If It Drives (Market Garden, #7)(25)

“As is anything kinky.” Nick sipped his tea again. “Anyway, I can certainly teach you a thing or two. Hone your technique so you can give your boss what he needs.” He turned to Spencer again. “Would you be opposed to helping me?”

“In what way?” Spencer asked.

“Let him top you under my supervision.”

Spencer glanced at Cal, then shrugged. “Sure. Yeah.” He paused. “How far does this go? I’m not sure I’m ready to let another man f*ck me yet.” Another pause. “Uh, no offence.”

“None taken,” Cal said.

Nick patted Spencer’s leg. “Of course not. Anything you’re not comfortable with is out.” His eyes flicked towards Cal. “That goes for you too.”

“Good. Sounds good.” Cal picked up his tea again and took a sip, wondering when his mouth had gone dry.

“Then let’s get started.”

Cal choked on his tea, very nearly sputtering it onto the very expensive-looking coffee table. Spencer smothered a laugh. Nick just smirked. Cocky bastard.

Once he’d recovered, Cal said, “Get started? Like, right now?”

Nick shrugged. “Why not? We’re already here.” He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. “All my toys are here.” Gaze sliding towards Spencer, he grinned broadly and added, “All of my toys.”

Spencer met his eyes, and Jesus, the way they looked at each other, Cal figured they’d be off to the bedroom soon anyway, whether he tagged along or not.

“Hell.” He set his mug down again. “Why not?”

Nick made no move to get up. “Lesson number one: the Dominant is in charge, and he gives the orders. For example, our mugs.” He gestured at the three mugs sitting on the table. “I think Spencer ought to pick these up and rinse them, don’t you?” He dipped his chin slightly, the lift of his eyebrow prompting Cal.

“Um. Okay.” Cal cleared his throat and looked at Spencer. “Take these into the kitchen and rinse them out.”

Spencer didn’t move.

No one did.

Cal shifted a little. “Did I, um . . .”

Nick smiled. “Lesson number two: the only sub who obeys you is the one you’ve earned the right to command, one who’s agreed to submit to you, or one whose Dom has given him permission to take orders from you.” He turned his head. “Go ahead.”

Without missing a beat, Spencer got up, collected the three mugs, and headed into the kitchen.

Cal’s eyes followed Spencer, and he smiled at the thought that James might do the same. He couldn’t really see it, though the idea was attractive. Normally it was Cal who followed orders, and he didn’t mind. It was his job, after all. Turning things on their head like this—especially with James—would mean entering completely unchartered waters.

“Can you tell me about James? That’s . . . his actual name.” Not Red Tie, though it fit. James was very fond of his alpha-male trappings.

Nick relaxed against the couch, folded his hands on his flat stomach and regarded Cal with half-closed eyes. “That’s pointless at this stage. We’ll concentrate on you first.”

“Because . . .”

“It’s moot unless you have it in you. If you don’t get the same enjoyment out of playing, I’d suggest you let him go. Or stay vanilla with him and get used to the idea that he’ll get what he needs elsewhere, likely for cash.”

Cal examined those options in his head, but none seemed attractive. What he was doing now worked, but it hadn’t really clicked yet. And continuing on with a scenario where James got the pain from some uncaring whore . . . though, granted, Nick didn’t seem uncaring so much as somewhat blasé. Very much a Been There, Done It, and Got the Whip Coordination to Prove It kind of vibe.

“Okay.” He cleared his throat. “I think we’ll also have to talk about money. I’m not expecting to get taught for free.”

Nick smiled. “I’m guessing you’re not on the same salary as your boss.”

Cal laughed and shook his head. “Not really. I can get you cut-rate limo services, but that’s pretty much all I’d have to barter.”

“But it’s important to you.”

“Very.” Cal shrugged. “Credit rating is clean. I can take on some debt if need be.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “No, no. I don’t want you going into debt over this. I saw too many guys do that at the Garden and wind up in financial trouble.”

“What do you suggest, then?”

“Tell you what. First one’s free, then, but I’ll charge you for the next ones, if you do come back.”

“All right. I can work with that.”

“Good.” Nick paused. “I haven’t taught another Dom myself. It’s something of an experiment here, too. But it’ll be a couple grand if we go through with it.”

“Okay.” A couple grand, he could swing that. His bank kept offering him credit, and so far he really hadn’t needed it, and his living expenses were low. “Good with me.”

“Excellent.” Nick sat up. “Let’s take it to the bedroom. Much better sound insulation there.”





As Cal pulled the car up in front of the house, he wondered for the millionth time how he’d be able to look James in the eye today. Last night’s “lesson” had left his head spinning. And he had one week before he saw Nick and Spencer again, which meant one week to finish his “homework assignment” to Nick’s satisfaction.