Chapter 4 #2
As I drive to the club, my mind wanders to my new protégé.
Is that what she is? Tonight took a turn I wasn’t expecting.
Remove Aspen’s obvious beauty from the equation, and I still have a massive chubby for how easily she read my seasonings.
I mean—who can pinpoint Japanese curry salt? It’s so specific.
When I arrive at Venom, Flex is waiting at the bar with a bottle of Scotch, as promised.
“Hey, brother.”
I take a seat beside him and drain my glass before letting him refill it. “That’s some good Scotch.”
“So, what’s got you sitting here talking to me rather than finding a willing sub for the evening?”
“I just had a strange night at the restaurant.”
“Elaborate,” he says as he pours me another drink.
“Are you trying to get me drunk, Flex?”
“Don’t worry, you delicate flower. I’ll pour you into a cab when we’re done.”
“So, I have this waitress, Aspen.”
“You’re fucking an employee? Not a good idea.”
“No! But I want to.” I explain everything, and even as I sit here, just thinking about her has my cock twitching.
“I’m not the right person to talk to about friends with benefits. Clearly, I was terrible at it. I’m fucking delighted about it, but by definition, I failed the separation of sex and friendship.”
“We’re not even friends. Tonight is the most we’ve interacted, but fuck me, Flex, the way this woman knows food is sexy as hell.”
“Whatever floats your boat. Food kink is kinda hot.”
“Don’t get me wrong, she’s fucking stunning, and holy shit, when she called me Sir, I was ready to shoot my load.”
“I’m assuming she’s not in the lifestyle, or you’d be balls deep inside her right now.”
“She’s this sweet, twenty-six-year-old, beautiful woman who loves food as much as I do. I told her to meet me at Dulip on Monday to cook something for me. Everyone needs a chance, right?”
“Okay. You’re going to be her mentor. If you don’t plan to fuck her, I’m not seeing the problem.”
“Well, I was considering putting her to work in the Venom rooftop restaurant.” A shit-eating grin spreads across his face. “Don’t even say it.”
“I need to meet this woman.”
“No… you don’t.”
“Why are you so wound up about this? Fuck her. Don’t fuck her. Teach her. Don’t teach her. You’re in control. You’re Ryder-fucking-Stevens.”
“After Tessa…”
“What does she have to do with it? This woman is a food kink waiting to happen.”
“I am second-guessing whether or not to give this woman a chance. She deserves a shot. Maybe her cooking sucks, and it’s not a big deal. No harm, no foul. But I don’t trust myself to be the stand-up guy. I’ve never been so turned on by a woman’s moan in all my life.”
“She moaned? What did you do?”
“She tasted my food. You should have seen her face. It was fucking orgasmic.”
“Maybe you’re worrying about nothing, and she’s repelled by your good looks and charm.” That gets me laughing. He’s not wrong. Maybe I’m not her type. She could hate guys with blond hair and blue eyes.
“I praised her.” He sprays the bar with a mouthful of Scotch, laughing his head off.
“What the fuck did you say?”
“I called her a good girl.”
“Jesus! What did she say?”
“Nothing until I dropped her at her place.”
“Oh shit. You drove her home? You’re absolutely going to fuck this woman.”
“She couldn’t even look at me when she got out of the car. A quick thank you, and she scurried into her building.”
“Damn. You need a new sub, even just on a three-month contract.”
“She lives in a great part of town, but I found fingerprint bruises on her arm.”
“What the fuck? Do we need to pay someone a visit? I can get a security detail on her first thing tomorrow. Just say the word.”
“This girl is not the type to accept help. She’d fillet me if I tried to give her a security guard.”
“A wild one? All the better to tame, brother.”
“I told her if I see bruises on her again, I won’t be asking to help. You and I will go on a little hunting expedition if that happens.”
“Do you want to go up to the voyeur floor? You definitely need to unwind.”
“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said since I got here. You coming?”
“Nah. I have an extremely hot sub waiting at home for me.”
“Talk about taming the wild. I never thought I’d see the day that you settled down.”
“Me either, but life had other plans.”
I pour another drink before clapping him on the shoulder and heading for the stairs. “Later, bro. Thanks for the drinks.”
“Any time, Ry.”
I head upstairs and take in the debauchery with a smile.
This is just what I need. Writhing bodies and submissives taking their punishments like good little girls and boys.
Pierce and Freya are putting on a show, and as always, all eyes eventually land on them.
Their connection is clear in every kiss, caress, and thrust of his hips.
I wanted what they have. Someone who loves me and embraces this part of my personality. Now, I’m not so sure.
No matter how much everyone around me is enjoying themselves, I can’t get out of my own head. Aspen’s face and those perfect, pouty lips as she called me Sir. God, I really need a sub to fuck.
“Not enjoying the show tonight, Ry?” Genevieve appears at my side.
“Hey, Viv. Just got stuff on my mind.” She takes a seat beside me.
“Something or someone?”
“Both, and not in a good way.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” She moves with feline grace, her smile lighting up the room.
“Not really. I spoke to Flex before I came up here.”
“Oh God, don’t take his advice. He almost got himself killed for love.”
“Isn’t that what it’s all about? Finding someone you’d take a bullet for?” The furrow of her brow tells me otherwise.
“I don’t think that exists for everyone. For some of us, this is enough.” Her words are tinged with melancholy.
“Say it like you mean it, Viv.”
“Then, I’ll clarify. I don’t think that exists for me. This club is where I find peace and acceptance, and I’ve come to realize that it is enough for me. But, if you want the sub, the wife, the white-picket fence, then I’m sure you’ll find it.”
“I thought I had.”
“Ry, you are gorgeous, successful, and an incredible Dom,” she says with a grin. “There is a sub out there just waiting to come barreling into your life when you least expect it. You’ll get your happily ever after.”
“I’m not sure if I even want that anymore, Viv.” I’m just being honest. I thought I wanted forever, but the fallout when it doesn’t work is something I don’t want to experience again any time soon.
“Do you want to join me and my sub? I’m training a new girl for Theo Randall.”
“Why isn’t he training her himself?”
“Haven’t you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“Flex convinced him to sell the club in Boston. It’s going to be a new Venom.
He’s going to move up here to take over the training suite upstairs.
He wanted a sub ready to play by the time he moves.
He handpicked her, and I’m training her.
He didn’t trust any of you yahoos not to dip your stick.
My lack of penis makes me the perfect choice. ”
“Wow. Holy fuck. I’m astounded that he agreed to sell his club. Why wouldn’t he want to stay there to run it?”
“Flex offered him a very lucrative offer on the club and to move him to Manhattan.”
“This place is becoming an empire.” This is a good distraction.
“Great, isn’t it?” She’s like a giddy schoolgirl.
“Did Flex tell you about the rooftop?”
“What about it?”
“He wants me to open a restaurant up there for the club. I was thinking about opening a new location, but I never thought to do it at Venom.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Tell me you said ‘yes.’ Your food is divine and think how much fun you could have with your own kinks.”
“I’m making some moves to find a chef who would be willing to work in a kink club.”
“Why would it be different from the bar downstairs? No nudity or sexual conduct in the restaurant. They wouldn’t even have to interact with any other part of the club.”
“I suppose, but as an employer, I think transparency is key. I wouldn’t bring in someone who couldn’t handle it.”
“Well, how many kinky chefs do you know?”
“Me.”
“I can’t wait to see you bring your expertise to Venom. We can dine, have some drinks, and then go to the private rooms or the other floors. You’ll make a fortune.”
“I already have a fortune. This isn’t about the money. I just need a new challenge.”
“Either way… I’m excited for you.”
“Thanks, Viv.”
A slender woman walks to Viv’s side—long blonde hair like a waterfall down her back, her small breasts covered in a scrap of lace as she drops to her knees with her hands behind her back. Viv caresses her alabaster skin with a sultry smile. “You’re such a good girl. Isn’t she lovely, Ry?”
“Yes.” She’s beautiful. I can appreciate that. She isn’t my type, but objectively, she is very beautiful.
“Are you sure you don’t want to join us for a little training?”
“I think Theo would be less than happy if I did, but thank you for the offer.”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Isn’t that right, love?”
“Yes, Mistress Genevieve.”
Viv wraps the sub’s hair around her fist before yanking her head back, forcing her to meet her steely gaze. “Wrong answer. We do not lie, love. Not to me. Not to your future Dominant. You will be punished for your mistake.”
“I’m… s… sorry, Mistress Genevieve.” She tightens her grip.
“Did I give you permission to speak?” The willowy beauty doesn’t speak.
At least she’s a quick learner. “Good girl. Now, stand and remove your bra and panties. I want everyone on this floor looking at you.” I notice a slight hesitation before she does as she’s asked, and I’d be lying if I said my cock isn’t twitching right now.
She sets her bra and panties on the table in front of Viv, and I can’t help but rake my eyes down her naked body as she stands before us.
“How should she be punished for her insolence, Ry?”
“For a newbie, I would say a spanking will work well enough.”
“In private or here on the voyeur floor?”
“Here. Let everyone see her pretty, milky white skin turn red.”
“You heard him. I want you over that wingback chair,” she says, pointing to a sumptuous, wine-colored leather chair right in the center of the room. “You may address me, now.”
“Yes, Mistress Genevieve.” She turns on her heel, squares her shoulders, her hands trembling as she walks through the crowd of revelers. I admire the fact that she’s nervous but holds her head high.
“Are you coming over?” Viv pins me with her emerald gaze. “It’ll make you feel better.”
“I’m good here but go enjoy yourself. I know you love parading your submissives up here, and you do it so well.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“Yep.” I watch in awe as Viv parts the crowd like the Red Sea, commanding everyone’s attention.
Even the sight of an extremely hot Mistress with a very pretty naked sub over her lap doesn’t lift my mood.
If anything, I’m comparing the submissive to Aspen.
She has full, fucking gorgeous tits. What I wouldn’t give to strip her out of the top she was wearing tonight and worship her breasts the way they deserve.
Her skin is like warm honey, and her hips—fuck me.
I don’t want my woman scrawny. I want something to hold onto when I fuck her into oblivion.
I adjust my pants as reality hits. I can’t bring her here, into this world. She’s too sweet for my particular tastes. I down the rest of my drink and drag my sorry ass back to the bar before heading out to get a cab home. I’ve had too much to drink to drive my car.
Tonight, I’ll let myself enjoy the fantasy in the shower and rub one out like a fucking teenager. Then, come Monday morning, it’ll be strictly business. Nothing more.