He tugged on the robe, and Jasper heaved a put-upon sigh before letting it slip open and off. Vincent pulled the clamps out and dangled them in front of Jasper as he circled the thumb of his other hand around an exposed nipple.
Jasper shivered as it hardened and let out a soft, sweet moan when the metal bit into it. Once the other was in place Vincent gave them a flick, then turned to take in the clearing. As the sun finally peeked over the horizon, golden streaks of light filtered through the trees to highlight a weeping willow tree standing off-center, its long tendrils hanging in a picturesque canopy. One section had been pruned back to create an opening near one of the sturdy low-hanging branches, leaving a cascading curtain around the space.
He unspooled the extra rope as he moved towards the branch, sure Ash and Zach had set this area up specifically for a kinky photo shoot option for their guests. He tossed the rope over the branch in a simple slipknot, then turned to motion Jasper over. With the other bundle, he created two loops around Jasper’s right leg and ran the excess rope up his back, where he left enough length to secure Jasper’s right wrist against his lower back.
He worked as quickly as he could, aware of Ash lingering near his bag and trying to appear busy, but he only ever needed a minute or two to get ready. When Vincent finally finished, Jasper’s right leg and left arm were attached to the branch above their heads, and his right wrist was restrained behind him. It left him balanced on one foot, his body stretched up and on helpless display.
With the soft sunlight filtering into the clearing, he looked… “Stunning,” Vincent murmured. He stepped behind Jasper and ducked his head to press a kiss to his neck as he pulled out the collar and fastened it into place.
Jasper tipped his head back with an audible gasp that nearly masked the sound of the camera shutter.
Vincent stood with one hand on Jasper’s stomach, the other settling possessively against his throat and the simple leather collar. “Good?” he murmured, dragging his nose up the side of Jasper’s throat. He smelled good. Not that he ever smelled bad. Maybe it was the summer breeze or the thick scent of green growing things around them that enhanced his scent, but Vincent found it addicting at the moment.
More likely it was the fact Jasper was tied up and allowing Ash to take photos simply because Vincent asked. No begging or negotiating or compromise. No promising something of greater value in return. He could have offered Adam a weeklong vacation to Paris and still not gotten an agreement for something like this.
“Thank you, pet,” he murmured, lightly dragging his teeth against Jasper’s earlobe. He pressed closer when Jasper shivered, his weight slumping into Vincent as if his leg threatened to give out.
Jasper turned his head to bump his nose against Vincent’s chin. “For what?”
For what, indeed. For being a reasonable person who didn’t view a relationship as a give and take where each person only played one role? For being willing to try new things? For being honest?
“For being you.”
Jasper blinked, a soft smile touching his lips. “You make it easy.”
Vincent didn’t recognize the quiet noise he made, or the sudden tight warmth in his chest, but he knew it wasn’t bad. That it might have even been close to what he’d been searching for all these years, even if he wouldn’t jinx it by giving it a name.
He became hyperaware of Ash and his camera and the steady click of the shutter. He was almost afraid to see the photos tomorrow and find that unnameable thing staring back at him. He lifted his head and slid his hand from Jasper’s throat, letting his fingers trail down and across Jasper’s chest instead. “Ready?”
Jasper raised an eyebrow. “I thought we already started.”
Vincent smirked and pulled the blindfold from his pocket, and Jasper tipped his head back with a dramatic groan. “Fiiine.”
Chapter 21
JASPER SIGHEDas Vincent pulled away the last of the Shibari rope, lightly dragging his fingers over the indents left behind in his skin. He swayed forward when Vincent’s fingers trailed behind his own, letting his head drop against Vincent’s shoulder. The photo shoot hadn’t been particularly strenuous, and they didn’t even have sex after, but his head was pleasantly fuzzy, and his limbs were nearly too heavy to lift. It was a sensation he enjoyed, especially since it usually meant Vincent had properly used him. Apparently that didn’t have to mean sex.
He nuzzled against Vincent’s throat and breathed in the lingering scent of summer heat and moss. When Vincent tugged him towards the shower, he followed, but he was of absolutely no help when it came to getting the smudges of dirt and bright green stains off. The warm water was heaven on his skin, and he closed his eyes, tipping his head back as it rained down over his face.
The slick-rough touch of a cloth on his back drew a long, deep groan out of him. “So good.” He really could get used to this; letting Vincent take care of him. It was almost as addictive as the sex, and the kink, and the heated looks that made him wantmore. So, so much more.
A light smack to his ass startled him out of the blissful doze he’d fallen into, and he turned enough to see Vincent eyeing him with amusement. “You can go back to bed now,” he said, groping Jasper’s ass before pushing the curtain open enough to let him out.
Jasper leaned in to steal a kiss first, then snagged a towel to scrub himself dry. He pulled on a pair of boxers and flopped ontothe bed, rubbing the fading rope impressions on his wrists with a happy sigh. As much as he wanted to go back to sleep, he was more awake now, so he retrieved his handheld from the drawer of the nightstand and stretched out to continue his game.
He was so invested in the cutscene of the hot red-eyed blond guy betraying the group to save his reincarnated husband that he didn’t even notice Vincent joining him until a warm hand slid across his chest. He squeaked in surprise and reflexively tried to hide the game by rolling over, which only served to put his face in Vincent’s chest.
“What are you playing?”
Jasper swallowed a whine and bit his tongue against sayingNothing. “A game.”
“You don’t say.” Vincent snorted softly and tangled his fingers in Jasper’s hair. “Is it hentai?”
He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head enough to bite Vincent’s wrist. “No.”
“Pity.”
Jasper huffed and wiggled closer to tuck himself bodily against Vincent. “It’s a sci-fi male otome game,” he murmured, waiting for the condescending mockery he usually got for his game choices. But none came.
