Page 12 of Pain Play

“Hmm.” Phil didn’t like it when subs cursed, but by the same token, he didn’t want a robot as a partner. “I believe you. I know your character, know you’re smart enough to recognize when it’s appropriate and when it’s not.” He whispered next to this ear. “But not in our home or unless it’s part of a scene.”

Terry inclined his head. “Hold up. Why would I be cursing in a scene?”

Phil noted the sideways glance of the photographer who seemed to be spending an awful long time fiddling with the same light stand. He brought his voice even lower.

“A few reasons, but let me just leave you with this. What if my bad boy needed me to spank or flog him very hard because of what a filthy mouth he has?”

Terry groaned. “Great. Now I’m getting hard. I’ll need a sec before I introduce you to Van.”

Phil stole a quick peek at the newly-revealed Van then regarded his sub. He trusted Terry implicitly, but he didn’t want this Van character to get any ideas the way Anson had. Anson had hurt Terry in more than one way, had put him in danger and he wasn’t about to put up with any more shit from men who wanted to get their hooks into his beautiful sub.

“So, does Van have a boyfriend, or…?”

Terry gave him a knowing smile. “That was subtle. I can reassure you that Van is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Rebecca. They have two adorable, and quite precocious, daughters. Has pics in his wallet. Would you like to see them?” Terry arched his eyebrows.

Phil sighed. He would’ve reprimanded Terry over his tone had he not been being such an ass himself.Maybe Iamgetting too sensitive about our age difference.Overall, Phil held a positive opinion of himself physically. He stayed in shape, was careful not to eat or drink too much, had good grooming and was considered attractive.It’s just that Terry is so damn beautiful, so sweet and loving.Anyone with half a brain would want him.

“Sorry. But keep an eye on the snark factor the next time. I might be salivating over the extensive list of punishments I have in mind for you, but I’m not sure you’ll feel the same once I administer them.”

Terry flushed. “Okay. I’m sorry too.”

He tipped his head back as if silently begging for another kiss.How can I refuse?Phil smiled before giving Terry what he’d asked for. He broke the connection, but not before dragging his teeth slowly along Terry’s plump bottom lip as he released it.That should make the photo even more delightful.

Terry regarded him from under hooded eyes, his cheeks filled with a touch of pink. “That was very, very bad. But in a totally good way.”

Phil chuckled. “Should you introduce me to your friend? He’s probably wondering by now if he should give us some privacy.”

“Yeah. At this point, the wood won’t be going away anytime soon, so what the hell—I mean heck.” Terry winced. After clearing his throat loudly enough to draw Van’s attention, he led them closer to the photographer. “Van, I want you to meet my Master and the love of my life, Phil Watts.”

Phil tried not to choke on his own spit at Terry’s surprise introduction and to Van’s credit, he kept his reaction confined to one brow twitch. Van held out his hand and Phil took it.

“Nice to meet you, Van. Terry tells me you’re a top fashion photographer, so I’m looking forward to the shoot.”

The smile Van radiated at him appeared genuine. “He’s very kind. I take it that posing for photos is something new for you?”

Phil chuckled. “Very new and uncomfortably so. I’ll need a lot of guidance, I’m afraid.”

Terry beamed up at him. “All you need to do is be yourself, you’re amazing just as you are.”

To Phil’s mortification, his cheeks heated. Blushing wasn’t his thing, but Terry’s praise had just changed that. “Uh, so, what was this I heard about makeup?”

****

The alluring woodsy, citrus scent of Phil’s Hugo Boss cologne distracted the shit out of Terry as he tried to concentrate on the digital images displayed on the computer screen. Terry sat next to Van as they scrolled through the shots with Phil leaning over his shoulder, occasionally pointing to one he really liked so Van could mark it down as a keeper.

“What do you think of this one, Terry?”

He focused his attention back on what he was supposed to be doing, only a tad annoyed that Phil had used his given name instead of ‘baby’.Work in progress. Phil had reminded him of that plenty of times. They’d discussed various ways of handling their public selves when they’d gone over the contract a few days earlier, but putting it in practice was a different matter.

I hope he’s not upset that I introduced him as my Master.

“Baby? What are your thoughts?”

He grinned.That’s better.Everything between them had become so sharp and present since they’d agreed on being fulltime. Terry had found it difficult to stop analyzing every moment and every interaction they shared.

Once he’d absorbed how exquisite the shot was that Phil had pointed out, he let a soft ‘wow’, fall from his lips.Our love is so clear, so alive.“Yeah. That one. It’s…” He shook his head, hisemotions so high it was difficult to express his feelings. “You can see how much we belong together.”

Phil kissed the side of his neck. “Yes, we do. Definitely that one, along with a few others I’d like to keep.”