Page 20 of Minotaurs and other Magic

“But what if someone…” Nate frowned. “Where I come from, there are rules that people in charge can’t sleep with workersbecause they might coerce them.” Finding the words wasn’t always easy. It was like he couldn’t quite remember them.

“Your people coerce others?”

“Yes.” And worse.

“I have concerns about your world. No wonder you were troubled about me buying your debt. But consider this, why would anyone want a reluctant or unwilling partner?”

“I don’t know. But it happens…” He kneeled on the tiles next to Rohan, remembering the way he’d asked, as if to be sure Nate had wanted his touch to come. “And it’s okay to be…gay…” There wasn’t the word. “For men to like men?”

“Non-breeding pairs occur. Two men, two women. A werewolf and anyone else. Not all couplings result in children.” Rohan shrugged. “No one troubles themselves with who someone loves. Why would they?”

“You’d be surprised,” Nate muttered in English. He went to sit back on his haunches, but the water was too deep.

“If you want, you may sit on my thigh, as I’d prefer it if you didn’t drown and make extra work for the attendant.”

Nate eyed the massive cock.

“I am offering you comfort, nothing more. You really were raised by rats.”

“My parents are lovely. They’ll be wondering where I am.” They’d take one look at Rohan and scream. If Rohan had gone through the doorway by accident, no one would be helping him adapt. He’d be dead.

“I am sorry about that. But requesting a favor from a god will carry a high cost, and you cannot take on another debt, especially one that may not be known until the favor is collected.”

Nate wasn’t ready for another debt. He needed to treat this as a holiday. A sabbatical to learn about another culture.

He perched on Rohan’s thigh instead of going back to his side of the bath. The minotaur’s thigh was warm and hard beneath him.

“You cannot relax like that.” Rohan lifted him and turned him so Nate's back rested against Rohan’s chest. His cock brushed against Nate’s thigh, and he was very tempted to wrap his fingers around it to appreciate the size. “All your troubles will still be there when you get out of the bath. Close your eyes, little human.”

Nate rested his head on Rohan’s shoulder, but relaxing was impossible because he was so aware of Rohan. The way his chest lifted as he breathed. The hair on his thigh tickled Nate’s skin.

Rohan’s nose nuzzled at his neck, and his tongue flicked beneath his freshly shaven jaw. “I can smell your desire.”

A part of him wanted to pull away and climb out of the bath. But what would that achieve? Or prove?

What did staying prove?

“And?” The word fell off his tongue.

“And I like it. Have your massage before I am tempted to do more than you are comfortable with.”

“How do you know what I am comfortable with?”

“I think it is easier for you to let go when your hands are bound…though you may not be ready to admit that, either.”

CHAPTER 10

Rohan had enjoyed watching the elf work the tension out of Nate's muscles and making his skin gleam with oil. It had been even better when the human had turned onto his back, and his hard cock slapped against his belly, causing his face and chest to turn red.

While he hadn’t put the rope around Nate’s wrists for the robed walk to Rohan’s chambers, he had kept a hand on the back of his neck.

On the low table in the outer room were the items he’d requested. He released Nate and shut the door.

“What is that?” Nate appeared rooted to the spot.

“A replacement for the rope.” Rohan picked up the leather leash.

“Not that, the collar.” He pointed at the other piece of leather.

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