Neutral Zone Trap - Bianca Sommerland Page 0,57

shy. I have a full list from when I was trying to redeem myself to the team.”

“I’m going to take you up on that.” Braxton settled into Ryan’s side. “It was really cool of you guys to come over. And being able to be open about everything in front of you is...awesome. I can’t even remember why I was so scared to own who I am, except...well, things with the league are still...you know.”

All three men nodded their understanding. As open as the players were with one another, reality was, the sports world had a long way to go to be as accepting as it should be. Coming out could still be a risk for their careers and Braxton was more vulnerable than most.

He had a space where he could be himself. For now that would be enough. In the long run, Ryan couldn’t be sure what would happen, but as he enjoyed some quiet conversation with his boy and the other men, it felt like at least one goal had been reached.

In this space, Braxton was safe and cared for. He didn’t have to question his worth, wonder if his performance made him useful. There were no brand deals, no stats on the ice, nothing except him.

What he gave was his friendship. His truth.

And more than anything, there was a special kind of freedom to that. One Ryan would make sure he’d always have.

Knowing who he was…

Was more than enough.

Chapter 19

Sweat trailed down Braxton’s spine as he ran up the incline, loving the burn in his muscles and the way his blood pumped, the rush of finally being able to push himself this hard again without his body begging him to slow down. Even with the air conditioner blasting cool air, the summer heat was merciless, but he didn’t care. He was made for this.

And so much more.

“All right, Rocky, that’s enough.” Standing in the doorway, arms folded over his chest, Ryan chuckled. Already dressed in his leathers for their first trip to the local BDSM club tonight, he’d gone from being Braxton’s handsome, loving Dom to a powerful Master with an edge that sent a shiver up Ryan’s spine with his every command.

The way Ryan looked at him made it clear he intended to use that power in some wicked ways.

I can’t fucking wait.

Grabbing a towel, Braxton wiped the sweat from his face even as he slowed the treadmill to a slower pace, then stopped. He got off to cross the room, resisting the urge to steal a kiss because he didn’t want to ruin his Dom’s perfectly smooth black shirt—which had taken Braxton days to build up the confidence to take an iron to.

Look at me go.

Hand framing Braxton’s jaw, Ryan stopped him before he could pass. “What’s that little smile all about? Are you excited for tonight?”

“Very.” Braxton stared up at his Dom, not moving a muscle, settling into the security of his hold, his mind calm in a way it only ever was when Ryan claimed full control. “I was thinking about your shirt and how happy I was that I managed to iron it perfectly for you. And that I don’t want to ruin it.”

“Ah.” Ryan chuckled when Braxton’s gaze dipped helplessly to his lips when his Dom wet them with his tongue. “You did very well. But neither of us is making it through this night without getting a little...messy.”

A delicious shiver went over Braxton and he inhaled roughly. “I’m good with that.”

“I bet you are.” Ryan brushed a chaste kiss over his lips. “But let’s try to make it to the club as presentable as possible. If you keep tempting me, I’ll have to punish you, and we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

Braxton quickly shook his head.

Which got him a nod, then a light patt on the ass once Ryan waved him on. “Go take your shower, then. Don’t rush through it, I want every bit of you perfectly clean. You’re lucky I waxed you yesterday or we’d have to delay your fun even more to get that done.”

Cheeks heating, Braxton had a hard time keeping to the even pace Ryan expected him to walk around the house, his mind immediately going over the waxing and how painfully hard his confused dick had been by the end of the scene. Getting Ryan off with his mouth gave him the fulfillment he’d needed, but he was still really bad at not begging to find his release when Ryan toyed with him like that.

Thankfully,