“No.”
“Because I’m a creature of habit,” Marcus said. “The first time I came here, Clarissa introduced me to the brand. She thought the name was naughty, but the bourbon is damn good, and I came backforit.”
“That sounds like Clarissa,” Lucian said softly, attempting humor and failing. He was too rattled by the way Marcus looked at him—by the things that gaze did tohiscock.
“The mark of a true gentleman is predictability,” Marcus continued. “And it’s the mark of a good Dom, too. Simple, logical, easy-to-follow rules that never change or waver. Any sub who breaks those rules knows what toexpect.”
“And any sub who follows those rules?” Lucian’s mouth was dry. He knew that Marcus was talking about today’s earlier instructions, teasing him with what was to come latertonight.
“Any sub who follows those rules knows what to expect, too,” Marcus told him. “Praise. Release.Adoration.”
Marcus would praise him when he found out what Lucian had done. Lucian knew it. Marcus couldn’t see what lengths he’d gone to in order to respect his directive, but Lucian knew that once they were alone and Marcus saw what he’d worn for him, he’d be pleased, and Lucian would know his lips again. His hand.Hiscock…
“It’s a shame you don’t have a sub, then,” Lucian said. He took a small step back from Marcus’ booth and prayed that Marcus would let him go. They’d convinced Clarissa that there was nothing going on between them, and Lucian wanted to keep it that way. If Marcus held him there any longer, they risked exposure. “Are youlooking?”
“I am.” Marcus held his gaze. “I have a promising lead, but I need to find out what he thinks of me, and what he trulywants.”
“Luckyman.”
“There isn’t luck involved. Those I take, I take because I see something within them.” Lucian was drowning, his lungs squeezed shut as Marcus’ dark eyes devoured him. The breath he took refused to make it down his throat. “The only luck involved is if those men see the same things in themselves thatIdo.”
Marcus arched an eyebrow, then looked away. The pressure on Lucian’s lungs vanished, and he drew in an audiblebreath.
“If you need anything else, wave me over or come visit me at the bar,” Lucian said, dragging himself back into a work mindset. He couldn’t acknowledge the way his cock strained against his panties or the rush of his pulse in his ears. “Enjoy yournight.”
Walking back to the bar was hard when he wanted nothing more than to drop onto Marcus’ lap and let Marcus do whatever he wanted, but Lucian persevered. He joined Clarissa behind the bar in time to tackle an influx in business, and soon enough, Lucian was too busy measuring drinks and pouring shots to dream of betraying the secret he shared withMarcus.
But the intensity in Marcus’ eyes wouldn’t let him be, no matter how busy the nightbecame.
* * *
Marcus waitedas he always did, hidden in the shadows of the alley after The Shepherd had closed. Lucian darted in to join him, letting the darkness swallow him, but tonight the shadows didn’t feel the same. Tonight they were charged with an energy Lucian decoded almostrightaway.
The place they’d both once been happy to share was no longer enough. The importance of Lucian’s decision hung in the air, leaving it cramped and uncomfortable. Before Lucian could dispel the discomfort, he found himself pulled forward. His back hit the alley wall and the air was knocked from him in a sudden gush. He wasn’t hurt, juststartled.
As he struggled to regain his breath, Marcus spoke. “You disobeyed me,fledgling.”
“I didn’t.” Lucian sounded timid only because he didn’t have the breath for anything more than a whisper. “Iwouldn’t.”
“Then?” Marcus spoke into his ear, his voice rumbling with dominance even when he spoke quietly. It gave strength to the arousal Lucian had been fighting all night, and with a single push, it conquered him at last. Lucian squirmed. “Explainyourself.”
“I wanted to keep it for you, and only for you,” Lucian replied. He wanted to turn his head and kiss Marcus until he ached, but he knew better. For now, he had to wait. “And I thought there would be nowhere better to show you than inyourcar.”
The mood changed. Marcus didn’t release him, but Lucian sensed a shift in how he held himself. The variation in body language, as small as it was, told Lucian all he neededtoknow.
Marcus hadn’t expected him to agree to aridehome.
“You want me to drive you home, fledgling?” Marcusasked.
“No,” Lucian said. He made the decision he’d been putting off all night, trusting in his instincts and his heart. When he spoke, he spoke the truth. “I want to go homewithyou.”
19
Marcus
The wordsLucian spoke didn’t quiver. They didn’t threaten to break or crumple beneath the pressure. What he said, hemeant.
Marcus traced his fingers from the back of Lucian’s head downward. He’d cushioned his omega’s skull for impact when he’d pushed Lucian against the wall, but there was no need for that anymore. Tonight, the small, dark alley wouldn’t be where they committed theirtryst.
