The Velvet Canvas was a private club on fifty isolated acres carefully positioned outside of any single municipal jurisdiction. Membership required an almost Federal-level background check, a probationary period of up to two years, and deep pockets. The yearly dues alone climbed into five figures at minimum, and that did not include the entry and incidental fees.

Such exorbitant cost was rewarded with extreme privacy, absolute secrecy, and access to some of the most lavishly decadent events to be found in the country.

It was one of the very few places Luc was completely comfortable outside of his home.

It was also one of the many properties he owned. Prudence impressed upon him the need to preserve and diversify his finances. Luc had his fingers in more than clay.

As he matured, Luc found his lack of eyesight did nothing to minimize the natural progression of his youthful carnal interest. He often thought his blindness made his sexual appetites that much more demanding. His remaining senses swung between hyper-effected and overwhelmed, to agonizingly starved for stimulation.

Under Pru's careful guidance, he explored and sampled several sensual delights before finding his niche in the D/s lifestyle. Something about making another person incoherent with pleasure, tempered with sensually applied pain simply fulfilled him. Only immersing himself in creating art could provide the same level of soul-deep satisfaction as a sub or sotto in a carnal stupor under his hands.

The club was a gift from Prudence for his twenty-first birthday.

Il Maestro, as he was known there, was a much sought-after Dominant, but Luc was very particular about whom he played with. He had a handful of carefully selected and vetted subs he could choose from, and he varied playmates often. Only those who proved themselves exceptional sottos were allowed to vie for the Club's Platinum Collar and the chance to play with him.

He wasn't as strict or as cruel as some, but he did have very specific requirements. Anyone who couldn't meet his exacting standards never made it past his loyal assistant Cleo Pruitt. There was zero room for compromise. Luc made no secret of his desire for no-strings interactions, whether sex was involved or not. The Club was not his personal dating pool, and his life had no room for forlorn, lovesick subs. 

He had a vague idea of eventually finding someone that understood and accepted his quirks.  The loneliness was becoming harder to escape since Pru died. Solitude was not nearly as comfortable as it once was. 

Within the Club, only Cleo knew his full name and his status as owner of the lucrative business. Cleo was a treasure, and he knew he couldn't hope to maintain the level of order and control he needed to be at ease here without her as la Dama.

Luc truly didn't care who knew he owned the Club, but Pru took a delicious delight in cloaking his ownership, even going so far as to create several shell companies to protect his identity under scrutiny.

It was her job, after all. His life had been literally in her hands, and she took that duty so seriously that she made the move to legally adopt him within a year of being assigned to guard him.

His arrival at the Club was without fanfare. He never mingled with the general patrons, and rarely with the elite Superiore, lifetime members. He simply was not a social creature.

On the scarce occasions he could convince himself to make a public appearance, Cleo made an event of it, sold tickets, and donated most of the profits to one of several charities near and dear to Luc's heart.

"Buongiorno, Maestro," Cleo greeted him at the private entrance reserved for his use.

He smiled as the bells she strategically wore with her ensemble chimed softly, alerting him to her position and movement. He nodded to her and followed the rustling and tinkling as she led him to his private room.

"A new gown, Dama?" he asked while she entered a code to the door.

"Ah, si," she confirmed happily. "From my birthday bonus. A simply divine HoneyComb original."

"Money well spent," Luc chuckled. "I'm expecting my quarterly order any day now."

"Ooh, mine was delivered earlier today! So exciting, ain't it? Armando will join you shortly, Maestro."

"Grazie, Dama."

Alone in the room, Luc took a moment to release some of the tension riding him taking deep cleansing breaths and consciously loosening muscles. Armando would be welcome. Although he experienced a moment of sharp disappointment that Horatio was not joining him, he looked forward to spending some time with the young Latino.

He shrugged off his coat and hung it up in the wardrobe against one wall. Moving deeper into the room, he found the open bottle of sparkling water and poured some into one of the crystal goblets nearby, adding a sliver of lime from a bowl on the same table. 

He found the remote and hit the button to start his music playing quietly and smiled as the door opened and closed behind him.

"Maestro."

"Mando," he replied.

Luc listened to the sotto moving closer on bare feet, the bells attached to him tinkled softly as Mando slid to his knees behind him. Luc picked up a small piece of black velvet from the chair and moved deliberately around the other man, not allowing him to see his face.

He threaded his fingers into the soft waves of his hair from behind, carefully scoring the scalp with his nails.

Luc confirmed Mando's safe words and kissed his cheek.

"Pronto?" he murmured as a soft moan drifted to his ears.

"Si, Maestro."

Luc slipped the blindfold in place. It gently adhered to Mando's skin, sealing off his sight. "Molto bene. Cominciamo."

Luc cupped Mando's elbows to encourage him to stand. Once on his feet, Luc ran his hands over the man's bare torso, finding a light sprinkling of crisp hair that tickled his palms. He pressed against his back, dipping his head to his shoulder to inhale his clean, musky scent. Mando smelled like warm, spicy cider with a generous dash of clove.

He opened his mouth and breathed in, flicking his tongue out to sample the warm flesh. It was satiny, pebbled with goosebumps. Luc lightly traced his tongue around Mando's ear, down the side of his throat, nuzzling and nibbling to his shoulder.

As he left wet, sucking kisses, the sotto shivered, leaning against him.

Luc wrapped an arm around Mando's waist, taking his hand and leading him across the floor. They slipped through a curtained door and came to the wide, velvet-draped bed. Luc turned Mando around and threaded his fingers through his hair, tipping his head back so he could nip and nibble along his chin, down his throat to his collarbones.

"So finely made, caro," he praised. "So pleasing to me."

"Grazie, Maestro," the other man sighed.

Luc smoothed his hands across Mando's chest, down his sides to his hips. He tugged at the silken, baggy pants he wore until they fell to his ankles. Bare flesh, lightly covered in more of that springy hair met his questing hands. Luc traced firm calf muscles up across solid thighs and around to a tight, flexing ass. He cupped those cheeks and squeezed,  kneading them as Mando's breath quickened.

"Lie down, caro," Luc murmured. "I want to play with you."

He stood back as the sub obeyed, tilting his head as Mando's naked skin moved across the rich velvet covers.

From the foot of the bed, Luc smiled. "I noticed you have not shaved recently. How long has it been since we waxed your lovely skin, Mando?"

He chuckled at the sharp intake of breath. Waxing was one of Mando's favorite pursuits.

"A few months, Maestro. I...I did groom my balls for you."

Luc's fingers glided across Mando's skin, seeking between his thighs. He confirmed the cool sac was completely devoid of hair as was the base of the thick and hard cock.

"How sweet," he purred. "Grazie, caro."

He stepped away to a large cabinet and opened it. Running his fingers along the shelves, he chose a set of nipple clamps and a cool metal cock ring. Opening a drawer, he found a bottle of lube and several condoms. He laid everything on a small rolling table and pushed it close to the side of the bed.

Pulling open another small door he skimmed his hands along until he found the anal plug he wanted, adding it to his collection. Finally, he spun a hanging rack, running his hands through the selection of flails until he found a suede one with knotted ends.

"I think we will save the wax for later, caro," he commented casually. "I'm in the mood for something a bit more vigorous, at the moment."

"Si, Maestro."

Picking up a clamp, he leaned over, running his rose along Mando's wide chest. He flicked his tongue around his nipple, sucking, tugging with his teeth. The man squirmed under him, arching up in offering. Luc smoothed a hand down his belly, grazing the bobbing head of his cock. He continued to suck and teeth the nipple until it stood, then eased the clamp on it.

Mando gasped when Luc released the spring, allowing the padded clamp to seize and hold the distended flesh at attention.

Soon he had the other clamp in place, plucking at both nubs while Mando panted and shifted under him.

"Is that tight enough, caro?" he teased, grinning, hearing Mando's head move against the covers.

"I have another prize for you. On your knees, ass up, per favore."

He moved away as Mando obeyed, picking up the plug and lube. He hummed along with Madonna's Drowned World as he coated the silicon toy thoroughly. Moving between Mando's legs, he traced his slicked fingers from the top of his crease down, tapping the tip of the plug against the swaying balls. A shudder rippled through Mando when he leaned forward, dropping kisses across the tight swells of his ass. Luc used the very tip of his tongue to lick his way up from Mando's taint, pausing to probe between his cheeks, seeking his warm core before sinking his teeth into the man's flesh.

A sharp moan made him smile as he spanked the other cheek, drawing a husky groan.

He rose behind the man and pressed on one cheek, bringing the plug up from the taint to Mando's lightly slicked hole. Without preamble, he pressed it forward.

Mando tensed, moaning, the plug stretched him. Once it sat snug against his asshole, Luc twisted it, pulled it out a bit, and pressed it in further.

With a satisfied sigh, he cupped both cheeks, kneading them together.

Mando jerked and whimpered as the plug shifted inside him. Luc rubbed his ass, warming his skin before bringing his palm down to deliver a loud smack.

Mando yelped, flinched, and Luc spanked him again on the other cheek.

"Explain to me, Mando," Luc demanded, "why did you come to me coated in hair like an animal?"

"I...It's been a few months since you asked for me, Maestro," Mando gasped. "I...I didn't think you wanted me anymore."

Luc delivered three hard smacks, making Mando cry out. "You are well aware that you are always to be prepared to service me."

"I'm so sorry, Maestro."

Luc paused.

True remorse flowed through the sub's voice. He smoothed his hands down the man's back, urging him with gentle pressure to lie down. He stretched out behind him, pulling his back flush against his chest.

"Tell me why you lapsed, Mando," he encouraged him softly.

He heard the man swallow hard before he spoke.

"I met someone," he whispered, voice thick with emotion.

Surprised and disappointed, Luc eased away from Mando. "How long?"

"Six months."

"I saw you four months ago. Why did you not speak of this?"

"I wasn't sure about him."

"And now?"

"I love him. He's asked me to marry him."

The soft words hit Luc hard. He closed his eyes and released a slow breath. "Did you not tell your Signora to withdraw you from my list?"

"I did, Maestro, two months ago when he gave me a ring. Signora Anabella called me at home tonight. She said you asked for me."

Luc did not get angry often. The last time he felt true rage was when Prudence died. Hearing those words from the sotto's lips ignited long dormant flames like a switch.

Fury flared to life.

A lie in his name?

Oh, hell no.

"And your amante?" Luc kept his anger out of his voice. Armando was not at fault in any measure. "He knows where you are?"

"He knows what I do here. He told me to come to you. We...we need the money."

Luc pressed his face into Mando's hair. "He is a good man, your amante. Thank you for coming to me tonight, Mando."

"Of course, Maestro. You've always been good to me."

Luc reached down and carefully, gently removed the anal plug. He rolled Mando to his back and eased the nipple clamps off. Taking the toys he left the bed, dumping everything on the rolling table.

"Maestro?"

"You may remove the mask, Mando." He pushed through another set of curtains, washed his hands, and leaned over to start the jets on the hot tub there. "Come, have a soak. Our time is done."

The man padded up behind him. "You reserved me for the night, Maestro."

"You cannot be held to a contract that no longer applies to your circumstance," Luc assured him. "I will not impose my needs upon you. Please, enjoy the bath."

He pressed a kiss to the other man's cheek and left him.