CHAPTER 1 #3
Her tone was slightly hesitant when she said, “No, Sir.”
“Did I ask you to speak?”
“No, Sir.”
“Did I ask you to look me in the eye?”
She answered with, “No, Sir;” however, her gaze didn’t lower.
During my time in the scene, I’d visited all types of places.
Some that focused solely on bondage, others that catered to the hardcore, even some that were merely brothels disguised as kink.
Dichotomy was on an entirely different level from those places, and I was proud to be a part of it.
I’d been a member since inception, had spent time in both the Dallas and Chicago locations.
What I liked most about this one was that Trent Ramsey, the owner, wasn’t a novice, and his clubs reflected that.
And the man he’d hired to manage this location ran a tight ship.
Gregory Edge paid attention to every minute detail—atmosphere, hygiene, safety.
He ensured the Dominants understood the rules, followed them, made safety their main concern.
He insisted that any and all submissives undergo the training necessary to interact with the experienced Masters of the club.
Evidently, Liz needed a refresher course.
“I’m going to ask you again; did I ask you to make eye contact?” I wondered if she was too eager to even remember the basic rules of D/s.
“No, Sir.”
As though it clicked, her eyes widened suddenly. A second later, her chin tilted low, her arms fell to her sides. Long blond hair slid like silk over her shoulders, covering pert tits cupped by a leather bra.
Even if she had a momentary lapse, she knew the rules. Speaking to me without permission was the fastest way to find yourself cut from my lineup for the evening.
Too bad, too. We could’ve enjoyed ourselves. For a little while. Unfortunately, her need for attention ruined it for her.
“Nice to see you, Liz,” I stated before walking past her. It was a definite blow-off, but in this scene, it was a move that was often necessary to maintain the upper hand in the constant shift of power.
I’d met more than my fair share of submissives who believed a partial glance was a sign of what was to come, but I had a reputation inside these walls, and most, if not all, of the club submissives knew who I was.
They knew I didn’t roll that way. The submissives I’d played with in the past, of which there were many, knew I didn’t tolerate topping from the bottom.
I didn’t live the lifestyle twenty-four seven, likely never would, so I enjoyed the time I did get to spend here, though thanks to my schedule, it wasn’t much these days.
A couple of submissives cut their gazes to me as I moved toward the Dom lounge.
I gave them a quick once-over, tipping my Stetson slightly, ensuring I showed a modicum of interest but not enough to invite them to come over.
A cute brunette started my way, but her redheaded friend saved her with a firm hand on her arm and a few whispered words in her ear.
Smart girl. Maybe I’d have to go in search of the little redhead later on. She might be fun to strap down and spank until she was begging for both mercy and my cock.
Of course, that would have to wait. I wasn’t that easy.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”
I pivoted around to see who the sexy voice belonged to, my gaze landing on the petite Dominatrix everyone referred to as Mistress Jane. I couldn’t hide my smile. “I tend to be the one doing the dragging,” I assured her.
Jane chuckled. “I’ve heard that about you.”
She offered a quick hug, and I had no choice but to hug her back.
When she looked up at me, she was grinning. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
“I could say the same to you.”
“On the contrary,”—Jane cocked a hip—“I’m here more often than not. But it’s been a long time since you’ve graced us with your presence.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been busy.”
“I heard you moved back to Chicago.”
“That’s a nasty rumor,” I teased.
Her expression said she approved of my attempt at humor. “So, it’s not true?”
“Not completely. Yet. Provided all goes well, I’ll likely settle in for a bit.” At least, that was my plan as of this morning. I was one of those guys who went where the action took me. And for whatever reason, it had brought me back to my home away from home this time around.
Jane’s smile widened. “Any chance you’re seeking employment at Chatter PR?”
“As a matter of fact…” I cocked my head to the side, tried to read Jane’s mind, to no avail. “I have an interview with Zeke on Monday.”
I’d learned a long time ago that the clubs were a gossip mill.
Word spread fast, and although I hadn’t officially taken a position with Chatter PR, I was entertaining the notion thanks to Edge giving me a good reference.
Since Jane was employed by Chatter also, she evidently had a direct hotline to the information.
“I think he might’ve mentioned that. Good luck.” Jane chuckled. “He’s hired two others, and they seem to be working out, but I think he’s looking for someone to manage them.”
“He having an issue?”
Jane shook her head, causing her long onyx hair, pulled back in a sleek tail, to slip smoothly over her shoulder.
“Not at all. You know how he is. Zeke doesn’t like people.
” She laughed. “But we’ve advised them of Zeke’s…
” She tapped one blood-red nail on her lower lip. “What’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Idiosyncrasies?”
“Ah, yes. That’s a good one.” Her eyes glittered. “They’re adapting.” Jane nodded toward the far side of the room, her black bangs swaying, then falling back into place as she did. “I assume you’re looking for Edge?”
Jane Fellows had an uncanny ability to read me like a book. I wasn’t sure why that was, and I’d long ago stopped questioning it.
“I am.”
Her gaze shot toward the stairs. “I saw him go down a few minutes ago.”
“To the dungeon, huh?” I asked, my interest piquing. “Work or play?”
“Considering he’s got a guest tonight, I’m thinking play might be on the agenda.” Jane’s tone reflected something that sounded a lot like amusement.
“Training class?”
“Nope. But she’s definitely a newbie.”
“Is that right?”
The glimmer in Jane’s gray eyes hinted at something mischievous. “You might know her.”
That sounded promising. “Who is she?”
Jane’s red-slicked lips curled up, her white teeth flashing. “Zeke Lautner’s sister, Jamie.”
Oh, hell.
I frowned. “And what the fuck is Edge doin’ with her?” I lowered my voice, realizing my Texas was showing. “Does he have a death wish?”
Jane chuckled. “Believe it or not, cowboy, he’s showing her around at Zeke’s request.”
I didn’t know Zeke well, but I’d consider him an acquaintance. Being a Master here at the club, I didn’t have to befriend a member to know quite a few details about one. For instance, I knew for a fact that Zeke Lautner was extremely protective when it came to his little sister.
“Did Zeke hit his head?”
Jane chuckled. “That’s exactly what I wondered at first.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the stairs as I imagined what might possibly be taking place down there. “Well, color me intrigued,” I said beneath my breath.
Jane laughed, clearly hearing me. “I won’t keep you any longer. Good luck.”
Luck was my middle fucking name, but I didn’t need to tell Jane that. Most people who knew me knew that. I worked hard and played harder, but there was no doubt some higher power had me in its sights. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it this far in life.
I didn’t waste time as I worked my way down to the dungeon, greeting a few people I hadn’t seen in quite some time. The second my feet hit the polished concrete floor, I stopped, my eyes locked on the scene before me, and it did not include the woman strapped to the spanking bench.
I saw Edge first.
His wide, muscled back was to me, but there was no mistaking the tattoo inked just below his hairline—the familiar BDSM symbol, which was a derivation of a triskelion shape within a circle—or the bulge of his shoulders, the ass encased in leather pants, or the way he stood with his legs spread wide.
He was a mountain of a man, an alpha everyone in this club looked up to.
I took a moment to admire him, a treat I rarely had the opportunity to indulge in these days.
It wasn’t something I tended to do in public.
Not because I was ashamed of my attraction to the man.
No, I tended to keep my interest on the DL for the sole reason that I was a Dominant, and it wasn’t within the norm for one Dom to want another.
Which meant my overwhelming desire for him was something I kept to myself.
Always. I was fairly certain Edge knew I was interested, perhaps he’d even entertained the idea a time or two, but as of yet, we hadn’t explored that avenue.
One day.
Maybe.
Edge shifted, and I caught a quick glimpse of his guest. Standing there in a wickedly hot corset and boy shorts was a woman who was comfortable in her own skin.
Just looking at her, you wouldn’t guess she was related to Zeke, but I knew she had to be because Edge was guarding her like his life depended on it.
Perhaps it did.
Wanting a better view, I moved closer until I could see every glorious inch of the goddess in bronze.
She was tall. Much taller than most women, in fact.
With my height of six foot two, we would be almost eye to eye.
She had nice shoulders, smooth and tanned, her breasts the perfect handful.
With her shiny dark hair, sleek, trim physique, and golden skin, she could’ve been a model.
Perhaps for Victoria’s Secret or even Sports Illustrated—the swimsuit edition.
But her legs were what captured my attention most. I could practically envision those mile-long limbs wrapped around my waist, riding me like a prized stallion.
Since Edge and Jamie were watching a scene, I sauntered up and stood quietly behind the big man I hadn’t seen in three months. We talked on the phone at least once a week, traded texts far more than that, but I hadn’t actually laid eyes on him in far too long. He looked good, smelled even better.
While I was tempted to tap him on the shoulder, I wasn’t about to interrupt.
It was rude, and it pissed me off when others did it to me.
So, I took a step to the side, which gave me a much better view of both of them together.
They fit. Like puzzle pieces. With her beauty and his brawn, I’d say they complemented one another rather well.
My gaze strayed to the female, and once more that heady feeling—anticipation laced with lust and adrenaline—fizzed in my veins.
I was rather eager to see how this night would play out.