by Tatum Throne
His lover’s cum dripped from Levi’s balls. Levi’s prick still thumped with a need he’d never experienced before.
“Stand.”
The order was made on a husky breath. Levi got to his feet and was rewarded with several spanks to his ass.
“Upstairs.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Crawl on your knees.”
Bray held the leash in his hand, giving it a tug to get Levi moving.
Levi followed his Dom to his bedroom on his knees. Bray slammed the door shut. Levi bit his lip as his gaze moved down over Bray’s ass. The cap of the lube bottle flipping open again drew Levi’s gaze away from his lover’s athletic ass.
“Lie back on the bed.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Bray wrapped the leash around the bed post. Levi’s cock stood out straight as he flexed it hard. Bray lubed his cock with his free hand and set the bottle aside. Bray walked to the curtains, taking the ties from the wall. He came to the bed, securing Levi’s right hand to the bed. He walked around, securing the left hand as well. The bag of sex toys and leather sat open on the floor next to the bed. Levi watched as Bray went through it. When he was finished, he held up a ball gag with the tips of his fingers.
Bray mounted the bed, straddling Levi. He worked the ball gag into his mouth, securing the leather strap. He centered Levi’s cock on his rim.
“You may have me.”
A cry of pleasure tore from Levi’s throat as he used the ropes for leverage and sunk his aching cock deep within Bray’s ass. He held still, loving the feel of heat around his cock. He bit into the ball gag, pressing his tongue against the smooth rubber.
“Open your eyes.”
The order came from far away. Levi felt drunk on Bray’s passion. He opened his eyes and held Bray’s gaze as he started to fuck his Dom. Bray gripped his cock, pumping it and keeping himself hard as Levi fucked him. Levi’s balls pulled in tight. He was so close to coming hard.
Levi bowed off the bed, pushing his cock in deep. He felt his orgasm twist up from the base of his cock. He felt the tight pulling motion of Bray’s ass as Bray worked him hard. He cried out as cum shot from his dick into his lover. Levi collapsed onto the bed, dick throbbing deep within Bray’s ass. They held each other for several moments. Bray massaged his hands over Levi’s chest. Neither one was ready for the encounter to be over. Bray leaned forward, taking off the leather ball gag. He untied Levi’s wrists and collar last. Bray slipped off of him and collapsed beside him in the bed.
Bray held him tight, pulling the covers up over them. “I can’t wait to see you do yoga.”
Levi chuckled. “I’m really good at the downward dog position.”
“You’re such a tease.”
“Am I, Sir?”
“Very much. I love that about you.”
There was that love word again. Bray said it without thinking, Levi suspected.
Levi felt exhausted in a very good way. His body felt thoroughly used. His ass felt as though there would be bruises in the morning, but he didn’t care. He loved getting spanked hard. He cuddled in closer to Bray, loving the way he held him tight. Bray pulled the covers up higher. Levi smoothed his finger over the rough edge of Bray’s nipple. He leaned forward, kissing and sucking at his nipple. Levi loved licking those nips. Their legs were twined with the chains attached to Bray’s leather pressed against his legs. Their breathing was matched. Everything felt absolutely perfect. So much so that Levi didn’t want to ruin the moment by talking about what came next.
“You’re thinking.”
“How do you know?” Levi asked.
“You fidget when you think. I noticed it when I first met you. It’s nothing obvious. It’s just something your fingers do when you’re thinking. What’s on your mind?”
“I want more with you.”
The hand that was caressing Levi’s shoulder tightened. Bray’s lips skimmed his temple. “Do you?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of more?”
Levi was certain that Bray could feel the rapid beat of his heart as they cuddled close. “Everything you’ll give me.”
Bray held him silently. Levi felt Bray’s heartbeat kick up beneath his palm. “I’ve frightened you.”
“No. I’m just surprised. I think we should take it slow for a little while. I don’t want to screw things up by moving in.”
Levi felt his heart sink in a painful way. It was true. He wanted Bray to move in with him. It definitely wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. Levi pulled away, swinging his legs out of bed. He was angry and hurt and lonely and heartbroken.
“I’m in love with you, Bray.”
“I know, babe.”
“Why can’t you tell me the same?”
Bray sighed heavily. “It’s not that easy for me. It’s complicated. I’m not one of these guys that can just let go.”
“I think you better go. I wouldn’t want to complicate things more.”
“Levi. Don’t do this to us.”
“I’m not doing anything, Bray. I’m giving you exactly what you want. Your freedom. We’ll keep this thing easy for you.”
Levi grabbed a pair of jeans and pulled them on. He wasn’t about to watch Bray walk away from him emotionally and physically.
* * * *
Bray felt his life spinning out of control as he watched Levi button his pants. God, the man looked good in nothing but relaxed fit. The tribal tattoo around his side rippled as he put his muscles to work. Bray wanted Levi back in bed. He wanted to wake up tomorrow morning and have his lover in the shower before they went to work.
Reality was that things would never be that simple. Bray wasn’t the type of guy who could just tell his lover what he wanted.
Bray got out of bed, realizing too late that his clothes were sitting downstairs. “I warned you. I told you that I was a Dom.”
Levi ran a hand through his hair. “You warned me and I accepted you for who you are and what we are together. I just need more.”
“I know you do.”
Tears misted Levi’s eyes. “Then why can’t you give it to me?”
“I don’t know. I think we need to take this slow,” Bray said. “I don’t want to rush things and ruin what we have.”
“Nothing will ruin what we have unless we let it,” Levi said.
“You’re wrong.”
“How am I wrong?”
Bray paced. “There are things you don’t know about me. Things that may change your mind about who you think I am.”
“Nothing about you will change how I feel. I love you, Bray.”
Bray knew there was no good way to tell Levi the truth. “I’ve slept with a lot of men.”
Levi’s eyes went a little wide and his face a little pale. Bray hated how he put the uncertainty on his face.
“It doesn’t matter to me how many people you’ve been with.”
“Oh, it will. It always does. You’ll get curious. You’ll start to wonder. I’ll tell you. We’ll fight about it and we’ll break up.”
“Just tell me then. I’ll prove to you it doesn’t matter who and how many!”
“I’m not proud of it, Levi.”
“You’ve kept track?”
“Yes. I always thought that it mattered as a Dom to prove how many people I’ve been with. Now, I know that I was wrong.”
“Tell me. I promise I won’t push you away.”
“Almost three hundred.”
“Whoa. A bit more than I thought.”
The light in Levi’s eyes died a little. Bray knew that look. It was the same one that always came right before his lover left him.
“I shouldn’t have told you.”
A chuckle sounded deep within the back of Levi’s throat. “Here I was worried about the ex talk. Were they all boyfriends or just fuck buddies?”
Bray felt exposed as he stood naked before Levi bearing his soul. “Both.”
“I’ve had four.”
Bray knew he needed to t
ell Levi everything. “You were the first I’ve never used protection with.”
Levi’s lips twisted. “I guess that makes me special.”
Bray knew that Levi was innocent and sweet. By the look on Levi’s face, Bray knew he could add ruined to that list. “I should go.”
“Yeah. Probably. I mean it doesn’t matter to me how many times you got off with other guys. Were any of them threesomes?”
“No. I don’t roll that way.”
Relief seemed to relax Levi’s shoulders.
“Yeah, it’s late. We both have a busy day tomorrow,” Levi said.
Bray couldn’t let go yet. He walked across the room and kissed Levi passionately, showing him how much he loved him.
“Thanks for tonight,” Bray said.
“Anytime, Sir.”
Bray had totally fucked up. He knew it as he turned away, going downstairs and dressing. Bray pulled on his North Face coat and headed outside. He stood on Levi’s front porch, breathing in the cold nighttime air. He was trying to figure out how he got there so fast. He knew he wanted Levi for something more, but was too afraid to go there with him. The truth was, Bray didn’t feel like he was good enough for Levi. They were so different and yet fit so perfectly. God, he fucked this up fast. That was something Bray was really good at. Pissed off at himself for being so stupid and so afraid to take the next step, Bray went to his Jeep.
He gunned his Jeep out of Levi’s driveway and hit the highway fast. He knew he was running, but he didn’t care. Bray needed distance to figure this thing out with Levi. He headed home. He grimaced when he thought about his crappy little apartment. It was nothing like what Levi had. Levi had a real home. A tear cornered Bray’s eye when he thought about spending Christmas with Levi. He could see them snuggled up next to the fireplace in the living room, making love to ring in the New Year.
Bray slammed his hand against the steering wheel as he pulled up in front of his apartment. He didn’t want to be alone, but he didn’t know how to take the next step with Levi without feeling pathetic. He reached for his phone. He was calling off of work tomorrow. He just couldn’t face Levi again so soon. Not before he had a chance to figure out what he wanted.
Chapter Ten
The snow was melting, creating puddles of water everywhere. Water splashed up over Levi’s work boots as he headed into work. Levi woke up that morning missing Bray something fierce. He couldn’t help it. He always knew he’d been needy when it came to loving another man. Levi looked around the parking lot. He couldn’t find Brayden’s Jeep anywhere. He wondered why he was running late. Levi checked his cell phone. There were no missed calls.
It was a typical Friday morning. Levi needed to get into the morning briefing or he was going to be late, too. For some odd reason he lingered outside, watching the morning traffic go by. Kids were walking along the sidewalk, heading up the street to the local public school. They were waiting along the corner, laughing and chatting the way kids do. The hair on the back of Levi’s neck stood up.
Levi headed toward the group fast. The light was about to change. His heart flew up into his throat when the little girl in front took a step off the curb before the light fully changed. She screamed as the truck came racing toward her. Levi raced out into the intersection, grabbing the girl on the fly. Tires screeched. The corner of the truck caught Levi’s leg, sending him spinning into oncoming traffic. Levi rolled, cradling the girl in his arms as they went down near the curb on the other side of the street. Cars screeched to a sudden stop.
Pain shot through Levi’s body as his head smacked against the pavement. The girl’s brown eyes were wide with fear as they looked down at him. The gravity of the situation hit her hard and she started to cry. Levi’s vision swam as he worked hard to keep conscious. The tap to his head must have been worse than he knew.
“You’re okay. Shhh. You’re okay.”
Levi wished he could’ve said the same about himself. He couldn’t move to get up. Witnesses poured from their cars to help the girl to her feet. They tried to do the same for Levi, but he shook his head no. It hurt too bad to move.
Someone ran into the police station. Officers poured out of the building when they realized it was one of their own. Anderson’s face suddenly appeared above him.
“What the fuck, Maden?”
“I tripped in the crosswalk. I think I hurt my leg.”
“The fuck you did. Looks like you hit your head harder than you thought. You’re going to need stitches.”
A siren wailed in the distance. “Where’s Temple?”
Confusion had Anderson calling the paramedic over. “He took the day off. He’s not supposed to be in until next week.”
A tear slipped from the corner of Levi’s eye. Something was very wrong with his side. “Chief?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I need to get to the hospital…now.”
Levi felt his body numb and his eyes roll back into his head. It was lights out.
* * * *
Levi was sitting up on the gurney, wondering why he was given a second chance. The quiet hum of the heart monitor told him he was going to be okay as soon as they released him from the hospital. All of sudden, the door to his room burst open and slammed shut. Brayden stormed across the room, relief and fear pouring through his face.
“Why the fuck didn’t you call me?”
“I was in surgery. Then there was my time in the post anesthesia care unit. I think they call it the PACU. By the time they got me to my room, they pumped me so full of meds that I didn’t know how to use the telephone. I think it’s called a landline. There are some wires attached to the wall if you want to try it.”
Bray came in fast, silencing him with a passionate kiss to his lips. He slowly pulled away. “Are you okay?”
“I’m bruised as shit and I now have a steel rod in my leg, but I’m good. Miss me, Sir?”
“I almost lost you yesterday.”
“You didn’t.”
“It was too close.”
“I’m here. Nothing is going to happen to me.”
Levi loved the feel of Bray’s hands on his face. “I’m taking care of you as you recover. Don’t even try to deny me or I won’t sign off on your retraining.”
“Okay, Sir.”
Levi loved how Bray took over running interference with the medical staff and all the visitors from the station who wanted to barge their way in. Someone had brought an empty bottle of root beer, labeling it piss jar. It sat proudly on the stand next to his bed. Physical therapy came in and screwed with him. The pain meds kept the pain in check.
He zoomed up and down the hallway in his walker with Bray following behind with a wheelchair. It was going to take him weeks to get his balance back and longer before he’d be able to walk on his own. He still had good range of motion with the leg despite the steel rod that made up his femur. Although the doctor said he might walk with a limp. Levi was going to work hard to prove them wrong.
Levi knew that Bray was going to be with him every second as he learned to walk again. He loved Bray for that. Bray helped him back into bed.
“So when do I get out of here?” Levi asked.
“The doc says you can get out of here sometime next week as long as you keep up with your physical therapy.”
“Awesome.”
Levi worked his ass back into the bed and Bray sat on the edge. Their hands touched. Levi felt the heat of want pass through his body. He couldn’t wait to be alone with Bray again. Levi thought about telling Bray that his birthday was coming up, but he didn’t want to put that obligation onto him. Things were better between them, but not all the way back to where they had been.
“You’re thinking hard,” Bray said.
“I was hoping that you’ll stay with me while I recover. I don’t have anyone that can help me navigate the stairs, you know?”
“I’d love to, babe.”
“You really don’t mind?”
“You’re mine, Levi. All mine. I t
ake care of what’s mine.”
Levi longed to hear those three special words on Bray’s tongue, but they just weren’t there. Maybe one day, with time, Bray would know that it was okay to say them.
Chapter Eleven
It was Levi’s birthday. Bray’s hands were stuffed into his pants pockets as he stared at the black velvet box sitting on the display counter. Lights sparkled off the chain. He was feeling as though life was about to change in a good way. He left Levi at home, saying that he was running a quick errand to the grocery store.
The sales woman picked the chain up from the box. “Would you like to try it on?”
“No. It’s not for me.”
She grinned wistfully. “A friend?”
“Lover.”
“Ah, I’m sure they’ll love it.”
His sub had comforted Bray in the hospital. The role reversal was so surprising. Bray should’ve been the strong one, comforting and reassuring Levi. God, they were so perfect for each other. How could Bray be so blind to the next step for so long?
Bray had looked at everything and still he came back to the chain. He glanced at the price tag. “I’ll take it.”
The woman grinned. “I’ll ring you up. Would you like me to wrap it?”
“Please.”
Bray tapped his credit card on the glass countertop. Snow was falling again outside on the downtown sidewalk. The purchase of the platinum chain wasn’t an impulse buy. It was well thought out. When he saw it in the catalog weeks ago, he immediately pictured it around Levi’s neck. It was almost a choker. It would hang over the ridges of his collar bone perfectly. Most of all it looked like a collar his sub should be wearing all the time. He couldn’t wait to see Levi’s reaction when he gave it to him tonight.