“Gray, are you okay?”

Grayson snapped his head up and looked around, realizing he was standing in the middle of his unfinished health center with a broom in his hand. Quintus was staring at him as if waiting for Grayson to answer a question he was probably asked. He’d been so unfocused since he had asked Chance to be his Dom. It wasn’t his plan when he went and saw the older man, Grayson simply wanted to clear the air between them. But being in Chance’s presence, all he wanted to do was kiss him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He walked over to the counter and set the broom down then turned to the cheetah shifter, remembering they’d set up a meeting to discuss the progress on how things were coming along. “All right, what do you have for me?”

Quintus pulled the pencil from his hair and tapped the notepad in his hands.

“So, we’re almost done with all the electrical installations where you want to put the training equipment. Mike will come back once those are delivered and make sure they are set up properly. The inspector’s already been through, and we fixed the few issues he pointed out. The three massage parlor rooms you wanted will be completed within two weeks, the specialty kitchen next to your office will be done in another three weeks. We added the window and ventilation system you wanted. We’re working on the locker and sauna rooms as well as the showers and hot tubs. The storefront of the health center will be completed by next week, since it will take up the majority of the second floor. The wood that you ordered came in today, and I’ll have the shelves installed next to the fireplace so you’ll be able to set things there when you’re ready.”

“Wow,” Grayson said in amazement. “I had no idea you guys were moving that quickly.” Considering they only started the repairs no more than three weeks ago, things were really moving along.

Quintus shrugged his shoulders. “I have my guys working around the clock to make up time we lost during the snowstorm. We know you were okay with opening with half of it completed, but we can’t have that. I can’t have that. My plan is to knock out more work before the next snowstorm in a couple of days.”

“I appreciate that you want to have it all done by the deadline, but I don’t want you guys overdoing it.”

“We’re shifters, Gray, we can handle the workload.”

“Even us shifters need rest, Quin,” he said smiling.

“Trust me, we get that too. The question is, are you going to take your own advice?”

“What do you mean?”

Quintus set the notepad he had in his hands down on the counter and folded his arms. “When was the last time you went out and have some fun?”

“Come on, dude. I just had a birthday party, you were there, remember?”

“I do, but I’m not talking about the kind of fun that was planned for you. Please tell me while you were away at college you at least got laid every once in a while.”

"Dude, seriously, you’re asking me that now?”

“Please tell me I’m not the only guy you’ve been with?”

Grayson barked out a laugh. “No,” he said after a few minutes of laughter. “You were good, but I had to see what else is out there.”

“Let’s hope I left a good impression,” Quintus said wiggling his brows.

“You’re an idiot.” Grayson shook his head at his friend’s silliness.

“Okay, but seriously. I know starting a new business takes up all your time, but you need to let loose for a bit. You’ve been on the go since you’ve been home. Hell, when was the last time you got laid?”

“If I said a couple of weeks ago, will you drop the subject?”

“No,” Quintus said with a chuckle.

“I didn’t think so.”

“Tell you what, a couple of the guys, and I are going Incubus tonight to hear Chance and his band play. Why don’t you come with us?”

“Um…I…”

“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll pick you up at eight. Be ready.” With that he picked up his pad and walked away, not giving Grayson a second to back out.

“You’re so damn bossy.”

“That’s why they call me the boss.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He appreciated what Quintus was trying to do, but he was also not in the mood to go out anywhere. He had a lot to think about. He badly wanted to be in a D/s relationship, but he was also scared of disappointing his Dom.

When he went to the clubs, it was mostly for one night or a couple of hours of spanking and sometimes whippings. Then a short tender moment of aftercare. There were intense moments with a Dom or two, but they never brought him to his limits. They always seemed to back off whenever he got too close. Except for one Dominant who wanted Grayson’s submission more than all the others.

Donald Clark, or Master as he liked to be called, was handsome, elegant, wordily, and the first guy he’d been with that was around his age. Donald seemed to be everything that Grayson wanted in a Dom. He lived off his parents’ wealth and had the world and some subs at his feet. He made Grayson experience and realize things about himself each time they were together.

But even with the intensity between them, Grayson wasn’t drawn to him in a way that Chance made him feel in one night. They always met when Grayson was on spring break, and they knew very little about each other. It still baffled him when Donald asked Grayson to move in with him and become his permanent submissive. Grayson turned him down without a thought. There wasn’t anything between them except for sex.

Is that why I asked Chance to be my Dom, because the sex between us is good?

Not getting an answer to his question, Grayson grabbed the broom and went back to what he was doing before he and Quintus talked.

Chance smiled when he heard the screams as he pulled off his T-shirt and draped it over his shoulders. It might be freezing outside but inside the bar, it was hot as hell, or so he told himself that was the reason for taking off his shirt. Picking back up his drumsticks he banged out the start for the next song. That night they were playing at Incubus, the local bar in town. Like all the other times they played, Chance closed off his mind and focused on the music.

That night he could feel the music pass through him rather than seeping into his soul, it was as if he was unable to hear the words. Everyone else, including him, sounded and played fine but Chance still couldn’t get into the groove of the night. For the first time since they’d been playing together, he couldn’t wait for their set to be over. A couple of hours later he was packing up his drum set ready to head home. He was tired, more so than usual.

“Want to tell me what’s bugging you?” Scott asked when he walked over and stood beside him.

Honestly, nothing was bothering Chance, he just seemed to have a lot on his mind of late. It’d had been a week since Grayson had asked him to be his Dom.

“I’ve got some things on my mind,” he said folding his arms across his chest then leaned against his car.

“Yeah want to talk about it?”

Chance stared at his friend wondering if he was being a fool for taking so long to think about something he’d wanted once upon a time. “I was made a proposition that I’m finding hard to refuse.”

“Don’t tell me some other band poached you?”

Chance chuckled. “Nah, I told you from the beginning this is just for fun.” He looked at Scott knowing the other Dom would understand. “A sub asked me to be his full-time Dom.”

“From The Vault?”

“No.”

“And that’s why you’re hesitating, why?”

Chance looked at his friend. “That’s not it either.” Scott stared at him, really waiting for an answer. “I’m out of fucking practice.”

“Bullshit,” Scott said sitting beside him. “You’re no more out of practice than I am. Being a Dominant is engrained in us. I admit it’s been a while since either one of us has been to The Vault but if you’re having a hard time figuring things out, take a visit to the club to get some focus.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Want to tell me who the sub is?” Scott asked wiggling his eyebrows.

“Not until I tell him my answer. But I gotta tell you, I’m really close. Every time we’re together sparks ignite between us, and I forget who the hell I am.”

“He’s that hot huh?”

“Dude, you have no fucking idea.” He couldn’t get Grayson out his head no matter how hard he tried. At night he fingered the black lace panties that he ordered Grayson to give him. Even after washing them, it smelled like him.

Scott stood and ran a hand through his dark blond hair. “It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”

“Maybe I have, but I’ll take your advice and think about visiting The Vault.”

“Let me know when, I don’t mind getting back into the swing of things. I think it’s time I start thinking of settling down with a sweet sub.”

“So, you’re thinking of taking yourself off the market? Good for you, man.”

“Yeah, I’m tired of trying to find the perfect sub.”

Chance could understand what Scott was saying, for years he’d been looking for a well-trained submissive. Maybe that’s why I’m hesitating? “Got anyone in mind?”

“I do, but he’s not into our lifestyle.”

“Ah, a man who doesn’t believe in roles in a relationship,” Chance said.

“Yup, but he’ll be mine. I have no doubt.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Hell yeah, by the time I’m done seducing him, he won’t know what hit him.”

"Going to use some of your vampire magic?”

“If he were human, that would work no problem, but with shifters, it takes a bit more tact. And I have a lot of finesse.”

Chance chuckled at his friend’s shameful confidence. “Well, I wish you luck, my friend.” He stood and walked over to the driver’s side door.

“It’s that kid isn’t it?” Scott called out stopping in front of his own car.

“What kid?” he asked opening his car door.

“The one who you left the club with a couple of weeks ago and the same one that showed up tonight with Quintus. I would have thought they were on a date with how close they were dancing, but I know the kind of man Quintus likes. I gotta say, you’re stepping up in the world. If I’m not mistaken, he’s the mayor’s grandson, Grayson Vale.”

Chance didn’t say anything, he was stuck on the fact that Grayson was cozying up with some other guy.

“By the look on your face, I take it as a yes. I see why you’re considering what to do. Hurt the sheriff’s kid, and he just might hurt you.” He chuckled.

“Shut up, asshole.” Chance smirked and shook his head as he got in his car. “I’ll call you in a couple of days,” he said closing the door and starting his car.

“Is that why I’m hesitating? Because I’m out of practice or because he’s the sheriff’s kid?” Chance was finding either one of those reasons hard to believe, he never backed down from anything, and he’d defiantly backed away from Grayson.

But there has to be a reason why I’m hesitating? But for the life, him Chance couldn’t come up with an answer.

“So, you got the hots for Chance?”

Grayson turned to look at Quintus. “What makes you say that?” Quintus raised a brow as if asking if he was serious. “That obvious, huh?”

He’d been so focused watching Chance, that he hadn’t heard or noticed of any of the songs. He’d held his breath when Chance had taken off his shirt, remembering how hot his skin felt against his both times they were together. He grew hot with jealousy when some of the women and men tried to touch Chance. It was by sheer will he hadn’t wanted to tear them apart. He also didn’t want to embarrass himself by acting like a fool when he couldn’t put a claim on the man.

“Dude, you couldn’t take your eyes off him the entire time. If we were on a real date, I would be jealous right now.”

“I think he’s my mate,” Grayson blurted out.

“Why do you think that,” Quintus asked.

Grayson shoved his hands in his pocket as they walked back to Quintus’ car from the burger joint, they’d stopped at after leaving the bar. He and Quintus had left as soon as the lead singer hit the last note, he’d briefly thought about letting Chance know he was there, deciding against it since the man told him he’d call him when he’d made his decision.

That was a week ago, what’s taking him so fucking long?

“It’s just a feeling,” Grayson finally answered.

“So, what are you planning on doing about it?”

“What’s with all the questions?”

“Just trying to help a friend in obvious need,” Quintus said with a shoulder shrug.

“Well, what about you? Anyone in your sights?”

Quintus stopped with his hands on the roof of his car and stared at Grayson. “I have someone in mind.”

“Who is it? Do you I know him or her?”

“Dude, what’s with all the questions?”

“Just helping a friend out,” Grayson said giggling.

“I tell you what,” Quintus said. “When you get your man, I’ll let you help me get mine. How’s that?”

“I’m going to need a bit more information,” Grayson said as he was about to open his side of the car door when a familiar truck pulled up beside them. The window rolled down and Chance’s face came into view. He looked at Quintus behind Grayson and then to him.

“Be at my place in three days for dinner, seven sharp, don’t be late.” He rolled up his window, and pulled his truck out of the parking spot and was gone before Grayson could say anything. He stood frozen for a few seconds trying to figure out exactly what the hell just happened.

“Polite as ever I see,” Quintus said behind him.

Grayson turned to look at his friend. “Did he just ask me to his place for dinner?”

“More like ordered,” Quintus said with a snort. Grayson felt excitement bubble inside of him causing him to giggle. “Damn, I guess you have a type.”

“What type is that?” He wasn’t sure if knew about Chance being a Dominant.

“The domineering, alpha type,” he said opening his car door and getting inside.

“I guess I do,” Grayson answered and got in the car. He couldn’t wait to see what would happen in three days.