Page 43 of No Rules

But today was not that day. Today, he felt that Alex deserved better, that Mark wasn’t good enough for him, that the man didn’t know Alex well enough to read him, and that was only the beginning of a long list of objections Ryan had against the whole thing. And yet, he’d kept his thoughts to himself.

He couldn’t exactly protest Alex wanting to be formally trained, and he had no leg to stand on with his objections against Mark. Ryan didn’t want the job himself, so he should keep his mouth shut. Even if the whole thing irritated him more than a scorpion with an itch on his tail in the dead of summer.

And the worst thing was that he couldn’t even let out his frustration by fucking Alex. Oh, Caleb or David would volunteer in a heartbeat, but somehow, they didn’t appeal to him at all anymore. He wanted Alex, dammit.

God, he was such a sore loser.

When he rounded the corner, he came to a halt. Alex. Completely naked and attached to a leash held by Master Mark.

What. The. Fuck.

“Whoa,” Ryan said before he could think better of it. “What do we have here?”

Mark glared at him, giving the leash a slight tug as Alex stumbled forward. “We’re in the middle of a scene here, Ryan.”

Ryan’s eyes flicked back and forth between Alex’s submissive posture and Mark’s stern expression. Alex’s cheeks were fiery red—from arousal or embarrassment? Maybe both. It made sense, considering Alex’s feelings about humiliation play, and yet something felt off, something Ryan couldn’t put his finger on.

“What are you planning to do with him?”

Mark tightened his grip on the leash. “I don’t think that’s any of your business. Also, you’re interrupting a scene.”

“Cut the crap,” Ryan shot back, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. “Alex is part of my team, and I’m responsible for his well-being.”

Mark pulled Alex even closer to him. “You’re not his Dom, Ryan. You enjoy having him around to fuck when you please. Don’t act like you give a shit about what happens to him.”

Anger boiled inside Ryan, threatening to erupt in a violent outburst. He forced it down. Losing control wouldn’t help himself or Alex. “I may not be his Dom, but I still feel responsible for him.”

He studied Alex again, who had been watching the exchange silently, his blue eyes wide. What was it about him that had Ryan so on edge? What was he picking up on?

“Don’t you think you’re pushing his limits too hard?”

“It’s okay for you to fuck him in public, but not for me?”

Ryan blinked. Fuck Alex in public. That was it. He saw the same fear in Alex’s eyes as when he’d fucked him in the hallway and then offered him to Wander and Jesse. If Wander hadn’t stopped everything to check consent with Alex, Ryan would’ve done it himself. He’d gotten caught up in the moment, but even he had realized Alex hadn’t been ready for that yet. And as much as he’d fucked up by playing with Alex without safeguards in place, he would’ve never gone through with sharing him without explicitly checking his consent.

“Is that what you’re planning for this scene? Just a public fuck?”

If that was the case, Alex would be able to handle it, but somehow, it still didn’t feel right to Ryan.

Mark’s eyes narrowed. “You’re discussing this with me in the middle of a scene? There’s a time and a place for conversations like this…and it’s not in front of a sub.”

He wasn’t wrong, but no way in hell was Ryan backing down now. He crossed his arms. “I’m happy to take you aside and talk to you outside hearing distance.”

“We’re in the middle of a scene.” Mark spat the words out, and on some level, Ryan couldn’t even blame him for being furious. He would’ve felt the same had another Dom interrupted him like that, yet he couldn’t stop, couldn’t help himself. He had to protect Alex.

Alex’s eyes met Ryan’s for a split second, surprise and gratitude mingling in their depths before being replaced by the familiar submissive mask. But that brief moment of connection was all Ryan needed to know he was doing the right thing.

“Then explain to me what you’re planning to do with him. Please.”

The last word cost him, but he forced it out.

“Fine. I’m pushing Alex’s limits in humiliation play,” Mark said, his voice cool and measured. “I want to see how far he can go, test his boundaries. And, of course, I discussed it with him.”

“I need more details.”

“Very well.” Mark sighed, clearly growing impatient with Ryan’s persistence. “I plan on having him perform various acts in front of others, including some of our…associates. It’s all consensual, of course.”

“Is it?” Ryan asked Alex, who looked at Mark.