Page 23 of Sir Avery's Wish
After making his way into the club’s main space, he took a moment to stand at the edges, taking in the sight before him. While the club’s decor was top-notch, truly adding to the overall experience, it was the people who made the club one he yearned to return again and again. Zane had gifted the community with a safe space to be themselves without fear of judgment. Once you stepped inside the walls of the massive building, it was like coming home.
Avery inhaled a deep breath through his nose. He’d take tonight to get back in the groove. Although he’d dressed in his leather, he wasn’t necessarily going to play. This was more about reminding himself what he’d been missing by subconsciously hiding.
A couple near the bar caught his attention—a Dom he recognized but couldn't quite place, guiding his boy through what appeared to be their first visit. The sub’s wide eyes and nervous energy reminded Avery of his own early days in the scene, back when every collar and crop seemed both terrifying and electrifying. The Dom whispered something in his boy’s ear, and the visible relaxation in the man’s shoulders spoke to the Dom’s ability to connect with a sub.
Avery found himself studying the interaction more closely than he might’ve in months past. When was the last time he’dfelt that spark of nervous anticipation? That delicious tension between fear and desire that made everything sharper, more alive?
A scene played out near the St. Andrew's cross, the Dom's voice carrying just enough for Avery to catch the cadence if not the words. Professional appreciation stirred as he watched the careful attention to his sub's responses, the way the man paused between strikes to check in. Good technique. Zane had trained his members well.
His fingers flexed at his sides, muscle memory awakening. The leather of his pants felt different tonight—not like a costume he’d thrown on out of habit, but like a second skin he’d forgotten he owned.
The weight of his leather harness pressed against his chest, a familiar constraint that felt like an embrace. Avery rolled his shoulders back, settling into himself. He’d forgotten how much he missed the version of himself that existed here.
“Avery.” Zane’s voice cut through his thoughts as he clapped him on the shoulder from behind. “Glad you’re back in your natural habitat.”
Avery turned with a chuckle, noting his buddy was dressed in his customary black leather vest that showcased muscular arms covered in intricate tattoos. “Zane. Looks like it’s going to be a good night.”
“We have some guests from out of town. Have you met Master Gavin? He’s one of the Kiss of Leather owners. He’s here with his husband and a few friends. He’s offered to do a demonstration upstairs on his boy, some electro-play.”
“No, I haven’t. I missed him the last time he was here, and I’ve never had the chance to fly out to LA to see the club.”
Zane snort-laughed. “You barely travel across town, let alone the country.”
Avery ducked his head, but had to laugh. “Valid. But your words hit home the other night, and I’m ready to quit pretending that I’m happy with the way things have been.”
Zane pulled him in for a bro hug. “Good. Now let’s move onward and upward. Gavin and Kyle will be on the second floor in the main observation room.” Zane checked his watch. “They’ll be starting up in about fifteen minutes.” Zane gave him a smile. “I wish I could head up there with you, but I have a few things that need my attention. One of our guests has a special request for a private room.”
“No problem. I'll catch up with you later.” Avery watched his friend weave through the crowd with practiced ease. Zane had always been the more social of the two, the connector who made everyone feel welcome.
Avery checked his watch. He had time to get upstairs and secure a good vantage point for the demonstration. Electro-play wasn’t his specialty, but he appreciated the artistry of it in capable hands. If this Master Gavin was one of the owners of the renowned Kiss of Leather club, it would be worth observing his technique.
He made his way to the elevator, nodding to familiar faces as he passed. When the doors slid open, he stepped out, then took a moment to appreciate his surroundings. It had been at least a year since he’d bothered to attend a demonstration. The second level had a different energy. It was more focused, less social. Honestly, it somewhat mirrored his own vibe.
The main observation room was already filling with people eager for the demonstration, perhaps a dozen, most of them subs. There was a row of padded folding chairs at the edge of the performance area, and most of the seats were filled. The lighting was low, but there were hanging lamps where the demonstration would take place.
He let his gaze wander the room, noting there were a few men hugging the back wall on the other side. His stomach tightened, and he choked on his spit at the sight of Eli standing next to Ryan. But what really made the tension in his muscles surge was the Dom leaning against the wall, hovering around them. Ryan’s collar clearly stated he was off-limits, but Eli was a prime target.
Avery’s eyes darted down to Eli’s wrist, and he balled his fists.Yellow. Eli was open to playing.Nope. He strode over to them with a purposeful gait. If Eli was that interested in learning about submission, he wasn’t about to allow some random Dom he’d never seen before in his life get hold of him. If anyone was going to guide Eli, it would behim.
The Dom straightened as Avery approached, his posture shifting from casual to defensive. Good. The man had decent instincts, at least. Avery let his own body language speak for him—shoulders back, stride confident, every inch the territorial dominant closing in on what was his. He shoved away the pesky thought trying to remind him that Eli was anythingbuthis.
“Ryan.” Avery nodded to him, and Zane’s boy immediately brightened with recognition.
“Sir Avery! I was just telling Eli about some of the different types of scenes he might see tonight.”
Ryan’s enthusiasm bubbled over as usual, but Avery caught the way Eli’s breath hitched at his arrival.
“Eli.” Avery gave him a soft smile. The yellow bracelet seemed to mock him from Eli’s slender wrist. “I’m surprised, but delighted, to see you here tonight.”
Eli’s hazel eyes widened, darting between Avery and the hovering Dom. “I…um…hi.” His voice was barely audible over the low thrum of conversation in the room.
The unknown Dom cleared his throat. “We were just getting acquainted. I’m Master James.” He extended a hand to Avery,his posture stiffening further when Avery took a moment before accepting the handshake.
“Sir Avery.” He kept his grip firm, perhaps a touch firmer than necessary. “Eli is a friend. I’m glad to see him exploring, but as he’s new to the scene, I feel somewhat responsible for his introduction to it.”
Master James’s smile tightened at the corners. “Of course. Always good to have a mentor.” He nodded to both Eli and Ryan before slipping away into the growing crowd.
Ryan glanced between them with a knowing grin that made Avery want to send him on an errand—preferably to the other side of the club. The boy’s perceptiveness was spot on.
