Page 164 of Pretty ’n Peak

And yet, they were still standing there. Austin leaned in close. “Daddy says we’re going to go look at earrings.”

Mateo twitched, and then replied under his breath. “Yes, Daddy.”

Inside, they were greeted immediately by someone with a cheery, baritone voice. He got the sense of a larger man. “Hello! We’re full up for walk-ins tonight, but let me know if I can help you with anything else.”

“Not here for a tattoo.” Austin slipped his arm around Mateo’s waist. “We have an appointment in a few minutes, but my boyfriend was thinking of getting his ears pierced. I was wondering if we could look at the earring options.”

“Of course. I’m your piercer, and I could have you set up in just a few minutes.”

“We’re just looking,” Mateo put in.

“Alright, this tray is all earrings. The starter studs aren’t as exciting as anything you can wear later on, but I think we’ve got some good choices.” There was the soft thud of another dark tray. “And this one has rings for everywhere else. I do facial piercings, genitals, nipples, belly buttons, and a few other surface piercings, depending on the location.”

Austin squeezed Mateo. “You ever thought about one of those, babe?”

“Maybe…” His voice was full of wonder.

That sounded promising. “We can come back. Is anything looking appealing to you now?”

“I’d probably just get gold studs.”

The piercer broke in with a hearty laugh. “Your boyfriend doesn’t like that, hot stuff.”

Oops. Austin must have made a face.

“And I don’t think you do either. You’ll be keeping them in for six weeks and you can wear them after that, so you should get exactly what you like. For example, these ones you’ve been eyeing are celestial crystal with a hypoallergenic eighteen karat gold backing. You’ve got a round face, so I’d recommend the square shape in this column. I’d look for a bold color for you, maybe ruby or emerald, though they won’t go with everything you’re wearing. This ice blue is pretty and classy, matches practically anything.”

So, his baby girl liked the sparkly ones. He should have guessed. “What color do you like?”

Mateo buried his face in Austin’s shoulder. “I can’t get those.”

“Why not?” He didn’t try to lower his voice. The piercer was on his side, and Mateo needed to see that no one was going to judge him.

“They’re basically the same ones my niece got at the mall.”

Since Mateo’s oldest niece was ten, Austin could make a pretty good guess about what they were. “I think something pink and sparkly would be stunning on you.”

“Maybe a diamond,” Mateo negotiated.

“Maybe diamonds initially, and then Daddy can get you as many sparkly, dangly pairs as you want.”

Oops. He hadn’t meant to say Daddy out loud. He just wanted Mateo to know that his desires were alright.

The piercer’s laugh boomed around them. “Better listen to Daddy, cutie.”

Austin’s phone beeped, followed by a high-speed announcement of their appointment.

“Thank you, Sir,” Austin told the piercer. “We’ve got to go now, but if we’re interested in a piercing, we’ll definitely come back here. Could I get your card?”

“Of course. I’m Dan.” He slipped a card into Austin’s palm. “Have a good evening, you two.”

They walked back out into the warm evening, Austin taking Mateo’s arm again.

“Do you really think I should do it?” Mateo asked.

Austin kissed his cheek. “I think you should be happy. And I think you should make the decisions that feel right to you about how you look and who you show that too. But Daddy would love to buy you sparkly, dangly earrings.” He let his voice drop to a husky whisper. “Or lick your belly button ring. Or get something pretty for your pretty cock. I could tie you down and feel it when you slid inside me…”

“Daddy!” Mateo exclaimed, probably much louder than he intended to. “You can’t just say that before my meeting,” he hissed.