Maybe it was time to add some variety to the endless rotation of the same T-shirts and jeans he’d worn since college.
When he didn’t respond, Aaron nudged him. “Wait, if you don’t shop here, how do you even know about this place?”
“I shop here,” Jay said. “Just not for clothes.”
Aaron tilted his head in confusion before his eyes widened with the realization. “Oh,” he breathed out, avoiding Jay’s eyes, “Right.” He twirled around and walked toward the entrance, leaving Jay to catch up as he tried not to chuckle at the obviousembarrassment on Aaron’s face. These occasional moments of innocence made him all the more endearing.
Jay matched Aaron’s pace, determined to break the sudden awkwardness. “This place is great. I know a lot of people who shop here for clothes, and I’ve bought a few floggers here. They cost ten times more than the mass-produced stuff, but the quality is top-notch.” He gave Aaron a reassuring smile and opened the door, gesturing him inside.
To a newcomer, the space was intimidating. The air was thick with the earthy smell of leather. Display cases lined the walls like museum exhibits, showcasing a variety of leather products arranged with obvious care. A stern man dressed in all black and covered in tattoos stood still by the counter, watching their every move.
Jay had figured out on his first visit that the eerie atmosphere was a facade, meant to warn off those who came in for a quick browse and left immediately after seeing the price tags. He’d spent enough time and money at the shop to be at ease, and he wanted Aaron to have the same experience. Narrowing his eyes in warning, he placed his palm on Aaron’s lower back in a show of silent support. "Hey, Tank, this is Aaron."
Tank’s face remained impassive, not a twitch of muscle on his body, as he looked from Jay to Aaron. Aaron didn’t flinch, openly returning the stare.
After a few tense moments, Tank gave a slight nod and grunted a greeting.
"We're looking for some sexy outfits today." Jay fought to hide his smile as Tank made a low noise and pointed to the recessed entryway in the corner, a black velvet drape barring the way. Jay vaguely recalled stepping in there once before realizing his interests lay in the other areas of the shop.
"What a charmer," Aaron whispered to Jay as soon as they were out of Tank's earshot.
"I think he was really disappointed he didn't make you cry," Jay whispered back.
"Whoa." Aaron stopped short after parting the drape. The room was an impressive sight. Most clothing stores were packed with overflowing racks and endless choices, but here, the pieces hung in isolation, each one presented as a piece of art.
"I can only imagine how much these cost." Aaron dragged a finger over the intricately stamped leather of a black vest.
"It's definitely not for everyone, but you do remember bragging about having a good job, right?"
"That I did." Aaron’s attention wasn’t on Jay anymore as he wandered off, brushing his fingertips across everything within his reach. After a slow circuit around the room, he drifted back to where Jay was standing. “What should I get?”
“You’re asking me? You’ve already pointed out that I’m not exactly fashion-forward.”
“I’m not asking you to dress yourself.” Aaron waved the thought away. “You’re a Dom, so you’re the perfect demographic. What would look good on me?”
Jay hummed with indecision, his gaze darting from pants to skirts to harnesses. He imagined Aaron in each item, his mind growing hazier with lust. His face was on fire by the time he glanced back at Aaron, certain that his blush would give him away.
“I don’t…this is something you should pick yourself,” Jay muttered, searching his mind for something helpful. He wanted to ask what kind of outfits Aaron used to wear, but it seemed like too intimate a question, and he didn’t want to bring the ex-husband into the conversation. Besides, it was obvious that Aaron was new to the club scene. Playing at home was completely different. For all Jay knew, Aaron had been naked for every scene.
The mental image sent a fresh wave of heat to his cheeks.
“Maybe there’s something you’ve always been curious about? Anything you’ve seen at Chain Reaction that got your attention?”
Aaron pursed his lips in thought, then moved to the display with skirts and the shortest shorts Jay had ever seen, trailing a finger down the seam of a flared black miniskirt.
“You like it?” Jay asked.
Aaron whipped around and faced Jay with an earnest expression on his face.
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with me. I know what thecorrectanswer is, which is that everyone is beautiful and should do whatever their heart desires and all that. I don’t want that answer. Give me the actual truth, okay?”
There was a hint of vulnerability in Aaron’s voice, and Jay wasn’t sure he could promise the truth if it meant hurting Aaron’s feelings. “I’ll try.”
Aaron fidgeted with the hanger in his hands and bit his lower lip. “Would I look ridiculous in a skirt? Notam I allowed to wear a skirt, because yes, of course I am. But would I, a thirty-eight-year-old man with a few white hairs and skinny legs, look ridiculous in it?”
Jay’s mind helpfully provided a vision of Aaron wearing the skirt—and nothing else. He would look delectable, his torso bare and inviting, his thin waist wrapped in soft leather that fell to his shapely thighs, barely covering the plump ass that haunted Jay’s fantasies. Jay would be able to brush his hand up Aaron’s legs, meeting no resistance, his fingers hidden from view. Free to do whatever he wanted.
“Okay, I’m going to get it.” Aaron declared with a smirk and turned away to keep shopping while Jay slowly came back to reality. Why didn’t Aaron wait for him to answer the question? The realization dawned when he took a step, instantly aware ofhis erection. The slim fit of his jeans didn’t do much to hide his excitement.
