Emmett shakes his head. “I’m never going to remember before New Years and not after.”
I grin. There’s a sense of actual friendship here that I appreciate.
“Contrariwise, Remy, Rory, and Alder don’t have partners. This isn’t even considered part-time for them. It’s a scene for the day,” Miles says. “From our exchange, I came up with an idea of what you were looking for and gathered the people I thought might be best suited for your purposes.”
“I truly appreciate you inviting us. For the record,I havelooked at the local community in Winnipeg, but it’s far too close to home and my career is life up in the frozen North. Iwill berecognized.”
“You’re killing me, man,” Alder says, frowning.
I laugh. “I’m a pro athlete with the forbidden fruit for my sub.”
“Ohh,” Remy says, smirking. “I already love everything about this.”
Still smiling, I say, “How about a day in the life of a full-time Dom/sub?”
“Before we get there, let’s talk about your boy for a minute. What kind of sub is he?” Emmett asks. “My slave’s day looks much different from Mason’s brat’s day and Miles’s boy’s day.”
“And Caelum is a Little,” Alder says, “so while he and I agreed to partner for this meet-up, it’s over once the afternoon is over. That doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally fill in for him when he calls, because I do. We’re good friends.”
“I see. I think he’s more of a service sub, but disclaimer—he has done almost no research at all. He knows what he wants, and those wants are all his personal desires. It’s not a lifestyle he’s interested in so much as his needs being met, which is sometimes frustrating as he can only manage to describe his needs as whateverIwant.”
“He definitely sounds a lot like Benji,” Emmett says.
Miles nods. “He does, though Benji was very aware of the lifestyle before we met and had other Doms in the past. I can definitely give you a rundown of a typical day. Without explanation, here’s a bullet point of yesterday: I woke up first and spent some time in the backyard where I worked out for an hour or so. I went on a short run. When I came back, Benji was awake and meditating, so I left him alone while I showered. He was making breakfast when I finished and greeted me with a ‘Good morning, Sir.’ As we sat to eat, we discussed the plan for the day, which was work for both of us then some afternoon errands and relaxation. While Benji took a shower, I laid out his clothes for work. We prepared each other’s lunch. I walked Benji to work and headed to work myself. Benji’s shift ended half an hour before mine, so he met me in the reception area of my work. We stopped by the flower shop, picked up some groceries, and I treated Benji to an ice cream since he’s been very good on his meal choices and exercises. Once home, we put away our shopping. Benji went through his exercise routine while I sat in our hammock outside to read. When Benji finished his exercises, he joined me in the hammock where we swapped out books to read the one we’ve been working through together. Benji cooked dinner, we ate, and I cleaned up after dinner. We cuddled and talked until I was ready to have some fun before bed.”
I nod. That sounds like a regular day, and it’s clear by the expressions on everyone’s faces that they’re expecting my unimpressed reaction.
Miles grins. “Not what you expected?”
“Uh… I don’t know.”
“Let me tell you the parts you don’t see. Benji executed his morning skincare routine that I researched, planned, and provided all the necessary products to complete. This isn’t because I have an issue with what I see, but because Benji isself-conscious of his skin. He completed his workout routine to continue to shape his body into its ideal form as well as tracked the food he consumed throughout the day to help him work toward goals that I’ve set for him. Both of these things—exercise and food tracking—became parts of his routine after consulting him for his input and because he’s always hated his body. One of his needs is to not hate what he sees when he looks in the mirror, so we are working toward that goal. Benji consistently sits and walks at my right side. He waits to begin eating until I’ve begun eating. He seeks my approval and validation throughout the day and addresses me with politeness, courtesy, appreciation, respect, and oftentimes with ‘Sir.’ He reaches for my hand in public as well as in private. He asks for my help when making decisions that frustrate him, such as what to wear and what to eat. He spends time reading books I’ve selected for him.”
“Everything has your influence,” I note.
Miles inclines his head. “Correct. Being full-time partners and full-time Dom/sub isn’t about bossing my boy around all day and treating him like a slave.”
“That’s my job,” Emmett notes.
Miles rolls his eyes, shaking his head. “I’ve set parameters for how he is expected to please and obey me. But everything we’ve done throughout the day are things we’ve discussed, things that help us work toward personal goals of development, both separately and as a couple. Everything has always been with his input and consent, but I guide him and teach him along the way. I said we had goals we’re working toward. First and foremost, it’s rewriting all the religious programming he grew up with. Setting his sexuality free from the radical rigidness he grew up with so he can feel desire without shame and crave pleasure without holding back. We’re working on his body image so he can feel at home in his own body. So he can feel desirable. Riding on that, we’re working on freeing his spirit from the shackles of his past.He was never allowed to be his own person but expected to fulfill a role that was placed before him. I’m helping him learn that he’s allowed to be a little irresponsible. Enjoy simply existing. Taking pride in his small successes as well as celebrating his larger successes. He’s allowed to work for and appreciate the body he desires, and he’s allowed to be gay without burning in the fiery pits of hell.”
I feel my face scrunch, and he gives me a demure look. “Is it safe to assume he didn’t grow up on Kala?”
Miles chuckles. “He did not. While I won’t share all of my boy’s story, there was a catalytic moment in his life that forced him out, and he was effectively banished from his home and community. He met someone who, essentially, saved his life and also introduced him to the lifestyle. He hopped between Doms for a while. One eventually brought him here, and he’s been on Kala since.”
“I’ll never get over how ugly this world is,” I mutter. “How contradictory and hypocritical so many groups of people are. It’s disgusting.”
“It is. We’re happy for our little island paradise.”
“Sir?”
We all look toward the door where the enormous Harvey stands with his hands behind his back. “Food is prepared, Sir. Would you like for us to bring it out, or should we wait until you’re ready?”
“Bring it out, boy,” Emmett says.
“Yes, Sir.”
I get to my feet when the others do and help them bring the tables together so all thirteen of us can gather around it. The “boys” bring out the meals, place settings, and beverages. I catch Shively’s eyes several times, and I’m relieved to see a shy little smile on his lips. I’llneverget tired of seeing that distinguished, elegant manshyfor me. Even now, he’s wearing suit pants, witha button-down shirt tucked into them and a thin leather belt. Sure, the sleeves are neatly rolled up and his shirt is unbuttoned some, but he’s in a suit! On a tropical island!
