GENRE: Gay / Bisexual BDSM Paranormal Erotic Romance (MMF)
LENGTH: 23,981 words
RATING:

It’s been four years since Jesse Madding and Gideon Keel rescued their lover Emma from a hell dimension, and their lives have settled into an easy pattern. Jesse and Gideon still keep the streets of Chicago safe from vampires and demons, while Emma has opened her own gallery.

But things aren’t exactly easy for the trio. Especially since Jesse is still learning how to deal with the fact that the world continues to move on ... while he never ages ...

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

The playroom had evolved subtly over the five years since they had moved into the mansion. At first, it had just become more cluttered as Gideon had acquired new whips, new chains, new pieces of furniture, new toys. When the clutter began to offend Gideon's sensibilities, he had specially designed cupboards installed. More chains hung from the ceiling, each one different in small, barely perceptible ways. Gideon had become more exact as both Jesse and Emma's needs changed. Jesse, because of his strength and invulnerability. Emma, because of her experiences in Castelain's dimension.

But regardless of the changes, external or internal, when Jesse stepped into the room, he felt a sense of comfort. Like returning home after a long journey. Of course, that was immediately followed by a strong sense of arousal. But when they were in the playroom, everything made sense. Just stepping into the room made him want to hit his knees. There wasn't a single part of him that didn't want to crawl across the floor to wait at Gideon's feet. But even that simple act of submission would be inappropriate if he acted without instruction. Instead he stood at the door, Emma by his side, patiently waiting for Gideon's first instructions.

Gideon acted like they weren't even there. He prowled around the edge of the playroom, touching a chain here, caressing a steel bar there. He stopped more than once to open a cupboard, but always, he closed it within a few seconds, moving on to the next with a single-minded grace.

"What is he doing?" Emma murmured.

"Listening to someone speak without having permission," Gideon said without breaking stride. He didn't turn his head in their direction, or raise his voice. He didn't have to. "You know better than that, Emma."

Her apology came easily off her tongue, but Jesse couldn't help but wonder why she'd spoken in the first place. Unless it was to deliberately goad Gideon by misbehaving, though that was usually one of Jesse's ploys.

"You obey better when you're naked." Gideon had stopped again, this time crouching at a set of rings embedded in the floor. "Strip each other, then get on your knees."

Jesse did not need to be told twice. There was no awkwardness in the action. He moved first, pulling Emma's blouse over her head before focusing on unbuttoning her skirt. She kept her attention glued on Gideon while Jesse worked -- even when he unsnapped her bra and slid the straps down her arms. When he glanced over his shoulder, Gideon had ropes in his hand. Did he plan to use the set of rings? Who would he be tying down?

Neither question could be voiced while Emma returned the favor. He felt her curiosity as she touched him. As much as he didn't want to, he put up the walls that would shield his emotions from her. He had the feeling that whatever Gideon had planned, it would probably preclude the sort of control Jesse needed in order to properly handle the feedback loop.

When they were both naked and on their knees, Gideon motioned them forward with the crook of two fingers. Emma dropped to her hands first, and her heavy breasts swayed as she crawled toward him. Jesse let her get a few feet ahead before following. The sight of the creamy slope of her ass added a new thrum through his veins, especially when she reached Gideon and bent to lick his bare foot, lifting her hips even higher.

The corner of Gideon's mouth tipped. Gently, he pushed her chin up with his toe. "If that's to make up for speaking out of turn, you're forgiven."

"No, Sir," she said with a small, enigmatic smile. "It's just because I love you."

Golden flecks danced in Gideon's eyes. Those kinds of displays of unexpected submission always brought his demon out to play sooner. Silently, Jesse thanked Emma for the smart move. The time in the playroom would be better for all of them, the sooner Gideon let himself go.