Page 25 of Pretty ’n Peak

Austin

What the hell was he doing? Austin found that his fingers were still joined with Mateo’s as they walked to the elevator.

A test run, obviously. Just a simple thing to give Mateo a taste of kink.

It didn’t have to mean anything.

Austin still wasn’t ready to go back to being a Dom. This was just… doing the new kid a favor. Passing on his experience. This wasn’t a return to his old ways.

Except that Mateo was practically quivering next to him. Not trembling in fear like earlier, but a little breathless from just talking through the options.

He didn’t need to feel anything to know the boy was rock hard.

Oddly enough, he was, too.

And it had been a long time since he’d felt that way.

Still, this was a fluke.

He was helping a curious boy with wide, rough hands and a soft voice to experiment with a simple spanking. That was all.

“Where’s your room?” he asked.

“Third floor.” Mateo brushed a little closer to him.

When they got in the elevator, Mateo practically swayed into him. He could feel the heat through the boy’s soft flannel shirt. It was only their shoulders, but he could feel that Mateo was a bit taller, his round arms softer than Austin’s sleeker build.

Austin squeezed his hand and Mateo sucked in a sharp breath.

The boy was just so eager.

Austin had to admit it was a bit of a rush. Mateo had been fascinated by whatever Carlos was offering, but too nervous to feel comfortable.

With Austin, he was practically panting for it.

Even though they barely knew each other. Even though Austin was blind.

Not, again, that Austin felt he was any less capable because of his disability. But, damn, it still made his chest fill that Mateo trusted him.

He’d forgotten what that felt like.

Still, he didn’t want to get ahead of himself. Mateo was out to explore the world. To discover all of the naughty delights that awaited him in a weekend of debauchery.

Austin was here for the hiking trails, and maybe to do some mentoring.

They reached the top floor and the elevator doors dinged as they opened. “Lead the way,” he instructed. “I’m choosing your room so you’ll be more comfortable and have your things around you. Then you can go to sleep right afterward if you want.”

“You won’t…?” Mateo stiffened for a moment, then kept walking. “Never mind.”

Was he disappointed that Austin wouldn’t be staying? That had never been the agreement. Far from it.

In fact, Austin had been very clear that he would be touching Mateo and not the other way around.

The boy didn’t need to know that he’d said it half in fear that he wouldn’t be able to perform. That had happened more than once with Cam and…

Ugh. He couldn’t bear to think about it right now.

This moment should be all about Mateo.