"What I'm not used to is people I hire insisting on not doing the job I hired them to do, but instead going offon their own tangent and choosing to do something I never asked for and certainlydid not agree to payfor."
Liamleaned back in his chair, taking another sip of his drink. "That's a valid point. Or it would be except you seemed pretty clear the other night our 'lessons' were going to be up to me. Since I
am
the expert, after all. You wouldn't be very good at deciding what I ought to teach you, since you don't have the knowledge, right?"
Skye's jaw clenched and he looked away, and Liamlet out a quiet sound ofunderstanding.
"Ahhh. I see now. Skye, there's nothing wrong with not being the expert in every single thing. Tell me this-did youenjoythe other night? WhenI took control?"
Skye peered up at himfromunder his heavybrows. "That's not the--"
"It
is
the point. Now answer me."He used the same authoritative, quiet tone from earlier. And, as before, Skye responded.
"Yes, I did."
"Sir."
Skye's look could have sliced a lesser man to ribbons. "Yes,
Sir
, I enjoyed it."
Liamsmiled at his petulance. He was going to be a handful, for sure. Liam fucking loved a bratty sub; he couldn't even lie. Training them without breaking them was his favorite part. Because that kind of spirit ought to be protected, just turned to a more productive direction. This was goingto be so muchfun.
"Then why wouldn't you want to explore it? And exploring it means letting me teach you. Who else is going to teach you? It's what you hired me for, Skye, to show you all the pleasures you didn't know were out there. Doesn't it make sense to focus in on the things you show a clear aptitude for?" He leaned forward a bit. "When you were little and you showed an aptitude for math, for science, didn't your educators zero in on that gift and hone it, nurture it? Did theywaste their time trying to get you to enjoy other subjects and avoid the one youexcelled at?"
Skye let out a breath. "You should maybe have beena lawyer instead ofanescort."
Liam laughed, leaning back again. "Actually, I was in construction before this." He almost didn't continue, then shrugged. "The economy hit hard and here I am. Believe me, I never had the brains to be a lawyer or even finish college." A vocational school... sure, he'd gotten a certificate from one of those, but a real university? Withlaw school, too?
Ha.
Skye didn't say anything, just looked at him with those piercing dark eyes for a minute, then let out a sigh and reached for his drink. "All right, so you made a good point. I would expect a good teacher to focus on mystrongpoints, yes. And I did enjoyit. Verymuch."
Liam smiled at the sort of embarrassed look on Skye's face. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, professor. I enjoyed it, too, youknow."
That got Skye's attention. "You did? I mean, it seemed like it, but you must be very good at faking it..."
This was always a very touchy subject he tended to avoid like the plague with any client. They all wanted to know if he'd really enjoyed it, if they were special somehow and had made the jaded whore
feel
again. The truth was, he did enjoy it. Every time. In some way or another, he could find something to desire in anyone, whichmade what he did withthemless a dutyand more a pleasure. Sometimes it took a little more looking to find the thing he could desire in a person, but the vast majority of his clients were lonely, average Joes, not monsters or hideous freaks.
"I don't fake it, Skye. I certainly didn't fake it the other night with you." If Liam were honest, he'd admit he'd spent a hellof a lot of time thinking about Skye the past couple ofdays. More time thanhe should.
"Really?" Skye looked like he wasn't sure if he should believe him, or even whether he wanted to, and Liam decided a change of subject was necessary. This was getting way too personaland way too real. Time to get back to fantasyand Skye's lessons.
"Yes, really. Now, you still haven't answered my question. Stop evading, professor. What was it about the bondage that caught your interest?"
Skye didn't say anything, but Liam didn't think he was being ignored. He thought Skye was just thinking about his answer. Which was good. Finally, Skye met his gaze.
"I didn't understand it. And yet...I did."He frowned and sighed, took off his glasses to rub his eyes, then slipped themback on. "It doesn't make sense."
"Sure, it does. It's not as if you had any reason to evenknow this kind ofthingexisted before. Whywould you understand it? You can, however, be viscerally drawn to it. Because some part of you recognizes what it needs, even though you didn't even know you needed
Liam tried not to laugh because he got the feeling Skye was dead serious. "Efficiency is for air conditioners and car engines. Not for emotions and feelings."
"But...okay, I'm intrigued by it, but that doesn't mean it's this big
need,
Liam. Maybe it's intriguing because it's new."
"Maybe." Liam didn't think so, not after the other night, but he'd playalong. "Thenmaybe we ought to test it out. How else willyouknow for sure?"
As expected, Skye's response was to tense, straightening in his seat. Those heavy, expressive brows drew downover his eyes. "I don't know..."
That was a lot to ask, he knew, but it was necessary. Liamcouldn't teachhimanythingabout being submissive if, as a Dom, Skye didn't trust him. He just about held his breath waiting for Skye's response. It wasn't a longwait.
"I don't know you."
"True. Which is why I'm not going to ask you to trust me with anything you can't stop if you want. Not yet. And that's why I brought you here. Because it's safe for you. That's the most important thing, Skye, safety."
Skye tilted his head, for once not seeming to notice or care they were in public having this conversation. "If I can stop it, then how are you... I mean, if I'm submitting, shouldn't it be completely?"
"God, do not ever go into a brand new Dom/sub situation with that attitude, Skye. You need to protect yourself. Until you know deep down inside you can trust the personyou're givingyour submissionto. Which is why we're here. To negotiate limits, safewords to protect youand, to a lesser degree, me."
"What's a safeword?"
"Your Googlingdidn't tellyou?"Liamteased.
Skye smiled, shaking his head. "I got...distracted before I got to it."
Liam grinned. "Understandable, I think, given the circumstances. A safeword is a word we agree on that will immediately stop the scene. So, if whatever we're doing hits a limit of yours, or you're in pain, or for whatever reason just want to be done, you say the word and I know you're done. Whether temporarily because you need a breather, or altogether because it's too much."
"Can't I just say 'stop'?" He didn't look convinced of the necessity of a safeword, and Liamwas very glad he'd been the one who discovered this side of Skye. Because he was brilliant, but he was also painfully naïve and innocent. Liamhad a strongfeelingit'd be veryeasy for someone to take advantage ofSkye.
"Sometimes saying 'no,' saying 'stop' is part of the game. Sometimes it's more of an instinctive thing to say when you're shocked by something, but don't
really
want to stop. A safeword is something mundane, completely removed from sex or play, like...like 'rum.' Or 'apple.' Something that will jar us both out of the moment to get back to reality." Liam had a feeling getting back to reality once he was immersed in Skye was goingto be difficult as it was.
"Interesting. I'd never have thought of that." Skye fiddled with his suspender strap, then looked up with a smile. "'Suspenders.'"
Liam laughed. "'Suspenders' it is. That's your word to stop whatever's happeningand get myfullattention."
Skye gave him a small smile. "Are you suggesting I might have less than your full attention during a--what did youcallit?--a scene?"
Liam felt the impact of that sexy little look right down to his toes. Skye was testing his own sensuality in ways that had nothing to do with BDSM. Liamfound it intoxicating. He leaned forward, gaze dropping to Skye's mouth before meeting his eyes again. "Not a chance. Youcertainlyhave myfullattentionnow."
Skye visibly trembled. "Well, then, now might be a good time to stop talkingand...
learn.
Sir."
Liam groaned and stood up. "I think you're right. Come on, professor. Lesson number ten--don't keep your Domwaiting."
Skye's heart pounded as the hotel room door shut behind them. He had no idea what to expect, but he was willing to bet it was going to be intense. Just the look on Liam's face told him that much. He shoved his hands into his pockets, taking a few more steps into the room, thenturned to face Liam.
He didn't know what to say. How was he supposed to act? The pictures and even the short videos he'd watched were very-- He didn't know. Not him, basically. He saw those submissives and couldn't imagine himself in their place. Now here he was...in their place.
Liam's lips twitched. "Now we start on lesson number one."
Skye blinked. "Um...weren't we up to ten?"
Liamchuckled, and Skye had the feeling he'd done something naïve again. "We were. Now we're back at one. Because this is anentirelynew lessonplan."
Skye didn't know if he agreed. It was really more efficient to... Then he stopped. There he went with efficiency again. Liam had already addressed that earlier. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. What's lessonone?"
Liamlooked so pleased Skye suddenly didn't mind the discomfort of letting that little niggle go. It made his insides warmto think he'd done the right thing.
"Lesson one is what you just did. It's obedience. Not questioning so much." Liamtook a step closer and caught Skye's hand, drawing him closer. "Now, I don't expect complete and utter obedience right from the start. I don't think you'll ever not question because you know what, it's part ofyou. It's not a thing that needs to be unlearned."
Skye let out a shaky breath, smiling. "Good because I know you're right. I can't help it."Questioning was who he was, inmore ways thanone. He was a little surprised Liam not only recognized that but thought it was...what? A good thing maybe? The only people who'd ever not been annoyed by his constant queries were his teachers and professors. The idea someone else, someone like Liam, could accept that part of him was intriguing.
Skye had to keep reminding himself this was purely a business relationship. Liam could accept his faults because Skye was paying him to; that was all. He let out his breath and looked up at him. "I'm supposed to just...do what yousay? What ifI don't want to?"
Liam ran one finger along the edge of his suspenders, and for some reason that idle, innocent touch sent shivers down Skye's spine. "You don't
have
to do anything. But I want you to think before you say no. Think whether youwant to sayno because youtruly don't want to do what I ask or if you're wanting to say no because it's unusual or embarrassing or makes you uncomfortable. The latter aren't always reasons not to do something. Oftenexactlythe opposite, infact."
Skye wondered ifhe could do. He'd have to try, he supposed. He had very much liked the way it felt when he'd done what Liam asked, when Liam had smiled so pleased at him. He might like more of those smiles. No "might"about it; he knew he would.
"All right." He felt like he was standing on the edge of some great abyss and his heart was in his throat just waiting to fall. The thing was, though, Liamwanted him to trust he
wouldn't
fall. Because Liamwouldn't let him. "It's verydifficult to do this, youknow."
Liam smiled. "I know. This is just the beginning, Skye. I don't want youto be so worked up youcan't let go. I'm not going to push you right now. We're just going to play a little." His fingers brushed the inside of Skye's wrist before he let go. "First things first. I'd like younaked, Skye."
Skye swallowed hard, breath catching. How silly a reactionthat was. It wasn't as ifhe hadn't beennaked in front of Liam the other night. More than naked, he'd been utterly exposed in so many ways. He told himself he wasn't nervous at all. This was totally familiar territory. Skye was the type of person who learned on the first try.
He took a deep breath and shrugged one strap of his suspenders off his shoulder, followed by the other. They'd barely fallen to hang loosely from his hips when Liamheld up one finger.
"Hold that thought." Then he took Skye's hand againand led himinto the bedroomofthe suite.
Skye's heart raced even faster now, the big bed flooding his mind with images from the first night. Liam naked. Hard. Touching him, kissing him. Making him feel things he'd never even imagined were possible to feeland survive. He began to tremble and no amount of mental cheerleading would stop it. He hoped Liam didn't notice.
Liamsat onthe edge ofthe bed, leaningback onhis hands as he kicked offhis shoes with a lazy, sexy smile. "Now. Go ahead."
Skye pressed his lips together, the slight interruption having revived every ounce of the nerves he'd just begun to beat back. He let out a heavy breath, shaking hands reaching up to tug his T-shirt free of his jeans. ThenLiamheld up his hand again.
"Slowly, Skye. I want to look at you."
Skye gave him an impatient look. "If you keep interrupting me, it'll be slow all right. In fact, it'll never get done."
Liam just grinned, unperturbed. "I have all the time inthe world. Take your time."
Skye glanced at the clock, thenjumped a little when Liamreached over and abruptlyflipped it face down.
"No. Ignore that right now. Pay attention to me, Skye." His voice was the firm, authoritative tone from earlier. It sent a shudder downSkye's entire bodywhen he used it.
"I'm sorry. I just...it's for three hours and we were at the bar for part of it and..."He trailed off when Liam reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezinggently.
"Stop. Just listento me. IfI sayignore the time, then I meanignore the time. It's mytime to do what I choose with, allright?"
Skye nodded, head stillspinning, though. Was Liam saying he didn't expect to be paid extra for the extra time? Was he saying he got to decide how much time Skye paid for now? Or--most surprisingly--was he not eventhinkingabout the moneyat all?
What anintoxicatingthought. Skye chose to go with that reasoning. It just sounded nice.
He nodded. "Okay. Sorry."
"Sir."
He repressed a smile. "Sorry, Sir."
Liam gave him a pleased grin and leaned back on his hand again. "Good. Now go on, Skye. Take off your clothes."
Slowly.
Skye did his best to keep that thought inhis head.
Slowly.
He couldn't just do what he normally did and tug things off willy-nilly. Liam wanted more than that and Skye wanted-- Oh, Skye wanted to please him and get more of those smiles. He unhooked his suspenders first, feeling a little silly as he reached over to lay themon the nightstand. He suddenly remembered he still had his glasses on and took them off, setting themsafelyonthe back ofthe nightstand.
"How wellcanyousee without those?"
Skye shrugged. "Pretty good, actually. It's kind of like everything's been slightly blurred on a one or two degree axis."
Liamsmiled, but didn't say anything. Skye imagined his precision was what caused that. For some reason, the other man seemed amused by Skye's literal way of thinking. He supposed it was good, because Skye certainly couldn't change the way he thought or processed information.
He was thinkingtoo muchright then, though, and he knew he was.
Darn it.
He shook off the inane rambling of his over-anxious mind and met Liam's sultry gaze. How one man could display so many different emotions at once...it seemed exhausting. Liam felt so much, and Skye wondered whether he ever got tired of it. He'd ask some other time.
"The shirt next, Skye."
He must be getting impatient because Skye realized he was hemming and hawing, standing there navelgazing.
Damn it, Skye McCord, pay attention.
Skye caught the hem of his T-shirt and lifted it, drawing it slowly over his head and laying it on the foot of the bed for lack of a better place. He was a little bit shy about this part. Liam sat there just...looking. Not saying anything. Skye felt like he was ondisplay.
He thought that might be the point.
Then Liam reached out and curled a hand at his waist, tugging Skye closer. Oh, better. He liked that. Liam's hand was warmand its weight seemed almost to ground Skye. Center him.
"You have the most gorgeous skin," Liam murmured.
Skye's brows lifted and he glanced down. Then he shrugged. "I'mverypale."
"You are. I like it very much." His hand shifted, splaying across Skye's belly, thumb stroking little circles around his navel. Skye's muscles clenched tight as Liam touched him. He had to admit it was very aesthetically pleasing--the contrast of Liam's more golden, sunkissed skinagainst his ownlighter tone.
Skye wondered if he tanned just to tan or if Liam maybe did lots of outdoors things. He didn't even know why he wanted to know such an insignificant detail. Maybe because he was feelingso exposed and his mind chose to focus on other, less scary things? He wasn't