The Owners Read online

  The Owners

  Bound & Controlled

  Shaw Montgomery

  Published by Shaw Montgomery, 2017

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  THE OWNERS

  First edition. August 2017.

  Copyright 2017 Shaw Montgomery

  Written by Shaw Montgomery

  A Bound & Controlled Prequel

  “They all look so unhappy, Master.” Conner snuggled deeper into Ben’s lap, resting his head on Ben’s shoulder.

  “I know. They’re smiling and talking, but it’s only on the surface.” Ben rubbed his hand absentmindedly up and down Conner’s naked back. “Something’s changed over the past couple of months. I’m just not sure what.”

  Ben felt Conner tracing circles on his chest as they watched the four brothers sitting across the room. Well, four brothers and Calen, who was with them so often he might as well have been another sibling. They came to the club every couple of weeks, sometimes in groups and sometimes individually.

  It had been odd at first, knowing all of them were involved in the BDSM scene. But watching them laugh and tease each other, it was soon easy to see why it wasn’t strange for them. They loved each other and honestly wanted what was best for their siblings.

  Dom, sub, or switch, it didn’t matter. They were a family.

  And a lot of their family time was spent together at Bound & Controlled.

  Bound & Controlled was a private gay BDSM club in Washington, D.C., and was Ben’s baby. He’d never pictured it growing as big as it had in just a few short years, much less getting to celebrate the start of the second club in Baltimore.

  “They’re all single, that’s the problem.”

  Ben snorted; his boy always thought being in love was the answer to everything. Ben happened to agree, but that wasn’t the point. “They’ve dated and had fun. Hell, you’ve seen several of them have lots of fun in different demos.”

  “It’s not the same.” Conner lifted his head up, giving Ben a sweet, mischievous smile. “You know we could help—”

  “No matchmaking. Remember, we agreed.”

  Conner sighed. “But Garrett would be perfect with—”

  “Nope. We’re going to stay out of it.” He tried to sound stern, but his resolve was failing and Conner knew it.

  “And Bryce—there are a few couples looking for a third. I’m sure we could—”

  “Conner.” Ben drew out his sub’s name, giving him a look.

  Conner blinked at him innocently. “But, Sir…”

  Ben laughed. “I’m not falling for that. And if you want your spanking tonight, you have to stop. We said we weren’t going to meddle.”

  “We wouldn’t have to if they could see what was right in front of them.” Conner huffed and curled back into Ben. “Garrett especially, but Brent isn’t any better. They make me crazy.”

  Ben had to agree. “Garrett did say he was tired of casual scenes and dating.”

  Conner sat up and grinned. “He was practically asking us to help.”

  They really shouldn’t. It was almost taking advantage of their positions at the club. Being the owners, they had insider knowledge that most people wouldn’t want to get out. They were very good at keeping secrets, but if that information could be used to help members of the club, then it couldn’t hurt.

  “It’s not really meddling if we push things in the correct direction.” Ben’s resolve went right out the window.

  Conner nodded enthusiastically, then reached over to take a long sip of his drink. “Just a nudge.” He glanced over across the room to the bar. “A little one. Tiny.”

  Ben agreed. “When the time is right. It can’t be too obvious or the little thing will get nervous.”

  Conner giggled, already feeling the effects of the alcohol. “He’s already nervous or they would have meet ages ago.”

  “Only if Garrett weren’t so blind.” Ben shook his head, still not sure how the Dom couldn’t see what was right in front of him. “That other sub nearly killed himself tripping over the chair trying to get Garrett’s attention last time they came in, but he didn’t even notice.”

  “Poor Tony, he was so embarrassed.” Conner tried to be serious, but he couldn’t do it. Laughing, he took another sip of his drink. “But falling right into Allen’s lap was perfect. They’ve gone out several times since then.”

  Conner’s smiles were getting bigger and his giggles louder. His boy was only halfway through one of the bright red, fruity concoctions, but he was well on his way to being lit. Conner didn’t drink much and had almost no tolerance for alcohol at all. Normally, Ben didn’t let him have any, but they were celebrating, and Conner’s schedule had been so hectic lately that he’d relaxed the rules.

  Conner helped at the club when he could, but he owned a custom construction company, so most of the time he was incredibly busy. He’d recently finished up several big projects, so they’d decided to relax and have fun before the work on the new club started.

  “Allen kept saying he wasn’t looking for anything serious, but I think Tony is changing Allen’s mind.”

  Nodding, Conner giggled, taking another sip before glancing over at the bar. “They’d be perfect together.”

  “Wyatt and Garrett?”

  Sighing, Conner nodded seriously, which was cute considering how tipsy he was. “We have to help.”

  Unable to deny his boy anything, or mind his own business, Ben smiled. “We’ll talk to Wyatt soon. He’s doing the furniture for the new club, and there is some paperwork he needs. Since Garrett does his insurance, it might be the push they need.”

  Garrett and his brothers owned an insurance company in Richmond, and when Wyatt had moved down there, they’d casually mentioned Garrett’s business to the sweet sub. If Wyatt purchased new coverage from the Dom he quietly stalked with his eyes every time they were in the building together, it wasn’t anything they’d done.

  They watched as the brothers got up and started wandering toward other parts of the club. The lounge area near the bar was fairly tame, with most people casually sitting around talking. Although with some subs kneeling by their Masters and everyone in various stages of dress, no one would ever call it vanilla.

  Brent and Calen stayed and continued to talk, but the rest of the family headed off in different directions. They both grimaced as Grant went up to a cute sub at the bar. Grant was never the most subtle Dom. He charged right in and didn’t shy away from saying whatever he was thinking. For subs looking for a suave, sophisticated Dom, he looked more like a thug.

  “That’s never going to—Oh dear.” Conner frowned.

  The new sub had taken one look at Grant and made a hasty retreat. A little more flamboyant and almost feminine in appearance, the sub was exactly the kind of guy Grant liked. But as usual, it rarely worked out in his favor.

  If Ben remembered correctly, the new boy was some kind of aide to a congressman and thought very highly of himself and his position. Ben hadn’t been impressed with the guy, but nothing in his application or interview had made him think that he’d be a bad fit for the club.

  He was just a bad fit for Grant.

  “We might have to…do something with him.” Ben wasn’t sure what to say. Grant was a wonderful guy, but there weren’t that many subs that caught the Dom’s eye. “Maybe we can find someone to introduce him to.”

  Conner scrunched his face up and earnestly nodded, the alcohol clearly going to his head. “He wants a pretty guy. Do you remember the Halloween party last year?”

  That had been impossible to forget. There had been quite a few subs who’d dressed up in cute little costumes Grant loved, but he’d been disappointed when he’d realized it had just b
een fun for the guys and none of them were actually interested in the more feminine look they’d chosen for the night.

  “We’ll see what we can do. The new club will bring in more people. Maybe we’ll find his Mr. Right up there.” Ben hoped they’d find someone for Grant. Even if he looked like a biker or some kind of Hells Angel, he was interesting and a well-established businessman.

  “They need to like pretty things.” Conner waved his hands around enthusiastically.

  “But they can’t be too submissive. Grant needs someone who’ll keep him in line and not let themselves get flattened by his personality.”

  “Or his size. The guy is huge.” Conner was eyeing Grant like he was undressing him in his head.

  “You looking to trade me in? I think you’d look sexy in frilly lingerie.” Ben was teasing, but he laughed when Conner threw his arms around him enthusiastically.

  “I love you.” Conner then ruined the sweet declaration by grinning and saying, “He’s built like a truck, though.”

  Then Conner frowned, like his brain was just catching up to what he was saying. “I don’t like frilly things, so you have to keep me.”

  “I’ll keep you, my drunk little sub.”

  “I’m not drunk yet.” Conner looked down at his drink and seemed confused. “It’s empty?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s terrible. I need another.” Shaking his head, Conner blinked up at Ben and pouted prettily. “Can I have another one, Master? I’ve been so good.”

  “Good enough for two drinks? Do you remember what happened last time?” Ben knew his stern words were ruined by the grin he couldn’t quite suppress.

  “No dancing on the table. Honest.” Conner blinked at Ben, looking very sincere while he traced his finger over his chest in a cross-my-heart gesture. “I’ll keep my clothes on and everything.”

  Ben laughed, not believing it for a second. Conner was an exhibitionist and it came flooding out when he drank. The club was a safe space for him to indulge in it, though, and most of their friends and members had gotten an eyeful at some point or another in the past.

  The two drink maximum was supposed to keep things in check, but with Conner’s level of tolerance, it didn’t help. They had no plans to play tonight beyond a spanking, so he just leaned back and enjoyed his giggly sub.

  “As long as your clothes stay on. If you’re naughty, I’ll have to punish you tomorrow, and you don’t want that, do you?”

  Ben smiled as Conner tried to cover his wicked grin. “No, Master. I’m going to be good. You won’t need to spank me or tie me up and flog me or even get out the crop.” Conner shivered and licked his lips, his hard-on pressing against the tight leather shorts he wore. “I’ll be very good.”

  “All right, I want you to remember that. You don’t want to have to bend over tomorrow and get spanked or paddled because you were naked and naughty tonight.” Ben watched as Conner squirmed, squeezing his legs together.

  They’d been a couple for years, but he never got tired of seeing his boy needy and aroused, right on the edge of being wonderfully wicked. Conner leaned in, giving him a kiss. “I’ll be s-o-o-o good.”

  He’d be so bad, but they’d both love it.

  “Come on. Let’s get you that drink and we’ll see what everyone is up to. We need to see how the demo is going, anyway.” They had staff that monitored the scenes and play areas, but he liked to check on special demonstrations and scenes personally.

  “Oh, the sounds! I forgot.” After they stood up, Conner threw his arms around Ben. “I love watching that!”

  His enthusiastic sub grinned wildly and looked around excitedly. “We can go watch?”

  “Yes, just watch, though. It’s their scene and you have to be good.” Ben gave him a firm look, meaning it that time.

  Conner nodded sincerely. “I’ll be good. Oliver loves sounds.”

  “All right, let’s get your drink before I change my mind.” He was going to have the bartender ease up on the alcohol for the next one. Conner didn’t need that much more, or he’d never be able to behave.

  “One more, you promised.” Taking Ben’s hand, Conner started leading them over to the bar.

  Giving Conner a quick swat on the ass, Ben pulled him close. “Are you being bossy?”

  Conner stopped moving and looked back at Ben, thinking harder than he should have had to. “No, I’m…I’m being cute?”

  Laughing, Ben gave his boy’s tempting ass another pop. “Let’s be less cute and better behaved.”

  Realizing Ben wasn’t angry and his drink wouldn’t be taken away, Conner smiled. “Yes, Master.”

  Heading over to the bar, they walked up and stood beside a frustrated Grant. Conner gave him a big smile, probably trying to cheer him up. “Hi, Master Grant.”

  Grant grinned, but it came out looking forced. “Hey, guys.”

  “Are you going to see the sounding demo? Sir is getting me my second drink and then we’re going to head over. Do you want to come with us?” Conner was trying to remember his manners, but his excitement was starting to bubble over.

  As Grant tried to figure out how to respond, Ben gestured to the bartender for another drink for Conner, making sure the guy knew to ease up on whatever was in the drink. Grant, seeing the exchange, couldn’t quite keep a straight face. Ben was just happy to see him smile.

  “So you’re going to come?” Conner perked up like an excited little bird.

  “Um, not this time, but I think Bryce wandered over that way.” Grant tried to smooth over the rejection, but Conner didn’t seem to mind. He immediately jumped to the idea of finding Bryce.

  “Oh, he’ll love it. Troy is so…so…he’s so Troy, and Oliver is so…” Smiling at the new drink that appeared in front of him, Conner must have lost track of what he was saying because even to Ben it didn’t make sense.

  Grant just grinned and nodded. “Yes, he is.” Turning his focus to Ben, Grant gave him a nod. “I heard about the new club. Congrats. I can’t wait to see it.”

  “Thanks. We’ve been able to finalize it quicker than I thought. Conner is starting on the building renovations next week.” They’d had a few delays and frustrations, but overall, Ben was pleased with how it was coming along.

  “That’s great.” Grant looked around the room. “Will it have the same feel?”

  Conner looked up, setting his drink down carefully. “Yes, we’re going for the same feel, but it’s going to be more open…opener…more opener…not as closed off. It’s going to look amazing.”

  Trying not to snort out laughter, Ben nodded, pressing his lips together. Grant didn’t have the same restraint. He burst out laughing, then looked down at Conner’s drink. “What’s in that?”

  Conner shrugged in an awkward, disjointed manner. “It’s new.” He gestured over to the bartender with sweeping hand gestures. “Jack is trying out special drinks for the other club. It’s good stuff.”

  “I can see that.” Grant nodded his head toward Conner and grinned at Ben. “I’m betting he’s on the table in the next half hour.”

  Conner peeked at Ben guiltily, then shook his head at Grant. “I’m supposed to be good. Shh.”

  “Come on, before you get yourself in trouble.” Reaching out, he gave Grant’s shoulder a squeeze. “We’ll see you later. And you have to visit and see the new club as soon as it’s done.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that.” Taking Conner’s free hand, Ben led him away from the bar. Making their way toward the hallway that led to the public scene areas, they weaved between couples and groups. The club was always busy, but lately, it had been almost too full.

  He was hoping that opening the second location would help bring the numbers in the D.C. location down to a more manageable size. It was going to mean more traveling for them, but they’d talked about it and it seemed like the best investment.

  They had members who traveled from a variety of locations, and if they could steer some of thei
r northern members to the new Baltimore club, it would give them some breathing room. Maybe then they could even do some remodeling—

  No, he wasn’t going to let himself think it. One ridiculously massive project at a time.

  As they crossed the room, he noticed Brent and Calen. Something about their body language and the way they were looking at each other pulled at his attention. He’d always thought of Calen as another one of the brothers, but it wasn’t brotherly affection he was seeing as they talked.

  There was a barely restrained passion radiating from both of them. He’d seen enough scenes and couples engaged in all kinds of activities to know when two people were hot for each other. No matter what they were talking about, that kind of genuine desire only happened when the emotion was there as well.

  Not wanting to intrude, he steered Conner around them without interrupting their conversation. Next time he saw either one of them, he wasn’t going to be so restrained. At the very least, he wanted to know if they realized how apparent their yearning for each other was. There had to be a way to ask about it without seeming obvious. He would have to think about it.

  The hallway to the back of the building always made Ben feel like he was heading to another universe. The areas were distinct, but they never felt out of place. Most of the time, he could almost see the change that came over people as they headed toward the more risqué side of the club.

  He loved the sounds that echoed from the demonstration areas. The sound of a flogger, the moans of pain and pleasure…it took every desire someone was feeling and amped it up. Conner could feel it, too. The way he walked subtly changed, and his whole body seemed to vibrate with excitement.

  Making their way over to the main demo area, Ben was pleased to see several staff members monitoring the scene. Troy and Oliver were a well-established couple that had done public scenes before, so he wasn’t worried, but he liked to be careful. His club had never had any kind of safety issues, and he wanted to keep it that way.

  The space around the stage was so packed they had to stand at the back of the area. They could still see the stage, but it gave them a good view of the crowd as well. Sometimes he felt that was the best view. Watching the emotions play across the faces of the people observing could be incredible if the scene was done right.