Something in the Way He Needs (Family 1)

“I’ve been busy.” He shrugged. “You know how it goes.”

The man laughed. “I figured that was it. Some guys were spreading shit about you having settled down, but I was saying it had to be work. You’re just not that way.”

It wasn’t intended as a dig, Asher knew. Hell, it was probably something he would have said about himself. So why did it bother him?

He shook off the awkward feeling, chuckled along with the bouncer, and then went into the club. The lights were dim, but he could see that most of the tables were taken, the corners occupied by shadowed figures moving in a familiar rhythm. Asher stilled and took stock of the room.

It felt strange being there. He wasn’t sure what to do next, which was ridiculous. He had walked through those doors hundreds of times, always knowing he’d get what he wanted before he left. So what did he want?

Memories of his erotic experiences at the club flickered through his mind like a pornographic Rolodex: men kneeling, writhing under his cane or whip, sucking his dick, spreading their cheeks and begging for his cock. Without his permission, the pictures morphed, and he saw Daniel leaning up to kiss him. Daniel lying on his back, a happy smile on his face as he welcomed Asher into his body. Daniel over Asher’s lap, cheeks hot and red as he moaned in reaction to the most gentle spanking Asher had ever delivered. Daniel, moaning and whimpering as Asher sucked him down and swallowed his seed.

Just like that, Asher was achingly hard and his chest burned. He swallowed down the lump in his throat and closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath. What in the hell was wrong with him? He viciously shoved the memories of Daniel away. He was a skilled, demanding master. He could have subs lined up to experience his whip with a snap of his fingers. And maybe that was exactly what he’d do.

With that decision made, Asher strode up to the bar and settled on a stool where he could scope out the available men and pick the lucky one who would be kneeling before him in a matter of minutes.

The heavily pierced woman tending bar approached hm. “Tina,” he said and dipped his chin in greeting. “How’ve you been?”

“Not bad, Asher,” she responded. “What can I get for you?”

“Nothing right now. I’ll vacate the spot in a minute—just looking for someone.”

“Who?” she asked. “I’m sure I’ve seen every man here at some point tonight.”

“I’m not sure yet,” Asher said with a shrug. “I haven’t picked him yet.”

She laughed. “Oh, I see. So it’s like that, is it? What’ll it be tonight? The whip or the cane?”

“You’re doing a whipping, Penaz?” a snide voice said from behind him. “I heard you were done with the scene.”

Nicholas Pike. Even the man’s voice was grating.

“You heard wrong,” Asher said, not bothering to turn his head, the dismissal intentional and obvious.

“What’s the matter? Did your boy walk out on you already? When I heard you were living with someone, I figured it wouldn’t last. And I was right. Here you are, looking for the next guy to disappoint.”

Asher’s jaw ticked. He clenched his fists and willed himself to ignore the taunt. Other than bumping into a couple of people on the street, he hadn’t talked with anyone from the club since the last time he’d been in. So how did Nicholas know anything about what he’d been doing? And why did Nicholas care?

The man hated Asher, something to do with him caning and fucking Nicholas’s sub years earlier. Never mind that Darwin had asked for it and that Asher had seen Nicholas fuck dozens of men on the side. Somehow he was responsible for not knowing the rules of their screwed-up relationship.

“The regulars know you’re nothing more than smoke and mirrors. So you’ll need to find someone new to endure your brand of whipping,” Nicholas taunted, pretending to survey the crowd. “So what poor guy are you going to take to the back tonight, Asher?”

That was it. Asher planted his hands on the bar, ready to push himself up and deck the gnat, who was now standing next to him.

“It’ll be me.”

Asher spun around at the sound of Daniel’s voice. What was he doing at the Lounge?

“Well, you’re a pretty one, aren’t you?” Nicholas dragged his gaze over Daniel’s body appreciatively. “You don’t want him, sweetheart, believe me. But I’d be happy to take care of you.”

“Ash?” Daniel sounded unsure and frightened. He darted his gaze between Asher and Nicholas.

“Ash?” Nicholas repeated incredulously. He stared at Asher. “This is your new boy?”

“Yes,” Daniel responded. “I am.” He moved closer to Asher, pressing himself to Asher’s side.

“Oh, ho!” Nicholas chuckled. “I am going to enjoy this. His skin looks delicate.” He moved his finger toward Daniel’s neck. “Wonder if you’ll make him bleed.”