Page 90 of Counterpoint
“Dominic.” Adrian breathed his name like it was a chant. “I love you. I want to give you everything I can.”
“You—I—”
Adrian framed Dom’s face with his hands. “We didn’t have a very good start to the evening, and that was my mistake and my fault. Before we do anything more tonight, I want to give you some time to make sure this is what you want from me.”
Dom exhaled and fell back to earth with a grunt, but he couldn’t look away from Adrian’s sad and hopeful eyes. “I know what I want from you.” Right nowandlater. “And I’m not gonna let you take all the blame for earlier.”
A small smile, then Adrian let go and stepped back. “Humor me. Sit for a little bit while I change.” He worked the knot loose on his tie. “It’s important to me not to overstep your bounds. Give me only what you want, Dominic. No more. And certainly not anything you don’t want to share.”
Dom nodded, because he did understand. Adrian was seeking Dom’s comfort and consent—which said a lot, especially given their earlier spat and Dom’s breakdown. He wanted touch and reassurance. But if it madeAdrianfeel safer and more secure...well, he could wait a little, too.
It was all about give and take and each other, after all.
“Okay,” he said. “But I’m pretty damn sure I want to be tied up tonight, so maybe—” He waved in the direction of the stairs. “Bring something down for that?”
The look Adrian gave Dom was worth everything. A cross between shock and lust, until intense control took over. He nodded once, then headed down the hall to the stairs.
Dom sank down on the couch. The vestiges of his panic attack lingered, as did the anxiety that brought it on. Showing both sides of his life to someone who wasn’t in the band was hard. He’d kinda had to do it with Zavier when he joined them on tour—but Zavier had known the old Dom in high school, at least in passing.
Adrian only had ever known Dominic. Showing him Domino was gonna be interesting. Sure, there were the songs and the videos, but existing in the same space as Adrian—that would be different.
He expected a jolt of worry, but none came. Excitement did, though—same as he’d felt when he’d dragged Adrian to the Met. He was something he could share. Give over. And those aspects of himself? Adrian fucking cherished them. Worshiped them.
Kind of like how Adrian worshiped Dom in his own way. Yeah, Dom might be the one on his knees, but Adrian took care of him, and that took Dom’s breath away. He turned the thought over and over in his head. Let it heat his blood and melt away the lingering stress and worry.
When he heard the creak of the steps, he turned toward the hall to see Adrian return. He still wore his dress slacks and belt. Socks and shoes. The jacket and tie were gone, but the white shirt remained. The top two buttons had been undone to expose his throat and his pale freckled skin. Dom focused on that spot before raising his gaze to those lips. He slid off the couch and onto his knees.
Adrian’s stare burned through him. “You really do know what you want.”
Those words alone made Dom’s mouth water. But what Adrian carried in his hands made his bones melt and dick harden. Several bundles of rope in one hand and a leather collar in the other. With rings attached.
“Yeah, I do.” Dom met Adrian’s hot stare. “And I love you, too. Trust you. Want to share myself with you.”
Those eyes flickered like a fire, and Adrian nodded. He strode to Dom and placed the items in his hands on the couch before stroking the side of Dom’s jaw with his fingers. “Are you fine with wearing a collar for me?”
“Yeah. I like ’em. I mean, when I wear them onstage.”
“So I saw in this photos. But this one’s mine, and will serve a different purpose.”
Dom’s cock pressed against the zipper of his pants. “Figured, given the loops.” He licked his lips. “I want to be yours tonight.”
Adrian stepped closer and tipped Dom’s chin up. “Good. Because every inch of you is going to be.”
Dom shivered. Couldn’t help it.
Adrian stepped back. “Up to your feet, please. Take those pretty shoes and your socks off.”
Somehow, Dom managed to rise without falling. He toed off the shoes and removed the socks, then waited, heart in his throat.
“You’re so very good at this.” Adrian cupped his face. “Giving yourself to me.” His lips brushed Dom’s in the barest of kisses.
Dom couldn’t help the moan the came from his soul. “I fucking love you,” he whispered.
Adrian bushed his thumb over Dom’s lips. “Shhh. Feel.”
Oh god, he felt. Every touch, every move of Adrian’s hands on his. All his nerves firing when that gold-flecked gaze slid down to Dom’s bowtie and nimble fingers pulled at the ends and untied the knot.
The tie landed on the couch next to the rope.
