Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
LATE AUGUST
“Hey, Mitch. Busy night?” Jackson greeted his friend at the club door the following weekend.
The rigger and founding member shrugged. “Not really. Some unattached subs, Kate’s here on DM duty. Scott is minding the bar for the early shift. I don’t remember who has the late one. Chris may turn up, but the fucker is always late.”
Jackson laughed at that and shook his head. Chris wasn’t always late, but he tended to get distracted by his work and customers or a cute waitress at the diner he frequented. Chris wasn’t a womanizer, though. He really was interested in people, and when you had his attention it was undivided.
“Oh, Mitch, one other thing. Now I’m attending the club regularly again, can you put me back on the schedule? I’d be happy to take on DM duties any time.”
“Will do, man. Thanks for the help.” Mitch sounded pleased. “If you’re interested in starting right away, how about you shadow Kate tonight? She comes on at ten. It will give you some time to relax or play first.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.”
Jackson knew how much Mitch had invested in the club and still was investing.
The fees were moderate, and one way they accomplished that was by having members volunteer.
The club was private, and membership was only by recommendation of a current member or by attending the local munch and getting invited.
Scott Lyons, who had sponsored Jackson’s membership, volunteered at the bar.
He’d told Jackson it was a great way for him to talk with the attendees and select his play partners.
Jackson preferred to be more in the background but would do whatever was needed.
He wanted to help out as much as possible while giving back to the community that had helped him heal after his discharge from the military.
Jackson went inside and headed to the locker room to change into his leathers. Peter, a club submissive, stood in white boxers with a red cross on them and was fixing a red tie around his neck. Jackson nodded and got a ‘good evening, Sir’ back.
He appreciated that the club welcomed all kinds, and he made a point to treat every member with respect. Still, he couldn’t help his initial reaction.
Peter resembled a laughing Buddha, with his round face, easy smile, and protruding belly, and that outfit wasn’t doing him any favors.
But kink wasn’t about looking good but about feeling good. And maybe some Domme out there would find Peter’s cheeky confidence exactly her thing.
Jackson finished buttoning his burgundy silk shirt and putting his black ankle boots back on. He placed his folded street clothes in the locker and closed it.
As he neared the bar, the complacent voice of Trent Reznor, whisper-singing Hurt reached his ears. Jackson wasn’t really into industrial rock, but this was a strong song. Kudos to whoever put together the club’s playlists. The music always seemed to suit whatever mood he was in.
He received a chin lift from Kate and spotted Julie and Ruby at the bar in deep conversation with Scott. Both women were submissive and unattached, although Jackson had only seen Julie with Mitch. Jackson sauntered over to Kate first.
The beautiful redhead smiled at him. “Scoping out the room?”
Jackson smiled back. He hadn’t intended to scene tonight, but something was off—no one seemed to be playing. He voiced his thoughts to Kate.
She listened without interrupting him and agreed. “We have unattached Tops and bottoms, but there don’t seem to be any good fits. We need fresh blood and more single Doms.”
Jackson thought for a moment. “I know someone who might be interested. I’m fairly certain he’s a Dominant and has lifestyle experience.”
Kate made an appreciative sound and leaned forward. “Sounds interesting. I hope he isn’t a sadist. I don’t think any of the subs we have right now are serious masochists. We have plenty of subs looking for Dominants. Run it by Mitch or Scott.” She smiled, but her eyes didn’t sparkle like usual.
“What’s wrong, Kate?”
Kate sighed. “Since nobody is playing, I guess we can sit down.” They both went to the comfortable red couch that was often used for aftercare. Jackson leaned back and watched Kate. She folded her legs, uncrossed them, and sighed again. “I went home with Chris after the weddings.”
“Okay.”
“We’re both dominant.”
“Yes, you are.”
“It was the best night of my life,” Kate confessed.
Now, that was something Jackson could relate to, and he nodded.
She continued. “He’s a player, a womanizer.”
Jackson understood—sometimes all the pieces of evidence in a case came together to solve the puzzle. “You’re in love with him.”
Kate nodded sadly. “I’ve been in lust with that man since the first time I laid eyes on him.
First, we were just friends, but I’ve been falling for him more every time we speak or I watch him with a sub.
That night was the proverbial nail to my coffin.
He was perfect in almost every way. It’s more than lust now. It’s love.”
“Almost?” It was a vague word in itself, but it became distinct in the way she’d used it.
“Yes.” For the first time this evening some of her fire returned. “He faked submitting to me.”
Jackson’s jaw dropped.
“I. Did. Not. Fake. Anything!” someone growled from behind them.
Kate pressed her lips together, and her eyes turned dark. She slowly turned her head around. “You’re a Dom,” she practically spat at the looming figure behind them.
“Not with you,” Chris threw back, “apparently.”
“How is that even possible?” she snarled. “You’ve never had a tendency to switch before!”
“Guys.” Jackson held up his hands, but before he could continue, Scott stepped between Chris and Kate.
“Jackson, man the bar, will you?” Without waiting for an answer, Scott directed his focus onto Chris and Kate. “You two come with me. This is not something you discuss where everyone can hear.” Scott marched away from the main room, Chris and Kate following him like two lost puppies.
Although Scott was a good therapist, Jackson had never witnessed him in full Dom mode, and it was a sight to behold.