Page 107 of Leather and Longing
Adam was touched. Something else to aid him in his quest for independence. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “This is a brilliant idea.” He grinned. “You said presents. Is there something else?” He put the mug onto the seat cushion beside him.
Paul placed a plastic object into his hand. It was the general size and shape of a stapler. He brought Adam’s hand to Paul’s chest. “Blue,” a mechanical voice intoned. Next, he placed it against Adam’s chest. “Grey.”
Adam gaped. “It tells me what colour something is?”
“Uh-huh. Now all you have to do is hold it to an item of clothing and it will tell you its colour.”
Adam dropped his hand to his lap. “Paul, these are amazing gifts.” He was stunned by Paul’s thoughtfulness.
“I just thought you’d find them useful,” Paul said, a shy edge to his voice that was sweet. “I was about to pour you some coffee. What are you doing?”
He rose to his feet, grabbing his new mug. “Coming with you to try out my gift.”
Paul chuckled. “I wondered how long it would take you.”
Adam followed Paul into the kitchen. After rinsing out the mug under the tap, he went over to the coffee machine. His thumb over the highest level, Adam poured out a full mug of black coffee until a bell sounded. He shook his head and grinned. “Paul, you’re amazing,” he murmured.
“You’re making me blush.”
Adam put down his mug and moved closer to Paul, his hands connecting with Paul’s chest. He slid them up, feeling warm skin above the neckline of Paul’s tee, cupping Paul’s cheeks.
“Why, so I am.” He held Paul’s face steady and leaned in to kiss him on the mouth, loving the soft moan that escaped Paul’s lips. “I have news for you,” he murmured between kisses.
“Hmm?”
“I talked to Seth. He can be here tomorrow afternoon.”
“Tomorrow?” Fuck. It came out as a squeak. “Wow, that’s... soon,” he added unnecessarily.
So many thoughts and emotions were at war within him. The idea of someone taking a flogger to his back filled him with a delicious ache and a rolling wave of anxiety, all at the same time. Not to mention a third party being involved. He was still amazed he’d said yes to Seth coming over. It was only because he trusted Adam implicitly that he’d agreed.
His stomach roiled.There’s still time to change my mind.
Paul wasn’t about to do that.
I want Adam to be proud of me. I want him to see me as strong, unafraid. I need him to see I’m serious about this.
Serious—and absolutely fucking terrified.
“I need to call him back to confirm,” Adam said as he straightened, his hand on Paul’s neck.
No doubt feeling my pulse.Paul’s heartbeat was racing.
“Yeah, that’s fine.” There was only the faintest tremor in Paul’s voice, and he wassofucking proud of that.
This is probably a good thing.Get it over and done with, right?
Paul swallowed hard. “Well, now that’s decided, guess I’ll pour myself that coffee I mentioned a while ago.” He was dismayed to find his hands trembling as he poured coffee into the mug. He gave himself an angry shake.
Get a grip. How bad can it be? Adam said it was like a gentle massage. Then the rest of Adam’s statement came to him.
There was also the ‘tearing him up’ part.
It was one thing to be curious about BDSM. It was something else to take a step further.
Paul hoped fervently it wouldn’t be a step too far.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
