Page 58 of Trust

“Okay, you can go a little harder than that,” Luke says. “I might not be hardcore like some of the people out there tonight, but I like a bit more impact than that.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Kyran mutters.

I scowl, not liking Luke’s attitude, but I take him at his word. I swing the flogger harder, surprised at how easily it swings through the air. The tails land on Luke’s ass, and he moans. I go again, and again, each blow being met with groans and appreciative moans.

I pretend it’s Micah instead of Luke, that it’s Micah moaning and begging for more.

My cock hardens as I bring the flogger down again.

“D-daddy,” Luke moans, and my fantasies shatter.

I lower the flogger, surprised at how tired I feel and how heavy my breath is. “That’s enough,” I say. I run my fingers over the handle of the flogger. “I think I understand.”

Silvano gets closer and takes the flogger from me. “Hopefully. Just remember to pay attention to what you’re doing.”

Luke lets out a small sniffle. “I wasn’t done yet. Please, may I have some more?”

Kyran stalks closer. “I think that’s enough,” he says. He no longer sounds jealous, but the irritation is evident in his voice.

“You can always practice on pillows,” Silvano suggests. He walks over to Luke and extends a hand to him. “All right, Luke. Let’s get you some snacks and a drink. Are you here with any friends tonight?”

Luke pouts and tries to sway closer to Silvano, but Silvano deftly evades the movement. Luke’s disappointment is palpable.

I don’t want to give him comfort either.

That’s cold of me.

I should want to help him, after he offered himself up to me like this.

But now all I want to do is go home and hold Micah.

I want to promise that I’ll be everything he needs.

I want to hearhismoans of pleasure as he takes the flogger for me.

“Thank you,” I tell Silvano, already distracted by my thoughts.

I need to get home to Micah.

I want to show him that I paid attention to what he said, what he wanted.

I want to show him that I care about his pleasure.

I want to show him that I’m not like his pig boyfriend.

ELEVEN

MICAH

The doors are all unlocked.

I discover that immediately after Ilya leaves, and I start to wander from room to room. It’s not like I think he’s hiding anything in plain sight, but on the off chance that there is something to find, I’d be remiss not to even try to look.

Even if I found something, though, it would probably be in Russian.

I give up after only a few minutes, returning to the living room.

The fish tank is the centerpiece of the room, taking up more space than even the TV. I spot the same fish I had last time, small silver ones and the bigger one with its elegant tail. This time, I notice a second one of the bigger fish, which must have been hiding before. Everywhere I look, there’s a new detail for me to spot, from the way the branches connect to the rocks and how the entire hardscape leads the eye around the aquarium like a carefully composed artwork.