Page 10 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Biting back a yawn, Liam slumped further into the soft couch cushions.

“If this is boring you, we can change the channel,” Miles commented with a grin.

“Sorry. I’m more tired than I thought. It’s not the show,” Liam replied.

“You sure? I mean, I didn’t take a nap this afternoon, but even I can admit, this documentary is a little dry, even for my tastes.”

At the mention of his afternoon nap, Liam felt his skin heat in a blush. “I… ah, didn’t get much of a nap. Couldn’t get more than a few minutes.”

“I find meditation and brown noise good for when I can’t sleep,” Miles said, reaching for the remote and turning the television off. The shadows in the room lengthened, with only the soft lamp light remaining.

“What’s brown noise?” Liam asked. “I’ve heard of white noise and not had much luck with it.”

“It’s similar, but a lower, deeper frequency. More of a dull hum than a hiss. A bit like the drone of a plane engine.”

“I noticed you meditating this morning in the gym. Do you do that often?”

“I do it every morning after my workout. Helps with my cool down and sets my mind up for the day.” Miles tilted his head slightly, pinning Liam with a stare. “I also have breathing exercises I do when I get stressed or overwhelmed.”

Liam shifted uncomfortably. He had a feeling he knew where Miles was going with this. “You mean like when you’re dealing with Seth?” he joked to deflect the attention.

Miles barked out a laugh. “Yes. Dealing with Seth has had me honing my skills.”

“I don’t know whether to worry or not that he’s been unusually quiet this week,” Liam said.

“Hmm. I’ve spoken with him. He’s dealing with a couple of things.” Miles lifted a hand to stop whatever Liam was about to say. “And before you worry, he’s fine. Just some family stuff he and Art are sorting out.”

“Shit, Miles. Are you sure he’s okay? You know what his family is like.”

A warm hand dropped on Liam’s knee, drawing him out of the spiral his brain had rushed to. The need to contact Seth himself and see if he was okay. He couldn’t let another friend down, like he had Mark.

“Liam. Stop. He. Is. Fine.”

Liam squeezed his eyes shut as the itch under his skin rose.

“Liam. Liam! Look at me.”

Miles’s strident voice pulled him from the fog that clouded his head. He opened his eyes, staring first at the hand gripping his thigh and then into concerned gray eyes.

“There you go. Good boy.”

A combination of pleasure, heat, and utter confusion raced through Liam at Miles’s words, and he tensed.

“Breathe with me, Liam. Slow, deep breaths. Come on, you know how to do this,” Miles coaxed, and Liam couldn’t tear his eyes away as he matched the rise and fall of Miles’s chest. A chest he had a sudden urge to touch. To see if it was as strong and warm as it looked.

“You’re doing great, Liam.” Miles’s voice was low and reassuring, and Liam began to relax.

The hand on his thigh flexed before lifting away. An unbidden whimper escaped Liam at the loss of touch, and he hoped it had been too quiet for Miles to hear.

Time seemed to pause around them, the air thickening with tension. Liam said nothing, desperately fighting to regain his composure. He needed to get up and escape to his room. Only then could he deal with the frustration. Rid himself of the damn itch. Chase away the guilt.

“Liam?” Miles’s voice dropped even lower.

“I… I–” Liam scrambled to get off the couch, but a firm grasp around his wrist had him stalling, as more heat coursed through his veins. He watched nervously as Miles slowly rose to face him.

“What’s wrong, Liam?”

“Noth… nothing.”

A steely gaze and cocked eyebrow was all he got in return. As he tried to gather his thoughts, he became aware of Miles gently stroking his wrist with his thumb, and he dropped his gaze to it. Desire snaked through him like tendrils on a vine and he became transfixed at the sight of his wrist encircled by long fingers. A picture of them being wrapped around his cock flashed into his brain, and he swiftly pushed it away. No!

“Do you like me touching you, Liam?” The question was so quiet, almost a whisper.

He didn’t reply, just stared.

“Liam. I need you to answer me.”

The soft, but commanding tone had Liam nodding once. Just a brief dip of his chin. He couldn’t admit how much he enjoyed being touched. How he craved to be touched. All over.

“Look at me, Liam.” A finger ran along his jaw before tilting his chin. He tried so hard to hide what he was feeling, but from the surprise in Miles’s eyes, he hadn’t succeeded.

“Use your words, baby boy.”

Liam’s breath hitched at the endearment, heat blooming in his stomach.

The grip on his wrist briefly tightened, before resuming the gentle stroking from before.

“Words, Liam.”

“Ye… yes,” he rasped out.

“Good boy.” Miles glanced down at where he held Liam. “Your pulse just jumped. Do you like being told you’re a good boy, Liam?”

“Yes.” Shame flooded through him, and he closed his eyes to avoid looking at Miles. How could he let Miles see him like this? How could he admit his weakness?

“That’s very brave of you to tell me. Thank you for being honest with me.”

Liam cracked open his eyes, afraid to see the pity in Miles’s features, but he was surprised to find that Miles was looking at him warmly and with — was that desire? — instead.

“Are you a sub, Liam?”

“What? No!” Startled, Liam pulled away from Miles and took a step back. “I don’t… I’m not….”

“Hey. It’s okay.” Miles raised his palms soothingly. “I understand.”

“I–”

“It’s okay, Liam. You don’t have to explain. You’ve allowed to like what you like. You’re allowed to want what you want.” Miles nodded to the couch. “Sit, Liam. Talk to me. I’m not going to judge.”

Liam hesitated. He wanted to run and hide. Bury himself under the covers in shame. He should go. Grab his things and head back to his place. But he also wanted to stay. Miles’s quiet protectiveness made him feel he could admit his wants and desires without being ridiculed for once.

“Liam? Are you alright?” The soft concern in Mile’s voice was Liam’s undoing. With a shaky nod, he slumped onto the couch.

***

Miles struggled to keep his expression neutral as his mind raced with all sorts of implications. Liam’s brief admission had shocked him. He knew there was more that Liam wasn’t admitting, but he couldn’t push. He knew better than to do that.

They sat silently for a minute, Miles allowing Liam to collect his thoughts. He noticed how Liam absentmindedly rubbed his wrist where Miles had grasped it. The memory of Liam’s pulse throbbing under his thumb when he’d praised him and called him a good boy opened up feelings that Miles had not experienced in a long time.

He hadn’t had a boy in years. He didn’t like to call himself a Daddy or Master, but he enjoyed having someone receptive to instruction. Someone to look after. His last relationship had ended several years ago, when his partner had found Miles’s constant traveling and work schedule too much to meet their needs. The split had been mutual and beyond amicable. In fact, Miles had introduced Rory to his now husband, and both were ridiculously happy.

“I don’t know what to say,” Liam whispered, breaking the silence. His expression was one of confusion and embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“I… I… shouldn’t have told you that. I shouldn’t be so weak.”

“You’re not weak, Liam. There is nothing wrong with receiving pleasure from words.”

Liam shook his head, denying Miles’s statement.

“Why do you think it’s a weakness?”

With a burst of energy, Liam sprang to his feet and glared at Miles. “Look at me, Miles. I’m Liam-fucking-Jones, bass guitarist for one of the biggest and most successful bands on the damn planet. Thousands of people scream my name every night. I get told I’m hot and sexy, and I can get the numbers of a dozen people who would give anything to be in my bed. I’ve received awards for my songwriting, and my peers have praised me, and yet I want….” he broke off, shoulders slumping and gaze dropping.

Miles stood and took three steps to be in front of Liam. He longed to touch him, to comfort him, but he held himself back, uncertain of Liam’s reaction. Plus he knew if he did, he’d be crossing a line they could never return from. Was it a risk he was willing to take? The sight of Liam’s shoulders slumped in dejection mixed with the want on his face had Miles throwing caution to the wind.

“What do you want, Liam?”