Page 154 of Pretty ’n Peak

“Yeah?”

He kissed Mateo’s tear-stained face. “Yeah.”

“So you’d… you’d give me that much time?”

“I’d give you more. I think…” God, the honesty hurt here. “I think I couldn’t be with you if you truly intended to never come out. But I’m not impatient either. And I definitely don’t want you to risk your whole family and career because you feel an obligation to me. We can play. We can get to know each other. We’re still dating.”

“Okay. I… I think I do want to come out. I’m not… I’m never going to change who I am. I just… I don’t know if I can do the gallery thing.”

“Then don’t. You love your job. You’ve always said that painting was a hobby. You can keep painting for yourself. Or maybe give some paintings to friends when you get to know more of the community here.”

“I know but… it seems like I’m giving up such an opportunity. I mean… You’re right. This wasn’t ever my dream. But… maybe it is now?”

Ah. “How about if we go to the gallery this afternoon. Together. You can see what you think, and you don’t have to commit to anything. You could even ask if there would still be a spot open for you in a year or two.”

Mateo gave a sort of snort-laugh. “It all seems so obvious when you say it. I think I just got caught up in the pressure of deciding everything today.”

“No, sweetheart. There’s no pressure. You’re in control of this.”

Something must have finally let loose, because Austin could feel Mateo melt beneath him. “Thank you, Daddy. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

Austin felt like the glow inside him would light the entire city.

One of the things that he respected so much about Mateo was how confident and self-sufficient he was in most of his life. But being the one that he came to like this?

God, there was a satisfaction like no other.

It made him wonder how he’d ever questioned his ability to be a Dom.

He knew how to support a friend who was coming out. He knew how to take care of a sub.

He even knew how to be a good boyfriend.

He wasn’t selfish or withholding like Cam had often accused him of being. He wasn’t running away from conflict or intimacy.

For the first time, he really saw that the issues in his last relationship might have just been from Cam.

Mateo sighed, drawing him back to the present. To the sweet sub who put so much trust in him.

“You don’t have to do anything to deserve me, babe. If anything, it’s the other way around. Do you feel like you’ve figured out what you needed?”

“Yes, Daddy.” He sounded completely relaxed.

Almost, in a strange way, like this had been a scene. Now that it was over, Mateo seemed like he was just ready to float away.

Austin wanted to continue that for as long as possible. “Good. Now just let Daddy take care of you.”

“Yes, please, Daddy.” Mateo wriggled beneath him, returning his attention to their naked bodies. His soft cock was nestled against Mateo’s ass.

God, it was tempting. He knew just how Mateo would open to him. How he’d arch back, those thick globes welcoming him in.

But even though they’d already done several things that were just as intimate, there was still something significant about the first time. He didn’t want the memory to be caught up in Mateo’s distress.

So instead, he kissed down Mateo’s back, massaging and licking. He wanted to memorize every inch and taste it with his tongue. Mateo’s skin was luxurious, bulging over muscles and softer rolls of fat.

He grabbed Mateo’s ass in lush handfuls, biting and licking at the bounty before him. He nuzzled into the middle, then spread him open to tease slowly toward his hole.

Mateo squirmed and pushed back.