Showered, dry, and wearing sweatpants and a shirt, I join Ryan in the kitchen just as he’s serving up our plates. Once he’s done, I pour myself a glass of red and take my dinner. “I’ll be eating on the sofa. You can eat at the table and think about your behaviour. No speaking for an hour.”
“Yes, Sir.” His lips fold in and he bites down on them.
With his punishment commencing, I settle myself down in front of his TV, or what might soon be called our TV. Flicking between a couple of channels, I watch various comedy reruns while I eat and drink. In my head, I wonder about Ryan moving in and where we’ll put certain things. With my phone in hand, I fire off a message to Travis to check which shift he has at Andy’s the next day. When he says a similar one to mine, I suggest grabbing lunch together, as I want to discuss something with him. His response makes me smile.
Travis: Sounds gd. Shit man, you need 2 help me with D. I wanna know once and for all if he’s interested in me. He’s a locked vault. A sexy vault. Anyways, you have me curious. Talk 2mos
Me: Okay cool. You could always ask him. Either way, try not to offend our roommate. Cya 2mos
It was bad enough when we first met Dakota and Travis wanted to ask him out on a date. Now the guy is living with us and Trav has a serious case of blue balls. Before he met Dakota? Travis would ask anyone, anytime, anyplace out on a date without hesitation. The fact the man has my brother all nervous and shy? It’s weird. And sort of cute.
Tossing back the rest of my wine, I place my glass on the coffee table. I lean back against the sofa. Ryan collects my plate and glass and silently takes them to the kitchen along with his own. Checking the time and realising he’s been quiet for more than eighty minutes, I stand. With his back to me, Ryan fills the sink. Wrapping my arms around him from behind, I move my lips to his ear. “Good pup.”
He turns in my arms before hugging me tightly. I know how much he dislikes being apart, especially when we’re in the same room together. In my eyes, the punishment fit the crime and it’s over now. Stepping back, I cradle his face and smile. “It’s done. Now we can enjoy our evening. Thank you for dinner, Ryan. It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome, Sir.”
I tease my bottom lip with my pointer finger. He obeys my silent request and kisses me. It’s a deliberate, slow, and sensual joining. Before I let myself get carried away, I draw back. “Have a shower and wait for me in bed,” I whisper, giving him a little swat as he passes by. I set to work on the dishes, and once they’re finished, the TV is turned off, and I double-check the lock on the door. As I commanded, Ryan waits for me on the bed. On his back, eyes closed, and completely naked, he’s a sight to behold. I make quick work showing him how much I appreciate and love his submission.
Later, when we’re sated, clean, and back in bed, Ryan rests on his back with me on my side. I have my leg resting over both of his, one hand holding my head up, and the other caressing his chest.
“Do you know how sexy you are?”
He gives me a jerky nod. “Yes, Sir. You make me feel sexy. Like right now. The way you’re looking at me.”
I grin at him. “Yeah?”
“Yes, Sir. And I hope you know how sexy you are, too.”
Gazing into his warm eyes, I smirk. “By your expression, I feel like I could win a sexiest-man-alive competition.”
“You totally could.” He shudders when I touch his nipple.
Releasing his sensitive bud, I press my lips to his in a soft kiss and flip the light switch. “Rest now, pup.”
He mumbles words of love before drifting off. Nuzzling my face in his hair, I breathe in his scent, falling asleep to the sound of his quiet snores.
* * *
A week later, Ryan strolls into his bedroom, and I can’t help but lift my head from the pages I hold in my hands to glance at him.
He smirks. “That’s one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen, Sir. You, lying in bed and reading.”
“Well, you’re your hottest when obeying my orders.”
“Huh.” He tilts his head. “In that case, feel free to order me to blow you off while you read. I’ll be only too happy to obey you.”
The laugh bursts right out of my mouth. This guy. I love him so much. He’s finally letting me read what he’s written for the second book in his series, and this is the first time I’ve found a free moment. Of course, if it’s between reading and pleasuring my lover, though? The latter will win every time.
“Come here.”
“Yes, Sir.” Just as I’m about to tell him what he can do with that beautiful mouth of his, his phone rings. I love how he meets my eyes, asking for permission first. With my nod, I give him the okay. Checking his screen, Ryan’s eyes snap to mine. “It’s the detective. Ashley.”
“Answer it,” I say, shuffling over until my feet rest on the floor on either side of him. My hands hold his hips as he lifts his phone to his ear.
“Hello? Yeah, hi. What’s um… what’s up?” Ryan places his free hand on my shoulder, and I cover it with one of mine. “Oh. I see. Well, that’s… that’s good.” For a while, he listens to what the detective has to say. “Yeah, I understand. And I will. Yep, okay, keep me updated on what’s happening. Okay, thanks. Bye.”
As he hangs up, I wait patiently to hear the news.
Ryan drops his phone on the bed and puts his other hand on my shoulder. He’s quiet for a few moments. Grasping him from behind his knees, I pull him on top until he’s straddling me. “It seems this one other detective has been looking for Luke, trying to catch him for a while. He’s gone by a few different names. And there’s been three other people who’ve made complaints about him.” Ryan finally meets my eyes. “They’ve got him. There’s going to be a trial. Supreme Court.”
“Wow. That’s…. Baby, that’s really good.”
“I know.” He nods, licking his lips. “He deserves to be in jail.”
“Or worse,” I mutter. “Did she mention you having to testify?” Although I’m expecting an affirmative, I’m worried for Ryan. He’ll have to relive his pain once more in order to help send the scumbag to jail.
“Yeah. They’re trying to gather a few of us to help their case. Both her and the other detective are working with the prosecutor to lock him up. Now that they know who he is, anyone who makes a complaint or takes out an AVO on Luke will speak to Ashley or this other guy, Detective Jackson.”
Hands on his back, I caress his skin. “It’s a terrible thing that he’s done this to more than one person, but I’m relieved he’s not simply getting away with it. There’s a chance he’ll go to jail.”
“I know. It’s bittersweet news,” Ryan murmurs. We stay like that for a few minutes, just sitting there holding each other. When the feel of our bodies together becomes too good to ignore, I grip his waist and flip him onto his back. Ryan makes a noise of surprise. Sliding between his legs and covering his body with mine, I gaze down at him. Running my hands through his hair, I grip his locks and expose his neck, kissing him there.
“Who loves you, pup?” I whisper.
He moans. “You do, Sir.”
“And who’s going to be by your side during the whole trial?”
Ryan looks up at me. “You, Sir.”
“Mm. That’s right.” Taking my time, I pepper his face with light kisses, which are met with his moans and the occasional thrust of his hips. Drawing back, I ask him, “What do you think about me taking you to the club?”
His eyes widen with excitement. “The BDSM club?”
“Yes.”
Ryan thinks for a moment. “I want to. But I’m worried I’ll…. I don’t want to embarrass you. I might not mean to misbehave, but… what if I freak out?” His eyes are restless, he doesn’t know where to look. “I know I haven’t really yet, but I could.”
Shaking my head, I tell him, “We won’t do anything with an audience until we’ve gone there at least a couple times to use the private rooms.” I kiss his nose. “I’d like to take you Friday night.”
He doesn’t reply immediately, but that’s why his answer has me even more excited to plan out the evening. Because it means he’s really thought about it. I smile when he says, “Yes, Sir.”
* * *
Thursday night, Ryan comes over to watch the Eagles game. With Trey and David, Trav and Dakota, and Kristen and Lindsay as well, there’s eight of us watching the game, eating pizza, and drinking.
“How’s work going?” David asks Ryan during a quarter break.
My man shrugs beside me. “Eh. It’s going okay.”
“And your book stuff?”
Ryan smiles. “It’s going well. The editing process is underway, and it looks like it could be released in a couple of months.”
“Wow, that’s awesome, man.”
Trey pipes up, “That’s amazing, Ryan. We’ll have to have a release party!”
“Hmm, you’re right. Maybe I’ll get David to organise it for me.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Trey exclaims.
Ryan laughs at the expression on his face, and I can’t help but join in. “I was pulling your leg, Trey. Of course, you can organise it for me.”
“You’re evil,” my brother says with a laugh.
My pup grabs my attention by twining our fingers together. Pressing mute on the TV, I manage to get everyone’s attention. “Ryan and I have some news,” I say. “Travis and Dakota already know this but we wanted to let you all know. Ryan’s lease ends in a few weeks and he’s moving in with us. We’ll be living together .”
“Oh, I’m so happy for you guys!” Lindsay exclaims.
“Me too,” Kristen says. Both ladies give us a hug each.
David pats his best friend on the shoulder. “I’m glad you found each other,” he tells us both. Congratulatory words surround the room, and it all becomes background noise as I gaze into Ryan’s eyes. In them, I see happiness, excitement, pride, and love.
Wrapping my arm around his shoulders, I lean in to kiss him, whispering words of love as he does the same. Kissing him on the cheek, I whisper in his ear, “Thank you for coming into Andy’s that day and asking me out.”
Grinning ear-to-ear, Ryan whispers, “You’re welcome, Sir. Thank you for waiting for me.”
“Always.”