COMPLETED | Take Me Down The Rabbit Hole (BDSM | 18+)

XLV

The parking lot in front of the Aphrodite building was packed with all sorts of cars, and the lights were on, Aspen could see the tiny lobby through the windows that were sparingly decorated with sheer red curtains.
He hadn't known what to bring so he just grabbed his phone and his jacket, felt around for his collar in the pocket of his pants, and walked towards the door.
The gravel crunched under his feet as he went, which did nothing to calm his nerves.
For the first time in a while, Aspen saw an employee behind the reception table in the lobby. The person rocked a bright pink undercut and their ears were adorned with all sorts of piercings.
"Welcome to Aphrodite," they greeted Aspen.
"Hi," Aspen returned. "I'm here to see Master Leopold—"
The employee gave him a funny look. "You're not his 7:45 PM appointment; even if you were, you're way early."
Aspen pressed his lips into a line and then pulled his collar from his pocket and dropped it on the table. "I'm Thea's submissive, and her brother asked me to meet him here at 7:30 PM"
The receptionist reached for his collar, their eyes narrowing at the tags. "I'll go ask him—" they conceded, but they didn't sound too happy about it and left Aspen standing at the desk.
It felt like an eternity before they returned — with Leo.
"Please excuse Noah, they're only here two days a week and they're just looking out for me," Leo said in greeting and clapped Aspen on the back.
Noah flushed crimson when Leo reached out and pat their head, messing up the neon pink mass of hair on their head. "Sorry," they whispered.
"No harm done," Aspen returned.
"Do you always snap at your employees, Aspen?"
"N-no."
Leo turned to his receptionist and drummed his fingers on the desk. "Do you have the box the courier delivered earlier?" he asked sharply, causing Noah to scramble from their seat and dig around in a box of unopened packages — more PR sex toys?
"Here."
Noah placed an unopened package on the desk and then turned back to their computer.
Wordlessly, Leo passed the package to Aspen. "Open it up."
Not even thirty seconds later, Aspen was holding a tiny velvet jewelry box, and inside —
"Another tag?"
"Yes."
Leo clapped his hands. "We have ten-ish minutes before my client gets here, so—"
He didn't need to finish the sentence. Aspen wordlessly obeyed the unspoken command to attach the tag to his collar.
Unprompted, Leo helped him fasten it around his neck and then pushed Aspen into the direction of the playrooms.
"My client today is an exhibitionist, and he consented to being watched. He's actually been asking me for a scene like this for a while now, but I've never had the itch to bring another dom into my room. You're a baby dom, though, so I figured why not. Maybe you can learn from him, and I hope he learns from you. You're a lot like your Master back in his days— Anyway before we get started, I'd like your help examining my equipment."
Baby dom.
Ha.
"Yes, Sir," Aspen mumbled. "Whatever you want."
So, Leo took the few minutes they had to instruct Aspen in implement upkeep and let him take a few practice swings with a particularly expensive riding crop.
"Alright. There's a chair over there, go sit. And please do try to look like you're not bored out of your mind. My reputation—"
"Extends to me, I know."
Leo pursed his lips. "At least you listen to Thea 99% of the time, pet," he remarked, and then marched over to the door and opened it up.
Aspen shook his shoulders out and forced his face into a pleasantly neutral expression as he watched Leo welcome the client into the room.
The man looked about Aspen's age, but he was way more petite, and a flush colored his cheeks when he caught sight of Aspen.
"Well," Leo drawled, smoothing his hand over the man's hair like he'd done with Aspen earlier. "Wishes do come true, wouldn't you say, Jordan?"
"Yes, Sir."
"This is Aspen, I have him on loan from Mistress Thea for a little while," Leo continued to introduce Aspen, and Aspen watched as the submissive's eyes widened. "Aspen is looking to follow my footsteps, so if you behave, I'll let him participate. How's that sound?"
The flush deepened as Jordan glanced at Aspen again.
"Hello," Aspen said curtly.
Jordan returned the words with a little wave and then turned back to Leo. "I'd like that a lot, Sir."
"Good," Leo returned. "If you're ready to start, do undress."
Aspen tried to not look straight at the man on the other side of the room as Jordan undressed, and lucky for him, Leo came over a few seconds later.
He leaned in, so his face was at Aspen's ear. "Your quiz said you enjoy bondage."
Aspen inclined his head. "I do, Master."
"Second closet to the left of the bed. Surprise me."
Before Aspen could say anything, Leo had popped a button on Aspen's henley.
"It would be helpful to know if I'm tying his legs or his arms, and what you're planning to do with him."
Leo grinned. "I'd like you to decide for me."
Aspen narrowed his eyes, careful to avoid Leo's piercing gaze before he stood. "Right. You're trying to test me at the expense of a client who will pay for any incompetence on my part," he muttered.
His eyes landed on the submissive, who stood next to the door. Aspen could feel the man peek at him from under his lashes as he made his way to the closet, all the while slipping out of his sneakers and pushing up the sleeves of his shirt.
They made an odd trio — Leopold still fully dressed in his suit, Aspen in the most comfortable and yet put-together clothes he owned, and Jordan, stark naked.
Aspen tried to channel some of the behavior he had seen Leo, Thea, and Alan exhibit and squared his shoulders as he opened the door to the closet.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, "here goes nothing."