Page 3

Chapter two

Seth

I shut my office door with a grin as I accept the video call on my cell phone. “Hey there, Hunter. What’s up, man?” I’m greeted by the image of my best friend, not surprised to see the bar top of Dark Satin behind him. He’s smiling into the phone, his wavy brown hair tumbling into his face.

Hunter is one of the co-owners of Dark Satin. He opened the kink club with one of his friends, Cal, a few years back. I find it impressive how much pride the two men have in their business. Not only is the building classy and discreet, but the club also offers a variety of kinks, as well as a safe place to explore certain desires.

I glance at the time on my computer screen. The club will be open in a few hours. I also grin when I realize Wylan should be clocking in soon. I don’t know what’s gotten into Wylan lately, but he’s a little more talkative, almost playful.

If I’m not mistaken, it’s almost as if he’s been flirting with me. Impossible. I shut that train of thought down right away. How many times have I silently hoped that Wylan would see me as a potential love interest? I’ve known the man for all this time, and not once has he shown any true interest.

Usually, I’d just ask the guy out, throw my hat in the ring, and see what happens. If I get rejected, then no harm, no foul. We can both move on and I’m not left to wonder. But with Wylan, everything was different from the start. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him sitting in my restaurant, blinking up at me with those lovely blue eyes.

When he officially broke things off with asshat Carl, I could tell how wounded and fragile Wylan was. I didn’t want to push too fast, and the hidden Daddy inside of me insisted we give him space, despite my inner caveman telling me to make a move. I couldn’t even be sure Wylan wanted a Daddy, despite calling his ex that. I needed to tread carefully.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I took the extra time to get to know Wylan. He’s everything I’ve ever could have wanted in a boy and better than I ever could have imagined. Sweet, caring, and a little shy at first. If anyone is ever lucky enough to earn his trust and peel back that timid layer, they will learn that he’s actually playful and funny. Quite honestly, the man is my kryptonite.

“Hey, Seth. Thanks for picking up. I figured you’d be at work.”

I place my phone in its stand so I don’t have to hold it up, prop my shoes up on the edge of my desk, and lean back, crossing my ankles. “I am, but you know I’d always answer if I see your call. Anyway, you never call me around this time. Is everything okay?”

Hunter nods. “Look, I have Cal here with me.” Just then, Cal leans into the phone screen and waves.

I shoot the man a smile. “Oh god, what are you two up to? Did Hunter rope you into this conversation, hoping I’d say yes to whatever favor he needs?”

Cal laughs. “Actually, it’s the other way around. I was hoping your bestie here could give you a call. I need a favor. Okay, technically, Dark Satin needs a favor. I was hoping you’d swing by really quick and we can chat in my office?”

I glance at the clock again and frown. “Why can’t you just ask right now, over the phone?” Wylan should have clocked in by now, and I’d hate to miss him before I clock out for the day. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m acting more like a lovesick teen, rather than the forty-three-year-old grown man I should be. But damn, a flirty Wylan is so much fun. Seriously, why has the boy been so damn playful lately? What’s changed?

“Earth to Seth?” Hunter snorts. “You over there mooning over your employee again?”

Damn. Busted. I roll my eyes anyway and stand up, throwing on my jacket. “Fine, I’ll be over there in a few. But you two owe me.”

Cal grins at the screen. “So, you’ll do it? You’ll help Dark Satin?”

Hunter chuckles. “Nah. What he means is that we owe him for taking time out of his precious day.”

I point finger guns at the phone. “Got it in one,” I wink. “No one is bothering to tell me what this mystery favor is.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hunter says, glancing at his business partner. “I told you he’d be a hard sell.”

“Okay, I’m intrigued.”

“Good, then get your ass over here.” With that, Hunter hangs up, leaving me gawking at the black screen.

I walk out of my office and pocket my phone. My eyes immediately find the person I’m looking for. Wylan is standing by the kitchen door, chatting with Cate. Today he’s wearing a form-fitting dark blue dress shirt with subtle, barely there silver snowflakes. My eyes pause on his new haircut and color.

Every so often, Wylan changes the color of his hair. He isn’t like Jules or Noah, two boys I see at Dark Satin with their Daddies. Those two boys dye their hair wild, fun colors. But not Wylan; he changes his hair to more natural colors. The last time I saw him, it was light brown, and today, it’s strawberry blond.

He looks so fucking beautiful. Shaking my thoughts away, I stride forward with a smile.

“Good afternoon, you two. Cate, can you make your way up front and cover Wylan’s duties? I need to borrow him for something else. Bex called in sick today.”

“Sure thing, Seth,” Cate says as she makes her way up front.

Wylan’s shoulders straighten as he blinks up at me. In the past, he would have been slightly more… submissive. He used to be all adorable stuttering and rosy cheeks. I mean, he still is, but something is definitely different. Instead of dropping his eyes, his baby blues seem to sparkle.

“Wylan, would you mind overseeing the set up in VIP room three? I have to see a friend for a quick moment before running an errand.”

Wylan’s whole face lights up as if I’ve given him keys to the kingdom. “Of course, Sir.”

I shudder at his innocent words. Damn, how I’d love to hear him call me Sir while at the club.

“Good. Follow me, petal.” The nickname falls from my lips without a second thought. Internally, I wince, although it isn’t the first time I’ve called him petal at work, and I’m sure it won’t be the last time either. I glance over my shoulder and see Wylan standing there, staring down at the floor with the sweetest little smile on his face. I light up inside, knowing I put that smile there. “Let me show you the decoration package the guest requested when booking the room.”

Silently, Wylan walks by my side, never faltering at my speed. We make it back to my office, where I hand him one box and offer to carry the other for him. At first, he refuses, but I insist. Handing him the lighter box, we carry them to the other side of the restaurant and into the VIP room.

“I’ll place these on the table and you can go set that box down on the floor.” I point to the corner of the room. I about swallow my tongue when he bends in half, sticking his little round ass high in the air. When Wylan stays in that position for a beat longer than what should be considered normal, he casually glances over his shoulder. The blush on his cheeks and his subtle smile show his perfectly shy and flirtatious personality.

Damn. My boy did that on purpose. Didn’t he?

I grip my steering wheel with a white-knuckle grip as I chastise myself. Wylan is not my boy. I’m not his Daddy. I’m his mother-fucking boss, for shit’s sake. But as the image of Wylan bending over to drop that box replays in my mind, I can’t fight my attraction.

When it comes to my employee, my thoughts and feelings are always a whirlwind of emotions. I’ve known Wylan for a little over a year and a half, and since the moment I first spotted the boy, I knew I was in trouble.

A little niggle of doubt worms its way into my head. What would a beautiful twenty-eight-year-old man want with a forty-three-year-old Dom with a fondness for pain? No, Wylan is too sweet for the likes of me. I need to get over this damn crush and get thoughts of Wylan being my boy out of my head.

“So, let me get this straight. You want me to participate in a Christmas Charity Auction during Masquerade Night this weekend?”

Cal nods.

I shake my head, already coming up with a million excuses. When Hunter and Cal invited me here today, I just assumed they wanted me to teach a few extra demos. But an auction that’s literally designed to connect Daddies with their perfect boys? I don’t think so. That’s a chapter in my life that should be left closed. I ignore the little traitorous thought that pops up, telling me how much I miss being a Daddy.

“I don’t know. Why can’t you ask someone else? I know at least six Daddy Doms right off the top of my head.

Cal lets out a deep sigh. “We need another Daddy to participate in this year’s charity auction. Everyone else is busy with the holidays right around the corner.”

I arch a brow at Hunter, but he just shrugs. Every year, Dark Satin runs a charity auction. It’s a fun way for Daddies and littles to connect while giving to the community.

“Please,” Cal tries again, leaning forward in his seat. “We need another Daddy.”

My heart pounds. “I don’t see what that has to do with me,” I lie. Fuck, does he know?

Cal opens his mouth to say something else when Hunter speaks up. “Cal, do you mind if I have a moment with Seth here?”

“Sure. You two work it out. If we need to find someone else, Hunter, let me know.” Cal gets out of his seat, pats me on the back, and walks out of his office.

“A last-minute boy signed up for the auction before it closed. We need several extra Daddies to participate so that every boy is bid on. Can you imagine a cute little going up there on stage, all wide-eyed and hopeful, thinking this year will finally be the year they find a Daddy, only to not have anyone bid on them?”

Fuck. They would be devastated. An image of some faceless boy just standing there waiting for someone to bid on him replays in my mind. “You’re playing dirty, and you know it,” I growl at my soon-to-be ex-best friend.

Hunter chuckles. “Fine.” He puts his hands up in the surrender motion. “I just thought you might want first dips at bidding for this particular little submissive. He’s the one constantly on your mind, after all.”

I narrow my eyes. What the hell is Hunter playing at? “The only person who’s been on my mind lately is—” My words trail off and my body jerks forward in my seat. Is Hunter hinting that Wylan applied to participate in the Christmas Charity Auction?

“Hunter,” I hesitate. “What are you getting at?” There’s no fucking way the young man I’ve been crushing on is actually kinky and in the community. Is there?

Hope lights up in my chest, flickering in the darkness. I try to ignore it, but that’s the thing about hope; once it catches fire, it lingers or grows until it’s completely snuffed out.

A wicked smile covers his face. “You know I can’t disclose who might be up for auction. Not until their names are revealed after they unmask themselves.” He pauses, his smile growing wider. “Who knows, maybe I’ll bid on the beautiful boy for myself.”

I stand abruptly, toppling my chair over with a loud crash. “Like hell. No one gets to move in on my boy. Not until I make my feelings clear!”

“Easy, now, big guy.” Hunter pats me on the back. “I knew you’d come around.”

Then, to my utter embarrassment, Hunter laughs. “He’s in!” Hunter calls out to Cal.