Sean stilled. Frowned. “Cat thing?”
Max finished freeing his wrists. “Mmhmm. But don’t worry, it’s totally treatable.” He dropped his arms and stepped back. “Now stay.”
Sean lifted a brow.
Max strode to his chest. He’d gotten some things for Sean a few weeks back, not sure if he’d ever actually use them. But he liked to be prepared for any scenario, so he’d settled for better safe than sorry.
Lips subtly curving, he retrieved the items, then returned to his frisky little sub. “On your knees, cat. And hold up your hair.”
Sean’s brows flew high as he sank to the floor, his blue eyes locked on Max’s hand. “Are those things what I think they—Oh, God.” He choked back a laugh. “They totally are.”
“Yup. Now stop talking.” Max moved to Sean’s back. In seconds, he had a collar around Sean’s neck. Black leather, of course, with lots of metal studs. He nudged Sean’s shoulder. “Down on all fours.”
“Uh. Okay.” Sean dropped down. “Meow.”
Max’s lips twitched. “Head on the ground.”
Sean frowned. “Head on the—Oh.” Breathing a curse, he did as told, which effectively propped his butt in the air.
Max pocketed the remaining items, minus one, and gave Sean’s ass cheeks a squeeze. “You licked me, Sean. Without my permission.” He drew his thumb down Sean’s crack to his hole. “A sub doesn’t do anything without permission.”
“Sorry, Sir. Promise. Won’t happen again.”
“No. It won’t.” Max lubed Sean’s backdoor.
Sean moaned and closed his eyes. “Ah, fuck…”
One corner of Max’s mouth curved. He pulled out item three. A butt plug with a tail like a short-haired cat. One with golden fur that matched Sean’s hair perfectly. Max’s smirk grew wider. He moved his lubed thumb. Then he swiftly sank the plug into place.
Sean grunted. Breathed a curse.
Max grinned and curled his fingers loosely around it, barely gripping as he stroked it from top to bottom. Sean could definitely still feel it, though. To him they’d be slow, gentle, drawn-out tugs, teasing his tight ring and channel.
Sean’s closed eyelids fluttered. His lips fell open. Another moan rolled up his throat.
Such fucking fun. How Max relished this kid.
He smacked Sean’s ass. “Back on all fours.”
Sean jerked. “Ungh—Shit.” But quickly rose.
“No taking out that plug. That’s my job. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good boy.” Max swept Sean’s hair to the side and clipped on a leash. “Come.”
Sean coughed out a laugh. “Really? But Sir…”
Max eyed him. “Yes?”
“Cats don’t wear leashes.”
Max stared at him. Smartass. “Thank you for stating the obvious. Thing is, this is my domain, not the outside world. Here I make the rules… and choose the punishments.”
Sean exhaled, glanced at the leash, then emitted a defeated sound. But when he moved to stand up, Max shook his head, shoving the back of Sean’s thigh with his boot. Sean toppled forward to his hands and knees.
“Just like that, Sean. When you’re leashed, you crawl.”
Sean’s jaw fell open. Max grinned and started walking. Sean frowned and trundled along, tail in tow. When they reached the cage, Sean regarded it pensively. And, fuck, were his warring emotions palpable. Like he couldn’t quite decide if he was turned on or appalled. Which, naturally, made Max thrum.
Oh, the sweet smell of a newbie sub’s conflict.
Max unhooked Sean’s leash and opened the cage. “In.”
Sean winced. Inched forward. “For how long?”
“Not your place to ask, sub. Mind your fucking manners.”
Sean sighed and crawled inside, his cock still rock hard, then turned around and sat on his heels. Immediately, he gasped and jerked back up. Someone must’ve sat on his tail. Sean flushed and eased back down. Max fought not to grin and closed the cage.
But then Sean peered up at him, all pitiful and shit. A rush of velvet warmth flooded Max’s chest. He paused, blinked slowly, and held Sean’s gaze. Fuck. He loved this. Loved doing this with Sean. With him it was never a job.
Max sank to his haunches and reached through the bars, running his fingertips down Sean’s cheek. Sean watched him, expression veiled. Max wondered what he was thinking. Was Sean pissed? Embarrassed? Cursing his name?
Max’s lips curved. “I’ll be back.”
Sean tensed. “You’re leaving?”
“I am.” Max stood up. “Got a couple things to do.”
“But, Sir.” Sean gripped the bars. “What about me? What am I supposed to do while you’re gone?”
Max turned on his heel and headed across the room. “Meditate.”
“Meditate? What the f— On what?”
“Ways to please your Dom.” Max paused in the doorway. “Self-discipline might be a good place to start.”
* * * * *
Twenty minutes later, Max strode back into his dungeon.
Sean’s big blue eyes peered through the bars.
Max’s own eyes hooded. Such a heavenly sight. His beautiful, naked Sean detained so neatly. All prepped, kept, and ready to be pleasured. To be savored. Max’s heart kicked back up. Possessive hunger pumped through his body. Something about returning to find Sean waiting in his cage… Max’s semi recharged fast. Sean was his. His gem.