Chapter 4 Ryker #2
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, but his pupils are blown, and when I glance down his body, I can see that his cock is already tenting his pants.
A few of the men I’ve played with have gotten hard in the lead-up, and they’d been so ashamed, so insistent they weren’t gay.
I don’t think it’s fear that’s making Liam hard.
I grab his shirt collar and drag him over to the couch. He struggles against me, but all it takes is a good kick to his side to make him wheeze.
While he’s gasping for breath, I take his wrists and wrench them behind his back so I can zip tie them together.
“This still getting you off, you brat?” I growl.
“Don’t know what—” He grunts when I tighten the zip ties. “Fuck!”
I haul him up onto the couch and sit him down. Liam tries to kick me, but I grab that leg before it connects.
“You want me to tie your ankles together too?” I ask. “Then you’d be trussed up perfectly for me.”
Liam groans. “What’re you gonna do with me?” He licks his lips. “Tell me. In detail,” he demands.
I grip his jaw and squeeze tightly. “I’m thinking I slice you up a bit. A few beautiful red marks, right here.” I trace a line across his chest, the thin shirt clearly showing how pert his nipples already are.
“Don’t tease me,” he gasps out, though the words are garbled. “If you’re gonna do it…”
I let out a harsh laugh. Yeah, I shouldn’t be surprised how into it the little brat is.
“You realize I could easily murder you right now?” I whisper, lowering my hand to his neck. “Strangle you, just like you did that other fucking man.”
“Ohh, so you’re a copycat now?” he taunts me. “Where’s your rope, Ryker?”
I force him to sit taller and drag my tongue along his jaw. “Unlike you, I don’t need a rope. My hand fits perfectly around your scrawny little neck.”
He shivers. “Promises, promises… But we both know you won’t do it. A witness downstairs, and all the cameras everywhere? You’re too smart to strangle me in my own apartment.”
I squeeze tighter, and I watch Liam struggle and gasp. His lips part beautifully, and I shouldn’t, but I lean in to kiss him, to taste his wheezing breath.
I run my tongue along his open mouth and inhale what could be a dying gasp.
Then I release him.
He coughs and slumps forward.
“Fucking Christ, kid,” I mutter. “You’ve got a death wish along with being stupid.”
“Mm, I wouldn’t call it a death wish,” Liam says. “I’m just kinky.” He squirms. “I guess you are, too.”
I lightly slap his cheek, making him groan. “So, let’s talk about the stupid first. Why the fuck did you let me into your condo?”
“Because you brought pizza, obviously,” he says flippantly.
I slap him again.
“I wanted you to stop by. Why wouldn’t I let you in?” Liam’s breaths are unsteady as he watches me.
“You recognized me from my voice?” I shake my head. “Don’t fucking lie. We had one conversation a year ago.”
Liam shrugs. “If you’re here too long, someone will call the cops.” He grins at me. “I mean, by then I could already be dead, but there’s so much evidence of you being here. It was a calculated risk.”
I grab him by the hair and force his head back at a painful angle. “So you think the only possible outcome here was to get murdered or… what? We have a nice, lovely chat?”
“So far, so good,” he says, his eyes fluttering closed. “This is exactly the kind of nice, lovely chat I keep jacking off to. Better than expected, I gotta say. Eight out of ten, would recommend.”
I bite down to suppress a laugh.
Shit.
I’m not supposed to be amused by the brat.
I let go of him entirely and step away from the couch. Liam whines at me, but I ignore that and go to pick up the pizza box. I sit down on the coffee table and take a slice for myself, eating directly in front of Liam.
“Eight out of ten,” I mutter in between bites. “You know what would have made this a fucking ten? If you hadn’t been stupid enough to leave a fucking calling card.”
He watches me, incredulity written across his expression. “Hey! I’m more interesting than the pizza,” he protests. “And the only reason this isn’t a ten is because your cock isn’t inside me yet. And because you’re eating in front of me. That’s just rude, man.”
He isn’t denying anything, but I guess if he wanted my attention, he wouldn’t.
I bring the pizza slice close to Liam’s mouth. “Why’d you do it?” I ask.
“Why’d I do what?” he asks, but there’s a sly grin on his full lips. “Oh, you’re gonna feed me? That’s hot. Give it.” He opens his mouth in anticipation.
I pull the slice away. “Answer the question first, you fucking brat. You’re going to get yourself caught if you keep leaving tells.”
“If I answer the question, won’t that make me look guilty?” Liam retorts. “For all I know, you’re wearing a wire. I think you should strip down so I can make sure you’re not trying to fuck me over. Being a good Samaritan and all that shit.” He eyes the pizza. “Or are you just going to starve me?”
“You already look guilty as fuck.” I take a bite of the pizza. “You told me I’d need rope to be a copycat, you little idiot.”
“Everyone knows he was strangled,” he grumbles. “It’s a logical conclusion.”
I shake my head. “I never once mentioned who I was talking about. There’s a murder every single day in New Bristol, but your mind went to exactly one.” I tap his leg with my foot. “If I was wearing a wire, you’d already be caught.”
“No, someone would have probable cause to investigate me,” he corrects me. “I never admitted to anything. Wow, don’t you actually listen to those podcasts?”
“And let me guess, your daddy’s got enough money to hire the top lawyers, so nothing ever sticks.” I finally shove the pizza against his lips.
He takes a bite, chews and swallows, then pulls back. “This is shitty pizza,” he remarks. “Couldn’t you at least have sprung for the artisan stuff?”
I slap him over the head, and all he does is laugh.
“I could still cut you,” I say. “You can survive a few slices across your chest.”
“More promises,” he says. “Might have to cut my shirt off, on account of the zip ties and all.” He frowns. “I like this shirt, though. Maybe give me five minutes to change and get back to the scene and all.”
“I’m not untying you.” I finish off the pizza and pick up another slice. “You want more of the food, or—”
Before I can finish, Liam’s cell phone rings.
It’s a loud, blaring sound, drawing all attention to his back pocket.
“Really?” I demand. “Are you deaf? You need everyone to know you’ve got incoming calls?”
“Don’t be rude,” Liam says. He nods toward the phone. “That’d be the front desk. Gotta make sure I know when I get deliveries! You gonna let me get it, or are you playing chicken with the cops?”
I roll my eyes, then get close enough so I can grab Liam by the throat again. He moans, but while he’s getting off on that, I fish the phone out of his pocket.
It does say the incoming call is from the front desk.
I loosen my grip on Liam’s neck. “I’m going to put this on speaker, and you’re going to tell him everything is fine.”
“Only if you agree to fuck me,” Liam says, still grinning like an idiot. “Otherwise…” He clucks his tongue. “Better decide quick, or I might have to tell them that I’m being held hostage. Even if it is fun this time.”
“I’ll fuck you,” I say easily.
“Do you mean it?” he asks.
The call cuts off.
“Oops,” he says innocently. “Better hope good old Markus down there decides to try again before calling the cops.”
“I’ll fuck you so hard you’ll be feeling it all the way to your throat,” I respond. “But if you don’t behave, I might leave without doing anything at all.”
The phone rings again, just as loud.
“Okay, okay. Answer it. But don’t put it on speaker. That’s a dead giveaway that something is wrong.” He flashes me that too-innocent smile that might fool someone else. “Just hold it to my ear, Ryker,” he purrs. “Get nice and close.”
I roll my eyes and answer the call—on speaker.
“Mr. Cohen? Sorry to disturb you, but did you get the pizza delivery?” Markus asks.
“Yeah!” Liam answers without hesitation. “But funny story, I know the guy who delivered it, and now I’m holding him hostage in my living room because he didn’t call me after our one-night-stand a few years ago.”
Fucking cheeky brat.
“Uh…” Markus clearly has no idea what to do with that either. “Well, maybe you should send him down again? Unless you want me to note him as a guest instead of a delivery person…”
“Oh, definitely note him down as a guest. In fact, he can visit me anytime.” Liam’s laugh is pure sin. “Ryker, boo, tell him your last name.”
“Johansen,” I lie easily. “And it’s Rider. Get my fucking name right. R-i-d-e-r.”
Markus mutters something, but he must be writing it down. “Okay. Have a great day, Mr. Cohen.” He hangs up before Liam can pull any more shit.
I put the phone on silent and place it on the coffee table. “You’re such a little shit.”
“You do know they’re going to ask for ID at the desk the next time you show up,” Liam says. “Tsk, tsk. Lying is frowned upon.” He pauses, then amends, “Actually, in my circles, it’s pretty much a requirement. So carry on lying your ass off.”
“Rider Johansen has ID,” I respond. “But they’ll only ask for ID if I come back, which I don’t intend to do.” I ruffle Liam’s hair, then stand up. “Stop being a fucking idiot, you brat.” I pick up the pizza box and make my way to the door.
“Wait!” Liam calls out. “You said you’d fuck me. And you can’t leave without untying me!”
I stop and raise my eyebrows at him. “I’m pretty sure I can.”
Liam cants his head to the side. “Oh, but would it be a good idea?” he asks.
“Because I have all sorts of video footage of you in this building. And facial recognition in New Bristol is totally a thing. You think my daddy can get me out of some bullshit investigation?” He laughs.
“Oh, the things that could be done to someone who tried to hold me hostage.”