More tingles erupted throughout Sean’s body. Time to be bold. “Yeah. I would.”
One corner of Max’s mouth curved slightly higher. “Alright, then. Step this way.” He walked Sean over and had him turn around. “Press your back to the cross, then spread your feet wide.”
Sean’s pulse pounded furiously. In his ears. In his cock. Fuck, this was exciting. “Okay.”
Max dropped into a squat and secured his ankles, pulling the restraints’ straps tight. “Good.” He stood up. “Now hands above your head.”
Sean promptly complied, and the next thing he knew, warm hands were cuffing his wrists in, too. Fuuuck, he loved when Max stood this close. Loved smelling his unique scent. Fresh shower clean, but also something else. Something all Max that made Sean salivate. Like cedar wood steeped in warm, melted butter. A hint of sweet amidst all his savory. And Sean loved it. Fucking loved it. Wish he could have “a taste” of that.
Max eased back a little when finished with Sean’s arms. “There.” He smiled and touched Sean’s jaw. “Mmm. So brave. I’m proud of you.”
Sean froze. Because one, holy shit, Max was smiling—and wow, was his smile fucking stunning. But two, because whoa, that praise he’d just given did something really crazy to Sean’s head. Made it light up bright. Made it instantly want more. Willing to do anything—almost—to get it. Too bad he didn’t have a clue what to do.
Suddenly feeling restless in a way he didn’t understand, Sean absently tugged on his binds.
Max smiled a little wider. “Completely helpless. How does it feel, Sean? Do you like it?”
Sean honestly didn’t know. It was strange. He felt vulnerable. At the complete and utter mercy of another. He glanced up at his hands, then back at Max. “I’m not sure. I think so. But I’m nervous.”
Max’s grin ebbed. “Do you trust me?”
Shit. Another I-don’t-know. Truth was, he barely even knew Max. Which, Jesus, made him suddenly feel stupid as hell. To put so much faith into a practical stranger? Not one of his brighter moments. On the outside, at least. Thing was, deep down, he did trust Max. Intrinsically. Although, why, he wasn’t sure.
“Yeah,” he murmured, staring into Max’s eyes. “Don’t know why, but I do.”
Max’s dark gaze glinted. “Don’t overthink it. As long as you’re listening to your gut.”
Sean’s lips curved. Yeah. His gut and his dick. But he’d keep that little tidbit to himself.
Max backed up a little more and looked Sean over, his emerald eyes stirring up more tingles. And then those eyes were locking back with Sean’s. “Time for that taste. Are you ready?”
“I think so.” Sean fidgeted, his dick growing harder. “You’re not gonna hurt me, though, right?”
“Hmm.” Max stepped close again. Pressed his mouth against Sean’s ear. “That’s kind of what I do, Sean. What would you have me do instead?”
Sean swallowed. Forgot to breathe. “Uh… Something non-painful?”
Max chuckled darkly. Goosebumps raced across Sean’s skin. “How about we compromise? A little bit of both.”
Sean nodded. “Okay. Yeah. Compromise. Sounds reasonable.” After all, no pain, no gain.
Max pulled back slightly. “There you go again being brave.”
Sean smiled. More praise. God, he was easy. Just a couple fucking words and he was gold. It was actually kind of pathetic, come to think of it. But whatever. He’d berate himself later.
“I’m going to touch you now, Sean.” Max gently palmed Sean’s chest. Thumbed his nipples nice and slow through his shirt. “But not like upstairs. You’re gonna like this more.”
Sean shivered. “Shit…” His eyelashes fluttered.
Max’s hands slid down his stomach to his waist. Whoa. Sean’s cock gave an eager buck. But those hands rose immediately back up—with Sean’s shirt. Sean tensed as cool air kissed his abs, then his pecs, then his collarbone, too.
“Open your mouth.”
Sean promptly obeyed.
Max pushed Sean’s lifted shirt between his teeth. Instinctively, Sean bit down.
“Good,” Max murmured. “Don’t let go. If you do, Sean, there’ll be repercussions.”
Sean blinked. Repercussions?
Max smirked. Gave a nod.
Sean frowned. How was he supposed to talk?
Max reclaimed Sean’s pecs, got back to thumbing his nips. “My subs don’t speak unless spoken to. But don’t worry, if need be, I’ll ask yes or no questions. Nod if you understand.”
Sean nodded.
“Good. And if you need me to stop, shake your head.”
Another nod. But then Max paused. “Oh, one more thing. Just so you know. If you have me stop, that’s it, Sean. I’m done.”
Sean’s breath shallowed out. Okay, so Max’s meaning: the penalty for being a pussy was game over. Sean could appreciate that. Definitely upped the thrill factor. He forced himself to give a third nod.
Max smiled again. “Good boy. Let’s begin.”
Fuck yeah, let’s. Because as nervous as Sean was, he still couldn’t freaking wait.
Max’s hands started roaming all over Sean’s torso. But his touch was light, which also made it teasing. Sean’s muscles tensed. His dick shot rock hard. God. The sensation. It was fucking heavenly. Sean didn’t want it ever to end. If only he could talk, get some discourse going, maybe he could prolong the inevitable.