PLEASE NOTE: Leave it all Behind will be removed from all platforms starting June 1st in preparation for publication. E-book preorders will go live June 17th. Why? Amazon does not allow more than 10% of a story that's published on KU to be posted online outside of their platform and will ban my account if that rule is broken.
This book will be edited and fleshed out, then published later on this year in E-Book and Paperback forms (maybe Hardcover too?). I will post the link for pre-orders here and in my bio when they go live. The first chapter will remain posted.
Thank you for reading!!
PART ONE
It was disorienting enough to rise from a deep, wistful sleep, with the cloudy haze of unconsciousness that still swirled around me. But to wake unaware of my surroundings, no knowledge of how I had gotten there, and no clothes on my being, made the experience infinitely worse.
As my vision began to focus and fatigue loosened its grip, I took in my surroundings. The room was dark, but I had no trouble making out the shapes around me. I was in a large sultan bed covered in deep red satin. It sat in the center of the spacious room on a raised dais, overlooking the lavish decor. A little ostentatious if I was honest, but hey, who am I to judge?
I sat up to get a better view.
Across from the bed were towering bookshelves that reached from floor to ceiling, stuffed to the brim with old leather bound books. They sat on either side of an unlit fireplace with red velvet chaises and couches before it. To the left were thick velvet curtains trimmed in gold that partially blocked what looked like an office space. To the right was an ornately carved armoire, chest, and vanity with expensive looking colognes and powders. Large Renaissance style paintings with lewd depictions of humans and demons covered what wall space could be spared from the bookshelves.
Where was I?
I tried to think back, desperate for any clues as to how I got here, but drew a blank. It was like trying to grasp at clouds, there was nothing tangible. The discovery left me cold, ice traveling through my veins as the reality of my predicament hit home.
Was I kidnapped? Or…was this my home?
Surely I would remember if it was, right? Was I the pretentious asshole with a museum for a bedroom?
I shivered, tugging the sheets closer to my bare chest. A slight throbbing in my head made me wonder if I had been struck. I felt around for any wounds and froze when I came across the thick, neatly wrapped bandage around my left wrist.
There was no pain but the edges of the white wrap were crisp and fresh which meant it hadn’t been that long since it was wrapped. There was even a faint darkness seeping through which meant I was still probably bleeding.
I couldn’t remember getting injured or being treated for it. But something tugged at the back of my mind. There was something about this wound that seemed familiar. Yet the more I tried to remember, the further it disappeared into the recesses of my subconscious.
Damn it!
I couldn’t just sit here and wait for someone to come. I needed answers. Well, what I really needed were clothes, then answers.
Pulling the sheets back, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed until my bare soles hit the cool planks of the dark oak floor. I shivered again, feeling my nipples harden and skin tingle. My skin felt oddly sensitive.
Trying to ignore the sensation, I padded over to the armoire, trying not to get distracted by the incredibly detailed gilded frame. Was that real gold?
Focus.
I pulled open the heavy doors and noticed it was filled with expensive looking tops. They were all large, meaning the owner of the room had a massive frame. Guess it definitely wasn’t my room. A part of me was relieved, for the simple fact that I did not have such garish taste in decor.
I picked a gray cotton button down that smelled heavy of lemon and clove, rolling the sleeves a couple times, so my hands weren’t drowning in fabric. I didn’t bother looking for pants because if the size of the shirts were any indication, I would never even dream of fitting them. I did find a pair of boots by the vanity, but after trying them on, they proved to be more of a hindrance to shuffle around in, so I left them.
Now, there were three doors that could possibly lead me to answers...or danger. My gut felt oddly settled, so I didn’t think it was the latter, but better to be safe than sorry. I couldn’t find much in terms of weapons, but was able to snag a small letter opener from the desk. It could do a little damage at least.
With my weapon at the ready, I opened the first door. My nose was assaulted with that intoxicating scent of lemon and clove again.
Inhaling deeply, I let the smell consume my senses. I couldn’t tell if it was a cologne or a natural musk, but it was divine. I couldn’t get enough of it. Made sense when the door revealed a walk-in closet full of more clothes fit for a giant.
Slowly, I shut the door and moved on to the next one which happened to be a luxurious en suite. The last door led to a dark hall.
Bingo.
A few candles sat in wall sconces, enveloping the space with a gentle light, though it seemed more for decoration than illumination. There were no doors lining the hall except for the one at the very end. Carefully, afraid someone would magically appear and attack, I made my way down the hall. There was light seeping from underneath the door. Pressing my ear against the wood, I strained to hear any activity on the other side.
There were some soft noises, possibly voices, but I couldn’t be sure. I could deduce that it was likely there were people beyond the door. I had nowhere else to go which made it clear I had no choice, but to move forward.
My heart hammered in my chest. This was either a really dumb move or a smart one. Even worse, it was my only one. Sitting in that room, waiting to be found was not an option.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I pushed the door open—happy that it was unlocked—and peeked around. The room was vast and dimly lit. Octagonal in shape, the space was encircled with thick wooden pillars. To the left were some couches occupied with a few people. To the right were even more. In the center was what looked like a throne, sitting atop a pedestal.
I crept forward, surprised that no one stopped me. No one even seemed to notice my presence at all. It only took me a second to realize why.
To my left, there were four men. Two sat on one couch, side by side. They each had another man straddling their laps. One had hair of spun gold waving to his shoulders while the other’s was a rich bronze. Their hips undulated in sync, each ebb and flow perfectly timed.
Transfixed, I stood frozen, eyes never leaving their writhing forms flushed with ecstasy. There was a grace in their movements, every push and pull of their bodies a part of some fluid dance that made my heart race and breath quicken.
I should have looked away. I wanted to, but every fiber of my being refused to follow my will, intoxicated by my inane desire.
The one with golden waves tossed his head back, spine arching into a perfect bow, drawn tight by the lover who impaled him so passionately.
Like a plucked string, the man’s body jerked and mine along with it, tasting the orgasm that had claimed the couple. It was only then, breathless and wanting, that I found the strength to look away, stumbling forward.
Still, no one noticed me, or even spared me a glance. I wasn’t sure if I should have been grateful or not.
There were people everywhere, yet it wasn’t a crowd. Talking, laughing, kissing, fucking. They stood, they lounged. To the left. To the right.
I tried to take them all in, but their faces seemed to blur like light trails on a highway, amplified by some drug induced high. There were halls in the octagonal room and so many doors, but it was too chaotic to see where they might lead. The lights were dim, only cast by the few candles posted along the walls and tall pillars circling the room. The decor matched the room I had awoken in, full of deep rich colors, lavish gilding, expensive fabrics, and dripping grandiosity.
My world tilted as I stumbled forward, feeling a dull tug in my chest. Breathless and unsettled, I came across the raised platform where a golden pedestal sat. And on top of the pedestal was a loveseat, if one could really call it that. It more resembled a throne. It was covered in deep purple pillows with a high back and golden foliage chiseled into the edges and gold claw feet. The piece was stunning, but not as much as the couple upon it.
After what I had previously witnessed, I should not have been surprised by yet another couple openly engaging in lewd behavior, yet it still managed to startle me.
A woman sat on the throne, a wicked grin splitting her full blood red painted lips. The smooth brown skin of her throat was bare for all to gaze upon as she leaned back into the lush purple pillows behind her. She wore a thin slip of dress hiked up around her waist. One long lean leg was resting comfortably on the broad shoulder of the man on his knees before her, head buried between her thighs. His face was completely obscured as he worked to pleasure her. The only thing visible was his light gray hair.
I didn’t remember moving, but as if drawn by a leash getting shorter and shorter, I drew near them, filled with awe and longing.
The woman opened her eyes, revealing glowing red irises. Her gaze landed on me and her smile widened. Something about it was unnerving, it urged me to be afraid, but I was not. Why was I not afraid? My sense of self preservation was nowhere to be found. Instead, I grew eager...needy.
“Ah, he’s finally awake,” the woman mused. Her voice was deep and smooth and nothing like I imagined it would be. It did not match her somewhat dainty features. Instead, it curled around me, clouding my mind, increasing my desire.
The gray haired man pulled back, sensuous lips glistening with fluids as he turned to look at me.
A pulse jolted through my body as the man’s bright green eyes met mine. Overcome by the sensation, I fell to my knees. I hardly registered the pain. Not when my attention was wholly consumed by the man.
“Sterling, bring your fledgling to me,” the woman said, forcing a shudder down my spine. The man gazed at me intently before uttering one word.
“Come.”
God, I should have been embarrassed, but I couldn’t muster the strength. I crawled to them.
Actually crawled.
My limbs were shaky and eager, the need to please the ones before me enveloped my entire being. Heart pumping, body shaking, eyes watering, I couldn’t fight any of it.
When I finally reached the lower ledge of the golden platform, I cautiously raised my gaze, unsure if I should be so bold.
“It is alright, my child,” the woman cooed. I raised my head and met her stare full on.
She was ethereal in her beauty. With long raven black braids woven into a crown on her head. Her features were round, small, and intense. And her eyes, they were huge and majestic, framed with long black lashes, like a deer. My bottom lip trembled.
She smiled at me.
“Beau.”
I didn’t know how or why, but I knew it was me. This woman had given me a precious gift.
She gave me a name.
I don’t know how I knew this. But I just...did. I couldn’t even remember what my name had been before. I didn’t know who I was before.
Did I even exist before?
Who am I?
Beau.
That’s right. I’m Beau.
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