relax—give you a break from me. If I’d known how it
made you feel, I wouldn’t have done it. I should have
talked to you about it first and explained my intentions.”
“I wouldn’t have listened. I was too busy being
horrible.”
“You weren’t horrible.”
Aiden snorted.
“Anyway it’s over now. I guess what we need to
discuss is what you want from me while you’re here.”
Aiden tensed, but Keaton went on petting him until
he relaxed again. Aiden took a deep breath. “I feel out of
control without—without someone in charge. But I’m
done with the lifestyle. I don’t want a dom. I want to
learn how to be in control on my own.”
“There might be a solution to that.”
“What?”
“Do you know what domestic discipline is?”
“I’ve read stories about it. It’s like when people
spank their spouses. Right?”
“It’s an arrangement between two partners in which
one partner makes the rules and major decisions in the
relationship, and enforces those rules with corporal
punishment. And yes, spanking is probably the most
common form of domestic discipline.”
“So is it like an age-play thing? Where one partner’s
the kid?”
“Not
exactly.
A
true
domestic
discipline
relationship isn’t play. Dominant and submissive aren’t
roles the partners assume and shed at will. The partners
live together, love one another, share dreams and desires
and ideas. But one needs the other’s rules, boundaries,
certainty, and guidance. The other feels a deep need to
provide those things.”
“Is this what you’re into?” Aiden asked.
“It’s what I’m into,” Keaton said. It was a relief to
finally admit it to someone he genuinely cared about.
“It’s what I need.”
Aiden swallowed. “Are you saying we could have
something like that?”
“That depends. We don’t know each other that well
yet. A relationship like this requires a lot of trust. It’s not
just about discipline—it’s about the partnership itself.”
“Oh.”
“I like you a lot. But you don’t trust me yet. Not
fully. There’s no way you could.”
“I want to.”
“That’s a start. If you feel you’d like the sort of
guidance a discipline relationship can provide while
you’re here, I can set some rules, and together we can
decide on the consequences for breaking those rules.”
“Together? Aren’t you supposed to be in charge?”
“I’ll be in charge of enforcing them. But the
arrangement is one we structure together.”
Aiden was silent for a moment. “What would the
rules be?”
“I want you to take care of yourself.” Aiden tipped
his head up to look at Keaton. “I’d ask you to get back on
a regular meal and sleep schedule. To finish your
graduate school applications.”
“That’s it?”
Keaton chuckled. “That might be harder for you
than it sounds. There are other things we can discuss. If
you’d like to be responsible for a share of household
chores, or if you have any habits you’ve been trying to
break yourself of—” Keaton smiled as Aiden stopped
picking at a hangnail on his thumb. “But your primary
goal would be getting yourself back in peak health.”
“So what would you do to me if I broke the rules?”
“That depends. The butt-to-brain communication
route is extremely efficient. I often find that a spanking is
the fastest, most effective way of making a lasting
impression.”
“And the hottest.” Aiden laughed.
Keaton didn’t reply.
After a few seconds, Aiden looked up at him
uncertainly. “Keaton?”
“A lot of people are turned on by spankings,”
Keaton said. “And that’s fine. However I want you to be
aware that I don’t get off on administering corporal
punishment. A disciplinary spanking is not intended to
be sexually stimulating.”
Aiden asked. “I mean, if it doesn’t turn you on?”
“What satisfies me is the mutual trust. Knowing my
partner believes in my ability to make decisions that are
in his best interest.”
“I usually get turned on by spankings,” Aiden said
quietly. “So it might… not work.”
“Many people find that the mind-set they’re in
when they receive a disciplinary spanking is quite
different than the mind-set they’re in when they receive a
spanking as part of a BDSM scene. Were you turned on
by the swats I gave you a few minutes ago?”
Aiden shook his head.
“That mind-set shift might be enough to eliminate
any pleasure you normally get from a spanking. If not,
there are other punishments.”
“Like what?”
“Writing lines, having your mouth washed out with
soap. Restrictions, loss of privileges, early bedtime,
corner time—though that might not be the best option for
you.”
Aiden ducked his head. “It’s punishment,” he
mumbled. “I’m not supposed to like it.”
“But the point of discipline is to correct a behavior,
not leave you feeling scared, frustrated, alone, or
resentful.”
Keaton hoped the boy couldn’t feel how fast his
heart was beating. He couldn’t believe he was actually
having this conversation with Aiden Cole. It was a while
before Aiden spoke again.
“Keaton? I’m interested in this idea. I think I might
want to try it. But… ”
“Yes?”
“I do have a high pain threshold. You might have to
hit me really hard to make me feel it. But I don’t know if I
want to go there again. You know? Blood? Marks?”
Keaton ran a hand through Aiden’s hair. “I would
never— never administer a punishment that left you
bruised or bleeding. There may be color or soreness that
takes a few hours to fade. But anything beyond that isn’t
discipline.”
Aiden bit his lip. Keaton continued. “Like I said,
the discipline mind-set is different from the kink mind-
set. It’s not always the pain that hurts—if that makes
sense. But if you find that corporal punishment isn’t
making much of an impression on you, we’ll look at
other options.”
“Okay. And the other thing?”
“What other thing?”
“The… relationship part?”
“Ah.”
“Would I still just be your houseguest? Or would
we be, like… ”
“Lovers?”
“Yeah.”
Keaton thought for a moment. The idea of refusing
a sexual relationship with Aiden Cole was almost
unfathomable. “I don’t want to rush you into anything.”
“I can take care of myself,” Aiden protested. “Well,
except for eating right, sleeping well, and making plans
for my future.” He and Keaton both laughed. “You can
make those decisions for me. But I’ll make this one. I
think you’re sexy and beautiful and a good man. I want
you. I just don’t know if you want me.”
Keaton touched the boy’s cheek.
Aiden closed his eyes.
“More than anything.”
“Then take me,” Aiden whispered.
Keaton leaned down and kissed him. It was a soft
kiss, brief. Keaton lifted his head, closed his eyes, and
savored the lingering feel of it. He kissed Aiden again,
letting his tongue explore the hot and cool spots in
Aiden’s mouth. He accepted the boy’s soft moan into his
own throat, let his fingers drift along Aiden’s jaw.
They were interrupted by the smoke detector
blaring in the kitchen.
“The pizza,” Keaton said.
They hurried into the kitchen to find the oven
emitting a steady sheet of smoke. Aiden stood on a chair
and hushed the detector while Keaton opened the oven,
releasing a black cloud and the smell of charred onions,
peppers, and cheese. Keaton opened the back door, the
rush of chilly air helping to cool both the room and his
groin.
“That’s your specialty, huh?” Aiden teased,
nodding at the black disc in the oven.
Keaton grinned. “Watch it, brat.” Keaton took out
his phone. “I’ll order us some subs. What do you want?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not very hungry.”
Keaton shook his head. “Not gonna work anymore,
kid. Three meals a day, remember? You might as well
get something you like.”
“Turkey? No onions, no mayo.”
Keaton placed their order. “Twenty to thirty
minutes.”
“What are we going to do while we wait?”
“You can tell me exactly what you still need to do
to complete your applications.”
Aiden made a face. “Keaton.”
“Yes?”
“Can’t we finish what we started in the living
room?”
“Oh? What did we start?”
Aiden looked at the floor. “I thought you were
going to fuck me,” he grumbled.
“Quite the romantic, aren’t you?”
“I try.”
“You’re going to show me your applications. Then
we’re going to eat dinner.”
“Then?”
“Then, once you’ve finished every last bite, I’m
going to take you upstairs. And I’m going to make love
to you.”
Aiden let out his breath. “Can’t we do something
now? I’m so hard.”
Keaton quirked an eyebrow. “Was there anything
unclear about what I just said?”
Aiden flushed and dropped his gaze. “No, Sir.”
“Keaton,” Keaton said softly.
“What?”
“Call me Keaton. Not Sir.”
“Oh.” Aiden looked suddenly uneasy. “I might
forget.”
“Then I’ll remind you. We’re partners. Equals.”
“If we were equals, then I’d be able to spank you
when you did something I didn’t like.” Aiden’s tone was
only half-joking.
“Maybe we should rethink this,” Keaton said
quietly.
“No! Keaton, I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. I just don’t
quite get it, I think?”
“Easy. I’m not upset. Let’s talk.” Keaton sat at the
table, waving traces of smoke from his eyes. Outside,
crickets chirped, and an owl hooted. Aiden looked wary
but eventually sat down across from Keaton. “This isn’t
going to be like what you had with Scott. I’m not your
master. I’m not your dom. I’m in charge, but that doesn’t
make me superior to you in any way. You need limits. I
need to provide them. Your submission is a gift I value,
not something I demand or expect. That you defer to me
doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t make you less than
me. Understand?”
“I think so. It’s just weird. I’ve never done this
before.”
“I’ll help you.”
“What if I really piss you off? Will you kick me
out?”
“You’re free to leave anytime of your own volition.
You’re also free to back out of the discipline portion of
the relationship. But I won’t ever kick you out.”
Aiden nodded. He looked at Keaton. “I have to do
personal statements for my applications. But I don’t
know what to say. I don’t feel like I have anything
important to offer a grad program.”
“What do you mean, important?”
“I mean everyone else who’s applying has probably
been in way more shows than me and went to better
colleges and traveled to exciting places and done
internships… I don’t know how to make myself stand
out.”
“Don’t worry about everyone else. All you need to
worry about is showcasing yourself.”
“But myself is boring.”
“Trust me, you’re far from that.”
Aiden suddenly looked pale. “Oh shit. We can’t do
this. Keaton, you’re going to get so sick of me. I’m
annoying and I’m needy and I… I don’t even think I used
to be like this. I used to just have fun.”
“Aiden. You’re fine. We’ll figure this out together.
Try and trust me.”
“I do. I just—”
“This is new and confusing and a little scary.”
“I’m not scared,” Aiden protested.
“You are, a little bit. And that’s all right.”
“You don’t know everything,” Aiden muttered.
Keaton smiled. “Neither do you.”
The doorbell rang. Keaton collected the subs and
paid the delivery woman.
“You expect me to eat that whole thing?” Aiden
eyed the foot-long sub with apprehension.
“At least half,” Keaton said, starting on his own
sub. “You can save the rest for lunch tomorrow.”
Aiden opened the sandwich and began poking at it,
rearranging slabs of meat, picking out tomato slices.
“Just eat,” Keaton said gently.
“I get sick when I eat. I’m not lying. I do.”
“That’s because your body’s been running on
empty for so long. Were you sick after breakfast this
morning?”
Aiden shook his head. He hadn’t even realized it,
but the half a waffle had hardly troubled his stomach at
all. “No, but—”
“Your body needs to get used to food again.”
Aiden took a tentative bite of the sandwich.
“Good boy.”
Aiden blushed. “Are you gonna call me that?”
“Boy?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want me to?”
Aiden blushed deeper. “Maybe sometimes?”
“Okay.”
“Not all the time.”
“Agreed.”
Keaton finished his sandwich, trying not to stare at
Aiden. He was beautiful, and Keaton couldn’t help
imagining how much more beautiful he’d be once he
regained his health and self-confidence.
He’ll probably hightail it out of here, then, Keaton
thought sadly. Off to grad school or New York or just
back to his old apartment.
Best not to think about that now. All Keaton wanted
to concentrate on was whisking Aiden upstairs and into
his bed, and giving the boy more pleasure than he’d ever
felt in his life.
Chapter Fourteen
Aiden finished the last bite of his sub, wrapped the
remaining half, and put it in the fridge. This evening had
been strange. Had he really agreed to a domestic
discipline relationship with Keaton Hughes? He half
wished Keaton were a normal, less complicated top.
He went to the sink to wash his hands, and while he
stood there, he felt strong arms wrap around him from
behind. He shut the water off and leaned into the
embrace. Keaton’s lips brushed the side of his neck.
“Come on,” Keaton whispered.
Aiden started to turn and gave a yip of surprise as
Keaton lifted him up in a fireman’s carry, took him
upstairs to the master bedroom, and laid him gently on
the bed. Keaton climbed over him, arms on either side of
Aiden’s shoulders. He lowered himself until their bodies
touched, and kissed Aiden deeply. Aiden could feel
Keaton’s hardness against his thigh. His own cock was at
attention, twitching as Keaton plundered his mouth with
his tongue. The kiss left Aiden gasping for breath.
Keaton’s tongue flicked Aiden’s earlobe, then traced the
outside of his ear. Aiden squirmed. Keaton took his
earlobe between his teeth and tugged lightly.
“Please,” Aiden begged.
Keaton bit slightly harder, and Aiden whimpered
and writhed. Keaton let go and kissed Aiden again. He
brushed his lips along the line of Aiden’s jaw, then
retraced the same path with his teeth very gently.
“Oh,” Aiden murmured.
Keaton moved to the foot of the bed, where he knelt
with his knees on either side of Aiden’s legs. He
removed his sweater in one easy motion, and Aiden
gazed hungrily at the man’s smooth, muscled chest and
strong arms.
Keaton placed his hands on Aiden’s hips, then ran
his palms up Aiden’s sides, under his shirt, warming the
flesh. He repeated the movement, pushing Aiden’s shirt
up a little more each time until Aiden’s flat, trim belly
was exposed.
“Beautiful,” Keaton murmured, pressing his lips to
Aiden’s stomach. He licked a spot just to the left of