Chapter Twenty-Two
Nolan’s body hummed with awareness as he stepped up to Whipped.
He and James had set up a scene for Play Night with Tristan, and not only was he excited over what they had planned, but tonight, he was bringing someone with him for the first time.
Everyone in their crew knew what that meant, and the idea of it thrilled him so much he almost wanted to vomit.
With his nerves on higher alert, many of his tendencies cropped up, and he paused again to make sure he stepped over the crack on the sidewalk rather than on it.
Relief poured through him at the simple motion.
Tonight, he’d top for the first time in awhile, and then he’d get dominated by James all over again. A silent thrill rose up inside him. James had come up with the scene, and the fact that he’d considered Nolan’s needs and already gave him an avenue to top warmed him from the inside out.
Nolan stopped in front of Whipped, where he’d spent most of the day.
He’d dipped back home to shower and change because his skin had been crawling after he’d gotten a stain earlier today.
In the past, that would’ve been enough for him to stay home.
He was too broken to play, and he’d just bring everyone else down.
However, he and James were trying to heal together, and there was as high a chance that James might also have to safe out during the scene too, if anything cropped up for him.
If James could be brave, then he could too.
Nolan stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of vanilla and coffee.
Only the low lights were on upstairs, as the coffee shop was closed. Fin had finished cleanup, so they were downstairs with the rest of the crew gathering tonight.
Nolan strode down the steps as voices washed over him. He could pick out a few at once—Fin’s barking laugh, Meg’s sultry murmur, and Parker’s low tenor. Some of his nerves soothed at once. He was here in a place he loved, among his people, no matter the new variable.
When he reached the end of the steps, the sight of most of the crew greeted him.
Meg and Tristan cuddled on one of the couches, and Sloan sat between Meg’s thighs as she ran her fingers through his blond strands.
Ezra stood over by the table with Fin, where they’d laid out a bunch of their impact toys, and Micah and Ollie sprawled on the other couch, with Parker sitting between them, already down to boxer briefs.
Nolan stepped forward, and Meg glanced up, giving him a wave.
“James on his way?”
Nolan nodded. James had sent him a text that he was a few minutes away.
“Damn, I can’t wait for you two to take me apart,” Tristan said with a shiver. “It’s been too long.”
A little burst of jealousy bubbled inside him over the history James shared with Meg and Tristan, but it quickly dissipated—he had his own history with Meg, Tristan, and…
well, the rest of the staff here. And none of that changed the growing feelings he had for James, how the man consumed his thoughts and his hopes for the future.
“We’ll take good care of you,” Nolan promised. The prospect of co-topping with James wasn’t something he’d considered, but it sent a frisson of excitement through him.
“No fair,” Sloan complained. “I want to get double teamed by you guys.”
“Greedy,” Ezra called over. “Isn’t getting to play with Fin and Ollie enough for you tonight?”
“All I’m saying is if you have a load to spare after…”
“Yeah, okay,” Nolan teased. “It’ll go right down your throat.”
“I thought I was the one getting your loads,” Tristan said, batting his lashes.
“You’re getting more than that after,” Meg said, tugging his bun. “This pussy isn’t going to warm itself.”
Tristan bit his lower lip, pure tease, and he shivered. Nolan’s chest warmed. Fuck, he loved these people so much. He’d barely settled on the couch where Meg, Tristan, and Sloan camped when the person he’d been waiting for stepped through the doorway.
The sight of James sent his pulse aflutter.
The man still wore his work button-down and slacks, but business professional suited James so damn well.
When their eyes met, the blinder of a grin James flashed him made the breath catch in his throat.
God, he was so stunning. The shirt he wore made his muscles bulge, as did those slacks, and Nolan couldn’t wait to be wrapped around them later, feeling James thrust inside him with abandon.
“So this is the illustrious Play Night,” James said. “Everyone hanging around on couches?”
Meg barked a laugh. “Some nights, yeah. But tonight, I’m helping Parker spank his boy while you two get my husband warmed up for me.”
“What scene do you guys have planned?” Nolan asked Fin and Ezra, who seemed to be colluding.
“Ollie’s getting cockwarmed while we DP Sloan,” Fin said.
“Someone’s been extra needy with Kai having so many night classes,” Ezra teased, a fondness in his eyes as he glanced to Sloan.
James stepped behind Nolan and placed his hands on his shoulders.
A slight frisson of nerves bubbled through him.
He glanced up, and James closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Nolan’s.
The move quieted any insecurities that threatened to rise.
Apparently he was okay with displaying their… relationship to his friends.
Sloan let out a groan. “Come on, can’t you play with me after? That’s so hot.”
Nolan drew back from James, and a low rumble of laughter exploded from him. He was here among his friends with the man he was fast falling for, and damn, he couldn’t imagine a more perfect Play Night.
“Tristan, c’mere,” James said, gesturing him over with two fingers. Tristan pressed a quick kiss to Meg’s lips and then hopped up from his seat on the couch. “It’s been awhile.”
Meg gave Sloan a slight push. “Go get that pretty ass prepped to take Ezra and Fin. I’m going to give a brat the spanking he deserves.”
“See if I even feel it,” Micah snarked back, and Parker squeezed his nape.
“You’re in trouble now, boy.”
Tristan stepped in front of Nolan, and he placed his hands on Tristan’s slim hips.
He and James were on the taller side, so they towered over Tristan, and the thought of taking him apart with James sent a rippling thrill through him.
He’d never co-topped with a partner before, but now that it was happening, lust erupted through his veins like wildfire.
“Going to just fuck me or warm me up first?” Tristan teased.
James reached around and gave Tristan’s bun a tug. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this without a beating.”
Tristan’s pupils dilated, his mouth slightly open. The heat was blatant on his face as he scanned James and Nolan, and damn, Tristan was such a fun, responsive sub.
“Cluster cane?” Nolan asked, sliding his fingers under Tristan’s flowy white shirt. His skin was warm to the touch and velvet soft. Tristan bobbed his head in a nod.
“I’ll go with the tawse I brought from home,” James said, a smirk on his lips.
“Brutal,” Meg called over. “Can’t wait to see the bruises that leaves.”
“Get over on the spanking bench and strip down.” James gave the command and then glanced at Nolan. “Do you want these implements wiped down?”
Nolan’s heart thrummed. Even here, playing with someone else, James considered him. “Yes, please.”
Tristan headed to the spanking bench, and Nolan grabbed his cluster cane and followed him.
As Tristan shed his clothes, he passed them over to Nolan’s waiting hands until he was completely bare.
Then he settled onto the spanking bench, ass and thighs on clear display.
Tristan had a round, perfect ass—a great canvas for marks, which Meg had taken advantage of throughout the years.
James handed him a cleaning wipe. “Here you go, baby.” The kiss, the terms of endearment washed over him, settling any nerves that remained.
James might’ve said he needed time, but that was due to his cautious nature.
In action, he’d been treating him with all the tenderness and care Nolan craved from a partner.
Nolan wiped the cluster cane from handle to end, a thread of tension easing with the process.
“It’s been awhile, hasn’t it,” James said, squeezing Tristan’s ass. “Let’s get this ass nice and pink before Nolan sinks into it.”
Nolan heated up. “And you can suck James down while I’m fucking you.” Tristan let out a whimper. His chestnut strands were tousled, and his light scruff offset those perfect pouty lips.
James grinned widely, a warmth in his eyes that set him on fire. He’d never thought their connection would flow like this for co-topping, but he loved it.
“Want to warm him up for the tawse?” James said.
“Wouldn’t mind you using that on me some other time,” Nolan drawled, eyeing the vicious strip of leather.
“With pleasure,” James said as he tested it against his thigh with a slap.
Nolan lined up along Tristan’s side as he gave the cluster cane the first few light strikes against that ass. He liked getting a feel for the implement against skin before he whaled in hard. Tristan’s ass jiggled as he aimed the cluster cane right underneath, just to watch the man’s ass bounce.
“Damn, what a pretty sight,” James said, his arms crossed as he stood next to Nolan watching.
“Let’s get you warmed up,” Nolan said as he launched the first few swings with the cluster cane, enough to hear the heady thwack.
Tristan’s moans were long and loud—this implement wasn’t as vicious as an actual cane, but fuck, it was fun.
He walked over to the other side to change direction, lobbying a few more blows against that lush ass.
His cock started to fill out at getting those swings in, at the anticipation of burying inside Tristan.