Page 38 of Sir Avery's Wish
Avery gave him a light jostle. “Now, now. Who’s in charge?”
Eli swallowed hard. Words were easy. Action could be a son of a bitch.
“I know you are, Sir. Want that more than anything.” He sighed. “But it’ll probably be a while before I’m any good at submitting.”
Avery placed a kiss on Eli’s head. “You already please me so much, sweetheart. Power exchange is a fluid state. There’s no right or wrong, only commitment and connection. And if the dynamic ever becomes too much for you…” He cleared his throat. “You can use your safeword and walk away.”
Eli tensed. “I don’t want to think about that.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Avery squeezed his arm. “But this is all brand new. You don’t know me very well yet. Also…”
Eli waited, his jaw gritting, wondering what Avery was about to reveal. “I know I’m supposed to be patient, but what’s the also?”
“There are a couple of things you should consider before we become too involved.”
Eli’s stomach sank. Maybe Avery had his own secrets. “Like what?”
“Once your reason for leaving LA is handled, won’t you want to go back? It’s not as if you chose to move here because you wanted to.”
Avery’s voice sounded so sad that it hurt Eli’s heart. “Yeah, but Iwould’vewanted to move to Boston if I’d known you were here.”
“You’re so sweet.” Avery kissed his temple. “However, your family and friends are there. Won’t you miss them?”
“Of course, I’ll miss them.” Eli hugged Avery tighter. “But my life there has been so stagnant. All I’ve done is drift from day to day. I need to find my purpose, and I believe with you, the possibilities are endless.”
Avery clutched a fistful of Eli’s hair, tugging back his head before kissing him thoroughly, tasting him with languid swipes of his tongue until Eli was breathless again. Avery broke the connection, but didn’t let him go.
“There’s something else on my mind. I’m sure you’re aware I’m older than you, but I need to be completely transparent. I’m forty-six. That’s something to consider. You still have so many years ahead of you.”
“That’s the other also?” Eli let out a relieved sigh. “I assumed you were in your forties, so that doesn’t bother me.” He grinned. “I’m really only attracted to older men.”
Avery narrowed his eyes. “Which older men?”
Eli laughed. “You, Sir. Only you.”
Avery gave a sharp nod. “Good. Let’s keep it that way.”
Eli’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much.Works for me.
Chapter Ten
Avery gazed down at Eli, his features so peaceful as he slept. Even if Eli was only his for a brief period of time, caring for him would be worth all the heartache in the world.
Eli stirred, rolling on his side, then stretched out his arm as if searching for him. Avery caught the movement and gently laid his hand over Eli’s searching fingers. The touch seemed to calm him, and Eli’s breathing deepened once more. Avery’s heart swelled as he studied the curve of Eli’s shoulder, the delicate shell of his ear peeking through auburn curls, remembering the easy submission from the night before.
The bedroom was quiet, save for the soft hum of the central heat that had kicked in and the occasional sound of a car passing by. The hour was early, and Cambridge hadn’t fully woken up yet. Avery shifted carefully on the bed, not wanting to disturb Eli's rest. The younger man needed it after everything he'd been through.
“What am I doing?” Avery whispered to himself so softly that it was barely a breath.
He’d never intended to feel so much, so quickly. The plan had been simple: offer Eli sanctuary, protection from the danger that had driven him to Boston. But now, everything had changed. He’d be lying to them both if he said the prospect of having Eli in his life from that moment forward didn’t thrill him.
A small crease formed between Eli's brows, and he opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.
“I’m here.” Avery reached down to brush a curl from Eli’s forehead.
Eli’s face relaxed immediately, his lips curving into a drowsy smile that made something twist in Avery’s chest.Growing accustomed to this—to waking beside Eli, to watching the vulnerable moments between sleep and wakefulness - would be as easy as falling off a log.
“What time is it?” Eli’s voice was rough with sleep, his eyes still half open.
