Safe in His Arms (28 page)

but the welts were no longer raised. He wondered if the marks remained but was too

comfortable to climb out of bed to see.

He had loved the caning. No, love wasn‘t the right word. It didn‘t capture the

intensity, the power of the experience. He didn‘t entirely understand why the cane,

more than Russell‘s hand, more than the flogger he‘d sometimes used, had pulled such

a fierce and intense response from deep within him. Maybe Russell understood. Maybe

Russell had the words to give more shape to the experience.

―Russell?‖ he asked softly.

He wasn‘t really expecting an answer, since he assumed Russell was sleeping but to

his surprise Russell replied, ―Yeah?‖

―Can I ask you something? About the caning?‖

―Sure.‖ Russell put his arm around Hank, pulling him closer.

Hank nestled against him, gathering his thoughts. He wanted to say this right, but

wasn‘t sure he had the words. ―You know,‖ he finally ventured, ―I‘ve never felt so

connected to another person, and yet at the same time, so free. I mean, I knew I wanted

to experience the cane, and it was amazing, but something else happened. I don‘t know,

something between us. Did you feel it, or am I nuts?‖

―Oh, I felt it, all right.‖ Russell‘s voice was warm. ―Absolutely. We both moved to a

new place last night, not just you, but me too. I don‘t think we could have done what

we did without it coming from both of us. Look how far we‘ve both come since we first

met.‖

―I was a total ass when we first met,‖ Hank interjected. ―I don‘t know why you

gave me a second thought.‖

―I‘ve told you.‖ Hank could hear the smile in Russell‘s voice and it filled him with a

quiet happiness. ―Somehow, I just knew you were worth it.‖ Russell‘s voice grew more

serious as he added, ―You weren‘t the only one afraid of getting close. I‘ve had my

share of heartbreak. It‘s been a long time since I felt ready to say I love you to someone.

But I can say it now, Hank. I love you.‖

They kissed then, gentle, sweet kisses that spoke not only to their mutual sexual

desire, but to the deep, abiding friendship that had risen between them. Hank felt as if

his heart were being squeezed, bursting as it was with love for this man.

When at last they pulled apart Russell said, ―I‘m so proud of you, Hank. You‘ve

really proved your mettle these past months. Not only in taking charge of your own life

and making changes that needed to be made. But in how you stepped up for me when

Vince got in the accident, and afterwards. I know I can rely on you now. And beyond

that, the faith you demonstrated last night, the way you let me take you where you

needed to go with the cane, that was really something to see. I was transported along

with you. It took not only you, but me as well, to that new level we‘ve talked about. We

shared the experience. I was with you, every step of the way, and it was, to quote you,

fucking amazing.‖

All at once, Hank had the words. He knew now what it was that had let the last

vestiges of a deep rooted fear of intimacy finally slip away, no longer needed.

―I feel safe, Russell. For the first time in my life, I feel safe to be myself.‖

They were pressed close, their bodies aligned from chest to thigh, warm skin

touching, hearts gently beating. ―You are safe, Hank. Safe in my arms.‖

―And you, Russ,‖ Hank replied, meaning it more than anything he‘d ever said in

his life, ―are safe in mine.‖

Also Available at Romance Unbound Publishing

(http://romanceunbound.com)

Heart of Submission

The Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay – Book 1: Finding Chandler

The Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay – Book 2: A Test of Love

The Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay – Book 3: Switching Gears

The Solitary Knights of Pelham Bay – Book 4: Stardust

Texas Surrender

Cast a Lover‘s Spell

Sarah‘s Awakening

Wicked Hearts

Submission Times Two

Confessions of a Submissive

A Princely Gift

Accidental Slave

Slave Girl

Lara‘s Submission

Slave Jade

Obsession

Golden Angel: Unwilling Sex Slave

The Toy

Frog

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