Happy Easter!!!!

The Art of Breaking - Part 26

For the first time in months, Nikolas had at least the illusion of privacy here at the club. The only sounds and smells he’d have to endure were his or his chosen sub for a few hours. It was a minuscule improvement in the grotesque melodrama his life had become, and he was grateful for it.

Here, he thought he wouldn’t have to guard himself so rigidly against the emotions that kept sweeping over him. Nikolas looked down at the gorgeous man with the black hair and…was that a purple streak? smiling up at him expectantly with lips begging to be kissed. Nikolas had to admit that the eyes staring at him were captivating, a bright brown with flecks of green, lined with color. Was the liner purple too?  Nikolas was partially stunned, but captivated by the younger man. He could get lost in… All that just changed in a split second. He was already lost.

Peering up at him through the dark shagged bangs that covered his eyes, Kyler brushed a few stray strands from his face. "It seems we got off on the wrong foot. I’m Kyler. And you are?" He reached up, hand open, for a handshake.

Nikolas, avoiding his outstretched hand, just stared. "Not, your Master,” he replied with a mild amusement that failed to disguise his distrust of this farce.

“Your eyes are like precious green emeralds full of suspicion.”

“Do what?” He backed away a bit when the black haired guy, or was it really black, Nikolas couldn’t be sure, began laughing. Not a full out belly laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. No one laughed around him like this. What an odd little guy.

"Your name is Nikolas."

Nikolas nodded his head once in acknowledgement.

"So you see, Master Nikolas." Kyler motioned to him. "I’m Kyler." He motioned to himself. "Confusion over."

Looking around them, Nikolas’s eyes darted in different directions as he began scanning their surroundings. “I get it now…This is some fucked up joke and I’m on candid camera or is it that show: Punked?”

"I can assure you it’s neither. I doubt anyone's near dumb enough to trip over someone’s foot in this place other than me." He shrugged. The corner of his mouth tugged up, revealing a small dimple. Kyler moved his ankle and hissed. “Ouch, it hurts all the way up my leg. That was a stupid move.” 

Hands came to rest on Nikolas’s shoulders then snaked over broad shoulders to wrap around his neck from behind. He looked up with a jerk.

Stevie smiled down at him.

Nikolas started to stand, but the arms wouldn’t budge, then the other man’s chest pressed to his back, “Oooh my big, tough Master Nikolas. Don’t get up. It’s not every day I get to be on top. So, where have you been and how did you slip by the front desk without me seeing you?”

“Hello, Stevie. You knew I’d be here tonight.” Those well manicured and painted pink nails on him. Stevie wasn’t just the cream of the cream with flamboyance; he was the top of the crop. Long brown hair to his shoulders was brushed to a glossy shine. A cutoff tank top revealed a pierced belly button adorned with a diamond which sparkled like his witty charm, and was matched to the tightest little mini skirt this side of Toronto. The outfit was topped off with purple shiny leather boots, which rode high up to reach mid thigh. A nice little package, if that would have been Nikolas’s thing, but if he’d wanted a chick, he would have remained straight. Many women had proposed their intension over the years, but the sexual appeal just didn’t hold. He just didn’t swing that way. They are great to have as friends, but not as sexually long-term partners. But who was he trying to kid? He found this more than appealing on Kyler. The whole attire suited the guy and still left most of it to the imagination. He was doomed already.

The Art of Breaking - Part 25

“Look, Nikolas, I know you’re hurting, and I’m sorry, dear boy, but to take it out on everyone who’s trying to help you is not the answer.”

Nikolas gave Dominique a long, measuring look and then sighed. “I owe you my life on more than one occasion, Dominique, but for this one thing. I. Do. Not. Want company.” His voice was hard as flint. Until he was back on track, someone would hit close to home by targeting anyone close to him. Could it get any worse?

“You just want to mope and feel sorry for yourself, is that it?” His ex-Master said. He straightened and shook his head. “I don’t know why, boy, but when it comes to you I’m not sure whether to trust my own instincts. But I do know this one thing. You are not the man I knew.”

Nikolas fumed within, but he remained calm and cool as he turned back to face Ashton. “And you! I wish to be left alone. Doesn’t anyone get this? It would be best if you left. And do not bother coming again. I’m not much for this idle conversation right now.”

“Your attitude stinks, but that is just the same old you.” Hands held high, Ashton surrendered. “My work is done here. I’ll just leave you to attend to my friend. In lieu of fighting with you or listening to you spew lengthy lectures that you know I’m not going to listen to anyway, I’ll just be leaving.” Ashton shrugged his shoulders with a mischievous smirk plastered on his face. “I’ll call you, Kyler.” He winked down at his friend, walking out with fingers crossed. “Damn I sure hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life.”

“Hey what…but… U can’t just leave me here! Kyle sputtered.

It ripped into Nikolas’s gut to hear Ashton saying this to him. He had considered Ashton his most trusted ally in his team, a confidant. Trust was something that didn’t come easy. It was earned, not given freely.

“Excuuuse me!” the shorter man huffed. “Big guy! Yeah, you. Hurt man down here. Some undivided attention would be nice.”

Nikolas looked down at the young man and felt the nice brick wall he’d built around his heart long ago beginning to crack. The guy was actually pouting. His lower lip pushed out and everything. Jesus, even his eyes were sad.

Nikolas felt a surge of sensation, both physical and emotional, and was completely lost to this man in a space of a single heartbeat. Nikolas groaned and closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he hoped the alluring man would be gone, but he was still rooted to the same chair he’d sat him in.

The Art of Breaking - Part 24

“You okay, Ky?” Ashton asked, getting down on one knee to look at the subject at hand. “I gotta tell ya though, you two look great together. I saw you stall when you looked into his eyes. Amazing color, right?”

“We do not! I did not!” Kyler swallowed hard. “And I think I only twisted it, that’s all. I’ll be okay, but can we just go home now? Please.” This big, dark-haired god was about as rude and obnoxious as all get out. His damn ankle hurt like hell. He looked at the top of his friend’s head to see it turned, looking at the big, buffed, growly guy, and gasped when he caught the green eyed beastie eyeing him back.

“Busted!” Ashton said laughing. “Did you see him looking? He’s so into you. Kyler, trust me okay? I know you do trust me and that man there?” He pointed at his boss over his shoulder with a backward thumb, “He’s a really great guy. He’s my boss, actually, but my point is he’s a Master and you couldn’t be in more capable hands. If you play your trump cards right he’s one hellova great guy and a perfect master for you.”

"So you say," he snapped. "Look, I didn’t come here to get hooked up."  He paused and admired the man's attributes and unconsciously licked his lips, "I'm not looking for a Master either and I'm damn sure not looking for your boss." He nibbled on that lower lip now and whispered, "He has amazing green eyes, though. Is he always that difficult?” Kyler whispered to Ashton while he stared at the tall and beautiful man. He couldn’t help admiring the defined muscles, tall straight posture that screamed leader. His definite downfall and this man carried every single attribute he admired in a man.  

“He isn’t the easiest boss in the world. He hollers at everyone.” Ashton commented as Nikolas started a heated argument with the other Master. “Try working for him. He’s making life in general really hard on himself. Kyler, look I know you and Nikolas are right for each other. Just give him a chance. He needs you as badly as you need him. He just needs that stick that got stuck up his ass removed and you’re just the guy to do it. I love you both; I just wanna see you happy. Don’t hate me, okay?”

“Hate you? I loath you right now, but…” Kyler rolled his eyes at Ashton. Could he really take this one final leap? What if it all went to shits ville…yet, what if this worked. He sighed inwardly and he internal banter. He’d planned on leaving after tonight anyway. Right? “I’m such a fool. Maybe this once…”

Ashton slapped him on the back, almost toppling Kyler head first off the chair. “You won’t regret it. You’ll thank me. You’ll see.”

Kyler poke both of Ashton’s cheeks, “Don’t hold your breath.” He just hoped Ashton was right or he’d live to regret the day he was born.

The Art of Breaking - Part 23

“Hey, boss man.”

Nikolas spun on his heels as he was about to attempt crouching down and assess the young man only to come face to face with Ashton. With a shocked expression he didn’t bother acknowledging his greeting. “Ashton, why are you here? In this club of all clubs!”

“I thought I’d come by and see how you’re doing.”

“How the hell do you think I’m doing,” he growled.

“Well this place isn’t exactly forbidden you know. Me and Kyler came to have a drink, mix, and mingle. You know, the usual...” 

“Leave,” The single abrupt word was all he seemed inclined to say.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, you see. We’re here now and not going anywhere. Why don’t you have a drink with us? Set aside the boss and employee for one night and do the friends having a friendly drink deal. We can even forget the serious list of bullshit that runs longer than your leg.”

“Spare me the details and leave.” Nikolas’s tone was cold, distant. “Tough as it is to believe, Ashton, at the moment I have other things on my mind.”

“Boy oh boy, do you ever.”

Before Nikolas made an attempt to get clarification on that snarky remark, he felt someone tapping on his shoulder. Exhaling he turned to find Master Dominique standing over him with a smirk. “And to what do I owe this honor?”

The older Master raised his brow and said, “A moment of your time young Master. We have something important to address and it won’t wait. After you.”

Nikolas rose to his feet with an angry snarl. Maybe he should have listened to Braxton and gone to China instead. He gave one last threatening look at Ashton that promised hell and followed his ex-Master.