Page 42 of Counterpoint
He chuckled. “French toast. With a ton of syrup.” He raised his head and found Adrian laughing quietly. “And maybe some bacon.”
“I have bacon, and everything I need to make you French toast that’s the best in the city.” Adrian patted his cheek. “But you do have to let go of my legs and follow me downstairs to get it.”
Dom did, and Adrian helped him up. “Thank you.” Heat rose to Dom’s cheeks. “I feel better. I—needed that.”
Adrian cupped the back of his neck and drew him in for a gentle kiss before speaking against his lips. “You’re welcome.” Then he let him go and gestured to the door. “Breakfast?”
“God, yes.” Dom blew out a breath and followed Adrian downstairs. Everything was either very right in the world, or sideways entirely.
All he knew was that he was warm here, and calm, and Adrian was fucking amazing. Maybe that was a good start to figuring out all the rest.
* * *
Adrian didn’t feed Dominic the French toast, but watching him eat was pleasure enough. The happy sigh, the content noises. The way he tapped his bare feet against the breakfast bar stool. So many questions flew through Adrian’s mind, and many were tinged with fear. That he would screw this—whateverthiswas—up. That he wasn’t the man Dominic needed.
Though everything that had happened in the office had felt right and natural. Slipping into the role Dominic needed at that fragile moment had been pure instinct, and he’d come out the other side. Happy. Content. Joyful as he ate his breakfast and sipped his coffee.
Adrian toyed with his bacon, moving it about in the syrup, and finally voiced the question at the forefront of his mind. “Do you want to date me, Dominic?”
Dominic’s body stilled, and his eyes turned inward for a moment. Considering, calculating.
God, Adrian wished he knew how that mind worked.
Finally, Dominic nodded. “Yeah. I do. I just—don’t know what dating you entails. I mean—I haven’t actually dated anyone since college. And I kinda doubt ‘let’s study together, then fuck’ is exactly what I’m supposed to do now.”
It was those quips that flipped Adrian’s heart around and around and made him want to haul Dominic in for kisses. The honesty, the absurdity. “Five years? You’ve been just hooking up—for five years?” He paused and laughed. “Mind you, I have no room to talk. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with casual.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow and pointed his fork at Adrian. “So, when did you last date, then?”
“California,” Adrian said automatically. “Nearly the same timeframe. A little over six years ago. When I moved back to New York... I needed time to settle in.”
There was a thoughtful look in Dominic’s eyes, but he didn’t ask anything more. “And what about the whole tying up and kneeling thing?” Color touched his cheeks.
Adrian shrugged and ate his bacon. “You tell me. Do you enjoy it?”
A deeper blush now, and that was so fucking nice. Dominic even squirmed on the stool. “Yeah. I do. I’ve just never...done anything like that before.”
That was an answer Adrian didn’t quite buy. “Hard to believe you’ve never been held down and fucked. I know you’ve been on your knees and sucked a man off before.”
Even Dominic’s neck was red now, and his mouth open. He looked down at his plate. Then up. “Uh. Okay. I’ve donethat. Lots of times. But no cuffs or rope or anything like that.” His gaze turned inward again and his voice wavered. “And I’ve never wanted to kneel like I did this morning for anyone. Ever.”
Too much emotion there. Adrian rose and rounded the bar to Dominic’s side so he could brush the locks off his forehead and plant a kiss there. “I should tell you that I was utterly honored.”
“It’s like my life is still when I’m here with you. Like it’smine.”
He combed his fingers through Dominic’s unruly locks. “What’s it like when you’re not here?”
A huff of a laugh. “I can’t even describe it. Sometimes it’s my own. Other times it’s—a roller coaster. I’m—playing a part and holding on and enjoying the ride. Then I land back here, and I’m myself.” He leaned his head against Adrian’s chest. “I know you want to know more than that.”
He did. However, he wouldn’t demand it. Not now. Not later. “We’ve been on two dates. In that time, you’ve trusted me tremendously with your body, Dominic. And yes, I’m kinky. And I think you are, too.” He stroked Dominic’s neck. “But trust isn’t something you give all at once—different parts take time, and maybe there are things you never want to share with another.”
Dominic exhaled and found Adrian’s hand. Held it. Kissed his fingertips.
Oh god, the need that burned through Adrian from that one simple act. “Give me what you can, when you can. Tell me if you need me to slow down. Ask whatever questions you want.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be the boss?” Bright brown eyes met his. “Tell me what to do?”
“Yes...and no.” Adrian chuckled. “It’s complicated.”
