“Me? No, sir.”
Ethan cleared his throat. “You probably shouldn’t call me sir.”
“Why?”
“I might accidentally get some wicked ideas.”
Anthony noticed Ethan’s discomfort, which reminded him of Ethan demonstrating hidden dominating tendencies at the cabin.
“Are you worried about being wicked with me?” Anthony asked.
Ethan looked away, wetting his lips. “I’m perfectly happy with how things are between us, so I’d rather not risk it.”
Anthony could relate. He had also been worried when Ethan offered to bottom for him. It could have gone terribly wrong, but it ended up going wonderfully well.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to risk things. Just know that if youdowant to be wicked with me, I’m game.”
Ethan became very still. “You are?”
It was adorable seeing him so nervous, but Anthony decided to make things easier.I have enough confidenceto lend him some.
He rose to his feet, the floor a bit cold underneath his bare feet. Ethan watched him with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. “I’m not afraid of giving you control.” Anthony pulled off his shirt, then opened his jeans and let them slide to the floor. He pulled each leg out as Ethan’s eyes traveled up and down his body. With just his underwear remaining, Anthony sank to his knees.
“Ant...”
“Yes, sir?”
Ethan looked close to fainting, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You look so calm.”
“I am calm.” He moved his hands behind his back. “I know that I’m in good hands.”
Ethan rubbed his face. “I’m so nervous.”
“This isn’t a test. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
A spark of arousal flashed in Ethan’s eyes. “I won’t let you go anywhere.” He touched Anthony’s cheek, a slight tremble in his fingers. Outside the window, a soft spring rain started to fall.
Ethan’s hand traveled down to Anthony’s chest. “Have you ever felt like doing so many things that you ended up doing nothing?”
“Pick one thing. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Ethan rose to his feet. “Wait here.” He hurried to the bathroom and returned a few seconds later to sit on thecouch. “Hands behind your head.”
Anthony obeyed, and Ethan held his open palm for him to see the clothespins he’d brought. They were made of wood, stronger than regular plastic.
Ethan took one of the clothespins and brought it close to Anthony’s chest. “Tell me if it hurts too much.”
“I can take it.”
“But do youwantto take it?”
“Yes.”
“For me?”
“I enjoy a degree of pain, sir.” The words turned his skin transparent, yet he didn’t feel vulnerable.
“Thank you for being honest about that,” Ethan said. “I think that I… I may—perhaps—enjoy causing a degree of pain.” He looked troubled. “I’m worried about what it might say about me.”
