Page 37 of Play Hard

She swooped in as he set the tray of glasses beside the sink. “What’s got you looking so doolally?” she demanded.

“What? Nothing?” Liam cleared his throat. “I mean, nothing. What?”

“Your eyes are shining.” Scarlett grabbed his shoulders and peered up into his face. “Are you high?”

“No!” He looked away, though it was the most suspicious response.

“I saw you and Rab going into the toilets,” she whispered. “Were youse doing drugs in there?”

“Scarlett, you know me better than that. I’m not a junkie.”

“I never said you was a junkie. But you could become one if you’re not careful.” She shook a finger at him. “Even if you are careful.”

Scarlett wasn’t totally off-base. Liam could definitely get addicted to this feeling of fullness within his body, and to this secret naughty place within his mind, as he went about his tasks with no one but Robert knowing, no one guessing he was blooming ever brighter with each step. It was like working undercover, without all the life-risking danger.

He’d heard that some people wore butt plugs all day on a regular basis. Obviously, he wouldn’t leave one in whilst playing football or visiting his mum, but it would definitely make his job more exciting. He could text updates to Robert. Even tonight, a good portion of the fun lay in imagining Robert imagining him with a plug up his arse.

Red-varnished fingernails flashed in front of his eyes. “Liam!”

He jerked his attention back to his coworker. “Sorry, Scarlett. I know I seem…off, but it’s not drugs. Robert just gave me…” He couldn’t tell her the truth, but he could lead her away from it. “He gave me some good news, is all.”

Her dark eyes widened. “Are youse engaged?”

“What? No! How would that be news to me?”

“You’re moving in together?”

“It’s nothing to do with us as a couple. It’s about Rab.” He lowered his voice. “But it’s a secret. I promised not to tell until it’s time.”

He solemnly crossed his heart, hoping there’d be actual good news to share within a few weeks, because Scarlett would never forget he’d mentioned it.

Liam set about preparing the order for the musicians’ table, one small part of his mind focused on the drinks while the larger part luxuriated in the waves of pleasure down below. Even the slightest turn of his body would cause a wiggle inside him, sending another hot pulse of energy to his cock. He could feel sweat collecting at his temples and along his spine.

No wonder Scarlett thought he was on drugs.

* * *

Liam shutthe front door after the final customer, taking care to lock all the bolts and double-check they were secure.

Then he returned to Robert sitting at the now-empty bar. “I am so fucking desperate I can barely walk.” He seized Robert’s shirt with both hands. “So either you help me out here or I’m gonnae go to the gents’ and wank into a wad of bog roll. Your choice.”

“But—”

“I guarantee I’ll be ready for round two by the time we’re at my flat.”

“Okay, okay. Where do you want to—”

“Downstairs, in case someone comes in after hours, like the cleaners.” Or God forbid, Mr. Hannigan himself. “I need to check the barrels before leaving anyway.”

Walking on a flat floor had been stimulating enough, but it hadn’t prepared Liam for the stairs. With each step, he let out a little moan as the plug reached uncharted territory. Halfway down, he unfastened his jeans just so he could keep moving.

At the bottom of the stairs, Robert shifted in front of him. “Sit.” He gave Liam’s chest a gentle push.

“You’re cruel and amazing.” Holding onto the banister, Liam eased himself down onto the third stair. Upon his arse’s impact, his throat released a strangled noise.

Then Robert was between his thighs, guiding his cock into his greedy wet mouth. Liam came in an instant—violently, volcanically, vociferously. Surely the entire East End could hear him babbling as he emptied himself down Robert’s throat.

Finally Robert sat back on his heels and wiped his mouth. “Can you move now?”

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