by E. M. Leya
"How did you ever survive without sex before me?" Jess teased.
"A lot of porn and self-satisfaction." Andy sighed. "Thank God, you came along."
"Glad to be of service." Jess grinned.
"So, that Keith guy was pretty hot. You really turned him down?" Andy hoped he didn't sound jealous because he really wasn't. Oh, he had been at the time, but now, he was confident that Jess belonged to him.
"We both like hard sex, but neither of us like giving it. We agreed we'd both feel like something was missing. We made out, sucked each other off, and called it good. He's a great guy. I hope he can find what I have."
Andy hoped so too.
The drive was short to his parents' house and he hopped out of the car, excited to celebrate Jess's graduation. His mother had put a banner across the front porch that read, 'HAPPY GRADUATION', and pasted balloons to the banister.
"Your mom is the best." Jess stared at the decorations.
"She is." Andy put his arm around Jess's waist as they waited for his parents to arrive.
To his shock, the front door opened and his brother, Brad, walked out. He looked tired, but good. His limp was obvious as he stepped out, taking the stairs slowly as he approached them. "I take it congratulations are in order?" He smiled at Jess.
Unable to hold himself back, Andy moved forward, throwing his arms around Brad. "When did you get home? I thought you weren't going to be here until next week."
Brad hugged him back and laughed. "I managed to get a flight out earlier than expected." He held Andy back and looked at him. "You look good."
"So do you." Andy blinked back tears. "Do Mom and Dad know you're here?"
"No, I got in and the place was quiet."
"They should be here any minute. We were at Jess's graduation." Andy turned and smiled at Jess.
"Congratulations. You finally made it through. I feel like you've been going to school forever." Brad walked over and hugged Jess.
"You and me both." Jess looked up at Brad. The two had always gotten along, maybe bonding over the fact they were both gay. "I'm glad to be done. You look good."
"I'm tired as fuck, but I'm home." Brad smiled. "It's going to take me some time to get used to being here, but I'm glad to be the fuck out of there. Enough was enough. I'm going to take a few weeks off to unwind, then figure out what to do with the rest of my life."
His brother was good with computers, but he also had training in a lot of other areas. Andy had no idea what Brad would end up doing. He was just glad he was home.
"We can search the job market together." Jess grinned. "Once you get settled, you'll have to come over to our place for dinner or something."
"Our place?" Brad raised a brow. "Did you two move in together?"
Andy grinned at Jess. "A few weeks ago. I gave up my apartment and moved in with him, but that's not the only big change." He walked over, put his hands on Jess's hips, and leaned in to kiss him softly.
"Well, I'll be damned." Brad laughed. "I shouldn't be shocked, but I am. How in the world did this happen?"
Andy held Jess close to his side. "I finally got smart and saw what was right in front of me all along."
Brad narrowed his eyes. "Last time I talked to anyone, you were dating some woman that Mom called airhead."
Jess laughed.
"Yeah, I was. It was shortly after I broke up with her that I realized I was attracted to Jess. A lot of shit happened, stuff I'll probably never share with you, but it brought Jess and me together. Nothing has ever felt more right."
Jess nodded. "Your brother is bisexual. He finally saw the light and was able to admit that men are hot."
"No, Jess is hot. Not all men," Andy corrected.
"Mom and Dad know?" Brad asked.
"They found out today, but we really haven't discussed it. I'm sure that conversation is coming later." Andy sighed.
"Maybe not." Jess shrugged. "They were happy about it. Honestly, they didn't seem surprised. They might not say more about it."
"True, Mom's going to have a new pet project." He gave Brad a sympathetic look.
"Yeah, she's going to try and fix me. I'm prepared for that. I'll let her have her way to a point, but I'm not going to be babied by her. I'm just fine. My choice to leave the Army was a long time coming. It's not due to some crisis I can't handle."
"You can escape to our place any time you need to. We have a couch with your name on it," Jess offered.
"Thanks, I might just take you up on that." Brad looked over as his parents pulled into the driveway.
His mother was out of the car and running for him before it even came to a stop. "Brad? Is that really you?" She flung herself into his arms.
Andy watched as his mother, then father hugged Brad, asking a million questions as they did. He glanced over at Jess and smiled. "The family is all here."
"They are, and there's no other way I'd want to celebrate. Let's get inside. This just became a welcome home party too." Jess tugged on his hand.
As they walked into the house, Andy couldn't quit smiling. With his brother now home, his life was nearly perfect. He had everything he wanted, didn't have to worry about his brother overseas any longer, and he had the man he loved by his side. Nothing could make this day better.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"I don't know where my boots are." Jess walked from room to room, looking for the boots he'd bought with his first paycheck from the hospital. It had been a gift to himself for making it through school and finding a job.
"Last I saw them, they were at the foot of the bed. Look under it," Andy called from the bathroom where he was getting dressed.
Jess couldn't wait to see him. Whatever he'd borrowed from Al had to be amazing. He'd seen the gleam in Andy's eyes as he'd looked into the bag. Just imagining Andy in full leather had his cock waking up. He forced the thoughts from his head. The night was going to be long enough without going through it with a hard-on the whole time.
He knelt at the foot of the bed and lifted the comforter to look underneath. Sure enough, his boots were there. He tugged them out and looked up, his breath catching as he found Andy standing in front of him. He wore full tight leather pants and a soft, silk black shirt that was only buttoned half-way up. His fabulous chest was showing, the thick mass of hair visible. He had leather bracers on his forearms, but it was the look in his eyes that had Jess melting.
"Just where you belong. On your knees." Andy stared down at him. "How about you give my boots some attention while you're down there with yours."
Jess lowered his gaze to the black leather boots Andy wore. They were thick healed, with three straps up the side. Knowing his place, he bent at the waist and kissed the tip of each boot. He remained in that position, with his hands clasped behind his back as he waited for more instructions.
"You please me." Andy rubbed the toe of his boot under Jess's chin. "Take your boots and go into the living room. Set your boots by the couch, then I want you kneeling by the time I get in there."
So much for not being hard all night. His cock was like steel as he got up and took his boots to do exactly what Andy had commanded for him to do. He loved when Andy did this. The control, the power, the dominance. He loved kneeling before him, pleasing him, submitting to him.
Tonight, they would do their first public scene. They'd been to two parties with Master Tony and Maggie, both times only watching. Jess hadn't felt ready to have others watch him yet, at least not that many people.
It had taken several nights at Al's place to become comfortable with everything. Taking time to try out all the different whips and items had helped. There were very few he didn't like, but also some that Andy hadn't liked. Surprisingly, his favorite was any of the toys that pulsed electricity through him. That zap of fire got him off more than any whip or spanking did.
Andy walked into the living room carrying a bag. He sat down on the couch, his leather pants creaking as he did. God, just the sound was enough to make Jess come.
"
Stay on your knees and come in front of me. I have something I want to give you." Andy's voice was firm. The one he only used when they played.
Jess knee crawled over to him, moving into position, his hands behind his back, his head bowed. He'd learned so much from talking to Maggie. He loved how natural she was. How she moved from one position to another in such fluid motions. What he loved most about her was how she could take pain. He wanted to be her. Wanted to take as much as she could, but he wasn't quite there yet.
"Look at me," Andy said. "You know I love you, right?"
"Yes. Without a doubt, Sir." Jess's heart thumped hard.
Andy reached in the bag and pulled out a box. "Open it."
Jess's fingers shook as he took the box, then gently pulled the lid off it. His breath caught. Laying in a nest of tissue paper was a strip of leather. It was black with gold diamonds on either side of a gold ring that hung down from the center. He looked up at Andy, tears in his eyes as he realized what it was.
"If you will allow me to put this collar on you, I'd be proud. You only need to wear it when we play, but I want people to know you are mine. I don't want anyone else thinking they can approach you without my permission. I want to be your Master. Will you be my sub?" Andy's voice was confident and strong, the passion behind his desires clear.
"Yes. That's what I want too. I'll wear this proudly." He swallowed hard.
Andy took the collar from the box and lifted it to Jess's neck. It took a moment, but when he clasped it on, something inside Jess seemed to come together too. There was a sense of rightness, of belonging, of being loved. He swallowed again, the leather tight against his flesh, but not too tight. He was aware of it, but not hurt because of it, which was exactly what he wanted. He belonged to Andy.
"I love you." Andy bent and kissed him softly.
"I love you too." Jess blinked back tears.
"Now, for this next gift. I want you up here on the couch as my equal." Andy patted the couch.
Jess set the empty box on the coffee table, then got up on the couch beside Andy. He turned to him, wondering what more he could give him.
"I need you to know that that collar and all the things we do that go along with the collar mean nothing to me compared to what just being with you means to me. I could do without the sex, without the play, without all of it as long as I have you by my side. You are my other half and have been almost since we met. It just took me time to realize it. At times, I think of all the years we wasted when we could have been together, but then I realized, we have always been together. You were always the person I ran to when I needed someone. You were the person who grounded me when life got too much to deal with. You have always been my best friend. Making you my lover was just the bonus. I've loved you since we were teenagers and that love continues to grow stronger every day." Andy pulled a small ring box from behind his back and lifted the lid, revealing a gold band. He moved off the couch, going to one knee. "Jess, will you marry me?"
Tears rolled down Jess's cheeks as he nodded, not a single doubt in his mind. "Yes, of course, I'll marry you."
Andy slid the ring onto his finger and smiled. "You make me so happy, Jess."
"I love you so much." Jess wrapped his arms around Andy and kissed him hard. This was the last thing he'd expected. Oh, he'd expected the sub collar. That hadn't been a surprise, but the ring, the proposal, those he'd never dared hope for. He wanted this more than he wanted anything else in his life.
"I love you too." Andy combed his fingers through Jess's hair. "We'll go tell Mom and Dad tomorrow after we recover from tonight. Then we can plan a date. The sooner I have you in my life as my husband, the better life will be."
"I need to get you a ring." Jess frowned. "I can't be the only one wearing one."
"I got two. They match. Mine is in the bedroom hidden under my socks." Andy laughed. "Would you like to go get it and put it on me?"
"Yes." Jess stood and was gone before Andy could stop him.
It took a moment to find the box in the back of Andy's sock drawer. When he did, he didn't open it. He rushed back into the living room and sank back down on the couch. "I'd be honored if you'd wear this and let the world know that you are mine." Jess opened the box.
"Yes. To you, the answer is always going to be yes." Andy stared into his eyes. "You complete me."
"No." Jess took the ring out of the box and slid it on Andy's finger. "We complete each other." He kissed him long and hard, happier than he'd ever been in his life.
When they parted, Andy smiled. "Go wash your face and get ready. You don't want to be walking into the party with tears already showing. Those can come later."
The tease in Andy's voice had Jess darting off the couch and hurrying to wash his face. He was excited about tonight. If he had the courage, which he thought he did, they would be doing their first scene for a large group. He wanted it perfect.
Ten minutes later, they were in the truck and on the way to the address Tony had given them. Jess was sad that Al wouldn't be there, but he understood. Al was self-conscious about his scars and arm. He hadn't been to a party since the explosion, which shocked and saddened Jess. Al was an amazing Dom. He loved when Andy would allow Al to step in and take over or join a scene. Jess didn't notice the scars or his arm any longer, but he knew others would. If Al didn't want to be stared at, then it was his right to stay home.
"Nervous?" Andy asked.
"A little. Are you?"
"A lot." Andy grinned.
"We don't have to do this."
"No, we don't, but we both want to. The two of us have talked about it for a long time. We aren't going to let nerves keep us from it. Once we start, everything else will fade and it will just be us. We'll watch until we're ready," Andy promised.
The house they were headed to was one they'd been to before. The owner was rich and had remodeled the entire basement into a dungeon. There was enough room for three scenes to go on at once, and with people mingling upstairs and down, there could be as many as seventy people watching at any given time. They might have been better to pick a smaller party for their first scene, but Jess shamelessly wanted all those eyes on the two of them, especially at the end when Andy fucked him.
They parked and climbed out of the truck, instantly feeling a sense of belonging. Other's walked in with them, all dressed in leather and ready to play. Nights like this didn't happen more than once a month, at least that Jess was aware of, so he welcomed them when they did. He always made sure to have the night and next day off work.
They were met at the door by Stan. He owned the house and was an upbeat welcoming sub. Jess had never seen Stan with a Dom or in a scene, but the talk was he was a pleasure to watch.
"Jess and Master Andy, it's a pleasure to see you. I'm glad you could join us tonight."
Jess fell into his role easily, staying silent beside Andy.
"Thank you for opening your home to us." Andy shook the man's hand.
"Go on in. Paperwork is on the table. Once you sign, have yourself a fantastic evening. Perhaps I'll see you later." Stan looked hopeful at Andy.
Jess fought back a smile. He liked that other subs desired Andy, but he was glad that tonight they wouldn't be sharing with anyone. They were here tonight to play together. To celebrate.
Andy seemed to ignore Stan's comment as he placed his hand possessively on the small of Jess's back and led them inside. They paused to sign all the necessary paperwork, stating that Stan or anyone else would not be held responsible for any injuries, and that condoms would be used at all times, even between committed partners. Once that was done, they walked farther into the house, pausing to get two bottles of water before moving toward the crowd gathered in the backyard.
"Master Andy," a loud voice called.
Jess resisted raising his head, trying to do Andy proud. He wanted to be the best, but knew from watching Maggie and others, he had a ways to go. It motivated him to focus.
"Master Tony, Maggie, it's good to see yo
u." Andy shook Tony's hand.
"Will we have the pleasure of watching you two tonight?" Tony asked.
"That will be up to Jess," Andy said, then nudged Jess softly. "What do you think?"
Jess smiled. "I hope you will. We'll have to see if there is a spot available for us."
"We just came from the basement. There were two spots open. No rush, of course." Tony wrapped his arm around Maggie.
Andy glanced at Jess. "Want to get it done? It's up to you. If you'd rather enjoy the party and wait, we can do that too."
Jess looked around at the growing crowd. They might not get a chance to get a spot later if things got any busier. While he loved the party, he wanted to do a public scene even more. "I'm ready if it pleases you." Jess took a nervous breath.
"Maggie and I will be on the sidelines the whole time. Should you need anything, you let us know. Either one of us would be happy to join in the scene should you need us, but I think you both will do just fine on your own." Tony kissed Maggie's temple. "I even brought some toys from home if you're interested. While there are some down there for public use, I thought you might like to borrow one of mine in particular."
Jess's heart raced and he forgot himself. "The wand?"
Andy narrowed his eyes. "Did I tell you that you could speak?"
Jess bowed his head, realizing his error. "No, Sir."
"I think just because of that we should take Master Tony up on his offer and borrow whatever it is he brought for us." Andy smiled at Tony. "We appreciate you thinking about us."
"It will be my pleasure to watch."
Maggie bumped Tony's arm to get his attention.
"You have something you want to say, Mags?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Go ahead."