Page 21 of A Flash of Golden Fire

I blushed with humiliation, but a giddy sense of excitement filled me as I obeyed.

The captain was silent.

I craned my neck, my dirty hair falling over my eyes. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” he said, placing a hand on one cheek and spreading me. “I didn’t expect you to be so clean. Have you been washing?”

Pride and relief filled me. “Aye. With a cloth and water each morning.”

He smoothed a thumb down my crack, making me shiver.

“That’s very commendable and appreciated.”

“I did it for you,” I admitted.

“For me? Not for yourself?”

“Well…it did feel good to be clean, in general, or as clean as I could manage. But my endeavours were in case of exactly this circumstance, really,” I admitted, gesturing to my nakedness.

He smiled. “I was going to clean you off again, but there’s no need. I’ll arrange a proper bath for you later, so you can do something about your hair.”

“You are so kind,” I said, with a sarcastic lilt to my voice. I felt rather insulted, even though I did look forward to bathing, particularly if the captain planned to watch.

“You can stand up now.”

I did and turned to face him.

“That brings me to my next point. If it’s kindness you’re after in terms of intimacy, I’m afraid I’m not your man.” His gaze pierced me with a brutal and frank level of honesty. “I like the men I fuck to be restrained, as you will see, and I’m not the most gentle of lovers.”

A shudder wracked me.

I nodded. “Well, it just so happens, Captain Martin, that I’m rather fond of a man who knows what he wants…and isn’t afraid to take the pleasure.”

He smiled, as if he’d just been given an unexpected gift, and held my gaze. The sexual tension felt thick in the air between us.

“I should give you a word, in case you need me to stop whatever I’m doing. In case I’m being rougher than you like.”

“Fair,” I said, finding breathing to be difficult. I glanced at the rope on the bed.

“Good. I don’t actually want to harm you. I do find, though, that a bit of…controlled pain…is inflaming to some…” He looked at me as the tip of his tongue traced his bottom lip, and his eyebrows lifted in a silent question.

“Aye,” I said breathlessly.

“Do you like a bit of pain, Simon?”

“I like to be manhandled. Beyond that, I have yet to explore,” I admitted.

He smiled slyly. “Well, I have some experience in this area. And I’d like to explore that with you, if you’re willing.”

“Aye. As long as I have a stop word.”

“So you aren’t completely new to this sort of play between men, are you? Would you like to choose one?”

“Cribbage,” I said without preamble.

“Beg pardon? Did you say ‘cribbage’?”

“Aye. Horrid game. Makes me want to pluck my eyes out.”