Finn looks close to tears, so, reaching over the table, I take his hand. “He said he didn’t want to hear your name again. I told him to fuck off and never come back.”
“I’m sorry. I really am. Has he been in touch since?” I can tell by his hesitation that he has, and Finn didn’t want me to know. “He wants to come back, doesn’t he?”
Finn is shaking his head before I finish. “No, but he has apologised and wants to see me to apologise in person.”
“And you’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” I don’t expect, or want, his reply, but he nods. If Finn takes him back, then my time here is up. He doesn’t need me.
“I want to hear what he has to say. He sounded really sad. I’m sorry, Memphis, I know I should say no, but I love him. I believe he won’t do it again. If I do take him back, I’m not rushing him again.”
That’s an odd thing to say, what’s he rushing him into? The scene? Doesn’t Matt what to submit? “You’re gonna have to explain that one. What do you mean by rushing?”
“I want to take him to Shaft. I’ve been slowly introducing my dominance, and he loves the sex it leads to. He’s not sure about a scene in the club.”
“He hardly showed you any of his submissive side when he hit you. Are you sure he’s interested?”
School the next day is hectic; the kids are in the middle of their exams and stress levels are high amongst them. With the halls full of noisy teenagers, I crave some quiet as I force my way through the throng. I notice that one room is completely quiet. Surprise hits me as I look in, but the scene makes me happy.
Noah is to the side of a presentation stand and is drawing on the white paper. The way he effortlessly uses a pencil, like it’s an extension of his mind through his hand is incredible. The room is full of kids, squeezing to share chairs, sitting up on the windowsill, on the edge of desks, and leaning against the wall. There must be fifty kids in here, and all of them are silent as he quietly explains how to draw what looks like an intricate dragon.
He looks across the room and notices me hovering, his smile is broad and welcoming. “Mr Foster, how nice of you to drop by.” The humour in his voice is apparent, making all the eyes in the room shift from the drawing to me.
There’s a mischievous gleam in his eye as he looks from me to the board to the class. “I know that your favourite teacher here”—he gestures to me, making the kids laugh and catcall. “He has a tattoo of a dragon that is probably the best I’ve seen inked on skin. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but he’s my boyfriend’s brother. Royal, why don’t you share with us the awesome artwork you’re sporting.” It’s not a question, and I feelmy cheeks heat. This is not something I would usually condone, but he has these kids eating out of the palm of his hand.
“I’m not sure this is appropriate, Noah.” I try to scowl at him, but the plea from the kids makes me laugh. Shaking my head, I can’t believe I’m doing this. I pull my polo shirt from my slacks and turn my back to the classroom.
“Wow!” is the collective sound from the kids, followed by silence as they stare. I look at them over my shoulder and see admiration in their eyes. Saint really is the master at bringing artwork to life on living skin.
I put my shirt back on and join Noah at the front. I lean against the desk, my hands either side of my thighs, and the questions come thick and fast. How long did it take was the loudest one. “I think it was three sittings, mainly because I tapped out earlier than I should’ve, after about three and a half hours. My brother is a genius with an ink gun, but he’s met his match with Noah. He’s told me that your man here is already getting better than him. So, while I don’t condone anyone rushing off to get something so permanent added to their body, if you do decide to get ink, start researching and saving now, because good ink doesn’t come cheap. I’ll leave you to it. Thanks for embarrassing me, Noah.”
The kids all laugh, and Noah grins his cute, effortless smile that makes me understand how Saint fell in love with him. Would any of these kids believe that just last night, the cute guy in front of them was strapped to a spanking bench and flogged until he came?
I say goodbye to Noah and the kids and head for my office. Being the head of the PE department, I get my own space. Admittedly, it’s not much bigger than a broom cupboard, but it’s mine, and it keeps me away from all the school politics, which basically is the staff moaning about lack of funding for their departments.
After a week without Memphis, I’m ready to get in the car and kidnap him. I’ve heard all about the situation between Finn and his boyfriend. I have his full name now, so it’s time to do a little investigation on Matt Bennett. Subs don’t hit their Doms; it’s not in their nature, and after Memphis filled me in on the ongoing drama, I’m not happy about him being there much longer. But it’s not my place to interfere; I trust my boy to do the right thing and know when to bug out.
It's not ethical to sneak about trying to find out if he’s member of any other BDSM clubs in the Lincoln area. It’s also a skill I’m not capable of. Luckily, I have a brother who is. As I pull my phone out of my pocket, I laugh at the screen saver. It’s not the one of Memphis’ face covered in my jizz, but it is a selfie of us snuggled up in bed.
I type a quick text to Drake to see if I can meet him tonight after I’m finished here. He doesn’t answer straight away, so I carry on marking my exam papers and writing reports.
I’m walking out to my car when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Great, Drake can meet me, and we arrange to go to the King’s Head. He’s already there when I walk in; he’s got an almost full pint of lager on the table in front of him. I go to the bar and order one for myself, then join him.
“Thanks for meeting me,” I say before taking my first sip of the foam at the top of the glass.
“No problem. I’m guessing this isn’t just a brotherly get together, or are Saint and Knox coming too?” He snags a menu that’s propped between the salt and pepper shakers. My stomach growls, so I copy him; eating here is a good idea.
“No, it’s just us, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Saint comes in. I saw your car parked at his place too. I want to ask you a favour. I’m not even sure if it’s something you can do, but you’re the only one I can think of.”
Drake leans back in his chair and narrow his eyes. “It sounds like you’re asking me to do something illegal.” Then he winks. “Spill the beans, I’m intrigued.”
I explain why Memphis has gone back to Lincoln and his comments about Finn and what’s been going on since he got back there. The latest piece being Finn agreeing to meeting up with the bastard who hit him. Memphis sent me a photo of the bruises, which proved to me this wasn’t a quick strike out that can be put down to, but not forgiven, a moment of insanity. No, he was hit twice, once to his chin and jaw and another to his eye and cheekbone. Memphis doesn’t know if there are bruises on any other part of his best friend’s body. “He doesn’t sound like a submissive, does he? I think he’s lying and doesn’t have a submissive bone in his body, and he for some reason, has chosen Finn to mess around with. I would like you to see if you can find out if he’s a member of any kink clubs in his area other than Shaft, the club both Finn and Memphis are members of.”
Drake does not look happy, his blue eyes turning a very steely grey, and his jaw tightens as he clenches his teeth. Drake, as a sub himself, does not like the idea of someone pretending to be one to get in close with a Dom. “I can do that. Do you have his date of birth along with his full name?”
I’m pleased that I managed to get Memphis to find that out as well. “I do.” I hand him a piece of paper with his details and his place of work. He reads it before tucking it away in his pocket.
“I’m not sure how quickly I can get this done. I hope by the end of the week. I’m away for a couple of days this week. If you find out anything else, just text me. I’ll be able to read them. Anything else, or shall we order?”
“Nope, that’s all I’ve got. I want to know not only for Finn’s sake, but Memphis’ too. I need to know he’s safe around this wanker. He thinks they will be getting back together soonerrather than later.” We read through the menu, even though we probably know it by heart. This pub is a favourite of people in the kink scene; there are more than a handful of Bound members working here. It makes it a pretty safe place for us, and they turn a blind eye to any collars or anyone wanting to kneel by the side of the man they’re with. As I stand at the bar with our order, my earlier comment comes true. Saint and Noah walk through the main entrance and look around for us. Noah sees me first and points me out to his master.
