39. Arlo
My head rests in the crook of Hailey’s neck. I suck a breath so sharp, her neatly tamed hair skitters over my lips. Pain bolts up my side and down my leg. The adrenaline has long since worn off. Instead, it knits itself with the cortisol from the other lashes, the dopamine from Hota’s ardent praise, and the serotonin from touching Hailey’s skin and breathing her in.
It’s like I’m feeling everything so intensely I’ve gained superpowers.
Sweat rolls off my back and tickles every pore on its way to soak into my pants. Hailey’s heartbeats sound like music, lulling me. I can still taste her decadent mouth on my tongue. Every graze of the flogger is one step closer to becoming Hota’s.
“Thirty-seven, Hota.” I push through my dry throat.
“One more, Arlo. You’re doing so well.” His fingers slide along my nape and skate up my jaw. “You’re so strong. In your heart. In your mind. All the way through your soul.”
“Ready,” I urge.
I tighten my grip on the links of chain. Somewhere along the way, they became grounding as opposed to terrifying. I straighten from Haley, look her in the eye, see her encouragement there, and then look over my shoulder.
Hota is all I see. Not the presence of my uncle. Not the fear of his presence. Only the man I love. “Make me yours.”
He points at the largest scar across my back. I know how I got it, but I don’t even bother to think of it. I know why it’s there now. It’s there to see me through the nightmare. It’s there to prove I survived.
His sweat-slicked arm levers back.
I don’t flinch. I smile.
The hit comes, and stars shoot around my gaze. My stomach turns just a little, but I keep my focus on Hota.
He drops the flogger and lowers to his knees. The heat of his hands cup my face and I feel like I can stay like this forever, kneeling with the people I love.
“I’ve never been more proud to call you mine.” Hota presses his full lips to my mouth.
His fingers travel to mine. Slowly, he eases them from the shackles of my past and unscrews the manacle. With a small nod, Hailey releases the other. They have freed me. Or rather allowed me to free myself.
My throat goes impossibly tight. “I used to think freedom was money and independence.” I fumble to find each of their hands and hold tight to them. “Real freedom is being loved by you.”
Their foreheads meet mine. Every emotion pours between us in heady glances from one to the other. Joy. Relief. Pride. Awe. We stay kneeling together, holding hands, and awing at each other until my arms begin to shake. Actually, I’m pretty sure all of me shakes.
“Here.” Hota pulls my hand up over his shoulder, wraps his arm gently around my back, and lifts me to my feet. They tingle something fierce and are pretty useless for anything other than holding me upright.
Without a word, Hota scoops me into his arms, tucking me close to his chest. I feel like I’m going to break his back. He doesn’t so much as grunt as he carries me across the room and lays me on the ornately carved canopy bed.
“Drink this.” Hailey holds a straw to my lips, and I obey. The tang of lightly sweetened electrolyte water fills my mouth and soothes my throat.
When I’ve had enough, she puts it down and grabs a cool wet cloth and presses it to my face. “How are you feeling?”
I relax onto my side and let her clean my face and neck while I try to figure out exactly how I feel. “Loved.” I grin. “Also kind of helium-filled. Like my body isn’t quite attached to earth. Like I could float away at the slightest gust. And also like I’m too heavy to move my arms. I feel the ache on my skin, but I’m thankful for it and what it means.” I find Hota’s gaze from across the room. “Freedom.”
A smile stretches his mouth, and the heady feeling inside me grows.
He moves our way with a jar of vitamin C & K cream to help with swelling and bruising. I don’t bruise easily, and he didn’t hit me hard. I’m about to tell him I don’t need it, but the worry tugging at his brows keeps me quiet.
His weight on the bed behind me feels good. Even better than the ointment he skims over my back. His presence has always been my safe place. From day one, he’s protected me.
“I love you.” The words spill from my lips. I look over my shoulder and meet his intense gaze. “I always have. I always will.”
Something settles in his shoulders, and the darkness leaves his eyes.
“Always,” I say again.
His hand slips around my throat and tightens. It’s a firm, grounding weight. With a squeeze he could cut off my air. With a little time, he could end my life. He never would. No, this isn’t that. This is a hug, intimate and poignant in its simplicity.
“I was made to love you.” His thumb grazes my pulse point. “It’s an honor to be loved by you.”
Hailey sniffles, drawing both our gazes.
“Sorry.” She simultaneously smiles and cries and waves away our attention. “I’m just so happy.”
“Never be sorry for that.” Hota grabs her hand, kisses her knuckles, and then links her cold fingers with mine.
He gets back to work, caring for the marks he gave me. His fingers trail over my chest and the few spots on my arms, whispering sweet words in Japanese.
When his hand slides lower over my abdomen, my cock stirs. The longer he works and the more I watch his fingers glide over my skin, the harder it is to fight the heat pooling in my pants.
Hailey’s green gaze is intent on me, measuring my every reaction. The moment she keys in on my predicament, her gaze flies to Hota’s, and then back to mine. Hota is intent on his chore and oblivious to my now nearly full-blown erection. Hailey’s lower lip is snagged by her teeth in what I assume is a terrible attempt at not smiling.
The devilish points of her red lips only inflame me more.
I flop onto my back.
“Your back.” Hota hisses. I really wish he’d pay attention to my front.
My free hand tangles in the front of his black sweater. It’s soft against my fingers. I tug him close. The stupid container of ointment wedges between us. Still, I make sure he looks into my eyes.
“Don’t just call me yours, Hota. Make me yours,” I dare.
I’ve known Hota’s face since he was a boy. I’ve seen it in every stage of manhood. Yet the sinister gleam that darkens his gaze is new. His lips plump into a devious smirk. “I want to hear everything. Don’t hold back.”
He tosses the vitamin jar to Hailey. She releases my hand to catch it.
Hota seizes the opportunity. He grips the front of my pants and belt, and yanks me down the bed, toward him and away from the piles of pillows.
“Finally.” I fucking giggle.
Hota yanks his sweater over his head with one hand. Hot! His perfect body is on display. So hot! With athletic grace, he crouches onto all fours and prowls up my body. As he goes, his teeth nip and drag over my fabric-covered shins, the inside of my thighs and my hipbone. Then he buries his face in my crotch. He nuzzles my balls and sketches the outline of my cock with his nose. “Mine.”
His word rumbles against my shaft.
“Yours.” I nod, reaching for his hair. My fingers plow through the damp strands.
Deft fingers unfasten my belt. He yanks my pants and underwear down my legs and throws them to the side. Then he strips, making quick work of his shoes and socks, slacks and underwear.
He crawls up my body once more, and I see exactly why Hailey calls him Panther. His muscles bulge and dip, lining his body in power that he moves with heart-stopping grace. I mean, I’ve seen it before, but never from this vantage point.
“You’re so fucking hot.” I choke on the last word. His cock drags along mine. “Oh god.” I groan.
Hota lowers his chest to mine and attacks my mouth. The heat of his hand encompasses my neck and he pulls me forward. Prey to his predator.
I drink him in and writhe, jerking my hips up and against his smooth cock. Too soon I’m pinned to the bed by his weight. He levers his face back and I’m met with dark brows, red lips, and a smile.
“I’m going to fuck your ass, Arlo. I’m going to make it so good for you, you’ll be begging Hailey to peg you when I’m away on business.”
“Please,” I beg.
His teeth tug my lip so hard, I think he’s going to take it as a keepsake. Then he winks and shifts lower. He yanks on my nipples and laves them so well, I feel a tingle at the base of my cock. My cock that tries to find a way inside his belly button.
By the time he makes it to my hips again, I jerk and moan at every touch.
“Easy there.” Hota runs a finger through the string of precum from my belly to my tip. “Can’t have you coming yet.”
He gathers the moisture from my tip, but gives it no attention.
My whine is thin and pathetic to my own ears. But I’m desperate for friction. His hand. His mouth. His ass. Hell, at this point, I’d take his belly again. It wouldn’t be the first cum shot it’s seen.
“So eager.” Hota grabs my legs and wrenches my thighs high, nearly bending me in half.
“Oh god.” I hiss, feeling so exposed.
“I’m pretty sure we’ve established I’m no one’s god, but I’m your devil, Arlo.” Excitement dances over his face as he studies me. All of me. Every nook and cranny I have to offer on full display.
The lust dripping from his gaze and the precum dripping from his cockhead is enough to mute my self-consciousness. Then I remember having him in this exact position on the balcony.
I grab my legs and hold tight, so he can use his hands for other things, better things.
“So fucking good for me.” Hota’s hand wraps around my cock and strokes gently.
“Yes, please,” I plead.
He straightens his glistening finger and swipes it directly over my puckered hole.
“Jesus fuck.” My whole body bends to his will. “Anything, do it, please.”
“You think that’s begging.” He bites my knee and holds out a hand to Hailey. She slips him a small bottle of lube. Her nipples are puckered and pushing at the satin of her dress. The swell of her lips are full from biting them to keep quiet. She leans back on the headboard, watching the show.
“It is,” I argue.
“I know you think it is.” Hota flips the top and it’s insane how hard the sinew of his wrist and the veins popping make me. He drizzles the oil over my cock and down my balls. It drips down between my cheeks. Then he pours it over his pierced skin. It weeps off the sides like my tears will be if he doesn’t put me out of my misery.
“It’s cute, really.” He closes the bottle and tosses it aside. “I can’t wait to edge you for hours, until you’re sobbing and straining for release.”
My hips twitch. “It won’t take hours.” I swallow the desperation trying to seep out.
“Tonight, I won’t edge you. I’ll give you what you need,” he says, still not touching me.
A snarl rips up my throat.
He swats my ass with his bare hand. “Spoiled. The both of you.”
“Yes.” I nod and give him my most innocent smile. Hailey hums her approval.
His long hair shakes at his shoulders. A crafty expression pulls at his face. Then he reaches down and grips his shaft.
I whimper. Whimper like a damn puppy. A needy one.
The strength of his grip rolls up, bumping over one bar before slowing, and then bumping over the next. His thick cock stands straight, perfectly bisecting the V of his Apollo’s belt and the ridges of his abdomen.
I imagine his pretty tattoos sprayed with my cum and his, like they were in the locker room after our date.
Hota pumps his hips, working his cock through his hand. A moan falls from his lips.
“You’re so perfect, Hota.” He is. Perfect for me. For us.
He hums much like Hailey did, and then spreads his legs and nestles close to my ass. His fingers are warm from his skin. They massage the thick globes until I finally relax into his touch. Only then does he allow one hand to skate up my balls and grab my cock.
“God, Hota, yes.” I gasp.
Hota tugs me slowly while his other fingers work the edges of my hole.
“You’re doing so well,” Hailey whispers.
I moan my thanks, lost in the pleasure being lavished upon me.
“Who is claiming you?” Hota demands.
“You are, Hota. My love. My life.” I grab his knees on either side of my hips, needing to touch him.