Beginners luck, p.13
Beginner's Luck, page 13
Aaron’s shoulder pressed into his, promising patient support. He didn’t pry. He didn’t wave away Jay’s concerns. No matter how silly Jay’s internal struggles were to someone like Aaron, he’d always take them seriously.
“I’m only a Dom when it comes to sex,” Jay blurted out. “It doesn’t work. If I date someone decisive, they don’t want to give up control in bed, and if I date someone submissive, they’re disappointed that I’m not as dominating in real life. And I’ve tried, but I hate being in charge and making decisions.”
“Do you actually hate it?” Aaron asked softly after a pause. “Or do you just think you do because you’ve convinced yourself only a certain kind of person can be in charge? Because I’ve seen you be assertive. You can do it. Sure, you’re laid-back and a people-pleaser, but that’s not the same thing as being a pushover.”
He’d have to think about it after sobering up, but maybe Aaron had a point.
“I think I want the job,” Jay admitted, surprising himself.
“Then you should take it. And cut yourself some slack in the relationship department. The people you’ve dated didn’t appreciate you for who you were, but you’ll find someone who will.”
“I will,” Jay echoed.
“There you go.” Aaron patted him on the shoulder and eyed the empty glasses on the table. “We should probably call it a night.”
“Yeah.” Jay nodded. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
As soon as they emerged from their bubble, the server appeared with the bill. Aaron thrust his credit card out without looking, and they were free to go a minute later.
“I hope you’re not driving,” Aaron said as they walked out of the bar.
“Nope, took an Uber here. Should probably order one now.”
Before Jay could unlock his phone, Aaron set a hand on his forearm. His grip lingered—firm and deliberate—like he’d just made up his mind about something important.
“I have an idea,” Aaron announced. “You’re going to the club tomorrow, right?”
“I am,” Jay answered with caution, not sure where Aaron was going.
“Let’s throw aside our bullshit and go green. Doesn’t mean we have to actually do anything we’re not comfortable with, but at least be open to it, you know?” Aaron’s eyes crinkled with contagious excitement, and Jay couldn’t find a reason to disagree.
“Let’s do it.” He whispered his agreement into the tipsy haze of the evening, just loud enough for Aaron to hear.
Whatever happened next, the status quo had been shattered.
Kink Talk
DommyBoy: So I've been to a few munches, couple of events, met some cool people in the lifestyle… What now? Is there a protocol to this? Does the Dom have to initiate a conversation?
SubScribble: I think that's a similar question to "does the man have to ask out the woman?" Some people think that way, other people do whatever they want.
DomPetty: It would be so much easier if a sub would just come up to me and whisk me away.
SubAir: From what I've witnessed at my club, the subs definitely go after what they want. Sometimes quite aggressively.
DomicronPersei8: I've had plenty of subs express interest, so it definitely happens.
DommyBoy: Did I miss something? Are you hooking up left and right? We need details.
DomicronPersei8: I said they expressed interest. I didn't say I returned it.
SubZero: Oooh, someone is being picky.
SubLily: There’s nothing wrong with being particular about who you choose.
DommyBoy: Forget that, I’d settle for anyone at this point. I just want my first time behind me.
SubAir: Ehh. I don't think I could have a scene with a stranger. I'd definitely need to build up some trust first.
DomAndDommer: Why does this sound like you’re talking about losing your virginity?
DommyBoy: That's kinda what it is…
SubSequins: I'm going against the grain here, but I want my first time to be completely anonymous, so if it goes horribly sideways, I never have to see them again.
DomicronPersei8: Yeah, I think I’ve had enough meaningless hookups. Maybe it’s time to hold out for something special.
SubAir: Take your time.
SubAir: Said the oldest person in the room.
SubZero: I've never shared my age. For all you know, I'm about to hit triple digits.
DomPetty: If that's true, I will travel to wherever you are and give you the ride of your lifetime. Gently, on account of your brittle bones.
DommyBoy: This conversation has been extremely unhelpful.
Chapter 17
AARON
The package arrived just in time.
“That looks important,” an older man sorting through the mail chuckled as Aaron grabbed his box. “Cookies from home?”
“Something like that.” Aaron hugged it to his chest and hurried to his apartment.
He’d done some online shopping after visiting Suede Dreams with Jay. Clicking through the enticing categories with growing excitement—Bodysuits, Clubwear, Roleplay, Stockings—he berated himself for never thinking of it before. His online cart quickly filled up with all the sexy clothing and accouterments he’d always been curious about, and now everything was here, just in time for his big debut. The first time he would put on the green bracelet and turn years of fantasy into reality.
A silent hope bloomed in Aaron’s chest—the possibility of ending the night with Jay, the gorgeous, sweet man who was quickly becoming a close friend. But that wasn’t why Aaron had made his impulsive suggestion.
Jay had revealed some insecurities that made Aaron’s heart hurt. He wanted to help Jay see what a catch he was. Even if he didn’t choose Aaron. As long as Jay finally realized just how much he had to offer to a lucky someone, it would be worth it.
And in the meantime, Aaron would do his best to be that lucky someone.
He dumped the contents on the bed and sorted through the pile. The skirt was a given, especially after the reaction it elicited from Jay, and the rest of the outfit would have to come together around it.
Before trying anything on, he needed to shower. He stood under the spray, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of the week and flow over his hair, massaging his scalp. He considered shaving his legs, eventually deciding against it. It wasn’t his style. He enjoyed playing up the contrast between feminine and masculine—his small frame in a power suit, the shine of lip gloss against his five-o’clock shadow, smooth silk rubbing against his chest hair.
After a thorough shower, he dried off and put on the skirt. The fit was perfect, soft leather caressing his waist and whispering against his thighs as he moved. His daring plan of going commando didn’t last long, as his cock began to fill out and tent the skirt as soon as he glanced at himself in the mirror.
He rifled through the individually wrapped pieces on the bed until he found what he was looking for. The red, lacy thong had been a last-minute addition to the cart, an impulse buy that Aaron didn’t actually think he’d ever wear, but the idea of owning it had been too enticing to resist.
He shimmied the silky fabric up his thighs and strolled back and forth across the bedroom to test out the fit. It didn’t provide much coverage, barely containing his erection. Cool air swirled around the usually-covered skin with every step, a completely new sensation that only added to his excitement. Feeling adventurous, he plucked a black mesh shirt out of the pile and carefully slipped it on. Coarse fibers rubbed against his nipples, causing an unexpected moan to ripple out of his chest.
Coming back to the mirror to examine the results, he stared at his reflection, his breath hitching in his throat. The man staring back at him looked utterly phenomenal. The perfect fit of the skirt, the bits of skin teasing behind the mesh, the soft curves of his bare thighs. But the biggest difference wasn’t the clothing—it was the expression on his face. He looked flushed with desire, his eyes wild, his lips parted from heavy breathing.
He gave his reflection a sly smile and ran his hands down his body. Tonight would be his night.
After throwing on black combat boots he’d had since college and forcing his trembling hand to stay still while he put on his signature eyeliner, he wrapped himself in a long trench coat and left the apartment. The confidence he radiated needed to be bottled up for the night ahead to let him take the leap he’d been waiting for.
It was just another Friday night at the club, but the air seemed to crackle with energy as soon as Aaron stepped through the entrance. He abandoned his trench coat and phone at the coat check, squared his shoulders, and grabbed a green bracelet to go with the white one on the way inside. Everything was a little askew, slightly out of sync with reality as he took his first steps into the unknown. He was terrified and elated at the same time, floating across the club in a trance.
Even if he hadn’t seen himself in the mirror, the admiring glances were all the proof he needed that he’d made the right choice with the skirt. A few familiar faces sent him sultry winks as he moved through the crowd, and he returned their smiles without stopping.
It was dizzying. He’d never had so many people give him flirty looks, and all he wanted was sit down and take a few deep breaths while waiting for Jay.
Except Jay was already there. His eyes followed Aaron’s movements as Aaron approached, and he rose to his feet when Aaron stopped in front of him.
Neither of them spoke, too busy drinking in each other’s presence.
Jay was breathtaking. His suit could have come straight out of Aaron’s closet, except Aaron’s were tailored to emphasize his lithe frame, while Jay’s magnified his commanding presence.
The charcoal fabric strained at his broad shoulders, and the crisp white of the shirt underneath provided a stark contrast, resulting in a formal, almost severe presence. The perfectly knotted dark tie disappeared under the top button, making Aaron vibrate with the urge to trace it down Jay’s muscular chest.
He’d never considered what his perfect Dom might wear, envisioning a generic outline of shiny leather or latex. Seeing Jay made all those other fantasies disappear. Aaron knew with complete certainty that going forward, his every daydream would include the perfect combination of harsh lines and a soft smile.
“I was so fucking right about that skirt.” Jay broke the silence, his voice low and hoarse. He reached out to trail the back of his hand down Aaron’s arm, following the texture of the mesh.
“You look fucking hot,” Aaron returned the compliment, shivering from Jay’s light touch. “Did you do that knot yourself? Because that tie is probably the hottest part of the whole thing.”
Jay’s eyes danced with amusement as the corners of his lips tugged up. It wasn’t the wicked grin of a Dom, but the tender, playful expression he seemed to reserve for Aaron. “You say the sweetest things. I watched a YouTube video.”
Aaron took the chance to lean in and touch the tie, brushing his fingertips down its length. “Looks good,” he whispered.
Their gazes locked. Mere inches separated them, neither of them making a move to pull back, the air between them charged with possibility. The moment stretched into eternity, and it might have gone on forever if not for somebody rushing up to Jay.
“Holy shit, dude, you’re wearing a green bracelet!” A slim man wearing body glitter and denim cutoffs clapped his hands together and checked Jay out with clear intention. “I’m so starting a betting pool of who you’re going to destroy first.”
He flitted away as quickly as he appeared, no doubt hurrying off to tell everyone else about Jay’s sudden availability. Aaron stepped away with a resigned sigh, their silent connection broken. “I suppose this is where we part. You have many hopeful subs to destroy.”
“Yeah…” Jay trailed off, and a flare of possessiveness shot through Aaron. He wanted Jay for himself, but that wasn’t the deal they’d made.
“Do you want to check in later tonight?” he asked with hope in his voice, immediately rewarded by the relief on Jay’s face.
“Let’s do that. I want to see you one more time before someone sweeps you away.”
Aaron shook his head. “Don’t be silly. What do you think, an hour?”
Jay shifted on his feet and squared his shoulders, his sharp suit and stern demeanor making him an imposing presence that towered over everyone else. A hot coil of desire unfurled inside Aaron, stirred by how small and weak he felt next to Jay’s powerful body despite them being almost the same height.
Jay leaned in, his breath brushing along the exposed nerves of Aaron’s neck, and murmured, “I will find you.”
He disappeared into the crowd, leaving Aaron feeling off-balance. He considered sitting down on the couch to do some deep breathing but didn’t get a chance before someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Aaron,” Alex purred and wound his arm around Aaron’s waist. Coming from anyone else, that behavior would be too forward, but everyone knew Alex was a huge flirt and completely harmless. As harmless as a Dom could be, anyway. He’d been the first person to express interest in Aaron on his first night here, and he seemed just as interested tonight. “I see you’ve changed your colors.”
“Mhmm. What do you got?” Aaron flashed Alex a flirty smirk. A part of him was uneasy, wishing it were Jay touching him instead, but that wasn’t fair to Alex, who was a nice guy and a popular choice among the solo subs at the club. Aaron could do worse.
“Ooh, feeling bratty? I’m in the mood for a spanking tonight.” Alex raised an eyebrow and tightened his grip slightly, waiting for Aaron’s response.
“I don’t really do bratty.” Aaron wiggled away. “And I definitely don’t do punishments. Sorry, Alex, I don’t think this was meant to be.”
Alex shrugged and gave him a good-natured squeeze on the arm. “You should think about it—you’d make a good brat. But you do you.”
The next few conversations were a variation of the same thing. Everyone who came up to him was perfectly nice. No one was pushy or overbearing. No one asked for anything outlandish or inappropriate.
And no one offered Aaron what he wanted. His heart sank as, one after another, they all assumed Aaron was a brat.
It wasn’t a dynamic he found appealing for himself. It worked for many others, and it was hot in porn, but he just didn’t see himself as bratty. He knew what he liked and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind—that didn’t seem like something to be punished for.
As much as he yearned for someone to force him to submit, to put him on his knees and take away his control, he couldn’t imagine actually surrendering to any of these people.
Except for one.
Leaning against the bar between the chats, Aaron kept zeroing in on Jay, who was easy to spot, his presence too magnetic to ignore. He never stayed alone as people kept approaching him, touching him, flashing coy smiles, making their interest obvious. Even Gordon tried his luck, though Jay’s exasperated look shut him down quickly.
Unfortunately, others were more successful. Each time Jay leaned in close to whisper into someone’s ear, Aaron’s stomach clenched and twisted.
“Are you open to play tonight?”
Aaron tore his eyes away from the gorgeous young woman batting her eyelashes at Jay and focused on the tall, shirtless man in front of him. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he waited for Aaron to respond.
“Depends on what you’re looking for,” Aaron said defensively.
The man chuckled and shook his head. “I get the feeling that no matter what I say, it won’t be what you want to hear.”
Aaron’s eyes darted over to the spot where Jay had been standing. Empty. His stomach lurched, frustration and longing sinking their claws into him.
“I think you’re right,” he admitted. “I’m sorry, I’m having an off night.”
“No need to apologize. Maybe next time.”
“Maybe. Good luck tonight.” Aaron mustered a smile and pushed away from the counter, heading to the restroom. Ironically, it was the quietest corner of the club. No need to sneak a quick blowjob in a dirty stall when everywhere else was an option.
Not that the stalls were dirty. Every surface was sparkling clean despite the heavy crowd tonight. There must have been an entire cleaning team on standby.
He waited a few minutes to calm down, dabbing his face with a damp paper towel, before walking back into the chaos. The feeling of floating on air was gone. Looking hot turned out to be pointless, wasted on the men who approached him with all the wrong suggestions. The sweet brush of leather against his thighs was no longer exciting, and the thin mesh was making him itchy. His head pulsed, the weight of disappointment settling across his chest.
It was time to go.
He searched the crowd for Jay, hoping to say goodbye, but he was nowhere to be seen. Must have slipped away to a dark corner with some lucky sub. Aaron didn’t want to witness any part of that scenario. He’d text Jay when he got home.
He made his way to the door, ripping the bracelet off his wrist to head off any more pick-up attempts. Almost to the entrance, a pair of strong hands encircled his waist and stopped him short.
“Going somewhere?” Jay’s rich voice was dangerous in his ear. “I thought we had an agreement.”
Aaron turned around, not fighting against the hold. “I didn’t see you, so I figured you found someone to play with. I was going to text you later.”
Jay’s gaze fell to Aaron’s hand where he held the bracelet, and his grip on Aaron’s hips tightened. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” Aaron assured him. “I’m just not feeling it.”
Jay ran his hands up Aaron’s sides, stopping at his shoulders. “Tell me.”
Aaron pursed his lips and shook his head. He’d had enough of sharing his issues with Jay. Jay wasn’t his therapist.
Jay seemed to disagree. “Tell me,” he repeated, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles on Aaron’s skin.
