Chapter 9
9
C hris wandered through the apartment after their supper with Neil and the others. He’d done some laundry.
Taken a long shower.
Tried to read.
Switched the laundry.
Thought about getting dressed and going to get ice cream.
Was eleven o’clock too late for sundaes?
Leo was on the couch, sipping a hot tea and thumbing through a National Geographic, so quiet and still. He hadn’t moved in an hour. Maybe longer.
He just sat there.
It was weird as hell—both his nerves and Leo’s calm. Maybe Chris needed to go for a walk, go find a shop, buy some candy and a pack of cigarettes, or a honeybun and a cup of coffee.
“I think I’m going to run and get something sweet. Do you want anything?”
“Mhm. You. On your knees. Right now.” Leo didn’t even look up from his magazine.
He stopped and tilted his head, taking a second to decide whether or not Leo had spoken or he was just fantasizing. “Did you—say something?”
“I did.” Leo turned a page, still not looking up—not even moving.
He headed over, intrigued by the request, still half-convinced he was making this up, because he wanted… Leo.
Beautiful fucker.
Leo pointed to the floor beside the couch and looked at him expectantly, finally setting his magazine aside.
He ended up kneeling on the floor, because he wanted to know what Leo was going to do next.
Leo caught his chin in one big hand. “You’re restless, boy. Why?”
“I don’t know! I was just thinking how fucking weird it was, how I can’t settle.” Thank God he didn’t have to explain something he didn’t know.
“If you were a sub, I would take you over my knee and give you a nice spanking so you had something to focus on.” Leo leaned back into the couch and spread a little, watching him.
Asshole, taunting him. Still, he could push back, test the waters. “If you were a sub, I’d put you over my lap and fuck you with a dildo until you begged to shoot.”
Leo raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think you have a dominant bone in your body, boy .”
“No. I don’t either.” He didn’t want to be a Dom. He wanted to be himself. “But that’s not the question at hand, is it?”
“No, the question on the table is, would you like a spanking?”
He loved that about Leo—there was play, there was joy, but the questions were straightforward and honest, and he never felt like he was being fucked with.
Did he want one? Hell yes. It was a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability, of letting go and giving himself over.
“I’d love one. I’m all caught up inside.”
Leo gave him a gentle, approving smile and shifted on the couch, sitting forward. “Good boy. Come let me help you.” Leo patted his knees. “Pants down, please.”
“Yes, Sir.” Chris would meet Leo halfway, absolutely. The man was being incredibly… considerate. Like Leo gave a shit. Like he really cared.
It was scary as fuck.
Chris stood and pushed his sweats and briefs down. “Like this, or all the way off?”
“All the way. You’ll be more comfortable.”
Once he got them off, Leo offered him a hand to help him down.
His belly was taut—he couldn’t help that. It made him shudder with something like desperation.
He wasn’t even hard.
“That’s it; are you comfortable?” Leo slid a soothing hand over his back and down over one butt cheek. “I want you to be able to relax.”
“I am. It takes me a little bit, Sir, to get out of my head.” He sucked in a deep breath, then let it out, trying to help himself out.
“That’s helpful. Thank you, boy.” That hand moved in slow circles over his ass, the caress slowly warming his skin. After a quiet moment, it lifted away and came back down in quick, gentle taps. “If you feel restless or out of sorts, you can always ask for what you need, boy. I think I can help you.”
“I think you can too. That’s so scary.” Wait. Shit. Did he say that out loud?
What the fuck was wrong with him?
“Trust can feel like that.” The slaps found a rhythm—slower, firmer. “A little like falling. I’ll catch you.”
“Yes, Sir. A lot like.” He swallowed hard, trying to focus, to keep his breath slow and even.
“Good boy.” Leo’s hand came down solidly, drawing his attention to the sting as Leo smoothed his fingers over the spot to ease the burn. “My boy.”
“I— God, I want to be. I’m so fucking lost, man. I just…” Shut up! Shut up, Chris.
Leo’s hand came down hard, jolting him forward. “No, boy. You’re not lost. You’re here with me. Simple. Be present.”
His lips parted on a sharp gasp. Oh, fuck. Yes. “I’m fucking trying!”
“Language.” He got another smack on the other cheek; then Leo smoothed a hand over his skin. “You are. I know you’re trying. You don’t have to get so upset, Chrissy, you’re doing everything right.”
Something in him perked up, his attention caught. “I am?”
“Yes. You are.” Leo picked up with a slow but steady rhythm again, firm enough to sting a little. “You’re being honest. You’re making an effort. That’s everything to me.”
“I need this.” He had tried not to, because it put him in a shit position, made him vulnerable, made things?—
Another swat shattered his thoughts.
“I know.” Leo’s voice was soft and deep, and the slow, methodical blows to his backside didn’t falter for a second. “Such a beautiful boy.”
He realized that he fit. He fit where he was, draped over those heavy, solid thighs.
He fit. Right here.
Leo’s swats got lighter and lighter until they were nothing more than little taps, just reminding him where he was and whose hands he was in. Eventually they stopped entirely, and the room went quiet except for their breathing. Leo slid a hand up his spine and into his hair.
He groaned and pushed up into the touch. “Thank you, Sir. It’s better.”
The burn was sweet, like honey on fresh fry bread.
“You need to get out of your head once in a while. It’s a busy place.” He could hear Leo’s smile in those words.
“Yes.” Like a city, jammed between his ears.
“When you’re ready, boy, come up here and let’s have a cuddle.”
It took a few minutes, but he did find himself in Leo’s lap, tender ass rasping on Leo’s jeans.
“Mmm.” Leo held him, strong arms circled around him, and Leo dropped gentle kisses on his temple. “This is very nice.”
“It is. Thank you.” He wasn’t going to apologize. He wasn’t sorry. He was… good.
“You’re welcome. I knew I could help, and I’m relieved you let me.” Leo nuzzled his neck. “Do you still want ice cream?”
“I don’t want to go out. It’s late, and you’re warm.” And he was happy.
“Good.” Leo nodded and stood, and suddenly he was moving, being carried toward the bedroom.
Chris moaned softly, because there was something so—fabulous about the sheer presence of his—Leo.
Leo settled him on the bed and started to undress. “Did you enjoy the dinner party?”
“Once we settled business, yes. Thank you, by the way, for having my back.” He watched Leo, loving the solid planes of his lover. “It felt good, Sir.”
Leo gave him a nod, then shut the light off and climbed into bed with him. “Thank you for telling Neil you were in good hands. That also felt very nice.”
“I am. You have me.” Chris snuggled in, soaking in all the strength and warmth. “It scares me, how much I like you, but it’s worth it.”
“That’s bravery, boy. And trust. And I appreciate both.” Leo held him close, not asking for anything other than his company.
He sighed, letting himself sink into Leo’s presence, relaxing deeper and deeper, the heat and strength like a drug.