An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(79)

Rob was dying to know what Eli meant about the room, but held his tongue. Doubtless he’d get to hear about it eventually.

Vic returned his attention to Rob, his gaze boring into him. “Remember you said you wanted to know what it meant to be with me? Well, you’re about to find out. You broke at least three rules—yes, I counted—and we’ll be addressing those right now. Then, when we get home, you’ll be going to sleep and in the morning, you’re getting up early to make breakfast.”

He sighed in relief. Vic was angry, but he’d still said home. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“For now, you’re going to go stand in the corner, your nose pressed to the wall.”

Rob blinked. “What?”

“I want you there for thirty minutes.”

Rob glanced around. “In front of all these people?”

“You didn’t seem to mind them when you were yelling. Now, corner, please.”

Rob grumbled. The thought of being sent to the corner like a little kid burned him, but he went. He figured it shouldn’t be that hard. When he got to the corner Vic had indicated, he pressed his face against the warm wood. A few moments later, however, Rob turned to ensure Vic was still there.

He was there all right, and he was still glaring at Rob.

Rob sighed and went back to his punishment. Time passed slowly, interminably. He could hear people in the background, but couldn’t see anything. He strained to hear Vic’s voice, but couldn’t pick it out. Fuck, it felt like there wasn’t even anyone else there, even though Rob knew there was.

He hated the whole fucking experience.

When a hand touched his shoulder, Rob turned around to find Vic smiling down at him. Rob couldn’t help his reaction. He threw himself against Vic’s broad chest, hugging him for all he was worth. He felt like bawling, telling Vic how sorry he was. But when Vic stroked the back of his head and whispered, “Over and done with now,” Rob let go of his pent-up emotions, happy to be back in Vic’s graces.

Vic took Rob by the wrist. “Now, we’re going to go sit until you’ve calmed down. Then we’ll see what the club is about, yeah?”

As long as he doesn’t stop touching me, I’m okay.




ROB STAYED pressed to Vic’s side while they were seated on the couch. Vic wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. When Rob sighed and snuggled in, Vic squeezed.

“I’m sorry,” Rob said again. “I just… I couldn’t stand another person hating me.”

“You should have talked to me. I would have dealt with it.”

Rob sighed. “I understand, but I’ve never had anyone who would stand up for me before.”

Vic reached out with his other hand and gripped Rob’s chin. “I am always going to be there for you. I take care of what’s important to me, and that includes you.”

Rob’s eyes widened. “You think I’m important?”

The innocence of the question tore at Vic. “Of course you are. Why would you even question it? Haven’t I shown you what you mean to me?”

“You have. Sometimes it’s like I’m dreaming, though. I know I’ll wake up in my flat, soaked in sweat, and I’ll probably be crying because none of it was real.”

Vic leaned in and kissed Rob, who opened for him immediately. When he drew back, Rob’s eyes were half-closed. “Did that feel like a dream?”

“Yes. And I don’t want to wake up.”

“Trust me, it’s not a dream. And now that we’re on the subject of trust….”

He waited for Rob to catch up. When he did, he nodded at Vic. “I’m ready.”

Vic stood, gesturing for Rob to do the same. “You’ll follow behind me. Your gaze should be on my feet, so you know where I’m going, and do your best to anticipate what I’m doing. We’re not going far. Now, tell me again, what is your safeword?”

“Peacock,” Rob replied without hesitation.

Vic led them through the club to a different lift than the one Rob had taken with Jarod. He had to wonder what Rob made of the sights, sounds, and smells around them. Being in the club always stirred Vic’s senses, making his pulse race and his breathing quicken. Once the lift doors had slid shut, Vic placed his hands on Rob’s shoulders and looked him in the eye.

“We’re going to do one of my favorite things. While you were out at the clubs, did you ever see sensory deprivation?”

“No, but I’ve heard of it.”

“Good. Sensory dep is the removal of outside stimuli. Think of it as meditation, but taken to the next step. You’re going to be focused inward instead of out.”

The doors opened and Vic strode down the hall, Rob doing his best to keep up. On either side were closed doors, little sound emerged from them. Vic stopped in front of one door and opened it with a key. He gave Rob a nod. “In you go.”

Vic was pleasantly surprised. Whispers had always been a good club, but Secrets had taken it to a whole new level. Cream-colored walls offset the dark furniture. There was a bed to one side, covered with a black vinyl sheet, and a spanking bench on the other. Two dark wooden cabinets stood against the wall. When Vic opened one, he found a variety of implements, as well as lube and condoms.

Rob stood in the middle of the room, his eyes wide, his chest rising and falling.