Neutral Zone Trap - Bianca Sommerland Page 0,32

nothing needed to be rushed.

His kiss was telling Braxton not to worry. Telling him these two days were the beginning of something amazing.

But the kiss was over much too soon and Braxton groaned as Ryan backed away from him. Lips still parted, desperate for more, Braxton struggled not to pout when Ryan gave him one of his amused smiles. The man knew exactly what he was doing. This was probably some kind of test.

No way would Braxton fail the first one, so he remained in place as Ryan’s gaze drifted over him.

“When you’re in my home, there will be some basic rules for you to follow. Since you’re new at being a submissive, we’ll keep things simple.” Ryan smiled at Braxton’s nod. “You’re to remove your clothing at the door, fold them neatly, then bring them to me. Unless instructed otherwise, you’ll kneel by my side when I’m sitting and wait to be acknowledged. You may speak whenever you’d like, but it will be done respectfully and you will call me ‘Sir’. Understood?”

This was really happening. Braxton inhaled roughly, his erection giving a painful throb as he nodded. He shouldn’t be this needy, not when he’d been fucked so recently, but they hadn’t been Ryan. Ryan somehow managed to get him all worked up without much effort and it had Braxton anticipating his next move.

Which he wasn’t supposed to do.

Hooking his fingers at the bottom of his shirt, he quickly pulled it off, then kicked off his sneakers and undid his jeans. His cheeks heated as he remembered he’d slept in these clothes. If he’d known he was going to see Ryan he’d have showered and shaved and worn something nice to impress him. He ducked his head as he sensed Ryan’s eyes on him while he folded the clothes which should probably get thrown in the nearest hamper.

At least he’d been relaxing lately and not working out. If he stank, he’d be absolutely humiliated.

Steady footsteps moving away from him brought his head up and he watched as Ryan walked down the short hall, disappearing into a room without a door. He followed quietly, his heart pounding as he stepped into the living room, standing there awkwardly as Ryan turned on the TV.

If this was part of the test, it was easy enough. He went to Ryan, laid his pile of clothes on the sofa beside him, then knelt on the soft, round, dark grey area rug. He wasn’t sure if he should face the TV or Ryan, but guessed it would be kinda weird if he knelt there, staring at the guy, so he chose the former.

After a moment Ryan reached out and pressed Braxton’s head against his knee, then began stroking his hair. The tension eased out of Braxton’s shoulders and he relaxed, his eyes drifting shut as he settled in for however long Ryan wanted him to be here, just like this. There was something soothing about the whole experience. No pressure, no wondering if he was doing the right thing. He was doing what he’d been asked. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Much better.” Ryan leaned forward once whatever news show he’d been watching was finished, lips curving as Braxton blinked up at him. “You seem much more comfortable.”

“I am. I mean, not that I was uncomfortable before…exactly.” Braxton frowned when Ryan arched a brow at him. Oh yeah. “Umm, Sir. I’m comfortable with you, but I know if I fuck up I could go months without seeing you again. Or never see you.”

“Hmm, yes, I can see how that would add a lot of pressure. Which isn’t what I want for you.” Ryan stroked Braxton’s hair again. “The next two days is to see if this is something both of us will enjoy, Braxton. I’m tempted to tell you I refuse to let anyone else ever touch you again. That you’re mine from here on. But I’d be reacting out of jealousy and a possessiveness I haven’t earned. You may end up deciding I’m too overbearing and boring. That this kind of life isn’t for you.”

Braxton’s lips parted. He wanted to argue, but part of him was stunned Ryan had admitted all that.

No hesitation. Complete honesty.

He couldn’t give the man any less. “The last thing you’d ever be to me is boring, but I get it. I haven’t ever wanted a relationship—the ones I thought I should want never felt right. But I’m a hockey player and you might not want to put up with me being