Page 36 of His Middle

“I am?”

Sawyer had told him he was beautiful in passing the day before, but honestly, he hadn’t heard that from any man he’d ever been with. Maybe it was one of those ‘eyes of the beholder’ things. In which case, why should he doubt it? Even if Sawyer was the only person in the world who thought he was beautiful, Sawyer’s was the only opinion that mattered.

“Very.” Sawyer reached for Noah’s hand and tugged him closer. “If I have to, I’ll say it every single day until you believe with all your heart it’s true.”

Noah swallowed past the lump in his throat.It’s Sawyer. He was the one releasing all the pent-up emotions Noah had been holding safely tucked away to keep from having to feel anything.

That stopped me from caring, from wanting to love or be loved.

Another round of sobbing was imminent.

“Come on, boy. Over Daddy’s lap.”

Sawyer’s calming tone somehow helped Noah to refocus and get moving. With Sawyer’s assistance, he was able to settle himself over Sawyer’s thighs until he his jeans were no longer digging into his own thighs and distracting him.

“Very good.” Sawyer rubbed his palms over Noah’s ass, the motion as soothing as the touches on his back had been. “Remember, this isn’t about punishment and it isn’t about sex. This is you and I connecting. A reminder that I‘ve got you. Tell me your safeword.”

“Llama.”

“Good. Ten strikes and I’m beginning now.”

The first slap landed on one cheek, the force not anywhere near what Noah had come to expect from Daddies or Doms. The next swat on the other cheek was about the same. Noah typically gritted his teeth through his spankings, but instead, he found himself as relaxed as he’d been when they started.

Sawyer hit him twice more, still alternating between each cheek and Noah let out a sigh. This was a way different experience than a punishment spanking. With the fifth strike, Sawyer’s hand landed a bit heavier. By the time he’d reached eight, Noah was grunting with each blow.

Sawyer paused. “These last two are going to be much harder.”

He took a few beats as if waiting for Noah to safeword, but Sawyer would have to go medieval on him if that’s what he was expecting. The ninth and tenth strikes elicited a small yelp from him, and the familiar sharp sting tingled his heated flesh. Honestly, he could’ve taken a lot more, but he behaved himself and let Daddy be the one in charge.

Noah let out a low groan as Sawyer’s palm rubbed his now-stinging behind. Even though he’d initially wished that Sawyer would’ve spanked him longer and harsher, he decided this had been just right. Not too much, not too little. The perfect first spanking.

“How are you doing?” Sawyer’s voice remained as low and calm as it had been throughout the spanking.

“Really chill, actually.”

“Was the force I used as much, less or more than you’re used to?”

“The last two were similar to how Doms usually start with me.”

“Hmm. Do you like that?”

“Uh…”

‘Not really’ was the answer, but that weird part of him that feared disappointing someone was hot-wired into his brain.

“The truth. I pledge to always be honest with you, and I need you to be honest with me for this to work.”

That got his attention. “No. I don’t like starting out that forceful.”

“Thank you for telling me that.” Sawyer’s hands never stopped moving. “Are you a boy who loves a lot of impact and pain play, can take or leave it, or would rather skip it altogether?”

Noah wondered why Sawyer hadn’t brought him to a sitting position yet, or why he didn’t want to have this conversation while they were making eye contact. Although, he had to admit that it made it easier to talk about. In the past, all he’d do was check off a list of limits on a piece of paper. He hadn’t had to explain himself or describe his inner desires directly.

“Well, I do like spankings. But sexy ones more than punishment ones. Actually, this discipline one was great, too. I can get on board with the concept. Other than that, I don’t really get off on nipple clamps or floggers or that type of thing.”

“You seemed turned on by the idea of punishment earlier. What do you consider an erotic punishment?”

Noah grinned. “Great way to put it. Umm…things like cock cages, penis plugs. Vibrating butt plugs that I have to wear in public, something where you control my potential humiliation. Basically, anything where you take complete control and I’m at your mercy.”

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