An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(74)

Cue Rob walking into the club—and Vic’s life.

It wasn’t long before Vic’s idea of a fun night had morphed from reddening an arse before sinking into it, to spending an evening on the couch with Rob, taking joy in his smiles and laughter. Vic knew that BDSM relationships developed faster because of the intensity of emotions the partners shared. He also knew that they could run their course just as quickly.

He didn’t want that with Rob.

What he wanted were quiet nights at home, cooking together. Meditating in the Zen garden. Having wild, passionate sex, or making slow, tender love. Holding Rob’s hand while they were out for the evening, or showing him off at the club, letting other men see what they could only hope to have.

He wanted Rob to be his, in a way Vic had never wanted anyone before. To show him how cherished he was, how much a part of Vic he’d become.

The thoughts made his head swim with delight.

“Your smile is freaking me out,” Rob muttered.

And just like that, the spell was broken.

Vic blinked several times before he focused on Rob. “I’m sorry, what?”

Rob smiled. “You had this look on your face like…. Hell, I don’t even know. It was as though you were in some kind of weird fantasy sequence, like you see on TV with dancing squirrels or something.”

“Dancing….” Vic shook his head. “Just how much television do you watch?”

Rob shrugged. “When you can’t go out, it becomes more important than you think.”

That did it. “Well, we’re going out tonight.”

Rob dropped his gaze. “You know I’m not a member of the club, right? I was only there as a guest to check it out. They had this trial period. Three visits before you had to make a decision.”

“I suspected as much. Have you seen the fees they charge for membership? If you had been, I honestly would have been shocked.” Vic patted Rob’s knee. “It’s fine. You’ll go as my guest. Later, if you decide this is what you want, then we’ll look into getting you a membership. How does that sound?”

“Okay, sure. That sounds good.” Rob was quiet for a moment. “Vic?”

“Yes?”

“That first night you saw me… did you ever imagine we’d end up like this?”

The difference between the Rob that Vic had taken home with him that first night and the Rob who now shared his home was remarkable. All he’d needed was someone to believe in him, to guide, and to nurture him. It was those things that had made Vic want to become a Dom in the first place.

“Honestly? I don’t know. You were here and then gone so quickly, but there was something about you.” Vic smiled. “I thought you needed me. And since then? I’ll admit, you’ve turned my world upside down, but it’s been for the better. Having you here means more to me than I thought it could.”

A heartbeat later, Rob was snuggling up to Vic’s chest. “It means more to me too.”

Vic kissed Rob’s hair, the scent of their shampoo faint, but still there. He wrapped his arms around Rob and squeezed, enjoying when Rob gave a little squeak. Vic couldn’t believe how much pleasure Rob had brought to his house. He’d begun to bloom, to break free of the crusty exterior that kept all the light inside from spilling out of him.

He leaned over a little more and nibbled on Rob’s neck. The resultant moan had Vic sucking even harder on the tender flesh.

“Vic,” Rob whispered. “Fuck, that’s so good.”

Vic tugged Rob onto his lap and held him close, Rob’s legs astride his. God, he feels good in my arms. Rob’s weight on him sent all sorts of delicious ideas flitting through his mind.

It seemed he wasn’t the only one.

Rob’s breath was hot against Vic’s neck. “Are we going to…?”

“Get changed before we go to the club? Yep. It’s already eight thirty. Not to worry, though. They don’t close until three.”

Rob thrust his crotch against Vic, as if to remind him of the delicious hardness that lay hidden inside those pants. It would have been so easy to go along with him, to strip Rob where he sat and be inside him a heartbeat later, but no. Vic was in charge, and the sooner Rob understood that, the happier they would both be.




ROB’S STOMACH was churning as they approached the door to Secrets. He did his best to believe Alex had only been there because of opening night. There was no way Alex would be there now. At least, he hoped not. Rob’s previous visits didn’t matter—this time was different. When Vic said that Rob needed to see what being with him would be like, Rob had been nervous. At least until Vic told him the people there would understand and forgive him. That, more than anything, had him wanting to visit again. In fact, he’d convinced himself that maybe he could prove something to Vic as well as himself. Then the idea of coming back to Secrets had been exciting and he couldn’t wait. That cocksure attitude melted quickly when Vic parked the car and announced they were there.

Rob stared at the wide door, his heartbeat racing. The last time I was here, I made a total arse of myself. Vic might have forgiven him for calling Vic a poof in front of the mass of men in leather and chains, but Rob wasn’t certain how the aforementioned men still viewed his transgression. Well, looks like I’m about to find out.