Graham doesn’t even hesitate. “No, I wouldn’t have.”
It hurts to hear, even though Colton knows it’s true and it isn’t a surprise.
Graham takes a deep breath of him, too, shuddering in his arms. “I don’t know what I want. I don’t know how to make decisions that are best for me. Goddamn, you smell good.”
Colton rubs his hands up and down Graham’s back. Graham shifts closer, his cock brushing against Colton’s hip and groin as he settles tightly against him.
“You feel good,” Graham whispers.
“I think you do know what you want. You just don’t trust it. I swear, whatever you want, I want it, too.”
“Can’t want and trust be the same thing? And they can both be wrong. I don’t trust myself. I don’t trust the fucking military. Who am I supposed to trust, Colton?” Graham asks, sounding wrecked.
That jolts through him. Has Graham ever said his name?
“How can I risk it?” Graham asks.
Does Graham really not know the answer Colton wants, or does he need Colton to be the one to offer and say that he is trustworthy? A submissive needs a Dominant to assume control and take care of them. They’re happier and function better when they have a Dominant. “Me. And what I want to give you. You could trust me.”
Graham sighs heavily. “I guess I didn’t leave you an out, did I? And why would I trust you? I don’t even know you. Just because you’re a Dominant doesn’t mean you’re trustworthy.”
“No. Not because I’maDominant but because I’d beyourDominant. I want to be your Dominant, Graham. Let me take care of you, honey. Didn’t I make you feel good last time?” It’s a question but his voice is hard, his dominance leaking through.
Graham makes a fist in Colton’s shirt, pulling him closer and clinging onto him.
Colton rubs his hand up and down Graham’s back. This is it, the big gamble where Colton needs to be honest and try to make Graham his. “I need you, baby. I can’t think about anything besides you.”
Graham shivers. “Really?” There’s disbelief in his voice.
“I know you feel the connection between us. I swear you can trust me with your submission, Graham.”
“I do… want to.”
He takes Graham’s hand—the injured one—and Graham whimpers and sags against him. He places it against his hard cock, willing to play dirty if it gets him the submissive he wants. “We’re both hurting, aren’t we? I took care of you. Don’t you need to take care of me, too?”
Graham moans, tilts his head up, offering his mouth for a kiss as he gives in. “Yes. Fuck. Now?”
He brushes his lips against Graham’s cheek instead. “We should wait until I get you back. Can you wait?”
“Oh,” Graham murmurs. He’s so soft and sweet now. Colton wants to keep him that way.
“I want to grip you so fucking bad.”
That makes Graham blush.
“Why?” Graham asks.
Maybe Graham doesn’t know. If he’s always waited too long to get his needs met then he might not even remember muchof his previous experiences. Colton’s going to assume everything is new to Graham and that he knows nothing. Act as if Graham really is just this innocent, submissive, masochistic hunk of manliness that Colton gets to take down and claim.
“Your submissive glands need to be checked. They should be monitored to make sure you’re not imbalanced. If I touch your neck, I’ll know if they’re swollen or too hot. If you’re content. And you’ll react to that. Flinch away or press closer, and that gives me information, too. And it will turn you on. You’re so sensitive on your neck. Not just from the glands but because your neck is fragile. I can control your movement and your breath. I can urge you to your knees or keep you pinned. I want to grip your neck because it lets us both know you’re mine.”
Graham ducks his head, offering his neck. But he’s nervous.
The idea of persuading the nervous submissive into a grip and hopefully into his bed leaves him aching. “Good. Thank you, Graham. Let’s see if you like it,” he says, voice almost a growl, as if he’s closing in on his prey.
Colton puts his hand on Graham’s neck, finally gets to put his hand there and know it’s wanted. This last week his hand has tingled when he thought of Graham and all he’s wanted to do to him.
He presses gently along the smooth skin and locked muscles until he finds his submissive glands. They’re swollen. The area is knotted in a way it shouldn’t be. He brushes against them lightly and Graham grunts.
