Chapter Ten
Avery gazed down at Eli, his features so peaceful as he slept. Even if Eli was only his for a brief period of time, caring for him would be worth all the heartache in the world.
Eli stirred, rolling on his side, then stretched out his arm as if searching for him.
Avery caught the movement and gently laid his hand over Eli’s searching fingers.
The touch seemed to calm him, and Eli’s breathing deepened once more.
Avery’s heart swelled as he studied the curve of Eli’s shoulder, the delicate shell of his ear peeking through auburn curls, remembering the easy submission from the night before.
The bedroom was quiet, save for the soft hum of the central heat that had kicked in and the occasional sound of a car passing by.
The hour was early, and Cambridge hadn’t fully woken up yet.
Avery shifted carefully on the bed, not wanting to disturb Eli's rest. The younger man needed it after everything he'd been through.
“What am I doing?” Avery whispered to himself so softly that it was barely a breath.
He’d never intended to feel so much, so quickly.
The plan had been simple: offer Eli sanctuary, protection from the danger that had driven him to Boston.
But now, everything had changed. He’d be lying to them both if he said the prospect of having Eli in his life from that moment forward didn’t thrill him.
A small crease formed between Eli's brows, and he opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.
“I’m here.” Avery reached down to brush a curl from Eli’s forehead.
Eli’s face relaxed immediately, his lips curving into a drowsy smile that made something twist in Avery’s chest. Growing accustomed to this—to waking beside Eli, to watching the vulnerable moments between sleep and wakefulness - would be as easy as falling off a log.
“What time is it?” Eli’s voice was rough with sleep, his eyes still half open.
“A little after seven.” Avery smiled as contentment filled him. He lay his head back on his pillow, scooting down so he could be eye to eye with Eli. “Did you sleep well?”
Eli nodded against the pillow. “Best ever.” He snickered. “Although the past two nights weren’t too bad either, despite all the clothes.”
Avery chuckled. “I guess we’d better sleep naked from now on.”
“You’re so wise, Sir.”
They shared an easy laugh and light touches before Avery gathered Eli into his arms, rubbing his nose in the crook of his neck. He inhaled the musky, masculine smell, appreciating Eli’s post-fuck morning scent.
“After we shower, I’ll take you to breakfast. There’s a nice bistro around the corner.”
“I thought you made a mean omelet?”
Avery gave Eli a squeeze. “Are you trying to tell me you don’t want to go out?”
Eli didn’t respond right away. “Probably.”
“Hmm…” The non-committal answer reminded Avery that while basking in the afterglow of their first encounter was important, so was staying true to what else Eli needed. “I’ll decide this morning, but we’ll be working on your reticence once the contract is worked out.”
“That’s a relief.” He let out a puff of air. “I wasn’t sure which way to go.”
“I know, sweetheart. It’s okay.” Avery squeezed him again. “I’ll warn you, though. You might be stuck with the basic egg and cheese variety. I’ve yet to do any extensive shopping since I’ve been back.”
“That’s okay.” Eli idly plucked at Avery’s chest hairs. “Are you bummed about not staying at the hotel anymore, having to drive home every night?”
Avery arched his eyebrows. “Not in the slightest. Why would you think I want to sleep in the penthouse rather than my home?”
Eli sighed. “I have no idea. I feel like I barged into your life. I mean, I’m the one who asked if I could spend the night with you. And now here I am, demanding omelets.”
Avery held in a laugh, not wanting Eli to think he was making fun of him. He already knew he had a sensitive boy on his hands.
“I’m a strong man, Eli. Trust me when I tell you that no one, not even a boy as beautiful as you, can make me do something I don’t want.” Avery cupped Eli’s cheek. “You don’t need to worry. You’re here because I want you here. I brought you to my bed because that’s where you belong.”
The certainty in his voice surprised Avery.
He’d spent years being careful with his words, measured in his commitments, but with Eli curled against him, everything was finally crystal clear.
The tension in Eli’s body eased, and he pressed his face more fully into Avery’s palm.
The gesture was so trusting, so naturally submissive, that Avery’s decision to give Eli a contract was further cemented.
The morning light had grown brighter, and the urge to get the day going took hold. Now that they’d rested and expressed their desire to move forward as Dom and sub, what was he waiting for?
Avery sucked in a deep breath, a thrum of excitement building under his skin at the prospect of having a steady boy for the first time in years. He patted Eli’s hip.
“Come on, sweetheart. Time to get up. The sooner we shower and eat, the sooner we can draft a contract.”
Avery helped Eli up, doing his best not to stare. Eli’s half-hard cock was capturing his attention and tempting him to abandon all else in favor of sucking off his boy instead. At the sound of Eli’s chuckle, Avery glanced up. He’d been busted.
That wouldn’t do at all. Time to set a precedent.
Avery straightened, locking eyes with Eli. “Question: Have you ever been spanked?”
Eli’s jaw went slack. “Like, as a kid? Or do you mean by a Dom?”
Avery smirked. “Dom, or with another man.”
A host of emotions passed over Eli’s features, as if he were searching for an elusive answer. “No, Sir.”
Such a drawn-out pause meant there was much more to uncover. At least Eli would keep him on his Dom toes.
“No to both?”
Eli twisted his fingers. “Yes, but not because I wasn’t interested.”
Jackpot. “Won’t be a problem to help you out with that.” A high flush bloomed on Eli’s cheeks. Avery smiled, perhaps a bit too mischievously, judging from Eli’s concerned expression. “Ever hear of discipline spanking?”
Eli’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that the same as being punished?”
The corners of Avery’s mouth twitched. When was the last time he’d had this much fun?
“Not at all. And it’s not the same as spanking for pleasure, either.”
Eli gulped. “That’s a lot of spanking.”
Avery winked at Eli, who seemed to be having a horrible time keeping still. “Well, something for us to discuss after breakfast. You grab a shower while I take care of a few things. Meet you in the kitchen.”
“Uh, Sir?”
Avery paused, then turned to see Eli still fidgeting, his brow furrowed.
His poor boy was more distressed than he deemed acceptable.
Avery reached for him, and Eli rushed into his arms. Eli was no longer hard, and Avery rubbed soothing circles on his back.
With everything still so new, he’d need to remain even more vigilant than usual when working with a sub.
“Talk to me, Eli. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
Eli clung to him. “I had no idea how difficult it would be to communicate this way. I’m so used to keeping my feelings in my head, never letting on if something bothers me.”
“Is it difficult enough to use your safeword?”
Eli pressed his forehead to Avery’s chest, and Avery held his breath.
“No, Sir.” Eli peered up at him, his forehead still wrinkled. “Can I ask why you don’t want to take a shower with me?” He winced. “Now that I’ve said it out loud, it sounds so ridiculous.” He snorted. “Like there’s a law that you have to take a shower with me if we had sex.”
There was so much to unpack in everything Eli said that Avery mentally hit the pause button on leaving the room. Instead, he gathered up Eli’s hand and led him to the bed, patting the spot next to him. As Eli sat down, Avery reached for the throw at the end of the bed.
“Here.” Avery wrapped the fleece blanket around Eli’s shoulders. “I don’t keep the thermostat up that high. We’ll get you a robe next time we’re out.”
After he’d arranged the throw, Eli leaned against his frame. Avery snaked his arm around Eli’s waist to help anchor him.
“There.” Avery smiled. “Warm enough?”
Eli offered him a shy smile in return. “Very. Thank you, Sir.”
Avery kissed his temple. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands or mouth off his boy.
“See how well you’re doing? Remembering to call me Sir?
That and the spanking can be two of the first things we discuss for the contract.
But in the meantime, to go back to what you were asking, yes.
Please ask me anything at all. That’s the only way this will work between us. ”
Avery cupped Eli’s cheek, encouraging him to look up.
When their eyes locked, Avery continued.
“There’s nothing ridiculous about wanting to take a shower with me or be with me in general.
I’m quite flattered by that, actually. But, eventually, I hope I will have earned your trust to the point where you know I have a good reason for what I do. ”
Eli pinched his eyebrows together, not responding right away. That was fine with Avery. It was preferable for Eli to take his time and ponder everything first.
“Can you tell me - “ Eli snapped his mouth shut, then took a deep breath before continuing. “I mean, why don’t you want to take a shower with me? And I’m sorry, but it still sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud.”
Avery choked on his spit, trying to keep from laughing.
He coughed into his fist. “I would love to take all my showers with you, but that’s beside the point.
” Avery wrapped his palm around Eli’s nape.
“I wanted to begin our first day as Dom and sub by testing your willingness to do as I say, to accept that I only want what’s best for you.
” He brushed their noses together. “If I get in that shower with you, the only thing I’ll care about is what decadent things I can do to your body. Omelets and contracts be damned.”
“Ohh…” Eli drew back. “Man, I have so much to learn about being in this kind of relationship.”
“That’s to be expected, sweetheart.” Avery grasped Eli’s chin between his thumb and forefinger.
He needed to make sure his boy knew he was seen, that Avery wasn’t disappointed by Eli being a newbie.
“Believe me when I say that even Doms and subs who’ve been together for years are constantly evolving, learning new things about themselves within that dynamic. ”
Finally, Eli gave him a full smile. “That’s good to know. I guess I’m trying to get too ahead of myself.”
“You’re doing wonderful, my sweet baby.”
Eli’s features brightened, and Avery sealed the moment with a deep, lazy kiss. He could taste his boy all day long.
Contracts. Omelets.
Avery ended the kiss with a swipe of his tongue across Eli’s bottom lip. “Better?”
“Soooo much better.”
Avery chuckled. “Excellent.” He rose, offering his hand to Eli, then pulling him up.
“Sir? Another question.”
“Go ahead.”
Eli tilted his head. “Are we going to have the same kind of relationship Ryan and Ty have with Master Zane?”
“Every relationship is different, sweetheart.”
Eli nodded. “I know that. What I mean is how Ryan and Ty are always submissive to Master Zane. Like, they’re Dom and sub all the time.”
“Oh, I see.” Avery smiled. “It depends on what you want out of our relationship. If you’re only interested in being my sub in the bedroom, we’ll make that clear in our agreement.”
Eli shifted from one foot to the next. “I kind of get the feeling you’re more of an all the time Dom. Wouldn’t a bedroom-only situation be something you’d regret eventually?”
Avery dragged his fingers through his hair. “Honestly? Ten years ago, maybe. Twenty years, definitely. Now? I’ve not only been without a sub for years, but I want to share my life with you way more than I want a full-time sub.”
Avery’s breath caught, and Eli’s jaw went slack.
Clearly, Eli hadn’t expected him to declare such strong feelings, but Avery was equally surprised.
At the same time, he knew his words were true.
Eli was the man he’d always hoped to find.
Even without a formal arrangement, they naturally fell into a balanced power dynamic together.
If Eli announced he didn’t want everything written down in an official contract, Avery would be fine with his decision.
“Wow.” Eli licked his lips. “That’s… I don’t know what to say.”
Avery took both of Eli’s hands in his. “It’s the truth.”
Eli nodded. “But if I want to be full-time like Ryan and Ty, that’s still okay, too?”
Laughter poured from Avery like a dam bursting. He pulled Eli into his arms, wondering what he’d done to deserve such an incredible man. All the lonely years had been worth it to arrive at this moment.
“More than okay, my sweet, perfect boy.”
Avery rocked Eli in his arms, then couldn’t resist kissing him over and over. His plan of them not taking a shower together went flying out the window as their clinch grew more heated. Avery lifted Eli up, carrying him into the bathroom.
After all, there was always tomorrow.