Reading. It wasn't his strong point. In fact, it worried him. Zachary kept it to himself, however, because telling Orion wouldn't help either of them. He got comfortable against the pillows by the lamp and opened the book as Orion went back to sleep a few feet away.

Chapter One: Respect and a General Introduction to BDSM

While this book will introduce you to the lifestyle of BDSM, there are several different basic aspects that apply. An understanding of these are important before continuing onto the next several chapters...

Zachary went through several pages about trust and being able to communicate well with your submissive or dominant partner. The book mentioned what Orion had already told him, about the possible dangers of not talking to each other when something might be wrong. The chapter was logical and he happily sped through it... or so he thought.

"Mm, good morning, Zachary."

Hearing Orion's voice had Zach looking over at him, then the clock.

S-seven!

I've been reading for almost three hours?

He knew he'd fallen asleep here and there, but to only get one chapter done?

"I forgot to take that leather off of you before bed, comere' sweetheart."

Unable to decline, Zachary folded an ear in the page for the second chapter and then set the book aside so that he could crawl over to Orion. Feeling the man's fingers against his warm skin made Zach fidget, unintentionally drawing Orion's curiosity with a few glances to meet his eyes before the item was finally tugged off over his head.

"There we are. Now then," Orion said as he tossed the leather to the side, then carefully tugged Zachary into his lap. "What's wrong?"

Nothing! He wanted to scream, but the chapter of the book he'd read so far chastised him for even considering the lie. Well, it wasn't technically a lie. Nothing was really wrong, but perhaps, just not as right as he wanted it to be?

"How far did you get in the book, sweetheart?"

Uh oh. Uh, um. Darn it!

"I-I got to the second chapter."

Orion's expression changed for a moment, then was abruptly covered up by a small smile. But Zachary had seen it. The disappointment. He felt his shoulders hunch, but then remembered. I don't have to be perfect. Without a second thought he lifted his head and forced his lower lip to stop trembling.

"I don't read well, b-but I'll finish the book by tonight!"

Orion's smile became honest as he rustled Zach's hair and hugged him to his chest. "Thank you for telling me, Zachary. This may sound rude, but I would honestly like to know if you would like to learn to read better? I would be glad to help you."

Considering Orion's tone, Zachary knew right away that the man wasn't making fun of him for his lack of reading skills. But do I want to be taught by him? He wanted to learn, of course, but he was embarrassed to admit that he needed help. Even so, Orion was offering him something he couldn't get on the streets unless he walked the seven blocks to the library each day... which had been time better spent searching for a job instead of reading books that wouldn't put food into his belly or, someday, a roof over his head.

I have a full belly now and Orion has given me a roof to shield me from the weather.

Steeling himself, Zachary forced his eyes to meet Orion's. "I want to learn how to read better, please."

The man's eyes lit up and he leaned over, nibbling at Zachary's nose. "I need to start getting ready to help in the kitchen, as we've had someone unexpectedly quit yesterday, but I should have some time in between then and when we open to come back down. Maybe we can read the book together and I can help you whenever you feel like you need it?"

"Okay!" Zachary chimed, eager to get started, even though he'd have to wait until Orion came back later.

Wait a minute.

"Can I help in the kitchen?" He asked as Orion set him aside so that he could get up and head for the shower. The man paused by the bathroom door at Zach's question, turning with a surprised but intrigued smile.

"I guess the cook wouldn't mind an extra pair of hands. You don't mind doing dishes or prep work?"

Zachary shook his head fervently and crawled to the edge of the bed where Orion met him to scoop him up. "Then I guess we've got a shower to take, hm?"

"Yeah," Zach said happily, then paused.

Wait. Did he just say that we've got a shower to take? As in, together?

His thought was answered when Orion set him down in the shower stall, then climbed in and shut the door with a playful grin. "Let's use this as a lesson while we're getting clean, hm?"

A lesson in keeping our clothing on? He thought awkwardly as he leaned against the back wall. As if he'd read his mind, Orion quickly removed his clothes and tossed them over the shower door. Unable to keep his eyes from lowering, Zachary swallowed hard and tried to not focus on certain parts of the other man that seemed to be enjoying the attention.

"Zachary, this lesson will be simple. Very little of this lifestyle, to me, is about sex."

Huh...?

When Orion just turned and got the shower going Zachary blinked in confusion. The water only hit his lower legs since he was in the back, or well, pants. They're getting wet. Looking up, he noticed Orion holding up a washcloth that he'd already lathered with soap.

"I want you to get used to this. Just simple showering."

I can do that. We're just showering... I showered with a lot of guys in high school after P.E.

Remembering that made him a lot more comfortable with the situation, so he carefully removed his pajama pants, then straightened back up with a slightly nervous grin.

"There we go, here. Wash up while I wash my hair, then we'll switch."

Nodding, Zachary took the cloth and got busy scrubbing himself. Every few seconds he could feel eyes on him, but he didn't chance looking up in fear of blushing even worse than he already was.

"May I wash your back, Zachary?"

The cloth slipped from his fingers but was snagged by Orion right before it could hit the tiled shower floor. The man's chuckle followed the action, making Zach's face heat as he looked up at him. He felt like he should say no, just because of the situation and how awkward it was. In fact, his instincts told him that this was a bad idea and to be weary of Orion.

You can say yes and still be careful. He hasn't tied you up with the leather straps and is simply asking to wash your back. He told himself. "Okay..." he ended up whispering just loud enough for his words to be heard over the hum of the shower water.

It took him a few moments to get the strength to turn around, but Orion waited patiently with a smile on his face. His heart was racing when he pressed his palms against the cold tile wall, but the moment Zachary felt the warm washcloth against his skin, being guided by Orion's strong yet gentle hand, he immediately began to relax. It felt as if he was giving him a massage at the same time he was washing his back. Without meaning to, he heard a quiet moan slip from his lips as he leaned his forehead against the cool tile.

"Feels good, sweetheart?"

Zachary nodded, slowly turning once he felt the washcloth finally leave his skin.

"I'm glad. Did you know, you have an adorable mole beneath your right should blade."

"I do?" He questioned, automatically trying to look behind him, though he quickly realized that it was impossible. Duh. When Orion nodded Zach chuckled, then grabbed the washcloth. "U-um, can I?" He mumbled, holding up the washcloth with a hesitant smile.

Orion obviously knew what he meant, but was going to make him complete his full question before answering. Forcing his embarrassment aside, Zachary clenched his fist around the cloth and straightened his shoulders. "I want to wash your back, too, can I?"

Seeing the man's face light up with a dazzling smile told Zachary that he'd definitely asked the question right, and made Orion happy. "Yes, I would love that, Zachary."

It had been a long, long time since he'd had someone was his back so gently. It was adorable, but it wouldn't get the job done. "Harder please, sweetheart. Don't worry about hurting me. I promise I can take it."

He let a joking tone slip into his words and, to his surprise, got his backside pinched for it!

"You did not just do that, Mr. I'm Embarrassed to Show my Master my Body!" he chided, whirling on Zachary, scaring the guy with the sudden action. Realization seemed to dawn on his face after a moment, turning it completely cherry red. Zach raised his hands and backed up when Orion stepped forward, pinning him without touching him, against the back wall.

As much as Orion was enjoying watching Zachary so flustered, the fact that he had actually tried to initiate some type of play was very important, and he needed to show him that. Unfortunately, he knew that even though he wanted to reciprocate and pinch Zach's adorable butt in return, it wouldn't go over well. He needed something less sexual, but still physical.

Hmm.

His eyes widened a fraction when he figured it out. "Hey sweetheart?"

"Y-yeah?" Zachary stuttered out.

"Are you ticklish?"

The sudden look of horror on his boy's face made Orion smirk evilly. "Revenge time."

With no way out of the shower besides getting past him, Orion knew that he was going to get his revenge, too. He just wasn't expecting how insanely ticklish his new sub really was! Zack squealed and jumped into the corner, then quickly slid to the floor as he struggled to hide his armpits, then belly, then feet! Oh boy were his feet ticklish! While it was fun, he did have to dodge several accidental kicks, and by the time two landed on his left arm he decided to give the poor guy a break.

Unfortunately, tickling Zachary had been the worst decision he'd made so far... because he couldn't take his eyes off the guy as he lay sprawled out on his shower floor, panting and soaked from the cooling shower water with a flushed chest and cheeks. His length was immediately at attention, draining a good portion of the blood he needed to keep his thoughts logical, and not involving taking Zachary where he lay. Dammit, seeing that collar snug around his neck isn't making it any easier.

"...Master?"

Jerking his mind back into focus abruptly, Orion blinked away the rest of the blur in front of his eyes and let them meet Zachary's worried ones. "What did you just call me?"

With wide, worried eyes Zachary pursed his lips and sat up and looked down at the tiled floor, then back up after a few quiet breaths. "You were j-just staring a-and I said your name three times but you didn't respond. S-so I said what the book calls d-dominants to try and get you to snap out of it."

He couldn't stop staring again, mouth agape.

He'd just called me...

When Zach started looking around worriedly Orion snapped back to himself and, to the surprise of his male ego, giggled and lunged. He grabbed Zachary around his chest and jumped up, swinging the guy in a circle as he yelled, "You called me Master!"

He intended to complete the circle, then kiss the guy a few times before he finally had to step out and get dressed, but he accidentally hit Zach's foot against the shower door, smacking it open and making them both startle. Orion set Zachary down immediately and dropped to his knees to check his foot. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

As Orion fumbled with his foot, trying to see if he'd hurt him, Zachary snickered quietly, drawing his attention up. "It's okay, Orion. The door opened so it took most of the hit, I'll be fine."

Just to prove his point Zachary set his foot back down and added weight, only scrunching his eyes a little with the ache. "See? No big deal."

Orion didn't like it. He wanted Zach to go to bed immediately and rest with his foot up and ice on it, but as he stood up, he could tell that his boy wouldn't let him get away with that scenario.

"You swear? You're okay?" He added, reaching out to gently touch his fingers to Zachary's cheek.

"Yes, now, since you've already got your hair washed..." Zach grinned and ducked behind Orion, then nudged his back until he stepped out of the shower. He then shut the door, effectively telling him that he was now banned from the shower.

"I need to wash my hair without being tickled and swung into doors, Master."

Orion had to take a deep breath when Zachary called him Master again, but he kept himself from reentering the shower by shoving a toothbrush in his mouth. When he finished scrubbing his teeth and gums raw, along with his tongue, then spit and rinsed with mouthwash, Orion finally had enough control to speak again.

"I'm going to bring some of our groceries to the kitchen and make us breakfast before we need to start working. You made me very happy calling me Master, so I'd like to cook you what you'd like for breakfast. So pick a few things and I'll have them ready by the time you get to the kitchen."

Zachary didn't hesitate to let him know exactly what he wanted with an excited reply. "Bacon, sausage, and waffles!"

Chuckling, Orion opened the door to the bathroom and headed for his closet to get dressed. "Got it, sweetheart. I'll meet you in the kitchen. Don't think of me too much while in the shower or it might not be hot when you get there."

Before Zachary could respond Orion ducked into his closet and got dressed in record time, then grabbed his boots and ran out the door, laughing to himself.