Page 115

Chapter Three

Aware of Zeno keeping behind him, Liam led the way into the gaming room. For a moment, no one paid them any attention, but as Liam deliberately paraded around, more gazes followed their progress as it became clear that they were a couple. To Liam’s intense satisfaction, some of the glances became admiring.

“I’ll sit there.” Liam indicated a card table. There was plenty of space both between each seat, and between the seat and the table. “You’ll sit at my feet.”

“Yes, Freyr.” Zeno purred the name and smiled, and a few low groans echoed around the room.

“Do carry on, gentlemen.” Liam strolled to his preferred seat, and Zeno gracefully folded himself under the table, hidden from sight by Liam’s stool.

Indicating he’d participate in the game, Liam smirked when he felt Zeno running hands over his shins, gently caressing his legs. Although Liam hadn’t given permission to touch, he was pleased Zeno that had. I want that spark of rebellion. Not too much, not too often, but I think we have a good vibe, that special spark, already.

Since there hadn’t been any reprimand, it was obvious to Liam that Zeno was going to test his boundaries. The touches slid higher, stroking along Liam’s thighs. Then lips and tongue joined in the increasingly arousing touches.

Shaking his head at the dealer to decline to play the next card game, Liam spread his legs wider, allowing Zeno to tease the skin just beneath his shorts.

The next touches were over Liam’s already half-hard cock, which swelled further to press insistently against the confines of the leather. Liam leaned to the side.

“If you go any further, you had best be certain you can deal with it and that when I stand up, no one will know what you did. Think carefully. I warned you I didn’t choose the name Freyr lightly.”

A drawn-out sigh reached Liam’s ears, and he smiled as the wandering hands moved back to stroke over his thighs.

“Good boy. Although there’s still the matter of touching without my permission I need to mull over. I’m sure I’ll think of something suitable to make you think about doing that in future. For now, come out and kneel beside me. I want the others to see what they can’t have.”

“Yes, Freyr.”

A second later, Zeno appeared and took his place at Liam’s side. With a nod, Liam reached to lay his hand on Zeno’s head, toying with the dark hair, watching rather than participating in the card game.

“I think it’s time to stretch my legs. Excuse me.” Liam nodded to the man at his side, and walked from the room, and Zeno walked two paces behind. Once out of the room, Liam turned, and drew Zeno into a kiss. “Excellent,” he whispered against Zeno’s lips. “For now, you don’t have to wait for me to give you instructions. I want you to enjoy yourself without constantly seeking my permission. If you’re hungry, you eat, or have a drink. However, don’t go too far, and always come back to me. Understand?”

“Yes, Freyr.” Zeno nodded.

Out in the hall, the lights were dimmed, and waiters wandered around with glasses of bubbles on silver trays. Adam, husband in tow, passed by, and his smile at seeing Liam and Zeno together seemed to light up the entire hall.

With a self-deprecating shrug, Liam allowed himself to be drawn over to a small crowd where Adam introduced him to some other guests who were also close, personal friends of his.

In addition to the waiters with trays of drinks, others brought around trays of canapes and finger food. Liam glanced at a waiter as he walked by, but the man’s attention was caught by a couple who waved him over.

A moment later, Zeno appeared at Liam’s side. In one hand was a glass of wine, in the other a selection a plate on which he’d collected a selection of sweet and savory treats. Liam smiled and nodded. He picked a few of the canapes, leaving the rest for Zeno, then took the wine.

During the exchange, Zeno never spoke, acknowledging his submission.

“Thank you, Maleficent. You may sit to eat the rest of these and get yourself a drink if you wish.” Liam indicated a large armchair nearby, and Zeno ducked his head but peered up at Liam.

“Thank you, Freyr.”

A moment later, Liam glanced over at Zeno, who appeared to be oblivious of Liam’s study of him. He’d selected a glass of bubbles and had added several of the plump strawberries on offer to it. Liam stared entranced as Zeno carefully hooked one out with his nail, sucked at it, then bit it in half.

Visions of other things, those lush, full lips could be around filled Liam’s mind. Especially when Zeno licked at his lips. It took a touch to his arm from Adam to draw him back into the conversation.

As the group separated, Liam joined Zeno, who stood to allow Liam to sit on the chair and then settled himself on Liam’s lap, wriggling until his bare ass cheeks were on Liam’s thighs, rather than the cold leather kilt.

For a moment or two, Liam indulged in kissing the younger man, tasting strawberries and champagne, each of them taking great care since their masks were horned. Liam didn’t want either of them trying to explain what they’d been doing to a doctor at the local ER.

“Do you like to dance?” Liam asked, snagging a strawberry and holding it between his teeth.

With a smile, Zeno pressed his mouth to Liam’s, biting the strawberry in half. Then he nodded.

“Yes, I do … Freyr.” His smile was nothing short of devilish, and Liam grinned.