Page 14 of Heart Me Up
“You must be Jamie!”
“It’s James.”
I opened the pouch and held up a rhinestone dog collar. “Jasper” must’ve been owned by a drag queen. That was a lot of rhinestones.
Craig continued on in his twink persona. “Did Foster ask you yet? I hope you said yes! I’ve been wanting a littermate for soooo long.” He glanced back and winked at me as I held the collar up for James’ inspection. “Isn’t it beautiful? Jasper is my puppy name. Foster loves to spoil his puppies. He’s the best master ever!”
“Master?” James sounded like he was strangling on the word.
“Yes! He’s so caring and affectionate, but he also lets you know when it’s time for discipline, if you know what I mean.” He waggled his eyebrows at James.
This was gold. Craig was my favorite person.
I couldn’t let him carry this on his own. “Jasper!” I gave Craig a forbidding look as I pulled a barstool over. I pointed at it and said, “Sit! And hush!” Craig appeared delighted and bounced onto the stool. He tucked his hands under his legs and gazed at me adoringly. At the edge of my peripheral vision Daren stood behind the bar with a cloth in one hand and a glass in the other. No doubt he’d positioned himself for the best view of our improv act.
I turned to James, who was a little wide-eyed, but not yet frightened away. “I’m so sorry. I was planning on revealing this side of myself to you more gently. You look like you have some questions.” Actually, he looked like he was regretting coming tonight. Hah. “This is Craig. Why don’t you let Craig and I take you to dinner and we can tell you all about our lifestyle, to see if it might be something you’d like to try with us?”
James started edging away. “Um, thanks, but I’ve got to get going. It was, um, nice to meet you both. Um. Bye!” He hurried toward the door and I turned to Craig with a grin.
Before I could say anything, Daren slapped a hand down on the bar between Craig and me. “Quick, a free drink for each of you if you put the collar on him while that asswipe walks past the front window.”
“Done!”
“Yes!” Craig laughed and leaned forward, holding the neck of his polo open. I unbuckled the dog collar and stretched its rhinestoned length around his throat.
Daren cheered, “Yasssss! He’s stopped to watch. Keep going!” He dumped some ice in a glass. My face was inches from Craig’s as I fumbled with the buckle. The skin on his neck was velvety and warm, and his golden curls were soft against the top of my hands. He smelled like something citrusy. My dick approved.
Craig angled his head to the side to give me better access as I secured the collar, and I ran my hands around his neck to smooth it against his skin. Craig swallowed and our eyes met. He wasn’t laughing anymore.
“Guys, he’s still staring. Keep it up!” Daren set a drink and a beer on the bar next to us but I couldn’t take my eyes off Craig’s. I stroked his hair.
Fuck it. I cupped the sides of Craig’s face and leaned closer to kiss him. His lips were warm and soft against mine. A wave of heat ran through me, straight to my balls.
“And he’s gone!” Daren hooted and I jumped back, startled. “That was awesome, you two! I haven’t had this much fun in ages!”
Craig seemed a little dazed, and I felt the same. My hands were oddly empty now I was no longer touching him. The rhinestone collar glittered against his neck, and the bar was suddenly way too noisy. Craig cleared his throat and glanced away. He picked up his drink.
“Thanks, Daren,” he said with a slightly strained smile. He took a big swallow, and I grabbed my beer.
“Hey, give me one of your phones. You’ll need a photo to remember this by.” I shrugged and handed him mine. Craig and I leaned against each other and I used the opportunity to put my arm around his waist. But I didn’t have much time to revel in the contact before the photo was taken and Daren was returning my phone.
Daren said, “I gotta go check on the other customers. I’ll be right back. You guys are awesome!”
I took another sip of beer to cover my awkwardness. “So,” I said. Craig raised one eyebrow. “Who’s Jasper?”
He laughed, relaxing. “I couldn’t believe you played along. Yeah, Jasper is a forty-pound pit bull mix. We custom-ordered the collar for his owner, and I’m supposed to drop it by her house in the morning.”
“Well, it looks good on you.” I smiled at him.
“Really? You think I can carry off this much bling?” He preened, leaning back to show off the collar.
I snorted. “I saw your twink side. I think you can make it work.”
Craig laughed again. “Oh, my god, did you see his face when you told me to sit? Which wasgenius, by the way. I almost peed my pants.” That set me off laughing as well. We ended up clutching each other, giggling and snorting, until Daren came back to check on us.
“Daren’s not the only one who hasn’t had this much fun in a while,” I said. “So, you seem knowledgeable about puppy play. Is it something you’ve… tried?” I attemped to sound interested and not like I thought he was a freak.
“Oh, no.” He chuckled. “I know some people in the lifestyle is all.” He winced. “I’ll have to fess up to them about the little joke I played on James. I think they’ll laugh.” He shrugged and took a drink.
