Page 88 of Syncopation
Zavier exhaled and nibbled at Ray’s ear. “Just wait until we get to our next hotel and you see what I ordered off of Amazon.”
He never thought those particular words would make himshiver. “Fuck.” But of course they’d sell sex toys. They soldeverything.
Zavier stood and offered him a hand. “Time to sleep, I think.”
Ray took it and let Zavier pull him up. Oh yeah, he’d be reminded of this night as soon as he woke in the morning. Zavier turned off the reading light, and they both slipped back into their bunks, as quietly as they could. Dom was still snoring softly.No telling if Mish was awake or not.
Though, if the slight throb on his shoulder was anything to go by, they’d be able to tell something had happened as soon as Ray crawled out of bed. OfcourseZavier had bitten the shoulder with hardly any ink.
Zavier had marked him. Claimed him. No strings attached but those Ray put there himself. He stared up into the darkness. One thing was for sure:it was nice to be wanted and a relief to be looked after—even only in this manner. He closed his eyes and let the hum of the road and the ache of his body lull him to sleep.
* * *
Zavier kept the leather bracelets and cuff on even when they weren’t performing, because Ray couldn’t stop looking at them. He’d already ordered several items, including restraints, from Amazon and had them shippedto their next hotel. Yes, the cost of having the box held would be astronomical, but undoubtedly worth it, given the way Ray reacted to every single touch, smile, and suggestion.
The memory of Ray melting into submission at Zavier’s feet stirred both need and peace in him. He’d had compliant subs before and bratty ones, too. He’d fucked and played with a great many people in his life, butthe way Ray reacted moved Zavier on a deeper level. Toping Ray wasfulfilling—and not only in the sexual sense.
Theycomplementedeach other with their friendship, with Ray’s brashness, sexuality, kink, and that inherent neediness to be taken from the world.
Unexpected, yes. But like syncopated beats, they might not share the same exact rhythm, but they merged and found each other, overand over. Zavier had wanted that kind of meeting of minds with someone for so long. That he could help Ray as well? Keep him steady and relaxed? Even better.
In Phoenix, Zavier managed to get Ray alone for a few minutes in the hours before they went on stage. Enough time to pull back the collar of his T-shirt and kiss the bruise on his shoulder. The one that looked exactly like the sexy bitemark it was. He’d no doubt when Ray tore off his shirt, every camera would focus on that.
“Carl will have words,” Zavier murmured against Ray’s skin.
Ray relaxed in Zavier’s arms and said, “Let him. Don’t care anymore.”
At some level, Zavier didn’t care, either, but a voice in the back of his brain reminded him that Carl hadn’t fucked with Ray—or the band—in a while. Which was unusualand troubling, but he set the worry aside.
“I have something for you.” He let Ray’s T-shirt cover up the bite mark. “To keep you grounded.”
“It’s not something like a butt plug, is it?”
Zavier laughed. “I don’t think you’d be able to move like you do onstage with even the smallest plug.” He paused. “Have you been plugged in the past?”
Red touched Ray’s cheeks. “No.”
“Playedwith toys?”
He shook his head.
Oh, good. So some of the other items would be a new experience for Ray, too. “It’s not a butt plug.” He pulled a thin, tightly woven rainbow-colored cotton bracelet out of his pocket. Ray studied it and held out his wrist.
“No. That’s not where it’s going.” Zavier smiled at Ray. Oh, the confusion, then realization. That blush grew deeper and he shiftedfrom foot to foot. “If you’re willing.”
“On my dick.” Ray licked his lips. “You want to tie it around my dick.”
Zavier nodded and waited.
“Yeah. God, yeah. Do it.”
So Zavier did. Even dropped to his knees to unzip Ray’s pants, which got him a moan. Ray was already semi-hard by the time Zavier freed his dick. Precome and everything. He stole a taste of salt from the tip and savoredRay’s gasp and tremble. Then he tied the bracelet around the base, tucked Ray back in the best he could, and zipped him up.
Huge pupils, flushed face. “I can feel it.”
“That’s the point. Iwantyou to feel it. I want you to know who owns your ass, at least in bed.”
Ray swallowed. “I thought this was just a sex thing. Not that youown meown me.”
