Cup of Joe (Bold Brew 1)

“Something is in the air, naughty boy.” I pushed my empty dinner plate away. I didn’t want to think about anyone else’s romance, but flirting was always the more fun option with him. Levi had done all this to help me relax. Least I could do was find the energy for a scene. “Think all this dinner work earned you a reward?”

“No.” He was still smiling, yet his tone was back to bossy.

“No?” I couldn’t tell if he was starting a game or turning down sex.

“I don’t want it all about me like usual—”

“I love making it all about you.” And I did, especially when I wasn’t this tired.

I’d never been particularly good about having all the attention on me, so focusing on Levi came naturally to me whether part of a domination game or not. Even when the game involved getting me off, like when he blew me, I was always hyperaware of him and what I could do to maximize his enjoyment.

“I know.” Giving a sympathetic nod, he stood up and came to drape himself over me from behind. “But tonight let me make you feel good? Please?”

“Getting you off does make me feel good. And scenes always get me out of a funk.”

“Oh, I’m not turning down any filthy Daddy dirty talk, but I don’t need a scene. You’re exhausted.” Taking my hand, he pulled me to standing then tugged me toward the bedroom. “And I’m going to put you to bed.”

I couldn’t deny that sounded amazing, even if I did feel guilty. There was always this undercurrent in my brain of needing to provide the kink that Levi enjoyed so much, of wanting to be the sort of Dom he craved and needed. Especially because the more we spent time together, the more I truly wanted to be everything he needed.

However, maybe he needed this sort of vibe as well. He moved with a new confidence, undoing my buttons in between assertive kisses that evaded any of my attempts to take over.

“It’s cold in here,” I protested as he tossed my shirt to the floor.

“I’ll warm you up.” His wink said he knew perfectly well my discomfort had more to do with being naked than the temperature of the room. But then he was licking my neck and shoulder while undoing my belt, and I forgot I was supposed to be reluctant.

“I’m not going to make you watch this in a mirror.” He chuckled as he pushed me back onto the bed. The bed here was smaller than at my place, but I didn’t mind because any space where I got to wake up with cuddly Levi was worth it. “But I am going to tell you again that you turn me on like crazy. Also, you haven’t let me explore nearly enough.”

He quickly shucked his own clothes before scampering up after me with an impish grin. And I didn’t need any mirror tricks or Levi’s body-love psychology. All I needed was his face in that moment, his eyes hot and urgent, mouth slightly parted, flush spreading up his neck. He was into me, and he wasn’t faking it, and that, after the dinner, was enough to make my eyes burn. And my heart twinge.

“Have at me.” I spread my arms wide for emphasis. Have at me. My body. My brain. My heart. All his.

Chapter Twenty

Levi

I finally had Joe exactly where I wanted him.

Naked, in my bed, and at my disposal. Taking care of him—in every way—was exactly what I needed right then, perhaps even more than he did.

Most of the time, I was more than okay with simply living in the moment with Joe. But earlier in the day, I’d had an email from the professor I was subletting from, confirming her return in August. And two emails from the student-loan authority explaining that my repayment schedule would start in the fall. My summer grace period from the real world was about to end.

Thus, helping Joe tonight had been a most welcome distraction from freaking out about the coming changes. I’d had fun, setting the table, and heating the food up. When he’d relaxed and gazed at me with grateful eyes, the chances of us making it longer than a single season seemed far greater. Arriving at this place where the caretaking was more mutual and fluid made us feel like a real couple, one with more than shared kink holding us together.

And now Joe was naked and gazing up at me expectantly, and my nerves kept jangling. I wanted this good for him.

“If I tell you to stop making Daddy wait, would that turn this too much into a scene?” The edge to Joe’s voice gave him away. He too was slightly nervous. This was new and different and more than a little vulnerable for both of us.