Counterpoint

by Anna Zabo

  Dominic moaned and gripped Adrian’s arm. When he relented, there was surprise in his eyes and that lovely flush on those cheeks. “Hi,” he said, his voice breathless and hoarse.

  “Hello.” Adrian dropped his fingers to Dominic’s bowtie and yes, it was beautiful close up, a yellow base with blue-and-red paisley designs. From the feel, it was silk. “You look spectacular.”

  People flowed past them on the sidewalk and Dominic’s eyes were bright. “So do you.”

  Adrian had worn one of his better charcoal-gray suits to work—which Jackson had commented on that morning at the gym because nothing got past him—and paired it the a pale yellow shirt and a tie that was an homage to his roots, Celtic knot-work in greens and yellow and browns. He’d even dug out his gold cufflinks, the ones with his initials.

  Watching Dominic’s hungry gaze drift over his body now, he was glad he’d taken the time to dress to impress this interesting, contradictory man. “Shall we go in?” He slipped his hand into Dominic’s.

  That sweet voice was still breathless. “Yeah. Or your place.” His blush deepened. “Whichever.”

  Adrian gave the fingers entwined with his a squeeze. “Patience.” Then he led Dominic into the restaurant.

  The staff was cordial, punctual, and perfectly mannered as they led them to a small table in the dining room, all arranged so that diners wouldn’t be crowded by others, would feel the intimacy of the low light, glass, and dark wood that mimicked art deco trees. It was ideal for taunting and teasing Dominic in the ways Adrian so wanted.

  Dominic unbuttoned his suit jacket like he’d worn them often enough, and a glimpse of the interior fabric plus the way it hung on his frame made Adrian reassess his earlier thought. It wasn’t just a good fit—this suit had been tailored for Dominic. Custom-made, likely. The fabric, though not showy, was high quality and the lining uniquely patterned.

  A place in Brooklyn. A bespoke suit. A musician. Not quite an equation that added up, but Adrian set it aside.

  They received menus and their server described the specials in detail. Adrian half-listened to her and half-watched Dominic’s reactions. Yes, this was a man moved by food. Or at least by taste and experiences.

  In the end Adrian chose the filet mignon while Dominic chose short-rib ravioli in truffle sauce, and they split a pricey bottle of red Bordeaux. It wouldn’t break his budget, but it was more extravagant than he usually was on a date.

  Then again, he usually just bought hookups a cheap drink at a club and pulled them into a darkened corner for some fun. This was completely different, down to the fine china. He sipped his expensive wine.

  “Why are you smiling?” Dominic’s voice was full of curiosity.

  “Would you like to know a truth?”

  Dominic’s look got distant for a moment. “I prefer truths.”

  “Mmm. Me, too. But this—” he gestured between them “—is young yet. We all have cards we hold to our chests.”

  A nod and a very steady look.

  “I said I wanted more than a one-night stand. But that’s not my usual motive, either.”

  Dominic tipped his head back a little. “So you’re a love ’em and leave ’em guy, too?”

  Adrian shrugged. “I can be. It’s certainly easier sometimes.”

  “But...” Dominic picked up his wineglass and swirled.

  “You’re worth more than one night. I knew that when I sat down next to you.”

  Dominic let the wine level out and stared at it for a moment before shifting his gaze to Adrian. He might be all of twenty-seven, but there was a great deal of experience and that same steel Adrian had glimpsed before. “Because I was reading about rentboys?”

  Adrian laughed. He couldn’t help it, and he caught a few other diners looking their way. But that was, in some respects, part of the truth. “Not just any book about rentboys. How many people do you know who read Jack Saul?”

  A touch of red on his cheeks. “None. R—” Dominic froze and the blush was gone, replaced with something that looked a little like terror. He shook himself once. “One of my bandmates prefers history. The others like fiction, but not...” He let the comment die and didn’t look up.

  The mysterious band. And obviously a subject Dominic preferred to keep off the table.

  “This is probably presumptuous, but I think perhaps we both prefer quick and easy from time to time because we don’t make friends that readily.”

  The smile returned to Dominic, knowing and wry. “That is presumptuous, given we’ve met, what, three times.”

  And fucked so very much in one evening, but Adrian kept those thoughts behind his lips.

  Still, Dominic’s eyes danced. “But you’re not wrong. I don’t make friends easily. I don’t like opening myself up.”

  “Yet here you are.”

  A slow nod. “But so are you.”

  Adrian so wanted to take this man apart. Instead, he reached across the table and offered his hand.

  Dominic took it, and his lips hitched up. “For the record, it’s kinda nice, this not being a one-time thing.”

  Good. So very good.

  When their meals came, Adrian thoroughly enjoyed his steak and the soft, appreciative noises Dominic made while he ate. The flutter of his eyes, and the slow swallows. It wasn’t a show at all—likely Dominic didn’t even know how expressive he was.

  The wine had mellowed his stare, though left it more heated. Dominic was emboldened, too, that solid core showing through the blush when he trailed his foot up the back of Adrian’s leg.

  Oh yes, this night was perfect so far. “How do you feel about dessert?”

  A smirk. “Gonna feed it to me?”

  “Yes.” The reply was simple, straightforward, and made Dominic’s eyes widen.

  He sat up a little straighter. “Here?”

  “Yes, here.”

  “You wouldn’t!” He looked around the dining room and gestured. “I mean—”

  Adrian tilted his head and let his smile widen. “It’s not like I’m asking you to kneel down and suck my dick.”

  A visible shudder ran through Dominic. “Yes, it is.” His voice was low and rough. “It’s exactly like that, just—less obvious.”

  “Will you? Lick lemon tart from my fork?”

  Dominic’s cheeks were red, and he shifted in his seat. “Fuck yes. Do me.”

  This time Adrian clamped down on the laughter, but his face ached from grinning and his heart soared when Dominic smiled widely. If he had to guess, those very expensive dress pants of his were tenting nicely.

  When the waiter came, he ordered a lemon tart. One fork.

  Such a treat to have Dominic lean forward so much he had to lift his ass off the chair to claim what Adrian offered. And the blush, and the throaty little whimper, and the wide eyes. Dominic was a blushing, squirming, well-dressed mess by the time they finished dessert. And yes, it was very, very much like having Dominic on his knees before him.

  Maybe even a little better, since the restaurant couldn’t exactly throw them out for something het couples did all the time at eateries.

  Adrian left a large tip on their large check, and led Dominic out of the place. His own cock had been hard as a rock during Dominic’s show and still wasn’t completely down again. “If I didn’t know better,” he murmured in Dominic’s ear, “I’d think you were an exhibitionist.”

  Oh, the blush. “I’m not really. You just...” His eyes were a bit glassy. “I like how I feel when you do this to me.”

  Adrian shifted his hand from the top of Dominic’s back to the small of it. “So do I.”

  He’d never quite done this kind of subtle domination before, since he’d never dated anyone remotely like Dominic before. Hardly dated at all.

  Walking through Manhattan with Dominic Bradley all strung out and half into subspace? Pure bli
ss. Adrian led him down into the subway, and there he could tell Dominic was used enough to the city. Every motion was automatic and normal, like someone who’d ridden the trains for years.

  There was also a spark in those eyes now, one that drove Adrian’s pulse up, because there was the flame he glimpsed in Dominic sometimes.

  While they waited on the platform for the train that would take them back to Brooklyn, Dominic slid close and ran a finger down Adrian’s tie. “Thank you for dinner. And especially dessert.” He angled his lips close and just brushed them over Adrian’s. It would have been a gentle kiss, except that Dominic’s palm slid low and pressed against Adrian, hard and right over his cock. “Though I wonder...” he murmured, his lips brushing Adrian’s with every word. “What would have happened if you had asked me to suck your cock?”

  “Knowing you,” Adrian replied, trailing fingertips over Dominic’s face, “you would have. You’re not as shy as you let on, Mr. Bradley.”

  A surprised laugh. “I am, really, I am.”

  But he didn’t kiss that way, and when Adrian grasped those hips and held them close together on the subway platform, the way Dominic ground and moved belied any ounce of shyness. Hell, Adrian probably could have jerked him off right there and then.

  But there were other people on the platform, and this was near Wall Street, and it wasn’t even midnight yet.

  So he bit Dominic’s lip, then said, “Behave.”

  The chuckled response was soft, and so sexy, Adrian wanted to take him right then and there. “I’m just remembering your promise.”

  Leather around those wrists. Yes, that would happen in due time.

  They necked like teens the entire ride to Brooklyn, and stumbled from the subway station like they’d had three bottles of wine rather than one. Dominic had been handsy, finding all the chinks in Adrian’s armor and making him just as hot and bothered. Bratty, lovely. Perfect.

  As soon as the front door locked behind them, Adrian took Dominic by the lapels of his beautifully cut suit and rammed him up against the wall, knee between those legs and all his body weight pressing him against unyielding plaster. There was the little moan in response, the heat of desire on Dominic’s face and the glaze of lust in his eyes.

  Adrian skimmed his mouth over Dominic’s neck. “You’re a fucking little tease, aren’t you?”

  The reply was a wicked chuckle Adrian felt against his chest. “You don’t seem to mind.”

  Adrian pressed himself harder against Dominic and ran his teeth over the light stubble on that neck. “Just means I get to do all sorts of things to you in retribution.” He claimed Dominic’s mouth and swallowed whatever reply was about to come out from between those lips.

  As always, Dominic melted into Adrian as they kissed. So hungry and blazing hot. Every inch of the lithe body squirming and grinding against Adrian begged to be tamed and teased and fucked.

  And he would. Tonight he’d show Dominic how much their lovemaking on Wednesday had been an appetizer to the main course Adrian could provide.

  If Dominic wanted more than a fling. Which it seemed like he did—just like Adrian.

  When he broke the kiss, Dominic whimpered and leaned his head back against the wall, eyes closed, breathing fast.

  “Want leather around those pretty wrists of yours?” He nipped at Dominic’s chin. “Because I wanna tie you up and take you apart.”

  Dominic opened his eyes, and his pupils were huge. He met Adrian’s gaze with fire and decisiveness. “Yeah. Been waiting all night. Put those cuffs of yours on me and break me into a million pieces.”

  Desire spun up Adrian, quickening his heart. He’d been hard off and on since they’d been seated for dinner. He was hard now, with Dominic against him, but this—this scratched another need besides getting his rocks off.

  Control. Dominance. The ability to withhold or give pleasure as he saw fit. Sure, it stoked his fire, but just like feeding the tart to Dominic at dinner, that control also fed Adrian’s mind and heart and soul.

  “I’m not going to be gentle.” He ground his thigh into Dominic’s hard length.

  Dominic tried to arch, but only managed to lengthen his neck. His moan was half a sigh of contentment and half a groan of lust. “Good. I want to feel you on me and in me for the next week.”

  Adrian closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of Dominic’s skin and hair. The crisp linen of his shirt and the slight scent of pressed wool from his suit jacket. “We’re going to my bedroom, and once we get there, you’re going to do everything I say, unless you have some fundamental objection to my requests.”

  Though he was standing still, Dominic was shaking—vibrating—with excitement and tension. “And if I do have a fundamental objection?”

  Adrian opened his eyes and looked straight into Dominic’s. “You tell me.” He paused. “Or you can pick a safeword.”

  Dominic huffed out a breath. “Would you feel better if I did?”

  Interesting question. He kept his weight against Dominic, and still pressed his thigh against that hard cock Dominic tried to rut against him while he considered his answer. “I’ve played both ways. With a safeword and without.”

  “But which do you prefer?” That was a purr, a luscious whisper of words. “What turns you on most?”

  Dominic turned him on the most. All of him. His mind and body and the unfulfilled needs Adrian had glimpsed Wednesday. That core of steel, the softness and shyness. His passion and openness. His exhibitionist streak.

  He kissed Dominic’s jaw, then met those deep brown eyes. “I want you to feel safe and secure.”

  This time, his chuckle was gentle. “I’ve felt safe with you since you sat down next to me that first night. And I’d feel absolutely ridiculous if I have to blurt out kumquat or marzipan or another word I’ll never remember rather than just telling you I don’t want something.”

  Adrian laughed. He couldn’t help it. Then he kissed Dominic’s neck until he heard that helpless moan before relenting. “All right.” He released his hold on Dominic’s suit and worked his tie loose. “Do you remember where the master bedroom is?”

  “Yes.” A breathless answer.

  “Good. I want you to go up there, strip off every last bit of clothing you’re wearing, and I want you kneeling with your hands behind your back before I join you. You’re going to have about three minutes, and I don’t want to be disappointed. Do you think you can do that?”

  Dominic shuddered. His eyes were wide and clear, and he swallowed before answering, “Yeah.”

  “Good.” Adrian let go of the tie and stepped away. “Go.”

  Dominic swayed for an instant, then moved quickly toward the stairs. He didn’t run—nothing so frantic as that—he just moved at a very determined pace. He was out of sight and on the second floor in no time at all.

  Adrian palmed himself through his pants. Oh, he would enjoy every second of this. Dominic responded beautifully to commands, and he had a feeling placing his cuffs around those wrists would turn Dominic inside out.

  And if he indulged in the deep, deep satisfaction of being the first man to ever tie Dominic Bradley up, well, maybe that was only natural.

  The only firsts he’d ever had the pleasure of being part of before were his own.

  After pouring and drinking a glass of water in the kitchen, Adrian headed upstairs. He hadn’t been timing Dominic—he hadn’t even intended to. The creaking of the floorboards above his head did stop pretty rapidly nonetheless, and Adrian savored how Dominic might feel.

  The nervousness. The anticipation. The desire to please.

  Not unfamiliar emotions, since he had all of them as well, though he knew it couldn’t be the same.

  Still, when he entered his bedroom, nothing prepared him for the sight of Dominic naked and kneeling, hands at the small of his back, head slightly bowed. He’d positioned himself a
t the foot of the bed. Not too close, though—there was still enough space for Adrian to walk completely around Dominic.

  The wood floors sounded as Adrian entered, and Dominic shivered, but didn’t look over.

  Adrian never spoke right away—part of it was to savor the quiver and shake of his submissive while they waited to see if there was praise or scolding.

  Tonight, most of his lack of speech was due to Dominic taking his breath away.

  Dominic was fucking gorgeous on his knees and delightful to watch. Flushed. Hard. Nearly panting as he tried to control his breathing. So turned on and wound tight. He was someone who needed release in the worse way.

  A gift to Adrian—and he’d return that to Dominic, with interest.

  He paused behind Dominic, watching but not touching. Silent and waiting. Some submissives spoke around now, to ask if Adrian was pleased. Dominic raised his head slightly, but didn’t say a damn thing—and that alone nearly made Adrian groan in pleasure. He hadn’t asked for silence, but he also hadn’t given any other commands but strip and kneel. Yet Dominic waited. And waited. Controlled. Bound, even without leather. Without even knowing.

  God, this would be a pleasure.

  Dominic’s clothing was folded into a pile on the dresser. Adrian continued past him and slipped off his own suit jacket, folded it, and set it next to Dominic’s clothing. He turned and started in on his tie.

  An ever-so-slight movement from Dominic. He didn’t move his head, but he was obviously watching Adrian from the corners of his eyes.

  Good. There was that heady mix of soft and hard in Dominic—the need to obey and the strength to do it.

  Adrian took his time sliding off his tie, then worked the buttons of his shirt free before stripping that off, too. He left the suit pants on for now.

  Dominic shook, and his lips were parted as he strove to take in enough air.

  Adrian couldn’t help the smile as he spoke. “You’re magnificent, Dominic.”

  Instant flush. Dominic’s head bowed and his mouth snapped shut. But some of the tension was gone, melting into pleasure.

  “I find it hard to believe you’ve never knelt for anyone before.”