Nico rose to his feet, reaching for the hem of his shirt. His hopes soared when Mal said, “On second thought—” Only to crash back down when he finished his sentence. “—keep the shirt, lose the underwear.”
Why was that so much worse?
He slipped his thumbs into the band of his underwear, loving the feel of Mal’s eyes on him. He let the fabric pool at his feet, then picked them up and folded them neatly, setting them on the couch beside Mal.
When he made no move to go to the corner, Mal looked at his folded clothes. “I hope you’re not expecting some kind of reward just for that, Fidget.”
Nico’s heart sank. He kind of had been. He knew better than to speak.
Mal went back to his phone but said, “You don’t get rewarded for the bare minimum. Now, go before I decide to start improvising.”
Nico’s walk to the corner felt like the green mile. This was his least favorite punishment. That was why Mal didn’t use it very often. There was nothing worse for his overactive brain than having to sit still with no distractions.
When he reached his designated spot and went to kneel, Mal said, “Face me.”
Nico froze for a moment.
That was new.
He dropped to his knees, facing Mal.
“Hands behind your back, eyes on the floor. If you speak or fidget too much, I will start your time over again.”
Nico did as he was told, staring down at his painfully hard cock already drooling pre-cum all over their new carpet.
Time dripped by like molasses, the soft carpet starting to feel like a bed of nails the longer he knelt there. He would definitely see the indentations for hours after. But he had the feeling that would be the least of his problems. Seven was going to be so smug about this. Fucker.
Just when Nico was contemplating using his safe word, Mal said, “Stand up.” Nico had to use the wall for support but managed to get on his feet. “Go take a shower, as hot as you can stand it. Don’t bother getting dressed again. Just dry yourself off and come to me. Don’t drag it out by hiding in there for hours either.” Nico had only made it three steps when he added, “And don’t even think about touching yourself.”
Theor elsewas implied.
Once in their bathroom, Nico peeled his shirt off and turned the spray as hot as he could stand it as ordered. Mal joked that Nico would bathe in lava if he wouldn’t melt. He wasn’t wrong. But standing there, choking on the steam rapidly filling the room, the water no longer felt soothing.
By the time he made it back to the living room, Mal was no longer on the couch. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, a few of their toys laid out behind him. How could any man look so good just standing there? Nico’s fingers itched to touch him.
While Nico was in the shower, Mal had moved their small dining room table so it was closer to the center of the room.
“Come here.”
Nico hurried to do as he asked, surprised when Mal caught his chin with his finger, tilting it up. Before Nico could ask, not that he would dare, Mal kissed him, tongue sweeping past hislips to lazily explore his mouth. Nico couldn’t stop the whine that escaped.
Mal immediately broke the kiss, and Nico made a noise of complaint.
“I only did that so you’d have one nice memory tonight,” he said coolly. “If you had just behaved yourself, you’d probably be well on your way to your third orgasm of the night.” His hand slid around his neck, holding him in place. “You have nobody but yourself to blame for everything I’m about to do to you.”
Nico shivered, cock twitching.
“Bend over the table.”
Nico dry-swallowed but did as Mal ordered. The wooden table felt cool against his skin, his nipples hardening on contact. He didn’t know what to do with his hands so he placed them on either side of his head and waited. He could hear Mal moving behind him but couldn’t see what he was doing.
That was somehow so much worse. When his hand curled around Nico’s ankle, he jumped. Mal’s thumb soothed over the bone there before running his palm up Nico’s calf, like he couldn’t help but touch him. The thought soothed Nico. But only the tiniest bit.
“Spread your legs.” When he only inched them apart, Mal laid a vicious slap across his inner thigh, making Nico hiss at the burn. “Open your legs properly.”
The handprint throbbed, the skin probably already turning an angry red. It felt so much more painful than usual.
Like he could read Nico’s mind, he asked casually, “Do you know why I made you shower first, Fidget?” Nico felt a leather cuff wrap around his ankle. Mal was binding him to the table. Fuck. When Nico didn’t answer, Mal said, “You may speak.”
