Chapter 1
FLEX
“Have I mentioned how much I fucking love this new voyeur floor?” The expansion of Venom is my baby—my passion project. Whoever said never mix business with pleasure is an idiot. My security firm more than pays the bills, but this club is the best decision I’ve ever made. Co-owning a kink club is as amazing as it seems. Working with two of my best friends has its challenges, but the good heavily outweighs the bad.
As I sit back and watch, I’m happy to see how far I’ve come. The view only adds to my good mood—threesomes, orgies, punishment, and pleasure all around. This is the tip of the iceberg. We’ve already put plans together for the next floor—a training suite complete with a stage for larger demonstrations and smaller stations to facilitate multiple techniques at once. We will be the largest kink club in the country, and I still have so many ideas for this place.
Tonight is a rare occasion. I’m on my own. My last submissive was way too clingy, and that’s not something I’m looking for in a relationship right now. I’m so busy with work that I just need someone to play with. No strings attached.
Watching Doms dominate their submissives on the voyeur floor is hot as hell, and I find myself hardening as I take it all in .
“Are you just going to sit here, or are you going to join that pretty little blonde who’s watching you while her Dom fucks her?”
“There’s my favorite Domme. You know he doesn’t like company. You can watch all you want but try to touch what’s his, and he’ll be pissed. Besides, his subs are never well-behaved. Not because they’re brats, but because he’s a lousy Dom.”
“What do you care if it’s only for one night?”
“There are plenty of better options in the room.”
Now she’s intrigued. “Go ahead. Tell me what you see as a male Dominant.”
“The guy on the left, on the edge of the hallway. It’s all about him. He’s holding his sub’s head down, her body facing the wall. He doesn’t want other Doms looking at her, but he wants to be seen as a strong Dom. He can fuck with people watching, but he’s a cliché.”
“What about that guy?” She gestures to a guy being deep-throated by a pretty brunette while she’s being fucked from behind.
“He’s doing as he’s told. He’s not the Dom in that equation. You should recognize a sub when you see one, Viv. Are you losing your touch?”
“It was a test. I trained that delicious sub last year.”
“Say no more. I’m about to get TMI.” I chuckle.
“You and I left TMI in the dirt a long time ago. Is there any such thing in here?” She has a devious grin, and I’m almost tempted to put her mouth to good use.
“No. And it’s fucking glorious.”
“I second that, Flex. In fact, I think he needs a little more training. I might have to go over there.”
“I’ll be watching,” I say with a wry smile.
“I hope so. You know I love an audience. Come and join us if you want.”
“Maybe later.” I’d normally take her up on the offer, but I have business to attend to. My best friend and co-owner, Dalton, spends every waking hour in his private suite with his new wife and high school sweetheart. I don’t know how he can stand it. One woman for the rest of his life. Fuck me. That sounds like a prison sentence.
He’s the happiest motherfucker around these days. Between him and Pierce, I’m about to become a diabetic from their sickly-sweet love stories. What happened to my wingmen? Not that I’ve ever needed one, but fuck me, we used to sit around shooting the shit before taking subs to our private rooms.
Now. I’m everyone’s third wheel. What the fuck? I guess I should have expected it at some point. Most Doms eventually find a sub they want to keep. I just thought I’d have more time.
The bartender on this floor knows to have a steady stream of drinks sent my way when I’m up here. She’s hot and takes everything she sees up here in her stride. Of course, I still had her sign an NDA. We promise discretion. It’s paramount to the success of Venom. We’ve had one or two quick-and-dirty fucks after hours.
My phone beeps as I watch Viv commandeer the blond sub, who follows her like a good little puppy.
Jenna: Hey, are you around? I’m at the club.
Me: Are you being a naughty girl? I thought you didn’t condom.
Fucking autocorrect.
Jenna: No glove, no love.
Me: I meant to say I thought you didn’t condone the lifestyle.
Jenna: I’m here on business. I was hoping you’d be here.
Me: Up on level 2. Come on up.
Jenna: Can’t you come down to the bar where I don’t need to see you in whatever state of undress you’re in right now?
Me: You should be so lucky. Don’t be a prude. I’m fully clothed.
Jenna: And what about everyone else?
Me: Tell me you’re not a little curious, and I’ll come down. Dalton and Nad aren’t here. It could be our little secret.
I wait for her reply, but it doesn’t come. Maybe I scared her off. I sling back the rest of my drink and head to the stairs, only to be accosted by Jenna on the top step. A sly grin creeps at the corners of my mouth. She is a dirty girl waiting to be unleashed.
“Well, well, well. Looking devastatingly beautiful as ever tonight, Jenna. I didn’t actually think you’d come up here.”
“You didn’t give me much choice.”
I give her a sly wink. “Tell yourself whatever you need to. I was on my way down. I’m happy to keep walking downstairs right now. It’s your decision where we sit, so tell me, Jenna, what do you want to do?”
The rapid rise and fall of her chest tells me everything I need to know. She’s curious.
“Fine. Where’s the bar?” Her cheeks flush as her eyes scan the wide-open space.
I rest my hand on her shoulder, pointing across the room. “If you can drag your gaze from the ménage à trois, it’s over there.”
“You’re a dick, Flex.”
“Aww, were you hoping to see it? I’ll gladly whip it out for you if you beg like a good little girl.”
She’s flustered as she weaves her way over to the bar through a sea of bodies and requests a French martini. I prop my elbow on the bar, watching her take it all in, her breath catching when someone smiles her way while being sucked off.
“It’s not so bad up here, is it?” I smile.
“How? Why?”
“You’ll have to give me more than that? Ask away.”
“How can people just fuck with others watching?” She takes a sip of her drink, her eyes looking everywhere but at me.
“Because it’s a rush. It’s sexy as hell. Haven’t you ever had sex somewhere you ‘shouldn’t and gotten a thrill that you might get caught? ”
“That’s different.”
“Only because you know you’ll get caught. If all parties consent, why would it be a problem?”
“I just don’t get it.”
“Some people enjoy watching. Tell me you’re not turned on right now.”
“I get the watching. It’s like watching porn.”
“And what kind of porn do you enjoy? You can tell me, Jenna. No judgment.”
She ignores my question, too entranced by what’s going on around us. “But I don’t understand wanting to be watched. What if you can’t get across the finish line? Or if people think your body is whack. Or your sex face is terrible.”
“Jesus, you are way overthinking this.”
I signal the bartender for another round of drinks. “Maybe you’re underthinking it.”
“Why are you up here, Jenna? I told you we could go downstairs. If it makes you uncomfortable, we can go. If you wanted to talk to me about something, it didn’t require you hunting me down in my kink club. Drop a text with an invite to coffee.”
“I…” She downs the rest of her drink. “This was a bad idea.”
She stands to leave, but I rest my hand over hers on the bar. “I was just kidding. Take a breath. We can go downstairs to my office. You won’t have to see any debauchery. You haven’t even told me why you wanted to talk to me.”
“The security software for The Callaghan Group. I’m going to set up a parallel interface for the club. I wanted your thoughts as the head of security. You might have insight into all this.” She gestures with her hand.
I can’t help but chuckle. “That was definitely an excuse. We could have had this discussion anywhere. You make excuses to come here, Jenna. Admit it to yourself. You’ll feel so much better.”
“You’re a dick, Flex.”
“Is my dick all you think about?” I say with a wry grin. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned it.”
“A dick is a dick. Yours. His,” she says, pointing to a Dom who is poised for a blow job. “I hate to burst your bubble, but you’re not that special.”
She’s got a mouth on her, which I find sexy as hell.
“I’ve had subs who’d beg to differ. In fact, they definitely begged for it.”
“Ugh, you’re a pig.”
“I tell it like it is. Now, are we going to my office or not?” I’m not surprised when she crosses her arms and makes no attempt to leave. She wants to be up here.
“What are they doing?” She points to a couple on the other side of the room. There’s a swing hanging from the ceiling. Two men are helping a sub into the restraints, positioning her legs wide in the stirrup-style restraints. They do a good job tying ropes around her wrists, rendering her helpless and completely at their mercy.
“It’s a sex swing. Pretty self-explanatory, no?”
Her face is a picture as her eyebrows shoot up. “She can’t move.”
I softly tilt her head as I whisper in her ear. “Exactly how she wants it. Look at her, Jenna. She’s fucking desperate to be fucked. She’s in complete control.”
“Why does she want it?” Her voice is barely above a whisper.
“The same reason you’re wet right now.” Her sharp intake of breath tells me everything I need to know. “Am I wrong?”
She can’t even look at me, her gaze fixed on the woman being railed by two guys and loving it. “No.”
“You’re allowed to be intrigued. It doesn’t make you a bad girl… unless that’s what you crave.”
“I…”
I don’t lay a finger on her, but I know she’s turned on.
“Take a seat, Jenna.” She does as I ask. The rapid rise and fall of her chest are so predictable. “Now, spread your legs.”
“I’m wearing a dress.”
“Yes. Are you wearing panties?”
“Yes.”
“Then spread your legs.” I slowly take a seat at her side. She does as she’s told like a good little submissive. “Do you feel that, Jenna?”
“What?”
“The thrill it gives you, knowing anyone in this room could see your legs wide open.”
“I…” She’s about to shut her legs, so I push her a little further.
“Slide your hand over your panties, Jenna. Tell me if you’re wet.”
She hesitates. “I can’t. What if someone sees?”
“Then they’ll see. Why do you care? You go out of your way to come to this club. The people here right now don’t care if you get yourself off. Or if you let someone else do it. Touch yourself.”
She starts at her knee, slowly moving her hand up, an inch at a time, her eyes flitting closed as her fingers slip over her pussy, a tiny scrap of lace preserving her modesty.
“Are you wet?”
“Yes.”
“How do you feel?”
“Turned on.”
“What turns you on, Jenna?” I’m very careful not to touch her.
“All of it.”
“The dicks. The pussy. Look to your left. The Dom over there is watching you while that sub sucks his cock.”
She snaps her legs closed. “I can’t do this.”
“That’s okay, Jenna. I’m not here to force you into anything. Do I think you enjoy this club more than you care to admit? Yes. But everything here is consensual. It’s about what you want, not everyone else.”
“I’ll email you about the security software. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Don’t worry about it. You did nothing wrong. Come to my office, we’ll have a drink, and we can talk business. There’s no need for you to run away or be embarrassed.”
She eyes me warily. “Why didn’t you touch me just now?”
“I didn’t have your permission.”
“And if I gave it to you? ”
“ If you had, I would’ve fucked you in front of everyone on this floor. Submissives would want to be in your position, taking my dick like a good little girl. The Doms would want your mouth wrapped around their cocks.”
Her cheeks flush so red you’d think I’d caned her. “Flex…”
“Don’t worry, Jenna. I’m not going to do anything. Tell me this, though. Why haven’t you set the record straight with Dalton and Nad?”
“What do you mean?”
“They think we fucked the night Dalton’s mom died. They saw you in nothing but my suit jacket.”
“It’s none of their business.”
“It is when Dalton gave me strict instructions not to fuck you.”
“Well, it’s not his place to decide who I sleep with. You guys all think I’m so vanilla.”
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. “So, you don’t want them to know that you spilled a drink down your dress because that would make you vanilla?”
“No.”
I consider her for a moment. “You like the idea that they think we slept together.”
“Shut up, Flex.”
“Do you fantasize about how I’d rock your world?”
“You’re so obnoxious. Why do submissives put up with you?”
“Because my dick is huge, and I know how to use it. I could make you beg me to suck my cock if I wanted. Tonight.”
I give her my arm to steady herself as we head downstairs to my office.
“What makes you think I’d beg?”
“Because you were more than willing to spread your legs with just a few words from me. There’s a reason you come here, Jenna. You’re the only one who hasn’t figured it out yet.”
“And what’s that, oh wise one?”
“You’re not as vanilla as you believe yourself to be.”
“Just because I’ve been here a few times doesn’t mean anything. ”
“Okay.”
“Don’t say it like that.”
“Like what?” I say with a sly grin.
“Like you know anything about me.”
“You’re right. It’s not like my career is based on being able to read people.”
“Well… you are wrong.”
“Okay, Jenna. My bad. So, do you even need my input if I’m such an unreliable source?”
“Are you always this annoying?”
“Apparently, only to you. Any other woman upstairs would have taken my cock and thanked me for it.”
“I’m never going to thank you for it.”
“So, you will take it and won’t say thank you for the screaming orgasm I’d give you?”
“We are never going to happen, Flex. I’m not some doormat to fuck.” I bristle at her word choice. I stop dead in my tracks and turn to face her.
“You can think what you like of me, Jenna. I really don’t give a shit. But, I draw the line at you making all kinds of incorrect assumptions about the women who choose submission. I’ve never considered a submissive a doormat. It is an honor to have a woman submit to me, and I treat them with respect.”
“ Them? How many women have you fucked at one time?”
“So, nosey. What number is going to make you happy? One. Two. Five? Why stop at women? Do you want to know how many guys have been involved in my gangbangs?”
She looks truly shocked. “Gangbangs?”
“Not vanilla?” I say with a burst of laughter. Jenna has a dark side. She wants to dip her toe in the water, but I sure as shit won’t be jumping in the kiddy pool with her.
“Don’t look so smug. Not all of us want to get naked and bang anything in sight.”
I’m going to enjoy sitting back and watching Jenna eat crow.
True to my word, we talk strictly business in my office, and I give her a few suggestions on additional cyber security for the club. Venom is nothing without guaranteed discretion and the assured privacy of our patrons.
When we’re done, I offer her my suit jacket. “Do you want to slip out of your clothes again and wear this out into the bar?”
“Goodnight, Flex.” I follow her out into the bar.
“How are you getting home?”
“The way I always do.”
“All kidding aside, how are you getting home?”
“I’m going to walk. My apartment isn’t far from here.”
“Are you insane? This isn’t Boston, Jenna. I’ll walk with you.”
“I’m not going to invite you in to get another notch on your bedpost.”
I feign offense. “Give me some credit. I don’t keep such a rudimentary tally. I’m a classy guy. I keep an excel spreadsheet.”
She shoves my shoulder as I follow her outside. “You’re terrible.”
“You love it.”
“You’re a dangerous combination, Flex Navarro,” she says as we meander the streets of Manhattan.
“How so?”
“You are equal parts charming, sweet, and sinful. And that face of yours…”
“What, Jenna? You’d love to see my face between your thighs.”
“Oh my God, we’re walking the rest of the way in silence. I was going to say your face is handsome. Nothing sexual.”
“Thanks, but you don’t know me, or you wouldn’t call me sweet.” I shove my hands in my pockets, slowing my pace for Jenna as her heels click-clack on the sidewalk. We walk the rest of the way in silence, her opinion of me sitting uncomfortably in my chest.
Shut it down.
When we arrive at her apartment building, Jenna seems surprised that I don’t try to put the moves on her. My mind is elsewhere. “Goodnight. Give me a call when the software for the club is ready. I’ll come to your office.”
“Thanks for walking me home. ”
“No problem. Now, get inside. I’m not leaving until I hear the ping of the elevator.”
She pushes up onto her tiptoes and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Thanks, Flex. Who knew you were such a gentleman.”
I open the lobby door and hold it for her. “Shh. Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.” She gives me a conspiratorial wink and heads inside.
When I see the elevator doors close, I start the walk back to my place, contemplating what Jenna said. I don’t remember the last time someone called me ‘sweet.’ I’ve gone to great lengths to be anything but. It’s not a space I feel comfortable in.
Now that I think of it, I do remember the last person to see that side of me—Dalton’s mom. She was like a surrogate mom to me over the years, and she always saw the good. A week before she passed, I was sitting at her bedside, reading her a Nicholas Sparks book. She said I was a sweet boy. She didn’t remember who I was at that point, but I like to believe she knew somewhere deep down that I loved her more than words could say.
I shove my hands back in my pockets and pick up my pace. My mind is racing, and the thought of my empty apartment doesn’t seem so appealing, so I switch direction and head back to the club. It’s my home away from home, or maybe it is my home. I’m not sure if that is a testament to my friends or a pathetic commentary on my private life.