Page 3 of Pain Play

“Can we talk then? I don’t want to stop this right now.”

Phil kissed Terry’s temple while rubbing his back in slow circles. “Of course. I’m up for some dessert now, if you are.”

Terry let out a stuttering sigh then sniffed again. “Yes, Sir. Thank you.”

Phil squeezed his shoulder before rising, then grabbed the two empty bowls to take to the sink. While he prepared the crisp, he couldn’t help but steal glances at Terry.He might be ready for a 24/7 dynamic sooner than I’d thought. But before he went that far, he wanted to explore some other aspects of their relationship. Terry’s desire for rough play and his arousal from the spankings had given Phil a few tantalizing ideas. He smiled to himself. It was time to introduce a new level of pain to their play.

Chapter Two

Terry battled the surge of emotions coursing through him as he and Phil walked through their West Hollywood neighborhood, their gloved fingers entwined. They’d both donned their warmest coats and scarves to battle the evening chill. Southern California was in the midst of a cold spell that had plunged the temperatures into the thirties. That level of cold wasn’t unheard of for a December evening, but not the norm either.

Phil hadn’t quizzed him yet about his first experience of being fed, he’d merely asked him to help clear the table then suggested they wear scarves for their walk. He sensed that his Master was allowing him the chance to process everything first.Yeah. My Master.He swallowed hard.Fuck.

Terry had only recently begun to refer to Phil as ‘Master’ instead of just ‘Sir’—other than the initial role play during their CNC scene. However, that situation hadn’t been about Phil being hisgenuineMaster, it had been used for the character Phil was playing.But now it’s different. They’d always been working toward a fulltime dynamic, Phil had made it clear that was what he hoped for and Terry had agreed to give it a try. However, what had begun as mere curiosity had struck him as being rather hot the more they’d delved into the various aspects of D/s. At some point, it had ceased being an experiment between them. It had transformed into something Terry cherished.

And now he was ready. He was ready for everything that being Phil’s 24/7 sub would entail. Even though he realized there was still a lot of mystery attached to it and there would be things—probablymanythings—that he would question, he’d grown to understand that it was all part of the journey he would be taking with the man he loved more than anything.

He trusted Phil. He believed down to his bones that Phil only wanted the best for him, would always be there to make sure he was well cared for, appreciated and loved in return. D/s was a part of their relationship and trying to control when it happened and when it didn’t no longer made any sense.

Terry ran his free hand through his hair then shook it out. “Master? I’d like to discuss the whole feeding thing and… a few other things.”

Phil squeezed their joined hands. “Of course, baby. I’m curious to hear how you felt about it now that our scene has ended.”

Terry kept his gaze trained on the sidewalk. “I wish it hadn’t. Ended, I mean. Something about the intimacy of allowing another man to feed me…It was strange, but touching at the same time. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I was surprised how vulnerable it made me feel and how safe I feel with you now. So, I was thinking…”Dammit, get it together.“I was thinking that from now on, wedon’tdo scenes. That we’re just Master and sub 24/7.” He chanced a look at Phil, surprised at the glint in his eyes reflecting from one of the old-fashioned street lamps. “I’m ready.”

Phil stopped, grabbing Terry’s other hand and tugging on it so they faced each other. He remained silent as he regarded Terry, carefully considering him as the bitter cold turned their breaths into puffs of clouds in the night air.

“Baby.” The word had been spoken softly as Phil pulled him into an embrace, then took his mouth in a kiss. Phil’s lips were cool, a little dry as he pressed them against Terry’s, but the exchange quickly heated as they poured their shared emotions into it, sealing the moment between them. Phil broke the connection but stayed close as he stared into his eyes. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I promise to honor the gift you’ve given me.”

Terry’s heart jackhammered, his stomach doing flip-flops.This is real. If Phil had spoken the same words even a few weeks before, he wouldn’t have grasped their deeper meaning the way he did now. His submission wasn’t something Phil was taking. Terry was offering it to him. In return, they would share a balanced, loving and fully committed relationship.Totally worth it. He would have Phil’s constant attention—which was what he’d wished for from the beginning—and he could keep his lover, his Master, satisfied and happy.

They kissed again, their clinch becoming more intense with each swipe of Phil’s tongue through Terry’s mouth, each shared breath a treasure before Phil would plunge back in to give him another sweet taste of his Master. Phil chuckled, then pulled back.

“We might be giving the neighbors too much of a show.” He pecked Terry on the end of his chilly nose. “And not only am I anxious to get you alone, but I’m freezing my ass off out here.”

Terry let out a snort. “I concur with all of the above.”

Phil hooked his arm through Terry’s and they turned back toward their home. Terry kept his hands stuffed in his pockets, more to keep them still than to protect them from the cold.

“So…” Terry chewed on his bottom lip. “What happens now?”

When Phil didn’t answer right away Terry stole a peek and was surprised to see his Master sporting such a wide grin. Phil glanced at him, his expression one of utter joy. Considering how worried Phil had been over the incident with Master Joe and Anson, as well as the insecurities he’d expressed due to his current inability to provide for him financially, Phil’s happiness was a wondrous thing to see.

Phil shoved his hands into his own pockets. “How busy are you tomorrow? I can’t remember what your schedule looks like.”

To help keep them in step with each other’s career obligations, they maintained a shared planner inside the small, antique secretary in the living room.

“I have a morning session, then that’s it for the day.” He hadn’t been hired for any new films, and most series shows were on hiatus. He wouldn’t be needed until January for the pre-production shots for the new season of the angel and demon series he’d been working on from before.

“Can I book an afternoon with my sub then?” The corners of Phil’s mouth curled up in a smile.

“Afternoonandevening?” Terry would be the first to admit he was a greedy man where Phil was concerned.

Phil leaned in and took a quick nip of his ear. “And all night.”

Terry shivered, but this time it had nothing to do with the temperature.

Once they’d arrived back home and unwrapped themselves from all their winter gear, Phil tugged on Terry’s hand, practically dragging him toward the bedroom. He’d barely crossed the threshold before he started kicking off his shoes, anxious to get naked as soon as possible. Phil laid a hand on his arm.