Tad's eyes reopened. "What-" He cleared his throat. "What does that mean?"
Scott's finger roamed back down to swirl along Tad's ass. Teasing tongues of fire flicked straight into his balls. He moaned, swiveling his pelvis. Fuck, he needed friction. Needed to fucking come.
"It means I could get the job done … using other methods. I've technically already flogged you. Now I just need to drive you crazy." His brown eyes glittered. "And then I can let you blow."
Tad struggled to wrap his brain around Scott's words. But that fingertip roaming closer to his ass's divide wasn't making it easy. "Uh... I don't know … I mean … "
He looked away. Geez, he didn't even know what he was trying to say. Clearly, Scott's proposition was more doable than getting whipped with no end in sight. That in itself could drive a man insane. Literally. But Tad was pretty sure that, by consenting, he'd be crossing some irrevocable line. And a big one, at that. Just thinking about it made him restless, for reasons he wasn't ready to admit.
No. No, fuck it. He couldn't do it.
But shit, he couldn't take more of that flogging. He still hadn't mentally recovered from before. Shit, he suspected a part of him never would. But even though deep down he already knew he'd want to try it again someday, he wasn't stupid. That day wasn't today. So, where did that leave him? With not many options. One, in fact. And that one just might catapult him to a place he was reluctant to acknowledge. Not yet, anyhow. And not like this.
He glanced back at Scott, beyond ready to say, Fuck this. I'm outie. And he was sure Scott would let him go. But he was also pretty positive the guy wouldn't lie on Tad's behalf. If those pricks came back and asked what happened-and Tad would confidently bet both nuts they would-Scott would tell them the honest truth. That Tad hadn't taken his end of the deal to "completion."
Scott sighed. "I won't hurt you, Tad. Well. No more than I already have." His lips curved into a small, wry grin. Tad warily met his eyes. "I promise," Scott chuckled. "Shit, I'll make it amazing."
Tad winced, his brain reeling harder. Amazing did sound good, especially when the alternative was more mind-body pillaging. Maybe what Scott was offering wasn't that big of a deal. Tad was probably just way over-thinking it. People told him he did that a lot. In this moment, the end would simply justify the means.
And there was his answer: Scott finishing him off wasn't a big deal. Just two human beings working together-okay, one doing most of the work-to bring about a desired outcome. Blessed release. Nothing but anatomical cause and effect. Shouldn't be that bad. And hell, maybe it'd actually be amazing like Scott said. Seriously, how bad could an orgasm be? Bottom line: no matter what path Tad took to honor this deal, he'd ultimately be coming at the hands of this man. The end result would be the same.
He nodded his head, cheeks flaring hot. "Okay."
Scott's killer smile spread across his face. "That's my bashful boy." Shoving off the headboard, he moved out of view.
Tad grunted, rolling his eyes. "Great. I've graduated to "bashful.""
A bark of laughter bounced off the walls. Tad scowled, irritably grinding his hips against the wall. The sensations it wrought quickly diverted his ire. Maybe if he rocked fast enough, he could bust one without Scott's help.
A hard, hot palm connected with his ass. "Stop that."
Tad hissed.
And then a curious humming stirred to life, coming from somewhere nearby. Tad frowned. It was so close, he could actually feel it vibrating … along the length of his body. "What the hell is that?"
"Your whipping post, changing position."
Tad's brows scrunched. "Changing position?"
"Mmhmm."
As if on cue, the monstrosity's upper half started to move, bending in half right at Tad's hips.
"Whoa. What the fuck."
Scott returned to his line of sight, a shit-eating grin on his face. "Hope you're somewhat limber."
Tad balked, even as his torso continued bending forward. "Tell me again what the hell this thing is?" He tugged anxiously on his binds. "And I thought you were gonna untie me."
Scott made an incredulous "yeah, right" face then patted the lowering surface. "This thing's one of my favorite contraptions. Keeps subjects nice and secure for some really great exchanges." He chuckled softly. "Not that there's much back and forth going on. It's typically pretty one-sided."
Tad tensed, his upper body now at a ninety-degree angle … and still heading south. He could feel his sweaty flesh sticking to the leather. Hamstrings growing taut, his calf muscles, too, began stretching to their limits. He winced and shifted awkwardly.