Mastering Will(17)

“I know, Master.”

“Good. We’ll make sure to re-evaluate every few months. If something bothers you, I want you to tell me about it.”

“I have something that’s bothering me.” Will pointed at his erection.

Lindi slapped Will’s ass, smiling at Will’s gasp. He had no doubt that had stung against the bruises he left from the spanking. “Too bad. That will teach you not to share your past with your master. The only reason I’m not putting you in a leash and a plug for the rest of the day is because I don’t want to share our sex life with your family.”

“You told them about my collar.” Will blushed. “Of course, it was hard to hide when you tagged me like a wild animal.”

Lindi slipped his index finger beneath the gold necklace and tugged Will in for a kiss. “Knowing you are my sub and witnessing it aren’t the same. I tagged you because I wanted to always be able to find you. It turned out I was right. I’m not ashamed of our relationship, but I don’t want to make Thanksgivings awkward either.”

Will blinked, surprise crossing his features. “You want to have Thanksgiving with my family?”

“I want you to be able to visit your relatives for the holidays if you want. My parents aren’t going to care.” Lindi’s parents weren’t particularly affectionate. They were more than happy to spend Christmas traveling to an exotic island than visiting their son. Still, they always sent Will a present when they remembered Lindi’s existence. They weren’t against their son being gay; they didn’t really care either way. Lindi was certain they wouldn’t treat a female partner with any more regard than they gave Will.

“Da would like that,” Will said.

“Where’s your mother?” Lindi became more fascinated as he learned about Will. To discover his sub was a member of a notorious mafia family had been quite a shock.

“She was killed when I was young by someone trying to get into Da’s turf.”

“What happened?”

Pain shone like a beacon from Will’s expressive gray eyes. “They shot her while we were walking across the park. One minute, she was holding my hand; the next, she had fallen on the ground. Her eyes were wide open, but it was like she wasn’t there anymore. I was seven.”

Lindi could see the moment still haunted Will. “What happened to her shooter?”

“Da killed him and brought me the corpse. He said I should be able to sleep now because I wouldn’t have to worry about my mother’s killer coming for me. Instead, I had nightmares about bloody people lying in the courtyard. I know he meant well, but I didn’t sleep a full night until I was ten.”

“That’s horrible.” Lindi crushed Will to him. Now he understood the devastated expression in Will’s eyes sometimes when he woke. A sight like that would damage anyone. Add in Will’s sensitive nature and Lindi was surprised his lover could sleep even now.

Will snuggled in closer. “It happens. My da lives in a violent world. I don’t want that to be mine. I like our lives. I don’t want it to be filled with guns and stabbings and politics. I’m not going back.”

Lindi’s hand froze. “I don’t think that will be a problem. He seems to understand we have a life together.”

He wouldn’t gun Will’s father down in the street, but he wouldn’t hand his lover over, either.

Will shrugged. “He didn’t seem to have a problem with my staying last night. Hopefully, he hasn’t changed his mind.”

“Let’s get up. You can make me breakfast and extra for our guests. I don’t think your father will wait very long before he comes over.”

“True.” Will slid out of bed. Lindi admired his lover’s body as it disappeared beneath a pair of soft denim pants and a flannel shirt.

“I thought I burned that shirt,” Lindi commented, eyeing the red checked fabric. He hated that garment. It had long sleeves and covered too much of his lover. He suspected Will wore it purely to tease him.

Will ran a loving hand down the fabric. “This shirt?”

“Yes, that one.” Lindi smiled at his sub’s innocent expression.

“Obviously, you’re mistaken, or I couldn’t possibly be wearing it, now could I?”

Lindi smiled. “God, I love you.”

Will’s delighted expression warmed Lindi to his toes. “I love you too.” He kissed Lindi, not with hot passion, but with a friendly affection that meant more to Lindi than all the steamy sex in the world. He bounded away from Lindi. “I’m making pancakes!”

“Make mine blueberry.” He remembered seeing a pint of berries in the fridge. Hopefully, they were still good.