I could see the shiver course through Austin. But it clearly wasn't from cold. His skin was hot to the touch. Our staring match didn't last long. After a few seconds, Austin's gaze skittered down. His whispered "Sorry, Sir," just reached my ears. I felt the beginnings of a grin tug at my lips.

My mouth ticked up at the corner as Austin dropped down to his knees. Swinging a leg over the stool beside me, I plopped down and settled a hand on Austin's soft hair.

The dangling of the hoop from the sudden movement caught my attention. Memories of past parties flashed behind my eyes.

Some were more memorable than others. And my plus ones rarely disappointed. As the curly strands of Austin's hair slipped across my fingers, I couldn't find myself able to recall any names of my past party dates.

All that filled the crevices was excitement. Not memories of excitement, but present excitement. Sex had meant pleasure, nothing more. With Austin, sex meant a connection with another human being, a way to be close to someone who was quickly becoming a crucial part of my life.

"What can I get you, Master Stone?"

I felt Austin start in surprise at the title, his head push up to look at the speaker. Exerting a small amount of pressure on the back of his neck reminded him of the folly that would be.

"You know what I like, Gerard."

"Of course I do, Master Stone. I aim to please." Gerard might as well have stroked my cock, the invitation clear behind the sultry tone.

Something akin to a growl travelled up from Austin. I'm not even positive he realized the sound had come from him, but a warm spark lit in my stomach. My pet was jealous, it would seem.

Jealousy, what an ugly emotion. But despite my feelings on the matter, a big green monster was rearing it's head. The nerve of that bartender, hitting on a man so clearly at this party with another.

An inner voice scoffed at me. 'Of course he'd hit on Maddox. Any person can see the man is sexy as sin,' it whispered to my insecurities.

The steady pressure of Maddox's hand helped calm me a little. But not enough to really chase away the jealousy.

'So what are you going to do about it?' The voice taunted.

I had once heard the saying, when someone else encroaches on your man, you can be the better person. Or you can take the other bitch down.

And I was going to take this bitch down.

I began to shift around as if to stand. I expected resistance from Maddox, but he just eyed me curiously from the side of his eye. Regaining my footing, I made clear eye contact with this 'Gerard' fellow.

With a smile dripping of honey sent his way, I made sure he kept his eyes on me as I straddled Maddox's lap. I knew I was pushing a line. I half expected 'Master Stone' to flip me over and redden my ass. But that would still stake my claim, so I'd take it over nothing.

But instead, Maddox gripped my hip in a familiar gloved grip, before yanking my mouth to his by the collar hoop. We met in a clash of teeth, lips, and tongues. This was the most frenzied kiss we had ever shared. Heat didn't just build, it went from a smoking ember to a raging inferno.

The surrounding party goers vanished. All I could feel was Maddox's hair between my fingers, his lips and mouth devouring my own, and the obscenely large bulge I couldn't help but rub against.

I think I whimpered a time or two, definitely moaned. But I didn't care. There was an itch inside me, one only Maddox Stone could scratch.

We finally broke apart for much needed air. Our heated pants filled the space between us.

"Gerard? Cancel my order. I have business I need to take care of."

I vaguely heard Gerard answer something like 'yes, Master Stone,' or whatever. But I didn't bother to focus on it, not with Maddox pinching and twisting a pointed nub.

"Austin, up. We have somewhere else to be."

I responded directly to the order, quickly getting to my feet. There was a promise in those words.

Maddox wrapped his arm around my waist to once again lead me. The warmth of his skin seeped into the heated blush covering my body. The realization of what I had just done in front of a bunch of strangers should have terrified me. Instead, it thrilled me to no end.

Maddox led us to the beginning of a long, downward staircase.

"Unfortunately, I haven't been able to train you to the level I would have hoped for before an event such as this. But we can look at this as a positive."

With prodding from the steel band still anchored around my waste, I followed Maddox down the stairs. I exhaled shakily as the sounds of grunts and moans filtered to our ears. Skin slapping against skin echoed, as did the whoosh and thwaps of leather instruments.

A final door stood in our way. I gulped. My body was taut as a guitar string. I felt a tangle of nerves zing through me. I tried to lower my gaze, but Maddox's hand lifted it back to his.

"Eyes up tonight, Austin. Observe. Perhaps we'll even participate."

With his other hand, he squeezed my pulsing shaft through the strained laces. I cried out needily.