Counterpoint

by Anna Zabo

  Dominic straightened and looked at Adrian. “I’ve knelt plenty of times before, but never for anyone.”

  “But you’re kneeling for me.”

  A slow nod, and Dominic’s gaze turned inward. “For myself, too. But yeah, for you.”

  When he looked back Adrian’s heart skipped a beat, because there was the vulnerability, the trust, the hope he so wanted to pull from Dominic. Yes. Give me that. Like water in a desert, he wanted to drink Dominic down, pull them both into pleasure and comfort and that perfect moment where the world holds still.

  He held Dominic’s gaze a moment longer, then turned to his bed, to where the leather cuffs still hung off the frame, trusting that Dominic would look, too—and yes. There was that hitch of breath.

  He walked to the top of the bed and claimed the cuffs, and ran his fingers over the leather and metal. He’d used them on many partners, and it almost seemed like sacrilege to put them on Dominic, perhaps because there was more to this than merely claiming Dominic for the night. But he had no others that were this comfortable.

  And, in the end, they were Adrian’s cuffs, not anyone else’s.

  When he turned, Dominic met his gaze. His hands were still clasped behind his back, cock still hard and jutting, but that desperation was gone, replaced by a deeply rooted calm. “Please,” he said, his voice low and soft. “I want to know what it feels like.”

  “And so you shall.” As Adrian closed in on Dominic, two thoughts coalesced in his mind. The first was that claimings went both ways. The other was that after tonight, he’d never use these cuffs on any other person.

  Adrian gripped the cuffs and stepped forward.

  * * *

  Dom had never felt so liberated, free, and powerful as he did kneeling on the floor of Adrian’s bedroom, naked, and under Adrian’s command. All the pornos he’d seen and books he’d read with submission and BDSM—they seemed to have gotten this part wrong. Or maybe he hadn’t read the words right, because he probably ought to not feel like he could take over the world right now.

  Then again, that’s how he felt when he put Domino on and walked onstage.

  Yeah, he was nervous and so fucking turned on that every breath ached his balls and cock, but even when Adrian stroked his cheek and he shivered into the touch, that sense of calm and poise and power remained.

  He’d do whatever Adrian asked because he could and chose to.

  “Dominic.” His name was a caress on Adrian’s tongue. “You’ve truly never played before? Never done anything like this?”

  “No. I—I’ve read about it, though.”

  “Yes, so you said.” Laughter there. Adrian slipped behind Dom. From the shift of fabric and the creek of the floor, Dom guessed that Adrian too had knelt.

  Fingers at Dom’s left wrist, somehow cool against his skin. “Loosen your arms for me.” Adrian’s breath was hot across the back of Dom’s neck.

  He’d worn leather cuffs as part of Domino’s outfits. But he’d been the one to buckle them on himself. This—this was different. He was acutely aware of the smoothness and softness of the padding inside and the cool touch as the cuff tightened around his wrist. The tug wasn’t his own. Adrian’s hands held him, his fingers traced up Dom’s arms.

  “I can’t get over all this ink,” Adrian murmured. “I want to taste every inch of you again.”

  The weight of those words circled him like the leather band, and Dom shuddered, tendrils of pleasure sliding down into his balls and up into his head.

  Then Adrian put the other cuff on, and somehow it was more intense this time. Still, that sense of power, but it was coupled with such a feeling of security. Of peace. That overlaid the desire and need and heightened every ounce of it.

  He moaned. Couldn’t help it.

  “God,” Adrian breathed. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” He brought Dom’s wrists close together, and there was a little click. “There you are.” Lips brushed the nape of Dom’s neck. “In my leather, with your hands bound behind your back. For me.”

  “Yes.” The word came straight from his soul, and it was Adrian who moaned.

  The floorboards echoed Dom’s groans as Adrian rose and came to stand in front of Dom.

  Those strong fingers gripped Dominic’s chin. “I think I know what to do with that mouth of yours.”

  God, yes. He wanted Adrian’s dick so badly. Wanted the salt and taste of him. The groans. “Bet you do.”

  “I’m not going to be kind tonight, Dominic. I’ll fuck you how I like, including that throat of yours.”

  It was a warning, but also a question, too, Dom realized. Still making sure this was fine, that Dom had no reservations. He smirked up at Adrian. “Bet I can take it.”

  Yes, fuck yes. He wanted to be used, wanted it to be hard and raw and rough. Dom wanted it, trusted Adrian, and knew he would take care of him.

  Adrian’s lips twitched, and he reached for his belt.

  There was the glorious sound of the buckle opening. The slide of the tongue from the loops and the sensuous sound of a button and a zipper being undone. Adrian freed his thick shaft from his pants and underwear and stroked himself idly. “I suppose we’ll find that out.”

  Adrian slid one hand into Dom’s hair and pulled tight. The shock and flare of pain had Dom gasping just as Adrian stepped in and shoved the head of his cock into Dom’s mouth.

  He moaned around it, unable to move his head for the tightness of Adrian’s grip. Tears sprang to the corners of his eyes. So fucking good. No one ever manhandled him like this.

  “Suck it, Dominic. Now.” An edge to Adrian’s voice.

  Dom shivered and did as told, with all his skill and passion, taking in as much of Adrian’s length as he could. Working his tongue around the shaft. Over veins, around the glans, into the slit, then opening his throat even more when Adrian thrust in. He’d fucking make Adrian come if he could.

  If he was allowed to. And there was the sense of freedom and euphoria. He didn’t have to worry about that—he only needed to take Adrian’s thrusts, open himself, and give the best blowjob he knew how.

  He doubled down and was rewarded by a moan and Adrian’s slurred words. “Fucking hell. Your mouth. Goddamn.”

  Dom strained against the cuffs and the link that held them together, wanting to feel the weight of Adrian’s balls in his hands, the hard muscles of his ass, but he was bound and restrained, and for the first time, he ached at the loss of control.

  Adrian chuckled. “I was wondering when you’d realize that.” He gripped Dom’s hair harder. “Means you can’t stop me if I want to go deep.”

  That was all the warning Dom had before the gentle thrusts in and out of his mouth became harder and more demanding. “Open for me, Dominic. Fucking take every inch of my cock.”

  His moan sounded more like a whine, and he let Adrian slide in deep and long until he was almost sure he wouldn’t pull out enough to let him breathe—but he did. Just enough before he thrust in again. Fast, deep. His nose in Adrian’s pubes. Tears in his eyes. The slick sounds of grunts and choking and moans—his and Adrian’s.

  “That’s it. Just like that. A good little cocksucker getting his face fucked like he deserves.”

  Yeah. He did deserve it. He fucking wanted it like this. He’d never known how much he’d needed this. It was hot and perfect and just brutal enough to leave him gasping and moaning and a total wreck. He was so fucking hard that if Adrian nudged Dom’s dick with his shoe, he’d spill all over those nice, shiny leather shoes.

  He nearly did without the nudge, but he couldn’t quite reach that release. Heaven and hell. He’d never been suspended like that before.

  Adrian’s hold on his head loosened ever so slightly, and his breath was hard and ragged as he spoke. “You’re gonna drink down every drop of my come, or I’ll make you lick what you spill from the floor.”

&
nbsp; Oh god. Yes. He’d do either. Dom could only moan around Adrian’s shaft, and it thickened and thrust in and out of Dom’s throat until Adrian bit back a wordless curse and came hot and hard on Dominic’s tongue.

  Dom sucked and swallowed and mouthed Adrian as he groaned and thrust with a hell of a lot less control than before, until he was utterly spent and Dom was left shaking and wanting with tears in his eyes. He looked up, and Adrian’s eyes weren’t dry either—his expression was almost one of shock.

  Fingers traced his chin and caressed his lips. “Fucking hell, babe,” Adrian murmured.

  Dom knew from experience that this wasn’t the end of the night. He didn’t expect Adrian to drop down to his knees, though, to take Dom’s face between his hands and kiss him like he was the only man in existence.

  But that’s what Adrian did, and Dom moaned into him, every nerve on fire.

  Adrian wiped away the wetness on Dom’s face. “I love tasting me on your tongue.”

  “Fuck my face more often, then.” His words were whispered and hoarse.

  A deep rumble of amusement and a pat on the cheek. “We’ve only had two nights.”

  Felt like so much more. Everything with Adrian was hot and fast, and yet somehow so slow and perfect, too. Like now, when Adrian pulled him up from the floor and took him to the bed.

  Adrian unclasped the cuffs from each other. “Lie down on your back. I’m going to tie you to the headboard for a little while. See what you think of that.”

  Dom exhaled, a strange heat running through his body that had nothing to do with the ache of his cock. “Yeah, okay.”

  Adrian took each arm and swung it up, murmuring how Dom should move, how he needed to position his body. Gentle voice, gentle touch. He was still in all his clothing, too.

  “Wanna see you naked,” Dom said. Everything was heady and light again.

  Adrian smiled and touched his face. “Do you?”

  “Yeah. I mean, if you want? ’Cause I guess I’m not supposed to demand anything, am I?”

  He couldn’t even name the emotions that flickered over Adrian’s features, but there was such a weight to them, and in his gravelly voice. “You, Dominic, can always ask me for anything you wish.”

  What he wished. He wanted everything. This moment. Wednesday. Whatever happened tomorrow. He wanted the band and Domino. He wanted Adrian to make the world go away so only Dom existed. Dom and Adrian.

  “I’m in way over my head.”

  “Shh.” Adrian’s brow furrowed. “So am I.”

  Dom closed his eyes. Oh fucking hell. He was gonna fall in love with Adrian. After two damn dates. That wasn’t safe and it wasn’t fair at all.

  A touch on his arm had Dom opening his eyes again. “You’ll miss the show,” Adrian said, and pulled off his tie.

  He stripped the rest of his clothing off, watching Dom the entire time. Soon that amazing body was exposed once more, in every mouthwatering detail. It was everything Dom remembered, and so much more. “You’re fucking hot.”

  “Why thank you.” Adrian got his quirky, wicked grin and picked up a bundle of rope. “And as a reward, I’m going to tie you up. If it’s too much, tell me and I’ll cut you free.”

  “It’s not gonna be too much.”

  Adrian shook his head. “You don’t know that yet.”

  But he did. Because ropes didn’t scare him. The thought of being bound only made his blood hot and his mind relax. What terrified him was the looming future, his guitar, and how much he’d have to give up to have everything he wanted.

  Adrian tied his right wrist first, stretching his arm in the process, and it felt so damn good he arched his back. “Fuck, babe, you do like this, don’t you?”

  Dom met Adrian’s stare. “Yeah it’s...” He huffed out a breath. “It’s like soaring.” Or being onstage. The thrill, the heat and charge, and the utter security. “I’m safe.” He relaxed into the bed. “I’m safe here.”

  Adrian stroked his arms. “Makes me want to tie your legs down, too.”

  Oh hell, that sent a bolt of lightning down his body. “Yeah, please.”

  “Not tonight. Partly to tease you—because I love that—but mostly because I think you can hold yourself still for me.”

  A different heat flowed and settled in his balls and dick. The cuffs might calm him, but a hit of Adrian’s command sent lust racing into every part. “Fuck.”

  For that he got a smirk, and Adrian stroked himself a few times. “Not quite there yet. But I bet once you’re tied down and listening to me... I will be.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Fingers danced up his left arm, and that too was tied to the headboard. Same warm touch swept over Dom’s lips. “You’re talking, not listening.”

  He couldn’t resist opening his mouth and sucking those fingers in. Adrian hissed, then grunted. “Your mouth is always trouble.”

  Dom hummed around Adrian’s fingers, which slid in and out between his lips. He couldn’t help thrusting his hips in time with the motion.

  “God, I could watch you like this all day,” Adrian murmured. “In fact...” He withdrew his fingers and slipped down to the end of the bed. He cascaded both hands up Dom’s legs, tightened, and pulled him down the bed until his arms were taut and stretched to either side of his head.

  Oh fuck, that felt fantastic, and he couldn’t help squirming and bucking.

  “Dominic.” Adrian’s voice was sharp. “I want you still.”

  Fire rained down along his body, and he fought to control himself, even as every instinct said to keep moving, keep searching for purchase and pleasure. He was panting by the time he managed to stop the squirms and the thrusts.

  “Better,” Adrian said. Sure enough, Adrian’s flagging dick was thicker now. He patted Dom’s legs, then spread them apart, bending them at the knees and arranging them wide, making Dom’s thighs ache ever so slightly. “Now, I want you to stay like that for me.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  “Touch you anywhere I want.” Adrian ran fingers over the instep of Dom’s foot. “And you’re not going to move, are you?”

  Dom pressed his head into the mattress and fought every twitch. He whimpered and then groaned when Adrian chuckled darkly.

  That sound didn’t nearly prepare Dom for what followed. Adrian stalked around the bed, touching and teasing with his hands and his mouth until Dom was a moaning, twitching mess. Those minutes or hours—he honestly couldn’t tell—were the most amazing, wonderful, sensual, and painful moments of his life. Like walking onstage to screams and cheers, only magnified a thousand times. He was brighter than the sun and he’d melt away and die if Adrian didn’t fuck him soon.

  “Please,” he moaned. “Please!”

  Adrian’s own breathing was raspy and rough. This time he trailed a finger against Dom’s taint, and it took everything not to buck up. Dom pulled on the cuffs at his wrists, needing the security and strength there. “Adrian!”

  “You want me inside you, Dominic?” Gravel voice, dripping with desire.

  “Need you!”

  Another laugh, but this one wasn’t dark. No, it was sweet and full of warm honey. “Good. Because I need you, too, babe. Want your heat and your tears.” He grabbed a condom and the lube from the bedside table.

  Finally he had Dom move, enough to allow Adrian to prep his entrance with lubed fingers. Then he had Dom wrap his legs around him as he slowly—fucking hell, so slowly—slid in. That was torture, sheer pleasure coursing up Dom’s body, into his brain. He shook against the rope that tied him to the bedframe and screamed.

  “God,” Adrian breathed. “You’re perfect.” Then he thrust hard and deep, and any hope Dom had of remaining still flew away.

  He thrashed and gasped, as much as he could with leather at his wrists and Adrian’s strong hands gripping his hips. He’d proba
bly have bruises tomorrow. Lovely, wonderful marks to remind him of this wondrous torture. Of Adrian plowing into him like he could take all of Dom, like they were built to be together. He’d been on edge for so long, body aching for release, that he flew and soared and cried Adrian’s name over and over until that heat and light became too much and all he could do was babble.

  “Dominic,” Adrian called, his voice surprisingly soft, given how hard he was ramming into Dom. He took Dom’s cock in his warm hand and stroked it in time with their motions. “Let go. Let me take you where you want to be.”

  Out of his head. Out of the world. He was nearly there. Trembling and crying, Dom let go of everything and trusted Adrian would sweep up what was left. His orgasm broke over him, hard and fast, blinding him and steeling his breath. Heat melted his bones and his brain clicked off for one glorious moment.

  “Yeah, babe, just like that.” Adrian rode him through the peak and came himself, moaning and shuddering into Dom.

  He didn’t know how long Adrian held him, remained inside him, just felt the horrible absence when he pulled out.

  “Shh.” Fingers on Dom’s wet face again. “It’s okay.”

  “Fuck.” He couldn’t think straight. “How do you do this to me every time?”

  Adrian lowered Dom’s legs, then crawled up enough on the bed to kiss his forehead. “Only two points of data. Need more to see if it’s every time.”

  Dom’s laugh was half a sob of pleasure.

  Lips brushed his. “You’re okay, right?”

  Dom met Adrian’s gaze. Would have smoothed out that creased brow if he could have moved—if he hadn’t been tied down. “Oh yeah. Better than okay.” He was well fucked and still trembling. His pulse pounded, and the man whose voice and touch made him want to do that all over again was hovering above him. “Please kiss me, Adrian.”

  He did, and it was the best damn kiss Dom had ever experienced. When Adrian untied him, cleaned him up, and poured him under the covers, after he’d taken Dom into his arms, he kissed him a second time, and that was nearly as good. “I quite like you, Dominic Bradley.”