Make Me Soar (43 page)

“Do you still want me or Thomas to say a few words?” Leo asked, appearing at his side. About them the club was filling steadily, the buzz of voices growing louder as men began to assemble around the stage where Callum had already set up his equipment.

“Yes, please.” Alan had already prepared what he was going to say. Dorian was still keeping him in the dark about his vows. He couldn’t help but smile as he recalled Dorian’s cheeky grin. God, he loved the man.

“By the way, that scene you two did last week was great.” Leo grinned. “It was good to see Dorian hasn’t changed
that
much. He still likes a little pain.”

Alan had to smile at the comment. “Yeah, but it took him enough time to ask for that scene.” Dorian had been stretched out on the St. Andrew’s cross, and Alan had worked his back over with a flogger. He shook his head. “He thought I’d see it as a backward step.”

“What?” Leo’s brow furrowed. “Why would he think that?” His forehead smoothed out. “Ah, I suppose because he’d used pain as a way to achieve subspace for so long, it must have seemed like he was falling back into his old habits.”

Alan nodded. “I pointed out to him that now he could enjoy it. I also pointed out to him that it was a further demonstration of the trust he has in me.” He smiled when he remembered the lovemaking that had followed that scene. He didn’t think Dorian had realized such a scene could be that intimate.

“Your boy is ready, by the look of things.” Leo pointed behind Alan.

He turned to watch his sub walk through the assembled club members, Pietro and Alex flanking him. It warmed Alan’s heart to see how the men greeted Dorian with cheerful smiles and pats on the back or arm. What was even more heartwarming was the way Dorian reacted to their greetings. He smiled and nodded, nothing like the young man who’d shied away from physical contact only four months ago.

“I love that Alex and Dorian have gotten closer,” Leo said quietly.

“Me too,” Alan admitted. At that moment Dorian caught his eye and grinned. Alan’s heartbeat sped up as he regarded his lover, and he took a deep breath. Damn, he really
was
nervous. Since he’d first had the idea a few weeks ago for a different kind of collaring ceremony, he’d thought of little else. He could still recall Dorian’s stunned expression when he’d finally shared it, and the tears that had sparkled in those beautiful brown eyes. As Dorian got closer to the stage, his gaze focused on Alan, he grew aware of the fluttery feeling in his stomach, the way his skin tingled. “Look at him,” he said softly.

Beside him, Leo chuckled. “Never mind him—look at
you
! I swear, you’re both as bad as each other.” He shook his head. “Talk about loved up.”

Alan dug Leo in the ribs with his elbow. “You’re one to talk, Mr. Hart. Ever watched yourself when you’re around Alex?” He grinned. “You two are still like a pair of newlyweds.”

Leo lifted his eyebrows. “Did no one ever tell you? The honeymoon is supposed to last the entire first year.” The hum of voices grew louder when Dorian reached Alan’s side. Leo rubbed his hands together briskly. “Okay, let’s do this.” He clambered up onto the stage and glanced at Callum, who gave him the thumbs-up.

Dorian stood beside Alan, his hand wrapping around Alan’s. “You still nervous?” he whispered, leaning close. “
I’m
supposed to be the nervous one here, remember?”

Alan squeezed his hand, their fingers intertwining.

From the stage, Leo held up his hands for quiet, and a hush fell over the men standing around. “Gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight to witness something that always brings me great joy. Two members of our club have decided to make their relationship permanent, and you are invited here to share in their celebration.” His gaze fell on Alan and Dorian. “Tonight belongs to them, but I wanted to say how overjoyed Thomas and I are that they have found each other. It is always a joyful occasion to witness the start of a new journey, but tonight is important for us too.” He focused on Dorian. “I feel like a father who has watched his son grow and mature. We are so very, very proud of you, Dorian.”

Alan felt the shiver that coursed through his sub, and he tightened his grip.

“But I’ve said enough.” Leo gestured to Alan and Dorian. “Over to you.”

Alan led Dorian up the steps and onto the stage. The metal collar gleamed around his neck, the only thing to adorn his body. Dorian knelt at his side, gaze lowered, his back straight. Alan gave his sub one last glance before looking out over the sea of men who’d gathered in front of him, all standing quietly.

He smiled. “Thank you for being here tonight. I realize some of you might be thinking this is awfully fast. After all, Dorian and I began our first contract in January, and yet here we are in April. Well, all I can say is, when you know, you know….” He reached down and stroked Dorian’s hair before returning to view his audience. Murmurs of approval rippled through the assembled men.

“Tonight I’m here to declare before you all that Dorian is mine. I thought long and hard about the manner in which to claim him. I knew I wanted to mark him as mine—my submissive and my lover.” He took another calming breath before continuing. “By now you have all heard Dorian’s story, in most cases from Dorian himself. I am so proud of my boy, that not only has he risen above his experiences in Berlin, he has emerged a stronger person because of them. Those experiences refined him, tempered him, burning away the old Dorian to reveal the submissive who lay hidden from our sight—the Dorian I fell in love with.” His words were greeted with yet more soft noises of approval. Alex and Pietro stood directly in front of the stage, both nodding, their eyes focused on him.

He nodded to Dorian, who rose up gracefully. Alan turned him so that his back was on view. “You have all seen this.” He traced over the word with his fingers, noting Dorian’s brief shiver. “Those men in Berlin presumed to know him. They thought they could sum him up with one word, an insult as they saw it.” He cupped Dorian’s chin and tilted his head up to look his sub in the eye. “But my Dorian is more than that.”

Dorian’s face glowed, and his eyes gleamed. He smiled at Alan, leaning into his touch.

Alan kissed him softly on the lips and then straightened. “A collar is a visible sign, but collars can be removed. I want to leave my mark on him, a permanent reminder that he is mine.”

He gave Callum a nod. The Dom gestured to the chair in front of him, and Dorian straddled it, facing toward the back of it, arms hugging the backrest. Alan stood in front of Dorian and crouched down until their faces were at the same height.

Their eyes met. “Ready, boy?”

Dorian nodded, breathing deeply. From behind him came the buzz of Callum’s equipment as he sat close to Dorian, beginning to work on his back with the needle, outlining the design. Dorian kept his eyes trained on Alan.

“Does it hurt?” Alan asked him.

“It’s a little uncomfortable when he gets near bone,” Dorian replied, “but nothing I can’t cope with.” He grinned, eyes dancing with amusement.

Alan chuckled. “I can imagine.”

Around them was heard the hum of conversation as their audience strained to see what Callum was up to. Alan knew it wouldn’t take long. He focused on Dorian, clasping his upper arms, now and again leaning forward to kiss him, keeping it slow and deep until Dorian was squirming and Alan knew he was getting hard.

At last Callum was finished. He wiped over Dorian’s lower back with an antiseptic wipe and glanced up at Alan. “Do you want them to see before I cover it up?”

Alan nodded and helped Dorian to his feet. Once more he turned his sub so that the audience could see his back. Above the brand, Callum had tattooed one word—
Alan’s.

Dorian stood beside him, back straight, his gaze on Alan. “How does it look?”

Alan smiled. “It looks good.” It was better than good—it was giving him an erection just
looking
at it. His mark on his boy, there for all to see, forever.

And then the applause started.

From all around them erupted cheers and shouts, calls and hoots, their names flung out until the room resounded with acclamation. Dorian turned to face their fellow club members, his face flushed, a tide of red rising up his belly and chest until it reached the tips of his ears. He gazed out over the crowd of men, smiling broadly.

When the noise died down, Alan gave him an expectant glance. Dorian nodded and knelt at Alan’s feet. Alan lifted Dorian’s chin and stared into his eyes. “You are mine from this day forward. I will love you, cherish you, and protect you. I will never forget the trust you have placed in me. Your submission gives me joy, and I will never take it for granted.” He smiled. “Thank you for entrusting me not only with your body, but with your beautiful heart.”

Dorian caught his breath, lips parted, and Alan couldn’t resist. He bent down and kissed him, pouring his heart and soul into the kiss. When they parted, Dorian swallowed.

“Thank you, Sir, for believing in me, for truly
seeing
me. I entrust myself into your keeping, knowing I will be safe, and more importantly, that I will be loved.” Those brown eyes sparkled. “Thank you for the precious gift you’ve given me—your love, which has set me free to fly for the first time in my life. I don’t have the words to express what’s in my heart, but it is
your
heart, Sir, my gift to you.” He breathed deeply. “You have it all: my submission, my body, my heart, my soul.” His smile lit up his face. “I love you.”

Alan pulled him to his feet and held him close, feeling Dorian’s heart beating against his own. “I love you too.” He stood there for a moment, holding his boy, letting the warm applause wash over them. Alan brought his lips to Dorian’s ear. “I could hold you like this all night, but we have friends who want to share this with us.”

Dorian chuckled against his chest. “If we’re going to do that, it might be an idea to let go of me first.”

Alan laughed and released him with a smack to that firm arse. Dorian yelped in surprise, and laughter broke out among their spectators. Alan raised his eyebrows. “I could always put you over my knee and spank you.”

“You won’t do that,” Dorian said confidently.

“Oh? And why not?”

His lover grinned. “Because I’d enjoy it far too much.”

D
ORIAN
POURED
out two mugs of coffee and walked into the lounge, where Alan was working. “You got a minute, or are you busy?”

Alan groaned. “Oh, coffee! Your timing is excellent. Come save me from my edits.”

Dorian laughed and placed the mugs on the coffee table before going over to Alan and kissing him. “I thought you
liked
doing edits?” He sat down on the couch and pulled the folded sheet of paper from his jeans pocket. It was heavily creased, the result of being read and folded countless times during the last two weeks. It had taken that long to finally find the courage to talk to Alan. And now that he was about to broach the subject, his heart was pounding. He pushed the sheet under his thigh.

Alan chuckled. “Normally, yes, but this is a new editor, and he’s driving me nuts!” He picked up his coffee and sipped it, wincing at its heat. He glanced across at Dorian. “So, you ready to tell me what’s on your mind?” He arched his eyebrows.

Damn
.
Can I hide
anything
from him?
Then he reflected that this wasn’t a bad thing. Alan
knew
him, inside and out. It was a comforting thought.

“I thought maybe you’d decided what to do with your flat,” Alan said after taking another sip. “Because the only time you go there nowadays is to collect the mail.” He got up from the armchair and joined Dorian on the couch, leaning against the seat cushions and propping his bare feet up on Dorian’s lap.

“Is this your hint that you’d like a foot rub?” Dorian said with a smirk.

“Yes,” Alan replied promptly. “I’ve earned it. So go on, slave, rub my feet.” He gave Dorian a wicked grin. “Isn’t that what you’re here for? To service me?”

Dorian laughed. “I didn’t think foot rubs were part of our contract.” However, he grasped one foot and started to rub the sole, pressing firmly with his fingers, kneading the warm flesh. Alan rolled out another groan, though this one had a definite edge of desire to it. “Like that?”

“You know I do,” Alan said with a grunt. “You have magic fingers.” He sipped some more coffee and regarded Dorian steadily. “And you still haven’t answered my question. Because
something
has been occupying your mind this week. I thought at first it might have been to do with the counseling course, but that doesn’t start until September, and besides, you were delighted to get a place, so it’s not that.” He stared at Dorian. “So what is it?”

Dorian concentrated on manipulating Alan’s foot, working the ball with his thumbs. “A couple of weeks ago you got some junk mail, or at least I thought it was—you put it in the pile for recycling.”