...Jesse twisted and turned, the sheet wrapping tighter around his legs and hips, nearly immobilizing him. He clawed at it fitfully, trying to free himself without opening his eyes, or quite escaping from the fragments of dreams that had his heart racing, his brow and neck damp with sweat. Something caught his wrist and held it firm. He tried to struggle, tried to pull away as fear crawled up his spine.

“Jesse.”

He heard his name from a distance, but it was too far away to respond to. He tried to kick, disoriented and confused. Something cool touched his mouth, calming Jesse immediately. He parted his lips, responding to the kiss before the dreams had a chance to fade completely. The kiss was soft and brief, Gideon pulling away as Jesse opened his eyes and relaxed against the mattress. Jess reached for him again, unwilling to lose the comforting contact.

Gideon caught his wrist and bent his arm back against the mattress, pinning him in place. “You were dreaming.” The implied they were nightmares, weren’t they? tinged his tone. He brushed another kiss across his mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just walked out like that last night.”

Jesse shook his head, just happy Gideon was back. He blinked the sleep from his eyes, becoming more and more aware of Gideon’s firm hold on his wrist and the weight of Gideon’s body against him. “Last night? What time is it?”

“Almost seven.” His gaze raked down Jesse’s chest. “I thought breakfast in bed today sounded like a good idea.” His eyes were black by the time they met Jesse’s again, and slowly, Gideon grabbed his other wrist and pinned that arm as well. “Wanna be my breakfast?”

The shadows that still lingered from his dreams were banished by Gideon’s dark gaze. The simple question triggered an immediate response—his pulse hammered, his cock stirred, and his skin flushed pink. “Yes,” he whispered, needlessly.

The heavenly weight holding him down disappeared then, and Gideon stood at the end of the bed, arms folded across his chest. “Strip,” he ordered. “I’m going to tie you down and show you exactly how sorry I am for last night.”

Jesse didn’t need to hear another word. He untangled himself from the sheet and pushed it away, then peeled his T-shirt from his chest and tossed it aside. His sweats followed, and the air felt blessedly cool against his over-heated skin. By the time he settled back against the pillows, he was fully erect. He placed his wrists above his head automatically, his skin already tingling where the cuffs would snap into place.

Gideon snapped the cuffs around his ankles first, then moved to the head of the bed to do the wrists. He chose the nearest one first, forcing himself to kneel on the edge of the bed and lean over Jesse’s head in order to reach the other. By the time he pulled back, a sly grin curved his mouth, and he stopped to give Jess a hard kiss before straightening.

“I’ve got to get something from the other room first,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

Jesse’s mind immediately went to the cabinet upstairs that housed all of Gideon’s favorite toys and tools. He probably wouldn’t choose the whip again, but he did mention breakfast. Maybe something sharp or something like…

“Emma?” Jesse blinked several times as Gideon shut the door behind her, like a dream he had abandoned had walked into the room. He pulled at his restraints, trying to sit up. His nudity didn’t bother him so much as the cuffs. “What’s going on? Gideon?”

“Lie down, boy.”