Page 15 of Pain Play

“Ow!” Terry’s complaint was greatly diminished by his coy smile.

“This present needs to be seen before we go to Gerard’s, and anyway, there’s still your stocking for tomorrow morning.”

“That’s true. All right, should I close them now?”

“Turn around first.”

Terry gasped. “You don’t trust me not to look?”

Hmm. How to put this. “This isn’t about anything right now other than the man who loves you really needing the moment to be a surprise. I’m not testing or challenging you, I want it to be as close to perfect as I can get. Does that make sense?”

Terry regarded him. “I guess until the TPE becomes more natural, me learning a new lesson is always where my mind is going to go. Okay, I’ll turn around.”

Phil pressed his lips to Terry’s temple, using the hand not hiding the collar behind him to hold Terry in place. “That’s my good baby. Thank you for that.” He let his boy go. “Now, face the wall, close your eyes and slowly count to twenty.”

Terry chuckled. “Yes, Master.”

The second Terry obeyed him, Phil scurried from the room so he could have enough time to place the collar back in theelegant box and get himself situated. He considered himself lucky that Terry hadn’t noticed the open package sitting on the coffee table of their living room, that he must’ve hurried right past it.Hurried to me. Phil let out a contented sigh as he sat on the couch, then carefully set the beautiful item back in its container. He arranged the tissue around it artfully before closing the lid.

Terry called out from the kitchen. “Twenty!”

Phil put the box down by his feet where the table would be covering it from view when Terry entered the room.

“I’m ready for you, baby.”

As soon as Terry trotted into the open area, excitement dancing across his features, Phil’s heart swelled. He indicated the spot next to him on the sofa, opposite of where he’d put the box. Terry took a seat and stared at him, grinning and almost bouncing like a kid.

Phil reached down to pick up the package. He handed it to him without a word, choosing instead to focus on committing Terry’s first reaction to memory. Terry held the item in his lap, gazing down at it while chewing his lip. He lifted his eyes.

“Can I open it now?”

“Yes, angel. You may.”

Terry’s eyes rounded at the never-before-uttered endearment. He seemed to be momentarily distracted from opening his gift as he continued to stare at Phil.

Phil smiled at him with fondness. “Wouldn’t you like to see what’s inside?” He dipped his chin at the box.

“Huh?” Terry glanced down at the present then back up at Phil. He quirked the corner of his mouth. “Right. Silly me.”

After taking a deep breath, Terry lifted the lid then peered inside, digging through the paper until he let out a sharp gasp. He plucked the collar from the box so swiftly the packagetumbled off his lap, his jaw hanging open as he turned the piece in his hands, gazing at it with reverence.

“Oh my God, oh wow.” Terry regarded Phil with tear-filled eyes. “Thank you, oh my God, it’ssobeautiful, so perfect. And please, for the love of all that is holy, can Ipleasehug you?”

Phil burst out laughing, his joy at Terry’s reaction impossible to contain. He opened his arms in invitation. “Of course you can.”

Terry launched himself at Phil and he caught his boy, holding him close as Terry squeezed him tighter and tighter.

“Thank you, Master.” Terry spoke next to his ear, his voice rasping. “This means so much to me and I absolutely love it.” Terry gasped again then straightened within Phil’s embrace. “That’s why you needed to give this to me now. So I can wear it to the party. Will you put it on me?”

“This first.”

Phil didn’t hesitate as he took Terry’s mouth, plunging past his lips, using his tongue to taste him thoroughly, delving deeper with each swipe. When he could barely catch his breath anymore, he stopped, but not without one last joining of their lips.

“There.” Phil gazed at his sub and realized something about himself, about what he needed and what Terry needed too. He held to his original decision, it had been a good one at the time, but like every relationship, things evolved. “I’m tossing out the no touching rule except when we’re on high protocol.”

Terry pounced on him, taking control of the renewed kiss. Phil let him have his way for a few seconds, then took it back, pushing Terry down on the couch then laying his body over him, pressing him to the cushions. Phil grabbed one of Terry’s wrists, prying him away from where he’d grabbed onto Phil’s shoulder. He lifted it above Terry’s head as he continued to fill Terry’s mouth with fierce kisses.

Once he had one arm secured, he shifted his weight so he could capture Terry’s other hand. He smiled against Terry’s lips at the discovery of the collar he still clutched between his fingers. Even though they’d discussed the design, it was wonderful—as well as a relief—that Terry was so pleased with the outcome.