Cristiana Chapter 1
This past week had been a busy one, but then again, that was usually the case for me.
It amazed me sometimes how many businesses required my talents.
It was kind of depressing when you thought about it, especially since ninety percent of the time it exposed shady dealings and criminal activity.
I was thankful that I only had to prove that the illegal activity had happened and who was behind it. The legal system took care of the rest.
Needing to de-stress, I decided to spend the night exploring more at the House of Lustz.
I’d been accepted as a patroness there over a month ago.
I carefully researched all the nearby BDSM clubs.
I discovered it was the best club in the Nashville area and, by far, the best in the state.
I’d eagerly applied and then prayed they’d accept me.
Just because you put in an application doesn’t mean you were automatically accepted.
The background check played a role, but additional criteria were also considered.
I’d been given a long list of questions, which made me think they assessed the mental states of their applicants.
Rather than being offended, I was happy.
Other clubs needed to implement the same protocol.
It would undoubtedly reduce issues. Maybe if they all did it, my past would be different.
But if that were the case, I wouldn’t have moved to the Nashville area, and I loved it here.
The vibe was different from the Memphis area I came from.
I’d explored Lustz a few times since I was accepted.
I liked the entire setup. Typically, there would be no alcohol in a place such as this, but for those who wouldn’t be playing, unlimited alcohol was allowed.
The club had a system in place to ensure that no one who played was inebriated.
All patrons were issued a card that was unique to them.
It had to be scanned whenever alcohol was ordered.
When you went up to the second floor, where the themed playrooms and stages were, it was checked to ensure you hadn’t exceeded the two-drink limit.
If so, you weren’t permitted up there and were sent back to the first floor.
Those who were here to socialize and relax only stuck to the first floor, where the bar, lounging areas, and dance floor were.
The first floor had been packed every time I’d been here.
Some people started there and then went upstairs, while others spent the whole night there.
They liked socializing with people who had things in common with them and wouldn’t judge them, I bet.
I hadn’t progressed to participating in any scenes or having sex with anyone at the club.
I wasn’t yet comfortable choosing who to do those things with.
My routine was to wander a bit on the first floor before going up to the second.
Once there, I spent time taking in the various stages where demonstrations were held.
The raised areas where performers danced and engaged in titillation were always fun to watch and a turn-on.
The themed rooms could be completely private, or the window could be left uncovered, allowing others to watch.
When they were open for voyeurism, I would watch those as well.
The amount of observing I did was an effort to avoid choosing someone who would later become a problem.
I hoped by observing so much before diving into anything, I’d get to know the other person to a degree and not end up with a creep or stalker.
Even when I found someone I was willing to try something with, I wouldn’t jump into sex being a part of it. There was a lot of pleasure to be had without penetration. I wanted to test that before committing to someone becoming even more intimate with me.
When I applied, my interview was conducted by Mikhail, the owner.
He had been a visually imposing figure, yet he was friendly.
What put me more at ease was his co-interviewer, his wife, Tajah.
Her warm, engaging personality had made me smile several times as I answered their questions.
Afterward, they’d walked me out and promised to get back to me one way or the other within the next two weeks.
The call came a week later, informing me that they had accepted me.
I was so thrilled. Before coming to the club for the first time, I had to complete an orientation, which was thankfully online.
Going there multiple days in a row would’ve been hard for me.
The more I saw, the more impressed I was.
I’d run into Mikhail twice while I was here.
I was disappointed not to see Tajah with him.
Both times, he explained she was working on a book deadline.
Discovering she was a romance author had been a welcome surprise.
And when I was told her story in my interview, I had to find her books about a club like Lustz.
They were addictive, and I eagerly awaited the next installment.
I’d been dabbling in the lifestyle for the past five years, which has left me still uneducated about many things.
Tajah’s books had been educational, but in a good way that fit into the storylines. They were hot as hell, too.
After entering, I started on the first floor and got a soda from the bar. I didn’t sit down, though. For me, wandering was better. I smiled and nodded when greeted, taking in the dancers. The hum of voices, the beat of the music, and the colorful lighting made it feel like a nightclub.
Bumping into someone, I turned to apologize. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I told the man standing there. He smiled.
“That’s alright. I don’t mind being bumped into by a beautiful woman. Though if you want to make it up to me, you’ll have a drink with me.”
His smoothness told me he used lines often, and they worked for him.
Scanning him covertly, I saw how it would.
He was tall and dressed in expensive clothing.
His perfectly styled hair, white teeth, tanned skin, and handsome looks would do it.
His clothing was tight enough to showcase his physique.
Too bad for him, it took more than that to get my attention.
Smiling politely, I shook my head. “Sorry, but I’m not drinking tonight. Again, I’m sorry. Have a good night.”
“Wait, don’t go,” he said.
He didn’t touch me, which was good because non-consensual touching was a no-no here. But he did step in front of me, blocking my path. His smile was only fractionally dimmed.
“Listen, I’m sorry for coming on too strong. Your beauty made me blurt that out. We don’t need alcohol. How about water or soda?”
“I’m sure you’re a nice guy. I appreciate the offer, but I’m only here to observe.”
“Okay, well, since I haven’t seen you here before, you must be new. I can be your tour guide and answer any questions you may have. I’ve been a patron here for seven years. My name is Rhys.” He held out his hand.
Not wanting to be churlish, I shook his, but made it a brief one, despite his hold tightening on my hand.
“Rhys, it was nice of you to offer, but I do best when I have no distractions and can concentrate. I need to go. Goodbye,” I told him before stepping around him. As I walked away, I heard him call out, asking my name. I ignored him.
Wanting to get out of his sight, I went for the elevator.
It was time to go up to the second floor.
Hopefully, he took the hint and wouldn’t follow.
As I got onto the elevator, I fought down the slight feeling of panic.
There was no reason to lose it. He was merely an overconfident guy, I told myself as the doors closed.