Chapter Six #2
They reached the changing room, and Ryan paused, placing a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “I’m not peer pressuring you, I promise. I only want to put it out there.”
Several men in various states of undress chatted while changing into leather gear.
Ryan led him to a bank of large, narrow, closet-sized lockers on the back wall of the spacious room.
Like everywhere else in Club Sensation, there wasn’t a fluorescent bulb in sight.
The same vibe that permeated the interior of the club space also extended to the changing area.
More than once, Eli found himself wondering what the private rooms were like and if he’d ever have the nerve to go inside one. He licked his lips.
I think I would with Avery.
Not that Avery would ever ask him, not after the last time he was alone with the man and ran from him like Avery was a hound from hell. Still, he couldn’t stop those pesky fantasies from forming every time his mind wandered.
Ryan was fiddling with the combo lock, his tongue poking out between his lips, his brow dipping low between his eyes.
“Hmm… I could’ve sworn me and Ty agreed on this combo.
” He straightened, scratching his head. His features suddenly brightened, and he held up his pointer finger.
“Nope. That was last month’s number. I’ve got it now.
” Ryan opened the locker with a wide grin. “Ta da!”
Eli laughed, grateful for Ryan’s playful demeanor. His positive outlook and seemingly endless energy always helped ease his nerves. Ryan tugged a large canvas duffel with a pattern of cartoonish dragons covering the deep purple fabric out of the narrow cubicle.
“Here. There’s a bunch of stuff in here. Since you and Ty are about the same size, there’s a lot to choose from.”
“He’s okay with me borrowing his clothes?” Eli felt as if he was racking up a ton of IOUs, even though none of his new friends expected any payback.
“More than okay.” Ryan was digging through the bag as if he were hunting for treasure. “He’s the one who suggested it.”
“Oh, wow. That’s so cool of him.” Ryan was in the process of untangling two leather harnesses, so Eli jumped on the chance to ask him about the rooms. “You were saying that each room has a different theme? Like, what kind of themes?”
“Aargh… These should’ve been stored in separate bags so they don’t get damaged.” Ryan’s scrunched-up face was a study in frustration. “Master is going to be soooo pissed.”
“Can I help?”
Ryan glanced up. “Huh?” He paused, blinking a few times. “I never answered your other question, did I?”
“That’s okay. It looks like you’re struggling.”
Ryan shook his head with a frown. “No, that was wicked rude.” He dropped the tangled leather accessories back into the bag.
“Let’s see.” He tapped his finger on his chin.
“Basically, Doms can choose a room based on the type of kink they’re into.
For example, bondage. So it could be more advanced, like with a spinning wheel, or a pillory for whipping that needs a larger space with a higher ceiling.
That last one combines bondage and pain play. ”
He nodded like he was emphasizing the importance of those distinctions.
“Or it could be more basic with a classic St. Andrew’s cross and a bondage bench.
From there, there are ones devoted to medical play, CBT, suspension…
Phew! I could go on for days.” Ryan laughed.
“Then there are generic rooms with lots of toys in cabinets, or kink-friendly deluxe suites with gorgeous decor and plush furniture, sort of like Sir Avery’s hotel.
You know, for those who want to bring their own toys to the game. ”
Talking about Avery in the same sentence as all those kinky rooms gave Eli the boner of the century.
“I definitely have a lot to learn. I’m not sure I understood half of what you were talking about.”
“Oops.” Ryan put his hand to his mouth. “There I go getting carried away again.”
Eli shook his head. “That’s okay. I love your enthusiasm.
I hope someday I can get that pumped about something.
” He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I’m still figuring everything out.
” He rubbed his neck. “And I don’t just mean my, you know, present circumstances.
I’ve sort of been coasting ever since high school, not sure what the best course is. ”
Before Eli could register the action, Ryan had thrown his arms around him, giving him a tight squeeze.
On the morning of their first full day together, Ryan had asked his consent for platonic touches, like hugs.
Eli had been so surprised, he didn’t answer at first. Ryan misunderstood his silence as a no until Eli explained to Ryan that asking permission for something like that was a thing.
However, once he’d given Ryan the okay, Eli discovered exactly how affectionate Ryan was.
Ryan let him go, sighing. “I’m terrible at giving life advice, but I hope you discover what it is you want very soon.”
“Thanks.” Eli smiled. “But I think you’re great at giving advice. You helped me out.”
“You’re so sweet, hon.” He snorted. “That was more about worry than anything, though. If I didn’t have my Master’s guidance, I’d be a hot mess.”
Eli rubbed the back of his neck. Would having a Master help him too?
He didn’t want to project because Avery was a Dom and total smoke show.
At the same time, what Master Zane did with Ryan and Ty was pretty intense and time-consuming.
Was that even something Avery was interested in doing with a sub?
He seemed awfully busy with the hotel. On the other hand, Master Zane ran the club, and he always made time for his boys.
Eli startled as Ryan snapped his fingers in front of him several times. “Hellooooo…” Ryan chuckled. “I think I lost you there for a bit.”
“Oh man, sorry.” Eli chuckled. “So much new information to process, you know?”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “I do know. I’ve been living this lifestyle for years, and I’m still discovering new things.
Anyway, what about this?” He held up a shimmery, stretchy, cap-sleeved black tee.
“Go low-key until you get more comfortable with the gear.” Ryan also had a pair of pants draped over his arm.
“These are dressy, black jeans. And anyway, leather pants are more of a personal item, if you know what I mean.”
“This is perfect, Ryan. I won’t feel self-conscious in those at all.”
Eli accepted the shirt, loving how the sheer fabric slid between his fingers.
He’d never worn such a decadent top before.
If Lenny were there, he’d congratulate him on taking such a daring step.
Eli swallowed hard. If he thought too much about Lenny, his mind would be back in LA for the rest of the night, and he’d be a wreck.
Thankfully, Ryan hadn’t noticed the slight darkening in his mood.
“Here, you’ll need to put these on too.” He tugged a box of boots out from the bottom of the locker.
“Can’t wear your white athletics here. Boy, I hope these fit.
It’s great that you’re the same size as Ty, but he said they hit his heels wrong. If they work out, you can keep them.”
Ryan handed him the box, and Eli swallowed down the emotion clogging his throat.
The kindness kept hitting him in waves—first Ryan and his family taking him in, then Avery rescuing his belongings and following up on him, and now this.
The kindness felt foreign after weeks of looking over his shoulder, trusting no one.
“Thank you,” he managed, his voice rougher than he intended. “All of you have been so generous, and I—”
“None of that.” Ryan waved a hand around. “We’ve all needed help at some point. Besides, Master Zane would have my hide if I let you wander around the club in sneakers.” He grinned. “The club has impeccable standards.”
Eli found an empty bench to try on the boots. “It definitely does. The one place I went to…” He ducked his head, fussing with the boots. “I mean, I’ve only been to one other club I thought was this nice.”
After putting on the boots and determining that they fit well, Ryan held up a yellow bracelet.
“Again, no pressure. But if you want to understand more about different practices, then this is a great first step. It still tells Doms that even though you’re open to discussions, that you’re still new and there’s a good chance you won’t play.”
“And why wouldn’t I simply wear a green bracelet? I’d still have to consent to go with someone, right?”
Ryan nodded. “Of course. But yellow is like a warning to a Dom that you’re more likely than not to say no. Green is all about actively seeking a play partner.” Ryan scrunched up his nose. “I hope I explained that okay.”
Eli was starting to pick up on Ryan’s cues, on what stressed him out, such as saying the right thing.
“You did great.” Eli held out his hand, palm up. “Yellow bracelet it is.”