He closed his eyes, focusing on the pleasure, blocking out the hoots and jeers from the crowd. Liam hadn’t permitted him to come for a while and it wasn’t long before he jerked against Phillip with a groan as he ejaculated. Phillip held him steady and continued to suck him as if his life depended on it, not letting go until he’d milked him dry. There was a smattering of applause and laughter and Daniel opened his eyes, vaguely embarrassed at his public display.
“Daniel.” Liam was behind him. Daniel twisted toward his voice. He was confused by the dark, angry expression on Liam’s face. “Let him down.” Daniel was quickly released. He stood where he was, not sure what Liam wanted from him. In a quiet, dangerous voice Liam spoke to Matthew. “I wasn’t aware you planned to cane them, Matthew.”
Matthew smiled uncertainly. “It was Anthony’s idea. These canes are really cool and easy to handle. Both our boys took it well though I think Phillip cried wolf so he could suck Daniel’s gorgeous cock.” He reached down and ruffled his sub’s hair affectionately.
“Excuse me, Liam,” the Spanish whip maker interjected. “I apologize if I overstepped. I wasn’t aware there were specific limits placed on the scene. If I had known…” Anthony let the sentence hang. Was it Daniel’s imagination or was there the trace of a sneer in his voice?
Yet he couldn’t deny what Anthony implied was true. There were no specific limits set on the play at the party as long as all participants agreed to a scene.
Daniel knew he could have protested and refused the cane. He had wanted to impress everyone watching with how well he could take it, especially the arrogant Anthony. Now with his back a crisscross of stinging pain, he wondered if he’d been so smart.
“Daniel handled himself with the utmost grace. You should be very proud.” Anthony spoke in a smooth, elegantly accented voice that for some reason made Daniel want to punch him despite his words of praise.
He could tell Liam didn’t like him either. Liam’s tone was polite but cold. “Thank you. Daniel always makes me proud. If you’ll all excuse us I want to tend to Daniel. Matthew.” He nodded toward Phillip, still kneeling between them. “You might wish to do the same for your sub. You can use the bathroom at the end of the hall. You’ll find everything you need in the cabinet above the sink.”
He put his arm very lightly over Daniel’s shoulders and led him from the playroom, ignoring the several scenes going on around them. Once in the master bedroom he took Daniel gently into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I shouldn’t have left you. I wouldn’t have permitted this.”
“No, no. You did the right thing. Alex needed you.”
Liam let him go. “Turn around and let me see.” He ran a finger lightly over Daniel’s back. “You’ve got some pretty intense welts. You’re definitely going to have some bruising. Why did you let them cane you? You know what a risk it can be.” Liam’s voice was gentle but Daniel could hear the worry and reproach behind it.
Daniel felt stupid now that he was away from the scene, his back and ass stinging. Liam brought a tube of antiseptic cream from the bathroom and smoothed it carefully over the welted skin. Daniel winced though Liam’s touch was light.
“I’m sorry, Liam. I let ego and horniness get in the way of clear thinking. All those guys around watching and Matthew challenging me, asking me if I was as much a man as his sub. And that guy, Anthony. I’m sorry I just don’t like the guy. I wanted to show him I could take whatever he could mete out.”
“I understand. Don’t apologize. This was my fault. When Matthew asked to bring someone I hadn’t personally met and scened with I should have told him no. Maybe it’s time to rethink these play parties, especially with Alex onboard.”
Alex.
“Where is she?”
“She’s in her bedroom recovering.” Liam smiled. “Marianne spanked her thoroughly. Afterward she wanted me to leave them alone so she could have her way with our girl but one glance at Alex told me she wasn’t ready for a lesbian experience at this point.”
Daniel shook his head with a laugh and Liam’s smile widened to a grin. “I sent Marianne back to the party. I told Alex to take her time and come out when she was ready.”
“Can we—?”
“Go see her? You took the words out of my mouth. Let’s go.”
Chapter 10
It was after three in the morning by the time the last of the partiers had been thanked for coming and sent on their way. Liam was pleased overall with the event, though after the caning incident he hadn’t let either Daniel or Alex too far out of his sight.