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

He walks back out into the dining room and places the remote next to Mahiro’s glass before he sits down carefully. Mahiro’s eyes blaze with heat.


“There are no rules,” he says. “This is just some fun between us. I don’t expect anything of you. Do you understand?”


Alex nods. It’s just a little silly, sexy game, without punishment or requirements. This is Mahiro being playful, in that delightful way he has of being both incredibly shy and incredibly straightforward at the same time. When Alex realized he was getting both Mahiro and his master tonight, he didn’t realize just how intertwined those things could be.


Because this is Mahiro wondering how far Alex will allow the intersection of Mahiro’s desires inside and outside the formality of the playroom. As Mahiro carefully pockets the remote and takes a sip of wine with a raised eyebrow, it seems Alex manages to pass the very first test.


Chapter 40