Hamish’s house never ceases to amaze me. It’s a converted water tower with two classy modern extensions bolted on. A curved glass one at the front and a rendered white one on the side. That’s where I go in. The bouncer on the door recognises me and sends me up three flights of stairs. I’ve really got to convince Hamish to get a lift fitted one of these days. At the top, there’s another bouncer, who’s there to make sure the guests get to him and go up the ladder he’s standing next to, rather than peeling off into the rest of Hamish’s house. One of the big rules of these parties is that his house is off limits. The only space we’re allowed to go into is the old water storage tank, which he’s converted into a series of play rooms.
The next bouncer, Harry, welcomes me as I grab a black wristband and select which coloured loops I want to put onto it tonight. I always add a red loop to tell other people that I’m a Dom. I skip the blue and purple ones and hesitate when I get to yellow.DoI want to play tonight? Or do I just want to find someone who wants a quick fuck? I know the kink is meant to be the focus of these parties, but I can watch other people playing. I need more instant relief. I skip the yellow loop and add a green one to my wristband. Sex it is. Assuming I can find someone equally keen.
I head into the first room. It’s a relaxed space for chatting; no play or sex allowed. Generally, everyone is fully clothed unless they’re passing through to get to one of the play rooms, but sometimes skimpily clad guys end up in here.
There are a few men chatting and one awkward-looking young man sitting alone, looking pretty damn miserable. He’s cute, despite that. He’s got floppy, light brown hair that’s been gelled back, a square yet soft jaw, and plump lips that would be amazing to kiss. He’s wearing a tame black shirt and black jeans, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s got on underneath. We have to come and go in smart casual clothing. It wouldn’t do for Hamish’s neighbours to discover what we actually get up to at these parties. I check out the young man’s wristband, my heart sinking when I see he’s only got one coloured loop on it. It’s blue, meaning he’s a sub who’s not up for anything. I could understand that if he’d gone into one of the play rooms to watch other people having fun, but I can’t fathom out why he’s out here all alone, looking like he wants to go home.
He looks up and catches me watching him. He’s got intense hazel eyes and a weary expression. I’m not looking to chat, but there’s something about him that makes me want to make sure he’s okay. Hell, I’m a doctoranda Daddy Dom. I’m meant to care.
I take the seat beside him. “You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.” I hold my hand out. “I’m Spencer, although everyone calls me Spence.”
“Corey.” He’s got a nice voice, soft and mellow.
“Nice to meet you, Corey. Do you want to tell me what you’re doing, sitting out here all alone?”
He sighs. “I came with my brothers.”
I look over to the guys talking on the sofas, but none of them bear any resemblance to Corey.
“They’re through there.” He gestures vaguely towards the other doors, meaning they could be in any room. “Having fun.”
“And you’re not?”
“It turns out I’m not in the mood.” He taps his temple. “Too much going on up here.”
“Want to share?”
“You don’t want to hear about my woes.”
“I’m asking, aren’t I?”
He laughs. “Probably because you want to get into my pants.” He motions to the other guys. “They’ve all come over tochat.”
I brush my fingers over his wristband. “They shouldn’t have put any pressure on you. You’re not up for playing or sex. That’s clear as day.”
“Oh, yeah.”
I don’t know any of the other men by name, but I make a mental note to mention them to Hamish. He doesn’t like rulebreakers. He wants his parties to be as safe as they can possibly be. There’s always an element of risk with kink, but everyone knows, expects, and accepts that.
“It’s your first time here?” I’ve never seen him before, but I wasn’t able to come to the last party.
“Yes.”
“Not what you expected?”
He shrugs. “I’ve been to plenty of kink clubs before, but they’re loud and dark, and it’s easy to get carried away by it all.” He glances around the room. “This is…different.”
“There are darker rooms,” I promise him. “But it is more intimate. Fewer people. It’s why I like coming here.”
“Oh?”
“It feels less anonymous and safer. And I quite like watching other people and being watched.”
Corey shifts in his chair.
“But that’s not all that’s on your mind, is it?” I ask.
“No. It’s just been a crappy week. I thought I could unwind, but it turns out I can’t.”
