“I think he’s serious? I want him to be. I don’t want to be projecting, but it feels good.”
“That’s amazing. I’m happy for you. Carter likes him, he says Saul is straight up. They’re going biking together again soon. I worry for you, but I think Saul’s a safe enough bet. Is he good in bed?”
“Glorious. Energetic. He’s built like a brick shit house.” He groaned as Geoff hit a nerve. “Fuck…”
If Carter was here, there’d be growling about foul language. Geoff had banned his Dom from these sessions years ago.
“I know. Almost done, honey. Hang on.” Geoff’s voice was a little tight, and even the hum of the needle was starting to irritate him. “Just this last bit. Energetic is good, right?”
“God yes. I feel so goddamn alive. He… he knows how to make a man pay attention.”
“That impressive for a wee baby Dom. He makes any mistakes, you send him to Carter, okay?”
“Yeah, that would be a sight… Fuck. Fuck, I’m done, honey.” He was pouring sweat, the adrenaline and endorphins worn out.
“Two minutes. You can handle two minutes.”
“God, I hate you.”
“Liar.” Geoff’s smile was tight. “You sleeping here tonight?”
“No. I’ll walk home and pick the truck up after my shift tomorrow.”
“You sure that’s a good idea? This has been a long day and you’re not always the brightest bulb in your headspace… last little bit here but it’s… it’s going to right here.” Geoff tapped his collar bone with a gloved finger.
“I hate you.” Troy turned his head away, forcing himself to breathe, to not panic. It was just chemical. All this shit. It was just hormones flooding his body. “Just do it.”
“Deep breath.” Geoff touched the needle down. It couldn’t have been for more than fifteen seconds, but it felt like forever. It wasn’t even the burn; it was the noise. That motherfucking needle was driving into his bones.
“What? Are you drilling to fucking China, man?”
Geoff sighed and pushed away on his stool to turn the machine off. “You’re a tough nut today, honey. Pretty. But tough.”
“Jesus. Please, Geoff. Please.”
“I got you.”
Troy grabbed the arms of the chair and braced, telling himself to relax, even though he knew he was too far gone for that—he’d passed that damn near an hour ago—and when the cold soapy water hit his burning skin, he arched, a short scream tearing from his throat.
“Don’t honey, leave that be.” Hands settled on him, one on his forehead and the other on his wrist. “He’s coming around. He was just messing with the compress I have on his forehead. Well, usually yes, but this was maybe a tad longer than I… sure if you… Yes, I can do that. I… sorry. Yes, Sir.”
“Geoff?” He blinked, shook his head, trying to shake his brain cells back into their spots.
“Yes, Sir. Gotta go.” Geoff’s fingers touched his cheek. “Right here, honey.”
“Hey.” He turned his head and kissed Geoff’s palm. “You sent me somewhere else for a second. You okay?”
“That was more than a second, but yes. I’m okay. How do you feel?”
“Sore. Sweaty. Like we’ve run a marathon.” Thirsty. God, he was thirsty.
“We basically did. I’m going to sit you up, let me know if you get dizzy.” Geoff helped him upright and locked the table into position. “There. Water?” A bottle with a straw in it was pressed into his hands.
“You know me.” He drank deep, and he was so empty he could hear the water splashing in his belly. “I booked you a hand massage at Peter’s tomorrow morning at ten, by the by.”
“Oh!” Geoff’s squeal was totally worth the little extra he had to slip the receptionist to squeeze Geoff in. “Thank you, honey! You’re so sweet.” He got a happy kiss on the cheek.
“You’re more than welcome.” Okay, man. Up. Up and moving. Grab your shirt and go. The walk wasn’t bad, and he could crash in his own bed after a beer and a bagel. It wasn’t like this was the first time his truck had slept here.
He glanced at Geoff who was rocking on his heels, watching him anxiously. Someone needed to go home to his man and get what he needed. Carter would be over the moon. Needy Geoff was one of Carter’s favorite flavors.
Shirt. Wallet. Phone. He got himself together as quick as he could, then he grabbed the roll of paper towels. “I’m going to get you to tape me up a little so I don’t leak on my shirt.”
“No problem. And I called Saul. You shouldn’t be walking.”
“What? But…” Wasn’t that cheating somehow? For someone else to call Saul?
“But what? You’re his.”
“I-I don’t know. I don’t feel very in control right this second, honey.”
Geoff smiled at him and cupped his cheek. “That’s why you need him.”
He closed his eyes and rested a second, letting his brain be off for a few breaths. Geoff covered his new ink and taped it carefully, the practiced fingers more than capable, and full of care and affection. The little rap at the door startled them both because the shop was so quiet, and Geoff hurried off to answer it.
“He’s in here,” he heard Geoff say.
When Saul came in, the energy in the room changed completely. “Boy.” Saul came right to him and kissed him.
He gasped softly, the touch of their lips electric. Oh. Oh, damn. That was a surprise.
A growl rumbled in Saul’s chest, the sound muffled by their kiss, but there was no question what the sound meant, or what his Master’s possessive kiss was telling him. Saul didn’t let him be until they were both breathless. “Where are your keys?”
“My pocket. I was going to walk.” He couldn’t risk driving, with his head where it was.
“He usually—”
Saul shot a stern look at Geoff, cutting the words off. After Geoff lowered his eyes, Saul turned back to him and smiled. “I’m going to drive you. Are you ready?”
“Yes, Sir.” He was starting to shake—from hunger and pain and adrenaline. “More than ready.” He shot Geoff a smile. “I know you are too. Enjoy Carter and don’t forget tomorrow. Ten a.m.”
“Thank you, sweetie. I’m looking forward to it.” Geoff gave him the briefest smile and then his friend’s eyes dropped to the floor again.
“Can you get home safely, Geoff?”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
“Very well. Come on, boy. I’ve got you.” Saul put an arm around him and let him lean on the way to his truck.
He didn’t know what to say, how to process everything right now, so he didn’t try. Sometimes, that was the answer.
“I’m just getting the seatbelt,” Saul said, reaching over him. “You just close your eyes. I’m right here.”
“Thank you.” He focused on slow belly breathing, on finding his center. Saul’s scent—soap and sunshine and warmth—kept distracting him, making him smile.
Saul started the truck and then they were moving. “Tell me how you feel.”