wasn’t sure you were ready, but as usual, when you put your mind to something, you don’t back down.” He let out a soft laugh. “I love that about you too. Without that quality, I’d have missed out on the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Braxton grinned, waiting for a nod from Ryan that told him he had permission to speak. “I love it, sir. I love you. And I’m glad it’s a good thing that I’m more stubborn than you are.”
“Determined, my cheeky boy.” Ryan opened the clasp on the collar, bringing it to Braxton’s neck. “But this means I’ll be even more dedicated to being with you, to your safety and happiness, than I was to keeping my distance. Because you’ve given me a precious gift and I’ll never take that for granted.”
The weight of the metal warmed in Ryan’s hands settling against Braxton’s skin sank him even deeper into the headspace of giving up control. His vision blurred as emotions swept over him and he cleared his throat, trying to blink them away. “Thank you, sir. So much. What you’ve given me means...more than I have words for. I’ve never been this happy. Never really known what it was like to have somewhere that I could be…” He bit his bottom lip. “Whole. Which sounds too much like ‘you complete me’ and that’s super cheesy.”
“Hey, it’s a classic line for a reason.” Eyes shining with amusement, Ryan took out the black leather collar, placing it around his neck a bit above the first. This one was tighter and thicker —not to the point that it would be hard to breathe, but he definitely wouldn’t forget it was there. “Come, my love. I want you to see how stunning you look. Then we’ll get going.”
Rising to his feet, Braxton turned to face the mirror above the dresser, his breath catching at the sight. Next to Ryan, he looked...like he belonged to the man. It was the only way to explain it. The look was wicked, but that was what stood out most. The way they seemed to fit together perfectly, the statement of the outfits, combined with the almost protective stance Ryan had.
His Dom stroked his hands up and down Braxton’s arms. “I’d like to bring you just like this, but if you’re uncomfortable being seen in the car like this, let me know and I’ll get you a T-shirt to cover up with. I’m bringing one in my toybag for the trip home.”
“I’m good, sir.” Braxton closed his arms as Ryan wrapped his arms around him. His Dom’s muscular arms steadied him, and along with the leather, gave him the feeling of surrender on a whole different level. “Really good.”
The car ride ended up being uneventful, no one even looking over long enough to give him that rush of knowing the straps made it clear exactly what he was getting up to with his man tonight. Only once they parked in back of the club, then went into the unobtrusive building did his pulse really begin to pick up. He’d felt a mild version of this when he’d filled out his membership papers with Braxton the week before, going over all the rules and safety procedures, but this was real.
I’m really fucking doing this.
With the man I love.
For all the world to see… Okay, maybe not all the world. No cameras allowed.
This wasn’t a performance, it wasn’t meant for anyone except the two of them. Having an audience here wasn’t the same as when Braxton got out on the ice. It was simply having somewhere to go with people who’d accept them. No judgment. No expectations. Just an intense experience and the atmosphere to go with it.
With Ryan’s hand on the back of his neck, Braxton took in the space with wide eyes, not sure how to process what he was seeing. A lot of the players were here—more than he’d even guessed were the least bit kinky, interacting with the queer ones openly. Sure, this wasn’t out to the entire world, but it was out where it was safe and that meant...everything.
To one side of the main room, which had a dance floor, a bar, and a few pieces of bondage equipment at the far end, Sebastian Ramos had Jami straddling his lap, her hips moving in a slow grind, Luke on his knees behind her doing something really hot with his mouth. Scott was alternately grinding on the dance floor, first against Zach, then