Chapter Thirty-Two
Torin
The next morning, Torin woke with a lightness in his chest he hadn’t felt in weeks. Byron was gone, back to New York City, and with him, the storm of stress and uncertainty that had been hanging over Torin’s head. He didn’t want to think about Byron anymore—didn’t have the mental space for him. New York still tugged at his heart, with its bustling streets and the friends he’d left behind, but Montana had felt like home in a way he hadn’t expected. The open air, the endless sky, the quiet rhythm of life here—it was healing him, piece by piece. And then there was Garett. Garett, who made him feel safe, seen, and cherished in ways he hadn’t thought possible.
They sat at the kitchen table, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Torin savored the simple pleasure of their routine—swapping turns cooking breakfast while the other cleaned up. It was domestic in a way that made his heart ache with gratitude. Garett had made scrambled eggs and toast, and Torin couldn’t help but smile as he took a bite.
“How did you think the meeting with Dante went?” Torin asked, his voice tentative. He’d been turning the question over in his mind all morning, unsure if he even wanted to know the answer.
Garett paused, his jaw tightening slightly before he answered. “Dante…I think he got the message. Liam made it clear that you’re not to be messed with, and I’ll make sure he sticks to that.”
Torin nodded, his chest warming at Garett’s words. He felt safe with Garett, protected in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time. But there was still a lingering curiosity, a desire to understand more about the world Garett was a part of. He wanted to be a part of it too, to prove that he could be what Garett needed.
“Garett,” Torin began, his voice hesitant, “I…I want to ask you something. But I don’t want you to think I’m rushing into anything.”
Garett raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Ask me anything, Torin. You know that.”
Torin took a deep breath, his fingers tracing the rim of his coffee cup. “Would you…teach me? How to be a worthy sub for you? I mean, I know I’m not ready for all of it yet, but…what would I have to do? What would it take?”
Garett was silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Then he reached across the table and took Torin’s hand, his touch warm and grounding. “Being a sub isn’t about being ‘worthy,’ Torin. It’s about trust, communication, and mutual respect. It’s not something you have to earn—it’s something we build together.”
Torin looked up at him. “But…I don’t know anything about it. I don’t know how to…I don’t know how to be what you need.”
Garett reached out, gently tilting Torin’s chin up so their eyes met. “You don’t have to be anything but yourself, Torin. The rest, we can figure out together. If you’re serious about exploring this, we’ll take it slow. We’ll talk about boundaries, about what you’re comfortable with, and we’ll go from there. It’s not about me molding you into something—it’s about us finding what works for both of us.”
Torin’s chest tightened, a mix of relief and nervousness swirling inside him. “But…what if I’m not good at it? What if I can’t keep up with you?”
Garett smiled softly, his thumb brushing against Torin’s cheek. “Torin, this isn’t a competition! There’s no ‘keeping up.’ It’s about trust and connection. And if you’re willing to try, that’s all that matters to me.”
Torin nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. “Okay. I…I want to try. But I need you to be patient with me.” He knew he’d been repeating himself, his impatience battling with his insecurities. Ever since Henry had mentioned Manny, Torin couldn’t shake the thought of Garett’s last sub. Why hadn’t Garett talked about him? Was he still in love with him? The questions gnawed at him, but he pushed them aside, focusing on the man in front of him.
“Always,” Garett said, his voice firm but gentle. “We’ll take it one step at a time. And if at any point you’re not comfortable, we stop. No questions, no judgment. This is about us, Torin. Not anyone else.”
Torin felt a wave of relief wash over him, the weight of his uncertainty lifting slightly. He leaned into Garett, resting his head against his shoulder. “Thank you,” he whispered. “For…for being patient with me.”
Garett squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to thank me, Torin. This is what I want too. We’ll figure it out together.”
Torin’s mind was still buzzing with questions, but for the first time, he felt like he had a direction. With Garett by his side, he felt like he could face anything—even the unknown, and there was plenty of that. “Are we working today?” he asked, his voice soft.
“No,” Garett replied, his tone warm. “Today, I’m spending the day with you.”
The words sent a wave of excitement through Torin, making his heart jump with anticipation. “Teach me here to be your sub,” he said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. “And if I do okay, then please take me to Cowpokes.”
Garett’s eyes softened, and he nodded. “Follow me to my training room after cleaning up. It’s completely empty, but we’ll shop for new toys and furniture.”
It was Torin’s turn to clean up, and he hurried, his hands trembling slightly as he washed the dishes, then placed them in the dishwasher the exact way Garett had taught him. Once he was done, they went upstairs to the room at the end of the hallway. The space was bare—no furniture, no distractions—just smooth wooden floors, bare walls, and the sound of their breathing. Torin stood in the center, his heart pounding, anticipation thrumming through his veins. He had wanted to please Garett for so long, craved it in ways he barely understood. Now, with Garett standing before him, calm and composed, he was finally stepping into the role he had only dreamed of with no concrete details. He hoped his dreams would match up with reality. Whatever it took to see Garette smile at his attempt to please him, he wanted that.
“You’re to call me Sir or Master Garett in this room. Use your safeword ice if you need it.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“We’ll work on basic postures.” Garett watched him with that quiet intensity, arms crossed over his chest, assessing. “First, posture,” he instructed. “Feet shoulder-width apart. Hands behind your back.”
Torin moved quickly, eager to please, but his movements were jerky, uncertain. His fingers fumbled as they laced together behind him, and he struggled to keep his shoulders from hunching.
“Relax,” Garett said, his voice firm but not unkind. He stepped closer, adjusting Torin’s stance with a guiding hand. “Straighten your spine. Chin up. Good.”
Torin swallowed hard, tingling all over at the small touches, the praise. He felt grounded, steady in a way that had nothing to do with the floor beneath him.
“Now, eye contact,” Garett continued. “Some Doms don’t allow it, but with me? I want to see you.”
Torin’s breath hitched as he lifted his gaze. Garett’s eyes held him in place, unshakable, unreadable, but there was something there—a quiet approval, a test, maybe even a challenge. Torin’s chest relaxed in the best way.
They moved through the basics—kneeling, responding to commands, holding positions for longer than was comfortable. Torin’s muscles burned, but he didn’t care. He thrived under each correction, every word of encouragement. Every moment under Garett’s instruction felt like unlocking something buried deep inside him, something raw and real.
“You’re doing well,” Garett murmured after Torin had held his kneeling position for what felt like forever. He walked a slow circle around him, his presence brushing against Torin’s senses like a touch. “Eager. That’s good.”
Torin shivered at the praise, his body thrumming with excitement. He wanted more—more commands, more structure, more of this intoxicating feeling. He had never felt so completely himself.
Garett finally stopped in front of him, tilting his head. “Did you like these basic positions?”
Torin didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Sir.”
Garett’s smile was small but approving. “We’re going to go shopping and buy some toys for you.”
Torin exhaled, steadying himself, ready to follow Garett to the end of the earth. “I need to change.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Garett asked, his voice gentle but probing.
“I can’t wait,” Torin replied, his voice firm despite the nerves waving in his chest. He was ready—ready to step into this new world, ready to trust Garett with every part of himself. And for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be, even though he was surrounded by Montana’s majestic mountains and sprawling land and not the busy city streets.