Chapter 6
Iwas going to have to find some way of working out my sexual frustration or I’d explode. It’d been two full weeks at the new job, and a whole lot of eye candy. Seriously, how was a woman supposed to not notice being surrounded by extremely fit security specialists every day?
I was no stranger to gorgeous men. Having been in my line of work, every now and then a football team, or some group of magnificent-looking athletes would stay for a period of time. Or those sexy Italian businessmen who look like they’ve graced the runway stage their entire lives would check in. However, it wasn’t just that GH had fit, combat-ready security surrounding me all day long, but after some time away on a few jobs, Gabriel was back at the office.
The man’s naturally gruff and sexy tone of voice had my panties melting on a regular basis. I mean honestly, he was what I would consider perfect for me, except for the fact he seemed to avoid me like the plague. He’d successfully eluded me since being back from his trip. How did I know he’d been steering clear of me? Because I’d been actively trying to “accidentally” meet up with him and none of my usual tactics worked.
Okay, technically, I didn’t have usual tactics, but I found myself stooping to listening for his door to open and choosing that moment for a bathroom break. You could almost say I felt like I was personally under attack, as being noticed was like oxygen. Gabriel seemed immune to my charm, a trait I’d worked hard to cultivate. The man was impervious to my lures despite my cranking them up to the point that if I did anything more it would be embarrassing. I needed to get over my obsession and distract myself with something or someone else.
I turned off my computer and the lights as I exited my office. Following my usual routine, I said goodbye to IT and wished them a good weekend. Then I stopped by the front desk to invite Yula to join me at club Midgard. Finally, I was getting in some time to let my hair down and, fingers crossed, find someone to take the edge off.
“Oh my goodness, that does sound like fun, but I’m afraid my only plans are lounging with Bilbo and binge-watching Downton Abbey. All my plans over the weekend have to do with me in my pajamas and relaxing. You have fun, and who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
I couldn”t help but laugh. My need for some relief must be more obvious than I’d guessed. Honestly, sitting on top of a washing machine might start to look appealing if I didn’t do something soon.
“Have a wonderful weekend.” I remembered the treat I’d brought with me to work. “I completely forgot, I grabbed this for Bilbo.”
Digging into the bottom of my tote, I drew out a bag of organic dog treats that I’d often had on hand for those not-so-nice pooches that sometimes came to my hotel with their rich owners.
“He’ll love these! Thank you, Rose, that is so sweet of you.”
“I’m not done yet. I have a contact in Brussels who just sent me out a box of their newest chocolates. Make sure Bilbo can’t reach them. I heard they pair well with Giuseppe della Valpolicella from Italy.” I placed the box and bottle on her desk, loving when her jaw dropped and her eyes filled with happy tears.
Yula stood up and hustled around her desk, throwing her arms around me. “How did you know that I’ve had that wine on my must-have list for ages. It’s so expensive, Rose, you must let me pay you for it.”
“Absolutely not.” I pulled back. “I didn’t pay for that wine, just called in a favor. Now go home and give Bilbo a rub for me.”
As the door was closing, I heard her exclaiming to someone about the gift she’d just gotten. It made me smile and for a moment thoughts of Gabriel faded. Yula’s happy reaction had done wonders to make me feel warm and fuzzy, reminding me of why I went into a career in hotel management. I told myself it was to see the world, and that was partly true. But when someone was truly happy, that gave me more satisfaction than another beach on my to-see list.
Unfortunately, the distraction didn’t last long, my thoughts once again turning to my boss. Why couldn’t I get him to speak more than three words to me? I shouldn’t want him. Doing anything with someone you worked with was a bad idea, but I couldn’t help myself. Something about him called to me. Maybe if I found a competent Dom, I could keep my mind off the hulking way-too-sexy man before I did something I’d regret.
Not that I’d had any luck yet. I’d been to the club a few times and the men I’d met just hadn’t been what I was looking for. I’d started making friends and getting to know the staff. Dancing and flirting took the edge off my need, but I hadn’t done a scene yet to really scratch the itch.
The club was packed when I arrived, but I didn’t recognize anyone except the bartender and staff. Dottie was sipping a drink and didn’t look like she was working tonight which meant we could have some fun. Meeting the beautiful and outgoing black woman on the first tour Mari had brought me on had been a stroke of luck. She was quickly becoming a friend and kindred spirit. Maybe not recognizing people wasn’t such a bad thing. Dottie was a party animal and we would have fun regardless of whether I found someone tonight or not.
“Girl, look at you!” Dottie rushed up to me and enthusiastically grabbed one of my hands and spun me around. “That getup will certainly attract attention.”
I had chosen a flared mini skirt that would swing if I danced just right and show off the crimson thong I wore and a black and silver crop top that had a built-in shelf bra that showed off the ladies to their best advantage.
“Do you think so? I need a scene tonight, but the Doms I’ve met so far have seemed either too tamed or too strict.”
“Tough week?” Her sympathetic look told me she knew exactly what I was saying.
“More like frustrating. I don’t get it. Every country I’ve worked in I’ve found a club and played and never had any issues attracting what I wanted. Find a man for some playful freaky fun and relax. But every guy who has approached me just hasn’t clicked. They all either think I’m a Domme, or if they do think I’m a sub, are looking for someone sweet and want to ‘break’ my attitude.”
“Oh, I know the type you’re talking about. I know a few good ones I can introduce you to.”
“Maybe.” Ugh why was I hesitating? She had a similar personality, so why was I resisting having her hook me up when I wanted some relief?
Dottie gave me an appraising look. “You have your mind set on someone and they haven’t fallen for you yet. Who is it?”
Damn it. How embarrassing was it that someone I was just getting to know could see through me so easily? I sighed. Should I open up? Mari had said Dottie was a good friend to have in your corner. If she trusted her, then I guess I could too.
“Unfortunately, the one I want is unavailable.”
“Taken?” Her disapproving eyebrow was enough to make me confess more.
“No. He’s my boss. Well, I think really he’s my boss’s boss but things are weirdly unstructured so I don’t really know.”
“You work at GH Security right? So which of the untouchable three has caught your eye?”
“Untouchable three?” I laughed, knowing who she meant. “Do they really call them that?”
“No. But it’s as good a description as any. I’ve seen Master Vidar and Váli do a scene together and would sign up as a sacrifice, well, I would once, but only to have the intense life experience. I’ve never seen them with the same woman twice. Master Heimdall is an intense mountain of man who seems somehow more intense but distant.”
Intense and distant. I couldn’t deny either of those adjectives. “Gabriel is Heimdall, but I don’t know everyone’s club names.”
“Yes, he is. Vidar is Colin and Váli is Lincoln. I think most of them usually play at Valhalla rather than here at Midgard.”
“Yeah, I’m saving up for a membership there. I’ve heard they have more performance areas.” Despite being the bestie of one of the partners, I didn’t get in for free. When a few more paychecks crossed my desk, I would be applying for membership.
“Oh, is that your thing?”
“Yes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a man taking charge and a good spanking like the next sub but being watched”—I couldn’t stop the shiver that went down my spine—“yeah, that just does it for me.”
The thrill of having eyes on me as I was teased and tortured for a Dom’s pleasure was hard to explain. Having someone strong enough to bring me to heel with nothing but his voice as he watched me was the ultimate fantasy. Maybe it came from my earlier years of feeling invisible when I was a military brat, following my dad around from one new location to the next. I craved being the center of attention but not in a negative way. I wanted people to want to watch me. I needed them to not be able to take their gaze away and to gain pleasure from whatever I was doing.
“Didn’t Mari show you this when you toured the club?” Dottie said, tilting her head back to look up.
Following her gaze, I saw the object of discussion. “She did, but honestly that entire first time is a bit of a blur. I was too busy checking out the Doms,” I admitted.
“And yet, I don’t believe you’ve had the pleasure of being caged, at least not in a raised one, unless I’ve missed the show?”
The glee in Dottie’s eyes made me nervous but I shook my head.
“Oh, this will be fun.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to one of the Dungeon Monitors. He was an attractive man somewhere in his early thirties with dark hair and green eyes that flashed with amusement in the dim light of the club.
“How can I help you, ladies?”
“Evening, Master Ethan. My friend Rose would like to spend some time in the birdcage. Would that be okay?”
How Dottie made her voice both innocent and mischievous was impressive.
“Is that what you want?” Master Ethan’s voice was smooth like the best whiskey.
“I’m not sure. But I trust Dottie.” I also trusted Mari and despite checking out the Doms on my tour, I definitely remembered her speaking about the cages weeks ago.
The DM shook his head and smiled. Like Dottie, he tilted his head back to look up toward the ceiling near the edge of the dance floor. Hidden in the shadows, suspended from the ceiling, was a metal cage with a glass floor. “There are lights we turn on to spotlight it when it’s occupied. From what I’ve been told, it’s very stable and you can hear the music well. There is a button to push when you are ready to come out.”
My nipples tightened at the thought of being displayed like that. I could lose myself in the music without worry but still feel everyone’s gaze. Maybe I wouldn’t need a scene with a partner after all.