David chuckled. "Well, that's a good sign. But how do you feel about me?"
"I love you," Mason said.
"And do you really want to let Kirk's bitter words get between us?"
"No. But he won't be the only one who has an issue with us because of the gap in our ages."
"No," David agreed. "He won't. And that won't be the only reason people have a problem with us as a couple, either. We're not responsible for other people's narrow-mindedness, Mason. We're all only responsible for living our own lives and being happy with our own decisions. Tell me something. If you'd listened to other people's opinions when you were younger, would you be a ballet dancer now?"
"God, no." Mason laughed. "I probably wouldn't be out of the closest, either."
"So, why start listening to bigots now?"
Mason rested his arms on David's shoulders and clasped his hands. "There's no reason to."
"And that was exactly the answer I wanted to hear." David brushed his lips against Mason's, requesting a kiss.
"I bet you did."
They pressed closer to each other as their lips locked together. David squeezed Mason's butt cheeks, which turned Mason on even more.
"Is there anything else you want to talk about?" David asked. "Because, right now, I want to take you upstairs."
"To tie me to the bed?" Mason asked.
"Mmmm… if you're up for playing tonight. You know I'm always happy to tie you up and have my way with you."
"Actually…" Mason pulled away. "There is something else I wanted to talk about." He hunched his shoulders and bit his lower lip.
"Of course," David said. "Although the expression on your face is making me nervous."
"Don't be," Mason said hurriedly. "I'm nervous, but you don't need to be. I just… wanted to ask you something."
"Anything," David said, sitting down on the sofa, legs splayed and erection on show through his jeans.
Mason felt a pinch of guilt for ruining the moment, but he also knew how much David valued honesty. David had taught him the importance of talking through his feelings rather than shoving them aside so they could jump into bed together. If the mood ended up being killed that evening, they'd both deal with it and enjoy each other's company in other ways. So, even though he was nervous about what he wanted to ask, it wasn't out of fear of David becoming sulky.
"I get the feeling there are a lot of your kinks that we haven't explored yet."
David's eyebrows shot up.
"It's because of my limits, isn't it?"
David pursed his lips. "If by that you mean we've mutually agreed to go at your pace because, as my sub, you need to be comfortable with everything we do, then yes." He narrowed his eyes a fraction. "Are you worried I'm getting bored?"
Mason puffed his cheeks out as he inhaled. He blew the breath out slowly before answering. "Basically, yeah."
"I'm not. I love every second I spend with you, Mason, and I'm not just talking about the kinky stuff. I mean every second. The fact you are willing to try any of the kink at all is a really big added bonus."
Mason wanted to believe him. He had no reason not to believe him. But it still nagged at him that David was into some really adventurous and kinky stuff that he hadn't got his head around yet.
"What if I never shift my limits?"
David held out his hand. "Come here."
Mason moved close enough to take David's hand and allowed the older man to drag him onto the sofa. They sat side by side, both slightly slumped, David still holding Mason's hand. He turned his head to stare at Mason, his dark brown eyes soft behind his glasses.
"You already have moved your limits, remember?" David's voice dropped to a husky tone. "Skewers… clothes pegs…"
Mason ran his tongue over his lips. How could he have forgotten? He'd enjoyed every second of it—mostly. He couldn't say he liked having clothes pegs ripped off parts of his body, but the numb, tingling sensation he felt afterwards always heightened his arousal.
"Candle wax…"
That was the newest addition to their play time. It had been David's suggestion. They'd talked it through one afternoon and played with one of David's special candles for a while. David had dripped wax onto his own skin before dripping some on Mason's forearm so he knew what to expect. Apparently, you had to be careful about which candles you used, something Mason would never have thought about. Some burned far hotter than others, and you didn't want to choose one that burned so hot, the wax would scald the skin. And, yeah, with his senses heightened from being blindfolded, the warmth of the wax slowly dripping onto his skin had been incredibly erotic.
"Your limits can be as flexible or as rigid as you want them to be," David assured him. "I won't mind if they don't move again. I want you as a whole package, Mason, not just what we do in our play sessions." He let go of Mason's hand, then patted his lap, motioning with his eyes for Mason to sit there.
Mason obliged, resting his forearms on David's shoulders.
"And if you've got questions, or you're curious, tell me, and we can talk about it," David said. "I won't take that as a green light to introduce something new into our play sessions."
"You're amazing," Mason breathed.
David laughed. "I wouldn't go that far. The more open and honest we are with each other, the stronger our relationship will be." He placed his hands on Mason's hips and shifted Mason forward, onto the bulge in his jeans that was still hard, despite their conversation—or maybe because of it. "Anything else?" he asked.
Mason shook his head, too turned on to form any other coherent questions. He knew he'd have more the longer they stayed together. He was curious about all of David's kinks, but he was also nervous about them, and that nervousness sometimes bordered on fear.
"No. Not right now." He leaned his forehead against David's. "Thank you for being patient with me."
"I'm not going to rush you or pressure you into anything, Mason. Your pace, your limits."
"Mmm," Mason murmured against David's lips. "Right now, I want you to take me upstairs."
David groaned beneath him as he rolled his hips up to rub their cocks together through their clothes. "Are you up for playing?"
"Yes," Mason moaned. "I need to relax. I mean, really relax. Kirk has me all wound up, and I want you to make me forget about him."
David smiled. There was a glint in his dark eyes that turned Mason on even more. It meant his lover had thought of something new to try—new to Mason, anyway.
"Go to my bedroom," David commanded. "Undress and warm up."
Mason raised an eyebrow. "Warm up?"
"I want you flexible for what I have in mind."
A shiver ran down Mason's spine, making him squirm. He didn't wait for a second order, and jogged up the stairs without so much as a backwards glance. He could have warmed up without getting undressed—he was still wearing his dance clothing underneath his jeans and T-shirt—but that wasn't the order he'd been given. So, obediently, he stripped and stretched every muscle in his body as he waited for David to join him.
He was done before David arrived, so he bounced up to his feet, and in the centre of the large bedroom, he began to run through some ballet moves, starting with simple pliés and tendues, sweeping his straight leg out and in again, his pointed toe brushing against the thick pile carpet. He performed half a dozen sautés, keeping his jumps light and low. Still waiting, he kicked his straight leg up into a grand battement.
"If I could get away with it, I'd put you on the stage naked," David said.
Mason dropped into fifth position, carefully controlling his breathing as he stared at his lover. David was lounging against the doorframe, a selection of red ropes looped in his hands.
"I think there are rules against that kind of thing," Mason said, grinning.
David laughed. "Yes. Besides, I want to keep you to myself, have you dance just for me."
"My friend's parents converted their cellar into a small dance studio," Mason said thoughtfully. "Ken an
d Deborah Earnshaw. I think you danced with them both. Although I'm not sure what her name was before she married Ken."
David waved his hand dismissively. "I danced with a lot of people. You can remind me about them some other time. Right now, I want you."
Mason liked the sound of that. "What are those for?" He nodded towards the ropes so there was no doubt what he was talking about. He guessed he was about to be tied up.
"Kinbaku," David said, lifting the ropes slightly. "Japanese rope bondage."
Mason bit his lower lip as heat pulsed through him. "I’ve never even heard of it," he admitted as heat rose to his cheeks.
"Nor had I, before my first sub told me about it. She loved experimenting, and when she heard about it from a friend, she wanted me to do it." He chuckled, as though he was recalling a funny memory. "It takes a long time to learn to do well and safely, so we… ah… had to bring in a third partner to teach me and help pleasure her at the same time."
Mason felt his cheeks grow even hotter. It had never occurred to him that David might have engaged in threesomes whilst he was learning how to be a Dom. Now that he thought about it, it made sense.
He cleared his throat. "And… uh… he did it to you, too?"
"Yes." David’s mouth curled into a seductive smile. "Of all the things I tried as a sub, it was the one I enjoyed the most."
David’s words made curiosity rise up within Mason. It was the most persuasive thing David could have said.
"We don't have to," David said. "I know I'm pushing your limits."
"But not stepping over them," Mason whispered huskily.
"If you don't like it—"
"I've always got flamingos," Mason cut in, grinning.
David's lips curved into a smile. "Keep dancing while I get ready. You're beautiful to watch, especially naked."
Mason did as he was told, keeping his gaze fixed on David as he did so. He watched as David got himself undressed and then began to light candles around the room. Quickly, a soft floral scent filled the space. David dimmed the lights so that the candle flames were more pronounced, but there was still plenty of light to see by.
"Sit on the bed," David commanded, setting down the ropes and a pair of blunt, curved scissors.
Mason didn't hesitate. David sat beside him and pulled one of the lengths of red rope through his hands. He ran it over Mason's skin, allowing him to feel how soft it was.
Then David stared into Mason's eyes. "If it hurts, or you start to feel numb, tell me."
Mason nodded, unable to force words into his mouth.
"You've had a tough day," David went on. "You wanted me to make you relax. This will make all the tension slip away."
Mason felt the fine hairs on his arms and legs rise at David's words. The love and concern that radiated from David left him feeling both overwhelmed and like the luckiest man alive. He felt safe even as David began to loop and knot the red rope around him, binding his arms to his sides. David used his fingers to check the gap between each knot and Mason's skin. He paused frequently to ensure that Mason wasn't in any pain, that the ropes weren't pinching and that he had full feeling. Mason was mesmerised by the pattern that was forming across his chest. The ropes criss-crossed over his skin, forming diamonds down the centre of his body.
"It's beautiful," he whispered as tears gathered in his eyes.
"Lie down," David told him, pushing lightly on his breastbone.
Mason flopped backwards. Despite being bound, he felt utterly relaxed and strangely at peace. He had relinquished all control to David and was happy to do so.
He allowed David to position his left leg so that his knee was raised at a right angle to his body. Next, David bound his ankle to his upper thigh. He watched, fascinated, as a similar red diamond pattern was formed over his leg. His breathing had slowed into a contented rhythm, taking in the heady perfume of the candles with every deep inhale.
David moved onto Mason's right leg, positioning it so it was slightly bent at the knee and spreading it wide. He looped the rope around Mason's leg and through the bonds that held his arms to his sides, creating a beautiful red web that completely immobilised Mason.
"Are you okay?" David asked, then leaned down to kiss him. He paused, not pressing his mouth to Mason's until after he'd nodded.
"I'm going to make love to you," David told him as he took a condom and lube out of his bedside table.
Mason watched the older man roll the condom onto his hard cock. He was aroused himself, had been almost as soon as David had started the process of binding him. With his legs spread, he yearned to have David inside him.
David leaned over him, kissing Mason as he used his fingers to warm and open him up. Mason tensed from the initial pain but soon relaxed again as David's fingers worked in and out of him. He longed to be able to thrust his hips, but the bonds prevented him from doing so. He parted his lips to allow David's tongue to slip into his mouth and then sucked on it, provoking a chuckle of delight to spill out of the older man.
"I need you," Mason whispered as David pulled away a fraction.
"You're still happy?" David asked. "Still okay?"
"Yes."
He groaned and tipped his head back as David slowly pushed his cock inside him, pausing to allow Mason to get used to the feel before pushing a little deeper. David rested one hand on Mason's raised knee and the other on the bed beside his head and made love to him, his thrusts long and slow. To start with, Mason stared into David's eyes, but then he became so lost in bliss that he allowed his eyelids to flicker shut and simply felt what was happening. Felt the soft ropes against his skin, felt David inside him and over him. He didn't think he'd ever felt so relaxed in his life. He didn't think he'd ever felt so close to David.
His orgasm hit him hard. His body tensed, straining against the ropes. Thanks to David's care and attention, they still didn't bite into his skin or cause him any pain. Mason felt the initial warmth of his cum coiling over his stomach, but it quickly became cold against his skin. His whole body relaxed again, tiny pinpricks of light dancing behind his firmly closed eyelids. Panting, he listened to David groaning out his own orgasm.
"Open your eyes," David said. "I want you to watch me untie you."
Mason obeyed, watching as David undid each of the knots with the same slow care and attention he'd used when tying them. As his legs and arms became free, he flexed them to try to work out the stiffness.
"Roll over."
Mason obliged, smiling as David began to massage him. He closed his eyes again, allowing the feeling of David's hands working his muscles to overtake him and gradually fell asleep.
Chapter Thirty
Mason
The moment Mason walked through the studio door on Monday morning, Veronica was waiting for him. She gestured for him to follow her and then led him to her office.
"I thought you should know what action I've taken with regards to Kirk," she said once they were both sitting down.
Mason stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.
"Obviously, the incident I witnessed on Friday night left no room for doubt that Kirk has been bullying you. As I already told you, BalletEast doesn't tolerate bullying in any form. Kirk was left with no choice but to admit his wrongdoing. I'd like to say he was apologetic, but I doubt you'd believe me. Even if he was, it wouldn't have changed the outcome. Bullying is gross misconduct, which means instant dismissal from the company."
Mason drew in a breath so quickly, the air felt cold as it hit the back of his throat. He almost choked, and had to swallow to prevent himself from doing so.
"I've spoken to David and Andrea already. They'll keep a close eye on the other men you mentioned. If they see any wrongdoing, they'll inform me so I can act immediately."
Mason wondered when she'd spoken to David. Probably by phone, over the weekend. Not that David had said anything, but then, why would he? It was Mason who had begged his lover to compartmentalise his life, to leave David the choreographer behind at the s
tudio each evening.
And what of the other guys who were hassling him? It didn't sound like much was going to happen unless they stepped out of line in a visible fashion. Even then, what could Veronica possibly do?
"You can't sack them all," he muttered, stupidly thinking out loud.
Veronica raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"The troupe is too small to take that many losses. It would be damaging to the production." He didn't want to be responsible for that; losing Kirk would be bad enough.
"That's my problem, not yours." Her expression softened a little. "My hope is that they'll keep their mouths shut from now on. I know it might not be an ideal outcome for you, but—"
"It's what's best for the company and the production," Mason interrupted. He winced apologetically. "I never wanted to cause trouble." He waited for her to round on him, to tell him he should have thought of that before he slept with David.
"Kirk was the one who caused trouble," she said firmly. "He took issue with you because you were gay."
Mason gaped at her. "He admitted that?"
She nodded. "Kirk's a good dancer, but he's not good at knowing when to keep his mouth shut. Obviously, admitting to homophobic abuse didn't make things any better for him." She inclined her head a fraction. "Finding out about you and David gave him more ammunition, but it wasn't the reason he bullied you. You should have come to me sooner, though, Mason. If you had, your relationship with David would likely have remained private."
Mason looked away, towards the filing cabinet in the corner of the room. She was right, of course. He'd brought a lot of his woes down upon himself. By staying quiet because he was afraid of being branded a troublemaker, he'd made everything worse. As much as Kirk had to take responsibility for being a bully, Mason had to take responsibility for not standing up for himself, for letting the situation drag on, and for his relationship with David being exposed. If he could have gone back and changed things, he would have. But he couldn't. He'd made a colossal mistake, and there was nothing he could do about it.
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