Page 36 of Trained Royal
Patrick’s eyes flared, and he put the straw to his mouth and drank, never once removing his gaze. When they were done, Patrick rose.
“I need to put some cream on you. It’ll help.”
“Okay, but before you do, can you get the oil so I can massage you afterwards?”
Patrick smiled. “This is supposed to be your aftercare.”
“It is, but why can’t it be both of ours? You look after me; I look after you.”
Sleep pulled at him, but he refused to succumb to it until he’d seen to his…Dom? Partner? He mentally shrugged. It didn’t matter what they called themselves, but he needed to do his part to help Patrick. As far as he was concerned, it wouldn’t work unless they both did their bit because who would ease Patrick if he didn’t?
Patrick stared for a moment, then nodded and climbed off the bed. He picked up an oil bottle from the shelf and returned, placing it on the bedside table.
“Roll to your stomach.”
He did, resting his head on a pillow and closing his eyes. He could easily fall asleep, but he wouldn’t. The cold cream touched his ass, and he inhaled. Patrick apologised and rubbed it in carefully. When it was done, it felt better, but every time he moved, it smarted. He assumed it would for some time.
He rose to his knees, ignoring the sudden reminder of his nakedness, and gestured for Patrick to lie down. Patrick rolled his eyes but did. Kieren reached for the oil and rubbed it into his hands. Straddling Patrick as he had done the previous time, he massaged the oil into his skin, starting at his lower back and rising to his shoulders and along his arms. Patrick groaned into the covers, and Kieren smiled. There was something about caring for another when they needed it.
When he was done, he climbed off and lay beside Patrick, who opened his eyes and stared at him sleepily.
“Sleep with me?” Patrick murmured. His eyes widened, and he rolled to his side. “I mean to sleep. I’m not trying to push—”
Kieren silenced him with a kiss. “I know. But to sleep, you need to get out of those trousers. You’ll be more comfortable.”
Patrick hesitated, and Kieren took matters into his own hands. He unfastened the buttons, pausing when he saw the result of Patrick’s release. He glanced at him, Patrick’s pink cheeks and lowered eyes evidence of his embarrassment. Kieren smiled, glad he’d been able to find his own pleasure in the scene. He dragged the trousers awkwardly down Patrick’s legs. He’d gone commando, and all it took was a bit of pulling and yanking, and he was free. Kieren threw them to the side, uncaring where they landed, and pulled the covers back. They both climbed in and rested the cover under the armpits. As they faced each other, a few inches between them, Kieren understood what he got from the spanking.
“I understand. It’s a release, like you said. The freedom to let things go, to not care about anything but what is happening here and now.”
Patrick smiled. “Exactly. It’s slightly different for everyone, but for something that is solely for pleasure, that’s the consensus.” He rested his hand over Kieren’s between them, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. “How are you feeling?”
Kieren sighed, closing his eyes briefly. “Relaxed.”
“Good.”
Patrick rolled to his back and opened his arm, and Kieren snuggled into his side, not hesitating the slightest. As his heartbeat lulled Kieren towards the edges of sleep, he murmured. “How are you?”
The rumble of Patrick’s laughter made Kieren smile. “Better than I have been for a long time.”
Kieren slid his arm over Patrick’s chest, resting his palm over his heart. As much as he’d baulked at trusting Patrick with his heart, he knew he could. He also knew he shouldn’t. There was far too much going on for him to let himself get sucked into what he knew could be an amazing relationship. Because that relationship could be short-lived, he didn’t want to take the chance that he was cursed and something would happen to Patrick. The man didn’t deserve that.
As he lay there wrapped in Patrick’s arms, he tried to remind himself of all the reasons they shouldn’t happen. And as he drifted off to sleep, he found it harder and harder to remember.
****
Chapter 12
Patrick
As Patrick held Kieren, the man’s body relaxed into sleep. He could feel himself wanting to follow, but he enjoyed the sensation of holding him. He could imagine Kieren not allowing it often. When the man had willingly snuggled into his embrace, Patrick’s heart raced and swelled. Patrick already knew he was in deep with Kieren, but how could he convince him to explain what was holding him back? Several options ran through his mind during the hour Kieren slept, and even though Patrick was tired, he refused to miss a minute of it.
When Kieren stirred, Patrick held his breath, wondering what his reaction would be, but when Kieren blinked and smiled up at him, Patrick exhaled in a rush.
Amusement shone in his companion’s eyes, and Patrick leaned down to press a brief kiss to his lips. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, thanks. Did you?”
“Hmm.” He smiled, refusing to acknowledge his creeper-watching habit had not let him sleep. “How do you feel?”
