“The rope stuff?” Aaron waited for Jay to nod. “I guess you can tell by how I called itthe rope stuffthat I don’t have any experience with it.”
“The club leases space in a building across the street, and they host different types of workshops. I’ve been going to the Shibari for Beginners series, and there’s a class tonight.”
Aaron wasn’t sure where Jay was going with this. Was he being helpful and letting him know about a club event?
“They pull people from the club for anyone who doesn’t have a partner, but… it might be nice if you joined me? There’s more trust with someone you know, a better connection. And you can crack jokes the whole time.”
Oh. A thrill shot through Aaron’s body. Jay wasn’t just being helpful. Jay was interested in him—or at least interested in tying him up.
“Sounds good.” He tried to hide his excitement, to make it sound like getting asked to a accompany the hottest guy in a ten-mile radius to a shibari workshop was just another Friday night. Then, something else occurred to him. “I never considered this, but Doms have it a lot harder than subs. So much to learn, workshops to maintain your skills, keeping all the safety guidelines in mind. All we have to do as subs is just…lay there, get tied up, and take it like good boys.”
Jay’s eyes flashed with something dangerous. His pupils dilated, and he held Aaron’s gaze, his expression shifting to lust. Aaron congratulated himself on successfully planting the seed in Jay’s mind. Now Jay would have all day to revel in the mental image of Aaron—restrained and helpless—before they saw each other again. Aaron hoped it would give him ideas.
“I have to run.” He stood up when it was obvious that Jay wouldn’t say anything—only stare at him with hunger. “What time should I meet you there?”
Chapter 9
JAY
Jay paced the sidewalk in front of the small, unassuming complex that hosted tonight’s workshop. He was early. Ever since their morning conversation, Jay hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything, too captivated by the vivid picture Aaron had painted for him.
He still wasn’t sure how Aaron had turned the tables on him so quickly. One minute, Jay was mustering the courage to invite Aaron to the workshop, anxious about offending or embarrassing him, and then… One sentence was all it took for Aaron to ignite a deep, smoldering lust inside him. His day had passed in a haze of fantasies—Aaron naked, whimpering, trembling, struggling against his restraints, his legs spread open, his pert ass up on offer.
Beelining home as soon as he was done with work, he got off in the shower. Twice. He told himself it was a necessary precaution so he wouldn’t get hard during the workshop, but that was a flimsy excuse. There was nothing in the world that would stop him from being aroused by Aaron’s pliant body under his control, silken ropes against smooth skin.
Aaron arrived with a few minutes to spare, climbing out of a cab and greeting Jay with a wave from across the street. Jay hesitated as Aaron approached. What did you say to someone after an entire day of fantasizing about them? Aaron’s new look didn’t help. He’d swapped his suit for a bright purple tee andspandex shorts that didn’t leave much to imagination. A hint of eyeliner completed the look.
Delicious.
Jay cleared his throat and tore his gaze away before he crossed into creepy territory. “You look great.”
“Not exactly club attire.” Aaron shrugged with an apologetic smile. “I figured I need to be comfortable in case you twist me into a pretzel.”
“I’m not sure I have the skills for that yet. I’m relatively new to this practice.” Jay shepherded him to the door and held it open.
“How far along are you? Are you even allowed to practice on humans yet?” Aaron smirked at his own joke.
“It’s the third workshop. I have some of the more complex knots down, and I’ve been practicing at home.” Jay returned the smirk. “You’ll be my human guinea pig.” He could have mentioned he’d had plenty of experience with restraints, but shibari was an art form. Comparing it to a simple knot he used to tie someone’s hands behind their back before a quick fuck was like comparing a gourmet meal to gas-station hot dogs.
“So you’re saying I should be nice to you if I want you to untie me?” Aaron gave him a heated look before glancing around the lobby, probably searching for a sign. He wouldn’t find one. All club events were discreet, the location shared only with the registered members.
Jay slid closer to Aaron while he was distracted, leaning in to hover his lips next to Aaron’s ear. “Room 1194.” There was a hitch in Aaron’s breathing, and when he didn’t move, Jay nudged him in the right direction, trying to ignore the delicious heat emanating from his body.
Aaron glanced back at Jay with a coy smile before striding away. Somehow, he knew the effect he had on Jay.
They walked into a well-lit room. It may have functioned as a conference room at one point, but without any furniture, itwas a large, open space. Yoga mats formed a half circle around Mistress Onyx, their shibari instructor.
“Why, what a pleasure to see you,” she purred at Aaron when they claimed an empty spot right in front of her. He greeted her with a polite smile before lowering himself to the ground, clearly not interested in attracting attention to himself.
One by one, the room filled with familiar faces, many of them coming over to say hi to Jay and look at Aaron with curiosity. Their reactions made sense—Jay had never brought a partner along to one of these workshops—but he still didn’t like how openly some of the Doms stared at his Aaron. Jay barely stifled the urge to shout—He’s mine!—and instead dropped to the floor beside him, close enough to stake his claim to anyone who dared glance their way.
He wasn’t sure what to do with the surge of possessiveness consuming him. Jealousy was a foreign concept—at least it used to be. Jay had never felt so protective of anyone he dated in the past, and he wasn’t even dating Aaron. They were just friends.
Thankfully, the workshop began before Jay could start baring his teeth and growling. Once everyone’s attention snapped to Mistress Onyx, she didn’t waste any time, quickly going over the knots they’d already learned and asking for a demonstration.
Jay kneeled behind Aaron and created a few simple knots and weaves around his arm, making sure he was okay every few minutes.
After the fourth time Jay asked if he was comfortable, Aaron giggled and promised to let him know the second something was wrong.
