Gavin lay in bed half asleep when Zeke slid in behind him. The older man slid his arms under Gavin's and pulled him close. He kissed the back of his neck and nuzzled his face into his skin.
"You didn't come say good night like you usually do," he muttered.
Gavin sighed and turned his head slightly. "I'm sorry. I was working on something and forgot. I showered and just crawled in bed." He yawned deeply then rubbed Zeke's arms. "Did you get your work finished?"
Zeke hummed as he rested his cheek on his shoulder. "I have to get two papers signed for the deal to go through, but it can wait until Monday. They just won't get their money until it is signed."
Gavin turned over and pressed his face into Zeke's chest. "You're a cruel man sometimes."
The older man rubbed his back. His hand trailed up to Gavin's hair, and he ran his fingers through his curls. "I like it. It really suits you."
The younger man smiled into the older man's skin. His fingers made gentle circles in his back as he settled back into a comfortable space. He liked these moments the best. He had been unsure on how sleeping with someone would be like, but when he was in a cuddly mood, Zeke was a good lover. He was gentle and easy to get along with in those moments.
Actually, when he had first moved in, his stuff had been put in a separate room. Zeke hadn't wanted to scare him any more than he already was so he had made sure he had his own space. But over time as they'd gotten to know each other, they were spending more time in Zeke's room. After the first night they'd slept together, Zeke had refused to let him leave. The next day his stuff had been moved into Zeke's room and he had never left.
"How did your doctor's appointment go?" Zeke asked.
"Anderson said you're a lunatic," Gavin replied. Zeke's laugh was low in his chest, a light rumble that shook Gavin's cheek. "He gave me a clean bill of health. He was concerned over a couple of bruises on my legs, but he said to keep an eye on them. If they don't heal correctly, I'll call him and we'll do more tests."
"Are you concerned about them?"
Gavin shook his head. "No. Sometimes you leave bruises but they aren't too bad. At least I don't think they are."
"Do you have your results from your bloodwork?"
"Not yet. Since Grandma has diabetes, it takes a while for it to come back. They want to rule out any signs from that or anything else. I think I'll hear back sometime next week."
Gavin leaned back and looked into Zeke's face. His blue-green eyes opened, and he looked back at him. Gavin smiled at him and put his head on the pillow. Zeke kissed his nose and settled back on his own.
"What is it?" the older man asked.
"Did you make a reservation for next weekend or do I need to?" the younger asked.
"I got a reservation at Chef Donovan's restaurant. He said to send your dietary restrictions to him ahead of time, and he would make dinner your grandparents would never forget." Zeke tucked his hand under his pillow and looked at Gavin. "What else?"
Gavin smiled. "Do you have any other plans for my birthday? Is dinner the only thing you have planned?" Zeke's mouth tightened into a thin line. "I was wondering if I can invite my friends over for dinner as well. I haven't seen them out of school in a while, and they're wondering when we can hang out next."
"Which ones?" His wheels were turning. Gavin could see it in his eyes even in the dim light of the room. "Davis and Emily?"
"Mmhmm, and a couple of others. Jetson James and Katie Roberts."
"I don't know them."
"I know. That's why I'm bringing it up now. It might be because you're at ease, but Davis threatened to sneak them in." Zeke's hand tightened painfully on his hip at the last sentence. Gavin wanted to push it away, but he laid perfectly still. "I would rather you know now than be surprised when four people showed up at the door."
Zeke sighed angrily. In one moment, Gavin was on his side. In the next, he was on his back with his shorts being pulled away from his body. His legs were bent to his chest and his arms wrapped around them to hold them up. Zeke leaned against them as he put his face in his face. Gavin swallowed back the fear and stayed as still as possible.
"You're wise to tell me now. If he would have tried to sneak anyone into this house, he would have been banned for life," Zeke said. He traced his fingers along Gavin's jaw. "I know he is your friend, but you're mine. I am more important than him."
Gavin nodded. "Okay. I'm yours. I have been yours since I came here."
Zeke smiled and pulled him up to kiss him. Gavin felt his body relax as his tongue swept into his mouth. He tasted the bourbon Zeke kept in his office for a night drink when he was working late. It was soothing and familiar, but he knew there was danger right under the surface.
When the older man pulled away, he smirked down before his mouth fastened on the exposed skin of his chest. Part of Zeke's rules, Gavin didn't sleep in pajamas. Zeke wanted to have access to him whenever he wanted, and pajamas hindered him.
"Can I ask you something?" Gavin said. Zeke hummed and lifted his head. "Do you consider me a partner or a kept pet?"
"I want to be whatever you need me to be," the older man said. "Why do you ask?"
"Because if anyone finds out about the rules you have set, they will consider me a kept pet. I'm not allowed to wear underwear or pajamas. I can't do this, I can't do that. I have to ask for permission to do things." He took a deep breath. "I have to do everything you say within reason. Is that part of the agreement with my grandfather for investing in his business, or is it what you have personally set into place with everyone you've ever been with?"
"It's a lifestyle I've adopted. It's almost like a master/subordinate lifestyle. It helps me stay in control of everything around me." He unhooked his legs and gently lowered them to the bed. He took his hands and held them between them. "Am I too hard on you?"
"Sometimes. It feels like I have to ask permission before I can do anything. I can't drive, I can't go see friends, I can't just go out for a drink. I'm stuck in this house with no one else to talk to other than the staff."
Zeke rolled to his side and looked at him. "Do you feel like you're not able to be yourself?" Gavin nodded slowly, eyes not looking at his face. "Gavin, look at me." He waited until the younger man looked at him. "I'm not making any promises, but I will try to loosen up on the reins. Ask me ahead of time, and I will try to make it happen."
When he spoke in the low tone, Gavin knew Zeke meant what he said. He had never yelled at him since he'd been here, but he'd been rather forceful with him. He showed his prowess in bed, and sometimes it didn't go over well. Sometimes he could be very rough.
Mr. Sampson had been right. All he had to do was, but a part of him was still nervous about what Zeke was going to ask for in return. He could do anything he wanted, and Gavin had to go along with it as long as he didn't commit a crime.
"So can I invite my friends over for dinner?" he asked.
Zeke took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "Yes. You can invite them over for your birthday dinner."
Gavin smiled and let out a little laugh. He flopped onto his side and pulled himself into Zeke's embrace. He rubbed his face against his chest again then pressed his cheek against it.
"Thank you," he said. "Thank you so much for this."
Zeke wrapped his arms around him and held him close. "Tell me when you're feeling lonely. We can figure out how to alleviate that in a way where I'm not wondering where you are."
This was the most Zeke had ever given him. He had given him what he needed such as clothes, food, and tuition for school, and he had given him just about what he wanted. But he had never balked on his own rules before. For him to allow his friends over meant he was beginning to understand how much Gavin craved personal contact.
Gavin leaned back and looked into Zeke's face. The older man watched him silently. The younger one smiled at him.
"Zeke?" The man in question raised his eyebrows. "You can do what you were going to do earlier."
A smile graced the man's face, and he dove forward. Gavin laughed into the kiss before he was rolled onto his back again. This time, Zeke didn't demand for him to do anything. It was the first time in a very long time he had given himself over to the man voluntarily, and it made Gavin feel better about himself.