Max strode to the window just as Scott climbed out of Tad’s ride. Tad emerged from the driver’s side a second later. Max studied the kid intently. He didn’t look as skittish as he had the last time. In fact, this time around he was actually smiling. Smiling instead of looking like he was ready to barf, from nerves or some other weird shit. Which Max supposed was a good sign, the guy’s brighter disposition. A small little positive amongst the negatives. Then again, it could easily be some farce to trip Scott up. To keep his head second guessing. For Tad’s sake, that had better not be the case.
Max watched as the two walked up the driveway. Watched as Tad said something that made Scott laugh. Max smiled before he could stop himself. Scott looked happy again, genuinely happy. Something Max hadn’t seen in nearly a month. Even after his countless attempts to cheer Scott up and get him back to normal.
Max slid his gaze to Tad. The one who succeeded where Max had failed. His scowl turned petulant as they neared the front stoop. He didn’t like being one-upped, especially by a college kid. Seriously, what in the fuck did Scott see in Tad? Yeah, he was good looking, but tons of guys were. Maybe Scott just liked that he was shy. Max supposed he could see the appeal to that. Like some cute, bright-eyed puppy to take care of.
An image of Sean in puppy-play gear abruptly sliced through Max’s mind. His lips curved, then a low growl rolled up his throat. He’d have Sean in that get-up, it was only a matter of time. Totally decked out in all the accessories, complete with an eagerly wagging tail…
Dick stiffening fast, Max turned from the window. He didn’t have time to get distracted by fantasies. His first client would be arriving before long. A client, as it were, who got off on shit rough. Loved Max in hardcore Dom garb. Something Max actually enjoyed on occasion, too. Kind of like dressing up extra special. Made him feel darker. Edgier. Merciless. Merging him and his Dom into one.
Max tugged on his leathers and pulled up his fly, then donned his skin-tight, black latex t-shirt. The basics were in place. Now for the fun stuff. He moved to his dresser and scanned his various gear, his dad’s dog tags catching his eye first. Right where he’d left them when he’d headed for the shower, hanging on his mirror in somber silence. He frowned a little, then snatched up his wrists cuffs, securing them before grabbing a second pair. Thick black leather with small studded spikes. He fastened them into place around each bicep. The choker that came next was of the same material, too, and not to be mistaken for a collar. Because he didn’t do collars. Just the thought of ever wearing one made him cranky.
He swiped up a couple slender leads of chain and secured both ends of each to a belt loop. Always good to have. Always came in handy. Some Doms liked their ropes. Max liked his chains.
Donning his lip ring, he strode into the bathroom and peered at himself in the mirror. Not bad. But not done. He combed his hair, then slicked it back, drawing all attention to his face. Like always, his jaw looked tough and rigid, his lips pursed too tight, his eyes keen. Said eyes would look much different in a minute, though.
Max picked up his guyliner and got to work, tracing his eyes with a thick line of kohl. Then he blended the stuff, smudging it with the tip of his finger till he got it looking just the way he liked it. Grungy and mean. Goal accomplished.
Max set down the pencil and glared at his reflection. His lips curved slowly. Just the right amount of scary. No warm leather daddy for Brice. Which is precisely what Brice wanted. No actual intercourse, just sexual-tinted aggression. The guy got off on being scared. And Max loved instilling the fear of God. Because for all intents and purposes, that’s what he was for that hour. His clients’ be-all-and-end-all till they wailed his fucking name. Praising his ruthless relentlessness while begging just as hard for his mercy.
Max’s smirk faded in thought as Sean reentered the picture. He was Max’s second client of the night, so he’d see Max like this, too. Would Sean like this side of him? Would it secretly freak him out? After all, Sean had never seen Max this Dom’ed up before. Then again, Sean seemed to like things unorthodox.
Max’s grin returned. Oh, yeah. He’d show Sean unorthodox. On a level Sean would never see coming.
* * * * *
“Yo, Scott. Hold up. Need your help with something real quick.” Max picked up the pace to catch up with Scott in the hallway. It looked like the guy was headed to grab a shower, but Max needed his assistance before Sean arrived. His last client had left already and Sean would be there in less than twenty.