Saint throws his hands up with a huff. “Noah does it again. If you don’t choose that one, Drake, you’re crazy.”
“Yeah, I think it’s got to be. Noah, thank you. I can’t wait for you to start it,” I tell him as I pick up the paper and look more closely at it.
“What? No. You wanted Saint to do it. I don’t mind if he takes over.” He’s shaking his head, looking up at his Dom, but Saint is already shaking his head.
“This is your art, babe. Drake’s happy with you doing it, right, brother?” Saint has his hand on the back of Noah’s collar, and with a gentle tug, I watch Noah sigh into the touch.
“More than happy, Noah. It will be an honour to have you do this. Saint can do another one,” I tell him, my eyes flickering from his face to the collar. I wonder if Finn will want to collar me; I’ve worn them in a scene, but this is different. Accepting a collar is a commitment, a joining. We don’t know each other enough yet, but I do know I love him and want a future with him.
I arrange an appointment with Noah for next week. He’s going to do this on his day off, so I’ll be sure to tip him appropriately. “I’ll see you later,” I say to him, and he looks shyly at me. We don’t know each other too well, but I make a note to change that. I think friendship between subs is important, and Memphis clicked with Noah when he was recuperating. Is it time for me to leave my past work behind me and focus on being the new Drake, one who can relax and be a sub and let Finn be my protector from now on? I don’t know how easy it will be, but I can try. I think we’re going to need lots of visits to Bound to get my head in the right space and not just being his sub in the bedroom or in a scene.
For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about my future. The time I spent with Rafe will always hold a piece of my heart, and I know he feels the same way. He’s happy for me, and while he’s not ready to leave the life he has now, he’s happier than he’s been for a long time. I know someone is out there for him to find, and the wait will all be worth it.
For me, I’m already there and that’s because I’ve found the right person to be with.
God, I love this man. Every day, it just keeps getting better and better. And at this moment, with him strapped to a spanking bench, his wrists and ankles secure, he looks so beautiful and perfect. Maybe it’s the stripes from the heavy flogger that has his arse cheeks blooming red or the plug that’s deep inside him that makes me love him more. Perhaps, it’s the audience watching us that is making me so proud. Whilst it’s not any of them individually, I know it’s from the look in Drake’s eyes as I crouch beside his head, the look of trust, deep devotion, and love; they are the most valuable parts of my love for him.
“What colour, boy?” I murmur in his ear, then bite down on the lobe.
“Green, Sir, very green,” he whispers back, then groans as I kiss and bite his lip.
I stand and stroke my hand down the golden body of a lion that’s inked over the centre of his back, the sweat glistens, brightening the colours. When I reach his arse, I let my blunt nails scrape over the tender skin; Drake’s back arches as he pulls on the restraints.
“So beautiful,” I say again, then pick up a leather paddle and lightly tap the skin. I know his every twitch, twist, or squirm he makes and the slight incline of his hips that pushes hisbum up means he wants more. After five hard smacks, Drake’s shoulders droop, and I know we’re reaching his limit.
I was surprised how quickly he started to loosen up around his family, to drop the intense, closed cage he’d kept wrapped around him for more than half his life. It wasn’t overnight, but him talking to Noah through the tattooing sessions helped. I think he is closer to likes and dislikes with Noah than with Memphis, who likes the softer approach to his scenes. His new job excited him, and he wanted to share all his ideas with his family.
He still has his secrets, his previous positions had state secrets and strict NDA’s. His time in the army and subsequent work was often shrouded in mystery, but when we’re lying in bed, he talks to me about the parts when he was scared that he wouldn’t make it home.
Right now, he’s ready to come to get the relief he’s been chasing all evening. I untie him and flip him over onto his back. His arse hanging off the bench as I step between his legs, letting him wrap them around my waist.
I pull the plug from his arse and line my cock up to his well-lubed, softened, gaping hole. I wish I had time to get my tongue in there, but he’s hanging on by a thread. With one thrust, I bury my eager, aching knob inside him to the hilt. “What do you want, boy? Tell me, sweet boy, what you need.”
“To come, Sir. I don’t think I’m able to hold on much longer.” He pants and stares at me through black pupils so wide I can hardly see the hazel surrounding it.
“Thank you. Now stroke yourself but hold off until I say. I want us to come together.” I forget the people around us and focus only on him, my boy. It doesn’t take me long to catch up with Drake, and moments later, I’m commanding him to come as I pour my release into his hot, tight channel.
The lights on the stage dim, and I ease out of Drake’s body, then help him down and on his feet. In the dark secluded corner, I wrap him in my arms and hold him as he comes back down.
Later, when we’re both dressed, I lead Drake through to the corner booth we always use. “Great scene, guys,” Saint says, which I take as high praise from the master Dom he is. “This one here”—he shakes Noah’s nape, but he’s smiling— “Got very turned on, so I appreciate it. We’re going to have a lot of fun later.”
We sit together, laughing and joking about shit until I feel Drake get heavy against me. He’s about done in and ready for some sleep. “It’s time to get this sleepy sub home and in bed. I took a lot from him today.”
“Thank you for tonight,” Drake says as he clicks his seatbelt in place. “I needed that.”
“You’ve been working so hard; you needed the release. Obviously, I got an enormous amount of pleasure too.”
The drive home is swift. It’s well past midnight, so there are very few cars on the road. Drake is quiet; I wonder if he’s fallen asleep, but he turns to look at me. “Did you give my idea any more thought.”
Drake wants to look into being foster parents. He wants to help kids the way his dads did.
I think it’s a great idea. I’d love to help a child in need. I’m not sure we’re at the right point in our lives. We’re still fucking like rabbits at every opportunity and spending time at Bound. Plus, we’re living in Drake’s apartment. It’s not big enough to bring children in to live with us.
“Yeah, I have. I think it’s a great idea and something we should check out. But not yet. Call me selfish, but I’m not ready to share you. Is that okay?”
I park the car and switch off the engine and look across the console at the man I love more than the world.
He smiles, and my heart beats faster. I stroke my finger down his cheek, over his stubble to cup his jaw. “I don’t think you’ll ever understand how much I love you.”