“Come on, let’s get a drink in you. You look like you’re about to pass out.” Nick wrapped his hand around Billy’s upper arm and marched him deeper into the apartment, giving Billy his first chance to really look around.
Masculine. That was the word that came to mind. Polished hardwood floors, decorated with solid and simple furniture, the rooms were oppressive and intimidating—just like the man who’d designed them.
“Do you like the changes I’ve made?” Nick asked, leading Billy to a bar in what appeared to be the living room. It stood a few feet away from one of the big windows overlooking the grounds, and from what Billy could see it was well stocked with both human and elven liquor.
“I’ve never been in here before, sir,” Billy said, careful to keep his hands to himself. Everything in the room looked like it would smudge if he touched it.
“No?” Nick asked, stepping away from him and moving around to the other side of the bar. “Never?”
Billy shook his head.
“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Nick said with an amused curl of his lip. Billy didn’t really get what was so funny. “But there will be plenty of time for that later. What can I get you to drink?” Nick spread his hands on the bar, and drool pooled in Billy’s mouth at the sight of his huge hands and the supple looking leather gloves that encased them.
He wanted to feel those hands touching him.
“Do you have dandelion wine?” he asked. It was his favorite, but he rarely got to drink it. Nick grimaced, but he nodded.
“Sure. You wouldn’t like something else, though? I’ve got brandy, whiskey and some very good gin.”
Billy hesitated. “Okay,” he said, disappointed.
Nick grimaced again, reaching under the bar and pulling out a familiar slim bottle. “I don’t even know why I have this,” he said, pouring Billy a glass and sliding it over. “But enjoy.”
Billy brightened, taking the glass in both hands and lifting it to his lips, the taste exploding in his mouth. It was sweet and citrusy, with just a hint of ginger, and it was exactly like Billy remembered. He smiled happily into his cup.
“Good?” Nick asked, pouring himself a brandy. He swirled the amber liquid in the glass, watching Billy with hungry eyes.
Billy nodded. He could already feel the effects of the wine, like warmth spreading out through his body, and it was delightful. He took another sip; trying to ignore the intense look Nick was giving him. It felt like he was being sized up—like Nick was trying to figure out how fast he could run.
Billy shuddered. The idea of running from Nick, of being caught, made something hot and dark curl in his belly.
“So,” Nick said, pulling his hat off and putting it down on the bar. “What kind of experience do you have?” He leaned down, putting his elbows on the bar, bringing him almost to Billy’s eye level.
“What?” Billy asked, fidgeting.
“Sexually,” Nick said, leaning forward. “You’re obviously a submissive little thing—and I like that—but I want to know what I’m working with here.”
Billy felt frozen to the spot. He wasn’t submissive, was he? He blinked up at Nick, wondering what he was talking about.
“I’m not submissive,” he said, frowning. Nick pulled himself up to his full height andlaughed. He walked around the bar,moving with the grace of a predator, and came to stand right in front of Billy. He took Billy’s glass and set it down on the bar, a superior little smirk on his face.
Nick stepped back and the smirk disappeared. Billy felt a nervous knot of tension forming in his stomach.
“Get on your knees,” Nick commanded. Billy dropped down without even thinking about it, gasping when his knees hit unyielding hardwood. Looking up, Billy’s eyes widened at the sight of the huge bulge just inches away from his face.
It was only there for a few seconds. Nick crouched down and grabbed him by the back of his hair, pulling his head back with a painful tug.
“What do you feel right now?” Nick asked, his expression still hard and lacking any humor. Billy shuddered. He feltgood.
“I feel… I like it, sir,” he said, his voice trembling. Nick’s eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t ask you if youliked it,” he growled, his other hand grabbing Billy’s jaw and squeezing. “I asked you what you werefeeling.”
Billy couldn’t breathe. Nick’s hands were huge, the grip on his jaw reaching from ear to ear, and he felt utterly at the big Santa’s mercy. It was a good feeling.
“I feel excited, sir.Good,” he said, the words coming out in a mumble because of Nick’s grip on his face. Nick smiled, slow and wide, and there was something intensely satisfied in his expression.
“That’s right. Do you know why?”
