Page 62 of Counterpoint
Dom didn’t care. He’d stay upright if he had to, or fall to the floor if that worked. It was like alcohol. Or the stage. Only quiet and close and so, so safe. “Adrian,” he whispered. “Yes.”
A huff of breath at his back, then another kiss. “Kneel for me, Dominic.”
He did, and once more, Adrian positioned his body, shifting him so he knelt sideways against the couch, his ass on his heels. “Just in case you need to tip over.”
His whole body was a live wire. “I thought this was supposed to calm me down before I go?”
Adrian peered down and ran a finger under his chin. “Oh ye of little faith.” Then he was on the floor, too, kneeling behind Dom, and there was rope around Dom’s ankle.Oh god.
This—was better than the stage. Fuck. “Adrian!” He heard the panic in his voice.
Everything halted. “I’m here, babe. You need me to stop? Cut you free?”
“No, no. Don’t cut.” He sucked in a breath, then another. “It’s just...” This was gonna change him. Like Domino changed him. Like when he picked up a guitar for the first time. When the first chord he played had echoed through the air.
“Talk to me, babe.” Concern. Caring. All the things he wanted, wrapped in Adrian’s shaking voice.
“It’s a lot.” He swallowed, and his chest loosened. “You were right. I just want this so much.”
A kiss to his shoulders, then another and another. “Let me know if you need me to pause.”
When the tugging and pulling started again, that same headiness came, the sense life was turning and shifting and repositioning, even as the bonds drew tighter. Then his arms were tugged down slightly.
To his ankles. His arms were tied to his ankles. The realization was like ice water flowing over him—then there was calm and quiet, but for Adrian’s breathing and a faint buzzing in Dom’s blood. He tugged a little. Squirmed. But no—he really was tied down. “Oh.”
“That’s all the bonds, all the rope, for tonight,” Adrian said.
Yeah, Dom didn’t know if he could take more—not at first—because his mind was still caught and circling and full of light and heat, even if his body was relaxing and melting.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to try.” Adrian held out the sash. “I’d like you to focus on feeling. I want to cover your eyes.”
A blindfold. Dom shifted, and was reminded that he was bound and kneeling before Adrian—and there wasn’t a way he could free himself. He looked up into those hazel eyes and nodded.
Adrian took off Dom’s glasses, then once more stepped behind him. Darkness descended as the cloth stole his sight. Two tugs, and the blindfold was tight around his head.
Bound, blindfolded. But not gagged.
“If you need out, say the word.” Adrian’s touch skimmed over Dom’s shoulders, raising goose bumps. The couch next to him moved and groaned—Adrian must have sat. Fingers in Dom’s hair. Smoothing, brushing. “You look exquisite, Dominic.”
He felt—he felt like he was floating. Swimming. Swinging through air. It was heaven, without a touch of hell. Adrian’s touch was a lifeline, keeping him safe and secure. He nodded his head forward—and yes, there was Adrian’s warm thigh. He sighed and sagged against it.
A warm hand cupped the back of his neck. “Babe.”
Yeah. He was that, too.
He had no idea how long they remained like that, him bound and blindfolded, resting against Adrian, who sat quietly, occasionally running his fingers through Dom’s hair. Murmuring words of encouragement and support that trickled off Dom like water from an umbrella. Everything was sweetness and light.
He loved this. And strangely, Domino might love this, too. This—yeah. He could see himself, see Domino like this. Maybe even at Adrian’s feet.
A yawning chasm opened up—hope and despair—but he didn’t fall. He just...floated above it. Watching. Until it slid closed again.
All the while, Adrian touched and soothed and crooned.
Dom knew, though, the instant the end of the night began.
Adrian sighed, and it was resigned. Then he shifted, his weight pitching toward Dom. “It’s time,” he whispered.
And—that was okay. Dom had expected loss or sadness or—something. But the calm remained, even when Adrian lifted the blindfold free.
