Part 22 (1/2)

”So, Slater tried to roofie me. He was going to kill me. He would have killed me if Jack hadn't come along. Maybe I shouldn't drink?”

Lucas followed along.

Abby managed to not slap him upside the head. ”Yes, Lucas. You should abstain for awhile.”

185.

Sam didn't think about the ache in his back as the door closed behind him, and he was finally alone with Abby and Jack. The ache was a delicious distraction, but the main thought in Sam's brain was getting that look off Jack's face. It was haunted. Abby had tried to reach him. She'd already gotten his Scotch and sat in his lap. Jack was saying all the right things, but that look wouldn't leave his eyes.

Sam really hoped that a.s.shole Slater was being tortured because he'd ruined one of the best nights of Sam's life. He remembered the moment Jack strapped him to the St. Andrew's Cross. Sam loved the feeling of leather around his wrists and ankles. He'd pulled at the bindings, but they held him tight. They wouldn't let him fall. He loved the crack of the whip, and he was starting to think there was absolutely nothing better that the burn of the lash. He could still feel it sizzle across his flesh. It stung, but every nerve in his body was awake in those moments. He was so alive in that place. His back was sore, but it was a good thing. Somewhere between lashes five and seven, he'd found that peaceful place. It had been perfect, better than any drug. He'd even liked the aftercare stuff. He didn't want Jack to cuddle him or anything, but the ma.s.sage was nice. The feel of Jack's hands soothing the burn from his flesh made him feel wanted and loved. Next time it would be better because Abby could do the cuddling. He'd like to rest his head against her soft b.r.e.a.s.t.s while she told him how much she loved him. Sam wondered if he could get Abby to whip him, too. He would like that.

Jack stared off into s.p.a.ce. Abby gave up. There were tears in her eyes as she walked past Sam and into the bedroom. He started to follow her. His hand was on the door. He would take her into his arms, and they could comfort each other.

It wouldn't solve the problem. Sam had been to heaven now, and there was no way he was going back.

”What the f.u.c.k is wrong with you?”

It took Sam a moment to realize the words had come out of his mouth.

186.

Jack's head came up. He was almost irritated for a moment, then a familiar blank expression came over his face. It was the same look Sam had seen on Jack's face almost every day for the past six months.

Yesterday and today had been different, but now it was as though none of those breakthroughs had happened.

”I'm fine, Sam.” Jack's hand tightened on the Scotch. ”I'm a little tired. I had a rough night.”

Sam shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

”You had a rough night?”

”Yes,” Jack replied through clenched teeth. He gave Sam a look that normally would send him into complete submissive mode. ”I did.

If you don't mind, I'd like to be left alone for awhile. Go to bed with Abby. She needs someone with her.”

Sam's first impulse was to do exactly what he said. He should walk into the bedroom and comfort Abby. But he'd been with Jack for almost twenty years. Obeying Jack was second nature. For the most part it was a good thing to do. Jack loved him. Sam knew that. Jack had Sam's best interests in mind almost always. Tonight, Jack needed for Sam to think of Jack's best interests, and walking out on him wasn't it. Jack might think he needed time alone, but that wasn't best for any of them. Jack hadn't responded to Abby's gentle requests.

Maybe what Jack needed was something more forceful.

”No, I think I'll go downstairs and have a drink.” Sam turned for the door.

”Samuel,” Jack barked, getting out of his chair. He stood with his feet apart staring at Sam. He pointed at the door to the bedroom. ”You will get your a.s.s in that bedroom and take care of our wife.”

Sam shrugged. ”Why?

”Because she needs you.”

Sam tried to give off a negligent air he didn't feel. ”So? I need you. She needs you, too. It doesn't matter what we need. You're just going to pull away. You're going to leave us. Oh, you'll be here in body, just not with your heart or your soul. You'll get p.i.s.sed off 187.

enough at some point to see us again, and the process will start over.”

Now Sam felt a little kernel of anger leap to life. ”Tell me something, Jack, when did you get to be such a p.u.s.s.y?”

Sam ducked as the gla.s.s flew past his head and smashed into the wall. It hadn't really come close to him. Jack hadn't thrown it at him, but there was no small amount of rage in the act.

The bedroom door flew open, and Abby stood there watching them. She'd been crying, and it just made Sam more p.i.s.sed.

”What the f.u.c.k are you so scared of?” Sam practically yelled the question. He walked straight up to the man who had been his whole world for almost twenty years. ”Are you so scared of losing her that you'll push both of us away? Would you rather be alone than have to deal with the possibility of losing her?”

”You will not talk to me that way!” Jack shouted. His face was red, and Sam knew he was getting to him. Sam had a desperate desire to smash through that wall Jack kept putting up. Being back here was reminding Sam of a few things. He was reminded of exactly why he could never have had a relations.h.i.+p with Julian. He could never be satisfied being admired and, in some ways, wors.h.i.+pped. Julian treated his subs like little dolls to be taken care of and played with. Sam wanted more. Sam wanted to be loved. He was done waiting for it. He finally understood. A real sub was smart enough to know what he wanted and brave enough to ask for it.

Sam held his ground as Jack stared him down. He wasn't afraid.

He'd almost never fought with Jack before, and each and every time he had, he'd backed down. He wasn't going to do that this time. This time, Sam was going to win. It was the only acceptable outcome.

”You will not throw me away again!” Sam yelled just as pa.s.sionately. ”You will not toss me to the side because you know I'll always be your f.u.c.king lapdog. You can't just love Abby. Maybe it's not fair of me to change the rules after all these years, but there it is.

You're worried about losing Abigail? Worry about losing me, Jack, because if you pull the same s.h.i.+t you've been pulling for the last six 188 months, then I'm walking. If you don't want me, I'll find someone who does.”

Sam turned to walk away. He knew he wouldn't get further than the bar downstairs, but he couldn't watch as Abby soothed Jack and tried to convince him to see things their way. He just couldn't.

His hand was almost on the door k.n.o.b when he was hauled back.

Every muscle in Jack's body seemed tense and ready for violence as he pulled Sam close.

”You think I just worry about Abby? How can you say that? You think I don't worry about how impetuous you are? I built a whole f.u.c.king bar so I'd know where you were at night. I changed the course of my life because I knew if we stayed here, you would get hurt. Every decision I have made has been with you in mind. Don't you dare say I haven't loved you.”

Sam was shocked as Jack's mouth slammed down on his. He had a moment of stunned motionlessness before he grasped Jack's shoulders and held on for dear life. Jack's mouth was a force of nature. He was inside and dominating Sam with his tongue and lips.

His big hands wound into Sam's hair to hold him still. He didn't have to. Sam wasn't about to fight. It was everything he'd wanted.

Jack wanted him. Jack loved him.

Sam's arms wrapped around Jack's waist, and he let his hands explore. He ran his hands down the strong planes of his back to cup his a.s.s. Every muscle was perfect, even through Jack's jeans Sam could feel his heat.

Jack came up for air. His face was magnificently savage to Sam's mind.

”Knees, Samuel,” he ordered.

Sam fell to his knees and immediately went to work on the fly of Jack's jeans. His hard c.o.c.k sprung free, and Sam was swallowing it down as he pushed the denim aside. He couldn't wait to get that rigid flesh inside his mouth. Sam loved the sweet way Abby tasted, but he craved the saltiness of Jack, too. He wanted the best of both worlds.

189.

Sam grunted as Jack's hands twisted in his hair. The little pain was sensational to Sam. He liked the bite and the warmth that pain left in its recess.

Jack f.u.c.ked his mouth ruthlessly. He thrust in and out. Sam ran his tongue around the rock-hard c.o.c.k, sucking down the pre-c.u.m dripping from the tip. He opened his mouth wide and gave Jack just the edge of his teeth. All at once it was over. Jack pulled out, his erection still huge and unsatisfied.