The Mormon and the Dom by Nix Knox Page A

Noah trusted him completely. His opinion of him had changed drastically in the time he’d been in his company. He was expecting a man obsessed with sex and power, yet Ronan wasn’t like that at all. Ronan wore many hats—or masks, Noah supposed, given what they’d been talking about earlier. Somehow, knowing they had that particular thing in common made his secret desires less shameful. He wasn’t alone. It had seemed that way in some respects, even after he found the chat room. However, now he’d met two men in real life who were not only part of the lifestyle but were also normal in all respects. Knowing this gave Noah hope that he really was normal, too.
    What had touched him was the kind way Ronan had gotten the details of his fantasy from him. He didn’t demand but coaxed them out of him. His behavior established trust. Even though Noah was nervous and excited to do something he’d been thinking about for almost a decade, he took comfort that if he were uncomfortable at any time, Ronan would stop.
    “Okay, this is the room I like to use.” Ronan opened a heavy wooden door.
    “Your dungeon?”
    “I’d rather call it a playroom.”
    Noah was expecting something dark and terrifying, but there was an amazing amount of empty floor space. In fact, as he looked around, it was all floor space. The walls were painted ivory and the floor was gleaming hardwood. Upon closer inspection, he realized there were huge sliding doors along the walls.
    “I keep everything tucked away so that I can set things up according to what we agree on.”
    As Ronan strode across the floor, his boots boomed. Oddly, the sound didn’t frighten Noah. It was eerily similar to the pounding of his heart.
    Ronan slid a door open, revealing all kinds of curious items, most of them unrecognizable to Noah’s gaze. How had he studied so intently yet didn’t know what he was seeing? Anxiety crept in but then faded. Ronan knew what they were, and he wouldn’t use them on Noah unless he agreed.
    “Help me set this up.”
    Noah entered and helped Ronan place a sturdy table in the center of the room.
    “It feels very solid.”
    “It is. Everything here is made to be safe.”
    “Safe, sane, and consensual.”
    “You got it.” Ronan grabbed something else from the closet and popped it on top of the table. “This is a pad so you’re comfortable.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Of course.” Ronan pointed to Noah’s satchel. “Take out what you’d like me to use.”
    Rather than dumping all the contents on the table, Noah took out only what he wanted to play with. He loved wearing the pants, but they weren’t right for what they would do today so he left those inside. From the depths of the bag, he removed the bigger spreader bar and the manacles.
    “Ah. Tony’s work.” Ronan picked up the collapsible spreader bar. “I’d recognize it anywhere.”
    “He’s very skilled.”
    “He is. I have some of his gear.” Ronan picked up the manacles and whistled lightly. “Excellent quality.”
    “I decided that if they were something I was going to use often, I should get the best.”
    “You’re worth it.”
    “I am.” Noah took another deep breath. He was worth it. Not just top-notch equipment, but he was worthy of the best Dom in the valley. He was worthy to have his needs met. In that moment, he realized he wanted to be good for Ronan. “You are, too. Worth it, I mean. Not like I’m buying you; just—I want you to be happy with me.”
    “I am.”
    “But we haven’t done anything yet.”
    “We have.” Ronan came around the table. “You’ve already shown me how strong you are.”
    “How did I manage that?” Noah lowered his gaze to the floor, because he couldn’t handle being so close and looking right in Ronan’s eyes. The intimacy of that seemed too intense. When Ronan cupped his chin and lifted his face up, Noah thought he was going to pass out. His hand was rough from callouses but remarkably gentle.
    “By being brave enough