Secrets Of A Power Bottom - Ch. 8 (FSALA Side Story, Patreon Exclusive) (Patreon)

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Chapter Eight - Still Much To Learn

Rhett couldn’t quite recall the last time he had laid like that in bed, lingering next to another hot body. In everything he did, he was all business, something he had considered up till now, an exceptional trait to be proud of. Right now, it made him think of funny things, like how lonely his life had been.

Lonely? He was surrounded by too many people for his own liking. Christian moved and threw one arm over him. Sleeping in the afternoon was decadent by his standards. He wasn’t the lazy type. He never lingered.

But Christian had declared himself exhausted, and somehow they ended up falling asleep together. He caressed the slim arm resting across his chest, tracing the lean muscles. What was with him and indulging in this young man so much?

“That tickles.”

“Ah, so you were awake.”

“And you were lost in thought.”

Christian’s astuteness was still surprising, but he was getting used to it.

“Yes, I was. Just thinking of how I should see you out the door the quickest.”

He kept a straight face and his eyes closed. That was a mistake. A pillow hit him square in the face. He caught it and turned the tables right away. “You spoiled kid!”

“I surrender,” Christian babbled once he was caught underneath Rhett’s body, and there was no way for him to escape.

“You always have a solution to save your ass, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Challenging eyes, unruly hair, and lips to die for. Rhett caressed Christian’s forehead, pushing the runaway strands away. He placed a chaste kiss on the smooth skin. For a moment, he expected a punkish reply, but none came. They looked at each other for a while, no one seemingly in the mood to break the spell.

Rhett decided to take control of the situation. He gave Christian a short but sweet kiss. “Would you have a late-late lunch with me?”

A sigh followed. “I can’t. My parents are getting suspicious of me and how I spend my time. If I don’t plan well, I’ll run out of friends they don’t know well in need of me to show them the city or take them to parties.”

“So the golden boy is lying so that he could meet me in secret?”

“I’m not that,” Christian protested. “But you’re a secret worth keeping.”

“Hmm.” Rhett rested his forehead against Christian’s. “You’re full of secrets.”

“So I’m mysterious?” For some reason, the punk was excited by that statement.

“You are to me. I know you were a virgin when you met me, and you’re still clumsy --”

“What?”

“--and wonderful, but I can’t help wondering just for how long you must have thought of this. You’re not practiced, and yet you’re knowledgeable.” Rhett knew Christian needed approval, but he wasn’t lying. Every word he said was the truth.

“I do a lot of research,” Christian replied with a small shrug.

Rhett traced his jawline slowly. “I see. What about your need to dominate your partner?”

“Not all bottoms are obedient. Right?”

Rhett smiled. “I guess not. You’re a power bottom in the making.”

“In the making?”

“You still have a lot to learn.”

“Like what?”

“I won’t teach you how to torture me better.”

Or other men.

“It’s all right. I’m going to learn on my own.”

“I’m sure of it.”

Christian wrapped his arms around his neck. “I hate that I have to go.”

“So? Aren’t you a punk? Why don’t you do what you want for a changed?”

“I don’t them to get all suspicious of me. They can be a drag when they want to set me on the straight path. I want to keep you to myself a little longer.”

Was that a promise that things would end between them? Rhett willed away the frown on his face.

“Then don’t let me keep you.” He moved away and began dressing up to hide the sudden annoyance he felt.

He could hear Christian doing the same thing but didn’t look at him.

“Are you going to teach me again how to drive?”

So the punk searched for reasons so that they could continue to meet.

“I think you’ll do fine with any teacher from now on.” He felt petty the moment the words flew from his mouth.

Christian deflated. “Ah, okay. See you around, Mr. Brown.”

What was he doing? He didn’t plan on letting Christian get away just yet. He grabbed him and kissed him hard. “However, if you want to be a great power bottom, you’ll need more practice, and for that, I have no qualms with my being your willing subject.”

“Really?” Christian’s face lit up. “Great, then. Next weekend?”

Rhett grimaced. “I’ll be on a business trip out of town.”

“Will you be busy, like really busy?”

“Not all the time. Actually, it will be a pretty boring thing.”

“Then can I come with you? I mean, can I come to visit you?”

“What lie will you come up to your folks to justify your absence over an entire weekend?”

“Let that be my problem.” Christian stopped for a moment. “But are you sure that --”

Again, that insecurity. Rhett stopped him with a kiss. “You’ll be the highlight of my trip, I’m sure.”

He really needed to send Christian on his way if they truly wanted the young man’s parents to remain oblivious of their son’s shenanigans. If it were after him, he would keep him there for the entire day and night, and even beyond that.

***

Christian was on cloud nine. An entire weekend to spend with Brown! He barely kept from waltzing around the office and smiling at everyone coming and going.

No one would believe him if he told them that he knew exactly what kind of man Brown was once the facade fell. He was a good teacher, in bed and outside of it. Not that Christian depended on his advice, and he had his own ideas about everything, anyway, but still.

Among other things, he now knew how to drive, or at least had the gist of it, and he had Brown to thank for.

Now, the following step would be a lot more complicated than he had done so far. Brown was a different person when they were together; he could bet. Christian was sure he wanted the man for himself.

But how was he supposed to tell his parents about his relationship with Brown? It wouldn’t be easy, but he would convince them. What could they say? First of all, that the age difference between them was an obstacle. But Brown was exactly nineteen years, two months, and five days older than him, while his dad was twenty-one years older than his mother. If they mentioned anything, he would say that the preference for older partners ran in the family, anyway.

Then, there was the issue with Brown’s lifestyle. Christian doubted that his parents would know of it in detail, but eventually, they were bound to find out more. This one was trickier. Well, for starters, he would tell them that no one should be judged for their past. And that now, Brown was a reformed man.

But was he? They hadn’t talked about exclusivity yet. Was the famous dom still seeing his subs? Christian felt a particular tinge of jealousy. He had gotten familiar with the feeling lately, so he knew how to deal with it. Of course, he was thinking ahead and needed to secure Brown as a boyfriend - an exclusive boyfriend that didn’t have time for subs - before he would come with all these in front of his parents. Nonetheless, it served to be prepared.

But, then, there was also the problem with Ed and his profound dislike of the man. He might convince his parents, who didn’t know the guy, but what was he to do about his cousin who had a clear formed opinion of him?

Hmm, maybe he needed to breach the subject carefully and in advance. Ed would have to be prepared to hear that Christian intended to have a serious relationship with Brown. But, until then, as he had told his sex partner, he would keep him as his secret for a little while longer.

He hadn’t talked to Ed as much as usual lately. His cousin was busy settling in a new life with his husband and also opted for moving to a new neighborhood so that they could be close to their friends.

That meant it was time for him to shop for a home warming present and pay Ed and Adrian a visit. As much as Ed thought he knew Brown, he couldn’t know him as well as Christian did.

***

“Now that’s what I call a nice surprise. Come in, Christian,” Adrian urged him as soon as he opened the door.

Christian offered the gift basket, and Adrian took it inside while gesturing for him to follow.

“It was overdue, I think.”

“Don’t worry. I think we still have things to unpack. How have you been lately?”

Christian sat on the sofa and looked at Adrian. He was a strikingly handsome man, and Ed was so lucky to have him. “I learned how to drive,” he blurted out.

Adrian grinned. “I heard from your mom.”

Christian huffed. “I’m not talking about how I dented her Lexus. I’m going to take my licence soon.”

Adrian cocked his head, and his eyes narrowed in thought. “Hmm, something feels different about you. Have you grown taller since the last time I saw you?”

Could it be that having sex showed somehow? “I kind of started seeing someone,” he said boldly.

Adrian quirked an eyebrow. “Kind of?”

“Well, it’s a secret. I mean, it won’t be for long.”

“Okay. When do we get to meet him?”

Christian fiddled with his thumbs. “I’m working on it.”

Adrian seemed keen on adding something, but the entrance door opened, and Ed walked in. “Ah, Christian, you’re here. That’s great. I was afraid you’d start being a stranger, now that you’re busy with work at that law firm and your summer break.”

Christian stood and hugged Ed. He watched as Ed kissed Adrian shortly, and a pang of jealousy shot through him. It wasn’t because of them, but because he wanted to have the same thing with the man he liked.

“Have you been good?” Ed teased him. “Can you guys put something together while I go grab a shower? I promise I’ll be quick.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be the cooks tonight. Right, Christian?” Adrian asked.

He would start asking questions once they sat at the table.

***

“Is the food okay? You’re stabbing that steak like it’s your mortal enemy,” Ed joked as he took a sip of wine from his glass.

“I believe Christian has something he wants to share with us,” Adrian said and smiled at him.

“He does?” Ed examined him over the glass, and his eyes crinkled in amusement.

“I know how to drive.”

He could tell Ed wasn’t buying it even without saying anything.

“Go on,” Adrian encouraged him. “Tell him about the other thing.”

Had he been uninspired to tell Adrian he was seeing someone? Under Ed’s scrutinizing gaze, he lost some of his earlier courage. “Yeah, I’m like dating someone.”

“Like?” Ed’s smile left no room for mistakes.

“It’s complicated.”

“Hmm.”

Christian didn’t have to look to know the two husbands were exchanging glances. “All right, so it’s an older dude.”

“How much older?”

“Enough to have people wonder and pester me.”

“That’s not a fair answer, Christian. Who is this man?”

“I’m not ready to say yet.”

“And why is that?”

Christian felt irritated. Why did he have to hide so much, anyway? But he couldn’t just blurt out the truth. Brown didn’t know yet they were exclusive. It would be a little unfair to go around and shout out their relationship. Still, he needed to move forward. “You wouldn’t approve,” he mumbled while staring at the steak and contemplating his lack of appetite for a moment.

“Christian.” Ed’s voice was stern. “Are you telling me you’ve ignored all the good advice I gave you in regards to --”

Christian stood up. “I haven’t ignored everything. I just know how things are on my own. I don’t need to be held by the hand all the time. I’m not a kid!”

“Is the brat saying what I’m think he’s saying?” Adrian asked.

“The brat says what he thinks,” Christian replied and threw his napkin on the table.

“Christian, are you really seeing that man?” Ed asked, his voice just a note higher.

“No,” Christian replied and looked at Ed straight in the eyes. “There’s nothing going on, and I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.”

“Are you guys always beating around the bush like this?” Adrian intervened again. “If that asshole Brown is the topic here --”

Christian pushed his chair under the table with a loud noise. “We’re not talking about him. We’re not talking about anyone and anything because I have no one to talk to.”

What had he expected? He hadn’t even had the chance to open his mouth properly. Ed had understood who he was alluding to without any extra explanations, and Adrian was in the loop, too. But, of course, they were against it.

“Christian, please sit down,” Ed insisted. “Let’s talk this through.”

“I know everything you want to tell me.”

“No, you don’t. Please, don’t let this blow out of proportions.”

“Oh, really? You’re doing that!”

Adrian stood up. “Christian, please, Edward only wants what’s best for you and so do I.”

He curled his hands into fists and set his jaw hard. “Even if that’s true,” he said quietly, “I know how to think for myself. And you don’t know him like I do.”

Adrian and Ed called after him in vain. He ran out of the house, angered at them for trying to think for him and himself for being so impatient to tell them about his secret lover.

What if they told his parents? That would be a huge problem. But Ed wouldn’t betray him like that. His cousin would try to reach for him and reason with him, but he wouldn’t just go and tell on him.

He stopped in the middle of the street. He didn’t even have a license. Of course, everyone thought he was still a kid; it was funny and all, but not so entertaining once he tried to behave like a grownup, which he was.

He didn’t have the patience to call and wait for a cab, so he decided to walk and clear his head for a while.

***

Rhett stared for a moment at his phone, frowned, and decided to answer. “What a surprise,” he said. “I gave you my number years ago, and yet you’ve never called me. To what particular string of events do I owe the pleasure?” He hoped his tone was vexed enough to put the other on guard, as he felt right now.

“I thought you were a man of your word,” Eddy started without even a perfunctory greeting. “What have you done to Christian?”

He was expecting that. “Nothing unpleasant, I assure you.”

There was a small pause on the other end. “Rhett, why do you have to --”

“Rhett? You’ve never called me that. Ah, I apologize, you once did. We could have been friends, but I guess your misconceptions about me stood in the way too much.”

“Is this because you’re holding a grudge against me? I’m sure we can settle the matter between us, without involving someone who’s not to blame in the mildest.”

“I don’t see how that would be possible. You have nothing I want.”

How many years had he waited to say something like that? Edward Hastings had been a thorn in his side ever since he had refused him, point-blank. He had fantasized about having that perfect man grovel at his feet, knowing well it would never happen.

It wasn’t happening now, either, and Rhett realized that he felt strangely detached like it didn’t matter anymore if he got his revenge on Eddy at all. Or his husband. Those things were water under the bridge, and his mind had been focused on something else.

Or better said, someone else who appeared to have a big mouth and must have let something slip. The details were not important. Still, it irritated him that Eddy would come and accuse him like that. If he thought well, Christian had almost seduced him, and not the other way around.

“I know we’re not on the best terms, but I thought there were lines not even you would cross. People would talk, and not only about Christian. You would be blamed, too, and maybe the precious social standing you hold dear might suffer a hit, as well.”

“Are you threatening me, by chance?”

“I’m not. I am just warning you of how things will look if you continue like this. Yes, I know I have no leverage and nothing to offer you that you would deem worthy. I already appealed once to your word and pride as a man. So, before you jump to any conclusions, this is what I called to say. Please, not Christian. You could have anyone.”

“Anyone? I couldn’t have you either when I wanted you.”

Another brief pause followed. “We were incompatible. You must have seen it, too, or otherwise, you would have been relentless. Even though we’re not friends, I know of you enough. When you put your mind to something, nothing stands in your way.”

“Was that a compliment, or an insult? Are you trying to tell me that I didn’t want you enough?”

“Yes, it’s true. You didn’t want me. You perhaps entertained an idea of me succumbing to your well-crafted strategies. But no, you never wanted me or even liked me much.”

Rhett closed his eyes for a second. Eddy’s words hit a little too close to home.

“So don’t do it now, either, I beg you. You don’t want Christian. You want what he represents. You want to hurt this idea of him, but you’ll hurt him in the process.”

“I won’t,” Rhett said through his teeth. The mere thought of hurting that young man, so happy, naughty, and full of life, was alien to him.

“Yes, you will. If you don’t leave him alone, you will do it anyway. I don’t know what has happened so far between you two. Christian appears to entertain a romantic image of you, but I know for a fact – for no other reason except for your flaunting all your dealings – that you don’t date or entertain relationships.”

What crazy things could the boy have told his cousin? A small flare of pleasure lit in the middle of his chest. But that wasn’t the time to allow himself wide-eye dreaming. “That is correct,” he said in a cool voice.

Eddy sighed. “He’s young, Rhett. I don’t say that he will be hard to mend because I’m trusting his resilience and willpower. But it’s too soon for something like that to happen to him, don’t you think? I’m certain you can see that.”

There had been a time when words couldn’t hurt him like that. It had to be all because of what had happened lately, and Rhett realized, with unmistakable clarity, that he had let himself swayed from his usual path without knowing. Eddy was right. The Rhett Brown everyone knew wouldn’t hesitate to use Christian and get rid of him, making a mess out of everything. That was the kind of thing he thrived on. No, he used to thrive on.

“He is young, indeed. But has it ever crossed your mind he’s old enough to make his own decisions?”

“With a clear head, yes. But there’s nothing clear about getting involved with you, isn’t it? You’re messing with him.”

Rhett pinched the bridge of his nose. Eddy didn’t know half the truth. But did he know it? Somehow, things were put in a new perspective, and he didn’t like it. “Of course. You would think so.”

“Because it is so.”

“And what do you want me to do? Break up with him?”

“Are you two in a relationship?” Eddy sounded surprised.

Rhett paused. No, not exactly. They were messing with each other, truth be told. And Christian, regardless of what his cousin was worried about, had alluded to how their thing, whatever it was, wouldn’t last long.

“I don’t know how I should interpret your silence.”

“Has it crossed your mind that if I did what you’re asking me it would hurt Christian anyway?”

“It’s just a fleeting infatuation. We’ve all been there. He would get over it. But being made the butt joke --”

“As always, you’re wrong about me and what I’m doing. It makes me wonder what kind of man you are to have felt attracted to me while despising me at the same time.”

“I don’t have an answer to that.”

“I have. That’s what you see in that husband of yours. You’re lucky he’s in love with you, Eddy. Keep that in mind.”

“I don’t need you to remember me that.”

So, Eddy could be riled up just as well as he was right now.

“You were lucky to find him, and not someone clever enough to play you.”

“I believe I know how to take care of myself. I got away from you, didn’t I?”

“You’re wrong there. You didn’t have to. I would have treated you right.”

“Allow me to doubt that.”

“You’re free to do so, of course.”

“This conversation has strayed long enough from the main topic. Please, Rhett. Let Christian go. He might think himself hurt by your rejection, but there’s nothing there, and you know it. I would be grateful if you did that.”

“Grateful is an empty word. As I told you before, you have nothing I want.”

He should have smoothed things out. He should have told Eddy that he would think about it. But he felt hurt because of how right Eddy was about him. That was the image he had kept on projecting and offering to the world. Was he really upset now because it came and bit him in the ass?

“I will insist that Christian listens to me, and, in the meantime, I’ll keep hoping that you would lose interest in him.”

“That’s it? No threats? No bribing?”

“I don’t threaten people. As for bribing, you were clear on two accounts that I have nothing you want. I wish you a good day.”

Rhett threw the phone on the desk and stared out the window. Where had this feeling of dissatisfaction come from? Wasn’t he supposed to gloat now over how he had managed to distress Edward Hastings to the point that he had needed to pick up the phone and call him?

He felt nothing of the kind. Instead, there was a firm sensation of pressing weight on his chest. Yes, that was how he looked like to anyone else. He was an asshole, a man who only did whatever served his interests and didn’t care about who got hurt in the process.

The scandals before, he had navigated them like a skillful captain on a stormy sea. Eddy was wrong this time. Rhett would do the unthinkable. He would do the right thing, although no one would ever suspect him of an uncharacteristic bout of noble urges.

He would do it in such a way that no one would suspect him of being a good man. And yes, a young heart might get hurt in the process, but he wasn’t entirely sure of that.

Eddy was underestimating his cousin. Everyone did, except for him.

TBC

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