Chapter 27
Addie
“Will you tell me now?” I plead.
Michael’s fitted black shirt and black jeans are drop-dead sexy on him. His shirtsleeves are rolled up, showing off the veins in his forearms. All I want to do is slide over the bench seat in his truck and bite them.
“I’m not telling you,” Michael responds. “And if you ask again, I will spank you hard enough that you won’t sit down for a week.”
The threat sends a shiver down my spine. “That’s not the deterrent you want it to be.”
Michael raises an eyebrow at me before looking back at the road. “Fine, then I’ll edge you until you’re screaming, and I won’t let you come. How about that?”
My nose scrunches at that suggestion.
A bark of laughter comes out of Michael. “That’s what I thought. Now sit back and enjoy the ride.” He reaches across the truck and squeezes my thigh. My fake leather pants are molded to my legs, and the verdict is still out on whether I’m going to regret wearing these black four-inch heels.
Michael’s instruction for our date tonight was to wear something sexy.
I have no idea where we’re going or what we’re doing.
It took me forever to decide if I was going to go with cute-sexy or bang-me-over-the-table-sexy.
Given the way Michael was almost feral when he picked me up, I’m glad I went with the latter.
The only thing I know about tonight is that we’re headed into Greensboro.
I’m hoping we’re going to check off one of my fantasies.
Why else would Michael tell me to dress this way?
Besides, most of the fantasies on my list required items we wouldn’t be able to find in Sonoma.
It was one of the reasons why I didn’t want to give Michael my list.
After spending years keeping my desires a secret, it was hard to let him see that part of me. In the end, it went way better than I expected. And now I feel like I don’t have to keep my cards so close to my chest anymore.
Michael won’t judge me for the things I’m interested in trying. On some level, I always knew that about him. But there’s a difference between sharing general fantasies and telling your significant other that you want to be chased through the forest and taken—consensually—against your will.
I’ve always felt like those desires were too much, too taboo, but Michael has shown me that I’m free to be myself with him. The low notes of country music filter through the speakers as Michael drives us into the city.
I remain quiet, knowing he’s not going to tell me anything until we actually get there. And the silence between us is very comfortable.
Twenty minutes later, Michael is pulling into an underground garage. Most of the businesses on this street are dark. At almost nine o’clock at night, it’s not a surprise.
I bite my tongue against asking what we’re doing here as Michael leads me to the elevators. Once there, he pulls out a black card and taps it on the electronic pad next to the number buttons. The elevator then descends two floors, and knots begin to form in my stomach.
What the hell are we doing? And where are we? The elevator doors open to a dim hallway with sconces lining the walls. It’s moody, with red and black designs, and suddenly, I don’t want to go any further.
I freeze with Michael’s hand in mine. “What are we doing, Michael?”
He scans every one of my features, reading me better than anyone else could. Now that we’ve spent a couple of months together, I’m even better at reading him in return. The look in his eyes eases some of the worry building in my stomach.
He palms my cheeks, rubbing his thumbs across my cheekbones.
“I wanted to show you the place where I can let go. I don’t have to pretend to be anything other than the broken man I am here.
I wanted to share that with you. This is a BDSM club.
I pay a monthly membership fee to have full access to all of the amenities.
“It’s been about six months since the last time I was here.
I was tired of none of it meaning anything.
Then you and I got together, and I didn’t think I would need it anymore.
After reading your list of fantasies, I thought that bringing you here would be exactly what we both needed.
I just miscalculated a little and should have given you a heads-up. ”
My entire body relaxes at his explanation.
“A heads-up would’ve been helpful.” I look around the hallway with a new light.
“Sooo, this is a sex club.” As the words come out of my mouth, my body begins to heat at the thought.
Intrigue and desire mix in a heady cocktail of craving.
I want to know what’s in there. I want to know what it looks like.
I want to see Michael in this environment. “How does it work?”
“They use wristbands. Each color means something different. It allows the members to know who is up for what with a quick glance. Some people come here to watch. Some people come to participate with only their partner. Some people come because they want to participate in any and everything that is offered, and there are plenty of other combinations. Tonight, you and I are just going to watch.”
“We won’t be doing anything?” I can’t hide the hint of disappointment in my voice.
Michael gives me a sexy smirk. “Oh, we’ll be doing something.
No way in fuck would I be able to walk in those doors and keep my hands to myself.
But we’re just going to watch everyone else.
Not a single person is allowed to touch you but me.
I honestly don’t even want them talking to you, but that’s not a likely possibility. ”
I nod my head.
“I’m sorry for not telling you before we got here. I wanted to surprise you, and I was a little bit nervous to even bring you here.”
“I understand.”
“Are you ready to head inside?”
“Yes.”
Michael leads me through the double doors at the end of the hall. We enter a small lobby, where a woman sits behind a desk. Michael checks us in, and I have to sign a few consent forms as his guest. I also have to show them my ID, and then they hand us white and blue bracelets.
What color does he normally get?
I stop that thought in its tracks. I truly don’t want to know, because anything that happened before me doesn’t matter.
What’s happening now does.
Once everything’s filled out and buttoned up, Michael leads me through the next set of doors.
My eyes widen at the sight before me. At first, it looks like a regular club.
There are multiple seating areas with big comfy chairs and couches, and a wide range of people are scattered around the room, chatting with each other.
Then, as you look a little closer, a lot of these men and women are scantily clad, sitting on laps and touching each other in ways that would be inappropriate anywhere else.
There’s a bar toward the back of the room with several barstools tucked around it. It’s busy without being overwhelming.
“Do you want a drink?” Michael asks.
I nod, grateful for the interruption of my thoughts. Is Michael going to want to touch me out here in front of all of these people?
Do I hate the idea?
No, not really. But I know with certainty he won’t do anything without confirming I’m okay with it first.
The more my brain runs away from me, the more I wonder what it would be like to have him stirring me up while all of these people sit around. Not all of them would be watching us, but I’m sure a few would notice what we were doing. To say the idea turns me on is a massive understatement.
Michael leads me over to the bar and orders a beer for himself and a glass of white wine for me. All of my thoughts are scrambled now, bouncing from one thing to the next, so I’m grateful he knows me well enough to order for me.
He encourages me to sit on the barstool and then wraps his arms around me. The gesture feels more comforting than possessive, and I appreciate it very much.
“You doing okay, Trouble?” Michael asks, his voice a deep rumble in my ear.
I sip my wine and take stock of how I’m feeling. “I’m a little overwhelmed, but I’m very happy to be here with you.”
Michael’s soft smile makes my stomach gooey. He presses a kiss to my temple and then turns us so we can see the lounge area.
I’m starting to feel more comfortable…until two women walk straight up to Michael without giving me a single glance.