Page 102 of Pretty ’n Peak

Then, he was supposed to notice how he felt.

That was all.

He wore a red wristband because he wasn’t playing, though Taja had said it wasn’t prohibited. He could switch it in for a green one that proclaimed him available if he got the urge.

For the moment, he followed the familiar path toward the back of the club where the stages and rooms for various types of scenes were set up. The central demonstration and exhibition area was lit up, with people starting to congregate.

“Do you know what the scene is?” he asked someone nearby.

“Rope play.”

I’m a capable, talented Dom, he told himself. I’m attentive to my subs, and they enjoy working with me.

Factually, it was true.

He could create dozens of elegant patterns, and safely suspend someone, though he always did that with a spotter because of his vision.

He thought about the Cuffd weekend, how he’d won second place in the silly little contest.

And how Mateo had voted for him twice.

That led him to thinking about Mateo sitting next to him during the demonstration, words breathy and thighs trembling as they watched another Dom suspend his sub.

Austin could have done that with him.

If they’d had more time, he could have dressed Mateo in one of those sexy outfits and rigged the sweet boy up to the ceiling. He could have listened to Mateo’s breaths grow calm and even as he relaxed into the pose, or rapid and needy as he teased his fingers over the boy’s skin…

Austin looked up to realize that the scene had already started. The Domme was checking in on her sub’s safewords. The part that followed after was too blurry to make out—anything as thin as a strand of rope was invisible from this distance, and the space was too loud to hear any quiet murmurs between the couple.

But Austin’s job right now was to check in on his feelings.

He felt, surprisingly, pretty good.

Maybe even enthusiastic.

How would Mateo respond, he wondered, as the first length of rope looped around his chest?

How would those little sounds that came from his throat change if Austin pulled his arms behind him, winding his forearms together?

Or what if he hog tied the boy, with just a few simple coils as his wrists and ankles leaving him restrained and exposed while Austin called him sweet, dirty names and played with his hungry little hole?

Austin swallowed.

Now he was getting aroused.

He repressed a snicker at the thought that Taja would be pleased.

The rope demo held nothing for him, though, so he continued toward an area with more auditory stimulation.

It wasn’t hard to find. Across the room came the clear, high swoosh of a whip, followed by a sharp thwack and an answering grunt of pained arousal.

He found himself smiling as he sauntered over.

He couldn’t use a long whip, like he already knew this one was just by the sound of it.

But he still had plenty of tools at his disposal, and he knew how to use them.

When he repeated the words Taja gave him, they felt a little more true this time. I’m a capable, talented Dom. I’m attentive to my subs, and they enjoy working with me.