An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(61)

Rob gazed at him, his brow furrowed, and then he nodded. Vic followed him into the lounge and waited until Rob had sat on the couch. Vic sat next to him, his heartbeat speeding up a little. It had already occurred to him that Rob’s response to his question might very well be one Vic wouldn’t like, but he had to know.

He took a deep breath. “Okay. I think what happened in the shower made it obvious you want us to—”

“To fuck, yes.” Rob locked gazes with him. “And just going by what you said, I thought you wanted that too.”

Vic paused for a moment, trying to remain composed. “I do, but what bothers me is why you want this.”

Rob blinked. Blinked again. “Are you seriously asking me why I want us to have sex?”

Vic shook his head. “Not quite. What I want to know is why you want to have sex—with me.” Before Rob could say a word, he plunged forward. “What I’m trying to say is, do you want this because you want… me? Or am I just the means to an end? Your way to experiment with a guy?”

Rob gaped. “Nice one, Vic. Way to kill the mood. What are you going to do for an encore—kick a puppy?”

“There’s no need to be flippan—”

“Who the hell is being flippant?” Rob widened his eyes, his hands clenched into fists. He took a couple of deep breaths. “No, you’re right, Vic. I’m just experimenting. I’ll tell you what. Let me go out and find some random guy to blow, instead of the man who’s been in my dreams the last few nights. Who’s been in my head a damn sight longer than that.”

Fuck. It was clear Rob was pissed.

And then his words registered.

“I was… in your dreams?”

Rob nodded, and Vic had to know.

“What was I doing?”

Rob’s expression softened. “Kissing me,” he said simply. In that moment it was as if all the fight melted out of him. He unclenched his fists and his shoulders sagged.

Vic stared. “That was it? Just… kissing?”

Rob gave a careful nod, his gaze focused on Vic. “Just kissing. And it was the most profound… beautiful….” He exhaled, a long breath that shuddered out of him. “I have no words.”

Neither did Vic. Then it occurred to him that, yes, he did have something to say.

“I’m sorry.” He had the feeling he’d just messed it up, big-time.

Rob tilted his head to one side. “Is this how you talk to your subs at the club? Do they get the nth degree before you fuck them?”

“No.”

“Then why with me?” he demanded quietly.

How the hell did Vic put into words what he couldn’t even get around in his head?

In the end he decided to keep it simple. “Because you’re… important.”

Rob’s breathing hitched.

Vic leaned in close and kissed him on the lips. “So, I guess I have to ask: are we good?”

Rob regarded him in silence for a moment. Finally he nodded. “We’re good.”

“Then maybe words aren’t what’s needed right now.” When Rob stilled, Vic gave him a warm smile. “Go upstairs and use the bathroom. Then take a nice, long, hot shower. I’ll meet you in my room.”

Rob frowned. “Shower? But I was just in the shower at the gym—”

Vic chuckled. “Correction—you were under the spray for a few minutes. And I don’t care if your hair got cleaned. I’m more concerned that the water finds its way to other parts of your anatomy.” He gave Rob a meaningful stare.

Rob opened his mouth to retaliate, but then his eyes widened. “Oh.”

Vic laughed. “And the penny drops.”

“Do you want me… naked?” Rob’s hesitancy was delightful.

Vic shook his head. “You can keep your towel on.” He wanted to listen to the hitch in Rob’s breathing as Vic leisurely removed it, between kisses.

There were going to be a lot of kisses.

Rob was still standing at the foot of the stairs. Vic gave him an amused glance. “You’re still here.”

Rob darted up the stairs as if his arse was on fire.

Vic smiled to himself as he went into the kitchen to decide on their dinner. Better keep it simple. He had a feeling Rob wouldn’t be up to cooking anything complicated by the time Vic was finished with him. The sound of the shower running filtered through from upstairs, and he chuckled to himself, wondering just how much effort Rob was putting into making himself squeaky clean.

By the time he reached the upper landing, the shower had stopped, steam wafting through the open bathroom door. Vic entered his bedroom and went over to the bedside cabinet to retrieve his supplies and place them on the bed. A slight noise behind him made him turn around.

Rob stood beside the bed, his hair still damp, a large white towel wrapped around his hips, his erection already pushing at it. Rob’s arms hung down at his sides, his palms pressed against his thighs, his chest rising and falling. Before Vic could say a word, however, Rob set Vic’s heart fluttering when he knelt carefully, his head bowed.

Oh.

What had Vic’s heart racing was that he hadn’t asked it of Rob. It had been his idea, and his submission was all the sweeter for being unsolicited.

He walked over to where Rob knelt and gently stroked his head. “Thank you,” he said quietly.