Page 17 of Pain Play

He kept his lips next to Terry’s ear as he spoke, “If anything’s bothering you, I’d rather help you with it now than have it interfere with your enjoyment tonight.”

Terry angled his head so he could keep the conversation between them as well. “That doesn’t bother you? About Marco, I mean?”

Phil snaked an arm around Terry’s bare waist. Resisting the urge to let his hand drift down to his boy’s shapely ass encased in butter-soft red leather was a true struggle. But it was a time for celebration and socializing as opposed to erotic pursuits.

“Not at all. Gerard made it clear that Marco is off-limits, and Gerard knows you’re off-limits too. I think Marco’s connection to you is about being lonely, or too shy or something along those lines. All I have is the same info you do about Gerard saying Marco doesn’t usually trust people. I think it’s sweet that he trustsyou.” Phil planted a kiss on his cheek as he squeezed him tight. “He can obviously sense what a good person you are.”

Terry blushed so hard he was almost scarlet. “Well, I’m glad it’s okay.”

“Baby, you never have to worry about anything like that. Ever. That’s a big part of why being in this type of relationship works so well. I would simply tell you—and Gerard would tell Marco for that matter—if I had any issues with it. Give all your worries to me, remember?”

Terry pushed into Phil’s side and he held him tighter. “It’s still so amazing to me that you would do that. Sorry, I guess I’m still holding on to some of my own insecurities.”

Phil jostled him. “Hey. I think we’ve come to realize this past week how we both have issues relating to insecurity. But we’re here for each other and I’ll never leave you guessing.” Phil chuckled. “Unless I have you blindfolded and you don’t know whether I’m about to spank or flog you.”

Terry chuckled. “It’s a deal. But thanks, I’m fine now.”

“That’s my good baby.” Phil swatted him on the ass. “Get going. Someone seems a bit anxious over there.”

Phil watched as Terry made his way to the kitchen where Marco stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on the floor while he fidgeted with his hands. The moment Marco took notice of Terry, the corners of his mouth turned up in a soft smile.I’ll have to find a non-intrusive way to learn more about him from Gerard. It wasn’t so much about coming across as nosy, as much as it was concern over whether anything he or Terry might do or say potentially upsetting the sensitive young man. It was easy to see why Gerard was so protective of him.

“They’ll be fine in there.”

Phil was torn from his musings by Gerard’s voice. He let out an easy laugh, not wanting Gerard to get the wrong idea.

“Oh, I know that. It was just Terry making sure I didn’t want him by my side.”

Eric nodded. “You’ve done a great job with him. He obviously adores you and may I also offer you a big congrats on the collaring, you sly dog. The last time we spoke, you insisted you weren’t going to broach the subject of 24/7 with him for at least another six months.”

Phil grinned. He really was quite proud of Terry. “I didn’t. He did.”

Both Gerard and Eric had almost identical expressions of shock. He knew how they felt. They stepped forward to clap him on the back and offer him hugs. It was always a special moment when a sub offered up his full submission.

Gerard looped an arm through his. “Come on, we should probably get in there before Sebastian and Forrest eat Marty alive.”

Eric coughed into his fist. “Not sure Marty would have a problem with that.”

Phil wrinkled his brow as he regarded the two subs sitting close to each other on one of the long couches, whispering and laughing intermittently. He then flicked his gaze to Marty onthe opposite end of the living room. Marty would give the boys a quick glance, then peer around the room while sipping from a beer bottle. Phil had seen him repeat the move several times since they’d arrived. But he couldn’t reconcile to what it was Gerard was referring.

“He doesn’t seem to be in any immediate danger.”

Eric barked out a laugh. “Oh, trust me. I know those twoverywell. They’re scheming on how they can get him to take them both on before the night is through.”

“Did they arrive with him?”

Phil couldn’t figure the scenario out since it was such a small group Gerard had brought together for the holiday party. It wasn’t as if they would be strangers.

Eric covered his mouth in a fruitless attempt to keep more laughter contained. “Not at all. They’re my dates.”

Gerard snorted out a laugh of his own. Phil didn’t see what was so damn funny. Here he was, going out of his way to be respectful of Dom/sub boundaries, and Gerard and Eric were treating it like a joke.

“I’m sorry, Phil. I need to explain.” Eric grasped his shoulder. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I’ve played with them both quite a bit whenever I’m in town, but they’re notmine. Gerard was telling me that he’s finished up his training with Marty and is ready to set him loose on the sub population of L.A. I suggested those boys because they’re both spunky, but loving. Gerard thought they’d all be good for each other.”

Phil shook his head, still confused by what seemed to be an unnecessarily elaborate scheme. “Why not just introduce them without all the intrigue?”

His friends both wrinkled their noses as they regarded each other while shaking their heads. Gerard turned to him.

“Nah. It’s much more fun this way. We’ve been having a blast watching Marty try to contain himself around them.”