Page 9 of Wylan

“It means I probably made a fool of myself.”

Jules narrows his eyes. “Did he tell you to stop? Or did he seem upset that you were flirting with him?”

I shake my head. “No. But he seemed confused, at first.” When Seth finally caught on to what I was doing, it resulted in a smileso beautiful it had me weak in the knees. “I think he was flirting back?” I pose it as a question, because there’s no way he was really flirting back. Right?

“Well, there you go! That sounds good.” Jules pats me on the back. “I’m pretty sure he’s here for you, Wylan.”

My eyes widen. “Why would you say that?”

He winks. “Let’s just say I have a pretty good feeling. The way that man watches you? Wow, if I didn’t have Cal, I’d be jealous.” Jules fans himself with his hand and I roll my eyes.

As soon as the mask is in place I take in my appearance in the large body-sized mirror. I almost don’t recognize myself. I run a hand through my strawberry blond hair. I completely forgot I dyed it the other day.

Riley taps Jules on the shoulder and pouts. “Do you think Cal will mind if I skip the auction and play in the Little’s Room? I think I need to get out of my head for a bit.”

My brows pinch together, worried that Riley might be by himself.

“Sure,” Jules replies. Tony is back there monitoring the room. There are a few Daddies and littles in there, so you can play with them or play on your own.”

Riley and I both visibly relax. I pull him into my arms again and smile. “I’m proud of you, Ry. I’ll join you after.”

“But what about your date? Don’t you need to go out with the Daddy who wins?”

I shake my head. “Whoever wins a date with me should understand. Any good Daddy would. If he doesn’t, then maybe I don’t want a date with him.”

Shortly after Riley heads out of the locker rooms, looking lighter than he has all night, I take a moment to really appreciate myself in the mirror. My elf outfit is mostly a green sparkly crop top, matching booty shorts, and red tights. As I twirl in a circle, I giggle at the way I shimmer in the light.

That fun floaty feeling I get when I’m in my happy headspace takes over me, pushing most of my nerves away. I’m not a little or a middle. I’m not a pup, or anything like that. I’m just… me. And I pray that whichever Daddy—whether it’s Seth or not—who bids on me tonight is willing to hear me out and try to understand.

I want to be accepted, and not pushed into a box that says I need to act a certain way.

All my previous exes tried to tell me how to act, how to play, what was right and how I did things wrong. But no matter what I tried I never could get into that headspace unless I did it my way.

Again, I just hope that this Daddy is willing to try with me. Whoever he is.

Once we are all dressed and backstage, the bidding war begins. Hunter announces each little, boy, and pup, one at a time to walk the stage. The rest of us cheer and sing along to the remixed Christmas music the DJ plays over the speakers until it’s our turn.

For some people, I know this auction thing is just for fun, a way for some of the littles and boys to dress up for charity, but as I watch my friend Ash giggle and skip on the stage, it feels like more. Like this is a way for certain submissives to express themselves publicly.

I spot Ash’s boyfriend and Daddy, Drake, out in the crowd as he grins up at his boy proudly and uses a sparkly Christmas themed paddle to bid. The sight makes me so freaking happy.

When it’s nearly my turn, I walk towards the stage with a mix of excitement and a strange premonition that my life is about to change. Maybe it’s all the happy people singing around me or maybe it’s even a little Christmas magic, either way, there’s a huge smile I can’t seem to wipe off my face.

Chapter four

Seth

An electric, excited atmosphere fills the club. It’s always like this on Masquerade Night, but there’s something different about today. The energy is almost playful and cheerful as the charity auction begins. Hunter kicks things off by introducing each boy.

Everyone around us is smiling and singing along to Christmas Carols.

Usually, Masquerade Night is filled with mystery and intrigue. It’s a night for beginner kinksters, or people who don’t want to disclose their identity to play. The night is always filled with hope and excitement.

It’s a night when many people who have never been able to explore their kinky side are finally allowed to come out and play, to test the waters. Since Dark Satin is an exclusive high-end club, the owners vet the applications and background checks thoroughly. Most would be surprised how many rejections both Cal and Hunter issue out. Both owners take a lot of pride in having one of the safest clubs out there.

“Are you excited about tonight?” Kingston asks from his seat next to me. When I told my friend that I was attending, I was shocked to find out he was too. He said that there were several boys and their Daddies who were participating. It’s a great way for their boys to walk the stage as their partners bid on them for charity. We both know that some couples thought this would be a fun way to find a third, or even an extra play partner, but I know Kingston and Jamie are exclusive.

“I am excited.” I readjust my mask before taking a sip of my bourbon. The woodsy notes of vanilla and caramel coat my tongue and warm my throat.

---