Painted love a pride pet.., p.1
Painted Love: A Pride Pet Play Novel, page 1
Painted Love
A Pride Pet Play Novel
Layla Dorine
Desolate Press
Copyright © 2023 Layla Dorine
A Desolate Press Publication
Published by Desolate Press
1120 Main Street
Osage, Iowa, 50461 USA
layladorine13.wixsite.com/layladorineauthor
Painted Love Copyright © 2023 by Layla Dorine
Cover Art by Jo Clement Copyright © 2023
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning, photographing, or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Desolate Press at the physical or web addresses above or contact: layladorine13@outlook.com.
Printed in the USA
First Edition
October, 2023
To all those living their best lives, as their true, authentic selves, may you continue to shimmer like the brilliant rainbows you are and dance, even when no one is watching.
Pride Pet Play 2023 is a multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not check them all out? If you like playful pets who are sometimes naughty, Pride parades, and Daddy's who love their boys unconditionally you'll fall in love with our pack!
Chapter 1
The way we see ourselves
Looking down at himself, Cas debated turning around and heading right back home. All around him were people in shiny leather and fluffy, oversized costumes, each looking more expensive than the next. His own costume, not a sleek kitty, or a rugged pup, or even a colorful dragon, appeared shabby by comparison. All the pride he’d felt at making his ferret outfit evaporated as he took in the rest of the room.
This was a terrible idea.
His costume was a patchwork collection of faux fur, as closely resembling the pattern of a three-toned ferret as he’d been able to manage. He’d rubbed brown eye liner on his nose and ringed his eyes in it, before drawing on his whiskers. Still, it looked like some kid’s Halloween hodgepodge compared to so many others he saw. Judging from some of the looks people gave him, they’d noticed too. He observed one or two of them turn their noses up at him, sneer a bit, and look away, like he was somehow contaminating them by being there.
He glanced around, hoping to see his friend, but Brandon hadn’t arrived yet. Now the doors were being pulled open, welcoming everyone into the munch at Lover’s Cove. Bodies surged forward, while he tried to take a few steps back only to step on the toes of someone in lots and lots of leather.
“I am so sorry,” he declared, humiliation making his ears feel hot. He wanted to sidestep and get the hell out of there, but the guy just slung an arm around his shoulders and rubbed his ears.
“It’s all good. I was gonna visit the bootblack anyway.”
While he talked, he ushered Cas through the doorway and into a space filled with leather, lace, and more sex toys than Cas had ever seen in one place. Vibrators, dildos, plugs of all shapes and varieties hung from hooks on the wall, reminding him of a raunchy joke Brandon had told him about a little old lady looking for a particular toy, who asked the saleslady if she could purchase the fire extinguisher because nothing else matched the size of her late husband.
Several of the plugs had tails streaming from the ends to add another level of legitimacy to pony costumes, while others had tails that resembled kitties and pups. He knew he was staring, even as a pony pranced by wearing a long, shimmering brown one that swished every time he moved.
A pet play munch had seemed like a very good idea twenty-four hours ago when he was lonely and wishing for someone to play with him, but here, in the brightly lit space, with a crimson door leading through to the back room where everyone was headed, it felt like he was playing pretend. The few times he’d dressed up and been out were in his old city, with a large beast of a best friend who never allowed anyone else to play with him anyway. The big man, in his lion gear and fierce features, had always kept Cas insulated from the rest of the crowd. But Paul was halfway across the country now, at his new job in the twin cities. It would be a while before they saw one another again.
So here he was. Alone and watching broad backs with leather stretched across them, jackets coming off, harnesses beneath them marking some as leather daddies and others as pony boys. And here he was, a ferret, stealing into their midst like the thieves in old Beastmaster movies, which was how he’d learned what a ferret was in the first place. It was also where he’d fallen in love with them.
Even as a kid, they’d reminded him of himself, or maybe he reminded himself of them when he moved around the halls of yet another new school, trying to be invisible, though it wasn’t just the unseen he’d identified with. It was the collecting too. Lost pens, erasers, lighters, jacket adornments, especially the shiny ones with band names on them. People dropped and lost them all day long and he was an expert at spotting them lying on the floor of the school. He’d had quite a collection of things at the end of each year, which never hurt when a trip to buy school supplies wasn’t something that happened often in his household. His hoarding meant his siblings had materials too, and if his mother suspected where he got them from, she clearly wasn’t concerned. It was one less thing she had to scrape together cash for.
Sighing, he had to admit this was feeling a bit like those school days, with the need pushing at him to find a clump of shadows and cling to them. It had always been the most effective way to ensure he didn’t draw the ire of some upperclassman or territorial bully who decided that uniqueness was reason enough to torture someone. His existence had been a mess of antagonists, which was why he’d fallen in love with art and creating new worlds. Into them he could vanish, get lost, and sometimes even pretend to fit in.
Painting, graphite pencils and bright paint marker pens were his true mediums. However, he'd worked on several murals throughout the city and one retaining wall beside a popular marina and restaurant down by the wharf. He might even become a local celebrity someday, if he signed his name in a way that allowed someone to read it. Instead, he added ears and beady little eyes to his C, whiskers and a flourish that resembled a long, hunched weasel body and curving tail, and bang, there it was, Cassidy Cross. A pretty common and non-descript name, if one were to ask him.
Now, the smiling, brown haired man who’d escorted him in, that was someone worth knowing. Cas wished he’d gotten his name. Maybe he would see him inside later and could talk to him. He’d seemed pleasant enough. There had been the briefest moment when Cas thought maybe he’d picked up on his nervousness and would stay beside him, but the moment they were through the doors he’d spotted someone he knew, waved, and wandered away without another word.
Too many people trickled through the doors for him to make a proper retreat, or at least, not one that wouldn’t involve crashing into or stepping on someone else. He was stuck, for the moment anyway. Better follow the crowd and try to learn something. At least he could tell Brandon that he’d shown up and given it a shot. Where was Brandon anyway?
Damnit all, if Brandon had met another little twink at the coffee shop and decided to wander off on some whirlwind weekend tryst, Cas was seriously going to give him a piece of his mind. What he wouldn’t give him was a slice of the cheesecake they were supposed to share after tonight’s event. The plan had been to compare notes about the people they’d met and the things they’d done, which they wouldn't be able to do if Brandon didn't show up. Not that Cas expected to do anything at this point but find the entrance as soon as he could conveniently and inconspicuously do so.
After a while, the room grew warm, and conversations grew hushed as a blonde woman in a skintight cat suit stepped to the front and paused to stand in front of a large mirror.
“Hello everybody.”
“Hellooooo Mistress Lynn.” Several people called back.
Well, at least he had a face to put to that name. She must be the shop owner Brandon had told him so much about.
“Now, I know you’re all here to have a good time. However, there are a few things we need to go over first, since this might be some people’s first time attending one of our munches. The faster you all focus on me, the sooner you can get to the good stuff.”
Silence met her words as everyone dialed into what she was saying.
“Now, for those who aren’t certain exactly what a munch is, it’s an opportunity to meet other kink-minded individuals and try a kink that you haven’t had the opportunity to delve into before. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, some are dressed as the pets they are, while others are dressed in street clothes. All of that is perfectly okay. You can be a kitty in a jean jacket if that’s what works for you. However, we all hope you remember one thing: this is a safe space and in it there are rules.”
She paused, as if making sure she still had everyone’s full and undivided attention before she continued.
“Rule one. You don't touch anyone without their consent. Not a pat, not a squeeze, not a playful yank of a tail or ruffle of ears. You introduce yourself, you ask, and you make certain they are comfortable with it and not feeling overwhelmed or pressured to give into
“Got it mistress,” the room chorused back. Cas found himself replying too, if only because it reminded him of school where everyone was expected to participate and respond to the teachers’ words. Maybe, well, it wouldn’t hurt to see if they offered classes here, something where he could learn one on one, since observation would only teach him so much. As it was, confusion crept in when he thought of the way the brown-haired man had so casually given him a one-armed hug and rubbed his ears on the way in here. Of course, that was outside the door, so maybe that didn’t count.
“Rule two. Whatever you practice needs to be safe, sane, and consensual. See how we came back around to the topic of consent. I’m double stressing it today because last munch, we had a young man in here, tattered, shredded up leathers, scuffed boots, and an attitude like he was a Master, only the first thing he did was touch someone who wasn’t his to touch. Now, not only was that person a visitor, but they were also here with someone to observe and learn, nothing more. The first lesson they got, was that there are knuckleheads floating around the community who don’t want to listen when told don’t touch. So, what won’t we be doing without asking?”
“Touching!”
“Exactly.”
A few people clapped. Some whistled. She let it all die down before continuing. “Now, we have disinfectant wipes, and we have cleaning products. When you are done with a piece of equipment, respect the space and each other by cleaning up after yourselves. This is your only warning. Failure to follow any of the rules will get your butt bounced right out of those front doors, understood?”
“Yes Mistress.”
“Good. Now, refreshments are available in the blue room at the back of the building. There is plenty of water, so stay hydrated and have fun.”
She spun around then, sashaying away from the crowd and leaving them all to ease away from their chosen spots. Now was his chance to slink backwards through the red doors while everyone else mingled.
Of course, that would be the moment when a buff Asian man dressed in some seriously bad ass leather strode through the door with an adorable kitty by his side. Sleek, in gray and black, with a hood, mask and even whiskers, he had bright green eyes just like a kitty-cats and a swish to his steps that made his whole body look slinky and graceful as hell. So much so that Cas couldn’t take his eyes off him or the adorable gray and black tail that trailed behind him, bobbing with each step he took.
He even had a bell collar that jangled and tinkled every time he moved. Damn, but it looked like he was dancing into the room. Cas had taken three steps in his direction before it dawned on him that he was following two perfect strangers, and yet, with the very next thought he realized he didn’t care. He wanted to watch them, because out of everyone, theirs seemed to be the kind of dynamic Cas was looking for.
Thoughts of leaving forgotten, Cas watched them enter the play area where a pink and black maze had been set up. The leather clad man pulled out a mouse on a dangly string, and held it over the side of the maze, encouraging his kitty to follow it. The trim little cat wiggled his wiry, stuck on whiskers and shook his rear end back and forth to make his tail lash. While Cas watched, the kitty followed the toy on its string, batting at it playfully as he worked its way through the maze. The big man never hurried or rushed him. He just encouraged him in a low, musical voice, promising kisses and treats at the end.
And wow did he deliver.
Cas stood as close as he dared, watching as big man peppered kitty’s face with light kisses before rubbing noses with him. He noticed that the treats came in what looked like a repurposed Pounce container, which held white fudge covered strawberry creams, the kind that melted on your tongue when you tasted them. Cas knew them on sight because he loved them too, the same as he enjoyed chocolate covered cherries. He could only imagine the joy the kitty got when his person held one to his lips.
Kitty chewed daintily, as the leather clad man leaned close, nuzzled his neck, and whispered something. His lips moved but the sound was drowned out by the other noises in the room. Suddenly, so fast that Cas almost landed on his ass as he scrambled to back up, those bright eyes locked with his and a brilliant smile lit up kitty’s face. Cas couldn’t look away. It held him frozen. So much so that he didn’t notice the Asian man approaching until he stood beside him and cleared his throat.
Cas dropped his gaze, studied the floor, and felt his cheeks heat up. “I’m sorry for staring, I’m just, I want to learn and..."
“Nonsense,” the man interrupted, his voice even more like honey and song now that it was directed at him. “A munch is a place to learn, and we’re not shy about sharing. Would you care to join us?”
Opening and closing his mouth, Cas found that not a single sound squeaked out.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to. I just wanted to put the offer out there in case you did.”
“No, I…I mean, yes, I do,” Cas stammered. “Was just surprised by the offer is all.”
“You shouldn’t be. We’re a friendly bunch. You must be new to the area. I’ve never seen you at one of these before, and believe me, I would have noticed.”
“I’ve lived in the city for three months now but have been too busy with work to attend an event, until today. My friend Brandon told me about this, and I thought I’d check it out.”
“Welcome. I’m Daddy G, or Garrett if you’d prefer, and my little one there is Mouse, and yes, I know, ironic, but he loves the name and I love seeing him smile about it.”
“Hi Mouse,” Cas said, when it suddenly dawned on him that he didn’t even have a name for playtime, just, well, his everyday name. “I’m Cassidy, Cas, really, that’s what everyone calls me. It’s very nice to meet you both.”
“Well Cas, where would you like to explore?”
That was easy. “The maze.”
“Sure, come on. You and Mouse can go through it together."
Mouse hadn’t said anything, but he made soft meowing sounds and gentle rumbles, so close to purrs it was almost easy to forget he was a human under the makeup and cloth. Cas followed him into that maze, exhaled and slid to his hands and knees, the vantage point bringing the walls up over his head, giving the illusion that he was smaller. Mouse’s tail bobbed in front of him, but he kept his hands off it, since nothing had been said about touching one another. He was watching, observing again, only up close this time, where he could follow Mouse and lose himself in the pretense that Garrett was praising and encouraging him too.
Then it dawned on him like a lightning bolt, as realization struck.
Garrett was.
His words weren’t just for Mouse.
Cas’s name was spoken too. He swapped them from time to time, moving the dangly toy from being in front of Mouse to hanging in front of Cas. Cas batted at it and watched it swing. He swatted, leapt, pawed, and sometimes, ignored it to poke about in a corner.
Oh look, shiny.
It was the shiny that suddenly held the whole of his attention. He poked it and sent it rolling along the floor, making tinkling noises all the way. It dawned on him then what it was. Someone’s bell must have come off. He scooped it into his hands and proudly knelt up higher to offer it to Garrett, who smiled and plucked it from his palm.
“Well now, someone is very observant,” Garrett said.
Cas wanted the ear rubs and skirtches, but they hadn’t negotiated anything about touching, which was sad really, since he truly wanted to play with them in every sense of the word, yet he had no clue how to get to that place with them.
Fortunately, Garrett noticed, and reached out, his hand hovering over Cas’s head.
“May I?” he asked, rewarding Cas’s yes please with the softest, gentlest rubs he’d ever felt.
“If you want something, you only have to ask,” Garrett murmured, while Mouse watched with a bright smile on his beautiful face, clearly as okay with it as Garrett was. Now that made it easier to relax and slide deeper into his ferret headspace, and with it, to follow Mouse further into the maze.
