Sebastian doesn’t move out of the way.
“I have to go,” Peter says, voice low.
Instead of pulling Peter closer, he moves into Peter’s space. He kisses Peter gently on the mouth.
“You’re mine. I won’t be letting you go. I am your boyfriend. You are my boyfriend. I’m your Dominant, your Sir. You are my submissive. We take care of each other. I think we need to start figuring out what that means, make the arrangement more formal. This isn’t casual for either of us, Peter.”
“How?” he whispers. It’s exactly what he’s wanted to hear.
Sebastian shrugs. “I’m not sure. I think we should talk about it when you get back. But I’m not averse to a collar or some kind of a contract.”
Peter doesn’t trust the surge of wild emotion that goes through him. It’s too complex. There’s a desperate desire to belong, a horrible longing to be Sebastian’s, to have his obsession and lust be known and exploited. And he wants Sebastian to be just as obsessed with him. Possessive. He wants a collar. A contract. Clear expectations.
“It’s not like a contract is legally binding,” Peter says. He needs to make light of it.
“It would be binding to us. I think you know that. And you know what? I think I’m starting to figure you out, too. It isn’t shame, is it? It’s fear. So I have to make you feel safe. Better boundaries and clear expectations for my boy.”
Peter flinches.
“I need to go,” Peter says.
Sebastian needs to make him feel safe? When he’s a former marine? When he’s got a fucking gun safe and has killed men in combat? That’s ridiculous. He tries to reach past Sebastian and open the door.
Sebastian puts his hand on Peter’s chest, stopping him. Peter should tell him to move, should just move him. But he can’t do any of those things.
Sebastian is his Sir, his Dominant, the man he loves. And it would be fundamentally disrespectful to dismiss him.
Peter hasn’t said it aloud but that’s part of his devotion to Sebastian. His willingness to obey.
Peter tries not to think about how deep his loyalty goes, just how important being loyal and devoted is to him. And it certainly isn’t something he’d ever want to articulate, but it motivates him and it’s something he lives by. Devotion to the people he loves.
Leaving his career and reputation behind was easy with that as his moral compass. Starting over was the only option once he had that clear.
He’d die for Sebastian. But he doesn’t need to die for Sebastian. This is how he can show his love. And so he needs to wait until Sebastian dismisses him and decides the conversation is over. And if that means the whole world has to wait, then so be it.
And once again he feels like Sebastian can read his mind or can see it all on Peter’s face.
“Sweetheart,“ Sebastian says, voice soft and full of so much affection. And what the fuck is Peter supposed to do with that beyond cry and want to give Sebastian his body and soul?
He tries to shake his head because he needs to go and this is going to make him more emotional. He should try to put other obligations first.
“This is real to me.“
“I understand,” Peter rasps, blinking quickly.
“Good boy. Let me give you a kiss goodbye.”
Peter nods, offers his mouth. The kiss is soft and firm, almost chaste. But then Sebastian kisses his jawand then his neck. And then he strikes, hauling Peter forward against his body, mouth opening, teeth clenching, sinking into the skin low on Peter’s neck. The mark will be hidden under his collar.
“Fuck,” Peter gasps, collapsing as he surrenders to the harsh bite.
When Sebastian lets him go, his neck throbs. Peter touches it gently. There’s no blood. He’s surprised.
“That’s for you. So you know I want you.”
“Yes, Sir,” Peter whispers, and Sebastian lets him go.
9
