Endings and Beginnings Read online

  When JJ peered at him, puzzled, Thomas extended his hand.

  “Welcome to Collars & Cuffs, newest member.”

  JJ couldn’t help smiling as he shook Thomas’s hand. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “And now I really will get to work.” He left the office and hurried across to the bar. A few hours of keeping himself occupied and then Darren would be there. The thought of seeing him sent a rush of warmth through his entire body.

  God, I’ve got it bad.

  JJ TRIED not to keep glancing at his phone to check the time. It was already eight thirty, and he knew the salon closed at six on a Saturday. Mentally he was working out a timeline to figure out when Darren might arrive. He had to allow the man time to get home, shower, change, eat his dinner….

  “Did you do what you were supposed to, boy?”

  Fuck. JJ nearly jumped out of his skin. Darren was standing in front of the bar, grinning.

  “I don’t know what planet you were on,” Darren continued, “but it certainly wasn’t this one.” His eyes gleamed. “So now I have your attention… did you?”

  JJ had recovered sufficiently to be bold. “You’re not my Dom yet.”

  Darren smiled and leaned over the bar. “In that case, can your boyfriend get a kiss?”

  The word made him melt inside. JJ nodded and leaned to meet across the bar. Their lips met, not in the quick peck he’d thought would take place, but a slow, tender kiss that carried promise for the night to come. When they parted, Darren smiled once more.

  “And now I’ll go and see Thomas. I’ll be back.”

  He stepped away from the bar and winked at JJ. “And I do hope you followed my instructions today.” His gaze flickered lower.

  “Go do what you have to,” JJ gritted out, aware that people were watching. As Darren walked away with a grin, it occurred to JJ that he’d have to get over his feelings of shyness once they were members. It was only then that another thought occurred to him. How will Darren expect me to dress when we’re here? JJ had become accustomed to seeing some of the subs naked but for their boots and a collar. It hadn’t crossed his mind until that moment that he was about to become a submissive too. Will Darren want me like that?

  It seemed like only a matter of minutes before Darren was back. “All done,” he announced, smiling. He glanced at the empty bar and then walked to the end of it, beckoning JJ.

  JJ moved closer, intrigued. Darren pulled him into his arms and kissed him on the mouth.

  “That was for the delicious dinner I found waiting for me when I got home.”

  JJ opened his eyes wide. “All that work I put in, and that’s all I get?” he teased.

  Darren reached behind him and smacked his arse, hard. “And that’s for being a cheeky brat.”

  There was a wicked gleam in his eyes that JJ recognized instantly.

  “Although I could step behind this bar now it’s all quiet and show you my appreciation in an entirely different way,” Darren purred.

  JJ let out a tiny whimper when Darren grabbed his dick through his jeans and squeezed.

  “You know, on my knees where no one would see me?”

  The thought of Darren sucking him off, out of sight of the customers, was so hot JJ felt his cock twitch in anticipation. He swallowed. Not to mention tempting as fuck.

  Darren gave a heavy sigh and removed his hand. “But you said not to mix work and pleasure, so I guess that’s out.” His eyes glinted. “Pity, though. I rather liked the idea of deep-throating your dick and making you shoot down my throat while trying not to shout out my name like you usually do when I make you come.”

  “You are an evil, evil man,” JJ ground out.

  Darren grinned once more and leaned in close to whisper. “That’s my job. Or it will be after we sign our contract tomorrow morning.”

  Heat and ice warred within JJ. Holy fuck. They were really going to do this.

  That knowing expression on Darren’s face told him his soon-to-be Dom might know exactly what was going through JJ’s mind. Darren kissed the tip of his nose.

  “I’m going to go home for a while. You concentrate on doing your job, and before you know it, the club will be closing and I’ll be here to pick you up and bring you home.”

  “That sounds good,” JJ admitted.

  Darren smiled and walked away from the bar and out of the club. JJ loved the way Darren moved, that lean body so graceful and strong.

  “What does a guy have to do to get served around here?”

  Joe’s voice crashed through, pulling JJ from his pleasant thoughts.

  “Sorry,” he said quickly, hurrying to the end of the bar where Joe stood, grinning. Damn Darren. The man was distracting as hell.

  But in a really good way.

  LEO GLANCED at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was nearly 12:30 a.m. and he’d not long been home. That meant Alex would be home any minute.

  Leo walked into the kitchen to put the kettle on. Alex would be wanting a cup of his favorite tea when he got there. He smiled to himself. Alex loved his green tea with jasmine. Over the last few years, Leo had become a fan too, especially last thing at night.

  Leo didn’t like Saturdays. He missed Alex.

  Severino’s was always busy at the weekend, and it was rare for Alex not to work on a Saturday night. At least he seemed to enjoy his job. Sev had broached the idea of Alex becoming the head waiter, since Vittorio had announced he was leaving. There were waiters working in the restaurant who’d been there longer than Alex, but Sev had approached him. Leo couldn’t help feeling proud of the man Alex had become since they’d met, but that didn’t alter the fact that Leo was basically a selfish man. He wanted more time with his husband.

  The sound of Alex’s key in the front door sent a wave of happiness through Leo. He’s home. “In the kitchen,” he called out. Quickly he poured the boiled water onto the tea bag and turned to greet his husband. One look at Alex’s thoughtful expression stopped him in his tracks. “Hey. Are you all right?”

  Alex smiled and walked into Leo’s open arms. He pressed his cheek to Leo’s and sighed. “I am now.”

  Leo stood still and held him close, breathing him in. “Hard night?” he murmured into Alex’s hair.

  Alex turned his head and kissed Leo’s jaw. “Not so much hard as… interesting.”

  Leo released him and went back to his task of brewing Alex’s tea. “Now you definitely have my attention,” he said, handing Alex the steaming mug.

  Alex’s face lit up. “Oo, nice. Thank you.” That was one of the things Leo loved about his husband—the pleasure and delight he took in the smallest of actions.

  “Come into the lounge and we can snuggle up on the couch. You can tell me what’s been going on.”

  Alex beamed. “Snuggling. Yeah, I like the idea of that.”

  Leo led him into the lounge and sat, his arm held wide while Alex kicked off his black shoes and undid the top two buttons of the black shirt he wore to work. Alex curled up on the couch next to him, his head against Leo’s chest.

  “There are times when I’m grateful for those three inches you have on me,” he murmured. “Like now, when this feels really comfortable.”

  Leo let him sit in silence for a while, sipping his tea. “So, going to tell me about your day?”

  “It was a day like any other,” Alex admitted, “up until the point when Sev asked me to do him a favor.”

  “Oh?”

  Alex sat up and put his long legs over Leo’s lap, his hand wrapped around his mug. “A friend of Sev’s came to eat there tonight. He’s a businessman, and it appears he was pissed off with this marketing company he’d taken on to promote his business. Sev remembered my degree was in marketing and asked if I could have a word with him.”

  Leo sent a silent word of thanks in Sev’s direction. It was something that had been on Leo’s mind for a long while, but there was no way he’d have brought up the subject. “Okay. How did that go?”

  Alex smiled. “Actually? It was gre
at. We talked for about half an hour. I don’t think for a minute that I gave him any earth shattering advice, but he seemed pleased.” His eyes were thoughtful. “It felt really good. I was surprised how easily everything came back to me.”

  Leo knew his Alex. “Okay, what’s on your mind? And don’t tell me there’s nothing, because I know you.”

  Alex laughed. “Yeah, you do, don’t you?” He took a sip of tea before continuing. “It just got me thinking. That’s all.”

  Leo found himself holding his breath.

  “I know I love working in the restaurant, and I’m pleased Sev wants me to take on more responsibility, but….” Alex sighed. “For the first time in a long while, I thought about doing a job related to my qualifications. It would mean starting at the bottom in a marketing company, but that doesn’t faze me in the slightest. I feel better equipped to work with a team than I did when I first graduated. That’s for sure.” He met Leo’s gaze. “But I wanted to talk with you about it before I made any decisions.”

  Leo couldn’t help it. He took Alex’s mug from him, placed it on the small table beside the couch, and pulled Alex into his arms. “I love it,” he said quietly. “I know you’ve been happy at Sev’s, but you’re capable of so much more.”

  Alex stared at him. “How long have you thought that?”

  Leo bit his lip. “How long have I known you?”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you say something before now?”

  “Because it had to be your decision. This wasn’t something I could impose on you.” Leo caressed Alex’s cheek. “I’ve watched you grow into the most amazing man. You are nothing like that shy, awkward youth who appeared at our table. Do you realize that? You’re intelligent—you’ve always been that—but you’re also articulate, funny, creative…. I am so very proud of you, Alex Daniels.”

  “Alex Hart,” Alex whispered.

  Leo froze. “What?”

  “Let’s make it official, okay? I want to change my name to Hart.” Alex’s face was alight. “If I’m going to do this—a new career—then I want to go into it with your name. I’m proud to be your husband, and wherever I end up working, they’re going to hear about my amazing man.” He cupped Leo’s face. “Loving you is what has changed me. You know that, right? You’ve changed me in so many ways. The fact that I can even contemplate doing this is proof.” He leaned in close and kissed Leo on the lips, soft and gentle at first, but it wasn’t long before Leo was claiming his mouth with a kiss that he hoped conveyed the heat growing inside him.

  “Bed, Mr. Hart,” Leo said huskily. “Now.”

  “With pleasure, Mr. Hart.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  DARREN PLACED the plates on the table, poured a glass of juice for the two of them, then flipped the last pancake. JJ had worked later than expected, and Darren didn’t want to wake him any earlier than necessary. He was glad it was Sunday so JJ could have a lie-in. Of course he was mostly grateful he didn’t have to work today. He could just imagine calling Paul to let him know he’d be late. There’d be a lot of whining that Darren wasn’t ready to face. Maybe Darren should introduce him to one of the Doms at the club. It might improve his work performance if someone were to take the young man in hand. The thought of Paul bent over a Dom’s knee while he was spanked good and hard brought a smile to Darren’s lips.

  “Something smells good,” JJ said as he entered the kitchen. He covered his mouth for a yawn.

  “Hungry?” Darren asked.

  He nodded. “I didn’t get a chance to take a break last night, so I’m starved.”

  Darren frowned. “Why didn’t you get to eat?”

  “The guys in the group room were a little rowdier than usual. One of the club subs got it in his head that the guys needed a smile, so he stripped naked and threw himself at them and said he’d take on all comers. That’s when it got out of hand. The cops came, and one of them decided he wanted a chance with the sub before they cleared the club.”

  Darren gaped. “Seriously?” It sounded nothing like the club he’d witnessed so far.

  JJ guffawed. “Man, you’re easy. We just got busy. Kenton got called in too. We worked our arses off.”

  Darren walked over to where JJ stood, wearing nothing but a pair of white briefs. He slid his hand down and patted JJ’s behind. “You know, by this time tomorrow, teasing your Dom could become a spanking offense.”

  JJ’s eyes danced with amusement, but there was a flash of interest there too. “And what if I’m teasing my boyfriend?”

  Darren kissed JJ’s neck, grinning at the shiver that swept through his body. “Oh, that’s definitely going to call for a spanking.”

  JJ pushed him back with a low growl in his throat. “If we’re going to have more sex, I need food.”

  Darren let out a heavy sigh. “And the honeymoon period is over. Now you want food first,” he complained.

  He loved the evil grin that spread slowly across JJ’s face.

  “Of course. I want to rock your world, so I need my strength.” He patted his belly.

  Darren cupped his cheek. “Well said. Let’s dig in. We’ve got something important to do this morning.” The tips of JJ’s ears pinked, and Darren knew what that meant. “What’s on your mind?”

  JJ shrugged. “Nervous, I guess.”

  “Why? If you’re unsure about this—”

  JJ opened his eyes wide. “No, no. It’s not that. I do want this. I can’t remember ever wanting anything more, if I’m honest. But it excites and terrifies me at the same time. Is that weird?”

  “No, not in the least.” Darren stroked down JJ’s back, hoping to reassure him. “I feel the same way. Like my whole life I’ve been waiting for one particular Christmas present, and now it’s here in front of me. I’m afraid if I open it, then I’ll wake up and find out it’s a dream, but if I don’t, I’ll never know what I’ve been missing.”

  JJ shook his head. “Twit.”

  But Darren knew JJ understood and more than likely felt the same.

  They ate breakfast quickly, with JJ eating the last few pancakes himself. Darren made a mental note that when the two of them signed the contract, one of his first duties would be to make sure JJ took better care of himself. Skipping a meal because work was busy wouldn’t be an excuse.

  After they’d washed the dishes and put everything away, they retired to the living room. JJ curled up on the couch, his feet tucked under him, and rested his head on Darren’s shoulder. Darren drank it all in. If we could stop time right now, this would be perfect.

  “Right, so are we doing this or what?”

  A laugh bubbled out of Darren, proving to be infectious, because in a few moments they were both giggling.

  “Stop that,” Darren said finally after he’d caught his breath. “Let’s start, okay?”

  JJ still tittered but had schooled himself better, with a mock expression of innocence on his face. The fluttering eyes caused Darren to burst out laughing again. JJ was proving himself in so many ways to be the man for Darren. He’d never laughed like this with anyone else, nor felt so comfortable in their presence. He gazed into JJ’s eyes, then snatched a quick kiss.

  “What you do to me,” he whispered.

  Darren didn’t mind the two of them snuggling on the couch for a few minutes. He’d only considered being a Dom since he met Thomas and Peter, but he’d always wanted to be the center of someone’s world. The way JJ was gazing at him right then? Darren believed he’d found that someone. It was still too early to speak those three little words, but to himself, Darren could admit it. JJ gave him everything he’d ever wanted, wrapped up in a sexy, sweet, stubborn as hell package.

  JJ took the contract from Darren’s hands and opened it up. They went page by page, discussing everything laid out before them. Darren knew Thomas would want to ensure they’d read it and understood everything they were agreeing to.

  “Piercing?” JJ wrinkled his nose.

  “Not a fan?”

  A flus
h crept across JJ’s cheeks. “I tried to get my ear pierced once. I hyperventilated before I even got into the chair. Needles scare me,” he admitted in a low voice.

  Darren had to shove aside the image in his mind—silver rings through JJ’s taut nubs, rings that he could hook his fingers through, tug at while JJ rode his dick, hang things from….

  Fuck.

  “Tell you what, if you ever want to go get your nipples pierced, I’ll go along and hold your hand. Besides, from what I’ve heard at the club, a ring through the nipples can be pretty damned erotic.”

  JJ stilled. “Really?”

  “You like it when I play with your nipples, right? Imagine a bar through them that I could twist and pull. Hell, you could even tug on them while I’m balls-deep in your arse. Imagine the sensations.”

  Darren chuckled as a tent began to form in JJ’s jeans.

  “I think we should take a break,” JJ said, his voice husky.

  “No, we need to get this done.”

  JJ whimpered, which turned to a whine when Darren “accidentally” brushed a hand over his crotch. “I might hate you a little right now,” he complained.

  Darren chuckled. “You’ll thank me later. Trust me.”

  JJ grumbled but settled in again as Darren read page after page.

  “You need to decide on a safeword,” he said when they got to the part about limits.

  “Why don’t you pick it out? You’re going to be the Dom,” JJ teased.

  “Cheeky brat. You know it doesn’t work like that. It has to be a word that stops everything we’re doing. It can’t be something you might call out during sex, though. Choosing the phrase ‘Oh God’ might make me think you’re enjoying yourself and want more.”

  JJ snickered. “You think awfully highly of yourself, don’t you?”

  Darren tightened his arm around JJ. “Sweetheart, I listen to you when we’re in bed. Your body talks to me, reacts to what I do, but your words? They push me to find every pleasure place I can so I’ll be able to take you to a new high.”

  JJ blushed, and it made him glow. Darren added that to the list of his favorite things about the man, which already had dozens of entries.