Smiling, Quinn gave August’s other arm the same treatment, securing it to his leg in a series of quick knots that would keep him from moving.
Still nothing.
Quinn got off the bed to study his work. Normally, he didn’t have a physical reaction to binding someone, but his cock was so hard that it was pressing into the zipper of his jeans, and his breathing was becoming just as erratic as his subject’s.
He gave August a moment to sit in the restraints in silence. For more dominant types, their brains needed time to adjust after control was taken away from them. August strained against the ropes to test them, biceps bulging and thighs flexing, but he submitted perfectly for him, and his eyes went hazy.
Fuck, he was gorgeous. And not only that, but he was also a natural Sub. Quinn recognized the body language of someone who felt safe giving up their autonomy, and the comfort that came with letting another call the shots.
Quinn’s fingers were itching to pick up a pencil so he could sketch the vision that August Snow had created for him, but first—
“How are you feeling?”
A lazy smirk curved August’s lips, lashes fluttering as he looked up at Quinn through half-lidded blue eyes. “Green light.”
Quinn swallowed, his body vibrating with excitement as he went to his canvas.
“Alright. Let’s begin.”
Chapter 26
August
August felt like a butterfly pinned to a board, displayed in a frame that hung on Quinn Harlow’s wall for him to admire whenever the mood struck him. He had ropes digging into his arms and chest, the muscles of his legs were starting to burn from being kept on his knees for so long, and if he thought about it, he could fucking come untouched just like this.
August never expected to have this kind of reaction after being tied up by goddamn ropes, but he knew it was more than that. It wasn’t the restraints; it was the way Quinn was looking at him—the way his expression was showing how much he wanted him.
HeneededQuinn to be his boyfriend. He didn’t care what he had to do to rebuild trust between them. He didn’t care what he had to say to make Quinn believe him about his memory loss and understand that he never would have hurt him if he weren’t such a failure.
The path he needed to take to find happiness in his life led to Quinn, and it had always been Quinn. Not because he eased his suffering and helped him cope with his demons, but because even without his memories to guide him, Augustyearnedfor him.
His mind might not remember, but his body had no problem demonstrating the truth. The migraines, the nosebleeds, the nightmares, all of it stopped when Quinn was near, like it couldn’t function without the man by his side.
Fuck. He was so fucking stupid; he couldn’t think of anything Quinn would want to help change his perspective. He would throw away his wealth, his career—he would stop playing hockey and commit himself to modelling for Quinn’s projects. He would let the man hogtie and dangle him from the ceiling like a puppet if that’s what he wanted.
He wasn’t sure why this realization was hitting himnow,of all times, while he was restrained and at the mercy of the very person he was crushing hard on, but he blamed his mental breakdown.
August had been worried that theshibariwould trigger an episode because it would remind him of his father, but so far, it was having theopposite effect. When his father took away his control, it had been against his will and always ended in fear and pain, but it was nothing like that with Quinn.
Quinn checked on him constantly, tugging the ropes to ensure they weren’t cutting off circulation, and even gave him water to drink, accompanied by gentle kisses. August may have been the one tied up, but he knew two words could put a stop to everything, and that type of power had a different feel to it.
But August didn’t want to stop. He melted whenever Quinn touched or encouraged him—melted.
He had never felt so…cherished before.
“Don’t fall in love with me.”
Yeah, sure. Too late for that.
“This series was made for you,” said Quinn, his green eyes glancing at him from around the canvas. “I was originally planning to use different models, but I don’t think anyone can pull it off as well as you can.”
The praise went right to August’s cock. He bit down on his lip until he whimpered from the pain, and that earned him another glance and a raised brow.
“You can come if you want, August. It might add something extra to the final product.”
Quinn was so evil, but August fucking loved it.
“Man, you’re so stubborn.” Quinn stepped out from behind the easel and sauntered toward him, grinning devilishly. “At least you’re submissive where it matters.”
