He was relieved when they got inside to see plenty of people in normal clothes. Oh sure, there were some wandering the club and in small alcove play areas dressed to the fetish nines, but there were just as many guys injeans or girls innormalclub wear.
He met Liam's gaze, the music here not as loud as at the nightclub, though it was definitely dimmer, with a reddish tinge to all the lights. It certainly set the mood, for sure. Skye felt wicked already just being there. He was beginning to lose some of the anxiety and worry of the last twenty-four hours.
"What are we here for?"What lesson?
"We're here to find youa new Dom, Skye." So much for the anxiety and worry being gone.
Skye's stomach plunged and he felt a little faint. "You can't be serious."
* * * *
Oh, he was serious. As a heart attack. Liamdid his best to appear calm and collected, not at all bothered by the idea of picking out a man to take his place as Skye's Dom. This was what he'd been hired to do and he was going to do it. Then he was going to let Skye go while he stillcould. Ifhe stillcould.
"I'mveryserious."
Skye shook his head adamantly, the stricken expression on his face making Liam's heart twist. "No. No. I won't do it."
Liamlifted his brows. "This is what you hired me to do, Skye. To prepare you for your perfect partner, right? Your perfect partner is a Dom, and this is the best place to find him."
He did his best not to react when Skye jerked his hand away. He hadn't expected Skye to like the idea, but it was precisely because Skye didn't want another Dom that Liam knew he needed one. He'd gotten too attached, theybothhad, and it needed to stop. Now.
"Don't cause a scene, Skye,"he murmured in a low voice. Liam met the other man's dark eyes, throat nearlychokingonthe words.
Skye bit his lip, breathing fast. "What are you going to do?" he whispered furiously. "Walk around offering me to guys until you find one willing to take me off your hands?"
Liam stiffened, eyes narrowing. "That's insulting to both you and me." He took a deep breath, feeling like this was about to escalate out of control. "Listen to me, Skye. I want the best for you. How many times have I stressed to you not to settle when you start looking? Not to let anyone treat youlike anythingbut a prize?"
Skye swallowed hard and glanced around before meeting Liam's eyes. "Maybe I already know what the best for me is."
Liamshook his head, his chest tight. "No. Youhave to trust me, Skye. Yousaid youdid. Don't youstill?"
It wasn't fair and Liam knew it, but he didn't know how else to convince this stubborn man to do what had to be done. As expected, Skye tensed and glared, but after a moment he nodded.
"Fine, but you don't get to choose, Liam. I do. If I sayno, I meanno."
Liam nodded, relieved. "Of course." He did not intend to try to force Skye to accept anyone he didn't want. He only wanted to show himthere was more out there. That Liam wasn't the only man or the only Dom who was going to want him. He didn't think Skye believed that and it was time to prove it to him.
Skye huffed a little and even with the stress, Liam couldn't help but smile. He'd have to be sure Skye's new Domliked bratty subs. Someone who wouldn't try to force, but knew to cajole and seduce instead.
"Well, I don't know how you're going to just find me a new Dom. It's not like orderingout ofa catalogue, I assume."
Liamchuckled. "No, but that's why you have me. I know what to look for and I can tell which ones might like what you like. First, I want you to look around and tell me if anybody jumps out at you. Not necessarily physically--this is not a beauty pageant--but someone whose energydraws your eye."
Skye looked like he might protest, then sighed and turned to glance around the club. A second later, he shrugged. "I don't know, maybe the guy in the corner, withthe boyona leash?"
Liam shook his head. "No. That boy's his permanent sub. You don't want to be anyone's second string, Skye." He let one hand trail down Skye's back to rest onhis waist. "Tryagain."
Skye squirmed, meeting Liam's eyes. "This is stupid, Liam. I don't want any of these guys. I don't care if I'd be their first or second string. I don't want to playwiththemat all."
Liamtook a deep breath. "Then what are you going to do? Go back to what you had before this? Your numbers and your theories and your work, but no life?" That wasn't what Liam wanted; it wasn't what Skye wanted either, for God's sake. "I'll have failed you then. I'mtryingveryhard not to failyou, Skye."
Skye didn't say anything at first. He stared at Liam and he looked torn between running out and maybe punching Liamjust to get the emotion out. Finally, Skye exhaled and his brows furrowed, glancing around again. He nodded to the corner. "That one. He's very... Is it okayto sayhe reminds me ofyoua little?"
Liam didn't know whether to be grateful Skye was finallytakingthis seriouslyor whether to stalk across the club and knock the other guy in the teeth. He pulled back on the possessive jealousy and nodded. "Fine, Skye. Do youwant me to go bringhimover?"
Skye made a face, turning to Liam. "No. Liam, I don't want to do this. I don't want one of them. Whywon't you listen to me? I want you." He shook a little,
and Liam resisted the desire to wrap his arms around
Skye and soothe him. "I love you."
Oh, shit.
Liamhadn't expected that. He'd
