Page 96 of Syncopation
“Not good enough.”
He felt Zavier chuckle. “It’s too late to explain psychology. I enjoy your pain and your pleasure and your surrender andmaking you struggle and watching you overcome. I adore being inside you. Biting your skin. Tasting you. Everything, Ray.”
Oh. Well, that didn’t sound so bad. He liked all those things too, but in reverse. “We match.”
Another huff of laughter. “In a way, yeah.” Another kiss, like the last. “Go to sleep, Ray. I’ll watch over you.”
He sighed, relaxed into Zavier’s arms, and obeyed thatorder, too.
* * *
Zavier had to admit that it was nice to wake up next to Ray in a hotel bed. The games and sex they could squeeze in on the bus or at the venue kept him going, as did their chats and their connection with each other. He’d never felt so satisfied by any kinky relationship before. Such a joy to get Ray off and have him obey, even when the orders made him uncomfortable. He’dat least try, like with the spanking last night.
In some way, their games had helped Ray and given him an outlet—and given him strength to push back at Carl. If it was something as simple and intimate as wearing that bracelet tied around the base of his cock—tight enough to stay and remind him of Zavier—they were both happy enough to command and comply.
Compatible. Comfortable. That waswhat they were.
But a morning like this, where Ray was quiet and sprawled out next to him and sleeping soundly, was a goddamnedgift. Zavier resisted the urge to stroke his relaxed features. Beautiful and carefree. While he also enjoyed tense, passionate Ray, there was something about the trusting and vulnerable version that stirred a deep satisfaction in him.
He’d never tire of this sight.
So he watched, still heavy with his own waking, as Ray moved from sleep into wakefulness, then finally opened his lovely eyes. His smile was like gold, as was his sleep-rough voice. “Hey.”
“Good morning.” Now Zavier did reach out and touch Ray’s cheek, tracing the lines of that smile.
“Wake long?” Happy muttered words. Ray moved closer to him.
“No. Not too long.”
“Mmm.” Didn’ttake long for Ray to curl up around him, or for Ray to ghost kisses over his shoulder. There were better places for those lips to be, though. He tipped Ray’s chin up, and claimed his mouth.
Oh, that sweet moan in the back of Ray’s throat. Zavier deepened the kiss, and lingered until Ray was pressed hard against him and trembling with need.
When he relented, Ray was breathless. “And hereI was gonna go lower.”
He did love Ray’s mouth on his cock, but being on tour made Zavier hyper-aware of Ray’s throat and voice. How sensitive it was to overuse, or to a cold, or deep-throating a cock. “As soon as we’re off tour, I’m going to face-fuck you properly.” He kissed Ray’s neck.
Ray shuddered, but the stillness after that felt wrong. Zavier pulled back.
A little line betweenRay’s brows, and that inward turn. He wasn’t frowning, but concern had stolen Ray’s smile. He met Zavier’s gaze. “Zav, what are we doing?”
Pinpricks—the bad, cold kind—traced down Zavier’s legs. Oh god, no. Not this conversation.
“We’re waking up next to each other in bed.” He tried to keep his voice soft.We were enjoying ourselves. Can’t we just enjoy ourselves?
Ray opened up spacebetween them and propped his head up on his hand. “I mean—overall. What are we doing?”
Breaking up, because that was how these conversations always ended, with his partner wanting more than Zavier could ever give. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. “What do you mean?”
“Wanting to face-fuck me after the tour is over implies you’re gonna stick around. All the plans youhave for me later. Yeah, once this tour is over, you’ll be with the band, but seems like you think we’ll still be doing—whatever the hell this is that we’re doing.”
Zavier swallowed around the lump in his throat. “I like being in the band. I want to hear the rest of ‘Dare to Be’ and all the other music you see, want to add my beat to your songs. Play with Dom and Mish. Make something together.”He paused “And us? I’m...happy. You’re happy. I don’t see why we wouldn’t just—keep doing what we’re doing.”
Did this have to have a label? Why couldn’t they just be friends? Bed partners? Dominant and submissive. He rubbed his face.Shit. He wasn’t ready for things to end.
Ray said nothing for a long time, and Zavier studied the texture of the hotel ceiling.
Finally, Ray shifted,rocking the mattress slightly. “Zavier.” His voice was so tender. “Can I ask you something personal?”
