Chapter 23
The three of them went to get the Slurpee’s Aiden was craving, enjoying the icy treats in the 7-11 parking lot. Afterward, they dropped Frost off at his apartment then headed back to Aiden’s.
“Let’s shower,” Aiden said when they walked into his bedroom.
Mike nodded, but his shoulders went stiff in that way that meant he was uncomfortable or worried.
Aiden had meant for them to shower separately but clearly Mike thought that he wanted him to join him. Aiden would love to press his naked body up against his lover’s. But Mike wasn’t ready to show his body with its scars and Aiden’s stance on waiting until Mike was ready hadn’t changed. When they were finally naked together, he didn’t want Mike to be stressed and worried his body. He wanted him relaxed and fully enjoying the sensual things they were doing to each other. Determined to reassure his lover, Aiden moved in close and wrapped his arms around Mike’s waist in a loose hug.
“Small miscommunication, Beefcake. I meant for us to shower on our own.”
“But you’d like us to shower together.” Mike raked a hand through his short hair, lips briefly pressing together in frustration. “I’dlike us to shower together.”
“Yeah, I would like that. But there’s no rush to get to that point,” he said softly. “We’ll get wet and naked together whenever you’re ready and not a second before.”
Mike gazed down at him, green eyes shining with emotion before his shoulders relaxed.
“Okay.”
Aiden smiled and gave him a quick squeeze, then released him to head into the bathroom. He took a quick shower, keeping the water slightly chilly the way he liked it after a fight or a long night dancing. Fifteen minutes later, he walked back out to the bedroom wrapped in a short robe, feeling cool and fresh. Holding a change of clothes, Mike passed him on the way to take his turn in the shower. Aiden reached out to caress his hip as he passed, silently reaffirming his pledge that he was fine with waiting.
When Mike emerged from the bathroom, damp hair slicked back, and dressed in a loose-fitting top and thin athletic pants, Aiden was sitting cross-legged on the bed waiting for him. He’d put on a pair of drawstring joggers and pulled the front section of his hair into a bun, leaving the rest to fall down his bare back. The playful mood from earlier lingered, and he’d decided he wanted to channel that energy into a scene with his submissive. Eager to get started, he boldly stated what was on his mind.
“I want to leash you.”
Mike stopped his approach to the bed, one foot comically hovering in the air for a full second before it hit the floor.
“You want to what?” he asked with his eyebrows raised.
“Leash you,” Aiden repeated.
“Like an actual dog collar and leash?”
Aiden tipped his head to the side, deliberately letting his hair slide over his shoulder because he knew Mike liked to see the movement of the long locks. And sure enough, those green eyes dropped to watch. “The collar and leash I have for you weren’t made for dogs. But yep. That’s what I want to do.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to say that,” Mike said.
That wasn’t a no. Aiden slowly uncrossed his legs and got up from the bed. Mike stayed rooted to the spot, watching as he approached at a confident, measured pace, his footsteps quiet on the polished hardwood floor. He stopped when he was right in front of his lover, sliding his feet in between Mike’s and forcing him to step out wide to accommodate him. Aiden looked up, holding Mike’s gaze directly even as he let his fingers play with the hem of his shirt, teasingly letting his knuckles brush over the hard abs beneath it as he did so. “You’re mine, right?” he asked in a soft whisper.
“Right.”
“And I’m in control of you, right?”
Mike nodded, a flush already starting to sweep up his neck.
“So, I get to have what I want.” Aiden dropped the shirt hem so that he could move his hands to Mike’s throat, following the trail of that delightful flush. “And what I want is for you to let me put a collar around this thick, strong neck of yours.” He stroked both thumbs from collarbone to the spot just beneath Mike’s jaw. “Do you want me to leash you, Michael?” He switched to calling him by his full name, their signal that they’d entered Dom and sub space. Mike responded by addressing him as he expected.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Are you still okay with red for stop, yellow for pause, green to keep going?”
Mike nodded.
“Out loud, Michael.”
“Yes. That system is fine with me.”
“Good boy.” Aiden gently patted his cheek. “Stay right here.” He went to the armoire and took out a recent purchase—a black leather collar and matching leash. The collar was thick with an easy open buckle closure—selected in case he needed to quickly release his sub—and an O ring. He took both back to where Mike obediently waited. Aiden looped the leash over his shoulders while he reached up to fasten the collar around his submissive’s neck. Mike stood still and quiet as he worked, his eyelids lowered to half-mast while Aiden adjusted the fit.
