Mind over matter. Kai was hot. Sean could do this.
Kai looked back at Sean as the door clicked shut, his finger still under Sean’s chin. Again, he studied Sean’s eyes. His velvet voice softened. “Are you sure you’re certain?”
Sean fidgeted beneath his ropes. Did Kai know? Could he tell? That the only reason Sean was there was for Max? He strengthened his poker face and gave a brisk nod. He never backed down. It was a trait he was proud of. Like hell would he quit now and risk Max seeing it.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
Kai faintly pursed his lips, as if knowing Sean was full of it. But then that glint shifted in his eyes. Shifted from probing to what felt like plotting. Like an idea had just hit him or something.
Sean watched him curiously as he tried to calm his heart.
Kai’s lips quirked shrewdly. “Let’s do this.”
* *
Max pushed through the door into the observation room, then pulled to a stop and inhaled deeply. Idiot. He was such a monumental idiot. What the fuck had he been thinking to agree to this shit? Why in the hell had he said yes?
Because he was too goddamn protective of Sean, that’s why. Because Sean sucked all reason from his brain. For fuck’s sake, Sean wasn’t even his sub anymore. Max had no obligation to watch over him at all. And yet, he couldn’t help it. Just couldn’t resist. Probably because he hadn’t been prepared for Sean’s request. Never expected Sean to ask him to observe. After all, Sean was pissed at him. As he absolutely should be. Max was a monster to him last Monday.
A monster.
Max exhaled hard, feeling sick just thinking about it. About the way he’d treated Sean that night. But he’d needed to make Sean hate him, truly despise him, so anything less than monster wouldn’t have worked. And he’d certainly delivered. Couldn’t remember ever being so cruel. Not even to the countless guys he’d tangled with. Like the raging bastard he was, he’d given Sean his worst—the one person who deserved the total opposite.
His stomach pitched. He groaned and covered his face, shoving the heels of his palms into his eyes. He wasn’t ready to look yet. Wasn’t ready to see. See what Kai was doing to his a stór.
He’s not your a stór anymore, you dumb fuck.
Max scowled and dropped his hands, then stalked to the sofa, eyes still averted as he sat down.
Just get through it... One more time... Then it’s over... For good.
Max breathed a small curse and stared at the floor. Every decision he’d ever made with Sean had proved to be wrong. He never should have hired Sean for that side modeling job, or given him a tour of his dungeon. Definitely shouldn’t have taken him on as a client. Or kissed him. Or fucked him.
Or fallen for him.
Shouldn’t’ve let it go on for so long. Or cut ties like he had. And he sure as fuck shouldn’t’ve agreed to this current bullshit. Come to think of it, if he’d said no to Sean’s request up in his office, Sean might’ve backed out entirely, the best possible outcome Max could’ve hoped for.
But noooooooo, Max had to be a soft ass and agree. Because he was a masochist. But mostly because he deserved it. Deserved to have that blade shoved back into his chest. Deserved to suffer for the pain he’d caused Sean. Hell, for all he knew, that’s why Sean asked him to do it. As one last retaliatory jab.
Well, Max would be getting it, but it wouldn’t be just a jab. It’d be an out-and-out, full-fledged beat down. Watching this tonight was going to pulverize him. Thank fucking God for two-way mirrors. Because if Sean got even a glimpse of Max’s reaction, he’d know without a doubt how Max truly felt. And Max didn’t win the douche rocket of the century award just to have it undermined a week later. Hence, the reason he’d opted for the observation room when he’d stupidly agreed to play voyeur.
“Do you consent to the activities I’ve planned for you tonight?” Kai’s voice, warm like suede, exuding erotic promise, soothing Sean into a state of sensual serenity.
Max swallowed and squeezed his eyes closed, then forced them back open, reluctantly peering through the glass into the other room. Kai was standing in front of Sean again, his stance casually spread, his fingers slowly stroking Sean’s hair.
“Yes, Sir,” Sean murmured, gaze on the floor, his veiled expression impossible to read.
“Do you remember your safe words?”
“Yes.”
“Do you surrender control?”
Max tensed. Say no. Please, caitín. Just say no.
Sean hesitated. Much longer than he ever had for Max. Max held his breath, hoping, but a few moments later, Sean exhaled and nodded.
“Yes, Sir.”
Kai’s lips curved. “Such a good little flower you are. Lift your head. Look at me.” Sean did as he was told. Kai brought his knuckles to Sean’s mouth. It was clear what he wanted. Sean tentatively pressed his lips to Kai’s skin. Kai’s smile widened. “You aren’t the only one who likes kisses, Sean. I like them, too. All over.”