An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(70)

“And you’re in love with him,” Jack finished for him.

In the deepest recesses of his mind, Vic had acknowledged that such a thing was a distinct possibility. From the day they met until now had been a little less than a month, but Rob was his, damn it. When they’d made love the previous night, all it had taken was Vic gazing into Rob’s eyes to see that truth.

And if we’re not compatible? Where does that leave us?

Vic knew the answer, but the prospect left him cold.

“Do you think I could live a vanilla life, Jack? If Rob wasn’t interested in BDSM, could I give it up for him?”

Jack huffed. “That’s like asking if you could give up an arm for him. You said it, Vic. BDSM is a part of you, and it’s part of the reason you’re attracted to Rob. If Rob wasn’t interested, would you be able to give it up? Look at what happened to Sam and Aaron.”

The same thought had occurred to Vic. He would have called Sam, but he thought it might be painful for him to think about Seb. Would Vic be strong enough to let Rob walk away the way Seb had? He now understood the depths of anguish his friends had felt when the boy they considered to be their world had pulled the rug out from under them. They’d been together for years, whereas Rob had only been with Vic a short time, but already he knew it would kill him if Rob walked away.

“I know.”

“Hey, don’t give up. He was in a BDSM club, after all. And based on what you’ve said, he knew he was looking for something. You never know. Maybe now that he’s met you, he’s found it.”

The thought sent a shiver down Vic’s spine. He’d seen the way Rob reacted to him, to his manner.

“Well, he has relaxed a lot since you met him. I’m teaching him to meditate, hoping to give him a stable footing. You can see in his eyes that some of the things that were haunting him have finally let go, but there’s still a lot there to deal with.” And Vic wanted to be there for him.

“Nothing worth having comes easily. I think it was you who told me that once.”

Vic smiled. Sometimes you need a friend to remind you of what you already know. “Thank you, Jack. I really appreciate your help.”

“Nothing to it, mate. You might be doing the same thing for me one of these days.”

“Oh? Something you want to tell me?”

Jack laughed. “No, not right now. Let’s just say some things progress in their own time.”

“Be all mysterious, then. See if I care.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Vic glanced out the window again. Rob’s head had dropped to his chest. Vic had to smile. When that boy relaxes, he goes all out. This was Rob’s home, and Vic wanted him to be comfortable here.

But maybe it was time to talk about stepping outside of their comfort zones.

“I think a conversation is in the cards.”




“LUNCH IS ready!” Vic called out from the kitchen.

Rob walked into the room and sat gingerly on a chair, perched on the edge of the seat. When he glanced across at Vic, he couldn’t miss the amusement in Vic’s gaze. “Something funny?” he asked, keeping his face straight.

“Did you want a pillow?” Vic asked, matching his expression.

“Funny man. Ha-ha.”

“I’m serious. It’s better than sitting on a hard chair.”

Rob wanted to say no, he was fine, but the ache had diminished only slightly…. “Yes, please.” God, look at me. Such a delicate little flower. All I did was take a dick up my arse. No wonder Vic found it amusing.

Vic stood, went to the lounge, and returned with a small round pillow from the couch. He gestured with his hand for Rob to stand, then placed the cushion beneath him. Rob breathed a sigh of relief as he sat back down.

“Better?”

“Oh, hell yes.” The memory of his discomfort faded with each recollection of how good it had felt. From the moment when he’d envisaged him and Jamie fucking, it had been something he’d never thought would happen. Not only that, he’d approached the idea with much trepidation. But now? It had been nothing like he’d anticipated—it had been much, much better.

After Vic had woken him from his snooze in the bath that morning and they’d come in from the garden, Vic had checked Rob’s hole. He said it was a little puffy and red, but looked good. Vic put some cream on his finger, then glided it over the pucker.

“This should help,” he had said.

What had surprised Rob was that he hadn’t found the act invasive. It was just Vic being Vic, looking out for him. And the cream had helped. The constant ache had dulled into a twinge.

Vic picked up his sandwich. Before he bit into it, he cleared his throat. “I want us to go to the club.”

Rob stilled, his hand halfway to his mouth. Did he just say…? “You want us to… what?”

Vic regarded him calmly, acting for all the world like he’d just suggested going to the cinema or a pub, rather than visiting a BDSM club. “I want us to go to the club. Together.”

Before Rob had a chance to react, Vic’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, then held up a finger. “Good afternoon, this is Vic.”

Rob’s stomach was doing summersaults in the meantime. The club? Oh God. He’d known it was coming, of course. He just hadn’t reckoned on it happening so soon. Am I ready? Judging by what Vic had said before breakfast, Rob had gotten the impression that Vic didn’t think so. Then why the change of heart?