Chapter Three

Brandon

Crossing to the kitchen cabinet next to the stove, Brandon hummed to himself. He had the next couple days off and after his visitor the night before, Brandon’s decision to make a move on Dane had him buzzing. Liquid courage. That was what he needed.

After sleeping in, Brandon had spent the afternoon playing in his room while Dane and Maverick had been at work. Dane was putting his weapon away in the safe that he’d brought over, so Brandon didn’t have much time.

He was going to do this! Brandon was a brave boy and he wanted Dane.

One shot. Maybe two. He didn’t drink often. Ever. His meds wouldn’t mix well with alcohol, but Brandon figured one little shot wouldn’t harm him. He pulled open the cabinet door and stared.

Nothing.

He rose to his tiptoes in case Eric had moved the liquor bottles to a higher shelf. They did have a little girl who lived in the house with them. Nope. The bottles were gone. Damn. Beer! Eric kept beer in the fridge. He closed the cabinet door before spinning around.

“There isn’t any.”

Brandon squeaked as Dane spoke from the doorway. Brandon covered his racing heart with his palm. “You scared me!”

Dane dropped his head. “I’m sorry.”

“There isn’t any what?” Brandon asked.

“Alcohol.” Dane didn’t look at him.

“Oh.” Brandon shrugged. “I can go to the store tomorrow.” His mind raced trying to think of what to do now. He’d had a plan, damn it!

“Please don’t.”

“Don’t…” Brandon peered over at the other man. Dane wore those sinfully tight jeans with a wide black belt with his black T-shirt tucked in. The muscles of his shoulders, arms, and pecs strained under the thin cotton. He was a fucking wet dream and he had to know it. Brandon wanted to slowly unwrap Dane like he was a present.

Dane swallowed hard before he looked up. There was something in his dark gaze that concerned Brandon. His brain screeched to a stop. He needed to stop thinking about his dick. Something was wrong.

“Dane?”

“Your brother removed all the alcohol from the house before I came to stay.”

Brandon really didn’t drink so he hadn’t noticed. “Okay.”

“Because of me.” Dane pushed off the doorframe. He rolled his shoulders while lifting his chin. “I’m an alcoholic.”

The confession hung in the air between them.

“Oh.” Brandon dropped his hands to his side. Had he ever heard that before? No, Brandon was sure he would have remembered that. He remembered everything about Dane.

Dane’s jaw was set.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” What else should he say? It didn’t bother Brandon. Brandon understood addictions, even if it wasn’t something he struggled with himself. Still, as a nurse, Brandon had seen the struggle from alcohol and drugs.

“I’ve been sober for eighteen months,” Dane told him.

Brandon lifted his hand. “You don’t have to—”

“I do,” Dane stressed. “You should know that the man staying with you has a drinking problem. That your brother removed the bottles of liquor and beer because I can’t handle being around them.”

He sounded so angry. Hurt. Brandon’s heart ached. Here was a reminder that while Brandon had been struggling and healing, the people around him also had their own demons. A small part of him was relieved that he wasn’t the only person who struggled on a daily basis but that made him feel like shit for even thinking about it. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for!” Dane barked.

Brandon jumped.

Dane took several steps back and dropped his head again. “I didn’t mean to yell. I wouldn’t hurt you.”

“I know that!” Brandon snapped. He wasn’t afraid of Dane. The volume had just surprised him. Dane was always so careful with Brandon. Too careful.

“I’ll…” Dane shook his head. “I’ll go to my room.”

“Wait!” Brandon called before Dane could run away. He fisted his hands on his hips. They needed to talk about this. “Why did you tell me?”

Dane glanced up.

His eyes held so much pain. Brandon wanted to take the question back. He pushed forward. Communication. This was important. “About your drinking problem. Why did you tell me?”

“You deserve to know.”

Not the answer he was looking for. “Why?” Brandon hoped he wasn’t pushing too hard. In his mind and heart, Dane already belonged to him.

“Because I’m staying in the house with you. Because you need to know what kind of man is across the hall from you.”

Brandon pressed his lips together. It was obvious that Dane was uncomfortable with this conversation. That he wanted to run. Hide. Brandon knew that feeling well. If he allowed Dane to run from him, they might not get this moment again. “Come here.”

“What?” Dane’s entire body was taut.

“Come here,” he demanded. Brandon knew what he wanted. He didn’t need alcohol. That had been a dumb idea anyway.

Dane slowly, carefully, shuffled forward on his bare feet. He had sexy feet. Big. Veiny. Brandon would bet everything about Dane was big.

Brandon beckoned him closer when Dane stopped at least six feet away.

He appeared suspicious but kept scooting forward. Dane’s dark eyes spoke volumes to Brandon. Dane was begging not to be judged. Rejected. Didn’t Dane know that Brandon would never do that?

Leaning back against the counter, Brandon lifted a brow in challenge. “I don’t bite.”

Dane huffed but he finally closed the distance.

“Thank you for telling me,” Brandon said sincerely.

“Yeah, no problem.” Dane shrugged.

“I don’t drink,” Brandon said. “Shouldn’t drink with my meds.”

He received that scowl that was becoming so familiar. “You were looking for alcohol. That’s all Eric kept in that cabinet.”

Wow, Dane knew the house well. That shouldn’t warm Brandon the way it did. Dane was Eric’s friend. Had been Eric’s partner in the narcotics division before Brandon had even been there. Yes, Eric had moved into a new house with Brandon. Dane probably knew Eric better than Brandon did. At least the adult version. A small part of Brandon hoped that Dane paid attention to him.

“It’s fine,” Dane said. “You can drink.” He shook his head. “If they mess with your meds though—”

“Liquid courage,” Brandon admitted.

Dane’s eyes widened as he went to step back. “Because of me.”

Without thought, Brandon grabbed Dane by the front of his belt to stop him. His fingers closed around the thick black leather, and it felt right. Perfect. Brandon never touched anyone this way.

“Brandon.” Dane’s voice was strained.

Huh, when had he looked down? Brandon lifted his gaze and met Dane’s, finding that Dane was practically vibrating. “Yes?”

“Let go.”

“No.” No, Brandon wasn’t going to do that. Not when he finally had Dane right where he wanted him.

“Brandon.” Dane growled out his name.

“Dane,” Brandon whimpered in response.

“Let go,” Dane ordered.

Slipping his fingers into the waistband of Dane’s jeans to get a better hold, Brandon tugged.

Dane snarled. The wariness and hurt had gone from his gaze, replaced by hot need. Perfect. That was what Brandon had been waiting to see.

“If you don’t want this…don’t want me, then I’ll let you go.” He tugged again. “I would never betray your consent.”

“That’s not what this is about.”

He tugged again. Yeah, he didn’t think so. “What’s it about?”

Dane stared hard at him.

Brandon grew nervous but he’d come this far. He was not going to back down. Not unless Dane said no and meant it. Did they need a safe word?

Dane’s jaw twitched with how hard he was clenching his teeth. “If you tug me one more time, I won’t be responsible for what I do.”

He shivered. “We need a safe word,” Brandon told him.

“You aren’t ready for this. For me. Brandon, we shouldn’t—”

Brandon laughed. “You don’t have any idea what I’m ready for. Safe word?”

“Traffic light system. Red, yellow, green.”

“Same.” Brandon was empowered. Strong. He wasn’t the same broken boy that had been found bleeding on the bathroom floor. Staring into Danne’s eyes, Brandon tugged hard.

Their chests slammed together.

Brandon was smashed against the counter digging into his back.

Dane growled as he grabbed the back of Brandon’s head while locking their lips tight.

Brandon melted.

Fuck!

Dane could kiss. Knew how much pressure to use. How to coax Brandon into an intimate tongue dance that had Brandon’s dick wanting to join the party. Dane nibbled on Brandon’s lip. Brandon opened for him. Dane thrust his tongue inside as he held the back of Brandon’s head with his left hand. His right arm wrapped around Brandon and Brandon was lifted onto his tiptoes.

There wasn’t an inch between them.

Brandon could feel every hard ridge and muscle of Dane’s body. Dane’s impressive erection digging into him.

This wasn’t a gentle coaxing kiss. Dane was demanding Brandon’s responses. Brandon clung to Dane’s strong shoulders.

Pulling back until they were a breath apart, Dane growled. “I’m not a good man, Brandon. I would never hurt you but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be afraid.”

“Afraid of what?” Brandon challenged.

Dane’s left hand caressed his cheek before he lightly wrapped those callused fingers around his neck. He tipped Brandon’s chin up with his thumb. “The control I want to have over you.”

Brandon gasped. Dane was correct. Brandon should be terrified. His brain was trying to send out warning signals. His cock pulsed in time with his frantically beating heart. “I’m not scared.” And he wasn’t. Not with this man.

“You think you want me. That you can handle this. You can’t.”

Didn’t Dane realize that Brandon had already made this decision? “Try me.”

“What if I told you that you need more than a safe word? You need a nonverbal way to show me your boundaries.”

“I would ask you why,” Brandon replied.

Dane bared his teeth. “Because I plan to fuck you until you can’t talk. Scream. Beg for mercy.”

“Two taps on your right shoulder,” Brandon answered quickly. Excitement raced down his spine. Dane sounded like he knew how Brandon wanted to be touched. Taken.

“If we do this, there won’t be any going back. You'll belong to me. Do you understand what that means?”

“Tell me,” Brandon ordered. He needed the terms spelled out to him.

“You will be the most precious person in my life. When I said control, I meant it. You’ll tell me where you are always. You will lean on me when you need to. I’ll be your person. For everything.”

Brandon began to shake. That…that was what he wanted. His person. Brandon deserved someone who put him first. Who needed Brandon as much as Brandon needed his partner.

“I will never lift my hands at you in anger or any other time. I know your past. I won’t even spank that amazing ass of yours. I won’t tie you up. I won’t need to. If I tell you to keep your hands somewhere, you will do it for me because you want to.”

He was going to come! Just from Dane’s words. Brandon sucked in a sharp breath, held it, then pushed the air out his mouth.

“I’ll be in charge of when and how you come.”

“Okay.” He hoped he got to come a lot.

“You think I’m the hero of your story, but I’m really the monster hiding in the corner.”

“I’m not looking for a hero.” He’d had that once. A man who presented himself as the hero. A helper. That was not what he’d been. A dirty cop, an abuser—there was many names Brandon could use for his ex.

“This won’t be a secret. That is due to many factors. One, I won’t hide you or what you mean to me. Second, I respect your brother. I won’t lie to him. Third, I won't hurt you mentally or physically. If you need help. Get scared. You need to have someone you can turn to. Eric. Remi. Your friends. You will have resources.”

The words were the opposite that a monster would say.

“Lastly, I’m fucked up in the head. You have PTSD. So do I. It would be irresponsible as a Dom or Daddy if I didn’t take responsibility to keep things safe for both of us.”

Brandon nodded.

“I need to hear the words,” Dane said. “You can take time to think about it.”

Fuck that! “I want you, Dane. I want you to do everything you just promised. Be my Daddy?”

“God damn, boy.” Dane’s fingers tightened briefly on his throat. “I’ve fucking wanted you for months now.”

“I’m right here,” Brandon whispered.

Dane slammed his mouth down on his.

It seemed nearly impossible that this kiss was more powerful, deeper, hotter than the previous one, but it was.

Brandon’s whine got stuck in his throat as Dane tongue-fucked his mouth.

Dane grabbed his ass cheeks hard before lifting Brandon off his feet. Brandon wrapped his legs around Dane’s waist, pressing his hard cock into Dane’s washboard abs.

Dane took a step back then another.

From the door, Maverick gave a low bark.

They broke from the kiss to look at their K-9 companion.

“Stay,” Dane ordered.

Maverick dropped onto his stomach.

Brandon made a sound of protest.

“I’m not fucking you in front of my dog,” Dane grumbled.

Yeah, that would be weird. As Dane carried him out of the kitchen and down the hall, Brandon sent Maverick a sad look. He’d make it up with special treats later. Brandon had a treat of his own that he was very interested in. He didn’t know what Dane had planned, but before the morning light, Brandon hoped to have Dane’s cock in his mouth.

They’d put Dane and Maverick in the room that Ezra had first stayed in. Ezra had moved all his belongings into Eric’s room after the first night that they’d shared together.

So close to Brandon but he’d still been too far away.

Dane closed the door behind them before he carefully placed Brandon in the middle of the mattress.

“This is the last time I’ll ask,” Dane told him. “Are you sure, Brandon? Do you want me as your Daddy? As your Dom?”

He didn’t even think. “With all my heart, Dane,” he replied.

Dane tugged the tight black shirt over his head. “Is there anything that you don’t like? That scares you?”

“No tying me up. No blindfolds.” He’d once loved having his vision taken from him. Loved not knowing where his partner would touch him. “Can I change that?”

“You can,” Dane replied. “At any time. Even if you want something and change your mind later, that’s okay. Safe word, baby boy. I won’t accept you not using them if you need to.”

“I don’t want to be blindfolded right now but…” He took a deep breath. “Maybe we could work up to that? I used to like—-”

“Yes. Slowly. After we have an entire conversation about it. Communication, baby. You are going to get sick of talking to me.”

Brandon giggled.

“I mean it,” Dane warned. He tugged on his belt.

Licking his lips, Brandon could still feel the warm leather under his fingers. He’d been such a brave boy and it had totally paid off. His friends would be so proud of him! Brandon couldn’t wait to tell them. Well, he could wait. Until Dane did as he promised. Walking was overrated anyway.

“Is there something you want?” Dane teased. He was slowly removing the belt from the loops of his jeans.

Brandon whined.

“I’ve seen you watching me from the window,” Dane said. “Did you think about what I looked like under my pants?”

“Yes,” he hissed. “You never wore a shirt!” It had been beautiful torture.

“Because I knew you were there.” Dane popped the button of his jeans open. He slid the zipper down. His erection barely contained by the tight jeans and cotton underneath.

“I want to see you,” Brandon pleaded.

“Anything you want, baby boy. You should know that by now.” Dane pushed his underwear and jeans down his legs before he kicked them away. He stood gloriously naked and Brandon had been right. Dane was big all over. “But now I’m going to get you naked.”

“Yes!”

“I can touch you?” Dane asked.

It warmed Brandon that Dane would ask. “Please touch me.”

“I want to fuck you tonight. Are you okay with that? It’s okay to say no. I can suck you off if you prefer. We take this at our own pace, baby.”

“I want to suck you,” Brandon admitted. “And you to fuck me. Until I can’t talk. Or move. Or walk.”

Dane flashed him a smile that was all teeth. “We can do that.” He closed his hand over Brandon’s ankle then yanked him down the bed. “Now let Daddy see all this soft gorgeous skin you’ve been teasing me with.”

Brandon hadn’t really been teasing. He never wore anything revealing. “I didn’t tease.”

“Just being in the same room with me is a tease,” Dane corrected. “And your cute little outfits drive me crazy. I love your onesies the most.”

“Damn,” he breathed. “You like that?”

“I love seeing you so happy and confident in your little clothes. It makes me so proud of you. I just want to cuddle you close before I get you all dirty. Of course I’d clean you up after.”

Maybe Brandon had died and gone to heaven?

“I can’t wait until you trust me enough to help you dress,” Dane said.

Could Brandon do that? He wanted to but—

“Our timetable, baby,” Dane reminded. “It’s something we can both look forward to.”

He relaxed. “Okay, Daddy. On our timetable.”

“Good boy.”

Brandon’s cock jerked. The wet spot at the front of his lounge pants grew.

“Oh, look at that,” Dane teased. Still holding his ankle with one hand, Dane cupped his erection with his free one. “Daddy’s boy liked being told how good he is.”

Brandon nodded frantically. Loved it.

“You are being so good for me,” Dane praised. “I’m going to take your pants and undies off now.”

“Green,” Brandon breathed.

Dane smiled. “Good boy.”

Fuck! If this was how Dane was going to talk to him, Brandon would stay hard all the time.

Brandon’s pants and underwear were pulled off and thrown behind Dane’s shoulder. He laughed. Dane was not concerned about their clothes ending up wherever and that was fun.

“Shirt now. Sit up for me.”

Brandon let Dane help him. Brandon’s T-shirt was removed and now they were both naked. There were noticeable differences between the two of them. Dane was all hard sharp lines and muscles while Brandon was thin and had lost any definition he’d once had.

The thrill of having a bigger partner engulfed Brandon. Knowing that Dane would never use that strength against him was a heady feeling indeed.

“Now I get to play,” Dane told him.

Dane picked him up before depositing him with his head on the pillow and his body stretched out. Dane crawled up the mattress to settle between Brandon’s legs. Brandon shoved his hands under the pillow to knock his fingers into something hard. He pulled out a well-used bottle of lube.

Dane smirked at him. “There was no use putting it away when I had to come in here and jerk off several times a day being around you.”

Brandon nearly choked on a bit of drool. “You were in here jerking off?”

“Every chance I got.”

He…wow…uh…

“Stay still for me, boy.” Lowering his mouth, Dane started to kiss across Brandon’s stomach.

Okay, he might not be as ready for this as he thought. Or he was too ready. It was hard to think. He just knew that his cock was totally into Dane dragging his tongue over Brandon’s heated flesh. It felt so good!

“I…I might come!” Brandon screeched.

“That’s okay, baby.” Wrapping his fingers around Brandon’s shaft, Dane gave him a pump. “You can come. I’ll just get you hard again. And again. And again. I have all night to spend with you.”

Hips coming off the bed, Brandon gave a short shout as his cock erupted.

Dane jacked him through the orgasm, not giving Brandon any time to recover before he started to lick up Brandon’s mess. Dane’s tongue teased the slit of his shaft then returned to the rest of Brandon’s body.

It was slow torture.

There was no way that Brandon could determine where Dane would put his tongue or fingers next. The entire time, Dane slowly stroked Brandon’s cock, keeping him erect and needy.

Talking? Walking? Thinking? Yeah, good thing that Brandon had agreed none of those were important.