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

to him, will have to willingly place himself into Josiah’s hands knowing that punishment is imminent if this is going to work between them. Josiah can’t be a proper dominant to a submissive that subconsciously fears him and isn’t willing to submit to the proper forms of punishment.

Five minutes pass agonizingly slow and then another and Josiah’s about to give up when he hears Rafe’s soft footsteps come padding down the hallway. He holds his breath, waits for the horrible moment when the sound passes by his door and heads towards Rafe’s instead. It never comes. Rafe enters his room cautiously, like he’d not just spent the hours curled tightly in Josiah’s arms on those same rumpled sheets. Josiah stares at him silently for a moment before he motions for Rafe to come closer until he’s standing directly in front of him.

“Strip.”

Rafe falters for a moment before he seems to gather himself and pulls down the loose sleep pants he’s wearing with a single fluid motion. He picks them up and folds them without being told and presents the small bundle of cloth to Josiah like an offering. He takes it carefully and places it on the smooth top of his dresser before he turns back to Rafe.

The submissive is beautiful, long planes of smooth, tanned skin and perfectly formed muscles. It hits Josiah 5suddenly that Frisch must have paid a small fortune in medical care to keep Rafe from scarring too badly. He shakes the thought off viciously and focuses back on Rafe’s nude form. This time he doesn’t try to hide the desire that he knows is shining in his eyes or the way his cock is rapidly filling from the submissive.

He wants Rafe to know that even if he’s displeased with him, even if he’s going to punish him, he’ll always want him, will always desire him. The trick is going to be showing Rafe that punishment and pain are not always bad things, that they can heal as well as harm, and that it’s something they both need to be happy.

Josiah walks a small circle around Rafe, reaching out a hand and running the tips of his fingers over Rafe’s chest and back as he goes.

“A dominant is nothing without a submissive and all dominants dream of having a beautiful one. And you are beautiful, Rafe. Now say yellow if I’m approaching your limit and red if I reach it.”

Rafe jerks at the mention of a safe-word and Josiah has to grit his teeth at the anger that rises in his chest at seeing the open surprise on his face. He hopes Frisch gives him an excuse so that he can rip his throat out with his teeth.

“You won’t need it this time, hopefully not ever, but you will have one. I’m going to hurt you, Rafe, and you’ll take it because you’ll want to please me, but I promise that I’ll never actually damage you. You’ll always be cared for, Rafe, always be the first thing on my mind before anyone or anything else. I’ll protect you even if it means protecting you from myself.”

Josiah takes a step back away from Rafe and settles down on the edge of his bed.

“Now, over my knee.”

Rafe only hesitates for a moment—Josiah’s more than willing to overlook it this time given the circumstances

—before he steps forward and lays himself face down across Josiah’s lap. Josiah runs a hand gently down Rafe’s flank, fingers flirting with the cleft of his ass, dipping in for a second to prod gently before retreating again. Rafe squirms lightly and Josiah stops him with a firm hand on his hip before he pulls it away.

“There is no count. I’ll stop when I think I’ve made my point and I don’t want to hear a sound until you can’t hold it anymore.”

Rafe nods jerkily and Josiah begins.

He delivers the first five strokes in quick succession, not pausing as he spreads them evenly across the rapidly reddening skin of Rafe’s ass. Rafe holds still, his body telegraphing resistance, but Josiah presses on. He falls into a rhythm, finding the necessary headspace easily as he alternates the speed and spacing so that Rafe is incapable of anticipating them. Rafe’s fingers tangle in the loose material of Josiah’s pants leg but he doesn’t make a sound, doesn’t try to get away, and Josiah is proud.

Josiah redoubles his efforts, working towards a goal that he can’t properly express. He knows what needs to happen, knows what they both need; it’s just a matter of getting there.

When Rafe finally breaks, Josiah has no idea what the count is. His hand is fairly numb and Rafe’s ass is darkening with the promise of bruises, but it’s worth it for the way that Rafe clutches at him and groans deep in his throat. Josiah counts out ten more swift strikes as Rafe moans softly across his knees before he stops and slides an arm under Rafe’s chest to pull him upright and into his lap. Rafe’s eyes are blood shot, his face streaked with tears and sweat, but there’s also relief in his gaze, the beginnings of a sort of peace that reaches out and grips Josiah hard.

“You did so good, Rafe, so perfect. I’m so proud of you.” He cradles Rafe’s long body closer to him, 5tucking the submissive’s head under his chin as he rocks them both back and forth.

“Let it all out, Rafe. Give me everything just like we agreed. You’re not alone anymore.”

Rafe sobs then, tears coming full tilt and without hesitation. Just like earlier, when Rafe had wept silently into his shirtfront, Josiah knows it’s a good thing. Before had been about releasing Rafe’s pent up emotions but this, this was about absolution, about true healing.

“Thank you.” Rafe whispers the words into the hollow of