Latex, Leather, and a Pinch of Pixie Dust Read online

  “One bottle of water and do you have Lindemans Lambic? Preferably Black Currant or Raspberry?” Ethan and Michael were on this weird beer kick that was way over Niki’s head. If he was drinking beer, which he rarely was, he liked it with a lot of lime and salt to hide the beer flavor. He filed the word ‘Lambic’ away for later though, in case it’s better than the IPA crap they were into last Spring.

  “Bottled beverages, pretty savvy for a newcomer.” That had Niki’s attention, but Ethan didn’t seem too ruffled. He waited silently until Pink Hair Guy handed over the drinks with a laugh.

  “You’ll want to get a seat close to the dancefloor, in the next twenty minutes. It’s a great show.” He told Ethan.

  Ethan picked up the leash and moved them to the windows. “Don’t drink that. It’s just for looks.” He told Niki. He did this by leaning in close, speaking it against his ear so he could hear above the music. It made Niki tingle and squirm.

  “Dude, I got this. I’m not stupid. I did all the required reading. Plus Jessica wouldn’t leave me alone until I could recite her list of the do's and don’ts when visiting Fae, so we’re good.” Niki tried to assure him.

  “You don’t seem good. You seem nervous and--”

  “Wow, no.” Niki stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Do not finish that sentence. I can’t help my natural responses to all of this visual stimuli.” He gestured around them. “How do you handle it, seriously? I just look around and… yeah.”

  “I was going to say you seem nervous and overwhelmed, but yes I’m aware of the other reaction.” Niki couldn’t help that his mouth dropped open at that. Ethan tugged him impossibly close and wrapped an arm around his back so he could lower his voice further.

  “It’s natural like you said. And I handle it because I’ve seen it before. Not Fae. Humans. At college, in New York.”

  “What?” This was completely new information and Niki didn’t know what to do with it.

  Niki was aware that he was holding on to Ethan now, hands wrapped into Ethan’s vest and he was staring right at his shoulder because that was really all that was in his line of sight. It was better than looking up at the whirling infinity of the spinning galaxies above their heads or at the people getting off just behind them.

  Ethan pulled back and looked at him. “I needed something to lose myself in, back then, after Rick. Something I could feel I had control over. That worked for me. So I imagine I’m a little more immune to it than you are. And that’s okay. I remember what it was like, those first few times.”

  Oh god now Niki had a thousand questions and none of them were appropriate in any way shape or form.

  “Later, okay? When we don’t have a job to do.” Ethan told him, practically reading his mind when he saw Niki’s reaction.

  “Okay, yeah.” Niki agreed. He slowly let go of Ethan’s vest and patted it back into place. “So, what do you think this show is going to be?” Niki asked. He was still a little on the breathless side, but it felt safer, knowing that Ethan wasn’t judging him in any way.

  “Probably a demonstration of some sort.” Ethan was scanning the crowd as they settled at the edges of the dancefloor. “Now would probably be a good time to get a feel for the magic around this place, with everyone focused on the setup.” He added.

  Niki agreed, so Ethan crowded him against the wall, shielding him from any onlookers. “Remember, just sensing magic, not using magic,” Ethan warned.

  Niki nodded then closed his eyes turning his focus out into the mass of people. At first, it was nothing but chaos. Then a hum of excitement that he began to pick apart. It wasn’t a science. His training was nowhere near complete. Mage Charles told him he’d have to be patient with his abilities as he learned more and more. Still, he could do some things. He could make a magical shield, he could protect his home and the pack’s homes. He could help keep a werewolf calm, he could sense some feelings, not always, definitely not subtle ones, but most of all he could sense forms of magic.

  Right now, they were here to find out if any humans were under the influence of Fae magic. The sort that could hold a human captive or enthralled. Ethan would be working to tell if any of these people were in distress. It was a lot of room to cover, but they really weren’t in any hurry right now. This was important because this house might have been there a long time, but the Fae only just recently set up shop here and they didn’t exactly announce themselves to the local pack. They never felt the need, considering they were ancient and this land was tied to them further back than the Birns Pack existed.

  Ethan and Niki were the first team, inside and pretending to enjoy themselves.

  Michael, Oliver, and Ryan comprised the second team. They were outside the mansion testing for threats and for anything that could hold a human captive. In the event of an emergency, they were also laying the groundwork for Niki to set off a spell that worked off his shield, something that would keep the Fae temporarily inside, allowing anyone else to leave. Hopefully, themselves included.

  Cara, Brianna, Harper, and Tony were the third team, sneaking in from the tunnels they’d found running under the mansion. If all went well, no one would ever need to know they were there. It had been hell keeping Michael off that team, but he’d been outvoted. They needed his strength hidden and secret until it was absolutely necessary to show him to the Fae. They were still under the impression that Ethan was completely in charge of Rush Creek. For this to work, they needed to keep believing that and underestimating their numbers.

  “I’m not sensing any distress nearby.” Ethan looped an arm around Niki’s neck and tipped his head to the side. From behind it must look like he was kissing Niki. “Though they wouldn’t smell afraid if they were under a spell or drugged,” Ethan reminded him.

  “I’m not getting anything like that. Just a lot of … want. Need. Titillation.” Niki was starting to feel that way himself. Maybe there wasn’t anything going on here that was coerced in any way.

  “Let’s move closer to the dancefloor, then,” Ethan suggested. Niki gave him one quick nod before they set their unopened drinks on a nearby table and moved.

  Once again, he had no trouble passing through the crowd, but this time Niki watched more than just Ethan’s feet in front of him. He caught the way people looked at Ethan, with naked desire. It wasn’t that they were afraid of him like Niki had assumed, only cautious. They looked at Niki the same way as well. The woman with the crop stroked it and winked. The naked young man kneeling at his Domme’s feet licked his lips, and it’s a surprise because while he finds everyone here appealing in different ways, he never expected they’d feel the same for him. And for just a moment, he wondered, how did Ethan see him tonight? Or normally even?

  Ahead the crowd edged apart and they suddenly had space; right where they could see everything. The D.J had been moved off to the side, and now on the stage was what could only be described as a throne. Lady Enrieta was seated on it surrounded by a harem of young men and women, most human, but some Fae. They were naked, seated on red velvet cushions, except for a couple who were kneeling. All seemed completely at ease to be on display, and those nearest Enrieta had their hands on her legs or feet, eyes toward her, adoring. Immediately he reached out trying to sense compulsion, but still, he only felt genuine pleasure and anticipation. It was infectious and he could feel his heartbeat begin to race. Beside him, Ethan wrapped an arm around his back and stepped close so they were pressed side to side.

  A woman, a Fae, stepped out onto the floor. First, she bowed to Enrieta, then stood facing the crowd. She was petite and clad only in black satin pants that hugged her hips before falling loosely to her ankles where they were gathered tightly again, like a genie, Niki thought. The image persisted because he could see the black metal cuffs on each hand and around her throat. Around her belly, a single black chain held rubies like tiny red droplets against her pale white skin. Her hair was equally as white and drawn up into a ponytail on top of her head. The woman’s petite breasts had ruby te
ardrops cinched around the nipples, connected by another thin black chain. She was as lovely as all the other Fae, and her clear colorless eyes commanded the crowd despite her size and state of undress. Niki could feel himself holding his breath as she lifted her hand for attention. Everyone around them fell silent.

  “The Lady Enrieta wishes to welcome you all to her court and to her home. Tonight she has arranged a special entertainment for you all.” She announced to the crowd.

  Behind her, several men came out in a similar dress, an army of belly dancers it seems, but they weren’t there to dance. They were setting up three different structures. Actually, one was just a table with a single metal loop at one end. The table was closest to them. Then in the center was a large wooden cross, set like an x with similar metal hoops at the top and bottom. It was then that Niki realized the hoops were for chains. Finally, farthest from them were two wooden columns with metal loops running down the inside of each column. Niki felt the tiniest thread of magic, then, as their M.C. raised her hands, but he couldn’t quite catch it, whatever it was.

  “A contest,” she announced. “Three pets, all in training, will compete for you all to test their endurance and skill.”

  The structures were completed and the men disappeared behind the stage only to return with the three slaves, two women, and one man and led them to the three different stations. The crowd let out a collective sigh of awe because each of these slaves were not only beautiful, they were each so different it was hard for Niki to try and compare them to one another in any fashion.

  The first woman that walked out was young. Maybe younger than Niki, even. If she was twenty he would be surprised. She was completely nude; short and tanned and so curvy and soft looking, but her eyes were fierce as she scanned the crowd. They were daring all of these people to watch her and watch her win. She had colorful tattoos over both arms, and one running all the way from one shoulder down her side, and around her leg. Koi fish, it looked like, and waves. Her short spiky hair was purple and her lip was pierced in several places. So were her ears and nipples. She looked brave standing between the two posts as she was shackled in place at her feet and hands. Her legs were spread, her arms raised, facing away from them and toward the stage, but she seemed fearless, even though Niki felt a tremor of worry for what might be about to happen. Ethan was feeling it too, he was sure because he stepped in closer and pressed himself to Niki’s back, circling Niki’s waist with one arm as though he wanted to hold him in place.

  The second slave was older, much older, but gorgeous even so. She too was naked. She had big almond-shaped eyes that stared straight out at all of them as she walked, her chin high. She was toned and her dark skin was completely without blemish. She practically glowed as she took her place on the cross, her long braids brushing the top of her bottom as she was chained, again facing the stage.

  Finally, a young man was led toward the table. Like the others, he wore nothing. He was in his young twenties, tanned and blond. He immediately put Niki in mind of surfers and other California stereotypes, but his eyes were clear and wise and the way he walked held a story that Niki instantly wanted to know. He was lightly muscled and tall, and as he was helped up on the table, on his knees, Niki could see several tiny tattoos, all of them black, on his back and shoulders. He was hard between his legs, his balls drawn up tight. Ethan’s hand spasmed ever so slightly against Niki’s stomach. He was not unaffected by the display.

  “Our brave contestants have all endured two weeks of orgasm denial.” Again the crowd made appropriately awed sounds. “And only just now were edged several times, testing their resolve for the final challenge. They will be alternately spanked and teased. Coming without permission will cause them to be eliminated and put on another week of denial, tapping out is allowed but will cause them to become ineligible for the prize. The final pet left or the pet that most pleases my lady will be rewarded with the penetration of their choosing and orgasm. As many as they can handle for the next twenty-four hours.” The announcer told them.

  Niki could feel his mouth-watering, so he let his eyes close for just a moment as three handlers joined the three slaves on the dancefloor. When he opened them again, he didn’t exactly feel any better, but he hoped he could at least watch the display without coming in his shorts while Ethan was pressed up against him.

  “Easy,” Ethan whispered and Niki nodded and swallowed, working hard to remember the mission just now.

  There was a guy next to them, with his Dom behind him as well, and he caught Niki’s eye and grinned. Just a flash, an acknowledgment, but then he was watching the floor again, and Niki got drawn back as well. Now there were three Fae handlers, one for each human slave. A woman with the tattooed girl, an androgynous Fae with sparkling skin for the older woman, and a man for the guy they were closest to. None of them had any implements, but all of them looked like they meant business, even as they leaned close, speaking so that only the slaves could hear them. Niki wanted to know what they were saying. Are they warning or encouraging? He hoped it was the latter.

  The M.C. was addressing the contestants now. “You all know the rules. There is no penalty for using your safe word, only for early release. The winner chooses their pleasure both here on the floor and for the next twenty-four hours. When I ring the bell, you will switch from spanking to teasing. Handlers, you may begin!”

  She left the floor and stood to the side of the stage as a hush took the crowd again only to be replaced by the softest sound of flesh hitting flesh. It wasn’t hard, not at all what Niki expected. This must be the warm-up. He couldn’t help but focus on the pair closest to them, and he could see the way the handler was kneading the guy’s ass between slaps, squeezing and rubbing at each cheek. If the way the slave leaned into the touch was any indication, it must have felt amazing.

  They only got a few good spanks in before the bell was rung and it was time for teasing. As the handler grabbed a handful of the guy’s member, he could hear Ethan’s breath pick up a notch behind him. He felt it too, it was intimate, hot. There was no way to stay separate from what was happening in front of them. Niki’s heart was starting to race, his pulse picking up. It didn’t help at all that Ethan’s hand was only a few inches north of where he wanted it, and the hard-line of Ethan was pressed, harder still, to Niki’s back.

  It felt fucking amazing, honestly, and as the guy whimpered in front of them, in total agony from the teasing, Niki leaned back into Ethan who brought his other hand across Niki’s chest, holding him tighter.

  The bell rang again, and this time the spanking picked up and they could hear the slaps all the way from the other side of the floor as well, along with the soft surprised sounding cries that came from each of the slaves. Their guy, the one Niki was now rooting for, had a faint red blush picking up across both his ass cheeks. He dipped his back though, sticking his ass out for more, and Niki felt the first bit of wetness in his shorts. Ethan growled softly in his ear, maybe in warning, Niki had no idea, but it rumbled over him, causing him to squirm. He moved just enough to tell that Ethan was as hard as he was, pressed against his ass, separated by only leather and latex.

  God. He wanted that. Hell, he had wanted that for years, but it was never so close or so interested. It could be the interest had more to do with the blond on the table than with Niki, but the vice grip he was held in made him think otherwise.

  The spanking was reaching a crescendo and the guy’s ass was red and his back covered in a sheen of sweat when the bell rang again. He immediately began to shake as the handler tugged at him and stroked him with only the tips of his fingers, reaching around to pull at his nipple. Across the room, the younger woman came with a shout. She only distracted Niki a moment, though, as she was led off the floor. His eyes were glued to the way the Dom toyed with his pet and how the poor guy was in tears by the time the bell rang again. Niki felt like he could be in tears too. He was in pain now, and he wanted nothing more than for Ethan to haul him away from here and give him t
he relief he needed.

  “I can smell you,” Ethan whispered. His voice shook a little, breathless and almost uncertain sounding.

  “You weren’t going to judge me,” Niki reminded him, his head falling back against Ethan’s shoulder. Ethan was slightly taller than him so he could still see everything, but he was resting his weight more fully in Ethan’s arms, relying on him to help keep him on his feet.

  “I’m still not. I just didn’t know how much you’d like this. How good you’d smell.” Ethan admitted softly.

  “I didn’t know how much you’d like it either,” Niki whispered back. He rubbed his ass side to side, slightly, but enough to prove his point. It earned him another growl. Somewhere a bell was ringing.

  “You just never took me as the type who’d want to submit to anyone. Ever.” Ethan told him. He moved his hand enough to rub a finger slowly across Niki’s newly pierced nipple, earning a soft gasp that Niki couldn’t hold back.

  Niki felt like his eyes were going to be burned with the image of the blond’s ass covered in hand prints. It was getting rough and still, he moaned after each cry as if it was the best thing he had ever felt.

  “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you thought,” Niki sighed, wriggling against Ethan’s crotch again, this time, fully intent on being a tease. He was losing his control and having a hard time caring.

  Ethan’s lower hand slid down until it rested on the waistband of Niki’s shorts. “Maybe you’re right, but I think I’m learning a lot tonight.”

  “Ethan,” Niki whined. He couldn’t help it. He needed that hand lower. Just an inch or two even.

  “Do you want to be spanked like that, Niki? Do you want to submit to someone, to trust them with your body like that?” Ethan’s fingers toyed with his nipple, the unpierced one, pinching softly and rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. “Have you fantasized about it before?”

  The bell rang but Niki was only distantly aware of it. He was caught between Ethan’s hands and words and the guy in front of him who was openly weeping now, his hard cock almost purple with need. “Yes,” he admitted. “Yes.”