And I would always do my best to make him proud of me.
Kip
Never in my life had I pictured being in love with another dude, but like he’d done for so many years, Mase challenged me. I’d grown used to having him sitting beside me on the couch, his head on my chest as I slid an arm over his shoulderswhile we watched television. Or him in the kitchen, humming a tune, as he made dinner for us. Or his squawk of indignation when I told him to go sit in the big clawfoot tub and relax while I did the dishes.
I was settled in my skin for the first time in forever. I wasn’t looking to get laid, or trying to make others happy.
Everything I did was to see Mase smile.
“You’ve got a scowly face,” Mase said, tracing a finger over my cheeks and lips.
“Sorry. I’m thinking about you, this town, my life, and how it’s so very different from what I’d expected it to be.”
His eyes went wide. “Are you… unhappy?” That tremor in his voice spoke volumes.
I smiled at him and gave him a quick reassuring kiss. “No, not in the least. I know I went to school to become an architect, but suddenly that seems like a dream, and every morning I find you in my arms, I wake to the reality. I used to think I’d get up, drink a few gallons of coffee, then slap on my suit and hardhat and head off to my office or the job site. Now, I’m clearing away dead trees, mulching up old shrubs, and laying out sod. It’s… different from what I thought I’d be doing.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked.
“Oh, hush up. I love my life, because you’re in it,” I assured him. “I would one day like to design a building, maybe one we’ll live in, but it’s no longer the focus of my life.” I brought our heads together, so we were sharing air. “That would be you.”
“Because I’m your submissive?” he asked. I could hear the need and pain in his voice. He was looking for something to hold onto, and I had to wonder again how bad it had been for him growing up. People never seemed to realize how childhood trauma carried over into adulthood. Being told constantly he was an Omega, that he was expected to serve, that his life would never be his own?
That had to have left lasting scars.
“Yes, you’re my submissive and I’m your Dominant. We’ve already agreed on that,” I affirmed. “But you’re also the one who keeps me grounded. My life revolves around you now, not chasing something nebulous. I see you, and I know without question that my new dream? It’s there, real and alive, hidden behind your eyes.”
Tears glistened as they stuttered down his face. My boy was emotional in ways I’d never realized until I’d agreed to be his Dominant.
“What’s wrong?” I pulled him to me.
“I… I don’t know.” He sobbed into my chest. “I feel like I’ve ruined your life by getting it tangled up in mine and that as soon as you realize it, you’re going to hate me.”
I tugged him until his slender body covered mine, then kissed him, hard and claiming.
“I could never hate you,” I assured him. “Can I tell you something?”
He nodded, fat tears still rolling down his cheeks.
“I realized something tonight. Without you, my life has no real meaning. It’s always been you that’s kept me moving forward. You might be submissive, but you’re still so goddamn strong. In many ways, you’re even stronger than me.”
He snorted, and a bubble of snot popped from his nose. “Liar.”
“It’s true,” I protested, grabbing a tissue and wiping his nose. “I wouldneverhave made it in this town without you by my side. You were the first one to accept me as a friend, and you’ve stayed by my side ever since. All the others? They drifted off into new friend groups that I wasn’t welcome in.”
We were quiet for several minutes, then Mason chuckled. “Do you remember when you decided we should go spelunking?”
“Oh, shit. Don’t remind me.”
“We went to the caves down by the lake, and you led the way. We were making pretty good time, until the tide came in.”
I’d tried so hard to forget that. We’d gotten about halfway into the caves when the water started to rise. Mason, always the smart one, said we should go back, but I told him we’d never get to the entrance, and that it would be faster to go out the other side. Of course, I hadn’t realized the tunnels were too small for me to fit through. I told Mason to go, to get away, but he called me stupid and did his best to help me break through the tiny opening. We didn’t make it, but we did discover that the water only came up to our knees. Suffice it to say, when my parents found out I was grounded for two weeks.
Funny that they allowed Mason to come visit me during that time.
I guess they really did see something between us.
“Yeah, want me to list some ofyourgreat oopsies?”
