“Jimmy,” Cold said. “I’d only be upset if you lied to me.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“If you let me keep going and I actually hurt you? If you were at your limit and you didn’t use the safe word? Then I would be angry,” Cold explained.
“But I do like the pain,” Jimmy protested feebly. “I’m... I’m sorry that I couldn’t handle it.”
“Jimmy, pain is only part of what we do together,” Cold scolded. “Everything we do must be based on trust. Trust that I never want to do anything that will injure or scare you.”
Jimmy sniffed, his eyes fluttering as Cold wiped away his tears. He was nauseous and frustrated, but Cold’s gentle touch was incredibly comforting.
“You did beautifully,” Cold reassured him again, his hands moving to rub all over the marks the ropes had left behind. He rolled Jimmy onto his back and kept their bodies pressed tightly together.
Jimmy was grateful for the contact, his hands anchored to Cold’s shoulders even as he moved down his body. Cold felt so warm and safe, and Jimmy gasped as his lips pressed over his heated skin.
Cold kissed each pressure mark on Jimmy’s chest, his mouth sliding lazily across the ones on his stomach. His strong hands began to rub all the tension out of his legs and hips, his voice adoring as he spoke. “You are so gorgeous like this. Absolutely perfect and all mine.”
“Yours,” Jimmy agreed, smiling as Cold’s hands massaged his arms and his chest. The pain was almost gone, leaving him with a happy glow that made his face hot, and he groaned as Cold kissed him.
Cold’s lips were so tender, and he kissed Jimmy as if all he needed in the whole world was to taste him.
“Rod,” Jimmy murmured, wrapping his arms around Cold’s neck. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“Feeling better?” Cold asked.
“I’m... I think so,” Jimmy replied, licking his lips anxiously. “We could try again—”
“No,” Cold said firmly. He readjusted them, pulling the blankets over them and tucking Jimmy in. He shook his head, and in a more gentle tone he told him, “Not tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“Let me take care of you,” Cold insisted, petting his fingers through Jimmy’s hair.
“Okay.” The lingering churning of Jimmy’s stomach finally began to relax. He pouted when Cold moved to grab his phone, missing the comfort of his arms immediately.
Cold typed a quick message on his phone and rolled back to hug Jimmy close and kiss his hair.
Jimmy enjoyed the petting for several minutes until there was a knock at their bedroom door.
“I’ll be right back,” Cold assured him.
Jimmy watched Cold put on a robe and head to the bedroom door, picking up on Jerry’s voice and a quick exchange in French. Cold returned with a tray full of food and a bowl of ice.
Cold wrapped the ice in a small towel, his hand sliding under the sheets and gently placing it up between Jimmy’s legs. “Good?”
Jimmy wiggled a little to get the cool sensation where he wanted it most, sighing, “Good.”
From the tray, Cold picked up a chocolate truffle and held it to Jimmy’s lips. “Here,” he said. “Eat this.”
Jimmy opened his mouth obediently and groaned at the rich taste. It was so sweet it made his tongue ache, and he eagerly swallowed the bite down.
Cold kept feeding him as he asked, “Are you all right? You didn’t tear from what I could see.”
“I’m okay. I’m just... sore. I’m sorry I got so upset... it’s...” Jimmy’s forehead wrinkled up as he tried to put his words together. “I don’t know.”
“Talk to me,” Cold urged, offering one last bite of chocolate before taking Jimmy’s hand.
Jimmy swallowed slowly. His stomach sloshed a little as he struggled to pinpoint the source of his angst. “I let you down. I couldn’t... I couldn’t do it. I felt like a failure...” His eyes filled with tears. “Like I failed my father for so long, like I dropped out of college...”
