“Damaged isn't beautiful.”
“On you it is. Proof you survived. Proof you're here.” I traced the edge of the bandage. “And proof you're mine.”
Cal's breathing changed. Went heavier. “Yours.”
“Mine.” I kissed his throat. His collarbone. The line of his shoulder. “And I'm going to show you exactly what that means now that we don't have corruption to hunt or people trying to kill us.”
“Just regular sex then? How boring.” But his hands were already working my belt. “I was hoping for something more creative.”
“Who said anything about regular?” I caught his hands. Stopped him. “You don't get to touch yet. You get to stand there and let me look at you. Let me decide what I want to do with you.”
“Dom—”
“That's Sir to you. In this space, you follow my rules.” I stepped back. Gestured. “Shirt off. Leave the trousers. Let me see you properly.”
Cal obeyed. Shrugged the shirt off completely. Stood there in just trousers that hung low on his hips. His cock was already making itself known. Thick outline visible against the fabric.
“Good.” I circled him. Taking my time. “You're always so controlled in public. I like seeing you like this. Eager. Ready. Waiting for permission.”
“I'm not waiting?—”
“You are. Because you know what happens if you don't. You know I'll make you wait longer. Make you beg. Make you so desperate you forget how to be snarky.” I stopped behind him. Ran my hand down his spine. “And you love it. Love giving up control to someone who knows how to use it properly.”
Cal's breath caught. “You're very confident for someone who's been injured.”
“I'm confident because I know exactly what you need. What you've needed for three years but were too stubborn to ask for.” My hand moved to his arse. Squeezed through the fabric. “Complete surrender. Total trust. Someone who'll push you to the edge and catch you when you fall.”
“Romantic.” But his voice had gone rough.
“Honest.” I moved around to face him. “Now. Bed. On your back. Keep the trousers on until I say otherwise.”
He moved to comply. Careful of his injuries. Laid back against the pillows with his hands at his sides. Waiting.
I was unbuttoning my own shirt when the knock came.
“Ignore it,” Cal said immediately.
The knock came again. Harder this time. More insistent.
“Fuck.” I grabbed my shirt. Buttoned it enough to be decent. Opened the door ready to tell whoever it was to disappear.
Ethan stood there.
He was looking past me. At Cal on the bed. Shirt off. Obviously aroused. Obviously waiting.
“Fuck,” Ethan said. Not apologetic. Just... hungry. “I heard you two come back here and thought—” He stopped. Swallowed.
“You want to join?” Cal asked. “Or just watch?”
Ethan's eyes widened slightly. Then darkened. “I—fuck. I don't want to intrude on what you two have. But three years is a long time. And you're both—” He gestured vaguely. “You're both very attractive men who are clearly about to have excellent sex and I'm standing here trying to remember why I knocked instead of just going to my room to deal with it myself.”
“Come in,” I said. Decision made. “Close the door. And if you're staying, you follow the same rules Cal does.”
Ethan entered. Closed the door. Locked it. “What rules?”
“My rules. In this room, I’m in charge. What I say goes. You don’t touch without permission. You don’t come without permission. And you do exactly what I tell you to do.” I held Ethan’s gaze. “Can you handle that?”
His eyes were hard but not defiant—more desperate than proud. “I’ll take it. However you’re willing to give it.”
