Hesitant Heart (18 page)

“Does your boy need to ready himself, Mr Rubenstein sir?”

“Yes, Michael. Could you show him the way? As this is his first time, I would prefer to wait for him here. I will be leading him in.”

“Very good, sir.”

It was all happening exactly as Aaron had explained. Had he not been apprised ahead of time on what to expect, he wasn’t sure he would’ve been able to bear it.

The servant called Michael led him down a hallway to a room that once he entered, he was sure had actually been originally meant to be either a study or a library. The shelves contained no books. Only the neatly piled clothing of whom he assumed were the other submissive men there that evening.

As Sam removed all of his garments then handed the carefully folded stack to the valet, he was sure he might faint. He’d never disrobed in front of anyone other than Aaron, but especially not a stranger. However, since he was about to be led around the mansion completely naked while on a leash, practicing in front of the valet was probably a good introduction.

I’m not completely naked. There’s a leather ring around my cock.

An almost hysterical giggle bubbled up and out of him before he could stop it. He thought it was remarkable that the servant’s expression had remained implacable both when he’d stripped and when he’d snorted laughter. As he followed Michael back to where Aaron waited for him, another thought occurred to him. Aaron’s requirement for Sam to be in an almost constant state of nudity at home had definitely contributed to his level of comfort at being naked in his current situation.

Sam stepped into the entryway and Aaron’s delighted expression upon seeing him made him surprisingly emotional. He approached Sam then cupped his face with one hand. He used the other to reach between them and fondled his balls, then teased under the flared head of his firm shaft. Aaron kissed him thoroughly then let go. He clipped on the leash.

“Here we go, little Sam. Your stripes are quite lovely and so is your cock. I’m very proud of you.”

With Aaron’s words echoing in his mind, he trailed behind his Master as the valet opened a matching oak door on the opposite side of the hallway Sam had just returned from. It mirrored the ones they had passed through already and Sam was once again reminded of an old castle.

The valet didn’t accompany them—it seemed as if his function was as the greeter. Sam had no doubt that Aaron knew exactly where they were going. The faint sounds of a gathering could be heard from somewhere in the home. The hall they strolled down contained one bathroom to their left and what seemed to be a smaller study or other similarly styled room to their right. The lay-out appeared a bit odd to him, as if the structure was all twisted around from the way a typical house would be.

They were funneled into what Sam would have thought was the main living area, but it was unoccupied. It was then that he realized why their approach to the space they were in had seemed off-kilter. They hadn’t come in through the main entrance. To their right was a sweeping staircase of the same highly polished wood as the floor. Matching bronze statues of nude males holding an Aladdin lamp above their heads adorned the posts at the bottom of the step’s ornate railing of wood and filigreed iron.

Sam tracked the red carpeted stairs up to two closed double doors at the top of the staircase. He concluded that the primary gathering of members would be behind that shielded area. As soon as they’d entered the open living room, the sounds he’d heard could be traced as emanating from above them. He could also distinguish moans and harsh cries amidst noises that would commonly be associated with a dinner party gathering. Sam noted that there were other hallways upstairs on opposite sides of the room with the double doors. Sam was sure that some of the sounds came from what was likely a multitude of bedrooms.

Aaron turned to Sam and cupped his chin.

“I need one more kiss from my sweet boy.”

After taking what he wanted, Aaron paused to consider him. He must have noticed Sam stealing glances at their surroundings.

“All of the activity takes place in the upstairs areas. There are actually three stories here. The main floor is kept unoccupied by guests to insure that there isn’t an accidental discovery of the true nature of what happens here.”

“Who would come in here and find out?”

Aaron shrugged. “One can’t be too careful. A neighbor might report something suspicious or a disgruntled wife might hire a private investigator to discover where her husband spends his nights away from home. The servants here are also our watchdogs. If anyone who doesn’t belong shows up, the houseline is rung and all activity ceases until the threat has passed.”

“Oh.”

It was incredible all of the trouble the people who started the club had gone to make it safe for everyone. Aaron had told Sam that his friend Saul from the bathhouse was one of the founding members. Sam had wondered if he would get to meet Saul’s submissive man that night—Aaron had said he would probably befriend some of the submissives there—but Aaron had informed him that the attractive silver-haired man had no one. It made Sam sad for him. He’d always seemed very nice too.

He was so enraptured by all the beautiful objets d’art and lush antique furniture, that he’d briefly forgotten why they were there until he felt the tug on his leash. Aaron winked at him. Sam smiled then remembered to straighten his posture and keep his eyes lowered. It was time for him to be displayed to all the members.

Aaron gently led him up the stairs, the soft thick carpeting sensuous against his bare feet. He remembered to keep his breathing regular and focused on everything Aaron had taught him. They reached the top and he was vaguely aware that Aaron had extended his hand to grasp the door latch and was about to push open the door into the room where all present would view Sam’s naked form. Where they would judge whether or not he honored his Master.

It excited him.

His swelling cock fought the restraint of the ring at the base of his shaft, his swollen balls aching within the confines of the leather ties. With his gaze on the floor, he wasn’t able to take in all the sights the way he would have wished, but he reminded himself that he was there for his Master’s pleasure. There was a hush, then murmurs of approval from all around them. Heat rose to his face, but he couldn’t discern whether it was primarily from embarrassment or if he was flushed from pride.

“Ah, there you are, old sport! A true delight to see you, as always. I’ve been rather lonely at the bathhouse, but it all becomes clear why you abandoned my company. He’s magnificent, Aaron. You’re quite the lucky man.”

“Indeed I am. Sam, you remember my good friend, Saul Liebowitz?”

“Very good to see you again, Sir.”

As his gaze was still lowered in respect, he wasn’t sure if his remark about ‘seeing’ Saul was all that accurate.

“What a charming boy. Aaron, you must share your training expertise with some of the newer Dominants. We have a few unwieldy boys around here who need to be taken in hand by their Masters.”

Aaron and Saul chatted some more and Sam discovered that Mr Larsen from the bathhouse had been tossed out on his ear, along with several of the towel boys—David included. Saul had brought in his own group of people, and while the patrons could still pay for the favors of the towel boys, a process was in place to insure that the young men who accepted such opportunities weren’t being exploited or forced into anything.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Aaron was approached by his friend Thomas. Sam did his best to be even more perfect in his stance, his eyes lowered, his cock hard. He’d shamed Aaron the last time Thomas had seen him and he wouldn’t do it again.

“I’m grateful we get to meet at last, Sam.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Sam swallowed, not sure if he would be out of place with what he wanted to say. “Please forgive my behavior from the other day. I was disrespectful and have no excuse.”

“He’s quite delightful, Aaron. Nicely done. Sam? You are most certainly forgiven.”

Aaron’s fingers brushed his elbow and his cock twitched. He heard Thomas mumble something to Aaron about how responsive Sam was. His cheeks flushed hot. Embarrassment was more evident to him this time.

“Sweet Sam, I’m removing your leash so that you may follow Javier. He’ll be taking you to the submissive’s den. You can relax and enjoy the company of the other men until the whipping demonstration begins. There will also be refreshments.” Aaron leaned down to speak close to his ear. “Make sure you eat and drink. I want to be certain you have plenty of energy for later.”

“Yes, Master.”

Aaron unclipped him and Sam felt oddly sad about it. But as he turned to follow Javier, Aaron patted his ass fondly. He was instantly reassured. It was difficult for him to believe how well he had acclimated to the current circumstances. His biggest fears about going to the club were that he would be flaccid or clumsy—that he would make Aaron regret bringing him or that he would hate the club and dread going back time and again.

But he loved it. He was hard and he was ecstatic to be there. To his own disbelief, he’d found the entire evening so far to be incredibly erotic. Also, everyone up to that point had been very nice, very complimentary toward him. Even the one man who should have thought badly of him had still treated him as if he were wonderful. He hoped that he and Aaron could come back often.

Aaron had also told him he might find friends of his own there. Other men like him who understood the need to submit to a Dominant man. Sam would then know that he wasn’t alone. That any of the worries he might still have about being a freak would be vanquished.

Once Sam was shown into the spacious room where about twenty or so submissive men lolled in various stages of undress, he allowed his gaze to rise from the floor. Almost everyone turned his way, regarding him with curiosity. Bizarrely, he felt more self-conscious around them than he had in a roomful of Dominant men who had no doubt been ogling him with lustful interest.

A slightly built young man, who seemed to be about his age, scampered over and clutched his hand. He had dark hair, olive skin and big brown eyes that radiated friendliness.

“You must be Master Aaron’s boy, am I right?” He grinned excitedly.

Sam nodded. He liked the dark haired man who held onto his hand.

“I’m Sam.”

“Hi, Sam, my name’s Francesco. I belong to Master Theodore. He’s the one who told me about you. Whenever we used to come here, Master Aaron would sit with us to watch the demonstrations. My Master told me that he’d stayed away from the club to train his new boy. You’re very lucky. Do you like him a lot?”

Francesco spoke very fast and Sam felt himself becoming overwhelmed. He remembered his breathing and thought about Aaron. Almost instantly, he calmed.

“I love him.”

Francesco’s eyes went wide then he grabbed Sam and hugged him. He didn’t mind that his friend was affectionate, but since they were both nude, it seemed a little funny. After letting him go, Francesco couldn’t seem to remain still, bouncing up and down on his toes.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you. It’s so much nicer when you love your Master.”

Sam frowned as he considered Francesco’s statement.

“Doesn’t everyone love their Master?”

“Oh no, not at all. Some Masters and their submissives are together only because of what they can give to one another at the club. It isn’t easy to find a real fellow to partner with who likes this type of thing.”

“I guess so. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Master Theodore found me on the streets. I was sucking men’s dicks for what little money I could get.”

Sam’s heart clutched at the thought of his nice new friend having to do something that awful to survive.

“Where’s your family?”

“My father ran out on my mother and when I turned sixteen, she said I was old enough to take care of myself, so she kicked me out. I think it was her new boyfriend who wanted me to leave.” Francesco shrugged. “She used to smack me around a lot, especially when she was on the hooch, so I didn’t mind going all that much.”

Sam tried not to think about his mother, otherwise he would get too sad. Instead, he focused on thinking how to respond to such a terrible story that wouldn’t make Francesco feel bad.

“But then you got to meet Master Theodore and he’s real good to you. Isn’t he?”

Sam fretted that he might have made too rash of an assumption. He was quickly reassured by the rapturous look in Francesco’s eyes.

“Oh, Sam. I love him
so
much. He saved me and now he takes care of me and is so wonderful to me. He shows me how much he loves me every single day.”

“That’s really swell, Francesco. That’s how I feel about my Master as well.”

Francesco reached up and tentatively placed a finger on Sam’s collar.

“I can see he feels that way too. That’s a beautiful collar.”

“Thank you. He just gave it to me tonight to celebrate coming to the club for the first time. Yours is very ritzy too.”

Francesco grabbed the braided strips of leather tied around his neck. A jeweled padlock hung from the neck accessory. “Isn’t it keen? I got it a few months back. But I didn’t get this until a month later. This was my gift to him.”

Francesco twisted around and pointed to a raised mark about an inch in diameter that looked like an angry scar on his left ass cheek. Sam squinted his eyes. The initials ‘T’ and ‘H’ were branded in a circle on Francesco’s skin. Sam fought to keep his expression serene. His butthole clenched. It looked
painful
.

“Isn’t it beautiful? Now I’m his forever.”

“Oh my.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. He’d had no idea that such a thing even existed. Of course, he’d had no idea about many, many other things either. “Does it hurt?”

“Not at all.” Francesco snorted. “Except for when I first had it done, I mean.” He giggled. “I didn’t know I could scream that loud.”

“Did Master Theodore make you do that?”

“Heavens no. After he told me he loved me, he said he wanted to make things permanent between us. I asked him how we could do that. He told me about the collars, keeping my cock in a chastity lock where he was the only who had the key, but when he mentioned branding, that was what I wanted. Since I can never give him a collar or a cock cage”—Francesco stifled a snicker with his hand before continuing—“this was something that could be my sign of commitment to him—wearing his initials on my body as a permanent mark.”