All His Broken Rules (Broken #3)

Chapter 1

EMMA

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Iprobably shouldn’t let my brother’s best friend take me to a sex club.

“Ethan’s going to be so mad,” I say out of the side of my mouth.

Alyx gives me the side-eye as we approach the entrance of Pulse. “Ethan’s not going to find out.”

“He would kick your butt.”

“He’d do more than that if he found out I took his baby sister to a sex club.”

“Cheese and rice, I’m not a baby. I’m nineteen, and he’s only three years older. But, yeah, he’d be peeved about the schmex club part.”

“You can call it a sex club, you know. I don’t think your sisters can hear you from here,” he says.

“I know I can, but I choose not to. If I let one slip out, then I’ll get comfortable letting more slip, and before you know it, I’ll be dropping f-bombs in front of Evie and Erin.”

“That would be quite the scandal in the pony palace,” Alyx teases.

I’m grateful that he’s breaking the tension. “They’ve actually really gotten into these bird books lately.”

“Pajama Pigeon?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“Becka’s daughter is really into it.”

“They are—” I start, but he cuts me off.

“Quit stalling. If this is too much for you, I can take you home.” Alyx really is a good friend, as loyal as they come.

“I want to do this. I need to do this.” Maybe if I keep repeating that, I’ll eventually believe it.

“And you’re sure this is how you want to do it?”

My fingers tug at the hem of my skirt as I roll the fabric against my skin and blow out a deep breath. “I’m sure.”

I’ve had boyfriends—a few actually, most of them serious.

It’s easy to assume that I’d be a pro at sex, considering how many relationships I’ve had, but the idea of sex with them never felt right.

Things would always start fine, but as soon as the guy would slip a hand under my clothes, I’d break out into a fit of giggles and slap them away.

One guy made it to second base, but as soon as his finger connected with my breast, my elbow connected with his nose.

Believe me, I wanted more to happen, but my body just wouldn’t cooperate. I know my way around a toy or two and can make myself finish with just my fingers, but as soon as a man touches me, my body rejects it.

My rotation through guys became something I was known for around high school.

To save their fragile male egos, my exes got together and told all their friends about what we “did”—with the details embellished.

None of those guys had even seen what was under my bra, but they didn’t want their friends to know that.

College has been no different. I attend a local private school close to Columbus, and one of my exes ended up there too, so my reputation’s followed me. I was determined to find someone my body wouldn’t reject, but my freshman year proved unsuccessful on that front.

That changes tonight.

I’ve prepared for this, read everything I could find. Textbooks, subreddits, romance books. I have an understanding of what this should be like, yet I’m still anxious.

We make our way into the club, and Alyx ushers me to his private room.

“Okay, sis, normally you’d have to go through a screening process and learn all about the club rules, but I’m trying to keep this under the radar since this is a one-time thing.”

“He’s not going to be here, right?” I panic, thinking about my stepbrother Ethan finding me and his best friend in a sex club.

“Who? Ethan? No, he doesn’t even know I work here. Plus, he’s busy taking care of this chick we met at a dance club a couple of months ago. She had to have surgery, and he’s pretty much in love with her. He’s got his hands full.”

“Good,” I exhale as I try to calm my breathing while I take in the space. “This isn’t how I thought it would be. This just looks like a moody bedroom. And why is everything black?”

“You gotta problem with black?” he teases, crossing his arms in mock annoyance.

“Oh gosh, no, I wasn’t being racist. I meant the walls, and the bed, and—”

“Relax, Em, I’m just fucking with you. Take a deep breath. It’s not too late to back out. I haven’t told my guy you’re here yet.”

He fixes me with his big brown eyes, concern etched in his brows.

I will my heart to calm its rhythm, but it feels fruitless.

I’m standing on a precipice, and while I know I could turn back, I force myself to look down and convince myself that the jump isn’t scary, that the journey to the bottom could be fun.

“And he knows about my… problem?” I lower my voice to a whisper on the last word, even though we’re alone.

“He’s aware.”

I twist my fingers. “And he’s okay with it?”

“He’s dealt with a brat before. He can handle anything you throw at him.”

“A brat?”

“It’s a submissive who enjoys giving their dom a hard time.”

“I don’t want to give anyone a hard time,” I say. “You’re sure Ethan won’t find out about any of this?”

“Emma, what’s really going on here? There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“I just don’t want to disappoint him. Not that being in a schmex club is disappointing.

I’m not saying you’re a disappointment. He just doesn’t expect this kind of behavior from me, like he does with you.

He knows you like to keep your options open, you know?

I’m not saying you sleep around, but you know what I mean, you’ve been with more people than I have.

Biscuits. I’m messing this up and being a crappy friend. ”

“Breathe before you word vomit again.” He pulls me into a hug and soothes a hand up and down my spine. “It’s okay. I like sex and I’m not ashamed of that, but I understand not broadcasting everything to everyone, hence the reason I don’t share my second job with most people.”

I get that. Alyx and my sister Ella are the only two people I’ve ever told about my problem, and even they don’t know everything.

He steps back, grabbing me by the shoulders.

“I know you want to explore that side of yourself, and I think you should. And even if your brother never understands my reasoning, I brought you here so you can do that safely. Everyone has been thoroughly tested and had background checks performed. I’ll be nearby, but not in the room with you. ”

“Okay,” I say on a shaky exhale. “And you’re confident this will help?”

“All you can do is try. If you want to stop, give your safe word, and he’ll stop.”

“Safe word, got it. I read about that.”

“And for fuck’s sake, don’t tell him about all your research. Just get out of your head and let him lead the scene.”

I nod my agreement, and he squeezes my shoulder before letting go. “So what happens next?”

“I’ll text him, and he’ll take you back to his room. It’s a few doors down, and I have no plans tonight, so I can wait around for you after to make sure you feel okay about everything. You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be. I mean, yes. I want to do this.” Throwing my shoulders back, I try to strike a confident pose, hoping my emotions will catch up.

Alyx taps out a text on his phone, and a few seconds later, there’s a knock on the door. A bead of sweat glides down my spine and my breathing stutters when Alyx opens the door.

He’s tall, his body nearly filling the doorway, with broad shoulders and large biceps covered in tattoos that stop just above his elbows.

His bare chest and abs are on full display, also covered in tattoos, and he has those V lines on his hips that disappear into his black pants.

But the most alluring part is the black skull mask that covers his entire face. I can’t even see his eyes.

“Follow me,” a deep voice growls from under the mask. It almost sounds like there’s a voice modulator built in.

Alyx gives me a thumbs-up and a crooked smile, and I follow the masked man into the hall.

I notice the muscles on his back rippling with each step he takes, his backside perfectly framed in his pants.

I don’t think I’ve ever checked out a man’s butt like this before, but he has the most perfect behind I’ve ever seen, and I have to stop myself from grabbing it.

He ushers me into a room down the hall, and once the door clicks, the noise from the club is silenced.

“Is it soundproof in here?” I ask nervously.

“It is.” His tone is firm, giving nothing away as he stands with his arms crossed next to the door.

As I look around the room, I notice all kinds of interesting devices, only some of which have come up in my research. “Is that a St. Andrew’s cross?”

“Yes,” the gruff voice answers.

“There’s no bed in here. How are we going to…” I trail off as he approaches me, my eyes traveling up his form. My head tilts up, attempting to see under the mask, but it’s useless.

“I don’t fuck my subs, so I have no use for a bed.”

“But I thought we were going to—”

“We’re not fucking.”

I let out a slow exhale as my eyes drop to the floor, not wanting him to see my disappointment.

“What’s your safe word?”

“But I thought we weren’t—”

“What’s. Your. Safe. Word?” He takes a step closer to me with each word.

“Einstein,” I blurt out.

His head tilts as if he’s confused, and the words spill out of me. “An ex used to call me that, and I hated it. If I willingly say that, you know there’s a problem.”

“Got it.”

“I’m not sure how much Alyx told you about my situation—”

“I read over your survey. I’m familiar with your hard and soft limits. Your safety is my biggest concern. I will not cause you any harm, but make no mistake, I will test your boundaries and push their limits. If at any time you need me to stop, use your safe word. You have all the power here.”

“I understand,” I say determinedly. Straightening my spine, I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

“Go stand in front of the cross with your back to me,” he commands, making it obvious the scene has begun.

A shiver runs through me at his tone, and before I even realize it, I’m following his direction. “Now what?” I ask shakily.