by Marie Tuhart
“I wasn’t alone. I got to watch you sleep.”
Her face flushed. “I hope I didn’t drool.” It didn’t bother her that he watched her sleep; it actually made her feel safe.
He chuckled. “No drool. Since it’s getting late, why don’t we grab a pizza on the way to my place? Neither one of us had a big lunch.”
“Sounds good to me.”
****
By the time they got to Josh’s house, it was after six. His stomach rumbled. “I’m starving, okay if we eat first before we go down to the club?”
“Fine with me. I’m hungry, too.”
Josh pulled his truck into the garage. He grabbed the pizza and led her into the house. Claire was carrying her bag from Indulge.
Josh was curious what was in the bag of things she bought. His anticipation of discovering the contents made him more eager to start their night. But he promised her a tour of the club.
After dinner, he took her hand as he led her down the brick path lit with strategically placed walkway lights, to his club. As they got closer, the motion lights flipped on. He unlocked the big oak door, reached in, and turned on the lights. Then he stepped back and gestured for her to enter.
“It doesn’t look like much right now, but when it’s finished this will be the reception area.” He waved his hands to the empty room.
“What is that big area?” she asked, pointing to her left where the area was open with pipes sticking out.
“Rest rooms and changing areas. I have some professionals coming in to finish it up next week.”
“But you’re a plumber.”
“I can do minor things. Not even I would try a job this big. Besides, I have to pass county codes, so I’d rather have professionals do it.” He led her into the next room.
“This one is much bigger.”
“This will be lounging area. There will be sofas and overstuffed chairs where people can sit and talk. Food and drinks will be available here.”
“I remember you said no alcohol.”
“Right. Water, soda, fruit juice, fruit, cheese and veggies. Nothing heavy.”
“Do all clubs prohibit alcohol?”
“No. Some do serve it. I happen to believe that BDSM and alcohol don’t mix. Now, if I could be sure of a way to limit someone to one or two drinks, then I would do it. But it’s pretty hard without the right personnel.”
He guided her to the next doorway. “And here’s the main club.” He reached in and flipped on the lights.
“Oh wow. This is huge.”
He didn’t consider it huge, but it was a good-sized space. He had high hopes for its success. When he’d started building, he’d known what he wanted. Big bathrooms with changing areas and showers. He’d dreamed about the layout of the main reception area, a lounge area where people could sit and talk, and then the design of the club itself.
He wanted it to be large with lots of equipment. Josh glanced around the empty area as he guided Claire into the room. Soon, there would be St. Andrew’s Crosses, spanking benches, massage tables, bondage tables, the bar where you could get a non-alcoholic drink and lots of couches for after-care.
“The floor is different in here.” She rocked back and forth.
“It is. It’s a mat-type of flooring. It absorbs the impact as you walk, it’s easy to clean, but you won’t slip or slide on it even in stocking feet.”
She glanced down. She was still wearing her sneakers, while he was wearing a pair of men’s slippers.
“You don’t need to worry about your shoes.” He touched her nose with his finger. “I wear work boots in here when I’m working, so no worries. I’m currently building the stages for scenes.” He gestured to the sawhorses and the wood stacked up.
“Scenes?”
“Areas of the club where members can play. I’ll have areas for flogging, bondage, and so on. The small stages will allow people to see, but also put the participants in the right frame of mind, so they can focus on each other and the scene.”
“And the rest of the club?” She glanced around the room, and Josh loved the emboldened curiosity on her face.
“There will be equipment placed around the room for others to play.”
“So not all whips and chains.”
He turned to her. A sly smile spread on her lips and laughter danced in her eyes.
He let out a chuckle. “Not always. I’m due to open in a little over a month. Most of the equipment won’t be brought in here until a few days before I open.”
“I might have to come back and see how the club looks then.”
“I would love that.” Her words sent a shaft of happiness through him. He led her over to the make-shift desk he had. “These are the conceptual drawings of the inside.”
He thought the drawings were good. They showed the stations, along with people and how they’d use the space.
She glanced up from the drawings and looked around the room. “The drawings are great. I can actually see how it’s all going to work.”
He beamed at her. “I’m glad.” Josh took her hand and drew her to him. “Why don’t we go back to the house? I’m anxious to see what you purchased today.”
“I’d like that.” Her soft voice was like an erotic caress over his skin.
****
Claire tried to keep her breathing under control as Josh locked the club. His face had been very expressive when he talked about the club. He was proud of what he was doing, but also excited. She wanted to see what the club looked like when it was done.
As they walked, Claire shifted her thoughts and shoulders in anticipation of what this night would hold. What would Josh think of her purchases? They were all things she wanted to try and understand.
She blinked. She hadn’t realized how much exterior lighting he had. “You keep everything well-lit.”
“All solar powered. It helps keep the wildlife away.” He gestured to his left. “There’s a nice, green forest at the back of the property. There are always deer, rabbits, coyotes, bears, and other animals living back there. They come and visit now and then.”
“What about the high fence and the electronic gates?” She’d wondered about that since the first time she saw them.
“To keep out people who don’t belong.” He guided her back into the house, and they both slipped off their shoes by the door. “I take the security of my guests and property seriously.”
Made sense. With what she had seen at the adult store today, she guessed once his club was outfitted, he would’ve invested thousands of dollars in equipment alone, not to mention of the building and all the work that went into it.
In the family room, her shopping bag leaned against the coffee table, and her blood heated.
“Do you want coffee or anything?” he asked as she sat down.
“No.” She folded her hands together in her lap. How did she approach this? She tugged her lower lip between her teeth.
“How about we start with you showing me what’s in the bag.” He sat down next to her, their thighs and hips touching.
She closed her eyes and fought down her nerves. “First, I want you to know, I picked out things I thought would be fun for both of us.” She opened the bag, pushed the white tissue paper aside, and pulled out each item and set them on the table. Well, all except one. That was for later.
“Let’s see what we have here.”
Claire’s fingers tapped against her leg as her nipples tightened as he looked over her purchases.
He shifted in his seat.
She hid a grin. He must be familiar with all these things, but what did he think about her choosing them?
“Warming gel, cooling gel, and massage oil.” He picked up each bottle in turn and set them back down. “Condoms.”
“I figured it was only fair I contribute to us having safe sex.”
He cradled the box in his hand. “Did you read the box?”
“They’re condoms. What is there to read?”
Josh laughed. “Let’s see.
You have ribbed, normal lubed, ecstasy, and bareskin. Quite a selection in this little box.”
“What?” Her face flamed. “I had no idea.” Who knew there were so many different kinds of condoms? He brushed his thumb over her cheek, and she ducked her head. “Hey.” He set the box down and cupped her chin. “There’s nothing to feel bad about. I don’t have a problem with what you’ve bought. It will be fun trying them out.”
Her eyes widened. “All of them?”
“Not tonight.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “So the normal lubed condoms are pretty self-explanatory. Ribbed—these have raised bubbles that will tease your insides as I move within your pussy.”
“Oh?” His words caused her blood to heat. She hadn’t thought about condoms having different uses. But his talking about him being inside her was making her wet.
“Bareskin are super-thin condoms, so it will feel like I’m wearing nothing. And the ecstasy kind…” His gaze met hers, his green eyes blazing with desire. “They contain warming gel on the inside as well as the outside of the condom. It will drive us both crazy.”
Claire’s hand rose to her throat. She’d read a little bit about warming gel, but on a condom? Her pussy muscles tightened. She couldn’t believe she was having this frank discussion with Josh. He was so hot, and his being open about their plans to pleasure each other caused her clit to throb.
He picked up the next item. “Ah, a feather tickler.” He ran it over her arm. “This is one of those sensory items I was talking about.”
Goosebumps broke out over her skin as a shiver worked its way up her spine. Oh my, how would that feel on sensitive areas?
Next, he picked up the restraints.
Claire cleared her throat. “Robin was sure you had some, but since I’m fairly new, she said those would be good for a beginner like me.”
“I’m glad you were comfortable discussing this with Robin. She was right. They’re nicely constructed—strong yet they can be released easily.” He set them down and picked up the small flogger.
“If I remember right, she called that a mini-tickler.”
“Robin is a mind reader at times,” he said. “This is a good starter for someone who’s never been flogged.” He put it down and picked up the next item. The paddle.
Claire hadn’t been sure of that, but Robin had convinced her to buy it. Josh slapped the paddle against his hand.
She jumped. “It was something I wanted to try.”
“Was?” He flipped the paddle over and ran the fur-lined side down her arm.
Her nerves danced as the soft fur caressed her skin. The sensation was so new to her—exciting yet daunting. She swallowed. “When you hit your hand, I’ll admit it scared me, but the fur feels good against my skin.”
“Then we’ll use the fur until you’re ready for the other side.” He put it back on the table. “How do you feel about your purchases?”
“Excited.” There was still one purchase in the bag. She’d wear the dress at a later date for her, for Josh.
“Why didn’t you buy a vibrator?”
Heat swept into her face. “Two reasons.” She was going to be honest with him, even if it embarrassed her. “Robin said I wouldn’t need one, and I want the real thing.” She lowered her gaze and waited.
Josh exhaled. “Damn woman, you disarm me with your words.”
She looked up. He was gazing at her with passion and need. Maybe being honest with him was a good thing.
“Since you’ve never really played before, I don’t want to move too fast.” He took her hand and rose, pulling her to her feet. He gathered up her purchases and led her down the hallway to one of the bedrooms.
He turned on the light. In the middle of the room stood a large, four-poster bed. The dark wood gleamed as if it had just been polished. The headboard looked to be made out of leather and heavily padded. At the end of the bed was a curved black settee.
A large armchair was on the other side of the bed with an odd-looking ottoman. Two dressers held a set of speakers and an MP3 player. An oak nightstand sat between the bed and the dresser.
“You don’t use your phone for music?” she asked.
“No. Phone batteries have a bad habit of dying at the wrong time.”
She nodded and her gaze returned to the bed. Without thinking, she stepped over and ran her hand over the brown comforter. Its softness tickled her skin. The bed stood higher than her waist, good thing a settee sat at the end of the bed. She could use that to climb onto the mattress.
“Remember, open communication. I’m not going to push too hard tonight.” He slid to her side as she stood by the bed. “Safewords…use red if you want me to stop. Yellow if you want me to slow down.”
“I can do that.”
“Up you go.” He nudged her toward the settee.
She climbed up onto the bed. The mattress was firm under her hands and knees.
“Lay down on the right side.”
Claire did as he said. The pillows cradled her head. Her stomach quivered. She inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm her quivering nerves. Was she really doing this? Yes, she was.
Smooth jazz filled the room. He must have turned on the player, and it was soothing. He climbed onto the bed, and her heart took off like a rocket.
“You’re in control. Red stops everything. Yellow makes me slow down.” His words were soft.
She trembled in his arms. “Sorry.” She nibbled at her lower lip, willing herself to relax.
“No need to be sorry.” He leaned on his elbow. He’d stripped off his shirt, and Claire’s mouth watered at the sight of his hair-covered chest. How would it feel if she rubbed her fingers over his skin? Heck, she wanted to rub her cheek against his muscular frame. “I want you to close your eyes and breathe.”
“Okay.” Her breath shuddered out of her as she closed her eyes.
She concentrated on controlling her breathing but was hyper aware when Josh shifted. His warm fingers traced her forehead, over her nose, lips, chin, and down to her stomach. The bed dipped as he shifted.
“I’m going to start by removing your socks.” He cupped her right ankle, slipped off her sock, then did the same with her left one.
She wiggled her toes at him.
“Cute.” He caressed her toes. “Red nail polish—I wouldn’t have thought you were into that color.”
“I’m a woman of mystery.”
“I’m starting to see that.” His fingers encircled her ankles. “Very delicate.”
Claire’s breath rushed out as his hands skimmed up the inseam of her jeans, gently pushing her legs apart as he went. Her pussy tightened and her panties grew wet. His palms framed her hips, and she squirmed.
“What are you feeling?”
“Hot.” Tendrils of hot flames licked at her skin as if there was a roaring fire in the room, but she knew there wasn’t.
“That’s a good sign.” He played with the hem of her T-shirt. “Can you sit up so I can take your shirt off?”
She opened her eyes and pushed up onto her elbows before sitting up. Her skin tingled with the need to feel his touch. He lifted her shirt up and over her head. When the cool air hit her skin, she shivered.
“Do you want me to turn up the heat?” He tossed her T-shirt onto the chair.
“I think it will be hot enough in a few minutes.” He was so attentive. He noticed everything and was a gentleman through and through.
“You might have that right. I’m going to remove your bra now.” He undid the fastening. The fabric slipped down her arms as he took it off, and it followed her shirt onto the chair.
She automatically covered her breasts with her arms. Would he think she was too large? Maybe too small?
He stared at her with those clear green eyes. She swallowed as he stayed silent.
“Sweetheart, lower your arms.” His voice was soft, but the command was there.
“I…” This shyness was unusual for her. Yeah, it had been a while, but she kept in shape. Her stomach tightened
as she forced her arms away from her breasts.
“Beautiful.”
She shook her head, and Josh captured her chin with his fingers.
“Very beautiful. Full breasts. Nice, rosy nipples, begging for my attention.” He brushed his thumb over one nipple, and she almost jumped off the bed as a shock of awareness traveled from her nipple to her clit.
“Oh yes,” he whispered before his lips brushed hers. “Lie back down, please.”
Claire flopped back, the brown comforter cool against her skin. She kept her hands to her sides and fisted the fabric.
“What’s going on?” He traced her fisted hands.
“I’m not sure.” Her breaths came in tiny pants.
“Is it because the lights are on?”
“Maybe.” She wasn’t used to full-on lights when in bed with a man. The men she’d been with before had been the lights-off type of guys, but not Josh. He was different. Their relationship was different.
“This is the time for us to get to know each other’s bodies.” He straddled her hips, and she bit back a moan at the pressure against her groin. If only her pants weren’t in the way. “Touch me.” He placed his hands flat on his thighs.
Claire nibbled at her lip as she lifted her hands. Warmth radiated from him. His chest hair tickled her palms, and a small smile curved her lips. His heart beat strong beneath her touch, and she allowed her fingers to trail lower over his abs, relishing in the inner strength beneath her touch. “You’re magnificent.”
“Thank you.” His fingers trailed over her collar bone, to the top of her breasts, then using his nail, he circled one breast and then the other.
She shivered as a tiny, electrical shock coursed over her skin.
“I think you like my touch.” He cupped one breast.
Another bolt went through her. “I do.” She brushed her fingers over his nipples. Were men’s as sensitive as a woman’s? She scraped her nail over one. His chest expanded as he took a deep breath.
“Damn, woman,” he muttered.
“Do you like that?”
“What do you think?” He shifted his hips, and his hard cock pressed against her fabric-covered pussy.
“It’s good to know I’m not the only one who is getting excited.”
