Wicked Game (excerpt)

Quick as a flash, Richard had a handful of the man's hair in a tight grip. He brought his face to within an inch of his. He was only a bit taller, but it made a difference.

He snarled, "Don't presume to play games with me, you little thief. You'll be put away for ten years hard labor if I turn you in, on my word alone. You won't be so pretty after that."

Niels blinked and his expression went blank. "So what do you want me to do?" he asked quietly. He knew what the other man said was true, and there was no getting away now. Richard's expression turned smoothly back to a smile, his voice back to a purr as he released his hold on the man's hair. "I think I'd like to look at you," he said softly, stepping back. "Strip."

Niels swallowed hard and started to unbutton his shirt. He stared into the aristocrat's eyes as he let the rough linen slide off his shoulders. "Might I know your name?" he asked as he started to unbutton his trousers.

"My name is Richard," he answered. "What shall I call you?"

"Niels," he said simply. He toed off his worn boots and let his trousers fall to the floor, stepping out of them. It wasn't that he was afraid, really. He just hated being in such a position of weakness.

"Niels," Richard tried the name, gaze raking over the man's exposed body. "Lovely name. Scandinavian?" he asked idly, taking in the smooth, pale, hairless skin, and the long slender line of Niels' body.

"Finland," he said shortly. He was doing his best not to glare, but even thieves had some principles, and he was about to compromise his. It wasn't a happy feeling.

"Finland," Richard repeated, as if they were having polite conversation. "I've never been there, but I hear it's very scenic." The position of power he was in now was exactly what he craved. "Turn around."

Niels turned to face the doors without a word. A shiver ran through him. He could see out into the back garden, so close and yet so far. He wanted to beg for mercy, but he couldn't let himself do that.

Richard made an appreciative sound. "Bend over and put your hands on the desk," he ordered. The desk he'd so recently been robbing. Niels braced his hands on the desk and bent over at the waist. He couldn't remember ever being in such a humiliating position. He started to glance back over his shoulder, but stopped himself. Richard took a moment just to admire the view, and his cock slowly hardened in his pants. "Very nice," he said, and moved closer. He stopped just behind Niels, saying, "Spread your legs. I want to see everything."

Niels felt his stomach twist. There was very little imagination necessary to realize how this was going to go. He spread his legs apart, his knuckles turning white where he gripped the desk. Richard placed his hand on Niels' back and ran it down slowly. Niels drew in a sharp breath at the gentle touch. It wasn't what he'd been expecting. He was already partially aroused, and he cursed his own traitorous body. It took all his control to remain perfectly still. Richard traced his fingers lightly down Niels' back. He moved his hand lower, over one firm buttock, and down to the upper thigh. Niels squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't want to enjoy this. He wanted to fight against it, but he couldn't.