Chapter 19

Wednesday, December 18

One Week Until Christmas

Jim listened to the laughter rippling through the group of guys attending Kris’s talk on using sounds. He smiled to himself.

He should’ve taken me up on my offer to help him demonstrate.

Except Mike had vetoed that, which was understandable. God forbid one of the elderly artists from Ellen’s Association should wander into the theater and clutch their pearls at the sight of Jim shooting his load as Kris removed the silicone rod.

Jim knew exactly which rod he’d have liked inserted, too.

The audience was a healthy size, and Jim spotted five or six guys who’d become regulars. Two of them were Kris’s submissives, and they didn’t sit on the chairs but knelt on the floor on either side of Kris.

He brought them kneeling pads. That’s sweet.

Kris glanced across at him and smiled, and as always the sight unfurled something deep in Jim’s belly. Then Kris addressed the group.

“That’s it for today. Don’t forget, there’s going to be a Leather Ball here between Christmas and New Year’s, so if you haven’t got a ticket, why the hell not?”

That earned him a few laughs.

“Remember, if there’s something you’d like to see covered in a future workshop, just ask, okay? And if it isn’t something I can talk about with any authority—”

“Which is extremely unlikely, Kris,” someone called out, followed by chuckles.

Kris chuckled too. “I’m flattered. But I was about to say, if I can’t, then I probably know someone who can. Thanks for your attention.”

A round of applause swept through the space, and the attendees got up, talking among themselves as they headed for the door. A few guys lingered to speak to Kris, while his subs cleared away his notes and visual aids. When the last man left, Kris had a quiet word with his subs before sending them on their way.

He smiled when Jim approached. “Learn anything new today?” He chuckled. “Forget I asked. I know you and sounds.”

Yeah, he does. In fact, Kris knew Jim better than almost anyone else, even the girls, and that was saying something.

Which is why Jim was there, his heart racing.

Just tell him what you’ve been dying to say for the past two weeks.

Jim knew it was a gamble, but… Nothing ventured, nothing gained, isn’t that what they say? He preferred if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

“I was just wondering how you felt about… relationships,” he managed to get out.

Kris leaned against the stage, arms folded. “Well, that depends on what kind of relationships you’re talking about.” He arched his eyebrows. “You know I have subs, right?”

Jim smiled. “Yes, I do.”

“And it’s no secret around town that I’ve played the field.”

He chuckled. “You’re a bit of a legend in P-town.”

Kris gave him an inquiring glance. “Then what’s on your mind?” When Jim didn’t respond, Kris cupped his chin. “Jim? What do you want?”

Jim was certain his head was about to explode, but he grabbed hold of his courage with both hands.

“To be your partner. In life, in love… I…know you fuck other men, but I just wanna be the one you come home to.”

Kris went quiet for a moment, and Jim groaned internally.

I blew it, didn’t I? I fucked it up.

Then Kris sighed. “I’ve been thinking about that too.”

Jim’s jaw scraped the floor. “You have?”

He chuckled. “Why the hell wouldn’t I? You’re a sexy, talented guy. You’re sweet, sassy, generous, and let’s not forget kinky as fuck.” He grinned. “We won’t mention your kitchen skills, however.”

“Good, because they’re non-existent.” Heat flooded his face at the compliments.

“To be honest, what’s stopped me from asking you is…” Kris shook his head. “You’ll laugh.”

“Of course I won’t. Tell me.”

Kris scraped his fingers through his thick hair. “I guess the truth is… how I feel about you scares the fuck out of me.”

Jim blinked. “What?”

He sighed. “I’m tired of being ‘a legend’,” he air-quoted. “And lately I’ve been shocked as hell to find myself thinking about… settling down.”

Holy fuck.

“What brought that on?”

Kris’s eyes twinkled. “You. Jim Walker, you have turned my life upside down, inside out, back to front…I’ve known hundreds of men, and not one of them has ever made me feel the way I do about you. And the other reason why I didn’t want to ask you was I wasn’t sure if you could cope with my lifestyle.”

Jim smiled. “Would we be talking about your subs?”

Kris nodded. “So what I’m asking is… would you be willing to be a part of my life, if I carried on training submissives, doing my workshops, working with leather groups…?”

Jim beamed. “I have no problem with any of that. You’re damn good at what you do, and far be it from me to deprive the world of a first-class Dom.” He smiled. “Besides, it’s part of you. I don’t think you could give that up if you tried.”

“Oh, thank God.” Kris let out a soft chuckle. “I never thought I’d find someone like you. Someone I cared for, valued… loved…”

Sweet Jesus, thank you.

“And now that I have, I don’t want to lose you.” He met Jim’s gaze. “So I guess I’d better ask you pretty damn quick before someone else snaps you up.” Kris straightened. “Are you going to be mine?”

Jim pretended to think. “Do I have to answer right this minute?”

Kris stilled. “If you need time, that’s fine by me.” He paused. “How long do you think you’ll need?”

Jim moved closer, until he could smell Kris’s beard oil, a scent that always aroused him. “Oh, I think I’ll have made a decision by the time we get all your stuff back to your place, and I’m tied to your bedposts.”

Kris grinned. “Is that to stop you from leaving?”

Jim laughed. “You don’t need to stop me from getting away, sugar. I’m not planning on going anywhere.” He lurched forward into Kris’s arms. “I’m all yours. And I promise to make you happy.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“And I’ll be able to pay my own way,” Jim added. “Once Nick’s place re-opens, I’ll be the manager, Mike said.”

Kris smiled. “A man of independent means. Better and better.” He paused. “However, I do have one proviso,” Kris murmured.

Jim stilled. “Oh?”

He smiled. “Let me teach you to cook.”

Jim guffawed. “Honey, you can sure try. And you might even manage it by the time I’m, say… sixty.”

“You’re going to be that much of a challenge?”

Jim waved his hand. “Just keepin’ it real.”

Kris slid his hands down to Jim’s ass. “And as to the idea we’ll still be together when we’re that old?” His face lit up. “I like that.”

Jim’s heart soared. Finding someone to grow old with might not be everyone’s goal, but it was his, and he couldn’t be happier.

Kris shuddered out a sigh. “I’m glad we had the talk.” He chuckled. “I was so nervous. I thought I’d have to tie myself up and slap a bow on me, then crawl beneath your Christmas tree.”

He smirked. “That option doesn’t have to be off the table.”

“Why can’t I look yet?” Mike complained for the umpteenth time.

Sam booped his nose with the round end of the makeup brush. “You can look when I’m done.” He went back to working on Mike’s cheekbones. “Now, have you found a song yet?”

“Maybe?” He’d been watching a movie, and one of the scenes had given him the idea. He’d need to nail the lyrics, but it was doable.

Sam paused, brush midway between the pot of powder and Mike’s face. “And? Are you going to tell me?”

Mike grinned. “Nope. It’s going to be a surprise.”

Sam sat back. “You’re saying you’re going to work out your first routine all by yourself?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m learning from the best, aren’t I? I watch you guys rehearse every chance I get, I take notes…” He smiled. “I just want it to be a surprise, okay?”

Sam laughed. “Fine. Now keep still and let me finish.”

There was something so intimate about sitting there while Sam worked on his makeup. The light touch of his fingers, the way he concentrated, the closeness of him…

Mike studied the face he’d come to love, the deep brown eyes that could hold so much laughter, compassion, concern… He loved Sam’s neatly trimmed beard and mustache, his slender neck, even the elegant line of his nose.

Guess I’m as smitten as smitten can be.

Sam put his brush down. “Now lean forward, and we’ll put your wig on. That way you get to see the whole effect.”

Mike’s heart pounded as Sam wrestled the wig into position. He raised his head and sat patiently while Sam worked on obscuring the lace lining his brow, then primped and fussed with his purple-blue locks.

At last, Sam sat back. “Okay. Time for the big reveal. Go check it out in the mirror.”

Mike stood and walked over to it, his heart thumping. When he saw his reflection, he gasped.

“That’s… that’s really me?”

Thin dark blue eyebrows replaced his thicker ones that had been hidden beneath a layer of stage makeup. His eyelids shimmered with a sparkly blue sheen, and long, thick black eyelashes curled beneath them. Blusher gave his cheekbones a sculpted appearance. His beard and mustache were dark blue too.

I look amazing. And nothing like Mike O’Neill.

“Well?”

He turned to look at Sam. “I love it.”

Sam beamed. “Me too. Now, let me take off the wig, and then we’ll get you cleaned up before Ellen arrives to set up the exhibition.”

“You could always help me wash it off in the shower.” Mike suggested, his cock rising at the thought of them under the jets, his hands flat to the tiles, arms braced while—

Sam coughed. “Want to tell me where your mind just went?”

Mike grinned. “I’ll do better than that. I’ll show you.”