Page 24 of Sir Avery's Wish
Avery turned his full attention to Eli, noting the way the dim lighting caught in his auburn curls, giving them a burnished glow. The younger man shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his slender fingers picking at the edge of the yellow bracelet. The sight stirred something possessive in Avery’s chest.
“Yellow bracelet.” Avery gestured to Eli’s wrist. “You’re considering playing tonight?”
Eli tucked a curl behind his ear, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Ryan suggested it. He said it might help me understand things better. To watch first, maybe try...” His voice trailed off.
Ryan bounced on his heels. “I told him it’s totally fine to observe only. But the yellow bracelet gives him options, you know? No pressure either way.”
Avery nodded, keeping his expression neutral despite the unease coiling in his stomach. The thought of Eli exploring with anyone else, anyone who didn't know his story, his vulnerability—sent a sharp spike of protectiveness through him. The kid had been through enough. He had no claim on the Eli, but the rational part of his brain seemed to have taken a temporary leave of absence.
“Would you like to watch the demonstration together?” Avery asked, his voice carrying the formal edge that emerged when he was fighting for control. “I can explain the techniques as we go.”
Eli’s head snapped up, those hazel eyes searching Avery’s face. “You wouldn't mind? I mean, I don't want to monopolize your time.”
The uncertainty in Eli's voice tugged at something protective in his soul. He stepped closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of Eli’s soap, clean with a tinge of honey and almond. Intoxicating enough that he wanted to bury his nose in the curve of his neck.
Avery smiled. “I offered, didn’t I?”
The simple acknowledgment seemed to ease some of the tension from Eli’s shoulders. Avery gestured toward the front of the room where a few spots remained along the wall with a clear view of the demonstration area.
“Come on. We'll have a better vantage point up there.” He regarded Ryan, who was grinning like he’d stolen the last cookie from the jar. “Would you like to join us?”
Ryan let out a snort, then quickly covered his mouth before responding. “I just remembered I have to go do something.”
Avery smirked. “Well, I don’t want to hold you up if you have something important to do.”
Ryan rolled his eyes with great exaggeration. “Sooooo important.” He gave Eli a quick hug, whispering something in his ear. He straightened. “You kids have fun.”
Avery cleared his throat loudly. Ryan’s eyes went wide. “Uh, have fun, Eli, and you too, Sir.” He gritted his teeth then hurried from the room.
“Shall we?”
Eli nodded, and Avery placed a light hand on the small of his back, guiding Eli to the other side of the room. The contactsent a jolt of awareness through him—the warmth of Eli’s body through the thin fabric of his shirt, the way the younger man seemed to lean slightly into his touch. Dangerous territory, but Avery couldn't bring himself to pull away.
They found a spot against the wall right as Master Gavin entered the demonstration area with his boy. Avery was aware of Gavin’s reputation in the kink community, but seeing him in person was different. The imposing, muscular man moved with the fluid confidence of someone comfortable with himself. His boy followed a step behind, head lowered but not cowering, a practiced submission grown out of trust and experience.
After introducing himself to the audience, Master Gavin introduced his husband and sub, Kyle. The way Gavin beamed as he spoke made it clear to everyone how proud he was of his boy.
Eli tensed beside him as the demonstration began. His breathing quickened, a barely perceptible increase, but noticeable enough if someone was paying attention. And Avery was paying close attention.
“The key to electro-play,” Avery murmured, his voice low enough that only Eli could hear, “is building anticipation. Watch how Master Gavin eases Kyle into the scene.”
Master Gavin was indeed starting slowly, running his hands over Kyle’s bare torso, mapping the terrain where he would soon apply the violet wand. His movements were deliberate, almost meditative, and Avery found himself appreciating the man’s technique despite the distraction of being so close to Eli.
Eli’s breath caught as the first spark of electricity jumped between the implement and the sub’s skin. The gasp from Eli split Avery’s focus between the demonstration and the beautiful man beside him. Eli had curled his hands into loose fists at his sides, and the muscles in his throat were taut.
“It’s all about control,” Avery whispered. “The Dom controls the intensity, the placement, the duration. The sub must havecomplete trust. At the same time, the sub has the true power because he can use his safeword.”
Eli nodded, his gaze fixed on the scene before them. The violet wand crackled again, drawing a soft moan from Kyle. Avery watched Eli’s throat work as he swallowed hard.
“Does it hurt?”
Eli’s question was so quiet that Avery had to lean closer to catch it. The movement brought him near enough to sense the heat radiating from Eli’s body.
“It’s different for everyone,” Avery replied, Eli's proximity making his own pulse quicken. “Some experience it as pain, others as an intense sensation. The electricity stimulates nerve endings in ways that can be overwhelming or euphoric, depending on tolerance and headspace. Watch his breathing,” Avery whispered, nodding toward Kyle. “See how Master Gavin pauses between each contact? He’s reading his sub’s responses, adjusting intensity based on what he observes.”
“He's enjoying it.” Eli’s words held wonder, as if reassuring himself that it was okay to embrace pain as pleasure.
“Pain and pleasure aren’t opposites in this world. They’re dance partners.” He found himself studying Eli’s profile in the low light, the way shadows played across the soft line of his jaw. “The sensation itself isn’t what matters—it’s the trust, the surrender, the connection between them.”
