Page 24

Caleb was home again, in the arms and the bed of the man he loved. The man he belonged to. How perfect could life be?

He was still breathing heavily, his heart racing as the scent of sex hung thick in the air after another vigorous round of sex that Saturday morning. Sheets tangled around their legs, and the dim light from the bedside lamp cast a warm glow over Roman’s skin.

“Why’d you decide to get this tattoo?” Caleb tapped the small four-leaf clover on Roman’s biceps.

Roman chuckled softly. “A moment of rebellion, I suppose. Wander had all these big tattoos, but I couldn’t, not with my chosen career. So I picked something small, something I could easily hide. A nod to our Irish heritage.”

“I like it, even though it’s very un-you.”

“Un-me? Why?”

Caleb pressed his lips together, frowning. “Because you’re a man of control? And that is a symbol of luck, of fate if you wish.”

“Maybe that’s why I chose it, to remind myself that control only gets you so far. Part of it is luck. Like meeting you…” He kissed Caleb’s nose.

“Oh, that was very smooth. I’m impressed, Sir.”

Roman grinned. “Yeah? You’d almost think I make my living using words, hmm?”

“Almost. Maybe I’ll write you a beautiful piece of code, since words are not my thing.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. You have some words that are pretty powerful to me.”

“Like what?”

“The way you say ‘Yes, Sir.’ Gets me hard every time.”

Caleb smiled, his insides warming. “I’ll have to remember that, Sir.”

“Like you didn’t know already.”

“I did, but it’s still good to hear. What else?”

“Other words I like from you?”

Caleb nodded.

Roman’s eyes darkened. “You haven’t said them yet.”

Caleb’s throat tightened. Was Roman hinting at what Caleb thought he was? He swallowed. “Neither have you.”

Roman cupped his cheek with endless tenderness. “I’m scared shitless. I’ve never felt like this.”

“Not even with your ex-wife?”

“No. I loved her, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t like this. This is… Jesus. Caleb, I’m terrified of fucking this up, of losing you.”

Caleb’s heart felt like it had doubled in size. “I’m not that easy to get rid of.” He took the leap. “Because I love you.”

Roman’s breath caught. “You do?”

“You know I do. I’ve fallen hard for you.”

He didn’t have to wait long for Roman’s response, thank fuck. “I’m so in love with you. Head over heels, crazy for you.”

Caleb leaned his forehead against Roman’s. “I’ll never take that love for granted. Ever.”

“Neither will I, though I’m bound to fuck up. I’m not good at this, my sweet Caleb. My track record shows that. But I want to get it right this time, with you. I want to be worthy of you.”

“You already are, just the way you are.” Should he ask the question that had been on his mind so often lately? If not now, then when? Wasn’t that part of this conversation? It should be. “Can I ask about your job? Because you said before you couldn’t come out.”

“It would’ve been really, really hard, but I would never have asked you to be my dirty little secret. You mean too much to me for that.”

He spoke in the past tense as if he no longer had that problem. What did that mean? “I’m glad because I wouldn’t have done that. No matter how much I love you, I can’t be shoved back into a closet. I’m too out and proud for that.”

“As you should be.”

“So what’s the solution?”

Roman inhaled sharply. “After my leave of absence officially ends, I’ll be resigning.”

What? He couldn’t do that. Caleb didn’t want that responsibility on him. “Roman…Sir…you can’t do that for me.”

“It’s not for you. You played a part in my decision, but the biggest reason is Whitman. We can’t bring him down by playing by the rules. He’s got too much power for that. So we have to color outside the lines, and that’s incompatible with my job. I take my ethics too seriously for that. So it’s time to walk away.”

“B-but what will you do?”

Roman brushed through Caleb’s hair. “Wander offered me a job.”

“On our team?”

“Yes. Would you be okay with that, working with me when we’re together?”

“Hell, yes. One hundred percent. In fact, I would be…” Caleb, lost for words, kissed Roman. Hard. “Perfect. It would be perfect.”

“I’m glad because I have two weeks of leave yet, and once that’s done, I’m resigning.”

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll miss it?”

“I’m sure I will, and it won’t be easy in the beginning. Prepare for a grumpy boyfriend.”

Caleb grinned. “Like you’ve been Mr. Sunshine so far?”

Roman put his hand over his heart. “Ouch. Have I been that bad?”

“No. Not at all.” Caleb kissed him again. “And even in the moments that you struggled, I understood.”

Roman caressed his shoulder. “Thank you. I asked Master Mark to train me.”

“You did?”

“Thought it was time I learned the ropes. Literally.” Roman’s attempt at humor veiled the gravity of his decision, and Caleb saw through it.

“You’ve been making big decisions.”

Roman frowned. “Should I have discussed these with you?”

“No, because they weren’t my decisions to make. I’m not sure I would’ve even given my opinion had you asked. Too scared of influencing you. These things are too big to be anyone else’s decision but yours and yours completely.”

“You’re so goddamn wise for your age.”

Caleb beamed. “Thank you, Sir.”

“I want to find a nickname for you,” Roman said. “Not something generic like baby or babe, and not kid ‘cause that’s what my brother calls you. Or baby boy ‘cause that’s Ryan’s name for Alex. It needs to be something special, something unique. Something that has meaning to us.”

If Caleb’s insides grew any warmer, he’d burn. “I’d love that, Sir, but I don’t have any suggestions.”

“I’ll figure it out. It’ll come to me. Probably while I’m in the shower or about to fall asleep or something, like most brilliant ideas.”

Caleb chuckled. “Let me know when you do.”

“Figured if we’re doing this…” Roman traced the ink curling over Caleb’s right arm with his thumb. “I should do it right. I want to be all in. Both as your boyfriend and your Dom.”

“Training together.” Caleb breathed out the words, each syllable threaded with joy.

“Yep. I have my first solo session with Master Mark tonight, and we have a tentative scene with you planned for tomorrow if you’re on board.”

Was Roman kidding? Of course Caleb was on board. Returning to Boston with Roman’s marks on him would help him get through the week. A shiver of anticipation rippled through Caleb. He leaned in and brushed Roman’s lips in a kiss that held promises and the thrill of new beginnings. “Can’t wait.”

Before Caleb knew it, Sunday afternoon had arrived and, with it, the first joint session with Master Mark. Roman had reported his first training had gone well and that they’d made a plan for the first scene with Caleb, though he hadn’t given any specifics.

Master Mark showed up in his usual leather pants, bare-chested, with his hair tied back in a ponytail. Caleb felt nothing but affection for him, not even a trace of attraction.

Master Mark kissed Caleb’s cheek. “Glad to see you found happiness, boy. I wish you nothing but the best.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Caleb beamed as he looked at Roman. “And thank you for agreeing to train my Dom.”

“It’s my pleasure. You know how this works, but let me explain this to Roman, okay?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Master Mark turned to Roman. “When we do a session with Caleb, I will only address you. You’re his Dom, and as such, he only listens to you. It’s your job to communicate with him, okay?”

“Understood.”

“Why don’t you start by telling him what the plan for today is?”

“We’re going to try several floggers today so I can see the difference and get a first experience in wielding them,” Roman told Caleb. “Because it’s a training session, the buildup will be different from what you’re used to and may have a lot of interruptions for my benefit.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Well explained, Roman.” Master Mark nodded at him. “Managing expectations is crucial in situations like this. Caleb is a trained sub who can easily lose himself in a scene, so it’s important for him to know that may not happen today, which will prevent him from getting frustrated. Okay, let’s get started. What’s your next step, Roman?”

Roman took a moment, then asked, “Do I have your consent for this session?”

More formal than was necessary, but Caleb appreciated the thoughtfulness behind it. “Yes, Sir.”

“Do you have any warnings for me, any new limits, hard or soft, you need me to be aware of?”

Oh, he was doing great. “No, Sir, and thank you for checking.”

“Any areas on your body that hurt that you’d like me to avoid today?”

“No, Sir.”

“Good,” Master Mark said. “Let’s go to the St. Andrew’s cross, which is my preferred location for a flogging. It’s crucial to secure the arms of your sub so they won’t be tempted to instinctively shield themselves and get hurt in the process.”

Caleb obediently followed and took up position, linking his arms around the cross. “We’ll cover different types of knots later,” Master Mark said as he quickly secured Caleb’s hands. “In some cases, you’ll want to use a slip knot a sub can get out of easily, but in this situation, you need something he can pull on without it getting loose.”

Caleb eagerly breathed in the scent of leather and anticipation. Shadows clung to the walls like specters, the soft light from various candles and small lamps casting a suspenseful dance over the array of implements that promised both pleasure and pain.

“Each flogger has its own voice,” Master Mark said as he laid several out for Roman. “Its unique song of seduction and discipline.”

“How do you choose?” Roman asked.

“Consider the sub’s experience, their pain threshold, and what message you want to convey.” A slow smile spread across Master Mark’s face as he selected a medium-weight flogger. “For example, is your goal to punish, to bring pain, or to bring pleasure?”

“What should it be in this case?”

“I’d say a mix of pain and pleasure because, for Caleb, those two are closely related.”

“Okay.”

Master Mark’s arm swept through the air, the flogger slicing a precise arc before it kissed the padded bench next to Caleb with a thud. “Wrist loose. Let the tool do the work. Control is key.”

He hit the bench a few more times and handed the flogger to Roman, handle first. “It’s not about power. It’s about the exchange, the dance. Try it on the bench.”

Roman swooshed the flogger through the air. It landed unevenly, and he gave it another try, but his movements were still a bit stiff.

“Loosen up,” Master Mark encouraged. “Ease up on the grip. Let it be an extension of you. Feel its weight, its balance.”

Caleb bit his lip as he watched, almost jealous of that stupid bench. Even though he knew Roman had to practice first, he wanted to feel the leather kiss his skin, set it on fire, and paint Roman’s marks all over him.

“Precision,” Master Mark said. “It’s not about striking hard. It’s about striking right.”

Roman nodded, giving it another go.

“Good. Keep your eyes on where you want it to land.”

Roman arced his arm, and the flogger sliced toward the leather stool with a calculated snap—so much better than before. The thud of leather meeting leather was satisfying, though nowhere near as much as it would be on Caleb’s skin. Roman kept practicing for about a minute, then stopped.

“When you flog your sub, this is the area you want to target.” Master Mark used the handle of another flogger to trace a square on Caleb’s back and ass. “The ass cheeks are fine, but avoid the tailbone. And stay away from the kidneys, which are located about here.” He pointed them out.

Roman’s intense look of concentration showed how seriously he took all this, and a new wave of warmth flowed through Caleb.

“Buildup is important, but the how once again depends on your goals. Sometimes, you’ll want to build up agonizingly slow, almost like you’re teasing and edging. Other times, you’ll want to do a quick warm-up and then let it rain down hard. But intensity isn’t just about force. It’s also about tempo, rhythm. It’s a dance.” Master Mark put his hand on Roman’s shoulder and squeezed briefly. “Try again on the bench and find the beat.”

“Find the beat.” Roman echoed. He swung again, this time a series of hits. The creak of leather kissing leather grew rhythmic, almost hypnotic. Caleb stood shivering in anticipation. When would he feel the flogger’s cruel kiss?

“Much, much better. Think you’re ready to try it on Caleb?”

“Yes.” Roman sounded confident.

“Start with his buttocks. Since they have the most flesh, they can take a lot.”

Caleb closed his eyes and hugged the cross, his body taut with anticipation. The flogger cracked, then hit, and Caleb sighed as he absorbed its sting. Oh fuck, finally. Leather swooshed again and curled against his ass with a sharp snap. The heat took a second to penetrate, but when it did, Caleb hissed.

He opened his eyes and watched as Roman flicked his wrist again, confident and self-assured. So sexy. His movements had a dark beauty to them, a seductive promise of pain and pleasure.

Roman paused, seeking Caleb’s eyes. Caleb blinked slowly, unable to find the words. But Roman seemed to understand anyway because a sexy smile curled his lips…and he hit again. And again.

“Good.” Satisfaction laced Master Mark’s words. “That’s it, Roman. You’re getting it.”

Roman arced his arm down again, the flogger slicing through the air with precision. Thwack. Leather met flesh, Caleb’s ass absorbing each calculated blow. His body broke out in sweat, and his heart raced in a mix of excitement and pain.

“More.” The word was torn between a plea and a demand.

Roman obliged, the flogger biting deeper, drawing moans from Caleb’s lips, sounds he didn’t consciously make. The flogger ventured a little higher on Caleb’s back but focused mostly on his ass. Caleb couldn’t wait to see what it would look like. Jesus, he wouldn’t be able to sit for a week. And it would be totally worth it.

“Good boy,” Roman murmured, the words filled with pride, and Caleb’s heart soared.

“T-thank you, Sir.” The honorific slipped from his lips like a sacred vow. Sweat glistened on his taut body, and his muscles quivered under the dual assault of pain and pleasure. Pure adrenaline, with that blessed endorphin rush right on its heels, lifted him higher. The room echoed with the rhythmic impact of the flogger, Caleb’s sharp intakes of breath, and the grunts Roman let out every time he hit.

“Enough,” Roman said.

Caleb could’ve taken more, but he didn’t protest. He knew better, and besides, this session wasn’t for him. It was for Roman, and he’d done brilliantly.

With a nod from Master Mark, Roman untied Caleb, who stood shaking on legs that felt like jelly. Roman’s hands, steady during the session, trembled now as he brushed Caleb’s damp forehead.

“Hey,” Roman murmured, voice gravelly with raw emotion, fingers trailing over Caleb’s flushed skin, a silent promise of gentleness after the storm of sensation.

“Careful,” Master Mark said, his tone soft yet firm. “Now comes the most important part. Aftercare.”

Roman fetched a plush blanket from the nearby shelf and wrapped it over Caleb’s shivering form. His movements were tender, a stark contrast to the controlled ferocity of moments before. He carefully lifted Caleb, sliding beneath to cradle him in his arms and carry him to a couch, where he gently lowered them.

Caleb snuggled close to Roman. His ass was on fire, but it felt so good. So grounding. He’d wear the marks with pride.

“Take your time. I’ll be upstairs for the debrief later,” Master Mark said, and then they were alone.

“You did so well,” Roman whispered, lips brushing Caleb’s ear. “So fucking beautiful for me.”

Caleb’s response was a contented sigh, the tension easing from his limbs as he curled closer to Roman’s warmth. “Thank you, Sir.”

“I love you, Caleb. My precious boy.”

“Love you too, Sir.”