Chicago?”
His eyes flared slightly. “Yes.”
“So you came back?”
There was something in Jasper’s eyes, something I couldn’t quite make out.
“But you never came back to me?”
I knew he wouldn’t answer the question. And if he did, I doubted I would like the reason, because if I had known Jasper Tate had been back in Chicago, there was no doubt in my mind I would’ve tracked him down. As it was, it’d taken tremendous restraint over the years for me not to search for him, to see what he was doing. The only thing that kept me from it was the fact Jasper had left me, not the other way around, and I was respecting his wishes.
I stepped forward, bringing our chests together.
“Where’s your sling?” he asked, huffing. “You have to—”
I cut him off by gripping his jaw firmly. “You can’t run from me this time, Jasper.”
He inhaled sharply, his eyes searching mine before he finally whispered, “I’m not running.”
But he wanted to. It was written across his too-handsome face. Jasper had never been good at masking his emotions.
I lowered my voice. “Tell me something, Doc. When’s the last time someone tied you up and used you for their own personal pleasure?”
Just as I expected, his eyes dilated, his breaths became choppy.
His answer was a simple shrug.
I instilled dominance in my tone when I said, “Answer me.”
“Not since you,” he rasped, his eyes bouncing over my face.
That admission both shocked and pleased me. But I wasn’t sure I believed him.
“You’re telling me you haven’t played with anyone else since we were together?”
“No. That’s not what I’m saying.” He inhaled sharply. “I just don’t let anyone else tie me up.”
I studied him momentarily, ignoring the aches and pains that were beginning to plague me now that I was vertical. I knew I needed to rest, to sit down, maybe even lie down. But something told me I couldn’t let this moment pass me by.
“Will you let me tie you up, Jasper?”
“Now?”
That wasn’t a no, I noticed.
Unable to help myself, I dragged my finger over his bottom lip, holding his gaze. “Not now. Soon, though.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“And why’s that? Do you belong to someone else?”
“No.”
That pleased me more than anything.
“Good. I’m not sure I could handle seeing you with someone else.”
And that much was true. All it took was seeing Jasper again to bring back so many memories, so much emotion. It was as though we’d never parted ways. I felt this undeniable connection with this man, and although he seemed to be fighting it, I got the feeling Jasper felt the same. After all, why would he avoid doing the one thing he craved more than anything unless that was the case? I could hardly remember a day that had gone by when I hadn’t restrained him in some capacity, done wicked, dirty things to him while he was completely at my mercy. It was his proclivity, the one thing he needed to be content.
Yet he’d gone nine years without it.
I swayed on my feet, suddenly feeling woozy.
Right before my eyes, Jasper transformed from helpless submissive to concerned doctor, gripping my good arm and leading me toward the sofa.
“I want you to sit. Let me get you something to drink and I’ll order food.”
“You’ll stay,” I stated, ensuring he heard the command in my tone.
It was not a request.
Jasper glanced down at me when I was situated on the sofa.
I narrowed my eyes, all but begging him to defy me.
“I’ll stay,” he said softly.
“Thank you.”
“Ransom, I—”
I shook my head, cutting him off.
If I knew anything about Jasper Tate, I knew I had to lay the groundwork, otherwise he would retreat. He responded best to commands and directives, something I’d loved about him. I’d never been with another submissive who was so eager to be controlled, dominated, and equally eager to please me above all else. I figured it was the reason I’d never had another since Jasper—not permanent, anyway—had wondered if I ever would.
Being the smart man that I was, I realized this was the second chance I couldn’t let pass me by.
“Order food,” I instructed. “We’ll figure out the rest after.”
His eyes darted over my face once more before he finally nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay what?”
It took him a moment, but he finally said, “Okay, Titan.”
And yes, his eyes glazed once again when he used the honorific he’d assigned to me all those years ago.
Just more proof that Jasper had missed me, too.
FOURTEEN
TALON
After catching a few hours of sleep early