Epilogue

 

 

 

“If I never see another plumbing diagram in my lifetime, I won’t be disappointed.” Heath leaned against the bookcase in Joe’s office. “Call Carey. I need to get away to a place where the contractors can’t find me. Hampshire is, what, two hundred miles away? I should be safe in the New Forest. All those trees probably interfere with mobile phone reception as well.”

“You are such a wuss. Anyone would think you were the one sorting out the antiquated pipes in this building.” Joe sniggered.

“Hey, a bit of support, please. While you and Olly were off treasure hunting, I was crawling around in the attic. There are spiders up there that belong in a freak show, or maybe The Guinness Book of World Records. Big, hairy-legged monsters. Extras from Arachnophobia. Next time I’m sending Aiden up there as punishment.”

“Is Aiden afraid of spiders? I can’t really see it. Olly, yes, but not Aiden. He’s more likely to keep one as a pet.”

“That’s not the point.” Heath shuddered. “Just make the call.”

“Fine.” Joe shook his head, smiling. He pulled the desk phone toward him and dialed Carey’s number then put it on loudspeaker. “He might not have his phone on if he’s working at the club.”

Joe listened to the ring tone and watched his friend. Heath did seem tired. There was a pale strand of cobweb stuck in his dark hair and a smudge of dust on his nose. Joe could sympathize. He was exhausted as well. The last couple of days had taken their toll and he found it very hard to relax. Logically, he realized his anxiety was unfounded, but he couldn’t help but worry about Olly. Blaming himself for what had happened at the hospital was ridiculous but logic didn’t stop his mind playing various scenarios over and over in his head. They all needed a break.

“Carey Hoffman.” Carey’s deep voice echoed around the small office.

“Hey, Carey, it’s Joe.”

“Joe! Great to hear from you. You must have ESP because I was going to call you later this evening. I have some news you’re not going to like.”

“Then it’s a good job I called.” Joe’s stomach knotted. “I’m here with Heath and I’ve got you on speaker. We were calling about setting up a visit to The Retreat in the next few days.”

“Finally!” Carey chuckled. “How long have I been trying to get you down there? Any time in the next few days is fine. Our first client isn’t booked in for another four weeks but we’re using most of that time to complete recruitment and train the staff on site. I definitely want your opinion about anything that needs tweaking, and Heath’s, of course. Olly and Aiden too. They’ll have different perspectives to my Alistair.”

“Great. In that case we’ll head down the day after tomorrow. Olly will need twenty-four hours to pack.” Joe wasn’t kidding. Olly would have the entire contents of his vast wardrobe spread across the bedroom and go through agonies of indecision while he decided on how many outfits to pack.

“It’ll take Aiden ten minutes,” Heath growled. “All he’ll need is a toothbrush and a couple of thongs. Preferably leather.”

“Lord, I miss you all.” Carey laughed. “Alistair will be over the moon you’re all coming down. I’ll try and sort out a dinner with Harry, Kai, Christian and Becket for your first night. How are the renovations going up there?”

“Your recommended contractor is doing a fine job. They work hard. They have to, to burn off the calories Emile is shoving into them.” Joe paused. “So, what’s the news?”

Heath edged closer to the desk.

“I doubt it made the local rags up there, but it was in the London papers. Mark Vickery is out of prison.”

Joe’s entire frame shook. He stared at Heath, holding back a cocktail of fury and fear. He couldn’t speak.

“What the hell, Carey?” Heath snapped. “How can he possibly be out?”

“Hold on, I kept the article.” Vague sounds of rummaging told Joe that Carey was in his office, looking through some papers. “Here it is. Eminent Surgeon Faces Medical Board Inquiry. That’s the headline, though the article was buried on page ten—it wasn’t a big story. Mark Vickery, forty-two, has been released on parole after serving just two years of a five-year sentence for kidnap and assault. Vickery, who blamed his actions on mental illness, received credit for good behavior. The medical board will consider whether he has brought the profession into disrepute. If found guilty, Vickery could face being struck off. He’s made no comment.” Carey paused. “That’s it. I did a quick scan of the Internet but didn’t find any other references.”

Joe’s voice deserted him. He glared at the phone as if he could will away the news.

“Thanks for letting us know, Carey,” Heath said. “It’s better to be informed even if it is the last thing we needed to hear.”

“Sorry to be the one to tell you.” Carey sighed. “Surely Vickery wouldn’t be so dumb as to come after Olly again?”

“Who knows what he’s capable of,” Heath replied. “I’m stunned he’s got out so soon. He must have put on a very convincing act.”

“To a parole board who no doubt saw an enigmatic, contrite surgeon who spent his career saving lives.” The sarcasm was evident in Carey’s tone.

“Fuck it all to hell. Just as I thought we could get back to normal.” Joe leaned back in his chair. “Sorry, Carey, it’s been a trying few days.”

“What’s been going on? Party preparations getting too much for you?”

“Not quite. We’ll catch you up when we visit.” Joe pushed his chair back then stood. He needed to move. His skin felt tight and itchy. He was tempted to punch the wall but split knuckles would draw Olly’s attention. “We are all looking forward to seeing your new place, it will be just the break we need.”

“Believe me, you’ll be doing me a favor,” Carey said. “This project has taken over my life somewhat. I’m a bit too close to it. I need some objective views before the first paying guests arrive.”

Joe rolled his shoulders. “We’ll see you in two days then. Is there anything we need to bring?”

“Just yourselves.”

Joe ended the call. He met Heath’s steely gaze, knowing that he couldn’t hide his own anxiety. “Olly is not to know about this, Heath. Not yet. He needs to recover from the ordeal at Bourton before something else lands on his shoulders.”

“Agreed. I’m going to tell Aiden. He can help keep an eye on Olly better if he knows the situation, and he can do some digging on Vickery. He won’t say anything to Olly if I tell him not to. He won’t like it, but you’re right, Olly’s had enough to deal with recently without bringing up his past.”

“He’s going to hate me when he finds out.” Joe rested his forehead on Heath’s shoulder.

Heath drew him into a firm hug. “He loves you. He’ll understand.”

For once it was good to cede control to Heath.

“Parole doesn’t mean Vickery is home and free. One slip and he’ll be back inside.”

Heath’s intention was to reassure but Joe wasn’t convinced. “I need to be with Olly. Where is the daring duo?”

“Our place, watching videos and party planning. I left them in a puppy pile on the sofa surrounded by junk food.”

Joe separated himself from Heath’s embrace and immediately missed his strength. “Seriously? You left Olly in the presence of chemical preservatives?”

“’Fraid so.” Heath shrugged, a huge grin on his face.

“Damn it.” Joe stomped toward the door. “Dealing with a scalpel-wielding Mark Vickery would probably be preferable to managing Olly hyped up on sugar and chemicals.”

“Maybe next time you’ll deal with the pipes.”

“You did this on purpose?” Joe glanced around for a convenient weapon.

“Of course not.” Heath grabbed Joe’s paper knife from the desk and held it behind his back.

“You… You are in so much trouble.” Joe scowled at his friend. “You need a spanking almost as much as Olly usually does. Perhaps I should suggest a bit of role reversal to Aiden?”

“He’d be far too keen on that idea.” Heath shivered. “Not happening, though. He enjoys getting his ass warmed even more.”

“I’m going to fetch Olly and you’re coming with me. It may take two of us to separate him from the snacks.”

 

* * * *

 

Olly hadn’t stopped talking from the time Joe had led him from Heath and Aiden’s apartment until they’d reached the playrooms in the basement. Olly had no need for alcohol—he was drunk on sugar. Joe listened to his chatter with tolerant affection, letting the words wash over him. He held Olly’s wrist and towed him firmly through the building down two sets of stairs. He was sure Olly had no idea where they were going. He skipped along, quite happy to follow Joe’s lead.

Joe opened the door of his chosen playroom and gave Olly a little nudge, propelling him inside. Joe closed the door and a sense of deep satisfaction pervaded his soul. He had his sub in a contained space and had every intention of keeping him there for some time. There was no chance of Olly wandering off, getting lost or being inconveniently kidnapped, held hostage or otherwise kept away from his assigned place at Joe’s side.

Joe double-checked the door, just in case. Heath knew where he was and had the code to the door in case of an emergency. Short of a magnitude nine earthquake, volcanic eruption or thirty meter tsunami—none of which was that probable in North Yorkshire—they were unlikely to be disturbed.

“Wow! I had no idea how great this room would look when we put the plans together, Sir.” Olly scampered around stroking the padded leather walls, opening the toy cupboards and examining their contents with unrestrained glee.

Joe let him have his fun for a couple of minutes.

“Olly.” Joe snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor in front of his feet.

Olly froze. He sidled over to Joe then sank to his knees, eyes firmly fixed on the dark rubber flooring. “Is everything okay, Sir?”

“Yes, sweetheart.” Joe smoothed Olly’s curls, enjoying the silken texture. He gave one ringlet a little tug. “Indulge me. I feel the need to stake my claim.”

“You can stake me anytime, Sir.”

Joe grabbed a bigger handful of hair and pulled Olly’s head back. “That clever mouth of yours needs filling.”

He gave Olly a bruising kiss before letting him go to search for a suitable gag in one of the toy cupboards. He considered an O-ring style or spider gag but he wasn’t fond of copious drool. He settled on a front-buckling leather option with rubber mouth insert. The padded leather fitted close across the face. Olly had described it as like having a gloved hand pressed across his mouth. The front buckle also made it easier to get off if Olly was tied down.

“Open for me.” Joe inserted the rubber section into Olly’s mouth and fastened the gag in place. It was big enough to cover the lower part of Olly’s face.

“Delicious. And so peaceful.” Joe allowed himself a smirk.

Olly rolled his eyes.

“On your feet.”

Olly scrambled up. It wasn’t the most graceful move he’d ever made but Joe couldn’t fault his eagerness to obey.

“Take your clothes off. Slowly. I want you bare for me.”

Olly scuffed his foot against the floor. He made no move to undress.

“Don’t make me ask you again, Olly.” Joe kept his tone mild. He knew Olly’s reticence was all an act. He waited, holding himself perfectly still.

Olly gazed at him, pretty eyes unblinking. Joe stared right back, safe in the knowledge he would win this little game. He always did. Olly shivered. His shoulders dropped a fraction as his resistance melted. He pulled his thin pale blue sweater over his head.

“Even now, undressing in front of me brings a flush to your cheeks.” Joe chuckled.

He reached out and stroked the soft down on Olly’s jaw. Olly’s heated skin had little to do with shyness and a lot to do with lust, but it was fun to tease him. Especially when he couldn’t answer back.

Olly unbuckled his belt and slid it through the loops of his waistband. He rolled it into a neat spiral and placed it on the floor just in front of Joe’s booted feet. The invitation was blatant. Joe narrowed his eyes, making sure Olly got the message that it was Joe, his Dom, in control. Olly unbuttoned his jeans, wriggled out of them, before kicking off his sneakers then stepping out of the puddle of cloth. He was wearing his favorite underwear—low rise blue Calvin Klein trunks that hugged the contours of his body closely. They were already damp, the stretchy fabric resisting his erection so that when he pulled them down his cock sprang free with a bounce. The diamond bead of moisture that had gathered at his tip seemed to float momentarily in the air before dropping to the floor in slow motion.

A slight draft from the air vent in the ceiling ruffled Olly’s mane. The hair on the back of Joe’s neck rose, and his skin tingled with anticipation. He schooled his features into a neutral mask. He picked up the belt and let it unravel, the leather firm beneath his fingers. Circling his naked sub, Joe stopped behind him. He let his breath play over Olly’s shoulder and leaned in close.

“Are you ready to play, love?” Joe whispered in Olly’s ear, noting the slight tremble.

He let his fingers drift down the side of Olly’s neck, then followed the line of his arm to his slender wrist. The tremble turned to a shudder when Joe pulled Olly’s arm back with one hand while continuing his delicate tracing touch on Olly’s other arm. Joe threaded the belt through its buckle and placed the loop over Olly’s wrists, slowly pulling it tight. Then he slid the free end of the leather between his arms a couple of times. The binding was snug, tight enough that Olly would be aware of the leather against his skin, but unknotted so that he could get free if he wished to.

Joe stroked the curve of Olly’s perfect ass, lingering at the point where soft flesh met firm thigh. Olly’s cock was rigid, the tip gleaming. Joe reached through Olly’s legs and grasped his balls. An anguished cry, muffled by the gag, escaped Olly’s lips. Joe circled one hand around his waist, holding him tightly, and continued to torment him with the other, squeezing to a point just shy of pain. Joe released Olly’s balls and instead rubbed the tender skin behind them. Olly moaned and twitched in his hold. Joe ghosted a finger over Olly’s entrance, making the lightest contact. The temptation to plunge inside him and feel his warmth was strong, but he needed lube. Olly enjoyed a bit of pain, but Joe would never risk damaging him.

“Stay right where you are.” It was hard to let Olly go and watch him swaying in place. Joe wanted to hold him close forever. He fetched lube and a bell ball, pausing only to strip off his top. “Do you know why I chose this room?” Joe maneuvered Olly back against his chest. “Because there are no distractions. No furniture. No fancy equipment. Just you, me, a few toys and plenty of soundproofing. It’s a shame you can’t scream.” He pressed the bell ball into Olly’s hand, then coated his fingers in a glistening layer of lube. Joe plunged two of them inside Olly’s grasping channel. He fucked his whimpering sub slowly. Olly couldn’t escape and clearly didn’t want to. He ground his ass back, forcing Joe’s fingers deeper. Joe grasped Olly’s cock. One swift tug was all it took to take him over the edge. Olly came hard and fast, spilling into Joe’s hand. Joe crooked his fingers, nailing Olly’s prostate. Olly arched, every muscle tense as his orgasm continued. Joe drew it out as long as he could, pulling every drop of come from Olly’s twitching dick.

Swiftly Joe untied Olly’s wrists, pulled his arms in front of him then retied the belt, making sure the bell ball was still secure in Olly’s clenched fist.

“I’m not done with you yet, sweetheart. On the floor. The bell is your safeword.”

Olly collapsed to his knees. Joe pushed him forward onto all fours, though his bound wrists meant that Olly had to rest his forearms horizontally on the floor, thrusting his ass high into the air. Joe could hardly catch his breath at the sight. He stripped off the rest of his clothes, then dropped to his knees on the cushioned rubber. He straddled Olly, positioning his cock at Olly’s entrance. He grasped Olly’s hips, took a deep breath and rammed home. Olly took him to the hilt in one smooth thrust, though he whimpered around his gag at the invasion. The sound spurred Joe on. He pounded his beautiful ass like it was the last chance he would ever get. Recent events had driven him closer to the edge than he’d realized. He needed to make Olly his again, mark him inside and out. It was only after he shot his seed deep into Olly’s body that Joe registered Olly’s sobs.

“Oh, God, Olly!” Horror enveloped Joe as he gathered Olly into a hug. “I’m so sorry!”

He released the gag and extracted the bit from Olly’s mouth. He expected to be shoved away at any moment but then Olly cupped his face and soft lips met his own. Olly’s wrists were still bound but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Sorry for what, Sir?”

“You were crying. I hurt you.” Joe stroked every part of Olly he could reach. He was confused. There was nothing but love in Olly’s eyes.

“If you were on the receiving end of that battering ram of yours, your eyes would be watering too.” Olly grinned. “Sir.”

“So you’re okay?” Relief flooded Joe’s body. He’d lost control and it was unforgivable.

Olly ducked his head shyly, nuzzling Joe’s shoulder. “I love it when you get rough, you know that. Does that make me a freak?”

“It makes you adorable.” Joe untied Olly’s hands. “You could have gotten free any time, you know.”

“I know.” Olly’s smile said it all. “How about we head home and share a hot bath?”

“I’m supposed to look after you. That’s how this dynamic works.”

“It works how we want it to work.” Olly planted a big, wet kiss on Joe’s lips. “Just for tonight, I’ll take care of you. Maybe tomorrow, things can get back to normal. No more adventures. Just holidays and parties and fun.”

Joe hugged him hard.

If only.