Chapter 25

Tom’s hand was in his hair, on his back, gently stroking. “I’m right here, honey. You don’t have to do anything at all right now, just breathe for me. Can you do that? Breathe with me, like this.” The whooshing of air through Tom’s lungs, loud under Gabe’s ear. “And out…”

Fuck. Gabe knew people did that—his mind shied away from even thinking the word—for fun. Madam Gemini wouldn’t allow anything in her club that wasn’t consensual. He didn’t like the idea, couldn’t stand the thought of submitting to it, or making someone else submit to it, but…he didn’t know, hadn’t thought it would throw him so badly.

He stared up at Tom, lost in the marvel of remembering him, after the horror had erased everything Gabe had known. “I know you,” Gabe said. “I know your face.” Like it was the only thing that mattered in the whole world.