Page 69 of Sin Deep
“Yes, sir. I’m all over that.” He leaned, trusting in Winter to hold him.
Winter got him settled in bed with ice on his leg before he brought Tylenol and a cup of water from the bathroom. “Take these,” Winter put them in his hand and climbed into bed with him.
“Thanks.” He took the pills and cuddled in, sighing softly. “You okay?”
“You’re hurting and exhausted and wondering if I’m okay? I’m fine, petit. More awake than I should be at this hour, but I’m not alone there.” Winter’s arms wrapped around him and pulled him close, encouraging him to lie against Winter’s shoulder.
“No more lonely nights.” He loved that idea, that this was their bed, their home.
“That’s right. You’re mine now. You belong here. It’s good to belong, isn’t it? I remember when I finally found that, it was almost hard to believe at first.”
“It is, but I’m willing to believe in you.”
“You won’t be sorry. I promise you won’t.” Winter was real and solid and that sounded like a promise he could believe in too.
“I’m not.” He took a deep breath, let it out.
“Is there something on your mind, petit? Is it your leg?” Winter slid a warm hand down his arm. “You’re okay?”
“I’m okay. Have you ever held yourself so stiff that you’re scared to relax, and you have to force it?”
“Not in a very long while. But I remember not realizing just how tightly I’d held things in until it all came out in a rather embarrassing, tear-filled rush. It wasn’t an easy day, but the next one was better than the hundred before it.”
“I’m sorry. I never ever want to make you cry.” He would rather fuck himself up.
“Oh, no. Not you, petit. You could never, unless I’m just that happy. And don’t be sorry, it was good day. Working through hard moments isn’t a bad thing. But you don’t have to be scared to relax, I’m here, you’re in my arms. You’re as safe as can be.”
“I know. I know in my heart and soul. I just need my body to hear me.”
“When your leg has healed a bit, I’ll make sure your body understands too, petit.” Winter’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I will be very convincing.”
“Mmm…promise?” He couldn’t stop his soft hum for love or money. That whisper was everything.
“I will make you any promise you want me to, petit. Anything at all.”
“Just give me a chance to learn all the rules, lover.” He was good at fitting in, mostly, and he’d do it.
“We’re making them up, remember? Sam’s excellent advice.” Winter’s tone was gentle, soothing. “The club has some rules, but we only have the ones that suit us.”
“Yes. I only care about suiting you. You’re the one I’m with.”
“You were made to be mine, Harley. I’m convinced of it. And everything I’ve learned that came before you, was preparing me for this. For you.”
“Mmm…for me? Yeah?” He loved the way that sounded.
“Just for you, mon petit. My love.”
“Yes. Yes, your love.” He relaxed, his eyelids drooping. “Your own.”
19
It had been so long since Winter had taken on a lover, a boy that was his, that he wasn’t sure anymore what came next. Harley would be moving in; that was settled, and Winter would see that he was offered membership at the club, but beyond that, he was at a bit of a loss as to what he wanted their relationship to look like.
He was in love, that was easy enough to understand, but he needed more than love—not a lot more, but more. That worried him, in a way he had never been worried before. He’d met his other lovers at the club, almost exclusively, and they all knew—they already understood what was expected of them and they gave it to him without being asked. Which meant that Winter hadn’t ever asked before.
And Harley, sweet boy that he was, hadn’t ever been asked, not as far as he knew. If he asked for obedience, would Harley agree? If he asked for subservience, would that ruffle the boy’s proud feathers? What if he wanted Harley to kneel for him?
He wanted to be the boy’s sun, moon and sky. And he was so close. But asking…would that be risking more than he was willing to lose?
