Free Bound by Lies by Lynn Kelling

their beers, hiding away behind the bar like he’s still scared of them or likely to cry if he gets too close. Whenever Jenner approaches the table, their voices become more hushed, the conversation interrupted with things like, “Hey man! Good game tonight! What’s on tap again? Where’s that little piece of ass of yours? She hasn’t come over to say hi once!”
    Jenner can’t call them on the whispering about Brayden without making it weird for everyone, so he just monitors it all as best as he can from afar. He laughs off the comments made to him directly, answering questions about Max with sarcasm, things like, “George, you’re just too much man for her to handle.”
    Which provokes one of the other guys to laugh and say, “You got that right! Look at that gut! She’d get lost in the rolls!”
    Feeling like a referee in a game that has more rules every minute, the stakes devastatingly high, Jenner’s gaze keeps drifting to the bar, and Brayden. Minute by minute he becomes more certain that what he needs is to get away and escape to another, safer world, one he knows well and which can at the very least relieve some of the tension keeping him on edge.

Chapter 7
Delights of the Masquerade
    The rules of the masquerade, as stated on the website, are simple. Attendees must be male and dress in accordance with the role they are playing and the type of companionship they are seeking. For this one night, there are no shades of grey, no switching, and no questions. You either attend wearing pants and carrying some type of leash—chain, rope, leather—or you attend wearing a skirt or kilt and wearing a collar. If you’re wearing pants, that marks you as a top and as a Master. Conversely if you are wearing a skirt, that distinguishes you as a bottom and a slave. If you see someone you like, and they’re willing to participate, you claim them by hooking your leash to their collar. Once someone is claimed, they’re off-limits.
    It’s to be held at Manse, a renovated mansion that now serves as a locally famous gay bar. Owned by the wealthy, eccentric and exceedingly bored David Davenport, Manse functions on most nights as a hang out for all of the area’s gay community. On Saturdays, it’s a different story. The local harcore BDSM devotees and enthusiasts are invited to meet and play in the dungeons. Saturdays are always a much smaller crowd, as Jenner can personally attest. David is always trying to lure in new blood by hosting events like the masquerade, which help newcomers transition into the lifestyle. Admittence to the events are by invitation only, but all you really need to acquire entry is to send an email through the website, introducing yourself and explaining what you’re looking for. David and his staff run background checks, Jenner knows, as a safety precaution. If you try to give a fake name, you won’t get in. The bouncers stationed at Manse’s front door screening photo IDs against that evening’s approved guest list make doubly sure of that.
    Manse is a few towns away, but close enough for Jenner’s purposes. He has made the drive regularly for years, studying the art of Domination under David on Saturdays or going on other nights to cruise for a hookup. It was easier when he was barely eighteen, so passionate about learning everything he could from David that he attended classes and private sessions alike with David and his submissive, Shea. But, once the full responsibilities of running the Pub settled firmly on Jenner’s shoulders, that became difficult, if not impossible. Getting away to Manse on a Saturday was soon a laughable notion. Of course, by then Jenner knew who the subs were and could find them any day of the week, at Manse or with a single phonecall, whenever he was in the mood.
    Now, weeks or sometimes months pass without a single visit to his old haunt, and David. He misses it even if he never could find the right submissive to partner with. Simply being known, being