Chapter 13 #2
“Yeah, so…” Jay was determined to give the uncomfortable disclaimer.
“I meant what I said yesterday. You’re beautiful just as you are—the suits, those insane spandex shorts, sweatpants.
I mean, I’ve never seen you in sweatpants, but I assume you’d still look amazing.
It’s just that you seemed upset yesterday about not having the option to wear something else, so…
I brought you here to find some options? ”
Aaron’s smile had been growing wider through Jay’s monologue. At the end, he lunged across the center console and delivered an aggressive kiss to Jay’s cheek before squeezing him in an awkward side hug.
“You’re just so sweet. Thank you for this. Honestly, it would have taken me months just to get around to googling what a place like that is called.”
“I was a little worried it might come off the wrong way,” Jay admitted, breathing in Aaron’s citrusy scent. He could stay like this forever, but he forced himself to let go after a few seconds.
"I can't wait to check it out." Aaron examined the unassuming storefront with curiosity and got out of the car. "I’ve never seen you wear leather. Saving it for a special occasion?"
“No.” Jay shook his head. “I don’t own anything like that.”
Aaron eyed him with playful suspicion. "Why not? I'm not implying you need to change your style. That black T-shirt and jeans combo is probably Pavlovian to club regulars at this point. But why not mix it up?"
The question stumped Jay. He’d never really thought about it. His everyday outfits were comfortable and unassuming, so he’d always worn the same thing to the club out of habit.
Maybe it was time to add some variety to the endless rotation of the same T-shirts and jeans he’d worn since college.
When he didn’t respond, Aaron nudged him. “Wait, if you don’t shop here, how do you even know about this place?”
“I shop here,” Jay said. “Just not for clothes.”
Aaron tilted his head in confusion before his eyes widened with the realization.
“Oh,” he breathed out, avoiding Jay’s eyes, “Right.” He twirled around and walked toward the entrance, leaving Jay to catch up as he tried not to chuckle at the obvious embarrassment on Aaron’s face.
These occasional moments of innocence made him all the more endearing.
Jay matched Aaron’s pace, determined to break the sudden awkwardness.
“This place is great. I know a lot of people who shop here for clothes, and I’ve bought a few floggers here.
They cost ten times more than the mass-produced stuff, but the quality is top-notch.
” He gave Aaron a reassuring smile and opened the door, gesturing him inside.
To a newcomer, the space was intimidating.
The air was thick with the earthy smell of leather.
Display cases lined the walls like museum exhibits, showcasing a variety of leather products arranged with obvious care.
A stern man dressed in all black and covered in tattoos stood still by the counter, watching their every move.
Jay had figured out on his first visit that the eerie atmosphere was a facade, meant to warn off those who came in for a quick browse and left immediately after seeing the price tags.
He’d spent enough time and money at the shop to be at ease, and he wanted Aaron to have the same experience.
Narrowing his eyes in warning, he placed his palm on Aaron’s lower back in a show of silent support. "Hey, Tank, this is Aaron."
Tank’s face remained impassive, not a twitch of muscle on his body, as he looked from Jay to Aaron. Aaron didn’t flinch, openly returning the stare.
After a few tense moments, Tank gave a slight nod and grunted a greeting.
"We're looking for some sexy outfits today." Jay fought to hide his smile as Tank made a low noise and pointed to the recessed entryway in the corner, a black velvet drape barring the way. Jay vaguely recalled stepping in there once before realizing his interests lay in the other areas of the shop.
"What a charmer," Aaron whispered to Jay as soon as they were out of Tank's earshot.
"I think he was really disappointed he didn't make you cry," Jay whispered back.
"Whoa." Aaron stopped short after parting the drape. The room was an impressive sight. Most clothing stores were packed with overflowing racks and endless choices, but here, the pieces hung in isolation, each one presented as a piece of art.
"I can only imagine how much these cost." Aaron dragged a finger over the intricately stamped leather of a black vest.
"It's definitely not for everyone, but you do remember bragging about having a good job, right?"
"That I did." Aaron’s attention wasn’t on Jay anymore as he wandered off, brushing his fingertips across everything within his reach. After a slow circuit around the room, he drifted back to where Jay was standing. “What should I get?”
“You’re asking me? You’ve already pointed out that I’m not exactly fashion-forward.”
“I’m not asking you to dress yourself.” Aaron waved the thought away. “You’re a Dom, so you’re the perfect demographic. What would look good on me?”
Jay hummed with indecision, his gaze darting from pants to skirts to harnesses. He imagined Aaron in each item, his mind growing hazier with lust. His face was on fire by the time he glanced back at Aaron, certain that his blush would give him away.
“I don’t…this is something you should pick yourself,” Jay muttered, searching his mind for something helpful.
He wanted to ask what kind of outfits Aaron used to wear, but it seemed like too intimate a question, and he didn’t want to bring the ex-husband into the conversation.
Besides, it was obvious that Aaron was new to the club scene.
Playing at home was completely different.
For all Jay knew, Aaron had been naked for every scene.
The mental image sent a fresh wave of heat to his cheeks.
“Maybe there’s something you’ve always been curious about? Anything you’ve seen at Chain Reaction that got your attention?”
Aaron pursed his lips in thought, then moved to the display with skirts and the shortest shorts Jay had ever seen, trailing a finger down the seam of a flared black miniskirt.
“You like it?” Jay asked.
Aaron whipped around and faced Jay with an earnest expression on his face.
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with me. I know what the correct answer is, which is that everyone is beautiful and should do whatever their heart desires and all that. I don’t want that answer. Give me the actual truth, okay?”
There was a hint of vulnerability in Aaron’s voice, and Jay wasn’t sure he could promise the truth if it meant hurting Aaron’s feelings. “I’ll try.”
Aaron fidgeted with the hanger in his hands and bit his lower lip. “Would I look ridiculous in a skirt? Not am I allowed to wear a skirt, because yes, of course I am. But would I, a thirty-eight-year-old man with a few white hairs and skinny legs, look ridiculous in it?”
Jay’s mind helpfully provided a vision of Aaron wearing the skirt—and nothing else.
He would look delectable, his torso bare and inviting, his thin waist wrapped in soft leather that fell to his shapely thighs, barely covering the plump ass that haunted Jay’s fantasies.
Jay would be able to brush his hand up Aaron’s legs, meeting no resistance, his fingers hidden from view. Free to do whatever he wanted.
“Okay, I’m going to get it.” Aaron declared with a smirk and turned away to keep shopping while Jay slowly came back to reality.
Why didn’t Aaron wait for him to answer the question?
The realization dawned when he took a step, instantly aware of his erection.
The slim fit of his jeans didn’t do much to hide his excitement.
Jay willed himself to calm down. While Aaron had correctly interpreted his reaction as a compliment, Jay didn’t want to cross into creepy territory. Taking a few deep breaths, he joined Aaron by the crop tops.
“I don’t think you’d look ridiculous in the skirt,” he said in a low, gravelly voice full of leftover desire.
“I figured.” Aaron shot him a radiant smile. It wasn’t his usual smirk, but something genuine that calmed Jay’s worries.
They spent a few more minutes browsing. Aaron paused by a harness made up of belts and chains, mesmerized by its complexity. Jay bit his tongue and looked away before his imagination ran away with him. Again.
Fuck, Aaron would look hot as sin in that strappy contraption.
Finally, after petting a leather cuff engraved with vaguely Celtic designs, Aaron announced he was done. “I’m going to start with the skirt, see how that goes, and come back for more.”
Tank was in the same position when they came up to check out, his scowl slightly softer.
“Do you need a different size?” he asked.
Aaron peered at the small linen label sewn into the seam. “Nope, this is perfect.”
“No returns if you change your mind,” Tank grumbled. “Only if there’s a defect.”
Aaron made a noise of acknowledgment and paid with a credit card, unfazed by the price.
Jay wasn’t surprised—he didn’t know Aaron’s salary, but the man had dropped a small fortune on furniture last week without flinching.
He seemed like the type to save his money for practicalities and rare luxuries rather than spending it frivolously.
“I might come back for one of those cuffs,” Aaron mused as they walked out of the shop. “Those designs were incredible.”
“I think Tank does a lot of his own embossing.”
“Tank contains multitudes.” Aaron’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I should know better than to judge a book by its cover.”
“Are you going to take that out for a spin tonight?” Jay nodded at the linen dustbag in Aaron’s hands.
“I can’t,” Aaron said. “I wanted to see your surprise and hang out, so I kind of ran out in the middle of working on a presentation that’s due tonight. I’m going to grab some takeout and head back to the office.”