11. Blaise

"This is what we're doing today?"

"Yep." Toby flashed me a massive grin as he steered me towards the check-in desk. "Have you been before?"

I studied the equipment in the warehouse, a small smile tugging at my lips. Ninja Warrior was basically a giant obstacle course filled with climbing walls, ropes, and inflatables. Already I was itching to go and explore. "Nope. Didn't even realise a place like this existed."

He winked before turning back to the girl behind the desk. While he checked us in, I let my mind drift over the past ten days.

Going into this contract with Toby had gone far smoother than I could've imagined. I'd settled into the routine Toby had drawn up for me with ease. I ate breakfast with him every morning, before showering and letting him shave my face. We'd spend a few hours together, chatting and exchanging stories, but never anything too deep. I knew Toby only had one family member, but not who. Nor did I know what had happened to the rest of them. It wasn't unusual, I supposed. Vampire clans were often small, with many choosing a life of solitude. What was strange was that Toby didn't strike me as wanting that. He chose to work in a club every night so he was surrounded by people. He had a tight-knit circle of friends he'd do anything for.

Take the past few days, for example. Not only was Toby establishing a contract with me and working his shifts behind the bar, but he was also holding tastings every afternoon in the club. It turned out their human bartender, Lucky, who was the fated mate to not only an angel but a demon too, was skipping meals. When everyone had discovered that, they'd concocted a scheme to find a way to feed him without raising his suspicions.

So after spending the morning in Toby's flat, sort of getting to know each other better, we'd go to a local restaurant to collect platters of food. As far as Lucky was aware, Mori and Toby were planning on branching out by offering meals during the day. In reality, it was just a good excuse to make sure the kid was fed.

Dimitri and Dagon's level of concern for the human made my chest ache with longing. What was it like to have someone care for you unconditionally? I had River, sure, but that was different.

He knew I was struggling—of course he did—but he didn't know how close I'd come to ending it. The times I'd imagined stepping through one of the portals to Hell, knowing that doing so would mean the end of my guilt. My shame. My torment.

It was my secret. One I wasn't going to share with anyone.

Every day, Toby would invite me to join them for the tastings. But each time, my answer was a firm shake of the head.

Instead, I'd get my workout in before going about whatever task Toby had assigned me. I'd thought I'd struggle to make it through the day without getting bored, but with the lists Toby gave me, there was little chance of that.

My favourite times were when he joined me, which he did most days. I hadn't attended a book club meeting, so instead he brought over a copy of Laying Pipe by Kiki Clark and cooked me dinner while I read the first few chapters. And instead of the therapist on Sunday, we drove to the New Forest, spending hours getting lost in the woods together.

In the back of my mind, I knew Toby wouldn't let me avoid those things forever. But I was content to just pretend they didn't lie in my future for as long as he'd let me.

I wasn't even convinced I needed therapy, not with Toby as my master. All I needed was him. The weight of guilt was a little lighter when he was around. Still there, but easier to live with.

My nights had been better too. Not perfect, but better. Now when I woke up sobbing from a nightmare, Toby was there to wipe my tears. When I got caught in a shame spiral, shouting that I was worthless, my master was there to punish me, to pull me back to myself and remind me that that behaviour wasn't healthy. Better yet, it was unacceptable.

And when I broke down, insisting I didn't have anything worth living for? He would quietly remind me of everything I had—my contract with him, my relationship with River, the possibilities of a future I didn't dare dream of.

"Ready?" Toby's voice cut through my reverie.

I nodded, trying not to let my excitement show. "Yeah."

After entering the arena and swapping out our socks for the ones the venue insisted on, Toby stretched and cracked his neck. "Right, how do you want to do this?"

"Um…" My eyes darted around the equipment as I tried to figure out what he meant. "Like, where should we start?"

Toby snorted and rolled my eyes. "No, I mean, what do you want as your reward if you win? We're going to race."

Goddess, I wanted to do that. "What about the humans?"

We were far from alone in here—not that any of them were paying much attention to us. That'd change pretty damn quick if we started racing over the obstacles at speeds more commonly found on motorways though.

"That's what compulsion nets are for," Toby said with a grin, flashing his teeth at me. His fangs, like usual, were tucked out of sight. Not for the first time, I wondered how they might feel buried in my neck. I'd heard that being bitten by a vampire was quite…euphoric under the right circumstances.

As a mage though, a bite from Toby would lead to one of two outcomes. Either my eternal death or a mating bond. Seeing as neither of those were on the table, I'd have to leave the feel of Toby's fangs to my imagination.

"So? What's your prize to be?"

I bit my lip as my gaze trailed over his lean muscles. While Toby had been generous with my orgasms over the past ten days, they'd all been achieved using hands or his mouth. I knew what I wanted to ask, but I was having trouble getting my voice to cooperate. "I want you to fuck me."

"What was that?" Toby widened his stance. From his smirk, he'd heard me just fine, but apparently he was in the mood to torture me a little. "You're going to have to repeat that, boy."

A shiver went through me, just as it did every time he called me that. "I want you to fuck me."

Toby reached up, his hand ghosting over the front of my throat. "That's right, Blaise. Never be afraid of telling me what you want. What you need. I can't give it to you if I don't know about it."

I didn't believe that. He was giving me things I hadn't even realised existed but already couldn't imagine living without.

He led me over to the start of the course as a small hum of power washed over me. A compulsion net. Now the humans could stare at us as much as they liked, and they wouldn't see anything out of the ordinary. "Ready?"

"Wait." I touched his arm. "What about if you win?"

Toby spun his lip ring. "Guess you'll be finding out shortly."

Then he was gone, letting out a whoop as he shimmied up the first rope like a monkey.

I was on his heels in a second, not letting the burn of the rope slow me down as I chased him up and over the first wall.

We were halfway through the circuit when my brain registered a strange sound coming from my mouth. Something once familiar, but now completely foreign.

Laughter.

My hands slipped on the rings I was hanging from before I caught myself. I didn't give myself a chance to over-analyse, instead focusing on catching my master.

I'd thought he'd give me peace, but he was teaching me something I'd thought impossible.

How to be happy.

"I'm sure you cheated."

Toby's laugh was throaty as he let us into his flat. "Or maybe I wasn't distracted staring at someone's arse."

"Not my fault. It was right in front of me," I groused. He was right though, it'd totally been my downfall. He was wearing these tight little shorts that seemed to get shorter as he tore around the course. Not only was I too busy picking my jaw up off the floor to overtake him, I also didn't have any incentive to. Why would I when the view from behind was so spectacular?

"So, for my prize," Toby said, waggling his eyebrows at me.

Ah, yes. That was supposed to be the incentive for winning. Might've forgotten about that amidst all the thoughts I'd been having about Toby's rear.

I huffed, trying to disguise my disappointment at not having Toby fuck me with an over-the-top pout. "What do you have planned then?"

Toby smirked like the cat who'd caught the canary. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough. For now, go shower. When you're done, I want you to kneel on the rug. Hands behind your back but keep that chin high. I want to see your pretty face as I start playing with you."

I stumbled over my own feet in my haste to follow his orders, catching myself on the wall. To his credit, Toby pretended not to notice, busying himself with unbuttoning his shirt.

I palmed the bulge in my shorts as the delicate pale skin of his chest was revealed. I couldn't stare at him though; he'd given me my orders.

And fuck me, did I want to follow them.

I fought the urge to rush through the shower, forcing myself to slow down and clean myself thoroughly. We'd worked up quite the sweat at the Ninja place, and without knowing what Toby had planned, it was best to be prepared for all eventualities.

It wasn't until I put the bottle back in the caddy that a realisation hit me. It was my shower gel, the brand I used at home. Toby must've made a note of it and picked some up for me.

Why did that have my throat tightening? It wasn't a big thing. Toby probably hadn't thought twice about it, just spotted it in Tesco and chucked it in his basket alongside his groceries.

Even if that had been what happened, he'd still paid attention. Cared enough to make a note of it and buy me some.

It was more than anyone had done in…well, ever.

Don't think about it, I told myself sternly as I rinsed off. It doesn't mean anything. It's just a kind gesture.

The trouble was, it wasn't just that. Not to me. But that line of thinking was fucking dangerous. It led to nothing but a broken contract and a shattered heart.

By the time I was kneeling on the rug, I'd pulled myself together. My hands were clasped behind my back, my chin held high. The simple act of waiting for Toby, for my master, had my brain quieting.

I didn't need to think. Didn't need to make any decisions.

Master would do that for me. All I had to do was obey.

Toby didn't make me wait long. He stalked into view wearing nothing other than a pair of loose black pyjama bottoms. His hair was wet and slicked back from his face, suggesting he'd used the time to shower too. I frowned a little. Why hadn't he just joined me?

Because this isn't a relationship, my brain reminded me. Stop making this into more than it is.

"You look beautiful kneeling for me," Toby said, trailing his fingers lightly along my jaw. "You're stunning, Blaise."

I fought the urge to preen under his praise. "You still haven't told me what your prize is."

Toby tutted, pushing two fingers into my mouth. I sucked automatically, my tongue hungrily swirling around the digits.

"Don't forget how this works, boy. I'll give you my answer when I'm good and ready. All you need to do is feel. Got it?"

I couldn't speak with his fingers in my mouth, so I confirmed with a nod.

"Good boy. Now, I don't want to hear any words out of your mouth except ‘yes, Master' or your safe words. Understood?"

I nodded again. Already I could feel the quiet haze growing, the one I only ever experienced when Toby took control like this.

Toby withdrew his fingers. "On the bed. On your knees. Hands on the headboard."

My cock was throbbing as I did as he instructed. Behind me, I could hear Toby rummaging in a drawer. I wasn't stressing about what was going to happen. I trusted Toby, probably far too much considering the short amount of time I'd known him.

"I'm going to blindfold you," Toby said quietly, slipping black fabric over my eyes.

No, not Toby. Master.

With my vision compromised, all my other senses were on high alert. Something soft brushed up my thigh. A feather perhaps, or maybe a silk scarf. It trailed up my glutes, rounded my hips, and then slipped all the way up my back.

Master repeated the touches all over my body, my muscles relaxing with every pass. My body was sagging towards the bed as I let the feeling wash over me.

Then there was a new sensation. Another object was pressed against my shoulder and raked down my back. I winced at the odd feeling. It wasn't painful, just…different. It felt like hard nodules on a wheel, digging into my skin.

He followed that up with the soft object, chasing it over my skin until I didn't know which way was up.

Toby's measured breaths were all I could hear. Nothing else existed right now except for him and what he was doing to me. My cock was pulsing in time with his inhales and exhales, achingly hard between my legs.

I was shivering from the attention, goosebumps covering my skin as my body tried to keep up with the changing sensations. Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, both disappeared.

I waited, my hands trembling against the headboard. The bed sagged slightly under me, suggesting Toby had joined me. For what though, I had no clue.

Cold hands smoothed over my glutes, making me startle. Master chuckled, his voice deep as he spoke. "Colour?"

"Green," I whimpered, my skin singing at his touch. "Please, Master."

I didn't even know what I was begging for. Fortunately, Toby did. He pushed on the insides of my thighs and I wantonly spread myself for him. Fuck yes.

Was he going to fuck me even though I hadn't won?

I was tempted to ask, but that would have broken his rules. Instead, I held my breath, praying I'd feel his fingers starting to prep me.

When he touched me though, it wasn't with his fingers. It was with his tongue.

The wet warmth on my hole had a loud moan ripping from me. For a second I froze, worried I'd inadvertently done something wrong, but Toby just pushed on the top of my back, forcing my chest to the bed and arse higher in the air. My hands left the headboard, seeking out one of the pillows. I buried my face in it, my hands knotting in the fabric. I needed a tether, something to hold me in place and remind me this was really happening.

"That's it, boy. Let me hear how much you love me worshipping you. I wanna hear how crazy I'm making you while I fuck you with my tongue."

With his permission, I was unleashed.

The pillow did little to muffle my cries as Toby devoured me. He wasn't gentle or teasing. No, he was a man possessed. His hands spread me open as his tongue forced its way past the tight ring of muscle. The heat of his mouth contrasted with the cool metal of his piercing as it brushed against my sensitive skin.

It was too much, and somehow, not enough. I wanted him inside me. I needed it.

But this wasn't my reward; it was Toby's. And if my master wanted me to lie here while he ate me like his favourite meal, who was I to complain?

My eyes rolled back in my head as he slid a saliva slicked finger inside. "Look at how easily you open up for me, Blaise. It's like you're desperate for my cock. Do you need more?"

Was this a trick question? Was I supposed to answer?

Toby's teeth grazed over my thigh. A pang of regret hit me as I wished for a second that he could bite me properly. Drink from me.

"You can answer me, boy. Do you want more? Do you want my cock?"

"Yes, Master," I moaned, my hips automatically thrusting like that would somehow get him into me faster. "Please."

"Such a polite boy," he murmured. There was a slight rustling, then the familiar sound of a cap being unlatched. Seconds later, his fingers were pushing lube inside me, stretching me wider.

It was so hard to hold still. It'd been so long since I'd had someone inside me, and I needed it. I needed Toby to show me that he owned me, in every possible way.

Even if it was only temporary.

The cut head of his cock nudged against my hole, swiping over it a few times. I groaned as he caught on the rim, teasing me, but not giving me what I wanted.

"Such a pretty hole," he breathed as he finally pushed forwards. "Fuck, I wish you could see this, Blaise. You're opening up for me beautifully."

His words had me wishing I could see him. My hand touched the blindfold, but before I could move it a centimetre, Toby was pulling out of me. His hand gripped my wrist, halting me in my tracks. "Did I say you could touch that?"

My head dropped. "No, Master."

Toby let go of me as he gave a gentle hum. "Maybe I should make you wait as punishment. Would you like that?"

"No," I cried in alarm, tucking my hands under my chest so Toby could see that I was going to follow his orders. "I'll be good, I promise."

"Good." He slammed forwards. "Now hold on."

Toby alternated his pace between furiously pounding into me and slowly easing in and out until I was begging him once again. His hands were everywhere. My hips. My spine. My balls. With the blindfold on, I never knew where to expect his touch next.

It was a kaleidoscope of pleasure that I'd never experienced.

Just when I thought I couldn't take it for a second longer, his hand stroked my cock with purpose.

"Come for me, boy."

I exploded with a cry, the sheets tearing under my fingers. Toby slammed into me once more before I felt him filling me deep.

I collapsed forwards on the bed, staying quiet while Toby removed the blindfold and cleaned me up before tucking me up against his chest.

"I thought you fucking me was going to be my reward," I said.

He chuckled. "Never said it wasn't mine too. That's why I didn't hold back, I knew we were both going to be getting what we wanted, no matter who won."

Fuck, this man. He was making me feel things I'd lost any right to the day I'd run from Bailey. I couldn't help it though. I was no more in control of my heart than I was anything else in my body.

Toby nuzzled at my jaw and I instinctively lifted my head, my lips seeking his. He froze, his eyes widening as he pulled back rapidly. "No kissing, remember?"

Mortified, I ducked my head. "Sorry, I forgot."

There was a long silence before Toby sighed. "It's fine. It's a normal response, but we need to remember that this isn't a relationship, it's a contract."

I nodded, rolling over and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. At Toby's questioning look, I gave him a wan smile. "Bathroom."

He narrowed his eyes like he didn't quite believe me, but thankfully didn't push. I just needed a few seconds alone.

In the privacy of the bathroom, I leaned on the sink and stared at the man in the mirror. There was a vulnerability there that I didn't like. One I couldn't afford to have, not with Toby. He shouldn't need to remind me that this wasn't a relationship, I should just remember that.

I took a deep breath, forcing all those feelings down deep. I had Toby in my life for less than twelve months. I wasn't going to waste a minute of that wishing for things I'd never have.