Naughty November

Chapter 1

ONE

GENE

I glanced around the large banquet room of the Charles River Suites Hotel. The luxury establishment was one of Boston’s finest, and I frequented their Banyan’s Cove restaurant whenever I wanted to impress a date. I took a sip of my club soda and tried to pretend it was champagne. The lime was ruining the fantasy.

I grunted to myself. The last time I’d brought a date anywhere, it wasn’t the same year I was in now, and I’d only agreed to go as a favor to Zane. But that was fine. Any of the so-called dates I went on either ended up with a handshake and a see ya, or us getting each other off before shaking hands and saying see ya. Not one of those prospects had taken hold.

“Glad you could make it, Gene.”

Turning from where I’d been leaning on the bar like a drunk drowning in his sorrows, I was met with the gaze of my long-time good friend, Marc. The anxiety I’d been experiencing over running into him vanished at the sight of someone I was truly glad to see. He was the only reason I’d decided to show up at the last minute.

I broke into a grin at how happy he seemed, his smile wide and relaxed. “How could I miss such a momentous occasion? I should’ve congratulated you earlier, but you both seemed overwhelmed with well-wishers. I must say, the ceremony was touching, and the reception…” I gestured around the room. “Absolutely magnificent.”

In truth, I’d thought of many reasons to miss Marc and Foster’s collaring ceremony—most of them selfish. Marching toward forty at a quicker pace than I’d anticipated made me cranky. All I needed was a joyous occasion celebrating everlasting love to push me over the edge.

Marc gave me a hearty pat on the shoulder. “I was worried, to be honest. I haven’t heard back from you, and no one has seen you at the club in ages. We thought maybe we’d offended you somehow.”

I held in a groan. Another reason I’d almost bailed. Most of my fellow kinksters from Club Sensation were in attendance—as I knew they would be—and I was certain that each one would want an explanation. I knew many must be curious about why one of the most consistent Doms, a man whose dance card was always filled, hadn’t bothered to drop by in over six months.

I hadn’t been too great at responding to messages either.

Leaning my elbow on the bar, I tried to appear relaxed. Of course, Marc was a psychologist in addition to being an experienced Dom himself, so he’d be mentally—or perhaps verbally—calling bullshit on my non-plussed, everything’s cool act at any second.

“Well…” I sucked in a deep breath. It wasn’t as if I’d shown up to this event unprepared for the inevitable interrogation. However, I was beginning to feel ridiculous over my pathetic story. “I thought I’d take some time off, do some reevaluating. I needed to be away from the club for a while to gain some perspective.” Clearing my throat, I continued, “Plus, moving.” I rolled my eyes to add plausibility to the epic struggle I’d endured. “That was a hassle.”

Marc arched an eyebrow. “Were you taking time off from your friends, too?”

Okay, so I was being an ass. Sometimes, I wondered whether I’d forgotten how to be a suitable Dom. Communication was key, yet I was acting like a newbie sub who needed a good ass-spanking.

I let out a long sigh. “I apologize, Marc. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself and haven’t been behaving well. There’s no excuse for me not to stay in touch with everyone—you in particular.”

Marc’s features softened, and he squeezed my arm. “I thought you realized I’m always here for you, that we can talk about anything, anytime.”

I pressed my lips together, nodding. “I do. It’s all on me.”

“Hey. Over and done with, right?” Marc smiled. “Move forward from here.” His brow furrowed, and he rubbed his chin. “Not that it’s any of my business, but Alec is here.”

My stomach tightened. I hadn’t seen Alec for almost a year, and I was frankly surprised he was at Marc’s reception. Of course, the ceremony had been held in the honeymoon suite for only the closest of friends, with me lurking by the door so I wouldn’t have to interact if possible. I’d been mostly successful.

I frowned. “He is? Why? I didn’t think Alec was going to the club anymore.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, a headache forming—which was completely unfair without a drop of champagne. “Now it’s my turn to say it’s none of my business. Forget I said that.”

Marc chuckled. “That’s all right. Listen, I wouldn’t have brought it up if I didn’t think it might be worth your time to say hello.” He shrugged. “You know how it is. Sometimes people realize something about themselves that they weren’t willing to admit before.”

I set down my glass, irritation washing over me. Only the mention of Alec could ruffle my Dom feathers. He was the proverbial one that got away. Not that I ever had him to begin with.

“That was rather cryptic.”

Marc nodded. “I know. But it’s not my place to reveal something personal when I haven’t been given permission to do so.” He smirked and raised an eyebrow. “He has asked about you, though. Just saying.” Marc smiled again. “I need to find my boy. Enjoy the rest of the party.”

Before I could grill him further, he’d turned and left without another word. What the hell? Now, I was very irritated as the uncanny sense that I was being watched washed over me. I loosened my tie a bit as I did a surreptitious check of my surroundings. I was not amused that I’d been left hanging.

Shaking my head, I decided it was time to leave. I’d done the right thing by showing up, had taken the first step toward getting back to myself and who I was. I’d congratulated Marc and said hello to a few acquaintances I hadn’t seen in a while. No point in going overboard my first time out of the gate.

After I pushed my empty glass away, I whirled around, my first step forward sending me right into Alec. On instinct, I grabbed his arms to keep him from crashing to the floor. A thought flashed through my head of how wonderful it was to touch him, for him to be so close that I could feel his warmth. The light aroma of a woodsy cologne reached my nostrils, and I was jolted back in time, my chest tightening. It was the same scent he always wore.

“O-oh, sorry.” Alec stammered. “I didn’t realize you were leaving.” He licked his lips then lowered his gaze, his nervousness palpable. “I won’t bother you.”

As he started to pull away, I realized I was still holding onto him. I let him go so quickly that the momentum caused him to stumble.

“You’re not bothering me,” I blurted. “And be careful. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“You don’t?”

He stared up at me with his ridiculously adorable puppy dog eyes. Warm brown irises were framed in dark lashes, and combined with the open, earnest expression that had always made me want to stare back and never stop. His chestnut hair was a tad longer since the last time I’d seen him, and I noted how the strands now held a bit of a wave.

“Of course not.” I frowned. “I don’t hold grudges.”

I only wallow in self-pity.

Alec shifted from foot to foot, tugging at his jacket sleeve. “Oh. Um, that’s good. Because I…well, you see…” His brow wrinkled as he chewed his bottom lip. “This was probably a bad idea.”

I gritted my teeth, angry at myself because of my overpowering need to give him comfort. To reassure him that he needn’t be nervous or unsure of himself. To build him up the way I had when we were doing scenes together.

When I thought I was falling in love.

Witnessing his anguish bordered on agony. “It’s okay, Alec.” I didn’t touch him, but I sure as hell wanted to. “You came over to say something to me, and I’d like to hear what it is. Why don’t we head to the lobby for a bit more privacy.”

Alec nodded but wouldn’t meet my eyes. Of course, when we did scenes, it was a part of our protocol, but I couldn’t tell whether it was why he was doing it. Embarrassment might be more accurate.

We didn’t speak as we wound our way through the crowd, my hand at his lower back but not making contact. I purposely avoided interaction with others by moving as swiftly as possible while nodding and offering a quick smile. Alec’s head remained lowered, so there were no worries there. And other than Marc, or perhaps Zane, the club owner, I wasn’t sure how familiar he was with any of the other members.

As I mulled over the idea that he might’ve interacted with other men at the club, my stomach tightened, and an irrational stab of jealousy shot through me. He’d never been mine—only an occasional play partner. We’d barely had any sexual contact. I found it hard to believe that he would’ve moved on to another Dom after making his grand declaration then bolting from my arms.

I noticed a spot in a corner near the front of the expansive, high-ceilinged lobby. Two velvet upholstered wing chairs with a small marble-topped table in between them were empty next to a fluffy Ficus tree. Perfect camouflage for whatever bomb Alec might be getting ready to drop. I typically handled my emotions well, but Alec got to me in a way no other man ever had.

When Zane first introduced him to me, the intention had been to help a mostly vanilla man explore kink. Alec had been immersed in a deep crisis of self, and while he’d seen a Mistress a few times at another club downtown, he’d never been with a Dom. That was where Zane thought I’d be a perfect fit. I was one of the few Masters at Sensation willing to take on an inexperienced sub. Most Doms preferred to show up solo or with a regular partner, have a pleasant evening, then go home.

Not me. I’ve always enjoyed witnessing a sub’s wonder, excitement, and fear as I showed them how allowing themselves to give in to the experience could set them free.

Alec was different. Yes, I wanted all those first-time moments with him, but I fucking wanted them to be mine . I wanted to own those experiences, to give him what no other man had. Eventually, I started fantasizing about being the only man he would ever share those activities with. Alec taught me I was ready to quit being a teacher to all—that he was the only one I would ever need.

My throat closed as we reached the chairs. And now here we were, and I wondered if the Earth was about to open up and drag me down to my doom.

“Why don’t you have a seat?”

I gestured to one of the chairs before settling on the other. Alec didn’t relax in his seat. Anyone looking in our direction would see one younger man perched on the edge of the cushion, head bowed, hands folded on his knees, and twisting his fingers. Then there would be me, leaning back, my legs crossed with one elbow resting on the chair arm and the other on my knee as if I hadn’t a care in the world.

Alec winced as he continued twisting his fingers. “I hope I’m not ruining your time at the party.”

“That depends on what you’re about to say.”

He glanced up. “I just mean you’re here to hang out with your friends. I don’t want to get in the way.”

I still couldn’t figure out how he’d managed to get invited to the reception. Did Marc know him that well? Although, since the reception was open to any club members, it must mean Alec had been attending the club this whole time. My anxiety morphed into anger—most of it directed at myself. Had I disappeared from the club, my home away from home, while Alec continued to attend and enjoy the attentions of other men?

The thought was not only on the irrational side but puzzling. The only reason I hadn’t gone back after that night was because the club would remind me of him, and I knew another sub wouldn’t interest me in the slightest. Showing up at Marc’s reception was my way of announcing I was ready to rejoin the kink land of the living. But instead, I feared I was about to embark on round two of having my heart crushed.

Alec regarded me with wide eyes, waiting for my response as I pondered how to proceed .

“I haven’t seen anyone from the club in a while, so you’re giving me a good excuse to take a breather before going back to the reception.” I gave him a tight smile. “I’ll admit it’s awkward for me to show up after not being in contact with anyone for so long.”

Alec’s jaw went slack, and his body tensed. “I don’t understand. I thought being at the club was everything to you.”

I swallowed hard. Pretending with Alec was pointless and—frankly—a waste of energy. I could either choose to stay and talk or simply walk away.

I couldn’t walk away.

“No, Alec. That’s where you’re wrong. It wasn’t the club that was everything.”