At first, Liam didn't budge. Even with the placating words, he didn't seem satisfied. A tension had settled over his face, as if fighting some internal struggle. A tension that could also be felt in his hands, holding himself back from pulling as hard as he could on the bet. He wanted Mike to think his life could end at any possible moment. That one wrong word could do push him passed that point. The closer to such an edge a person was, the more they panicked. The less able they were to find stable ground upon which to stand.

Then, all at once, he loosened his grip. "Good," was all he said as he started to loosen the belt. Once he pulled it away, he ran his fingers over the red marks left behind, wondering how easily they would bruise.

As soon as he set the bet aside, he started fastening the collar of the jacket. It was a rather high collar for such a thing, mostly leather. The sort of thing that discouraged struggling for all the ways it might shift or press against vital areas. "It seems, however, that you are very much in need of a proper lesson. Something to ensure you behave. Something more...rigid." As he spoke he checked and re-checked the straps. "After this, there will be a three-strike policy. Touch me without express permission three times, and you will be right back here, in one form or another." He leaned close, his breath falling over Mike's ear. "And what is about to happen today will be a preview of any further infractions. Understand?"