“Thanks,” he said as he finished taking off the jacket. Now topless, he tossed it over the arm of the couch then eased back onto the couch cushions, watching Mike work.
Mike flicked another glance at him, taking in the slender lines of his bare arms and torso. Shorter strands of hair escaped from his braid to frame his delicate jawline, drawing focus to the tempting curves of his plush lips. Mike yanked his gaze away only for his eyes to land on Aiden fingering the end of his long braid. Mike hoped he didn’t plan to take his hair down. Seeing that silky black mass spill free would remind him too much of the night he’d watched Aiden dance, and then later when he’d had him on his lap.
“Anything else?”
Again, Aiden leaned in close to look over the screen. Warmth bloomed on Mike’s arm where Aiden momentarily pressed against him.
“Nope. That’s it.”
Mike hit submit. After he got the form received message, he rubbed his eyes. The lights had started to bother him while he was typing, a throbbing kicking up in his temples. He’d pushed the discomfort aside in order to finish the task. Now that it was complete, the pounding in his temples was too much to ignore. He winced at a particularly sharp stab of pain.
“Are you okay?” Aiden asked in concern.
“Yeah, but do you have any more Tylenol?”
“Sure, hold on.” Aiden got up from the couch and left the room, returning a minute later with the requested pain relief.
“You needed painkillers the other night too,” he said as he handed the small bottle to Mike. “Is everything all right?”
“I’ll be fine.” Mike paused to take two pills, washing them down with a big gulp of water. “I get headaches sometimes after I use my powers. But it’s nothing serious.”
Aiden dropped back onto the couch. “Let me help. Sit on the floor and I’ll rub your temples for you.” He tossed down one of the large, squishy throw pillows between his feet.
Mike hesitated. Was this a way to get him at Aiden’s feet as he had said that he wanted? “You don’t have to do that.” Aiden must have realized what he was thinking because a look of understanding passed over his face.
“Relax, Beefcake. You backed me up tonight and you did that report for me. It’s the least I can do.”
“Okay.” Mike slid to the floor, moving over to sit on the pillow. He maintained his posture, preventing his back from resting against the couch in order to keep some small distance between them. Still, the warmth of Aiden’s thighs bracketed his shoulders. And that was... nice. Cool, slender fingers lightly pressed against his temples. Aiden began to rub them in slow circles. The gentle touch helped ease the dull throb that always took over his head after using the blast.
Mike relaxed, gradually easing out of his stiff posture to lean back against the couch. He let himself drift into a soft mental space, closing his eyes to block out the light and focusing on the gentle fingers leeching away the pain in his head. It was nice to be in this position—soothed and cared for as he let his pain float away. He told himself that sitting at Aiden’s feet had nothing to do with the contentment wrapping him up in its warmth. He was simply happy because his partner had been kind enough to give him a massage, taking away his pain. That’s all it was. Except...it wasn’t. This feeling matched the way he’d felt when he’d read what it was like for a submissive to be at their Dom’s feet—only experiencing it in real life magnified that feeling times a thousand.
“Is that better?” Aiden asked softly.
“Yes. Thank you, Sir.”
The fingers stopped moving.
A second later, Mike realized what he’d said. He lurched out of his relaxed state, eyes flying open, the sudden light an assault on his pupils. Panic chilled away his peaceful warmth. He wasn’t ready to give his answer yet, was he? He made to rise, but Aiden raised a leg and crossed it over his chest, the chains on his boot jingling with the quick movement.
“Don’t get up. I haven’t finished yet.”
Mike hesitated only a moment before he obeyed the quietly voiced order. He sank back into his previous position and Aiden resumed the massage. Neither of them spoke for long moments. Mike became aware that there was a ticking clock somewhere in the house—Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock—counting the seconds of tense silence. After an excruciating number of ticks, Aiden finally spoke, his voice hushed.
“Was that a habit from the military?”
Mike recognized the out, he could take that excuse and run with it. But he wasn’t going to lie. “No. It wasn’t.”
“Then was that your answer?”
Silence fell between them again. He could say no. He could say he wasn’t ready to give his answer. But he wanted Aiden. And he wanted to know what it would be like to do the things Aiden had described. Mike drew in a deep breath and gave his answer on a soft exhale.
“Yes.”
∞ ∞ ∞
“Come here.”
Aiden beckoned Mike to rejoin him on the couch. As soon as Mike was seated, Aiden moved, swinging a leg over to sit astride his lap. Mike’s eyes went wide at the bold move but Aiden only smiled.
