By His Rules (19 page)

really,” Aiden said finally.

“That’s good.”

Aiden twisted so that he faced Keaton, and pressed

his head against Keaton’s chest. “I was scared, Keaton,”

he whispered.

“Tell me why.”

“I didn’t like being alone in here. I wanted to be in

the kitchen with you. I was pissed at myself for being

such an asshole.”

“You weren’t an asshole.”

“I know I was. I did it on purpose. I was just so sick

of wondering when you were gonna show your true

colors.”

“My true colors?”

“You’re a top. And I thought you wanted me here

because I was a sub, and you… I just kept waiting for

you to try to… whatever.”

Keaton held Aiden tighter. “Poor boy. No. That’s

not what I wanted at all.”

“I just wanted to know how you would punish me.

If you were like Scott or—different.”

Keaton rubbed his back. “I see.”

“I don’t get the corner time thing. I thought you

were trying to build anticipation—get me freaked out

before you started hitting me or whatever. Or that you

were going to make me sit there while you called me

things. Mostly I just didn’t like being alone and knowing

I’d pissed you off.”

Keaton sighed, angry with himself. He should

never have attempted any form of discipline, however

mild, without first communicating with Aiden. “I’m glad

you’re telling me this,” he said. “Come here.” Keaton led

Aiden to the couch and sat down, settling the boy against

him. “I truly didn’t mean to scare you or make you feel

alone. I thought that time in the corner would let you

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.”

Keaton felt Aiden tense again. “So why do it?”

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.”