Drawn

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher. Drawn: A Hammer Novel TOP SHELF An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers PO Box 2545 Round Rock, TX 78680 Copyright © 2011 by Sean Michael Cover illustration by S. Squires Published with permission ISBN: 978-1-61040-277-4 www.torquerepress.com All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Torquere Press. Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. First Torquere Press Printing: July 2011 Printed in the USA

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Chapter One "Giles? What are you doing? Where are you going? Giles?" He threw the canvas, watched it sail across the gallery floor. Then he ran, hitting the door so hard it shattered, glass going everywhere. He didn't even look back at his sister and manager, Marisa's screeching filling the air. "Giles!" No. No more. Not right now. None of the canvases looked right. None of the pieces hung right. The light was wrong. The mood was wrong. He couldn't do this anymore. He turned the corner and running harder, sandaled feet slapping the pavement. If he ran hard enough, fast enough, he would silence the thoughts screaming in his head. Giles turned another corner and careened right into what felt like a wall. Only it moved, turned, and six and a half feet of muscle stared down at him, hands grabbing his arms to steady him. "Sorry. Sorry." Big. Whoa. "Are you all right?" Mr. Big had a great voice. It kind of lodged right in his balls. "Yeah." He shook his head. "You?" "I'm fine. It takes more than a slender man like you to knock the wind out of me." One big hand cupped his head, fingers stroking on his scalp. He blinked up, the touch surprising, stunning, completely inappropriate. "I. I. Thank you? I mean, I'm sorry. I mean..." He was very confused. Mr. Big jerked his head toward the right. "There's a pub there. Why don't you come in with me? Have a seat for a few minutes." Drawn - 3

"With you? But..." He shook his head to clear it. "Didn't your mother tell you not to talk to strangers?" A low chuckled filled his senses. "After sitting together for a while, we won't be strangers anymore. I'm just worried. You seem... confused." "No. No, just--" He heard his name, his sister's voice. "A beer would be good." "Great." Mr. Big smiled and a large hand landed on his back, guiding him over to the Tin Whistle. "I'm Giles. Giles DeSante." It was dark inside, quiet, not busy. "That's a lovely name, Giles. I'm Harrison Ornell." Harrison led him to a table by the fireplace in the back. "Are you a Harry, then?" The man tilted his head and then shook it, very firmly. "No, I am not." "No? Good to know." He watched Marisa storm by and relaxed a bit. He would go back, apologize, pay for the door. But not now. Now he wanted to look at the pretty man with the huge, dark eyes. "I knew a few Harrys, didn't like most of them." "I don't remember knowing any, honestly." He took a napkin from the table, a pencil from his pocket, and started sketching. "You're an artist?" "Mostly." He drew the room, Harrison, the bartender, so he could remember. "Wow, that's pretty cool." The bartender came over before he could respond. "Hey, guys, what'll it be?" "I'd like a Guinness, please." Giles searched his pockets for his wallet. He had it somewhere, didn't he? "Nice choice. I'll have the same, and we'd like a plate of skins, please. This'll be on my tab." Drawn - 4

"Oh, you don't have to. I have money. I have a wallet, too. Somewhere." He frowned, stood, searching. "Did it knock out of your pocket when you ran into me?" "Oh, God. I hope not. My address, my... I have to go. I have to find it." He turned and bolted out, heading into the street. Oh, God. Oh, God. "Giles." Marisa grabbed his arm, spun him around. "Jesus. I thought... I found your wallet. Are you okay?" "Is everything okay here?" God, Harrison must have followed him. "I'm... I'm sorry. Give me my wallet, huh?" "No way, bro. You'll just run. You have a showing. You can't just go." "Give me my wallet." "Excuse me." Harrison's voice was quiet, but wow, commanding. "The wallet belongs to Giles, yes?" "Yes, but I need him to come back to work." Marisa shook him a little. "You can be a crazy artist in four hours." Harrison crossed his arms and looked at Giles. "You want to tell me what's going on?" Giles felt his cheeks heat, embarrassment and shame flooding him. "I. I'm sorry." He was. So sorry. He grabbed the wallet from Marisa's hand and ran as hard as he could, leaving everything behind him. *** Harrison watched Giles disappear around a corner and turned his attention back to the woman with him. He raised an eyebrow. "My apologies, sir. My brother, he's very sensitive. I hope he didn't bother you." Drawn - 5

As tall and willowy and dark-haired as her brother, their similarity stopped there. She seemed calmer, firmer, less agitated. "He didn't. You said something about a showing?" He wanted to know more about Giles, wanted to know what lay behind the nerves and the flight. The man was a brilliant artist; he could easily tell that from the drawing on the napkin. "Yes. His newest installation opens tonight, assuming I can get the gallery door replaced and soothe the owner's nerves. Uh. Boxing Place Gallery, four blocks down." She dug through her purse, coming up with a postcard with an amazing, colorful canvas featured on the front. "Is this one of his?" Harrison took the postcard, admiring it. He'd been right -- Giles was brilliant. "It is. He's got quite a following. You're welcome to come to the opening tonight. I can't guarantee he'll make an appearance, but he's supposed to." "I'll be there. Good luck with the door and the nerves." "Thank you." She held out one hand. "I'm Marisa DeSante, by the way. Giles is my younger brother by about... oh... twelve minutes." "Twins! No wonder you look so alike." He shook her hand. "I'm Harrison Ornell, a new friend of Giles'." "Harrison. Pleased." She chuckled, smiled. "He's not always flighty, I swear." "If all his work is like this, I can see why people might put up with it." He waved the postcard around. Her smile was real. "People put up with it because he's brilliant and an amazing soul. Artists are allowed to be self-destructive and crazy. If you'll excuse me, I have to go." Drawn - 6

"It was nice to meet you." He nodded at her and watched her go. Sure, artists were allowed to be self-destructive and crazy, but that didn't mean they had to be. That didn't mean all that couldn't be channeled into something far better. Something with more moaning and less hysterical running. Harrison could have plans. He pocketed the postcard and headed home. He had a gallery opening to prepare for.

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Chapter Two "Giles, you have to come out." "No. There are too many people." He didn't want to. He couldn't. Not tonight. His feet hurt. He'd run for nearly two hours, in his sandals. His feet were a mess. Marisa sighed. "Just for fifteen minutes? You don't have to mingle." "You promise, Mar?" "My word of honor. Fifteen minutes. You can stand quietly. You can go barefoot." "Okay. Okay. Fifteen minutes." His sister kissed his forehead. "Thank you, love. Come on." She took his hand and led him to the edge of the crowd. There were a lot of people out there, looking at his pictures on the walls. He stood carefully, accepting the glass of champagne pressed into his hand. The room was bright, loud, filled with laughing and clinking glasses. A large man caught his attention. The guy was in one corner, looking at one of his favorite paintings. Oh. It was the man from this afternoon. That embarrassment and shame hit him again, and he turned to run, but Marisa was right there, holding his arm. Harrison turned, and the man caught sight of him, smiled. "Oh." Marisa chuckled softly. "He likes your stuff, Giles." "He probably thinks I'm crazy." "You are crazy." Harrison made a beeline toward him, dark eyes warm, smile wide. "Giles." "Hey. Hey, did you enjoy your Guinness?" The urge to run came again. Drawn - 8

"It wasn't the same on my own. I'm glad you're here tonight, though. I was hoping to see you again." There didn't seem to be anywhere else to look with those eyes focused on him. "Are you having fun?" "I'm enjoying the paintings, yes." Harrison's smile seemed to go up in wattage. "Are you?" "Enjoying the paintings?" Harrison chuckled. "No, are you having fun?" "No. I hate these things. I have nine more minutes before I go." Marisa nudged him hard in the ribs, and he grunted. "I'm glad to see you, though." Except for the whole being ashamed thing. Harrison glanced at his watch. "Well, then. Perhaps we can have that beer together in ten minutes?" Giles tilted his head. "Really?" "Yes, really." "I have my wallet, but..." He thought about his poor, blistered feet, but nodded anyway. He could heal later. "Okay." The smile Harrison gave him made him feel like the only person in the room, made him buzz inside. "Good." "Giles? Giles, would you like to meet Karen? She's a reporter from LA..." The gallery owner touched his arm, and he jerked back. "I don't like strangers to grab me." Harrison's arm came around him, landing in the small of his back like it had earlier, outside the bar. The man's big body shielded him from everything on the right. "He's a little jumpy tonight. Maybe another time." "I'd be happy to speak to her, Nathan." Marisa came around his other side, doing her thing, chattering and smiling. "She's good," Harrison murmured. "Keeps people happy." Drawn - 9

"She's my sister." They made a fortune together. "Yes, your twin. She introduced herself earlier." Harrison glanced at his watch. "We'll be able to fly the coop in just a few more minutes." "If... you'd like to take her out, I have to let you know she's married." "Giles. I'm interested in your ass, not hers." His eyes went wide. "Oh." That made him smile. Harrison smiled back at him, giving him full attention, and again the rest of the room seemed to fade away for a moment. "Quiet..." He swayed, blinking a bit. Oh. It was like everything else had disappeared. Oh, this was probably mad. Crazed. Insane. Harrison's hand on his back steadied him and the man took a half step toward him, close enough to send warmth all along his side. "I. I have to." He should run. This was... fascinating. Dangerous. "Come with me. I do believe your nine minutes are up." Harrison shifted again, encouraging him to walk back to the office he and Marisa'd come out of. He nodded, stepping carefully, his breath coming quickly. He wasn't scared -- more excited, unnerved. Hyperaware of his response to Harrison. Harrison frowned as they went into the gallery's little office. "What happened to your shoes?" "They're back here. Marisa said if I came out, I could leave them off." "Do you not like shoes?" "I love them, but..." He lifted one bloodied, blistered foot. "I ran. I do that." "Oh, Giles." Harrison grunted. "You can't go out like that. Let me take you home and doctor up your feet." Drawn - 10

"Oh, don't cancel on me. I promise not to let them slow me down." "Do they have a first aid kit here?" "I don't know; do they have to?" A low rumble sounded. "I'm doctoring those feet, Giles. Here, at my place, at your place, wherever, but you can't go out with those feet like that. Not in the streets." Harrison sounded very sure about that. "But..." He looked at Harrison. "I don't know how to respond to that. I don't... How does someone respond to that?" "By telling me where you'd like to have your feet looked after." "I. I. I want to go talk to you." "I want to talk to you, too. Come back to my place. That way we can talk, and you can indulge me by letting me take care of your feet." "Where is your place?" "In the 'burbs. About fifteen minutes away." "Okay. The studio's close, but... I don't let people in there. Nothing personal, I just can't let anyone in." "I can drive you to my place. I have a fireplace and a very comfy couch." "I want to." His heart was racing. This was important. Special. Good. "Come on, then." Harrison's arm was back around him, hand settling on his waist, and they headed for the back door. He walked out into the darkness without even telling a soul where he was going. It was amazing. Freeing. Wild. Perfect. Harrison's car was a black Lexus, the windows tinted, the seats black leather.

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"Nice wheels." He approved. "I love the smell of leather. Are you a gangster?" He'd always thought that would be a lusciously fun job. Harrison laughed as the engine roared to life. "Not quite. I inherited money, and I run a foundation." Damn. "That sounds very boring." "It can be. It can also be very fulfilling -- giving kids what they need in life to succeed? It's a great feeling." He nodded, but he didn't really get it. He didn't get a lot of what normal people did, but he'd decided that was okay. His world was just a little different. "What about you -- you paint full time?" "Yes. It's all I do." It was what he was, a painter. "Yeah? That's intense. Of course, so are your paintings." The luxury car purred through the streets. "Thank you. It's weird to me, to see them up somewhere not the studio, but they have to find homes." Otherwise the studio would be full. "They looked good. Your sister's your manager?" He nodded, smiled. Marisa was good to him. "Yes. She works hard for us. Makes the money." "She takes care of the details, I bet. Lets you concentrate on the painting." He nodded, but it wasn't exactly true. He only painted. That was it. He would do it even without her. Marisa made it work for them. "Did you want a coffee or something? There's a drive-through place up ahead -- last one before my place." "No. No, I'm good." "Cool." They turned off the main road into a nicelooking neighborhood, the houses getting bigger the farther they went. Soon the houses were huge, unique, perfect. Giles laughed to himself. No way did men like him fit into manicured homes like these, but Marisa Drawn - 12

would love to hear about them; he would have to tell her all about it. They pulled up onto a big circular drive, Harrison parking the car in the garage. There was tons of yard, grounds really, with trees and flowers and a little fountain with several naked young men standing together, high hedges obscuring the view of the street. "Wow." He headed to the fountain, fascinated, completely ignoring his feet. Harrison chuckled and followed him over. "Nice, isn't it?" "It is. Can I touch it?" "Sure. Hell, climb in and get your feet wet. You'd look perfect cavorting with the boys there." He slipped into the water, moaning at the coolness on his feet, smiling as the water wicked up his trousers. Harrison laughed, and a moment later the man climbed in next to Giles, barefoot, pants rolled up to his knees. He blinked up at Harrison, then cracked up, applauded. Harrison bowed and slid a hand over one of the stone boys' rumps. Then over his. The man's eyes bored into him, the smile sure, sexy. "Did my sister tell you I was queer, or did you figure I was, since I was an artist?" "Your sister didn't say, and it has nothing to do with what you do for a living. I knew when you nearly ran me over in the street." The hand on his ass squeezed, then slid slowly up along his spine. "Mmm. How?" His body arched. "I just knew. Call it gaydar or whatever, I can tell. Can't you?" Harrison's hand was up to his shoulders now. "I don't pay attention, much." He was paying attention to that touch, though. Drawn - 13

"No?" Harrison's hand slid up farther, and then cupped the back of his skull, tilting his head slightly. That's when Harrison kissed him. Giles opened up, the kiss sudden and deep enough that his toes curled, his poor feet screaming with the motion. Harrison's tongue invaded his mouth, sweeping through it. Oh. Oh, God. He'd been kissed hundreds of times, but this was... special. It stole his breath, and Harrison didn't seem inclined to end this kiss. It went on, made him feel weak, even as his hands wrapped around Harrison's shoulders, holding on. When the kiss was over, Harrison swept his feet out from under him and, holding him close against the broad chest, carried him out of the fountain and toward the big house. "Oh." He wasn't a small man, but Harrison carried him like he was. "I don't want you doing any more damage to your feet. You need them for the next time you want to run." "I have to run a lot." "How come?" Harrison leaned, punched a series of numbers into the pad next to the door. It clicked and opened. "It's the only way to make things quiet." "In your head?" The door closed behind them, and Harrison elbowed on a light. They were in a large foyer, plants and windows everywhere. "I... I'm not crazy." "I didn't say you were. I just assumed you meant making things quiet figuratively rather than literally." Harrison kept walking, going down a hall a short way before turning into another room. The lights went on, revealing a stunning bathroom. Drawn - 14

He nodded, the shame hitting him again. "I have to do it, you know? Look at this..." "I designed it. I mean, I told the architect exactly what I wanted, and he made it happen." Harrison sat him down on a padded bench along the back wall, and then bent to look at his feet. "It's amazing. I love the tub. You could have a party in it." Harrison was staring at the hamburger that was the soles of his feet. "How were you standing at all? Let alone walking?" He shrugged. "It's the price you pay for quiet sometimes." "You clearly need better shoes. Or less people making noise." Harrison shrugged. "Or a better way to find quiet." "I tried booze and drugs. Did you know I can't seem to get high? Isn't that fascinating?" "Really? That is fascinating. But then that's just what you are, isn't it?" Harrison smiled at him, and rooted around in one of the wicker drawers next to the bench. "What are you looking for?" "Antiseptic. I know I have some. I've got that gauzy stuff to wrap them up in, too." "Oh." He wondered, idly, if his feet would leave interesting patterns on the gauze. "Here we are." Harrison took a bunch of stuff out of the drawer and knelt down in front of him. "The spray might sting." "Okay." He had one hell of a pain tolerance, really. Art was way more physical than most people knew. Harrison smiled. "Is the pain part of the quiet?" His cheeks heated. Sometimes the pain was the best part, but he'd never admit it. "It is what it is." Drawn - 15

"That was noncommittal." Harrison took his foot, examined it. "All right. I'm going to clean it with a damp towel first, then the spray." "That works. What's your favorite color?" "Green." Harrison started dabbing at his feet with a damp towel. "Green." Oh, that ached. "Yeah. Like the trees and grass outside." The dabbing continued, the towel picking up a lot of red. "Uh-huh." He let his eyes close, let himself feel. Harrison put his foot down and took the other one. "Enjoying the sensation?" "I." He started trembling a little. He couldn't say that. "I. I'm sure they're okay, huh? Now?" Harrison reached out and stroked his thigh. "Easy, Giles. I've got you. I'll make sure they're okay." "Okay." The urge to get up and scatter hit him again, down deep. "Spray now." That was all the warning he got before Harrison sprayed his left foot. The first thing that hit him was the cold. Then the sting happened and his foot tugged away. Harrison let it go and grabbed the other one, spraying it, too. His breath came in quick gulps, his cock trying to firm. "There, that'll be the worst of it." Harrison put down the spray and grabbed the package of gauze. "Cool." He rode the burn as quietly and for as long as he could. When he was done, Harrison smiled up at him. "There. Now we can have that beer and talk." "Yeah. Thanks. You've been sweet." Hot. "I'm not sure sweet is what I was going for, but I'll take it for now." Harrison winked, then stood and hoisted him back up, carrying him out of the bathroom. Drawn - 16

"You're strong." It was fascinating. "I am. I work hard at it." Harrison carried him into a room that had to be a den. It was cozy, with a fireplace and several large, comfy-looking chairs. He was gently set down on one, and it was as comfy as it looked, maybe comfier. He cuddled in, hummed. "Are you a gym bunny?" "I hate that expression." Harrison went to the bar in the corner and opened the little fridge, pulling out a couple of beers. "Beer okay? I have harder stuff if you want it." "I'm sorry. A beer is fine." Talking to people was so hard. "It's okay. It's just... I work out, but I'm not in love with my muscles or anything." Harrison handed him a beer. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just talking." He took the beer and drained it. Harrison's hand landed on his shoulder, massaged it. "It's okay, Giles." He nodded, chewed hard on his bottom lip, legs curled beneath him. "Do I make you nervous?" "No. I make me nervous." He had this talent for saying the absolute wrong thing. Harrison half picked him up again and sat on the chair, putting him in the man's lap. "Nerves can be good." "I. I'm on your lap." "Yes. I like you here." "Oh." Harrison was warm, solid underneath him. Steady. Stable. "I'm very attracted to you." Harrison smiled, stroked his thigh. "I feel you should know that." "Yes? Do you have many lovers?" Drawn - 17

"No, I don't. I have... friends I play with. I belong to a club where it's safe, consensual." "A sex club? Really?" He chuckled. "That sounds like something out of a Blue Boy article." Still, it sounded fun. "It's a BDSM club. I'm a Dom." "Now you're just fucking with me. Really, I don't need stories. I think you're hot." And had that fascinating silence inside. Harrison chuckled. "I can bring you, if you'd like. There's always a good show on Friday nights. What are you doing this Friday?" "I have no idea. Painting. Running. Standing on my head. I have a fluid life." "Well, who knows, then? Maybe you'll already be here." Harrison's smile was wicked, seductive. "And I think you are, too, by the way. Hot, that is." He chuckled, grinned. "That's convenient, isn't it? Since I'm here?" "It is." Harrison's mouth touched his, lips warm, soft. That kiss. It made him stop, blink. Hold on. Harrison's hand slid along his side, down to cup his ass, and he leaned into the touch, letting Harrison know he was there, willing, able. Humming softly, Harrison parted his lips with that agile tongue, slipping it in between his lips. Giles touched Harrison's cheeks, the short hair. Harrison deepened the kiss, hand sliding back and forth from one ass cheek to the other. Sweet man. Giles rubbed slowly, sinking into it. As they continued to kiss, Harrison turned him so he was straddling the long legs. His inner thighs stretched, and he pushed a little bit. "Sexy thing." Drawn - 18

"Thank you. You feel amazing, solid. Not gym bunny-ish at all." Harrison laughed and took his lips again. The man kissed like it was the only thing he ever wanted to do. It was fascinating. "You taste good." "Do I? Do I taste like beer?" Giles wasn't sure that was good. "It's there, but you are underneath that." "Oh." That made him smile, but a part of him started to worry. What if he tasted ruined? What if he tasted like a freak? "You're nutty and musky, all male. I could become addicted." The words made him want to rub, to preen. Harrison dove into another kiss, tongue sweeping into his mouth again. Giles caught himself stretching up, tongue fighting happily with Harrison's. Harrison took advantage of his stretch, fingers sliding over his sides. His cock rubbed over Harrison's chest, belly, and he moaned, sinking into the sensations. The kisses and touches went on but didn't escalate. It was like Harrison didn't care how long it took or how far they progressed -- the man was living in the moment. It worked for him. It more than worked. He stroked Harrison's jaw, nose, exploring. The big hands were on his ass again, squeezing and tugging him close. He thought he should ask what Harrison was into, what the plan was, but he was just going with it. Eventually, Harrison's fingers plucked at the buttons of his shirt, so he took Harrison's hands, brought them to his mouth to lick. He had marks, still. "Oral, huh?" He nodded, nibbled at the fingertips. Drawn - 19

"Mmm. Feels good." Harrison's other hand kept working at his buttons. "I..." He leaned back, needing to explain before Harrison asked about the lines of scabs. "It was an accident." Except it wasn't, really. Harrison's head tilted, the dark eyes looking at him, into him. "What was an accident?" He opened his shirt, showing the lines where the little razor had sliced. "I didn't want to scare you." Sometimes he needed to hurt, though, even though he knew the habit was bad, unhealthy. Harrison's fingers slid over the lines. "This doesn't look like an accident -- you cut when things get to be too much?" "I..." He felt his cheeks heat. "It. I just. It's not." He stopped, bit his bottom lip hard. "It's nothing to worry about." There. "I didn't say I was worried. I asked if you'd done it yourself, if you needed to hurt." Harrison's voice was like a rough blanket, warm and good. "In fact, I think it makes you even more fascinating." "I just. Sometimes it's too loud." "What would you say if I told you I know ways to make it quiet that don't involve cutting yourself or running away?" "I told you, pills don't work on me. I've tried them. Hypnotism, too, but you're sweet. Kiss me again?" Harrison laughed, but also bent to give him the kisses he wanted. He dove into the kisses, intending to stop the conversation, to get back to the good parts. Harrison pushed his shirt off his shoulders, but when he moved let it slide off his arms, Harrison stopped it at his wrists, did something so it couldn't slide off. Trapping his hands behind his back. Giles tugged, twisting his hands. "I'm stuck." Drawn - 20

Harrison gave him a smug smile. "I know." Then the strong, warm hands began to slide over his chest and belly. "Mmm." There was a luscious heat there, something that let him lean into the touches. One of Harrison's fingernails scraped over his skin, and the scratches made him jerk closer. When Harrison did it again, mouth taking his, tongue pushing in, Giles wrapped his lips around Harrison's tongue, sucking it. Groaning, Harrison pulled him closer, fingers digging into his ass now. The pressure was right, and he sucked harder, making Harrison feel it. One of those fingers slipped, slid to rub over his hole. He pressed back, wanting to feel more, even through his clothes. "You'll stay." It wasn't a question; Harrison said it like it was a given. "Will I?" He wasn't opposed to that. "Yes. I'm going to make you scream." Harrison smiled, the look slightly predatory. "And I mean that in a good way." The look made him shiver, made him hard. "I don't scream." "Shall we test that theory?" "I think that sounds like fun." "Then I think it's time you saw my bedroom." Harrison stood, holding on to his ass to keep him close to the big body. "You have to let my arms go." He couldn't play like this. "Do I?" They headed up a staircase, Harrison so strong he never felt like he might fall. "Yes." His heart pounded, just from not being able to hold on. The room Harrison took him into was huge. There was another fireplace in it, a long, cushioned window Drawn - 21

seat, comfy chairs, a beautiful dresser and matching wardrobe, and a large bed piled high with pillows and comforters. The light that Harrison turned on was low and intimate. "It's like a fantasy..." His place was huge, but not like this. Not... soft. "Thank you. It's built for comfort, ease of play. I guess in a lot of ways it is a fantasy." Harrison took him to the bed and laid him on it, gazing down at him like he was something special. "Ease of play. That sounds like a song." "Are you a songwriter, too?" Harrison leaned in and licked around his belly button; his hands were still stuck behind his back in the sleeves of his shirt, arching his belly right into Harrison's mouth. "No. No, but I like m..." He hummed, the touch tickling him. Harrison's tongue dipped into his navel, and then the man sucked up some of his skin into that hot mouth. The tiny sting was perfect. Harrison's hot breath danced over his skin. "What do you want me to do?" "Fly, pretty man. I want you to fly." He wriggled, tried to get free again so he could touch. "What do you want to do, Giles?" Harrison rubbed his cheek against Giles' hip. "Touch." Feel. "This time, I'll touch you. Later you can touch me back." "I'm good at that. Touching." He took a deep breath, calmed himself. Harrison made him feel young. "You'll show me after. We make you fly first." That mouth slid over the lines left behind by the razor. He shivered, moaned, and his cock throbbed against his zipper. Drawn - 22

"Oh, the things I could do with you." Harrison's fingers teased at his waistband. "Could you? That sounds promising." "Good. It was meant to be." Harrison popped open the button on his jeans and tugged the zipper down. His prick was long, hard, the ring at the tip slick with his pre-come. Harrison fished it out, groaning, fingers playing with the ring. "Oh, Giles." "You're not scared of it. Good." He loved when someone wasn't intimidated by a little steel. "Scared? Shit, no. Fucking turned on. Do you have a guiche, too?" Harrison's finger flicked the ring back and forth. "A hafada." He drew Harrison's hand down to the heavy barbell at the back of his scrotum. "Mmm. Oh, Giles. I have a hunch you and I are going to have a very, very good time together. I think we're very well suited." Harrison tugged on the barbell. All Giles could do in response was groan, arch, the tip of his cock kissing Harrison's belly. "Fucking good." Harrison's mouth closed over his, tongue pushing into his mouth. The kisses were like drugs, like the best sort of high, leaving him shaken and shaking. Harrison's fingers slid beyond the hafada, pushing at his hole but not pushing in. At least not yet. He considering telling Harrison no, that he didn't bottom, but no one would believe him. "I bet you're so tight. Gonna feel so good inside you." "You like to fuck?" He liked it. He did it as often as he could. "I do. I like to play hard, Giles. I want to play hard with you." Giles could fucking go for that. Especially tonight. Harrison smiled, like he could read the answer in Giles' eyes. Drawn - 23

He wanted to reach down, take that cock out, ride it, but his fucking hands were caught. He wriggled, gave Harrison what he hoped was a pointed look. "I can't fuck you caught up like this." "That's just fine, as I am going to fuck you." Harrison stood and began stripping down. "Are you sure about that?" Beautiful son of a bitch. Harrison grinned down at him. It wasn't a nasty or smug or superior smile at all. It was pure lust and certainty. Hot as fuck. "I am." Giles did love a confident man. Naked, Harrison stood over him for a moment, staring down at him, prick hard, proud, reaching for the ripped belly. "You should model." He could paint those lines for hours. "For you?" Harrison's pecs danced for a moment and then the man grabbed a tube of lube from one of the bedside tables. "I don't do portraits, unfortunately..." For this man, he might reconsider. Harrison laughed and climbed onto the bed between his legs. "That's okay. I'm not sure I could be naked with you and not ravage you." That made him chuckle. Right. That urge would fade. Harrison slicked his fingers up and two pushed into him. They were thick and hot and stretched him open. "Oh. Let my hands go; I'll touch you." "Not this time." Harrison pressed his fingers deep again, finding Giles' gland, nailing it hard. "Oh." His belly went tight, hard, and he groaned. "Right there, hmm?" Harrison kept pushing against his gland, fingers of the other hand playing with the ring in his prick. "Fuck, yes. You're good at that." Drawn - 24

Harrison just smiled and kept pushing his buttons, so to speak. He tried to get his hands free, tugging at the shirt. Harrison's smile grew. "I'm in charge here, Giles." "Don't be creepy, now." Harrison's fingers pushed hard against his gland. "I'm not being creepy." "I..." His thoughts scattered. Harrison's fingers slid away, the man kissing him again as he shifted, moved, the noise of the condom almost lost in the man's groan. If his mouth hadn't been busy, he would have protested. He needed more touch. More pressure. More... Cock. Yes. Harrison's was thick and hard and so hot as it pushed slowly into him, spreading him good and wide. Giles' eyes rolled as he stretched. Huge. Harrison was hung. God, yes. "Tight. Fuck, you're so tight." It didn't slow Harrison down any, though. The man kept pushing into him. "More." Fuck, that was a life-changing cock. Harrison grabbed his legs and put them over the wide shoulders, then pushed in deeper -- all the way in, deeper than anyone had ever been. Giles' eyes rolled and he just went with it, his body screaming in pure joy. "Ready, pretty man?" Harrison didn't wait for his answer, just began to thrust into him, each movement solid and sure. "Hell, yes. Hell. Yes." He bucked, arms fighting to get free. The fingers of one of Harrison's hands began to tweak his nipples, moving between them as Harrison kissed and fucked him. Jesus, the man was good at that. "Harder." Drawn - 25

"You're pushy." It didn't slow Harrison down any, though, the hard thrusts gaining momentum and power. Harrison's thick cock pounded into him. "Gotta...gotta ask for what you want." "True. Don't worry, though. I've got what you need right here." "Do you?" He didn't fucking doubt it. "I do." Harrison didn't say anything else after that; the man was pretty intent on fucking him through the mattress if the hard, hot thrusts had anything to say about it. He might have screamed, might have begged. It didn't matter. He just needed. Harrison kept fucking him, not stopping for anything. The man was a fucking machine. "Come on, pretty Giles." Harrison grabbed hold of his cock, twisting the ring in it. "Come on my cock." "Oh. Oh, fuck..." He nodded, panted. "Do it again. Now." "See? Pushy." Harrison grinned and twisted the ring even harder this time. Come shot out of his cock, his ass gripping Harrison's prick. "Fuck! Yes!" Harrison rammed into a him a few more times and then came with a low, sexy groan. Giles hummed. Nice. Very nice. Harrison pressed soft kisses over his face, cheek rubbing against his. "Mmm." Sweet. He licked the corner of Harrison's lips. Smiling, Harrison shifted, pulled out, and then settled next to him. The strong fingers plucked at his shirt. "Thank you." He needed to get free. Harrison took the shirt off him, easy as anything. He arched one eyebrow. "How come that was so easy for you?" "Because I know about restraints." Drawn - 26

"I know about paint." He tried to tell himself not to get too melty. "Cool." Harrison drew him close and nuzzled him. "Mmm." Stay awake. Stay awake. "Sleep, pretty Giles. We can play more after." He didn't sleep. "Mmmhmm." Still, he could stay. "I have toys," murmured Harrison. "I promise it'll be fun." One strong arm wrapped around him, Harrison's hand curling around his hip. "I like to play..." His eyelids surprised him by drooping. "Good. We'll play." Harrison kissed the side of his mouth and then settled, heavy and warm and good next to him. He didn't sleep. He did...

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Chapter Three Harrison woke as the sun began to light his room, his arms full of warm, snuggly man. Mmm. Now that was the way to wake up. Giles had a lot of potential, though the man seemed a little clueless about his own needs. A fascinating mix of sophisticated, jaded, and oddly innocent -- Harrison was afraid he could be captured by that combination, by the man. He slid his hands over whatever flesh he could reach, just touching, enjoying the heat and silk of Giles' skin. Giles' eyes popped open, the look wild, concerned for a moment before they landed on him. "Hey, pretty G. You're good." "Hey. Sorry. Was sleeping. Weird. Good morning." "It was weird that you were sleeping?" Giles had the oddest ideas. "Mmm. Yes." Harrison chuckled. "No, sleeping is not weird." "Mmmhmm. Unnatural." "You seriously don't usually sleep? Like at all?" That could explain a lot. "Nope. I work, nap." "Ah, so you do sleep, just in little bites." He stroked Giles' belly. The man had a great body. "Mmm." Giles pushed closer, the little lines where Giles had hurt himself fascinating Harrison's fingers. "You like pain," he said softly. He had some ideas about that, about how to use Giles' need to cut to his own advantage. "I. What?" Giles looked at him in pure shock. He chuckled and pinched Giles' right nipple. "Hey." Giles backed away a bit. "I never said that." Drawn - 28

"No? Not with your mouth." He rubbed his finger along one of the marks on Giles' chest. "I told you, that was an accident..." "I don't think so, Giles." The boy didn't realize he was into pain, maybe, but that hadn't been an accident. Especially not after the first one. "Shh... No talking." Oh, someone didn't want to face himself. At all. "I like talking. If you don't, though, I'd be happy to find a gag." "You'd look funny in a gag." "So it would be you, then." He gave Giles a wink, but it was nonetheless the truth. Giles chuckled, laughing for him. "No gags." "No?" He ran his fingers along Giles' pretty lips. "You'd look hot." Of course, Harrison was pretty sure Giles would look hot under most circumstances. "No..." Giles licked his fingertips. He felt that lick right in his balls. "You would look hot, you can't deny it." "Sure I can." That made him laugh. "Okay. Yes, you can deny it, but that doesn't make it true." Giles winked at him, tongue flicking his fingers again. He hummed, pushing his fingers right into Giles' mouth. When the suction started straight away, he knew he'd made the right decision. "You're a sensual creature, aren't you?" He fucked Giles' lips with his fingers, his cock responding to the suction and the sight. Giles blushed, the suction never stopping. "I want you. I want you to ride me this time." What would Giles do when he had free rein? Harrison was eager to find out. His fingers popped free. Drawn - 29

"I can handle that." "Good." He slid his wet fingers behind Giles' balls. That little barbell fascinated him, and he tugged it. He let one finger slide over Giles' hole as he did. It surprised him that the sweet hole was slightly swollen. He'd gotten the impression that Giles was well fucked, and often. "Sensitive?" he asked, finger sliding back and forth. "Mmmhmm. 'S good." "Yeah?" He slipped the tip of his finger into Giles. "Yeah." Giles nodded, moving nice and easy. He pushed his finger deeper, groaning at the tight heat that grasped at him. Giles squeezed him, body rippling around his touch. "Fuck. You could become an addiction." "You'll get tired of me. No worries." "Somehow I don't think so." This one had so much potential. "That's a sweet thing to say." Harrison laughed. "Pretty G -- the last thing I am is sweet." Giles leaned in, brushed their lips together. "I don't believe it." "Why not?" "Hmm?" Giles licked his lips. "Why don't you believe it? You don't know me, you don't know what I'll do or want or anything." "We're talking. Did you notice? We were supposed to be fucking." "You're not big on talking, huh?" Harrison lay back and patted his hips. "Come on and ride, then." "Talking gets in the way." Giles grabbed a condom, slipped it on him. "And yet you didn't want the gag." "Shh. I told you you'd look cute in it." Drawn - 30

He laughed, tugged on Giles' leg. "Come on and ride, pretty man." Giles nodded, slicked his cock, and took him in a smooth, easy motion. "Oh, fuck. Fuck." It felt so good. Giles was hot, tight, just about perfect. "Yeah." The lean body started moving, riding him, sliding on his prick. "That's it, pretty G. Ride me. Just like that." He wrapped his hands around Giles' hips, but let the man take the lead. "You've got an amazing cock." Giles' mouth was open, tongue flicking out to wet the kiss-swollen lips. "I do." He knew how to use it, too. "Modest, t... Oh, yeah." He could see each ripple of Giles' abs. "I don't need to be modest." He groaned, humping up into Giles' body. Giles rode him without any inhibition, head thrown back, throat working. Reaching up, Harrison slid his fingers along the exposed throat, watching as Giles swallowed convulsively. He tapped the man's Adam's apple once and then slid his fingers down along Giles' chest toward a nipple. Giles' motions slowed, like the man was waiting for him. He slowed his movements, too, taking his time to get there as Giles' tiny, pierced nipple drew up tight, begging his touch. Moving nice and slow, he grabbed the ring and twisted it. "Fuck..." Look at that man arch. He twisted it harder, and Giles rocked, body jerking on his prick, muscles rippling around it. Drawn - 31

"Fuck, yes!" He pushed up with his hips, then moved to twist the other nipple. Giles' hands landed on his knees, fingers digging in. "Look at you." He ran his hands up and down along Giles' body, fingers pushing into the lean abs. "Uh-huh. Good." Giles moaned for him, cock bobbing. He pushed one hand beneath Giles, touching where their bodies met and tugging on the barbell there. So sexy. "Yeah..." Giles nodded, moved faster. "That's it. Ride me like you mean it." Giles opened his mouth like he was going to speak, but didn't say anything. "What, pretty man? What were you going to tell me?" He wanted to know -- he wanted all the information he could get on Giles. Giles moaned. "You... you might not want me to mean it." "I do want you to mean it." "Oh..." Giles' eyes closed. He jerked his hips up, pushing into Giles with force. "Fuck!" Giles' fingers dug into his legs. "That's right." He pushed up again, getting as much leverage as he could to push in hard. "Amazing fucking cock..." He grinned and nodded. He wasn't modest about his looks or his abilities -- he wasn't arrogant about it, but he was a fucking good lover. Giles was a wild man, too, riding him like there wasn't anything else to do in the world. He got his hand around the man's cock, letting Giles' own motions move the hard cock along his palm. "Good. Come on. Come on." "You first." He squeezed Giles' cock. "Uhn..." Giles shuddered. "No way. You." Drawn - 32

Laughing, he pushed his thumb into Giles' slit. "No. You." "Oh. Oh, fuck. N...not. Not... Oh, fuck." He reached with his other hand and tugged on Giles' balls, and then the barbell behind them. "You are coming first." "Not..." Giles groaned. Stubborn man. Stubborn, beautiful man. "Yes. You. First." He found just the right angle, making Giles cry out. The sweet cock swelled, Giles right on the edge. "I'm gonna make you fly, pretty G. Fly high." "Oh, God..." Giles arched and cried out. "Yeah, right there." He kept hitting that spot, his hand working Giles' cock hard. "God. Yes. Yes, fuck..." Giles' ass went tight-tight around his cock, heat splashing over his hand. "Yes!" He let go, his spunk filling the condom, drawn out by Giles' tight grip. "Fuck, yeah. So good..." Giles was right there. He drew Giles down, bringing their mouths together. Sloppy now, lazy and sated -- this kiss made him smile. He slid his hands over Giles' body. He did love a sensual sub. "I should go work. I've been here for hours." Giles licked his lips, hummed softly. "Do you have a schedule you need to keep?" He knew some artists did, others didn't. "A schedule? Me? No." Giles laughed. "I just work." "Then you can stay." "Can I? Maybe for a little while." "Good." He kissed the top of Giles' head and hugged him close. It took a moment for Giles to relax, to ease into his hold, but it did happen. Drawn - 33

Harrison thought Giles needed this, to be made to be still as much as he needed to feel the pain, to find his focus through that. If fact, Harrison thought he was exactly what Giles needed. And it worked the other way, too.

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Chapter Four Scarlet. The painting needed scarlet. Giles grabbed the specially mixed tube and squirted it, letting it splash on the canvas before he attacked it, spattering the paint with his hands. His phone rang. And rang and rang. He frowned over at it, trying to decide whether to answer. Maybe the painting needed yellow. The phone just kept ringing. He grabbed it on the way to the cabinet to pull out another tube. "What?" A warm chuckle sounded in his ear. "Hello, Giles." "Harrison." He hunted his cadmium yellow. "What's up?" "Not a lot. I wanted to get together with you." "When?" He probably could go out tonight. Or next week. Maybe. "What are you doing now?" "Looking for cadmium yellow." Where the fuck was it, goddamn it? "Painting, nice. I could meet you there, bring supper with me." "What kind of food?" He could be convinced. "What kind do you like?" God, Harrison had a great voice -- how could food sound so sexy? "Finger foods. Spicy foods." Oh, he could add some white. "Spicy? Like Ethiopian? Thai?" "I like Thai. Bring something sweet, too? Oh, there's that cobalt blue..." He hung the phone up, heading back for the canvas. The phone started ringing again. He frowned, grabbed it again. "Yeah?" "You hung up without even saying goodbye." Drawn - 35

"Did I? I'm painting." The world wasn't real then. "Next time say goodbye before you hang up." Giles snorted. "Or what?" He opened the cobalt, squeezed the tube. "Or I'll come and make you." The paint spread over his fingers, slick and cold. "I'll be there in ten." The phone went dead and he stood there, frowning. Wait. No. He was working. He dropped the phone and looked at it, expecting it to ring again. It didn't, though, and the canvas was calling for him, so he got back to work, slinging the paint wildly. More ringing started, but when he checked the phone, that wasn't it. He frowned. What the hell? It took another three rings before it hit him. Doorbell. He hit the buzzer. "Who is it?" "It's Harrison. With dinner?" "That was fast. Is it dinnertime? Wow." He buzzed Harrison in. Weird. "Hey. I... Come in." He never had people in the studio. How did Harrison even know where it was? Had Giles told him? Oh, Harrison had driven him back here. "There's a table over there by the bed." Harrison glanced around as he headed over for the table. He chuckled as he put down the food. "You look surprised to see me -- we did talk about it on the phone." "No. Not surprised. Just... I didn't know it was time for supper." Harrison grinned and hauled him up against the big muscles. "Why am I not surprised?" Mouth descending on his, Harrison kissed him hard. Oh. Wow. Also, yum. He blinked and kissed back, whimpering into Harrison's mouth. "A man could get addicted to you, pretty G." "That could be dangerous." Drawn - 36

"For you?" "No, sweet man." He was the scary one. "I'm the big bad Dom, pretty G." "Hmm?" Oh, the food smelled luscious. Harrison just chuckled and sat, dragging him down to sit on one big thigh. "My hands are dirty..." "Mine are clean -- I'll feed you." "I..." How charming was that? Honestly, how fucking sweet and hot was that? "That sounds delicious." "It does, doesn't it?" Harrison opened one of the packages, the smell of pad Thai wafting up. "Mmm." He scooted closer. "Your sensuality is very sexy." Harrison's finger slid from his collarbone on down along his breastbone. "Thank you." The splashes of paint pulled his skin a bit, almost tingling. "You're very colorful, aren't you?" Harrison's finger slid across his left nipple. "Professional hazard." His nipple went rock hard, and Harrison chuckled, flicking his nipple, sending a shock through him. He gasped, eyes going wide. "We should eat." "Okay." Harrison's grin was smug, knowing. He didn't respond to it, though. No way. This was his studio. He was in control. Harrison grabbed a pair of chopsticks and lifted some noodles from the pad Thai, offering them to him. He opened up, his stomach reminding him suddenly that he hadn't eaten all day. Harrison hummed as he fed Giles the noodles. Spicy, warm, slick. "Yum." Leaning in, Harrison licked at his lips, partway into his mouth. "Oh, that is good." Drawn - 37

He nodded, that odd, off-kilter, off-center feeling hitting him again. Another box was opened and a peanut shrimp was put into his mouth. "Mmm." God, that was good. Bright. Delicious. Yellow. Maybe orange. Again, Harrison leaned in and stole a taste right off his lips. "One more box to try." "Oh. Yes. Please." More tastes. This one was sweeter, the taste of coconut filling his mouth. Chicken, it was some sort of chicken dish. The whip of heat as he swallowed came as a surprise. "I like that one." "What do you like about it?" Harrison offered him another bite before he could answer. The heat caught him again and he moaned, fingers itching to paint that feeling. Harrison dove into a kiss with him, the hot tongue cooling the heat of the chicken. His fingers were covered in paint; he couldn't touch Harrison. It was maddening. Backing off, Harrison fed him another shrimp. "Thank you. I should wash up." "No, I think I like you like this." "What?" No? "Don't worry. I'll take care of you." Harrison fed pad Thai noodles into his mouth. He would have argued, but his mouth was full. And it stayed full, Harrison feeding him bite after bite of food. Finally he slipped back, shook his head. "Full. Never eat so much." "You should, you're too skinny." "Nonsense. It's a great look on me." "So's the paint." Harrison's fingers traced a line of paint from his collarbone down past his ribs. His eyelids Drawn - 38

got heavy, and he moaned. "You're a sexy beast, you know that?" Giles chuckled. He'd heard that before. Harrison popped another shrimp in his mouth. He ate it, frowned. "No more." He'd get fat. Lazy. "You can't be full." "I told you no more." "But I don't believe you. Why are you starving yourself?" He stepped away, shaking his head. "I'm working. Go away." He wasn't talking anymore. "No, I'm here now. You can work when I go." "Go away. You're stressing me out." He frowned, scratching his arm. Harrison frowned right back. "Stop that." His hands were taken, pulled behind his back. He looked at Harrison, growling deep in his chest. "You let me go!" "No. You need someone to make sure you eat, to make sure that you remember your body." "I'm working. Go away." What the fuck was going on? Harrison let go of Giles' hands and crossed his arms over his chest, not seeming to care that he had paint all over his hands and shirt now, looking for all the world like an immovable statue. "No." "What? Have you lost your mind?" The words sounded odd, coming out of his mouth. "Absolutely not. I just know what you need. I can see how you operate, and I can offer you something different, something better." "I'm working. You're not real. I can make you not real. I don't let people come here!" "Giles." Harrison's voice was sharp, immediate, snapping out into the air. His eyes met Harrison's and he Drawn - 39

took a deep breath out of pure shock. "I understand you more than you think I do. I know you have things that drive you, that make you do stuff like this." Harrison reached out and touched the scars on his chest, several of them clear, even through the paint. "Shh." He shook his head. He didn't talk about those. "No. I don't believe in pushing things under the proverbial carpet." Harrison touched another one. "These are here. You did this to yourself. I can show you something more intense, more rewarding." "Please stop. I have to work now." He stepped forward, then back. "I'm not going to stop. You need me." Harrison stepped forward as well, then again, making him back up. "This is my space..." "Making it a safe place to do this. Or you can come back to mine." "You're a sweet man..." Right? Harrison snorted. "Yours or mine, Giles?" He shook his head, refusing to answer. Refusing to do this. Harrison stepped up to him, hand going behind his neck, tilting his head. He could see the kiss coming, Harrison's eyes heated, aroused. All the sound in his head eased, quieted. Stilled. Then Harrison's lips were on his, hot and sure, taking command. None of today's earlier kisses had been like this, and Giles was caught in it. Harrison's tongue pushed into his mouth, explored. Harrison was tasting him, and Giles stood there, caught, almost trapped. The kiss went on and on, Harrison not giving him a single quarter. By the time Harrison's mouth left his, Giles was dazed, blinking. Drawn - 40

"Bed," growled Harrison, gaze never leaving his. He pointed to the back corner, the futon there. His napping spot. One of Harrison's eyebrows went up. "Where's your bedroom?" "What?" "Your real bed, where is it?" "That is where I nap. This is my home." "It's where you nap, but where do you sleep?" He stepped away from Harrison, the chill hitting him again, the knowledge that he didn't belong in the world with anyone else, that he needed to go. "I told you already. It's right there." This was wrong, to let Harrison in here. "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. It's just a small, hard bed." He shook his head. "This is my place. People don't belong here." He headed for the door. Harrison grabbed hold of his arm, pulled him close. "I'm not people." "We have to go. You have to go, hmm?" He couldn't do this. He didn't belong in everyone else's world. "No. I'm not going to let you chase me away. You need me. You need what I can give you." He shook his head. "Later. Later, we can hook up." "I don't want to 'hook up' with you, Giles. I want to make you fly." "I shouldn't have let you in." "You should let me in even deeper." "You don't understand, Harrison." He led them both toward the door. "I don't live in the same world." "I know all about living in a different world. I know how to keep you in mine."

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He shook his head, a little scared now. Harrison was so much. "Go. I'll call you. Later. We'll have coffee somewhere." "You can't always lose yourself in the art." Harrison touched the scars on his chest again. "Not always." He kissed Harrison's cheek, opened the door. "I'll call. Soon." Harrison growled softly. "The only reason I'm going now is because you don't understand the rules. Next time, you will." "Thank you for the shrimp." He closed the door behind Harrison, locked it. Considered bursting into tears. Then he threw the food away and went back to work.

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Chapter Five Harrison gave Giles two days before he called. No one answered the telephone. So he gave it another day, and when this phone call wasn't answered either, he showed up on Giles' doorstep and buzzed. When that didn't work, he waited for a neighbor to come down the commen stairs and slipped inside, heading up and knocking hard on Giles' door. The music inside got louder. Harrison shook his head and rang the bell at this door several times, followed by more banging. "We agreed to talk, Giles." The man was going to put himself into an early grave. The door opened a crack, a red-rimmed eye peering out at him. "I said I'd call you later. I'm working." He frowned; had Giles had any sleep at all? "It's more than three days later." "I'm working. What time is it? I could meet you for coffee after I shower." "Or we could shower together. It's almost seven p.m. Tuesday evening." "I don't let people in. I shouldn't have let you in before. You smell so good." "So let me in for smelling good." Giles' eyebrows lowered. "I'm very tired. Did that make sense?" "Of course it made sense, and you need to take a break. I know you won't take one if I just leave again." "I don't have a real bed, but that doesn't matter because you're not staying. I have a real shower." Harrison chuckled. "I'll share a real shower with you. And then you can come have a late dinner with me and share my real bed." Drawn - 43

His -- how he was thinking of the man as "his" already, he wasn't sure, but he was -- artist blinked at him, then took a step back, letting the door open. "Watch out for the paint." The studio was filled with canvases -- huge, amazing, colorful pieces that battered at the eyes, at the soul. There were a ton more now than there had been three days ago. He was sure of it now; Giles hadn't slept at all in the time between his visits. And somehow he knew that this was how it usually was. Giles must have lost five pounds in the three days, too. The man's fingernails were torn, there were bruises on his arms -- it was like he'd been in a fight. Harrison reached out automatically, fingers light on Giles' bruised skin. "What happened to you?" Giles looked. "I don't know. I was working." "You did this to yourself." He shook his head. Giles needed him. There was no question of that. "I. Was. Working." "And that's an excuse to abuse yourself?" "Shh. I'm going to take a shower so we can have coffee." Giles headed toward the back of the studio, weaving toward a set of double doors. Harrison followed, enjoying the sway of Giles' ass, the bare back somehow covered in paint. The doors opened to expose a stark bathroom with the biggest shower he'd ever seen. God, he needed one of these. There were three different showerheads and different angles. Utter decadence. Especially in the otherwise austere surroundings. Giles stripped down out of his jeans, exposing himself without a hint of worry. Paint and cuts, bruises and marks covered the gaunt body. Those marks should have been made by him. Giles was his. The possessive emotion was strong and sure. Giles was his. Drawn - 44

The water started, Giles stumbling into the spray, face lifted to it. Harrison pulled off his own clothes and stepped in behind Giles, pressing up against the willowy body. He let one hand slide down, rub along the lean belly. "You have special soap for the paint?" "Just scratch it off. No big." Giles grabbed the bar soap and a rough scrubber, attacking his body. "Whoa." He took the soap and the scrubber for Giles' hands. Scratching it off by hand would be preferable to this. Or scraping it off with the edge of a sharp knife. He took Giles' hands and brought them up to the top showerhead. "Hold on and don't let go." "Huh?" Giles held on, the paint mostly flaking off with the pressure of the water. He used his nails on the rest, slowly working the paint off Giles' skin, making sure the man had plenty of sensation when he did it. It told him something, how Giles moaned, held on, the look on the man's face peaceful. He took his time; anyone who had a shower this big had a hot water heater to match. The pale skin turned pink, and Giles' tension dissolved. Oh, he had a sub here. A needy, desperate man. Harrison got the last of the paint off and then took Giles' mouth. Giles opened to him, kissed him slowly, lazily, so he deepened the kiss in small increments, letting it build. Giles' hands lowered from the shower head, arms wrapping around Harrison’s shoulders. It made him growl a little, but he allowed it. Next time he'd cuff Giles' hands to the showerhead and bring a flogger, give his man an added sensation. "We should have coffee now." Giles hummed into his mouth. "Coffee and bacon and eggs." Drawn - 45

"Mmm. Maybe. Not hungry, really." "You need to eat, though." He stroked his fingers across Giles' belly, the man so thin. "Maybe. After coffee." He snorted. He thought maybe with coffee. Or before coffee. And after coffee. But first things first. He took Giles' mouth again, his body beginning to get eager. Giles hummed, hand sliding down his belly to circle his cock. Yeah, that felt good. So did mirroring the movement, taking Giles' cock in his hand and tugging firmly. Giles leaned against him, trusting his strength. He let his free hand find Giles' ass and hold on as he jacked the man, thumb working the tip. The ring moved easily, slick against his touch. Giles was already decorated like someone's beloved sub. He needed a Dom in the worst way. And Harrison wanted to be that Dom. He was that Dom. He pulled harder on Giles' prick. "Mmm." Giles' head fell back, the fingers on his cock moving faster. He leaned in to bite at Giles' neck even as he pressed their cocks together, wrapped both their hands around their pricks so they could get there together. Giles came seconds before he did, heat joining the water over his cock. Groaning, he kissed Giles again, lazy this time, but still heated. Giles slumped, moaning into his lips. "Mmm. That was nice. We should get out before it gets cold, though." "Uh-huh. Coffee." And food. Whatever food he could get into Giles, but for now he'd just go with coffee. Harrison nodded, turned off the shower, and looked for some towels. Giles went to a cabinet, pulled out a Drawn - 46

towel, and handed it to him. Grinning, he tugged Giles close and began rubbing the man down with the terrycloth. He was fairly rough, working this new sensation all over Giles' skin. Giles moaned, stretched, accepting each caress. "You're something else, Giles." "Mmm. I need my coffee." Giles kissed his cheek. "I imagine the promise of caffeine is about the only thing keeping you from falling asleep where you're standing." He grabbed his clothes and started dressing. "I'm good. I'm just fine." Giles wandered to a dresser, pulled out jeans and a T-shirt. No, Harrison didn't think Giles was good at all, but he knew he could help with that. "Come on. I'm taking you to dinner at my club. I want you to see it." "I thought we were having a coffee." "They have coffee at the Hammer." He took Giles' hand and they headed out. Giles locked everything, carefully, before following him, staying close. Harrison clicked his key fob, unlocking the car. "The Hammer? Where is it?" Harrison wasn't sure Giles even knew what day it was let alone where they were. "In the district downtown. You've never been there?" "No. No, I don't think so. I like Magic Java." "The Hammer Club is a members-only club. We can bring guests, though." He headed the car into the flow of traffic. It wouldn't take them long to get there. "As long as they have coffee." Focused man. Harrison imagined Giles was so tired, that's all his brain could do. "They have coffee." He chuckled, pulling into the parking lot. "This is an... industrial part of town." "Huh?" Drawn - 47

"The warehouses? It feels industrial." "Ah. It isn't. It's all converted space." He pointed out the stores, the gym, the restaurants. Giles' poor red eyes took it all in. "Neat." "We're going to the tasteful club right there." He climbed out and opened the door for Giles. His card was swiped at the foyer, the bouncer waving them in. He put his hand in the small of Giles' back, guiding him across the floor to the tables. "It's dark in here. I like it." "Good. Ah, here's a table for two." He seated Giles and settled in next to the man. "There's no host? No maitre d'? That's cool." He pointed to where Xavier was working behind the bar. "He manages the place, and if I'd wanted, he'd have seated us. We're a little late for formality. And it is a Tuesday." "Oh." Xavier waved to him, then the bouncy waiter they all called Happy came over, whistling and bright-eyed. The kid reminded him forcibly of a puppy. "Good evening, Sirs!" Harrison chuckled. "Hi there, Happy. It's a quiet night tonight." "It has been! Which sucks because Chef made yummies." Happy beamed at him, pretty blue eyes dancing. "Tonight he did tapas, which is neat, but the best part? He made French toast! For supper!" Giles laughed softly from beside him. He shot Giles a smile before turning back to Happy. "Well, then, we'll have to have a plate of French toast. Oh, and two cups of coffee, please." "Of course, Sirs. Do you like cream?" "No, thank you. I drink it black." Giles smiled at Happy. "Thank you." Drawn - 48

"I'll take hazelnut cream, though, if you have it. No sugar." He could drink it black if he had to, but he did like it flavored up. "Yes, Sir. I'll be quick as a bunny." Giles laughed again as Happy bounced off. "God, he's adorable." "Isn't he? Irrepressible. The only time I haven't seen him with a smile on his face is when Nic was sick." "Nic?" "Dominic, his master." "Master?" Giles' nose wrinkled. "Yes, this is a BDSM club. And before you wrinkle your nose at it -- remember how bright and happy our waiter was." "A... wow. Somebody read a lot of porn and decided to make a club? Neat. It's not as dirty as you'd think." One of his eyebrows went up and he kept himself from growling. He knew a lot of people only knew the lifestyle as stroking-off material. "It's not dirty at all. And it's not all about sex. It's a lifestyle." One that Giles needed desperately, that would help him so much. "Cool." Giles wasn't paying attention, he could tell. "Do you have a pen?" He pulled a pen out of his pocket and handed it over, a slight frown pulling his eyebrows together. "Thank you." Giles unrolled the silverware and started drawing on the cloth napkin. Images appeared like magic: him, Happy, Xavier, the lights above the bar. "You've got an amazing talent." "It's a thing." Giles stole his napkin next, started working. "You should carry a sketch pad around with you." It would save napkins. Happy brought the coffee, placed it on the table, careful of the drawings. "Oh, wow..." Drawn - 49

"Lovely, aren't they?" Harrison beamed at Happy. "Do you think you could ask Xavier for some paper, if he's got any?" "Absolutely, Sir. The French toast will be coming soon." "Thanks, Happy." Once Happy'd gone, he settled in to watch Giles. The man didn't have talent -- he was possessed by it. Consumed and being eaten by it. Harrison had a few ideas about how to help Giles find more balance in his life, how to rule the demons that plagued him. He took a sip of his coffee, nudged Giles, and pointed to the man's mug. "Mmm. Thanks." Giles drank deep, long throat working. "What day did you say it was?" "Tuesday." He smiled his thanks when Happy stopped by with the paper he'd asked for, handing it to Giles. "Oh, thank you. Can I have a refill, please?" Happy nodded, bounced. "You can. That's too cool. Just amazing." Giles signed the napkin, handed it over. "Oh. Oh, wow. My master will love it. He'll be so surprised. Thank you!" Harrison chuckled. "That was nice of you. You've made his day." Giles shrugged. "Wait until he finds out what it's worth on eBay." "It's a portrait of him that he's going to give his master. I don't think it's going to wind up on eBay." "Things end up in weird places. Even personal things." "Does it bother you? When people see your art and start thinking dollar signs?" "That's Marisa's job, not mine. It bothers me when people steal things of mine and sell them." Drawn - 50

"But it would be okay for Happy to do it because you gave it to him, eh?" Giles nodded. "It that makes him happy. It's not mine anymore." "Huh. I guess that's a good idea." He smiled and slid his hand along Giles' arm. "Would you like to hear more about the BDSM lifestyle?" Happy warmed up Giles' coffee, brought them a huge platter of French toast and sausage. "Thanks, Happy. These look great. Is there maple syrup?" "Yes, Sir. And honey. I'll get the tray." He nodded his thanks and turned back to Giles. "Well? Would you like to hear more about the lifestyle?" "Sure. I like stories." Giles leaned back with his coffee. Harrison cut off a bite of French toast and held it out to Giles. "It's a real thing." "I'm not hungry." Those lips opened. "Of course not." No, Giles was no doubt starving and just didn't realize it. He popped the bite into Giles' mouth Giles hummed, ate the bite. "Doms give subs what they need." He put another bite in Giles' mouth. "Do you have one?" "No. I'm in the market for one, though." "Huh. Will you look here?" "I'm looking here right now." He kept his gaze on Giles. "You'll find a Dom here? Neat." Harrison laughed. "No, babe. I'm the Dom." Giles' laugh was almost gentle. "Are you? For someone like Happy?" "I was thinking more like for someone like you." Drawn - 51

"I don't think there's another person like me anywhere." "No. I don't think so, either." He wondered if Giles would twig to what he meant or if he'd have to spell it out. "So do you come here and have sex?" "No, I come here and have amazing meals. Then I watch people having sex on stage." "Oh." Giles finished his coffee. "Is that legal?" "It's consensual, and no one's being paid." "Do you like it?" Giles touched his plate. "You should eat." "I'm a very good Dom. I'm good at reading people, reading what they need." And Giles was shouting to him right now: not with words, no, but his whole body, his whole aura, the scars on his chest... Harrison had two bites of the yummy French toast. He would bet he'd eaten a lot more recently than Giles had. "You're a sweet man. Dear. A nurturer." Harrison laughed. "I don't think I've ever been called sweet before." He popped another piece of food into Giles' mouth. The nurturer label was appropriate, though. Harrison thought it would be true of most Doms. "Not hungry." Giles ate it, though, humming softly. "Doesn't matter, you still need to eat." Happy brought over the little tray with syrups and honey on it, eyes bright, lips smiling. "Here you go, Sirs. I've gotta get the other table now, sorry!" When he was gone, Harrison poured some maple syrup over one of the pieces of toast and cut off another bite for Giles. "Full." Giles opened for him. "From three little pieces of toast?" He made a mental note that Giles had food issues. Giles nodded but ate the Drawn - 52

bite. "It tastes very good, though." He popped another bite into Giles' mouth and then speared another one. "Would you like to try one of the other types of syrup?" Giles leaned against him, nose twitching. "What is there?" "Two types of honey, blueberry syrup, strawberry syrup, and coconut milk." "Do the honeys taste different?" Giles dipping one finger in, watched the drop fall in fascination. "They do." He turned Giles' finger to Giles' mouth. "Suck." Giles chuckled, followed the order easily, sucking himself clean. Harrison dipped his finger into the other, much lighter honey, and held it up to Giles' mouth. "Now suck this." Those full lips wrapped around his finger, the suction strong, wild, hitting him right in the balls. He groaned, licking his own lips. Fuck, that was nice. "Taste the difference?" His voice was low, husky. "Mmmhmm. One tastes like you." Harrison chuckled. "That's because it was attached to my finger." He liked that, the quick humor. "Then I'd have to try the other one off your finger." "I think that can be arranged." He dipped his finger into the first honey pot, holding it up for Giles to eat. Giles opened up for him, sucked him clean, eyes going wide. "They are different!" He chuckled, nodded. "They are. Even if both have essence of Harrison." "Okay. You win." Giles leaned back, finished his coffee. "So what do you want on your next bite of bread?" "The darker honey." Harrison spread the dark honey over the next slice of French toast and then cut a generous bite off for Giles. Drawn - 53

Giles opened for him, took the bite, groaned. There was a drizzle of honey at the corner of Giles' mouth, and Harrison leaned in to lick it away. Giles turned his face, bringing their mouths together. Groaning into the kiss, he slipped his tongue along Giles' lips, and then into the warm honey-and-coffeeflavored mouth. Giles kissed him, fucked his lips slowly, luxuriously. God, the sensuality was incredible and it made Harrison hard. Relaxed now, quiet, Giles was pure sex kitten. Harrison broke off the kiss to slide another bite of bread into Giles' mouth, this time using his fingers instead of the fork. Giles licked and lapped his fingers, almost moving into his lap. He encouraged the move, pushing out enough from the table that Giles could straddle him. "Don't get my ass kicked, okay?" Giles cuddled close. "No one will think twice about us doing this here." He fed Giles another honey-dipped bite, following it up with another kiss. "Good. God." Giles started moving, sliding up and down his body. Groaning, Harrison grabbed hold of Giles' ass and pulled him closer. "We'll get arrested." Giles moaned the words against his lips. "We won't. Not here." He slid his hand up beneath Giles' shirt, stroking Giles' spine. So skinny, so hot. He wanted to lick and touch every inch. He slid his hand around, finding Giles' little nipples next. The rings were warm, smooth to his fingertips. He tugged on them, gently at first, then with more force, loving the way it made Giles rock harder against him. "Harder, please." Oh, such a sweet slut. Drawn - 54

Harrison twisted the rings, giving Giles what he needed. Giles shuddered, arched above him, eyes rolling. "Oh, fuck." "I know how to give you what you want." He twisted again. He could give Giles exactly what he needed, the pain, the intensity. The care afterward. "Shh. Please, don't talk about it." "Just do it?" He chuckled. He could do that. This time, when he twisted Giles' nipple ring, he swatted the fine ass with his other hand. "Oh..." Giles groaned for him, ass curling like the man was trying to hide. So he swatted Giles again, added a bite to Giles' lower lip. Giles cried out, stiffened, hips jerking in rough little motions. "That's it, G. Come on. Let me show you how good it can be with someone who knows." He yanked hard on the nipple ring, swatted the sweet ass, and then let his nails scrape from nipple to navel. Giles shot, swallowing what Harrison would have bet was a wild wail. "Good man." He took Giles' mouth, kissed him through the end of his orgasm. Giles began to shake, shiver. "I just... we. In a club." "Shh. It's okay. That's the kind of thing that goes on here." He tugged gently on Giles' right nipple ring: focus right here. Giles moaned again, lips parting. He licked them, breathed into Giles' mouth. Giles melted into him, holding him. He deepened the kiss, taking Giles' mouth. When the kiss was over, he pressed their foreheads together and breathed Giles in. "What happens now?" Giles blinked at him, focused on him. Drawn - 55

"Now that I've proven I can give you what you want? You need to choose a safeword. I need to tell you more about the lifestyle." "I think I need to go clean up." "No running away, I'm not letting you do that." "I just. I'm sticky." And scared, Harrison thought. "The bathrooms are lovely here. There are several singles. We can continue this conversation there, get you unsticky." "I. In the bathroom? Together?" "Yeah." He stood, careful not to dump Giles from his lap. "I. Harrison? What are you doing?" "Bringing you to the bathroom to get you cleaned up." "You're carrying me." Giles made him grin. "I am." He squeezed Giles' ass and pushed open one of the single bathroom doors with his hip. Giles moved to the sink as soon as Harrison let him down. Harrison moved to stand behind the man, pressing up against Giles' back. "I. I think I need to..." Giles' hands were trembling a little. "Stop thinking. Give me a safeword." He'd get Giles on track once he had that. "A safeword of what?" "A safeword is a word that you pick that you wouldn't normally say. If you ever use that word I stop. No matter what we're doing. It's so that you can scream and yell stop and tell me no, and not really mean it." "Are you serious?" Giles turned the water on, grabbed a hand towel and got it wet. "I am." Harrison reached around Giles and took the cloth, wringing the water out and then dabbing at Giles' crotch. Drawn - 56

"I can do that! I'm all. This is. Listen. I owe you an orgasm and then I need another cup of coffee and probably to r... go. Outside." He kept cleaning Giles up. "Safeword, Giles. Pick one. Now." "I. I. I can't. I don't know one. I need to..." "How about flowers." "Flowers?" Giles stopped, looked at him. "You wouldn't normally say that, would you?" "No. No, I wouldn't. I mean, I don't do still lifes..." The corner of his mouth twisted up and he nodded. Of course Giles would bring it back around to painting. "Flowers it is. You want me to stop and you say flowers. That's the only thing that will be guaranteed to stop me. Do you understand?" "I guess. I guess, so... It's like you're playing a game that I don't know the rules to." "I'm trying to explain the rules to you, but this isn't a game. This is real life. This is giving you what you need." He lifted Giles' shirt and pointed to the bruising and cuts. Things Giles had done to himself. "You have needs. I can give you what you need." "Don't talk about them! It was an accident!" Giles jerked the shirt down, stared at him. "We both know it's not an accident that you hurt yourself, Giles. I'm telling you I can make it easier for you. I can give you the focus and the pain that you need." "I'm not crazy. I'm not." There was a deep wound there. A terror. "I know that. That's what I'm telling you." "I. I. Can't we just go fuck? That's easy. I get that." "We can. But I want to do more to you than just that. We can start with the fucking, though." He pressed up tight against Giles and turned the man's head, taking a Drawn - 57

hot kiss. Giles groaned for him, tongue sliding against his, tasting him, so he wrapped his lips around Giles' tongue, sucking it. Giles' eyes went wide as he took control. He bit at Giles' tongue, at the lower lip, giving the man a touch of pain. Giles' groan went straight to his crotch, to his cock. His cock was aching to be buried inside Giles' ass, filling and stretching that hole. "Want you." He bit at Giles' earlobe. "Right here. Your turn to come." "You're right. It is." He tugged down Giles' pants. The tight, sweet ass was right there, right there for him, and he pushed a finger in. Giles didn't back away, instead pushing toward his touch. A second finger went in, Giles opening up for him. He pushed harder, filling Giles up to the knuckle, the tight hole spreading easily. Leaning in, he bit at Giles' neck, pulled his fingers partway out, and then pushed them in hard. "Fuck!" Giles' cry was loud, sharp. "It's coming." He pulled his fingers away, lined up his cock, and grabbed a condom from the counter. "Good." Giles grabbed the edge of the sink, held on tight, and bent over. "Perfect." He gripped Giles' ass and pushed in. Giles took him to the root, started moving him, slamming back and fucking himself. Someone needed fucking badly. He pushed in, holding on to Giles' hips and forcing Giles to let him lead. Giles grunted, fought him. "Damn it, Harrison. I thought you wanted me." "I fucking do." Harrison thrust in hard, yanking Giles back onto his cock. As soon as he pulled back, Giles tried to follow. He pulled out and smacked Giles' ass. Hard. Drawn - 58

"Hey..." Oddly enough, that didn't sound like a complaint. He slapped Giles again and then pushed back in. "Come on. Quit playing!" Giles' muscles rippled around him. "Not playing." He thrust back in, slamming this time. "Yeah." Giles' head fell forward, dark hair in his face. "Yes." He did it again, putting his strength behind the thrust. "Harder. Come on. Come on. Fuck me." He pulled Giles back in on the next few thrusts. He could feel the man's muscles jerk, hear the low, rough grunts. "Harder?" He changed his angle, finding Giles' gland. "Yes..." Giles looked like he was flying. "I can do that." He did, slamming into Giles, pulling the man back onto his cock at the same time, really letting Giles have it as hard as the man wanted. He could see Giles' joy, the way the man was transported, impaled on his cock. Reaching around, he grabbed one of Giles' nipple rings, twisting it. Giles jerked, ass like a fist, milking him. "Fuck!" He kept thrusting in, pushing as hard as he could. "So good. So good. Come on." The words went on and on, pouring out of Giles. He tweaked the one nipple, then the other, working it. Working Giles, and Giles worked him in return, driving them harder together. "Come on, G. Fucking give it to me." "Yeah. Yeah. Come on. Come on." "You come on. You come on my cock, G. Do it now." This was his show. Giles' eyes met his in the mirror, spunk spraying over the sink. Drawn - 59

"Yes!" He held that gaze as he jerked a couple more times, coming hard. Giles slumped forward a little, gripping the edge of the sink. He kept his arm around Giles, his other hand removing the condom as he came out. "I've got you, G." "I think I want to go to the studio." "I'll take you there. We can talk on the way." "Okay. Okay. You don't have to drop me off. I can walk." "No, I don't think I'm going to let you out of my sight." In fact, he thought a night, two nights of heavy sleep in a real bed might be in Giles' best interest. He did up Giles' pants, his own. "Come on." "Okay. Let me pay for our food." "No. Members' benefits." "Member..." Giles shook his head, smiled. "Nothing's making sense to me." "That's because you don't believe it's real yet. You will." "I need to go home." Giles sounded stretched thin, to the limit. "Come on, then." He took Giles' hand and led him out. They headed out without a word, Giles quiet, drooping beside him. He wrapped his arm around Giles' waist as they walked to his car. "I have you," he murmured quietly. "I'm sorry. I'm okay. I just... I'm not feeling so steady." "It's okay. You're allowed." He gave Giles a wink and got him into the car. Giles leaned hard against the car door, face so tired. Harrison was going to get that boy some sleep. "Thank you for the coffee." Drawn - 60

He headed the car toward his place. "Anytime, G." "The studio is that way." Giles pointed west. "You need some sleep. I'm going to help you get it." It didn't take long to pull up in front of his place. "This isn't the studio. I want to go home. You said you'd take me home." "I'm taking you home. Home with me." He grabbed Giles' hand, squeezed. "You need to come in with me." "I need to go home. I'm tired." There was hysteria just hidden under the surface. "I'm going to help you sleep, G." "I don't feel good. I need to see my sister. I need to go..." Giles' fingers clenched around his. He drew Giles up to the house, let them in. "You need to sleep. I have a big bed." "I need to go home." Giles held on to him. "You are home." He meant it, too. He wasn't just saying it to get Giles to come with him; he meant it. He led Giles into his bedroom, into his bed, and he didn't get any resistance. He stripped Giles down, then himself, and wrapped around the lean, lovely man. Giles shivered. "I need to go home." "You need to sleep. Right here. With me." "It's..." Giles' eyes started to close. "I mean..." "Shh. Sleep, G. It's safe. I have you." "Sleep." Harrison watched Giles relax, curl into him, eyes looking almost bruised. He held Giles in his arms and held that gaze, watching silently, promising Giles the world. Giles touched his bottom lip. Once. Gently. He licked the fingertip. Then his stubborn sub was asleep. He held on to Giles; he would start as he meant to go on. With Giles in his arms. Drawn - 61

*** Giles woke up with a start, sitting straight up, eyes wide. This wasn't his studio. It was dark; the bed was soft. It didn't smell like oil paints. Not his place. A low noise and snuffle sounded, something warm and solid wrapping around him, a hot hand petting him. He looked down. Harrison. God. They'd fucked hard last night. It had been fun, but it was time to go. He slipped out of the bed and found the bathroom, washed up quickly. When he was done, Harrison was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame, utterly naked. "Hey, G." "Hey." He blinked, smiled. "I didn't mean to wake you up." "I'd rather wake up with you than sleep in an empty bed." "I was going to work." He stepped forward. Harrison snorted. "I don't think you've caught up on your sleep yet." "I don't sleep. I nap." He moved closer. "Okay. You haven't caught up on your napping." Harrison reached out, hand warm on his belly. That made him heavy-lidded. There was something about Harrison that fascinated him. Harrison stroked his skin, the touch intoxicating. "Oh." He hummed and pressed closer. Maybe a few more minutes. Harrison took his mouth, tongue sliding in as his lips were parted. Mmm. Kisses. Giles found himself in Harrison's arms, surrounded. Harrison pulled him close, the long, hard body so hot against him. Slowly Harrison backed them into the Drawn - 62

bedroom, back into the darkness, the heavy, quiet peace. It wasn't ever dark at the studio. Ever. He was laid out on the bed, Harrison coming down on top of him, hot and heavy. There. So there. He blinked up, a little dizzy. Harrison smiled down at him, pressing one kiss after another on his lips. Giles found himself relaxing, chasing the kisses. Harrison made it harder and harder, placing them on his cheeks, his eyes, his jaw. Finally he stopped, smiled, let Harrison touch him. The man's teeth scraped across his jaw, down to his throat, and Giles moaned, stretched out, swallowed. Humming, Harrison wrapped his lips around Giles' Adam's apple and sucked. "Mmm. Thought you were sleeping..." "Only dozing." The words were spoken against his skin, vibrating. "N...napping." He laughed, tickled. "There you go." "You have such a soft bed. Decadent. I love it." "Good. I want you to spend a lot of time in it." He couldn't do that. That wasn't who he was. No reason to worry Harrison about it, though. Harrison kissed his way down, stopping at his nipple rings to grab and twist them in his mouth. "I." Wait. He wasn't horny. Right? "You've got them; it's a shame that no one ever uses them." Harrison winked and tugged one between his lips again. "I do. I use them." It felt so much better for someone else to, though. "It's not the same thing."" "No. No, it's not the same thing at all." As if to prove it, Harrison tugged hard on his right nipple ring, and his toes curled, lips parting. "Oh." Drawn - 63

"Mmm. Yes. Oh." Harrison did it again. "I." He twisted, trying to slide out from under Harrison, but the man held him. "It's okay to like the pain, Giles. It doesn't make you a freak." "I'm not crazy." He wasn't. It just... it made things so much easier, after. So much quieter. "No, you're not crazy. And I know exactly how to give you what you need." "How? How do you know?" How could anyone know that? "Because that's what the BDSM community is all about. It's about people needing and people giving." "Shh. No more talking." Harrison kept trying to make things real. That made Harrison laugh, and the man bit at his right nipple, teeth and tongue playing with the ring. Giles twisted, not sure if he wanted to get away or closer. "Gonna do so many wonderful things to you." "I don't know. I don't know what to say." "You don't have to say anything. I'll just keep doing it." That actually made it easier, somehow. Harrison's fingers slid down to tug at his balls. A dull ache built in the pit of his belly, and his breath caught. Harrison tugged again, then let go of his balls and flicked at the skin behind them. God, that made the barbell at the base of his nuts ache. Harrison flicked once more, and then grabbed the barbell, pulling on it. He tried to sit up, chest slapping against Harrison's. "Oh, I should do that one again." Harrison did, tugging harder this time. "I. Fuck. Fuck..." That was good. Drawn - 64

"Mmm. Yes." Harrison twisted the barbell, not being gentle at all. He cried out, hips bucking restlessly. "Fuck, that's sexy." "Want to move." "Want to or have to?" Harrison asked. "What?" He needed to get up. "Do you want to move or do you need to move? There's a difference." Goddamn it. "Let me up. I want up." "No." Harrison's mouth latched onto his right nipple. "No?" He pushed up into that suction, hands wrapping around Harrison's head, and Harrison shook his head, taking the nipple ring with him. "Fuck. Fuck. I. Fuck." He was going to short out. "We will, G. But first we're going to play." "Play? I was going to go home. You were sleeping." "And now I'm awake and we're here together and I'm ready to blow your mind." "I don't..." Harrison bit his nipple and he cried out, hips bucking sharply. "You do." Harrison treated the other nipple to a bite as well, and the strong fingers dragged along his arms, digging into his muscles. "Fuck, yes." He twisted, his cock filling, swelling. "Oh, the things I am going to do to you, G. I'm going to blow your mind and put it back together again." "I'll believe it when it happens." God, Harrison made him smile. "Okay. I can live with that." Harrison looked up at him, eyes twinkling as the man's tongue played with the ring in his nipple. He traced Harrison's eyebrows, suddenly hit with the urge to paint the man, just like this. The other eyebrow went up. "What?" "I want to paint you. I need to." Drawn - 65

Harrison turned and kissed his palm. God, that gentle little touch made him shiver. "You will. Not right now, but you will." Harrison punctuated the words with a bite to the pad of his thumb, and his fingers curled, fingertips stroking Harrison's cheek. Harrison's hands slid over his body, one heading for his nipple, the other toward his cock. His fingers were caught, wrapped in Harrison's hair. His right nipple ring was twisted, his hafada tugged. "So fucking good. Damn it." Again. Do it again. Harrison laughed, eyes shining, and wow, the man did it again, sensation zinging through him. His lips parted, nerves alight, alive. "Gonna get some gold chains. Link all your piercings together." He thought that would take a lot of chain, but he didn't bother saying it. He was very busy flying. Harrison worked one ring, then the next, and then the next, then the barbell, sometimes twisting two at a time, sometimes barely touching even one. His hands moved in Harrison's hair, touched the broad shoulders, just exploring. Eventually Harrison spread his legs, pushed them back, and began to lick at his hole. "Oh, fuck!" Giles grabbed his knees and went with it, the hot licks like fire against him. Harrison's tongue pushed in when he did that, sliding into his hole. "Yeah. Yeah. So fucking hot." He rocked up, fucked himself on the man's tongue as Harrison pressed his face in hard, tongue going deeper. The pleasure made him want to scream, it was so good. That magical tongue disappeared for a moment, Harrison biting the place where his thigh met his ass. Giles jerked away, almost sitting up. "No," growled Harrison, hands landing on his hips and holding him in place as another bite landed in almost the same spot. Drawn - 66

"Fuck. No biting." He fought, gasping, jonesing on the burn. "I like biting." Giles did, too. Just on his terms. "No biting." Harrison's response was to bite the inner thigh of his other leg. "Fuck!" Hot. So fucking hot. "That's coming, I swear." Of course, what came next was another bite, a little lower this time. "God damn it." He twisted, pulling away. Harrison growled again. "Do I need to tie you down?" "No!" "Are you sure?" Harrison bit at his hip. "I. Yes. Yes, I mean. Yes?" "I think you like it. I think you like it a lot." Why did that bastard sound so self-sure? Giles wasn't sure what the hell to do about it. Hell, why should he have to? He just wanted to fuck. "Just... Christ, you make me dizzy." "Good." That was it; just "good" was all Harrison said. He bared his teeth a little, went up on his elbows to look down at Harrison. "How is that good, exactly?" "It's my job to make you crazy. Dizzy. Out of your mind." Giles noticed that Harrison didn't look terribly worried, and that made him laugh. "Like I need to be more out of my mind." Crazy was way less fun than advertised, really. Harrison's tongue slid up along his hip, slick and warm. "Ah, but when you come back to yourself, it'll be even better." "You think so?" Harrison's chin scratched his hip. "I think we're going to be very good for each other." Drawn - 67

"I'm not good for anyone." Harrison's next bite made him jump. "You're just right for me. I've been looking for you." Looking for him? "You mean you wanted an artist to play with?" "I mean I wanted you to play with." Nonsense. He shook his head. "You don't mean that." "I do." Ridiculous. Harrison didn't really know him yet. Harrison licked along his belly and then nipped at his skin, right near his navel. Obviously the man was willing to give up the argument, and he was all over that, going for it as he jerked and chuckled, that tiny nibble tickling. "Pretty baby." Harrison licked over to his right nipple and then yanked the ring hard. Giles cried out, rolled Harrison over, and started humping. Harrison rolled them back, pushing him down into the mattress. No. No, he was going to do it. He was going to be on top. Harrison stayed on top of him, though, kept pushing him down. "I've got you, G." "I... You're pushing me." "Yes." That was it. Just the one word and Harrison's intense gaze. "I don't want you to." So there. "That doesn't matter. You need me to." He snorted, tossed his head (or tried to). "Bullshit." Harrison just laughed. Oh. Oh, that pissed him off. "Don't you fucking laugh at me, asshole." "I'm not laughing at you, G." "What was that, then? Because I'm not crazy. I'm not." "I know you're not crazy. I know you have needs, I understand that. Maybe better than you do. I find it Drawn - 68

funny that you need so hard and deny it so hard at the same time." "I'm not crazy." That was important. "Didn't I just say that I know you're not crazy?" Harrison grabbed his face between his hands. "You hear me, G? I know you're not crazy." He searched Harrison's eyes, wanting to know the man was serious. Harrison held his gaze. "I know what you need and I know you're not crazy. I think maybe I know it more surely than you do." He nodded. "I'm not crazy. I'm... this is crazy. This situation." "No, this situation is just what you need." "You're used to getting what you want." So was Giles. "I am. And I want you." "I should go home." Run. Have a long run. "No. We're not finished here." Harrison's hand wrapped around his cock, tugging lightly. "Not by a long shot." "But... I need to work. I'll get you off first." He wasn't a bastard. Mostly. "You can work tomorrow. You're staying here, getting off, sleeping, getting what you need, and then tomorrow you can work." "Tomorrow." Harrison's fingers tugged the ring in the head of his prick, and his eyes crossed. "You heard me." Harrison twisted the ring again, then added a couple of pulls to his nipple rings as well. "Uh-huh." God, that was good. "I've got whips that are going to make you crazy. A flogger. It's going to hurt so good, G. I promise you." Whips? No way. No way. Of course, it was probably all just dirty talk to rev them back up. Drawn - 69

"Gonna be so good." Harrison tugged hard on the Prince Albert. "So..." He arched, body following the tug. The ring twisted in Harrison's hand. "Don't tear me." Oh, fuck. "I care about you, G. Won't hurt you." The words heated him, even if they couldn't be true. "Now come for me." He groaned, humped Harrison's hand. People didn't come on demand. Harrison flicked Giles' nipple ring with his free hand, and spunk pushed from him, his hips rolling in hard, rough jerks. "There you go, G." "Uh-huh." He blinked, dazed. Harrison chuckled and circled around him. "You. You okay?" Sleepy. Sleepy. "I'm just fine." Harrison kissed his eyebrow. "Let go, G. I've got you." "So tired." And warm. Harrison was warm. "Then sleep already, G. It'll be okay." "'Kay." Okay. Yeah. Sleep. *** Harrison went back to sleep when Giles did, arms full of melted man. He'd known he'd be good for Giles, knew he could give the man exactly what he needed. He was surprised to wake up before Giles did; it looked like he'd melted the man even more than he'd thought. Too thin, too tired, too overworked -- the man was in desperate need of a keeper. Harrison was just the man for the job, too. Drawn - 70

Giles stretched, forehead creased in a frown. He slid his hand along Giles' belly. That simple touch relaxed Giles, eased the frown. Giles might not have figured it out yet, but somewhere deep down, he knew it, too. Harrison explored Giles lazily, fingertips sliding over the pale, smooth skin. He traced the scars and slid his fingers over metal. It didn't take long for Giles to wake up, to meet his eyes. "It's morning." He smiled. "It is." "I slept a long time." Giles traced his lips. "Probably not as long as you really need to." He nipped at Giles' fingers. "Sleep is overrated." The smile he got was brilliant. "So is a good spanking." "What?" There was a look of complete confusion on Giles' face. He shook his head. "I was just teasing, G. There's always a place for a good spanking." "That doesn't make sense." Giles stretched again, humming softly. "You smell good." "It does make sense and thank you." He licked Giles' neck. "And you taste good." Giles chuckled. "That tickles." "Better give you a harder touch, then." He bit this time. "Oh." Giles' hands landed on his shoulders. Fuck, he loved the way the man jonesed on the pain. Giles started shifting, moving under him. He noticed there weren't any protests about having to leave this time. He found a nipple ring, tugged it gently, and then twisted. Giles responded beautifully, body arching in a slow, steady arc. Fuck, that was sexy. It made him need. Giles made him need. He rubbed and twisted the other ring. Drawn - 71

"Please." Did Giles even know what he was asking for? "You ever been whipped, Giles? Has anyone ever spanked you? Paddled you?" Made you scream? "Whipped? I. Are you serious?" "Very serious. I've seen the things you do to yourself, Giles. Believe me, it's so much better when someone else does that for you." Long fingers covered his lips, hushing him, so he bit at Giles' fingertips. Giles chuckled, winked. "You're biting." "I am. You like the biting." Giles liked it a lot. "Shh. You keep saying things." "I like saying them. I like the way me saying them makes you jerk and buck and want." Giles shook his head. "You have to be good, hmm?" "I'm being very good." "Are you? I want to paint you." "When we're done here, I'll sit for you." Giles offered him a blinding smile, nodded. "Good. Good. I need to do it." "Like a compulsion?" "No. I just need to. I'm not crazy." Someone had a serious issue. "Listen, G. I know you're not crazy, okay? I know that." "I'm not, and I won't go see any doctors. Okay?" He shook his head. "I haven't suggested that you should. Where is this coming from?" "It's not you. It's. I have. Before. My last lover. My sister. It was ugly. There were police." There was illhidden fear, worry in those eyes. "He didn't understand you, G. I do." He stroked Giles' cheek. Drawn - 72

"I just need it, sometimes. It gets loud and that hushes it." "I know. And I want to help with it." Giles' eyes searched his, the look intent. "You won't tell? Anyone?" "I won't tell anyone." "Okay. Okay. I won't either. I mean, if it's wrong for me, it's got to be wrong for you, too, right?" "What? No." He shook his head. "It's not wrong, G." "Sure it is. If it wasn't, then they wouldn't put you in the hospital." The words were supremely, completely confident. "You do remember the club, right? The BDSM?" Giles frowned for a second, then smiled. "Yes. Yes, from last night. I was so tired." "You were. Do you remember choosing a safeword and what it stood for?" "I..." It was fascinating to watch Giles' mind work. "Flowers. It was flowers." "Yeah. So you use that word if ever you need me to stop, okay?" Giles nodded. "When I need to go?" He considered that, and then nodded. "Yes. Or if the pain is too much. Because I'm not going to stop when you say stop. Or no. Only if you say flowers." "Okay. Because sometimes I have to run away." "No, no running away." That earned him a frown. "But you just said to say it when I needed to go." "There's a difference between needing to go paint and running away, though." "Is there? Why? You talk a lot for someone so quiet." "I just want to make sure you understand." Giles shook his head. "I think I'm going to get up now and have some coffee." Drawn - 73

"No, I think you're going to stay right here. In fact, I think I'm going to cuff you to my bed and show you how a flogger works." God, that look -- half hungry, half stunned -- was the hottest thing Harrison had ever seen. "Don't move." He gave Giles a hard kiss and got up. "I thought we were going to make coffee." "I know what you're doing." He grabbed the cuffs and went back to the bed. "You do?" Giles looked at the cuffs, licked his lips. "You're trying to distract me and hoping like hell it doesn't work." Giles nodded. "You're exciting me. A lot." "Good." He pointed at the headboard. "Hold on to that." "Say please." Harrison grinned. Pushy, needy man. "No, you do as I say." "No. I don't follow directions." He climbed onto the bed, straddling Giles' chest, and grabbed one hand, putting the cuff on it. Giles moved with him, stretching out under him, arching under him. Sexy, sexy man. He attached the cuff to the headboard and gazed down into Giles' eyes. "Grab the headboard with your other hand." Giles moaned softly. "God, you're hot." He smiled down at Giles. "I know. Now do it." Giles reached up and grabbed the headboard, never looking away from him. He managed to hold that gaze as he cuffed Giles' other hand and wound the cuff around the headboard. "That's the tie-you-down portion dealt with." "You'll let me out if I ask, though, right? If I say flowers?" "That's right. So you can scream and shout and tell me no and stop and I won't. Only if you say flowers." Drawn - 74

"Okay. They won't hurt my hands, will they?" "The cuffs are around your wrists, and they're padded. Stop worrying." He would give Giles something else to focus on. "I don't know if I can." "You can." He shifted downward so he was straddling Giles' hips, and tweaked one nipple ring, then the other. "They're tender." Giles tried to move away, then closer. "Good. Just tender." "I'm going to have to try some clamps on them. I have ones designed for ringed nipples." Giles gave him an incredulous look. "I do." He flicked the right nipple ring, and then played with the Prince Albert a little. "Oh. Oh, please. That's so good." "You definitely need a little bit of jewelry. A pretty chain so I can tug once and get all your rings at the same time." "Oh..." Giles' lips opened, parted, begged for him, so he slid his fingers over them, then into Giles' mouth. Oh, fuck. The suction made his eyes roll, made him whimper. He wanted that mouth around his cock. He wanted it now. He crawled up along Giles' body. Giles fought him, sucking his fingers hard, pulling at them. He only tugged them out when his cock bumped up against the underside of Giles' chin. "Want." "You sure?" He slid his cock along Giles' lower lip, a drop of pre-come smearing. "Now. Now. I need it." Hungry little slut. He let the tip press against Giles' lips, and Giles stretched, fighting to get to his cock. Drawn - 75

He loved that eagerness and rewarded it by slipping a little more of his cock in. Giles groaned, sucking him into that perfect heat. He sank in slowly, almost crying. God, the suction was fierce, intense, Giles sucking him almost viciously. He pulled out a little, the suction only increasing, making him cry out and sink back in, then pull out to feel it all over again. Giles' moan felt like heaven around him. Heaven. "Fuck. Giles. Your mouth..." Look how quickly the man had made him incoherent. That mouth worked him like Giles was desperate, was starving. "You want it, G? Want my come?" Giles growled around his cock. Taking that as a yes, he let his hips have their way, pushing into Giles' mouth over and over. The long throat took him in, Giles swallowing convulsively around him. He grunted hard, spunk pouring from his cock like he was a needy kid. Giles took him, groaning, moaning, tongue slapping his prick. He jerked and bucked, cock pushing deeper. Hot. Giles' mouth was hot and getting hotter around him. "So fucking good, G. Perfect." Giles was perfect around him. Giles was going to keep him revved up, keep him hard, so he let the man do it, wanting it as much as Giles did. He was going to tan that beautiful ass and then fuck it. Then he was going to feed Giles and make the man sleep again. He pulled slowly out, his fingers sliding on Giles' face, and Giles' lips parted for him, red and swollen and wet. "You're fucking gorgeous." Giles moaned softly. "Thank you. I. It's nice to hear." "Compliments make you tongue-tied?" Drawn - 76

"Yeah. It's always awkward. You never know what people want." "I want to fuck you through the mattress, okay?" Giles blinked, then started chuckling. "Yes. Yes, that is very much okay." "Well, then, you do know what I want." There, easy as pie. "I do. You want my hole. I want to feel your cock. It's all good." Giles' tough words made him smile. "It is. And you're fucking gorgeous." "Excellent. Now fuck me." "Fucking pushy." "That works." Harrison laughed and spread Giles' legs wide, pushing a finger into the eager little hole. "Better." Giles grinned at him, winked. He grabbed the lube and slicked his fingers up, sliding three right into Giles. "Yes..." That tight little hole clenched, body jerking, and he stretched his fingers apart as far as he could, opening Giles back up. Giles twisted for him, hands pulling at the cuffs, gently at first, then harder. He twisted his fingers, finding Giles' gland, grinning as Giles' ass clenched around him. "Fuck. Fuck. There. Again." "Yeah, right here." He tapped that spot again, then again. Giles was wild under him, bucking and pulling, groaning. Gorgeous, sexy, his. All good words. "Don't stop. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck, that's hot." "I'm going to stop. I am." A broken cry filled his bedroom, the sound perfect. "Why?" Drawn - 77

"Because I want to fuck you with my cock, not my fingers." Giles groaned, body rippling around him. He tugged his fingers away and slid on the condom, settling between Giles' spread legs. "Please." Giles nodded, moaned, spread wider. "I'm not going to leave you wanting." He started to push in, taking his time. Giles squeezed him, and he groaned. Demanding bastard. "I'll set the pace, G. Me." He should have blistered Giles' ass first like he'd planned. Next time, he would. Giles tried to buck up against him again, get him deeper, and he pulled out. On the other hand, he could do it now. "Pushy, G." "God damn it! You said we were going to fuck!" "I'm going to spank you first. Remind you who's in charge." Giles' eyes went wide. "No fucking way." "Yes, way. Gonna make this sweet ass all rosy." Hot and red and tingling. "Not going to let you." God, he could smell Giles' arousal. "You aren't going to have a choice." He shifted, ignoring the way his cock was aching, and grabbed Giles' hips, twisting him carefully over onto his stomach. There was enough give in Giles' arms that they crossed, but didn't pull painfully against the cuffs. That beautiful ass was right there, pale and perfect. Groaning, he rubbed it, felt it up. Giles drew his legs up underneath that long, lean body, offering him more of that pretty ass. Oh yes, someone wanted this, needed it. He felt Giles' balls, squeezed them gently, and the man's thighs parted. "Sexy fucker, that's what you are, Giles." "No spanking. Just fuck me." Drawn - 78

"Yes, spanking." He let his hand fly, landing it on Giles' right butt cheek. "No..." But Giles didn't pull away. Instead, the man pushed back toward him. He nodded and hit the other ass cheek, then the first again. "Asshole..." Giles found his rhythm, started dancing for him. "Am not. I'm the man who gives you what you want." He kept smacking, jonesing on the sound, and on the way Giles worked with him. "No. No, what I need." "Yes. Very good." Giles knew the difference. He appreciated that. "Don't say that. It's not good to need this. Don't stop." "You need it. You need it. You need it." With every word, he swatted Giles' ass. "Don't say it..." Giles was pushing into each swat. "You need it." "Don't say that!" He gave a really hard swat and said it again. "You need it." Giles cried out, head shaking. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Let me go, now." "No. I'm doing this. We're doing this." Giles shook his head again. Still, Giles' body was eager, moving toward his hand, so Harrison kept spanking, his palm beginning to burn deliciously. He watched the pale skin turn rosy red, almost glowing. "You look good like this, G." "It burns." "Yeah. So good, isn't it?" Giles whimpered softly but refused to answer. "Stubborn man." He grabbed hold of one asscheek, squeezed. Burning. The skin was burning. Drawn - 79

Giles' muscles went tight, and he leaned down and licked at the heated skin. He almost laughed as Giles stilled. He licked again, then again, swirling his tongue around on the hot skin. He could feel Giles relax, settle into the sensations. He used his thumb and his tongue, working Giles' ass, and low moans started to fill the air, Giles right there with him. He let them build, silently urging Giles higher and higher. "Harrison. Harrison, I need your cock. I need more." "Are you sure?" He was going to drive Giles as far as he could. "Am I sure? Jesus." Harrison laughed and blew across the hot, damp flesh. Giles' toes curled, and the man shuddered and pulled away. He took a swipe at that sweet little hole. "Please. Please. What do you want me to do?" "I'm enjoying the begging..." Giles wasn't quite needy enough yet. Harrison wanted him at the very edge before taking the man. "Oh, for fuck's sake. You bastard." Harrison chuckled. "You're too coherent to be as needy as I want you." A string of curses left Giles, making Harrison laugh again. He bit at the sweet, reddened ass, and Giles scooted away from him, moving toward the headboard. "Nowhere to go, G. Gonna make you scream with need." "Let me go." Giles' balls were hanging heavy, swinging. "No, that's not in the deal." He pushed his thumbs into Giles' ass. "Oh... It's not? I can't stay here." "You can until I've finished fucking you through the mattress." Drawn - 80

"Then do it!" "When I'm ready." He spread Giles with his thumbs, blowing into the little hole. Giles stiffened, gasped. "Wh...what are you doing?" "Stimulating you. Has no one ever played with you?" Giles was so needy for every sensation, it was amazing to work him over. "Not like that. Not there." "You like it?" He blew again, then wriggled his thumbs. "I don't know." "You like this, though." He let his thumbs slide away and pressed in with his prick. "Yes." Giles grunted, body welcoming him in. "Pushy, needy man." He slid all the way in, and when he was as far as he could go, he pulled out the tiniest bit and pushed in even deeper. "Fuck..." Giles' ass gripped him, tugged his cock in deeper. "That's the idea." He pulled all the way out, and then pressed in again, his cock head pushing, breaching the ring of muscles, and then shoving all the way in again. "Oh..." Giles moaned, shoulders lifting from the mattress. "Yes." He ran his hand up to Giles' shoulder, wrapping his fingers around it. "Yes." He thrust again, and again. "Please. Yes. More. So fucking good." He gave it to Giles, gave it to him hard and fast, the heat of Giles' ass warming his hips on every thrust. Giles sobbed for him, meeting each thrust. "That's it, G. Come on." "Please. Don't stop." Giles begged so good. "You sure?" "Fucker." Giles' ass was like a fist. Drawn - 81

He rubbed Giles' red cheeks with one hand, the other still holding tight to Giles' shoulder. "Ease up, a little. I'm not going anywhere." "Sorry. Sorry, you have me all tense." He felt Giles trying to relax. He jerked his hips a little, hitting Giles' gland in a promise that he wasn't going to stop. This man needed sensation so badly he fought everything. Insane. As soon as Giles had relaxed enough that he could move, Harrison began to thrust in earnest. He slammed into Giles over and over. "Oh..." Giles sobbed once, then started moving with him. "That's it. Come on now, we can do this all fucking day long." "Yes. Yes." Giles rode him, face determined, fierce. He slid his hand around to grab Giles' cock, letting their movements drive it through his fist. "Harrison. Harrison." Giles nodded, swallowed hard. "Yeah, right here, G. And. I'm. Not. Going. Any. Where." He punctuated each word with another thrust. Heat sprayed between them, Giles' muscles rippling around him, milking him. "Fuck yes!" He cried out, humping hard and fast as he chased his own orgasm. He emptied himself, still feeling the aftershocks of Giles' orgasm around him. Collapsing onto Giles, he was careful not to tug the wrists still cuffed to his headboard. Giles hummed softly, the vibrations feeling so good. He pressed a kiss to Giles' neck and then reached up to work off the cuffs. "Want to paint you now." "Right this very second?" Giles' ass squeezed him. "Uh-huh." He didn't think so. "I think you can wait. I know you're going to wait." Drawn - 82

Giles shook his head. "I have to work." That ass worked his prick again. Groaning, he jerked his hips inward a few times. He had to come out, though, take off the condom. Giles stretched as he slid out and slipped the rubber off. He took the cuffs off Giles and the man stretched again, smiling widely. "Gonna jump in the shower real quick." "I'll join you, and we'll make it better then 'real quick.'" "I." Giles stopped, head tilting. "I'd like that, I think." He chuckled and helped Giles get moving again. "You will." "You don't know that. I might be a love 'em and leave 'em type." "Not with me you're not." He turned the shower on, adjusting it to fairly hot. "I'm not?" Giles hands slid down his back. "Nope. I'm not the love 'em and leave 'em type, either." He pushed back against Giles' hands. "You have a lovely back." Giles lips followed his spine. He spread his legs slightly and moaned softly. "And you have great hands." "I do." His ass was caressed, the crease where legs met butt explored. He chuckled, nodded, and spread a little wider. "You do." Giles' mouth kept moving south, lips tickling his lower back. "Oh, fuck." The man was going to make him hard again. "Mmmhmm." Giles licked and nuzzled, fingers spreading him. He put his hands on the wall, the tile cool against his palms. "So pretty..." Giles' tongue worked down. Drawn - 83

"So hot." That tongue was spreading fire. Giles' chuckle made him shiver. "Your mouth's almost as good as your hands." "Almost." Sharp teeth scraped his ass. He laughed at the bite. "Yes. Almost." Harrison felt the tongue soothing his ass cheek, easing the bite. "Yeah, yeah, that's good." His cock was making a great recovery, filling eagerly. "Mmmhmm." Giles' lips moved to the top of his crack. He pressed back toward Giles' mouth. "Pretty little hole." Giles nipped the top of his ass. "Sweet mouth." "Uh-huh." One finger slipped down, teased his hole. "I want to feel it around my cock," he told Giles', imagining that mouth and his prick together. "Do you? Maybe." When he growled a little at that, Giles chuckled, tongue circling his hole. "Maybe I'll fuck you instead." "No. I don't think so." Harrison didn't bottom. "No?" "No, G. I'm the top." Giles snorted, tongue sliding against him. "I can change your mind." "I don't want my mind changed." Giles sighed, swatted his ass, then stood and pulled away. "Okay." He turned and took Giles' face in his hands, kissed the man. Giles rumbled against him, but he didn't let his artist start fussing. He rubbed them together, Giles's skin good against his prick. Giles's hands fluttered beside him like the man didn't know quite what to do. "Touch me, G." The words growled out of him. "Where?" Someone was pouting a little. Drawn - 84

He took Giles' hand and pressed it against his chest, then slowly moved it down. Giles moaned, nails digging in a little. "Mmm. Yeah. That's it." He loved the way Giles pinked when complimented. "Don't you stop, G." "I won't stop. I'm not a greedy partner." "No, I never imagined you were." A needy partner, yes. Hungry. Desperate for sensation and connection. But never greedy. He devoured Giles' mouth, encouraged more touches. They drew over him with invisible paint, so inquisitive, so intense. He began to move, rubbing against Giles, his cock sliding on his lover's skin, and Giles stroked his cock, the touch incredibly gentle. "Fuck." He leaned his hands against the tile again, pushing into Giles' hands. "Like I said, G. Great hands." Amazing damn hands. "I'm a painter." "You're not worthless, G. Even if you didn't paint, I'd want you." "Save lies for things that are important." He grabbed Giles' hands and waited until the man looked at him. "You're not here with me because of your talent with a paintbrush. I don't care if you paint another stroke for as long as you live. And I don't lie." "Don't say things like that." "It's the truth." Giles blushed dark, tried to pull away from him. "Hush." "I won't." "You have to." Stubborn man. "It's the truth, and I'll say it as much as I want. You are important to me, and it has nothing to do with your art." Giles backed away, shook his head. "Please don't." Drawn - 85

"Come back here. You're touching me -- you're going to suck me." "I am?" He held out one hand imperiously. "You are." Harrison put his hand on Giles' shoulder when the man moved close again; he pressed, not hard, just enough to encourage Giles to his knees. Giles went, too. Slowly. Carefully. Deliberately. He groaned, his prick going even harder, bobbing like it was trying to get Giles' attention. His new lover moaned, lips brushing the tip of his cock. "Oh fuck." It took a lot of willpower not to just push right into Giles' mouth. "Mmmhmm." Giles licked his slit. He curled his fingers, turning his hands into fists to keep from grabbing control. "You have a gorgeous cock." Giles explored it, focused on it. Learned it. "Uh-huh." He wasn't about to argue the point. It didn't seem to matter what he said anyway, not the way Giles took his time, licking and nuzzling. He loved the way Giles was into it. He wasn't just doing this because Harrison had asked, or he felt he had to in order to be fair -- Giles liked doing this. Harrison's balls were stroked, tugged, the vein along his shaft nibbled. He let his moans loose, telling Giles without words how much he was enjoying the attention. Giles responded beautifully to the praise, too, slowly taking his cock in deep. He slid his fingers through Giles' wet hair, pushing it off his face and shoulders. It was everything he could do not to thrust. Giles took him in to the root, then started swallowing, over and over, throat closing around him. "Fuck! Yes!" Goddamn, that was good. Drawn - 86

Those beautiful eyes flashed up to him and he nodded, breathing hard. He started moving his hips, pushing slowly, as carefully as he could. Harrison smiled, nodding again as Giles shivered for him. He moved a little faster, prick sliding through the hot mouth. He let his fingers trail through Giles' hair again, this time holding on. His hips moved even faster; he fucked Giles' mouth, groaning as he pushed in over and over. Good boy. So fucking hot. So right. Harrison was fucking keeping him. He pulled Giles' head back a little farther, humped harder. Giles opened for him, let him in deep, deeper than anyone ever had. "Gonna come, G." Giles swallowed in response, tugging his cock. "Yes!" He pushed in hard a few more times and spilled down Giles' throat, the pleasure climbing up his spine. His cock was held in, Giles not spilling a drop. Aftershocks of pleasure hit him, making him shudder. Keeping him. Definitely keeping him. Harrison was never looking back. "Mine." He rubbed his thumb along Giles' cheek, staring into the man's face. "I." Giles' lips slid over his shaft. "Mine." He growled the word this time. He watched his lover shiver. "I'm not giving you up, so you'll have to get used to it." "You will. No one survives the crazy but my sister." "You'll see." Giles didn't have to believe him. Not yet. "Maybe." "No, no maybes. It's for real." Giles stood, stretched, turned away from him, so he grabbed Giles' hips, tugged him in close. He wanted to Drawn - 87

touch for hours, days, until Giles had soaked all the attention in. "Turn the water off, G. Let's go back to bed." "Back to bed?" Giles' eyes went wide. "We can do it on the couch if you want a change of scenery." "So long as you don't try to make me go to sleep again." He chuckled softly, shook his head. Silly lover. "No, I didn't have sleep in mind at all." "You can't want more sex." "No, G. I want to give you more sensation." "I probably need to go to work." Giles followed him to bed, though, fingers twined with his. "No, I don't think so. This is important, this thing between us." Giles met his eyes, the look curious, interested. "Can't you feel it?" He slid his hands down Giles' back. Giles answered by arching, moaning deep in his throat. "Yeah, you can." He brought one hand around and tweaked Giles' nipple. "Hey. They're sensitive now." Giles didn't move away. "Makes it better." He tugged on the nipple ring, letting it do the work of making Giles ache. "Ow." Giles followed the tug, crawled into the sheets. "You love it." "You always talk like you know me." Giles chuckled, hands covering the pierced nipples. "What if I'm faking it?" Harrison snorted, tugged on the other nipple. He knew. He was fascinated by Giles, by that need. "You can't fake these kinds of responses." "T...talent. It's a talent." Drawn - 88

Harrison laughed. "You do have talent, I just don't think faking being a pain slut is one of them." Giles chuckled for him, winked, a flash of humor tickling him, and he laughed and bit at Giles' neck. "Bitey!" Giles cracked up. "I know you love the bitey." "You're guessing. You don't know me." He grabbed Giles' hands, pressed them down into the mattress. "No, I know you. I know what you need. I have what you need." Giles frowned at him. "I don't know what to say to that." "You say 'thank you, Sir.'" "I... thank you." He arched one eyebrow. "What happened to the 'Sir'?" He watched as Giles shivered, tugged at his hands, obviously uncomfortable. "I. You're serious?" "Yes." He wasn't letting go, damn it. "Master or Sir." "Master? Are you... this is a weird game." "It's not a game, G. It's as real as you and me." He let one leg slide between Giles' thighs. "I don't get you." Giles was serious. Steady. "You will. I promise." Giles nodded, still frowning when Harrison let go of the man's wrists. Giles' fingers reached for him, sliding over his skin. "That's right, G. We're going to explore, learn every inch." "I'm a little... I don't know. This is strange." "Maybe I should tie you up again." Then it wouldn't be something Giles was doing, it would be something Giles had to do. "No. No more tying, I don't think." Drawn - 89

"If you want to touch me, you'll have to behave." He got another of those looks, like Giles couldn't figure out whether he was joking or not. He tweaked Giles' right nipple ring, watching the man's face. The tension eased, turned to hunger. It made him smile, and he slid his hand over to the other nipple. So simple and yet so complex, his Giles. It was going to be fascinating, learning each other. He tweaked the other nipple, tugged the ring down. "Hey." Giles shifted, grabbed his wrist. "Easy." "No. No, you don't need easy. You need this." He tweaked it with his other hand. This time the man's eyes flashed, a hint of anger in them. "Stop it. Just. Quit talking like you know me." "But I do, G." Let's see how the man took that. "How? You've seen me three times. Three!" Well, that was... a reaction. "You speak to me, G, even when your mouth doesn't move. I can read your body like a book." Giles stiffened, stared at him. "That's a little scary. I don't think I want you to. I mean, I have secrets." "Like what?" Giles was so worried about what he thought, about the needs the man had. Giles looked at him like he was crazy. "If I told you, they wouldn't be secrets." He chuckled, then made an apologetic noise as the stare turned into a glare. "I know what you need. I know the pain is important. It's not making me run; it's not making me send you to the loony bin." The pain and the pleasure, mingled. That was the thing Giles hadn't put together. "I'm going to make you fly, G. It's going to make your focus clearer." Giles pressed into his arms, hugged him hard. "I have to go. You're a dear man, but I have to run." Drawn - 90

"No. Not yet." He wasn't ready yet, and Giles hadn't been pushed enough. "Not yet?" He wrapped around Giles, held on. "We need more time together before you go back to your studio." Giles took a deep breath, then another and another. "And when you do go, I'm going to fill you with a plug to remember me by." "I'll take it out." "Not if it's attached to your nipple rings, you won't." Giles blinked, head tilting as the man stared at him. "What?" "If I attach it to your nipple rings, then you won't be able to pull it out." It would probably be physically possible for Giles to do it, if he really tried, but it would take time, effort, and he was pretty sure Giles wouldn't really want to, not deep down. "I. You can't. Can you?" "Oh, I can. I most certainly can." Giles shook his head, staring at him. "Who are you?" "Harrison. Your Sir." "My... You're serious about this." "What have we been doing for the last twenty-four hours?" This was becoming incredibly circular. "Playing around. Having a lot of great sex." Giles grinned at him. "A lot of great sex." "It's more than just great sex if it's something you really need. And it is something you really need." Giles sighed at him, frowned, but didn't say anything. Giles would get it. Eventually. Harrison took a kiss, opening Giles' mouth. Warm hands wrapped around his shoulders, Giles' lips parting as the kiss deepened. That was right. Giles felt the connection, even if he wouldn't admit it. Or maybe Giles Drawn - 91

didn't know how to admit. Either way it didn't matter, because Harrison knew. He bent Giles backward, deepening the kiss as Giles cried out, pliant in his arms. His arm made sure the man went down onto the mattress gently, then he pressed his body over Giles'. A deep, heady sound escaped Giles, and the long legs parted, cradled him. "Mine," he murmured against Giles' mouth. He could feel it in the way Giles' skin pushed against his fingertips. Giles murmured something, but he let it go by. Harrison knew it. Knew Giles. He twisted one of the pretty little rings in Giles' right nipple. "I want to see what you paint when I let you go." "You do?" "I do. I want to know if I had an effect on you." He would bet he did. "I don't let people in the studio, usually." Yes, but Giles had already let him in, so that was an empty protest. "I'm not people." "Ah. That explains you." Giles' eyes twinkled. "You're an alien." Harrison laughed. "And you're a nut." "Possibly. An almond, maybe." That had him laughing some more. "Fuck, that was funny." Giles grinned at him, cheek on his upper arm. "Do you smoke?" "No. I hate the smell." "Me, too. I did in high school, though, to seem cool." Giles' fingers trailed down his belly. "Your turn." "Have you had many lovers?" "I did in college, but not so many after." Giles cupped his cock. "When did you know you were queer?" He pushed into Giles' touch. The man's fingers were addictive, constantly moving, feeling, touching him. Drawn - 92

"That depends on what you mean by 'when did you know.'" "I mean, when did you go, 'Dude, I like cock.'" Oh, that was easy. "Kind of always. I didn't understand it was being queer, it was just what I liked. Eventually I realized what it meant." "Yeah. I get what you're saying." "What about you?" "I knew when I was a kid, when I realized I didn't think about girls like everyone else." Harrison nodded, pleased that they had that in common. "Yeah, yeah, exactly. What was it like growing up with a twin?" Giles' laugh rang out. "She's amazing and evil and wonderful. She loves me when no one else does. She's the one that defends me." "Is she going to like me?" Giles looked at him. Blinked. "I don't know. She might be jealous." Harrison frowned. Now, how did that make sense? "Jealous?" Giles nodded like it was the most logical thing in the world. "I was jealous when she got married." "I'm not sure I get it, G." Giles chuckled, shrugged. "No worries. Happens all the time. Do you like dogs?" "I like them okay. I want to know why she would be jealous of me, though. I'm not replacing her -- I'm your lover, not your brother." Giles sighed. "Just ignore me, huh? I'm being dorky." He pushed Giles' hair back from his face and looked into the man's eyes. "I have no intention of ignoring you." "You act like you care about me already." Drawn - 93

"I thought I'd made it clear that I did. Do. You know what I mean." "But you can't. Not so fast." "Why on earth not?" Giles hand patted him. "Because that's in books. It doesn't happen for real." That made him snort. "Things happen the way they happen. Is this just sex to you?" Giles bit his own bottom lip, hard enough that it had to hurt. "Hey." He licked at Giles' lips until they relaxed. "I'm not going to be upset if you say 'yes' to that." He wasn't going to believe it, but he also wasn't going to be pissed off. "You're quiet. That's why I had sex with you, that quiet." He smiled slowly. "So I'm special to you." "You're special, yes. You have this silence. It's hot." Giles closed his eyes. "Necessary." "You see?" He kissed one side of Giles' mouth, and then the other. "It's not just sex." "It's chemistry." Giles lips chased his kisses. "For an artist, you're very pragmatic." Giles moaned. "For somebody not an artist, you think a lot." "Is that your way of saying shut up and make me scream?" Giles answered by pouncing on him, kissing him hard. Chuckling, he rolled them, putting Giles down beneath him. If he was careful, he could keep Giles busy for the rest of the day. He was certainly going to try.

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Chapter Six Giles let himself get lost in the work, let himself forget that Harrison had asked to come in, watch. It hadn't been as impossible as he'd thought. Harrison was quiet, still, the presence incredibly comforting. He worked three canvases at a time, telling himself a story with reds and blacks and deep, rich oranges. Harrison's touch slid over his shoulder. "Giles. Food's here." "Food?" What? He wasn't hungry. "It's been hours, G, you need to eat. Just a short break." "Hours? But..." Had it been? "Five to be exact. And I'm hungry, so I'm sure you are, too. So I ordered us some Thai food." Thai food. He liked that. "Okay. I like that." "I know. That's what I brought last time. We'll be more adventurous some other time." Harrison took his hand and drew him to his little futon. He followed, humming, brain still on the second canvas. Harrison tugged him down and handed him a box. "Open it. Eat." "Uh-huh." He opened the box and took a bite, chewing meditatively. Then he stood up, heading for the canvases, food in hand. Harrison grabbed his hand and dragged him back to the futon. "Eat with me." "I... Sorry. Sorry, the work." Harrison smelled good. "Why do you smell good?" "I shower?" "Oh." He'd have to buy some of Harrison's soap. Chuckling, Harrison tugged him in close and grabbed one of his shrimp. Drawn - 95

"Are those yours?" From where he was, all he could see was Harrison. "They are ours. We're sharing." "Oh. What am I sharing of yours?" He peered over, seeing yummy-looking chicken and noodles. "Chicken Pad Thai." Harrison picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks and offered it. "Yum." He took the bite, slurping up the noodles. The spice was delicious, perfect, and he opened his mouth for more. Harrison smiled wide and picked up another piece of chicken with some noodle, pressing it to his mouth. It was delicious, and he found himself in Harrison's lap, feeding the man bites of shrimp in exchange for more chicken. "I could get used to eating like this." "Mmmhmm." He was a little lost in it, really, and he leaned in, licking sauce off Harrison's lips. Groaning, Harrison slid his tongue alongside, the flavor of the man and the spice mixing together. That made him smile, sigh. "Hey." "Hey." Harrison reached and then offered him a shrimp, hand-feeding him. He took the shrimp, then focused on cleaning Harrison's fingers with his tongue. He could feel the heat of Harrison's cock through his jeans, the hardness there increasing as he sucked and licked. "I'm working, not here to fuck." Still, he'd never fucked here. "You're the one sucking my fingers like they're candy." Harrison did look like he wanted to screw, though. "Wanted to make sure you were clean." He liked sucking.

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"Oh, you did, did you?" Harrison grabbed a noodle, fed it to him, and then wiped his fingers off on his collarbone. Giles chuckled, tickled. He leaned in, dragging his tongue over Harrison's skin. "Mmm. Make sure you don't miss a spot." He nodded, smiled, tongue lapping at the tanned skin, making Harrison groan and moan for him, hips pushing up into him. "There," he moaned. "All cleaned." "Mmm. Are you sure?" He tested with the tip of his tongue, satisfied. "I am. You taste like your skin now." "And I smell like you." He leaned in, took a deep breath. "No. No, you smell like you." Harrison cupped his cheek and then tugged him in for a kiss. Their mouths were spicy, the kisses more than hot. Almost as hot as the feel of Harrison's hands as they slid up and down along his back. They pressed together, and he let himself feel the heat all along his belly. Groaning, Harrison deepened the kiss, fingernails occasionally scraping over his skin. Everything went out of his mind, his focus on the way he and Harrison touched. Harrison bit at his lower lip, tugged on it. He groaned, pushed closer, his prick full, almost uncomfortable. Almost. Harrison brought him closer, rubbed their bellies together. One kiss led to another, then another, and Giles was floating. Their bodies rocked, their mouths sliding together, parting, coming together again. He tugged at Harrison's shirt, wanting more skin. Harrison nodded. "Take it off, G." Drawn - 97

"Uh-huh. Want skin." He pulled the cloth open, then off. Harrison let go of him long enough to get the shirt off, then the strong arms went around him and tugged him in close. "Mmm." His eyes closed, that amazing silence Harrison had surrounding him. Harrison licked at his neck, at his collarbone. He thought he could just stay there forever, resting in the quiet. "Do you want more shrimp or chicken?" Harrison asked, still licking at his skin. He shook his head. He wanted something else. "I'm good." "Me, too." Harrison latched on to his shoulder, sucking, mouth hot. Giles let himself melt, relax totally, as Harrison's fingers slid to his ass and squeezed, bringing up the burn. "Mmm. Be nice." "I am being nice. Making you feel, making you remember what we did." He was too happy to argue, to do anything but rest, and when Harrison lay back, he followed, attached at the lips. There was a perfect spot on Harrison's chest, just for him. The kisses continued, Harrison seeming happy to explore his mouth, and Giles felt a little drunk, a little like he'd been drugged. He couldn't remember just kissing forever like this. Not ever. He couldn't remember anyone ever wanting to do that with him. Giles thought he liked it. Slowly, so slowly he almost didn't notice it, they began to rock, to rub together. Giles let his fingers slide over Harrison's skin, petting the man. Hums and moans answered his touches, pushed between his lips. Drawn - 98

"Feels good." Everything about Harrison felt so good. "You feel amazing, G. So good." "Mmm." He didn't want to screw this up. Harrison's hand slid between them, fingers opening the button on his jeans. "I don't have sex in here..." He sucked in, let Harrison unfasten them. "Why not?" The zipper gave way under Harrison's fingers. "I... This is the studio." He worked here. "Okay." Harrison kept kissing him, hand wrapping around his cock. "O...okay." He didn't even know what he was agreeing to. "Take my prick out, too, G." "Mmmhmm." He nuzzled, fingers sliding over Harrison's belly. "Love your hands. Love them." Oh. Oh, good. He smiled, fingers sliding up and down Harrison's cock, reminding himself of the shape, before opening the man's jeans. Harrison groaned and bucked, pushing into his touch, into him. It was the easiest thing ever to take Harrison's cock out, stroke it. Then Harrison pushed their cocks together and wrapped both their hands around them. "Mmm." He moaned, lips parted, tongue on Harrison's skin. Harrison moved their hands. The silk of their cocks felt amazing and hot against his palm. They found a rhythm, slow and steady, moving like they didn't have a care in the world. Their tongues tangled together, Harrison tasting as good as he smelled. Their eyes met, Harrison's dark eyes warm and happy, and when Harrison's thumb slid across the tips of their cocks, the Drawn - 99

man's nostrils flaring at the touch, Giles thought he could just fly. "Oh. More." That was fucking hot. "This?" A bit of a growl sat at the back of Harrison's throat, so sexy for such a little, nondescript word. Harrison's thumb moved over them again, the nail catching just a bit on his slit. "Yes. Yes. More." He nodded. Loved that. Loved slit play. This time Harrison pushed his thumb into Giles' slit, the pressure wonderful, and all he could do was cry out, seed spurting from him. "I love the way you smell." He panted in response, hand still trying to move, and Harrison sped the pace, hips pushing up against him. "Good." His head bobbed, and he forced himself to focus. "Yes." Harrison nodded, bucking hard as more heat poured out between them His strokes slowed, eased, his head falling to Harrison's shoulder. "Mmm..." Harrison's chest rumbled beneath him. He blinked, slowly. Sleepy. So sleepy. Harrison's free hand slid along his back, soothing, the sleepy getting stronger. Giles sighed and melted; he could think later. Much later. *** Giles' "bed" was the hardest surface Harrison had ever lain on. He swore it was harder than the ground. He put up with it, though, because Giles was sleeping again, and he knew the man needed his rest. He was buying Giles a new bed in here, though. Not just for when he Drawn - 100

was over, either. No wonder Giles never slept if this was his only option. He'd spent all day watching the most fascinating thing he'd ever known. Watching Giles work was like nothing he'd seen in his life. It was pure magic. It was... It was an honor to sit and watch. He shifted a tiny bit, happy to be Giles' mattress. Giles moaned for him, fingers on his belly. He rubbed his hand up and down Giles' spine. "I've got you, G." "Harrison." The sleepy whisper made him smile. He kissed Giles' forehead. "Right here." "I... we're at the studio." "We are. You were painting. Then we ate, made love, and napped." Now that Giles was waking up, he shifted, groaned a little. "You okay?" Giles slid off him, yawned. "You want coffee?" "Your futon isn't the most comfortable slab of concrete I've ever slept on." "That's because it's not for sleeping, just napping." "I'm going to get you something more comfortable to nap on, G." There was no need for Giles to use this torture rack of a bed? "Why? This one fits in here." Giles padded into the little kitchenette. "Because if I'm going to nap with you, I need something less likely to cripple me." His eyes followed the lithe body, admiring Giles. Giles' snort was perfectly clear. "It's not that uncomfortable." He chuckled, getting up and stretching before smacking Giles' ass. "That's a matter of opinion." "Careful." Giles made coffee. "Of what?" Drawn - 101

"My butt." "Don't worry, I'm very invested in your butt." "Butt investments." Giles actually laughed. He slid his arms around Giles' waist, leaned against him, and Giles hummed. "Oh. Oh, you're warm." "Mmm. Yeah?" He liked that. "Yeah. I'm going to get spoiled." "That's a good thing." "Mmm. Maybe." Giles watched the coffee drip. Harrison reached up and tugged on a nipple ring "No maybe." Giles whimpered and twisted, butt rubbing against him. "God, I love these." He twisted the other ring. "A...aches." Giles loved it. "Yeah, I know." He pressed his hips into Giles, his prick rubbing along the man's ass. "I can't fuck again. There's no way." Giles leaned back into him. "No? You sure about that?" He slid his hands along Giles' body, starting at Giles' shoulders and working his way slowly down. "Uh-huh." "I'm not so sure." He let his fingers catch on the nipple rings and tug as he went by them. "I..." Giles' head fell back against his shoulder. "You're intoxicating." He wanted to touch Giles forever. Giles chuckled for him, took a long, deep breath. He slid his fingers over the slender belly, traced the softly defined abs before tickling his fingertips along the edge of Giles' tight little curls. He tugged a bit, then a little harder. "Look at that pretty cock." "Pretty..." Giles moaned and arched for him. "Uh-huh." He slid his fingers through the curls alongside the filling cock, careful not to touch it. The Drawn - 102

curls were heavy, dark, slick against his touch. He tugged, twisted them in his fingers. "Fuck. Stings." He tugged harder. "Ow!" Giles went up on tiptoe. Chuckling, he bit at Giles' earlobe. "That's a little better." "This?" He bit at Giles' earlobe again. "Is better than this?" He tugged on the short and curlies again. "Hey! Stings!" "You like the sting. Tell me you don't." Giles' face went stubborn. "I don't." Little shit. "No? Are you sure about that?" "I." Giles groaned. "Coffee?" "I'd rather have you." "You just did." Giles arched for him as he tugged those dark curls again. "Fuck!" "That was ages ago -- you napped." Okay, this was fun. "So did you." "So I didn't just have you. I had you one nap ago." God, Harrison thought Giles was cute, trying to pretend he wasn't into pain. "You did. I. You're warm." "Mmm. Feeling incoherent?" "Uh-huh. You're distracting." "Good. I want your attention right here. On me." He wanted to be the center of that attention, just for a second. Giles moaned but nodded, leaning hard against him. He cupped the soft balls as a reward, giving them a little tug, a roll. His pretty baby arched, rolled toward his touch. It made him moan softly and do it again. "Damn..." Giles shivered for him. "I should..." "You should enjoy every second of it." Drawn - 103

"Oh. Yeah. Yeah, I was thinking about working, but yeah..." "No thinking." "Right. Okay. Yeah. For now." He wrapped his fingers around Giles' cock, dragging slowly along it. Giles shook his head. "Not going to, again." "I don't believe you." "No?" "No. I believe your prick, though." He jacked Giles slowly. "C...can't believe that." Giles moaned, leaned back against him. "I can, too. In fact, I do." That long, needy cock was filling for him, weighing heavy in his hand. He rubbed the tip, played with Giles' slit. He loved that little gasp, that jerk, that moan, so he pinched one of Giles' nipples, flicked the ring. "Those are sore." He didn't think it was a complaint. "I bet." He flicked the right one again, still jacking Giles lazily. "H...hey. Stop. Just for a minute." He froze, nuzzling Giles' cheek. "You have a minute." "What?" Giles took a deep breath, stepped away from him. "You said you needed a minute. You have a minute." "Okay..." Giles nodded, grabbed an ancient, stained coffee cup. "Do you want a cup of coffee?" "You want a minute to make a cup of coffee?" Giles wasn't getting any more minutes. He got that stubborn, stubborn look. "I could go lock myself in the bathroom." "Why would you do that?" Drawn - 104

Giles' head tilted, those clever eyes dancing. "I have no idea, but it sounds dramatic, doesn't it?" He chuckled. "It does. It sounds like high drama. This is more fun." He dragged Giles back into his arms, kissing him. Giles' arms wrapped around his shoulders, the man holding him close. He rubbed their bellies together, smiling at the heat from Giles' hard prick. Not going to come again. Right. The man was going to come all over both of them. He tangled his fingers in Giles' hair, tilting his lover back. Growling a little, he scraped his teeth along Giles' throat. "Oh. I. Is my minute up?" Giles' head fell back. "It is. You're mine again. No more minutes." "No more minutes..." "None." He took Giles' mouth again, grabbing the sweet ass in his palms. He needed to take Giles home, keep him for a few days, keep him for a few thousand days while they explored each other. "You need to come back home with me." He was going to turn Giles inside out and then right side in again. "But I was working." And Giles had worked. There were three canvases covered in paint. "And now you're taking a break. I'm going to make you come and then drag you out to ravish you all over again." "Ravish. That is a fabulous word." "It is, isn't it? So is luscious, and that is what you are, G." He grabbed both ass cheeks and squeezed. They made the word luscious come to mind, too. "You're a distraction." Giles moaned, rubbed, tongue flicking his lips. "No, I'm your focus." Drawn - 105

Giles shook his head but didn't answer, choosing to kiss him instead. Now that was focus. Chuckling, he deepened the kiss, and Giles opened like a dream, spreading for him. He found the sweet nipples again, like his fingers were drawn to them, and Giles pulled away from him, or tried to. Sweet boy. He twisted the rings, knowing Giles' nipples were already tender. "Don't." Giles panted, stepping back again, the coffee cup landing hard on the counter. "Oh, I think yes." He tweaked the nipple itself this time instead of the ring. "I. I fuck. Don't." Giles was panting for him. He didn't bother answering this time, just tweaked the other nipple, and Giles' hands wrapped around his wrists, tugging at him. He didn't let that stop him, though, and he grabbed hold of Giles' left nipple, tugging on it. "Sh...shit. Shit. Stop. Oh, fuck." "It's good, hmm?" He tugged again, then grabbed the other nipple. "Yeah..." Giles' lips opened, moan filling the air. "That's right." He took one of the rings and twisted it. "Fuck me. That hurts. Fuck me." Giles' fingers squeezed his wrists. "You need it." It wasn't a question -- he knew. "No. No, I. Fuck..." "You need it." He repeated the words, twisting the other nipple ring. He'd seen the cuts, the scars. He knew Giles craved the pain, needed it on a deep level. "NO!" Giles threw his head back, screamed. He dug his nail into the hard little nub of flesh. He could smell the spunk in the air. "God, I love that." Giles slumped in his arms, blinked at him. Drawn - 106

"Love that look, too. Right there." Totally melted and spaced out. Because of him. He gathered Giles up, headed toward the little sleeping area. Curling up on Giles' small futon again, he tucked his lover's head beneath his chin. Long arms wrapped around him, holding on to him. "I'm not going anywhere." He knew Giles needed to hear that and at his words Giles squeezed him, held on tight. "I'm not going anywhere at all." "Promise?" "I promise." It was the easiest promise Harrison had ever made.

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Chapter Seven "I don't know if this is a great idea. I didn't stay at the studio last night, and I've napped a long time." It couldn't be healthy. Harrison opened the door in the garage, a bag of clothes in one hand, and pointed up the stairs. "I think that I have to work. I could come tomorrow and see you. You said I could draw you." "You can draw me here. I have a sketch pad and charcoals, pencils. Go on. You like my house, remember?" "I do. You have an amazing bathroom..." Giles headed upstairs, chewing his bottom lip on the way. "And I like you, but I have to work a lot." "Why's that?" "Because." That's what he did. It kept him sane. "Well, now you work a lot and you play a lot with me." He snorted, came into the big kitchen, hands on the counter. It felt amazing, the cold on his hands. "We're going to eat, sleep, play. You can sketch a little. And next week we can talk about whether you're ready to go back to work." He stopped, hands stuttering. "N...next? What? No. No, I can't. I have to. No. That won't." Panic hit him square in the belly. "Shh." Harrison grabbed his arms, fingers digging in. "I. I have to..." That solid silence hit him again and his knees went weak. Magic. Harrison was magic. Harrison pressed up against his back, so hot and solid. "Hungry, G?" He shook his head. "We ate today. I remember." Drawn - 108

"You do know that most people have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, not to mention snacks in between, right?" He shrugged. He wasn't most people. "Did you know there are people who live off the air alone?" Harrison snorted. "I don't think so." "It's true!" He'd read about it on his laptop. "I would be very surprised to find out that it's true." Harrison nuzzled his neck. He went to Harrison's laptop at the end of the counter and started typing. "Look. Airitarians. I'm not making it up." One of Harrison's eyebrows went up. "This has to be a joke." "It's not. It's right there." He tapped on the screen, rolling his eyes as the sensations Harrison were making got bigger. "Just because it's on the Internet doesn't mean it's real. Think about it, G." "It's real. I'm not one, but if you do it right, you never have to eat again." "That's bullshit." He pulled away, stung. "Says who?" Asshole. "Come on, G. Think about it. What would happen if people never ate? Ever?" He considered that. "You'd have lots of time to paint." "You wouldn't have the energy to lift the paintbrush." Okay, now the argument was getting fun. "You wouldn't have to poop anymore." Harrison chuckled and tugged him close. "It's got to have more going for it than that." "You're laughing at me." "No, I am laughing at the Airitarians." Drawn - 109

"What if they're real? What if you're missing out?" He wondered about things like that a lot. "As long as I'm not missing out on you, I'll live." "Flatterer." "No, it's just the truth." Giles blushed for Harrison, head ducking. Harrison put a finger under his chin and raised his head, bringing their mouths together. The kisses were easier than talking. Better. Hot. Harrison groaned, filling his mouth with heat and tongue, and Giles relaxed into it, lips opening. Hands grabbing his ass, Harrison dragged them even closer together, hot even through the layers of their clothing. He tried to chuckle. Harrison was the horniest man he'd ever met. Ever. The kisses continued. So did the heat and the sexiness and that blessed silence. Giles found himself swaying, melted, caught. "I'm going to take you to my playroom. I've got these great chains attached to the ceiling. You'll look incredible hanging from them." "Your what?" "Playroom. Dungeon. Call it what you'd like." He frowned. Dungeon. That sounded... distressing. Harrison chuckled. "Come and see -- it isn't what you're thinking." "Okay." He'd at least go see. They went to the back of the house into a bright room, the light coming in through huge, frosted glass windows. "I love the light in here." He lifted his face to the sun. "You see? It's nice." There were several padded tables and a padded bench, a large bed in one corner with a wide armchair next to it. There were drawers and a wardrobe, all in Drawn - 110

light colors. It didn't seem like a dungeon at all. Giles relaxed. This place wasn't scary. He thought, maybe, Harrison was still exaggerating the whole weird-sex thing. "It is." "Bright and clean. The only thing dungeon-like are the chains." Harrison pointed up, and, oh my God, there were actually chains hanging there. Giles looked, fascinated. "What do you do with them?" "I'm going to hang you from them. It'll stretch you nice and tall, expose every inch of you to my will." "Aren't they dangerous?" They looked a little dangerous. "No. I can adjust the height so you're not literally hanging from them." "Oh." He didn't think so. "Can you show me how they work?" "Yeah, of course." Harrison went to the wall and undid a rope that was tied to a hook in the wall, lowering the chains. Then he came over and took Giles' hand, put one of the cuffs attached to the chains around it. The cuff was soft, supple, very comfortable where it cradled his wrist. "Not so bad, huh?" Harrison put his other wrist in the second cuff. "I. No. No, they're soft." He tugged a little. "You fastened them." "I did." Harrison smiled at him, kissed him, and then went to the wall and started pulling the chains up again. Wait. "I. I don't think this is a good idea." "I think it's a great idea." The chains drew his hands up over his head. "I don't know..." That was a touch terrifying. Harrison kept pulling on the chains until he was stretched up, feet barely on the ground. Drawn - 111

"I do, though. You're stunning." Harrison came back over to him and a warm hand dragged over his belly. "Let me go, huh?" "No." Harrison kept touching him, hands sliding along his skin. "I don't--" This was intense. Harrison bent and licked his collarbone, then his right nipple. Giles stepped back, but couldn't go anywhere. Harrison took the nipple ring between his teeth and tugged. "Oh." Giles rocked back and forth on his toes. Harrison didn't let go of his nipple ring, and it tugged hard as he moved. He bit his bottom lip, tried to stay still. Fuck, that burned. "You're wearing too many clothes for the chains," Harrison told him. "The chains care?" His lover chuckled. "No, I imagine that's me." Giles tugged at the cuffs. "Let me go and I'll undress." "No, I can undress you like this." Harrison began to undo his jeans. He sucked in, eyes on the strong fingers touching his belly. Harrison had to be doing it on purpose, the way those fingers were touching him all over. "Your fingers are warm." "All the better to touch you with." The tips of Harrison's fingers slid over his cock. "You're not the big, bad wolf." Harrison was surprisingly dear, even with all that insistence that he was Dom. "No, I'm your big, bad top." His jeans' button was undone, the zipper pulled down. "I don't think you're bad. I think you're sweet." Drawn - 112

Harrison chuckled. "I imagine you're the first person to tell the man who's chained him to the ceiling that he's sweet." "You have been." "I've been good to you." Harrison pulled his cock out of his pants and started jacking lazily. "I've given you what you need." "Yes. You like to have sex a lot." "So do you." He did, although he didn't think he'd ever had so much sex with anyone, even himself. Harrison tugged his jeans down his legs, leaving them around his ankles. He frowned, tried to kick the jeans off, but it was awkward and his feet were caught. "Leave them." Harrison's hands slid up under his Tshirt, headed straight for his rings. "My feet are caught." He shifted around, stumbling. "You don't need them." "I'll fall down." This was scary. "You can't fall down. And I'm not going to let anything happen to you." "I... Fuck." He tugged a little, heartbeat speeding. "Yes, I might." Harrison tweaked his right nipple ring again. "I don't like this." This was unnerving. "I've got you off balance." Harrison smiled. "Yes." Now that they understood each other, Harrison would let him go. "Good." His T-shirt was pulled up over his head, Harrison's lips latching on to his left nipple. "I. Wait. That's not..." Oh, God. Good. Harrison sucked rhythmically, each tug going straight to his cock. The ache was almost unbearable. Almost.

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One of Harrison's hands slid around his cock, squeezing him, and then jacking to the same rhythm as the suction around his tit. "I--" His head fell back, and he moaned. "There you go. Feels good, huh?" He didn't answer. Harrison's thumbnail slid over his slit and he jerked, moaned. "Yes!" "Sweet boy." Him? Sweet boy? "Gonna come for me." It wasn't a question, the way Harrison said it. "I..." That touch came again, hard on his slit, burning. "Yes." Harrison smiled, the look wicked, sexy, hand moving on him. Every time Harrison's thumb reached the tip of his cock, that nail rubbed. Over and over, the touch made him jump. "Fuck. Fuck..." He loved that, loved slit play. "Needy. So needy. I love it." "You keep touching." Of course he needed. Everyone needed, but he got so little human contact. "And I'm not going to stop. I'm going to touch and touch and touch." His hips began to buck, roll, the words echoing in his head. "Oh, look at you." "You keep talking!" He was going to scream. "I'm not just talking, though." None of this made sense. None of it. It was all crazy. Harrison slid his hands up along Giles' arms. Up over his head, up to where the chains held him. Oh. Oh, Harrison was going to let him go. Harrison's fingers slipped right up to his fingertips, then back down again, massaging his arms. Drawn - 114

He frowned when those hands moved down. He thought... "No frowning, this is good." Harrison's mouth slid over his jaw and then pressed against his mouth. Harrison was big, muscled, solid against him, and still mostly dressed. There was something... hot about being naked while Harrison wasn't, the rub of cloth against his skin, the scrape of buttons. "I..." He didn't know what to do. Not at all. "G. All you have you have to is stand there. And feel." "I'm a little wigged." "Only a little?" "Maybe a lot." "Okay." Harrison kissed him again, hot and heavy. Okay. How was this okay, exactly? He opened up, tongue sliding against Harrison's. "I'm gonna work you over, G. I've got a pretty little flogger that's going to feel so good." His eyes went wide; his cock jerked. "Good? You promise?" "Yes. It's going to hurt so damn good. It'll be exactly what you need." He closed his eyes. "I don't know what to do." "Whatever you want." Harrison gave him another kiss and went to one of the wardrobes, opening it. He looked up at the cuffs. They were hooked together with buckles. He could probably unfasten one, if he worked at it really hard. Harrison was back before he could even try, leather in his hand. Giles looked at the thing, unnerved, shaking his head. "Let me down." "It's going to be good, Giles. You're going to learn to crave it instead of the cutting." Drawn - 115

"I don't want to do this." The sounds in his head were loud suddenly, blaring. "No, and I imagine you don't want to do the cutting either, but you do it." He started panting, wigging out. "Someone's thinking too hard." Harrison's mouth covered his, tongue pushing right in. Giles went still, the sudden silence almost unbearable. Almost. The kisses didn't stop, Harrison deepening them instead, hands sliding on his back. One hand still held the leather, drawing it along his skin. He wasn't sure he even wanted to relax, but he did. He had to. The kisses went on and on, Harrison just... everywhere. When the leather hit his skin, it wasn't even sharp, just a deep, good thud. It came again across his shoulders, and he could feel it deep in his balls. He moaned, fingers curling around the chains. Harrison groaned into their kiss, and the leather hit him again. He whimpered softly. It felt so good. "I have you," Harrison whispered. The leather kept falling. "It burns. Don't leave me here." "I'm not leaving you anywhere, Giles." "Okay. Okay. I. Oh." The next blow left him a little breathless. "Right here. With you." More hits, each thud going through him. He started groaning, grunting with each and every blow. Harrison held him throughout, body warm and solid in front of him as the leather thudded against the skin of his back. He slumped in the chains, trusting them and Harrison to hold him up. They did. Harrison did. The hits melded one into the other, warmth spreading across his back. His breath Drawn - 116

came in time with the blows, his body shivering. Harrison's lips slid over his face, kissing, caressing. He moaned softly, so lost but so found, all at once. It continued, Harrison breathing into him with every hit. At some point the warmth became heat, became pain, the relaxation threatening to become tension again. Just as it was becoming too much, Harrison stopped hitting him with the leather, letting it trail over his skin instead. Giles took one hitching breath after another. The touches eventually faded away, leaving only him and Harrison in a cone of silence. *** Harrison leaned his forehead against Giles' and breathed in and out with his sub. It had been amazing to watch Giles go from worry and panic to pleasure and then bliss. And now this lovely, deep quiet that they shared together. Every now and then he pressed a kiss to Giles' lips, his jaw, his cheek. He let it go as long as he could, let Giles stay right there, and then he slid his hand up Giles' stretched arms and slowly undid the cuffs. He caught Giles as the man slumped down, cradling him easily as he moved them to the bed. Once Giles was laid out, he started massaging the long arms. Giles took little, hitching breaths, slowly relaxing for him, melting. Moaning. Oh yes, Giles was in a good space, quiet and still, no worries filling him. Harrison had known the man was a natural pain slut, but this had gone better than anything he could have hoped for. He wondered how long the bliss and quiet would last, how deep the pain had gone. He'd watched the fury as Giles painted, the ferocity. Now it was time for them. He would feed Giles, love on Drawn - 117

him, take him to this place of bliss. Make it good. He pressed a kiss on Giles' belly, rubbed his hand over one sweet ass cheek. "I. Is this okay?" "This is wonderful -- don't you feel it?" "Yes." Giles nodded. "How's your back?" He wasn't going to put anything on it that would numb the pain. Giles needed to feel everything. "Warm." "Good. It'll stay that way for awhile." "Okay. I just want to stay here for a minute." "We can stay here for a lot longer than a minute." "Okay." Giles nodded again. He chuckled and lay down, hand wrapping around Giles' hip. "So what do you usually do when you're not painting?" "I'm always painting." "Not anymore." There would be more balance to Giles' life now. He would see to it. He had to protect this man, even from himself. "Shh. I have to." "I'm not saying don't paint. I'm saying not always." "What else would I do? What do you do? I mean, I go out sometimes, hook up, but not so much now." "Read, exercise, go to the park, watch TV..." "Oh." Giles chuckled. "I paint. Listen to music." "And now you hang out with me, too." "Mmm. I like your house." "Good." Giles' hand slid along his skin, the touch long, lazy. Harrison hummed and pushed close, letting their bodies rub. "Oh. Oh, this is... tell me you like this." "I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't, G." "Okay." Giles leaned in, lips brushing his collarbone. Drawn - 118

"Mmm. Nice." "Yes. Your skin tastes so good." "What does it taste like?" "Warm red." "Yeah?" He thought Giles' brain was a fascinating place. "Yes. With the tiniest bit of burnt umber." "Do I always taste like those colors? Do my kisses taste like a different color than my skin?" He wanted to see himself like Giles did. "Yes. Your kisses are purples. Deeper, quieter. You make all the sounds stop screaming at me." He'd never heard subspace described like that before, but he liked it. "Cool." Every time Giles blinked, the long eyelashes tickled his skin. It eventually made him shiver and laugh. "What's funny?" "You're tickling." "Am not." Giles blinked again. He laughed again and nodded. "Are too." "Not." Blink. This time the sound he made was almost a snort. "Too." Giles started laughing, soft and gentle, the sound addictive. Smiling, he ran his hand through Giles' hair. Those lovely eyes looked up at him. Someone liked that. He tugged a little, pulling Giles' head back, exposing the long throat, and Giles' lips parted as his neck stretched. Groaning, he leaned in and wrapped his lips around Giles' skin. "Harrison..." Giles tasted salty. "Hmm?" "You are an amazing lover." Oh, he liked to hear that. It made him feel like a god. "You deserve it. Deserve me." Drawn - 119

"How come you didn't have a lover?" "I didn't have one. Now I do." It was as simple as that. He'd been wanting Giles. "And you're everything I could have ever asked for." "I'm an artist, that's all." "'That's all,' like it's nothing." Silly man. "No, it's more than nothing, but it makes for a bad boyfriend situation." "I can deal with that." Giles chuckled for him. "Stubborn man." "Very. And I'm not giving you up." He let his hand slide over Giles' back, the skin hot. "No one else can give you this." "It was so different." "Better than cutting, though, wasn't it?" Giles could deny it all he wanted, but Harrison knew. He knew. Giles' fingers brushed over his lips. "Shh." "Whether you admit it or not, it's still true." "You talk a lot." That had him laughing. "I think it's more a matter of me saying things you want to keep secret, hidden." "Secrets are very important." "Are they? "Yes." Giles sounded very sure. "But if I already know them..." Those lovely eyes met his, the look curious. "What?" "They aren't secrets if I already know them. Like you cutting, you needing the pain, loving it." "I... It just... It happens. That's all." "No, it doesn't 'just' happen. You make it happen. And now I will." Giles shook his head. "Shh. Just shh." Harrison grinned, shook his head, too; he was enjoying the heck out of himself. "No, I won't." Drawn - 120

"Why not?" Someone was getting riled up. "Because I like the way it makes you react. And because it's the truth." "React how? I'm not crazy. You know that." Whoever had put Giles in the loony bin needed to be beaten. "Did I say I thought you were crazy? I know you're not. And I know what you need, and I know there's nothing wrong with it." "You're the only one." "No I'm not -- you know." "I do. I know." Giles sighed for him, eyes closing. "And you have to stop beating yourself up for needing it. There's nothing wrong with what you need, what we do." Giles sat up, pulled away. "You talk about it like it's nothing, like it's normal." "Because to me, it is." He thought, maybe, that scared Giles a bit, that something so important, so secret, was normal to him. "We're going to make each other fly, Giles." "I'm not feeling in control here." "You can stop this anytime you want, G." "Anytime?" "Anytime." "Okay." Giles reached for his hand, held it. He squeezed Giles' hand and settled their foreheads together, breathing Giles in.

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Chapter Eight Giles woke up to his phone ringing, Marisa's ring tone filling the air with "Day-O." God, he'd been asleep. Again. He headed to his pants, the skin on his back buzzing nicely, and grabbed his phone. "'Lo?" "Giles? Where are you?" His twin sounded worried. "Huh?" "You're not at the studio. Where are you?" He frowned. "Are the paintings okay?" "Yes. Yes, of course they are. They're stunning. I'm worried about you, dork. You're always at the studio." She laughed softly. "Do you want to have lunch? I haven't seen you in days." The urge to say no was huge. He wanted to stay with Harrison for a little longer. Still, she was his sister, his twin, and he felt a little pang. Harrison rolled over in the bed. "Giles?" He nodded. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I'll go in the other room." "Giles?" Marisa sounded shocked. "Are you with a lover?" "Shut up." "You are!" She squealed. "Oh, my God!" "S'okay -- who is that?" Harrison stretched. "I can hear them from here." "My sister the banshee." He actually laughed, shook his head. "Can I take a rain check? Please?" "Yes, but I want to meet him. Dinner. My house. Tomorrow. If he can't, just text. We'll make something yummy." "That's fair. I'll text. Love you, huh?" "Of course you do. Are the canvases off the easel ready for framing?" Drawn - 122

He thought about that, about which ones were last. "They are." "Good. Do not freak out when you get home and they're gone." "I won't." Her laughter sounded again. "You will, too. Bye, Gilly." "Bye, Silly." He hung up, all grins. "Gilly? Did she call you Gilly?" Harrison laughed. "She always has." He laughed along. "She wants you to come to dinner tomorrow." "Yeah?" Harrison nodded. "I need to double-check my calendar, but I'd like that." "If you're busy, I'll cancel. She said it wasn't a big deal." He wanted Marisa to like Harrison. Harrison stood and stretched and grabbed his laptop, bringing up a calendar screen. "No, I'm good." "Okay." He reached down, grabbed his pants again. He needed to get dressed. Harrison came over and rubbed his ass. "Mmm, where are you going?" "Nowhere. Dressed." Those hands felt so good. "I sleep a lot when I'm with you." "I've been with you -- you aren't sleeping that much." "Feels like I am. You're warm." "You're may be sleeping more than you usually do, but that doesn't make it a lot." That hand kept moving, distracting him from getting dressed. "Hmm?" Harrison pulled him in close. "Come be warm with me." His pants fell from his fingers, the touch fascinating. Long fingers slid over his belly, almost tickling, but not. "You're painting me." It was the hottest thing ever. Drawn - 123

"Is that what I'm doing?" "Yes." He moaned, eyes on Harrison's touch. It surprised him that his skin didn't change colors. "What color am I painting?" "Red." That was easy. Red. "Red for passion." Harrison's fingers kept stroking over his skin. Red meant so much more than that, but it would work for now. "Is this red, too?" Harrison bent and licked at his shoulder, then ran the hot tongue along his collarbone. "Bright. Red with yellow shot through." Harrison groaned and nibbled at his neck. "Yes..." He loved the sting. Loved it. Tongue flicking out, Harrison licked where he'd nibbled, then bit again, a little harder this time. "Oh. Hungry." It was so easy to get caught here. "I like the way you hunger." His cock was paying attention, filling, swelling between his thighs. "I like it a lot." Harrison tilted his head and wrapped warm lips around Giles' Adam's apple. His eyes closed and Giles held on, lights going off behind his eyelids. The sucking was soft, but growing in strength, Harrison tugging on his skin. He swallowed, shivering with it. One hand slid over to his left nipple, tweaking the ring, and he went up on tiptoe, that ache deep. Harrison's hum vibrated all through his throat. "Oh." He didn't know where to move. The world was lit in color. Harrison drew his body in closer, rubbing them together as the sensations continued. Fuck, his body ached, the sensation delicious. Harrison pushed him up against the wall, the cold shocking against his back. He jerked, almost pulled away. Harrison had him, though, pushed him back Drawn - 124

against the wall, keeping him there. So strong. So fucking strong. It made him a little dry-mouthed. Harrison let go of his throat and brought their mouths together instead. The kiss was slow, deep, made him breathless. "Could kiss you all fucking day." "Okay." He was flexible. Laughing, Harrison kept on kissing him. The wall warmed and he relaxed again. Everything with Harrison was a mix of relaxation, then tension, then relaxation again. As if reading his mind, Harrison's fingers slid toward his right nipple, stroking his skin on the way. His abs clenched, his nipple going tight in anticipation. Harrison made him wait, fingers moving so slowly, and then circling his nipple instead of touching it or tugging the ring. "Oh..." He moaned happily, the sensation brilliant. Not touching that nipple, Harrison's fingers wandered over toward the other one instead. It was so easy to just feel. Those warm fingers moved between his nipples, teasing him for a long time before the right nipple got a flick of a fingertip across it. The touch was sharp enough that he gasped, eyes opening. Harrison was looking right at him, into him maybe. "What?" He moaned, body tingling. "Just making sure you're with me." "Here. Right here." Harrison nodded, then tugged on his right nipple ring, making Giles grit his teeth against the ache. The tug came again, Harrison leaning in to lick along his collarbone some more. "Enough. They ache." "That's not for you to say." Harrison tugged again. "I... Is too." Ass. It was his body, wasn't it? Drawn - 125

"Nope. Not here. Not now." Then Harrison took his mouth, forestalling any other protests. Giles forgot what they were talking about, attention caught by the kiss. Those magical fingers slid on his skin again, teasing and warming him. The world was spinning, so perfect. Some of the touches were soft, gentle. Others struck suddenly, a twist of a nipple rings, a pinch to his hip. Suddenly it was too much, and he pulled away, confused, heart pounding. "Stop. I need to breathe." "You can breathe without me stopping." He shook his head. "I don't think so. It's too big." "You can." Harrison sounded so sure as he tweaked Giles' nipples again. He stepped away, eyes searching for the door in this room. Harrison tugged him up against the strong body. "You can." "No." He leaned back, soaked up the warmth. "I don't understand you." "I just want to push you further than you think you can go." Harrison's mouth landed on his shoulder, working his skin. "What does that even mean?" His head fell forward. "It means when you say stop, I'm just getting started." Harrison's teeth scraped along his skin. He groaned, shook his head, dizzy with it. One of Harrison's hands spread across his belly, holding him back against the strong body. The other one wandered. Through it all, Harrison nibbled and bit and drove him half crazy. "I. I can't. I can't think!" "Who said you needed to?" Harrison didn't stop, just kept nibbling and nuzzling and licking and biting and touching. "Let me go. Let me go. Let me go." Drawn - 126

"No. No. No." Each 'no' came with a bite. He shivered, stomped his feet in a tiny whirl of frustration. The movements made Harrison hum and bite harder. Finally he pulled out of Harrison's arms and ran, the urge irresistible. "Stop!" Harrison didn't shout, but there was a tone in his voice, something... undeniable. Giles' steps screeched to a stop without his brain even telling them to. "You're not going anywhere yet, G. We're nowhere near finished." "I. I. I have to. I need to." Harrison came to him, turned him around, and quieted his words with a kiss. He took a deep breath. Harrison couldn't keep shutting him up with kisses. "Gonna tie you up again. Gonna beat your beautiful ass." "No. No more. I need some time." He needed a bath. "You don't need time to run away, to hide." He did, too. He did. He nodded. Giles knew he would run. He always ran. Harrison's hands landed on his ass, holding him close. "Where would you run to?" "I don't know. I don't know." He was out of his league. "Come on. Come back to bed so I can fill you." "What?" It was easier to follow the gentle tugs toward the bed. "You know what a plug is, yes?" "Yes, but I don't understand how these things go together." "I'm going to put the plug inside you, and it's easiest to do if you're on the bed." Had he missed something? "Okay..." Harrison laughed, bringing him back over to the bed. "You don't sound convinced." Drawn - 127

"I just -- weren't we talking?" "We were and then you tried to run away and I suggested the plug. So now we're running back to bed to plug you and we can keep talking." He held on to Harrison because he felt completely off-balance. Totally. Harrison laid him down on the mattress and followed, hands moving over him, warming him, filling him with that quiet that Harrison had. "I don't understand why I'm still here." "Because I want you to be." Harrison touched his cheek. "And because you want to be, too." Giles closed his eyes, tears close to the surface, which worried him. "You need stillness now, G. You need to find your center." "The center of what?" He hated not making sense. "Remember what it was like after I flogged you? That stillness?" "Yes." That he knew, understood. Needed. "That's your center." "Can't I just go work?" "Later. Right now I want to be with you." He held Harrison's hand, tight. "Okay." He didn't know what else to say. Harrison pressed soft kisses over his face, licking and nuzzling him. He found himself relaxing, blinking slowly. One of Harrison's hands slid along his spine, moving slowly as if Harrison was counting his vertebrae. The skin still ached, just a bit, and Harrison's hands kept moving down, touching his ass. Humming, Harrison squeezed one cheek, and then that hand moved back up, going slowly, adding a tingle to the ache. He found himself melting again, not tensing when Harrison wrapped soft, warm cuffs around his wrists. Drawn - 128

Harrison's fingers began to linger whenever they passed over his ass, and Giles began breathing in time with the touches, with the strokes. "Yeah..." The word was soft, another caress. Harrison turned him to his side, bent and propped his top leg up on pillows so his thighs were spread. The whole process was gentle, quiet, and Giles let it happen. Harrison's fingers were warm and slick as they slid past his hole, one after the other. Every so often, Harrison would stop, adjust a pillow here or there, making sure he was totally supported, relaxed, almost weightless. "You were made for this." One of Harrison's fingers slipped inside his body. "Made..." Even talking was so much effort. "Yes. Made. Made to be mine." Harrison's finger danced in and out of him, warmth spreading. His eyes closed, and when Harrison's finger disappeared, he moaned. "Shh. I'm not finished." A moment later two fingers pushed into him, gentle and easy. Oh. Yes. Good. The sweet, steady stretching was heaven. In and out, open and closed, Harrison's fingers worked his ass perfectly. Giles melted, rode, completely at peace. The third finger slipped into him, slick and easy as the first two, Harrison's rhythm never faltering. Giles fell into the rhythm of it, barely moving, barely shifting. He whimpered when Harrison's fingers left him again. "Shh. I'm just getting the plug, G." He didn't argue. His hole was empty, needing. Harrison wasn't gone long, and when he was back, something hard and unyielding pressed against his hole. He'd been well-worked, though, and the plug pushed in Drawn - 129

almost easily. The wide part stretched him, then his body tightened around the base, holding the plug in. "Nice. This isn't your first time." "First time?" He blinked, slowly. "Having a plug inside you -- your body knows exactly what to do." He nodded. "This one's big, but I have one at home. For jacking off." "I might have to see that at some point." "It's in a box in the bathroom." "I didn't mean I wanted to see the plug. I want to see you fucking yourself with it." "Mmm." His asshole clenched around the plug, Harrison's need incredibly hot. "I can picture it -- picture you doing it." Harrison rolled against him. Harrison's body was so warm, cock slick against him. "You see what just the thought of it does to me?" He smiled. "I can feel it. You like to watch." Good to know. Harrison grinned. "Among other things, yes. I like seeing your body, seeing you twisted in pleasure, in pain, in the way they mix." Harrison had the oddest ideas. Honestly. It was fascinating. Harrison kept humping against him, cock hard and hot and leaving a slick trail along his belly. His own cock was filling, slowly, Harrison's hunger eating at his relaxation. Their pricks bumped together and Harrison groaned, changed the angle of his hips so they bumped again. "Mmm." He tugged at the cuffs so he could touch. That made Harrison smile, lips curving so slowly. "Are you laughing at me?" Drawn - 130

"No. I'm enjoying the fact that you want to touch me. And that you can't." "I do. Unfasten them?" "No." He frowned. "Why not?" "Because I like the way you look in them. I like the way you struggle a little against them." That actually made sense. "Turns me on." Harrison was still moving against him. "Like that. Want to touch you, though." "Later." "Later..." He was a little distracted. "Yeah. Much later." Harrison moved faster, humping against him now. "I." Oh. Oh, more. Their pricks bumped and slid together, and Harrison's mouth closed on his. The kiss made heat flood him, his world stopping for a heartbeat. Harrison's tongue slipped in, teased his, and Giles opened, slowly exploring, tongue sliding against Harrison's. The kiss remained lazy, even as Harrison's hips moved harder, faster. His own need was distant, more of a pleasant hum. Then Harrison's fingers found his right nipple again, tugging on it. The ache was deep this time. Harrison moaned and humped harder against him. He started meeting the thrusts, giving Harrison something to push against. "Yes. Fuck!" Groaning, Harrison moved faster. Giles watched every thrust, admiring Harrison's strength, the hard muscles. Harrison's face went slack, filled with pleasure. "So hot..." Giles licked his lips, fascinated, eyes recording every second. Making a soft sound, Harrison jerked against him, heat splashing on their bellies as the man came. Drawn - 131

"Want to paint you. Over and over." "You will." The words were husky, still thick with Harrison's orgasm. "Mmm. Yes." He nodded, admiring Harrison's face. Harrison pressed close and breathed in and then out deeply, warm air rushing over Giles' throat. That warmth was amazing. "You feel so good, G." "Yes." He did, actually. Very good. Chuckling, Harrison gave him a lazy kiss and held him close. "My hands are still tied." He thought maybe Harrison had forgotten. "I know." "Oh." "I like them like that." He flushed, Harrison's words trying to make his cock fill. "You're always stunning, but when you're bound? You're unbelievably so." "Oh." That made him ache. "Truth, G." He pulled against the cuffs again, and that made his ass work the plug. Harrison groaned. "So stunning." "I can't paint like this." "I'll undo you later." He tugged again. Harrison ran his hands up and down Giles' arms. "I said I'd do it later." "I know. I hear you. I just..." He felt like he needed to move. "You just what?" "I can't lie here. I have to get up. Run. I have to. I don't like being still." Damn it. "You do it very well, though." Drawn - 132

He shook his head, moaned low. "Yes. Stillness looks very good on you." "I don't like being still." He tugged again, moaned. "It's good for you, though." Harrison touched his belly, rubbing the come into his skin. "How..." The touch was firm, solid, pushing him down. "Trust me. It is." It was weird, but Giles did trust Harrison. Far more than he trusted himself. Harrison smiled at him, seeming to read his thoughts, and he smiled back, unable not to respond. "Be still for me. The reward will be great." "I'll try." He liked rewards. "There will be punishments if you fail." "What?" Punishments? "Yes. Sometimes you'll fail on purpose." Harrison looked wicked as he spoke. "What?" He was confused. Lost. "I'm probably getting ahead of myself. You'll learn all about things." "Learn about what?" "About the lifestyle. BDSM. The things we're going to do together." "I'm a little confused." He turned his head, kissed Harrison's hand. "You remember the club I took you to? You remember how you didn't think BDSM was real? I told you then it was. I'm telling you the same thing now." He remembered. "Those games are for fun, though. Right?" "They can be. But they're also a lifestyle. They give you what you need." "I have to paint." That was it. Drawn - 133

"You need more than that. I know you don't like admitting it, but it's true." He smiled. Harrison talked a lot. It was cute. "How's that plug working out?" Harrison's fingers crept over his hip to his ass. His hole tightened around it, jostling it. "Good." "I want you to go home with that in your ass and a ring around your cock and paint like that." "What?" Oh, God. His cock jerked, filled almost painfully. "Oh, I know you heard me." He shook his head, licked his lips. So fucking hot. "Liar. You did." Harrison reached back to the nightstand and pulled out the drawer, then came up with something small and black. Giles stared, tugged at the ropes. "Want to touch you." "Once I have you bound." Oh, God. He loved rings, had his own. Wore them while he touched himself, teased his slit. "Oh, look at that. Your nostrils flared and your pupils just got huge." "What?" "You reacted to what I said. It was sexy as hell." "I." He didn't know what to say. Harrison smiled at him, dragged the black leather over his skin, down toward his waiting prick. His cock bobbed, a wet drop splashing on his belly. Smiling, Harrison grabbed his cock and began to wrap the leather around the base. Giles closed his eyes, jonesing on the feeling of someone else doing this for him. The leather was slowly tightened before Harrison looped the other end around his balls, separating them from his cock. He whimpered, spreading, excitement ratcheting higher. The leather Drawn - 134

tightened more, became almost painful, and then Harrison snapped it closed. Right there. His toes curled, legs moving restlessly. "Perfect. You look amazing. I bet you feel good, too." "Huh?" He felt stupendous. "I said I bet it feels good, I bet you feel good. Sexy, excited." "I feel amazing." "Perfect." Harrison's fingers teased across his slit. His eyes crossed, his thighs starting to shake. Loved that. "Someone's got a button." Harrison's fingers stayed right there, playing. "Yes. Yes. Fuck." Don't stop. He almost whined with it, his slit burning. Harrison didn't stop. He did change it up, though, now taking his slit between two fingers and rubbing. "Oh. Oh, fuck." His belly was so tight, aching. "You can't come." "I have to." Harrison shook his head. "No." Giles growled. "I have to." Harrison's hand disappeared. "Then I'll stop." A soft cry left him. Fuck. Harrison smiled. "You can't have it both ways." Motherfucker! "What are you talking about?" "I can touch you if you don't come. But if you're going to come, I'm not going to touch." Harrison made him absolutely fucking crazy. "Why are you doing this?" "Excitement. Focus. To bond us together." "You make me nuts." "Good." Fuck, the man looked pleased about it. That touch started again, and he keened, need flooding him. Drawn - 135

"I know how good that feels. How much it makes you need." "Fuck..." Every word was hotter. Wilder. "Maybe we will. Maybe I'll just do this until the end of time." Harrison's fingers pinched the tip of his cock. He twisted, arched, his cock aching. "You look amazing like this. You should always be needy, wanting me." He couldn't even answer. His world was tightening to that touch, the little ache in his slit, the ball of tension in his belly. "Remember, no coming until I say so." His lips opened and closed, but he didn't have any words left. Harrison smiled at him, the look in the man's eyes so hot. His skin was too small, his head heavy, the world spinning. "What will you do if I stop?" He almost sobbed. "Don't stop." "I can if I want to." Giles groaned, shuddered. This was insane. "I'm making you fly, aren't I?" "You keep talking!" He was going to scream. "I haven't stopped touching you, though. I can talk and touch at the same time." He tugged at the bonds, hard. "I can't fucking think!" "You don't need to think." Harrison's thumb pushed hard against his slit. This time he did scream, hips rolling frantically. "You ever been filled, G? I mean here?" Harrison pushed against his slit again. "What?" His body tried to get closer. "That's a no. There's this amazing thing. It's called a sound. It comes in all different sizes and I can fill your cock with it." He shook his head, groaned. "No way." Drawn - 136

"Yes way. It's going to be the most amazing thing ever." He couldn't even imagine that; his brain was swimming. "They have these little balls on top that keep the ends from sliding in. Fancy ones have different things in place of the balls. Butterflies and roses and all sorts of shit. I bet we could get some custom made, have the ends done like paint brushes. Would you like that, G? Would you like me to fuck your slit with a paintbrush?" Giles couldn't speak; his eyes were rolled back in his head, his body jerking, slamming up toward Harrison's touch. "I'm taking that as a yes." Harrison's finger and thumb wrapped around the head of his cock, squeezing tight. "And you're still not allowed to come." "Fuck!" Killing him. The bastard was killing him. "Yes. I'd like that. I want to feel you tight and hot around me. I want your ass to pull at my cock and make me come while you imagine your prick filled." Giles nodded. Anything. Anything, just more. Harrison turned him so he was on his side and then pressed up against his back, cock thick, wet-tipped where it rubbed against his lower back. "Need. Need. In me." Hard. Deep. "So pushy." Harrison's cock slid between his legs and then up to press against his hole, nudging the plug. He nodded. Yes. Why wouldn't he be? Harrison was making him nuts. Harrison pulled out the plug with little fanfare, and then worked the tip of his cock in. Giles panted quietly, ass pushing back toward the invasion. Harrison moved with him, though, pulling back so just the thick head remained. "What do you want?" Drawn - 137

"You." With that Harrison pushed all the way in, cock spreading him. Giles arched, teeth clicking together as Harrison pulled out slowly and thrust in again. The burn was sweet and Giles nodded, encouraging Harrison. The movements stayed slow but good, thorough. The intensity eased, and Giles could suddenly breathe again. Harrison picked up the pace a little, moving faster, hand sliding across his belly. His moan filled the air, his body moving with Harrison's. Another stroke across his belly, and then Harrison tugged at his right nipple ring. "I love these." He nodded. He did, too. They'd only been this sensitive the first few days after he'd had them done. Harrison twisted the ring and then tugged at the other one, nailing his gland at the same time. Giles whimpered, ass clenching tight. Harrison groaned, then pulled out and thrust back in again. "Yes..." His cock leaked, balls heavy and aching. Harrison's movements sped, became stronger. "Yes. Yes, Harrison. God. Good." Harder and harder, each thrust sent him higher. Giles moaned, body jerking, belly tight. "Please." "You want to come?" Harrison's hand wrapped around his cock, the band at the base and around his balls so damn tight. "Yes. Yes. Fuck, yes." "You have to wait until I say you can." He could feel Harrison's fingers, playing with the snaps on the cock ring. "Oh, God. Oh, God. Harrison. Harrison, I'm burning." "When I say so," Harrison insisted. Drawn - 138

He groaned, squeezed as tight as he could around that sweet cock. Moaning, Harrison flicked open the ring, the leather sliding away from him. "Now." "Harrison!" His eyes were huge, wide. His body was fighting to come, but nothing happened. Harrison growled, thrust in hard, hitting his gland again. The world shattered, and all Giles knew was how to come. And come. And come. When he finally came back into his body, Harrison was cradling him, holding him. He shivered, blinked. Stared a little. Harrison placed soft kisses over his chin, jaw, cheeks. "I." He blinked, dazed. "You." "Yeah." Harrison grinned and pulled him in close. He cuddled in, loath to move, to go home. Harrison kissed one eyelid. "Just let go, G. I've got you." Giles nodded. Let go. He could do that.

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Chapter Nine Harrison followed Giles up the stairs to his sister's place, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He was looking forward to seeing how Giles interacted with his sister. He was also looking forward to seeing if she could see the subtle differences the time with him had brought out in her brother. Marisa lived in a townhome in the ritzy part of town, and it pleased him that Giles had a key, knocking once before using it. "I'm here." "We're here," he said, teasing Giles gently. Giles stuck his tongue out. "She'll know what I mean." "Gilly! Incoming!" At Marisa's words, a small, wet, naked boy came screaming down the hall, heading right for them. "Gilly! Catch me!" Giles bent and caught, soaking his white shirt. "Bath time, Danny?" "Uh-huh." Harrison blinked and then blinked again. Giles hadn't said a thing about a nephew, though that had to be who this Danny was. Giles headed into the house. "Come on, Harrison." He followed Giles and the naked Danny, their footsteps retracing the little wet ones that covered the floor in the hall. Marisa came out, half-soaked herself, grinning from ear to ear. "Bath time." "So I see. Giles failed to mention you had a son." "I don't. This is our nephew. Our sister, Kath, got called into the hospital." "You've got another sister?" He raised one of his eyebrows and gave Giles a look. Drawn - 140

"We do. She's an ER doctor. Very busy." Marisa shrugged. "She and Giles are a little estranged." "Yeah? How come?" Marisa and Giles seemed to get along like a house on fire. Marisa looked at Giles, Giles looked at Marisa, and Harrison would swear they had some silent conversation. Then Marisa said, "Who knows?" Which no doubt meant he should mind his own business. Marisa would eventually learn that Giles was very much his business. He held out his hand. "Harrison Ornell. We met in the street a few weeks back." "I remember. I'm Marisa. My husband, Barry, is in the kitchen working his butt off. Please, let me get Danny in bed. You two go get a glass of wine." "Come on. I'll show you the way." Giles took his hand. Harrison's fingers curled with Giles', the act of holding hands natural, comfortable. "Lead on. I'm eager to see a buttless man." He gave Marisa a wink. Marisa scooped Danny up and Giles drew him further into the house. The place was covered in Giles' artwork, and the smells coming out of the kitchen were amazing, spicy and rich. "Someone is a fan of yours." It made him smile, made him happy inside, too. Giles looked confused. "Who?" He chuckled. "Marisa." "She's my sister." Like that explained everything. A huge, dark-skinned man was in the bright, open kitchen, chopping vegetables and singing opera. "Giles! Is this the infamous New Man?" "I am. Harrison. You've got to be the man without a butt." Barry turned, looked back. "No, man. I have a prodigious backside. Are you a beer man or a wine Drawn - 141

man?" Barry poured Giles a glass of white and handed it over. "I'll have a beer. It's good to meet you. And that smells amazing." "It's pasta puttanesca and some chicken. Salad. Simple and tasty. Do you like stout or lager?" Barry slapped Giles' hand as it headed for the bread basket. "Out of that, you." Harrison took Giles' hand between his, rubbing it and trying not to growl. "Either's fine." "Good deal." Barry winked. "You have to watch him; he'll snack while you're cooking and then not eat." "Oh, I don't know. There's worse things than snacking." "Sure there are. Red for me, Barry, love." Marisa came in, dressed in dry clothes. "You want a dry shirt, Gilly?" "Oh, man. I didn't even notice." Barry shook his head. "You can borrow one of mine if you want." Harrison watched the byplay with interest. Marisa and Barry were treating Giles like... like he was just Giles. Not crazy or rich or famous, just Marisa's brother. He liked them. Giles got a too-big T-shirt, the wet shirt thrown in the dryer. Harrison ended up perched on a barstool at the island, Giles next to him, everyone teasing and laughing, the atmosphere homey and simple. He had to admit he was surprised. He'd expected... drama. Maybe it was because of the way he'd first met Marisa. He did notice that none of them talked business -- nothing about painting, about art, about galleries. Possibly that was where all the drama lay. They moved to the dining room table when the food was ready, and the food tasted as good as it smelled. The Drawn - 142

small talk stopped as they ate. The food was simple but so good, and Harrison felt right at home. He was pleased to see Giles eating, too. They played a card game after supper, Marisa and Barry beating them handily. Giles was unfocused and flighty, not paying attention, but neither of their hosts seemed the slightest bit worried. He shook his head when a second round was suggested. "I'd need a different partner, but I won't give mine up." Giles' cheeks heated. "I know I suck at this stuff. You three should play hearts. I'm going to have a look at the moon." "Oh, that sounds fun. I'll join you." Giles looked surprised. "You don't have to." "I know." Marisa waved her hands at them. "Go see the backyard. Barry and I will make coffee." Harrison stood and held his hand out for Giles. Giles took his hand, and Harrison thought he heard Marisa sigh happily. He let Giles lead him out to the backyard, the moon a brilliant orb in the sky this evening. The little yard was filled with odd, weird little sculptures, all of them covered in foliage. They felt like his lover. "Is this your work?" he asked. "From college, yes." "Very cool." "They're awful, but Barry loves them." "They aren't awful. I like what the plants have done to them, too." "I was young." Giles went to one, fingers on the metal. "I'm glad they found a home. I'd hate to think of never getting to see them." He watched Giles, admiring Drawn - 143

the lean lines. "I like them." He wasn't talking about the statues anymore. "It's nice here, hmm? Normal." "I like it." Well, they liked Giles and treated him well; he liked that. He liked it a lot. Giles nodded. "I do, too. I don't belong here, though. I lived here once, for a little while." "Did you really?" He tried to imagine Giles in this relatively normal environment, but Giles didn't fit. Not really. Giles was... special, different. His. "After I got out of the hospital. They made me." His belly clenched, as did his jaw. "They?" "The doctors -- Kath, mainly -- they said I couldn't be on my own. Marisa and Barry let me stay here instead of Kath's." "Your older sister is the one who had you committed." The pieces were beginning to fall into place; being estranged from her made a lot of sense if that was the case. "It was a thing." Giles rolled his eyes. "She's a harpy." Harrison could think of some other, less nice words. He hugged Giles from behind. "You think differently than most people, that's all." "It just gets loud in my head." "I know how to make it quiet, though." He was good for Giles. And good with Giles. They were good together. Giles leaned hard into him. "You know something I don't, that's for sure." He chuckled. "I recognize a kindred soul, G. The yin to my yang." Which sounded cheesy as hell, but he thought that Giles would appreciate it. Giles answered him with a soft hum, but Harrison thought it sounded happy. He turned Giles slightly, Drawn - 144

brushing their lips together. Giles leaned into him. "Are you enjoying yourself?" "I am. Marisa and Barry are good people. Besides, you're here." "They've been married for four years. He really loves her." "That's what we're all looking for, eh?" "Maybe. I don't know. Maybe you have to be unhappy to paint." Harrison tilted his head. "You're unhappy when you paint?" "No. It's bigger than happiness." "Then I'd say you don't have to be unhappy to paint." Giles' head tilted. "I'll have to think about that one." Harrison grinned, amused by that. "Are you laughing at me?" Giles was smiling, too. "No. I'm just enjoying learning how your brain works." Giles looked at him hard. "I don't know what to say to that." "You don't have to say anything, Giles." He tugged the man in closer, brought their mouths together. "No getting busy in my backyard. Coffee's ready, you two." Marisa's voice was light, teasing. "Spoilsport," he teased back, giving Giles a wink. "You know it. Last thing I want to see is horny Gilly. Ew." Giles cracked up, flipped her off. He leaned in to whisper into Giles' ear. "I, on the other hand, am rather fond of horny Gilly." "Don't call me that, or I'll call you Harry." Harrison wrinkled his nose. "Ew." Not that his G was a Gilly, anyway.

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"Exactly." Giles grinned at him, drew him inside where the coffee was waiting. Marisa was sitting on Barry's lap on the sofa, laughing softly. Harrison sat in the easy chair, drawing Giles down onto his lap, figuring it was kosher. "Thank you for inviting me along for supper tonight." They both looked at him, surprise in their eyes, then they smiled. He let one of his eyebrows go up -- he was only imitating his hosts. "You're more than welcome." Marisa beamed. He relaxed back in the chair, hand on one of Giles' thigh. Barry started dozing almost immediately, Marisa chuckling softly. They'd explained that Barry worked as a building inspector, and the man was an early-morning riser, unlike Marisa and Giles. "Should we go and let him get to bed?" Marisa grinned. "You're welcome to stay; he's just tired." Giles, though, shook his head. "I know Kath; she'll be here early to pick Danny up. We should go." Harrison rubbed Giles' back. "Whatever you want, G." "Let's go home." He'd stood, had Giles halfway out the door before he really heard what Giles had said. Once they were outside, he tugged Giles in close and kissed him hard. Giles held onto his shoulders, swaying. "Hey." "Hey. Let's go home." Giles nodded. "Sounds great." "It does." It really did.

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Chapter Ten Giles turned off his phone. Locked the studio doors. Closed all the windows. Then he stripped himself down to nothing, turned the music up as loud as it would go, and got to work. No Harrison. No making love. Nothing but him and the art. He stared at the blank canvas. "This time," he told it, "you're not going to be about Harrison." It hadn't worked in the last three days. His studio was filled with canvases that were pure sex, pure need. Hunger. Passion. Harrison. Today, it was going to work. He wasn't going to speak to Harrison until it worked. Someone was banging on his door. Over and over and over. Working. He was working. Hard. The banging continued, annoying, like a fly buzzing at his ears. "Leave me alone!" he screamed. Then he went to the door buzzer, pressed the button. "I can't DO THIS WITH THAT BANGING!" "Let me in, Giles! He tore his door open, stormed downstairs bare naked, and ripped that door open, too. "What do you want? I'm trying to WORK and you're EVERYWHERE! I can't stop thinking about you!" Harrison pushed in and closed the door behind him. "I haven't heard from you in days and you're ignoring my calls -- I was worried." "I told you I needed to work!" He shook a little, fingers digging at his arm. "I have to work harder. I haven't painted in days!"

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Harrison pried his hand away from his arm. "Stop that. You can take a few minutes out of a day and give me a call to let me know you're okay." "I told you... Why are you always in my head? Why won't you leave me alone?" He shook his head, groaning. "I can't stop thinking about you!" Harrison cupped his cheeks and kissed him. Hard. Oh. Oh, fuck. Please. He moaned, arms wrapping around Harrison's neck. Harrison pushed him up against the wall, the kiss going deeper, harder. Upstairs. They needed to. Upstairs. He didn't break the kiss, though. He dove into it, desperate, needy. Harrison bit at his bottom lip and ground against him, pushing him into the wall. "Need you." His fingers dug into Harrison's scalp. "Fuck, need you." "I know." Harrison grabbed his ass and lifted him off the floor. He rubbed hard, moaning low. "Please. Help me." He didn't know for sure what he was begging for. Harrison held him up against the wall, one hand snaking around to grab his cock. He sobbed softly. "Oh. Oh, God. You're everywhere." "You need me," growled Harrison, fingers pinching the head of his prick, making it burn. "Yes!" His toes curled tight. "Show me. Fucking show me." Harrison's hand wrapped around his cock, thumb pushing and pressing every time it came up near to his slit. Spunk poured from him, the pleasure pushing from him in waves that left him shaken. "Yeah, that's it, G. So good. Damn." Harrison's hand kept moving, nice and easy now. "Harrison. Please. Upstairs?" He'd stay here, exposed, if that's what Harrison wanted. Drawn - 148

"Yes. I want you on that thing you call a bed." Harrison rubbed his own come into his belly, then took his hand and headed upstairs. The studio was a wreck, paintings everywhere, all of his Harrison's soul laid out on canvas. "Wow. This is. Wow." Harrison looked around, eyes wide. "I've been trying to work." "And you have. Like, a whole lot." "Don't hate them. Please." "They're fucking stunning, G." "Oh." His knees went weak. "Oh, God. Harrison. They're you. Me. Us. It just keeps coming." "Are they?" Harrison looked again, moving slowly around. He began to nod. "They are. And we are stunning." The relief was as overwhelming as it was unexpected. Harrison grabbed him around the waist and twirled with him. "Oh." He held on tight, spinning around and around. Harrison laughed, and then pressed their mouths together. He crawled up into Harrison's arms, legs around the thick waist. Suddenly his world had gone from dismal to bright, happy. Harrison held him easily, tongue sliding deep into his mouth, and Giles moaned, fingers pushing at Harrison's clothes. "Yeah, get them off." Despite his words, Harrison wasn't helping at all; instead, his mouth was distracting Giles with kisses and bites and licks. He nodded, shoved the clothes up, down, over, digging for skin. Harrison groaned for him when he found it, pushing into his hands. "Need you. Like a drug. Like air." It was his truth. "I like being your drug." "I want you." Drawn - 149

"Yes. Gonna fuck you. Gonna make you fly." "Yes. Yes, Harrison, please." Harrison carried him over to his futon, laying him down on it. Harrison's kisses came one after another, tongue fucking his lips, making him spin. Two of Harrison's fingers slid into him, spreading him, making him burn. He loved it -- loved the burn, the ache, the spread. "God, you're so tight." "More. Please. You're everywhere." "I'll be inside you in a moment." Another finger pushed into him. "Yes. Fuck, yes." He ached for it. Those fingers disappeared, the hard heat of Harrison's gloved cock pushing against him. "Oh, fuck. Yours. All yours." Harrison was everywhere inside him. The thick cock pushed in slowly, spreading him wide and filling him up with so much heat. Giles relaxed, lips parting like the pressure inside him was too big to hold in. Harrison held his gaze, looking right into him as the thick cock slid all the way home. "Harrison." "Giles." Harrison shifted, cock pushing against his gland. He cried out, the jolt perfect. Harrison smiled and began to pull out, just as slowly as he'd pushed in. All Giles could do was moan. Feel. Soar. The slow push back in sent him higher, the push against his gland like a wave cresting the beach. All he wanted was for it to keep going. It did, Harrison moving in and out, filling him again and again. The world fell away and he whimpered, so turned on. Wrapping a hand around his cock, Harrison kept pushing, thrusting, moving with him. Drawn - 150

"Yes. Yes, please. You... You're here." "Yes. With you. Fuck." Harrison squeezed his cock, fingers pinching at the head. His knees drew up, his eyes rolled back, and his hips pumped up, fucking the air. "Fuck." Harrison growled, pushed in harder. Yes. Fuck. So hard. So deep. Harrison shifted, got one of his rings into that talented mouth, and tugged hard. The room spun, tilting. Fuck. His gland was hit again, a finger pushing against his slit, the nipple ring tugged. There wasn't anything else in the world. Not anything. One more round and he was coming, the world spinning. "Smell you." He groaned again, nodded. He knew. Harrison pressed their mouths together, tongue licking in. He squeezed hard, trying to give Harrison pleasure. "Fuck!" Harrison humped a few more times, face beginning to go slack. God, that was beautiful. He squeezed again, watching every second. Harrison came for him, filling the condom as that face convulsed in pleasure. His fingers traced the lines of his lover's face, touched each bit. Harrison nuzzled into his touch, moaning softly. "Got you. You're here." Here. "Yes. You are, too. Got to answer your phone, G." "I was working." He nodded, though. Maybe. "I just needed two minutes of your time." "I just... You're in my head." Harrison had to understand. "I'm in more than just your head, G." The pun made him laugh.

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Harrison grinned, rubbed their noses together. He held on like his stupid life depended on it. Harrison held on just as tightly, so maybe it was okay.

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Chapter Eleven Harrison rang the doorbell to Giles' studio, hoping like hell the man remembered he'd said he was coming over this afternoon and that Giles needed to be wearing at least pants. He smiled at the two delivery men behind him, the big box in their capable hands containing the king-sized bed he'd bought to replace the torture rack Giles called a futon. "Yes? Harrison? Is that you? There are men behind you." "Yes, G. They've got a delivery for you -- are you decent?" "I am. A delivery?" The door buzzed. He opened it and stepped in, getting out of the way as much as possible for the delivery guys to go by him. He hadn't warned Giles that he'd be bringing furniture. Big furniture. He followed the men up, grinning as they passed Giles. "Just put it in the back there where the brick mattress is." "Brick mattress?" Giles looked. "That's the futon." "Futon, bricks, same difference. The store said you could take it away, right?" "Yes, sir. We have removal service." "That's the old futon. I'll just sleep all the time if that pretty bed's here." "I sincerely doubt that, G. The futon is going, the bed is staying." His lover stood there, looking stunned, as the men worked. Harrison wanted Giles at his home as much as possible, but he wanted a comfortable place for him here, too. And he didn't want to have to lie on that futon whenever he came over. Drawn - 153

It took no time at all before the bed was set up. He'd carried up bedding -- pillows, blankets, sheets, all in a luscious black. Giles would look amazing spread out on it. Which he was going to prove as soon as the movers were out and the bedding was on. Giles still looked stunned. "You bought a bed." "I bought us a bed." "It's very big." "Lots of room for us to roll around." He gave Giles a wink and gave the movers their money. It looked like Giles had been hard at work, but it looked like today was sketching on huge pads of paper. He locked the door behind the movers and then went back up and grinned at Giles. "We should test it out, shouldn't we?" He almost got a grin. "You look wicked." "That's because I am. Very wicked." "You're dear. Sweet." Harrison chuckled. "Sweet? me?" He advanced on Giles. "You. Sweet as sugar." He laughed out loud, grabbing hold of Giles' bony wrists and hauling him close. Giles felt so good to him, and he was still tickled that his lover, his sub, thought he was sweet. He brought their mouths together, his kiss anything but sweet. Giles groaned, tongue sliding against his. "You're wearing too many clothes." "Am I?" Giles kissed him again. "Yes. So am I." He reached for the button and zipper of Giles' jeans. Giles was hard, hot, cock filling against the fly. "Sexy man." Giles rolled his eyes. "Just touch me." He laughed. "Impatient, sexy man." "Uh-huh. Touching." Drawn - 154

He popped the button and started dragging down the zipper, moving slowly. Giles' cock strained against the soft cotton of his briefs, the bright yellow of them making Harrison smile. He slid his fingers beneath the waistband of jeans and briefs, slowly dragging them down. That full cock got caught, pulled downward with the clothing. When Giles' cock popped free, it slapped that tight belly, and Harrison groaned and reached for it. Giles arched toward his hand, eager, ready, so he wrapped his hand around the lovely prick, the heat on his palm perfect. "Mmm. Sweet hands." He grinned. "Sweet cock." Giles laughed for him. "You brought a bed." "I did. This way I don't get a sore back when I come over." He moved his hand slowly along the sweet prick. "Are you coming to watch me work?" "Among other things." He loved the confused look, the way that he was beginning to learn each one of Giles' expressions. "The real question right now is -- are you coming?" "Not yet. Soon, I hope." He chuckled, nodded. "Me, too." Giles got his cock in hand, fingers moving over his prick. Groaning, he sped up his touch, waiting for Giles to match his new rhythm. It didn't take long, Giles right there, focused on him. "You want me, G? You want to feel me inside you?" "God, yes. I could ride you." "Mmm." He squeezed Giles' prick. "You could." Giles bit his bottom lip. "We can spread out the blanket." "I brought bedding." Of course to put it on, he'd have to let go of Giles' prick. The man made him lose control. "Uh-huh. Black." Drawn - 155

"You're going to look amazing spread out on them, hard, bound, needy." "Bound? Here?" Harrison shrugged casually. "I... That was kind of hot." Grinning, he let go of Giles' cock. "It was. It will be. But first we make this bed." "Now that you've had them take my futon." "That thing was pure torture." Giles nodded. "Yes." He laughed. "Then why didn't you replace it yourself? Giles looked at him, so serious. "So I didn't waste time." "Sleeping isn't wasting time, G. It's a necessary bodily function." "So you say." Giles went down on both knees, mouth dropping over his cock, distracting him. "Fuck! G!" His hips snapped, as out of his control as Giles. Giles sucked him like a Hoover, pulling hard, making his knees weak. "This isn't making the bed." Giles' response was one, hard suck, enough to draw his balls up. "Fuck. G." He wrapped his hands around Giles' head, hips beginning to move. Pushy. Demanding. Stubborn. Harrison loved the bastard. He thrust harder, pushing deep into Giles' throat. Giles swallowed around him, throat closing on his prick. "G!" He cried out, coming down Giles' throat. Giles took him in, swallowing hard, tongue sliding over him. "God." His fingers slid through Giles' hair as he panted. His cock was cleaned, adored. "Mmm. Dear Giles." Drawn - 156

"Sweet Harrison." He laughed again. "I'm not sweet, G." "As sugar." "You think so?" He grinned, let a little evil show through as he pulled a cock ring out of his pocket. "I know it." Giles nuzzled his belly. "I'm going to torture you, G. Make you need and need." "You are not." Giles had no idea. "Come here. Give me your prick." "It's not detachable. You know that, right?" Giles stood. He shook his head and showed Giles the ring. "I just need to put this on it." "Mmm. Okay." Giles arched toward him, so eager. "I'm not going to let you come for ages." He put the ring on Giles' cock, around his balls. "That's not very nice, sweetie." He thought master had a much nicer sound than sweetie. "That's because I'm not very sweet, G." "You are." Giles looked so sincere. "No one's ever been so good to me." "Being good to you and being sweet aren't the same thing." The thin lips twisted. "Isn't that good? Being good? Sweet? I mean... it's hard to think like this." "I'm into giving you the things you truly need, Giles. That's not sweet." Giles frowned at him. "I need to work." Ah, his sub's answer to anything that Giles was uncomfortable with. "You've been working." He handed over the bottom sheet. "Let's get this on." Drawn - 157

"I. Okay." Giles looked confused, but followed the direction. They got the black sheets on the bed and then he grabbed Giles up, pushing him down onto the bed. "I. I was going to work." "And then I showed up and now we're going to make love." "Oh." That quicksilver mind followed right along, Giles nodding. "And you're not going to come." He let his fingers slide over the leather cock ring around Giles' genitals. "I will eventually." Giles spread for him. "Well, yes." He leaned in to bite at Giles' earlobe. "But this sweet man is going to make you beg for it first." Giles shook his head. "Will not." "If you say so." He was so going to make Giles beg. And beg. And beg. And beg. And he was going to love every minute of it. *** Giles had to admit the bed was nice. Soft. Addictive. He was going to kick Harrison's butt. That was the plan. As soon as the man let him come. Hopefully that would be soon. His balls ached a little. Harrison had fucked him. Harrison had spanked him. Harrison had licked him all over and driven him out of his mind. Now the man was fucking his slit with that hot, pointed tongue. He groaned, tried to pull away. That was so fucking intense. Harrison's hands clamped on to his hips, fingers digging in as he was kept in place. "No. No more." God, he was going crazy. Drawn - 158

Harrison slowly pulled off his cockhead. "That's up to me." "No more..." Harrison took the head of his cock in again, tongue pushing into his slit. "Oh, fuck." He humped up, jonesing on the damned burn, so bad. "Gonna get you that sound. Fuck your slit with it." Harrison only pulled off long enough to say those words, then he was back at it. Giles' cock jerked at the promise, balls trying to crawl up into his body. So close. Harrison grabbed them, tugged. "No coming until I say so. And I'm not going to say so until you beg for it." "Fuck!" His hands landed on Harrison's wrists. Harrison turned his hands, turning the tables so that his wrists were the ones being held. "I..." He tugged. "Wait. You move fast." He could feel Harrison's smile around his cock. "Let me go, now. Let me touch you..." Shaking his head, Harrison went back to tongue fucking his slit. The burn made him whimper, made his hips jerk up. "I still don't hear you begging." "I want... let me go." More of his cock was pulled into Harrison's mouth, the heat and suction huge. Giles' eyes closed, soft sounds escaping him as he soared higher and higher. Harrison kept changing it up, taking him deep and then shallow, tongue pushing into his slit. "Fuck. Fuck. So close. So good." So good. His balls were burning. Harrison tugged them again, grunted around his flesh. "No!" He sat up, thighs burning. "Please. I fucking need to come. Come on! I haven't been an asshole." "You've been awesome, Giles. But I promised to make you beg." Drawn - 159

"Why are you doing this to me?" Harrison was making him crazy. "Because you love it." "I don't!" He tugged his hands out of Harrison's grip, grabbed his cock, so frustrated. The low growl was his only warning before Harrison had his hands again, pulling them up over his head. "No. You get to come when I say you do. And that'll be after you've begged for it." "Fuck you!" He was going to just scream. "Not what I'm looking for, G." Harrison met his gaze, one hand holding his wrists so tightly over his head, the other around his cock, thumb pushing against his slit. "Oh, God. Burns. It burns." "Tell me what you want, G. Tell me what you need. Beg for it." "Please. Please, I need you. I want to come. I want you." "Mmm... That's better, G." Harrison let go of him. "No touching while I glove up." "Can I take the thing off?' "Nope. That's my job." He whimpered, twisted, needing deep in his gut. "You could beg for it to come off, though." Harrison gloved up his prick and came back to the bed. "Just take it off. I need you. My balls ache." Harrison laughed and settled between his legs. "I warned you I was going to torture you. You didn't believe me." "Why torture me?" God, he wanted. "I'm proving that I'm not sweet." Harrison pressed two fingers against his hole. "Please." Giles bore down, took Harrison in. "I do love that word from you when you really mean it." Drawn - 160

"Mean it. Please. Harder." Harrison's fingers punched in a few times, hitting his gland erratically. "Stop teasing me!" he demanded, grabbing his knees and pulling them back. "Shh. I'm coming." "Please..." The words comforted him; the fingers inside him drove him crazy. Of course, they disappeared a moment later, Harrison's cock butting up against his hole. "Yes." He bore down, took Harrison in. "So pushy." Still, Harrison sank the rest of the way in, hitting his gland. "Yes!" Giles convulsed, body bucking. Harrison's hand was back on his cock, working at the fucking leather ring binding him. All he had to do was close his eyes and jerk, drive himself on that cock. His prick was finally loose and Harrison gripped it hard. "You can come now." "Thank you." He moaned the words, his balls throbbing as he went over the edge, ass working Harrison's prick. "Yes! Yes!" Harrison fucked him hard, fast, face going slack with pleasure. "Yes..." He watched every thrust, watched Harrison's pleasure. The man froze, then collapsed down onto him. He wrapped around Harrison, holding on tight. Harrison nuzzled into his neck, licked him. "I've got you." "Mmm. You do. And I have you." Harrison pulled back to look into his eyes. "I'm not letting go, either." "Okay." Okay, he could possibly deal with that.

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Chapter Twelve Harrison nodded to the bouncer at the door and headed into the club. Xavier was at the bar with the books, giving him a nod, and he waved to the man before seeing who else was already here for lunch today. He was in the mood for some good food and good conversation. Well, what he was really in the mood for was Giles, but he was trying to give the man some time to paint. It had only been one day, after all. Simon was sitting there with Billy, the men talking. He headed over, smiling as he got there. "Hey, guys." "Harrison! Where on earth have you been?" Simon grinned at him. "Sit. Please." He chuckled, sat. "Getting to know someone special." "Ooh." Both men laughed, slapped him on the back. His own grin was huge, he knew. He just couldn't keep it contained. He leaned back, proud as a peacock, nodding as Happy brought him a glass of water. "Thank you. I'll have whatever today's special is." The specials were always fresh, tasty. "Thai beef salad today, Sir." Thai would always make him think of Giles now. "Sounds great, I'll have that and a beer, please." "Yes, Sir." He received a smile, then Happy bounced back into the kitchen, making all three of them chuckle. "I don't think I know anyone as secure in his place as that boy," Billy noted. Simon nodded, chuckled. "He makes even Jack look like a gloomy boy." Harrison laughed. "Speaking of boys, either of you have anyone special?" Simon shrugged. "I have someone relatively serious. Maybe. Someday." Drawn - 162

He patted Simon on the back. "Good things come to those who wait. Of course it would be easier if that someone believed the lifestyle was something real." Simon's eyebrow lifted and Billy stared. "What?" "He thinks it's a game -- for play. I even brought him here and he wasn't convinced." Simon frowned. "Have you two had a scene?" "More than one. He's chosen a safeword, I've spanked him. I've tied him up. I've denied him orgasms for hours." Harrison shook his head. "He thinks I'm a sweet, dear man." Billy's laughter filled the room. "You are a fierce, tough son of a bitch -- right?" "You better fucking believe it." He even growled a little. "Hell, ask anyone I've put through their paces." "So..." Simon had a wicked look on his face. "Does that mean you haven't put your new boy through his?" "Oh, I have." "Uh-huh," the man teased. "Sure. Harrison, if you did and he doesn't believe in it..." "I suppose there are a lot more paces I can put him through." He winked. That had Billy going again. "So? Share, man. Tell us about him." "He's something special. A painter. Brilliant." "A painter? That's interesting. Is he eccentric?" "He's an amazing, offbeat pain slut." And he was in love with his crazy artist. Simon beamed. "Oh, that sounds delicious. When will you be showing him off?" "I'll arrange to bring him in on Friday." Billy chuckled. "Maybe next month, eh? The first few months with the learning are the best." "I don't know. He might be more inclined to believe it with more exposure." Drawn - 163

Simon nodded. "Every sub is different. They all live in their own heads in different ways." "Oh, yes. And Giles more than most; his painting is everything. Above eating, sleeping, everything." "That sounds challenging." He nodded and grinned. "It is." It was a part of Giles' charm. Simon's smile was knowing. "A challenge is good." He snorted. "A challenge is great." "You look tickled, man. It's a good thing," Billy said with a nod. "It's a very good thing. And I'm more than tickled." Happy brought his meal and his beer, beaming at him as the boy placed it in front of him. "The special of the day, Sir." "Thank you, boy." Happy beamed some more and looked around the table. "Can I bring anything else?" Billy chuckled. "I'll take a cup of coffee, sweet boy." Happy nodded, bounced away, and they all watched him go. That ass was Happy's best feature. "Dominic is one lucky man." That kind of constant bounciness wasn't what he wanted, though. Harrison had a feeling Happy would drive him crazy inside a week. And he'd be bored. Simon snorted. "Dominic has the patience of a saint." Harrison laughed. He did enjoy his friends at the Hammer. Simon winked, Bill shook his head, then they all cracked up again. When he'd stopped laughing, he ate his beef salad, enjoying the heartiness of the meat with the lightness of the dressing and greens. Simon and Bill filled the air with easy noise, chatted about the upcoming shows. Marcus was doing whipping, Simon was volunteering to show a new Japanese rope technique. Harrison wondered what Giles Drawn - 164

would think of the shows. Then he wondered what Giles would think of having the techniques used on him after. "So what's your boy into?" Simon's curiosity didn't even feel prurient. They helped each other, learned from each other. "Pain. The man cuts himself." "Ah." Billy nodded. "I've had a couple of friends with that compulsion. It made it easy for their Doms to see when they needed attention." "I'll bet. I keep telling Giles that I know what he needs and I can make it so much better than the cutting does." He shrugged. "He's worried it's going to get him in trouble. He's been involuntarily committed once already." And it still made him mad that his sister would do that to him, especially when the other, Marisa, clearly got him. Sure a twin might understand more, but blood was blood. "No shit? That's harsh." Billy winced. "I hate to hear things like that." "You're not the only one. They don't speak anymore." "Does he have any family?" "Two sisters. The one who committed him and the one who supports him." "Damn." Billy grimaced. "I think being sent back is his biggest fear." Billy's eyes went comically wide. "It would sure as hell be mine." Simon nodded. Harrison's phone rang. He smiled when he saw Giles' name on the caller ID. "Hi, G." "Hey. Am I bothering you?" "Never. How are you?" "Okay. Sick, maybe. I don't know. I'm canceling for supper, though. I'm going to just lie on the balcony and try to feel better." Drawn - 165

He frowned. "What kind of sick?" "Just sick. Maybe. I just. I'll call you tomorrow, 'kay?" "I'm coming over, G. I'll be there in twenty." "I don't need company. I don't feel good." "I'm not company, G. I'm coming to take care of you." "I'm okay. I mean, just, no. What if you get sick? What if. I just. Goodbye, Harrison. No supper." He chuckled as Giles hung up. The man didn't get it. Harrison was going to eventually wear him down. Two sets of eyes were on him like hawks'. "Everything okay?" "No, he's sick. I'm going to stop by the deli for some soup and take it to him." "Oh, man. I'm sorry." Simon shook his hand. "Sprite is good, too." Billy nodded. "Orange juice." Harrison shook his head. "Ginger ale." They all chuckled together, shook hands. He put some money on the table, leaving a nice tip for Happy. "See you soon." "Have a good one!" Harrison waved to them and hurried out, eager to get to his sub. *** His head hurt. So bad. Giles locked his doors, took an icy cold shower, then went to his balcony and sat, rocking back and forth. Hot. So hot. The bell started ringing. Just once to start with. Then again when he ignored it. And again. "Go away!" Oh, God. Shouting made it worse. A banging joined the ringing. Drawn - 166

He crawled into the house, threw open his front door, trying to figure out how someone had gotten up the stairs. "What?" "Giles! You look terrible." Harrison came in, arms wrapping around him. "I told you no supper." He closed his eyes, the migraine slamming against him. "It can go in the fridge. I have ginger ale, too." "My head hurts. Go 'way..." "I'm here to help you. What do you usually take for your head?" "I have stuff that Marisa brought. I took three already." "It's a migraine?" Harrison didn't wait for his answer, leading him to the bathroom. "Uh-huh... I guess." The room spun. "Where are the pills? When did you take the last ones?" Harrison picked him up and held him close. "In the cabinet deal. There's a note." He always put a note when he took the pills, how many. Just in case. No overdosing. Harrison carried him over and opened the cabinet. It sounded so loud. "Looks like you can have a couple more." "You have to make a note." He was going to hurl. "Go away. I'll throw up. It's yucky." "I'm not going anywhere, G." Harrison set him down on his knees in front of the toilet, hands pulling back his hair. He lost it, emptying himself, the voices in his head screaming as he cried. Harrison's hand was warm on his back, slowly sliding up and down. When he was done, he crawled to the tub, moving carefully. Harrison was there to turn on the water, the lights suddenly going down as the warm water poured over him. He just curled Drawn - 167

into a ball, crying softly. At some point there were more pills, a drink of something good. The water pounded down around him and Harrison's hands worked on his shoulders, his neck. Finally the world went blue and easy, his eyes stopped focusing, and he stopped fighting. Harrison was there. Harrison had him. They rocked gently together, Harrison holding him. "Harrison." He moaned, cheek on the broad chest. "Shh. Just relax, G." "Are you naked?" He was naked. "I am." "Me, too." "I know, G." A soft kiss touched the top of his head. "It's okay. We're in the shower -- supposed to be naked. Is the migraine any better?" "Uh-huh." He could breathe a little now. "Jus' leave the lights low." "Don't worry, they're off. And I think with the water warm and not hot, we can stay in here for a long time." "'Kay." He stroked Harrison's belly. "Thank you. My hero." His love. His. Giles sighed softly, and let himself fall asleep.

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Chapter Thirteen Harrison woke with the bright morning light, his body wrapped around Giles. It looked like he needed to get Giles some curtains next, because while that early morning light was no doubt awesome for painting, it sucked for sleeping past sunrise. He stayed where he was, yawning quietly -- he didn't want to wake Giles. The man needed his sleep after the last few days. He'd never seen a man be so sick with a migraine. It had been brutal at a few points, Giles almost insane with it. He'd kept things dark and warm, though, feeding Giles pills every few hours, and the man seemed much easier in his skin now. Giles curled into him, humming softly, hands opening and closing as he dreamed. Sweet, lovely man. Harrison wondered if there was anything specific that triggered the migraines. He couldn't believe that Giles had been intending to simply deal with it alone. He was pretty sure that's how Giles dealt with everything. No more. The man had a master now, a Dom. A lover. Him. Giles leaned in, kissed his shoulder. So sensitive. "Fair warning, Giles. I'm keeping you." "Keeping me?" The words were moaned, almost breathed out. "That's right. You're mine and I'm yours and that's that." Giles' eyes cracked open. "Harrison. You're here." "Of course I am. You were sick." Giles would learn to lean on him. "I'm sorry. I know it's gross." "It's no big deal." Giles kissed his chin. "Still." "Thank you." He grinned and bent to kiss Giles properly. Giles hummed, kissed him back, the action Drawn - 169

still a little clumsy. He drew Giles' tongue into his mouth, sucked on it gently. "Mmm." Giles made the hungriest little sounds. He slid his fingers over Giles' belly, stroking, feeling. "I feel better." "Good. Do you get those often?" Giles nodded. "Sometimes." "What did the doctor say about them?" "I didn't go. Marisa did. For me." "What do you mean?" "She told them it was her head. She has them, too." "That's dangerous, G. Not to mention maybe something better would work for you -- given you're not the same person and that you outweigh her and she's a woman while you're a guy..." "Still, they help. Doctors aren't good people. They'll hurt you if you let them." God, he could gladly kill Giles' sister. Not Marisa, the other one, the one who had committed his poor love. "There are good doctors out there, too, G. I trust mine to have my best interests at heart." "Marisa takes care of me." "And now so do I, but there are things we can't do for you as well as someone else can. Like prescribe you medicine for your migraines, give you coping techniques, et cetera." "Shh." Giles kissed his collarbone. "Don't shush me. What if there's something that can be done so you don't have the migraines anymore? Wouldn't that be a good thing?" "Yeah, but it's just a thing." "It isn't just anything -- it's clearly debilitating. Wouldn't you want to have them cured if you could?" Giles met his eyes. "What if that's where the painting comes from?" Drawn - 170

Harrison shook his head. "I know people like to say they suffer for their art, but I think that's a crutch." "But what if it's not? That's a huge chance." Harrison wasn't sure exactly what to say to that. "If you need pain, G, you know I can give that to you. Controlled pain. Good pain." "Nobody needs pain. That's crazy." There was shame in those eyes. "That's crazy, but not being willing to cure your migraines in case it might stop you painting isn't?" He shook his head. "No, G. Needing pain isn't crazy. Not at all." "Do we have to talk about it?" "About you needing pain or about the migraines?" "Yes." Harrison laughed and shook his head. "We don't have to talk about the pain. We'll just play with it." "Let's just lie here for a little while." "Just lie here and do what?" Giles frowned, shaking a little bit. "I just need to be for five minutes, okay? Then I'll get up." "Shh. It's okay Giles. I'll just hold you." "Just five minutes." "Shh. Quiet, just holding, yeah?" Giles nodded, eyes closing. Harrison shook his head but let Giles have the time he needed, the quiet comfort. Giles relaxed, hummed, leaned into him. He held his lover, fingers stroking over the warm skin. He looked around the studio, admiring the paintings. They were pure sex, arousing, wonderful. Those hadn't come from any migraine -- that wasn't what had inspired them. Giles' need had inspired them. He just had to convince Giles of that. "Thank you." The words were soft. "Feeling more centered?" Drawn - 171

"Yeah. I just needed a minute." "So I'm allowed to kiss you and tug on those sweet rings now?" Harrison winked and took that kiss without waiting for a response. Giles pressed closer to him, one hand draped around his waist. He moaned happily, fingers sliding between them to play with those awesome nipple rings. Giles was so much more alert, so relaxed this morning. He tugged on one nipple ring and twisted the other, watching Giles' face. Giles' eyelids went heavy, lips parting. "Yeah, you like that." So did he. He loved Giles' reactions to the nipple ring play. "I like you." "You like what I do to you, too." "I do." "I'm glad you know it. I'm glad you know that I know it." He waited a half second. "Even if you don't want to talk about it." Giles shrugged. "Sometimes it's better not to." "Sometimes you have to." "No. I'd rather paint it." "Ah, yes. That's not a bad choice at all." Giles chuckled. "I've been painting you." "Have I been on your mind a lot?" "Too much, I think." That was a surprising answer. "Too much?" Giles nodded. "I was in love once, back in school, and still, he wasn't more important than the work. You could be. That's probably unhealthy." Harrison chuckled. He couldn't help it. "Most people would say that painting to the exclusion of all else would be unhealthy." "They aren't artists." Drawn - 172

Harrison stopped the circular conversation with a kiss. Giles stilled, then leaned into him, pushed him over, tried to take control of the kiss. He pushed back, rolling them again in a move that would have sent them off the futon this bigger mattress had replaced. He pressed into the kiss, making it deeper, making it clear that he was the one in charge. Giles groaned a little bit, pushing, enough to make Harrison fight, but not enough to be serious. It was sexy, that challenge, that fight. He pushed one leg between Giles', keeping his lover off balance. He reached between them and pinched one nipple, then twisted the ring. "No." Giles groaned the word between them. "Yes." He grabbed the other nipple ring, tugging it. "No! You're always pushing me." And Giles loved it. "I am. And I'm not going to stop." He rubbed against Giles. "Just let me..." Giles wriggled, lean muscles pushing him. He pressed down harder. "Let you what?" "Get up." No. No, Giles didn't need to get away. "I don't think so." He brought their mouths back together again. Giles dove into his kisses, tongue fucking his lips, pushing so hard, and he grabbed Giles' hands, pulling them up over his head. "No. Not today." God, somebody wanted to play. "Yes, today." He put both wrists in one hand. "Don't. Let go." He stared down at Giles. "No." "Now." Giles began panting softly. For him. "No." He started rocking them together, Giles' cock so hard beneath him. Drawn - 173

"God damn it. Listen to me!" "I'm listening." "I don't feel like this is right! I'm caught up in my middle!" "Then let go, sweet G." He peppered soft kisses along Giles' jaw line. "Let go of what?" God, the man was stunning. "Of control." Simple as that. "You don't make any sense. I don't have control of anything!" "You do. Yourself." Giles stared at him. "Then let me go." "No. You don't control me. Only yourself." "I don't understand you. I don't understand what you want, how to make it okay with you." "Just be yourself, G." Harrison squeezed his wrists hard. "I want your fight, your fire, your challenge. I want you to be present and to react." Giles just stared at him like he was crazy. "Give me everything you are." Then he kissed Giles again, rubbing their bodies together. Giles shoved him away, stumbling off the bed, arms flailing. "Stop. Stop. You're so big, inside me! I can't do this!" Giles picked a canvas up, sent it sailing across the room as he screamed. Wow. Harrison was impressed. "I'm not going anywhere, Giles. And neither are you. You can scream about it all you want." Another canvas went soaring, then an easel, Giles roaring out all along. "That's it, Giles, get it all out." And when Giles thought he was finished, Harrison was going to bind him and spank him until he let the rest of it out. Drawn - 174

"You BASTARD!" Paint was flying, drop cloths soaring like huge, weird birds. "You're in my head and you're EVERYWHERE!" He thought, maybe, Giles was letting him know he wasn't the only one in love. It really was an amazing display, and Harrison knew that Giles wouldn't lose it like this in front of anyone else. Maybe not even the sister he trusted the most. "I am. Everywhere. Always. And I love you." "Get out of here." Giles went to his knees, head in his hands. "You can't love me. I won't let you." "It's not your choice, G. And I think you already know I'm not going anywhere." He got up and slowly made his way over to his lover. "Go away." A tube of paint slapped off his thigh. "No." He reached Giles and grabbed his arms, tugging the man up against him. "I'm not going anywhere, G." He was willing to bet that that was probably the scariest thing of all for Giles. It didn't matter what Giles did or said, he wasn't going to scared off by the crazy artist. "GO AWAY!" Those beautiful eyes were wild, terrified but somewhere, inside, Harrison saw hope. "No." It was all he said this time. He wrapped his arms around Giles, holding their bodies together from top to bottom. "Please?" Giles leaned into him, moaned. "No." He was staying and that was that. "Asshole." Giles' arms circled his waist. "Yes." He had no doubt he was. But he was Giles' asshole, and he wasn't going to be driven away. "I can't love you, don't you get it? I don't have time to be in love and paint." Like anyone produced as much art as his G. Drawn - 175

"I don't believe you get a choice in the matter." He slid a hand down to grab G's ass, squeeze it. In an hour or so it would be red, swollen from his spanking. "I do." Giles was quieting, resting for another round. "If you're like me, your heart has already drawn its own conclusions, and the rest of you is along for the ride." "I can't be in love with you." "You can. You are. And I'm in love with you." It worked out very well, really. "I won't let you love me." Giles' lips brushed his jaw. "Impossible not to," he murmured, nuzzling into the gentle touches. "I have temper tantrums." His lips twitched. "I do believe I noticed." He also wasn't letting them scare him off. He knew exactly what to do with all that energy and need to scream and rail. Giles leaned into him again, sighed, and he grinned, squeezed Giles tight. "Better?" "Uh-huh. Yeah." He imagined so. "Then let's go out for breakfast." He knew for sure Giles hadn't eaten anything significant in the time he'd been at the apartment, and he was willing to bet it had been a lot longer than that. Giles nodded. "That sounds good. I like breakfast food." "I know just the place, then. It's not very far, and we can either come back here or go to my place after." Where he would tie Giles up and help the man get rid of the rest of his fear and anger and rage. "Okay. Okay. Yeah." Giles nodded. "Will there be pancakes?" "There will be. With butter and maple syrup." He went to where he'd left his clothes. He needed a drawer Drawn - 176

here, just as Giles needed a couple at his place. Not to mention that key. "Yum." Giles wandered over to a hidden pocket door, opened a mostly empty closet. "I put the shirt you left the other day in here." "Cool. I should bring some clothes over. Get a toothbrush, that kind of thing. You should do the same for my place." "Yeah? That would okay with you?" Giles pulled a black T-shirt out of the closet -- one of the thirty black T-shirts that were his daily uniform. "Of course it would or I wouldn't have suggested it. I think it would also be handy if we shared keys." "Keys?" "Yes. As in me having one of yours and you having one of mine." He took Giles' cheeks in his hands and made his lover look at him. "It would have come in handy the other day -- you wouldn't have had to make your way to the door. Same thing if you're in the middle of painting. I'll be less of a distraction as I come and go." "Okay. You just bang and bang if I don't answer." Giles actually winked at him. He laughed. "I do. With a key, that'll stop." Giles nodded, "Okay. That's fair. I have a spare in the bathroom." "I'll have mine copied for you." "You don't have to if you don't want to." "I want you to have access." Giles offered him a tentative smile. "I don't have anyone's key." "After breakfast, you'll have mine." That smile got wider. "Cool." "Very. Now come on, I know you're hungry." "Let me brush my teeth and get your key." Drawn - 177

"Deal." Giles smile was gentle, warm. Harrison fell in love all over again. *** Giles finished his blueberry pancakes, humming over the syrup. Yum. He could feel Harrison watching him. He licked his lips, feeling more solid than he had in days. There was a little noise from across the table, and when he looked up, Harrison smiled at him. "So sexy." "I just like syrup." "Well, I like the way you like it. I'm thinking I need to pick up a bottle of it and cover myself with it." "Like you need that." He grinned over. Harrison winked. "Let's just say your tongue and my skin have a date." "Sounds good to me, lovely." Harrison waved to their waitress, miming that he wanted the bill. Giles searched for his wallet, hoping like hell he'd remembered it. "It's okay, G. I've got it." "You always pay. I have money. I just don't know where it is lots of the time." "Your sister takes care of your finances for you?" "Thank God." He grinned. "Otherwise I'd be homeless." "She wouldn't let that happen." "No. No, she wouldn't." Marisa loved him, and Giles couldn't imagine life without her. "And now, neither will I." Harrison's smile was warm. "You have both of us in your corner." "Cool." It was a nice feeling, knowing Harrison loved him. Scary, but nice. Drawn - 178

Harrison paid the bill and they left, heading for Harrison's car. He slipped in, relaxing back in the soft leather. Harrison drove easily, confidently. Kind of like how the man did everything. He didn't pay a lot of attention to where they were going until they pulled in to driveway at Harrison's house. "We're not going to the studio?" "Nope. My place." "Oh." Weird. "Why?" "Because I have plans for you, and I have more stuff at my place." "Oh." He didn't really have any huge argument with it. "You like my place, don't you? Or do you have a thing against furniture?" Harrison's eyes twinkled as they glanced over at him, telling him it was a tease. He stuck his tongue out at Harrison. "You know I like it. I just don't work there." "You know what they say about all work..." "I'm not dull." "No, you aren't dull at all." The praise made him beam. Harrison pulled up into his drive and turned off the engine. "You're the opposite of dull." "Shiny?" "Shiny? I like that." Harrison chuckled and got out, came around to open the door for him. The little acts of chivalry were fascinating, addictive. "Thank you." Harrison smiled and took his hand, leading him inside. He wasn't sure why it was so easy to follow along, except that he'd worn his temper out earlier, had his fit. "What do you want to do?" It made him a little nervous, not knowing what was up. Drawn - 179

"I'd like to do you." "I have the feeling you always feel that way." "You bring it out in me." Giles looked at Harrison, looked hard. "That wigs me out some." "What? That I want you? That you make me hard?" "That you want me all the time." "Has no one ever wanted you so much?" Harrison asked. Giles shrugged, drew into himself. Why would anyone? He belonged to the art, to the work. He wasn't like everyone else. He knew that. "I don't understand how men can see you and not want you." What the hell should he say to that? Harrison didn't seem to be looking for an answer, His kiss took Giles' breath, and he found himself clinging, holding on tight. Harrison bent him backward, arms holding him safely. Crazy. Harrison made him a little crazy. Harrison's mouth left his, lips and tongue sliding over his jaw. "Please. Let me feel." The words didn't make sense. Harrison pulled back enough to look into his eyes. "You're feeling this, aren't you?" He nodded, embarrassed. "Just ignore me. I'm being silly." It was the migraine meds. "I don't plan on ever ignoring you. What did you mean?" "Nothing. Just jabbering." He needed to call Marisa at some point, find out when he was traveling next. "Jabbering..." Harrison chuckled and led him down the hall. Harrison's house was huge, bright, open. Lovely. Drawn - 180

They went into the bedroom, Harrison pulling him to the bed. This time he kept his stupid mouth shut. One of Harrison's eyebrows went up, a half smile on his lips, like he'd heard anyway. "What?" Harrison didn't know him that well. "I can hear the wheels turning in that brain of yours." "Nonsense." No way. "I can." Harrison started stripping him out of his clothes. "Cannot." His cock was half-filled. Harrison flicked one nipple ring, then the other. "Mine." "N...no." The ache was so good. "Yes. All mine." Harrison tugged on his right nipple. "I. Stop it." The sheets were so soft. "No." God, look at that grin. He swatted Harrison's hip playfully, "That's my job." Harrison leaned in and took the right nipple ring in his mouth, tugging hard. He grunted, hands on Harrison's head. So good. So right. The ring was tugged away from his chest, stretching his skin. "Fuck!" He groaned, twisted, moved toward the pressure. Harrison breathed on his nipple and then moved to the other one, teeth grabbing at his skin instead of the ring this time. "No..." Or yes. Something. Fuck. Of course, Harrison's reaction to his 'no' was to bite harder. "No biting!" That earned him a growl and several more bites. He grabbed Harrison's shoulder. "No biting." "I like biting." "Bite yourself." Drawn - 181

Harrison chuckled and bit his shoulder. "Ow." He couldn't help his laughter. Grinning, Harrison bit his earlobe, then his lower lip, tugging it out. They were both smiling at each other like giant idiots. "You're something else, G. Something I want to keep." That was easy to say. He kissed Harrison's nose playfully. Harrison licked his nose in return and then brought their mouths together again for another kiss. Okay. Okay, maybe he could keep this for a while. Maybe. "Tying you to my bed," growled Harrison, taking one of his hands and pulling it up over his head. "What?" "You heard me." His other hand was grabbed, dragged up as well. "Why? You've got this tying-me-up thing..." "Because it's what you need." "No. I need to paint." Harrison had to understand that. "I know that. But you need this as well. There's more to you than Giles the painter." He shook his head. No. No, there wasn't. "Yes, there is." Harrison reached into the bedside table drawer with one hand, tugging out a wide silk ribbon. "No." He was the art. "You're my lover, my sub. And you need that side of yourself for the rest to function." Harrison wrapped the silk around his wrists and then around the headboard. The silk felt amazing, cool and slick. "Your sub what? That sounds kind of... derogatory." "My submissive, and it isn't derogatory at all. The lifestyle that you don't believe in. There are submissives Drawn - 182

and dominants. I'm a Dom. You're a sub. We fit together perfectly." "Don't I have to believe I'm one or something?" Submissive -- he wasn't sure he liked the term, not really. "I don't think so. I know that you're mine." Harrison smiled. "I think you know it, too. Deep down." He shook his head again. "Can't we just be easy?" "You?" It was Harrison who shook his head this time. "I don't believe you can be easy." Oh. Oh, that hurt a little. "I think I want you to let me up, Harrison." "No. I'm not going to do that. You need so much, so deeply." "Yes. I'm not playing. I want to get up." He wanted to go hide for a few minutes. Harrison shook his head again. "You know what your safeword is. I'm not letting you up." Harrison's fingers slid along his body, warm and firm. "I'm not playing games. I need a minute alone." "I'm not playing games either, G. And you can't keep running away from me whenever what's between us gets intense." "I can, too. I can run and run, forever." Harrison shook his head. "I can, too!" he yelled, frowning at Harrison. Harrison covered his mouth, kissed him. Hard. The kiss made him gasp, made his eyes roll back in his head. Harrison pressed down against him, hard body covering his, warming him through. Giles forgot why he was yelling, Harrison's hunger fascinating. The strong touches continued, Harrison feeling his arms, his shoulders, his sides, his hips. The pressure was delicious and he let himself sink into it, melt. Moan. He'd bitch later. Drawn - 183

The kisses became toothy, Harrison leaving little, stinging bites on both his lips, and Giles opened, tongue slipping against Harrison's lips. Harrison gave this little growl that he felt all the way down to his balls. Giles shivered, bright red flashing behind his eyelids. The kisses left his mouth to travel over his jaw, the little stings electric when they came. He forgot about struggling, about anything but that mouth, his pleasure. His need. Harrison nibbled and nipped his way along Giles' neck, across his shoulder and then back along his collarbone. The heavy hips pressed him into the mattress, the rhythm rolling and long, just right. All he could do was feel, moan. Ache. Sucking on his Adam's apple, Harrison shifted down slightly, baring his nipples with their rings to Harrison's fingers. Oh, fuck. Please. His nipples were tight, hungry, needing sensation, tugging. Harrison pressed a finger against his right nipple, then grabbed the ring and tugged on it, all the while sucking at his throat. He moaned softly, the pull perfect, exactly what he needed. A gentle tug pulled at the other nipple ring, a wicked counterpoint. "Mmm. So good." He wanted Harrison to know it was good. "It's never been better." Harrison lapped at his nipple. "Never..." That tongue fascinated him. Harrison gave one of those low growls that curled his toes, and blew across his wet skin. It was like floating. Crazy. Fingers lingering at his rings, tugging and twisting and playing with them, Harrison moved down his body, mouth making magic wherever it went. There wasn't pain this time, just steady aches, sweet sensation, and he felt drugged, felt so heavy. Harrison's teeth scraped over Drawn - 184

his navel, the sensation delicious, and his legs drew up, cradled Harrison. Air vibrated against his skin as Harrison raspberried his belly. "Tickles!" He laughed, twisted, the silk around his wrists sliding. Harrison's laugh felt good against his skin. "Turd." The little tease was fond. Warm lips surrounded his hip, Harrison tugging gently at the skin. Harrison's hands spread his thighs, slowly, carefully, and he went, letting Harrison push him. That magical mouth found the skin beyond his balls, tongue flipping the little barbell back and forth. "Oh. Oh. Oh." He moaned, body throbbing with each touch. Harrison tugged on it a little, increasing the ache. His hips rolled, tried to relieve the burn. Growling, Harrison pushed his hips against the bed. He fought the touch, loving the pressure of those strong fingers. He thought Harrison liked the fight, as moans interspersed with the growls. He pushed up, rocked harder, hips bucking. Harrison pressed back harder, lips grabbing hold of the barbell again and tugging with more force. "Harrison..." His head slammed back against the mattress. Harrison growled something that might have been 'uh-huh' and then tilted his ass, tongue finding his hole. "Oh, fuck!" His heels dug into the sheets, spreading himself wider. This time Harrison's growl vibrated all through him as it spread from Harrison's tongue to his hole. "Please. Please. Fuck, your tongue." He twisted, body crazy. Drawn - 185

Harrison didn't answer, but that tongue pushed into him. Giles pushed down, fucking himself, body bucking, the wet heat spreading him. "So pushy." "You make me!" Harrison laughed, then that tongue pushed back into him. That stopped any laughter between them, both of them moaning. In and out, Harrison's tongue filled him. "Please." So good. Oh, God. A hum was his answer, Harrison's tongue moving faster. He tried to reach out, jack himself off, but his hands were tied. Harrison stopped fucking his hole and moved up a little, grabbing the barbell behind his balls and tugging on it. "Fuck. Untie me. Need to touch." "Nope." Harrison nosed his balls. His eyes crossed. "Fuck..." "Yeah, that's going to happen. Eventually." "Eventually... What happens first?" "I make you crazy." He snorted. "I'm not crazy. Just different." "Not that kind of crazy, the good kind where you're overloaded with one amazing sensation after the other." "I." He spread, tugged a little bit on the silk. "Okay." Harrison licked his cock from the base to the tip, where Harrison swirled his tongue around. He stilled, let himself feel that. He loved slit play. Loved it. Harrison chuckled and pressed his tongue right into Giles' slit. "Yes." Oh, so good. Harrison pressed harder. "Love that. Love slit play." He'd never admitted that to a lover before. "I know." Harrison smiled up at him. "In fact, I have something special for you." "I hadn't told you before." Special? For him? Drawn - 186

"G. I have eyes -- you go nuts anytime I work your tip." That made him heat up. "It just feels so good, so big, hmm?" "Yeah. Let me get the sound. You're going to love it." Harrison got up. "Don't go anywhere." He frowned, watched Harrison go. He wasn't sure what Harrison had said, but what Giles had heard didn't make any sense. Harrison wasn't gone long, coming back with a little case. "What's that?" "It's a series of sounds that go in your cock." "Sounds? Like music?" Was that possible? "No, like urethral sound. Its original function was as a medical device. I told you about them, but maybe you were a little distracted at the time." Harrison unzipped the little pencil-case-like container. He tried to sit up, to see. "What for? What is it? Will it hurt?" Harrison turned the case so he could see the long, thin metal rods, each one slightly thicker than the last. "It's going to blow your mind." Those looked painful. Scary. Shiny. Dangerous. His balls tried to crawl back into his body. Harrison reached out and grabbed his prick, thumb playing with his slit. "You love slit play." "Yeah, but..." He frowned, hips rocking on the bed. "Trust me, G." He did, mostly. "You've used them before?" "I've seen them used." One of his eyebrows went up. That wasn't a yes. "I know what I'm doing, G." Harrison began to slick up the metal rod.

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"Harrison. I don't know if this is a good idea..." It was one thing to experiment, another to play with the inside of your cock. "Just stay still, G. You'll be fine." "It's not your cock in danger!" Harrison's hand wrapped around his prick, held it. "It is. Mine. You're mine." He blinked. That wasn't what he'd meant at all. Smiling, Harrison squeezed his cock, making his slit into an 'o'. "Here we go." "I." Wait. Wait. Fuck. Harrison set the tip of the sound against his slit, moved it around the outer edge. "Please don't hurt me." The words pushed out of him. "Shh. Does this hurt?" He thought about it, stopped and felt. "No. No, it doesn't." "Good. If it does, you tell me." Harrison grabbed a tube of lube, set the long, pointed tip of the tube against his slit, and he pulled away. "Trust me, G. Trust me." Harrison pushed lube into his slit, cold, strange, exciting. He found himself moaning, pulling at the silk around his wrists. "We're starting now." Harrison put the tip of the sound into his slit again, this time letting it drop down more. "I. I." His lips opened and closed, over and over. "Feel it, G. This is the ultimate slit play." He couldn't even think. All he could do was stare. The sound went in and in and in. All the way in. A broken cry left him, and he twisted, trying to get away. "G. Look at me." Harrison's hand took his chin and their eyes met. "You are going to love this, but you have to trust me." Drawn - 188

He searched Harrison's eyes, trying so hard not to completely freak out. Harrison held his gaze, eyes solid, sure. Slowly, so slowly, he relaxed back, took a deep breath. "Stop worrying and pay attention to how it feels." "I'll try." He hated all this... weirdness. Harrison began to fuck his slit with the sound. He felt it sliding up and down the inside of his cock, the burn unusual, odd, but so arousing, so fucking intense. Then it settled in him, the little ball at the top keeping it from going any further, the metal touching the whole inside of his cock. He gasped for breath, gulping in air, his cock throbbing. Harrison nudged the tip of the sound, rubbing it against his slit, moving things inside him. Oh, God. "Please. D...don't touch it." He couldn't bear it. Harrison nudged it again. "You love slit play." "Uh... uh-huh. Don't touch." Harrison nudged it again. "Oh, God." His fingers clenched, his body trying to come. Tugging on the sound, Harrison pulled it partway out, then slid it in again. "No. No." His legs kicked, restless. "Easy, G." Harrison nudged the ball at the top against his slit again. "Help me. Help me. I can't. This is big." "It's huge. Let the pleasure go through you. Don't worry about coming." "Don't leave me like this." The pressure in the pit of his belly was huge. "I won't leave you like this." Harrison wasn't taking the sound out, though. Harrison's fingers moved to his balls, tugging them, Drawn - 189

rolling them. He was going to scream. One finger slid back to find the little barbell back there, twisting it. He did scream then, short and sharp, heels slamming on the mattress. "So fucking hot." Harrison's fingers slid farther back, rubbed against his hole. He tried to get those fingers inside, needing more pressure. The sound slid up and back down. Then Harrison did it again. His head tossed, and he couldn't catch his breath. The fucking of his slit continued as Harrison's finger pushed into his body. "Please. Please. More." Anything. Harrison moved the sound faster. The burn settled deep inside him and he threw his head back, screamed. "There you go. That's it. Feel it." He screamed again, then again, the sensation in him enormous. Harrison slid two fingers into his ass, but it felt different than usual, more connected to what was going on inside his cock. He spread wider, desperate to get more. A third finger pushed into him, all three going deep, hitting his gland. Giles rocked down, working the touch, driving himself crazy, and Harrison used his motions to pull the sound out and in again. "Burns." It burned. "Good burn, G." It wasn't quite a question. "More lube." Please. The fingers inside him disappeared, Harrison adding lube to the sound as he pulled it out. "Oh. Oh, thank you." The slick was cold and good. "Anytime, G. This is supposed to be good." He nodded. It was -- huge and good. Harrison's fingers teased as his asshole again. "Please. Please touch me." Fuck him. Hard. Drawn - 190

"You're such a needy, pushy man." Harrison's fingers pushed hard into him. "I love it." "Yes. More. More, Harrison." Harrison carefully let go of the sound, his cock resting against his belly with the little silver ball at the top of it. Then the fingers inside him disappeared again and Harrison moved, settling between his legs. He spread wider, his offer crystal clear. Fuck me. Fuck me now. Harrison grinned down at him and made him wait while a condom was found, the package opened, the latex smoothed down over Harrison's prick. "Tease. Always teasing me." "Waiting makes things better." "Let me feel you, damn it." "Pushy, pushy, pushy." Harrison held on another moment, making him wait, so he rubbed his hole over Harrison's cock, trying to tempt the man. "Pushy," Harrison said again. "Yes. I need. Quit playing." "Shh. When I'm ready." "Harrison!" "When I am ready." He groaned, head shaking, so restless. Harrison smiled at him. "Now I'm ready." "Make me crazy." His body was going crazy. "No, just making you wait." Harrison pushed against his hole, just barely breaching it. He sobbed softly, beginning to shake. "What do you want?" "To push you as far as I can." Harrison's prick kept moving deeper, stretching his hole, the burn so welcome, so fucking good. "I can't do this. I can't do this right. I can't THINK!" "Thinking is overrated." Harrison's cock nudged against his gland. His eyes rolled as lightning shot up his Drawn - 191

spine. "See?" Harrison pulled slowly out and just as slowly pushed back in. The flash of pleasure came again, driving him crazy. Harrison repeated the pull and push, this time nudging the ball at the top of the sound. Words poured out of him -- deep and dark, filthy, desperate -- and still Harrison kept moving, kept touching. Ass and cock, Harrison was torturing both, filling both. He screamed out his pleasure, his frustration, his need. Harrison's mouth covered his, pressing his filled prick between them as his shouts were stolen, swallowed. Waves of sensation hit him, and the entire world went away, dissolved. Still kissing him, Harrison pressed a hand between them and pulled out the sound. He sobbed softly, lost and found, all at once. Harrison kept fucking him, thrusting hard and hitting his gland, the kisses stealing every noise he made, every breath he tried to take. He came, over and over, his entire body alight. Harrison breathed loudly in his ear, low moans joining the sounds. He wasn't sure if Harrison had come; he was captured in his own body. When Harrison slipped from him, he could feel the absence of fullness in his ass, in his cock. Tears slipped from his eyes, the emptiness leaving him shaken. Harrison wrapped around him, pulling the covers up so they were in a cocoon together. Then his arms were undone, Harrison pressing kisses on his skin and massaging the muscles. "Don't leave me right now." "I'm not going anywhere, G." "Okay." He held on. Tight. Harrison's hands slid on him, petting, stroking. He closed his eyes, clinging, and he slept. Drawn - 192

Chapter Fourteen "Gilly. You have to relax. The show is going to be fine." Marisa handed him a drink, straightened his jacket. Giles swallowed, eyes flashing around the gallery. It was Harrison, how he loved the man, splashed up along the walls. Everywhere. "Oh, there's your man, Gilly." He looked to where Marisa was pointing, Harrison having just come in. He watched Harrison look, his heart in his throat. Please don't hate it, he thought. Please don't. Harrison looked around, then started moving from picture to picture, taking them in. Giles' hand tightened around the stem of the glass, the crystal creaking. Harrison's face lit up when he turned and saw him. "Giles! This is amazing." "You like?" He just wanted to run screaming into the night, but he didn't have his shoes on and Marisa had made him promise to be good. Harrison wrapped an arm around his waist, tugging him up against the warm, solid body. "I more than like. I knew these were good when I saw them in the studio, but seeing them on display like this is incredible." "The red one. The big one in the middle. It's already been taken." "Oh." Harrison chuckled, the sound wry. "That's my favorite." "Yes." He touched Harrison's wrist. "They'll deliver it at the end of the show." Harrison beamed at him. "Thank you." "It belongs with you." Harrison stroked his cheek. "Like the artist." Oh, Harrison did make him feel better. Much better. "Do you want wine?" Marisa asked. Drawn - 193

"Sure, thank you. You don't mind if I stick by you instead of mingling, do you, Giles?" "Keep him from running off." Marisa pressed a glass of wine into Harrison's hand. Harrison smiled as he accepted the glass. "This all seems very familiar." He gave Marisa a wink and squeezed Giles' hip. "Yes." Marisa looked around. "The art is different." "He's still unbelievably talented." Harrison sounded so proud. He smiled, beamed a little. He wanted to believe that. To know it. "...completely asinine. This is utter dreck. No class whatsoever." The words floated over the air and Giles tried not to wince. Harrison raised an eyebrow and leaned in, murmuring. "Someone not only has no taste, they're rude." "They're critics." He shrugged, tried not to let himself listen. But it was hard and getting harder. One unhappy murmur after another, then Marisa started fluttering. They hated his new stuff. "Well, they don't know what they're talking about. I love it, G. All of it." "Good. You can have whatever doesn't sell." It all belonged to Harrison anyway. "Just because a couple of critics don't like it doesn't mean it won't sell." Harrison started rubbing a hand up and down along his back. He nodded, but his eyes met Marisa's, and his sister was worried. Really worried. "G. Do we need to step into the office for a few minutes?" "No. No. I'm okay." If he moved, he would run. Drawn - 194

Gladys Martin came over to him, nose wrinkling. "Giles? Honestly? What is this? This isn't you." A tiny ball of shame started growing in his belly, because it was. It was him. And it wasn't good. "I'm trying new things, Gladys." "Don't. Do want you're meant to. Leave this... nonsense for art students." He was going to crawl under a table. "Excuse me. I happen to think it's brilliant." "Harrison is a fan." Marisa grabbed Gladys' arm. "Now, sweetie. Come look at the canvases in the back; let me know what you think." Marisa moved Gladys away and Giles stood there. Staring out into a sea of ugly faces. "I think I'm going to go home now." "It's good stuff, G. Just because it's something new and that old biddy doesn't get it, doesn't mean it's not." "I know." Harrison didn't understand. "Can you please tell Marisa I had to go?" He was holding himself together by one thread. Harrison shook his head. "No, I'll go with you." He touched Harrison's wrist. "I need to go. I need to work and run. I'll call you." Later. "No, I'll come with you." Harrison took his hand and started heading toward the door. "You're not listening to me." He was going to lose it, run. "You want to leave so we're leaving." They were almost at the door now. "...like he just masturbated on the canvas. There's no art in these." Giles whimpered softly, then took off, heading out the door as fast as he could. Harrison came after him, hand on his arm. "Giles!" Drawn - 195

"Please. Go away. You can't help this. I need to work." He needed to go. "This is exactly what I can help with." Harrison grabbed his hand and headed them toward the parking lot behind the gallery. "Go away. I have to run. I have to work. They. I. Oh, God." He tried to pull away, tried to scream. "Let me get you home -- or to the club -- and you can kick and scream and shout as much as you want to." "I can't." He couldn't breathe. The shame, the worry, they were bashing at him. Harrison didn't say anything else, just hustled him over to the car and muscled him into it. His fingers tore at his skin, at his face. Harrison growled. "Stop that." The man took off his tie and looped it around his wrists, then tied the ends to the headrest post behind his head. "What are you doing?" He pulled, tugged at the tie, wigged out. "I'm not letting you hurt yourself. You remember the spanking. You know I can give you the pain you need to shut out everything else. I'm taking you home to give you that." "I can't do this!" He threw his head back, screamed at the top of his lungs, trying to drown out the voices snarling at him. See? You were happy. See? "You can." Harrison turned on the car and started driving. "We'll be home in two minutes." You thought you could be in love and work. You can't have both. You'll never have both again. He turned his face into his arm, hiding. Harrison spoke quietly to him, but he couldn't hear the words. Then they stopped in front of Harrison's place. He looked at the beautiful house. He'd been happy there. Drawn - 196

Harrison got out of the car, then came around, undid the tie from the seat, but left his hands bound together. "Come on. Let's go clear your head." He shook his head. "There's no happy ending here." "Yes, there is. Because I don't believe in this suffering for your art crap. It's talent and hard work and inspiration. Just because those lousy critics don't like this batch doesn't make the paintings or you worthless. Now get up and come in with me or I will carry you in." He looked at Harrison, stared. "Get out of my head." "Nope. I'm not going anywhere." Harrison pulled him out of the car and raised an eyebrow at him. He stared at Harrison, caught between hysteria and fury. "I have to do this." "You want to be carried, no problem." Harrison bent and put a shoulder in his chest, standing with him over the man's shoulder. "I have to fuck this up!" Didn't Harrison understand? "Bullshit." Harrison carried him up the front steps, carried him inside. "Let me go!" Harrison's shoulder pushed into his belly, stealing his breath. He heard the door lock, and then Harrison moved through the house and up the stairs and down the hall into the big bedroom. "I can't have both!" Hated it. People hated it, and he'd been so happy. So proud of the new canvases. Why did they have to hate it? "You can. It's bullshit that you can't." Harrison tossed him onto the big bed. "Besides, what do you care what other people think of your art? What happened to the misunderstood artist?" "I have to sell it! Did you see Marisa's face?" It felt so good to scream back. Drawn - 197

"I know a half dozen people who can afford it who'd love your work." "Bullshit! It's CRAP! DID YOU HEAR THEM?" He was throwing a full-fledged temper tantrum, hands and feet flailing. "I heard them. They're assholes. They just hate anything new. Let them get used to it." Harrison grabbed the tie and pulled his arms up over his head, knotting the fabric to the headboard. "Let me go, you prick!" "No." Harrison reached out and twisted his right nipple ring through his shirt. "Fucker!" He rolled his legs up, protecting himself. That's when Harrison began undressing him. "Go ahead, G. Yell and fight and get it all out. Be as mad as you are. It's okay. You're allowed to be pissed off. You're allowed to express it." His shirt was pulled over his head, joined the tie around his wrists and his jeans were tugged down, off. "I love you! I fucked everything up and it's because I couldn't leave you!" "Oh, now that is fucked up. So the people at the gallery didn't like the paintings. I could fill that gallery full of people who'd adore them." Harrison spanked his ass. "Don't hit me, you ASSHOLE!" God, he'd never felt so wild, so out of control. He bashed his head against the mattress, trying to kick out. Harrison stayed out of the way, spanking him, tugging on his piercings, not leaving him alone but not stopping him from shouting and twisting, kicking. "Fuck you. Fuck you!" He had to stop, catch his breath. Sweat.

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"Is that all you've got?" Harrison asked, twisting his legs to gain access to his ass again, two hard swats landing. "Fucker..." he snarled, pulling hard at the bonds. "I'm not the one you're mad at. You're mad at those assholes who didn't get your art." "I'm mad at me. For believing I could have both!" "You can have both." "I can't." "You can. You do. The paintings in that gallery are stunning, and they are going to sell like hotcakes." Another slap hit his hip, so hard. "Don't lie to me." "I'm not lying." Harrison pushed their mouths together, the kiss hard, demanding. "I don't lie to you." The kiss made his heart hurt. "Why do I love you?" "Because I love you. Because I make you fly. Because we have amazing chemistry together. Because I don't think you're crazy." He looked at Harrison, heart breaking. "I'm going to leave you, because the art is bigger than me or you. I'm going to leave you and hate it." "No fucking chance, love." Harrison shook his head. "You're not going anywhere. You're mine." Harrison didn't let him say anything more, another hard kiss stealing his words. Those hands dug into his muscles, keeping him close, keeping him right there. Harrison lay down on top of him, pressing him into the bed as one kiss bled into another and then another. Lips swollen, head swimming -- all Giles could do was hang on. Harrison tugged on his rings and pinched his skin, the sensations beginning to build, to drown out the voices. Sharp slaps hit his thighs, his hips, then those hands turned massaging, digging in. He couldn't get away from Drawn - 199

Harrison and his touches. He couldn't even if he'd tried. Tears came and went, more screaming, more soft panting. Nothing stayed. Nothing but Harrison. The strong presence never left him, never let him go. "I'm so sorry." "What are you apologizing for?" "Everything." Screaming. Failing. Falling. Crying. "Everything? I don't think everything is your fault." He shook his head. He couldn't cope. Think. "It doesn't matter. You don't need to apologize to me." Harrison kissed him again, not letting the intensity up at all. Giles shook his head again, trying to think, to focus. Something. Harrison didn't let him, stealing his breath, replacing it with needy moans. The voices in his head got louder, sharper, trying to fight Harrison, but Harrison wouldn't back off. Harrison spread his legs and pushed two fingers inside him, nudging his gland right off the bat. His eyes went wide, and he shook his head, overwhelmed. Harrison fucked him with those two fingers, opening him. "I hate you." It was a lie. "I love you, too." He met those dark, hard eyes, and suddenly he couldn't do it anymore, couldn't cope, couldn't breathe. Couldn't function. He could only pray that Harrison would do it for him. *** The sun woke Harrison; he'd forgotten to close the curtains last night. Of course, he'd been a little busy. Busy with the beautiful, maddening man in his arms. Drawn - 200

He kissed the top of Giles' head. The question was, had Giles run the course of this meltdown? Giles' eyes popped open, bloodshot, panicked, lost for a second. "I have you." He patted Giles' belly. "Last night..." Giles croaked at him. "Whisper; it's easier on your throat." "I'm sorry. I was awful. You should have let me go." "You can't scare me away." "I have to. I'm sorry." God, Giles made him happy. Honestly. That mixture of innocence and honesty and ferocity... "It's not going to happen, G." He kissed Giles on the lips. "I tried so hard. I was so proud of them." "As well you should be. They're good." "They're us." Giles' eyes closed again, the man hiding away. "Which makes the rejection even harder. But G, just because one group of people doesn't like them doesn't mean they're no good, doesn't mean they won't be loved by anyone else." "Why didn't you just let me go?" He smiled. The same reason Giles was still bound. The same reason he wasn't letting his G out of his sight for a few days. "Because I love you and you're mine." "I can't be happy." Harrison snorted. "That is a load of bullshit." "You're not an artist. You don't know. Maybe I have to be crazy. Maybe they're all right." Giles was just being silly now. "Untie me." "I don't think so. Your work is stunning. It was stunning before you met me, and it's stunning now. It'll be stunning next week, whether I'm still here or not." He Drawn - 201

got right into Giles' face. "You don't have to be crazy, starving, miserable, or any of those other words people use in order to be an artist." Giles refused to look at him, refused to acknowledge him. He growled. "I'm not going anywhere, G. You push at me as hard as you need to. I. Am. Not. Going. Anywhere." "You can't fight the art. It's bigger than us." He was going to beat the man. "Don't you get it, Giles? The art isn't going anywhere, either. It doesn't matter if you're happy or sad or starving or crazy or rich or poor. It's going to be there. The canvases on the wall of that gallery are brilliant because they're honest. Those critics just didn't like what they were saying. Too fucking bad for them. The critics don't mean anything to you, to the art." Giles took a hitching breath, shivered, and Harrison thought the man was actually listening to him. "The art's inside you, it's a huge talent. But it isn't everything you are. Not even close." Giles shook his head, like that thought was too much to even consider. "It isn't." He was going to keep saying it, keep pressing the thought home until Giles heard him. Giles' cell phone started ringing, the sound surprising him. No one called Giles but Marisa. He considered letting it ring for only about two seconds; if he didn't answer it, she'd worry. "Don't move." Like Giles could -- he was still tied to the bed. Harrison went over to Giles' pants and dug out the cell phone. "Hello?" "Harrison? Do you have Giles? Is he okay? I know it was ugly yesterday, but he needs to breathe. The new stuff is selling. It's just different. Tell him he can't cut himself." Drawn - 202

"I have Giles. He's safe and sound and most definitely not cutting himself. It's selling, is it?" He knew it. "Oh, thank God." She took a sobbing breath. "I would have called last night, but Barry said you'd left together, and I waited as long as I could." "I'm sorry; I should have known you'd be worried." The next time, he would text. "I know it was scary for him last night. He puts so much of himself out there, and people are such assholes..." She started crying hard, and someone murmured softly. Then he heard the phone changing hands. "Harrison? Barry here. She's completely beside herself, exhausted." Barry's voice lowered. "She owes me twenty bucks if her pregnancy test is positive in thirty seconds." "Oh, wow. That would be cool. Giles is fine. And he's going to be even better hearing that the new pieces are selling. I told him he couldn't worry about what a few asshole critics were saying." "That's right. They love to hate. Take care of him for a couple of days? I'll take care of my girl." He heard a series of soft words, then a husky laugh. "Tell him he's going to be an uncle. Tell him we're very, very busy celebrating and to call in a few days. Maybe a week." "Oh, congratulations! I'll tell him. Thanks, Barry. You take care of your lady." "You know it." The line went dead. "Marisa? Is she okay?" "She's pregnant." He put the phone back in Giles' pants' pocket and went back to his lover. "You're going to be an uncle." "She's pregnant. Wow." Giles stayed there, stretched out, staring. Shell-shocked. "I need to go home." Drawn - 203

"Nope. She's got Barry, and you've got me. She also said to let you know that the paintings are selling." He sat next to Giles and tweaked a nipple ring. "Don't. I'm not in the mood. I have a headache. I'm tired." Harrison had to chuckle. "Glad I'm so fucking funny." Oh, there was a hint of fury there. "I'm not laughing at you, G. I'm laughing at your use of every excuse in the book." "Fuck you." Giles looked suddenly young, hurt, terrified. "No. No, I don't think so." He pressed their foreheads together. "I'm going home." So lost. So worried. His sub. "You are home, G." "I'm here with you." "Yes. Exactly." "I don't know what to do." Giles whispered the words into the space between them. "You do what you always do. You paint. You let me make love to you. It's all good." He closed their mouths together, taking a kiss. Giles opened for him, tongue tasting like tears. He kept the kiss soft, gentle. Giles moaned, more tears sliding from the man's eyes. He licked them away, sliding his body along Giles', giving the man something physical to focus on. So much pressure. So much worry. Giles needed to come and cry and fight, then sleep. He twisted a nipple ring, his knee pushing between Giles' legs. "Please don't." "You need this." "Please don't. Don't love me." "I do." He did. And he wasn't going to stop. Drawn - 204

He kissed Giles again, slid his hand down to wrap around the long prick. Giles tried to pull away, to curl into himself. "You can't get away from me." He tightened his grip on Giles' cock. "Can too." Giles moaned for him, fingers opening and closing. "Nope. You're mine." And not going anywhere. "What if I say you can't have me?" "It doesn't matter what you say -- you're mine." This time, Giles didn't argue. "Good." He muttered the word into Giles' mouth, then tugged on the full lower lip. His hands moved restlessly, dragging hard over Giles' skin. He flicked each nipple, then moved his hand to tug on the Prince Albert and the hafada barbell. He wanted Giles to feel him, focus on him, on them. He sucked on Giles' tongue, played with the tip with his own. Giles played back, tongue brushing his. That's what he wanted. He slid his hand around Giles' hip, holding on. It would get easier -- once Giles understood the lifestyle, understood that he was the master, that he could help Giles find peace. Subspace. Ease. Once they had that, Giles would be able to lose himself in the art and not care what the critics had to say. There would be Giles' work and the rest of Giles' life. He slid down Giles' body, biting one eager nipple. Giles hummed softly. "Obsessed with my rings." "We both are." "I needed them." "Tell me." Drawn - 205

For once, Giles didn't ask, didn't question. "Sometimes there are voices -- not real voices, but... there's all this noise inside me. After the hospital, they made me come in, prove I wasn't cutting. The rings helped me make it. Then, after..." Giles pinked. "They feel so real, you know?" "Real. Solid. There." He nodded, twisted one again. He met Giles' eyes. "I can give you that. I am giving you that." "Why? What do you get out of it?" "I get you." Giles frowned at him. "I'm serious." "So am I. I love you, G. You're mine." "I'm not that big of a catch." "To me you're the biggest." Giles looked at the tie around his hand, pulled at it. "And you've got me." "I do." Grinning, he leaned down and took one of Giles' nipples in his mouth. Harrison was gentle this time, tongue tracing the ring, the touch light, careful. He flipped the ring up and down, moving it without tugging or twisting. Giles moaned, this sound almost curious. He sucked some more, then moved slowly over to Giles' other nipple, tongue dragging along Giles' skin the whole way. He didn't hurt, didn't bite. He licked and sucked, kissed. Caressed. Giles moaned for him, shivering, so his fingers danced over Giles' thighs, came close to his prick but didn't touch it. He drew tiny, careful circles around Giles' hip bones. He blew against one wet nipple and then the other. Giles' entire body rippled, sweet body arching slowly. In reward, he brushed his fingers across Giles' prick. He kept the touch incredibly light, kept the sensation going, Drawn - 206

pressed a kiss on Giles' lips. Giles hummed, opened, the act easy, offered freely. This was going to be about pleasure, about how good they were, how much pleasure and rightness the touching gave them. His tongue slipped into Giles' mouth, his fingers still teasing the long cock, and soft sounds poured into him, sweet and real, Giles melting into the sheet. He rubbed his thumb across Giles' tip, back and forth. His beautiful lover. He moaned, his own emotion too big to hold in. "Love you, Giles. With everything I am." "Love. It's better here." That made him smile. "Better than where?" "Anywhere." "Mmm. I think so, too." "You like your painting?" Red and wild, perfect. Desperate. He'd treasure it the rest of his life. It was a record of their beginning. "I love my painting. It's us." "Yes. It's not ugliness." "There's nothing ugly about any of those paintings. I think the ugliness lives inside the critics. And did you hear me? They're selling." Giles met his eyes. "It's me. Everyone says 'oh, it's the work they're criticizing,' but that's not true." That made perfect sense. "You can't live your life based on what a bunch of talentless assholes say about you or your work." "Sure I can. It's who I am." "No, it's not." He grabbed Giles' cock and squeezed it. "This is who you are. What you and I have between us." "No, this is who we are." He smiled and nodded, then he brought their mouths together for another kiss. Giles kissed him back, tongue Drawn - 207

fucking his lips. His hand slipped down to cup the man's balls, rolling them. One leg drew up, and he tapped the hidden barbell, nudged it. He moved his fingers beyond and rubbed against Giles' hole. Giles spread wider, let him in. He pushed the tip of his finger in, stretching Giles' hole. Soft and hot, the tiny ring of muscles wrapped around his touch, and he groaned, wriggled his finger. Then he added a second finger, teasing, tugging. He grabbed the lube and slicked up his fingers, pushing them in deeper as the low moan filled the air. He spread his fingers, teasing, taunting, searching out Giles' gland. "More. Please, Harrison." "Needy man. "I can't help it. It's your fault." "I'll take the blame for that any day." "Please, Harrison. Touch me. More." "I will." He pressed another finger in, moving them slowly now. He watched Giles' body move in time with his fingers, the man right with him, belly taut, flushed, lips open. He bent and took the right nipple in his mouth, tugging on it as his fingers found Giles' gland again. He added more lube, slicking that tight hole as Giles groaned. He pressed in an extra finger, curling them all together and pushing in. "Harrison..." Giles was lost, moaning, shifting slowly with his touch. He twisted his fingers, pushed them against that sweet gland. He was going to hold Giles close, let his G know what stretching was. In and out, spread and close. The tiny little ring of muscle spread, tightened, spread again. He pushed his fingers in and out, added more lube Drawn - 208

and repeated it. He could see the bliss on Giles' face, see the easy, needy way the man accepted him. "More now," he told Giles, as he slicked up his thumb, his hand. "More..." Giles' knee bent for him. God. Look at that. "Yeah. More. Fuck, G. You're amazing." He tucked his thumb into his palm and began to push back into the hot little hole. "Yours." Yes. Yes, his. He nodded, kept pushing, Giles' body swallowing up his hand like it belonged there. Giles moaned, arching the slightest bit as the widest part of his hand pushed in. "Fuck. Amazing." "Please." Giles' tongue slipped out, wetting the parted lips. "I've got you, G. I so have you." Giles' body closed around his hand and he panted, that sweet little hole clamped down tight around his wrist. Giles nodded, fingers gripping the tie. "Don't let me go, love." "Never letting you go. Never." He slowly made a fist of his hand. A deep sound tore out of Giles, heat pouring from his G. "Mmm. Look at that. Smell that." Giles' cock never flagged, stayed hard, red-tipped, needy. He let Giles catch his breath for half a moment, and then began moving his fist again. He could feel every breath Giles took around him. He'd never felt anything like this. Never. He rested his free hand on Giles' stomach, moving slowly over the flat belly. "Mine. Mine." Drawn - 209

Giles nodded, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes. "Love you, G. So much." He held Giles' gaze. Giles nodded, lips opening, closing, over and over. He leaned up carefully and covered Giles' lips with his own. That's when Giles breathed for him, moaned into his lips. He swallowed the breath, the sound, taking Giles right in. His fucking breath was flavored with this man, his brilliant, wild, beautiful lover. He kept his hand moving, pushing over Giles' gland. When Giles came again, it was quiet, almost silent, with come leaking from the long cock. Harrison's hand was beginning to ache from the tight grip Giles' body had on it, so he added more lube around his wrist, the heat where Giles' hold closed around him just incredible. "Keep me." "I am. And I'll tell you as often as you need to hear it. It doesn't matter how much you push or scream or tell me to go away. I'm keeping you." Giles nodded, moaned for him. "My hand is inside you, Giles. You'll never be able to get rid of me now." "Swear it?" "I swear it, Giles." He pushed his hand deeper again, reminding Giles exactly how he was holding his lover. Giles answer was a full-body shudder, a deep cry. "That's right. Anytime you wonder, remember this." "Remember. Oh, God. Help me." "Help you what, G?" He pushed his fist forward again, then back. "I don't know. I don't know. I only know you're the only one who can." "That's because you were made for me and I was made for you." He kept moving his hand. Drawn - 210

"Yes." Giles nodded and Harrison wanted to scream with pure, unadulterated joy. "Yes!" He moved his hand faster, and Giles arched, face going a dark red. "Mine. You're mine." Giles only nodded, face a study in passion. Harrison stretched his hand open and then curled it up into a fist again. "Love." Another weak orgasm rocked Giles, the long body going limp. His Giles was fucking amazing. He rubbed the come into Giles' belly with one hand and slowly began to work out the one buried inside Giles' body. Giles moaned softly when his hand left, cock bobbing weakly. Bending, Harrison kissed Giles' hole, then his balls, his cock. His lover was gone -- melted, boneless, all for him. He reached up and undid the tie holding Giles' hands over his head, then Harrison wrapped himself around Giles, settling them together. Giles pressed close, arms and legs wrapping around him, holding on. "I've got you," he told Giles. He did. *** Giles woke up, blinked at the clock, at Harrison, then slept. Then he did it again. And again. And again. At some point he must have wandered into the bathroom, because he woke up in Harrison's arms, floating in the huge bathtub. The water was warm and there were bubbles. Bubbles. He laughed softly, popped one. The whole world smelled like strawberries. "Mmm. You're awake." Harrison's hand slid down his front to his belly.

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"Mmmhmm. I'm sorry, I was so tired." He lifted his face, kissed Harrison's jaw. His world felt soft, padded almost, like he was in a perfect bubble. "No need to apologize. You don't sleep enough as a rule." Giles rested against his lover, legs floating, body relaxed. "Has it been long?" Last thing he remembered, it had been Saturday morning. "Two days. You needed the sleep." "Two days? Wow." He smiled, fingers sliding over Harrison's belly. "Am I okay?" "Well, I imagine that you're pretty hungry, but yeah, you're okay. More than okay." "Good." He'd never felt like this before. Ever. "It is good, isn't it?" "Yes. Thank you." His fingers tangled in the heavy mass of curls above Harrison's cock, just playing lightly. "This is what it's all about, G. All about this feeling." "Hmm? It what?" Harrison petted his hair, his shoulder, the touch easy. "The lifestyle you think is a game is all about finding this place where there's pleasure and peace and goodness." That was a lot of words in a row. "I like this." "Yeah, me, too." "Can I stay?" He didn't want to be alone right now. "You're staying." Harrison sounded very sure. "Okay. Thank you." He cupped Harrison's balls, touching so carefully. God, the man was stunning. Solid and strong, sensual, male. Harrison's legs spread for him. "Mmm." He kept resting, stayed close, fingers sliding up and down the thick shaft now. Harrison groaned, hips twitching, pushing into his touch. Drawn - 212

"You feel so good." He could touch forever. "I think that's my line at the moment." He smiled, fingers teasing the head, learning each little ridge. "Great touch. Amazing hands." Giles hummed his appreciation, then kept touching, exploring each and every inch of that cock. Harrison's fingers slid along his belly, up to his nipple rings to tug and play with them. The sensation was deep, peaceful somehow. Just right. "Come here," muttered Harrison, free hand wrapping around his head and tilting it so they could kiss. Giles ended up in Harrison's lap, belly to belly, tongues sliding together. "Yum. Perfect." Harrison's hands slid down to his ass, holding him lightly. "Hey." He took one kiss after another. Harrison squeezed his ass, fingers sliding along his crack. His ass was still tender, but not sore. Their tongues tangled together, Harrison moaned, pushing into his hand. He teased the slit, careful, gentle, not wanting to sting. Harrison's hips pushed up into his hand again, bouncing him up out of the water a little. "You're so hard." He rubbed again. "You do that to me." "Good. I want you to need me." Harrison's hands came up to cup his face. "I do, G. This is symbiotic, this thing between us." "I love that word." Symbiotic. "Thing?" He could see the twinkle in Harrison's eyes. He snorted and pinched the tip of Harrison's cock, gently. "Nope, between." Harrison jerked as he pinched, then threw his head back and laughed. Giles leaned in and kissed Harrison's throat, nibbling lightly. That earned him a soft moan, Drawn - 213

Harrison's throat vibrating beneath his lips. Giles explored the tanned skin, lips sliding over the stubble, teasing and testing and tasting. Harrison moved with him, offering kisses and moans and touches in return. His hands kept sliding over his lover's cock, adoring it, making Harrison feel. "Gonna make me come." He didn't think it was a complaint. "Good." He kissed Harrison's collarbone. Harrison chuckled, though the sound was husky, thick with arousal. He bit down, letting his teeth sting the littlest bit. Harrison jerked, eyes widening a little in surprise. Then he got a grin and Harrison pushed up hard into his hand. "Mine." He bit down again. "You've got that right," growled Harrison. It made him feel powerful, strong as he licked and touched and bit. One of Harrison's hands landed behind his head, keeping their mouths together as the kisses grew heat. Their tongues fought, the pleasure between them getting fiercer. Harrison began to hump up into his hand, each thrust pushing him up out of the water, so he squeezed and pulled, focusing on the pleasure in his lover's eyes. "G..." The way Harrison said it, it sounded about four syllables long -- drawn out and sexy. "Come on. You need." "Need you." Giles nodded. He was right there. Harrison smiled and heat spilled out over his hand, hot even compared to the tub water. Giles gentled his touch, leaned in to kiss Harrison. Harrison kissed him back, sucking on his tongue. They floated together, humming and kissing and tasting. Drawn - 214

"It's a good place, G. This is where I'll take you. Whenever you need it." "The tub?" A low chuckle answered him. "No, G. I mean mentally, physically. This good feeling." "Oh." He wasn't sure he believed Harrison, but it didn't matter. He had it now. Harrison laughed softly. "You don't believe me." His nose was kissed. "It's true, though. Whether you believe or not." "You don't know what I'm thinking." Did he? "I can see it in your eyes, G." The words made him smile, the thought comforting. Harrison tugged him into another kiss. That made him smile even more. *** Harrison hummed as he put together some sandwiches and a quick salad, setting the plates on a tray to take in to Giles. The man had finally found his subspace and they'd had a glorious day together. He added two bottles of water to the tray and grabbed it, heading back down the hall, naked and easy in his skin. Giles was curled up in his bed, pretending to watch TV while he dozed. It made Harrison smile to see Giles still relaxed, catching up on his eating and his sleeping. He set the tray on his nightstand and crawled into bed with his lover. "Mmm. Love." Giles turned to him, smiled and cuddled close. He kissed the top of Giles' head. "My G. I made lunch."

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"You did?" Lovely eyes met his, relaxed and happy. He wondered if anyone had ever seen this but him. "Thank you." "You're very welcome." He brought the tray over and put it over his own legs. "There's sandwiches, salads, and water. Nothing fancy." Giles grabbed a sandwich half and offered it to him. Smiling, he accepted and started eating. Giles took the salad, nibbling away, humming deep in his chest. "It's a raspberry vinaigrette." And he'd bought it because it was reddish -- he'd noticed Giles had a real affinity for red. "It's a fabulous color." Giles let it drip down his fingers, watching it fall. "I had a feeling you'd think so. It's supposed to go in your mouth, though." He gave Giles a wink. Giles licked his finger clean. "Picky, picky." "Nah, it just tastes better than it looks on the covers." He leaned in and helped clean those lovely fingers. Giles laughed for him, tongue slipping against his, and he hummed and sucked on Giles' tongue. Giles shifted, almost upending the food, which would be a shame, so Harrison backed off. "Keep eating, G." Giles nibbled on sandwiches, ate most of the salad. Harrison ate as well, smiling, happy. "Thanks for... lunch?" "You're welcome. I like seeing you eat." Giles grinned. "I eat like everyone else." He snorted. "If everyone else is a mouse." "Eek eek." Giles stuck his tongue out. That had him laughing and he grabbed Giles, tugging him in close. Loose and laughing, happy and at ease -- Giles was addictive like this. He took a kiss, tasting the flavors of Drawn - 216

their lunch along with his favorite flavor of all -- Giles himself. "Love you, hmm?" Giles rubbed their noses together. He nodded, smiled, warm all the way through. "I know. I love you, too." "Good." "Mmm, yeah, it is." He ran his fingers through Giles' hair. Giles' eyes crossed a little bit. "Mmm. You're making it hard to go back to my real life." "This is your real life." "No. This here... it's magic." Yes. He nodded. "And it's ours." "Yeah. This, right now, it gets to be ours." No. He popped the end of Giles' nose with one finger. "It gets to be ours forever, G." "Do you believe in forever?" "I could with you." Giles settled, cheek on his shoulder, quiet. "See? You fit perfectly." One of Giles' hands cupped his cock. "Absolutely perfectly."

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Chapter Fifteen Three days into what Giles was considering his vacation, Harrison decided they were going to some club. It was okay, really, although Giles was perfectly happy hiding out and relaxing, not dealing with people. "Welcome back to the Hammer, G." He hummed, nodded. The place was classy, he'd give Harrison that. They followed a little twinky guy to a table, and Harrison pulled out a chair for him. "Thanks." He sat, stretched a little. "You have lots of friends here?" "I do. You will soon, too, I would hope." "My life's very busy." He didn't need many friends. "You can't paint twenty-four-seven, G." It was becoming a familiar refrain. "Silly man, of course I can." He chuckled, winked across the table. "Well, yes. You can. That's a lousy way to live, though." "I've taken three whole days off. Almost four." "Yes, well, considering how many of those paintings of yours wound up selling after opening night, I think you can afford to take a few days off." He stuck his tongue out at Harrison. He'd talked to Marisa. Things had gone well, eventually. Harrison leaned in and snapped at his tongue. "Don't stick that out unless you plan to use it." "Maybe later." He bit at Harrison's fingers. "I'm counting on it." Harrison turned as a little guy bounced over. "Ah, Happy. How are you this evening?" "I'm glorious, Sir!" The server beamed at Harrison, then him. "Hi! I'm Happy." Giles chuckled softly. "You most certainly are." Drawn - 218

"I think you served us the last time Giles and I came in." Harrison gave him a warm smile. "So what are the specials today?" "Today there is a nummy chicken parm, there's beef tips with risotto, and there are barbeque shrimp." "That all sounds delicious. G? What appeals the most?" "The chicken, I think." "And I'll have the shrimps, please. We'll share a bottle of house white with that." "Yes, sir. Would you like salads?" Giles shook his head. He wouldn't eat a quarter of the meal itself. Harrison had been feeding him for days. "We'll save room for desserts." "You will. Me, probably not." "You will." Harrison always sounded so confident when he said stuff. He rolled his eyes, chuckled, and the little Happy guy looked confused. "He's new," Harrison said, giving Happy a wink. "Oh... Oh, how exciting for both of you! Congratulations!" Happy bounced off and Giles watched. They did like new customers here. Harrison chuckled. "You look very bemused. You still don't believe this is real, do you?" "This place? Sure. Obviously it's real." "I mean the whole BDSM thing. Subs and Doms. What we do." "I... It's a little weird, you have to admit." A little unnerving. "It's different. It isn't weird." "I'm not into it, though. That's okay, right?" He needed Harrison a little. "Not into it... G, what do you think we've been doing?" Drawn - 219

He looked over at Harrison. "Loving each other. A lot." Harrison took his hand and squeezed, smiling at him. "Yes." "Okay, then." What did it matter if he didn't think people really did leather and chains? "Okay, but it's still real. We're doing it. Everyone here is doing it." He was beginning to believe they were talking in circles. "I'm not a sub, Harrison. I'm an artist." "Being a sub isn't your job, it's who you are inside. You need the things I give you, G. I think I've more than proved that." Harrison took his hand and kissed his knuckles. He chuckled but let it go. He was having too good a time to argue. "There's a show tonight. A pretty boy is going to be tied to the St. Andrew's cross on the stage and whipped." His nose wrinkled and he pulled back from Harrison a little bit. "Whipped? Like, by a professional? Is there going to be a lot of blood?" He'd seen a lot of performance art -- a lot -- and it could get intense. Hell, it could get gross. If he was prepared for it, he could handle it, but it tended to make him nervous, blood flying around. Blood smelled bad. Harrison looked honestly surprised by his question. "Blood? No, not from a whipping. Certainly not from a demonstration by a man who knows what he's doing." He frowned. Well, that didn't make any sense. The blood -- the marking of the ground, the walls, the sheets around -- that was usually the point. "Are you sure? That seems unusual." "I'm absolutely sure. The master will want to mark his sub, to give the boy the pain he needs and wants. It'll be intense, especially if it's done by a committed pair, Drawn - 220

but it won't be bloody." Harrison shook his head, frowned. "What makes you think it'll be bloody?" "I have to attend a lot of performances -- it's expected. You know? If an artist invites you that you respect, you kind of have to. From what they've explained, the art's in the blood. The sheets around the artist sell for a small fortune." Harrison just stared at him for a long moment. "You're serious, aren't you?" "Well, of course. Bradley Mitchell, Anne Left, The Bob. They're all acquaintances of mine. We were all there when Jaime Mars cut his hand off. It was..." Horrifying. Terrifying. Huge. "...intense." Harrison took both his hands and held on, looked him in the eye. "What we -- the BDSM community -- do here is intense. Often very, very intense, which you've experienced firsthand with me. And pain is very often a part of it -- like it is with you and me. You need that intensity, the pain, to focus, to take you out of that part of your brain that would ask you to make that kind of sacrifice for your art. "But a good Dom will not draw blood unless it's a part of the need of the sub -- and then it is most often done with a knife. No one loses any limbs. And whippings, floggings, spankings, all of it, is beautiful as well as intense. The marks that are left aren't permanent, and looking after your sub -- your lover -- after you're done, that's just as important." Giles looked away, uncomfortable and unnerved. Art, he understood. Art was his world, not anything else. He didn't think he was big enough inside to do anything else. "G." Harrison waited until he looked back. "You have to promise me that if you ever decide you have to do something like that, you'll come talk to me first." Drawn - 221

"Me?" Oh, God. No. No way. He. That. Whoa. Not hygienic. "No. No, I'm a painter. Not a performance artist. I just paint." "I'm glad to hear that. Very glad." "Performance artists have a... hard gift. Very hard." He shuddered, sighed, thinking of Jaime's funeral, of how Brad spent hours in the hos... He stopped, looked at Harrison. "That's not what the cutting's about, you know that, right? It's not about making art. I don't want people to see that." Harrison nodded. "I know. I just want you to always know that I know how to help you -- to give you what you need without you having to cut, to do it yourself. You remember that place you went to the other day? The peace? The cutting was about trying to get there. I have no idea if the cutting got you there or not, but I did. And I can. Every time you need it." "The cutting was just to slow things down. Sometimes things get loud, big, you know? And I have to do something to make it quiet." "Like I said, the place you went to the other day. It was quiet, peaceful, amazing. We call that subspace. There are some subs who can get there with a word from their master -- their Dom." "No way." "Yes, way. The men I know who can do it have been together for a good while and are very in tune with each other. It usually takes more effort, even for long-term couples. But most masters know how to get their subs there eventually." Harrison leaned in and kissed him. "If you trust in it, it's the most symbiotic, most rewarding relationship you'll ever have." He wasn't sure about that. Hell, he was voted least likely to be in a relationship for any time at all. "One day you'll trust me enough." Drawn - 222

"I trust you. I sleep with you, don't I?" "Yes. And you trusted me enough to let me put my hand inside you." Harrison smiled. "And we got you to that place, didn't we?" Giles twined his fingers with Harrison's. "I'm not one hundred percent sure what that all was, but I know it was because of you. I know it helped." "And we'll do it again. And then again and again. I'm going to be here for you. I'm going to help you. We're going to make a beautiful, wonderful life together." "Promise?" He could believe in that, no matter about the rest at all. "Yes, Giles. I promise." The lights went down, and Giles leaned into Harrison's side. "That works for me." End.

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