Chapter 79

Brian peered out from under his lashes. Donald was soaked head to toe, his custom leather shoes waterlogged, sharp creased trousers and custom-made shirt trashed. Brian was so mortified, he didn’t know where to hide. He stood in the middle of the tub looking from side to side, seeking a quick exit.

Donald began to laugh. It was deep and hearty, a rich basso of a laugh. “Oh no you don’t my boy,” Donald purred. “You’re mine and you are going nowhere except straight into my bed this evening. I thought that perhaps you were too injured, too traumatized by the incident at the club for my attentions.

However, if you can create this much havoc, you are well enough.

You may speak whenever you wish.”

Brian grabbed a large towel, threw it around his waist, and fell to his Master’s feet, holding tight onto his legs and sobbing out incoherent promises.

Donald sat down on a chair placed strategically next to the tub. He toed off the expensive shoes while continuing to stroke Brian’s head, murmuring reassurance. He shrugged off the wet shirt and moved Brian to dispose of the pants, breaking the habits of a lifetime by leaving it all on the floor to deal with in the morning.

Using the towel he wrapped around his boy, he made quick work of drying Brian and then his own body. He took his boy up into his arms, and walked through the door and over to the bed. Using one muscled arm to hold Brian, he turned down the duvet and sat Brian down on the bed. Blue eyes gazed into green.

“Speak, Brian. Tell me,” Bear commanded, soft voiced.

“I know I failed you, Sir, but I was frozen. I wasn’t allowed to speak. He grabbed me and I couldn’t run. He tackled me. I didn’t expect it, and so I fell. He sat on me and pulled my hair to force my mouth to his face. I couldn’t yell and he was too strong, although I tried to escape. Then Frankie had them hold Bull at gunpoint. I broke silence and yelled to you that he had a gun.

When Frankie used the knife to strip me, I couldn’t fight. He was going to shoot Bull. Then he took the knife to my…” Brian’s sobs got louder as his body quivered.

“I didn’t see the other one put his mouth on you. I would have killed him,” Donald stated in a whisper that was more frightening than his Bear’s roar. 14

“Sir, please don’t send me away.” Brian knew he was babbling, everything jumbled up in his mind. The one fragment of clarity was the idea that somehow, some way, he had to convince Donald to keep him forever. “I know I’m nerdy, clumsy, and I come with issues, but, Sir, no one will ever love you as much as I will. I swear, Sir.” Tears streamed down his face.

“Dear Lord,” Donald said as he pulled Brian into a rough embrace. “Youwere perfect. I failed you, my boy, I failed you.”

Donald had to clear his throat several times before he trusted himself to speak with any coherence.

“My boy, you were perfect…perfect in every way. The trouble is not on your head, but mine. I sent you with Jim Boy. He invited you to gossip, but you didn’t. The short cut through the cigar room would have displeased me and you knew it. You are an intelligent sub who thinks on his feet. You knew enough to question Jim Boy, and you cared for my preference and did the right thing. I was waiting for you at the other side of the room.

Jim was instructed to lead you right to my feet.”

As he spoke, Donald moved around the bed and climbed in the other side. He propped up several pillows, sat against them, and pulled Brian back into his arms. Donald turned his face and nuzzled Brian’s neck, planting wet kisses along the collarbone.

“I’m so besotted with you, I planned to skip the trial period and ask you for full partnership. You are perfect for me in every way.”

Brian burrowed into Bear’s chest, his fingers making whorls in the springy curls.

Donald sensed Brian was about to speak, and forestalled it with a swift kiss and a finger on his full pink lips.

“I need you to understand why I had to test your strength. Jim Boy would have mentioned Antonio. You didn’t ask questions, which I expected. What blew me away was your deep sense of personal honor. You refused to let Jim feed you information. You stopped him from giving you insight, which might have furthered your cause. Then, you avoided the cigar room just to please me.