Chapter 16
CELEST
The bar is jam-packed tonight, but Flex is nowhere to be seen. I thought he’d be here. My phone has been a deadweight this week. I’ve written so many messages to him and deleted every last one.
My mind has been reeling from last weekend. Not in my wildest dreams did I anticipate Flex turning up on my doorstep. I knew weeks ago that my emotions were getting too embroiled in this arrangement. Maybe it was na?ve to think we could keep it friendly. But, at the same time, I’m terrified of letting myself feel more for this man. He’s a known player. A Dom with no desire to settle down—not that I’m saying he wants to settle down with me and my insta-family. But then again, he’s offering me a contract.
Gracie has been asking about him all week. She says Mr. Fex is her new best friend. It made it all the harder not to answer him. It’s for the best, I’m telling myself as I scan the room, desperate for a glimpse of him. I’m a woman in the desert, starving and hoping for manna to fall from heaven, except everything I want from him is so ungodly.
“Hey, girl.” Freya sneaks up behind me, wrapping her arms around me. I didn’t know I needed a hug from my best friend. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming in tonight? ”
“I wasn’t sure I would be here.”
She turns me in her arms, raking her eyes over me as if she’s looking for a physical wound. I guess I don’t have the best poker face. Unfortunately, what I’m feeling isn’t fixed with a Band-Aid. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She knows I’m lying. We’ve been inseparable since the day we met, and our recent escapades on level two have only brought us closer. We can read each other’s body language from a mile away.
“Do you want to grab a drink and talk about whatever you’re pretending to be okay about? Or would you like me to take your mind off whatever it is? We could go upstairs. I’m sure Pierce would be up for it.” Her face lights up at the thought, and it warms my heart. I know it’s a shadow of a relationship—I’m just a small addition to their pleasure. Her pleasure.
“I think I’ll pass for now. I’m just going to have a few drinks. Maybe after I’ve had a couple. You don’t need to babysit me. Go get yours, girl.” She takes a seat beside me.
“What are we drinking?” I knew she wouldn’t leave me, but I feel guilty for ruining her evening.
“Cosmopolitan.”
“Good choice. Hey, Eli, could we get a couple of cosmos when you get a moment?”
“Of course.” Eli has become a cornerstone of Venom. He practically lives here and is always around to be a shoulder to cry on or with a sarcastic comment to make me smile.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nothing to tell.” Eli sets our drinks down with a smile, and I’m quick to take a sip.
“Never go to the casino, Cel. You’re a terrible liar.” If only she knew.
“Where’s Flex?” She has the subtly of a punch in the face.
“I don’t know. I’m not his keeper.” I down the rest of my drink and signal for another.
“But you are his sub right now, aren’t you? ”
“No, I’m not.” The defeat in my voice is unmistakable. I was going for nonchalant, but I guess I’m… chalant.
“Talk to me. What happened?”
“Nothing. We fucked around a few times. No contract. It’s done, and I’m going to start looking for a real Dom.”
“Wow. That’s awesome. Do you have anyone in mind?”
“Not really. I’m going to update my profile on the portal and go from there. In the meantime, I’m happy to hang out and enjoy a drink or two.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go have some fun upstairs with us?”
“I’m good. Go have amazing sex with your husband.”
She giggles like a schoolgirl, giddy as she gets to her feet. “Are you sure?”
“Go!”
“I love you, Cel.”
“Love you too. Now get…” I watch as she weaves her way over to Pierce, the sashay of her hips capturing his attention. He can’t take his eyes off her.
It’s only as I track them through the crowd that I spy Flex out of the corner of my eye. My heart grinds to a halt, lunging up into my throat. With his arm draped over Jenna’s shoulder, he leans in, whispering what I can only assume are sweet nothings in her ear. It’s no secret that he’s been keen to bed her since the moment they met. They make quite the couple—Jenna is as smart as she is beautiful, her effortless grace on display as she nestles at his side.
It didn’t take him long to find a new submissive. I guess I was just a placeholder until he caught his real prey. Maybe that’s giving me too much importance in this life.
I down another cocktail before slinking through the crowd to catch up with Freya. If he’s happy with his newbie submissive, I don’t have to ask his permission. I’m not going to join my best friend. I’m tired of being the third wheel. Tonight, there are no restrictions or expectations. I’m going to find a Dom who wants to chain me up, paddle me, and then fuck me so hard it hurts. I am a single woman, so I should act like one .
When the voyeur floor comes into view, nerves flicker to life in the pit of my stomach. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt anything close to being nervous. I navigate my way around the room, taking in the sights and sounds that surround me. Hearing a submissive as she crashes over the edge with a man fucking her and another waiting to fill her mouth when she stops screaming.
Is that what I want tonight? Two men.
As couples, throuples, and orgies take place, there are others like me enjoying the view from the sidelines. I make my way to the bar and order a shot of Fireball. If I’m going to embark on a wild night with a stranger, I need some lubrication. I down the first and a second when I see a Dom watching me, his eyes raking the length of me, and a noticeable bulge in his pants. Impressive. The man to his left seems to have the same idea and beckons me over. I’m assuming they’re friends because they exchange words as I sashay toward them. They are both hot, so why not? Flex is mooning over his new plaything.
As I continue in their direction, I slip the straps of my dress off my shoulders and let my dress puddle to the floor. I’m wearing some beautiful lace lingerie, and I know I look good as I step out of the dress without missing a beat. My heels are staying, and as I stand before them, I’m rewarded by the sound of a leather belt snap. The Dom unzips his fly before freeing his cock. I’m going to be saddle-sore in the morning.
“What do you want first, baby girl? Pleasure…” he snaps his belt once more, “… or punishment?”
“Punishment.” My pulse quickens, and something inside me wants to walk away, but there’s nowhere I’m supposed to be. I don’t belong anywhere.
“Virgil, take a seat and let our new little baby girl bend over your lap to take her punishment.”
“If I must,” he says with a dark, almost twisted smile. “I want her ass.”
What am I doing? I’ve never had a guy fuck my ass. I thought Flex would be the one to pop that particular cherry. He’s been having me increase the size of butt plugs I’ve been using for the past few weeks. The thought of him brings tears to my eyes. I guess I’m ready for Virgil.
“What are you waiting for? Get over his knee if you want to be fucked tonight.”
I edge closer. “Take off your bra and panties,” Virgil demands.
I don’t even know what the other guy’s name is.
“Do as he asks.”
“What’s your name?” My voice comes out quiet as a mouse, and my heartbeat hammers in my chest. This feels different than when everyone’s eyes are on me up here—when I put on a show for Freya or Genevieve.
“Master Solomon. What is your safeword?”
“Emerald.”
“Do you consent to be punished with my belt?”
“Yes.”
“And if you take it like a good baby girl, do you want to be fucked by both of us?”
“Yes.” My eyes are cast to the floor. I can’t even look at him. At either of them.
“Then take your position across his lap, and I will administer five strikes of my belt. I won’t use the buckle.”
“Make it ten.” I need the pain. It’s all I want.
“Demanding little thing. As you wish, but use your safeword if necessary.”
“I…” I reach round to unclasp my bra and let it drop to the floor, hesitating as I move to my panties. I do this all the time up here, so why can’t I slip them off? Flex is downstairs with Jenna. He doesn’t want me. He said he did, but he lied. They always lie.
Hooking my fingers under the small scrap of black lace, I shrug out of them. Standing in nothing but my heels, I can’t breathe.
I can’t do this.
I don’t want to do this.
“Bring that fucking glorious ass over here.” I look around the room and realize I don’t recognize most of the faces. “What are you waiting for? Do as you’re told.”
I blink back the tears welling in my eyes. “I can’t… I don’t… ”
“Are we doing this or not? Is this why you’re available tonight? You’re an insolent sub.”
“I need a minute.”
“Do as you’re fucking told.” His voice is a low, booming command, and I turn to see Flex unbuttoning his shirt before tugging it off and wrapping it around my shoulders. “Go to the private rooms on this floor. Number one is open.”
“Flex, what the fuck?” The Dom with the leather belt in his hand looks pissed. “She asked for it. What do you want with a slutty sub who doesn’t adhere to commands?”
“Pet,” his voice is full of dark authority. “Go. Now. I won’t tell you again.”
“Dumb whore,” Virgil says as he moves to stand toe-to-toe with Flex. He doesn’t get another word out before Flex lets a right hook fly, the sound of bone snapping as he makes contact with Virgil’s jaw.
“Get out of here, pet. I’ll be there in a moment.” He turns his attention to the Dominant— Solomon—balling his fists, ready to strike.
“What the hell, Flex? She doesn’t have a Dom. It’s no big deal.” He takes a blow to the stomach, dropping him to his knees.
“ She’s mine! Be careful what you say next, boys.”
“We didn’t know.”
“Neither did I.” My voice is thick with unshed tears as I stand dumbstruck, his shirt wrapped tight around me.
He turns to face me, his fists bloody. “Go. To. The. Room.”
“Make me.” Before I get the chance to say anything, he grabs me.
“Wrap your legs around my waist.”
“What about Jenna?” The moment he realizes why I’m up here, his lips crash down on mine, his hand fisting in my hair, forcing me to take his ferocious kiss.
“What about her?”
“I saw you. Downstairs.”
“Forget about her. Give me permission to do with you as I see fit. ”
“I…” He swallows my words, his touch harsh as he strides across the room with me still wrapped around him like a spider monkey.
“Say, yes, pet.”
“Yes.” If I only have him tonight, I’ll take it. I know I shouldn’t because he’s not mine, but he was right when he said, “She’s mine.” I am his, and I will take whatever scraps he gives me.
We leave the carnage behind as Flex heads for the hall of voyeur rooms. There are viewing windows in each room that can be blacked out or left for anyone to watch. I don’t care either way as long as Flex fucks me.
He manages to get the door open while still taking my weight with his other hand. The second it closes behind us, Flex pins me against the wall, freeing his cock. “Say, yes.”
“Yes.” His kiss is brutal and delicious with every lick.
“Who do you belong to?”
“You.”
He grabs my hair and tugs my head back. “Say my fucking name when you address me.”
“Yes, Master Navarro.” Positioning himself at my entrance, his eyes meet mine. He’s asking permission, the rise and fall of his chest keeping time with mine. “I need you, Master. Please. I’m yours.”
He takes me in one hard thrust, his cock stretching me as he sinks balls deep. “Jesus-fucking-Christ!” he snarls. “You’re mine.”
I focus on the sensory explosion that takes over every nerve ending in my body. The scent of his cologne. His stubble scratches at my face in stark juxtaposition to his soft, sensual lips as they claim me. The wall is hard on my back as he pounds into me. “Yes, Master.”
“Who do you belong to? Fucking say it.”
“You, Master.” Every thrust is more intense than the last, my body molding to his. I want it all. I need him more than my next breath.
“That’s fucking right. You’re mine.” His voice is lethal, killing any coherent thought. “No one touches what’s mine. Your cunt was made for me, pet. You’re my good little slut, aren’t you? ”
“God, yes, Master.”
He continues to hammer into me, making me take every painfully delectable inch of him. “That’s right. You come when I tell you. This cunt is mine.” He braces his arms on the wall, keeping me pinned. “Don’t you dare try to give this to any other Dom. Do you fucking understand?”
“Yes, Master,” I scream as I try to hold back the inevitable release I know he will rip from me.
“If I see you so much as look at another Dom in this club, I will chain you in here and let you beg forgiveness.”
“Do it. Chain me. Make me yours.” He sets a punishing rhythm, taking what I freely give, my legs locked around his waist.
Our lips collide in a catastrophic kiss. One I know I’ll never recover from. His lips brand me, and I know his words from last week are as true now as they were then—Flex has ruined me for any other man.
“Fuck… Celest.” My name on his lips is the final blow. “Come for me.”
My body detonates as he chases release, hot on my heels. “Oh God… yes! Master… yes… yes! ” My world comes alive, stunning in Technicolor for the first time, knowing I’m giving myself over to a man for the first time. Everything that has come before is washed away as he shouts my name, pulling me into the abyss, wave after wave rolling through us as our bodies become one in his moment.
“ Celest! ” He comes hard, a sheen of sweat forming as we ride out the aftershocks together. Flex presses his forehead to mine before peppering my face with little, loving kisses. A pang of sadness and guilt takes hold as I relinquish my vice-like grip and set my feet on the floor. His shirt is stuck to me, but I tug it closed, suddenly too exposed. Not my body, but my heart.
“I should go.” I force myself to stare at the floor. At anywhere but his gaze.
“You’re not going anywhere, pet.” He reaches for my chin, intent on making me say it to his face.
“Let me go, Flex.” I’m overwhelmed, my release having taken everything I have to give. My mind—it’s in ruins .
“No. You willfully defied me up there tonight. I told you, you needed permission to engage with anyone else while I’m in this club. Do you think it makes me feel good when you offer yourself up to not just one Dom but two?”
“Your ego is bruised. Poor little you.” I try to move, but he cages me in, his dick still hard and his fly open.
“Get on your fucking knees, pet.”
“I’m not your pet.”
“When I tell you, you’re mine, I fucking mean it. Get on your knees.”
“Yes, I am yours because my traitorous body craves you, and my dimwitted heart betrays me.”
“So everything you said when my cock was inside you meant nothing?”
“Give me a break, Flex. You marked your territory. Now you can go back to your new girlfriend, confident that you’ve scared off any Dom who might want me.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I know, the thought that a Dom might actually want such a blatant whore is laughable. Do as you want. I’ll just be here waiting for you to fuck me when it takes your fancy. I know my worth to you, Flex. For you. For the others who’ve come before. And those who broke me. I’m a willing cunt.”
He seizes my wrists, hard enough to hurt and with no room to break free. “You’re not a fucking whore.”
“True. If I were, I would at least get paid for fucking you.” My bottom lip begins to tremble as tears spill down my cheeks.
“Don’t ever say those words in my presence again.”
“Just let me go, Flex. Haven’t I been humiliated enough?”
“It’s humiliating to be loved by me?”
What did he just say? “I knew you could be an asshole, but that’s unnecessarily cruel. I’m leaving.”
“Like hell you are. What is cruel about it? I’m in love with you, Celest.”
“Don’t. ”
“Why won’t you let me? Give me one good reason, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, get on your knees and keep your mouth shut.”
“Because you’re with Jenna! It’s bad enough that I let you fuck me for everyone to see. Now, I have to spell it out for you.”
“I’m not with Jenna.”
“You’ve had a thing for her since the moment she set foot in this club. I saw you upstairs. I didn’t think you’d give a shit if I fucked someone else.” I practically spit the words, his hold on me only tightening.
“Do you know how many subs I’ve visited outside this club?”
I stare at the wall, my adrenaline pumping hard, my fight-or-flight instinct kicking in.
“One! You. Do you know how many submissives I’ve taken out on my motorcycle?”
He doesn’t wait for my response.
“One! You again. Are you seeing the correlation here, pet?”
“Stop.”
“No. You’re going to listen to every goddamn word I have to say, and then you’ll willingly drop to your knees for me and beg forgiveness.”
My tears fall in a continuous stream of fear and loathing. Of myself.
“Do you know how many times I’ve told a submissive I love them? Or any woman I’ve dated. Once. Just now. With you.”
My eyes shoot up, searching his face for any sign that he’s lying, but it can’t be. There’s rage boiling beneath the surface, but it’s accompanied by pain. I don’t understand.
“You don’t love me.”
“The audacity to try and tell me what I do and don’t feel. I’m your Dom. Show some fucking respect.”
“We don’t have a contract.” I’m grasping at straws right now because I can’t let myself get caught up in whatever feelings he thinks he has. We barely know each other.
“Come with me.” He starts buttoning his shirt. The one I’m wearing. “Your days of putting on a show as a single submissive are over.” It’s a statement rather than a question. Holding out his hand, he stares me down.
“I see we’re going to have to work on your bratty behavior. You’ve been too long without a firm Dom. I’ll give you two options, Celest. Take my hand and come downstairs with me, or walk away now, and I will never ask anything of you again. What’s it going to be?”
I know what my answer should be , and yet I find my hand in his, the warmth of his palm so comforting against mine—strong and possessive.
In nothing but his shirt and my heels, I fall in step next to him as he walks me out and through the voyeur floor. The Doms he took down earlier are nowhere to be found. I’m afraid he’ll face backlash for hitting them unprovoked. “What’s going on in your head, pet? That frown of yours is marring your beautiful face.”
“I’m scared the men you hit will press charges. I don’t want you getting into trouble because of me.”
“Let me worry about that.”
I expect him to lead me to his playroom, but instead, he navigates through the bar toward his office. Stopping in my tracks, I clench my legs together as realization dawns.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“We didn’t use a condom. Shit. Shit. Shit.”
“So? We’re both clean.”
“Your cum is running down my leg.” A wicked grin spreads across his Adonis-like features.
“This I have to see.” He drops to his knees, sliding his hand up my leg until he reaches the evidence of our mistake dripping from me. “Fuck me, pet. That might be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
A thrill courses through me, wanting to please him regardless of his relationship with Jenna. I scan the bar to see her sitting with Naddie, observing us over the rim of her glass. “She’s watching. Stop, Flex.”
“Let them look.” He coats his fingers in his own cum before sliding two fingers inside me as if he’s trying to put it back. When he’s done, he pushes the shirt I’m wearing up just enough to lean in and press a gentle kiss to my pussy. It feels so good I can’t bring myself to let him stop. Regardless of his commitments, I want him in any capacity. His lips are too addictive to give up.
He leaves me wanting more as he gets to his feet and studies the cum dripping from his fingers. “Open your mouth, pet.” I do as I’m told. “Now, suck them clean.”
Holy Mother of God, I’m going to hell, and I don’t even care. I take his fingers into my mouth, my eyes never leaving his as I lick his cum as if it were my favorite ice cream.
“Fuck… pet…” I love that he’s lost for words, and I can have this effect on him. He grabs my hand and pulls me toward his office like he can’t take another second without having me all to himself.
“Flex…” He slams the door behind me.
“Do you see what you do to me, Celest?” He paces the room before returning to me, his lips crashing down on mine with such primal need . There’s nothing gentle in the way he claims my mouth with his tongue, and my pulse is racing so hard it’s whooshing in my ears.
“But I saw you with Jenna.”
He’s agitated as he moves to the couch on the far side of his office. “Get over here and get in the position. All fours. Head down.”
“I…”
“Do. It. Now.” He looks at me, his eyes darkening, a storm in the way he stares me down.
My heels sound so loud in the silence of his office, clicking as I move to stand in front of him before taking the position.