3. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Foster
What the fuck is he doing here? My mind whirled as I tried to reconcile seeing Arnav, the man who’d come in my mouth at Quinton’s infamous Halloween party, here at Club Kink. On puppy night. And not wearing a stoplight bracelet. Does that mean he’s a handler? A Dominant? A Sir?
Oh my God.
I tried to remember to breathe even as this nice young man, Evan, explained how things worked. His words washed over me as I all but stared at Arnav. The man I’d obsessed over for the past four weeks. The man I’d worried about running into and yet secretly hoped I might. But at the pharmacy or grocery store or gas station. Somewhere around Mission City. Certainly not at Club Kink. On puppy night. Does he come here all the time? In one way I wanted to know, and in the other, I absolutely didn’t want to know.
“Foster?”
“Mmm?” I glanced at the generous, beautiful, and heart-achingly young man next to me. He was probably the one Arnav was gazing at.
Because who would want someone like me? Washed up, old, with no experience and nothing to offer.
“Focus on me, okay?” Evan’s voice entreated me.
I blinked at him.
“The man you can’t keep your eyes off of is with my Master. Dante runs the club, as you know. He’s very much in control of what happens here. If you want to meet that man and chat, that’s fine. If you want to head to the puppy pile with me, that’s okay. If you want to go to a private room and hang with me until the guy leaves, that’s fine too.”
“I think I want to leave.” Everything had just become too much. As much as I’d yearned to join the puppy pile earlier, that felt wrong at this point. Again, so many young pups. No one my age. No one with knees that might not hold out. No one looking uncomfortable or out of place—two things I absolutely was.
Even as I said the words, though, Dante strode toward us.
Arnav remained where he was.
I tried to read his expression, but I just couldn’t. Couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. Couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t moved on. Several pups wore bracelets indicating interest. Couldn’t Dante find someone within that selection? Someone more suitable?
Dante placed his hand on Evan’s back and pressed a kiss to his submissive’s temple. “How are you?”
“Well, Master, thank you.” He indicated to me. “Our newest pup—Foster.”
I lowered my gaze. Out of respect…and because Dante’s gaze was so powerful. So…mesmerizing. So…intimidating.
“You may look.”
My gaze shot to the man.
He smiled. “Your actions are appreciated.” His dark eyes sparkled. “I’m here to help you. How would you like to be addressed?”
“Uh…” Think, damn it. Come up with some words…. Yet none came. “Whatever you believe is best, Sir.” Please be that be the right address.
His nod assured me he had.
“Pup, I have someone who would like to speak to you.”
“He’s expressed a desire to leave, Master. I believe we need to honor that wish.” Evan glanced at me.
Dante’s demeanor changed right before my eyes. “Of course. We would never hold you here. If that’s your desire, Evan or I—or both—can escort you to your vehicle. You drove?”
I nodded. “From Mission City.”
“Ah, that’s a bit of a trip back.”
“He’s from Mission City.” I gestured subtly to Arnav.
“I believe he will be discreet, if that’s what you’re concerned about. But I can speak to him after you’ve left.”
Why are you being a chickenshit? How hard could it possibly be to have a conversation with someone? A hey, how are you discussion? A proper introduction. Give him an explanation for why you ran out on him last month… I swallowed. “I suppose I should speak to him.”
Dante inclined his head. “That’s entirely up to you. Again, you can with Evan, myself, or both of us present. This discussion—whatever it looks like—would be on your terms. Still, you’ve expressed a desire to leave. Naturally, I was hoping you might interact with some pups to get a feel for what we offer here at the club, but you can always return another night. Pups never have to pay a charge.”
I blinked.
Evan leaned closer. “We don’t judge. Just…some submissives and pups don’t have the resources.”
Dante smiled. “But we also accept Dominants who might not have the resources to pay the cover charge or the membership fees. We have a rich patron who doesn’t wish money to be an impediment to relationships that might develop between potential partners. Life is tough enough in this city without money as an impediment to keep people apart. If two people enjoy the same—or perhaps I should say complementary—kink, I’ll do everything in my power to bring them together. Does that make sense?”
Slowly, I nodded. That was a lot of information to take in all at once. But I understood what he meant. That Arnav was looking for a submissive, or a puppy, or whatever. That he’d been vetted—for whatever that was worth—and that if I asked him to never acknowledge me, should we encounter each other again, he would respect that.
Yeah…but he’s here now. You’re here now. Why not take advantage of the situation? At least get a sense if you might be compatible. It sure would be easier to hook up with someone from Mission City instead of having to come into Vancouver all the time. But was proximity reason enough to overcome my nerves? To put aside that nagging voice. Mainly the one that alternated between you ran and he’s so beautiful, young, and smart .
“I’ll meet him. I’ll speak to him.” I met Evan’s gaze.
“That’s great.” His eyes shone. “I’m always happy when puppies and handlers meet.”
Could it really be that simple? Just a handler and a pup? Two people meeting in a kink club and discovering there might be compatibility? That felt way, way, way too simple.
“One word together doesn’t imply anything more. We have your back, whenever you want to go.” Dante eyed me with an incisive gaze.
Don’t back down. You handle bigger and more intimidating guys at work all the time. Which might’ve been true. But there I had some authority. Here, in this space, I had less than none. Sure, the understanding was that submissives had all the power. In this moment, I felt like I had very little. Yes, I was deciding to speak to Arnav. In the end, though, he was the one who had the power to reject me.
Or I might reject him.
Or—consider this—we might like each other.
That didn’t feel possible. Still, I held Dante’s gaze. “I’m certain.”
“Very well. I shall bring him over. Would you like privacy, or would you like company? Both Evan and I would be happy to stay if that’s what you desire. Or you might prefer one or the other of us. I promise no offense if you do or do not select any of those options.”
My mind raced. Advantages. Disadvantages. What message I might be sending. What message I might be receiving. Dante and Evan had their perceptions—both of Arnav and myself. So where did that leave me?
Clueless .
Like always .
I drew in a deep breath. “We’ve met before, and I’m certain I’ll be safe.” I pointed to a high-top table with two stools near the bar. “Perhaps there?”
“Excellent.” Dante acknowledged my choice with a tip of his head. “Evan will get you something to drink, and I’ll bring Arnav over when you indicate you’re ready.”
“Oh, I don’t drink alcohol.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it anyway.” Evan extended his hand. “Ulrich makes the most amazing non-alcoholic concoctions.”
“Maybe just a diet cola?” My stomach clenched. “Or ginger ale?”
“Yes, ginger ale is a good choice.” Evan clasped the hand I offered him. “I’ll take care of him, Master.”
“Yes, I believe you will, my good boy.”
Evan visibly preened under the praise, his smile widening.
What would it be like? To be so adored? Or to so adore someone? I wanted to believe I might meet that special someone, but that felt more like an impossible dream. Still, I let Evan guide me over to the bar. He secured me a ginger ale and waved off my attempts to pay. “On the house.”
I frowned. “Surely at some point I need to spend money.”
His expression became contemplative as his smile slipped. “There are ways we can happily take your money. But tonight—your first puppy night—I don’t want you to be thinking about expenses, owing anyone, or how to be egalitarian. It’s your turn to be a little selfish. To ask for what you’d like. To make sure we find you the best handler possible. It’s okay if Arnav isn’t that person. We’ll have plenty more puppy nights in the future, and I promise we’ll find you someone.”
The words washed up and too old came to mind. I held them in, though. Evan didn’t need to hear my insecurities. I’d made it this far…perhaps I could find a way to overcome my issues. Perhaps…but likely not.
Dante strode over with clear purpose with Arnav by his side.
Evan encouraged me to sit in a chair. That would mean I didn’t have to greet Arnav in a submissive way—we were meeting as equals.
Still, when the moment came, I bowed my head in deference.
“Such a good pup.” Dante’s words carried what I perceived as a genuine pleasure.
“Yes.”
At Arnav’s agreement, my gaze flew to his. I sought some kind of clue as to how he felt. Was he holding a grudge? Did he genuinely understand why I’d done what I’d done? Most importantly, could he see past my exterior?
“How do you wish me to address you?” His dark-brown eyes shone with…a touch of mischief? Remembering that the tryst upstairs during Quinton’s party had very much been his idea, I sought the inner scamp who’d gone along with the idea and who had delivered a blow job.
Heat raced to my cheeks. Spotting a blush on my cheeks given my color was difficult—but not impossible. “Foster would be…preferred.”
“Of course.” His smile flashed with those perfectly symmetrical white teeth. “I would offer to buy you a drink—”
I protected the ginger ale Ulrich had just delivered. “I don’t drink alcohol.” I met his gaze and determinedly willed him to understand. I had very few hard limits in my life—but alcohol was certainly one of them.
“Then I won’t either. Good to have a clear head for our discussion.”
Doesn’t he mean negotiation? Isn’t that the right term? I just didn’t know. Should’ve done more research .
“Very well.” Dante turned to Arnav. “What can I have Ulrich bring you?”
Arnav gazed at my drink.
“Ginger ale.” Don’t be defensive .
“Perfect. I’d love one as well.” He nodded to Dante, then joined me at the table.
Evan pressed a hand against my lower back in unspoken support.
Dante and Evan departed.
Ulrich delivered Arnav’s drink.
Then I was alone with the man to whom I owed a big explanation.