Chapter 1 #2
A key turning in the lock heralded the arrival of Milan and Asher, and Denali’s face lit up like the sky during an Alaskan midnight sun.
He dropped what he had in his hands and dashed to the front door, where he jumped into Milan’s arms. Josiah watched as the man—and god, he got sexier every time Josiah saw him—thoroughly kissed Denali.
When he was finally done, he handed him over to Asher, who did the same. Denali melted against him, and a fresh pang of loneliness hit Josiah. He was so happy for his best friend and, at the same time, so sad and desperate.
Finally, they finished greeting each other and walked into the kitchen.
“Good to see you, Josiah.” Milan kissed Josiah on the cheek. He wasn’t a hugger, that one.
Asher was, and he enveloped Josiah in a warm embrace. “Glad to see you, kid. Denali’s been looking forward to your visit for weeks.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t wait to come here either.”
They shared a simple but tasty meal of varied kinds of pasta Denali had brought home from the restaurant where he worked as a waiter. “The one benefit of working there is the food,” Denali said with a grin. “Although that many carbs may not be good for my figure.”
He had become even rounder and fuller since leaving the White House, but Josiah thought it looked good on him.
“I love your curves,” Asher said.
“I love your ass especially,” Milan chimed in, waggling his eyebrows.
Denali rolled his eyes. “I know, Sir. Trust me, I know.”
“Are you ready for tonight?” Asher asked Josiah, his eyes twinkling with mischief and promise.
“More than ready,” Josiah said, his voice hitching slightly on the edge of anticipation and anxiety. “Though I will need some time to get changed.”
“Oh, no worries. We’re used to it with our Blue.” He sent a look of warm affection toward Denali.
“Hey, looking pretty takes time,” Denali said.
“Nah, not for you. You’re always pretty, Blue.”
Milan coughed. “Jesus, Asher, where do you get that cheesy stuff from?”
“You’re just jealous because I said it first and because Blue loves it when I say things like that…and you can’t ever come up with them.”
“Words are not my forte, okay? I have other qualities.”
Without hesitation, Asher leaned over and squeezed Milan’s cock through his pants. “You sure do.”
“Do I need to put you over my knee, boy?” Milan growled, but Asher laughed.
“I was merely complimenting your best attribute…Sir.”
Milan grabbed Asher’s chin and yanked him forward, then claimed his mouth in a rough kiss. “I’ll allow it this time.”
“Yes, Sir.” Asher looked a little dazed, and no wonder after that kiss. Josiah was hard just from watching.
“Let’s get you looking irresistible,” Denali said to Josiah, his tone light but his eyes serious as if they would be dressing him for battle rather than pleasure.
“Isn’t that my default setting?” Josiah said, trying to buoy his spirits with humor.
They retreated to the guest room that would be Josiah’s and sifted through the clothes he’d brought and Denali’s extensive collection of revealing outfits.
Josiah decided on a black harness that would cradle his chest and a pair of red leather hot pants he’d made himself.
They clung to his skin, showing off his figure, and he always felt confident in them.
Standing before the mirror, Josiah took a deep breath, steadying his hands as he applied eyeliner with surgical precision.
Each stroke was a mantra to boost his confidence.
He would find someone tonight. A Dom would notice him and want him.
He was a canvas of desire, a work of art that would draw gazes and stir whispers.
“Damn, you’re so good at that,” Denali said. “I can never get it as neat as you.”
“Comes with being artistic. I’ve developed a steady hand.”
Josiah turned in front of the mirror, the lights glinting off his hair styled to tousled perfection. He couldn’t make himself prettier than this, so it would have to do.
“Ready to turn some heads?” Denali stepped beside him in an outfit that was just as daring, anticipation shimmering in his eyes.
The flutter in Josiah’s chest reached a crescendo in his symphony of nerves and exhilaration.
He straightened his shoulders. No more doubts now.
He had to radiate confidence. “More than ready. I just hope there’s someone who can handle all this.
” He gestured at himself from the meticulously applied eyeliner that made his eyes pop to the boots that added a few necessary inches to his stature.
Milan whistled between his teeth. “Trust me, you’ll have them lining up for the chance. You two look edible.”
“Lining up? I’m hoping for more of a stampede,” Josiah quipped, the playful banter easing the tight coil of longing within him. “A sexy, dominant stampede.”
“Is there any other kind?” Denali nudged Josiah with his elbow.
Josiah’s laughter mingled with Denali’s as they shared a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. It was the kind of easy humor that came from years of friendship, from knowing each other’s darkest secrets and brightest hopes.
“Hey, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Denali said in a mock-serious tone.
“Considering what you get up to with Milan and Asher, that doesn’t rule out much.”
“Exactly. Let’s go find you a Dom who appreciates your particular brand of high maintenance.” Denali slung an arm around Josiah’s shoulders as they walked out of the room.
“High maintenance?” Josiah feigned indignation, even as his stomach did a hopeful flip. “I prefer ‘highly desirable.’”
“Same thing.”
As they descended the steps of the brownstone, Josiah’s excitement peaked, every nerve ending alight with the thought of what—or who—awaited him. This was it: the beginning of something new, something thrilling. “Tonight’s going to be epic,” he murmured, more to himself than to Denali.
He didn’t say much on the ride over, his nerves too frayed for conversation.
“Tonight could be the night, Jo.” Denali slipped an arm around Josiah’s waist. “You might just meet him—the one who’ll see you, really see you.”
Josiah leaned into the embrace, drawing strength from Denali’s unwavering presence. “God, I hope so. I want someone who can handle my fire without getting burned, unravel me and stitch me back together.”
“And you will.” Milan turned around and gave him a knowing smile. “You’re cute and sweet, and you have this whole wide-eyed innocence going on that is irresistible to Doms like me. Trust me, if I didn’t have my Denali, I would’ve been first in line to corrupt you.”
Asher nodded. “Same.”
They weren’t lying. Josiah knew that much, and their words gave him a much-needed confidence boost. “Thank you. If you weren’t with my best friend, I would’ve happily taken you up on that offer.”
Milan parked the car, and they approached the club’s entrance, the door a portal to another world. “Good evening, sirs,” the doorman said.
“Hey, Benji,” Milan said. “We have a guest with us tonight. I’d like a single sub wristband for him.”
“Absolutely, Sir.”
Josiah held out his hand, and Benji slipped a neon-green wristband on. “That tells Doms you’re an available sub,” Asher said. “Available Doms will wear a blue wristband. No wristband means not approachable.”
Easy enough to remember. Josiah took a deep breath as they descended into the heart of the club, the beat of the music echoing the beat of his heart—fast, fierce, and filled with yearning.