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

“I’m…Okay, I’m here, Alex,” Mahiro says, and his stomach churns with a cold rush of fear. “It’s just me. No playtime. What’s going on?”


Alex runs his hand through his hair and cradles his hand against the back of his neck, eyes closed. “You know for a fact that’s a jump in figure skating, don’t you?”


The cold fear in Mahiro’s stomach turns to jagged, sharp ice. “What—what do you mean?” he croaks.


“You knew then, too. You have known for years, Mahiro Seta. Japan’s former rising star, a junior champion. A Grand Prix competitor of mine, once, a long time ago.” Alex drops these words casually, and every one is a devastating blow to Mahiro’s heart.


He knows. He found out before Mahiro could tell him, as he planned to do in oh, maybe half an hour.


Alex opens his eyes and stares daggers, and Mahiro can’t breathe, can feel panic rising, swirling in his chest and filling his ears. Alex has found out, and all Mahiro can do is watch it all collapse around him.


Chapter 65