Box Shaped Heart - 19. The Shape of Truth

Chapter Nineteen - The Shape of Truth

They stumbled inside, laughing and joking, and somehow ended on the carpet in the living room. The game had been incredible, they had stuffed their faces with hot dogs and they had spent their evening in a dive, drinking and singing with other fans.

“Fuck, this was the most amazing night out in forever, Alex,” Aron said breathily, as somehow he managed to disentangle himself from Carter’s limbs, only to adjust his position and make his placeholder of a husband spread his legs so they could hook their crotches together.

“It fucking was,” Carter confirmed wrapping his arms around Aron and pulling him close. “Can you believe they won?”

“Yeah. I can’t believe I’m doing all this stuff with you, though,” Aron laughed and placed a sloppy wet kiss on Carter’s mouth. “I was getting used to you being bitchy, you know?”

Now look who had a loose tongue after a few drinks. Well, there had been more than a few drinks, and even a strong guy like Aron was bound to feel the effects of so much alcohol in his bloodstream.

“What are you talking about?”

Through the haze of alcohol, Aron seemed to start reconsidering his confessions.

“I’m still bitchy as hell!” Carter laughed and kissed his friend with a loud smack.

“Hmm, that reminds me,” Aron pushed himself to his feet. “Good thing I brought that home.”

Carter rolled on one side and found it ideal to just walk on his fours to reach the sofa. Standing up required way too much body strength.

“Well, nice of you to assume the position,” Aron joked.

“What?” he tried to turn. “Ouch!” he yelped.

Aron was standing there, leaning over him, the leather paddle in one hand, and he was laughing at his expense. Carter growled and stood up quickly. It wasn’t like he was drunk-drunk. He could still snatch the thing from Aron’s hand if he was quick enough.

“Aha!” he shouted victoriously and swung the paddle in the air. “Let’s see who’s getting a smacked bottom now!”

Aron was either too tipsy to react, or he was letting his skinny husband win just for the sake of it. Carter found great pleasure in pushing Aron down, rolling him and smacking his ass with the paddle.

Hmm, it had to be better on a naked butt. So, without too much preamble, he began struggling with his husband’s jeans. Aron, the ass, was having a great time laughing his ass off.

“Undress and give me that ass to spank it,” he growled, and Aron just started to laugh harder. “C’mon, I’ll get all bitchy on you if you don’t.”

Aron almost made no effort to grab him, but he fought. There was no way he was going to be the one to get spanked tonight.

“C’mon, I’m dying to spank you,” he complained.

If Alex was such a man doll, there were ways to get what he wanted without trying to overpower Aron, because that was definitely not it.

“Why didn’t you say so, baby?” Aron chuckled.

The man stood up again, and this time made a show of unhooking his belt and pushing down his jeans and underwear. Carter gulped. He was no stranger now to Aron’s intimate parts, yet he was still impressed. He licked his lips.

“You seem a little distracted,” Aron spoke, and proceeded to remove his jeans and briefs completely, remaining in nothing but his t-shirt.

Carter was all for this bottomless fashion. Aron did a one-eighty, slowly, showing off his ass a little, and Carter found himself soon all over it. He sank his fingers into Aron’s muscled ass cheeks and placed a kiss right above the crack. Aron laughed.

“Hey, I’m ticklish.”

“You don’t say,” Carter murmured and searched for the spanking paddle with his eyes.

It was not the best position possible, but he did manage to raise the paddle and spank Aron’s ass once, hard.

“Hey!” Aron exclaimed. “Why didn’t you say you were starting?”

“And have no surprise advantage?” Carter laughed. “You gotta admit it, it’s a nice sound.”

The second time, though, Aron yelped and jumped, covering his ass with both hands.

“Hey, you have a mean swing, right there,” the man glared at him.

Carter got on his feet again and waved the paddle menacingly.

“Come on, present your ass,” he followed Aron.

The man was apparently not that big a fan of punishment, because he started running and laughing. Okay, so this was how they were going to play this. Carter sprinted after Aron, but the guy was way too fast for him. He had to stop to draw his breath.

“Some kind of dom you are,” Aron stopped at a safe distance from him, hands on his hips.

Carter could not look anywhere else but the guy’s dick. Officially, he was obsessed with that thing. After all the hot dogs he had stuffed down his throat tonight, it was a miracle that he was still in the mood for having his mouth full again.

“Alex? Baby?” Aron cooed.

“What?” Carter snapped.

“You’ve been staring at my cock for the last two minutes. Did you forget about wanting to spank me? Do you want this instead?” Aron grabbed his cock and flaunted it.

Yeah, damn right he wanted that. He threw the paddle and walked over to Aron, grabbing the guy’s manhood with both hands.

“Fuck, baby,” Aron cursed softly, as Carter began stroking him, while fondling the balls, too. “When did you turn into sex on a stick?”

“I’ve always been like this,” Carter mumbled.

I am because of you.

Aron was ruining his concentration with all that talking. He slid to his knees and took the man in his mouth. Damn, he thought, as a small shiver coursed down his spine. Why did it feel so good to stuff his mouth with his best friend’s cock?

“Wow,” Aron whispered and he firmly grabbed Carter by the back of his neck. “You give so great head, baby.”

Carter could feel something swelling in his chest at the praise.

“And I really love your new technique,” Aron added.

Now he froze.

“Don’t stop, baby,” Aron’s hand was firm on his neck. “It’s pretty amazing, you know? I like it when you’re a bit rough. It lets me know you really want this. C’mon, eat up that dick like you mean it,” the man half-joked and pushed Carter’s head into his crotch again.

At least he knew how to control the situation and grabbed the guy’s cock at the base, using his hand to make a tunnel with his hand and rub the steely shaft in earnest.

“Oh, fuck, oh, fuck,” Aron murmured. “You’re killing me with this blowjob, have a little mercy.”

Well, he knew Aron didn’t really mean it this time, and it was just a compliment, so he increased the pressure, sucking in more. Ah, damn, he could feel his dick struggling against his pants, but there was no way he was going to let go. He wanted Aron’s cock deeper and deeper.

He could hear Aron’s raspy breath above him, as he worked the guy’s cock.

“I’m coming, baby,” Aron cried out, and kept his head there, as he unloaded wave after wave into Carter’s throat.

He was now holding onto the other for dear life because he almost could not breathe. But who cared about that anyway? It was so damn satisfying to have Aron come in his mouth like this that he could take it.

Aron let go moments later, and Carter allowed the guy’s cock to slide out of his mouth, but not without giving it a few more licks that made the other shudder.

“Wow, baby, just wow,” Aron caressed his face tenderly.

“Did you like it?” Carter asked smugly.

Aron was following the shape of his lips with rough fingers.

“I’m so glad I found you and married you,” Aron whispered as he leaned in and kissed Carter.

Ouch, nice cold shower.

“Okay,” he mumbled and got to his feet.

Aron pulled him tight and then forced his chin up, so he could look at him.

“What’s wrong?” Aron questioned while searching his husband’s face.

“Nothing,” Carter shook his head.

“C’mon, don’t lie,” Aron insisted. “You’re hot like this, and you make me dizzy with happiness, but the next minute you look like you just found out that you have only one week left to live.”

Ah, damn. Well, that was somewhat accurate. To a certain degree. The doctors still seemed optimistic about what the hell was happening to his body.

Aron stiffened next to him.

“What aren’t you telling me? Is this about your health? But the doctor said you’re completely fine ...”

“I am fine,” Carter interrupted. “I’m just ... I don’t know,” he shrugged.

What could he tell? He was not allowed to tell.

“Do you need to see a therapist?” Aron said cautiously. “We can arrange something. Baby, I want you to be happy.”

“I am,” he said sharply.

“Sorry to contradict you, but you seem the opposite of that,” Aron protested but started caressing Carter’s arms.

“I cannot stop thinking ...” he started. “Carter’s mom and dad are a wreck. The guy is there, in the hospital, dying. And I’m here, having fun, and ... I just feel guilty, okay?”

It was the closest shape of truth he could touch without breaking the rules.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Aron hugged him. “I want to understand what you’re going through.”

“Promise me something, Aron,” he said while holding his best friend with all his might.

“Just say the word,” Aron encouraged him.

“Promise me that no matter what happens, you will be happy,” he said in one breath.

“But I am happy,” Aron replied. “I have you, and you’re amazing.”

“No, just listen,” he hugged the other tightly. “If ... Carter dies, don’t be ... unhappy.”

Aron remained speechless.

“I know, it sounds bad, but ... I only want this,” he said.

“I ... I don’t want to lie to you, Alex,” Aron spoke, his voice filled with emotion. “I cannot promise you this. It’s the only thing I cannot give you. Ask me anything else. But not this.”

Oh, fuck. He could feel his entire body shaking.

“Ah, damn, I should have let you rest more. And forget all about Instagram and other stupid stuff. You will take the entire week off and that’s final. And let’s just go together to see Carter. The doctors say he’s stable and that his body is healing at a good rate, seeing what state he is in. Stop with these wide-eyed fears. Carter is not going to die.”

He was pretty certain he wanted to cry like a stupid baby right now.

“He will get better and we will all be friends, okay?” Aron insisted.

That was not going to happen.

“Promise?” he asked, despite himself.

“Yes, that I can promise. You’ll see. He’s an amazing guy. We will have a super duper time together. Carter is the funniest guy I know. He’s a good friend. He’ll be a good friend to you, too. Seeing how much this accident changed you, I won’t be surprised to see him changed, too.”

“Maybe if he’s that changed, you won’t like him anymore,” Carter mumbled.

“I’m talking about him seeing things clearer. About us. He will see how much we love each other and he will understand. I’m sure of it.”

“Okay,” he sighed. “Okay. I trust you.”

“Better now?”

“Yes, sure,” he said. “But don’t lock me up at home. I’d rather be posing all naked, than staying all cooped up in here.”

“As you wish, baby,” Aron admitted. “What do you say? Do you want us to go together one day to check on him? I go almost every day, but you’re busier than me, so you should pick the day that’s most convenient for you.”

“Are you really doing that? Are you going to see him every day?” he exclaimed.

“Well, of course, I told you. He’s my friend, I’m not giving up on him.”

“You know what, Aron? You’re a great man,” Carter whispered and pushed his head into Aron’s shoulder.

“And you’re amazing. Come now, there was enough excitement for one day. Let’s get you to bed.”

Half an hour later, he was cocooned in bed, with Aron’s heavy arms around him.

“Make love to me?” he whispered, and Aron moved slowly to kiss him.

“Are you sure?” Aron’s lips caressed his ear, sending small jolts of pleasure down his back.

“Yeah, I want you inside me,” he said simply.

Aron was as tender as someone of his size could be, but Carter could still feel like he was getting crushed as the man covered him, head to toes, with his own body. But it was perfect like this. He felt grounded, safe, and he didn’t have to worry anymore. At least for now.

The guy’s lips were caressing his neck slowly, making him shiver.

“I’m so in love with you right now,” Aron said softly. “You’re safe here, with me. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

He knew that. He knew next to Aron he was safe. And he was whole, too, because when the man impaled himself slowly into Carter’s body, there was nothing else he could think of but how complete he was.

It was easy to voice his happiness like this.

“Wow, baby, you’re so vocal,” Aron mumbled through the kisses. “I love hearing you cry out like this, do you have any idea how fucking hot you are?”

No, he didn’t, and he didn’t care to know what Aron had to say to his sexy husband. At the moment, he was nothing but a looter, scavenging emotions.

***

Aron had let him sleep in a little, after calling Yolanda and getting a reprieve of a couple of hours for him. And he was thankful. His hangover was not that bad, but Aron had not let him go to sleep until he had been sure his husband was completely satisfied. Which meant that he didn’t feel like getting out of bed at all now.

Eventually, he knew he had to wake up. With a cup of coffee in one hand, he examined the living room with rueful eyes. He could tidy up the place a little. After all, Aron had made coffee and left plenty for him, too, which was a lifesaver.

He picked Aron’s jeans from the floor, and, simply by force of habit, he checked the pants. His fingers wrapped around a card, as he checked the back pockets.

“A club?” he stared at the elegant card, on which, on the dark print, a few letters were embossed in gold.

Whatever, Aron had to go drink somewhere when he was out of town, right? The name of the club didn’t ring any bells. He shrugged and put the card back. Hmm, there was still time until he needed to head out the door.

Oh, yes, he could use that time to check the strange e-mail Aron had gotten instead of his confession about who he really was.

He fired up the laptop and waited patiently for the device to boot. If he was lucky, Aron was still using the same password. All he needed was to track down the location from which the e-mail had been sent. That could give him an idea about the whereabouts of this invisible shithead who was playing with his life and also Alex’s. Maybe the guy was a real magician or something. But he still had to use an IP address to send e-mails, right?

Hmm, Aron hadn’t changed his password. Easy-peasy. Aron had never kept his password secret from him, and Carter had often accessed his e-mail, while they were still friends. Well, it was all for a good cause, and it was going to be the only one time when he was getting inside the guy’s e-mail, without his knowledge.

He stared at the header of the e-mail, chewing his bottom lip. Nope, he checked, and it didn’t look like the replacement had come from a different address. Damn, whoever that magician was, he was a whizz kid at hacking e-mails, because everything looked like nothing wrong was afoot.

Feeling dejected with his investigation, he decided to log off. His eyes traveled over the list of e-mails in Aron’s inbox and stopped at one.

“Thanks for all the fun,” he read slowly, chewing the words on the subject line.

All right, this was no longer benign. Was he really going to read Aron’s electronic correspondence? The sender was someone named David ... Hmm, he thought. He let the mouse hover over the e-mail. The fun? What fun? What could Aron possibly do to have fun with a guy named David?

Hey Aron,

I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. But we really had a good time together, so I thought about sending you a few pictures as a memento.

Here’s hoping things work out between you and your husband.

If not, well, you know where to find me.

Cheers,

David.

He stared at the screen in shock. Who the fuck was this David dude? What the fuck?! Aron was not a cheater. There had to be another explanation. No, nopey, no, no, no. But what kind of fun was this guy talking about? Maybe they just had some drinks.

The pictures didn’t show anything compromising at first. Just shots of a club interior, the bar, Aron with a drink in his hand, smiling for the camera, while a guy who looked in his mid-40 was hooking one arm over his shoulder. The man seemed to have a similar height to Aron and was built strong, too. His blue eyes were staring at Carter from the picture, with a small secretive smile. It was like the guy knew something Carter didn’t, and that was definitely annoying. Was this really the type Aron was going for when he wasn’t fucking his twink of a husband? No, he shook his head. This guy was nothing but a friend. The way he was keeping his arm thrown over Aron’s shoulder didn’t look intimate beyond a friendly gesture.

That didn’t mean that Carter couldn’t admit that the guy was a looker. Showing his age, for sure, but with the kind of attitude and presence that would make others take note of him. How could Carter describe him? Ah, a man of the world. That was an accurate description.

Yeah, he was worrying about nothing. But when he clicked on the next picture, he knew he had to reconsider. The guys performing on some kind of stage were putting to absolute shame Simon’s outfit when the guy had come to play slave. And Carter had thought that was risqué enough. This, however, was in a totally different league. Plus, it looked like those guys were engaged in all kinds of sexual acts, save for penetration.

He shook his head. For a second there, he had lost himself while admiring the almost naked bodies. What was he now? Gay or something?

He could feel his teeth grinding when he looked at the last picture. It was a shot outside the club, and now Carter knew that name. He quickly ran a Google search and identified the location. So, maybe Aron went there for more than just drinks and pleasant conversation.

Well, he turned off the laptop. Aron had some explanations to give. He definitely wasn’t a cheater, Carter said to himself. But damn, that fucking looked bad.

***

“Are you kidding me?” he grabbed one pair of underwear with two fingers and held it as if the thing could suddenly develop teeth and bite him. “Am I supposed to wear these for the shooting?”

Mark pointed one pencil towards the underwear with a thoughtful expression on his face.

“That is from the Blue Desire collection,” his assistant explained.

Carter took the offending thing and stretched it while looking through the enormous gap at Mark. The thing barely covered the front, leaving the back, ahem, exposed.

“This is not underwear. Whoever wears such a thing will just have a naked ass to worry about. Frankly now, what is the purpose of this thing? And I wasn’t supposed to be this naked, right?”

“No, no, these are not for the shooting,” Mark waved quickly, now bent on putting his boss’s mind at ease. “They’re a gift. For you.”

“Is this a joke? Do they think themselves funny or something?” Carter exclaimed.

“Well, they thought you would like some items from their special collection. You know, for personal use,” Mark continued.

“For personal use? Why would I go out of the house wearing such a thing? It must be damn uncomfortable,” he continued his protests.

Mark gulped audibly, then coughed, and then drew one long breath.

“That’s not for wearing outside. It’s for, um, bedroom affairs?” Mark shifted from one foot to another.

Carter stopped and looked at his secretary.

“Do you need the bathroom, Mark? Just go, you don’t have to keep it in; it’s bad for your kidneys.”

“No, I don’t need the bathroom, boss,” Mark denied. “It’s just that, um, I don’t know how to say this ... Okay,” the young man braced himself. “They sent this sexy underwear so you can ... make your husband happy,” he added quickly.

Carter dropped the underwear back into the box. Hmm, did they have it in a bigger size? He knew exactly how Aron had to present his ass for punishment if he was going to found as little as the guy had tried to cheat. Well, if Aron was a cheater ... No, Aron was not a cheater. There was an explanation for David, that fancy club, and everything.

“Boss, can I go?” Mark said pleadingly. “This, this, and this, are for the shooting. The rest is for you. For personal use.”

“Oh, stop fretting already,” Carter chided him. “Okay, I’m not that dumb. I know what sexy lingerie is. Don’t you have a girlfriend, Mark?”

“Um, no,” Mark mumbled.

Of course, what was he thinking? They were in the fashion industry. Of course, Mark didn’t have a girlfriend.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend, then? I can share some of this lingerie, you know? It looks like they sent a ton,” he fiddled with the contents of the box, wondering how he had managed to live for 32 years and have no idea guys could wear sexy undies, too.

“No, I don’t have a boyfriend, either,” Mark replied.

“Ah, don’t worry, a nice guy like you, you’ll find someone,” Carter smiled at him. “Boy or girl, depending what you like. Do you like both?” it suddenly dawned on him.

Mark looked like he could swing both ways. And he was a nice guy.

“Actually, I’m asexual, boss,” Mark replied with an apologetic smile.

“Asexual?” Carter stared at his secretary for two full seconds. “Like you don’t like sex at all? Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Whatever floats your boat,” he tried to make a quick exit out of the situation.

Shit, why was he tormenting his assistant over his sexuality now? The guy had probably suffered some trauma and it was not Carter’s place to play shrink. Could he be more of an idiot?

“I didn’t suffer any trauma,” Mark spoke.

Was everything he was thinking printed in capital letters on his forehead? What the hell?!

“But, don’t worry, boss, this is how I was made.”

Made? Mark was a bit strange if he were to think about it. But, wait, he was not going to judge.

“Okay, Mark, don’t mind me. Just pretend that we didn’t have this conversation.”

To make his words clear, he closed the top of the box and sat with his elbows on it. There, out of sight, out of mind. For now. The simple image of Aron wearing that kind of underwear was making him want to jump from one foot to another, like Mark earlier.

“Ah, don’t worry, boss. I am not that comfortable with such things, but I have to be, seeing my current line of work,” Mark smiled and clutched his folder case tightly. “Should I check with the seller to see if they have that in Aron’s size?”

Now Carter felt the need to glare.

“Nope. I don’t want my assistant to die of a heart attack due to spending too much time looking at sexy underwear. Now, shoo where you have to be, and take some time off to de-stress. You look a little pale. Are you eating right? You know what I told you about eating only junk food.”

“Don’t worry, boss. And I’m the one who’s supposed to take care of you,” Mark replied, looking a bit affronted.

“Okay,” Carter raised his arms in surrender. “But please stop reading my mind already. It’s a bit annoying.”

“But that’s what good assistants do!” Mark protested. “Now I’m going, boss, but, if you need me ...”

“Just go,” Carter pointed the door. “And rest. And eat something green.”

“Okay, boss, on my way,” Mark waved and sauntered out of the room.

Wait, had the guy just admitted he was reading minds? But Mark was no longer in the room, so he could not ask him.

***

It had taken him a while to figure out how to drive to the club advertised by the card he had found in Aron’s jeans, but now he was on his way there. He was going to be late home, but he needed to find out the truth. If Aron was a cheater ... No, that couldn’t be.

His phone rang happily, getting on his nerves.

“Yeah?” he answered while kicking the car in high gear. This was going to take all day if he was going to drive like a grandma.

“I was hoping to see you home already,” Aron spoke and chuckled. “Maybe in some of that sexy swimwear you wore today? I saw your Instagram posts, baby. Now I’m not that sure if I’m a jealous husband or not. So hurry up home already. I’m literally dying to give my megastar husband the attention he needs if you know what I mean,” the man added, his words turned to drawled whispers.

He could ignore the goosebumps all over his arms, as Aron cooed into his ear. Phone sex was one thing. Phone sex and driving led to certain suicide.

“I have something I need to take care of,” he replied. “We’ll talk when I get home.”

He surely hadn’t wanted his words to sound so menacing, but that was how they turned out. Aron must have felt something was amiss, by the way silence stretched on the other end.

“You sound pissed,” Aron spoke eventually.

“I have my reasons,” Carter snapped.

How could Aron keep such a thing away from him? Wait, was he really thinking like a husband now? Placeholder, Carter, you are nothing but a placeholder.

Oh, snap, he needed to control himself. But he was pissed. Aron better not be a cheater, or he was in for more than just a smacked bottom. And if David was just a friend … how the hell he, Carter, had no idea of such a friend?

“Care to explain?” Aron became serious.

“I will, once I get my facts straight,” Carter replied. “I told you, we’ll talk at home.”

“You seem ready to rip me a new one,” Aron joked.

“You have no idea,” Carter replied.

“Ugh, now I’m starting to get worried,” Aron spoke.

“Then you know what you did,” Carter said in an accusing tone. “Now get off the phone. I’m in traffic, and I shouldn’t talk to you anyway.”

“Okay,” Aron admitted. “Don’t be late. And take care. You should not drive if you’re upset ...”

“I’m not made of glass, Aron,” Carter replied, a bit too harshly.

What the fuck? Was he judging Aron without first checking the facts? Why was he so pissed anyway? If Aron was a cheater, he was cheating on his husband, no one else. By all means, it wasn’t Carter’s business. But damn if he was letting this go. He needed to find out who the fuck David was and what kind of fun Aron was having with the guy.

“Talk to you at home,” he added and turned off the phone.

He had no intention to answer again, and he really needed to pay attention to the road ahead.

***

The club was not yet open for business, it seemed, but Carter found himself inside, without anyone telling him he was not supposed to be there. The man tending the bar was focused on cleaning a tall glass to perfection and was staring at it with a critical eye. Well, since there was no one else to ask, he decided the barman had to do.

“Hey, man,” he called, and the guy looked over at him.

“We’re not open yet, but I think I can accommodate you, pretty,” the barman winked at him and placed the glass on the counter. “What’s your pleasure?”

“No, I’m not here to drink, I’m driving,” Carter replied, annoyed and flattered in equal parts by the way the guy was staring at him. “But I’m here to see someone. A guy named David. I think he’s a regular.”

“Sweetheart, do you think people walk in here and offer their real names? And there are plenty of Davids hanging around here. Did he say you two would meet up here? He might have stood you up,” the barman drew a long sigh and stared at Carter in fake pity. “As I said, we can accommodate you with everything you need. And by that, I really mean everything,” the guy leaned over the counter and caressed Carter’s arm in passing.

“Well, it’s this guy,” Carter took out his phone and showed the barman the picture he had transferred from Aron’s e-mail.

The barman stood up straight like he was a spring based toy.

“That’s the boss,” he replied, a bit clipped. “Why didn’t you say you wanted to see the owner?”

“Well, I just know his name,” Carter said. “We didn’t speak that much.”

The man gave him an odd look like he could not believe someone was looking for his boss. Carter could feel getting a bit nervous under that gaze. It was clear that the barman was getting suspicious of him. A few seconds passed, and now he was wondering if he was going to be given the boot. A guy who ran a BDSM club probably had the means and the tools to punish anyone he didn’t like.

“Ah,” the guy’ face suddenly lit up. “I know who you are. I thought you looked familiar. Aron’s husband!” the guy exclaimed. “I’ll let David know you’re here. Don’t go, please,” the man urged him as he stepped out from behind the corner.

Well, he wasn’t going anywhere. But come on, did everyone around here knew Aron was cheating on him and they even found it funny or something?

He’s not cheating on you, he’s - presumably! - cheating on Alex.

Hello, I’m the placeholder, so I need to solve this shit.

If he were to think with the rational part of his brain, the truth was that he should have been happy with the bartender’s reaction. People around here knew Aron was married, and they didn’t seem to find it odd that he was here. So nothing was pointing out that Aron was a cheater. All good for now. And he was really curious about this David dude.

“Come, come,” the bartender called for him. “David is waiting for you in his office.”

The barman almost pushed him through a door, and Carter found himself in front of an impressive mahogany desk behind which sat the man he had wanted so much to meet. The guy looked like in that picture, except that he wasn’t smiling, and he was checking his visitor with critical eyes. David had a commanding presence, Carter thought, as he tried to square his shoulders and not look very intimidated.

He was a bit startled when the barman closed the door behind him, leaving him alone with the man. Throwing furtive looks around, he wondered whether he was really expecting to see flogging whips, canes, and other punitive devices hanging from the ceiling. If anything, the place looked elegant and maybe a bit lavish, with heavy furniture, and plush carpets the color of old wine.

“Alex Ruskin,” the host was first to speak.

“David,” he replied in kind. He had no idea if he had read the guy’s last name anywhere. Well, he was at a bit of a disadvantage here.

“Should I ask to what exactly do I owe the honor?” the man asked, a tad scathingly.

Hmm, this guy had no lost love for Alex; that was for sure.

“To nothing else than the fact that my husband is cheating on me. With you,” he pointed at a guy, hoping that he looked pretty much like the embodiment of indignation.

“Aron? Cheating?” David smiled thinly and his eyebrows shot up in amusement. “Do you really think that?”

The man began pouring himself a drink in a large glass. He made a small gesture as if he was inviting Carter to have one, too.

Carter chose to shake his head. This encounter was nothing like he had imagined.

“Please, have a seat. That if your righteous indignation allows you.”

Well, truth be told, he didn’t feel that much righteous indignation right now. And that came like a bit of a surprise. Nah, nah, nah, he wasn’t going to let himself fooled. He needed to act like a jealous husband here, and be a little irrational.

“I think I’ll stand,” he refused.

“Well, Alex, now that you came knocking down my door, come on, out with it,” David swirled the drink in his glass.

“Out with what?” Carter shook his head, surprised.

David chuckled.

“I must say, you’re nothing like I imagined, from what Aron told me.”

“And how did you imagine me?” Carter crossed his arms over his chest.

“Well, pretty much like a wildcat,” David stared at him, evaluating him with his piercing blue eyes. “You seem pretty tame. Three minutes in my office and you are yet to break anything.”

Break? Carter looked around. Well, that Chinese vase did look expensive. David followed his eyes and sighed.

“Not that I suggest you start doing that.”

“Hey, I’m civilized,” Carter raised his hands in surrender. “I’m not going to break anything.”

That vase was probably worth more than what he could make in three months. He, as Carter, not as Alex. Alex could probably afford to break expensive Chinese vases.

“Well, Aron did tell me of your suspicions,” David spoke. “So, the moment I heard you’re here to see me, I thought I would have to call security to keep you off of me,” he added with a small smile.

Wow. He could not imagine that strongly built man afraid of a skinny asshole like Alex.

“Really, man?” he snorted. “I’m no match for you.”

“Ah, well, hell hath no fury,” the man shrugged.

“I’m not a woman,” Carter said sharply.

“No, you’re not. You’re worse,” David said back, with the same unnerving, all-knowing smile.

“Okay, that vase suddenly looks like it’s not sitting too pretty over there,” Carter threatened.

David burst into laughter.

“Seriously, I don’t understand why Aron said you’re hard to deal with. I find you pretty manageable,” the man leaned into his lavish armchair and gave him a slow once-over that made Carter feel goosebumps everywhere.

There was something about this dude that was making him feel fidgety.

“Now, I insist, please sit down, and let’s have a little chat,” the man offered.

Well, David had a point. With a small shrug, he walked over the room and sat on one of the guest chairs. Hmm, velvet? That felt pretty nice under his fingers.

“This shit must have cost a fortune,” he murmured.

David chuckled again.

“Yes, definitely, you are completely different from what I gathered from Aron. Now, Alex, seeing that I can carry a decent conversation with you, tell me, what makes you think your husband is cheating? I won’t even say with me, I want to say at all.”

“Well, he disappeared for the entire weekend and he was with you,” Carter began explaining.

“Okay.”

“Okay? Is this everything you can say?”

“It is true. Aron was here this last weekend.”

“Ah, so you don’t deny it. Frankly, man, don’t you have anything better to do than steal other guys’ husbands?” he asked, now annoyed with the man’s admission.

“I didn’t steal anyone. Not that it would be impossible. But Aron is faithful to you.”

Aha! Just as he had thought. Aron was not a cheater.

“Are you just going to believe me?” David grinned. “You look so happy now like I just told you Santa Claus was real.”

Carter frowned. Okay, okay, he was going at this completely unprepared, and this guy was a fucking weasel. Although a weasel was not the type of animal to compare David to. He looked more like a ... bear?

“Come on, man, I’m just pulling your leg,” David joked. “You don’t look like a guy who thinks his husband is cheating on him. Frankly, I think you’re just curious. Should I introduce you to my club?”

“No way,” Carter put his hands up. “Stop derailing the conversation. What was Aron doing all weekend here if he wasn’t cheating?”

“Ah, so you don’t think Aron is a cheater,” the man looked at him to confirm.

“No, I don’t. I know Aron well,” Carter said without hesitation, earning another surprised look from his host. “But I still want to know why he comes here.”

This time, David didn’t laugh at him and didn’t dodge the question.

“Aron needs a friend,” David said simply.

“And you’re his friend?” Carter asked, now feeling a short pang of jealousy. A real one.

“Yes, I am. He told me I’m his best friend and the first person to trust ever since he fell out with that childhood friend of his, Carter. You know, the one who’s supposedly a homophobe.”

“Supposedly?” Carter snorted.

“I have my own theories regarding that fellow, but that is not why you’re here, right?” David asked.

Actually, he would have liked to hear those theories, but, since he was walking in Alex’s shoes, he had to put any personal considerations aside.

“All right, so you’re friends. That’s not reason enough for him to leave his home and spend days away from his husband,” Carter made his case.

“You’re putting Aron through a lot, Alex,” David said sharply. “He married you, he fucks only you. Stop being jealous of a shadow.”

“What shadow?” he asked, scandalized.

“I’m talking about Carter. Aron was honest with you, he told you about his crush, but that was all in the past. If he moved on, so should you. To think that he trusted you with this only so you can use it against him,” the man was now looking at him with judgmental eyes.

“I didn’t!” Carter protested.

Just how much did Aron share with this guy? It was like David was his personal shrink or something.

“Really?” David linked his fingers and stared at him.

“Well, he … misunderstood,” he tried to offer an explanation.

David shook his head slowly.

“Your husband loves you, Alex. He tries a lot. Stop doing things that are driving him away from you. Even a man like Aron has his limits. You’re lucky.”

“What do you mean by that?” Carter mumbled.

Funny how chastised he felt, and he wasn’t even the real Alex.

“You’re lucky that his friend Carter was dumb as a brick back in the day.”

He could feel a huge lump in his throat. What was this guy talking about?

“I don’t want to know,” he looked away.

He did, but he wasn’t here for that.

“But now I want to know. What kind of fun did you two have all weekend?” he returned to his initial righteous indignation state.

“Are you sure you’re ready to be introduced to the kind of fun I’m talking about?” David smiled.

“Try me,” Carter smirked.

Hell, he wasn’t here to back down. He was here to learn the truth, no matter how strange. Nothing could scare him. He was practically still tumbling down the rabbit’s hole.

“Are you familiar to BDSM?” David asked directly.

Carter shrugged.

“Heard about it. Wait, is Aron into this kind of stuff? He didn’t even let me spank his ass,” he blurted out.

Oops. Eh, Aron had confessed much more intimate things when talking to this guy. At this point, it felt as if he was visiting a marriage counselor.

“How did you two get there?” David laughed. “But that kind of question, you should ask your husband. I only invited him to watch.”

“Ah, damn, don’t tell me he got a lap dance from one of those guys all dressed in leather belts,” Carter expressed his concern.

“Does Aron know you’re reading his e-mails?” David threw him an odd look.

“Yeah, I mean, he had the same password since ...”

Oh. Fucking. Shit.

“I’m surprised. He told me he didn’t want you snooping around, and that you two try to respect each other, as far as these things are concerned. He swore to you that he would trust you. And he expects the same thing back.”

“Ah, well, I convinced him,” Carter said quickly.

How much of a moron could he be?

“Wait, stop distracting me. How does Aron have fun here? Does he get spanked? Are you tying him up to a metal stand and don’t let him pee or something?”

David’s eyes were growing wide as the guy was looking at him, clearly astonished with whatever came out of Carter’s mouth.

“Are you attracted to this lifestyle, Alex? You’re grossly misinformed, but I do sense an enthusiasm in you that can only mean that you’re interested,” the man joked. “Let’s not torture you anymore. Aron comes here to watch, and only to watch, as I told you. Now seriously, you can’t be mad at him. You don’t let him watch porn, and you’re worse than a frigid housewife. The guy has needs. I can assure you that he didn’t do anything that could count as cheating.”

“Frigid housewife?” Carter protested. “I’ll have you know that ever since Aron came back on Sunday, we did it ... well, if it counts that I did him, too, that’s ... and oral ... and that thing between the butt cheeks ... that amounts to ...” he muttered to himself while counting.

He proudly showed David his stretched fingers. The man was staring at him in pure shock.

“Did you top Aron?” the man exclaimed.

“Duh,” Carter replied. “That thing’s like the tightest hole in ...”

Oh, damn. He was again, a major idiot.

“It’s tight,” he added quickly. “Like fucking amazing. And Aron’s my husband. It’s like my right to fuck him. I fuck him legally,” he started to babble.

“No one’s contesting that,” David shook his head as if he felt suddenly trapped into a strange dream. “I’m glad for you. It means you’ve finally wakened up.”

“Yeah, thanks or something. Just get this. Aron’s mine,” Carter linked his fingers. “So sorry if I’m not going to let him come here and watch some naked dudes pretending to have sex. He can come for drinks and to see you, if he wants, of course,” he added. “Really, just watching? Was he jerking off or something?”

“No, what kind of establishment do you think I ran here?” David frowned. “People who want to engage in sexual acts have private rooms for that.”

“Okay. Wait, you weren’t interested in him or anything, I hope,” he said, now feeling anxious again.

“No,” David shook his head. “He’s not my type, even if he were single and not married to you. As a friend, and someone who is into this lifestyle, I would have loved to offer him a proper introduction, but so far, he said no.”

“Ah, so he’s not like submissive enough?” Carter ran his mouth once more.

“Oh, I think he can be plenty submissive,” David said. “But it would not be right for him. He may feel guilty and find this an outlet to blow some steam, but he would never be into this as a lifestyle, that I am sure.”

“A lifestyle? Like what? Wearing a collar underneath his shirt at work?” Carter asked.

David threw him another odd look.

“You’re making me itch to take you for a ride, Alex. You’re lucky Aron’s your husband. You would totally be my type,” the man now smiled at him, and Carter could feel his stomach doing a small flip. Not a full-fledged one, but a semi-flip.

David laughed and shook his head.

“Maybe Aron’s wildcat just needs a strong hand to tame him,” he said.

“Like hell,” Carter almost choked on his words.

“Well, I hope you’ll come around with Aron, and we can all have some fun. No, I won’t spank you or tie you to an X-cross. Not without your written consent at least,” the man laughed.

Carter gulped. David’s eyes were boring into him like they were trying to make him spill all his secrets. He could see why the guy was running a BDSM club.

“Stop looking at me like you’re looking to be trained and owned,” the man joked again. “I’m sure Aron won’t approve. Now, in all seriousness, I’m glad your sex life improved. It was quite a sore point for Aron, you know?”

“Hmm,” Carter mumbled.

He wanted nothing but to hurry back home and get owned. By Aron and no one else.

“Come on, shoo back home,” the man said with a small smile. “My sub will be here soon and if he sees you, he might become jealous. And, frankly, I’m really attached to that vase,” David joked.

Carter stood up and offered the man his hand. David shook it shortly, barely hiding his surprise.

“Thanks, man, for telling me about Aron.”

“No problem. Glad to have finally met you. And, you know, if you ever feel like you need a strong hand ...” the man joked.

“Shut up, man. I already have an owner,” Carter replied.

David winked at him.

“Then hurry back to him already.”

To say that he was happy when he walked out the door was an understatement.

TBC