Healing Him

by Laura N Andrews

  Healing Him

  Bromley Brothers Book 2

  Laura N. Andrews

  Blurb

  “An intense, sexy, and heartfelt gay BDSM romance.”

  “The perfect amount of hotness!”

  “A baring of souls… beautiful.”

  Henry Bromley wants to find not only the perfect submissive, but he’s also searching for love. When he meets Ryan Scott, a man who seems to take control, Henry is conflicted.

  However, when passion and lust ignite a spark and their flame is lit, Henry discovers there’s no turning back. He wants Ryan.

  Ryan Scott has fought hard to protect himself and his desires. With his wounds freshly opened, Ryan has to make a choice: submit to Henry and allow himself to heal or continue to live the lie he’s created for himself.

  Will this Dom help his sub fly? And if trust is broken, can it truly ever be healed?

  Healing Him © 2019 by Laura N. Andrews

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any written, electronic, recorded, or photocopied format without the express permission from the author or publisher as allowed under the terms and conditions with which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

  Healing Him is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events and places found therein are either from the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to persons alive or dead, actual events, locations, or organizations is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  For information, contact the publisher, Hot Tree Publishing.

  www.hottreepublishing.com

  Editing: Hot Tree Editing

  Cover Designer: Claire Smith

  Formatting: Justine Littleton

  ISBN: 9781925853056

  Contents

  TRIGGER WARNING

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other Books by Laura

  Acknowledgments

  About the Publisher

  For all who are healing, this is for you.

  TRIGGER WARNING

  Author Note: Reading trigger warnings can contain spoilers.

  This book includes reference to sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers.

  Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed.

  It means the damage no longer controls your life.

  Shahrukh Khan

  Chapter One

  “Thank you for coming over.”

  After closing my front door, I lead the way into the living room, motioning my friend to the couch. Fortunately, my brother Travis is out for the night, so it’s just me and Sean. Our youngest brother Trey moved out a few months ago to live with his fiancé David. It’s weird sometimes, not having him in the same house, but I’m happy he found love with David. I’m not sure where Travis is tonight, but when I asked if I could have the place for an hour, he said he’d keep himself busy until eight.

  I turn and watch the man who’s been my boyfriend—and submissive—for the past six months. Oddly enough, I didn’t meet him at the BDSM club I frequent. We met at The Court, a gay-friendly club in town my brothers and I love. Brushing his fringe off his face, Sean’s eyes hold wariness as he looks up at me. “Of course, Sir. Especially after receiving your text. ‘We need to talk’ always sounds ominous.”

  Nodding slowly, I slip my hands inside my pockets before plunging ahead. “Sean, as you know, our second contract as Dominant and submissive ends today. The last six months have been great. But… I won’t be renewing it after tonight.”

  He physically flinches, and it’s hard to watch. “Sir?”

  His hurt is plain as day, and I feel horrible. But the fact is, we both owe it to ourselves to seek, to desire , more than this. Sean’s been a great submissive, very obedient and respectful. Only calling me by my name, Henry, when we’re in public. He’s cute and wants to please me, and, up until now, these aspects were all enough. But the thing is, after years of being a Dom, I not only want to find a sub, I want to find love. With my eyes, I beseech him. “I…. What we’ve had has been great. But we both deserve more than this. You’re a great friend and submissive, but I don’t think I’m alone when I say I want more.” I wait, patient and quiet, for him to digest everything. After being together for around six months, I know this is coming out of the blue. Until now, I haven’t acknowledged or expressed to him something was missing. At least, so I thought.

  His brows scrunch up. “I… sort of had a feeling this would happen. I mean, aside from the text, you’ve been… different. It wasn’t something I did?”

  Surprised at his words, I shake my head seriously. “No. You haven’t done anything.”

  Sean fidgets on the couch, tucking his hands under his knees. “Is it because I haven’t done anything? Is there something else you want, Henry? From me? From this?”

  Since I’ve been standing up until now, I move forward and sit on the chair next to him. “No. I just…. Isn’t there something missing for you too? You don’t love me.” It isn’t a question; it’s a fact. And, another fact is, I want someone who loves me. Doesn’t everyone? Sean might want to renew our contract for another three months, but neither of us are in love. I don’t want to waste either of our time when I know we both want more.

  He frowns. “I… I care for you, Henry. Deeply.”

  I’m glad he’s already comfortable with using my name instead of the honorific. It proves to me I’m doing the right thing. “And I care for you. But we don’t love each other, Sean. And I’m finally acknowledging that I want and deserve more. And so do you.”

  “There isn’t someone else?” he asks.

  “No. I swear to you there isn’t. I haven’t met anyone else. But because of our arrangement, we’re hindering ourselves from finding love. We won’t meet anyone else if we continue our D/s relationship.”

  “So… you want to cut ties now?” His eyes well up.

  I take his hands in mine. “Sean, you’re an amazing person, sub, and friend. I think the only reason this has gone on as long as it has is because we’re such good friends, and neither of us wants to lose that. I’d like us to remain close, and I promise to pass on a great reference for you to future Dominants. Who knows? Maybe we’ll each go out and meet our special someone.”

  He scoffs, and I don’t blame him. I can hardly believe what I just said. Warmth enters my cheeks. “You actually believe in that crap all of a sudden?” he asks. “When we first got together, we laughed at the idea of finding the one . Our soulmate . You’re telling me you actually believe there’s only one person for us out there now?”

  His tone makes me cock my eyebrow. He wouldn’t be talking like this if we were renewing our contract. I actually like this side of him. He wasn’t the type to speak freely as my submissive, but maybe now as my friend, he will. Still, at my expression, he has the decency to smile sheepishly.

  I scratch my beard. “Ma
ybe it’s because of Trey and David and their commitment ceremony coming up, but yes. I want to meet someone I feel 100 percent myself around. And even though you come pretty fucking close, there’s something missing between us. Each and every scene we did was amazing, but I want someone to live with, build a family with, and grow old with. Someone who hungers to be with me twenty-four-seven and vice versa.” Watching my younger brother find his soulmate has clearly brought me hope. I’m ecstatic for him and David, and it makes me yearn for a similar thing. I’d do anything for the chance of finding that one person who feels for me exactly what I feel for them. Fortunate enough to have a loving family and friends, I know what unconditional love is; but to have that from someone I’m sexually intimate and comfortable with would be amazing. I never knew finding love was something I’d crave until I saw it with my own eyes with my brother.

  He bites his lip and sighs. “I freaked out at first when I got your text, but I can understand where you’re coming from now. I think it feels so natural and comfortable that I was scared to lose the connection. Our friendship. And I see what you mean. We don’t love each other. But, we can still be friends, right? Hang out and go clubbing together?”

  I nod with a wide grin. “Of course. And I’m sure we’ll see each other at Lost and Bound.” As I mention the BDSM club I’ve been a member of for a couple of years, I realise I haven’t been for a while. I make note to give the owner, and my friend, Kyle Simmons a call. I add, “And if neither of us have a partner and Kyle wants us to do a public demo, we can still do that.”

  Sean smiles and blushes. It’d turned out he’d only joined the BDSM club a week before we met. Sean confided in me early on that he has a crush on Kyle. I’ve never actually known the Dom to have a sub for longer than three months. Sean nods. “Cool. I’m glad.”

  I sit up straight and clear my throat. “Now, I have a big favour to ask. Do you mind if, just for now, our separation stays between us? Tomorrow night, we’ll all be going out for dinner and drinks, and I’d like the focus to be where it belongs. Tomorrow night is about Trey and David and meeting David’s best friend. Is that okay?” Sean was invited as well, and I’d still like him to join.

  My brothers have no idea about my Dominant status. A huge part of the why of it is the fact it’s simply personal. But the other part? I’m worried about what they’d think. Would they judge me? If they found out, how would they react to me, their brother, being a Dom? Would they think it’s because of our father? Trey’s and my father verbally and eventually physically abused our mother. It wasn’t until she met Travis’s dad that we learnt what a dad should be like. Would they assume I’m a sadist because our father used to hit our mum? Would they accept me? I don’t know, and because of these reasons, I have kept it to myself. I consider my tastes to be on the lighter end of the spectrum. I revel in dominating and controlling the sexual nature of my relationships. This sometimes includes bondage, blindfolds, and a toy or two. I don’t enjoy inflicting pain unless it’s used for discipline.

  My best friend Kristen and her girlfriend Lindsay know, as well as a huge part of the BDSM community in Perth. But my brothers and other friends are blissfully unaware of my life as a Dominant. Knowing my brothers, as soon as they find out Sean and I have separated, their focus will be on me all night. They’d want to make sure I’m okay. The last thing I want is to be the centre of attention. Tomorrow is about my brother, his fiancé, and meeting David’s best friend Ryan. Apparently, he’s returned to Perth after working over in Melbourne for a few years.

  “Of course,” Sean says easily. “You can tell your brothers after tomorrow night.”

  I give him a relieved smile and stand for a hug. “Great. Thank you, Sean.”

  * * *

  The idea of lying to my brothers about me and Sean makes me feel off the next night. But in all honesty, I’ve been lying by omission for four years, ever since I was introduced to the BDSM lifestyle. During the ride to the restaurant, the urge to tell them Sean and I are no longer together almost spills out of me. I make the decision to tell them tomorrow and push any worries over lying to them away.

  When we rock up, I follow behind the happy couple, Trey and David. Sean gives me an encouraging smile and I return it. I know he genuinely wants to be here, because he’s fond of my brothers, but it takes a good man to join me tonight, given we’ve parted ways and are keeping it quiet. Along with my quest to find love, I really do hope Sean finds his special someone too. As everyone appears to be at the table, David does the introductions, and that’s when the metaphorical wind is knocked out of me. The man on the other side of the table is simply breathtaking. He grasps David’s hand in a shake, and both men smile as they hug.

  Ryan Scott.

  David’s best friend.

  Ryan Scott is fucking gorgeous . He has chocolate-brown eyes, dark-brown hair, and plump lips. His slightly bent nose makes me wonder if it’s a sport injury or from a fight. Wide shoulders fan out with bulging biceps. My eyes work their way down his broad chest and slim waist. The man has a beautiful V shape going on. It’s obvious he has an impressive physique under those clothes. Overall, he makes me think of Tom Welling, except with tanned skin and brown eyes. Fuck . Those eyes. I could drown in them. The mental image of his eyes gazing up at me while I feed him my cock has my dick pressing against the zipper of my jeans. Sean nudges me. Everyone, including Ryan, is staring at me. I must’ve missed something.

  Clearing my throat, I say, “Sorry, I zoned out for a minute.” Something incredibly unusual for me.

  My younger brother, Trey, smiles. “Ryan, this is my brother, Henry. Henry, this is David’s best friend, Ryan.”

  Aware my cheeks are probably as red as a tomato, I push away my embarrassment and smile, holding my hand out. “Nice to meet you, Ryan.”

  He meets my eyes for a moment before dropping his gaze. Ryan nods and shakes my hand, matching my firm grip. “You too.” He’s quick to pull back.

  When all the intros are done, we sit and order. During dinner and afterwards as we dance, my eyes never stray from Ryan. I don’t know what it is I find so intriguing. Sure, he’s really fucking hot, but he’s not my usual type at all. For starters, he’s my height, and he’s built bigger than I am. I usually go for cute, smaller guys like Sean, not hot men who’re clearly strong enough to pick me up. I know Ryan’s gay; Trey mentioned he’d broken up with his ex-boyfriend before moving back here. But I’ve yet to figure out what his preference is. Is he a top? A bottom? A switch?

  When it comes to his physical appearance, he’s not my type. Aside from the fact he’s absolutely gorgeous to look at, why the fuck am I so captivated?

  Sometime later, we’re all dancing, and Sean says he’ll be back. I realise Ryan’s watching me. Unable to resist, I head over to chat with him, but my brother beats me to it. I hear how Trey says he’s going to stop drinking after the next shot, and Ryan agrees he’s had a little too much. He does seem… looser than earlier.

  David appears beside me with a tray of tequila shots, so I take three and sidle up to the man who continues to intrigue me, and my brother. “Hey. Here you go.” I hold them out between us. When Ryan grins in gratitude and takes a glass, I find his mouth fascinating. Especially as he throws his head back and his throat is on full display as he swallows. Fuck. How would it feel to kiss him there? To lick my way up his neck. What would it be like to see a collar around his neck? A collar which tells the world Ryan is mine?

  I blink.

  What the fuck am I thinking? I never collared Sean, and we were together six months. But the desire to claim Ryan as mine is so intense I can’t stop staring. A drop of his drink slides down his throat, and the urge to lick it up is almost too hard to resist. God, I wish I had the right to do that. Just lean forward and catch the runaway liquid with my tongue. To hear his sigh-filled pleasure as I lick him. I hold back a sigh of disappointment when he wipes his throat with the back of his hand.

  “Trey!”

  The three of
us turn to see David crook his finger, and my brother swoons. “Excuse me, boys. I believe my man wants a dance.”

  Ryan and I smile as we watch Trey throw his shot back and saunter over to his lover. After finally knocking my own shot back, I face Ryan. His eyes keep flicking from mine to the floor and back. There’s uncertainty in his expression, and I open my mouth to say something, when he suddenly blurts out, “I really like your tat.”

  The touch of his hand on my wrist awakens something inside me. His fingers stroking my forearm send tingles all through my body. It’s been a while since I let someone touch me without permission. I watch, entranced, and a little tipsy, as his pointer finger caresses the ink. It’s a long, thin wand that starts about an inch from my elbow and ends just before my wrist. Ryan moves even closer as he reads the quote out in his deep rumble. “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” He smiles at me and, again, I marvel at how our eyes line up perfectly. As do our lips. Why do you interest me so? His eyes are chocolate pools I could lose myself in, all day long. They fall back to my arm and he grins. “I’m a Harry Potter fan too.”

  I have to clear my throat. “Are you now?” My voice is husky.