Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“What would you like to do for New Year’s Eve?” James asked as he stood behind Laura in the kitchen, playing with her breasts. She fidgeted, a bit aroused and a bit annoyed. Damn the man, asking her a question and then distracting her.
“I don’t know. Usually, I spend it with Dad and go visit Suzie and the kids on January 1 st . But this year, Dad and Mrs. Shepherd have plans. Suzie invited me over, but I told her I wanted to find out about your plans first. Do you have any suggestions?”
James smirked. “Chris and I have a tradition of spending our New Year’s Eves at Club Indigo. I was hoping you and I could go together this year? You know most of the members; you’ve met them at the munches.” He turned her in his arms, his expression serious. “Don’t you think it’s about time?”
Laura thought about what it would be like to go to a BDSM club. Over the last few months, she and James had explored many of her fantasies and things she had never dreamed about. James was devious and inventive and kept her on her toes, both in the bedroom and outside of it. She wasn’t sure how she felt about playing in public, being naked and bound in front of people. She didn't know which frightened her more – being that vulnerable with friends or strangers.
James tipped back her head with his index fingers under her chin, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. “Talk to me. What’s going on in your beautiful head?”
Laura answered him promptly, explaining her concerns and fears. At first, being this open with him had been strange, but she was getting used to it – even craving these moments with him.
James nodded his understanding, “The way I look at it you have two choices – stay away from the club and wonder what it would be like, or take the plunge and go. We could play or we could hang out with our friends. It’s all casual and low key and people in the lifestyle are refreshingly non-judgmental.”
“What could I expect if we did go?” She leaned into his touch.
“First of all, every scene is negotiated. Safewords are in place and ‘red’ is universal, no matter what safeword people might have agreed on between themselves. Since you’ll be entering the club as my sub, you’ll be off limits to other Doms. People might – probably will – watch if we scene. But nobody can touch you without my permission.” His eyebrows knitted together. “Believe me when I say I feel territorial about you.”
Laura blinked at that. Touching her? “Isn’t sharing more for swingers?" she blurted and turned beet red.
James roared with laughter. “I love how I can still make you blush, my dirty girl.” He swooped in to claim her lips.
Laura sighed and melted into him. Sadly, he broke the kiss quickly and left her wanting.
“Of course, there will be a lot of nudity,” he continued, as if he hadn’t just made her feel like there was liquid fire coursing through her veins. “There is a lot of BDSM play and plenty of voyeurs who enjoy watching. The club has some equipment – spanking benches, spider webs, St. Andrew’s crosses – I think might you like. Some stuff is more extreme than what we’ve done – Indigo has some hard-core sadists – but blood play, golden showers and scat play are prohibited in the club, and needless to say, everyone involved must not only be willing but able to consent in the eyes of the law, and anyone who disagrees with that rule is immediately and permanently banned.”
Shuddering, Laura remembered some people in the lifestyle liked to cut. While the act didn’t appeal to her, it made a little sense if she thought back to the film The Secretary . The female lead had hurt herself badly and her sadistic boss quelled her need. But scat play? Golden showers? Why people would want to be used as a toilet was a total mystery to her.
But Laura had an even bigger concern. “Will there be any pictures or videos taken?”
“Good question,” he praised. “Sometimes people request recording or photography. It’s always negotiated ahead of time, including the purpose of the material. It could be for a private collection, for posting on Fetlife or for a broader audience like a book. In most cases, the participants use a private room. If they do engage in public play, the area is cordoned off so that people can go around without appearing on camera. In all cases, anyone who does appear on camera must consent to their image being used, or it’s a no-go. Sneaking pics or videos is a bannable offense. All members have to check their phones at the door.”
That’s a relief. “Would we do a scene in public and have sex for others to see?” Laura wanted to know.
James eyes looked into her soul. “Would you like to?”
Laura colored bright red. “I’m not sure. I’m kind of private. But …”
“You’re also curious and a bit turned on by the thought?” he finished her sentence.
“Yes.” Laura admitted. “That, too.”
“It can be quite stimulating knowing people are watching and getting worked up by seeing you,” James said mildly.
“So we would have sex in public?” She still couldn’t wrap her head around the idea.
“I’d like to say that as your Dominant, it is my prerogative to decide, but ultimately it is your decision, Laura.” He pressed her head against his chest.
She relaxed into him. “Because I have my safeword, Sir?”
“Because you have your safeword,” he confirmed.
After thinking about the club for a couple of days, Laura decided to go. She told herself she was being ridiculous as she fidgeted with the skirt of her black dress. Anticipation coursed through her veins. Her chest felt lighter, as if a vibrant energy was pulsing within her. The world around her seemed to sharpen, her senses heightened as she absorbed every detail of the moment. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps, and her heart thumped in her chest, matching the rhythm of her racing thoughts. It was a mindboggling mix of exhilaration and apprehension, a thousand times more than just waiting for her first munch had been.
Yesterday, she called Julie for advice and learned it was quite normal to arrive in street clothes and go in the club wearing normal stuff. Some people opted to change in the locker rooms, and some went in naked or in lingerie. Usually there was a regular dress code of fetwear or lingerie for the subs. Sometimes there was a theme like Western Night or 1001 Arabian Nights; the music, food and attire would be coordinated to the theme.
For a holiday like New Year’s Eve, most people tended to dress up, but in more vanilla styles. To please James, Laura was wearing the high heels she’d bought for their first night out several months ago. She knew how much he liked her in them. Under the form fitting black dress, she was wearing a new lingerie set. Flaming red lace with black trim and embroidery. She hoped James would like it.
James picked her up right on time and they drove to the club situated on the outskirts of the city. James parked in a small lot beside a non-descript building. After he had helped her out of the truck, they walked to the door.
Laura asked about the camera above the front door.
“It’s a safety precaution,” James replied. “We want to know who we let inside. Indigo is a private club. This limits how many city ordinances and state laws we have to worry about. We’re just a group of friends hanging out and having fun.”
The entry hall had a desk with a familiar receptionist. “ Hi Mitch,” Laura greeted him. “Are you standing guard?”
Mitch chuckled. “Not exactly. Someone has to take door duty from eight to midnight to check members in. Us senior members take it in shifts so everybody gets a chance to enjoy the club.”
“What happens at midnight?” Laura asked warily.
“I turn back into a pumpkin,” Mitch joked and shook his head. “The doors are locked to new-comers, that’s all. You can leave anytime, of course, but you can’t get back in. We wrap things up at 3 am and the cleanup crew makes sure everything is in order for next time. We all help out; there are different things you can volunteer to do. This way, we keep the club private and affordable.”
“Makes sense.”
Mitch pulled out a stack of papers. “Since it’s your first time at the club, let me explain the rules and give you time to go over the paperwork. You can join provisionally tonight since you came with a member, otherwise there’s a screening process. I’ll need a copy of your ID so we can run a criminal background check.”
Mitch gave her a rundown of the rules. It was pretty much what Laura expected after the things James had explained to her. Cameras and phones were not allowed beyond the locker rooms; food and drinks were included in the fees; no drugs allowed and only moderate alcohol consumption; the club’s safeword was ‘red’; Dungeon Monitors had the last say and were recognizable by their vests; condoms were mandatory; clean the equipment before and after use; respect boundaries and never interfere with scenes. It all sounded reasonable and reassuring to Laura.
After Laura had studied and signed the papers, which pretty much contained the same information, a waiver of responsibility in case of injury, a clean bill of health statement and a non-disclosure agreement, James paid the night’s fees and Laura paid for her membership.
They went through the next door into a hallway. On the left, was a door James indicated was the dining area. He guided Laura a bit further into the hallway and opened a door on the right. “Locker rooms,” he told her, “with toilets and showers.”
“It’s just like a gym,” Laura remarked.
James laughed. “Sort of, but the workout equipment is a little different.”
After they put away their phones and coats, they walked into the main room. There was a large open space, which served as a dance floor. Black Hole Sun by Break of Reality played at a pleasant volume. People lounged at the bar in one corner and there was plenty of seating around the perimeter for people to get away from the music and talk. It looked almost mundane– if she ignored the St. Andrew’s cross on one wall and a scaffold like a spider web on another.
Laura did a double take as a fully clothed, gorgeous African-American man with a neatly trimmed beard strode by holding a leash attached to the penis of a completely naked older Caucasian man. With wide eyes, she stared at the cock ring. The guy was literally leading him around by his dick. She turned stunned eyes to James.
He chuckled. “Oh how I love the expression on your face. You’re still so sweet and innocent.” He gestured and both men came over. “Hi, Henry, high protocol tonight?”
‘Henry’ grinned as the naked man knelt beside him. “Yeah, Lincoln’s been mouthy lately. I thought I should start the New Year by reminding him of his place.” He bent to his partner and grabbed him by the hairs at the back of his head. “Let’s see if this slave can contain his urges and earn his place.”
The kneeling man said nothing, but his eyes were calm and contented.
“Planning on going steady?” James inquired.
“Considering it.” Henry answered. “You seem pretty steady, too. Haven’t seen you in a while.”
James said, “We’ve been doing our playing at home until tonight. By the way, have you met Laura?”
“No, I haven’t had the pleasure.”
“Laura, this is Henry and his slave, Lincoln. High protocol means Lincoln isn’t allowed to speak or wear clothes.”
The good-looking young man nodded politely at Laura. “Nice to meet you. It’s good to see James with a committed partner.”
Laura flinched at the assumption. Why did everyone want them to be more than they were?
Henry continued, oblivious to Laura’s reaction, “It also means Lincoln has to follow me when I walk and kneel when I sit. He’s dependent on me for his every need tonight – from drinks and food to using the bathroom.”
Laura didn’t quite know how to react.
Sensing that, James turned to her. “Do you have questions you want to ask Henry? You are allowed to speak, you know.”
Laura cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. Sorry Henry, it’s all a bit new for me. If Lincoln can’t speak, how do you know what he needs?”
Henry stroked his slave’s head and his lips tilted up. “It’s about knowing your slave and paying attention to signs and body language. At the moment, Lincoln’s content. His only need is to be close to me and make me proud of his obedience.” He leaned the older man’s head to his knee, and the slave rubbed his leg like a big cat.
“What about safewords?” Laura wanted to know.
“That’s a great question. My slave and I both love baseball. We have the ‘Out’ sign —” He demonstrated the arm movement. “— as ‘red’ and ‘Time Out’ for our slowdown word, or ‘yellow’ if you like.” Henry smile broadened.
Laura digested the information. “But what do you do when you use bondage? How could he use his arms if he’s tied?”
Henry raised an eyebrow to James. “Smart one, isn’t she?”
James tilted his head in acknowledgement.
“If he’s tied and gagged, he gets a squeaky toy or bell to signal me,” the bearded man answered.
Laura cocked her head to the side and considered the answer. “That makes a lot of sense. Thank you, Henry.”
James thanked Henry as well. After Henry and Lincoln left, James rose from his seat and extended his hand. “Let’s go the dining area for some food.”
The dining room looked much like a restaurant. Laura took it all in wonder in. “How is this all paid for?” she asked.
James explained how the building had been inherited by one of the founding members of the club and the only mortgage on it was from the renovations. The building had originally been a combination of office space and industrial style lofts. There was also a silent partner who had helped out with renovation expenses, but as far as James was aware, only one or two of the members knew their name. Income was generated by the fees. They also obtained donations from BDSM stores and members. The founders still took care of some of the costs, but they mostly managed to cover the expenses these days.
“Okay, so you don’t know the silent partner, but do you know the founding members?” Laura inquired.
“Well, yes, it isn’t a secret. You’ve already met one of them. Mitch.”
“Mitch?” Laura exclaimed and clapped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.
James let out an amused laugh. “Yes, Mitch. The other three you haven’t met. They’re touring Canada at the moment with their BDSM show. Ever heard of ‘Capitolina’s slaves’?”
Laura’s eyes grew wide, and she shook her head.
“Capitolina and her two male submissives, Romulus and Remus, founded Club Indigo with Mitch. They’re well-known for their stage performance within the U.S. and beyond. They’ve been to Australia and New Zealand before.” James stared off in the distance for a moment. “I believe they might tour Europe in the near future. Capitolina is originally from Mexico and the men are from St. Louis. They all met in college. After Mitch inherited this building, they came up with the idea for Club Indigo because they wanted a safe place to where anyone could explore their kink.”
There was a buffet, and both selected their food. Julie and Kate sat at one of the tables. Julie’s face lit up as she spotted them, and beckoned them over with a wave.
Both women greeted them with enthusiasm, their smiles warm and welcoming. The four of them settled down for a pleasant meal, engaging in lively conversation and laughter. Laura learned that Julie and Mitch would be assisting at the bondage workshop later, followed by a demonstration of suspension bondage.
“Are you guys coming?” Julie almost bounced out of her chair in her excitement.
The woman was so vivacious, Laura couldn’t believe she had the patience for extended rope play. What did Mitch do to keep her in one place long enough to tie her up? Lost in her own thoughts, Laura barely registered Julie's question about attending the workshop. At a loss, Laura looked over to James for confirmation.
Kate chuckled. “Looks to me like your D/s dynamics are already ingrained.”
Confused, Laura blinked and James smiled fondly at her and explained, “You looked to me instead of answering Julie right away. It shows you’re letting me make the decision. Since you seem to be interested…” He turned to Julie. “Yes, we will be attending. If you ladies will excuse us now, I want to show Laura the rest of the club.”
They cleared their places and James guided Laura around the many theme rooms on the second floor of the building. In one room, the floor was almost completely covered with the biggest bed Laura had ever seen, the next had a piece of furniture James identified as a spanking bench. It reminded Laura of a cross between a gymnastics vaulting horse and a picnic bench, only smaller and padded with leather cushions. Two looked like doctor’s offices – one with an exam table and the other holding a gynecologist’s chair. Then they went up another flight of stairs to where there was a second open space, much like downstairs but without the bar. It also held a seating area, a St. Andrew’s Cross, a stockade for bondage and another spanking bench .
After showing her both floors, James led her downstairs, his hand warm and firm –reassuring – in hers. Back on the main floor, in addition to the locker rooms and dining area, there was also a room with a swing and an odd room, with a black wall leaving a little passage at the entrance. James stood behind her and said, “It’s a maze.”
Overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and energy surrounding her, Laura’s breathing became shallow, and her heart raced. She clutched at her chest, feeling a heaviness that seemed to suffocate her. The room spun around her, and she struggled to find her footing, her mind swirling with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
James wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He whispered in her ear. “Imagine a hide and seek game or role play, where you’re running away from a pirate.”
Laura's body reacted to his suggestion, and anticipation coursed through her as he gently nipped her earlobe.
“There will be time for that another night. Let’s head back to the main room for our workshop. Do you need to use the restroom first?”
Laura did as he suggested. As she washed her hands, she looked in the mirror. What a strange, wonderful world she’d stumbled into.
The warmth of having a man who anticipated her needs and desires enveloped her, creating a buoyant sensation that filled her chest. Her heart quickened its pace in response, while a vibrant energy coursed through her, heightening her senses and leaving her breathless with anticipation. She was beginning to understand what the Master/slave dynamic gave Lincoln.
The blood drained from her face at the thought, leaving her face cold and pale in the mirror. She couldn’t let a man take over as Jake had done. She splashed some cold water over her wrists and took a few steadying breaths.
Okay, she’d enjoy her relationship with James, but she would stay independent.
After another fortifying breath, she pulled back her shoulders and walked out of the bathroom.