Tragic King (The Dominant Bastard Duology 2)

“I don’t recall you asking my permission.”

“I – didn’t know I needed to –” He glanced around as the elevator door closed behind him, leaving him alone. “Sir.”

“Sir?”

He tried again. “Mister Leduc?” Fuck. In his sudden state of anxiety, he realized he wasn’t sure if he was going to faint or spontaneously orgasm.

“Mister? Is that what I am to you?” The question was a snarl.

Rodrigo’s knees felt like water as he unlocked his room and stepped into the darkness, then shut the door behind himself.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

Severin huffed out a breath. “Where are you? At the bar?”

“My room now.”

“Alone?”

“Of course.”

“Kneel.” The order was curt, and it almost felt as if Severin could see him there, alone in the dark.

Rodrigo sank to his knees, feeling stupid for obeying even though Severin was an ocean away.

“I don’t like you being so far away,” Severin said, making Rodrigo’s heart lurch. Maybe it didn’t mean what it sounded like, but Rodrigo was more than willing to delude himself.

“I had to work.”

“From now on you ask permission before you leave town.”

“You’re not my only client!”

Severin growled. “I won’t say no, but I still expect you to ask. When are you coming home?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Good.”

A long silence ensued. Every feeling he had for Severin expanded to soften the space’s unfamiliar gloom. For all he knew, Severin was just distracted by Minnow or the television, but for him the silence between them was pregnant and meaningful.

An awkward sound, like Severin clearing his throat, came through the phone. “If you hadn’t chickened out, I might have let it happen.”

He swayed on his knees. They couldn’t be thinking about the same thing. There was no way.

“What?” he asked hoarsely.

“You heard me.”

No. He wasn’t talking about the same thing Rodrigo was thinking about. He couldn’t be. The invisible knife twisted.

“The last time I gave you a piercing?” he asked hesitantly, feeling like he was walking into a trap.

“Yes.”

Fuck.

But how could he have known? The last time he’d pierced Severin’s cock, it had almost seemed as if he was daring Rodrigo to try something. After it was done, they’d gotten drunk together. A wrestling match had ensued. A kiss had almost happened.