Equation for Love

by Sutherland, Fae

  "I don't know you."

  "True. Which is why I'm not going to ask you to trust me with anything you can't stop if you want. Not yet. And that's why I brought you here. Because it's safe for you. That's the most important thing, Skye, safety."

  Skye tilted his head, for once not seeming to notice or care they were in public having this conversation. "If I can stop it, then how are you... I mean, if I'm submitting, shouldn't it be completely?"

  "God, do not ever go into a brand new Dom/sub situation with that attitude, Skye. You need to protect yourself. Until you know deep down inside you can trust the personyou're givingyour submissionto. Which is why we're here. To negotiate limits, safewords to protect youand, to a lesser degree, me."

  "What's a safeword?"

  "Your Googlingdidn't tellyou?"Liamteased.

  Skye smiled, shaking his head. "I got...distracted before I got to it."

  Liam grinned. "Understandable, I think, given the circumstances. A safeword is a word we agree on that will immediately stop the scene. So, if whatever we're doing hits a limit of yours, or you're in pain, or for whatever reason just want to be done, you say the word and I know you're done. Whether temporarily because you need a breather, or altogether because it's too much."

  "Can't I just say 'stop'?" He didn't look convinced of the necessity of a safeword, and Liamwas very glad he'd been the one who discovered this side of Skye. Because he was brilliant, but he was also painfully naïve and innocent. Liamhad a strongfeelingit'd be veryeasy for someone to take advantage ofSkye.

  "Sometimes saying 'no,' saying 'stop' is part of the game. Sometimes it's more of an instinctive thing to say when you're shocked by something, but don't really want to stop. A safeword is something mundane, completely removed from sex or play, like...like 'rum.' Or 'apple.' Something that will jar us both out of the moment to get back to reality." Liam had a feeling getting back to reality once he was immersed in Skye was goingto be difficult as it was.

  "Interesting. I'd never have thought of that." Skye fiddled with his suspender strap, then looked up with a smile. "'Suspenders.'"

  Liam laughed. "'Suspenders' it is. That's your word to stop whatever's happeningand get myfullattention."

  Skye gave him a small smile. "Are you suggesting I might have less than your full attention during a--what did youcallit?--a scene?"

  Liam felt the impact of that sexy little look right down to his toes. Skye was testing his own sensuality in ways that had nothing to do with BDSM. Liamfound it intoxicating. He leaned forward, gaze dropping to Skye's mouth before meeting his eyes again. "Not a chance. Youcertainlyhave myfullattentionnow."

  Skye visibly trembled. "Well, then, now might be a good time to stop talkingand...learn. Sir."

  Liam groaned and stood up. "I think you're right. Come on, professor. Lesson number ten--don't keep your Domwaiting."

  Chapter 5

  Skye's heart pounded as the hotel room door shut behind them. He had no idea what to expect, but he was willing to bet it was going to be intense. Just the look on Liam's face told him that much. He shoved his hands into his pockets, taking a few more steps into the room, thenturned to face Liam.

  He didn't know what to say. How was he supposed to act? The pictures and even the short videos he'd watched were very-- He didn't know. Not him, basically. He saw those submissives and couldn't imagine himself in their place. Now here he was...in their place.

  "Now what?" Liam's lips twitched. "Now we start on lesson number one."

  Skye blinked. "Um...weren't we up to ten?"

  Liamchuckled, and Skye had the feeling he'd done something naïve again. "We were. Now we're back at one. Because this is anentirelynew lessonplan."

  Skye didn't know if he agreed. It was really more efficient to... Then he stopped. There he went with efficiency again. Liam had already addressed that earlier. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. What's lessonone?"

  Liamlooked so pleased Skye suddenly didn't mind the discomfort of letting that little niggle go. It made his insides warmto think he'd done the right thing.

  "Lesson one is what you just did. It's obedience. Not questioning so much." Liamtook a step closer and caught Skye's hand, drawing him closer. "Now, I don't expect complete and utter obedience right from the start. I don't think you'll ever not question because you know what, it's part ofyou. It's not a thing that needs to be unlearned."

  Skye let out a shaky breath, smiling. "Good because I know you're right. I can't help it."Questioning was who he was, inmore ways thanone. He was a little surprised Liam not only recognized that but thought it was...what? A good thing maybe? The only people who'd ever not been annoyed by his constant queries were his teachers and professors. The idea someone else, someone like Liam, could accept that part of him was intriguing.

  Skye had to keep reminding himself this was purely a business relationship. Liam could accept his faults because Skye was paying him to; that was all. He let out his breath and looked up at him. "I'm supposed to just...do what yousay? What ifI don't want to?"

  Liam ran one finger along the edge of his suspenders, and for some reason that idle, innocent touch sent shivers down Skye's spine. "You don't have to do anything. But I want you to think before you say no. Think whether youwant to sayno because youtruly don't want to do what I ask or if you're wanting to say no because it's unusual or embarrassing or makes you uncomfortable. The latter aren't always reasons not to do something. Oftenexactlythe opposite, infact."

  Skye wondered ifhe could do. He'd have to try, he supposed. He had very much liked the way it felt when he'd done what Liam asked, when Liam had smiled so pleased at him. He might like more of those smiles. No "might"about it; he knew he would.

  "All right." He felt like he was standing on the edge of some great abyss and his heart was in his throat just waiting to fall. The thing was, though, Liamwanted him to trust he wouldn't fall. Because Liamwouldn't let him. "It's verydifficult to do this, youknow."

  Liam smiled. "I know. This is just the beginning, Skye. I don't want youto be so worked up youcan't let go. I'm not going to push you right now. We're just going to play a little." His fingers brushed the inside of Skye's wrist before he let go. "First things first. I'd like younaked, Skye."

  Skye swallowed hard, breath catching. How silly a reactionthat was. It wasn't as ifhe hadn't beennaked in front of Liam the other night. More than naked, he'd been utterly exposed in so many ways. He told himself he wasn't nervous at all. This was totally familiar territory. Skye was the type of person who learned on the first try.

  He took a deep breath and shrugged one strap of his suspenders off his shoulder, followed by the other. They'd barely fallen to hang loosely from his hips when Liamheld up one finger.

  "Hold that thought." Then he took Skye's hand againand led himinto the bedroomofthe suite.

  Skye's heart raced even faster now, the big bed flooding his mind with images from the first night. Liam naked. Hard. Touching him, kissing him. Making him feel things he'd never even imagined were possible to feeland survive. He began to tremble and no amount of mental cheerleading would stop it. He hoped Liam didn't notice.

  Liamsat onthe edge ofthe bed, leaningback onhis hands as he kicked offhis shoes with a lazy, sexy smile. "Now. Go ahead."

  Skye pressed his lips together, the slight interruption having revived every ounce of the nerves he'd just begun to beat back. He let out a heavy breath, shaking hands reaching up to tug his T-shirt free of his jeans. ThenLiamheld up his hand again.

  "Slowly, Skye. I want to look at you."

  Skye gave him an impatient look. "If you keep interrupting me, it'll be slow all right. In fact, it'll never get done."

  Liam just grinned, unperturbed. "I have all the time inthe world. Take your time."

  Skye glanced at the clock, thenjumped a little when Liamreached over and abruptlyflipped it face down.

  "No. Ignore that right now. Pay attention to me, Skye." His voice was the firm, authoritative tone from earlier. It sent a
shudder downSkye's entire bodywhen he used it.

  "I'm sorry. I just...it's for three hours and we were at the bar for part of it and..."He trailed off when Liam reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezinggently.

  "Stop. Just listento me. IfI sayignore the time, then I meanignore the time. It's mytime to do what I choose with, allright?"

  Skye nodded, head stillspinning, though. Was Liam saying he didn't expect to be paid extra for the extra time? Was he saying he got to decide how much time Skye paid for now? Or--most surprisingly--was he not eventhinkingabout the moneyat all?

  What anintoxicatingthought. Skye chose to go with that reasoning. It just sounded nice.

  He nodded. "Okay. Sorry."

  "Sir."

  He repressed a smile. "Sorry, Sir."

  Liam gave him a pleased grin and leaned back on his hand again. "Good. Now go on, Skye. Take off your clothes."

  Slowly. Skye did his best to keep that thought inhis head. Slowly. He couldn't just do what he normally did and tug things off willy-nilly. Liam wanted more than that and Skye wanted-- Oh, Skye wanted to please him and get more of those smiles. He unhooked his suspenders first, feeling a little silly as he reached over to lay themon the nightstand. He suddenly remembered he still had his glasses on and took them off, setting themsafelyonthe back ofthe nightstand.

  "How wellcanyousee without those?"

  Skye shrugged. "Pretty good, actually. It's kind of like everything's been slightly blurred on a one or two degree axis."

  Liamsmiled, but didn't say anything. Skye imagined his precision was what caused that. For some reason, the other man seemed amused by Skye's literal way of thinking. He supposed it was good, because Skye certainly couldn't change the way he thought or processed information.

  He was thinkingtoo muchright then, though, and he knew he was. Darn it. He shook off the inane rambling of his over-anxious mind and met Liam's sultry gaze. How one man could display so many different emotions at once...it seemed exhausting. Liam felt so much, and Skye wondered whether he ever got tired of it. He'd ask some other time.

  "The shirt next, Skye."

  He must be getting impatient because Skye realized he was hemming and hawing, standing there navelgazing. Damn it, Skye McCord, pay attention. Skye caught the hem of his T-shirt and lifted it, drawing it slowly over his head and laying it on the foot of the bed for lack of a better place. He was a little bit shy about this part. Liam sat there just...looking. Not saying anything. Skye felt like he was ondisplay.

  He thought that might be the point.

  Then Liam reached out and curled a hand at his waist, tugging Skye closer. Oh, better. He liked that. Liam's hand was warmand its weight seemed almost to ground Skye. Center him.

  "You have the most gorgeous skin," Liam murmured.

  Skye's brows lifted and he glanced down. Then he shrugged. "I'mverypale."

  "You are. I like it very much." His hand shifted, splaying across Skye's belly, thumb stroking little circles around his navel. Skye's muscles clenched tight as Liam touched him. He had to admit it was very aesthetically pleasing--the contrast of Liam's more golden, sunkissed skinagainst his ownlighter tone.

  Skye wondered if he tanned just to tan or if Liam maybe did lots of outdoors things. He didn't even know why he wanted to know such an insignificant detail. Maybe because he was feelingso exposed and his mind chose to focus on other, less scary things? He wasn't

  sure.Liam smiled, sliding his hand up to cup the nape of Skye's neck and pullhimdown for a slow, wet kiss that made Skye's toes curl. By the time it was over, Skye could barelybreathe. "Now your pants."

  Skye was panting now, heart racing. He never would have guessed something as simple as undressing could be so intimate. It was like Liamwas touching him the whole time, his gaze sultry and desirous. Lingering, long, knowing touches, caressing his skin like Liam owned him. God, it was enoughto make himdizzy.

  Obediently, Skye reached downand unbuttoned his jeans, pushingthempartwaydownand thenlettingthem fall the rest of the way. He toed his shoes off and stepped out of them and the jeans, nudging them aside to join his T-shirt. He rubbed his hands on his thighs and then, unable to stop himself, bent over and tugged his socks offas well. He hated socks without shoes.

  Skye did his best to ignore the pile ofclothes on the floor because he was pretty sure picking up after himself wasn't part of this lesson. He shifted on his feet, then caught his breath as Liamreached out and grasped his hips, pullinghimcloser, betweenthe other man's legs where he sat onthe edge ofthe bed.

  "Tellme what you're feeling, Skye." Skye shivered, fingers clenching into fists, resisting the urge to cover himself. "I want to hide."

  Liam shook his head. "That's not a feeling. Tell me what you're feeling."

  Skye sighed, trying to untangle his thoughts and trace themback to base feelings. "Embarrassed."

  "Why?"

  "Because I'm nearly naked and you're not and you're just lookingat me."

  Liamsmiled. "I am. And I'menjoying it very much."

  Oddly, that made a difference and helped somehow. His anxietylessened immediately. "Youare?"

  "Verymuch."

  "What do youenjoyabout it?"He didn't understand why he reacted the way he did to the submitting thing. Maybe it'd help ifhe understood Liam's point ofview.

  "I enjoy looking at you, first of all, because I think you're very attractive." Liam laughed when Skye gave him a disbelieving look. "Don't sell yourself short, professor. You're making me rethink what I consider 'mytype,' actually."

  "What, it's switching to nerdy, skinny and pale with glasses?"

  Liamlaughed, his eyes sparkling when he did. God, talk about attractive. Liamjust seemed to get more and more beautifuleverytime Skye saw him.

  "Maybe. But that's beside the point. Yes, you're skinny, but you have such gorgeous lean muscle tone. I bet yourun, don't you? And swim?"

  Skye blinked, startled. "I do. How could youtell?"

  Liam swept a hand down Skye's thigh, then back up along his side. "No bulk, but toned. I find it incrediblysexy."

  The idea that someone who looked like Liamcould find anything about Skye "incredibly sexy" was a little mind-boggling. Skye knew he wasn't going to break any mirrors or make babies cry, but he certainly did not get any attention from men like Liam. Well...until he'd decided to payone, that is.

  He pushed the thought out of his mind. If he spent the next month thinking that way, how would he ever learn what Liam seemed determined to teach him, which was to trust him enough to submit? Submission. Just the word made himtingle.

  "Tell me what else you're feeling, besides embarrassed."

  Skye glanced up, meetingLiam's eyes. "Anxious."

  "Inwhat way?"

  "I'mafraid I'lldo it wrong."

  Liam's lips curved. "And what is 'it'?"

  Skye shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever it is you want fromme. I don't like...failing."

  Liam reached out to slide his arms around Skye's waist and this time he drew Skye down to straddle his thighs, their bodies pressed against each other. It drove home the fact that Liam was still clothed and Skye wasn't, and it was arousing in a way Skye hadn't expected.

  "All I want from you is to try, Skye. I'm not asking youto be perfect. I'mnot askingyouto do anythingyou can't do. I'mjust asking you to try. You won't failifyou do that."

  It sounded easy. But it reallywasn't.

  Thankfully, Liam kissed him then and Skye was able to forget about nerves and anxiety and safewords and submission he didn't understand, focusing instead on the man who held him, the man who consumed him with just a kiss. If Liamcould really make himfeelwhat all those subs on the websites felt...Skye wanted it. Oh, did he ever.

  He had to keep reminding himself this--this thing between them--was business. Just like he'd told Liam the first night. Skye was sure he wouldn't have any trouble withthat himself. Business. That's all.

  * * * *

  Liam could spend hours kissing him. Skye was a quick learner a
nd it seemed as though every time Liam claimed his lips, Skye had learned another trick Liam liked by default because, hey, Skye had learned it from him. Which led to mind-blowing kisses Liam had trouble stopping. It was whenSkye had his hands under Liam's shirt, impatiently tugging it higher with mewling little sounds of need, Liam was reminded he was supposed to be giving Skye a lesson in submission, not a lesson in how to strip Liam naked in five minutes or

  less.Reluctantly, Liam broke the kiss, pulling back with a groan, and was forced to grab Skye's shoulders to keep the other manfromjust leaningforward and taking the kiss back. "Stop. Skye, stop." His Dom voice left something to be desired when he was fending offdamp, flushed pink lips he had no realdesire to fend off.

  Skye scowled at him, pressing closer. "Why? I don't want to stop." He reached for Liam as he spoke, and Liam let go of his shoulders to catch his wrists instead. Skye tried to tug free, then huffed, eyes narrowed. "I always wondered what a 'tease' was. Now I know."

  His voice was petulant and Liam had to grin. "It's not teasing when I do intend on following through. Just not right this minute."He lifted his brows. "Can I let go? Or are you going to try to have your way still?" The idea ofSkye havinghis waywithhimwas tempting.

  Skye rolled his eyes and sighed, relaxing. "Fine." Liam let go of his hands and urged Skye out of his lap to stand in front of him again. His cock was hard and flushed at the tip, glistening with pre-come. Liam was beyond tempted, but another blowjob lesson wasn't inthe plan.

  He nodded to the bed he sat on. "Come here. Kneelonthe bed."

  Skye's expression flickered, and Liam wondered

  why."What?" He met Skye's gaze. "What was that

  about?" Skye lifted one shoulder. "Kneeling...it's so, well, subservient."

  "And youdon't like that?"

  Skye shrugged. "I've just...never been."

  Liam smiled. "Well, there's a first time for anything. And maybe you'll like it. Come on. Kneel for me, Skye."

  He had to admit he was very much looking forward to Skye on his knees. Another time he would put the man on his knees for other, slightly more nefarious purposes. Today was going to be challenge enough for his tight-laced professor.