Love in the Land of Fire, Brochu, Rebecca [best free novels .txt] 📗

“I know that, Josiah. I knew that when I offered you a contract between us. It’s just the thought of you knowing what he did, and now knowing that I was given away without being consulted; the thought that you might look at me differently…it was too much to bear. I snapped.”

He loosens his grip on Rafe’s hair and pushes his head back down to its place on his chest and resumes his calming petting.

“We’ll deal with that later, Rafe; we’ll deal with it all later. For now let’s just enjoy this, enjoy this moment of peace, while we can.”

They end up drifting off to sleep together, despite it still being early afternoon. The comfort and peace of sharing a bed lulls them both into rest almost against their wills.

Josiah wakes first again, too many years in the armed forces preventing him from getting an overabundance of sleep. He untangles himself from Rafe and crawls off of the bed, careful not to wake the submissive up.

He needs a few moments on his own again, just a bit of time to get his head on straight and form a plan of action.

He wanders back into the living room, bending over to absent-mindedly pick up and refold his previously forgotten p.a.t.c.h before he drops down on the sofa. His mind runs over the new developments in their situation, going over what he knows he needs to do before he pushes it all to the back of his mind and instead focuses on the here and now, on Rafe.

Josiah thinks that maybe it’s time to change the way he’s been dealing with the submissive, that maybe what Rafe needs is normalcy instead of being awkwardly coddled. They are both fourth tiers and they need the scene, the lifestyle more than most. Perhaps after being trapped in an unhealthy relationship for so long what Rafe needs is to be treated normally, like a submissive should be. If Josiah can show him that he wants that 4type of relationship with him, and that their future contract will be everything they have both dreamed of, maybe it will help. Mind made up, Josiah’s mind starts outlining a plan for when Rafe wakes up.

4Chapter Thirteen

Rafe wakes up a couple of hours later and wanders sleepy-eyed and tousled into the living room. Josiah’s heart skips a beat from his place on the couch at the sight of him looking so soft and vulnerable, and he almost doesn’t want to go through with what he has planned. Almost. Instead he hardens his resolve and pushes forward. Rafe wanders over to him, bending down to kiss him sweetly, and Josiah forces himself not to respond, to sit cold and still in the face of Rafe’s affection, one hand carefully gripping the unfolded screen of his p.a.t.c.h.

The submissive pulls back with a frown, green eyes troubled as they lock with Josiah’s stern gaze.

“W-what’s the matter, Josiah?” Rafe sounds small and insecure and Josiah hates it, hates seeing him so quelled even though he knows that this is what he needs to do.

He needs to show Rafe that this thing between them, the contract that they will be forming in the future, will be healthy and good. He gathers himself and reaches out a hand and gestures to Rafe, watching the way his face softens in relief as he moves to settle on the couch only to fall in confusion when Josiah stops him. Face blank Josiah motions towards the floor silently and sees the moment that understanding washes across Rafe’s face even as he sinks to his knees between Josiah’s splayed legs.

Rafe reaches for his zipper and Josiah frowns and grabs his hands. This thing between them is about more than sex and he wants Rafe to know that as well.

“Turn around.” His voice is low but not harsh and Rafe seems to relax at the sound of it as he twists around until his back is facing Josiah.

“Closer, wrap your arm around my calf and relax yourself. You need to learn that I’ll take care of you, Rafe, so stay there until I tell you to move. You will tell me immediately if you’re uncomfortable or in any pain, do you understand?”

Rafe nods his head silently as he wraps one tanned arm around Josiah’s calf, leaning himself against Josiah and trusting him to give the support that he needs.

The room goes silent again, Josiah turning back to the p.a.t.c.h that rests in his hand as he tries to lose himself in the remainder of the information that Gar had sent him. He makes sure to continue touching Rafe periodically, running a hand through his hair, scraping his nails gently across his scalp, trailing a finger softly down the curve of his neck. All of his actions are silent reminders to Rafe that he’s there, that he’s present and has not forgotten about him.

Eventually Josiah manages to actually get absorbed in the files; Gar’s sent him a truly impressive amount of information and Josiah is afraid that he’s going to owe Gar more than one after this. After he’s slogged through a good amount he’s distracted as he feels Rafe shift slightly against him and he takes a look at the time. It’s been well over an hour now and he’s pleased with the way that Rafe’s acted. He’d accepted his directions without complaint and Josiah knows that this is just the beginning for them.

“Rafe.” Josiah calls his name softly and when he gets no answer he leans forward and tips Rafe’s head back so that he can see his face.

Rafe’s green eyes are glazed over, his expression perfectly at ease and a tiny half smile flirting with the edge of his mouth. Josiah calls his name again, even softer than the first time, and those thick black