An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(104)

Rob sagged against Vic, who squeezed him a little harder. “Really? You’re asking me to come?” Rob appeared doubtful.

“Yeah, really. You might find this hard to believe, but I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted with you. Especially now that you’re not being a total shit.”

Vic opened his mouth, but Rob sat up straight and quickly covered Vic’s lips with his hand. “Don’t ruin the moment.”

After another round of hugs, Alex and Leo left.

“Can we sit down for a bit?” Rob asked.

Vic regarded him in surprise. “Don’t you want to go home?”

Rob tilted his head to one side. “Would it be okay if we stayed here a bit? Jarod said something tonight, and it’s got me thinking.”

Vic frowned. “That scares me.”

“Shut up,” Rob said, pushing Vic’s arm playfully. “But seriously, would it be okay?”

“Sure.” Vic pointed to a booth in the corner of the bar. “Shall we sit over there?”

Rob nodded, and Vic led him across the floor. When they were both seated, Vic gazed at him with interest.

“Is there something particular you want to discuss?”

Rob glanced toward the main floor of the club, then back to the occupied tables around them. He returned his attention to Vic, his bottom lip quivering just a little. “There are subs here who are naked. Some of them are kneeling, others are sitting quietly, their heads bowed and eyes closed.” He paused. “Are you going to expect that from me?”

Okay, Vic hadn’t seen that coming. “What brought this on?”

“Jarod said something earlier, and I’ve been mulling it over since then. So, are you going to expect me to be nude?”

“If I had you naked here, do you have any idea how many Doms would be asking me if I was about to share you? And of course the answer would be no.” Vic chuckled. “But all joking aside, I won’t ever ask you to strip down here. I already know your feelings on the subject. The only place I expect you to be naked is at home, where I can be the only one who sees you.”

Rob smiled. “That’s all I wanted to know.” He stood up and began to take off his shirt.

“What are you doing?” Vic whispered harshly.

“Liberating myself,” Rob replied, removing the shirt and tossing it to Vic. “See, Jarod told me that when you’re owned, there’s only one person whose opinion really matters to you. I thought back to Leo and Alex, and what I saw them do here. It left no doubt in my mind how Alex feels about Leo.” He fingered his necklace. “This? It means you own me.”

Then he kicked off his shoes and began to unbutton his pants.

Vic thought back to the Rob of a short while ago, the same Rob who’d been nervous of stripping off when there was only an unseen person at a monitor who would have seen him. The Rob before him was a revelation.

Rob paused after lowering his zipper. “You see, for far too long, I denied part of who I was. Then this guy walks into my life and shows me that not only am I not broken, I’m also worth something to someone. He gave me my collar—” Vic raised a finger, but Rob continued “—that I bought for myself. Last year I would never have had the guts to do this. The thought wouldn’t even have entered my mind. Today? Yes.” He slid down his jeans and kicked them in Vic’s direction. Then he took a deep breath before he slipped the jockstrap down to his ankles, bent over, picked it up, and twirled it on his finger. “My name is Rob Daniels and I belong to Vic Prentiss. Clothed or not, every part of my body is owned by him. I won’t ever be the perfect sub, and I fully expect that I’ll be ordered to the corner when we get home, but tonight? Tonight I’m finally going to be free.” He stood straight, his gaze locked on Vic, his eyes bright.

Around them, Vic caught the smattering of applause, but Rob claimed all his attention. He reached out, wrapped his hand around Rob’s wrist, and tugged him closer. When Rob was close enough that Vic could feel the heat of him, he grabbed Rob by the back of the neck and pulled him into a kiss. Rob sighed and opened for him. When Vic broke away, Rob’s eyes were dark.

“I love you, Rob. So very much.”

“I love you too, Sir.”

Vic smiled and pulled Rob close again. “And yes, when we get home, you’ll be in the corner. But tonight, I want you sitting here with me. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Rob glowed. “Then that makes it all worthwhile.”





Chapter Twenty-Nine


ROB WAS stunned at how liberating it was to be naked. Added to that was the bonus of Vic holding him close, which Rob loved.

A sneaky Vic, now that Rob thought about it.

“So, you brought us to the club to force me to get together with Alex, huh?”

Vic smiled. “I did, and I’m fine with my decision.”

“You know what? I am too. If you hadn’t, I probably would have found excuses not to do it because I was afraid of being hurt.” Heaven knew how long he’d have left it before making such a move.

Vic stroked Rob’s back. “I won’t ever let you be hurt if I can help it,” he whispered.

“Thank you.”

“But….”

Rob pulled back. “But? I’m not sure I like that sound of that.”