Page 5 of A Little Christmas: Rivi
Behind me, a throat cleared. “Do you need a cart?”
I turned. The cashier smiled and pushed a black shopping cart toward me.
“Yes, thank you.”
“I thought you might. Take your time. If there’s something you can’t find, just ask.”
“I will.” My hands were shaking as I put all the things I’d chosen into the cart.
I was so happy the cashier read my mind, but was he spying on me? Maybe he was just being a good clerk.
It was a big job to shop. When I felt too warm, I took off my coat and put it in the cart.
Soon, my cart was full of fun stuff. I tried to budget what I got and not spend all my money. Most things were expensive, but I understood these were specialty items for adults.
For the season, there was an aisle of Christmas themed stuff. I loved all of it. So hard to resist. I ended up getting myself a reindeer squishy. And something called Santa lube. It was scented. Candy cane. The container was plastic and shaped like a miniature Santa figurine.
As I came around the last corner of the last aisle, my cart looking gloriously full, I saw a big poster on the wall. It had a lot of red and black on it, with a frame of squares with a bunch of stuff in them like St. Andrews Crosses and cat o’ nine tails. In the center sat Santa. He looked like the real deal. Not a leather dude or anything. But Santa! The caption read:
YOU WILL ENJOY SITTING ON SANTA’S LAP DECEMBER 9 AND DECEMBER 16. SANTA HAS TOYS FOR GOOD BOYS. CHRISTMAS TREATS. CLUB 99. GAY MALE KINK/BDSM CLUB AND BAR.
It was an awesome poster. But I could never go to a place like that. Not in a million years.
I moved toward check-out and there were two men with a cart in front of me chatting. The taller one said, “Are you going to the Club 99 Christmas party?”
The other replied, “Maybe.”
They both looked buff and gave off strong dom vibes.
“The biggest coo is getting invited to Winterbourne’s private Christmas party. Those invites are few and far between. And this year it’s kink after hours.”
Winterbourne? Kink? My ears perked up.
“Where is that one held?”
The taller one replied. “Out in the country. That’s what I hear.”
“It would be great. But I don’t know anyone in his circles. I just enjoy the club. That’s all I need.”
I cleared my throat, mustering my brave self. “Are you talking about the club on that poster?” I pointed to the wall as they turned to look at me.
They both eyed me up and down. I’d never gotten so much attention than this very day. It almost made me laugh.
“Club 99. Yeah,” the taller one said.
“But why did you say the name Winterbourne?”
“It’s owned by him.”
“And he has a country estate?”
“Sure. That’s what I hear, anyway. Are you new around here?”
I shook my head. “No. Just from the suburbs.” I pushed my glasses up. “Shopping.”
“Check out the club sometime.” He glanced at my cart. “It’s really nice, baby boy. Smoothly run.””
“Maybe.” I ducked my head. No one had ever called me baby boy except my mom when I was a kid. “Thank you.”
