First time visiting a sex shop at age twenty-nine. I wondered what that said about me. This entire trip had been a medley of firsts, which was funny because LA had plenty to offer when it came to…how had Wyatt put it? Kinky shit. I’d just never sought it out. I’d stumbled upon my photography gig with Clay and though I took my work seriously, I’d never thought seriously about reenacting any of the scenes he came up with. Number one, I hadn’t had a significant other in three years and even if did, I would never have had the balls to admit to half the things that turned me on. Like getting spanked by a hunky construction worker while he jacked me off. I stared at his wrist on the wheel of his pickup truck and gulped. What was it about a strong hand with thick fingers and veins that got my motor running? Knowing those fingers had been inside me was—wow.
I shifted in my seat and glanced out the passenger window, but it was difficult to see through the pouring rain. The windshield wipers were working overtime too. I had my doubts about venturing out in this weather, but Wyatt insisted we’d be fine. Apparently, the worst of the initial storm system had passed, and we had a few hours until the next one was expected to hit, ideally after my flight took off. And no, I didn’t want to go. I was just afraid to stay. In a strange way, it was probably a good thing that Wyatt’s ex showed up. That kiss snapped me out of my fantasyland and reminded me that I was the temporary one. I didn’t belong here. Getting attached to the sexy man after a one-night stand was all kinds of stupid. And it would be far too easy to fall for Wyatt.
Sure, he was hot, but he was smart and funny and patient and kind and…he seemed to get me. He appreciated my work, calmed my fears, and reminded me to go with my gut. I felt comfortable with him and braver too. I wished we had more time to explore this thing between us. The sex and the friendship.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Wyatt said as we parked in front of a brick building.
“Uh…well, I was just doing a little research about this place.” I tapped on the window and pointed at the sign above the doors, absently noting the handcuffs interlinking the S and the W between Ace’s Wild. “Their website says that the owners are originally from Vintage Ridge. They traveled extensively before returning home to open this shop three years ago to help promote sexual—”
“Okay.” Wyatt put his hand over my screen and rolled his eyes. “Stop reading about them and come meet them.”
I tugged on the sleeve of his raincoat. “Have you met them?”
He chuckled softly as he set his thumb and forefinger under my chin. The spark of humor in his eyes made me smile and yes…calmed me. “What are you really asking me, Jamie? Be specific.”
“All right. Have you been here?”
“Yes, a few times. Sometimes I come by just to shoot the shit with these guys. They’re funny. You’ll like them.”
“Oh. Have you bought anything?”
“Yep. I’ll show ya.”
Wyatt traced my bottom lip with the tip of his tongue before covering my mouth. I let out an embarrassing groan when our lips fused and our tongues twisted…and a louder one when he broke the kiss. He pulled the hood of my borrowed blue raincoat over my head and bit my chin playfully, then motioned for me to meet him on the sidewalk.
We were greeted with a hearty “Hello!” the second Wyatt pushed open the door to Ace’s Wild. A big bear of a man with amazing dreads and impressive muscles stepped around the counter and pulled Wyatt into an impromptu bro hug complete with a fist bump.
“How’ve you been, man? I haven’t seen you in while,” he said in a booming voice.
“I saw you at the coffee shop last week. You losin’ it already, Ace?” Wyatt huffed.
“I meant in the store. Did your anal beads fall off the string, or are you looking for a new set of nipple clamps?”
Wyatt put his arm over my shoulders and squeezed me to his side. “Actually, my friend here is looking for a collar and some nice bondage rope…in red, please. Right, baby? Ace, this is Jamie. Jamie, this is Ace.”
“Nice to meet you.” Ace offered me his hand, gave me a conspiratorial wink, then hiked his thumb toward Wyatt. “This guy used to come in to shop dildos. Now, look at him! I like to see a couple expanding each other’s horizons. Tie him up good, Jamie.”
“Leave him alone, Ace,” a smaller blond man with glasses admonished as he joined us a moment later. “I’m Wilder, and this guy is a big tease.”
“Oh, I know,” Wyatt assured him with a laugh.
I studied the older men as we exchanged pleasantries. Based on looks alone, they were complete opposites, from the color of their skin to their height and overall appearance. Ace wore a rainbow tie-dyed T-shirt with jeans and Wilder’s oxford button-down shirt was a shade darker than the one I had on. Ace seemed more laid-back and playful than his partner, but they were both friendly. And I liked the way they leaned into each other. It was easy to tell they were together…and probably had been for a while. A stab of longing hit me out of the blue. Fuck, I wanted that.
“Well, your timing is perfect. They’re calling for another ten inches of rain tonight,” Wilder said.
Ace’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Speaking of ten inches…”
Wilder rolled his eyes. “He can’t help himself. What were you saying you needed?”
“Rope and a collar and…” Wyatt laced his fingers through mine and grinned before continuing, “Maybe something else.”
“I’ll point you in the right direction.”
We followed Wilder down an aisle just as Ace called out, “Hey, Wyatt. You sniff the lube, you buy it.”
Wyatt flipped him off, snickering when his friend laughed like a loon.
“He’s incorrigible. Don’t mind him. Here we are.” Wilder pointed at a wall stocked with bondage gear. “Ropes, spreaders, floggers, ball gags—oh, and collars. We have a few different styles and sizes. Feel free to try them on. I’ll leave you two to play. If you have any questions, just holler.”
I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sucked in a deep breath. “I had no idea there were so many choices…of everything.”
“Mmm. Yes, sex is a big business. Kinda like weddings,” Wyatt commented. “You can buy anything, but like a fancy ceremony, your purchase isn’t what defines your experience. Take this collar, for example. To one couple, this is a symbol of trust and belonging. To another, it’s a temporary toy they keep in a drawer next to their bed. They bring it out with a fur-lined paddle every once in a while, but not often. Neither use is incorrect. It’s the meaning…the level of intimacy they derive from their experience that makes a difference. At least that’s the way I see it.”
I opened and closed my mouth. I’d felt like a fish out of water standing between the displays of flavored condoms and cock rings, but once again, Wyatt pulled me to safety. I inched closer to him and breathed in the scent of his cologne, then ran my fingers over a few collars before sliding a plain leather one from the hook.
“I like this one.”
“Why?”
“It’s soft. It doesn’t look like it would hurt. I’m just taking a picture, but if anyone was going to wear it…like Mark, um…it wouldn’t chafe his skin,” I replied in a rush.
“Hmm. Want to get a leash too?”
“Uh, sure.”
“The ropes are over here.” He led the way down the next aisle, pausing to grab a package of condoms and a bottle of lube. He stopped in front of a huge display of dildos and inclined his head meaningfully. “Choose one.”
“Dildos aren’t on my list,” I said in a raspier than normal tone.
“My treat. Go on. Pick one out.”
“Uh…what do you mean? I don’t need one,” I whispered.
Wyatt knit his brow. “Are you telling me you don’t want dick?”
“No. I always want dick. I just don’t need another…one of these.”
“So, you have a collection at home, eh?”
“I have…a couple,” I admitted, turning to hide my certain blush. The fifteen-inch pink dildo with five vibration settings didn’t help. I put my hands on my cheeks, hoping to cool them and accidentally bopped myself with the collar.
Wyatt chuckled, then slid his arm around my waist and nuzzled my neck. “You are so fucking cute.”
“Cute?” I huffed, quickly averting my gaze from the double-sided dildos. “I’m not cute.”
“You’re right. You’re hot as hell, and I can’t tell you how bad I want to tie you up and fuck your tight ass. The dildo is for me. I’m gonna need something to keep me company after you leave.” He nipped my ear and licked my lobe. “Let’s go.”
I stared after him and tried to catch my breath when my dick swelled in my jeans. Holy shit. I might actually combust into a cummy mess in aisle six of a sex shop. And no one would blame me ’cause seriously, when a man who looked like Wyatt Pearson said he wanted to fuck your ass, you rearranged your schedule to make that happen…right?
Wyatt paid for our purchases before I had a chance to pull out my credit card. He shot a fierce look my way when I protested. The same look he’d given me last night when he threatened to spank me for not listening. I blushed furiously, but I didn’t argue. I was already on the edge. My dick ached and my hole puckered with a need I couldn’t remember ever feeling. It took everything I had to paste a smile on my face and say good-bye to his friends without stuttering.
When I stumbled outside and marched purposefully toward his black truck, Wyatt grabbed my wrist and secured my hood over my head. Then he held my hand and pulled me quickly through the rain.
I shook the excess moisture from my hair as I reached for the seat belt. “Damn. It’s really coming down.”
“It is. You should call the airline. Something tells me you aren’t going anywhere tonight.” Wyatt started the engine and rubbed his hands together brusquely before checking his rearview mirror.
“I don’t want to go,” someone who sounded like me said. “I want to stay…with you.”
Wyatt turned to me and held my gaze for a long moment. “Okay. What else do you want? Be specific, Jamie.”
“I want…” I swallowed hard. “I want you to fuck me. You can tie me up, spank me…just let me be with you. One more night. I’m not ready to go.”
He leaned across the console and beckoned me close. I met him halfway, sighing with relief when he crashed his mouth over mine. Our tongues dueled manically as we angled our heads to deepen the connection. We broke for air, but we didn’t back away. I breathed him in, loving the feel of his nearness. I wanted him on top of me, covering me completely, owning me. I wanted him to take over in every way possible and show me how to let go.
He must have read my mind. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Open the bag and give me the collar.”
My nostrils flared and my fingers shook as I wrestled the bag open. I pulled out the leather collar and handed it to Wyatt. “What are you gonna do?”
“Make you mine. For tonight.” He traced the silver circle, then unsnapped the band. “If you want more or less…say the word, and I’ll let you go. But as long you wear this, you’re mine.”
I shivered, nodding emphatically. “Yes. I want that too.”
Wyatt unzipped my raincoat and unbuttoned my shirt before securing the collar around my neck. No kidding, I almost jizzed in my jeans. The simplest act of surrender nearly undid me. I couldn’t tell what part of it got me the most, the symbolic gesture of belonging or the unfettered desire in his eyes. No one had ever looked at me that way before. I knew without him saying a word that he felt everything I did…the fear, the thrill, the intense sense of rightness. Like the perfect fit.
Wyatt
We were silent on the ride home. The strains of an old country song were barely audible over the sound of rain hitting the windshield. I needed all my powers of concentration to focus on the road, but the man beside me didn’t make it easy. I couldn’t remember ever wanting anyone the way I wanted Jamie. Ever. The taste and smell and feel of him consumed me. In less than twenty-four hours, I was hooked. I’d never fallen for anyone this fast. I thought about the night I’d fucked Ted in the alley outside the bar, but that wasn’t the same thing. That had been an anger-meets-lust episode, and nothing would have come of it if we hadn’t ended up working together. Jamie was different.
Desire was only part of the equation. I felt drawn to him in an elemental way I couldn’t explain. But he understood. He wanted this crazy push and pull between us. He wanted to explore the balance between submission and dominance. With me. In-fucking-credible. I was humbled and oh, so fucking turned-on. My dick felt like a steel rod in my jeans. If it’d been a typical sunny day, I’d have unzipped my Levis two stop signs ago. Instead, I clenched my teeth and drove like an eighty-five-year-old lady, cautiously veering around a pond-sized puddle at the corner of Spruce and Main before turning onto my street. Correction…my parents’ street.
I parked the truck in the driveway, then set my hand on Jamie’s knee. He linked his fingers with mine, raising our joined hands to his lips. I smiled at the sweet gesture.
“Time to make a run for it. The fastest way inside is through the kitchen. Follow me. And don’t forget the bag,” I instructed, unfastening my seat belt.
We made a mad dash for the pathway leading to the back of the house. I threw my hood off and unlocked the door, motioning for Jamie to go ahead of me.
“Oh, wow. It’s crazy out there!” He unzipped the raincoat, shrugging it off his shoulders and accidentally dropping the bag of goodies on a bench in the mudroom. He hung the coat on a hook and turned to sit on the bench. “I should take my shoes off too. They’re wet and—”
I tugged his elbow and flattened him against the wall, sealing my mouth over his. I unbuttoned his shirt, pulling the fabric from his jeans before pushing it off his shoulders. I ran my nails down his smooth chest, pausing to tweak his nipples. I rolled the sensitive nubs between my fingers as I sucked on his tongue and licked his lips.
“Take everything off.”
He must have heard something in my tone, because he went perfectly still, then nodded in acquiescence and kicked off his shoes while I unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans. When I slipped my fingers under the elastic band of his black boxer briefs, he whimpered and swayed toward me. I pushed the denim and cotton over his perfect ass and gripped his cock, stroking him as I pressed kisses along his neck and his jaw. He moaned my name as he reached for my belt.
“You too. I need to feel you.”
“Upstairs,” I commanded, smacking his ass before stepping aside to give him space to move.
I toed off my boots and pulled my long-sleeved tee over my head, then grabbed the bag from the bench. I fumbled with my belt as I hurried after him, taking the stairs two at the time in my haste to join him. He stood next to the bed and tossed a sassy smile my way as he lowered his jeans. I licked my lips appreciatively, then pushed mine down and kicked the denim aside. I threw the bag onto the bed and pounced on him, nudging his chest until he fell onto the mattress.
We rolled around in a halfhearted attempt at dominance. But we both knew who was in control here. This was what he wanted. What we both wanted. I tugged at the silver circle on his collar and bit his bottom lip. Then I cupped his balls and rubbed my palm over his length. I used some of the precum leaking from his slit for lube and rocked my hips. Jamie arched his back and groaned loudly.
“Stop. I’m gonna come.”
“Not until I say so. On your knees, baby.”
He obeyed immediately. Damn, that was a pretty sight. A gorgeous man on all fours in the middle of a messy bed with a collar around his neck and his cock sticking straight out was my fantasy come to life. I pulled my socks off and emptied the contents of the bag onto the mattress next to him. I’d had big plans for the dildo, but they’d have to wait. The first thing in Jamie’s ass tonight was going to be me.
I climbed behind him on the bed and splayed my hands over his shoulders and along his sides, bucking my hips so my cock slid over his crack and nudged his balls. “Feels so good, but can you just…”
“Can I what?” I bit one ass cheek, then the other, before pulling them apart and licking his entrance.
Jamie cried out. He gripped the sheets and pushed his hips back in a silent request for more. I flicked my tongue over the sensitive skin as I uncapped the lube and reached between his legs to stroke his shaft. Not gonna lie, he went kinda crazy when I tongue-fucked him. And when I added a digit and then a second, he begged for more.
“Please, please, please,” he chanted.
“Tell me, baby. Tell me what you need.”
“I need you. Fuck me, Wyatt.”
I kneeled, carefully removing my fingers before rolling a condom on in record time. I lined my sheathed cock at his hole and slowly made my way inside my lover. I paused a couple of times to give him a chance to adjust. When I was balls deep, I wrapped my arms around his middle and kissed his shoulders and his neck.
“You feel so fucking amazing, baby,” I moaned. “So hot, so fucking perfect. I’m gonna try to go slow, but I don’t know if I can.”
He wiggled his hips in response and hummed, “I don’t want slow. I want you.”
I pulled out almost all the way, then pushed inside him again. I set a languid pace to give us both a moment to catch our breaths before I upped the tempo. When I kicked it up another notch, he lost his balance and lay on his stomach. I didn’t stop moving. I curled my legs around his and pumped my hips frantically as I whispered dirty compliments in his ear. The “you’re so tight, I want to slam your sweet hole” variety. Not my best lines, but he seemed to love it.
“I want you to wear this collar all the fucking time. You’re mine,” I whispered.
“Yes.”
“Get on your knees. Hold on to the bed frame. That’s it.” When he curled his fingers around the top rung, I leaned over and pulled out the leash. I hooked the clasp to the collar and tugged gently. “Trust me, Jamie. Let go when I tell you, okay?”
He cast a sex-hazed glance over his shoulder and nodded. “Yes.”
I wiped the sweat from his brow and kissed the corner of his mouth. He licked at my tongue until I tightened my hold around the leather strap and spanked his ass while I fucked him. Jamie dropped his head and grunted; then he fisted his cock in his right hand and stroked himself, meeting me thrust for thrust as I pistoned my hips and reddened his ass.
“Come for me, baby. Now.”
I rested my chest on his back and reached around to curl my fingers around his thick cock. Jizz shot over my hand and onto the pillow.
“Fuck!” Jamie roared, white-knuckling the wrought-iron frame as he shuddered.
I held him close for a moment, then let go of the strap and pulled out of him. “Lie on your back. I want to see you.”
He obeyed, spreading his legs wide and pulling me in. I was one step from the finish line. I probably should’ve come when he did, but I wanted to look into his eyes. It was instinctive. The funny thing was, I didn’t know what I was looking for until he hiked his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck and smiled.
“Please, Wyatt.”
That was it for me. My release hit me like a freight train. One minute I was on the ground and the next, I was floating somewhere above my body. Jamie pulled me in as I gasped for air, riding out wave after wave of pleasure.
I raised myself over him and fuck…I tried to speak, but I didn’t know what to say. That wasn’t just extraordinarily hot sex, it was more than that. Much more. I kissed his forehead before slowly pulling out.
“I’ll get a towel. Be right back.” I cleaned up in the bathroom and returned with a towel and a damp washcloth.
Jamie sat up on his elbow, smiling when I wiped off the sweat and cum on his chest. “Wow. We made a mess.”
“We did. We’re gonna have to change the sheets or switch bedrooms. Scoot over so you don’t roll onto the wet spot.”
“I’m safe on this side. You’re in the danger zone,” he replied, wincing when the leash dug into his ass.
“Here. Let me take it off.” I unclipped the strap and tossed it to the floor, then curled my forefinger around the collar to unsnap it.
Jamie set his hand over mine and shook his head. “Leave it.”
We stared at each other for a long moment. I touched his cheek and kissed him before lying beside him.
“Okay.”
“Or is it weird?”
“Nope. It’s perfect. It means you’re mine,” I said unthinking, quickly adding, “Tonight. I don’t think you’re getting out of here till tomorrow. Lucky me.”
He smiled. “I don’t have a reason to go back anyway. Tomorrow is fine. This is my last job of the year. I was going to take a ton of sexy photos, then go to LA and sort through them. I’ll do what I can, but I obviously can’t follow the script without the models.”
I fingered the edge of the leather around his neck. “Was this in the script?”
Jamie chuckled. “No. Definitely not. Neither was the leash. I’ve never…this isn’t me.”
“Sure it is. Just another side of you. Maybe it’s the real you that you haven’t unleashed yet. See what I did there?”
“Very clever,” he snarked, hooking his leg over mine. “But you might be right. My ass is sore in the best possible way…and probably red, and I like it. A lot.”
“Me too.”
“Have you…have you done this before? The toys and the spanking and…stuff. Is this your kink?”
“It is now,” I assured him with a lecherous grin. “That may have been the hottest thing I’ve ever done in bed.”
“But do you do this all the time? The guys at the store knew you. Are you a regular?”
“No, they’re just friendly, and I ’spose I am too. I’ve bumped into Ace and Wilder at the coffee shop more often than in their store. But that’s not really what you’re asking me, is it?”
“No.”
“What did I tell you about being specific?” I bit his chin and massaged his ass.
“I was specific. Do you like kinky sex? Are you used to tying up your partners and playing games? I’m curious.”
“No, but every relationship is different. What one couple thinks is kinky is vanilla to another couple. I’ve always gone along with whatever feels right at the time. I’ve never tied anyone up. Have you?”
Jamie rolled his eyes. “That would be a fat no. I wouldn’t know how. Do you tie him to a bed or chair? How tight are the knots supposed to be? And when you get him where you want him, what do you do?”
“I’m sure you’d figure it out.”
“I don’t think so. I’d freeze up and the poor guy would be tied to a four-poster bed with a limp dick, threatening to kick my ass. It wouldn’t end well. And I don’t know why you’re laughing, it’s true.”
“That wouldn’t happen if you were with the right person.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Maybe that’s why I like you. I can tell you my wicked fantasies and maybe even act out a few of them, and I don’t have to worry that you’ll use them against me.”
I smoothed his hair from his forehead, then kissed his nose. “I would never do that.”
“I know.”
He had no idea how sweet that sentiment sounded to me. It had been a long time since I felt this comfortable with a lover. Open and honest and free. I didn’t want it to end tonight or tomorrow or—
“Stay the week,” I blurted.
“The week?”
“Yeah. I’m here alone till I join my family on Christmas Eve. I was going to finish up any loose ends in the house and…you can stay and take photos and…do Christmas stuff.”
“Christmas stuff. Like what? Be specific, Wyatt,” he said, throwing my words back at me.
“Whatever you want. What d’ya say?”
He pursed his lips, then grinned. “Okay.”
I rolled on top of him and pinned his arms above his head before fusing my lips to his in a searing kiss. “Good. We’re gonna have fun. Clothing optional.”
“Naked fun. I like the sound of that,” he purred, wrapping his arms around my neck.
“I have one request. Wear the collar.”
Jamie cocked his head. “Really?”
“Yes. Be mine. For the week.”
He held my gaze, then nodded. “Okay.”
Call me crazy, but I felt like I’d just been given the best damn gift ever. It might not be the kind that lasted forever, but I’d take what I could get.