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

It’s silent for the space of a heartbeat, Mahiro’s hand on Alex’s hip, his cheek pressed against the other, almost an embrace. Alex doesn’t get to enjoy it for long before Mahiro stirs


“Good, yes, come on, let’s get you up, darling,” Mahiro coos, and helps Alex stand on shaky legs. “Come into the bathroom, that’s good.” Mahiro steers him across the playroom and into the bathroom, pulls out the stool, and lets Alex sit carefully on it. He runs the bath, opens a cabinet, and pulls out two robes and towels. As he bends over to select a washcloth from the lower shelf, Alex notices a greenish bruise on his hip, almost healed, but it looks like it was pretty significant.


“What did you do?” he asks, and Mahiro jumps.


“What? Do what?” he says and pulls one of the robes on over his shoulders and belts it. He drops the stack of towels on the counter and leans over to turn off the water. “Come on, in with you now.”


“To your hip,” Alex says and climbs in. “That’s a big bruise.”


Chapter 30