“You do tend to rush out words, but it doesn’t bother me. You’re also capable of having an intelligent conversation. And you’re passionate about everything. I like that.” Ryan leaned forward and kissed him, letting out a laugh against his lips. “But you smell like the inside of my gym bag and it’s rather distracting. Come, I think it’s time I show you how I enjoy caring for my pet.”
Cheeks heating, Braxton stood as Ryan did. “Sorry, I didn’t think I was that bad. I took a shower yesterday, but I kinda bummed around the house and slept in my clothes.”
“I figured it was something like that. If it’s any consolation, my gym bag doesn’t smell anything like yours probably does. I keep what belongs to me very clean.” Ryan slid his hand around the back of Braxton’s neck. “Unless I choose to get it messy. I haven’t decided which way I want you right now. Maybe a little of both?”
How that could be accomplished, Braxton had no idea. But the firm grip on the back of his neck and the lust in Ryan’s eyes had him eager to find out.
Like the rest of Ryan’s house, the area at the top of the stairs was all in natural, masculine colors. He barely remembered anything but the bedroom since they’d spent most of their one night in there. He’d been on a sex high when he’d used the bathroom, but it was pretty standard. Big, clawfoot bath with a separate glass shower a few feet away, dark blue tiles, a plain sink with a small counter, a wicker hamper, and a rack above the toilet with necessities and thick, white towels.
The room smelled nice, a bit like some fresh kind of light scented cleaner and the fabric softener used on the towels. Braxton did his own laundry and cleaning, but his stuff never smelled this good. Always like harsh cleaners, plain laundry soap—even though his mom had gotten on his back to take the extra steps to make his clothes nice and soft. He’d never really cared before, but now he wished he was up to Ryan’s standards.
“You’re staring at my towels.” Ryan stepped up behind him, laughter in his tone as he pressed his lips to Braxton’s bare shoulder. “Please tell me you own some?”
“Of course I do. They’re just all worn out and stiff.”
“I’m sure they do the job.” Ryan stepped past him, leaning into the shower to turn on the spray. “If you ever do laundry here, I’ll show you what I expect.”
Braxton cocked his head. “That’s something you’d want me to do for you?”
“Mhmm, if service is part of submission that you enjoy. Or if you’re here often enough that you’ll need to do your share.” He chuckled when Braxton stared at him. “We are not spending the next two days with you fixated on there being a time limit. You’re not the only one who hopes this works out. I decided I wanted more time with you. I won’t be setting you up to fail.”
“But it’s still a test.”
Ryan inclined his head. “Yes. And so far, you’re doing well. Now get in.”
At first Braxton couldn’t meet Ryan’s eyes as he stepped into the shower. Was the man just gonna watch him wash to make sure he did a good job? He must be so fucking disgusted that—
His throat tightened as Ryan unbuttoned his shirt and hung it up behind the door. The air seemed to leave the room as Ryan undid his belt. Pulled off his pants and laid them on the counter. Fuck, the man was incredible. Every hard muscle, every inch of smooth skin, slightly more tanned than the last time they’d been together as though he’d spent a lot of time in the sun. Even the light hair on his chest and his thighs seemed to be a bit lighter, as though the sun had given a golden hue to the dark brown hair, though that was probably just the lighting in the bathroom.
When Ryan stepped into the shower, Braxton licked his lips, moving deeper under the spray to give him more room. His gaze dropped to Ryan’s dick, nice and thick and already half erect. He wanted to get on his knees and slide his lips over it, but first he needed to know what Ryan wanted from him.
“Fuck, I love it when you look at me like that.” Ryan reached up and smoothed Braxton’s hair back from his face. “I’m going to enjoy you tonight, but there’s still a punishment to get out of the way, yes?”
Chewing on his bottom lip, Braxton nodded. He’d managed to push that aside with how easy Ryan had made everything, but it would be hanging between them until it was done. And this was something he’d asked for. Sure, Ryan had mentioned it, but more like he needed to know what Braxton would be comfortable with and make sure he wouldn’t blindly go along with every suggestion.
He wouldn’t, but Ryan agreeing to punish him was…was a way to show he cared.
“We’re still learning much about one another, Braxton, and even punishments shouldn’t go beyond your limits. There are two kinds that I’ll usually stick to. Spanking and isolation.” Ryan’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think isolation would be good for you in this instance, but I don’t know if you’re ready to be spanked.”
If anyone else was saying that, Braxton would’ve laughed it off. But Ryan was serious and he didn’t think this would be the playful kind of spanking.
He also didn’t think it was a coincidence Ryan had brought it up when they were both in the shower.
Swallowing hard, he met Ryan’s eyes. “Here?”
Ryan inclined his head. “It will hurt more, but the effects won’t last. Except in the way they’re meant to.”
That doesn’t sound like much fun. Braxton took a deep breath. “But when you’re done, it’s over, right? You won’t be mad anymore?”
“Damn it, pet.” Ryan pulled him close, delving his fingers into his hair and kissing him in a way that was so tender Braxton’s eyes teared. “I’m not mad at you now. You worried me, but it wasn’t my place to protect you. I’m hoping it will be now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.” Ryan shook his head. “I won’t enjoy this, Braxton. And if you tell me you’ve changed your mind, I’ll accept that.”
Braxton believed him, but it didn’t matter. The dynamics between them were becoming something he craved and he didn’t think Ryan truly saw that yet. This would put what he’d done behind them and prove he was ready for the kind of relationship Ryan wanted. Prove that Braxton wanted the same thing.
“I haven’t changed my mind.”
Nodding slowly, Ryan brought their lips together one last time before stepping back and squaring his shoulders. “Hands against the wall then, and brace your feet apart in a position you feel secure in. We’ll go with ten this time. Keep things light.”
Following Ryan’s instructions, Braxton lowered his head between his arms. Braced for the first impact.
Instead, Ryan ran his hand over Braxton’s ass, as though to make sure he was prepared. He spoke softly. “Count for me.”
The first strike made Braxton’s knees buckle and he bit into his cheek to keep from crying out. He wasn’t sure what Ryan’s idea of ‘keeping things light’ was, but they clearly weren’t on the same page. Not that he minded, even though he fought the automatic instinct to swear at the man.
Ryan was a Dom. And he was taking Braxton seriously as a sub.
This was good.
Fucking hurt, but…still good.
“One.”
Another smack, this one echoing through the room, the sting spreading over Braxton’s flesh. He let out a rough sound in the back of his throat.
“Two.”
The next five were just as hard, but he’d adjusted to the pain. He kept counting, hissing in air through his teeth, proud of how steady he was holding through the whole ordeal.
But then Ryan stopped.
Repositioned himself. And slapped Braxton’s thigh.
This time, Braxton couldn’t stop the sharp cry. Or the tears that filled his eyes. Damn it, why had he been so stupid? He’d thought Ryan walked away when he was on that stage because he didn’t give a fuck, but instead he’d been concerned and forced to let Pischlar and White step in. If he’d tried to drag Braxton off that stage that night, where would they be now?
“Ei…eight.”
Pro
bably not, because Ryan would feel pressured and he’d have been pissed. Because Braxton had acted like a bratty kid who hadn’t gotten his own way.
A slap on the other thigh. His legs shook and he sobbed. “Nine.”
“Shh, you’re doing so good, baby.” Ryan rubbed away the sting. “I’m so fucking proud of you. One more. One more and then you’re going to promise me I never have to do this again.”
The gentle words made it hard not to break down in tears, but Braxton simply nodded. The last slap, right on the center of his ass, hurt, but something had changed. He trembled as he tried to voice the final number. Tears joined the water from the shower, spilling down his cheeks. Ryan’s hands were on him again and his quiet words were like a balm on the regret and pain and confusion.
“Say it, pet. You’re done. You’re done and you did very well. Stand up straight and look at me.”
Straightening, Braxton turned, feeling kinda pathetic, all teary and sniffling. But the way Ryan was looking at him made it all worth it. “Ten?”
“Yes.” Ryan’s lips curved. “How do you feel?”
“I…” Braxton sniffed. Then burst out in tears. Fuck, Ryan was going to send him home. He was gonna think he couldn’t handle this. But he could. Crying kinda felt good, like all the pressure inside was releasing, but that didn’t make any sense.
He told Ryan as much, between hiccupping sobs even as he tried to contain himself.
And Ryan hugged him. Which was…amazing. He hugged him and kissed his hair. “It makes sense, Braxton. You were trying to be someone you’re not, and prove you didn’t care what happened to you. Which was hurting you.”
“If White and Pischlar hadn’t been there that night…”
“I know.” Ryan put his hands on Braxton’s shoulders and gently eased him back. “Then again, if I hadn’t seen them, I wouldn’t have left. But you made your decisions and I made mine. We’re moving past it now.”
“Except now you know I’ll start crying over stupid shit.”
Ryan gave him a stern look. “No, now I know you feel safe crying in front of me. That’s not a bad thing.”
All right, he could see how that would be good. If he was gonna be Ryan’s submissive, this probably wouldn’t be the first time he cried in front of him, though he hoped it didn’t happen too often. He wanted Ryan happy with him.
“Crying good. Stripping for strangers, bad.” Braxton ticked each off on his fingers, continuing when Ryan’s lips quirked. “Calling you at work, bad. Losing my bike…bad.”
With an abrupt laugh, Ryan shoved him back under the shower spray. “You’re ridiculous. Behave while I clean you. You’ve had all the pain I intend to give you tonight.”
“How would you cleaning me hurt?”
Lips slanting, Ryan reached over and picked up a package of fresh razors from a shelf and took one out. After setting the rest aside and grabbing a can of shaving cream, he nudged Braxton against the wall away from the shower now. “It will only hurt if you distract me.”
“Oh fuck.”
“Mhmm.” Ryan chuckled as he took a knee. He filled his palm with shaving cream, then eyed Braxton, leaning forward and sliding his lips over Braxton’s dick. He took him in deep, swallowing around him. When Braxton cursed again, he drew away and began spreading the foam over his balls. “Do try to keep that out of my way. I wouldn’t want to slip.”
Jaw clenched, Braxton grabbed his dick, trying to decide if Ryan enjoyed messing with him, or if he was just plain evil. Having a razor brushing over his balls as Ryan held them taut made him think the latter. He pressed his eyes shut and tried to focus on Ryan touching him, rather than the blade moving over him. If his dick went soft it would be in the danger zone.
“You’re good at following orders. I appreciate that.” Ryan rinsed off the blade, then stood and drew Braxton under the water. “Tell me how that feels while I wash your hair.”
Moving his hand over his balls, Braxton let out a soft moan. Fuck, they were sensitive. He moaned again as Ryan started working the shampoo into his hair, his fingertips gently massaging his scalp. This was always Braxton’s favorite part of getting his hair cut. Having someone else washing his hair.
But the hairdresser doing it wasn’t like Ryan. Standing there, naked, with Ryan so close was somehow more intimate than anything else they’d done.
Ball shaving aside.
“That feels fucking awesome. My balls feel awesome. Everything is awesome.” Braxton groaned shamelessly as Ryan’s fingers moved to the back of his neck. “You can spank me whenever you want if this is my reward.”
Chuckling, Ryan made him turn and face him as he rinsed his hair. “This isn’t a reward for the spanking. And since it clearly isn’t a hard limit, I’ll spank you whenever I please. You’ll know when it’s for a punishment. I won’t take it so easy on you next time.”
“Easy?” Braxton yelped as Ryan slapped his thigh, reminding him of the lingering ache there, which spread to the rest of his ass. “Yeah, I’m gonna shut up now.”
“That would be wise.” But Ryan seemed like he was having fun. He washed Braxton’s body with a facecloth, then got out of the shower ahead of him, holding out a towel once he’d wrapped another around himself.
Turning off the shower, Braxton thanked Ryan, took the towel, and began drying his hair as Ryan motioned for him to follow him out of the bathroom. Despite the throbbing heat covering his ass, he really did feel awesome. As though the shower had cleaned him in every way. He got a fresh start with Ryan. He never thought he’d get one.
In Ryan’s room, he waited by the door, not sure what he was supposed to do next. He pressed his teeth into his bottom lip as Ran sat on the edge of the bed.
Shit, the rules!
He dropped the towel and hurried to the bed, wincing as he dropped to his knees and the rough carpet scrapped them.
Sighing, Ryan shook his head. “We’ll work on that.”
Braxton ducked his head. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be, you’re learning. But my submissive doesn’t come to me like he’s sliding into home base.” Ryan ruffled his hair. “The only marks I want on you are the ones I’ve put there.”
“Or I get on the ice.”
“Yes, but do try to come home in one piece.” For a second it looked like Ryan wanted to correct himself, but he simply laughed and shook his head. “Enough for one night. Get up here, I want to make sure I did a good job.”
Pushing up to his feet, Braxton slid onto the bed without hesitation, but when Ryan eased him back and pressed his thighs apart, heat spilled from the back of his neck, up his ears and cheeks, and down to his chest. Fucking was one thing, but lying here, spread open, with Ryan’s eyes on his dick was different. And only got worse when he cupped his ass cheeks and used his thumbs to completely expose his hole.
“Next time, I’ll have you lying down like this so I can get everything.” Ryan leaned down, flicking his tongue over the tight ring of muscle. He used his elbows to hold Braxton in place when his hips rose in response. “Be still, pet. I’m not finished inspecting you. This will be a regular thing I do. I like making sure you’re ready for me.”
He didn’t think he could get any harder, but as Ryan teased him with the tip of his tongue, his pulsing dick pressed into his stomach and precum joined the droplets of water still glistening on his skin. He panted as Ryan’s tongue pressed against him, reaching down to grab his hair, then stopping when Ryan looked up at him and his brow rose.
“Oh fuck. I don’t know how long I can take this.” Braxton reached up and hooked his fingers to the edge of the mattress. “Ryan…”
“Try again, pet.” Ryan’s tone held a hint of playful warning, but he continued to lick and press his tongue in a bit deeper.
Braxton grasped at the tantalizing burn that had his dick twitching and every muscle in his body tightening up. “Sir, please. I need…I need you to…”
Lifting his head, Ryan gave him a slow smile. He slid his fingers pa
st his lips, slipping them out nice and slick with saliva. Then he brought the tips to Braxton’s ass, holding his gaze. “This is what you’ll get from me right now. And only this. If you can’t come, we’ll try again in the morning.”
A whimper escaped Braxton as Ryan’s fingers penetrated. He wasn’t sure he could come without touching his dick. And he fucking needed to.
Rising up onto the bed, Ryan reclined on his side, his fingers deep inside Braxton, moving slowly. “You let White fuck you. And Pischlar. Neither meant anything to you and you meant nothing to them, except as a friend willing to have a good time. You will give me more than that, Braxton.” He curved his fingers, moving them in and out faster as Braxton’s hips rose to meet them. “So much fucking more.”
Braxton was close, but Ryan’s words had him hovering on the edge, and he pressed his feet into the mattress, moving with Ryan, locked into the pressure and the sensation within. He was breathing like he’d taken double shifts on the ice during a penalty kill. Sweat was beading on his flesh. The precum on his dick was spilling steadily and it made his untouched dick even more sensitive.
“So fucking needy. Come for me, pet.” Ryan whispered in his ear. “Come for me and I’ll let you rest a bit before I fuck you. Before I fill you up with my come and leave you that way so I can take you again. Until all you can feel is the mess I’ve left of you.” He withdrew his fingers. Spit on them again and brought them back, this time adding a third and using them all to stretch Braxton even more. “You won’t be clean again until I decide to let you out of this bed. And I have you all to myself for two days.”
“Oh God…God…” Braxton tipped his head back, muscles straining. “I’m close…”
“When you come I’ll let you feel my mouth. I’ll lick every last drop off of you. But you need to give it to me.” Ryan sucked his earlobe into his mouth, biting hard enough to make it sting before letting out a rough sound. “Now.”
The pressure, the curve of Ryan’s fingers, the pain, all combined and overwhelmed Braxton’s senses until he was crying out and jutting his hips up as the cum hit his stomach and his chest. He let out a shout as the intense pleasure barreled over him, stealing away his vision in a flash and leaving him breathless, all his strength leaving him as his dick gave one last jolt when Ryan bent down to lick it.
Neutral Zone Trap: The Dartmouth Cobras ~ An Off Ice Novel Page 9