Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
On the RACK, Freedom
Shay
“This place is bloody incredible,” I breathe.
D’Angelo looks quietly pleased.
The vast club is low ceilinged like a luxurious cavern. It’s themed in decadent red and black velvets with chandeliers like dripping tears.
A gleaming dance floor is surrounded by poles.
A black marble bar runs along the back wall opposite a large, raised stage.
Crimson booths are hidden in the shadows opposite the bar and a stage.
My eye is drawn to the area next to the stage, however, which is filled with large wooden and leather equipment, which is lifted straight out of my dreams.
My breathing picks up. My pupils dilate.
Bloody hell, I truly have died and gone to kinky heaven. Or if this is hell, then I’ll happily suffer for my Lucifer.
My mouth dries, as I study the plush spanking bench, wooden set of stocks, pillory, cages, and a St. Andrew’s Cross.
I’m shaking at the thought of being bound to any of that equipment, helpless, in front of an audience.
D’Angelo follows the direction of my gaze. He gives me a knowing look like he knows exactly how much my traitorous cock is leaking in interest at that idea.
The scent of leather is making me dizzy with desire.
Robyn twirls around with wide eyes. “Fuck.”
“Demanding.” D’Angelo’s lips quirk. “Are you certain that you’re not the dom? Later maybe. Right now, we’re meeting The Kinks, remember?”
“Can we try out the equipment too?” I wave eagerly at the spanking bench. “Hmm, I’m starting to think that you have a kink for cages, darlin’.”
“How else would I lock up naughty pups?” D’Angelo deadpans.
The tips of my ears redden. “Pets prefer strokes.”
“Also, this isn’t a theme park. No touching anything, until you’ve been given the official tour and also been trained on the equipment. You haven’t passed the official membership interview yet, you know.”
I stumble.
Anxiety swirls in my stomach.
Why do I want to belong here as easily as D’Angelo does like this is where he was always meant to be — as at home as he is at the rink?
My expression steels. “Tell me how to pass, and I’ll do it. Do I need to study? Pass some kind of test? I’ve got this.”
I need to be part of this side of D’Angelo’s life. Now that I’ve seen it, I can’t let Robyn and him down by being kicked out.
They’re both from here. Robyn is an elite of this small town, a daughter of a wealthy ice hockey legend.
She’ll fit into this world without needing to say a word.
But who am I to belong in a VIP club? I’m some poor kid from England. This is my first season in the NHL, and I’m fucking it up.
If this is where my two lovers are going to be spending their time, however, then I’ll work as hard as I need to in order to be allowed into this exclusive world with them.
I need this to the depths of my soul.
“To think that I was worried this place would be overwhelming for you.” D’Angelo chuckles.
Robyn and I exchange a grin.
I wind my arm around her shoulder. I am intoxicated by this place and the mischief in her beautiful green eyes.
When I kiss her, she moans.
D’Angelo shouldn’t underestimate the power of two subs.
I deepen the kiss, chasing the delicious taste of my Robyn, while enjoying the soft feel of her against my hard body.
Then I pull back. “Ready to get top marks on this interview, love?”
“You’re the smart astrophysicist. I’ll be happy with a passing grade.”
“Well, this is a surprise,” a gravelly voice says behind me.
Robyn and I spin around.
Then I become ashen.
It’s the new assistant coach.
Fleet is only dressed in combat trousers and a black t-shirt but he somehow looks like he’s just back from kicking the arses of recruits in the Marine Corps.
Shit, our secret has been discovered.
Robyn appears to be about to have a panic attack.
“Coach,” Robyn rambles, “fancy seeing you here. We just found this door that we’d never seen before and came down here to explore and then…then…”
Fleet crosses his muscled arms. “You fell over and your lips accidentally crashed against each other’s?”
I protectively stand in front of Robyn. “I’m accident prone. Ask D’Angelo about the coffee table that I broke just yesterday.”
“Plus, I’m klutzy,” Robyn adds, peeking over my shoulder. “I could trip over anything.”
“Ty,” D’Angelo warns, “don’t be mean. That’s my job.”
“I’d already worked out that this one…” Fleet jerks his thumb at me. “…was a good boy but not that he was yours, the one who you’ve been mysteriously going on about for months. And this is the woman who broke your heart at college, huh?”
Robyn gives a weak wave. “That’s me.”
Slowly, Fleet shakes his head. “Well, as long as you don’t break it again, either of you.
I’m protective of D’Angelo. Plus, you’ll find that he has more people in his corner in this town than he admits to himself.
He’s spent years supporting local businesses, as well as keeping this community safe. We’re going to look out for him too.”
“Is this the shovel talk from my new coach?” I blink. “Wait, you’re the co-owner.”
“Damn straight I am.” Fleet snatches D’Angelo, dragging him into a hug.
“Bro, relax. I respect Shay already. He’s a great player, and I could already tell how good you were with each other during practice.
Your entire team are loyal and treat each other like family.
I admire that. But nobody can watch a game with you two and not see how closely you’re connected.
And Robyn…” He catches Robyn’s startled gaze.
“I’ve helped put your boyfriend together piece by painful piece because of what happened at college.
He waited nine years for you. Don’t fuck this up.
I don’t know if I can put him together a second time. ”
“I won’t,” Robyn swears, quietly. “I love D’Angelo. You haven’t seen the life that we’ve built for the last five months. We’ve moved in together. I’m committed.”
“Ty.” D’Angelo flushes.
“Honesty.” Fleet’s eyes are dark. “It’s the number one rule in this club and between The Kinks. No bullshit. You want to become members, right?”
My eyes light up. “Is it tough to pass the test? Can I practice?”
“Has D’Angelo been playing the big, bad dom with the whole interview speech?
He only means that you need to meet Kay and me.
As long as you sign the contracts and follow the rules, I can’t think of a damn thing that you could do not to pass.
Kay takes safety very seriously. So, don’t fuck with that.
Also, zero tolerance for alcohol or drugs.
The bar only serves soft drinks. Look, this place is about safe, discrete fun.
We’ve all been wanting to meet the people who D’Angelo has fallen in love with for months. ”
Love.
D’Angelo been telling his friends about us?
“Thanks, coach,” I say.
“No need to call me coach here. Just Ty or Master Shibari on event nights.”
Uncertain, I glance at D’Angelo.
Suddenly, this is more important than I ever knew it could be. I don’t want to show him up in front of his friends like Blythe always said that I would.
I don’t want to get this wrong.
“Should I be calling you Sir or Master?” I bite my lip.
D’Angelo must notice something in my expression because he marches to me, grabbing me by the hair and yanking me close.
My pulse speeds up.
D’Angelo studies my face closely. “I’m known as Master Fire and Ice on event nights and to other subs.
You’re not any sub, however, you’re my sub.
When we’re here on a special evening, then you can address me as Sir.
But when we’re just here meeting friends, you don’t need to be formal.
You’re not collared. It’s your choice, cucciolo. ”
It feels like I’ve been dunked in ice.
You’re not collared.
I know that he is reassuring me. It should be a good thing that he is giving me the choice.
But somehow, it isn’t.
My gaze slides away from his. “Okay, Sir.”
Silence.
I carefully raise my gaze.
D’Angelo is studying me like he’s trying to work me out.
He tightens his hold on my hair to the point of pain, before pushing me away. “As I said, your choice.”
Something twists in my chest.
“Okay?” D’Angelo checks in with Robyn.
Robyn’s shoulders relax. “Excited to meet your other friends. After all, you cope with nights out with Neve, and she sends me texts about where she’s going to pin your sliced off cock and balls most days.”
Fleet bellows with laughter. D’Angelo shoots him a dirty look.
“Follow me.” Fleet turns and marches toward the booths in the shadows beside the bar. “We’d better not keep Kay waiting. You know how she gets, especially when she’s been obsessing over spreadsheets all morning. You’re really saving my ass, bro.”
D’Angelo strolls after Fleet.
Robyn smiles at me, grabbing my hand and pulling me after the two men who are now in low conversation.
They’re comfortable and relaxed. It strikes me that they truly have done this a thousand times before.
“I’ve chased down and captured them, they’re adorable, and you’ll never guess who they are, Kay,” Fleet calls out.
Normally, I like being on display. Now, I’m flooded with nerves.
I want to make D’Angelo proud.
I stand straighter.
I wish that I was taller.
A striking woman with tanned skin and a sharp face coolly looks up and assesses Robyn and me as we stand fidgeting next to each other.
Kay’s hair is cut into a short black bob. She is dressed in an expensive red suit, which is the same shade as her lipstick. She looks like she should be leading a board meeting, rather than lounging on a velvet wingback throne in a kinky club.
Kay is clasping a small college aged man on her lap. The man is nuzzling against her sleepily. He is beautiful and sweet looking with ash blond curls and baby blue eyes like his blue t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers.
A pair of soft white velvet kitten ears peak out of his curls.
Kay feeds him a marshmallow from the plate of sweets on the table, and he licks her hand in thanks.