Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

back and stared at Gabe then finally he absorbed what he was talking about. The fucking internet.
    "Gabe, baby, did you do some reading today?" He had a feeling Gabe had done a quick search on the Dom and sub lifestyle. It pleased him that Gabe wanted to gain knowledge about the subject, but Lucas didn't live the extreme Dom life like some did.
    "I did." Gabe looked up at him sheepishly. "I wanted to understand more about all this."
    "What did you think about what you read?"
    He shrugged. "It was interesting, but some of the things I'm not sure I could do. Like being led around by a leash, or being whipped. Not sure I'm into all that."
    "That's a relief. Neither am I." He sat up and kissed the side of Gabe's cheek. Gabe turned to him with a quizzical expression. "Baby, every relationship is different, and same goes for the sub Dom relationships. Some Doms live the life hardcore. Like being called master and sir. Even practice the things you said, but I don't. I like being in control and teaching my lover the beauty of letting another master their body and pleasure. There's no shame in letting someone else care for you."
    "So you won't be mad if I say no to some things?" Gabe fidgeted with his hands, as he waited for his response.
    "Oh God, no. I'll never force anything on you. We're equals, Gabe. I want you to be yourself. If you feel like pinning me down and kissing me or fucking me, I want you to." Lucas paused to let his words sink in. "But I do expect you to open up to me. Let me in your heart." He placed his hands on either side of Gabe's face. "I want you to let me love you the way you deserve."
    Gabe jerked away, but not before he saw the glistening of tears shine in his eyes. "Don't say shit like that. You'll just ruin it all."
    "Ruin what? I want you." It was really starting to piss him off that he was being punished for some other bastard's actions. Someone hurt Gabe and caused fear to linger in his soul, and in return he never let anyone else inside his heart.
    "We just met. How can you possibly know that?" Gabe snapped at him.
    Lucas gentled his tone. "Because I feel it here." He placed a hand over his heart. "I believe everything happens for a reason, and when you meet a person and feel that instant connection, you can't ignore it. Life is too short to sit around waiting until all the stars are aligned before you act on your feelings. Gabe, I want to be with you." He smiled up at Gabe, trying to ease his nerves. "I can't predict the future but I can promise I'll never intentionally hurt you. I care about you way too much to ever do that."
    Gabe gazed down into his eyes. A war raged across the blue depths. "People always say they'll stay, but they never do." A tear streaked down his cheek.
    He wrapped Gabe in his strong embrace, doing his best to let the love he felt seep into Gabe's skin. "What happened to you? Where's all this sadness coming from?"
    He was quiet for so long, Lucas didn't think he'd ever answer.
    "My father left my mother and me when I was just a teenager. He fell in love with a younger woman and divorced my mother to marry her." He laughed bitterly. "Started a whole new family with her."
    "That's terrible." Lucas's heart broke for Gabe; that had to be tough on a young man, having his life fall apart like that. "Did he not stay in contact with you?"
    "He tried, but I couldn't forgive him." He turned to hold his stare. "I looked up to him, he was my hero, and he went and wrecked it all. My mother never remarried. She said she couldn't go through that again. Said it hurt too much."
    "Oh baby." He combed his fingers through Gabe's hair, trying to soothe him. "I can understand that, but it doesn't necessarily mean that will happen to you."
    "But it did."
    Lucas was glad that Gabe had finally opened up to him, but what he was learning depressed and upset him on Gabe's behalf. No wonder he was so scared to accept Lucas. "Do you want to tell me about it?"
    "I feel like I should." Gabe took a deep breath, then sat up straight. "My mother died a year after I graduated from the academy. When I went back to the force, I met this detective." He laughed softly. "I thought he was the one. I loved him so much. I would've done anything for him."
    Jealousy at the way Gabe spoke of this man angered him. This relationship had happened before he met Gabe, but he hated hearing that at one time someone held Gabe's love and devotion. But that person destroyed it, leaving Gabe a broken man because of it.
    "We