Page 30 of Pain Play

“Terry?” Marco peered up at him. “Do you still love me?”

Terry couldn’t explicitly recall telling Marco that he loved him, but the truth was that he did. It wasn’t the same type of love he shared with Phil, not even close. Despite the physical intimacy, it would never be like it was with his Master. Phil had told Terry one time that he was his soulmate and Terry believed the truth of his words more than ever.

“Of course I do, Marco.” He gave him a reassuring smile. “Why do you ask?”

“Because Master said you and Master Phil went to another club.”

“Well, yeah. But that had nothing to do with how I feel about you, or me wanting to play with someone else. We were just trying to give you guys your space while things got worked out…” Terry cleared his throat. “You know, because of your situation.”

“Oh. I see.”

Marco drew his eyebrows together and Terry wanted to smooth out the crease between them. It made him nuts whenever Marco appeared troubled or sad.I’m losing it.

Marco sighed. “I told Master I needed to see you. He understands. Do you?”

His next words needed to be said carefully. He’d already learned through what little conversations they’d had that Marco processed information differently than most people Terry had interacted with in the past.

“I think I do. Because I told my Master the night we went to the club that it didn’t feel right. Even if we didn’t play with anyone else while we were there—nor did we want to—I felt as though I was betraying you guys somehow. I’ll wait and see what our Masters have to say when they come back, but I don’t want to participate in anything like we all did before unless it’s with you and Master Gerard.” Terry’s face heated at what else he was about to reveal, but his instincts told him that Marco felt the same way. “And I don’t want you guys to be with anyone else either.”

Marco offered him his version of a beaming smile. “That’s what I was thinking too. I was scared you would fall in love with another boy when you went to that club.”

Terry stroked Marco’s curls. “No, that would never be possible. There’s no other sub as special as you.”

Marco shook his head. “Oh no, Terry. That’s not true. You’re the most special one.”

Something in the tone of Marco’s voice told him that his declaration wasn’t simple flattery. For Marco, Terry knew it held a deeper meaning. Marco didn’t toss around idle words. Terry intended to be worthy of Marco’s belief in him.

“We’re both special. How about that?”

Marco didn’t respond, appearing more interested in Terry’s fingers than what they’d just been discussing. Terry had become accustomed to how Marco conversed. It was clear that he’d moved past the subject and was on to the next thing.

“How come you’re not wearing your ring?” Marco tugged on the finger that would someday hold the gold piece of jewelry Phil had given him.

“We’re saving it for our wedding day.” A jolt of emotion hit Terry from saying the words out loud.

“Oh. Will you be angry at me if I don’t come to the wedding? I might go, I’m just not sure yet.”

“That’s all right, Marco. I don’t want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. If you decide you can’t go, I’m sure we could work something out with our Masters where we have a private celebration with only the four of us.”

“Yes. Our Masters will know what to do.” It seemed Marco had lost interest in his finger as he closed his eyes and went back to resting against his shoulder.

Terry glanced up at the sound of Phil and Master Gerard’s approaching footsteps. When they rounded the corner of the hall that led from the kitchen, he noted the amused expressions radiating from them both.

Gerard cocked his head as he regarded them. “Has he gone to sleep?”

Marco jerked in his arms then scrambled away until he was kneeling at Gerard’s feet. “Forgive me, Master. I didn’t realize you were back.”

Oh yeah. Right. Terry rushed to kneel before Phil as well. As always, the calming effect of Phil’s palm resting on his head brought him to a state of peace.

“Terry, why didn’t you come with me? I want to speak with you in the kitchen while Gerard and Marco stay here to have their own discussion.”

Terry wobbled as he rose, something he hadn’t done in quite a while. His hands trembled, but it wasn’t from fear. He knew what Phil wanted to talk to him about. They’d revisited the topic of Gerard and Marco on the drive over. Phil had told them that he and Gerard never spoke of their more intimate relationship while on the job, it was an agreement they’d made originally when they’d decided to go into business together. But from the sounds of the invite, they’d surmised that something similar was on Gerard’s mind. By the time he’d made it to the kitchen, he was shaking all over.

“Hey, baby.” Phil gathered him close. “If this is too much, we can go home. Gerard and Marco will understand. That’s one of the main things about engaging in such an unconventional relationship.”

Terry clutched the fabric of Phil’s blue silk shirt. He peered up at him. “So that means that Master Gerard wants to do it? He wants the four of us to be…?” Terry frowned. “What does he want us to be?”

Phil rubbed his back, soothing him. “It’s not what Master Gerard wants, it’s about what weallwant. And that’s the condition right there. We all either want it—notagreeto it—but want it, or the whole thing is off.”