Chapter 245

Aiden

I was excited about tonight—but not for the reasons everyone else probably thought.

Seeing Noah like this again—so beautiful, so willing, so terrified and trusting all at once—did things to me I hadn’t expected. The way he stood straighter when I spoke. The way his eyes flicked to mine, waiting, wanting to please me even before I asked. Knowing he was ready to kneel for me again. Ready to stand beside me. Ready, even, to offer himself on a stage if I told him to.

It made me want him.

And it made me love him even more.

Which was exactly why, five minutes after I’d suggested we all go to the Dominion together, I regretted it.

This wasn’t a night I wanted to share him with anyone—not with an audience, not with a room full of eyes, not even with friends. This was a night meant for us. For rediscovering what we were together, without pressure, without expectation. Slow. Intentional.

But Noah had agreed. And Micah and Lexie were ready to take their first real step back into that world together. I wasn’t going to pull the rug out from under them.

What they didn’t know was that tonight was never going to be a performance night.

The moment we pulled up outside the Dominion, I knew it had all been worth it.

The doors opened, and music poured out—loud, pulsing, alive. Not the usual hum of a session night. This was different. Bigger. A full-blown summer party, bodies everywhere, laughter, lights, celebration. Banners hung high, staff moving fast, the air buzzing with anticipation.

Every single one of them froze.

Micah went pale. Lexie’s fingers tightened reflexively in his. Noah’s breath hitched beside me.

“Oh my God,” Lexie whispered. “There’s… there’s so many people.”

I bit back a smile. Hilarious. Absolutely worth every second.

This was the Dominion annual summer fest, but none of them had known that.

We stepped inside, and I felt it immediately—the shift. Heads turning. Eyes following. Admiration, hunger, curiosity.

Noah was radiant in silver, like a beautiful angel, holy and forbidden all at once. Micah looked every inch the star he used to be—glitter, confidence, defiance stitched back into his posture. And Lexie… Lexie was breathtaking. A mask framed her face, golden hair spilling down her back, a delicate, daring outfit revealed as she slipped out of her coat—tiny, beaded, unapologetic. Fear lived in her eyes, but she didn’t run.

That alone was an act of courage.

Hale met us near the entrance, his expression warm and proud as his gaze swept over them. I caught the way his shoulders relaxed. The way his eyes softened. He understood exactly what this night was—and what it wasn’t.

Noah leaned closer to me, voice low and shaky. “I don’t remember it ever being this full.”

I chuckled softly. “That’s because it usually isn’t.”

He swallowed. “Are we…?”

I squeezed the back of his neck gently. Grounding. “Relax.”

Then, just to enjoy it a little longer, I said, “Alright. Let’s get ready. We’re going on stage next.”

His eyes went wide. “Yes, Sir,” he said immediately, even though I could feel him trembling.

I laughed—actually laughed—and finally leaned in close enough for only him to hear.

“Do you really think, baby boy, that I would bring you here, after everything, and put you—or any of your friends—on a stage in front of a crowd like this?” I brushed my thumb along his jaw. “You’re not ready for that yet.”

Relief hit him so hard I felt it in his body.

“And,” I added honestly, “I’m not ready to share you with an audience again. Not tonight.”

He exhaled, laughter bubbling out as the tension finally broke. “Then… what are we doing?”

“Tonight,” I said calmly, “we are reclaiming the dynamic William took from us. Just us.”

Hale approached the others, carrying two delicate boxes, his presence steadying the air around him. From the first, he lifted a beautiful leather collar and placed it around Micah’s neck with quiet devotion. Micah dropped to his knees immediately, bowing until his forehead brushed Hale’s thigh.

From the second box, Hale removed an identical collar, pausing as he turned to Lexie, silently seeking her approval. When she nodded and lowered herself to her knees beside Micah, he fastened it gently around her neck. No leashes attached.

“I am incredibly proud of you both,” he said, voice calm but full. “You’re already the sensation of the club—and you haven’t set foot on a stage.”

Micah blinked, clearly not expecting that.

“This,” Hale continued, gesturing lightly at the room, the crowd, the attention they were drawing, “this step you just took—walking in here together, tonight, like this—is all I needed to see.” His eyes softened when they settled on Lexie. “You, my beautiful girl, willing to put yourself out there... And you,” he added, turning to Micah with a small smile, “my beautiful sub, willing to step back into who you are despite everything that’s happened—and with this crowd.”

Lexie’s throat bobbed. Micah straightened, chin lifting just a fraction.

“Now,” Hale said, clapping his hands once, easy and warm, “let’s do the smart thing. Let’s join the party. None of you are going on display tonight.”

Both of them relaxed with a smile, like a cord finally cut loose.

“And,” Hale added, glancing my way with a knowing look, “let’s let Mr. A have a good time. Reconnect. Enjoy his boy.”

Noah smiled at that, shy and pleased all at once.

“I’ll show you two around,” Hale went on, already guiding Micah and Lexie gently forward. “Introduce you to a few people. Let you breathe.” He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “And later—if you’re up for it—we can reconnect for the wild buffalo ride.”

Micah frowned. “The what?”

Hale’s grin turned wicked. “Just a little Texas tradition we have around here.” He winked. “But we’re making it extra fun tonight.”

The crowd swallowed them easily, music rising again, lights flashing. And suddenly, Noah and I were alone in the middle of it all.

I slid a hand to the small of his back, grounding him. He looked up at me, eyes bright, alive, safe.

“Now, my boy, drop to your knees and follow me. I want you to remember how it feels to be entirely at my will.”

“Always, my Master.”

For a couple of hours we watched and enjoyed the crowd as I possessively paraded him around, one command at a time—gentle, slow, and so fucking erotic it hurt.

When the moment came to join the others in front of the bull, I pushed my chair back and caught Noah by the hips, guiding him down until he settled astride my lap.

The move startled him. It had been a while since we touched like this in public. Not since William. Not without consequence. But here? No one cared. No one even blinked. This place thrived on moments like this. And suddenly it felt like the only place where we could let this new version of us breathe without restraint.

“Nervous, baby boy?” I asked quietly.

He licked his lips. “You?”

“A little.” I leaned in, close enough that my breath ghosted over his ear. “But mostly?” My voice dropped. “Mostly I can’t stop thinking about watching you ride that bull. And after that, I want you somewhere private so I can suck you dry until your legs give out.”

The reaction was instant. Color crept up his neck, his ears turning bright red. His throat worked as he swallowed, the hesitation lasting just long enough to make it delicious. Then he straightened, reaching for a jello shot on the table.

“I could never say no to you, Sir,” he said.

His gaze stayed locked on mine as he dragged his tongue along the rim of the cup, slow and deliberate, before tipping it back and swallowing the jello in one smooth motion.

Fuck.

He rose to his feet, standing directly in front of me, and without breaking eye contact, peeled the silver vest over his head. He tossed it into my lap like a challenge. I’d been aware of him all night—but now, my cock was fully awake. The room reacted instantly. Whistles. Cheers. I caught Micah running his hands down his own abs, muttering something about needing to step up his gym routine.

Noah was unreal—his body all lines and strength, like it had been sculpted by God himself. And even though attention usually made him flinch, he didn’t look away. He let them watch. But he only smiled for me as he crossed the floor and climbed onto the bull.

A flash of possessiveness cut through me—sharp and instinctive—but it melted into pride just as fast.

He looked back over his shoulder, eyes dark, smile unapologetic.

“This one’s for you, Sir,” he said, giving me a wink.