Page 168 of Pretty ’n Peak

He firmly pushed his mind back on track.

For now, he would focus on the present, and all of the kinky things he could introduce his delectable sub to.

“Hey Daddy,” a bright, deep voice called from behind him.

He spun, delighted. “Hey sweetheart. No trouble getting in?”

“None, Daddy.” Mateo crowded in close for a kiss, shirt buttons pressed against Austin’s bare chest.

God, he could taste his baby girl’s lips all night. Mateo felt like sunshine and delight, accompanied by the slightly sticky feel that he knew must be lipgloss.

“Daddy, you’re…” Mateo’s hands wandered up Austin’s tight leather pants.

He grinned. He didn’t usually dress up at home, but if it got this reaction, he’d have to do it more often. “You like it?”

“You’re like some Dom-y dream.” Mateo giggled. “I can’t believe I’m actually here.” He lowered his face to beg for another kiss.

“I’m excited to show it to you,” he whispered, finally coming up for air. “How was the gallery?”

“I signed the contract, and it sounds like Richard has everything under control. He said I should stop in next week to see everything up.”

“We will then.” Austin couldn’t wait. He’d already gotten digital photos of Mateo’s—Teo’s—stunning work, and explored them piece-by-piece on his monitors at home. “I’m so proud of you, Peach.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving early this weekend?” Mateo dropped his head to Austin’s shoulder. The way he nuzzled in always gave Austin this mingled sense of tenderness and power.

“Of course. This is a big deal.”

“I know,” Mateo sighed.

Austin gently kissed his cheek. He could feel the pain radiating off his boy in waves.

This Sunday was his nephew’s First Communion, a rite of passage that Austin didn’t know much about beyond what he’d read online, but it was clearly very important. There was going to be a huge party afterward, and Mateo had railed, more than once, against the injustices of the situation.

If he had a serious girlfriend instead of a boyfriend, his girlfriend would not only be welcomed, but almost expected to attend. Instead, there was the risk that if Austin showed up, they might both be kicked out.

In any case, Mateo would still know that he was lying when he stepped up to take Communion. That the church didn’t want him.

The only tiny small bright side was that at least Mateo wasn’t a godparent. This time. He wasn’t expected to be part of a service that he was now banned from.

The whole thing was a tangle of anger and guilt that Austin couldn’t always help him with. But he’d referred Mateo to Sebastian, Jamie’s Daddy who came from the same Mexican Catholic background, and knew they’d had their own late-night conversations.

“Would you feel better if we didn’t do anything sexual tonight?” Austin offered. It hadn’t been his plan, but Mateo’s feelings were far more important.

In answer, Mateo kissed his neck. Then he straightened, his voice coming out strong and proud. “No. Because what we are doing isn’t wrong.” He took Austin’s hands, connecting the two of them. “Our love isn’t wrong.”

Austin gently kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you, babe.” Mateo often went back and forth, confident one moment and reconsidering the next. But this was the clearest he’d ever been about that belief.

And had Mateo said love? Austin had been thinking about that word, that huge, enormous, fabulous word, for days.

Though the context was different here. Maybe more in the abstract. The queer love, as a practice, wasn’t wrong.

Not necessarily about the two of them.

But oh, he could hope.

He pulled Mateo to him, diving in for another kiss. He could feel Mateo’s arousal, and even more, that exquisite moment when Mateo went from passionately attacking his mouth to sweetly letting him take control.

God, he couldn’t get enough of him.