Ezra nodded slowly.Would the punishment start now?He should've put on the underwear despite them being dirty.The towel wouldn't stay on long.
"Why did you put on the shirt?It's dirty."
"I didn't bring a change into the bathroom."His voice was nothing more than a whisper.
"So?You've seen me walk around in here without clothes.You can too."
He shook his head.
Rourke ignored him, stepped closer, and grabbed the hem of his shirt.Slowly, he pulled it up.His hands traveled along Ezra's sides, forcing him to either raise his arms or fight, and he wasn't sure fighting would be a good idea.He lifted his arms and allowed Rourke to slip the fabric off.
"There."He spoke low and dropped his gaze to Ezra's torso only to frown."Piercings there too."
Ezra looked down at his nipples."It's tradition."Everyone pierced their nipples and genitalia when of age.It was a sign of maturity.
"Tradition?"
Ezra nodded.
"Why?I mean, what is it for?"
"To show you're...an adult."It had to do with vitality and fertility and so on, but he didn't want to have to explain to Rourke.
"So all adults have their nipples pierced.Women too?"
He nodded again."Among other things."
"I felt your dick."Rourke grinned."Show me."
"No!"Ezra took a quick step back and whirled around.The next second, his hair stood on end as a vicious growl filled the room.Shit, shit, shit.He should've dropped the towel and allowed Rourke to look at him.He wasted precious seconds standing frozen when he should have run.
"Who did that?"
Ezra stumbled forward, but there was nowhere to go.The bed was right in front of him, and to get to the door he had to face Rourke.
A strong hand curled around his wrist, and Ezra whimpered.Rourke's other arms wrapped around him, his hand splaying over his sternum as he pressed Ezra's back against his chest.
"The scars on your back, Ezra.Who?"
Ezra's mind blanked.Rourke was warm against him, his hold strong but gentle.
"Did someone whip you?Those look like whipping scars."
Ezra nodded.There was no use in denying it.
"Who?"Rourke's voice was nothing but a growl, and he spoke right next to Ezra's ear.It had a shiver travel through him.
"Shixyll."
Rourke's hold tightened."Why?"
"I...eh...didn't follow the rules."He couldn't remember.It had been a lot of different things.It had happened several times.
"You broke the rules?"
He nodded.
"Which rules?"
