Page 36 of Busted String

The anger in Nico’s eyes softened, replaced by a weary understanding. “I understand you need space, but don’t you think you should tell me whatis wrong? Let me know what’s hurting you and let me help. We need to trust each other. I never want you to treat me the way you did today.”

“I get it,” Jace said quietly. “I want to be an us more than anything in the world and I want you to love me.”

“How would you feel if I gave you some rules for our relationship?”

“Rules? Like, what rules?”

“I shouldn’t say rules. Call them promises to each other.”

“Do you want to be my Daddy Dom?”

“No. But I might consider it if that’s what it takes.”

“You can’t spank me because we live with Sammie and Mark.”

“I could spank you in a private place. When we’re not practicing, I can take you to the garage.”

Jace laughed as he rocked faster in his chair. “You’re too much.”

“I want three promises from you. If you break those promises, I’ll spank you.”

“What do I have to promise you?” Jace asked.

“Promise one is answering my calls or messages within fifteen minutes. Can you promise me that?” Nico stopped rocking and waited for Jace’s answer.

“I promise I’ll return your calls or messages within fifteen minutes.”

“Excellent. Promise two is staying monogamous in our relationship. That means no kind of sex with anyone other than me. Can you promise me you will be with only me?”

“Of course I can. That will be easy for me.”

“Promise three is to trust me to take care of you. That means if something is wrong, tell me and let me help you. Can you promise that?”

“I do trust you. I guess I can tell you things so you can help me. You have always helped me. I needyou so much.”

“I need you too. It’s not one sided. You’re very important to me. Now, ask me to make three promises to you, but you can’t spank me.”

“What can I do if you break a promise to me?”

“You can ask me to do anything you want sexually.”

“I have some ideas about that.”

“I bet you do. Now tell me the three promises you want from me.”

“Promise one is you promise to give me space when I need it. I won’t disappear on you. I’ll tell you where I’m going and when I’m returning. Can you give me space when I need it?”

“I can, as long as you tell me why you need space, where you’re going, and when you’re returning.”

“Okay, that’s good enough. Promise two is to promise you won’t give up if I mess up. Can you promise me that?”

“I’ll never give up on you, but I might get pissed.”

“Promise three is a promise to tell me the truth when shit comes down from your family. I know you saw some guy, but you never told me who he was or what he wanted.”

“I will tell you everything unless it puts you at risk. I talked to my cousin, and he told me my father wants me back in New York to work with him, and now he wants to visit me.”

“I like these promises.”

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