“Oh damn, don’t even remind me. You realize I would be…what, your step-father? Shit. ”
Tucker laughed, a happy sound that Kevin had missed. Grudgingly, he smiled back at him. “Maybe I’m scared, Tucker. Not of Richar
d, I don’t mean that. But of what he’ll want from me. Total commitment, of course, but not only that. He’s going to want me to…” He turned back to the window. “Shit, how can I even talk to you about this?”
“It’s awkward, I know. ” Tucker shrugged. “But it’s not like I grew up with him as my dad or anything. He feels more like a brother, in a way, you know? An older, very stern brother…” He laughed again. “That’s um…that’s it, isn’t it? How…uh…controlling he is? I know he’s pretty old school. ”
“He’s a fucking Dom, Tucker, if you people use that word. The way he…the things he makes me…” He blew out a long breath. “Damn it. ”
“Look, you don’t have to tell me the details. I don’t even need to go there. God, you’ve seen how Gavin bosses me around, and he’s mild compared to most of the wolves, so I know exactly what you’re talking about. You…you don’t respond to it?”
Kevin sighed and pressed his forehead against the window. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Tucker. I do respond to it, but I’m just not sure if I want that for the rest of my life. We’ve been having sex since the first night I came here, and he’s been a toppy bastard since the first time. Sometimes I…hell, I don’t know if I can be what he needs, though I want to be. I’m not what he wants, I think. ”
“There’s only one way you’ll find out,” he said quietly. “Try submitting to him, completely. You’ll know if it’s right for you. ”
“I-I don’t know if I can do that. I mean, I pretty much have already, but there’s a part of me that’s holding back, and I know he can feel it. ”
“Why don’t you let him worry about that? Submission isn’t about weakness, you know. It’s supposed to be an exchange of power. It is with me and Gavin. Or is it that you’re afraid you’ll like it too much?”
Kevin turned around and glared at his friend. He could feel his face flame with heat. “Fuck you, Tucker. ”
“Oh, fuck you too, Bryson. Face it, you’ve never had a relationship that lasted more than a couple of months, and you’re what? Thirty-four? There’s something going on with you, Bryson, and maybe it’s that no one has really satisfied you before. No one has taken care of what you really need. But Richard has come pretty close, hasn’t he? So close you’re scared to death. ”
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. ”
“No? You started getting interested in me when I told you I thought I liked to dominate. I used to go to the clubs in Fort Walton, but you’d never go with me. What was it you were afraid of?”
“Who said I was afraid of anything?” He fidgeted for a few moments before turning and walking toward the door. “This is stupid. I’m going back to my room. ”
Tucker laughed. “You can run, but you can’t hide, Bryson. ” Tucker’s laughter followed him down the hallway as he slammed the door behind him and went into his room. He threw himself on the bed, and stared up at the ceiling. How the hell could he even be considering this shit? He turned over on his stomach and closed his eyes, anger radiating off him in waves. He was bored as hell and needed exercise, and the one thing he didn’t need was to be cooped up inside this damn room like a fucking prisoner.
The door opened behind him and he heard Richard’s low whistle. “Nice view, baby. I could get used to being greeted this way every day. ”
“Very funny,” Kevin said, not turning over. “Don’t start shit with me today, Richard. I’m not in the mood. ”
“Really? I never would have noticed. ” Kevin heard him walk over to stand beside the bed. “I’ve been talking with Tucker. He told me where to find you. ”
“Yeah, well, where else would I be? I don’t exactly have the run of the place. ”
“Tucker said you were in a pretty foul mood. ”
“Whatever…”
A slap on his ass made him spin around so fast he almost fell off the bed. “Cut it out. I don’t want to play this shit, damn it. ”
Richard stared down at him. “Who’s playing? Get up and pack a bag. Take your toothbrush and a change of clothes. I’m heading up to a cabin on the high ridge, and you’re going with me. ”
“What?” He noticed for the first time that Richard had a small backpack slung on his shoulder.
“You heard me. I was going to have a couple of gammas check it out, just to make sure none of the guard was up there, hiding out. Instead I think I’ll take the four-wheeler and take you with me. I’ll tell Gavin we might be gone a couple of days. ”
“Why?”
“Because we need some time to figure out some things between us. ”
“Like what?”
“You know the issues between us, Kevin. I don’t have to spell them out. You’re not the only one with doubts, you know. ”