Jai nuzzled Evan.
Evan swatted him.
In turn, Jai swiped back. Then, before Evan could react, he scampered over to our table. His puppy ears were askew, his tail needed to be adjusted, and he had to remove his paws to gratefully accept the glass of water Demetrius held for him. His dark-brown eyes shone brightly. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“You had fun, Buttercup?” Buttercup was Jai’s puppy name. He and Demetrius had known each other years ago, but had only reconnected when Demetrius’s son, Keegan, had attended Pride Camp in Mission City.
The camp where Jai was the director and I was the psychologist.
Hence, it was a little awkward the first time we’d run into each other here.
My boss had made me feel instantly at ease. Plus, he was only my boss during the summer months when I worked at the camp. Now, in late November, we pretty much only interacted at the club.
Jai flopped against Demetrius’s leg. “Evan wore me out.” Just a tinge of a whine.
Master Dante chuckled. “My boy is high energy. That often makes him a favorite with the other puppies.” He gazed over. “Are you all right, pup?”
Evan preened. And nodded. Then dove back into the pile.
“Oh, if you’ll excuse me. I need to see to our new arrival.” Master Dante stood, bowed, and headed toward the entrance.
I glanced that way, noted the new arrival, and turned back to watch the puppies.
Wait, do I know that guy?Slowly—discreetly—I angled myself so I could get a better look.
The guy was older. Like, significantly older than my own twenty-six. His lined face appeared weathered. Distinctive. Like a guy who worked hard.
His dark-brown hair had sprinkles of gray—the salt-and-pepper look I loved so much. His mustache and neatly trimmed beard, though, were almost white. Age was always hard to tell, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if he were almost twice my age.
I couldn’t see the color of his eyes. Perhaps bright blue like my own? Or perhaps darker—like Demetrius’s and Jai’s.
His wristband was neon yellow. Hmm, unattached puppy. Cautiously interested.
I’d never seen him here before, but this was only my third pup night. I leaned toward Demetrius. “Do you know the gentleman at the door? With Dante?”
The men were about the same height, which let me know the new pup was slightly shorter than me. He was definitely way more muscular. His biceps strained under his black T-shirt, and his forearm muscles were clear.
I had a harder time making out the shape of his thighs—what with him wearing black jeans and the club being on the darker side.
“He’s…attractive.” Demetrius set his dark sights on the man. “Is he your type?”
“I don’t really have atype.” I met the Black man’s gaze. “I’m still new to this. I mean, I know I want to be a handler, and I’ve done pickup play a couple of times in the past few months. Before that, I never felt comfortable exploring this side of myself. I wanted to finish my PhD first.” Nothing wrong with being kinky—but I wanted thedoctorin front of my name before I began exploring this side of myself, even discreetly. “I don’t want to spook him.”
“So catch Master Dante when he’s alone and ask if an introduction might be possible. Unless the guy’s got gear in his car, it doesn’t look like he’s here to play tonight. Maybe he’s new. Just getting a feel for the place.” He furrowed his brow. “I’d swear I’ve seen him before.”
“Here?”
“I’ve come about as often as you—unless you’re coming on nights when puppies aren’t playing.”
I chuckled. “One kink is enough for me. I’m not as much into BDSM or having a boy.”
“No one you’d like to spank?”
“Oh, please spank Evan.” Jai perked up. “He’s being a naughty boy.”
I laughed. “Even with Dante’s permission, I’m not certain I’d spank Evan.”
This time, Demetrius laughed. “Master Dante would totally give you permission, and Evan certainly wouldn’t complain. That boy is a submissive to both his Master and his Mistress and is still willing to bottom. Especially with newer Doms and Dommes.”
