Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry,” he whimpered. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Sweetheart, you’re gonna throw up if you get any more upset.” I nudged him away from me a few inches, just enough so I could cup his face in my hands. “Breathe with me, Lane. Okay? Take a deep breath through your mouth and let it out slowly.” Wasn’t a chance in hell he could get air up his nose at this point. “That’s all you’re gonna focus on right now.”
He nodded jerkily and screwed his eyes shut.
I accidentally grinned a little. I couldn’t help it. I’d missed him so fucking much.
It took him some time, but eventually, he calmed down a little. Tears flowed freely, and he cried in between snippets of confessions. A few more dots connected, all suspicions confirmed, with one or two surprises. Judging by his wording, it was I alone who’d made him realize he was gay. Thankfully, Corey had been there for him. But yeah, he’d developed a crush on me that’d struck like an asteroid, and he’d been hit by the same attraction when we’d gotten our second introduction in Florida.
The second time around hadn’t been one-sided, though. And he’d know soon enough that I had plans for us. Our future. He belonged with me. I’d make him see that.
Sometime later, we moved to the couch in the living room. Lane was wrung out. He collapsed on one side and let his head drop against the back cushion, where he closed his eyes and sniffled.
He’d taken his anxiety meds, he’d told me, when he’d emerged from a quick bathroom break, and I’d decided I wasn’t leaving until he was asleep.
“Fuckin’ hell, I’m embarrassed,” he whispered brokenly.
“Because you cried all over my T-shirt, or because you’ve had a giant crush on me?” I asked helpfully.
He whimpered, cried, chuckled, and groaned all at once, in one adorable sound, and he slapped his hands over his face. “Dick.”
I smiled and pulled up one leg, and I faced him better. My elbow landed on the top of the back cushion, and I ran a hand through my hair. The worst had to be over. The truth was out. The anxiety seemed to have settled.
He let his hands fall to his lap again, and he swallowed hard. “I thought Macklin told you first. You must’ve seen him tonight.”
“I did. And I caught him in a horrible lie, but no, he didn’t spill the secret. He just acted weird when I once again expressed my frustration at recognizing you from somewhere.”
He exhaled unsteadily and nodded minutely.
Then he yawned and sat forward, rubbing tiredly at his face. “Um, do you want coffee or something?”
I shook my head, then nodded at the soda can on the table. “You can give me a swig of that.”
His forehead wrinkled as he handed me the can. “I can get you your own, you know.”
“Nah, won’t finish it anyway.” I took a quick gulp and promptly made a face. “Just as bad as I remember it bein’. Fuck.”
I coughed and vowed never to drink Diet Coke again. Tasted nothing but chemicals.
It earned me the first flash of amusement in Lane’s eyes, though. Bloodshot or not, they were a sight worth all the chemicals.
However, it didn’t last long. He grew somber once more and dropped his gaze. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for lying to you, Ty. I regret every moment of it.”
I knew he did. Maybe that was why I’d already forgiven him.
“I appreciate that.” I inclined my head. And this was it, wasn’t it? A good opening for step two. “There’s room for makin’ amends, if you’re interested.”
He looked up, surprised. “Really? Name it.”
I withheld my smile this time.
Now my fun began.
I had a bet going with myself. My hope was to break him by Thursday.
“Mind settin’ aside a couple hours a day for me next week?” I asked next.
His confusion was clear as day, but it didn’t stop him from confirming. “Sure. My hours are flexible. What do you need?”
Your pretty little head to fuck with.
“A kinky soundin’ board slash guinea pig, if you will,” I replied. “The TPE demo I watched tonight made me curious about some things I might incorporate in a future relationship.”
He tilted his head. “You’re not a Dom. You said you weren’t into D/s.”
I shrugged. “Things change, and that don’t mean dominance doesn’t come naturally for me. I’ll sure as hell never be a TPE Master, but Walker and Macklin put things in a new perspective for me.” I paused, remembering a conversation we’d had last week. “Remember what you said in Florida about being a reluctant submissive? That there are some D/s elements you just happen to need, whether you want them or not?”
He nodded hesitantly.
“Well, maybe I’m a reluctant Dom,” I said. “I shied away from routines once I left the Air Force, and I reckon it’ll do me good to have a bit more structure in my life once I meet someone.” Just a bit. “Plus, it’ll make my datin’ pool bigger. Because while you don’t have any long-term relationships on your radar, I do. What you and I shared that week—I wanna feel that again.”