But Calen didn’t go far. He rolled Brent, so he was flat on his back, then Calen laid down to cover him with his body. Calen’s grin was wicked and filled with a dark humor. “Did you like the movie?”
The movie? He wanted to talk about the movie?
“Sure, it was good. Loved the ending.” Who the fuck cared? All Brent could focus on was the way Calen’s cock pressed up between his legs. Why did they still have their clothes on?
Calen laughed. “The ending sucked. It was a cliffhanger where you don’t even know if the guy is alive or dead. Were you distracted, subbie?”
“God, yes. I have no idea what happened.” All he cared about was getting more from Calen. Anything. “You’ve been making me crazy. Please, Calen.”
“I was having my dessert. Now it’s time for one last bite.” Then to Brent’s utter shock and pure frustration, Calen leaned down to kiss him.
It was sweet and tender. Calen gently worked Brent’s mouth like he was making love to it, not just kissing him. Teasing little bites and licks. Sucking Brent’s bottom lip into his mouth. Letting his tongue slowly slide against Brent’s.
It was beautiful torture.
When Calen finally pulled away, the laughter was still in his eyes but this time there was something else there as well. Brent knew what he wanted to call it but he wasn’t ready to even think the word.
“Dessert was perfect.” Calen rolled his hips pressing his cock harder against Brent, making him gasp. “Are you ready for the brownies? I think we forgot them.”
Brownies? The man was going to talk to him about food? “Damn it, Calen!”
CHAPTER 5
Calen
“Such a naughty subbie. Demanding and bossy. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.” Calen didn’t even try to hide his smile as Brent’s frustration mounted. He might be a Dom, but something about making Brent break that iron control and lose it was just as desirable as watching him surrender.
And no matter what Brent thought, he hadn’t surrendered to Calen yet.
He was letting Calen call the shots, but he wasn’t ready to submit completely. Calen hadn’t earned that yet. He was patient though. They’d get there. Sooner rather than later, if they could talk about some of the things that were standing between them.
Leaning down again, he gave Brent’s frowning lips another kiss. “We’ll do more when you’re ready. You don’t trust me yet.”
That statement made Brent jerk. “I—”
He shook his head. “No, you don’t. Not yet. And there’s nothing wrong with that. You trust me as your friend and as a co-worker but not as a lover and certainly not as a Dom. Once we’re there, then we’ll do more. This has all happened pretty fast. Sure, we’ve spent the last couple of weeks driving ourselves crazy but this part…” He stole another quick kiss. “This part is new.”
Brent was still frowning but this time it was clear it wasn’t in sexual frustration. “I don’t know what to say. Part of me gets what you’re saying, but a bigger part is calling bullshit. I’m not sure what we’re doing yet but I know you. I trust you, Calen.”
“Humor me. I’m not going to say something crazy likewe’re going to take it slow.” That brought a smile to Brent’s face and Calen could see he was trying not to laugh. They’d seen how well that vow had worked for Garrett. “I want to talk about where this is going and about the lifestyle preferences we have before we jump into things. I will not make love to you or do anything close until I know more about what you want. Limits, needs, desires…everything.”
And he wasn’t going to let them get any deeper until he was convinced he wouldn’t scare Brent off.
His frown had faded but Brent still didn’t look happy. “I feel like you’re only telling me part of what’s on your mind. I agree with everything you’ve said, don’t get me wrong. I know we need to talk but you’re forgetting I know you as well as you know me. You’re leaving something out.”
Then Brent surprised him by lifting his head and wrapping his arms around Calen before giving him a quick kiss. Then he relaxed back on the couch, still keeping a tight grip on Calen. “Want to tell me what’s bugging you? What made you afraid to talk to me after the club? I’ve seen you flirt with subs and you’re generally not indecisive. Something held you back, and it wasn’t because we were friends.”
Calen wasn’t ready for this conversation.
He should have known that Brent would see through him. But he thought he’d have more time before he had to talk about it. Time to psych himself up, maybe. Time to have a few beers before he texted it to Brent, so he didn’t have to look him in the face.
The little voice in the back of his head was going crazy telling him to man up. He wasn’t a wuss. Brent wasn’t like—No, he wasn’t even going to go there. That was a long time ago. Looking into Brent’s face, Calen had to take a deep breath.
If he blew off Brent’s concerns now, he would ruin everything. Brent might never forgive him and even if he did, it would always be there between them. Brent would never give his submission to someone he didn’t trust…to someone who would lie to him.
“All right. I’ll tell you what was making me nuts, but I can’t do it here. Let’s go on a walk.” It wouldn’t be a run, but at least he would be moving. And he wouldn’t have to look at Brent while he talked. It might make him a coward, but he didn’t think he’d be able to do it and watch his friend’s reaction.
The last time, he hadn’t been prepared for things to go bad and it had knocked him for a loop.
