The Rules of Love (11 page)

“Let’s go, Kenneth. I’m taking you out of here.”

He held out his hand and for a brief moment he feared Kenneth would refuse him. Kenneth’s lip quivered and his breath hitched on a sob. Saul tamped down the anger that Kenneth’s abuse at the hands of Preston Cornwall consistently inspired.

“Dearest. Let me help you.”

Saul’s palm was up, waiting for Kenneth to accept his offer of sanctuary. Kenneth reached for him, trembling, tentative. The boy had to know that he would never be savage to him, but then how could he really? Saul was essentially a stranger. For all Kenneth knew, he would merely be trading one captor for another. Saul only hoped that Kenneth would give him a chance to prove that not all Dominant men treated their partners the same as Preston.

A sigh escaped Saul as Kenneth grasped his hand. The hesitation that had been there mere seconds before seemed to change to determination. Kenneth clutched Saul as though he might drift away if he let go. His breathing became more rapid and Saul could tell he was in a high state of stress.

Already I’m gauging his body language, his reactions.

“You’re safe now. I promise.”

Saul kept his voice low. He had no interest in sharing their exchange with the others.

“Where is he? What if he comes for me? He won’t let you take me. He won’t—”

“Shh. You have the support of Masters Aaron, Thomas, Theodore and Barry, as well as me. He won’t harm you again.”

Saul pulled Kenneth closer, their joined hands sweaty from the heat and tension between them. He wanted to hold Kenneth, ached to comfort him but didn’t think it was the right time. He sensed that what Kenneth needed more right then was to simply get away.

“Will you come with me now?”

Kenneth nodded frantically. “Yes. Oh God, yes. Thank you. Thank you so much.” His expression clouded. “But I need to get in touch with my aunt right away.”

“It’s been taken care of.”

His shoulders shook as sobs overtook him. As soon as Kenneth threw himself into Saul’s arms, Saul wrapped him in a strong embrace. He smiled against his temple as he rubbed his back with soothing gestures. Kenneth had surprised him with his actions. It was nice not to have correctly anticipated what he’d needed. He would be a joy for Saul to uncover.

“Let’s go. Javier has your clothes waiting for you in my study. Once you’re dressed, Thomas will drive you to a safe place.”

Kenneth tensed in his arms. He pulled back to look into Saul’s eyes. “Forgive my disrespect, Master Saul, but…but please don’t send me away.”

Saul frowned, confused. “I thought you wanted to leave Preston.”

“Yes! More than anything. I just… I want…”

He lowered his eyes and tried to extricate himself from Saul’s arms. Saul tightened them.

“Look at me, boy. Tell me what it is you want right now.”

One of the few things he did know about Kenneth was that he’d been submitting to another person for most of his adult life. Sam had told Aaron a bit about what he’d learned of him when he’d first arrived at Hampton Road. Kenneth had likely given over complete control of himself to another man for fifteen to twenty years. Saul was certain his tone would illicit an immediate, truthful response.

“I want
you
, Sir. Please give me a chance. I know I’m not young, I’m scarred and there are so many more beautiful men available to someone like you—”

Saul clutched Kenneth to his chest then kissed his head, stroking his back once more in reassurance. He chuckled to himself, surprised again by Kenneth’s response. He was also delighted. But he needed to be mindful of Kenneth’s recent abuse.

He whispered next to Kenneth’s ear, “Are you sure you want to give yourself to an old man like me? Wouldn’t you like to take some time to decide what you want now that you’ll be free of your captor?”

The sobbing started up again and Saul rocked Kenneth in his arms.

“There, there.” Saul noted that the other submissives had become rather interested in what was going on. “Let’s get you to the study and we can talk this out. Stop fretting. I won’t send you away. You can stay with me.”

Kenneth hiccupped, then caught a sob in his throat. He gazed up at Saul, his eyes red and swollen, his face streaked with tears.

“R-really?”

Saul retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped Kenneth’s face with it. The gesture warmed him—he felt it all the way to his core. Already he was taking care of his boy.

“Yes. Really.”

Saul loosened his hold, but continued to hang onto Kenneth’s hand. Once they were in the hall, Kenneth tried to draw his own hand back. This time, Saul had a truer sense of what might be going through Kenneth’s mind, so he paused.

“We don’t have an official arrangement. Yet.”

He’d seen Kenneth’s eyes widen. Based on what Kenneth had been through for several years, Saul was prepared for him to be insecure and worried for quite a while.

“So until then, you don’t need to fall in step behind me.”

“Oh. I see.” He dropped his chin.

Saul did his best not to smirk. He had to admit that Kenneth was the most compliant man he’d ever met and would require very little training. Saul was struck with the thought that Kenneth was quite perfect for him. He was past that point in his life where he constantly wanted to shape and mold a young man to the submissive lifestyle. Instead, he was more than ready to have one to simply enjoy and fill his nights with love.

Saul lifted their joined hands. “Does this make you uncomfortable?”

“I’ll do whatever you wish, Sir.”

Saul stroked Kenneth’s head and noted the flush that stained his cheeks.

“I’m confident you will and I thank you for your gift to me.”

Kenneth frowned as if such a concept was completely unheard of.

“Gift?”

“Yes. If you decide to offer me your complete submission, it will be the best gift anyone has ever given me.”

“Oh.”

Even though his eyes were lowered, Saul could see Kenneth dart them around. He still seemed confused and Saul knew it would take him a while to accept that he had any power in their relationship.

Relationship.

Saul sighed a contented sound. “Until that moment, what I desire is for you to be comfortable with anything you’re doing or that’s happening to you. That’s very important to me, understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good boy. In which case, I ask you again. Does holding my hand and walking by my side make you uncomfortable?”

Kenneth bit his lip and nodded.

“Words.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Would you prefer to be in stride behind me?”

Kenneth’s shoulders relaxed and Saul knew the answer. He still needed to hear it.

“Yes, Sir. Please.”

Saul opened his hand, but before letting him go, he raised Kenneth’s palm to his lips and kissed it softly. Kenneth inhaled, his breath almost a gasp, but he was already in his submissive mindset to Saul by not raising his eyes. Saul released him then marched toward the study, confident that Kenneth would follow in step to their destination. He reached the back stairs, chosen to keep them away from the open in case Preston was to emerge. They descended to the second floor where the smaller study was located. The main one occupied the first floor where the members never congregated.

Once they were inside and the door had been closed, Saul noted that Kenneth stood straight with his eyes cast down and his hands behind his back. Saul took a moment to appreciate Kenneth’s male charms, circling him slowly. As always, his muscled limbs spoke to Saul on a primal level. He knew Kenneth could handle a lot. His frame was fit, his belly flat and tight, his shoulders broad, his ass round and full.

Stunning.

“I don’t expect you to give yourself to me right away, however once I get you settled, we can discuss…”

Kenneth dropped to his knees, his head bowed, his hands still clasped behind his back.

For once, Saul was stunned into silence. He wanted to protest, to tell Kenneth he wasn’t ready to make such a decision, but he couldn’t get the words out. His mind and body screamed to accept Kenneth’s offer, yet another voice pushed its way forward. If they were ever to have a chance together, Kenneth needed to know that he could make his own choices about his life. That right had been taken away from him for too long.

“Sir, may I speak freely?”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“If you will have me then I give myself to you. I know you believe this is an abrupt decision, but I assure you it’s not. I’ve…I’ve dreamed of being yours from almost the first moment I saw you. The more I found out about you, the more I saw how kind you are…the demonstrations with other submissives…” Kenneth swallowed. “The more I wished to be yours. I hope someday you’ll find me worthy enough that you would also wish to be my Master.”

Kenneth swallowed hard again once he’d finished and Saul knew that what he’d just stated must have been very difficult for him. When Saul spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically husky, emotion clogging his throat.

“Of course I’ll have you. And someday, when we’re both ready, it will be a great honor if you allow me to be your Master.”

Saul noted the confusion on Kenneth’s face once more. Yet another thing that would take a while—Kenneth’s understanding of the exchange of power between them. He stepped forward to pat Kenneth’s head and was amazed again when his new boy bent forward to kiss the tip of his shoe. He’d never had a man do such a thing unbidden. His heart picked up a more rapid beat when Kenneth kissed the other one before sitting back on his heels.

“My God, you amaze me.”

Another thought occurred to Saul. What he saw before him was a man who gave his submission so entirely that he would most likely never be happy any other way. Kenneth would hand over his will to Saul for every moment of his life. Saul had lived as a Dominant man ever since he’d taken the virginity of his first lover when they were both sixteen. The need to be in charge, to command another man, was what had always thrilled him. As he’d sought out others like himself, he’d discovered that he also enjoyed restraining men, was aroused by controlling their bodies, taking them to unforeseen heights through the infliction of pain. He’d also discovered that there were men who craved that pain.

What he’d never before considered was keeping a man who was his to control every hour of every day—one who gave of himself so freely to Saul’s every whim and desire. His cock hardened, his tip already leaking as he allowed the concept to flow through him. He could share such a thing with the beautiful man who kneeled before him.

“You are my boy, Kenneth. I will protect you and keep you. There is one other thing though.” Saul noted the way Kenneth tensed, how he clenched his jaw. “Look me in the eyes, I need to be certain you understand how important what I’m about to tell you is.”

Kenneth peered up at him, the fear evident in his expression.

Dear boy.

“I demand that you cry mercy if I ever do anything that frightens you or that you don’t like. There will be a strong punishment if you fail to alert me that you want to stop. Is that clear?”

Kenneth’s eyes rounded as if he thought he must be hearing things. “Yes, Sir. I will.”

Saul stroked his head. “Such a good boy. Once we’re alone at my home—our home—I’ll want to learn all about what you crave. But I’ll also want to know what you hate. I’ll never do anything to you once I know you don’t wish it. Is that also clear?”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you. I owe you so much.”

Saul bent over and cupped his chin. “You owe me nothing. My only wish is that we might find happiness together.”

He placed his lips on Kenneth’s, moving softly, not demanding entrance. He would take it slow. Kenneth had woken up with Preston Cornwall that morning. They both needed some distance from that. But he would not leave Kenneth alone. He wouldn’t do anything that might give Kenneth the impression that he didn’t want or desire him.

Kenneth opened for him and Saul pulled back, but not before kissing the end of Kenneth’s nose, then his forehead before straightening.

“Soon, dearest. I’m yours as much as you are mine. I have no wish to touch another.”

It was one of the most delightful things he’d ever seen. Kenneth’s smile made his hazel eyes appear brighter, made Kenneth come alive in a way he’d never witnessed before. They held one another’s gaze and Saul was pleased that Kenneth had a strong enough connection with him in that moment that he hadn’t looked away. His desire for Saul had kept him there.

The knock on the door was akin to a pounding and Saul reluctantly tore his eyes away from the only thing that was important to him right then.

“Hold on. I’m coming.”

That could’ve been literal. Who the devil is interrupting us?

As he passed Kenneth to find out who was intruding on their privacy, a whimper came from him. Saul touched his shoulder and Kenneth clutched at his pant leg.

“What if it’s him? What if he’s come to take me away?” His voice quavered, his tone one of complete panic.

“Look at me.”

Saul knew he’d have to keep his words sharp for a while until Kenneth’s focus was purely on him and not split by his fear of Preston. Kenneth did as he was told.

“Do you trust me?”

He nodded, his eyes wide. “Yes, Sir.”

“I’ll handle this, whatever it is. You’re mine now, right?”

Once again, the tension seemed to drain from Kenneth’s body. His expression softened and Saul knew he had his boy back with him.

“Yours, Sir.”

“That’s my boy. Stay in position.”

Saul pursed his lips at the insistent knocking.

“Hurry, Saul. We have an urgent problem!”

He picked up his pace at the sound of Aaron’s voice. After flinging the door open, Aaron rushed past him. He paused briefly at the sight of a naked Kenneth kneeling on the carpet, but quickly regained his composure.

“Preston’s having a fit. He got upset at the nominee mixer over something someone said, then stormed out to gather Kenneth and leave. Of course”—Aaron gestured to a trembling Kenneth—“he wasn’t in the submissives’ den. Now he’s raging about demanding to know where his property is and so on.”