Page 16 of Pretty ’n Peak

The whole thing felt like a fantasy.

When Austin said he wasn’t looking for someone this weekend, or maybe at all, it had been like a bucket of ice water poured on his head.

Mateo had been hoping—in this quivering, longing way that left him starstruck—that Austin was going to be his Dom for the weekend.

He got it that Austin wasn’t looking though. He believed him that it wasn’t personal. There was something sad and earnest lurking under Austin’s simple explanations.

Not that it was any of his business.

So Mateo should probably be looking for another Dom now, right?

Some of them were still untangling their chairs, not experienced enough to double up the rope like Austin had, or using the opportunity to chat up helpful subs as they worked together.

Others were scattered around the room, flirting with subs or conversing with each other.

And Austin was standing alone, head cocked to the side like he was listening to the room. So… Mateo could still talk to him, right?

That felt much safer than approaching a strange Dom.

Or standing around looking awkward. He already felt weird enough that he hadn’t dressed properly for the evening.

Mateo walked slowly back toward Austin. And… maybe let his eyes drift over the man again.

A black harness framed Austin’s pecs, three thick straps of intimidating leather over a ripple of pale skin with a sparse cluster of hair. His matching leather pants looked like they’d been painted on. Now that Mateo was farther away, he could appreciate how the buttons at Austin’s crotch protruded beyond a noticeable bulge.

For someone who didn’t come here to participate, Austin sure had the dress code down. Strong and commanding in this effortless way that made Mateo just want to lick him.

Or even better, be commanded to get down on his knees to start that licking…

That image wasn’t helping Mateo’s little erection problem at all.

When he was about three feet away, Austin’s face brightened into a full smile. “Hey, Mateo.”

“Hey,” he replied, feeling giddy with the attention.

Austin’s cheeks and chin were set off at sharp angles, his thin lips seeming to always tilt up in a smile above his trim beard. Mateo had the sense that he’d be just as sexy looking stern or angry though. His only other adornment was a silver earring. It glinted from behind a mess of dark hair that was just starting to go deliciously gray at his temples.

Most obvious were his eyes, though.

The brown depths were distorted behind thick lenses, oddly magnified in a way that felt almost too revealing.

Mateo still wasn’t quite sure how he should handle the whole… blindness thing. Should he meet Austin’s eyes even though Austin couldn’t see him in return? He didn’t want to stare, but it felt almost wrong to be watching someone without their knowledge, an unfair exchange. He tried to ignore the white cane that Austin held casually in front of him.

Mateo didn’t know anyone else who was blind, except old Mrs. Engles who mostly sat on her porch and rocked all day. Her kids came around to bring her food and take care of her.

Clearly, Austin was in a very different category. He joked about his blindness and carried himself with the same self-assured swagger as any of the other Doms in the room, even while holding the white cane in front of him.

And, fuck… watching him with that rope. It still had Mateo tingling with aimless desire. Austin had simply walked up to the chair, and after a few exploratory pats, started making crisp, sharp knots in an even lattice while most of their others were still fumbling to get started. Mateo couldn’t help but wonder what those ropes would feel like stretched across his skin.

But even more, Austin had that sense of easy assurance that Mateo always found attractive in older guys. Multiplied many times over by all of that leather and the knowledge that he was a real Dom.

Now Mateo really was staring. “So, uh, what happens next?”

“I think a contest with the subs. Jamie told me about it earlier, but I don’t remember the details.”

That seemed to be Jamie’s cue. “Hey all you sexy subs! It’s your turn now.” The announcement was met with good-natured shouts and some laughter.

Mateo turned to Jamie, attention caught again by that swish of fabric as his skirt curled around his slender thighs. Once the entrancing man had everyone’s attention, he gave a little shimmy, rocking between his natural leg and his prosthetic.