Chapter 1

Hell –  there was no other word to describe it. Jake was one song away from throwing himself through a window. There was no variety to the playlist in Stationary Corner, and Christmas music played over and over.

As soon as Halloween ended, the festive period was flung in Jake’s face. The same tattered tinsel as the year before. The same thin Christmas tree that resembled a horror prop and the stale and damp smell that accompanied it. He had literally pulled the short straw and had to climb into the ceiling space to get it. He'd sneezed more in the following twenty-four hours after reclaiming the tree, than his entire twenty-two years of existence, and for three days after, dust itched his throat.

“You do know it’s Christmas, right?”

The third time Jake had heard those words that day. The first time he'd forced a laugh, the second time he'd shot a fleeting smile, but the third time, he stabbed at the till extra hard, flaring his nostrils.

“Is it?” he snapped. “Never would’ve guessed from the tree, tinsel and baubles, the fake snow sprayed on the window and the elf costume I’m being forced to wear.”

It was a hideous outfit. He'd gotten there late that morning and had been left the elf. Stupid green t-shirt, and hat with a jingly bell. Rachel had further humiliated him by drawing two red circles on his cheeks with a marker pen.

The woman recoiled from the counter, shaking her head in disgust. “No need to be rude.”

“No need to state the obvious, but you did,” he said back with sassy head movements that jingled his bell.

“Jake!”

The bellow had his head sagging forward and he muttered a ‘shit’ under his breath. He turned towards Sam, vision blurring as he focused on the wagging finger in his face.

“The elf’s had a hard day in Santa’s workshop,” Sam said to the woman before tugging Jake away from the cash machine. “Go re-stock the shelves.”

He nodded at his boss, amazed he could still greet the customers with smiles and god-awful Christmas puns.

Sam was halfway to Santa Clause with the white hair on his head and his rosy red cheeks. A Santa Clause that age had caught up with, creases in his skin and a jitteriness in his limbs.

Jake dragged his feet down the aisles and huffed at the tacky Christmas gifts.

Each year his only Christmas cards were from his colleagues, and each year he didn’t return any. There was nothing joyous about Christmas, and their good wishes felt like mocking. They had families to spend time with, partners, friends, and parents. Jake had an all-in-one Christmas dinner to prise from a tin and warm in a microwave.

Every Christmas Sam invited him for dinner and Jake always declined. There was nothing more humiliating than spending Christmas with his boss, surrounded by people that were no relation to him. He made an excuse, said he was spending the day with friends, but Sam always saw straight through his lies and gave him a comforting pat.

Christmas was always a shit time of year for Jake, except that year it would be different. He was spending the day with Maddox, not that he celebrated the festive season.

There was no tree set up in his house, no baubles or tinsel, just the same moody themed interior. Jake had suggested getting some brighter art work for the walls. Maddox had glared until Jake surrendered and praised the colour scheme of his house.

Jake actually had someone to spend the day with, and that left him with other anxieties. He didn’t quite know how to define their relationship, but he didn’t feel right not getting Maddox a gift.

But what could he possibly buy the man who had everything? Jake spied in the bags of the customers for ideas. The men favoured teddy-bears with hearts, and he shuddered at the soppiness. He and Maddox were definitely not lovey-dovey like that. Jake sought inspiration from the women shoppers, but the majority of them walked in with lingerie branded bags. They opted for sex over romance, and although Jake knew Maddox would be satisfied with that present, he didn’t want to cross that line. Once he dressed in lacy underwear, Maddox would expect him to wear it all the time.

He sighed while replenishing the rows of diaries. He didn’t know why the diary was a popular present, imagined half of them were abandoned after January. Everyone started the new year with the best intentions, but few lasted past February still optimistic about life.

“Excuse me…”

Jake stilled, then moved his attention to the man beside him. “How can I help?”

The man gestured to the diary in his hand. The smell of leather rolled from it, and gold trim covered the edges of each page. “Is this the most expensive diary you sell?”

Jake studied the man in front of him. Suited, styled, and a badge with the words manager and the bank he worked at. A flashy watch circled his wrist, shimmering jewellery fastened the cuffs of his shirt and a huge gold ring was on display as he held the diary. Jake had no luck getting inspiration from his customers, but he could always rely on himself. He could steal an expensive gift for Maddox and get a shot of adrenaline to go with it.

Jake hummed himself back to attention. “Yes, that’s our luxury range.”

The man opened the book, flicking through the pages with a frown. Jake watched, eyes jumping from each gleaming possession. What to steal? The ring, although shiny and expensive looking, had initials engraved, and they weren’t MH, not to mention there was no guarantee it would fit, no.

The watch, Maddox already favoured one, one which Jake slipped from his wrist on more than one occasion to get a growling reaction.

That left the cufflinks, but Maddox had buttons on the end of his sleeves and Jake doubted he would appreciate the superman insignia.

The man slapped his hand on the diary and Jake jolted to attention. “Do you have anything that can be personalised?”

Jake shrugged. “You could write a name inside, what’s more personal than that?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Then no, all of them have diary written on the front, all of them display the days for next year…”

The man huffed and turned his back. Jake’s opportunity slipped from his grasp. The man shoved the inadequate diary on the shelf and walked away. Not the ring, watch, or cufflinks, but a man like that would have money, a fat wallet overflowing with cash. Jake’s feet started to move, and he shadowed the man to the door of the shop. Back pocket, the wallet bulged in the man’s black trousers. Easy to pick-pocket from that position, to tap the man’s shoulder and suggest another product, walk him back into the shop with an arm around his back, fake a trip or a bump from another customer and the wallet was Jake’s.

A hand closed on his shoulder, and he was yanked back with his outstretched arm flailing.

“Don’t even think about it.” The voice sniggered.

Jake shrugged the hand away, spinning around to glare at Carl. “What you do that for?”

Carl rolled his eyes. “You know why, I saw you eyeing him up, and for your sake I hope it was the wallet that interested you not the man himself, or the boss will whip your arse.”

There was another difference that Christmas, Stationary Corner had a new employee. Much to Jake’s annoyance, Maddox was paying Carl to babysit him. It could’ve been worse. Tom and Amber flashed in his mind, making him shudder. But still, Carl watching his every move irritated the hell out of him.

“You wanna get locked up today of all days? It’s Christmas Eve.”

Jake pushed past. “Wouldn’t have got caught.”

He stomped into the staff room, hoping Carl would get the hint and leave him be, but he didn’t, or he did and didn’t care. Carl called back to Sam they were taking their break and followed through the swinging door.

“Where’s your Christmas cheer?”

Jake threw himself into a chair and yanked the elf hat off his head. “I’m all out of Christmas cheer, thank god it ends tomorrow.”

Carl pursed his lips and sat down in the opposite chair. “You gunna tell me what’s up?”

“Nothing.” Jake snapped, turning to stare at the wall rather than Carl’s amused face.

“You can’t need the money, Maddox wouldn’t let you go without if you wanted something.”

There was no one else in the room, otherwise Carl would not have mentioned Maddox. It was odd hearing the name from Carl's lips. He only ever said ‘boss’ in Maddox’s presence.

“It’s not about money.” Jake hissed at the wall.

It was true, he only had to ask and Maddox would give him some, but that wasn’t the point. He couldn’t get a gift using Maddox’s money, it was on him.

“So…it’s the excitement of getting caught?” Carl said, tapping his chin.

Jake shook his head. Maddox fulfilled his adrenaline addiction with a different kind of excitement. Stealing the wallet would’ve given him a small dose, but incomparable to Maddox.

“What is it then?”

Jake snorted, and turned his attention back to Carl. He hadn’t been forced into an elf costume like him, but a reindeer’s face was printed on his t shirt and antlers poked out of his dark hair. He had dyed his naturally blond strands, but when Jake had asked why, Carl only shrugged in reply.

“It’s Christmas tomorrow-”

“No shit.” Carl said before holding his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, keep going…”

“It’s traditional to get a gift for someone right? Like a present…”

Carl widened his eyes, his lips parted and a laugh burst out of his reddening face.

Jake throttled the elf hat in his hand and threw it in the shaking man’s direction. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything…”

Carl waved his hands, slowing his laugh to a stop, “Sorry, I’m sorry… He doesn’t give a shit about Christmas; do you even know Maddox?”

Do you even know Maddox?

Jake’s scrunched expression relaxed at those words, and a coldness expanded in his chest. No, that was the answer. Maddox kept himself to himself. Each time Jake asked about him, needing something, he received a warning glare and stuttered to change the subject.

“I don’t know him, do I…” Jake whispered.

“Hey…” Carl’s voice softened, and he no longer grinned at Jake’s expense. “I don’t know what’s going on between you and the boss, none of us do, but he’s got me working here to keep an eye on you, he has cameras set up along your route home and in your flat. He wants to keep you safe, and he won’t care about a gift on Christmas day, you're enough of one for him.”

“I just…I don’t know anything about him.” Jake muttered to his fidgeting hands.

Carl scrunched his nose. “That’s not quite true, is it…”

He stared at Carl, beckoning with his hand for him to elaborate. Carl sighed, shuffling to the edge of his chair and Jake did the same, leaning in.

“He killed a guy to save you.”

Jake threw himself back into the seat with a huff. He knew Maddox had finished Richie, but that was the only information they'd told him. They'd arrived, and Maddox had sorted his rival out once and for all. When Jake had asked how the wrinkled old man died, Maddox had told him it was none of his concern.

Carl didn’t sink back into his seat, he stayed forward and a frown cut through his brow.

“What?” Jake snapped.

Carl ignored his bratty tone and continued to speak softly, quietly even though no one else was in the room.

“You were being strangled when we got there, Maddox ran from his car…. he smashed Richie’s head into the concrete and his skull exploded like a watermelon.”

Jake’s mouth opened but no words followed. He knew he had been strangled, remembered that pain and the compression suddenly vanishing, but he didn’t see what Maddox had done to Richie. Couldn’t imagine a skull breaking and splitting.

Carl smacked his lips with a grimace, as if remembering the taste of something unpleasant. “It wasn’t a pretty sight Jake, and afterwards Lewis and I tracked down all Richie’s men that had seen your face, and Maddox ensured their silence too.”

Jake’s throat closed in and he swallowed to relieve the ache. Maddox had killed for him, with his bare hands.

The door swung open and Rachel rushed into the room. Carl leaned back, serious expression gone and replaced by his open one. In Rachel's hands was a tray of mince pies. Carl perked up, shooting from his seat.

“What you got there?” he asked with his nostrils expanding.

Rachel swung towards him, and her cheeks burst with red pigment. Dressed as an angel, the tinsel halo sparkling on her head complimented her silver eyeshadow.

“They-they're from the bakery across the street, I got one for all of us.”

Carl hummed, a sound of pure ecstasy as his eyes roamed the treats. Rachel placed them on the table, still pulsing red, and swept her hair behind her ears.

“You like them?” she asked Carl.

He nodded. “Yeah, that’s what Christmas is about, the food.”

Jake shook his head. “I think Jesus has something to do with it…”

“Yeah,” Carl said in a bored tone, “Christmas…it’s about the big feast he had with all his men.”

“Nooo,” Jake said, narrowing his eyes, “that’s not it.”

Carl turned towards the still blushing Rachel. “Isn’t that right? It’s about a big feast…”

She nodded at Carl's coaxing. “Yeah, Jesus had a big feast.”

“Thank you.” Carl said, picking out the biggest mince pie, “see Rachel knows what Christmas is about…”

She smiled, all giddy, with sparkling eyes before Sam’s voice boomed her name beyond the door.

“Oh,” she said, rushing out of the staff room.

Carl sat back down, biting into the mince pie, still smiling.

“You know what the story of Christmas is right?”

Carl lifted his eyebrow and swallowed his mouthful. “Course I do.”

Jake narrowed his eyes and Carl grinned in reply, then sank his teeth back in the pie.

The rest of the shift droned on, and Jake hated the excitement in all his colleagues, all smiling even though they had said ‘have a good Christmas’ about a hundred times that day. Sam kept him on stock; the elf was far too moody to serve customers.

Carl was on the till at the counter, grinning and polite. He flicked his head towards Jake and the woman he served looked over.

“Look,” Carl called for Jake to hear, “It’s an elf stacking a shelf…”

The woman laughed, the other customers in the queue joined in, but Jake glared, and his eye twitched with anger.

“Look,” he said pointed towards them, “it’s a reindeer serving an…an old dear.”

The queue rocked back on their heels, the woman scowled, and Carl pressed his lips together holding a laugh.

“Jesus Jake,” Carl breathed a few seconds after the awkwardness had passed. “This present problem is really getting to you, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s just Christmas, I hate it…”

Carl rolled his eyes and laughed.

Chapter 2

The worst shift of the year had ended and Jake sighed in pure relief. He breezed into the staff room and threw the elf hat in the bin. The others squawked at his anti-Christmas protest but he didn’t care, would’ve stripped off the elf t-shirt too if it hadn’t been so cold. He zipped up his jacket, mumbled a happy Christmas that dripped with loathing, then strolled to the front of the shop.

The street bustled with the late shoppers, and like the thieving predator he was, his eyes tracked their movements. Christmas Eve, a pick-pockets paradise, but there was nothing that screamed out Maddox to him. He lingered outside shops, wondering what Maddox would appreciate, but no inspiration came.

“Shit,” he muttered, leaning forward and pressing his forehead to a window.

“How about a nice big hamper?”

Jake breathed deep through his nose and turned to face the man who’d been shadowing him. Carl wasn’t watching him; his gaze was stuck to the food delicacy shop. His lips smacked together, and his throat bobbed with phantom swallows.

“Is there not somewhere you're supposed to be?” Jake asked.

Carl shrugged. “Sure, but the boss pays me to keep an eye on you. Right now, you're looking shifty as fuck. I’m just doing my job…”

“By stalking me.”

“Yup,” Carl said with a smile, “that’s about the gist of it…”

“So you’re gunna follow me around here?”

Carl bobbed his head. “Yeah, until you give up on this present idea and go see the boss.”

“So if I walk up there, you’ll walk up there,” he said, pointing up the street.

Carl looked in the direction his finger pointed and nodded. “That’s kind’ve how following someone works.”

“And if I run down there, you’ll run down there too.”

Jake’s eyebrows jumped and Carl’s mocking attitude was swept off his face. “Don’t run-”

“Following, kinda like chasing isn’t it…and I love being chased.”

“Jake!” Carl snapped in warning, but it was too late.

Jake’s heart quickened, his skin prickled and the addictive buzz took over. He ran, light on his toes as he skipped around, dodged in and out of people with Carl stomping after him with no grace. His name was growled, before growls gave way to desperate pants.

Losing Carl was embarrassingly easy, and Jake slowed his run and slipped down a side alley. The short burst of adrenaline was followed by a sagging drop of hollowness.

He was no closer to figuring out what to get Maddox, and he hung his head as he thought bitterly about how little he knew about the man he was to spend Christmas with.

Except, he did know some things…Maddox drank whiskey, chucked the amber liquid back like a pro. He smoked fat cigars and blew the grey smoke towards the ceiling after sex, and above all else, Maddox loved classical music. It flowed through the house, sometimes calm and soft, other times blaring and dramatic.

Jake lifted his head and stopped his defeated march. He knew the place to go, knew where he could find something Maddox would value.

He twirled on his toes and rushed back up the street, pushing against the tide of shoppers. Milly’s Music the shop was called, and Jake burst through the door just as a woman spun the sign to closed.

“Sorry,” the woman said, “but we’re closing now.”

Jake pressed his hands together in prayer. “Please, it's Christmas…”

He hated using that word to guilt trip, especially when he wasn’t planning on buying from her but subtly stealing a gift.

A bright smile stretched her lips and lifted her eyes. “It is Christmas,” she said, welcoming him inside.

Didn’t Jake bloody know it…. He bounded forward before stumbling to a stop. He was in a music shop, but had no idea what he was looking for. A whole corner was dedicated to guitars, another to violins. There were instruments he didn’t even recognise, one being a metal pole erect in the air looking more like an alien probe.

“Have-have…you got anything original from someone famous…”

The vaguest question in the world, Jake shook his head at his stupidity.

The woman quirked her eyebrow. “Erm no…records, instruments, computer software…what are you after?”

Jake sighed, then he bulged his eyes at the price of a plastic harmonica. “I- nothing, it’s okay…I don’t really know what I’m after.”

“Last minute Christmas gift?”

“Yeah, something like that,” he said scratching at his head.

He turned to leave but paused with his hand on the door. A piano sat at the other corner of the shop. Not as impressive in size as Maddox’s, nor gleaming with polish, but it caught his attention.

“Your friend likes the piano?”

Jake hummed himself back to awareness. “Hmm, yeah…”

A flurry of movement rushed out from the back of the shop. The same dark curly hair as the woman beside him, the same brown eyes. She crashed into the woman’s leg and the shop keeper tipped towards Jake like a domino.

“I’m just helping a customer.” The woman said, straightening up.

“What does he want?”

Jake flexed his face, it was awkward being discussed while he stood there, the girl may’ve been six, pushing it seven, but it still made Jake feel uncomfortable.

“That’s not very polite, Holly, he’s a customer.”

Holly, even the little girl’s name threw Christmas in Jake’s face. He eased the door open, ready to excuse himself.

“I’m just gunna-”

“The piano,” the woman said,” he wants to have a look at the piano.”

Before he could stutter out a denial he was being manhandled down the shop by a six-year-old.

He turned back towards Holly's mum. “I don’t wanna keep you, it’s Christmas Eve and all that.”

She shook her head. “We’re here for the next hour anyway.”

Holly yanked hard on his hand and he flailed, collapsing on the stool in front of the piano. It was just wide enough for both of them to sit.

“Now you wanna buy it or what?”

“Erm…no.” Jake said, trying to remove his arm from her vice grip. “I don’t have enough to buy it…my friend, he would appreciate it, that’s all. It’s a very nice-looking thing—

“So you want to get it for your friend?”

Jake scratched the back of his head, flicking his eyes towards the girl’s mum in a ‘come help me’ gesture. She didn’t. She sniggered, staring at her daughter in an adoring proud parent way.

Jake turned back towards the smiling girl. “My friend already has a piano. I was just thinking-”

“Does your friend play?”

Jake bit his tongue at the change of subject before ‘umming and ‘ahhing’ at the question. He had never seen Maddox sit down and play, the grand piano was the centre piece to the room, but its sound had never filled the house.

“I don’t think-”

His words were drowned out by her bashing hard on the keys. He blinked rapidly at the sound, ears ringing with the suddenness. Many times, he had felt like doing that on the grand piano, but Maddox didn’t like him walking too close to it, let alone opening the lid and touching the keys.

“I play, I take lessons.” Holly chirped.

“Think you need a new teacher.” Jake muttered through a fake smile.

He could’ve shouted the words and they wouldn’t have been heard above the piano taking a beating from the six-year-old. Then her fingers softened, her brow scrunched in concentration and she played a recognisable tune.  Jake watched in awe at her small fingers dancing, tiptoeing onto the next note with unwavering ease.

“Amazing,” he said, and she heard and smiled.

“Why not play your friend some music?”

Jake snorted, pressing one finger on the nearest key. “I’m not gifted at music like you.”

“It’s easy,” she said, “what does he like?”

“Beethoven, he loves Beethoven.”

She pursed her lips and spread her hands across the piano. One hand played hard, and one hand played soft. Jake immediately recognised the dramatic beginning. Beethoven number 5, one of Maddox’s favourites to have sex to, Jake’s face flashed red instantly and he averted his gaze.

“What?”

“Nothing,” he said, rubbing at his cheeks. “Think that’s far too advanced for me.”

Holly bobbed her head, stared at the ceiling before fidgeting on the chair. “Oh, I’ve got it, I’ve got it.”

She shuffled on the seat before placing her hands back on the keys. The piece was slower, one note at a time and recognisable to Jake even though he had no clue why.

“That Beethoven again?” he asked.

Holly’s mother slapped her hand over her mouth to catch a laugh, and Holly stopped prodding out the song.

“Twinkle twinkle little star,” she said

“Oh.”

“Play Fur Elise…” Holly’s mother said, taking a step closer.

The little girl cracked her knuckles before glancing up at her mum. “Easy…”

It was another tune Jake instantly recognised. Not some kids' lullaby, not Maddox’s performing song, but post-orgasm bliss. It brought up memories of him pressed to Maddox’s body, sweaty and exhausted. Heart slowing, and breathing normalising, but the rush and comfort remaining.

“I like that one.” Jake whispered, his words sounded so far away to his own ears he was surprised Holly heard.

“I’ll teach you.” she said, reaching for his wrist.

“More likely to see a pig fly into the room than me play the piano.”

“Try…just, copy me…”

Jake opened his mouth, ready to excuse himself and wish them a happy Christmas, but the determination on Holly’s face kept him still. It was late, the shops all around him were closing. He was all out of options, and this was the last one provided to him by a six-year-old girl.

He looked over to Holly's mum and raised an eyebrow.

“Honestly, I’ve got a few bits to sort out, you’re doing me a favour by staying…”

Jake nodded, then turned his attention back to Holly. “Christmas, it’s all about miracles right, let’s be one of them…”

He stayed for an hour learning the piece of music, not the whole thing, but the most recognisable notes of the beginning. The good memories the track conjured disintegrated under pure frustration and if it hadn’t been for Holly and her mum’s generosity, Jake would’ve been swearing his head off. His fingers were quick and nimble when stealing a wallet or a phone, but on rows of black and white rectangles they tripped over each other. What was effortless for Holly, had him frowning and rasping with defeat.

Holly dropped her head to the keys. “This is hopeless.”

Jake was glad she had said it and not he. Even Holly’s mother shot him sympathetic smiles across the room. He snorted, and Holly joined him laughing.

“I can’t get any worse, that’s at least one thing…”

She turned her head towards him, still pressing on the keys. “I thought you’d get better…”

“Old dog, new tricks…”

Holly stared at him blankly and he waved the attention away.

“Maybe…maybe next year get your friend something good.”

The smile faded from Jake's lips. The notion of next Christmas filled him with cold dread. He didn’t know how long him and Maddox would last. Didn’t know whether the other man’s idea of ‘keeping him’ had a sell by date. He sagged on the stool with the fear of being cast out consuming him.

“Try…one more time.”

Her voice pulled him from the lapse into depression. He placed his fingers in the correct positions, and played the damned tune. One finger may’ve slipped, and he started in the wrong key, but he did it. The noise the piano made was recognisable, far from perfect but recognisable. Holly’s mum cheered, and Holly clapped her hands together. Jake stood and took a bow.

He left the music shop after that one small victory, not wanting to jinx it. When he said 'have a good Christmas' to Holly and her mother, he meant it and the smile that ached his face as he walked away was genuine.

Chapter 3

Jake breathed warmth into his cupped hands as he strolled Maddox’s street. The hood of his jacket was up, dipping low on his head and concealing his identity. The windows of the tall houses glowed amber through the curtains; a few of the properties had strings of Christmas lights and wreaths of holly, there was none of that where Jake lived. No one would be that stupid to hang something on their doors. There were plenty of tied shoes hanging on telephone wires, but no Christmas decorations.

He stopped and shot a look up and down the street. There were rules to visiting Maddox. One being if there was anyone else, or a car making its way up the quiet road, keep on walking. Only when the street was deserted could Jake prod in the code and slip inside.

Richie was gone, his men dealt with, but Maddox continued to be wary months on. Jake was a secret only a few of his trusted knew about, and he intended to keep it that way.

The street was empty and Jake jumped the few steps to get to the door. He jabbed in the code and the door clicked. He pushed through, immediately welcomed by the rich smell of Maddox. Tobacco and aftershave. Jake breathed the scent in and a slight smile lifted his lips.

He was yet to know what Maddox he would be faced with, the moody one sat in his office, the predator lurking in the shadows, or the relaxed man lounging on the sofa with the soundtrack of violins and pianos around him.

Jake paused, listening for music but there was none. He slipped his shoes off and unzipped his jacket before tidying them away. Maddox did not tolerate mess, and Jake studied the floor to be certain he hadn’t trod dirt in the house.

The lights were on, the huge house was comfortably warm. Jake moved as lightly as he could towards the living room. He tapped at the door, swallowing nervously in the silence that followed.

“Come in.” Maddox replied, a voice full of authority but lacking all emotion.

Jake’s heart jumped, but he shook the reaction away and walked into the living room.

Maddox wasn’t the first thing he noticed, but a huge Christmas tree competing for attention with the grand piano. Baubles glittered and shone, tinsel shimmered and the fairy lights twinkled. There was no theme, more a mash of colours and decorations. The smell of pine had merged with the tobacco and Jake sniffed greedily, exhaling and turning towards Maddox.

Jake’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of him. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, the sleeves were rolled up and bottom untucked. His dark hair was swept back on his head and his facial hair was styled, coming down from his sideburns. The man had a dangerous look to him, and Jake’s heart immediately responded, pumping harder. Maddox looked positively feral staring at the tree.

“I will tolerate that for one day,” he growled, and Jake couldn’t stop the shiver that wrapped around his spine.

“It-it looks real good,” he said, not knowing if he was talking about the tree or the man staring daggers at it.

“It’s awful, unordered…” Maddox said, flicking open his lighter.

Jake’s lips twitched, wanting to smile but from the annoyance steaming off Maddox, he knew he shouldn’t. Maddox’s green eyes, for once, weren’t dissecting Jake but trying to ignite the tree with their anger alone. The muteness to the room broke with each flip of the zippo. Maddox’s tattooed hand manipulated the lighter with hypnotising skill. Jake didn’t want to be jealous of a Christmas tree, but as time went on he began to hate it as much as Maddox.

“Anyway…” Maddox muttered shifting his gaze on to Jake.

The anger didn’t lift from Maddox’s features. His nostrils expanded, and he snapped the lighter again and crushed it in his grip.

“What the hell are you wearing?”

Jake froze, staring back at the intense eyes on him. “What?”

Maddox huffed and strolled the room, closing the gap between them. With no conscious thought Jake retreated until his back was to the wall and the beast of a man had him trapped.

“What’s this?” Maddox said, gripping the top of Jake’s t-shirt and giving it a tug.

Jake glanced down, mouth popping open when he remembered he was dressed as an elf. Maddox continued to fist at his t-shirt, ducking his head till their lips were mere millimetres away. Jake shivered, gaze dropping to the mouth that could so easily devour him.

“I’m taking it off.” Maddox said slowly.

An embarrassing squeak escaped Jake's throat, and he obediently lifted his arms for Maddox to remove his clothing. The elf t-shirt was thrown across the room with a growl and Maddox was back on him, trailing his eyes all over Jake’s body. He didn’t cage Jake, didn’t put a palm to the wall either side of his head or pin him with his hips, but still Jake couldn’t move, could only wait with his flesh prickling with anticipation.

Maddox’s eyes stayed on his face, not dropping to his lips like they normally did, but darting between his cheeks.

Maddox poked him. “And these?”

Jake remembered Rachel had drawn red circles on his cheeks that morning. She thought they’d make him appear happier, more elf-like. All it did was make him hate Christmas that little bit more.

“It’s marker pen,” he whispered.

Maddox grimaced, rubbing a thumb over the mark. “I don’t like it…the red clashes with your eyes.”

He moved both hands to Jake's face, cupping his cheeks and resting each thumb over the offending red marks. Immediately his intimidating stance softened, his gaze was almost gentle and the corner of his mouth lifted.

“Better.” He grumbled before leaning in and pressing their lips together. The instant they touched, Jake closed his eyes, lost to the man holding him.

There was no tentativeness to Maddox’s kiss, no gentle guiding with his mouth or soft touching lips. He dived straight in and dominated with firm strokes of his tongue, and Jake’s legs weakened at the onslaught. He needed to breathe, gulp in some air but Maddox didn’t allow it. The rich taste, the silky smoothness and the heat and skill, stole his mind, convinced his body it didn’t need to breathe, it needed this and only this. Jake hooked his arms around Maddox’s muscular neck and held on for the ride.

He tilted up on his tiptoes with a despairing whine when Maddox leaned back to separate them.

Jake blinked, head swimming with dizziness as he drew air into his lungs. Maddox could kill him with kisses like that, could drown him in want and a desperation that stopped his heart. Every sense heightened around Maddox, targeted him, and only he could satisfy Jake.

“Come on, lets wash that ink off your skin…”

Maddox took a step back and turned. Jake was sure Maddox knew he would follow. He did, as if magnetized, as if being left by Maddox after a kiss like that would destroy him.

The spray of the shower was hot, Jake could tell from the steam and his reddening feet, but he couldn’t feel it. All he could feel were the hands roaming his body, huge hands that his flesh responded to. Maddox ducked down, mouth finding Jake’s neck and encouraging him to lean back and display the vulnerable flesh. The marks Richie had left were long gone, but Maddox was obsessed with his throat. He kissed, licked and scored his teeth against the flesh with a rumble of approval. Jake could only gasp and hope for more, offer himself with a hanging open mouth and eagerly leaning body. Fingers scored his scalp, parting his wet hair with ease. The water ran down their faces, making their kisses hotter and wetter.

Jake was hard, painfully so, and when Maddox finally gripped him, he jolted, throwing his head back to the tiles. He couldn’t look down and see Maddox stroking him, knew it would be his undoing, but it was part of the fun for Maddox. He wanted Jake to not only feel he was owned, but see it too. He wanted Jake to lock his eyes on his needy cock when it all got too much and watch as Maddox pushed him over the edge.

“Look,” he grumbled in Jake’s ear. “Look down at yourself.”

Jake whined, lifting his head higher. He didn’t want to give in so quick, not when Maddox felt so good.

“Come on Jake,” Maddox purred, “look down, see my hand on you…”

He panted to the spraying shower head, clawing at the mortar behind him to keep himself up. Maddox’s head knocked into his, applying pressure till his head rolled and he faced down. His reddened cock made him whimper. It was one thing feeling desperate for relief, but seeing the evidence of it, his skin stretched tight over his engorged cock and the hand driving him wild with want, made him pant in the steam.

Maddox was playing with him, no rhythm to his strokes, just touching and twisting. His smug laugh annoyed Jake but not enough to deny it felt good. They both stood with their heads tilted down, faces pressed together as they watched Maddox tease with his hands. One hand ran the length of Jake, touch feather-light and frustrating, and with the other hand, Maddox cupped his balls, lifting them up and down, no firmness to the touch, and it drove Jake crazy.

Maddox’s own cock was just as angry red, just as filled with blood which took a slither of Jake’s embarrassment away. He gasped, lifting on his tiptoes when the barely-there sensation got too much. The hand teasing his length stopped, but the tickling on his balls continued. He didn’t want to come from having his balls tapped, knew Maddox’s gloating face would irritate the hell out of him for the next few days if he did. He shifted away from the fondling fingers and groaned, rolling his head against the side of Maddox’s neck like an attention seeking cat.

“Not like that,” he begged.

Maddox clacked his tongue, moving his hand back to grope at Jake’s balls. “You don’t have a choice in the matter…”

“Please...”

Maddox sighed, taking up not just Jake's cock but his own too. He stroked them together, building rhythm. Jake’s cock rubbed on top, sensitive underside catching on the drag of Maddox’s skin. He flung his head back, no longer able to watch as well as feel.

“Look Jake…”

He sobbed, squeezing his eyes shut and rubbing the back of his skull on the slippery tiles. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

The gravelly voice made him shiver, made the ache between his legs increase. The hand manipulating him slowed and he glanced down with a whine. Maddox’s cock was huge, veiny and purpled at the tip. He needed release just as much as Jake but could control it, didn’t turn into a panting, pleading mess.

“’m gunna come.”

Maddox shook his head. “Only when I allow it, wrap your arms around my neck.”

Jake did so with no conscious thought, clutching Maddox with a sob.

The hand started fisting them again, slow tugs forward and back and it was too much for Jake, he pulled his eyes up, staring through the spray of the shower.

“You’ve stopped watching again…” Maddox mumbled.

“If I watch I won’t last,” he gasped, earning him a dark chuckle from Maddox.

“You think staring up, letting the water sting in your eyes will help you last. Your body belongs to me when you’re like this. You have no control, you’ve surrendered it, and I’ve taken it. You’ll come when I allow it.”

Jake rolled his head, denying Maddox’s words. He still had fight in him, could still hold himself back and not turn into a sobbing mess. He growled with determination and curled his toes, dug his nails into his arm wrapped around Maddox’s neck and sunk his teeth into his bottom lip.

“Pain?” Maddox asked, still stroking their cocks at a leisurely pace, “you think pain is your ally?”

Jake ignored the taunting and bit harder at his lip, stabbed his nails until he was sure there would be marks and kept straining his toes until they started to cramp. Maddox chuckled, quickening the pace between their legs.

Even with the pain he forced on himself, Jake couldn’t stop feeling the finer details of Maddox stroking him. His movements were firm, and the cock beneath expelled its heat into Jake's, merged them together till he could feel each shift and jolt of Maddox’s cock as well as his own. His cock rushed with pleasurable tingles, and he scrunched his face tight trying to stop the traitorous tears escaping. A mixture of stinging water and sheer desperation had him sobbing.

Then Maddox ducked forward, mouthing Jake’s throat, kissing his way up to his chin and nipping the flesh. Jake shivered, and kept his teeth pressing down painfully, but as soon as Maddox licked at his mouth, he relaxed the pressure. He wanted to keep biting hard, use pain as the barrier between him and Maddox, but the other man stole his bitten lip easily and sucked at the stinging flesh before claiming his mouth.

Jake stopped crunching his toes, and stopped his aching fingers mauling his arm. He closed his eyes, unable to compete with Maddox.

The water stopped abruptly, and Maddox husky voice breathed in his ear, “You can come now.”

He moaned, and the sound bounced off the walls of the cubicle. His cock pulsed messily, Maddox still holding both of them together as Jake unloaded. The tingles, the rush and the pleasure, he couldn’t achieve them without Maddox, the only one who could own him so completely. Maddox released Jake and devoured his slackened mouth. The sound of Maddox fisting himself had Jake groaning along, and he dropped his head to watch through the haze of lust as Maddox spilled down his leg.

“Very good,” Maddox breathed, and a burst of happy tingles flooded Jake’s head.

He sagged against the tiles, just about staying upright as he panted himself back to awareness. Maddox’s hand roamed around his lower back, and Jake tilted his hips forward and spread his legs slightly for him to reach his goal.

“See how obedient I’ve got you Jake…”

The words dripped with self-confidence and Jake responded by clenching his arse cheeks, and denying Maddox that area of surrender.

“I do love it when you play hard to get,” Maddox said with a smug grin, “but I’m saving that for tomorrow. Wash, eat and bed.”

Jake nodded along, still with his arms hooked around Maddox’s neck.

The shower blasted back on, and Maddox washed them both down, paying extra attention to Jake’s red cheeks. Maddox’s thumbs pawed at the circles, making the flesh raw, but Jake preferred being marked by Maddox over anyone else, not that he’d ever admit it.

Chapter 4

Jake awoke slowly. He stretched his hand out hoping to touch the wall of Maddox’s flesh, but he had gone. It wasn’t unexpected; Maddox always disappeared in the early hours and Jake always slept longer in the luxury bed.

He sighed, flopping back into the Maddox-scented pillow. The soft mattress and the warmed duvet cocooning him were difficult to escape from. He felt sleep tugging at his eyelids, knew his muscles were relaxing, ready for another bout of unconsciousness, but he caught himself at the last moment. It was Christmas day, and he wanted to spend some of it outside the bedroom.

Jake huffed and got to his feet with the duvet still on his shoulders. There was a chill to the air and he hugged the barrier around himself tighter, plodding out of the bedroom. Coffee wafted up the stairs, and he followed the scent to the kitchen.

Maddox was sat by the window, staring out the pane seemingly oblivious to Jake's presence. His Christmas day outfit consisted of black trousers, and a white pressed shirt, just like any other day.

Jake moved towards him, and the duvet rustled noisily on the floor.

“That belongs on the bed.” Maddox mumbled to the window.

“I’ll put it back in a bit.”

Maddox turned, lifting an eyebrow. There was no amusement to his face; he glared sternly until Jake’s skin itched. Part of him wanted to launch up the stairs, but the more prominent part demanded he stand his ground.

He turned, releasing himself of Maddox’s glare and moved towards the cupboards.

Jake prepared his breakfast, humming nervously under his breath. The scorch of eyes followed his every move, and his brain skipped over basic tasks. The milk ended up in the cupboard and the cereal in the fridge, but he didn’t correct the errors, wouldn’t admit he made one even though it was obvious.

“Jake.”

He shivered at Maddox’s warning, the growl of his name from the beast of a man.

“Yup,” he said before scrunching his face at the high tone of his voice.

He was trying to act calm and collected, but by the spoon wobbling in his grip and his girlish squeak, he failed.

A chair scraped noisily on the floor, the slow tap of Maddox’s feet intimidated even without the leather slap of shoes. He stalked forwards and Jake froze. The skin at the back of his neck prickled, and he kept a spoonful of cereal in his mouth, unable to swallow with Maddox hovering behind.

Maddox reached forward, curling over him, and grabbed both of Jake’s wrists. He squeezed, and Jake dropped the spoon on the counter. His body was manoeuvred, spun around by his wrists until his breath caught at the sight of the stone-faced man. Maddox leaned down, stopping millimetres from Jake's face. His warm breath tickled Jake’s skin, he relaxed his lips, ready for the lunge, the dominant claiming of his mouth but it didn’t come.

Maddox straightened and released him. “Happy Christmas…”

The weight registered on Jake's arm first, then he glanced down to the stylish watch encasing his wrist. He clutched, eyes widening in wonder. Maddox waited, not pressing for a reaction but being patient while Jake recovered from the surprise.

Jake went to speak but the soggy cereal caught at the back of his throat and he coughed and spluttered, bowing forward.

“Not the reaction I was hoping for.” Maddox mumbled.

Jake straightened, mouth popping open at the expensive gift Maddox had slipped on. It sparkled, the face was clear of scratches and blemishes. It fit him snugly, not pitching at his skin or catching on the hairs; it encased his arm like a second skin.

“Maddox…I…”

He ran his fingers over the watch face, shaking his head minutely, not knowing what to say. It was rare he was rendered speechless outside of sex, but he had been floored by the gift.

Maddox reached, wrapping his fingers around Jake’s arm and lifting it higher. He held the arm next to Jake’s face, breathing slow as his eyes tracked from the watch to Jake's eyes and back again.

“Same colour blue as your eyes, stainless steel to compliment your skin tone, face not too big on your narrower wrist. It looks perfect.”

Maddox unwrapped his fingers, and Jake nodded, studying the watch again. Perfect, and unexpected. He still couldn’t think of anything to say back to the hovering man.

“I’ve got one more gift for you…”

Jake glanced up and swallowed, still stroking the watch.

“I know you want to know about me, I always deny you answers. So today, you can ask me one question, one question about me, what I do, where I’m from. One question and I swear I’ll answer you.”

A rush of breath left Jake's lips. There was no mocking to Maddox’s voice, no twist of his lips. He meant what he said, and Jake’s heart fluttered at the possibilities.

“Now,” Maddox mumbled, “finish the rest of your breakfast, put the milk and the cereal in the correct place and take the duvet up after.”

Jake nodded obediently, and Maddox turned to move away.

“Maddox,” he blurted, gripping the retreating man’s fingertips. “I-thank you.”

He didn’t turn, just bobbed his head and continued his walk.

So much for Maddox not celebrating Christmas; he had bought Jake a gift, one he was still mesmerised by hours later. He stopped rubbing at his wrist and sunk into the sofa. Jake was no longer only wearing his boxers, but loose sweat pants and a tight white t-shirt. His lounge wear, comfortable for him and easy access for Maddox, win-win for both of them.

He opened his mouth for the twentieth time, question forming in his head and starting to vocalise in his throat. Each time he tried, he snapped his mouth shut to trap the eager question. He wanted to know so much, but he was allowed only one question.

He could ask about where Maddox got his money, what he did, ask how he got into the intimidating line of work, whether he had family. Jake drummed his fingers on his head, sorting through the mash of possibilities.

In the distant part of his mind he heard his name being called, but ignored it. He had to think of a suitable question-

“Lunch,” Maddox snapped, gripping Jake’s shoulder.

Jake perked up. “Sorry…I didn’t hear you.”

The glare from Maddox had him shuffling on the sofa. He got to his feet with another muttered apology. Maddox stalked him towards the kitchen, only relaxing his stance when Jake seated himself.

A huge roast ham, and bowls of vegetables. Not the traditional Christmas turkey, but it beat eating mush out of a tin. Jake hummed through the food, knowing each time he made a sound of appreciation, Maddox’s green eyes darkened a shade.

He could ask where Maddox learned to cook? What was his favourite food? Why he enjoyed feeding Jake so much? So many food related questions but he didn’t verbalise any, they seemed a waste of the opportunity.

“Jake?”

He hummed himself out of his thoughts, hurrying to take another bite of ham.

Maddox narrowed his eyes, breathing softly from his nose.

“You’re on edge?”

Jake shook his head. “’m not…”

Maddox tapped his finger against his whiskey glass, studying Jake intently.

“This tastes real good.”

There was no smile, no bow of acceptance. Maddox continued to analyse him.

Bellies comfortably full, Maddox beckoned Jake towards the sofa and threw an arm around his shoulders as they settled to watch T.V. The scene was oddly domestic and more questions sprouted in Jake’s mind, ones that made him squirm and grow cold. How many lovers had Maddox had? Did he tire of them and seek out more? Was he the first to curl up next to Maddox on Christmas day, or was he in a list of many?

“I can practically hear you thinking…”

Jake ducked his head down. “Sorry…”

Maddox flicked his hand towards the T.V. “You not into this?”

Jake had no idea what they were even watching, vaguely registered moving pictures and sound, but that was it.

“No, not really…”

“How about some music instead?”

Jake flashed his eyes up, linking with the gleaming piano beside the Christmas tree. It was the only gift he could possibly give Maddox and he nodded his head eagerly.

“Yeah, I’ll put it on.”

He darted up from the sofa before Maddox could stop him and drifted towards the piano. A ball of nerves tumbled in his chest. His gift was either going to be received well, or his face was going to be pressed painfully to the keys.

“Jake...”

The tone of voice rattled his spine. It reminded Jake of the roar of an angry lion. No one wished to be on the receiving end of a snarl from a beast, but Jake kept his focus and lifted the lid off the keys.

“What are you doing?”

He jolted. Maddox hadn’t physically moved any closer, but he sounded firmer, forcing authority into his words. Jake’s muscles weakened, his heart warped with powerful beats and his breathing stuttered. Adrenaline flooded him, he could already hear the anger in Maddox’s tone, but instead of diffusing it he sat down and placed his fingers on the keys.

“Don’t.”

Jake gasped, and his fingers pressed down on the keys, not sounding like anything but a clash of notes and a droning hum. He shook his head trying to get some composure. His body was telling him to run, but he fought off the urge and stayed sat on the bench. He heard the depress of the leather sofa, the harsh breath of the man bearing down on him. The lion stalking towards its prey, ready to savage it. Jake ignored the terrorised thump of his heart, and swallowed down his fear.

He rearranged his fingers on the keys, took a stuttering breath and played the infuriating piece. Out of tune, his fingers slipped and the song wasn’t recognisable to his own ears even though he knew what he was attempting to play. The second time sounded no better, and he verged a heart attack waiting for Maddox to do something.

He pressed his lips together, and exhaled through his nose before trying again. Maddox was behind him, the warmth and the power of the man registered long before he curled his fingers around Jake’s shoulder. He fought off the need to go pliant in the grip and glared at the keys, silently begging they cooperate with his fingers.

There was no growl for him to stop, and Jake tried a final time, willing the gods to help him play the blasted tune right. Out of the attempts, the last was the worst and he sagged, defeated.

“I-I didn’t know what to get you…. I don’t have money to buy a gift, and I thought about stealing-”

The fingers on him tightened, and he gasped at the pinch before continuing.

“I didn’t…. I saw the piano, I was stupid to think I could do it…I wanted to play you f---”

“Fur Elise.” Maddox finished.

Jake bobbed his head. “Yeah…that one.”

His voice faded, and he listened for Maddox. He didn’t say anything, Jake couldn’t even hear him breathe, only knew he was there from the grip on his shoulder and the heat radiating from his palm.

“Stand up.” Maddox said.

Jake jolted to attention, standing with his back straight and his chest puffed out. His legs twitched, still desperate to run-

“Put the lid down.”

He did, softly, not to enrage Maddox anymore, then flexed his toes to keep himself present. He didn’t want to pool at Maddox’s feet and he didn’t want to bolt from the room.

“Now turn around…”

His breath caught in his throat and he hesitated. Maddox’s emotionless voice had him on edge, he didn’t know what he would face-

“Jake…” Maddox warned, and he spun on the balls of his feet to face the man behind.

Maddox wasn’t flaming red from fury, nor was he panting from withholding his anger. He had an expression of calmness, only betrayed by his black as night eyes. They fixed to Jake’s lips before trailing up.

“Now…come here.”

Jake swallowed, eyes attached to Maddox as he side-stepped the bench. His face was gripped, manhandled forward for their lips to touch. He grunted at the invasion, opening his mouth for Maddox to take what he wanted.

There was no competing with Maddox’s mouth and hands. Jake’s t-shirt was yanked off, and his sweat pants were shoved down. All he could do was cling on and try to match his passion. Jake reached for the buttons of his shirt, but Maddox gripped his wrists tight, tapping his forefinger on the new watch.

“Let’s take this off.”

Jake bobbed his head and unclipped the watch. Maddox took it, rubbing his thumb over the face before glancing up at Jake.

“Turn around and put your hands flat on the piano.”

He didn’t need to be told twice, he spun and slapped his hands down.

Maddox’s foot came down on the sweat-pants around his ankles. “Step out of them.”

He did, relieved to be rid of them wrapped around his legs. Maddox slid them away with his foot, then gripped Jake’s hips and shifted him into the position he desired.

“Keep your hands on the piano, I’ll be right back.”

The presence, the power and warmth, vanished and Jake shuddered. Something about Maddox heightened his senses, and when he was suddenly gone they numbed. He pressed his lips and listened beyond the roar of blood in his body for any sound of Maddox. His footfalls, Jake could hear them growing louder and he shivered, in both relief and anticipation.

A bottle of lubricant was place on the piano for Jake to see.

“I said I was saving you for Christmas day…”

Jake nodded, looking over his shoulder towards Maddox.

His arse was being admired, Maddox put pressure on his lower back, encouraging Jake to expose himself more to satisfy his hungry eyes.

Maddox hummed his approval before reaching for the bottle on the piano. The squirting sound made Jake’s thighs shake. He knew what was coming, but when a cool finger entered him, he curled his back, clenching his cheeks at the intrusion.

“No, Jake…”

Maddox tugged at his hip, moving Jake back into position before pushing on his lower back for Jake to present himself again.

“Stay like that.”

Another finger entered him and he whined, dropping his forehead to the cool surface in front.

“Fuck Maddox.”

“We’re gunna get to that, but today you’ve got to work for it.”

He squirmed when a third finger was added, scrunching his face and breathing rapidly. “W-work for it?”

“You’re not allowed to come, until you get me off and we both know I can last a long, long time.”

Jake pulled his head off the surface and tried to turn.

“Ah no,” Maddox growled. “You stay how I told you to.”

“How can I get you off if I can’t turn around?”

Maddox hummed with amusement. “Your cute arse, your flexing hips and your tight hole. I want you to brace yourself on the piano and fuck yourself on my cock.”

Jake gulped, and clenched down on the curling fingers. They responded, tickling his insides until he groaned.

“What we waiting for?”

Maddox chuckled. “That’s my boy.”

Jake started with confidence, hoping his whorish moaning and his enthusiastic thrusting would push Maddox over the edge. No luck, the man had iron control over himself; didn’t grunt or groan, he stayed completely silent as Jake rocked his hips back. Each time his prostate was grazed, his legs weakened and he panted wetly.

Jake’s cock ached furiously, and when he found an angle that sent tingles to his toes, he knew he could come from it. Maddox held Jake still, digging a finger in his side.

“Don’t you dare…”

“But ‘m close.”

Maddox chuckled. “I don’t care, hold it.”

He did, only just. Jake scrunched his face, crunched his toes, and just managed to control the wave that threatened to sweep him away.

“Good, carry on.”

Jake sobbed, flexing his hips only to put himself in the same desperate state again. He tried to sneak a hand down to touch himself, but Maddox stopped him, and pinned his wrists, waiting out Jake’s desperation.

“I can’t,” Jake cried.

He had no concept of time, but he knew from the sweat beading in his hair and his well stretched hole he had been impaling himself for an eternity. Maddox’s cock popped out, and Jake sagged with his knees shaking. Another squirt of lube interrupted his panting before Maddox pushed the tip of himself inside Jake’s body again. He felt so thoroughly stretched, that when Maddox wasn’t up inside him he felt empty. He loved the tease of having Maddox gone and then being filled by him again, but the pain in the rest of his body was getting too intense.

“You can…and you will, you feel real good.”

He stopped twitching his hips feebly and wiped his forehead on the back of his arm. “You-you even close?”

“I’m enjoying myself.”

Smugness oozed from Maddox, and Jake groaned, clawing at the piano. His damp hands left marks, and with his head bowed forward sweat dripped from his hair. He hurt, his overused hole wasn’t the problem though. His thighs burned, his biceps ached and his flesh was uncomfortably hot with sweat. Pleasure and pain slotted together, and his mind felt dizzy with it.

Jake peeked a glance back. Maddox was fixated with where they joined, wetting his lips as Jake's body engulfed him. A man of complete composure. He still wore his white shirt, along with his black trousers tight around his thighs. His hair was still perfectly styled unlike Jake’s which had flattened to his forehead. The only signs he was even affected were his blown pupils and the slight moisture on his top lip.

“Please Maddox.”

He glanced up and their eyes met. Jake pleaded with him, drawing his eyebrows together.

“Keep going.” Maddox urged him. “I’m close.”

Jake composed himself, leaning on his elbows as he drove his hips back. He gasped when a hand circled his neglected erection.

“Fuck my hand and my cock.”

Jake whimpered, shoving back and forward as fast as he could. He squirmed, groaned, but needed the release and chased it. He pushed back on Maddox till his thick cock filled the emptiness with heat.

The pain in his muscles increased, he had driven them to the point of shut down but kept forcing them to move till his whole body cramped. Pain and pleasure, he had to endure the pain to reach the end of ecstasy.

“I’m there.” Maddox growled, curling forward so his shirt stuck to Jake's dripping back.

Maddox groaned, rubbing his forehead against Jake's shoulder blades. A sense of achievement flowed through Jake and he sagged. Maddox snapped his hips, pushing deep before shuddering out a breath.

Jake thought Maddox would pick up the pace with his hand, finish him off tugging hard, but the circled hand vanished and Jake sobbed.

“Please-”

His hips were gripped, and he was hauled into the air, turned and dumped on the piano. Jake winced at the ache to his arse, opened his mouth to ask what was happening, but was stopped by a firm push to his chest.

He fell, back dropping to the cold top of the piano while his legs dangled off the edge. The white ceiling was disorientating, and the abrupt movement whirled his vision. Jake’s mind struggled with the sudden change, but he didn’t have time to respond. As soon as his crotch was accessible to Maddox’s mouth, he was being sucked greedily. Drawn into the heat and swallowed in pulses, all Jake could do was moan through it. The buzz took over, and Maddox let him finally catch the orgasm he’d been chasing. The groan strangled out from his mouth, as his cock pulsed three steady loads of come into Maddox’s mauling mouth. 

The pressure stopped before oversensitivity could ruin the bliss. His whole body hummed with overwork and the aftershocks of orgasm.

Jake lay, blinking in wonder at the spinning ceiling. The white seemed to come towards him, leaking down and encasing him. He knew he was still in the room, plastered to the piano by bodily fluids, but he felt detached, afloat in the roof of white. Every muscle in his body sagged; he didn’t have the strength to lift his head or raise a hand. All he did was watch as the white reached for him and relaxed, letting the simmering sensation in his flesh take over.

“Breathe Jake.”

There was a weight pressing on him. Jake concentrated on the sensation, the stroking of his chest. The hand ensured he didn’t drift too far. The skin it roamed pimpled with sensitivity, and soothing tingles travelled up his neck and along his scalp.

“Close your eyes…”

Jake shot one last awed look to the ceiling before doing as the voice told him. He closed them and breathed deep, exhaling slow.

“That’s it, just take a few breaths like that.”

Jake did as he was told, and the hand kept stroking his body. He sighed slowly, a sound of elated calmness each time he breathed.

“Your wrists, they’re both tied, pinning you down…”

Jake frowned, shifting his arms. They felt heavy but not strapped down-

“Don’t trust your body, listen to my voice. Your hands are tied down to the piano…”

Jake’s wrists tingled, the tingle intensified and he hissed at the ache. Logically he knew they hadn’t been tied, but the binds Maddox’s voice had put around him kept them in place. He tried to move them but couldn’t. He could flex his fingers, but his wrists wouldn’t budge.

“And your ankles, they’re tied to the piano too.”

A coil wrapped around each, and a circling motion tickled his ankle, pressing firmer on the back of his heel. The authority in Maddox’s voice had restrained him to the piano. Both arms and legs splayed out and pinned with no physical presence.

“In fact, the whole piano is covered in glue, keeping you in place. You can’t move any part of your body, can’t lift your head or shift your hips. Completely stuck and defenceless.”

The more Maddox spoke, the heavier Jake became until he was sure he was merging with the piano beneath, encased in the surface and left helpless. Endorphins pulsed in his brain, the lingering buzz mixing with fear. Vulnerable and caught, he always desired the chase, needed to feed his addiction, but Maddox was the only one who captured him.

The burn to his muscles had been so intense he feared trying to strain them to escape. Instead he melted into the warming surface at his back. Maddox had caught him, and exposed him. His heart punched against his ribcage, and his breathing hiccupped, losing rhythm.

“Relax Jake, concentrate on sensation. You still feel good, right?”

He tried to nod but found he couldn’t. Instead he slurred, “Ye-yes—”

“I’ll make you feel even better, give up everything, and feel instead.”

Jake felt heavy, disjointed, and in a faraway part of his mind he knew that Maddox was touching him. He couldn’t shift, couldn’t tense at the pleasure, but only endure it. No more pain, no aching limbs. He could only feel the intoxicating tingle of orgasm wrapping around him, relentless in its build and even when he dropped the other side and came undone, he was lifted again, taken to another height to free-fall from. He got trapped somewhere between conscious and unconsciousness, only able to feel pleasure but not able to think.

Christmas, piano, Maddox….

Jake gasped back to awareness, and a chill expanded in his bones.

“Easy Jake.” Maddox soothed.

His hand was spread on Jake’s chest, keeping him in place. Piano, he was still strapped down to it. Except when he tugged his arm towards himself it moved. He studied the skin, no mark of restraint. He twitched his ankle and it shifted too.

Maddox peered down at him, upside down to Jake since he had moved to the other side of the piano. His gaze was no longer hungry, but soft and his usually pressed lips twitched with a smile.

“Thank you for my present,” he said, while stroking Jake’s clammy chest.

Jake wetted his lips before speaking. “I wanted to play you the piano…not get played with on top of it.”

Maddox chuckled, then licked his lips. “Trust me, you weren’t complaining…I imagine your throat's quite sore now.”

It was, but Jake wasn’t going to admit it. He couldn’t even remember moaning, but it felt parched with overuse.

“I’ll get you some water, and something to clean you up.”

Maddox turned to leave but stopped when Jake blurted his name. It was irrational panic, he had been stuck to the piano at Maddox’s complete mercy but only felt terror when he threatened to leave. Maddox returned to his caging stance, brushing the tips of his fingers through Jake’s damp hair.

“It’s okay, I won’t go anywhere until you feel better.”

Jake twitched his brow and swallowed to relieve the ache in his throat. He forced his head up, staring in wonder at the mess on his torso.

“Mostly yours,” Maddox mumbled.

Only once his eyes registered it, did Jake feel the stickiness. Both on his body and leaking out of it. He imagined when he finally had the strength to get off, his silhouette would be left behind on the surface.

“Did you drug me?” he asked dropping his head back, so he could stare at Maddox again.

Maddox snorted. “When?”

Jake frowned. “Just now?”

“No, you’re very susceptible to pain and pleasure, and my voice apparently.”

He shifted, groaning at the spasms of his muscles. “I hurt now.”

Maddox nodded. “Yeah, I imagine you do, you worked hard to get me to come. And I wouldn’t wear any tight underwear for a few days, the chafe on your cock will be unbearable. Sorry, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop making you come, even when you were dry…”

Jake stared up at Maddox, and there was no mocking in his expression, only a fondness and the wide eyes of amazement. Jake craved that expression, his breathing increased, and he rubbed his lips together to moisten them.

“Kiss me,” he whispered.

He had only meant to think it. Jake never instigated the intimacies, it wasn’t how they worked, and he had just monumentally fucked up by asking without the haze of lust. His heart missed a beat before pulsing extra hard and fast to compensate.

Maddox drew his eyebrows together, and Jake bit his tongue trying to apologise. He still felt vulnerable, and couldn’t cope with a rejection-

Maddox swooped down and pressed their mouths together. Not a mauling teeth clash, or a dominating dance of tongues. He kissed lightly, savouring Jake’s lips. No fast pace, it wasn’t fuelled from desire but something gentler and Jake didn’t want to stop. The only place that had been neglected had been his lips and Maddox remedied them with his soothing kisses and slow-moving tongue.

He pulled back with his gaze still soft. “Better?”

“Yes.” Jake breathed, “I-I think I’m ready to get up now…”

“You sure?”

He nodded, forcing his spine to curl and his limbs to cooperate.  He sat on the piano, catching his breath from the small amount of movement. Maddox circled around to stand in front.

“There’s no rush…”

Jake disagreed, fluids dried on his stomach, and his arse left a trail of Maddox on the polished surface. He dropped off the edge of the piano, only for his legs to give out.

He was saved by Maddox, who caught him, then hauled him to his unsteady feet.

“I said there was no rush.” He growled, and just like that Maddox switched back to himself.

He scowled at Jake as he settled him on the sofa and grumbled under his breath, Jake couldn’t help but smile at him.

“I’ll go get a cloth.” Maddox mumbled.

Chapter 5

Once Jake was cleaned and dried, Maddox settled beside him, lifting his arm in a gesture for Jake to get close. He did, practically throwing himself into Maddox’s side.

The arm came down, securing him comfortably. Jake relaxed with a sigh and the soothing heat of Maddox’s body.

The bliss ended when his mind whirled into overdrive. Time was ticking away, Maddox had said he could ask one question, and it was nearing the end of the day.

“Jake,” Maddox warned, “I just spent an hour relaxing you, don’t undo it.”

Jake turned his head, scrunching his face in annoyance. He wasn’t building his anxiety on purpose, it was a reaction to his thoughts. He could ask Maddox how he felt about him, whether the feelings were just sex or possibly more. Jake’s heart quickened with the thought, both wanting to know and fearing the answer-

“Get on your knees.”

He spun back towards Maddox with wide eyes, tracking his face. There was no hint of emotion. Jake swallowed before falling clumsily to his knees and wiggling himself between Maddox’s crushing thighs. Jake stared at Maddox’s crotch, running his tongue against his lips to prepare himself.

“Turn around.”

He frowned up at Maddox, and he gestured a spin with his finger. Jake turned, wincing at the burn until a pillow was shoved behind his back.

“Sit on that.”

He did, and waited.

Warm hands started on his shoulders, firm thumbs pressed into his ruined muscles. The hands moved in a repetitive motion, forcing heat into his weary flesh. Jake hissed, before falling limp. Another pleasure-pain sensation, Jake moaned at the massage, sinking back between Maddox’s legs. Fingers brushed up the back of his neck and he tipped forward. They pressed firm lines from the edge of his hair down to his shoulder blade.

Maddox massaged firmly with one hand, and raked his fingers lightly through Jake’s hair with the other. The vertebrae in Jake’s neck jellified and he flopped, using the warm thigh as his cushion. Maddox didn’t stop, even when Jake mewled soft sounds into his trousers, even when his slack mouth leaked dribble. He kept rubbing, manipulating the tenderised flesh and Jake zoned out to the comfort, hissing each time Maddox hit a particularly sore spot before it melted back down.

Fingers worked against Jake’s scalp, scraping till he tingled and groaned for more. They didn’t stop once they had completed their journey through his hair, they made trails of sensitivity down his face. His cheekbones were traced, as were the lines of his jaw and the dimple in his chin. Maddox mapped his face with hypnotic touches, learning the sharp turns of bone and the softer stretches of skin.

Jake's breathing evened, his heart slowed, and his thoughts drifted off. He leaned heavily on Maddox's leg, mouth hanging, and eyes peacefully closed.

Jake registered music, classical. Not from the stereo, but the T.V. He relaxed back down, soothed by Maddox’s roaming hands and the soft music in the room.

Maddox leaned forward, resting his lips to Jake's ear. “Bed.”

Jake flashed his eyes open and jolted forward at the word. Bed would mean the day had ended and his chance had gone. He shook his head adamantly, glancing a look at the clock. A minute till midnight. The Maddox enigma was like a fairy tale, he had till the clock struck twelve and then his opportunity would fade, the walls Maddox had lowered would rebuild, shutting him out.

Maddox huffed, and this time his lips pressed firmly, and his eyes blazed with anger. “Sit,” he said, pointing to the space next to him.

Jake crawled up on the sofa, unable to face Maddox when he glared with that level of intensity. The walls had already started to lift, and Jake curled his hands in pulses willing his brain to think.

“Can I still ask you a question now?”

Maddox cocked his brow, and the hardness remained in his features. “It’s midnight-”

“Please, Maddox.”

Jake forced his eyes to stay on their green counterparts. He was being dissected, analysed, but he didn’t dare look away.

“Is this what you’ve been stressed out about all day?”

Jake nodded and swallowed. “Please.”

Maddox sighed, shifting on the sofa until their bodies were fully turned towards each other. “Okay, ask.”

Jake dropped his gaze, and turned his head. So many things he could ask, so many things he wanted to know. He sighed, clutching on to a question and speaking before he lost his chance.

“Did…. did you enjoy spending Christmas with me?”

The words shook as they came out, he wondered in the following silence whether he should repeat himself. He didn’t turn back. Instead he stared at the floor hoping it would answer the question if Maddox didn’t.

His chin was cupped and lifted, but he refused Maddox and stared through his lower set of lashes. He had made an idiot out of himself, knew it and he feared Maddox’s smirking face, or his irritated one. Maddox despised idiots, and he had just asked something so painfully needy and tragic.

“Jake, look at me.”

There was no mocking in his voice, no angry warning either. His tone was soft, but Jake didn’t trust it. Maddox stroked his cheek gently, three brushes and Jake still refused to do as Maddox said. The words weren’t repeated, weren’t growled with annoyance, Maddox held his face with careful hands and didn’t force him into looking back.

“You could have asked me anything…. why ask something you know the answer to, you must know the answer to that…”

Jake hoped he knew the answer, but Maddox was so hard to read. They’d spent the day, eating, listening to music and having sex. All things Maddox enjoyed, it wasn’t a huge leap to conclude he enjoyed Christmas, but to hear him say it, that would’ve been the perfect end to the day even if Jake wasted his chance of learning more about the mysterious man.

“I-I just wanted to hear you say it.”

Maddox’s gaze burned into him; he didn’t have to glance at him to know. His skin reacted instinctively, heating up and reddening the longer Maddox stared.

“Jake, I enjoyed spending Christmas with you.”

Jake relaxed into Maddox’s hand, exhaling a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He flicked his eyes up, freezing in place when he saw the smile on Maddox’s mouth and the brightness in his eyes.

Maddox rarely smiled, he smirked, he snorted and he scowled, but a real heartfelt smile, Jake had doubted he could, but there it was. Maddox’s lips were lifted, his cheeks were rounded and happy creases surrounded his emerald irises. His whole face framed his eyes, dark hair on top and his stubble below.

“And if we’re both still alive next Christmas, we’ll spend that one together too.”

Jake shivered, brushing himself into Maddox’s palm. A barrage of emotion hit him, and he pressed his lips together to hold in any embarrassing sounds.

“And the one after that.” Maddox mumbled, moving closer, “and the one after that.”

Their lips met, and Jake gasped into the kiss with his heart fluttering.

Maddox hadn’t intended to, but he’d answered other questions that gnawed at Jake's mind. Keeping him meant more than a day, week or month. Maddox was planning on keeping him considerably longer. For as long as they were both alive, he had a place to be at Christmas. Maddox must’ve liked more than the sex, but him too.

Jake sunk into the kiss, climbing into Maddox's lap and pressing his body close. It was desperate and messy, and for once Maddox was forced to chase his mouth and match the pace.

“Bed.” Jake panted, and Maddox nodded in reply.

Fire and Sand

(Adrenaline Jake)

Novella 3

Louise Collins

April 2018