Mark pulled the collar from the box, turning to face Jack. Jack smirked at him, raising his chin to bare his neck for Mark. Mark removed the collar, letting the box hit the floor. Jack closed his eyes, feeling Mark move in closer. Mark's hand drifted over one side of his neck, sending goosebumps down Jack's exposed arms. While on the other side of his neck, Jack felt Mark's warm breath puff against his skin before he felt his tender lips kiss his throat. Jack moaned softly at the sensation. He had forgotten in such a short time how powerful Mark's kisses were. How they made him feel so treasured and desired. Mark's teeth grazed over his flesh and Jack's toes curled. The sensation sent tingles coursing down his spine and made his dick harden. Mark's hand trailed down his neck over his shoulder, making Jack shiver. Mark's touch was electrifying. It made his blood race and his breathing turn heavy. 

Mark sucked a spot on Jack's neck and Jack's hands had to grab Mark's waist. His knees were starting to weaken. When Mark stopped, he smiled against Jack's neck, whispering lovingly. "I don't deserve you". Jack chuckled lightly whispering back closer to Mark's ear. "If I didn't think that you deserved me, than I wouldn't be standing here". Mark reluctantly pulled away a bit, taking the collar firmly in hand. Mark held the collar up, but seemed to be get lost in thought for a moment. Jack rolled his eyes, leaning in to put his neck against the soft green silk inner lining. Mark came out of his thoughts with a smile, wrapping the collar around his neck to buckle it on him. Jack never thought that he would miss such a thing, but it had become apart of him. He felt lost without it. When it was fashioned in place, Jack leaned back to fashion his mask back on.

Mark's eyes looked him over, his tongue sliding over his dry lips, before he bit his lower lip. Jack blushed as Kate called out to them playfully. "Hey, you two! We haven't even gotten started and your motors are running. Come on". Ben chuckled loudly beside her and she ruffled his hair. As Kate approached, she moved between them, swatting Mark's arm lightly and gestured to the room that Declan had entered. Mark started to walk with her, when Ben nudged Jack with his elbow, saying in a friendly voice. "That collar looks really striking on you, you lucky dog". Jack walked alongside Ben as they entered into the room that was a large gym. Declan was leaning against a stage at the far end, chatting with Trevor. The moment Declan caught sight of them, he straightened up, asking Kate confidently. "So, how do you want to do this"? Kate placed a hand on her hip, answering bluntly. "I take the dogs. You take the Masters and stay out of our way". Declan smirked, gesturing for Mark to walk over and join him. Mark sighed heavily, but walked over to Declan.

Kate than flicked one of her long ponytails off her shoulder to look over her shoulder at both Jack and Ben, telling them with a wink. "How about we start off with some warm ups. Ben, escort Jack to the mats". Ben nodded, moving around her to walk to a padded area. Jack tried not to watch how Ben swayed his hips, making his long tail swing seductively behind him. Was he doing that on purpose, or was it just the way he walked naturally? Moving his eyes away toward Declan's group, he noticed Trevor watching Ben with transfixed eyes. Walking onto the mats, Kate told them bluntly. "The Pet Park judges dogs by three categories. They are: Obedience, Confidence, and Energy. So, first we have to see how good you are at holding someone's attention. So, show me some warm up moves". Kate moved to stand a bit off to the side, allowing him to see Declan chatting with Mark and Trevor about probably the same kind of thing.

Jack wasn't sure what he should be warming up for, but he assumed that if energy was involved than that might mean running. So, he kneeled down to stretch his leg muscles out. Beside him, Ben spread his legs apart and bent over to touch his palms to the floor. Ben's leg muscles flexed and Jack swallowed. His legs were almost entirely muscle. Ben looked up at him to wink, before slowly spreading his legs out wider until they rose off the ground and all his weight was on his arms. Jack fell onto his ass in shock, asking him curiously. "What kind of mutant are you"? Ben chuckled warmly, dropping into a perfect split, before he answered. "I used to be a gymnast. Until I fractured my leg in an accident". Jack winced, asking him. "Rough landing"? Ben shook his head, replying innocently. "Motorcycle. I took a turn too fast and hit a sandy patch on the road and lost control. Fell off a drop off on I-90. Fractured my leg in three places. So, goodbye gymnast career. I lost my sponsors and my coach. I'm fine now... but they wont take the risk on me".

Jack continued to stretch, telling Ben empathetically. "I'm sorry, man. That must be rough". Ben shrugged carelessly, leaning forward into a push up as he told him cheerfully. "I took it hard at first, but I get to teach some really cool kids now". Jack smiled, then it faded as Kate walked over to him, telling Jack seriously. "Jack... How about you try to mirror Ben". Jack shrugged, allowing Kate to kneel and add in. "Even when you do warm-ups, you should be using that time to catch your Master's eye. You have to show your confidence and energy in everything you do. Turning a Master's imagination into something wild is your greatest toy. Use it". Jack sighed, feeling uneasy. He lacked the confidence to do anything like Ben. Not too mention, how could he compare to a gymnast? Ben patted his arm, climbing up onto his feet as he playfully told Jack. "Here, let me show you what she means". Kate grinned, moving away as Jack stood up.

Ben cupped his shoulders and turned him around, saying casually. "Try to bend over like I did... but don't try the split thing". Jack chuckled loudly, replying lightly. "Ya, I'm not that flexible". Ben chuckled along with him as he bent forward to touch the floor. It didn't cross his mind how intimate this was, until Ben leaned over him a bit to pull his thighs out a bit wider, before straightening up to hold his hips. Ben told him to sway his hips like he was simply shifting his weight to get comfortable, but it took him a few times to get it right. It was a subtle way to sway his hips and show off the muscles in his legs. When Ben tapped his hip suddenly and Jack looked up to see both Mark and Trevor staring at them with wide eyes. Declan dropped his face into his hand and swatted both of them to pay attention, leaving Jack take in the way he looked. With Ben standing behind him and him swaying his hips... Jack fell to his knees with a hearty laugh and Ben joined in. Ben dropped down on all fours beside him, chuckling out. "See? It's not difficult. You let their imagination do all the work".

The longer he mirrored Ben's movements, the more comfortable he got doing them. Every so often, Jack would watch Mark lift weights or race Trevor from one side of the room to the other. Trevor was fast in straight-a-ways, but if they had to climb over obstacles, than Mark was faster. Declan would shout at Mark and Trevor to stay focused and to show more control. Jack guessed that Ben and himself were the biggest distractions... Or was that the point? Kate then took them over to a wall mirror, showing them how to correct their waiting position postures and how to express emotions with their masks on. The next thing Kate did surprised him. She let them play? The gym was huge with all kinds of obstacle courses. He didn't get why she wouldn't tell them to do a specific one. Ben grabbed Jack's hand before he could question it. Together they raced each other over obstacles and dived off ledges into ball pits. It was so much fun that he felt bad for Mark.

When they had worn themselves out, they crawled back to the mats and laid down. Kate chuckled to herself, mumbling out. "Well, no one can say that you two don't have enough energy". Jack raised a weak hand and Ben high-fived him just as weakly. Kate nudged them both with her foot, directing them to a small set up picnic spot, telling them sweetly. "Go on. I got you both something to eat. You're going to need to refill your energy before Declan joins us". They crawled to the picnic blanket, before sitting down to dig through the large basket. Ben set out their dog bowls and cooed excitedly. Jack peeked inside to see hamburgers and slices of pizza. It was heaven! Pulling off their masks, they started to pull things out. Ben dumped fries into his bowl like it was simply a plate and began to eat a hamburger that smelled of BBQ sauce. As Jack stole some of Ben's fries, chuckling as he removed a slice of pineapple pizza from the basket. Kate sat down with them, sipping her coffee and stealing a fry or two from Ben's bowl. Ben rolled his eyes, playfully chuckling out. "Damn it! There is more in the basket! Stop stealing, you greedy thieves"!

Kate laughed, then told them happily. "This next part is more for them, than us. But obedience is important. It is easy to have fun, but you still have to work for it. Now your job is to obey, but find a way to slip in some fun. Masters love when they can tell their dog is enjoying themselves. Makes them feel like they are doing a good job. Plus, it wins you more points when both you and your Master, or your partnered Master are having fun". Jack nodded in understanding, when Mark collapsed down next to him panting heavily. Jack stole another fry from Ben's bowl to feed Mark, when Kate snapped her fingers and gave him a weird look. Realizing what she meant, Jack put the fry into his mouth like it was a cigarette and leaned over Mark. Mark rolled onto his back, placing a hand on Jack's cheek as he leaned down to feed him. Their lips touched and Jack moaned softly. Even as sweaty as Mark was, Jack found that he didn't mind.

Mark eventually sat up to dig through the basket for something to eat. While Jack glanced around for Trevor. He was siting a good distance away from them. Was he afraid to come over and join them? Or did Ben make him that nervous? Declan accepted a coffee cup from Kate, but told Ben sheepishly. "Hey, Ben. Could you take one of those burgers to Trevor for me". Kate eyed Declan suspiciously, but Ben nodded happily. Ben snatched one out of the basket and strolling over to Trevor. Jack watched Trevor shift nervously as Ben approached him. Trevor was shy? Ben offered him the burger and Trevor took it carefully from him. Ben even leaned on the stage wall beside Trevor, striking up a one-sided conversation with him. The scene made Jack smile. Ben certainly wasn't afraid of Trevor. To Be Continued...