Page 8 of Xtasy

“You think you’re steady on your feet? I won’t be able to hold Ambrose off much longer. He’s used to getting his way. Spoiled fucking brat.” Hawk teased.

“Yeah, I feel great. A little droopy but it’s about to pass. Go ahead into your dark room and I’ll get dressed and meander down to keep Ambrose company…unless you want me to leave, of course. I should probably leave, right? You’re finished with me for the day?”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be finished with you, Atlas.” He walked away and began digging in some drawers. “Here’s some swim trunks. Put them on and get into the hot tub with Ambrose. Tell him Hawk said, ‘no-no’ if he comes near you.”

Another thrilling sensation shot through Atlas’ body when Hawk indicated he was off limits to Ambrose. He hoped that meant he was going to be able to cross the boundary line with Hawk. Atlas slipped on the trunks, a smile on his face. He started to walk toward the stairs but stopped and looked back at Hawk. The man was watching him with an intensity that matched his namesake. “I, uh, really like that you said that. I mean, I like Ambrose but not…not the same.” He finished with a stammer, worrying that he may have said too much.

“I’m bored!” Ambrose yelled, unknowingly interrupting an important moment. At least Atlas thought it was important and he hoped Hawk did, as well.

Hawk stepped closer to Atlas. Not close enough, but closer. “Think about this, Atlas. I know you’re shy and I’m guessing you are somewhat inexperienced in the bedroom and know probably nothing about BDSM. To be honest, I’m not into the lifestyle nearly as deep as Ambrose, but I do like control, tying people up, and very rough sex. I’m a top. And, again, I’m rough. I want to be upfront about everything. When I said you might be sexually inexperienced, I should have added that I’m one-hundred percent inexperienced when it comes to relationships—never been interested in learning. Until now, of course. I think there’s something between us that needs to be explored. Well, I sure as hell want to explore it, that’s for certain. You just need to know what I’m like…what I like before this goes any further.”

Atlas’ heart was pumping at a frantic pace. He was excited and scared.Rough? How rough, he couldn’t help but wonder. Atlas did have very limited experience in the bedroom and those experiences had been with people just as inexperienced as he. Moreover, why did the word rough excite him so damn much? Why had the ropes sent him into the mysterious subspace he’d never heard of before?

“No worries. I’m good with rough. I think.” He took a step and stopped again. “I’ll let you know if I’m not.”

“That’s all I ask.” Hawk answered with a sly grin.

Atlas moved down the stairs slowly, wondering if it would be weird to be around Ambrose. What if the guy did hit on him? Ambrose was great, but Hawk was in total control of Atlas’ every thought and fantasy. He giggled softly when he thought about what Meg would think about what he was currently doing—posing for erotic nudes and spending time with two different men in a hot tub.

“Well, look at my prize boy! I’m confident your photos are going to make my new club absolutely perfect!” Ambrose eyed Atlas up and down. “So, let’s talk about those nifty trunks you have on, babe. Hawk is really trying to stake a claim on you if he sent you downstairs with those on.” Ambrose burst out laughing. “I love it! It’s about time somebody brought him to his knees. I absolutely can’t wait to watch him struggle, fail, struggle, fail some more, struggle, and finally get it right.”

Atlas climbed into the hot tub. “I’m one-hundred percent certain I’m not the type of person to bring any man to his knees, much less one like Hawk. I’m afraid you are going to end up very disappointed if you keep those thoughts floating around in your head.” Atlas shrugged. “I’m a total bore.” He might as well admit it because there would be no way to hide that part of him. The study he’d done on himself had proven it to be factual.

Ambrose took a sip of whatever alcohol he had perched on the edge of the hot tub and then lit a small cigar. “I’d like to know who or what fucked with your confidence, boy. You’re drop-dead gorgeous, have a body to kill for, butterfly wing lashes, puffy lips, plump ass, and long legs. What in the hell could you think is wrong with you?”

Since Ambrose appeared to be serious, Atlas answered, “I’m plain…at best. I act awkward around people. I don’t take chances, so people aren’t interested in taking chances on me. There’s nobody to blame for me being a bore except me, myself, and I.”

Ambrose shrugged. “Probably because the rest of us see what you refuse to see. For some reason, you don’t think you’re worthy. I don’t have a clue who could have done that to you. Let me ask you something and, before I do, I want you to know I’m not bragging—just putting it out there.”

“Okay, you have me interested.” Atlas answered, wishing he’d thought to grab himself a beer before climbing into the hot tub.

“How much money do you think I’m worth?”

Atlas laughed. “Not a fucking clue. The only thing I’m sure of is that you have more than me and all my friends put together.”

“How many businesses do you think I own?”

“Again, not a clue. I’m not sure where this is going. I thought we were trying to make a man out of me—get rid of my insecurities and shit.” Atlas teased. “Comparing me to you isn’t helping with that at all.”

“Getting there,” Ambrose answered with another one of his sexy grins. “Next question, how much do you know about Hawk? Net worth? Popularity in the art world? Relationship history?”

Atlas looked around the refurbished textile plant. “Clearly, he’s wealthy. I did some research about how popular he is in the art world, so I know he’s at the top of his game. As for relationships, I hear he’s virginal.”

“You hear that from him?” Ambrose asked quietly.

“I did.” A horrible feeling washed over Atlas. “Was he lying?”

“Absolutely not. The only relationship Hawk has had was with me and, no, it wasn’t and never will be sexual. We’re like brothers. He doesn’t let anybody else inside his world. He has friends but keeps them at arm’s length. When he opened the garage to let you in, I nearly shit my pants from the shock of it. So, I’m wealthy. Really wealthy—again, not bragging. I’ve been blessed with wealthy parents that died early and give me no pity because I don’t miss them—never saw ‘em. Nobody could ever accuse them on being the ‘hands-on’ type of parents.” Ambrose took a deep breath. “To be completely honest, I’m confident they were bad people…really bad people.”

“I think I’m getting confused,” Atlas said. “Where were we going with this conversation? We started with my insecurity and somehow got here…where-the-fuck-ever here is.” Atlas wasn’t mad or frustrated the way the conversation was going—just confused. Very confused. Ambrose had him on the hook when the man confirmed that Hawk didn’t usually consider relationships, but Hawk had mentioned the possibility to him earlier.

“Yeah, I do that a lot—get lost with stories instead of going straight for the kill shot. Here’s the deal kid. I don’t work with models who don’t have agents or aren’t notoriously popular in the business. Hawk’s restrictions are even worse than mine. When I saw you that night, I knew I wanted you…as my muse and model, of course. Even without experience, you haveit, the look that every model strives to have. Regardless of the fact that in that particular situation, I was his boss, and Hawk worked for me, he still wouldn’t have allowed you into his place if he didn’t see in you the same beauty I do. He would have shut me down instantly, slammed the door in your face, and that would have been the end of it. Let your insecurity go, boy. You’ve got it. All of it.” He grinned. “Maybe even Hawk if I’m not mistaken. Baby boy, if you can tame that tiger, you are the fucking ring master.” Ambrose looked around the huge room, took another hit on his cigar, and said, “You know, kid, Hawk had already done my photos for the club when you showed up that night. Framed and everything. Before seeing you, we were both over-the-moon pleased with the results. After you, neither of us could have been happy with what we had. Hawk and I both knew ithadto be you.”

Atlas laughed nervously. “I can’t imagine my clumsy photos are going to beat out a real model. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt my feelings if you end up choosing what you had over me. I’m a novice. Whoever you had was a professional. Do what’s best for your club.”

Ambrose grinned. “I always do, love. I always do.”

They were silent for a few moments before Ambrose scooted a bit closer to Atlas. It immediately made Atlas nervous—not because of fear of Ambrose. The man was a total flirt, that much was obvious. No, Atlas worried about sending out the wrong message to Ambrose. More importantly, he didn’t want Hawk to come down the stairs and find them sitting close together in the hot tub.

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