Page 12 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Liam’s heart stuttered at the question. He didn’t ask Miles to repeat the question. He’d heard it just fine. Before asking his own question, he quickly licked his dry lips.

“Wh… why would you want to do that?” he asked, hating how he stumbled over the words. “I don’t want to be a pity fuck.”

Miles chuckled and shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. As he did, Liam noticed the shadow of a bulge, and he hazily remembered feeling a hard length pressed against his ass as he’d fucked into Miles’s hand.

“Oh, baby boy. You most definitely wouldn’t be a pity fuck. Though, admittedly, if you’re not stressed, then my stress levels are lower because I’m not worrying about you.”

“So, you’re only offering to keep things stress-free for everyone.”

“No. I find you very attractive, Liam. I always have. You admitting to your wants and needs has increased that attraction tenfold.”

Miles’s confession surprised Liam. “You find me attractive?” He replayed the rest of the statement through his mind. “And now I’ve told you I like to get off to being told what to do and praised when I do it, you want to fuck me?”

“Not quite,” Miles admitted. “Like I said, I’ve always found you attractive, even more so as you’ve gotten older. As for the other, I’ve always liked someone who is happy to give up control in the bedroom. I’m a classic type A personality, always wanting and needing to be in charge in all aspects of my life.”

Liam dropped into the armchair as he processed this new information. “So, what? You’re a Dom?”

“No. I dabbled in the lifestyle a long time ago, but I’m more of a nurturer. And no, before you ask, I don’t consider myself a Daddy either.”

Liam said nothing, just stared at the man he thought he knew so well, but then, Liam had never revealed everything to anyone close to him before tonight either, so maybe he didn’t know him that well after all.

“Unless you have any more questions, I suggest you go to bed and sleep on what I asked.”

Liam nodded. “Yeah. That’s a good idea.”

“Alright then. Thank you again, Liam, for sharing everything with me tonight. There’ll be no hard feelings or changes in our relationship if you decide it’s not what you want.”

With that, Miles stood and left the room, leaving Liam to watch his retreating form.

***

Miles leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping his coffee as he waited for his bagel to toast. He’d had a fitful night’s sleep, his thoughts consumed with the events of the evening before. After he left Liam, he’d taken a shower and jacked off, his orgasm intense as he pictured Liam’s thick cock throbbing beautifully in his hand, along with the quiet grunts he’d given as he’d thrust in and out of Miles’s palm. He was hoping Liam took him up on his offer because he had so many ideas and plans that he instinctively knew Liam would enjoy.

The toaster popped, drawing him from his reverie, and he adjusted himself before turning to finish preparing his breakfast. He had better control than this. He shouldn’t be getting hard at just the mere thought of Liam naked and beneath him.

Shuffling footsteps coming down the short hallway from the guest room had him glancing over his shoulder. Liam looked a little pale, with faint shadows under his eyes, and Miles inwardly sighed. He’d hoped that sharing his secret and the orgasm would have calmed Liam enough to get a good night’s sleep. He berated himself for adding to the pressure with his suggestion instead of leaving it until this morning.

“Good morning,” he said, his tone light and cheerful.

“Hey,” Liam replied, offering a small smile.

“Help yourself to coffee and whatever you want to eat,” Miles told him, moving to the far end of the breakfast bar to give Liam some space.

“Thanks.” Liam fixed himself a coffee, but didn’t look at any of the food offerings. Before Miles could say anything, though, Liam blurted out.

“Did you mean it last night?”

Lowering his half-eaten bagel to his plate, Miles leisurely took a sip of coffee before nodding. “Yes. I did.”

“How would it work?”

“That’s something we would need to sit down and discuss.”

Liam nodded and took a deep gulp of his coffee. Miles waited. Liam needed to set the boundaries here.

“I… I’m still trying to understand what happened last night,” Liam admitted quietly. “I mean, I know what happened, but we’ve known each other for nearly twenty years, and you’ve never once hinted that you might like to fu… fuck me.”

“Like I said, I’ve always found you attractive, Liam. I haven’t acted on it, because the timing has never been right. At first, we were all working hard to not only establish Larkspur but also my company. Then, as you guys got more successful, I was in a committed relationship. In the last few years MC Management has grown so big, I haven’t had the time or inclination to pursue anyone.”

“So what’s changed? You’re still as busy. I’m halfway through a tour. Why now?”

Miles drained the last of his coffee, giving himself a moment to gather his thoughts. He knew whatever he said now would be a big factor in Liam’s decision.

“I’ve been noticing for some time that you’ve been stressed. I know it’s not typical touring burnout. You’re a caretaker. What’s the current thing people are calling it? Your love-language is acts of service. I know you thrive on being there for everyone. Easing their burden. It’s something we have in common. You’re trying to be everything to everyone. However, I’ve also learned to recognize when I’m the one that needs taking care of, whereas I don’t think you have.”

“And I wouldn’t just be a pity fuck? You’re not offering this just so I’m less stressed?”

“No. Liam, you know me to be a truthful and honest man. I’ve never lied to you or the others, and I certainly wouldn’t lie about something as important as this.”

Liam nodded, and once again dropped his gaze. Miles didn’t berate him, though. He knew Liam was working through the information he had, weighing the pros and cons. He made it a habit to do this with every major decision, although Miles had only seen him behave like this in business matters before.

“How long would we do this for?”

“As long as you want to. You’re going to be calling the shots here, Liam.”

“But that’s not what I need. I don’t want to be deciding. I don’t want to think. That’s the whole point.”

“Oh, baby boy. You’re only setting the boundaries and letting me know what you want and need. I’ll be deciding everything else.”

“Why… why do you call me bab… baby boy? I thought you said you weren’t a Daddy.”

Miles chuckled. He’d surprised himself when the term slipped out last night. “To be honest, I don’t know. It just feels right. I don’t consider myself a Daddy, but if that is something you’d want to call me when we’re in the bedroom, then I won’t have a problem with it.”

“I don’t know.”

“And that’s fine. No pressure. There are only a few rules I have, Liam, and everything else is up to you.”

“Rules? Like what?”

“When we’re together, we’re exclusive. That means no sneaking off from the hotel for anonymous hook ups and no getting the numbers of fans to take back to your room. I also promise I won’t be with anyone else while you are in my bed.”

Liam gave a slow nod. “Agreed. Has there been anyone recently?”

“No. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a relationship.”

“What other rules do you have?”

“Mutual consent, and a safe word system.”

Liam’s head shot up at that. “Safe word? I’m not into anything like that. Why would we need a safe word?”

“Sometimes, a situation may call for it. For whatever reason, either of us may decide that things are going too fast, or that we need to stop what we are doing completely. A simple color-safe word system is easy to use.”

“O… okay then. I agree.”

“Agree to what, Liam.”

“I agree to an arrangement with you. Friends with benefits? I don’t know what to call it.”

Joy leaped in Miles’s chest at the words, but he kept his expression calm as he replied. “Thank you. I’m honored you’ve chosen me to help you. As to what to call it? I think friends with benefits works for now, if you really want to put a label on it.”

“So, when do we start? I’m back on tour in two days. I need to go home and pack.”

“And I have a full schedule for the next few days,” Miles confirmed, noticing the disappointed look that crossed Liam’s features.

Rounding the breakfast bar, Miles stepped in front of where Liam was leaning against the counter. He cupped Liam’s face, holding him in place so their eyes met.

“We start now.”

Liam’s eyes flared at the statement, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

“I want you to go home and pack your gear for the rest of the tour, then come back here. Once you’re back, we’ll talk some more, and then we’ll take it from there.”

Liam’s full lips pouted slightly, and it was all Miles could do not to lean forward and take them in a bruising kiss, but he didn’t. If he gave into temptation and kissed Liam now, he’d not stop until Liam was a spent mess, and sadly, they didn’t have time for that right now.

“Can you do this for me, Liam? Can you be a good boy and do as I’ve asked?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then. I have to get to the office. I’ll give you the spare elevator card and set you up a code for the door, so you can come straight back here when you’re done packing. Your name is already with the doorman, so you won’t have any problems there.”

Miles reluctantly let Liam go, noticing the shuddering breath Liam took and how he discreetly tried to adjust himself.

“Oh, and one more thing, Liam. You’re not to touch yourself until I say you can.”