Page 40 of Sir Avery's Wish
Jackpot. “Won’t be a problem to help you out with that.” A high flush bloomed on Eli’s cheeks. Avery smiled, perhaps a bit too mischievously, judging from Eli’s concerned expression. “Ever hear of discipline spanking?”
Eli’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that the same as being punished?”
The corners of Avery’s mouth twitched. When was the last time he’d had this much fun?
“Not at all. And it’s not the same as spanking for pleasure, either.”
Eli gulped. “That’s a lot of spanking.”
Avery winked at Eli, who seemed to be having a horrible time keeping still. “Well, something for us to discuss after breakfast. You grab a shower while I take care of a few things. Meet you in the kitchen.”
“Uh, Sir?”
Avery paused, then turned to see Eli still fidgeting, his brow furrowed. His poor boy was more distressed than he deemed acceptable. Avery reached for him, and Eli rushed into his arms. Eli was no longer hard, and Avery rubbed soothing circles on his back. With everything still so new, he’d need to remain even more vigilant than usual when working with a sub.
“Talk to me, Eli. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
Eli clung to him. “I had no idea how difficult it would be to communicate this way. I’m so used to keeping my feelings in my head, never letting on if something bothers me.”
“Is it difficult enough to use your safeword?”
Eli pressed his forehead to Avery’s chest, and Avery held his breath.
“No, Sir.” Eli peered up at him, his forehead still wrinkled. “Can I ask why you don’t want to take a shower with me?” He winced. “Now that I’ve said it out loud, it sounds so ridiculous.” He snorted. “Like there’s a law that you have to take a shower with me if we had sex.”
There was so much to unpack in everything Eli said that Avery mentally hit the pause button on leaving the room. Instead, he gathered up Eli’s hand and led him to the bed, patting the spot next to him. As Eli sat down, Avery reached for the throw at the end of the bed.
“Here.” Avery wrapped the fleece blanket around Eli’s shoulders. “I don’t keep the thermostat up that high. We’ll get you a robe next time we’re out.”
After he’d arranged the throw, Eli leaned against his frame. Avery snaked his arm around Eli’s waist to help anchor him.
“There.” Avery smiled. “Warm enough?”
Eli offered him a shy smile in return. “Very. Thank you, Sir.”
Avery kissed his temple. He couldn’t seem to keep his handsormouth off his boy. “See how well you’re doing? Remembering to call me Sir? That and the spanking can be two of the first things we discuss for the contract. But in the meantime, to go back to what you were asking, yes. Please ask me anything at all. That’s the only way this will work between us.”
Avery cupped Eli’s cheek, encouraging him to look up. When their eyes locked, Avery continued. “There’s nothing ridiculous about wanting to take a shower with me or be with me in general. I’m quite flattered by that, actually. But, eventually, I hope I will have earned your trust to the point where you know I have a good reason for what I do.”
Eli pinched his eyebrows together, not responding right away. That was fine with Avery. It was preferable for Eli to take his time and ponder everything first.
“Can you tell me - “ Eli snapped his mouth shut, then took a deep breath before continuing. “I mean, why don’t you want to take a shower with me? And I’m sorry, but it still sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud.”
Avery choked on his spit, trying to keep from laughing. He coughed into his fist. “I would love to take all my showers with you, but that’s beside the point.” Avery wrapped his palm around Eli’s nape. “I wanted to begin our first day as Dom and sub by testing your willingness to do as I say, to accept that I only want what’s best for you.” He brushed their noses together. “If I get in that shower with you, the only thing I’ll care about is what decadent things I can do to your body. Omelets and contracts be damned.”
“Ohh…” Eli drew back. “Man, I have so much to learn about being in this kind of relationship.”
“That’s to be expected, sweetheart.” Avery grasped Eli’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. He needed to make sure his boy knew he was seen, that Avery wasn’t disappointed by Elibeing a newbie. “Believe me when I say that even Doms and subs who’ve been together for years are constantly evolving, learning new things about themselves within that dynamic.”
Finally, Eli gave him a full smile. “That’s good to know. I guess I’m trying to get too ahead of myself.”
“You’re doing wonderful, my sweet baby.”
Eli’s features brightened, and Avery sealed the moment with a deep, lazy kiss. He could taste his boy all day long.
Contracts. Omelets.
Avery ended the kiss with a swipe of his tongue across Eli’s bottom lip. “Better?”
