16. Liam

16

LIAM

I glanced around carefully, making sure no one was paying attention to me as I slipped out of the storage area I’d rented, pulled down the door, and locked it.

I’d moved what stuff I could there. I had my mattress on the floor and the rest of the belongings I’d been able to haul piled up around it. At least for now, that’s where I was going to live. If got kicked out, I still had my mom’s old car. Thank God I didn’t owe any payments on it. I crossed my fingers every day that it would keep running until I pulled myself out of this hole. I was trying not to lose faith that would happen one day. Somehow, I had to come up with tuition for Ava’s spring semester.

She’d called me a few times in the last week and left messages. I’d sent her a few quick texts, but I hadn’t called her back. I didn’t know what to say. She knew what I’d done and she hated it, but the money was spent and I was working it off. Nothing would change that, and I didn’t want to argue with her. I would do whatever it took to keep her on the path she wanted to be on.

Earlier that day, Val texted me that he’d reserved the room we’d used a few nights ago.

My pulse sped up as I imagined what he intended to do to me. He’d told me to expect to be worn out, not that I’d needed the warning after the way he’d face fucked me. He liked control, and he like to punish. He didn’t mind hurting me for his own pleasure, but I had loved every second of it. Ava constantly said I was trying to punish myself, but now I had someone to do it for me. It was a hell of a lot better that way.

I shouldn’t be meeting Val. I should have chosen the option of only dancing, not this dangerous path. But if I hadn’t agreed, it might be years before I could pay back the Marchesis. Plus, I now knew how good fucking Val could be.

Two days had passed without him showing up at Pound, and I’d started to wonder if the deal was off. I’d tried to tell myself it was fine, but the truth was, I missed him. I was playing with fire, but I wasn’t going to stop.

I’d been thrilled to see his text, and I made sure to take extra care with my hair and my choice of outfits. I was hoping he’d be there to watch me dance.

I wanted to perform for him. I was better when he was watching. He made me want to look good, to show off my body, because I knew how hot it made him to watch me—and how angry it made him to see all those other men thinking they could have me.

Val was the most fucking possessive man I’d ever met. He wanted to own me, and God help me, I loved it. Except it wasn’t real. It was a bargain, a game. I needed to remember this was all going to end. He could have anyone he wanted, and I was sure he’d get tired of playing with me.

But why shouldn’t I have a chance to enjoy myself? Why should I gift lap dances to men I resented who made me feel small and insignificant? Val never did that. He complimented me, and I never doubted how badly he wanted me. Me . Not just a hole to shove himself in or something to rub against to get off. And I knew he wouldn’t have paid me if he hadn’t enjoyed himself.

I arrived for work at the same time as Tyler. He looked me up and down and grinned. “I take it Val is coming tonight?”

I feigned confusion. “What?”

“Don’t play coy with me. He’s so totally into you. He would never have told me to keep my hands off otherwise.”

“I’m not….”

“You look good. He’ll like it.”

Val had said he didn’t care if everyone knew, but I was sure he didn’t want me openly talking about our agreement. “We’re not…Nothing is going on.”

“That is so not true. I’ve never seen Val act this interested in anyone here before.”

Was he serious? “You really think he…never mind.”

“Do you like him?”

There was no way I could answer that question, not even to myself. “I…we just have an agreement.”

Tyler’s smile told me he didn’t believe me. “Plenty of us would love to have an agreement with Val; you’re lucky. But watch your back. Some of the guys here have been making a play for him for a damn long time. He’s turned everyone down.”

“You mean he never hooks up with the other dancers?” Why had he told me he did?

“Never in my time here.”

I forced myself not to smile. I loved the idea that he’d only pretended fucking dancers was typical for him.

When Val didn’t show up in time for my first show, I tried not to be disappointed. I hated how much I wanted him there.

As I made my way to the bar, I turned down numerous offers from men who wanted lap dances, a turn in a private room with me, or to take me to a hotel once I was off work.

Tyler handed me a glass of water without me even having to ask. “It looks like you made a pile.” He glanced at the fat stack of bills I had stuffed in my waistband.

I drained half the glass before answering. “I did. And it’s getting harder to fend everyone off after I get off stage.”

“Val doesn’t share, does he?”

“He told me not to offer any other services. It’s part of my contract.”

Tyler winked. “Uh huh.”

Why was he so determined to make something of my relationship with Val? “He’s just trying to make it harder to pay him back so he can keep me here longer.”

“And why would he want to do that?”

“I don’t know. To be an asshole?”

“He’s always an asshole, but he’s not all bad.”

“I know.” I polished off the last of my water and held out my glass to Tyler so he could refill it.

“Some people don’t see anything other than the killer he can be.”

I shrugged. “He let me work here. He didn’t have to do that.”

Tyler leaned on the bar and lowered his voice. “He wants to keep you.”

“No… It doesn’t mean…he just wants to earn as much interest as he can and keeping me here longer means a bigger payback.”

“Speak of the devil.” Tyler inclined his head toward the back of the club.

I turned to see Val walking toward the bar. He was glaring at Tyler who stood up straight and took a step back from me. “I was just keeping him hydrated for you Mr. Marchesi.”

“Your mouth is going to get you killed one day.”

He shrugged. “Probably.”

“Was he bothering you?” Val asked me.

“No. He’s been great. He always brings me water after I dance, and he’s helped me get adjusted to working here.”

“Good.”

“I’m friendly but not too friendly,” Tyler said.

Val narrowed his eyes. “Keep it that way.” He turned to me. “Did I miss seeing you on stage?”

“Yes, but I’m on again in an hour.” The look he gave me made me shiver. “What?”

“I’m considering whether I want to have you now or wait until I’ve seen you dance.”

I thought about how rattled I’d been the other night. No way could I have put on a decent show after that.

“What’s wrong? You promised to be at my beck and call?”

“Nothing’s wrong, sir.”

His smile told me he knew I was lying. “Worried I’ll wear you out?”

“Umm….”

“It’s all right, I would. That’s why I’m going to make us both wait.”

“Hands over your head. I want to cover you in cum.”

I did as Val said, raising my arms and leaning back in the chair.

He stood above me, working his cock hard and fast; precum dripped from the tip, and I knew he was close.

“I want you dripping with it, I want you to smell like me, taste like me. You won’t be able to deny that you’re mine.”

“Yes. Fuck, yes.” I wanted that too. I knew how crazy it was, but it didn’t matter, I wanted to be owed by Val.

With a groan, he came. Spunk shot from his cock, over and over, coating my chest, my stomach, and my still hard-as-fuck cock.

He braced himself on the arm of the chair and dragged in ragged breaths.

I didn’t dare move without permission. By now I knew he was calling all the shots when we were together.

Seconds later, he took my cock in his hand and worked it, using his cum like lube. It didn’t take long before I was crying out as my whole body caught fire, and I came for him.

“So fucking gorgeous,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

But it was mine too. I enjoyed every second of being with him, just like I had the time before.

Without saying anything else, he used a towel he’d had placed in the room to wipe himself off, zipped his pants, and pulled on his jacket. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Most nights that week went the same way. We met in the room after my shift. He used my mouth or my hand, or he jerked himself until he came all over me, but he’d yet to use my ass. I was getting impatient. “I want your cock in me.”

He ran a thumb over my swollen lower lip. “It just was.”

“In my ass.”

“Mmm. Do you now?”

I gave him my most seductive smile. “Please.”

“God, I do love how needy you are.”

“Val.” I hated that I was whining, but he had me so wound up. I wanted to know how it felt to be split open by him.

“You think you’re ready for that?” His wicked smile made me shiver.

“So ready.”

He tilted his head and pressed a finger to his lips. “I’ll think about it.”

I groaned and flopped back against the chair.

Val kissed my forehead. “I like making you wait.”

The waiting was torture enough without the sweet gesture. I never knew how to respond when he was tender with me.

He didn’t show up the next night, but he called me as I was leaving work. He didn’t bother with a greeting, he just said, “I’ll see you tomorrow night. Plan for a longer than usual session and expect to be sore.”

Did he mean… “Val, are we?—”

“Yes. Get plenty of sleep tonight. You’ll need it. I will be taking you bare. Do you need me to arrange a same-day test for you?”

My ass clenched involuntarily. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to sleep thinking about the next day. “No, sir. I…it’s been a long time and I’m negative.”

“Good. I don’t like other men touching what’s mine.” I could practically hear the smile in his voice.

“Come sit with me and watch the other dancers.”

Val had arrived well before my final set of the night and summoned me from backstage. I was half hard just from watching him lean against the bar. “You don’t mind if they see us together?”

“I’m staking my claim.”

“Jesus.” Tyler fanned himself, and Val scowled at him.

“Get back to work.”

“I am working. I’m attending to the owner who doesn’t have a drink yet. Could I get you something?”

“Yes. And stop listening to us.”

Tyler grinned. “I’ll try.”

Once Val had his usual whiskey and soda, he took my hand and led me to a table at the side of the dance floor. We were in the shadows and could only be seen by a handful of the audience.

I started to pull out a chair, but Val grabbed my waist. “Sit on my lap.”

“I….”

“Are you arguing with me?”

“No, sir.”

“Good.”

He pulled me onto his lap so we were both facing the stage, then encouraged me to open my legs so they were on the outside of his.

Heat filled my cheeks at the thought of anyone seeing us like this. Somehow, I felt far more exposed than when I was dancing on stage in only a jockstrap.

Val leaned his head against mine, and I felt his warm breath against my ear. When I shivered, he laughed. “It’s so easy to affect you.” I bit my lip, not wanting to say anything that would only embarrass me more. “Watch the show.”

Filippo and Eddie were both on stage, grinding together so hard they were practically fucking in front of us.

“Are you ever going to let me dance with anyone else?”

His grip on me tightened, and his voice went gravelly. “Don’t even think about it.”

“It’s just for show.” And I’d noticed how many tips they got when they performed together. I’d heard they fucked each other in the private rooms while men watched, too.

“No one touches you. Don’t make me say that again.”

“Yes, sir.” My breath caught on the words. Why was my dick starting to plump up from him threatening me? Something was definitely wrong with me. I tried to look back at him, but he took hold of my chin and turned my head toward the stage.

“Watch. Think about me behind you like that. Bending you over. Making you put your hands on the floor, then driving into your ass, fucking you while you hang there, lifting your legs and holding you by the thighs while I split your ass open.”

He teased my inner thighs, touching them lightly, moving closer and closer to my cock. When he pressed against the hard ridge of my shaft, I sucked in a breath and tried to slide off his lap. I was going to lose my mind if he kept touching me like that when I knew he wouldn’t take it further.

He tightened his arm around my waist, easily holding me in place. “Don’t you dare try to escape. You’re mine.”

What the hell had I agreed to?

“You’re going to sit right here, and I’m going to play with you for as long as I want.”

“Yes, sir.”

He shifted his grip to the insides of my thighs and pulled them even further apart, making me feel like my cock was on display.

“Please, I….”

“Do I need to gag you?”

I imagined how that would feel, to have my voice taken away. To be even more thoroughly at his mercy. “H-here?”

“I’ll do it anywhere I want.”

Would he really? I didn’t think he’d want the whole audience watching, but I wasn’t going to test him. “No, sir. I can be quiet.”

“Good. You may answer questions if I ask them. Otherwise, just watch the show.”

I tried to do as he said, but I couldn’t concentrate on anything but his thumb rubbing against my bare thighs, then moving higher, brushing the edge of my tight shorts.

One of the guys on stage sank into a split, leaving his face right at the other man’s crotch. He leaned in until he was almost kissing the bulge in the other man’s jock strap. Men started yelling and taunting them:

“Suck him off!”

“Go on. Get his dick out!”

“Show us what you’ve got in there.”

“Wrap those lips around it!”

Val pressed his lips to my ear. “What if that was us, would you do what they said?”

“I…you wouldn’t want them watching.”

“As long as you’re with me, I don’t care. They can see how well you take me now that you’re mine and no one else can have you.”

I made a strangled sound. I couldn’t decide if I was turned on or horrified by that idea.

“Would you do it if I told you to?”

“Yes, sir.” I wasn’t lying, I would do anything for him. Not just because I owed him, but because I wanted to. I’d lost my fucking mind.

When the dancing came to an end, I was painfully hard. It would take less than a minute for him to jerk me off, and if he’d put his mouth on me, God, I’d probably come in seconds.

He shifted his grip to my waist and lifted me. I managed to get my feet under myself even though my mind was hazy with lust.

“Go take a break and be ready for your next set. I want my good boy to dance beautifully so I can reward you.”

I frowned at him. “I thought you were punishing me.”

“That was because you defied me. Have you been following my orders?”

“Yes, sir.” I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the chance to have him as my client.

“Excellent. Now do as I said.”

I hurried back to the dressing room.