Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
One day he was going to be so helpful he killed me.
Bates was doing his best not to laugh, but the heat in his gaze made it clear he was thoroughly enjoying himself. “My sexy boys. So sweet together.”
Leaning in, Bates gave us both soft kisses but he stroked my cheek, sending a shiver through me. Something about the soft touch felt like there was so much intent behind it. My Dom was touching me.
Something made it all feel so real.
Fuck.
No, I wasn’t going to keep doing that.
“I…” I took a breath and tried again. “My head is going in circles and I don’t like it, Sir.”
A spark of something that looked like pleasure or pride flashed in his eyes making me feel even more like his sub than I already had. “Thank you for telling me, sweet boy.”
Brushing his lips against mine, he nuzzled against both of us for a few long seconds, giving me time to take another deep breath. I wasn’t sure it was helping as much as it had the first time, but it felt better than just sitting there worrying.
When I’d relaxed enough or he’d figured out what he wanted to say, Bates ran his thumb over my cheek before straightening. “I’m going to give you two choices. If you can’t pick between them and need me to take charge completely, then all you have to do is thank me for choosing. If you need to safeword, I expect you to say red or yellow. Is that clear?”
Wonderfully.
“Yes, Sir. I’m green.” I knew he wouldn’t be upset if we stopped, he’d made that very clear when he’d sent Gareth to get the restraints, but every little shift in his personality just reinforced the fact that was our Dom and our boyfriend.
“Good boy.” He gave me another kiss, pleased at the response. “I’m going to restrain you. Do you want to sit on the floor here or the bed?”
I wasn’t sure if he was asking if I felt comfortable with him on the bed or just asking about practicalities but I didn’t have to think long. “The bed, Sir.”
Knowing I had an out where he’d just step in and do what he wanted made it easier to answer, even if it didn’t make any sense at all.
“You made that decision very quickly.” He didn’t praise me for making the decision or even tell me I was his good boy, but I had a feeling that was deliberate.
No bad choices?
“Thank you, Sir.” Deciding that I liked the idea, I leaned back into Gareth’s embrace and felt even more relaxed as he hugged me tight.
He must’ve realized how much I liked it because he made a happy sound and kissed the side of my head. I’d always been frustrated at how much bigger he was than me, but now it felt perfect. Like I was supposed to fit against him and I’d been made perfectly for him.
Gareth liked cuddling and it wouldn’t surprise me if that translated into wanting to hold me on his lap. Before everything had changed, the images flashing through my head would’ve frustrated me but not any longer.
Bates seemed psychic because he waited until my brain slowed again to smile and take my hand. “You’re welcome. Now, Gareth is going to help you stand up and we’re going to head into the bedroom. You’re going to sit down on the edge of the bed closest to the door.”
The step-by-step instructions might’ve been overkill at any other time, but for our first scene, it brought everything into focus. Bates would make the decisions. All I had to do was follow directions and let him lead us.
I’d always understood the logic of why someone would want a Dom but walking through the emotions in live time was mind-blowing.
“Yes, Sir.” I didn’t have to do anything else…no thinking or worrying required.
Gareth realized that was a good thing for me because he simply stood up behind me and carefully helped me up before moving us back just enough for Bates to rise. Gareth seemed to like the instructions too because he felt relaxed and…content felt like the best way to describe it even if that wasn’t quite right.
“My good boys.” We each got a kiss before he nodded to Gareth, which seemed to be the silent order to start walking.
Gareth was quiet but as he led me toward the bedroom, he stroked my back and stayed close to me. Nothing about it said he was worried or anxious, though. He wasn’t even his chatty, oversharing self which was the oddest thing about the whole situation.
But there wasn’t enough time to overthink about that.
Before I could even come up with a reason why he was so quiet, we were at the bed, and I sat down where I had this morning. However, instead of feeling stressed and trying to hide, I felt like it was where I belonged.