Page 11 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

Technically in a couple of minutes.Noah prattled off the date on the ID, not hisactualbirthday. He’d memorized everything on that ID, ready to answer any question. While the bouncer scrutinized it, Noah gazed at the clock above the podium and saw it ticking down the minutes… 11:58…

Almost time.

The guy glanced at the ID again and then lifted his stare. “Youdorealize it’s leather night? You’re a little underdressed.”

“I wasn’t aware.”

“Apparently,” the bouncer said, pointing to a schedule chalked on the blackboard wall.Welcome to The Village.He read off the first few items.Men Only Monday.Trivia Tuesday.Hump Day Leather.Luau Thursday. Kink Friday. Sinful Saturday.Sunday - Private Party.

Noah glanced down at his jeans and hoodie. He shrugged, lifting his focus back to the bouncer. “Leather isn’t really my jam.”

The bouncer lifted a concerned brow. “Maybe you should come back on another night.”

There was no way he was going back outside. Not for a while, anyway. He could almost see that carload of men waiting for him behind that door. Desperate, he searched for something to convince the bouncer to let him in. At the last second, Noah hooked a finger into his jeans and pulled out the side of his manties. “I prefer lace…” He smiled. “Goes pretty well with leather, right?”

The giant flashed the light on the side of Noah’s red lace manties. After a moment, he handed back the ID. “Five-dollar cover.”

Inwardly sighing with relief, Noah released the waistband. After fishing out his limited funds, he handed a five over and retrieved his fake ID. The bouncer stamped the back of his hand and he grinned.

He was in.

“You’ll have to store the bag in your car before I can let you in. And before you ask,no,we don’t have lockers for belongings.”

Noah froze. “I just got in on the bus.”

“Can’t let you in with that.”

“Ijustgot into town. I don’t have anywhere to store it,” he said, frantic. There was no turning back now, and he was afraid to go back outside. That bag held everything he’d brought with him when he ran away from home. Without it, he’d have nothing. “I got away from…”I can’t say my parents. “An abusive relationship.”That’s not a complete lie.

The bouncer frowned. “Andthisis your first stop?”

“I’m celebrating my newfound freedom,” Noah said with a grin. “Come on… I simply want one drink and a dance or two.I promiseto be good.” His gaze moved to the clock again. He watched the second-hand tick to midnight.

Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday toooo meeeee…

The bouncer eyed him before shaking his head and sighing dramatically. “Give me your bag. I’ll store it up here until you leave.”

A smile spread over Noah’s face. He shrugged the duffel off his shoulder before hesitating. “Dude, this isallI own right now. This and the clothes on my back.” He peeled off his light jacket and folded it up before storing it inside. With a final zip, he handed it over.

The bouncer nodded. “I’ll keep it safe.” He glared at Noah. “For tonight. It won’t happen again, though. Got it?”

“Got it,” Noah replied, cautiously handing his bag to the bouncer… and hoping his few worldly possessions remained when he returned for them.

He stepped inside and scanned the interior. It seemed a little like the club he’d gone to in Nashville—dark with lots of flashing lights. Lots of bodies packed close, writhing to the music. The song changed to a slower one. Everyone on the dancefloor moved in closer and swayed to the languid tempo. Lights splashed on the walls, painting the gloom with colorful illumination. Lots of bare skin was on display, as well as leather. Harnesses, chaps, and leathereverythingabounded.

I’m definitely underdressed. Or over.

Around the edges of the dancefloor, there were booths and tables hidden in the darkness. He wondered what kind of fun the men there were having in the shadows. Narrowing his eyes, he could almost see a bit of movement… a kiss, perhaps. Maybe another kind of kiss. A grin came to his lips, and he wandered toward the right, where a long bar claimed one whole wall. Noah slid onto an empty barstool at the packed bar and glanced around for a bartender.

There were a couple of guys working speedily behind the bar, but one in particular captured his attention. Noah took note of what had to be the hottest man he’d ever had the privilege to ogle. At least six feet of pure muscle stood behind the bar wearing leather pants, boots, harness, and nothing else. Those pants clung to his hips, showing off hard ridges of bone and muscle, along with a scattering of hair that trickled down to parts unknown.

I’d like to explore those parts unknown.

His short, cropped hair and neat beard were dark, with a few sprinkles of gray, possibly—an exact color was impossible in that light—and those same hairs dusted a finely chiseled chest. Tight abs were etched below. From his vantage point, Noah could see one nipple was pierced—the guy’s body was partially turned away, so he wasn’t sure about the other.

Laughing at whoever he was talking to, the bartender’s face came to life. It only made him all the more handsome. Noah couldn’t help staring… and wishing he was the object of the man’s attention.Maybe I can inspire that attention?Butterflies went off in his stomach at the thought of flirting—but he’d run away so he could live a little.

It was time to start doing that. Live.

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