Mahiro became a professional figure skater for one reason -- the object of his lust from the time he was a teenager, Alex Breschi. But he never advanced far enough for Alex to notice him. Now Alex is retired from skating and working as a thriller author, while Mahiro gracefully bowed out of competition to become a successful app developer and professional Dom in New York City.<br><br>Reality and fantasy collide at a penthouse play party when Mahiro meets his idol. Alex is researching a book, and he wants to learn more about the lifestyle. In fact, he wants to be trained as a submissive. By Mahiro.<br><br>Mahiro knows it's a terrible idea. He's hardly objective, and Alex is a novice. Still, all those years of longing shatter his reserve, and he cannot refuse to have the man of his dreams in his hands.  He's going to make sure Alex notices him now. It's only a business arrangement, and since Alex is returning to Russia in a few months, Mahiro can have some fun without divulging his past ... or his obsession. What does he have to lose?

Florentine

“Kiss me?” Alex bites out, desire blurring away any last reservations he might have had.


Mahiro closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “No, not on the mouth,” he says. “But other places.”


Alex is immediately disappointed. Mahiro steps away from him and sits down so they’re eye to eye.


“I need you to choose a safeword,” Mahiro says, and his voice is a bit fuzzy, filtered as it is through the haze of Alex’s curtailed arousal. “You know what a safeword is, yes?”


Alex nods slowly. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about it. Chris told me to.” He’s got to get his head together. Mahiro has barely even touched him, for fuck’s sake, and he feels like he’s about to vibrate out of his skin.


“Good.” Mahiro drags a fingernail over the shell of Alex’s ear, and he can’t help it; Alex’s eyes close and his shoulders sag with shuddering pleasure. “What is it?”


Mahiro pulls his hand back, and Alex could swear he hears a quick intake of breath.


Chapter 6