Vulnerable [Suncoast Society] (Suncoast Society #29)(28)

That was when it hit him.

Yeah, Jesse had told him about his parents disowning him.

“Next Friday,” Leo said, “let’s tentatively set up a dinner date. Once I know where Laurel wants to eat, I’ll let you know and have you meet us there. I’d rather go in separate cars at first. Fair warning, there’s a good chance it’ll be sushi.”

Jesse’s smile beamed. “I absolutely love sushi.”

Fuck. Me.

Leo knew it was irresponsible and too damn soon and crazy, but he thought he might just be falling in love with the guy.





Chapter Eleven


Jesse’s body buzzed with excitement in a way it usually didn’t when he looked forward to a scene with Tilly. This was different.

This was personal.

He hadn’t even felt like this about Mario in the best of times.

How sad am I?

That it took practically destroying his life to rebuild it into something better?

With someone better.

Way better.

Leo touched several of the implements before looking at Jesse. “You pick. Pick five things for me to use on you.”

“What?”

“I’m telling you to pick what you want me to use on you. Five implements. Well, something that comes in a pair would be one thing.”

“I’m good with all of it.”

Leo gently caught Jesse’s chin and made him look him in the eyes. “This is important to me,” he softly said. “I’m telling you to pick them.”

He couldn’t pull his gaze from Leo’s blue eyes, and not because the man still had a gentle grasp on his chin.

No, he didn’t understand why this was important to Leo, but it obviously was. He could see it in the man’s intense gaze.

“Yes, Sir.”

Those two words fell naturally from his lips when speaking with Leo.

Leo leaned in for a gentle kiss. “Good boy,” he whispered, and damned if Jesse didn’t shiver at the sound.

Holy f*ck, I’m screwed.

Leo let go of him and sat back in his chair, waiting. Jesse glanced at Keith, but no help there. The other Dom stared at Leo as if trying to figure out the newbie’s plan but didn’t offer any suggestions.

Studying the toys, Jesse tried to think what Leo would like…which was impossible, because he didn’t know what Leo would like. Hell, Leo wouldn’t even know what Leo liked yet.

He finally settled on a lighter wooden paddle, the leather strap, a riding crop, an acrylic paddle, and a short wooden dowel about a foot long with a handle on it.

Leo held his hands out. “Give them to me.”

He did.

“In the future, when I ask you to pick something out, or I tell you to make a decision about something, I don’t want you to question me or defer it back to me. I want you to do it. Understood?”

Jesse licked his lips. “Yes, Sir.”

A shadow seemed to cross Leo’s face. “This also goes for stuff outside of…this. When I want your opinion, and I ask for it, don’t put it back on me to decide. If I’d wanted to decide without input from you, I would have. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I don’t know where this is going to lead. Or what form it’s going to take. Or if after tonight’s over we’re even still on speaking terms. But if we are going to last for the long haul, then you need to understand something about me. I want a partner. We can let that partnership take whatever structure we let it take. Submissive or equal or whatever, you’d still be my partner. When I ask for a decision from you, that’s what I want.”

“Yes, Sir.” Jesse knew this would lead to a much more detailed private conversation later on. He suspected, based on what he’d pieced together so far between their talk Thursday night and then at dinner, that Leo had unwillingly borne an unhealthy share of responsibility for the relationship with his ex.

And not consensually, either.

“Good boy.” Leo stood. “Keith, can you tell me what the protocol is for playing?”

“Sure.” He glanced around. “There are plenty of open stations tonight, so basically pick one, unless you want to wait for a specific one to open up.”

“Do you want me to get a towel, Sir?” Jesse asked Leo.

“If you need one, yes.”

Jesse hurried over to the towel station, grabbed one, then added an aftercare blanket to that, and returned.

“What’s in your backpack?” Leo asked.

Jesse told him.

“Is that what you usually wear when you scene?”

“Yes, Sir. But you can have me wear what you want.”

Leo smiled. “I’m thinking not the blindfold or the gag. Not this time. I want to be able to hear and see you. And do you mind if I don’t tie you down to the bench like Landry did to Cris? I’m not comfortable doing that yet.”

“I don’t mind, Sir.” It took every ounce of will for him not to add, “Whatever You want, Sir.”

“I think there are a couple of open benches in the new side,” Keith said. “Let’s go over there. Less people watching.”

He led the way, carrying his implement bag.

The bench Landry and Cris had used at the rear of the space was free. Keith set his bag down and stepped back. Jesse recognized Keith was setting himself up to personally DM the scene, not too close, but not too far away.