Unearthed (The Dungeon Black Duology 1)

“Dick,” Max chuckled.

Scott snickered and sauntered off.

Max turned around, grumbling, and paused.

Sean was watching him, smiling from ear to ear.

Max scowled and jerked his chin. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“Please tell me I get to face off with you, too.”

Oh, they’d be facing off alright. In ways Sean might never recover from.

“Maybe later.” Max turned and headed for his studio. Sean caught up and followed him in. “Sit quietly until I’m done.” Max sat at his desk. “Which, just so we’re clear, means no talking.”

“Damn,” Sean whispered. “So oppressive.” He plopped down on a stool.

“No. Here.”

Max watched as Sean balked at the spot Max pointed to.

“You want me to sit beside you on the floor?”

“Yes. I do. Chop, chop.”

Up went Sean’s brows as he headed over, his lips mouthing, Wow. Okaaay.

Max fought not to grin as he booted up his laptop. Because honestly, this moment was important. Sean needed to grasp his station. His place in their dynamic. Which, for all intents and purposes, was at Max’s feet. A precept that many outside the lifestyle mistook, thinking it an indication of one’s worth. Or lack thereof. An assumption that truthfully couldn’t be more wrong, as Sean would eventually discover.

Sean sat on the floor, right where Max had pointed, bent his knees, and wrapped his arms around his shins. So far so good. Max fired up his accounting software and made a few entries. Balanced his online checkbook. Sent some invoices, too. Of course, before long, and hardly to Max’s surprise, Sean’s efforts to remain silent unraveled.

“Can we listen to music?”

“No.”

“Can I go get my—”

“No.”

“At least let me—”

“Shh.”

“But I—”

“Quiet.”

Max tamped another smile. He could feel Sean glaring. Disgruntled eyes locked on Max’s face. Fine. Okay. He’d throw Sean a bone. Something to temporarily appease him. After all, Max wasn’t trying to make him unhappy. Just more attuned and obedient.

Easing back in his chair, Max opened up Outlook and got busy reading his emails. A task, as it were, that only used his right hand, leaving his other free to play. Max extended his left arm and sank his fingers into Sean’s hair.

Sean stilled, then sighed and closed his eyes, a small smile curving his lips.

Max’s insides warmed. Something stirred in his chest. Absently, he clicked on another message. But even after reading it five fucking times, he still had no clue what it said. Because his brain wasn’t interested. Didn’t care what it said. Would rather stay focused on other things. Like how freaking silky Sean’s long locks were. Or how Sean shivered when Max grazed him with his nails. Gently. Leisurely. Along his scalp. Eliciting the most incredible sounds. At the base of Sean’s throat. All low and soft. Quiet little exhales of bliss.

Max slid his hand lower as he clicked another email, still oblivious to what the previous one said. Whatever. He’d have another go at it later. When Sean wasn’t around to distract him. He toyed with Sean’s ear, slowly, lazily. Sean shivered again and breathed out a curse.

Max’s heart thumped faster. His dick stirred, too. He slid his fingers lower and traced Sean’s jaw. Which Sean really liked, going by that moan. And the way he canted his head to the side, giving Max’s fingers more access. An invitation Max happily accepted. He stroked feather-lightly beneath Sean’s chin, then gently grazed the spot with his nails.

Sean growled softly and nuzzled Max’s palm. Fuck, Max loved when he did that. Unable to resist, he turned to watch. Sean’s big, blue eyes opened and looked at him.

Max held his gaze. Stroked his cheek. “Think I’m done.”

“Thank God.”

* * * * *

They headed upstairs a couple minutes later. When they arrived at Max’s bedroom, Max paused at the door, thinking back to earlier that day. When he’d been planning the itinerary for Sean’s free time before their session. Where to take him, what to do to him, how to make it feel like punishment. Thing was, several activities required the use of Max’s room; the one place he never took anyone. Sure, Scott popped in every now and again. He didn’t count, though. He was family. But to allow someone outside of his two-man circle to enter? The space was just too personal. Max’s private, sacred haven. Hence, the reason he didn’t have fucking guests.

For quite a few minutes, Max had struggled with what to do: allow Sean entrance just this once, or rework all of his plans. His decision hadn’t been easy, but here they stood.

Muscles tense, Max glanced at Sean, then led the way inside. First stop, his master bathroom. “Come.” He motioned for Sean to follow.

Sean joined him at the sink and glanced around. “Wow. So big… Damn. Nice tub.” He tossed Max a look. “Let’s skinny dip.”

Max blinked. Blinked again. Should’ve seen that coming. “No,” he laughed. “Let’s not and say we did.”