An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(73)

That thought made Rob shiver with anticipation.





Chapter Twenty-One


VIC PRESSED Send. “That’s it. All done.” Rob sat beside him on the couch, and Vic swore he could see the weight coming off Rob’s shoulders as he paid the last of the bills.

As soon as Vic shut down the laptop and placed it on the coffee table, Rob threw himself into Vic’s arms and squeezed him for all he was worth.

“Thank you,” he said again.

“You’re welcome.” Vic liked this lighter, more relaxed Rob. But then he remembered they had some unfinished business. The practicalities were dealt with, and that meant he could return to their lunchtime conversation. “And I think this calls for a little celebration.”

Rob’s eyebrows went up. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”

“Well, like I said earlier, I was thinking we could make a trip to the club.” Vic waited for Rob’s reaction. “Did you think I’d forgotten?”

Rob blanched and pulled away from him. “I’m not sure they’d let me back in,” he said in a whisper. “I wasn’t exactly at my best the last time.”

Vic cupped Rob’s chin. “Are you that same person? Wait. Let me answer that for you. ‘No, Vic, I’m not.’ And guess what? You’re right.”

Rob sighed. “I’m trying not to be him anymore.”

“And you’re doing well. You’re making an effort, at the very least. I’m willing to bet that meditation gets easier now too.”

Rob became still. “I thought you said I’d come a long way with that.”

Shit. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. You’re starting to let things go, but meditation is a lifetime of learning. There will always be new things you can teach yourself—or we can teach each other—about clearing our minds.” Vic’s response appeared to have the desired effect: that brief flash of tension evaporated.

Rob regarded him thoughtfully. “Have you ever meditated after sex?”

“Now that you mention it, no. I’m usually way more relaxed after I get off than I am when I meditate, but I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.” He grinned.

“I think we could arrange that,” Rob replied, leaning over to snatch a kiss.

Vic marveled at the change in him, in such a relatively short time. He’s finally accepting who he is. It was a great feeling to know Vic had played a part in this transformation.

Rob sat back and glanced at him. “As for the club, if you don’t think it’ll be a problem, then, yes, I’d like to go.”

Vic’s chest swelled with pride to see Rob’s confidence finally making an appearance. “It won’t be. A lot of people in BDSM seem gruff, but you’re going to find they’re a lot more forgiving than most. They understand the stress of shouldering a burden like the one you’ve been carrying. I sincerely doubt that anyone will make a comment beyond welcome.”

The words were supposed to soothe Rob’s nerves, but he seemed noncommittal. “Sure, we’ll try it.”

It was clear that despite Rob’s words, he wasn’t convinced.

“Hey, we don’t have to. It’s just….” Vic decided to go for full disclosure. “Look, I want us to explore what we have together, but I’m going to be honest. BDSM impacts many aspects of my life, and it’s not something I can simply turn off. It wouldn’t be fair to you or me if we jump into something, then find out that you’re not comfortable with it or that our needs don’t mesh.” Rob opened his mouth, but Vic pressed on. “From what I’ve seen, I think they do, but we both have to be certain.”

Rob frowned, then nodded. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“I know I am.”

There was a hint of that smile Vic was coming to love. “Cocky bastard.”

Vic reached down and gripped his own crotch. “You know it.”

That had them both laughing.

When he’d regained his composure, Rob said, “Yeah, let’s go ahead and go to the club.”

If only it could be that easy. Vic considered how best to broach the subject.

“Before you say yes, there are some things you need to know. If—and I stress if—this is something you see us working toward, there would be a whole new set of discussions we’d need to have.”

Rob did an eye roll. “I have been to the club before, remember?”

“Yes, but not with me. I would have expectations of you, just as you should have of me. My job would be to take care of you, but at the same time, you’d need to give yourself over to me. Your goal would be to please me.”

“Gee, I thought I did that already,” Rob sassed.

Vic cuffed him lightly across the back of the head. “You know what I mean. You’re not a neophyte fresh off the street. You may have watched what went on in the club, but you’ve never participated. One of the things I hope for is to have an active partner in my play.”

Rob regarded him in silence for a moment, long enough that Vic was aware of his heartbeat racing. Finally he nodded. “Okay.”

Vic’s heart soared. He’s willing to give it a chance. Vic had always gone to the club with one thought in mind, but after meeting Ellis and seeing the look of joy on Wayne’s face, something had changed. He’d watched the two men together, and it wasn’t long before he started to think that maybe he had it wrong.