Page 13 of Pretty ’n Peak

For some other Dom. Not him. He still didn’t feel like he had the energy for it, as sweet as Mateo was.

Mateo spoke in a hushed tone. “I’ve read about it, you know, being described that way. But it sounds different coming from you.”

Austin shrugged. “Just years of experience. And it sounds like you have some idea of what you’re looking for. I mean… you chose a Daddy/boy weekend.”

“Yeah. I liked the idea of someone more experienced. Like a guide, maybe? Someone who would be patient with me and… teach me, I guess. I’ve also been…” Mateo’s voice went husky and soft again, and Austin wondered if he was blushing. “Once I realized I was gay, I’ve kind of been drawn to older guys. Then I watched something, where the younger guy called the older one Daddy, and it all kind of came together.”

Mateo was smiling now. Austin could tell from his voice.

“I’m still not sure how much of that was real. I read about it, and I’m definitely not interested in age play. I don’t want a sugar daddy, either. I support myself just fine. But someone who would… maybe look out for me a little bit?”

“And then whip your sweet ass until you came?” Austin chuckled. “It sounds like you want a Daddy, boy.” Someone who would cuddle him and whisper sweet nothings to him afterward.

Definitely not what Austin was looking for. He ignored that swooping feeling in his belly at the thought of having another sub, someone who was so eager for the lash of his belt.

Nope.

Anyway, he wasn’t a Daddy. He was always kind to his subs, but at heart, he was a sadist.

Still, he could hear Mateo’s breath catch, which was more arousing than it should have been. It raised a glow of pride in Austin’s chest too—that he could still turn a sweet sub on with just his voice and a hint of suggestion.

“So, uh, how about you?” Mateo asked, voice throaty and honey sweet. “Are you looking for a relationship?”

“Ah, no. I’m not…” He shook his head. The adorable boy was making his move and he needed to set things straight right away. Somehow, he found himself stumbling over his words. “I’m not really here for the kink at all. Jamie and Sebastian just invited me up for the weekend, and Jamie’s a pushy little brat who gets his way. I think it’s supposed to be some sort of intervention. Like Jamie said earlier, I work too much. Haven’t had a vacation in a year.”

Not since that last disastrous trip with Cam, that Austin wasn’t going to bring up at any cost. There was an entire sinkhole he didn’t want to get into. But at least he’d clarified some things. He didn’t want Mateo thinking he could offer something that wasn’t going to happen—either a relationship or a scene.

“Oh.” The single syllable conveyed a multitude of meaning, and for a moment Austin regretted saying anything. He’d been right, and Mateo had been flirting.

Austin felt a sudden and unexpected surge of disappointment. He clasped Mateo’s hands more tightly, hoping that he wasn’t sending mixed signals. He didn’t want Mateo feeling uncomfortable but… he also wasn’t quite ready to let him go. Not when the boy was so new to everything.

He felt protective now.

“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to lead you on. I’m just more… hanging out here. I can answer some questions for you, if it’s helpful. Be a listening ear. Or introduce you to some of the Doms I know and trust.”

There was a long slow beat, and Austin found himself unexpectedly holding his breath.

“Alright. I think I’d like that.”

“You sure? I can also get out of the way so you can meet other Doms.”

An even slower beat. “I think… a guide would be really nice. If you could… maybe introduce me to somebody? Somebody nice.”

He was such a sweet boy. And Austin felt like he was back on even footing. “At your service!” He made a silly bow over Mateo’s hand.

Maybe this was exactly what he needed, actually. He wasn’t ready to dive back into things, but the idea of Mateo finding what he needed sent another little pulse through him.

So… maybe he was waking up a little. Maybe Jamie and his guys had been right to bring him out here.

Like the thought had summoned him, Jamie’s voice cut through the room. “Hey all you sexy kinksters!”

They both turned toward the front of the room. Mateo seemed to have suddenly realized that they were still holding hands, because he jerked back.

Austin pretended that he didn’t notice the loss. Mateo was just one newbie sub among many. By the end of the weekend he’d have gotten his feet wet… and probably his dick too… and move along with everyone else.

Any affection Austin felt toward him was probably just nostalgia for a past when kink had held more of a pull over him.

Jamie’s welcoming speech was upbeat and probably funny, but Austin tuned most of it out. He knew his way around the lodge, had already gone over the choices for tomorrow’s events, and certainly wasn’t expecting to attend the kink demos tomorrow night or reserve the dungeon they were standing in.