "Do you fear me now?" His breath warmed Tage's skin, just below his left ear. "No. You won't hurt me, Jason." Tage knew that without any doubt whatsoever. He just wasn't sure what he was to Jason. Being part of the food chain changed things, but then again he'd never been sure of anything with Jason. Feeling the stirring against his skin, he tilted his head slowly. "You're right," Jason whispered. "I would never do anything to hurt you, Tage." He brushed a soft kiss to Tage's neck, but he didn't bite. As his hand lifted to Jason's head, Tage pressed lightly against it, encouraging him. Come whatever may, he couldn't deny Jason's effect on him. He'd come to rely on Jason's calming presence in his life. "Go ahead." "This isn't about feeding, Tage." Jason raised his head and turned Tage around. "I will only do it if you ask me to. I want nothing more than to please you in every way possible." Tage smiled. "You need to feed, and I want to feed you, Jason. Please." Jason kissed him softly. Then Jason tipped Tage's head and kissed a slow path over Tage's jaw, down his neck, to the nape. "For you." The words were breathed across Tage's skin. Then Jason sank his fangs in. After the sharp pain faded, Tage held on, pressing his body tightly to Jason's as his arms slid around Jason's neck. It felt different somehow, in a way he never expected, as Jason drew life from him. Closing his eyes tightly, Tage swayed slightly, feeling the hungry pull of Jason's mouth on his skin. Jason finally pulled away, licking the wounds closed. "I want you. I will always want you." Dazed, Tage lifted a hand to his throat, rubbing against the spot where Jason had bitten him. His words were very simple, yet eloquent in their truth. "I need you, Jason." "You have me." Bending, Jason slipped an arm under Tage's legs and scooped him up. He carried Tage upstairs to his bedroom and closed the door with his foot. After laying Tage on the bed, Jason stood up and pulled his shirt off. Tage had meant far beyond the obvious, but he didn't think Jason had understood him. Without hesitation, he wiggled out of his pants and took his shirt off. The slight arch of his body to Jason was a clear signal and invitation. He had his own hunger for Jason to appease. As the last of his clothes dropped to the floor, Jason crawled onto the bed between Tage's legs. "I don't think you know how much I need you, Tage." He hovered over Tage and kissed his lips softly, parting them with his tongue. Tage opened immediately to him, his arms drawing Jason down to his body, wrapping his legs around Jason's. The slow rock of his hips rubbed their cocks together as Tage let
himself go to the sensations beginning to race through his body. Anchoring hisknees firmly on the bed, Jason devoured Tage in the kiss, rocking his hips slowly to drive their need up several notches. As desire sharpened within Tage, his hips bucked, begging to be entered. Without looking, he grabbed for the lube near the bed and opened it. Pulling from the kiss, Jason stared down at him. "Show me how much you want me." Obeying Jason, Tage squeezed some of the lube out onto his fingers. Spreading his legs wide, he slid his hand down and pushed his fingers into himself. It took very little for a groan to escape him. He wouldn't stop until Jason told him to, and he desperately wanted Jason to take him. "Please, Jason." Jason sat back on his heels and stroked his cock, gaze drifting between Tage's face and his fingers. With Tage's plea, Jason slicked himself and tossed the lube to the floor before leaning over Tage. "Let me in, baby," Jason whispered on Tage's lips as the head of his cock nudged against Tage's hole. An upward thrust of his hips impaled Tage fully on Jason's cock, and his body clenched tightly as he fucked himself on the hard flesh. His hands held on to Jason's head as he parted his lips, pulling Jason's tongue in his mouth. Groaning, Jason dove into the kiss as he started stroking in and out of Tage's body with long, deep thrusts. Jason's hands slid under Tage's shoulders and tugged Tage down with every thrust, Jason growling into the kiss. With a shift of his hips, Jason changed the angle of his thrusts, nailing Tage's prostate. Breaking off the kiss, Jason moved his mouth down to Tage's throat. "Come on. Come for me, baby." Tage's orgasm rolled over him in the crashing waves of pleasure, leaving him mindlessly shaking beneath Jason. Jason's name became a chant until Tage lost his breath as Jason pinned him to the bed. With a deep growl, Jason slammed into his body as fangs pierced Tage's neck. Every pull at Tage's throat sent another shockwave through them both, Jason rocking against him. Tage couldn't stop the trembling and each tug of Jason's mouth flooded him with the overwhelming sensations. All he could do was hold tightly to Jason as incoherent moans rose in his throat. When he'd taken enough, Jason licked the wounds and slowed the rhythm of his hips. "Damn, baby..." Tage couldn't answer. His eyes remained tightly closed as everything faded, leavinghim exhausted. The only movement was the faint nod of his head. Jason eased out of him and collapsed onto the bed. Sliding an arm around Tage, Jason pulled him close. "You okay?" "I'm okay," Tage murmured as he burrowed in against Jason. His body felt like a limp noodle. He nudged his head under Jason's chin to press a kiss to the base of Jason's throat. So many parts of Tage were becoming intricately woven around Jason. He couldn't even sort himself out anymore. Given his own personality, Tage wasn't certain if it was a good thing or not, but he couldn't control it. Sighing quietly, he nestled, completely relaxed for once. "Sleep, baby. We've been through Hell the past few days." **** During the nights as Dominic busily attended to the aftermath with the Counsel, Grif sought sanctuary in their private study. With so much on his mind, he wasn't sure where to start anymore. After pouring himself a brandy, he went to the couch. Settling into the
cushion, Grif sprawled out, staring morosely at the dark amber liquid in his glass. He tried to keep his mood shifts hidden from Dominic, yet he now constantly questioned himself. Anger rose too quickly to the surface in him with just with the thought of the state Quinn had put him in. He had yet to deal with Quinn's influence on him, didn't want to deal with it. The fucking man was dead and could do no more damage. A short bark of bitter laughter escaped Grif with the thought. Quinn could do damage and still continued to do so. He played havoc in the recesses of Grif's mind, taunting him for being unable to stand up to his previous master. Everything that had occurred had yet to be sorted out and Grif forced himself not to focus on anything that had happened. When the phone on the desk rang, instead of answering it, Grif let the machine get it. "Love, I know you're in there. You've been hiding out in the study for a while now. I'm on my way home. When I get there, I expect you to be packed for a weekend away. Tage, Jason, and Egbert all know we're leaving for a few days. I love you, Grif." Dominic's voice penetrated the haze of self-disgust in Grif's mind and he frowned slightly. He really hadn't realized Dominic knew he was hiding in the study all this time. Reaching for the glass, he drained it quickly, then set it down with a snap. The door opened a moment later and Egbert stepped inside. "Master Grif, I'vebrought out your suitcase and it's in your bedroom. Master Dominic will be back soon and you need to have everything packed." "You're all plotting against me, aren't you, Egbert?" With a wry smile, Grif stood. He left the study and went upstairs, grumbling the entire time. Why couldn't Dominic just let him seethe about it? He'd eventually get over it. Or at least...that's what he tried to tell himself. Sighing, Grif entered their bedroom and began tossing clothes randomly into his suitcase. When he was done, he closed the suitcase and left the bedroom, turning out the light as he went. The sound of raucous laughter came from the direction of the kitchen as Grif descended the stairs. He could hear Tage and Jason playfully arguing with Egbert over dinner. Setting his case down at the bottom of the steps, Grif walked silently toward the main room. A few minutes later, and without fully realizing it, he had managed to drain the contents of half a bottle of brandy. Before he could finish the bottle, however, it was plucked right out of his hand. Then he was turned to face a loving but serious blue gaze. "Egbert," Dominic called without looking away from Grif, "take Master Griffith's suitcase out to the car, please." Then Dominic smiled slowly. "We're taking a little trip, love. Far away from everything but us." "And where are you stealing me away to?" Egbert appeared in Dominic's wake and picked up Grif's suitcase, taking it out to the car. "A little cabin in the woods," Dominic chuckled, arm sliding around Grif's waist. He steered them out of the house. Looking up, Dominic nodded at Egbert. "Thank you. We'll be back in three days." "Yes, Master." Egbert bowed to them both and went back inside, closing the door behind him. "In the car. I'm kidnapping you." Dominic kissed Grif softly and released him to walk around to the driver's side. "As long as you're there, I don't really give a damn where we're going. Though why all of a sudden?" Grif asked as he got into the car.
Dominic glanced over at him as he started the car. "Because you need it, we need it." A grin slowly spread across Dominic's lips. "And because, as your Master, I command it." One brow quirked and Grif eyed Dominic. "Oh, I have a weekend session with you, Dominic? That has possibilities." "You could say that," Dominic said as he pulled out into the street. "Consider it a purging, Grif." He looked over at Grif briefly. "Of everything." Somehow Grif got the feeling there was more behind Dominic's words than he actually wanted to handle. Looking away, he stared out the window for a long moment, watching the buildings along the street pass by. "Purging, Dominic?" "Purging. The doubt, the self-abuse, the hiding?it all stops this weekend, Griffith. Come Hell or high water, I'll break you out of your shell." "I can deal with it, Dominic." The words came out through gritted teeth and Grif didn't look at Dominic. "There's no reason to drag you into it as well." "Hiding in the study with a bottle in your hand is not dealing with it, Grif." Dominic came to a stop at a red light and turned right. "I'm not trying to be a bastard; I'm trying to help." Grif drew in a deep breath to ease his own tension and the air escaped him in a sigh. Finally he looked back at Dominic. "I know you are. I just really don't want to focus on anything to do with him or what happened. I know I have to, but I don't want to." "Sometimes we must do things we don't want to do," Dominic said calmly. He reached over and took Grif's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "But it's just us, love. We can do this." Uncertainty filled Grif's thoughts, but he trusted Dominic. Turning his hand, his fingers curled over Dominic's. A great deal of his own self-doubt echoed in his next question. "Why do you even still want me around, Dominic?" Dominic stopped the car abruptly, leaned over, and tugged Grif into a bruising kiss. When he finally let go, Dominic's gaze was stern. "I've waited longer than I care to remember: wanting you, needing you. You were taken away from me once. I'll be goddamned if it'll happen again, Grif. I killed Quinn, and I will kill anyone else who dares to get in our way." After the reeling effects of the kiss, Grif found his voice. "If I had any ounce of sanity or stability, I'd see why. But I'm not sure I ever will." Dominic pulled back onto the road and started up the mountainside. "When I get done with you, you will." Tristan had started Grif on the roller coaster descent and Quinn's return only sped the disintegration of Grif's mind. Grif more than understood the chaos in his head, but coming out of it in one piece was the ultimate question. His fingers tightened in a painful hold on his lover's. "You have more belief in me than I do, Dominic." "Give me three days to change that." Dominic turned down a leaf-littered dirt road. "I'm not letting you go until I know it worked. Half-hearted reassurances won't be enough." "You have my trust." Grif smiled faintly and his gaze never wavered from Dominic's. "I'm not sure what you have planned, but I'm willing to let you do it." "Good." Dominic stopped the car in front of a rusting gate. "Because for this, a safe word doesn't apply." He got out and went around the front to unlock the gate. When he got back in, he drove through the gate before getting out and locking it once more. "We're almost there," he said as he got back in and started up the long driveway.
Grif remained silent, though a faint vibration of tension returned as they continued. Staring out the window, he watched the small cabin come into view. The wooden log home fit perfectly in the rustic setting, surrounded completely by trees. When Dominic stopped the car, Grif glanced uncertainly at him before getting out. "Everything's ready." Dominic took Grif's hand and led him up the steps. Then he stopped. "Undress." "Am I to be without clothes for the whole time?" The tone of command in the one word had Grif instantly obeying. Taking hold of the edge of his shirt, he pulled it over his head before he slipped off his sneakers. Unfastening his pants, he let them fall before he caught the waistband and stepped out of them. "Yes." Dominic took Grif's clothes and unlocked the cabin door. He stepped to the side and directed a stern look at Grif. "Once you step through that door, it begins, Griffith." It said a lot about Grif's trust in Dominic as he slowly took that first step into the cabin. Looking around, Grif saw the entire front room had been converted into a dungeon and he couldn't suppress a shiver. Stilling several steps inside the door, he turned to face Dominic, keeping his gaze directly on the floor. Dominic closed the door and stepped up to Grif, pushing him gently to his knees. "We will not leave this house for three days. During our stay, you will refer to me as 'Master.' You are permitted orgasm only with my permission. There are two bedrooms: one for us and one for you should you need it. However, you must ask for it. This won't be easy, on either one of us. Do you have any questions?" So easily Dominic drew Grif into the mindset of a submissive. The authoritative aura of control flowed through Grif, leading him to a place where hiding would become impossible. Grif spread his legs in the proper position, resting his upturned hands on his upper thighs. Looking up at Dominic, he said quietly, "Yes, I understand, Master, and I have no questions. It will be your will." "Very good." Dominic stepped around Grif and pulled open a drawer. A moment later, he returned to stand before Grif. "I have something for you." He opened the box in his hands. Glancing into the box Dominic held out to him, Grif's eyes widened at the sight of the black leather collar. Everything prior to this had only been play sessions; the rest had been on equal balance. The simple collar changed the dynamics and was something Grif didn't think Dominic really wanted until now. Grif looked back up at Dominic questioningly. "We will always be equals," Dominic said, taking the collar out and setting the box down. "You are my life, my heart, my soul, and my lover." Dominic unhooked the collar and opened it, giving Grif the choice as to whether he would take that step. "But in this, I am your Master. Do you accept me in this?" Grif knew they both would retain their equality, but the collar itself meant Dominic was fully willing to take on the complete responsibility for who Grif was inside. The dynamics of the play itself would deeply change, and the collar would bind them akin to marriage within their relationship. In his heart Grif had no doubt of his answer. "Yes, I accept you fully as my Master." Dominic crouched down until he was level with Grif, then he slid the collar around Grif's neck. "I love you," Dominic whispered. As he buckled the collar, Dominic kissed Grif softly. It took no more than the feel of it around Grif's neck to awaken the total sense of his own
position to Dominic. Daring to return the soft kiss, he whispered back, "I love you, Master." Gripping Grif's chin, Dominic deepened the possessive kiss. When he pulled back, he stood. "On the table." Dominic could and would do whatever he wanted, and Grif sank deeply into hisown need. It was a part of who he was, who he had always been before it had been nearly destroyed by Quinn, and for the first time Grif truly gave that part of himself to Dominic. Quickly, Grif rose and went to the table, sliding back against the leather to lay on it. "I don't want you to remain silent," Dominic instructed as he pulled out two stirrups at the foot of the table. Hands on Grif's hips, Dominic pulled him lower. He placed Grif's legs in the stirrups and strapped them securely. "I want to hear you." He moved to Grif's head and drew his arms up, securing Grif's wrists at the top corners of the table. "The safe word is only for physical needs. Trust me: I will know the difference." While Dominic tied him down, Grif shifted, leaving his ass near the edge of the table. Though it did make him uneasy, Grif didn't protest being restrained. His gaze followed Dominic the whole time, giving himself a visual reminder that he was completely safe. "Yes, Master, though I don't think I will be using it for even that." "I know your limits well enough that I don't think you will either." Once Grif was secure, Dominic walked over to the table set up nearby. He rummaged through a box and returned to Grif's side with a jar of clear gel and a set of small clamps. He tugged off his shirt and smiled down at Grif as he rolled one of Grif's nipples in his fingers. "What are you thinking about right now?" Grif's chest arched slightly, encouraging Dominic to play with him. "I'm scared, but it's a rush. Right now, I want you to do whatever you want without listening to me." Dominic nodded and without warning, closed the clamp on Grif's nipple. "Now what are you feeling?" A quick breath hissed between Grif's teeth with the teasing ripple of pain radiating over his skin. Staring heatedly at Dominic, he said, "I want more." "Then you will get more." Dominic flicked the clamp with his finger before teasing the other one to get it hard. "You will always get what you need with me." He rolled Grif's nipple with his fingers, then tugged on the ring. "I know." Grif gasped out the words, responding to the minutest signals of pain. Other than the upward arc of his chest, Grif really couldn't move except to squirm, but he desperately wanted more. Dominic carefully clamped Grif's nipple. Then he gave the chain connecting the clamps a good tug. "What do you want, Griffith? What do you need to feel?" "I need you to help put me together again, Master." The answer came from deeper within Grif, beyond the physical sensation but drawn out by it. Radiations of tingling pain burrowed beneath his skin, making Grif close his eyes. "Please, Master, hurt me, whatever you want. Just make me whole." "Open your eyes." The command was followed by a sharp tug on the chain. "I want you to see me. I want you to know it's me." Grif's eyes flew open, his gaze searching Dominic's, desperately connecting to him as he fixated on Dominic's face and the sharper pain. Dominic smiled and reached down, cupping Grif's balls and pulling them downward.
"Very good," he purred. The nudge of Grif's hips tried to keep the contact to Dominic's hand. Pleasing Dominic had its own small tug on his psyche. Releasing Grif's balls, Dominic dipped two fingers into the gel. "You are mine," he said, circling Grif's hole with both fingers. "Never forget that, Grif." "Never will, Master." Each of Dominic's actions pushed at the inner mechanism, reminding Grif of his completely open position. The vulnerability in it slowly sank into his mind. Dominic fully controlled him and Grif's thoughts absorbed the sensations and feelings it engendered in him. His eyes never strayed from Dominic, and he tried to push against Dominic's fingers. "Only at my hand can you feel this," Dominic said, pushing both fingers deep inside Grif. He curled them forward, stroking lightly over Grif's gland. A low moan rose in Grif's throat and his hips bucked slightly with the teasing graze of Dominic's fingers. Already his cock was hard, and it had taken very little on Dominic's part to do it. Simple need became a desperate craving Grif tried to vocalize. "Please, Master. Keep touching me." Dominic withdrew and slicked up his hand, then slid three fingers into Grif. "Always." He worked his fingers in and out, stretching Grif open. Grif's hands clawed at the air as his body writhed to the opening of his body. He tried to bear down harder on Dominic's hand, inner muscles tightening. The sounds from his lips rose in tone and urgency with the increase of pleasure coursing through him. "Deep breath." Dominic added a fourth finger, then tucked his thumb in. "Let me in, Grif," he said, pushing slowly but steadily. Grif's eyes widened with the burning sting stretching him. Forcing his body to relax, he pulled in a slow, deep breath before he nodded to Dominic. It hurt, but it felt too damn good, the throbbing pulse centered in his body threatening to drive him over the edge. "Yes..." Dominic hissed as Grif's body sucked him in. He curled his fingers slowly into a fist inside Grif. "You are forbidden to come." Grif ground helplessly against the hand inside him, his body nearly coming off the table. The straps held his arms and legs down, controlling a great deal of his movement. After crying out with the initial pain, Grif bit at his lower lip to try to control the relentless sensations riding him. "Yes, Master!" Dominic pumped his fist slowly back and forth, then bent, capturing Grif's mouth in a deep kiss. What do you feel? What are you thinking now? Grif became lost in the world of sensation Dominic put him in, and he hungrily opened to the bruising kiss. Need. Oh, God, need. Want to please you. Pulling back from Grif's lips, Dominic stared down into his eyes. "Come on, Grif. Ride my hand." Dominic worked his hand deeper, twisting it back and forth. The movement of Grif's hips increased, rocking hard against Dominic's hand and leaving Grif shuddering with the intensity filling him. Focused solely on Dominic, Grif could only cry out, begging for the release forbidden to him. The struggle for control of his own need and the overwhelming demand left him helpless. "Master, it's so close, please Master. Need your hand." "Not yet." Dominic reached up and unclamped one nipple, immediately sucking it into his mouth. Pushing his hand deeper, he sank his fangs into Grif's skin. Sharp, exquisite pain rushed through Grif, straining his body off the table as far as it
could go. Sinking beneath the intense rush, he sucked in several deep breaths in an effort to force back the orgasm that wanted to take over. He was so close to the edge and couldn't fall over it, couldn't let his master down. Not releasing Grif's nipple from his teeth, Dominic unclipped the other and twisted his arm. Now let me hear you. Make me believe you want it, Grif. More pain and pleasure followed, pulling Grif into the mindless demand of his body. The rock of his hips pushed to a frenetic level, flooding him, and his voice came out in a tortured sob of sound. "Trying to stop. Can't. Please, Master, I have to. Let me." Dominic bit harder and started pumping his arm in and out of Grif. Come. Scream for me. With only Dominic's permission, the tidal wave washed over Grif as his mind and body let go and Grif gave in completely to it. All the more intense for having been denied, it left Grif screaming in its wake, his release splattering him and Dominic. Completely vulnerable to Dominic, the sound slowly faded and Grif fell back against the table. "Shhh..." Dominic eased his hand out slowly and reached for a towel hanging on the end of the table. He unhooked Grif's wrists and legs. "Come here, love." Shivering convulsively, Grif couldn't stop. The moment his master freed him, he tried to get closer, needing the safety and contact. Deep within him, Grif couldn't disconnect at all from Dominic. Dominic held him close, petting Grif's hair and back. "I'm here. I'm always here. This is a part of you, Grif." Clinging to Dominic, Grif burrowed against him. Internally, he'd begun the acknowledgment of who he was, making a concerted effort to divorce the notion of play from what was actually happening. It brought him close to the nightmare of his own life, and his mind shied away from that. And he knew, with an odd sense of relief and unease, that each and every thought crossing his mind crossed Dominic's as well. "Let's go get a bath started. Then we can talk." Dominic helped Grif off the table, holding him a moment longer. "I love you. You know that, right?" "I know you do. It's the only thing that keeps me going," Grif whispered, clinging tightly to Dominic before he finally released him. Without being told, Grif padded silently toward the small back hall and into the bathroom to start the bath. Dominic was right behind him, and when Grif turned around, Dominic was naked and watching from the doorway. As the tub filled, Dominic pulled Grif to him, taking a long, slow kiss. Grif opened willingly, melting against Dominic. Ending the kiss, Dominic rested his forehead to Grif's, smiling as he looked into Grif's eyes. "You're beautiful." "Am I? Even as I am?" "And how are you, Grif?" Dominic stepped back and turned Grif around, forcing him to look into the mirror. "What do you see?" Lately Grif couldn't even define himself; the only place things made any sense tohim was with Dominic. Staring into the mirror, at first Grif looked at Dominic, then at himself. Grif saw that he looked terrified and he had to literally force himself to continue looking at his reflection. "Quinn made me into this, whatever it is. God, I hate that. Couldn't fight against him. Only for Tage's sake, not my own. Is that what happens because of what I am?" Confused beyond words, Grif met Dominic's eyes in the mirror, staring helplessly. "No," Dominic said with particular vehemence. "Want to know what I see? I see a man who would give his own life for someone he loves. I see compassion, generosity,
determination. I see strength beyond anything I have ever witnessed on a battlefield. I see beauty so strong it hurts. I see the love of my life, struggling to regain his own." Holding Dominic's gaze, Grif couldn't look away. The words soothed over a deep, internal wound and Grif slowly smiled. "In your eyes, love, I could take on the world. You are the reason I want and need to be who I am; only you would give me your strength." "You have your own strength, Griffith. You only need to remember it. Don't make me the reason for anything. You alone should be the reason." Turning to face him, Grif carefully considered Dominic's words. "I'm not sure how much strength I have in myself. Not anymore. I believe I have enough to struggle past Quinn; it's somewhere inside me. Without you, I'm not sure I would make the effort anymore. Does that make sense?" Dominic leaned over to turn off the faucet. "It does." He stepped into the tub and sank into the water, then held out his hand to Grif. "But I know you have strength, Grif. I'm determined to help you find it again." Taking Dominic's hand, Grif joined him in the tub, settling in front of Dominic. With a sigh, he relaxed back against the solid, reassuring form. "I only hope I don't drive you crazy in the meanwhile, Master." "You won't," Dominic whispered, peppering Grif's neck with light kisses. NINE ? ? ? Standing at the sink, Grif carefully warmed the bottle of blood beneath the spray of hot water. He knew exactly how Dominic liked it and part of his duty was to ensure everything was properly ready for his master. Dominic was still resting and Grif had gotten up early to attend to everything Dominic wanted when he woke. Drying off the bottle, he set it on a small tray along with the crystal goblet and headed silently for the bedroom. Dominic was still sleeping, lying on his back, sheet covering only the slightest bit of his body. It looked as if he'd moved, which meant he'd be waking soon. After setting the tray on the stand near the bed, Grif leaned over enough to brush a soft kiss to Dominic's lips and whispered, "It's eight o'clock, Master." Settled at the edge of the bed, he reached for Dominic's robe and pulled it off the bedpost. A grumble sounded and Dominic stirred, eyes blinking open slowly. When his gaze fell on Grif, he smiled. "Good evening, love. I trust you've been busy." He reached out, took the robe from Grif's hand, and set it to the side. Then he tugged Grif down for a kiss. "Of course I have..." Grif's answer trailed off as he opened to Dominic. Completely pliable to his master, Grif knew whatever Dominic wanted, he would get. Tongue delving into Grif's mouth, Dominic reached around with his other hand, groaning softly when his fingers touched the base of the plug. Gripping the flared edge, Dominic tugged slightly?not enough for it to come out, but enough to cause the silicone toy to rub steadily over Grif's gland. In an instant, Grif reacted, his backside squirming with the sensations shooting straight through to his cock. One hand rested against Dominic's chest, Grif's nails scratched at his master's skin. "Pleasure me," Dominic whispered into the kiss, seating the plug inside Grif once more. "Yes, Master." Eager to obey Dominic's will, Grif's lips trailed slowly downward over
Dominic's chest. A light nip of his teeth teased over each nipple before he continued lower. Pushing the covers downward, he curled his fingers around Dominic's cock, his mouth quickly followed, lips sealing around the head. Dominic rumbled, hands landing on Grif's hair, petting, stroking. "Yes," Dominic hissed, hips rolling and pushing his prick deeper into Grif's mouth. "Teeth, love. Let me feel them." Grif quickly engulfed the rigid flesh, suckling tightly around it. The gentle glide of his teeth ran along the shaft in answer to Dominic's command as one of his hands nudged between Dominic's legs; rubbing just beneath his balls. Legs spreading, Dominic groaned and began thrusting slowly into Grif's mouth. "Keep doing that." Everything he did was for his master's pleasure and Grif reveled in it. He took pleasure from the hitch in Dominic's voice. Skillfully, his mouth and fingers worked over Dominic, throat relaxing to swallow his master deeply. The graze of his teeth teased over the flesh with each upward slide and his tongue rapidly flicked against the sensitive underside of the head. More than anything, he wanted the taste of his master's come flooding his mouth. "Grif." The name was whispered seconds before Dominic came, panting and thrusting, pouring his release down Grif's throat. Greedily, Grif drank every last drop. Gently massaging beneath Dominic's balls, he cleaned Dominic off, then lifted his head. Though he was desperately needy himself, he didn't say anything. Quietly, he opened the bottle of blood and poured it into a glass, then handed it to Dominic for his consumption. His gaze never leaving Grif's, Dominic sat up and took the glass, drinking slowly. "Have you fed?" "No, Master, I haven't." Properly deferential, Grif bowed his head slightly as he waited for further orders from Dominic. Setting the glass down on the bedside table, Dominic pulled Grif to straddle his lap. "Feed," he commanded. Settling across Dominic, Grif had to resist any overt gestures. The temptation beneath him was very hard to ignore. Placing his hands on Dominic's chest, he leanedforward and nuzzled against Dominic's throat. A soft growl escaped Grif before his fangs sank quickly into Dominic. Dominic's fingers dug into Grif's hips, holding him tight against his body, Dominic's cock growing hard once more. "Yes..." Dominic's head fell back, his hips rocking up to press his cock against Grif's ass. With only a simple parting of his legs, Dominic forced Grif's thighs apart as well. Grif's fingers flexed against Dominic's skin when he felt the rubbing pressure of Dominic's cock. Swallowing quickly, a deeper growl escaped him before he could silence it. The shift of his body positioned him where Dominic wanted him to be; a betraying rock of his hips literally begged for his master's attention. When Grif licked the wounds closed, Dominic reached over to the table and picked up the bottle of lube. Reaching behind Grif, he pulled the plug out. "Ready yourself for me." A shudder ran through Grif with the exquisite rub of the plug. Lifting his head, Grif took the tube from him, opened it and poured some of the liquid onto his fingers. Rising slightly on his knees, he quickly inserted two fingers, slicking himself in preparation.
Staring down at Dominic, he didn't say anything, but the pleading look spoke volumes. "Enough," Dominic growled, pulling Grif's hand out of the way. Then he eased Grif down, cock sliding deep inside him. Grif's hips lowered slowly, guided by Dominic's hands. Tipping his head back slightly, he felt the sweet stretch as he was filled. It took a great deal of will not to rock demandingly against the pressure. Drawing a slow breath, he looked back down at Dominic, letting his master control the movement. "You are not to come." Hands strong on Grif's hips, Dominic lifted him and pulled him back down, filling him over and over, hips pushing up with every slow, deep stroke. Dominic's gaze remained on Grif, never straying as the thrusts grew stronger, quicker. "Now ride me. Show me how much you want to please me." Grinding back and forth in a slow rocking motion, Grif heightened the intensity rippling through both of them. As each sensation tightened the need within him, his fingers rubbed in small circles around Dominic's nipples and the low sound in his throat rose. His focus remained on arousing his master and the rise and fall of his hips repeatedly fucked Dominic. Sharp pinches of his fingers and a deepening groan betrayed his own closeness and forced Grif to slow his motions. Dominic met every descent of Grif's hips with a lift of his own. Head falling back against the headboard, Dominic's movements turned harder, sharper. "Grif..." Dominic hissed, baring his fangs, and flipped them suddenly, driving his cock harder inside Grif. Without warning, he struck, fangs piercing Grif's throat as Dominic came. Legs curling tightly to Dominic, Grif struggled with the pulses of pleasure that assailed him and his body began to tremble. Literally begging, Grif's words came out in a sharp cry. "Please, Master! I can't hold it." A shudder rocked through Grif as the harder driving need completely controlled him. His voice pleaded with Dominic. "Let me come. Please...have to." Licking the wounds closed, Dominic whispered, "Come." Before the sound of the word faded, Grif's orgasm exploded over his senses. Deep waves of pleasure drug him under and left his body shaking, his come slicking between their bodies. Sharp vocalizations tore from Grif's throat with the full release. Long moments later, he finally began to calm and pressed several kisses over Dominic's skin. "Shhh," Dominic murmured softly. He rolled them onto their sides and held Grif close. "I love you." Grif clung tightly to him, nuzzling in against him, relying on the warmth and safety that flowed over him from Dominic's presence. It helped him regain his own balance. "I love you, Master. Always." Dominic kissed his head. "Remember that this evening," he said, "when I take you deep into yourself, Griffith. You will need it." Keeping his face buried against Dominic, Grif nodded his understanding. It wasn't something he wanted to do and mentally he resisted the idea. "Up," Dominic urged gently but firmly. "You will present yourself at the cross for me. You may choose between the crop, the bullwhip, or the cat." Obediently Grif got out of bed. Padding out of the bedroom, he stopped in the bathroom long enough to clean up a little before heading to the dungeon. No more than two minutes later, he stood in front of the cross, waiting patiently for Dominic.
"And what did you choose?" "The crop, Master." Eyes properly downcast, Grif turned and lifted his arms to the cross, spreading his feet in preparation to be tied. He'd gotten over his twinges of reluctance about being restrained and felt no real hesitation in that regard. "You will not be restrained." Dominic reached up and placed Grif's hands on the leather cuffs. "You hold them. You will control yourself and not let go. Do you have any questions before we begin?" Obediently Grif grasped the wood as he shook his head. "No, Master." "Then we will begin." Dominic stepped back and tapped the end of the crop against his leg. "You may speak if you wish." That was the last thing Dominic said before the crop sliced through the air and landed with a sharp slap to Grif's buttocks. The sting against his flesh instantly drew Grif's attention and his fingers curled tighter to the wood. The burning sensations stung just beneath the surface and he breathlessly waited for the next hit. His voice came out in a low whisper, "You can do whatever you want to me, Master." Grif placed implicit trust in Dominic, even when the other vampire nudged at his comfort levels. **** Grif had asked for time alone in the room that had been set aside for him. With only a small mattress, bedside table, and one lamp, there was nothing else to distract him from his own thoughts. Dominic had already tested him on many levels, giving Grif no choice but to focus and deal with his own internal struggles. Staring up at the ceiling, he sighed quietly as he let himself remember. Each threat Quinn had thrown at him had lost its meaning. Grif had blocked nearly all of his memories about everything, but Dominic no longer allowed him to get away with that. At times it was a nightmare he wasn't sure he'd ever wake up from. But Dominic had dragged him out of that place, and being able to deal with the events had lightened part of the burden deep inside him. The only thing his mind shied away from was what happened after Tage showed up. Dominic entered, then moved across the room to Grif. As he settled on the edge of the mattress, he said, "You've been in here for over an hour, Grif. Now tell me what I want to know." Rolling to his side, Grif stared at the opposite wall, keeping his back to Dominic. It cost him considerably to even say anything. "I remember. I remember too much of it." "If it's prompting you need, then I will gladly do it." Dominic reached out and smoothed Grif's hair from his cheek. "Do you want me to hold you while you talk?" "No, not necessary. What happened was the same as what used to happen. Beingraped, beaten, and tortured. Normal daily events for Quinn. Not a damn thing I could do about it. You've probably had enough of the details." It was hard not to shut down as the words poured out of him, and Grif remained far too focused mentally on the vivid memories, but at least he could do so without completely falling apart. "You fought him, Grif. You beat him. How did you do it?" Rolling to his back, Grif stared blankly up at Dominic, puzzled by his question. "I hardly remember any of that." His forehead creased in concentration and the words came out slowly. "Tage came into the room. He wanted to rescue me. I was freaked out and afraid for him, but I wasn't really surprised. I should have beat his ass for that." Dominic smiled and settled beside Grif, propping himself up on his arm. "What happened
then?" "I sure as hell didn't beat him." Lowering his gaze, Grif refused to meet Dominic's eyes. "Quinn came in and tried to get to Tage. I did attack him then, but it wasn't enough. Tage didn't get out." Slipping a finger beneath Grif's chin, Dominic tilted his head back up to force Grif to look at him. "I know you, Griffith St. James. When you are driven to violence, there is little stopping you. Tage might not have made it out, but I seriously doubt that you just turned the other cheek and let it go at that." "I don't really remember much but going after Quinn. He punished me for it repeatedly. I put Tage to sleep afterwards, but I don't know if Quinn did anything to him. Or even if my power worked for Tage." Grif hadn't seen Tage again until the Council's guards came to the house, so he wasn't sure at all what happened to Tage. "Tage was fine," Dominic reassured him. "Your ward around him prevented Quinn from laying a finger on him. In fact, the Council Elders, myself included, were quite impressed with the strength behind your ward. Quinn...was an Elder as well, though he was not on the Council." Grif mulled over what Dominic said for a long moment. "It did work then? I wasn't sure if it would work against Quinn. I tried, though, and tried to keep Quinn's attention on me so he wouldn't go after Tage." "None of us have ever seen such a strong ward placed by a young vampire, Grif. It was as strong as an Elder like myself would do." "I didn't talk to Tage about it. I should have, I suppose, but I think I was afraid to." Another small smile broke through at Dominic's comments. "I had to protect him. Atleast I know I did." It relieved some of the burden Grif had been carrying around inside him. "I would have killed Quinn myself if I could have." "When I first met you, you would pick fights. Do you remember that?" Wincing slightly, Grif nodded good-humoredly . "Something neither of us will forget since you saved my ass several times." "Back then, you picked fights without regard to whether you would win or not. You had the heart of a warrior, but not the discipline. Now, you've developed the discipline to fight well, instead of carelessly. Do you remember that, after you attacked him, Quinn had no choice but to chain you to keep you from attacking him again? You inflicted a great deal of damage to him the first time. Now I look at you, see what you've been through, and I realize that you are very much the warrior, as brave as any knight I fought alongside." Eyes widening, Grif stared mutely at Dominic. When he finally found his voice, he spoke carefully and slowly. "Is that how you see me? I had thought I was weak." "It's how everyone sees you, Grif. You, love, are the talk of the Council. We're all amazed, and I..." Dominic smiled slowly and smoothed his thumb over Grif's lips. "I admire you more than you will ever know. I've fought with men who never knew even an ounce of the bravery and courage that you possess." "Sometimes I think only you would see me that way." Grif reached up, running his fingers through Dominic's hair. "You have no idea how much it means to me. I think I've been afraid that eventually you'll grow tired of me because I have been so weak." Dominic's expression grew serious and he caught Grif's hand, lacing their fingers together. "Grif, you are not weak. There's nothing weak about you, never has been. Don't you see?
You're an inspiration to others who think they don't have it in them to stand up for what they think is right. Out of all the people I've known in my lifetime, human and not, I admire you above all others?for your strength, your courage, your determination. And to Tage, you are a god...a hero made flesh." Trying to see himself as others might see him wasn't the easiest thing to do, but Grif began to understand his own assessment of himself had been flawed. Studying Dominic's face, it took Grif a moment to form the words. "Thank you, love. You've believed in me more than I've been able to believe in myself." "Then maybe it's time to change that. It's time to believe in yourself, to realize how very much you mean to everyone, and how strong you really are." Dominic leaneddown and kissed him softly. "I love you, Griffith. You are the world to me." Grif's arms slipped around Dominic's neck, returning the soft kiss. "I'm starting to think you're right. As always." He couldn't resist adding the last two words. "And we're equal in that because you're everything to me." Dominic chuckled. "Good. Now kiss me." Master and slave had given way to lovers. Grif lifted his head as one hand tugged Dominic down to him. "Whatever you command." The soft touch of his lips brushed over Dominic's, then molded more tightly in a deeper kiss. Dominic hummed softly, happily, tongue playing with Grif's as he rolled them, pulling Grif up to straddle him. Hands on Grif's hips, Dom rocked up, grinding them together. Stray drops from Grif's cock slicked the leather of Dom's pants, and Dom finally pulled away from the kiss. "Need to get rid of these," he said, voice gone husky, deep. "I want inside you." A smile curved his lips as Grif drew back his head. His kneading fingers played over Dominic's shirt, itching to reach the skin beneath. "I know I was resistant to your idea of retreat, but I'm glad you didn't take no for an answer." "I know you, love." Dominic started unbuttoning the shirt slowly, almost teasing. "Besides, I wanted the collaring as something between us. You still have Tage, after all." "And what about Jason?" One brow quirked and the smile became a grin. Since Dominic took too long with the shirt, Grif impatiently pushed aside the material; his fingers strayed in a loving touch over bare skin. "Actually, you two will have some things to work out as well. Jason has some heavy adjustments to make." Dominic groaned and arched into the touch. "Yes," he hissed, though whether it was in answer to Grif's questions or his touch was anyone's guess. "Jason and I will talk more later. Right now, his concern is Tage. He loves Tage, very much." "I'm not sure how much everything has affected Tage. Sometimes it's really hard to tell with him." Grif knew he would have to attend to it when he returned home. For the moment, however, he focused on Dominic. Lowering his head, his lips followed the path of his fingers, pressing light kisses over Dominic's chest. Falling silent, Dominic ran his hands over Grif's back, tracing slow circles over the smooth skin. He finally slipped a hand between them and popped the button on his pants, then unzipped them carefully. When their cocks touched, sliding along each other, he hissed, bucking slightly at the friction. "Grif..." Staring into Dominic's eyes, Grif pressed harder against him, relishing the awakening sensation and the growing hunger in his lover's expression. With a slight shift, Grif began pulling the pants down, then tugged them completely off. As his gaze roamed slowly over
Dominic's naked form, his voice took on a husky tone. "You are absolutely perfect, love." Dominic reached out, hunger and desire turning his blue eyes dark. "As are you." He tugged Grif down and rolled. It never took very much effort on Dominic's part to light the fire of need inside Grif. His hands curled tightly to Dominic's arms, trying to hold his lover in place. His position left him completely open to Dominic. Reacting instantly to the movement, a low groan rose from deep within Grif. The rock of his body increased the friction, literally begging Dominic to take him. "Now. Need you now." Without saying a word, Dominic tugged open the drawer on the bedside table. It took only a minute for him to slick himself, then with one strong thrust, he pushed inside, taking Grif's mouth in a hard kiss as his cock filled Grif's body. Feeling the surge deep inside him, the rush of emotions and desire swept through Grif. His body arched upward, straining against Dominic. Their joining was as necessary to him as blood; the place Dominic took him to shut out everything else but his own body and the two of them. Raking his nails down Dominic's arm, he left red marks in their wake. Dominic growled into the kiss and caught Grif's arms, pinning them to the pillow above his head. "You are mine." Eyes that were once blue now burned deep red, hunger for everything boring into Grif. Nothing in Grif struggled against the rising heat between them. He knew what Dominic was doing. Nails clawing into Dominic's hands, Grif deliberately pushed his own mind into a near blank state. The only thing left to him was the sensation of Dominic inside him as he waited for his lover to truly fill him. The change was clear, sudden. With the last of the barriers gone, the beast residing in Dominic roared as he laid claim to Grif completely. Every thrust was brutal and swift, driving Dominic deeper inside Grif's body, making it clear who and what he was to Grif. Gripping both of Grif's wrists in one hand, Dominic brought his right hand down and placed it directly over Grif's heart. "Mine." Dominic pressed his palm to Grif's skin, the touch burning into Grif's soul, branding him forever. Without access to his natural mental defenses, the flood hit Grif in a tidal wave as Dominic took him over. It rolled through him, leaving Dominic's full power rushing through him. His body convulsed with the pain of the runic symbols burning into his skin; the burn itself seeped deeper into his body. The one word resonated completely through Grif and he screamed as he came. Shuddering violently in the throes of release, he exposed his throat to Dominic to complete the ritual. Dominic struck hard and quick, the sound that erupted from him seemed to shake the walls. He drank deeply, the bite brutal, painful. His nails extended into claws and dug into Grif's wrists as he held Grif pinned, writhing beneath him. With a final, forceful thrust, Dominic came, the growl filling them both. Dominic's power, pain, and pleasure kept Grif in a state of heightened awareness, tied by the bonds of Dominic's demand. Writhing beneath Dominic, Grif made no attempt to stop anything. He couldn't have tried even if he'd wanted to. With the higher volume of blood loss, Grif's body grew limp and still he didn't protest. Only when the beast was satisfied did Dominic stop feeding. He licked the wounds closed and lifted his head. He pressed a soft, reverent kiss to Grif's lips and whispered, "Drink. I am a part of you, Griffith." Then he turned his head and drew Grif's face to his
neck. Dominic was the only thing in him at the moment. Grif's mind had given way to allow the ritual its place inside him. When his fangs sank into Dominic's flesh, he drank slowly, feeling Dominic's blood burn through his system and strengthen its claim on him. After a moment, his head dropped back to the pillow. Nearly exhausted, he still clung to the sharp, more pervasive sense surrounding him. They were indivisible now, and no matter what else happened, they would always be together.