Revived (The Dungeon Black Duology 2)

Max had been lucky in that respect, back when he’d first learned to dom. He hadn’t had all that many sessions, but his mentor, Greg, still managed to make an impact. Not only was the man insanely proficient, but loved to pack in as much bang for the buck. Meaning every single appointment had been crammed with information; every word Greg said, everything he did. Specifically, to Max’s body. Without mercy. It’d taught Max a lot in a small amount of time. What he liked. What he didn’t. What he wanted to give others. But most importantly, how he wanted to make them feel. Something that, regardless of how much he hated to sub, he couldn’t have gotten without Greg’s help.

So, tonight, he’d worked to instill that mindfulness into the aspiring Dom he was teaching. And the way he did it was pretty simple. Set shit up in front of the dungeon’s mirror so his clients could see everything that transpired. Then deliver a specific treatment to the acting Dom and have him immediately repeat it with his sub. And not just the main events, like a nice involved flogging, but every little aspect before and after. How to address one’s partner. How to bind and gag him. How to punish. How to praise. How to torment and tease. How to exact jarring pleasure relentlessly. And of course, how to put one’s sub back together while openly showing how much they’re treasured.

Treasured.

Max’s brain thought immediately of Sean. His own perfect, beautiful little gem. The same gem, as it were, he’d been snubbing all weekend. Ignoring all his messages like a bastard. Thing was, he hadn’t quite figured out just yet how exactly he was going to cut Sean loose. He wanted to do it gently, didn’t want to hurt his cat, but unfortunately suspected he’d have to do the opposite. Cold and quick, like a blade of dry ice, cauterizing the gash as it sliced its way through. Severing all contact with one cruel slash, minimizing all pain as much as possible.

Max’s heart thumped restlessly as he watched his clients leave, his gaze tracking them slowly down the— his froze, eyes locking on an entirely new subject. Sean, on the sidewalk with Scott and Tad.

Max’s jaw clenched angrily. What the fuck was he doing there? Unannounced, no less. Again.

Sean met his eyes. Didn’t smile. Didn’t frown. Just held Max’s stare nice and steady.

Goddamn it. He was there to start trouble again. Didn’t he ever know when to quit?

Scott glanced Max’s way, then grabbed Tad’s wrist and gave Sean a brief parting fist bump. Max watched from his peripheral as the happy couple approached, his full focus still locked on Sean’s face. God, he was pissed. Couldn’t believe Sean was pulling this shit again. Stopping by once more without an invite. And yet, deep down in the center of his chest, Max couldn’t help feeling happy to see him. Ever and always a sight for sore eyes. No matter how angry Max happened to be.

And for the record, he was currently pretty fucking angry.

Scott and his beau hit the driveway and strode closer. Max scowled and stepped down to the stoop. Guess he’d be doing his asshole act a day early. And since he was going in impromptu, it was probably going to get ugly—because being unprepared made him cranky. Sean could thank himself for that one, though, since he was forcing Max’s hand.

Wearing nothing but boots, leather pants, and some wrist cuffs, Max tromped down the steps toward the walk. Scott and Tad were only just a few yards away, but Max’s cool glare stayed glued to Sean’s face. Sean watched him intently, then to Max’s surprise, brought a cigarette to his mouth and took a drag. Max stiffened, the sight like a smack across his face. Sean had told him he’d quit for him, as a gift given freely, but now he’d gone and taken it back. A gift that had meant more than Max would ever admit, a gift he’d rewarded Sean for out of gratitude. A jabbing ache rose up in his chest. Max grit his teeth and used it to feed his anger.

Scott and Co. passed on his right. “Hey, Max.”

“S’up,” Max muttered, eyes still on Sean.

His heart pounded riotously. He didn’t want to do this. Didn’t want to fucking deal with Sean right now. But Sean was there, so he couldn’t just ignore him. Had to think of a way to make him leave instead. A task that wouldn’t be easy, going by that look in Sean’s eyes. The kid had clearly come with an objective.

Max reached the sidewalk and cut a right. Sean watched him approach, casually smoking his cig. Max came to a stop directly in front of him. Spreading his stance, he crossed his arms and irritably stared.