In Service
Smashwords Edition
All rights reserved. Except for use in promotional review, the reproduction or use of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, by technologies now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Dark Roast Press, Calumet City, IL, 60409.
The story is fictional. Names, places and any similarity to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.
© 2008 by J.C. Natál All rights reserved.
In Service Cover Art © 2008 Juanita Campbell
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com or Darkroastpress.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
Dedication:
I want to dedicate this book to the people that read this story in its original format, and encouraged me with their kind words, comments and appreciation. Also for my betas who whipped it into shape for me while I flailed.
And lastly, for the Northern California crew: Anissa, Beena, Deana, Erin, Lynn, and Mary. Thank you ladies for being my friends.
In Service
By
J.C. Natál
Chapter One
Lord Elias Doherty looked up from his place by the pool at the sound of voices. He didn’t expect the vendor to be there so early. His parents were already out there, oohing and ahhing over the merchandise.
Shit.
If he didn’t want to end up with an “experienced” Servant, which he translated to mean one old enough to be his father, he’d better get out there too. He pulled a loose white shirt over his tanned torso and dropped the magazine he had been perusing.
“Oh, there you are, Darling. I just sent Rosa to find you.” His mother patted at her bottle-blond hair, shining all yellow and fake in the sunlight.
Elias frowned a little at his mother, tilting his sunglasses as his eyes swept over the bowed heads of the people kneeling in front of his parents -- five men and six women. Most of the men looked like this was at least their third or fourth ride through this particular rodeo. The women seemed fresher, but not by much. “This it?”
“Don’t embarrass me today, Elias.” His father’s voice was coarse and filled with warning. “Not like you did with the last two vendors.”
“It’s not my fault they had crappy merchandise,” Elias responded as he moved down the line. “I told you; we should go into the city to look instead of waiting for the traveling show.” He stopped in front of a pretty blond and took off his sunglasses. “Look at me.”
She did as she was told, lifting her face, though her eyes didn’t lift above his chin. Her skin was pale and there was a smattering of freckles across her nose. He cocked his head and the vendor’s salesperson approached with a smile. “She has been fixed, my Lord. It was determined her genes were soft and not eligible for breeding. She is well trained.”
“What is her trade?” his mother asked, moving closer.
“She’s an excellent secretary, my Lady. A good match for a young Lord’s first Servant.”
“I don’t need a secretary,” Elias said, looking away. A man was just stepping from the van, leading the tallest boy Elias had ever seen in Service. He was easily six foot two, strong, muscular, with dark hair that just touched his shoulders and was tucked behind his ears, curling slightly. His skin was pale and smooth. He looked young. Pretty. “What about him?”
She frowned and looked over her shoulder, her smile back in place when she turned to face him again. “I’m afraid he isn’t for sale, my Lord. He was purchased several years ago and sent to our parent company for training. We are only delivering him.”
Elias moved away from the line of kneeling Servants to get a better look. “Why take him out then?”
“He has been caged the entire journey from Austin, my Lord, per his Master’s orders. He needs to exercise.”
He wore the common brown shorts of one in Service and little else, save the collar. He was beautiful, his body sculpted and gorgeous, his demeanor submissive and innocent somehow. It was intriguing. “He’s trained?”
She followed him. “Yes, of course. However he has no trade. His Master wished him to be trained only in Service.”
“Trained, and yet still so…innocent?” There was something about him--something that awakened a fire inside Elias.
“Yes, my Lord, but as I have said, he has been purchased.”
“I want him.” Elias said, turning back to his father. “I want him. Nothing else I’ve seen even comes close.”
“Elias, you heard her; he’s not for sale.”
“Everything’s for sale Dad, you taught me that.” He turned to his mother, softening his face and pouting. “Please…Mom…he’s perfect. You want my present to be perfect, don’t you?”
She touched his arm and watched the boy walking behind the vendor. “Go on inside, Elias; your father and I will see to it.”
Elias kissed her cheek and headed into the house, grinning. It was the pout. It worked every time.
Of course, it was going to take time, Elias realized that. He wasn’t so spoiled as to demand the boy be delivered by the end of the day. Although he had to admit that thinking about it had worked him up. Nothing he couldn’t handle while he waited.
He moved into his room, shedding the shirt as he moved to the mirror. He was a week away from twenty-five, and in his prime. Toned, tanned. He ran a hand through the bleached hair that hung just over his forehead. Since leaving college it had gotten light…and long. For him, anyway. The naturally dark blonde had lightened into streaks of gold and white from the hours by the pool. He looked good. He was never really sure if the swarms of hangers on hung on because of his money, his title, or his looks. Most of the time, he didn’t care.
He moved away from the mirror, thinking about the boy…about the long, muscular legs and the chiseled body…about the innocence and quiet, the grace with which he moved.
His parents had told him weeks before that he was getting a Servant for his birthday, because they wanted input from him on what to look for. He had a space all set up in his room. They had done it for his older sister, just before she moved to New York to work in their father’s advertising firm…but it hadn’t been a guarantee. There was a time it was just the common thing, what all affluent parents gave their children before sending them out on their own, but times were tougher and good Servants difficult to come by.
His friend Thomas was going to pop.
It wasn’t like the family didn’t have Servants. His father had a personal Servant who was also his valet. He’d been with the family for almost ten years. Then there were the twins. His brother called them Hansel and Gretel, even though they were both male. They had actual names, but Elias had never bothered to learn them. They served the household and any guests who might express a need, as well as serving as his mother’s personal secretary and butler respectively.
There’d been a girl, Leyla or something. Before they’d gotten the twins. She’d been Elias’ first taste of sexuality. Petite, redhead, gentle. But his father had sent her away when it was discovered that she was servicing more than just the family.
This was different, though. This one would be his. His alone. And no one, no matter how high ranking or rich or powerful, would be able to touch him without his permission.
Just the thought of that long, lithe body under his made his cock hard. He couldn’t wait for him to be kneeling there in front of him, ready and waiting to fulfill his commands.
Elias lay back on his bed and pulled his dick out of his swimsuit, stroking it lazily while he pictured the boy on his knees.
∫∫∫∫
The boy was kneeling outside the door on the front porch the next morning when Elias was called downstairs to join his mother. The boy’s eyes were on the floor, staring at the doorjamb. He looked like he might have been crying. He wasn’t anymore, though. The man from the day before stood behind him, holding his leash.
“My Lord.”
Elias tried to hide his grin as he took the packet of papers from the man. “Ownership transfer from Lord Stuart. It also includes medical history, training documentation and certificate of purity.”
“How is it he’s trained and still a virgin?” Elias asked. His mother pinched the back of his arm. “Ow! Come on, if he’s going to be mine, I deserve to know.”
“You could have asked the question better,” his mother said.
“We use a variety of tools, my Lord. The details are in the papers.”
Elias nodded. “Anything else I need to know?”
The vendor grimaced. “He will serve you well, my Lord.” He handed the leash across. “I’m afraid Lord Stuart kept the rest of the things that normally come in a transaction like this. Your father said that it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Elias nodded, but wasn’t really listening. He didn’t care about changes of clothing and the tools of discipline. He had the boy. “Yeah, it’s fine.” He took the end of the leash and gathered up the slack. “Thanks, Mom.” He kissed her cheek before looking back at the boy. “Come on, let’s get you settled in.” He tugged lightly and the boy came easily.
Elias wasn’t sure where to start, but just the knowledge that the boy belonged to him was enough to have him horny. He figured he would start by getting them up to his room and beginning to get to know one another.
He opened the door to his room, not surprised that in the half hour he’d been gone the bed had been made and a light breakfast delivered. Obviously no one expected him to come down to breakfast now.
Elias stopped and closed the door, throwing the lock as an afterthought. He didn’t expect to get interrupted, but with his brothers, it was a possibility. “Okay, let’s get a good look at you.” He reached up to snap the leash off and noticed the boy flinched a little. “I don’t plan on hurting you.”
He nodded, his eyes on the floor. Elias circled around him, dragging one hand over soft skin that rippled over muscle and bone. There wasn’t a mark on him. Not a single scar or blemish.
“You are one beautiful boy.” Elias muttered. “Come this way.” He led him to the alcove that he’d had set up. “This is your space.”
There was a pad and blanket on the floor, a tray for eating and the wall was set with hooks and other methods of hanging toys and restraints. The boy stepped into the space, turned and looked at him briefly before lowering his eyes again.
“Right then. I’m hungry.” Elias went to the table where they’d delivered coffee and a tray of fruit and breads. He sat and the boy was at his side, kneeling. Well trained indeed. Elias grinned, pulling a bagel from the tray while he opened the packet of papers.
“Jared, eh?” Jared Karan, according to the ownership transfer. Twenty years old. Bought directly from his parents at the age of twelve. Which meant he’d been in training for some eight years. He’d never understood parents who could sell their own children into Service. It was one thing to be down and out and sell yourself. That was how they’d gotten his father’s Servant. He was in a bad place and sold himself to keep his family off the streets.
Elias glanced aside at the boy…Jared. He couldn’t imagine what that must be like for a boy of twelve. “Hungry?” Elias broke the bagel in half and handed half to Jared. Those pale green eyes flicked up to him, then to the hand. Slowly he raised his hands and took the bagel.
“Thank you, my Lord.” His voice was soft, and it crawled over Elias’ skin, giving him a kind of pleasure he’d never felt. He watched as Jared nibbled on the bagel. He had an almost delicate nose, and high cheekbones. His lips looked like they were made for kissing.
Elias perused the file while he munched on his food and sipped at his coffee. Early training had consisted of theory and general submissiveness training. Psychological evaluation indicated that the kid was sensitive and it had required little to break him. Programming had included some of the most thorough sexual education Elias had ever seen. In fact there were acts listed he’d never heard of.
He closed the file and swallowed the pineapple in his mouth, then turned to the boy. “So, Jared.”
Jared didn’t respond, just knelt, looking at the carpet beneath him. “Look at me.” Elias said, slightly annoyed. It was hard to stay annoyed, though, when his eyes finally lifted and he looked…scared. Elias found himself stroking a hand over his cheek. “Are you nervous?”
His eyes dropped again. “No, my Lord. I am prepared to serve.”
Elias smiled, cupping a hand under his chin and tilting it up. “That doesn’t necessarily answer the question, does it?” He caressed Jared’s lower lip with his thumb. “Tell me what you’re feeling, then.”
That lip trembled beneath his finger. “Feeling, my Lord?” He shook his head. “It is not my place to feel other than what my Lord requires me to feel.”
Chapter Two
Elias sighed. The kid was well-trained. He wasn’t going to admit that he was upset, or nervous, or whatever it was that had him crying before the transfer. He leaned down and kissed him. Jared’s lips were warm, soft. They parted easily and Elias’ hand slid behind his head to pull him more deeply to him, his tongue mapping out the inside of Jared’s mouth.
When he pulled back, Jared’s eyes were closed. He breathed out softly, his mouth open. “So pretty.” Elias breathed.
Jared’s eyes opened and for a second he looked startled. Elias stood from his chair, drawing Jared up with him. His second kiss wasn’t as soft or gentle; it was claiming, marking. It was heat and hands on his face and teeth scraping over lips and tongue and didn’t stop until Jared whimpered.
Elias’ cock was ready for more, and nervous or not, the kid was going to have to be ready. Elias let go of him and stepped back. “There’s lubricant on the nightstand. Prepare yourself.”
Jared nodded once, his expression marshaled, carefully neutral before he turned away. Elias watched him move, stiff at first, then slowly slipping into a smoother series of movements as training overtook whatever emotion had burned up inside the kid. It was almost poetic, the grace with which he moved, the way the muscles in his back rippled under the skin as he dropped the brown shorts and reached for the bottle of lube. Jared didn’t look back, didn’t climb onto the bed, only slicked up a few fingers and put that hand behind his back, bending forward slightly toward the nightstand before inserting them.
Elias realized he was holding his breath and let it out slowly. It was a beautiful thing to watch, the fingers disappearing into him and moving about slowly, opening him up. According to the paperwork, he’d never had anything near the size of an actual cock inside him. Fingers, dildos for training, but all small, all designed to leave him essentially a virgin for his Lord.
It made him sweat to think about it, that no one else had touched him the way he was about to. Jared finished and stood up, turning to Elias. “How do you want me, my Lord?” His eyes were downcast, his voice breathy.
Elias crossed to him, letting his fingers dance over the bare skin, over nipples and abdominal muscles, over hips, around to the rounded mounds of his ass. He slipped a finger inside him and closed his eyes, savoring the heat. “Undress me,” Elias said.
Jared hesitated only briefly, then his hands rose up between them, unbuttoning Elias’ shirt. His hands skimmed over Elias’ skin, up, under the shirt, over his shoulders, slipping the fabric from him as he circled around Elias.
Lips, soft and damp, moved over his back as the shirt fell into Jared’s hands. Kisses and tender touches made Elias close his eyes and relax. He never saw where the shirt landed, but he felt Jared’s hands, over his lower back, around his waist…his fingers at the button of his jeans.
It was so quiet in the room Elias could hear the denim slide through Jared’s hands as he opened the fly and guided the pants down. As they reached his ankles, Jared circled back around so that he was in front of Elias, on his knees, staring at the erect cock he’d released.
Jared steadied Elias with a hand on his hip and wordlessly encouraged him to step free of the clothing. Elias’ cock bobbed in front of him and after he’d pushed the jeans away, he looked up at Elias, eyes wide.
“May I, my Lord?”
It took Elias a moment to realize what it was he was asking. “Yeah…yeah…do it.”
Jared’s mouth opened and then his lips closed around the end of Elias’ cock, just the tip. He sucked in, his tongue sliding just under the head, then tracing it. He pulled back, kissing the end, before his tongue lapped over it, then under it, down the length and back. Elias hissed and barely managed to keep from thrusting in hard and fast when Jared swallowed him whole.
With a groan, Elias touched Jared’s head, backed him off. “On the bed.” His voice was deep, husky. Jared looked up at him, then lowered his eyes. “On your knees.” Because if he had to look into that face, he wouldn’t get fully inside the boy before he was coming.
Jared walked on his knees to the bed, then crawled up until he was kneeling on the bed, his ass tilted up as he bent forward, his face in the bedspread. Elias groaned again. The long lines of him, the milky skin, the slight tremble in his limbs all made Elias quiver with delight. “You may be one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.” He took two careful steps to the bed, then lifted one knee, levering himself up so that he was kneeling behind and over Jared, guiding his cock with one hand.
Jared didn’t make a sound, didn’t move as Elias’ cock pressed against him, into him. Elias exhaled slowly as the tight heat enveloped him, slick, smooth. He pulled out just as slowly, feeling the way Jared’s ass parted and closed and parted again as he pushed in. Elias’ eyes closed, his hands grasping Jared’s thin hips to hold him still because slow was going to kill him and he needed to go hard, fast…he snapped forward and Jared grunted, then gasped and went silent again.
He wasn’t even going to work up a sweat before he came, Elias realized as the boy’s ass squeezed and he managed a half dozen hard thrusts before he was yelling and filling him, cock deep and spewing into the tight cavity. He pulled out, pulled back, and fell to the bed, panting slightly.
Beside him Jared didn’t move. Elias let one hand pet down his back. He was trembling…his face turned away. “Very good.” Elias murmured. “You did good. I am pleased.”
Jared cleared his throat and very slowly turned to look at him. There were unshed tears in his eyes and he blinked them away. “I am happy, my Lord.”
Elias smiled. He didn’t think happy was exactly the word the kid was looking for, but he wasn’t going to argue. After all, the kid was in Service. Property. His property. “The bathroom is through the white door over there. You may clean yourself up and rest. I expect it’s been a long morning, and the day is still young.”
Jared nodded tightly and moved backward off the bed. Elias listened as he disappeared behind the door and the sound of water lulled him into drifting. A little rest…for both of them…because Elias intended to explore what those eight years of training had taught his boy…
When Elias woke an hour or so later, Jared was asleep in his space, his long frame curled onto the pad. He had not put his shorts back on. Elias sat up slowly, letting his eyes travel the lines of his side and legs, then up to his face. His hair hung over his eyes, moving with his breath.
Elias eased up off the bed and went to relieve himself. He was hard, but the need to pee outweighed other needs. He finished and flushed and turned to find Jared kneeling just inside the bathroom doorway.
He looked up briefly, then his eyes fell to the floor again. “May I serve, my Lord?”
Elias smiled. He didn’t think he’d ever lose interest in that. “What do you propose?”
Jared licked his lips. The question made him nervous, Elias could tell. “Perhaps my Lord might like a bath. I am trained in pleasing techniques…and after, perhaps a massage. If…if it pleases you, my Lord.”
Elias moved a little closer. “A bath, huh?”
Jared dared a look up, a small smile on his face. “I am told my touch is quite pleasing, my Lord. Relaxing.”
“Your file indicates the same. Draw the bath. Is there anything you need?”
“I took a casual inventory of the bathroom when I was here earlier, my Lord. What is here is adequate for the moment.”
“But?”
Again with the lip licking. It made Elias want to bite them. “If I am to service you, we will need…supplies.”
“Make a list. I’ll have them delivered tomorrow.”
“Very good, my Lord.”
“I’ll be back in a minute. Prepare for the bath.”
Elias left him setting up, padding out on bare feet out to the table. He picked up the phone and thumbed the button that would connect him with the kitchen. “I need someone to clear breakfast and bring up lunch. Also, I’m going to need clothes for the new Servant. I’ll leave the measurements from his file on the table. I want him presentable for public view by tomorrow.”
He had no intention of taking Jared anywhere, not for a few days at least…but he liked to be prepared. It was more of a nuisance that Stuart had kept the clothes, but he had paid for them, so Elias couldn’t fault him there. He knew the man only by reputation, but he was a stern man by all accounts. He wondered idly what his father had to do to convince him to relinquish the boy.
Elias unlocked the door, opened the file to the page with Jared’s vital statistics, then returned to the bathroom. Steam filled the room, scented lightly with a woodsy aroma that was vaguely familiar.
“Come, my Lord. Your bath is prepared.” Jared knelt beside the tub, holding a hand out. Elias came, sliding a hand into Jared’s, letting Jared guide him into the hot water. The tub was oversized and would easily fit three grown men, so when Jared slipped his feet in and knelt beside him, Elias was only slightly surprised. “If you will allow, I shall begin with washing your hair, my Lord.”
Elias nodded, his eyes falling closed. He leaned back, Jared’s hand at the back of his neck, holding him so that the water buoyed him and his head tilted back. Warm water poured over him, and Jared’s other hand moved through his hair…then there was the soft scent of shampoo and more water.
It was surprisingly soothing and Elias found himself relaxing into the touch, even when Jared’s hands began to ease over his body…lifting each arm free of the water and washing it gently…moving to his feet and legs. He paid doting attention to each inch of skin, murmuring some soft, rhythmic sound as he moved.
“If you are comfortable, my Lord, I shall leave you to soak and prepare for your massage.”
Elias opened one eye, half-surprised to find Jared standing beside the tub, dry and setting a towel aside to dry. He nodded and Jared bowed deeply before leaving the room. He relaxed a little more into the water, seduced near to dozing by the warmth and the scent and the gentle touch with which the boy had handled him.
He had no sense of time…he drifted until he felt Jared’s hands stirring near his arm in the water. “The water is cooling. I have a warmed towel for you,” Jared said softly, once more kneeling beside the tub.
It was almost like being a child again, letting Jared steady him, help him step clear of the tub and wrap him in a giant towel that was warm and fluffy. Jared guided him back to the bedroom, where the shades were drawn tight and there were candles lit on the nightstands and tables. Elias hadn’t even known he had candles.
The bed was covered in towels and Jared guided him to lie on his stomach, rubbing the towel over his skin, drying him with tiny pats. Jared’s hands smoothed gently down his back. “Are you comfortable, my Lord?”
“Yes. Very.”
“May I begin?”
Elias inhaled deeply. “Yes, please.” He closed his eyes and settled in, listening as Jared did something near his head, then the bed dipped and Jared’s hands slid down his back again. The oil was warm, and Jared dribbled it over his skin, then drew his fingers through it slowly, spreading it.
He began massaging in earnest on Elias’ left shoulder, working in small circles, then outward, up to his neck and back, over the curve onto his upper arm, sliding oil slicked fingers down to Elias’ hand and back up before working the muscle through his thumbs, down to the elbow and around the back.
Jared did the same down his lower arm, kneading into the muscle, then soothing over the skin down to Elias’ hand. Jared’s hand was big, covering all of Elias’ as he rubbed his palm over the back and knitted his fingers through Elias’, working oil into the skin, working muscles…his thumbs pushed into the meat of Elias’ palms, pushed, and circled until Elias couldn’t help but groan.
“Is it pleasing, my Lord?” Jared asked, pausing and holding his hand.
Elias looked up at him and nodded. “Yes, it’s fine. Continue.”
Jared moved to the other side of the bed, taking his time to mimic the entire process on his right arm. Elias was surprised how relaxing it was. He’d never really used a Servant for more than sex.
Jared’s hands worked oil down over his ass and onto his thighs, lifting his right leg to massage his foot, digging his thumbs into his arch and heel, massaging the oil into the dry skin, then working his way up to his calf.
Elias moaned. His body was definitely appreciating the boy’s touch. It wasn’t like the adrenaline-fueled arousal he was accustomed to…but a slow fire, coals burning low but deep inside him.
Jared’s hands were working his left thigh, and Elias glanced over his shoulder. Total concentration marked the boy’s face, his eyes following the movement of his hands. He didn’t slow down, didn’t falter, moved smoothly back to Elias’ ass, turning so that he was straddling his upper legs as he worked those muscles with as much diligence as the rest.
That touch stoked the fire and Elias shifted slightly to accommodate the growing evidence of his arousal. “Are you well, my Lord?” Jared asked, his hands rising smoothly to the small of Elias’ back.
“Hmmm…yes. You are quite good at this.”
Jared didn’t respond, just moved his hands so that they were sliding over his lower back, up his spine…out along his shoulders and down again. They moved slowly, gently, the warm oil making the movement slick and smooth. Jared leaned forward, his chest hovering just over Elias’ ass as he paused to work at a tight knot of muscle just under his shoulder blade.
Elias’ cock was hard when Jared’s hands slipped back to his thighs and then Jared was encouraging him to roll over. “If it pleases…” Jared sat beside him, his oiled hands beginning at his throat and down, over his chest. Every touch was like electricity that pulsed through him and down to his dick.
Before he was even aware of it, Elias was shifting his hips, looking for contact. He thought he caught a vague smile on Jared’s face, before his hand slipped down to the base of his cock, holding it lightly while Jared looked up, not quite meeting Elias’ eyes. “May I Serve, my Lord?”
Elias nodded, narrowing his eyes, even as he lifted himself up on his elbows to watch as Jared’s tongue flicked out, licking over the head, light and rapid. He followed the thick vein underneath…all the way to the base with the same quick licks, then his lips closed over the flesh, sucking lightly and pulling away to breathe hot air against the skin.
Elias twitched, aching to feel that heat surround him. Jared moved so that he was on his knees beside Elias, his hands working in soothing circles over his hips as he positioned himself over Elias, his mouth open…descending over and then closing. Jared’s tongue swirled over skin, pressing against a tender spot near the base, while one slicked hand slid down between his legs to cup and knead his balls.
Jared’s cheeks hollowed out as he sucked, still holding Elias deep in his mouth, so deep the tip of his cock had to be cutting off his air, and still he sucked and sucked…until Elias couldn’t help but thrust up…deeper still.
Jared pulled back, sucked his way up to the tip….swirled his tongue over it and around it…blew cool air over it. His hand squeezed Elias’ balls and Elias reached a hand for his head, pushing him down. There was no resistance; Jared simply opened his throat and let Elias fuck up into him.
Elias’ thighs trembled with the effort. He closed his eyes tight as he saw stars and he yelled as he came. Jared’s mouth followed him down to the mattress, sucking, swallowing, until it was too much and Elias pulled him off.
Dutifully, Jared sat up, not even wiping the come from his lips where it was smeared. Elias was panting as he sat up. He suddenly wanted nothing more than to cover the boy in come….cover him and fill him and put him on display.
Chapter Three
Jared woke to the sounds of snoring and for a moment before he opened his eyes, he was confused. Then he ventured to peek and memory flooded back in. He’d been delivered to his Master the day before—no, two days now—and found to be unacceptable. He’d been thrown back like a bad fish. Discarded.
He closed his eyes and took a mental inventory. He was achy and sore, and trapped under the weight of his new Master’s arm. He shouldn’t have allowed himself to fall asleep in the bed, to be found here, still smelling of the previous night’s service, still filled with come that had dried inside him.
Everything was wrong…and he was still trying to find his feet.
Eight years. He’d worked very hard. He knew the cost. He knew the penalty for failure. And he had. He’d failed. He wasn’t even sure exactly how. Master Stuart never touched him, just looked down at him from the stairs. Looked down and dismissed him. Sent him away.
But not before he reminded Jared what it meant. Not before he told Jared he was worthless and disgusting, stupid and a disappointment…a waste of his money and the time he’d invested waiting for him. Not before he made sure Jared knew that his parents would have to find a way to pay back the exorbitant amount of money his training had cost, as well as the original debt that had brought him to Service in the first place.
He felt the tears welling up and knew he had to get out of the bed before his unacceptable emotional outburst woke his Master. He held his breath and slid slowly out from under the arm, sliding off the edge of the bed and gathering his shorts on his way into the bathroom.
Jared managed to get the shower started before the tears came, and he washed himself while he cried. He had to accept that he was flawed…that somehow, despite his best efforts, he wasn’t enough. He was just fortunate that his new Master had been willing to take him despite his deformity, whatever that might be.
He let the water wash the tears away and turned so that the spray could wash his ass and thighs. It had been difficult adjusting. His training had revolved around Master Stuart’s needs and desires. From what he could tell, his new master was very different, much younger…younger and far more gentle than Jared had expected. His hands were big and strong, but they touched him with a kindness Jared hadn’t known since leaving home. And while he seemed pleased so far with his performance…it had only been twenty-four hours.
He had to admit, he hadn’t expected it to be as painful as it was…the first time…though he wasn’t sure if it didn’t just hurt more because of everything that had come before. And, if he were to be honest, this new master was far more pleasing to the eye. His hair was a beautiful golden blond tipped with almost white on the longer ends and his lips were pale pink that had turned all red and swollen when they kissed. Jared even liked the way he tasted.
He blushed, even though he was alone, and finished washing. Jared stepped out to dry off, making sure to dry his face. His eyes were puffy but he couldn’t do much about that. He dressed in his shorts, brushed his teeth with a finger as he had no toothbrush, and raked his fingers through his hair to make himself look more presentable. It had gotten long. Master Stuart liked to put his fingers in it, liked to pull on it.
All that was left then was to retreat to his space to wait. He had no idea what would be required or whether or not he’d be allowed to interact with anyone other than his Lord. He was hungry, but he’d learned a long, long time ago to wait. He quietly crept into his spot and knelt, his eyes on the bed, on the lumpy blankets that hid his Master.
He was startled when the door opened unexpectedly, and he dropped his eyes instantly. A man in the brown of Service entered the room, carrying a box. Jared watched while trying to look like he wasn’t, but he got caught. The other man smiled and set the box on the table before crossing to squat in front of Jared.
“Hey, I’m Nick,” he whispered, so as not to wake the Master. “You’re Jared, right?”
Jared’s eyes went wide, but he nodded, his eyes glancing over to the bed then back. “He’s a pretty heavy sleeper most of the time.” Nick offered. He tilted his head toward the table. “Madam sent me with some things she thought you might need. Kenny’s coordinating the rest of the stuff on your list. He’s my brother.” Nick stood and gestured toward the box.
“Come on, I’ll show you.”
Jared stood hesitantly, but followed Nick to the table. He was shorter, older than Jared, his dark hair wavy and curled up slightly where it reached his collar. His smile was quick and comforting somehow. “This should get you started, at least for now. There’s bath stuff and some personal stuff for you. Clothes are coming. In the meantime, we got you a second pair of shorts. Not sure where they came from, but they should fit…more or less.”
“Thank you,” Jared said softly, sifting through the box gently.
“No worries. We live to Serve.” He laughed at his own joke and bowed. Jared stared at him, wondering what was so funny. Nick cleared his throat and shook his head. “Sorry. Inside joke. Kenny and I are stoked that you’re here though. It’s about time someone our age…or close to it…was brought in. Joe’s a great guy and all…but kind of stuck up.”
“Joe?” Jared asked, his voice scarcely above a whisper.
“Yeah, the Master’s personal. He used to be some sort of pilot, back before the whole world turning upside down and the economy crash.”
Jared had no idea what Nick was talking about, and it must have showed on his face. Nick leaned in close. “You know? When the Service laws got expanded because of the depression?”
Jared shook his head slowly.
Nick waved his hand as if to brush the subject away. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t know the whole story, but the rumor is that he got pushed out of the military for refusing to follow orders, black listed and then had to sell himself to Service to provide for his kids…he’s got like twelve of them with six different women or something.”
Jared just stared at him, not sure if he was telling the truth or just making it up as he went. “Me and Kenny…well, let’s just say we decided a life of sex was better than starving on the streets…or worse, ending up in prison…It was a pretty easy choice. We didn’t expect to get to stay together, though.”
“You talk a lot.” Jared observed. He had been trained to remain silent unless spoken to, to speak as little as necessary to answer.
Nick smiled broadly and nodded. “Kenny tells me that all the time.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll let you get to putting this stuff away. Madam will be wondering what’s taking so long. She has…plans. See you around.”
Jared watched him leave, then looked back down in the box. After a moment’s hesitation, he hefted the box and took it into the bathroom, unloading bottles of bubble bath, oil, scented salts, and other things that would make it much easier to offer pleasure. There was also a brush and a toothbrush, a razor and shaving cream.
He took a few minutes to put everything away so that it would not look any different in the room, then he folded the second pair of shorts and took them to the alcove and the small shelf there for his things.
Jared was just settling in to wait again when he felt eyes on him and looked up. “There you are. I was wondering.” Jared dropped his eyes. It wasn’t an invitation to speak, so he didn’t, just kept his hands folded and waited. “Come here.”
He crossed the space quickly and stood beside the bed. “Is everything okay?”
He dared a look at his master’s face and nodded. “You were crying again. Your eyes are red.”
Jared’s hands covered his face self-consciously. It was unacceptable to show such emotion. He forced his hands down. “I am sorry, my Lord. I-I am weak.”
There was a hand on his, and it tugged. “Tell me what it is that makes you cry.”
Jared closed his eyes. “I—It won’t happen again, my Lord.” He couldn’t trouble his Master with his self-pity.
Elias sat up, the blankets slipping to reveal the long toned and tanned body. Jared blushed. Master Stuart was not this beautiful. Master Stuart had been old and bald, with grey hairs on his chin and knobby fingers. Master was stunning, and Jared wasn’t sure what was most attractive, his striking green eyes, or the gold-brown stubble on his jaw or the tiny scar under his left ear. Jared was nearly hard, one hand unconsciously cradling his cock. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been hard.
“Sit, Jared. Sit down.” Jared nodded and sat on the bed, turning to face him. Master took his hands, both of them. “I’m not going to ask again. I want to know why you’re upset.”
He took a deep breath. He didn’t know how to answer that. He shouldn’t speak poorly of his Master…his previous Master. It was wrong. He licked his lips. “I—I am grateful for your kindness, my Lord. I know I am less than pleasing, though I confess…I do not know what I might have done to anger my former Master.” He dared a glance up. “I only know that I did not live up to his expectations, and as such he cast me aside without ever allowing me the chance to Serve.”
Jared could feel those eyes on him, an intense green. “You think you are less than pleasing?” One of his hands was on Jared’s cheek, turning him, lifting his face. “Because something old man Stuart said to you?”
Jared nodded miserably. There was more. So much more…but he could not burden him with the worries for his family. “Look at me.”
He dragged his eyes up, blinking back tears. His master’s face was serious. “You are here because I saw you and had to have you. Do you understand?”
Jared blinked and shook his head. “My Lord?”
He grinned. “I’m somewhat spoiled, and I generally get what I want. I saw you before you went to Stuart and I told my parents I wanted you. I didn’t care what it cost. You were too beautiful to go to anyone else.” He leaned forward and kissed him. “You are very pleasing, Jared. Very.”
He wanted to believe him. He wanted it desperately, but he could hear the disgust dripping from Master Stuart’s voice, could feel his stomach churn at the words unacceptable and disgrace. “If you insist, my Lord.”
“I do insist.” He kissed him again more forcefully, and when he pulled back, he lay against his pillows. “Now, if we’ve settled that…there’s something else I’m going to have to insist on.” His eyes went to the tip of his cock, fully hard and curving up toward his stomach.
“If it pleases my Lord.” Jared licked his lips and leaned forward, swiping his tongue over the tip.
“Oh, it pleases…believe me.”
Jared swallowed the emotion and focused on his job. He knew what Master Stuart liked; he’d been trained to make sure his teeth never touched, to open the back of his throat, to not gag when he shoved in past the reflex point. He closed his eyes and closed his lips around the cock, sliding down it as he angled the rest of his body for better penetration. Master groaned when he swallowed with the head of his cock tucked back in his throat, so he did it again.
He sucked hard and up and felt a hand in his hair as he circled the tip with his tongue. Master groaned, his hips coming up off the bed and Jared bobbed rapidly, his mouth closed tightly. Soon he felt the tightening, the stiffening of his body and then the first salty taste of come. He swallowed and lapped up the little that dribbled, cleaning his master’s cock until it was spit shiny before he moved away.
“Wow.” Master was up and moving across the room, pressing buttons on the phone. “Breakfast…bacon and eggs, toast…coffee.” He tossed the phone down and looked at Jared. “I’m going to shower. We’ll have breakfast. I should probably introduce you to the rest of the staff and my family.”
Jared watched him disappear into the bathroom and slowly retreated to his space, sitting on the pad. Clearly Master wanted him to believe he was pleasing…that he was beautiful.
Jared wanted to believe it too, but in his head he could only see the way Stuart had glared at him, could only hear his voice telling him how worthless he was. He swallowed the rising tears. He had to stop crying. Master had been kind, but continued outbursts would only earn him punishment
Chapter Four
Twenty-five. It was the age when even the most spoiled and pampered of high society were expected to take an adult role. Tradition held that at twenty-five the noble son or daughter was given a place in the family firm, or a firm of their own, something in keeping with their social stature. Along with that came all the responsibilities and privilege of being an American noble.
Not that he’d ever had any aspirations of the political variety. Truthfully, he didn’t really know what he aspired to, other than being very rich and very happy.
Elias stood at the top of the stairs, leaning on the railing watching as the Lords and Ladies and other social elite milled about below. Most of them were his parents’ friends and business associates.
Jared was behind him, dressed in the brown that identified him as in Service, but for tonight it was more than the small shorts usually worn for ease and convenience. Tonight he wore gauzy brown pants and sandals and a tight fitting shirt that looked as though it had been painted onto a granite sculpture. He was silent, a little tense. He probably would have been more comfortable staying in the room, but Elias wanted to show him off…especially because he expected Thomas.
Aside from Elias, in the week he’d been there, Jared had met one of his brothers and Hansel and Gretel. Other than that, Jared had stayed in Elias’ rooms, and Elias had barely left them himself.
In fact, since Jared had spent the last eight years in training, it was unlikely he’d seen a crowd like this before. “Stay close. They won’t bother you. Nothing to worry about,” Elias said over his shoulder. “I hate these things…but it’s what a proper Lord does for his twenty-fifth birthday.”
He heard whooping and hollering and looked up to see his friend Thomas waving his arms to get Elias’ attention. Elias grinned. “Now it’s a party.” He stood upright and waved back, then descended the stairs, not even looking to make sure Jared was with him.
Elias weaved his way through the crowd until he reached Thomas and his date. He watched Thomas’ blue eyes travel up the length of Jared before looking at Elias with a grin. “New toy, Eli?”
He grinned in return and pulled Thomas into a giant bear hug, slapping his back. “When did you get back?” Thomas pulled a hand through his dark hair, showing off the streaks of vibrant red and purple and blue that were new since the last time Elias had seen him. There was a day’s growth on his face, and a new earring dangling from one ear. It must have been some trip.
“Yesterday. Would have come by, but I was busy assuring my sister I had eaten my veggies and gotten enough sleep.” Thomas took the arm of his date and pulled her closer. “This is Elizabeth.”
Elias smiled his most charming smile. She was hot, with long dark hair that begged to be played with and dark liquid brown eyes that sparkled as he moved to kiss her hand. Thomas caught his hand pulled it away before Elias made contact. “Play with your own toys, rich boy; leave this poor boy his hard won spoils.”
Elizabeth smacked him and rolled her eyes. “I won him. Poker game; boy’s got no poker face and has tells like you wouldn’t believe.”
Elias laughed and nodded. “I know.”
Thomas sputtered; then his eyes went back to Jared. Elias turned, letting his own eyes wander over the boy again. Jared, for his part, kept his eyes on the floor, though he did shift his feet a little.
“Big boy, bet he cost a pretty penny,” Elizabeth said. She disentangled her arm from Thomas and circled around Jared, eyes lingering on his ass, then sliding around Elias. “Too new to share?”
Thomas dragged her back with a growl and Elias chuckled. “Yeah. Too new to share.”
“Eli’s never been good with sharing,” Thomas joked. Elias chuckled. Between Jared and Elizabeth, Thomas was dwarfed. It was hard to believe that in his family he was considered tall.
“Elias, darling, it’s about time you made an appearance.”
Elias turned to his mother with a plastered on smile that matched her plastic hair and nails. Her own fake smile faded when she spotted Thomas. She’d never been fond of their friendship and felt that Thomas Caine, of the nowhere in particular Caine family, was beneath her son and could only tarnish his reputation or drag him into unsavory situations.
“I’ve been here all along, mother.”
“Come; Lord Stuart has requested to see you.”
He felt the shift in Jared’s posture, the half step closer. He glanced up, but his face was as neutral as it had been when he last looked. He rolled his eyes at his friend and followed his mother, Jared just behind him.
They left the house and glided around the pool to the gazebo, all lit up with sparkling white lights. His father was sitting like a king on his lounge chair throne, attended by Joe and one of the twins…though Elias couldn’t really tell them apart. Unlike Jared, both of them were dressed for show, their brown shorts tight enough to leave nothing to the imagination, their chests glistening with oil.
Beside his father sat an older man, mostly bald, with a sharp nose and chin and narrow blue eyes that seemed to bore into him.
“Ah, yes, here he is. My Lord Stuart, my son Elias.”
“I had heard he was a pretty fellow.” His voice was deep, with a British accent that almost sounded forced. Elias nodded to him.
“My Lord, it is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming to my party.”
“How could I not, with such an invitation as your father made to me the day he negotiated for the Servant?” He made a vague gesture at Jared and Elias couldn’t help but glance at him. There wasn’t a hair out of place, no expression…just a quick movement of his eyes. Elias stepped slightly closer, his hand slipping behind him to touch Jared’s lightly.
“It was quite a maneuver, young Lord Doherty, worthy of a man of power, a man of industry.” Stuart stood, descending the two steps from the raised platform to stand beside Elias, examining Jared. “Has he been pleasing?”
Elias didn’t like where this was going. “My Lord?”
“Crude of me, I suppose?” He raised an eyebrow. “Come then, walk with me. I have a gift for you.”
Elias looked at his father, who nodded and gestured for him to go. Elias licked his lips. “Okay.” Stuart came from one of the oldest families that still had ties both in England and in the States…one of the few families that had been on American soil when it still belonged to England. It was said they opposed the separation in 1776, when the King of England offered the colonies autonomy and conferred titles on the wealthiest families in the colonies to help keep order.
Stuart took his arm and led him away from the noise, out behind the house, into the yard where the noise from the pool and the party were diminished behind ten foot hedges and the light was provided by little more than the nearly full moon and scattered garden lights.
“I like my boys young and unspoiled, and my girls skilled and fertile,” the older man said, as if this were normal conversation. “I take great pride in picking them young and having them trained to service my particular needs. This one was meant to be nothing but my pleasure toy. I specifically made sure he learned nothing outside of how to provide my body with pleasure, how to submit to any whim. Has he told you why?”
“He has spoken little, my Lord.” Elias really didn’t like where this was going. “Only that you found him unworthy of the training you so graciously provided him.” He knew that was a load of crap. He knew Stuart had told Jared that to save face at being played. He knew now what his father had done to get Jared, the favors he called in, the money he’d spent. In the end Stuart had actually made money on the deal; the only thing he’d lost was a bit of reputation. Well, that and Jared.
Stuart stopped walking and turned to Jared. “Knees.” Jared didn’t hesitate, though his eyes flicked to Elias’ after he’d complied. “Tell your master why you are in Service.”
Jared looked up at Stuart, his face paling. “I was an evil child, my Lord and damaged the property of Lord Stuart. My parents gave me to him to pay for my crime.”
Elias’ mouth was dry. He wanted to walk away, wanted nothing more to do with this man…this cold, calculating man. “Yes, and you have failed to do so, haven’t you?”
Elias cleared his throat. “What crime? What did he do?”
Stuart cracked his neck and turned his attention back to Elias. “Broke the window on my limousine when I was driving through his neighborhood in Austin with a baseball.”
Elias turned to look at him. “A window?” He took a boy’s life away for a broken window. “You took their child for the cost of a window?”
“It was far more than just a window, as I’m sure you’ll understand. I missed an important business meeting, and lost a small fortune as a result. My losses were substantial. The father, quite wisely, offered me the boy as they had nothing else of value.” Stuart had Jared’s chin in his hand, tilting his head to examine him. “Pity he grew so tall. I hope the brother doesn’t share that genetic problem.”
He released Jared and shook his head. “But let’s forget that, shall we? I said I had a gift for you…and so I do.” He pulled a small box from his jacket pocket and handed it to Elias, who was fairly certain he wanted nothing that this man had to offer him, but he opened it slowly anyway.
Inside the box, on a bed of white satin was a set of keys. He lifted them and looked at Stuart with a confused frown. “My Lord?”
Stuart’s smile was broad and placating and entirely self-satisfied. “The keys to your new office. I have a studio in Los Angeles that I have grown bored with. Television…reality TV, news programs, a few other dismal projects. I’m giving it to you. I’ll have all the paperwork dropped by tomorrow, and you can take possession of it on Monday.”
Elias shook his head. “I don’t understand…why me? Why…just why?”
“Your play to get what you wanted. It impressed me, boy. You’re twenty-five, you should be getting out on your own, trying your hand in the world. You have the education; I know your degree is in Marketing and such. It’s a good fit.”
“I bested you to get Jared and so you’re giving me a company?”
Stuart’s smile broadened. “Exactly. Besides, as soon as my new Servant is prepared, I’m leaving the country for a number of years. It will be good to know I’m leaving it in good hands. Now, I must go make my farewells; I have an early business meeting tomorrow.”
Elias listened to his retreating footsteps, staring at the box in his hand, at least until he heard the stifled whimper and looked down to Jared still on his knees. For the first time he could remember, Elias didn’t know what to do. He pocketed the keys and the box and moved closer, resting a hand on Jared’s head. He couldn’t imagine the horror of a twelve-year-old boy being ripped from his family and sentenced to a life of service for the minor infraction of throwing a ball too hard. And Stuart had said brother.
“Jared, do you have siblings?”
His voice was small and strained and he had to choke back a sob to answer. “Yes, my Lord. A younger brother and two younger sisters.”
Elias closed his eyes and cursed the arrogant prick in his head. He was no angel, but what this man had done…Elias shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jared. I truly am sorry.”
Jared sniffled around tears, his face tilted up to look at Elias. “M-may I…may I Serve, my Lord?”
Elias actually stepped back a pace. “What? Now? You must be…I mean…give yourself a little time.”
His eyes were dark green and filled with earnest need. “It is all I know, my Lord. Please.”