Page 50 of Martyr

“Alter them how?”

“You said no fucking,” Lake said, but before Nix could freak out, added, “Take my fingers. If you’ll do that, I’ll play with you and walk away afterward.”

As opposed to what Yejun and West would expect of him, he meant. Lake didn’t have to say it for that point to be made. They’d wait until Juri left, because Lake would make them, but there was little doubt they’d screw Nix as soon as the coast was clear.

Lake was offering him an out. More than that. He was offering him an orgasm, and the only strings attached were that he had to do it in front of a man Nix didn’t want to be sexually involved with.

But Juri also wasn’t just anyone. He’d grown up with Essential parents. Sex used to make a point, and used as a weapon, were common enough in his world, this probably wouldn’t faze him the same ways it would someone like Nix, who’d grown up far enough from the capital city to still maintain some level of prudence.

How badly would he judge him for doing something he’d no doubt seen done to others a million times before?

Was Nix maybe kidding himself to make him feel better? Sure. But whatever worked.

He was going to go through with this either way, may as well give himself a false sense of security.

“Okay.” He licked his lips. “You have a deal.”

Chapter 12:

Everyone was already gathered in the living room when they finally entered, and Nix found it difficult to meet Juri’s gaze as he came to a stop at Lake’s side.

“Are you all right?” Juri asked him tentatively, glancing between the two of them before taking in the other Demons. “You ran off so quickly yesterday, and then I heard…” His eyes settled on Nix’s neck.

“I can’t believe you had the audacity to come all the way here and stick your nose in someone else's business,” West said. “You’ve always been such a little bitch, Juri. What’s changed?”

“If it’s because you have a crush,” Yejun warned darkly from where he stood by the window, his shoulder propped against the glass, “you’re about to leave heartbroken. Isn’t that right, Firebird?”

Nix couldn’t tell if Yejun was confident or silently warning him as well, but it didn’t really matter. He’d already made up his mind. Ignoring the Demon, he sent an awkward smile Juri’s way.

“I appreciate you being worried, but I’m all right. You can—”

Lake took Nix’s hand before he could finish and tugged him over to the coffee table. Juri and West were both standingbehind the long couch, so the table was the perfect location for everyone to get the best view. As soon as they were there, his touch gentled, and he pushed suggestively on Nix’s lower back.

“You can’t force him,” Juri snapped, but Lake merely looked at him cooly.

“Does it seem like that’s what I’m doing?” He hummed. “Lay down on the table, Songbird.” He removed his hands so no part of them was touching, a move meant to show Juri that Nix was operating fully of his own accord.

Nix’s breathing was stuttered as he followed the order, kneeling down on the table before stretching himself across it lengthwise. Once he was settled on his stomach, he waited for the next command.

“Put your arms up and grab onto the edge,” Lake said, his voice slipping into the clear, firm tone he’d always used when he was Maestro talking to him through the app.

“What are you doing?” Juri sounded unsure, watching as Nix got into position.

Lake lowered to the table at his side, hands roaming up his spine before settling over his shoulders. He began to message them, easing the tension away. “Relax,” he whispered. “Pretend we’re doing another Favor.”

“You always locked the room,” Nix reminded, resting his cheek against the cool wood so he could glance over his shoulder and catch sight of Lake looming over him. He hated to admit it, but the Imperial looked phenomenal.

That was always a point of contention for Nix. How damn sexy Lake was, even when he was doing the worst things imaginable. Even when he’d somehow convinced him to allow this in front of another person.

Three others, if Yejun and West were counted, which Nix realized with a scowl his subconscious hadn’t been.

Lake pressed his thumb between Nix’s brow and smoothed it away. “Relax,” he repeated. “I’ve got you. You’re safe. Nothing is going to happen that you don’t like.”

That he wouldn’t like maybe, but that he didn’t want?

“You’re always so clever with your phrasing,” Nix mumbled, and earned himself a light chuckle in response.

Someone gasped, probably Juri, but then Lake’s hands were massaging him again and Nix forgot all about it.

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