Page 5

Chapter four

Seth

A n electric, excited atmosphere fills the club. It’s always like this on Masquerade Night, but there’s something different about today. The energy is almost playful and cheerful as the charity auction begins. Hunter kicks things off by introducing each boy.

Everyone around us is smiling and singing along to Christmas Carols.

Usually, Masquerade Night is filled with mystery and intrigue. It’s a night for beginner kinksters, or people who don’t want to disclose their identity to play. The night is always filled with hope and excitement.

It’s a night when many people who have never been able to explore their kinky side are finally allowed to come out and play, to test the waters. Since Dark Satin is an exclusive high- end club, the owners vet the applications and background checks thoroughly. Most would be surprised how many rejections both Cal and Hunter issue out. Both owners take a lot of pride in having one of the safest clubs out there.

“Are you excited about tonight?” Kingston asks from his seat next to me. When I told my friend that I was attending, I was shocked to find out he was too. He said that there were several boys and their Daddies who were participating. It’s a great way for their boys to walk the stage as their partners bid on them for charity. We both know that some couples thought this would be a fun way to find a third, or even an extra play partner, but I know Kingston and Jamie are exclusive.

“I am excited.” I readjust my mask before taking a sip of my bourbon. The woodsy notes of vanilla and caramel coat my tongue and warm my throat.

“You know, I’m a little shocked that you’re participating. I always knew you had a nurturing side, but I didn’t realize you considered yourself a Daddy.”

“My last boy passed years ago,” I reply, softly. With Hunter being the exception, it’s the first time I’ve admitted it to anyone here in Olivia Cove. “It didn’t feel right trying to explore that side of me when he was gone.”

Kingston frowns. “I’m sorry to hear that. Are you okay?”

The question startles me. But what’s even more shocking is my answer. Yes. I’m fine. Better than fine. I take a moment to analyze my feelings, and realize I have a certain boy to thank for helping me heal. Ever since I met Wylan, he’s lit me up and given me hope.

“Yeah. I am okay. It was years ago. It might have taken a really long time to not feel the daily pain. But I’m okay now. Although, I still have my moments where it hurts, like on his death anniversary.”

Kingston nods, swiping a hand through his long wavy black hair. “Death is like that. We don’t ever fully get over it but we slowly heal until things are okay again. The occasional day or moment likes to sneak up on us, but we push through.”

I nod, wondering who he lost.

“Like I said, it didn’t feel right trying to explore that side of me.”

“But it does now?”

I hum, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.

“Let me guess,” Kingston says with a grin. “There’s a certain boy who makes it worth exploring again?”

I glance at my friend.

Kingston is smiling, his brown eyes sparkling. The man really is handsome with a tall, thick build, and a round middle. He looks like a Filipino version of Jason Momoa.

“You could say that.” I smile.

Wylan pops into my mind’s eye. Images of us together flicker through my mind like a slideshow. What would it feel like to come home to him every night? To see him when I first wake up, and cook him breakfast? What would it feel like to hold him in my arms as we watch a movie?

To call him my boy…

Yes, I admit, its strange to think about all the PG things I want to do with Wylan while I’m sitting in the middle of a kink club. But as I wait for him to cross the stage, I know I want more than just one date. More than just sex. I want a relationship with Wylan.

This has been a year and half in the making.

Hunter walks back onto the stage after the next couple leaves. “This next boy I’d like to introduce is a unique one, and he wants all the Daddies out there to know it.”

A few chuckles come from the audience.

Hunter playfully tsks the crowd. “Now, now. Don’t go assuming he’s a brat, because as far as I know this boy isn’t one. He’s new here to Dark Satin, mostly visiting on Masquerade Night. This boy is sweet, and a little shy, but once you break the ice, he becomes more playful.”

A small smile touches my face.

“He’s caring and kind. And he might even have a bit of a service kink worth exploring.”

A few murmurs break out around the Daddies. A submissive with a service kink is one that gets pleasure from serving his Dom, for anticipating his wants, and if possible, even being a few steps ahead so that he can anticipate his Dom’s needs. It isn’t always sexual, but sometimes it is.

As a pleasure Dom, myself, I understand that high someone can get in making their partner happy.

“This particular boy doesn’t consider himself a little, since he doesn’t fully regress to any specific age, but he does have what he likes to call ‘ little tendencies .’ He loves to cuddle with his stuffies, especially on a tough day, and he likes to wear certain outfits according to his mood. He even loves to play with his friends who are into pet play and age play, even if he isn’t in that same state of mind.” Hunter’s voice becomes more hushed, almost serious as he stares out into the crowd. His gaze lands on mine, and I’m suddenly sitting forward.

It’s then I realize that this particular boy’s introduction has been the longest. I get the feeling that Hunter—like a good Daddy—is protecting this boy. He’s probably outlining everything this boy mentioned in his application, making it very clear that this boy needs to be seen for who he is.

“This boy doesn’t like to be put into a box. He doesn’t want any Daddy to tell him how to play, or to force him to act a certain age.”

My chest grows tight imagining this boy trying to find a Daddy, only to have some asshole trying to mold him into their picture of a perfect boy. It’s unacceptable, and by the few angry murmurs from the crowd, several Daddies agree. Hunter and Cal did a really good job accepting their exclusive members.

“I know, I know,” Hunter’s smile returns. “You’ve heard enough from me. But there’s just one more note that this boy would like you to know. If he feels safe, then, this boy enjoys a little bite of pain when turned on. Without further ado, number nine, will you join us on the stage?”

His smile is bright as he walks onto the stage, practically skipping. In the distance, I can vaguely hear all the people backstage cheering and singing—distracting all the other boys as they wait their turn. All the blood rushes to my head as I recognize that pretty smile. The lace mask does nothing to hide his identity, and I get the feeling he did that on purpose.

Wylan is a cute little thing in his sparkling green short shorts. His crop top shows off his toned figure in a way I’ve never seen before, and I feel myself hardening at the sight of him. But it isn’t just his body that I’m appreciating. No, it’s his enthusiasm, that sense of happiness that’s radiating off him.

He looks so jovial and free.

Wylan bites his bottom lip. It’s a shy, seductive tug that seems to rile up his audience, as Daddies all around me start to bid. Once again, Wylan has me frozen in disbelief.

Hunter’s words replay in my head.

Wylan scans the crowd as if searching for someone, and I briefly hope he’s looking for me. Taking a deep breath, I let all the eager Daddies bid on my boy until there are only three or so people caught in a bidding war.

When the bids start to slow, I calmly hold up my sparkly paddle and spit out some ungodly number.

The crowd grows silent, except for one tiny gasp from up on stage. I remove my mask, and stand up, just as Hunter announces me as the winner.

When Wylan’s eyes meet mine and his face breaks out into a huge grin, I know deep down I was the one he was searching for. Wylan was looking for me.

To my delight, as soon as I walk up on stage to claim my boy, Wylan rushes forward and throws himself into my arms, wrapping his slim legs around my waist.

I wrap my arms around him and place a gentle claiming kiss on his temple.

“Thank you for bidding on me, Daddy.” He whispers the last word into my ear, before biting my lobe. That little extra bite of pain has me groaning in shock.

Wylan continues to surprise me.