He inhaled the familiar scent of Obsession, spearmint gum, and Cutter. His cock hardened further as if more than a simple kiss might be offered. But this meeting of lips was far from simple.
This was their first kiss. He should stop this before he got a taste of something he couldn’t have yet. He should push Cutter…
Gentle lips pressed against his mouth, stealing any thoughts of denying himself. Cutter’s lips slowly glided over his, and a flick of tongue invited Storm to open up. Cutter skated his hands up Storm’s arms to his shoulders, tugging him closer. He helplessly parted his lips and allowed Cutter entrance. Cautiously, as if he waited to be shoved away, Cutter teasingly licked and played in Storm’s mouth, making him happy, light-headed, and turned on.
The kiss lasted forever but ended way too soon. His first sex was a tragic memory of fumbling confusion that he wished he could forget, but his first kiss was the kind that made men fall in love. This kiss should be framed in gold leaf and hung up for all to enjoy. If he hadn’t already been head over heels in love with Cutter, this kiss would have done him in.
He opened his eyes and saw the complications in his life sitting across from him. Staring at them made breathing almost as hard as he was. As much as he hated for Cutter to leave his embrace, he tapped him on the thigh. “Hey, come on. We’re putting on a show.”
Dreamy eyes flashed up at him before they saddened. “Oh yeah. Sorry.” Cutter scrambled out of Storm’s arms like he’d caught on fire.
Uli frowned as he stared at Cutter’s downcast eyes. “It’s your turn, Storm.” The birthday boy threw pissiness in his general direction, and Storm didn’t even know why.
“Okay, um. I never…” This was more of a minefield than a game. “I never had jet lag.”
Alex smiled in approval. Uli pouted a bit before drinking. “You should have seen him. He crashed for days.”
Cutter filled everyone’s glass again.
“Did not.” Uli seemed to fight a smile as he bumped into Alex with his shoulder. “My turn.” He surveyed the loose circle as if he tried to ferret out secrets no one wanted to spill. “I never was spanked.”
He and Alex gulped their drinks down as if the alcohol could wash away painful memories.
Uli’s mouth dropped open and shook his head. “No, I meant the fun kind. My father beat me whenever Kai wasn’t around.” He took a quick sip before begging, “Please don’t tell Kai.”
“We won’t,” Storm assured him. He felt the need to lighten the mood. “So the fun kind, huh?”
Cutter wiggled as if he couldn’t get comfortable.
“So, you’ve never had a spanking?” Cutter’s frown turned into a cute pout. Where was his best friend and who was this man tossing around his pheromones like confetti? “Me either.”
“Do you want one?” Uli asked.
Cut opened his mouth but nothing came out, though from Storm’s angle, the expression of pure need and a big-top circus trying to set up their tent in Cutter’s pants was louder than any verbal confirmation.
Uli might not have been that drunk. “I bet Alex could give you a good one.”
“What?” Alex choked on the word.
“It is my birthday.”
“Right, then shouldn’t
you
be spanked?” Storm searched for a way to shut this mess down.
“Tradition at Club Zombie is the birthday boy gets to spank and other men receive.”
Alex might have been trying to sound reasonable, but the heightened color in his cheeks gave him away. “Then why are you suggesting I-I do it?” he asked, as if no one else could see he’d be into that shit.
“Cause you’re supposed to…” Uli stared off into space. “It’s you. You’re supposed… None of what I’m seeing makes sense.” He shook his head as if he needed to snap himself back into reality.
“How drunk are you?” Alex asked what everyone else was probably thinking.
“Drunk enough to want to see you spank someone’s ass.” Uli’s quick comeback assured Storm the kid wasn’t as three sheets in the wind as he appeared earlier.
When no one said anything, the birthday boy sighed. “Fine, another time.”
Cutter exhaled. He appeared disappointed as he slammed back his drink. The liquid courage must have lubricated his tongue, for Cutter asked, “Your birthday is next week, isn’t it, Alex?”
Chapter Seven
Alex wiped his sweaty hands on his black jeans before gripping the gold knob to open the door. He ignored the sign stating “Closed” and tiptoed into the room identified with big red letters, “Behind the Red Door.” His eyes quickly adjusted to the large, softly illuminated gray room with red curtains, chairs, and padded tables scattered throughout.
The entire area was empty except for a few zombies that were taking part in his educational process. Lafayette and Dom Tom stood off to the side, chatting. Each of the men was decked out in the standard BDSM uniform of black leather, while their mates went shirtless. A barefoot Beau was in only a pair of faded blue jeans, his arms swallowed up in a leather arm restraint, and Talon wore only a silver dragon chastity device wrapped around his erection.
Alex refused to let the shock show on his face as he strode with purpose to where the two masters beckoned him. “Come in. Come in.”
He had no clue how to respond. He’d read the books Lafayette suggested. He’d met with both Dom Tom and Lafayette to learn the uses of each and every toy in the cabinets. All the information merged and seemed to be swimming to the surface of his brain.
Some of the books suggested he should only speak to the Masters, but not greeting their submissives seemed wrong. He’d known Talon and Beau too long, and not to acknowledge them felt odd. He decided on a basic “Hi.”
Geez, if the proper greeting took so much thought, he had no idea if he would be up to the challenge. An image of Cutter flashed through his mind, and he knew there wasn’t a choice. He’d get it right.
Beau tossed his head so his hair flew over his shoulder. “So, welcome to BDSM 101.” The cheerful note in Beau’s voice seemed incongruent with his arms being laced up behind his back in a leather elbow wrap. Talon remained on his knees, head down, while other parts were very much up.
Lafayette spoke. “As you can see, each mate needs something different. You’ll have to assist your mates in discovering what they need.” The man glided over to his submissive lover and arranged Beau’s hair.
“Thank you, Master,” Beau murmured.
“But how you give it to them is just as important,” the other man in black said.
Beau chimed in, “Though their needs can always change based on external factors such as stress, interactions with others, or a variety of other things.”
Alex surveyed the area. There appeared to be smaller rooms off the main playroom, but he couldn’t tell. He eyed the cabinets along the walls and knew the kinds of toys they held. Lafayette and Dom Tom had drilled him until he was comfortable using each one as if he were born to it.
Dom Tom cleared his throat, bringing Alex’s attention back to the present moment. “Talon has agreed to let me share some rather personal information to help demonstrate how vastly different needs can be.”
“I appreciate his willingness and yours to teach me how to meet the needs of my mates.” Alex tried to keep his face neutral and give off a calm he didn’t feel.
“Many subs need floggers, paddles, and crops.”
“Purrrrrr.” Beau batted his eyelashes at Lafayette.
“Behave,” Lafayette said with a chortle. Beau’s head dropped so his eyes stared at the floor as if his demeanor would counterbalance his happy smirk.
Thomas ran a hand up his sub’s shoulders as he walked around him. “I’ve never used any device on him save the one you see wrapped around his cock.” As if being mentioned awoke Talon’s manhood, it throbbed as a bit of fluid escaped the slit, making the dragon appear to drool. “Each sub needs a different path to subspace.”
Subspace, the blessed place of nirvana most submissives wanted to reach. “What does that feel like?” Alex directed the question at Lafayette and Dom Tom when he asked.
“Heaven.” Beau exhaled.
“May I, Master?” Talon asked softly.
“Yes, my pet. As always, please share your thoughts freely.”
“Thank you, Master.” Talon leaned into Tom’s caressing palm when it cupped his cheek for a moment, as if it gave him strength. “To me, subspace is a place of complete freedom, but I’m totally connected to my Master so I’m completely safe.”
Beau nodded his head. “Exactly. I’m out of my body, watching Lafayette tend to me.” He batted his eyelashes at his mate before adding, “And he tends to me in delicious ways.”
Lafayette clarified, “My mate needs harsh tending at times. Paddles, crops, and floggers are usual in our play. He needs to know I’m willing to do what he needs so he can fly.”
“And the orgasm afterward is heavenly.” Beau leaned in for a kiss as Lafayette checked his bondage.
Talon cocked his head to examine Beau for the briefest of seconds, but he added, “Or not orgasming at all is what some of us require.”
Alex shuddered at the thought and hoped none of his mates needed that. He’d had enough of his self-imposed denial—though delay was another matter.
Dom Tom noticed his reaction. The man seemed to miss nothing. “Not too worry, when he does get release…”
Talon interrupted with a groan, “Totally worth it.”
Beau tsked. “Yeah, I’ve only heard him.” Clearly, hearing only disappointed the man who no doubt wished to witness the fireworks firsthand.
“But don’t you need…” Dom Tom needed Talon’s male essence to survive, didn’t he?
Dom Tom imparted his wisdom. “There are ways to take seed without the pleasure.”
Talon moaned. Beau frowned. Lafayette chuckled. Alex blushed. Right, prostate milking again, something he hoped his mates didn’t require. The procedure stole the ejaculate without giving an orgasm. Or there were ways of ruining the orgasm to maintain the level of sexual need. He wanted to build and control the sexual frenzy his mates required.
Lafayette studied Beau. “Restraints are coming off.” He slowly unlaced the bindings that secured Beau’s arms. The male kept his arms together even as the leather loosened around them. When the lace snapped free of the last eyelet, Lafayette said, “You may release your arms.”
Beau’s arms were slowly guided forward with the help of Lafayette. “Mm mm, I liked that.” Lafayette rubbed the circulation back into Beau’s appendages as he checked each of Beau’s arms thoroughly.
“Alex, have you’ve read any of the books we suggested?”
“All of them.” Which wasn’t an easy task considering Uli wanted to know what Alex was reading and when he could borrow it. He had studied them when Uli slept or was in class.
“Good. Dedication is necessary.” Dom Tom seemed impressed.
“As you can tell by my dumb questions, I guess I’m still processing the information.”
“Certainly not dumb questions. You need a framework to hold the information. Shall we do a light session?” Lafayette directed his question at the other master, but Beau purred his eagerness, making everyone smile.
“Talon, are you bothered by an audience?”
“As you wish, Master,” Talon said softly through his long black hair.
“On the bench, Talon, my sweet pet.” Dom Tom stroked a hand down his mate’s back as he glided across the room to do as instructed.
Lafayette’s expression with his hands on his hips would have put terror in the hearts of most who saw him. But his mate began rubbing himself on Lafayette’s leather-covered thigh. “We’ll try out the new rings.”
“Oh yes!” Beau exclaimed and seemed to almost start clapping. “I ordered them but no one seems to be using them.” He just about skipped over to the wall where the leather cuffs dangled.
“Take off your jeans, Beau.”
“Yes, sir.” Beau chirped happily.
Chuckling, Lafayette turned to Alex. “One of the most important things to remember is to always be in control of yourself so your mate or mates can feel unencumbered. They need to be reassured you’ll watch out for the tigers so they can soar.”
“Control.” Alex repeated the word. He’d recently realized how he’d always had control in varying degrees. As he had grown up he made the choice to submit to his mother’s abuse. Some people fought to the death, but he accepted her punishments because he believed she would eventually love him for it. Having some distance and time to process his past in therapy and on his own, he realized she was incapable of love. It was as simple and complex as that. “How do I get and keep control?”
“You get control by educating yourself. Information is power. Knowledge will help you remain calm as you explore this realm and in figuring out what your mates need. Beau has yet to use the rings, but both Thomas and I practiced with them.” Alex’s intake of breath seemed to make Lafayette chuckle.
Clearly, the Dom could read the expression of concern on Alex’s face. “We used dummies. We keep lots of things in the Masters’ supply closet. You’ll be given the key when its time.” He put a hand on Alex’s shoulder as they meandered across the room. “There’s a library of books, videos, and practice supplies to assist you in furthering your knowledge.” Lafayette stared at him for a moment before adding, “Always remember we’re making choices; even inaction is a choice.”
Lafayette pulled a blindfold out of his pocket as he stalked across the room to his mate. “Variation is good with ones who would seek to top from the bottom.” He shook out the cloth, letting its distinctive snap shock Beau. He slipped the fabric over his mate’s eyes as he whispered something for Beau’s ears only.
“Yes, Master.” Beau sighed as he held still. Lafayette caressed him everywhere through the fabric of his jeans before removing them. Beau raised his hands so Lafayette could lock him into the shackles of leather. “Fayette.” Beau groaned as if they had reached the end of the session and not just the beginning.
“Impatient?” Lafayette stated rather than asked. “So needy, my baby is…isn’t he?”
“Yes, Master.” He pushed his naked rump out for more of Lafayette’s attention. Alex hadn’t seen many backsides, but Beau had one that belonged in a museum on a marble statue.