Page 9 of Love Language

He realized what he’d said a moment too late.

Sorry, sorry. I just meant…

Marco’s chest shook and Greg thought he was angry, but he turned out to be laughing. It’s OK. I’m happy with how I look and who I am. People see me and think that I’m a sub, but anyone who’s put off by that isn’t someone I want to be with.

I don’t see how anyone could mistake you for a sub, Greg replied honestly.

Marco nuzzled against his cheek in response, the rough bristles of his beard oddly soothing. God, that felt good. This was the kind of gentle intimacy that he hadn’t realized he’d been starving for.

I know that I shouldn’t judge other people based on their bodies. But… it’s different, I think, when you’re old. And unattractive. He wasn’t fishing for compliments. Just being honest.

Marco gripped his chin and turned his face so that they looked directly at each other.

Greg melted a little bit at the show of dominance. He felt too exposed, but in such a good way—like Marco would correct him and take care of him.

“You are beautiful,” Marco voiced, vowels slightly flat but with intensity. “Submitting is about who you are inside, and you are a beautiful submissive.”

The shock of hearing Marco’s voice rang through him. He assumed that Marco hated to speak as much as most Deaf people did, so the fact that he was doing it now only emphasized his point further.

He wanted Greg to believe him.

Marco continued staring into Greg’s eyes, as if he could convince him of this truth by sheer determination. “I’m not trying to hit on you, unless it’s something that you want, but I can honestly say that I’d be honored to have someone like you as my boy.”

Greg drew in a deep breath, Marco’s eyes peering into him. OK, he finally signed. He didn’t believe it himself, but he believed that Marco believed it.

And that little flutter in his chest was growing stronger than ever.

Marco gave him one more searching look, and then let go of his chin.

They sat quietly for a while. Greg couldn’t think of anything to say, but Marco let him know that it was alright by folding their hands together. Marco was taking control and telling him that it was time to rest and soak in this unexpected comfort instead of speaking.

It might be the best that he’d felt in three years.

Chapter 3 Marco

Marco traced his fingers over Greg’s, enjoying the feel of the sweet sub in his arms.

He’d come here expecting to feel angry and disconnected, and instead had one of the most intense and intimate experiences in his life.

Yes, Greg was thirteen years his senior, but they were both adults and that amount of time was nothing. Especially given that Greg’s husband had been nineteen years older than he was.

He’d meant everything that he said. Greg was gorgeous. Exactly his type.

He was also honest and kind and beautiful. Intelligent and sweet and entrancing. The adjectives kept bubbling up in his head as he considered how to communicate to Greg just how perfect he was.

Marco found himself getting sucked in.

The way that Greg had trusted Marco, and the way that he’d artlessly given in to Marco’s small acts of dominance, spoke volumes. He needed the stability and affection of a Dom in his life, and Marco found himself hoping that he could fill that role.

But only if Greg was ready. Twenty years, well, that was a lot. It was no wonder he had such sad eyes.

Eyes that Marco felt like he could get lost in.

Finally, Marco signed gently with one hand, have you thought about playing again?

He wasn’t trying to make a specific offer, just opening up the conversation. The last thing that he wanted was to push. He felt like Marco would be someone worth waiting for.

Greg disentangled his hands. I didn’t for a long time. But the past few months, I’ve been missing that, too. I’ve been thinking about sex again. And like I said, I was watching porn. But I think what I really miss is the feeling of release afterward. I miss aftercare. He paused, hands still raised. That probably sounds stupid.