Page 37 of Pretty ’n Peak

“And how about last night? Feelings? Reflections? Likes or dislikes?”

“Hands down, best sex I’ve had in my life.”

Austin’s chest puffed up. A guy was allowed to preen a little about something like that, right?

“You were just… Fuck. It was like everything I hoped it would be, but a million times better. The pain was definitely good. God, was it good. But also the uh, um, the commands, you know? The way that you, uh, dominated me and I just got to feel, um…”

Austin was just sure Mateo was blushing now. He imagined a rosy hue under that dusky skin and thin strip of a new beard. Austin’s cock was more than just swelling now, and he would give anything to see Mateo’s face.

“Submissive?” He filled in. “Small?” He could hear a small gasp. “Treasured?”

“Yeah.” Mateo’s voice was thick. “All of those. It was like I came with my whole body. I didn’t know it could be like that.”

Austin grinned. “Oh, baby. You’re just getting started. You just wait.”

“I hardly can. I can’t believe I’ve been missing this all my life.”

Austin held back a laugh. Mateo couldn’t be that old. But he remembered that feeling so well. Being around Mateo was like experiencing it all over again. Mateo’s thrill became his. “So, are you feeling ready for tonight with Master Carlos?”

Mateo went silent, and Austin once again cursed his inability to read his body language. Was Mateo quivering with excitement? Still terrified at the thought? Something else he hadn’t even thought of? He considered recapturing his hand, like he’d done last night.

“I mean… it still feels like a pretty big step.”

Nervous, then. “If that’s how you feel, you should listen to your instincts. Just tell Master Carlos you want to do something different.”

The silence this time was even longer. What was Mateo thinking?

“Yeah, I guess I could do that.” He didn’t sound convinced.

Somehow, Mateo’s nerves had become Austin’s nerves, too. If Mateo was uncomfortable, Austin wanted to… well, all sorts of ridiculous things. Wrap him up and keep him safe. Guide him through every step. Make sure he was as nurtured and delighted as he had been last night.

But he trusted Carlos, dammit. Carlos had worked with dozens of subs, probably far more than Austin had. “Master Carlos is an understanding guy, I promise. He’s got a big personality and he sometimes forgets to let anyone get a word in. But underneath, he’s going to work to give you what you want, and he’ll be flexible about that.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“What’s worrying you, then?” Austin really wanted to grab his hand. Was he pushing him too hard?

“I guess I just… I don’t want to say no if it’s actually something I like. I could ask for something else instead, and it could be even worse. Or better. I have no idea.”

Austin nodded. This was at least the same concern from last night—familiar territory instead of something new.

“And I guess I just don’t know him. Like, I’m sure he’s competent and all that, but that’s a lot of trust to put in a stranger.”

Austin didn’t mention that he’d been a stranger last night. Though, had he been? They’d talked for a long time first. “All of those are valid concerns. I’m becoming more convinced that a public scene isn’t the right thing for you.”

“You’re probably right. But it sounds so hot.”

He chuckled. “I see.” There was his eager sub back.

No, not his sub.

Tonight Mateo would be Carlos’s sub. And after that, it wasn’t his business.

But he couldn’t help but notice what the difference was: Mateo definitely wanted to avail himself of all the delights a weekend of kink had to offer. It was really just that he needed someone he could trust. Someone who could keep him safe while he was doing it.

The idea of offering himself for that role again was tempting.

But several years of going through the motions—enacting scenes for Cam when his heart wasn’t in it, or trying with a different sub when he mostly felt disconnected—left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.