"If you really want to try being my sub, we're going to have to talk."
"Okay," Mason said. He almost sounded relieved, like he was glad they weren't going to launch straight into sex games.
David began to stroke Mason's arm. Resisting the young man was going to be hard, but he had to, for the well-being of both of them.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yeah," Mason said, resting his head on David's shoulder. He draped his arm over David's chest. "I can't promise to be into it, but I'll try."
David would take that. He himself had been apprehensive as all hell when he first tried BDSM stuff. A woman he'd dated, Joanna, had loved being a sub and had convinced him to be her Dom. He'd agreed and was surprised when she hooked him up with another Dom she knew so he could spend some time as a sub himself. Like he'd told Mason, he wasn’t massively into it, but it turned out that he loved being a Dom. According to Joanna, he was good at it, too. Playing out sexual fantasies gave him a thrill. Not all of his partners since then were into it, but he tried to choose ones who were, especially if he was after more than a quick fuck. And he definitely wanted to have a more meaningful relationship with Mason.
What was it about the young man that attracted him? Sure, Mason was a good-looking guy, especially those eyes. Staring into them was enough to make David weak at the knees. Mason being half his age was probably part of it, too—that this vibrant young man could choose to be with him was a real turn-on. But there was also Mason's openness and honesty. Mason said what he was thinking and didn't guard any part of his life. That kind of behaviour was paramount for a successful and healthy Dom/sub relationship.
"As long as you're honest with me," David told him. "If something isn't working, tell me." He cupped Mason's face in his hand, encouraging Mason to lift his head so they could make eye contact. "We have to be honest with each other. We have to communicate."
"Think you could hammer that point home any more?" Mason asked, laughter in his voice.
David kissed his forehead. "Okay, I'll move on."
"You do that." Mason dropped his head back down.
David loved that sassiness, too. The almost brattish behaviour. He caught himself wondering if Mason would choose to be a brat during their fantasies, or if the danger of being punished would be too much for him.
"We need to talk about what we both like doing," David said. "And what we won't do, no matter what. We need to set limits."
Mason frowned. "How do I know what I'd like to do if I haven't tried it before?"
"Think about what you'd like to try," David suggested. "Or we can start with stuff you're bound to have done."
"Like…?"
"Well, I know you like to be fucked over a table," David chuckled.
"Yeah," Mason agreed, his voice almost purring out of his throat. "I definitely enjoyed that."
"You enjoy giving head."
"Yes." Mason frowned. "But you don't."
"No."
Mason hadn't complained that David never sucked him off, which meant he was satisfied with the things David had done—like making him cum so hard that he practically passed out after every lovemaking session.
Mason glanced up at him, his blue eyes sparkling. "You don't like taking cock at all, then?"
"Is that a problem?"
Mason shrugged. "You don't have a problem finding other ways to make me cum."
"Like rimming you?" David asked.
Mason shivered. "Another thing you like to give but not take?"
"I'm okay with rimming," David said. "But not penetration. I might order you to lick me down there." It was something he hadn't asked for yet, but would while Mason was acting in a submissive role.
Mason slipped his hand beneath David's shirt to stroke his side. "I'm not sure I understand why you like to give but not take."
"You think I'm missing out?"
Mason nodded.
"Maybe I am," David said with a sigh. "But trust me, over the years, I've had a very fulfilling sex life with both men and women. The only sexual encounters I had that I didn't enjoy were when I was on the receiving end of a man. I just don't enjoy it."
"You'll go down on a woman?" Mason asked. "But not a guy?"
"It's very different," David said with a half-smile.
"No! Really?"
The mock shock in Mason's voice made David laugh loudly, the sound starting in his belly. "You've never wanted to be with a woman?" David asked, curiosity taking him even further off-topic.
"Nope. Never."
"You always knew you were gay?"
"Not exactly. I never fancied girls. I didn't really fancy guys, either, until I met Adam." Mason clamped his lips shut.
"Adam?"
"My first boyfriend. I learned ballet at his parents' dance school. As the only two boys there, we got real close, real quick."
"But?"
"We went different ways. I joined Emotion in Motion, and he stayed to help out at the dance school. We're still friends, if you're wondering—good friends—but neither of us is interested in sleeping with the other anymore." He tickled David's side. "Not jealous, are you?"
"Maybe a little."
"He's in a long-term relationship," Mason told him.
"Any other exes I should know about?"
"None that matter. Have you? Aside from your two ex-wives, that is?"
"None that matter." Which was true. "What about things you'd like to try?" David asked, needing to get them back on track before the evening wore on into night. They both had to be up and at the studio early—Mason more so than David, so he would have plenty of time to warm up.
Mason didn't reply immediately, and David was happy to give him time to think.
"Everything is open to negotiation all of the time," he said softly when he felt the silence had stretched too long. "Just because something is on your 'maybe' list now, doesn't mean you can't move it to a 'no way in hell' list later."
"And vice versa?" Mason asked. "'Cause I might be more up for stuff when I'm feeling braver about the whole thing."
"And vice versa," David said, hugging Mason close.
"Like I said, other than what you've told me and the suggestions you've already made, I don't really know what I'm getting myself into. We might need to revisit these lists a lot."
"Absolutely," David said. "We'll keep communicating. I promise."
"You said you wanted to blindfold me…" Mason's voice trembled a little. "And tie me up…"
"But do you want me to?" David asked.
"I'm open to trying."
David's heart skipped at that. "I mentioned sensory play, too," he said, nuzzling Mason's hair with his nose.
Christ, he wanted to strip Mason naked and devour him, but he had to hold back.
"Okay."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"And spanking?"
Mason stiffened in his arms. "I think that's on my 'no way' list right now." He winced. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry." David kissed Mason's forehead. "I'll just have to come up with other ways to punish you." And he'd definitely relish that challenge. "We need a safe word. And if you really are going to let me tie you up, a non-verbal signal, too."
"Wouldn't 'no' suffice?" Mason asked.
David shook his head. "In some games, having you say 'no' and ignoring you would be part of the fantasy. We need something neither of us would normally say during sex or sex play. Like… flamingo?"
Mason snorted. "Flamingo?"
"Is that a word that normally comes out of your mouth during sex?" David asked. "Do you say 'flamingo' instead of talking dirty?"
"No." Mason chuckled. "Fine. Flamingo it is."
"And for a non-verbal signal, blink your eyes three times."
"You'll see that?" There was clear doubt in Mason's voice.
"Yes," David promised him. "I'll be watching you very closely. Don't worry about that." He pushed Mason upright and rubbed his upper arms. "We'll be acting out fantasies. I n
eed you to remember that." He tapped Mason's temple. "Keep it in your head. I'll say and do things that might make you think less of me. I'll call you names that might make you feel ashamed of yourself. I might use explicit language—"
"What? More than you normally do?" Mason cut in, grinning.
David laughed. "Yes. I might also use a stricter or nastier tone of voice, one you’re not used to." He paused and watched Mason carefully, making sure his words weren’t making the young man anxious. "I might be rougher than I normally am."
"Like when you made love to me over the table?"
David nodded. "But it's part of the game. It’s not who I really am. Okay?"
Mason nodded.
"And afterwards, we'll take care of each other. We'll talk things over if we need to." David ran the back of his hand down the side of Mason's face. "This kind of sex play can be really exhilarating, like a drug high." He paused as Mason's lips pressed into a frown.
"I've never done drugs."
"Not even strong painkillers after an injury?"
Mason tipped his head from side to side. "Yeah, okay, you've got me there."
"The high is amazing, but the come-down can be brutal. Which is why we need to be there for each other, okay?"
"Yes."
"Most of the time, it'll be me taking care of you. Making sure you're okay physically and emotionally. But sometimes I'll be the one who needs looking after."
Mason stroked his chest. "I can do that."
David smiled. "I know you can." He dragged Mason to him for a kiss. "Give me your phone number."
Mason bit his lower lip. "Is that a good idea?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"We're being discreet."
"Discreet, not secretive," David reminded him. "Give me your number."
Mason pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it and handed it to David, who tapped his name and number in. When he was finished, David locked the phone and handed it back to Mason.
"When I'm ready to play with you, I'll text you instructions."
Mason's eyebrows shot up. "Instructions? What kind of instructions?"
"I might tell you to strip off and wait for me in a certain place or position." David licked his lips. "Or both. Or I might tell you to have something else ready for me, like a meal. Or to be cleaning your flat when I arrive, wearing nothing but rubber gloves." He tipped forward to kiss Mason again. "And I expect you to do as I say. Uncooperative brats get punished, remember?"
Mason huffed out a breath. "I remember."
"There's one other thing we need to talk about."
Mason raised his eyebrows.
"In case you haven't realised, me asking you to be my sub means I'm serious about being with you." He loved the way Mason's eyes widened, almost with shock, definitely with happiness. "Which means we should tell Veronica we're together."
"N—"
David pressed his hand over Mason's mouth, silencing him. "She should know. I'm not talking about telling anyone else, just our boss." He narrowed his eyes a fraction. "If we're going to commit to one another more fully, we have to do it the right way. Letting Veronica know we're a couple is the courteous thing to do. She won't tell anyone else. But I'm not going to tell her without your consent."
Mason stuck his tongue out and swiped it over David's hand, making him laugh and pull away.
"Brat," David chuckled. He'd never had a bratty sub before, but it excited him that Mason might go down that route.
"You said that what we do behind closed doors is no one's business but our own."
"That's true. I'm not suggesting we tell her what we're up to. But if things go wrong between us, it might affect us both at work."
Mason shook his head. "I can keep my private and work lives separate. You said you could, too."
David sighed. He'd guessed Mason would be difficult about this. "It won't affect your position in the company," he promised. "Veronica won't have a problem with us being together."
"You don't know that." Mason's eyes darkened as they silently pleaded with David.
"I'll make sure she doesn't have a problem with you," David said slowly. "You're an amazing dancer. Veronica knows that. She isn't going to make your life difficult just because we're screwing each other. I promise. But we should tell her."
Mason hung his head and hunched his shoulders. It looked like miserable agreement, but David couldn't be sure Mason wasn't just trying to come up with a counter-argument.
"We have to be open and honest. Not just with each other, but with the people whom our relationship affects," David said softly.
"Okay," Mason whispered, flopping against David's chest. "I know you're right. I know it's the right thing to do. But that doesn't mean I need to be happy about it or that I can be the one to do it."
"I will," David said. "Now, as much as I'd like to fuck you right now, I'm going to send you home."
Mason sat up and stared at David. "Really?"
"Eager, are you?"
"For you, yes."
David laughed. God, Mason was so hard to resist. "Go home," he ordered. "You've got an early start."
Mason sighed. "Yeah, I know." But he didn't move.
David pushed Mason until he was standing. "Go."
Mason left without another word.
David listened until he heard the soft thud of his front door closing and the sharp click of the Yale lock. Then he lay back down on the sofa, grinning from ear to ear.
Mason wanted to sub for him. Thank fucking God.
Chapter Fifteen
Mason
Not knowing when David was going to get in touch with him again, Mason concentrated on dancing for the next few days. He loved to dance, but he was starting to dread going into the studio each morning for rehearsals because he knew Kirk would always be there. Their characters never encountered one another on stage, yet somehow Kirk managed to cross paths with Mason several times each day to deliver a searing comment about Mason's form in a low tone that no one else could hear. Mason tried not to let it get to him. He knew Kirk was trying to psych him out, but each comment hurt more than he wanted to admit.
During their breaks, Kirk would stare at him from the other side of the room, a sly smile slicing across his face. If they passed each other in the studio or the corridor, Kirk always managed to jostle into him, hard. Mason knew he should have done something about it, but his relationships with the other dancers were too tenuous. He could put up with one guy bullying him, but he wouldn't be able to cope if they all turned against him. If he left BalletEast after only one season—or worse, sooner—it would look terrible on his CV. So he bit his tongue, kept his head down, and worked as hard as he could.
He was starting to make friends. Many of the dancers would happily chat with him and eat lunch with him, but he still hadn't felt the level of camaraderie he had during his time at Emotion in Motion. He missed it. Switching to a static company was supposed to leave him feeling less weary, and he did—physically, anyway. He'd even put a few pounds back on. But emotionally? He felt utterly drained by the end of each day.
On Thursday lunchtime, he was waved over to join a group that included Kirk. He should have stayed away, but he went over in an attempt to make an effort. Just because Kirk was being antagonistic towards him didn't mean he couldn't rise above it.
"What do you think of the new girl?" Grant, one of the leading soloists, asked Alan once they'd exhausted talking about the morning's rehearsals. "Are you going to go there?"
Six weeks in, and Mason and Gemma were still thought of as 'new'. He guessed that was how they'd be treated for the entire season or until another dancer joined the company.
Alan gazed over at Gemma before shaking his head. "I don't fuck redheads."
The small group of dancers all laughed, except Mason, who couldn't bring himself to join in. He'd never liked hearing people being talked about like a slab of meat. Besides, Gemma was his friend.
"What's up, Mason?" Kirk asked a litt
le too loudly. "Do you want to screw her?"
"No."
Kirk nudged his arm. "She's hot, though, right?"
"You like redheads, Kirk?" Alan asked.
"Oh, yeah. I'd do her." Kirk thrust his arms back and forth a couple of times, fists clenched, eliciting another round of laughter. "Have you got a girlfriend, Mason?"
"No."
"Look around," Kirk said. "There's loads of gorgeous girls here. You could take your pick." He leaned in close. "Which one do you want to fuck?"
Mason had never hidden his sexuality, but he didn't broadcast it, either. Straight guys didn't introduce themselves as straight, so why should he introduce himself as gay?
"I don't sleep with other dancers." Which was still true. David wasn't a dancer anymore.
"Well, aren't you the virtuous one," Kirk sneered.
"Leave it," Alan cautioned. He turned to Mason. "You've got it right. There's too much drama involved in sleeping with people you work with."
"Doesn't stop you," Grant scoffed.
Alan thumped him on the shoulder. "Yeah, well, I can be a fucking idiot at times. I think with my dick, not with my brain." He nodded over to Cara. "It was a real pain in the arse pretending we had chemistry on stage after we broke up, when we were dancing Cinderella."
"Oh, I remember. She kept giving you evils every time you guys dropped out of character."
"Who broke up with who again?" Kirk asked. "I heard she dumped you."
Alan snorted. "No one dumps me, especially not Cara."
"So, why don't you have a girlfriend?" Kirk asked, zeroing in on Mason again.
Mason shrugged. "Too busy."
"Is that code for, 'I can't get it up'?"
Mason felt his face flush.
"Or because girls think you're too fucking ugly to want to sleep with you?"
Mason looked away, clenching his teeth. Kirk was trying to rile him up and get a reaction out of him. He just needed to ignore the jibes.
"I bet you have to pay girls for sex."
"Give it a rest," Alan said.
"Or guys," Grant chimed in, ignoring Alan.
Without really meaning to, Mason hunched his shoulders.
Love on Pointe Omnibus Page 28