Page 49 of All Tied Up

Sebastian let his voice go deep and husky. “I’m very proud of you, boy.”

Neil’s eyes flickered shut and then open again, wonder in his face. “Thank you,” he said simply.

Sebastian ran his fingers around Neil’s mustache and through his beard, stroking the wiry hairs that were so close to his soft lips. “Still up for climbing that cliff?”

Neil looked down at his shorts. “Now?”

Sebastian laughed. “You can give it a few minutes. We’re not in a hurry.” But he was going to step away from the innuendo for a moment so Neil could actually decide if he wanted to climb.

Neil surveyed the cliff face and Sebastian watched with him. Two climbers were halfway up one of the harder courses, nimbly choosing their holds. Two newbies had just started on the easy paths, chatting and joking back and forth.

Neil blew out a breath. “Turns out the threat of dangling dozens of feet in the air is kind of a boner killer.”

Sebastian bit back a laugh. He hadn’t expected a phrase like boner killer to come out of Neil’s mouth.

“Top-roping with an experienced belayer is extremely safe. If you let go, you’ll never fall more than a foot. In fact, if you wanted to, I could pull you all the way up and back down on the belay without you climbing at all.”

Neil looked at him skeptically.

“It’s true. We can try it if you want a demonstration.”

Neil shook his head. “No, that’s silly. Phew. So I guess I’m doing this. Sorry in advance if I’m terrible. Like, I really might not make it past the first six feet.”

Sebastian stroked his cheek, feeling an uncommon burst of pride. “Everyone has to start somewhere, and I can help you while you’re up there. If you only go six feet, I’ll still be proud of you for trying it.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

The little bud of Neil’s soul was bursting into bloom in every direction today, and it had Sebastian’s Daddy side roaring with approval. He was the one who got to support Neil through all of these new, tentative moments, and it hit him somewhere deep in the chest.

Neil’s eyes shone, and he looked up at the cliff with determination. “OK. So I just… start?”

“Chalk first.” Sebastian showed him how to prepare his hands. “Now say, on belay?”

“On belay?”

“Belay on. You’ve got this, baby. Start right there where the orange mark is. Say climbing when you’re ready.”

Neil studied the rock for a long time, but Sebastian didn’t rush him. This was about inner preparation. Conquering his fears. And trusting his Daddy, even if he didn’t use those words.

“Climbing,” Neil finally repeated, voice unexpectedly strong.

“Climb on,” Sebastian answered automatically. “Remember, I won’t let you fall.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Neil tentatively placed his hands on the cliff face, finding firm handholds before adding his foot to the first small ridge. His face was lined in concentration, and Sebastian was already anticipating taking up the slack in the rope the second Neil pulled himself up.

Sebastian had helped Jamie out with larger groups of newbie climbers enough times that he usually didn’t think much about it. This time, though, he was invested. It was a different way of Neil revealing himself and making himself vulnerable. Sebastian was enjoying it more than he’d expected.

Neil looked up and down perhaps a dozen times. He placed his second foot, grabbed a new handhold, and pulled himself up. With a little more speed, he repeated the motions on the other side.

Sebastian found himself smiling affectionately. It was the second easiest climb, since someone else was on the first, but Neil was doing it. These tentative steps were nothing like Jamie’s graceful footwork, but watching Neil was exhilarating in its own way.

“Look! That’s six feet!” Sebastian called up when Neil’s feet were even with his head.

Neil looked over his shoulder, face strained but voice lively. “Don’t tell me that or I’ll mess it up!”

It was fascinating seeing the focused businessman from half an hour ago joke around like a kid. It was clear he was nervous, but also willing to take a risk. Those were both attributes that Sebastian admired. “No, you’re doing well. Just remember to push with your legs instead of pulling with your arms.”

“Right. OK. Thank you, Sir,” Neil called out, loud enough for anyone around to hear if they were paying attention.