Bondage by Chris Owen, Jodi Payne Page A

come.
    He found he was rather looking forward to swatting Phantom's ass again.
    Supper was quiet and fast. They didn't talk very much at all, Phan already stilling and becoming more settled, and Tobias keeping a careful eye on him. By the time Phan did the dishes, what little conversation there had been had dried up completely.
    Tobias led Phan into the playroom and quietly said, "Strip, boy. Then lean over the spanking bench." He went to the paddles again and picked up the one he'd selected, watching as Phan calmly took his clothes off and folded them neatly.
    "You're most of the way there already," he observed as Phan moved to the bench and draped himself over it.
    "Yes, sir," Phan agreed. "But not all the way. I'm feeling... almost calm, but still a little twitchy. Like I could go the other way, easily."
    Tobias nodded. "I'd like to use our litany." If nothing else, it would be an easy transition for them both. Not exactly a reminder of the way things had been, but instead a confirmation of who they were at that moment and what their roles were.
    "All of it?" Phan asked, a little doubt creeping into his voice.
    "No. I don't think either of us is ready to go over whom you belong to yet. Not at this kind of level."
    Phan nodded. "Thank you, sir."
    "Count for me," Tobias ordered, touching Phan's back. "We'll begin now." He raised the paddle and brought it down firmly on Phan's ass.
    Phan jumped. "One, sir."
    Tobias nodded and spanked him again, not even bothering to remember what Phan's reactions had been in the past; the only safe way to approach this was to more or less pretend he was working with a new submissive, someone whom he had to learn.
    "Two, sir."
    By the time they'd reached five, Tobias was putting more weight behind his swing and Phan's voice had gotten tight. It felt good, bringing Phan's reactions on, and Tobias was pleased that they weren't doing anything heavier than a spanking; he wasn't sure he'd be able to deal with a Top's high right then.
    "Who are you?" Tobias asked, paddling Phan again and beginning their litany.
    "Phantom, sir. Six."
    "What are you?"
    "A sub, sir. Seven.... Eight.... Nine. Thank you, sir."
    "You're welcome. Who are you?" Phan was gasping and his ass was getting red. "You may stop counting."
    "Phantom Shaw, sir! Thank you, sir!"
    Tobias kept it up until tears began to slide down Phan's cheeks, then he backed off a little. "What are you?" he asked softly, watching as clinically as he could, taking in Phan's breathing and the way he seemed to be settling down, getting smoother even through the tears.
    It didn't feel like the past. It was very vibrant and present, and Tobias was glad.
    "A submissive, sir. Thank you, sir."
    "What do you need?"
    "This, sir."
    Tobias nodded and slowed his hand, still spanking Phan but bringing him down. "Feel better?" he asked, watching Phan's tears and his breathing.
    "Yes, sir," Phan sniffled. "Thank you."
    Tobias set the paddle down and gathered Phan into his arms. "Shh," he soothed. "Good boy."
    Phan trembled. "Thank you," he whispered. "I feel better. Lighter."
    "Good," Tobias smiled. "Let's go cuddle, boy. Then you can take another bath."
    "Okay," Phan said softly, clinging to Tobias' chest. "Anything you say."
    Tobias laughed. "Yes." He stood and carried Phan in his arms to the living room, settling them in his big chair to wait for Noah.

Chapter 9
    Tobias thought Phan might have drifted off into a contented sleep, but when he heard Noah's key in the door Phan shifted a little in his arms and lifted his head.
    "Noah?" Phan asked softly.
    Tobias nodded.
    "Oh, good." Phan smiled and lowered his head. "Miss him when he's not around."
    Tobias smiled as well. "Me, too."
    Noah came in quietly. He was a minute in the foyer, presumably getting his jacket off, and then he appeared in the living room. When he saw Phan and Tobias there, he stopped short of actually coming in and lingered in the entryway. "Sir?"
    "Come on in, pet. We're just relaxing. How was