Page 10 of Bondage Play

“This is real to me, baby. I came to you with a proposition, and part of that deal was for me to take care of you inallways. Including financially.”

“Okay, right, but hold up a second. It’s not as if I don’t have a lucrative profession, thanks in part to you, by the way. Not only that, but we agreed that I would continue working anyway because photography is my career and I love it.” Terry couldn’tstand the pained expression Phil radiated back at him. “Look. I’m still working out this whole TPE, D/s stuff, so maybe there’s something I’m missing here. But I can tell you from my heart that this doesn’t bother me in the slightest, while still acknowledging that you have every right to be upset. Mainly, because of how you were excited about that project.”

Terry threw his arms around Phil and pulled him closer, ignoring the ache in his muscles. “We can figure it out. Or, you know, I trust you to handle it because you’re in charge and all that. As long as we’re together, and I can keep on pursuing my career, the details don’t matter to me.”

Phil angled back, holding Terry’s shoulders to look him in the eye. “You would completely trust me to make this decision for our future?”

“Well, yeah.” He would’ve shrugged, but Phil still had a rather tight grip on him. “Isn’t that part of what I agreed to when I decided to give this a try?”

Phil shook his head, a huge grin forming. “Yes. Absolutely. I didn’t realize how ready you were for it, though. I honestly wasn’t sure where you were in terms of trusting me.”

“Seriously?” Terry pried Phil’s hands off his shoulders, then snuggled in again. “I love what we’re doing, even if I suck at it sometimes.”

“Baby…” Phil’s tone had a growl to it. “It’s a process and there’s no right or wrong. As long as you’re trying, that’s all that matters.”

“Iamtrying, I swear.”

Phil gave him a soft hug. He hated that his Master was holding back because of Anson, the Mega-Prick.

“I know you are, baby. I need to think things through some more, and I’ll likely ask how you feel about any ideas I have, but thank you for giving this to me.” Phil cleared his throat again. “And I’ll probably have to show up at some industry functionswhere I won’t be able to bring you along. But I promise I’ll only attend ones I feel are absolutely necessary. Deal?”

Terry tried not to groan. He’d hated that aspect of their relationship the first time around. But things weren’t the same, and Phil needed to take care of his career as much as Terry did his own.

“It’s a deal. Can I still miss you when you’re out?”

Phil nuzzled his hair, chuckling. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you plenty of tasks to keep you busy while I’m gone.”

“Not what I was going for.”

“I’ll make sure they keep your mind occupied so you won’t suffer too much from my absence.”

“No really, I’m good.”

Phil grasped Terry’s chin, turning his head until their lips met. Phil’s kiss was claiming, leaving no doubt as to whom Terry belonged. He relaxed in Phil’s sure embrace, calm flowing through him. Phil’s strength was what he needed. It wasn’t as though he didn’t believe it was there all the time, but when Phil demonstrated it, those were the times Terry was at peace.

After Gerard’s, after our scene…

Terry broke the kiss, angling back to catch Phil’s puzzled gaze.

“I’d like to talk about our scene now, if that’s okay.”

Phil loosened his hold a little, but kept Terry in his arms. “Excellent. Remember, anything you say is fine. I won’t be upset if there are things you hated about it, or things I did that bothered you. Say whatever you want.”

“Phil, Master, I mean it when I say it was the most amazing experience and I loved it. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Seriously.” Terry chuckled. “It was actually better than I imagined it would be.”

Happiness shone from Phil’s eyes and Terry was gladthey’d waited to discuss their shared experience. It was perfect timing given the events of the day, something that could bolster Phil.

“What was better about it?”

Terry had been trying to formulate the perfect words but wasn’t sure he could convey exactly what it was. In some ways, it was indescribable. How could he articulate a feeling he didn’t fully understand himself?

“The loss of control. But it wasn’t just that. It was that I gave it to you.”

“So, the fantasy that you were being raped by a stranger didn’t work?”

“See…that’s the part I can’t quite explain. Itdidwork, I definitely got lost in the fantasy, felt the fear, or rather, the thrill. But, more importantly, once I really gave the control to you and when it was over, and the reality of giving it to you…am I making sense? Thewholething was real. It’s like, I know now that giving you, Phil, my lover, my best friend and Master, that giving my submission to you is what’s perfect for me. It’s what I need.”

“Baby.” Phil wrapped him in another embrace, kissed him gently before speaking again. “I’ve come to the realization that the more you submit, the more fulfillment you gain. But that’s not something I could tell you, you had to figure it out on your own. Truthfully, I thought it was possible it might be months or years before you fully grasped it.” Phil brushed his hair back from his forehead. “We don’t need the fantasy for that, though.”