made Braxton hesitate. He wasn’t asking him out on a date. He wasn’t being sweet and romantic—not that Braxton really expected that.
Or expected anything.
He had a feeling ‘exploring’ anything with Ryan, anything beyond one night, would be intense. The idea thrilled him and scared him all at once. Ryan mentioned Pischlar being a Dom like it was a familiar thing. An everyday, normal part of life. His life.
“I do, but…you’re a Dom too, aren’t you?”
Nodding slowly, Ryan met and held his gaze. “I am. And I’m not interested in a partner who isn’t in the lifestyle. I don’t date casually—or at all, to be perfectly honest. I fucked who I wanted when I didn’t have time to commit to a full scene, and went to the local BDSM club to satisfy my other needs. Obviously I wouldn’t do that if I was in a relationship.”
Oh…
Oh!
All right, this was starting to make more sense. Ryan worked a lot, and from the little Braxton knew of those on the team in BDSM relationships, it took time and trust, neither of which Ryan would have with him after one night. And he hadn’t wanted to try to build it. Not when he could keep things simple.
Braxton had been asking him for something much more…complicated. More than he’d ever considered. He hadn’t understood why Ryan wanted to end things. Why he wouldn’t want to be with Braxton again when things had been so good between them.
I guess asking someone to be your submissive isn’t a “Let’s grab a coffee,” kinda chat.
But they were here now. Having that conversation. The very one Braxton had been wanting for so long.
“Yes, I still want this, Ryan.”
The edge of Ryan’s lips quirked. “Are you sure?”
Braxton frowned. “Don’t I sound it?”
“You do, but you have no clue what you’re in for.” He put his arm on the backrest of Braxton’s stool, coming closer to whisper in his ear. “This won’t be just you on your knees, holding still so I can fuck your mouth. This won’t be Pisch giving you a few playful commands. You will be mine in every way. So I’ll ask you again.” Ryan’s lips brushed his ear. “Are you sure?”
Heat flowed in a steady pulse from the base of Braxton’s spine, right into his swelling dick. Ryan’s breath had a shiver of anticipation skittering across his flesh. A contrast of hot and cold, eagerness with an edge of fear, all wrapped up in temptation.
His mouth went dry, but he managed a single word. “Yes.”
Ryan eased away and inclined his head. “Very well. I’ve looked at your schedule. You have practice in two days. I won’t do anything to hamper your performance, but I’ll take that time to see if this is worth either of us ignoring all the reasons we shouldn’t be together.”
“Yeah?” Braxton let out a nervous laugh. “Because I can’t think of a single one.”
That seemed to amuse Ryan, but he simply lifted his shoulders. “Come then. I owe you a punishment for what you pulled at the club. You’ll be lucky if I ever allow you to return.”
Blinking at Ryan, Braxton tried to wrap his mind around what he’d just said. “A punishment? But…you weren’t my Dom yet.”
“You were trying to get my attention. You have it. We’ve discussed this already.”
That didn’t sound fair, but Braxton had a feeling this was a test. His lips thinned. “As far as I know, these things are negotiated first. Let’s do that.”
Ryan’s eyes warmed. “Agreed.”
“Just like that?”
The man laughed, dropping a few bills on the bar to pay for their drinks, then nodding toward the exit. “Yes. I need to know you’ll be able to communicate with me. If your crush on me prevented you from doing so, I’d be dropping you off at home and continuing with my day. Maybe try this again when you grow up a bit.”
Face heating, Braxton shoved his hands in his pockets, following Ryan to his car. “This isn’t a crush.”
“Noted.”
“And I know all about punishments. And ‘funishments’. I’m fine with either, within reason.” He got into the passenger side, hands fisted on his thighs as Ryan got in behind the wheel. “All I ask is that you let me know what I did wrong, so I can do better next time.” He thought of the club, of being up on that stage and…he wished Ryan had been his Dom then. That he’d come onto the stage and showed he gave a damn. Brought Braxton home and made it