Chapter Four - Gabe

Gabe entered the club and went straight for Jack, who was standing at the end of the bar. "Where is he?" he asked in lieu of a greeting.

Jack gave him a look that was half mocking, half amusement. "Evening, Jack. How was your day? Thanks for texting me that my hot little subby boy was in the club and looking for trouble."

Gabe rolled his eyes. "How long have you known me?"

Jack slung an arm over his shoulders. "Long enough." He started toward the stairs, Gabe falling into step next to him. "I sent them upstairs to watch Max's demo about ten minutes ago."

"Them?" Gabe asked with a frown. His boy was here with someone?

Jack laughed. "Wow. That must have been some hookup. I've never seen you jealous before."

Gabe's frown deepened into a scowl. "I'm not—"

"Bullshit," Jack coughed. "You're practically vibrating." He gave Gabe a shake. "You can take a breath. The cutie he's with is definitely a sub. No need for the Daddy bear to come out of his cave."

Gabe had the strong desire to punch Jack but managed to restrain himself. They reached the top of the stairs, and he searched the crowd for a glimpse of those memorable tattoos.

Jack slapped him on the back just as a couple wandered away from the demo and revealed Gabe's boy. Gabe recognized the young man next to him as the blond who had pulled him away on New Year's Eve. "Good luck, buddy," Jack said with another laugh. "You know where to find me if you get turned down."

Gabe crossed the room without a plan, but as he got closer, he couldn't hold back the desire to get some playful revenge for the abrupt departure the other night. He stopped behind the boy, close enough that he could feel the heat of him against his chest. The boy tensed and started to turn, but Gabe caught him by the shoulders, holding him in place. "Keep your eyes on the show, boy," Gabe purred into his ear, lips brushing the shell.

The boy gasped and tensed but didn't try to pull away or turn. "Da-daddy?" he asked, his voice hitching.

Gabe grinned, his blood racing. "That's right, baby," he said, inhaling the somehow familiar scent of citrus and spice. "Daddy's here."

The boy whimpered and melted back against him, his head falling to Gabe's shoulder. "Oh my god," he whispered. He turned his head toward his friend.

Gabe followed his gaze, but the blond was riveted by Max's demo, his blue eyes wide and his cheeks flushed, even in the dim light. Gabe could understand why. Max was a god with rope, and any other day, Gabe would have been equally mesmerized by the twists and knots decorating his model.

Instead, his attention was wholly on the boy in his arms. He was shirtless, highlighting his tattooed sleeves, trim build, and the rapid rise and fall of his chest. The skintight denim painted on his long legs was so slashed and worn it could barely be called pants. A quick tug and Gabe's boy would be naked, because there was no sign he was wearing a jock under those.

Still, Gabe needed to see for himself. He flicked his tongue against the boy's earlobe, earning another gasp and a full-body shudder. "I want to make another deal with you, boy."

His boy was nodding before Gabe finished his sentence, which was flattering but not what he was aiming for. He needed him to listen. He gave the shell of his ear a swift nip, making him hiss.

"Listen to me before you say yes," he ordered, his voice low and stern. This boy. He was so goddamn eager. It was going to get him in trouble someday.

"Yes, Daddy. Sorry, Daddy."

Gabe should really stop that—they'd agreed Gabe was "Daddy" for one night—but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It fell off his boy's lips so naturally, sending a surge of possessive heat through Gabe each time he heard it. "I want you to be a good boy and stay very still while Daddy plays with your pretty cock. Can you do that? Can you be still and quiet so your friend doesn't see what you're letting Daddy do to you?"

His boy was trembling, but there was no mistaking it for anything but excitement as he ground his hips back against Gabe's hard cock. "Yes, Daddy. I'll be good for you. So good. You have no idea," he rushed out, the words tripping over one another.

"Tell me your safeword."

"Red, Daddy. I promise," his boy said, reaching back to cling to Gabe's thighs.

Gabe wrapped an arm around his waist and splayed a hand against taut abs. He felt good, silky smooth. Gabe wondered if it was natural or if he waxed. He glanced up at the stage where Max was in the process of decorating his model with a length of deep blue rope. "Is that something you'd enjoy?" he asked as he began sweeping his hand up and down in ever-broadening strokes. "The pressure of the ropes wrapping around you, twisting and tightening, decorating all this pretty pale skin like a perfect present for Daddy?" He teased close to a nipple ring, making his boy squirm.

"I don't—" his boy tried, then groaned when Gabe gave his pec a squeeze, fingers pressing into the muscle. "I think—" he tried again, but Gabe flicked his nipple ring, making him gasp. He shook his head. "Daddy, you're distracting me," he complained, shifting his weight from foot to foot, his tight little ass rubbing against Gabe's cock.

Gabe tugged on his nipple in retaliation. "Well, you're being a tease, so it's only fair."

His boy huffed. "Am not."

Gabe chuckled and nipped his throat, then pressed his tongue to the hammering pulse there. Fuck, he tasted good. Sweet and salty. Gabe wanted to eat him up. He nibbled at the sharp curve of his jaw. Gabe caught a glimpse of swollen lips, the glass ball of his piercing nestled below the bottom one. He slid his hand down and deftly popped the button on the boy's jeans, then reached inside.

His pants were just as tight as they looked and, unfortunately, weren't going to be conducive to a stealthy hand job. His boy seemed to realize that at the same time Gabe did and turned his head, his lips skimming along Gabe's jaw in return. "I'm not shy," he murmured, then shimmied his hips in an attempt to get Gabe's hand where he wanted it.

Gabe chuckled but didn't deny him. He pushed his boy's pants down enough that he could wrap a hand around his stiff, leaking cock.

His boy let his head fall back, his lower lip caught between straight, white teeth. Someone in front of them moved, and the light from the stage spilled through the gap in the crowd, highlighting his boy's profile.

At first, Gabe was sure his eyes were playing tricks on him. But no. He wasn't an idiot. He slid his free hand into the boy's hair, flattening it down against his skull as he pulled his head back farther. Fuck.

His boy… His boy was Everett Bailey, his fucking PA. Ev squirmed in his hold, a low whine leaving him. "Please, Daddy," Ev begged, so fucking perfectly that Gabe had to shut his eyes and grit his teeth.

Eyes still closed, he worked his hand over Ev's cock. Goddammit. How had he missed this? He gave Ev's cock a firm squeeze at the base, making his breath hitch. He needed to buy himself time. Needed to wrap his head around this. Did Ev know?

Of course he fucking knew. It explained the jumpy mess he'd been all week at work. The real question was when he'd known, because if the answer was "the whole time," they were going to have a problem.

Ev started to tense with his impending orgasm, and Gabe let his cock go until he calmed again, then resumed his slow strokes.

But that couldn't be the case. If fucking Gabe on New Year's had been intentional, what reason would Ev have had to hide it? It was more likely that they'd both been fooled by the masks, and Ev had only realized who Gabe was at midnight when they came off. It explained why he'd disappeared so quickly and without leaving Gabe a way to contact him. Because up until that point, things had been going well. Too well.

Ev was trembling in his arms now, his face damp when he pressed it to Gabe's throat, and Gabe realized he'd been edging him longer than he meant to. Shit. He sped up his strokes.

"Come for me, boy," he gritted out.

Ev shook through his orgasm, his face and his moans buried in Gabe's skin. When he finally slumped, Gabe raised his messy hand, and Ev licked it clean without question, his eyes dazed and his movements lethargic.

Gabe bit back a groan as Ev began sucking on his fingers, his cheeks hollowing, his eyes closed in pleasure. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? His cock was rock hard and throbbing, and all he could think about was putting Ev on his knees and fucking his gorgeous mouth. How wrong would it be to let the charade go on a little longer? Ev had let it go all week, and tonight, he'd had every opportunity to stop Gabe before they got to this point. That made Gabe feel better about his next move.

He reluctantly pulled his fingers from Ev's mouth, needing both hands to get him tucked away in his pants. He huffed in amusement when one good yank lifted Ev onto his toes. "How the hell did you get these on in the first place?" he wondered.

Ev gave a throaty laugh. "Body powder and perseverance," he admitted, nosing Gabe's throat.

Dammit. Why did he have to be so enticing? "Shall we make another deal?" Gabe asked. He got Ev tucked away, then gripped him by the hips and turned him so they were face-to-face.

Ev went rigid the moment their eyes met, holding his breath like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Gabe kept his expression neutral, wondering if this was it—if Ev would give in and admit to the charade. Seconds ticked by. Finally, Ev"s shoulders lost their tension and he let out a shaky breath, relief filling his eyes. So that was how they were going to play this. Alright. If Ev wasn"t ready to come clean, then Gabe would let their little game continue…for now.

Ev flicked his tongue against the labret stud nestled in the shadow of his plump lower lip, a habit that Gabe recognized, though he was used to seeing it minus the piercing. The boy really did look shockingly different in his clubbing attire. It was no surprise Gabe hadn"t recognized him before. Even now, when the shadows fell just right, Gabe was having moments where he second-guessed his revelation. Was the tattooed little minx in front of him really his buttoned-up, cute-but-boring PA? An hour ago, Gabe would have laughed at the thought. Now, the longer he watched, the more obvious the similarities became.

"I like our deals," Ev answered finally, dragging Gabe"s attention off of cataloging his appearance. "But I'm here with my friend. I don't want to abandon him."

"I have friends as well," Gabe offered. "Maybe your friend would like to meet my friends?"

Ev's tongue slid along his lower lip, flicking against the stud again as he contemplated that. Gabe's cock gave an answering throb, reminding him just how hard he was. "Maybe," Ev said, swaying closer, his eyes searching Gabe's face.

Gabe slid his hands to Ev's ass, getting a good handful and giving a squeeze. "And then maybe you and I can slip away somewhere more private."

When they got back downstairs, Ev's friend in tow, Gabe headed toward the VIP area. In the back, Jack had commandeered his favorite spot, a U-shaped seating area tucked into the corner with a view of the room, while still partially concealed. They, along with Tucker and Max, had spent quite a few evenings there over the years.

Gabe took the spot kitty-corner to Jack, and Ev settled next to him, his friend on his other side.

Jack gave him a lazy salute. "How was the demo?"

"Max is always entertaining," Gabe answered, keeping it vague. It wasn't like he'd paid any attention to the stage once he had his boy—Ev—coming apart in his arms. He shifted, trying to take some of the pressure off his cock, which was refusing to accept that Gabe wasn't getting off. Ev must have picked up on his situation because he leaned closer, his fingers tapping a rhythm against Gabe's thigh.

"Can I help you with anything, Daddy?" he asked, then slid his tongue along his lower lip, wetting it.

Fuck it. Gabe took Ev's hand and drew it to his cock. "Something like this, you little tease?" he asked.

Ev flexed his fingers, massaging Gabe through the fabric of his dress pants. He nodded, his gaze losing focus. Gabe was ready to put him on his knees then and there, when Jack cleared his throat.

"We're gonna go grab some drinks. The line looks long, so it might be a few minutes." He nudged Ev's friend to get up with a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait. What?" the other boy asked, turning to check with Ev as he was steered from the space. Ev just grinned and gave him a little wave.

As they went, Jack flicked the tie on one of the drapes, letting it swing shut behind him. Thank fuck for friends who knew what Gabe needed.

He took Ev by the chin and turned him so he could see his eyes. This close, they were very, very green. Normally, they were lost behind the dark-framed glasses he wore, which was a damn shame because they were stunning. "Do you suck cock?"

Ev's pupils blew wide, and his nostrils flared as he took a shaky breath. "Yes, Sir." He flexed his fingers on Gabe's cock again. "It's my favorite thing in the world next to fucking. Oh, and getting my ass spanked. It's even better than video games or potato chips."

Gabe chuckled at that. He'd wondered after New Year's if his boy was the type that regressed. Maybe he would get his answer tonight. He tossed one of the sofa pillows to the floor between his feet. "We'll have to save the rest of those for another day. Jack won't be able to buy us more than a few minutes, so unless you want your little friend to catch you with my cock in your mouth, you better get to it."

While Ev scrambled to kneel on the pillow, Gabe tugged his pants open and freed his painful erection. It was flushed red, and the head was damp with precome. Damn, this boy turned him on. Gabe couldn't even blame it on the circumstances. He'd had plenty of risky sex over the years. Getting his cock sucked in semipublic by his PA didn't even make the top ten. He slid his fingers into Ev's hair and drew him closer.

Ev didn't take his eyes off Gabe's face as he licked his lips. He settled his hands on Gabe's thighs and shuffled forward on his knees.

"Is there anything you don't like?" Gabe asked, his mind already on how those pouty lips were going to look stretched around him. If they would measure up to his imagination.

Ev seemed equally distracted, his gaze focused on where Gabe was stroking himself. "I mean, don't choke me out. I need all the brain cells I've got, but other than that, have at it."

Under any other circumstances, Gabe would have laughed. Instead, he yanked Ev down and pushed inside his hot, wet mouth.

Ev groaned in reaction, and Gabe managed to restrain himself long enough to say, "Slap my thigh if it's too much." He got a thumbs-up in return. Then he gave in to the heat coursing through him and lost himself in Ev's perfect mouth.

It was fast and messy. Ev didn't fight his thrusts. In fact, he pushed himself past where Gabe would have stopped until his throat was fluttering around Gabe's crown as drool and tears mixed with precome. Gabe worked himself in and out, unable to hold back as his orgasm barreled down on him. He gave a warning, in case Ev wanted to pull off, but Ev ignored him and drank down every drop, digging his fingers into Gabe's thighs.

Afterward, when Gabe had sufficiently caught his breath, he fixed his pants and hauled Ev back up onto the sofa next to him.

His boy swayed, then caught himself against Gabe's arm with a snicker. "Holy fuck," he rasped. "You took me seriously." Then he grinned. His face was a mess, wet from tears and spit, his lips red and swollen, his hair disheveled from Gabe's fingers.

Gabe had never seen anything more gorgeous. "I did. And you were amazing."

"Fuck yeah," Ev murmured dozily. "I win the cock-sucker prize. Wait till I tell Finny."

Gabe shook his head. That was the first time Ev had slipped, but he couldn't fault him. He wasn't thinking too clearly himself. He grabbed a stack of napkins off the table in front of them and cleaned them both up.

When Jack and Ev's friend returned a few minutes later, Gabe had Ev curled against his side, eyes closed, long fingers dancing aimlessly up and down Gabe's thigh. Jack handed over Gabe's drink with a wink and set Ev's on the table in front of him.

Ev's friend shook his head when he caught sight of them, then settled on the opposite side of the sofa. "We need to go after this," he said. "We have work tomorrow."

Ev flinched. "Oh crap."

Gabe had to agree. Oh crap, was right.

Gabe's phone buzzed, the icon for Exchange popping up in the top corner of the screen. The managers' meeting was especially dull this morning as his business office manager droned on about recording billable hours. Gabe wasn't even sure why he was there. He tapped the icon, bringing up the messaging app.

You have a message request from PianistEnvy.

It was accompanied by a small profile picture. The cropped shot of the lower half of Ev's face, his chin resting on his tattooed forearm, his pretty mouth in the center of the frame, was easily recognizable. Gabe glanced down the table at his PA, who appeared to be taking notes on his laptop. This was an interesting development. He opened the user profile. His boy was getting bold. Gabe flicked through the images, pausing on a particularly nice one of Ev's chest and arms, his face obscured but his tattoos visible. Gabe had found the artwork chaotic the first time he saw it, but now he could pick out little pieces of Ev in among the mythical creatures. Along the curve of his bicep were the broken keys of a piano, and behind a looping dragon, a torn page of sheet music. PianistEnvy, indeed.

He tapped back over to the message and opened it, accepting the friend request.

PianistEnvy

Did you know that sneezes regularly exceed 100 MPH?

Gabe's eyebrows rose. All right, then. Before he could reply, there was a follow-up message.

PianistEnvy

So if I hold my breath when I sneeze, that's like holding back a tiny hurricane with my nose.

SayYesSir

I feel like I'm missing important context to this conversation. But in the spirit of things, did you know the majority of people can't lick their own elbow?

The three dots appeared and then disappeared again. Ev stopped typing and stretched his arms up, subtly turning his head. Gabe had to focus on the meeting to keep from losing it then and there.

PianistEnvy

You said that to make me try it, didn't you?

Gabe lifted a hand to hide his smirk.

SayYesSir

And did you?

PianistEnvy

I'm not dignifying that with a response.

Gabe settled in his chair so the tabletop blocked his phone from view.

SayYesSir

That's fine. I'd prefer to watch you lick something else entirely.

Down the table, Ev started fiddling with his laptop bag, eventually pulling out the cord and ducking under the table to plug it in. When he was back in his seat, Gabe waited while the typing dots appeared and then vanished again a few times. Finally, a video popped up. Gabe checked that his phone was muted, then opened it and was treated to a three-second close-up of Ev's perfect lips. It was dark, recorded when he'd ducked under the table, but there was enough light to see Ev wrap his lips around the end of a ballpoint pen and suck. Gabe bit back a groan. The little tease.

SayYesSir

No lip ring today?

Now that Gabe was aware of it, it was astounding how different work-Ev was from club-Ev. During the day, he replaced his labret piercing with a flat, skin-tone stud that hid in the shadow of his lower lip unless you knew to look for it. His red hair appeared darker when he wore it slicked back, and his glasses—while they carried an element of sexy nerd—should be considered a crime for the way they obscured his stunning green eyes and dark lashes. Long-sleeved dress shirts and buttoned-up collars completed the illusion of a clean-cut but unremarkable young man.

PianistEnvy

I'm at work. Piercings aren't professional.

Gabe huffed a quiet laugh. And messaging your boss on a kink app was?

SayYesSir

What's unprofessional is me sitting in this meeting with a hard-on because I can't get my mind off your perfect cock-sucking mouth.

Down the table, Ev shifted in his seat, hands fisting, then relaxing before he started typing again.

PianistEnvy

I'd do something about that if I could, Daddy.

SayYesSir

Would you? Because I'd love to put you on your knees under this table with my fat cock stretching your gorgeous mouth. You'd have to stay perfectly still and quiet for Daddy so the uptight numbers guy running the meeting doesn't notice you.

Ev's fingers were frozen above the keys, his expression neutral but a blush staining his cheeks and the tips of his ears. Gabe wondered how much further he could push.

SayYesSir

Could you do that for me, boy?

PianistEnvy

Yes, Daddy.

Ev's reply was immediate, and it took all Gabe's restraint to stay seated when what he wanted to do was drag his PA from the room and have him take care of the problem he'd created.

But that wasn't possible. Because Gabe was still supposed to be in the dark about his boy's identity. As far as Ev knew, he was the one with all the power here. For now, Gabe would let him maintain the illusion. He was having too much fun for it to stop.