Chapter Four
Shaw
With family and friends standing in line to babysit Sebastian, and a job that never made me work more than eight hours, I could suddenly justify having a little time to myself.
My previous job had paid well, but the law firm I worked for required long hours from their paralegals.
As a daddy, even with really good childcare, that had been hard.
I’d had to go into the bathroom and pump in order to provide Sebastian with chest milk—not an optimum place to do that for sure, but I had no privacy in the office I shared with a dozen other paralegals.
This had led to weaning him sooner than I preferred.
Something that ate away at me and contributed to my decision to move home.
Or close to home. While my folks tried to convince me to move into their house, and it would have made it easier for them to help with Sebastian, or Bastian as we called him when he was mischievous or sometimes just in my mind, picturing his impish little grim.
As in, their loving kindness would have been sure to overstep at some point.
They were awesome but just a little too helpful.
No, I thanked them but reminded them they’d reared me to be a strong omega, and I preferred to get my own place.
An apartment just around the corner gave me a private space but a convenient one.
Bastian would be starting preschool before long, but for now, my little guy was spending his days hanging out with Pops and Gramps, making memories.
And at their insistence that I also have “a life,” I decided to check out the local club, Cuffed.
It had been too long since I visited such a place, and I hoped that it would be worth joining.
While some called it a sex club, it was so much more than that.
In fact, many people who joined would likely never have traditional sex there.
A friend who belonged had highly recommended the club, saying it was the one place he could truly be himself without worrying about being judged.
After the past few years, I really needed that.
As great as my parents were, they did not, so far as I knew or wanted to know, participate in any kind of kink.
Nor did they know about my private life.
But they also didn’t ask. In the months of my pregnancy, they’d expressed concern many times about the fact that I was all alone without a mate.
Not ashamed of my single fatherhood, just worried I was lonely or had too much put on me.
“Hello!” Dad called through the door he’d just unlocked and opened a bit. “Safe to come in?”
“Of course,” I replied from the kitchen. “Just emptying the dishwasher.”
My father bustled in after Dad, carrying a bag over his shoulder. “You shouldn’t be doing that. You’re going out to a nightclub, right?”
“Yeah.” Because that was a close-enough explanation. The one I’d given them. “In a bit.”
“Then you need to be showering and getting dressed, not doing housework. We’ll do that for you.” Dad came over and took a plate out of my hand. “We’ve got this. Where’s Bastian?”
“Asleep.”
Their disappointment was comical. They knew what time he went to bed, but they enjoyed his company so much, they would be waiting for him to wake thirsty or needed help going to the bathroom half asleep. How lucky could a single omega dad get.
“Don’t be waking him up,” I warned. “You know how cranky he can get.”
“We’d never do that,” Father protested, doing his level best to look hurt and failing. “Go shower.”
“It’s not like I’m stinky,” I grumbled, but drifted out of the kitchen, leaving them to finish up my job. Their laughter followed me into the bathroom where I got cleaned up. No, I wasn’t stinky, but having worked all day and chased a toddler since I got home, I could use some improvement.
First time I’d worn cologne since that night…
“Son, what time do you need to be at the club?”
“No special time. Whenever I get there.”
“Didn’t you say Eddie was meeting you?”
“No, I said he recommended the place. Anyway, I’m ready to go now.” I’d rushed because I didn’t want to answer a lot more questions. “How do I look?”
“All black?” Dad frowned. “You have always looked better in colors I think.”
“Too late to change now.” It wasn’t, but I didn’t want to. “Maybe next time.”
“It’s good to see you going out, Son.” Father came and hugged me. “He smells good, too. Come here and check this out, hon. Those alphas will be circling hoping for a dance with you.”
There might or might not be dancing at this club, but that wasn’t my reason for going.
Not that I’d tell them. “Okay, I’m on my way.
You know where everything is.” They babysat at their home during the day but didn’t want Bastian to have to wake up and go out at night, so they came over here.
“I won’t be late, but I sure appreciate everything you guys are doing for me. ”
“That’s what we’re here for.” Dad kissed me on the cheek. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do.”
A few minutes later, climbing behind the wheel of my car, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I planned to do everything they wouldn’t do.
My skin prickled at the thought of a flogger’s kiss or the sharp crack of a hand against my ass.
Okay, I might or might not scene tonight, but it was a part of my life I’d pushed back for too long.
Time to live again and leave Gatlin in the past where he belonged.
Cuffed’s presence was beyond subtle. I knew from the information I’d received in my trial membership download that the three houses in front of me comprised the venue, and two of them were new to the club, remodeled inside while still appearing to be the graceful mansions occupied by some of the city’s wealthiest citizens in years past.
Only a small sign affixed beside the front door of the center home held the name of the club.
I’d parked about a block down, unsure what kind of space they would have for the purpose in a residential area like this, but another sign directed people to the rear for parking.
I’d know that next time, if I came again.
I hesitated on the sidewalk, unsure whether I should go in.
As a responsible dad, maybe I should put aside having a personal life for a bit longer.
Bastian needed me, and there would be plenty of time later, after he was grown.
Seconds from leaving, I stopped as the door opened and a tall man came outside.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me he was an alpha and a dom.
“Hello,” he said. “Sightseeing, or were you coming in?”
Calling it a sign, I straightened my shoulders. “I was just about to come in.”
“First time?” He was even taller standing on the top step, but not menacing. Severe but calm.
“Here, yes, but not first time, first time.”
“I see.” He opened the door behind him. “Come in, then. I’m Liam, and if you aren’t meeting anyone in particular, I have a little time. I’d be glad to show you around.”
Wow. I didn’t feel any particular draw to this alpha, but my nerves at going in alone were eased by his presence. “I’d really appreciate that. It’s kind of hard to go to a new place, especially on my own.”
“Well, then, let’s get your phone checked and I’ll give you the grand tour. My omega, Hirsch, should be around somewhere as well. He’ll like to meet you.”
Once inside, I handed over my phone to be locked up and gave the female behind the desk my information so she could confirm my authorization to be there.
Then I followed Liam into the main area and breathed in the scents of clubs of this type everywhere.
Expensive cologne, alcohol from the bar, a hint of copper from one of the stations, sweat, and the underlying note of sex.
I was home.