by Marie Tuhart
“I’m sure you won’t lack for company. I’m glad you’re back.” Jack nodded in her direction then disappeared into the other room.
“Let’s go sit down.” Cameron gestured to one of the unoccupied sofas. There were only two other people in the room, and they were at the other end of the area on a sofa, kissing.
Kristen lowered herself onto the cream-colored sofa. Cameron sat down next to her, his thigh resting solidly against hers. “So this is like a waiting area?” she asked.
“Sort of.” He picked up her hand and entwined their fingers. “Many come out here to have a little alone time or to settle down after a scene. In some cases, to talk.”
“Talk about what?”
“There are unattached subs and Doms, and they will come out here to negotiate their scene before they actually play.”
“That makes sense.”
“Since it’s Friday night, it means the club is open to members, their guests, and new members.”
“So?”
“It’s easier to talk out here rather than in the club itself. Plus it allows people who aren’t sure about entering the club time to feel comfortable without being pressured.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t seen that before. “What do the bands on Jack’s arm mean?”
“Each band has a special meaning.” He lifted his arm, showing her the black one around his bicep. “Black means Master in the club.”
“Master?”
“You read the book I gave you?”
“I did.” She pressed her lips together as she tried to remember everything she’d read. “But you said Master, not Dom.”
“Correct.” He grinned. “When Jack started the club, he wanted to focus more on education about BDSM and the community.” Cameron moved closer to her. “But he also wanted a place where people could play. Where they would be safe to play.”
“Is that why I had to fill out the application? Show my driver’s license and answer the questions on the application, such as if I’d ever been arrested?” She was starting to understand more about safe, sane, and consensual.
“Yes. While we do allow guests, we have to limit liability for the safety of our guests.”
“Okay, so a Dom is also a Master?” She might get the hang of this.
He shook his head, and she scrunched up her nose. “A Master in this context is a Master in the club only. The position holder is usually a Dom as well, but a Master is here to keep the peace. If he has a yellow band on his bicep, like Jack does, he is also a dungeon monitor, who will watch the scenes, make sure nothing gets out of hand, and will take care of any problems before they become extreme.”
“So the Dungeon Masters are like monitors?” This was so different from what she’d experienced before and made her feel safer.
“Sort of, although there are a few monitors as well. They will have yellow bands on their biceps. On nights when the club is really full, we need the help.”
“How many Masters are there?”
“Let’s see…Jack, me, my brothers and—”
“Your bothers are into this as well?” She winced as her voice rose. Glancing around, she was glad to see there wasn’t anyone close to them. Holy crap. Was his whole family into it? What about Skye?
“Yes, but we don’t discuss it over the dinner table.” He grinned at her, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Remember our conversation about how being part of the lifestyle is being discreet.” He touched her cheek. “And before you ask, yes, our parents are well aware of our activities. We have their approval.”
“Your family is so open and supportive.” She hated the wishful tone in her voice. Her parents had only cared about her when it had benefited them.
“They are. So, this means that a Master’s word in the club is law.”
“Do you…” She didn’t know how to ask the question, so instead, she held up her wrist. “I have a white band.”
“It signifies you are a guest of an attending club member.” He glanced up as a couple walked into the room, and he gave a nod in greeting before turning his attention back to her. “Wrist bands are like this—black is a Dom or Domme. Green with red means the sub likes pain. Green with blue means the sub likes a little pain. Just green is a sub.”
“I’m never going to remember all this.” Her brain was already overflowing.
“You don’t need to tonight. I want you to understand what happens in the club before we go in.”
“You don’t expect me to…” Kristen swallowed, her gaze landing on a woman who walked into the lounge area from the club, wearing only a thong.
Cameron glanced up then turned his attention back to her. “You can stay as dressed or get as undressed as you want. You’ll see everything in the club.”
Kristen nodded, her brain swirling with questions and fears. “No sex in the club, right?”
“Correct. Only in the private rooms. Those rooms have to be negotiated ahead of time. No cell phones, no cameras, and no recording devices.”
“How do you enforce all that?”
“Remember when you filled out the form, I had asked you to give me your purse?”
“Yes.” She thought it was odd at the time, but she hadn’t questioned him.
“Behind the desk there is a set of small lockers. You have to surrender all personal items. They’re put in there.”
“How do they know what belongs to who?”
“Each locker has a slot, and your name is slipped into the slot.”
“That makes sense, but…” There was a loud, sharp snap, and Kristen jumped. A moan followed. It didn’t sound like a moan of pain, but she wasn’t sure.
Cameron’s blood heated at the sound of a flogger hitting skin. “Someone is being flogged,” Cameron explained. He hoped bringing Kristen here wouldn’t set her training back. The club could be intense at times. He’d watch her carefully to make sure she wasn’t overwhelmed.
“And that moan?”
“It sounded like Amber.” He grinned as Kristen frowned. “As a Master, I know the subs and their sounds.” It amazed him that after being gone for six months, he could still identify them. “Are you okay?”
“Fine. This is very different.” Her eyes were wide, but her body was relaxed.
“From what?” He wanted to know what she was thinking.
“The club I was taken to was dark, the music loud, and there was nothing wrong with having sex out in the open.”
He remembered her telling him about the club. He wanted her to know Decadence was different and she was safe here. “Our lighting is subdued, but not dark. Music is used to enhance the mood, and I’ve already stated no sex. But you may see other things.”
“Like what?” She tilted her head.
“Varying amounts of nudity, toys being used, and bondage.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go walk around. I want you to experience things.” If she couldn’t handle the club, then he would have to adjust his plans about them playing there in the future.
“One more question.” She tugged on his hand.
“Yes.” He gazed at her.
Her face was flushed, her breathing a little rapid, and her eyes held questions. “What was the yellow band around Jack’s arm?”
“You are very observant. All monitors wear them.” He ran a finger down her hot cheek. “Safe, sane, consensual. You are safe.”
She nodded and let out a breath. “I’m ready.”
Cameron leaned down and brushed a light kiss over her lips. “If you get overwhelmed or frightened, tell me, and we’ll come out here to sit.”
“I will.” She gazed up at him. “I trust you.”
He stared at her as his heart beat in his ears. “I won’t violate that trust.” He took her hand and led her into the club.
Chapter Twelve
Kristen blinked several times as Cameron guided her into the main club. This wasn’t like anything she’d imagined. People milled around. Some of the women were dressed, and some only wore a thong.
The men all wore pants; some were shirtless while others had on tank tops or no shirts. The only drinks she saw were bottles of water. And people were talking to each other, not just standing around watching.
It was very open, had lots of stations, and… She was a little bit overwhelmed. “Wow,” she whispered. “It’s so open and big.”
“Compared to?”
“The one I was taken to was so industrial. Not a lot of open space.”
“Not here.” He tucked her against him. “We like space for demos and so people can watch while others play.”
“What kinds of demos?” She tilted her head back and looked at him. She expected the room to smell of sweat and sex, but instead, it had a fresh, clean scent. But the night was young.
“Flogging, whipping.” He maneuvered her until her back was against his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist.
A couple in front of them moved away from the scene, and she barely prevented a gasp from leaving her lips. In front of her was a large massage table where a nude woman lay. Two muscular men in black pants stood over her.
“This is probably the most vanilla station,” Cameron whispered in her ear. “It’s our massage area. Both Doms and subs use it.”
One of the men picked up a bottle and poured some of the contents into his palm before handing it off to the other. Hands descended onto the woman’s back, and she let out a moan of pleasure as they began to knead her shoulders.
“The two men are Paul and Will. Their day job is massage therapy.”
“Don’t they own Hot Rock Massage?” She was sure they’d been to her café a couple of times.
“Yes.” She shifted, and Cameron tightened his hold on her waist. “Is something bothering you?”
“No, it’s…” What? She shook her head. “Preconceived notions rearing their little heads.” The woman’s eyes were closed, and every so often, she’d moan in bliss. There was nothing wrong with this.
“Paul and Will enjoy their jobs, which is why they volunteer here. The massage can be as vanilla or as sexual as the person wants.”
“You mentioned Doms getting massages as well.”
“If a Dom wants one, then yes. They have April.” He gestured to a woman who was sitting behind the group. “She is one of their female assistants. She does most of the men.”
“That makes sense.”
“Would you like to try?” Cameron raised his hand.
“Ummm.”
“You don’t have to remove your clothing at all. They’ll understand.”
The woman slid off the table and stood with Will’s help. Another man strode up to the pair, smiled at Will, and took the woman in his arms. He kissed her deeply before they walked off.
“Cameron,” Paul said.
Several heads turned in their direction, and Kristen shrank against Cameron. She really didn’t want all this attention.
“It’s okay.” He guided her to the front as several people welcomed him back to the club. “Paul, this is Kristen. I’d like her to have a relaxing massage.”
Kristen smiled and held her hand out to the beefy blond man.
“I love your mini quiches,” Paul said, taking her hand.
“Thank you.” She forced air into her lungs. What was she doing? She should just tell Cameron she couldn’t do this, but a massage would be heaven.
Paul gestured to the table. “When you’re ready, just hop up on the table. Will has already cleaned it.”
“Yeah, well…” She glanced up at Cameron.
“Kristen is new and would like to stay dressed.”
Paul frowned. “The jeans are fine, but it would be easier without the blouse she’s wearing.”
Will stepped forward. “We can hold a towel up, and you can slip your top off. We’ll make sure the towel is wrapped around you. Then once you lay down, we’ll unfold it so we can get to your lovely skin.”
“We’ll even face the other way as you take your blouse off if that helps,” Paul said.
She took a shaky breath in relief. “That would be fine.”
Paul grabbed a towel and handed one side to Will. They faced the audience as Cameron guided her behind them.
“I don’t need help,” she said.
“I’m going to be right here with you, protecting what is mine.”
Cameron’s possessive tone sent a shiver of desire up her spine. She quickly undid the buttons of her shirt and slipped it off. Cameron took the fabric from her fingers and draped it over his shoulder then nudged her forward until her bra touched the towel.
His heat singed her back as he wrapped the towel around her torso. “All set.” He flashed her a grin and led her over to the table. “Lay down and be comfortable. I’ll be right here, watching.”
“Yes, Sir.” Kristen closed her eyes, only to flinch when hands skimmed her skin as the towel was opened.
“Easy,” Paul whispered, his voice soft. “Don’t be frightened. It’s just us.”
“Relax, Kristen. We’ll take good care of you,” Will added.
Easy for them to say. They didn’t have people watching, waiting…waiting for what? There was nothing wrong with the situation. She’d had massages before, and there had been other people in the room. But this was different.
She blew out a breath and concentrated on relaxing her muscles.
“That’s it,” Paul said.
Two sets of hands went to work on her. One set kneaded her shoulders and another rubbed at the small of her back. With each press of their fingers into her muscles, her body relaxed more and more.
Oh Lord, this felt so good. She bent over to get goodies in and out of the ovens all day, plus leaning over the counter to decorate a cake. She should probably get a massage more often.
Thumbs pressed into her spine as hands slipped down her legs, massaging through her jeans. The hands hesitated at her feet.
“I’m going to remove your shoes,” Will said.
“Sure,” she whispered, floating on a blissful cloud of lax muscles.
Her shoes were whisked off. Her right foot was flexed several times before Will’s fingers began to work their magic. A moan of pleasure slipped past her lips.
“That’s it, Kristen,” Paul whispered. “Just feel, let your body go. Let us do all the work and make you feel good.”
“We’re done.”
Will’s voice startled Kristen. She had no idea of how much time had passed. She’d been lost in the pleasure of the massage.
“I don’t think I can move,” she said. Every part of her objected at the thought of moving.
“Take your time,” Will said.
“Kristen,” Cameron whispered, his breath brushing her cheek.
She turned her head and opened her eyes. “Hi. That was wonderful.”
“Good.” He folded the towel over her back and helped her sit up. “Okay?” he asked as he drew her to her feet.
“Yes.” She was grateful he held on to her as her legs were a bit wobbly. He led her off to the side and held the towel up as she put her blouse back on. When she was dressed, she walked back over to Paul and Will. “Thank you both.”
“Our pleasure.” They both smiled at her.
Cameron slipped his arm around her waist and guided her back to the lounge. Once there, she slid down onto one of the love seats. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this relaxed.
The cushion dipped next to her as Cameron sat down. She tilted her head to look at him. He was grinning. He twisted the cap off of the bottle of water he held and handed it to her.
“Drink.”
She took a couple of deep sips. “I think I’m in heaven.”
He chuckled. “I’ll have to make sure I add massage to my repertoire.”
“You do that, and I’ll never get out of your hair.”
“Consider it a deal.”
“What’s next?” How would it feel to have Cameron’s hands massaging her back? Shivers of anticipation flowed through her. Somehow, she had a feeling it would b
e considerably more erotic than the massage she just had. She polished off the water.
“When you’re ready, we’ll got back in and walk around. I want you to feel comfortable at the club.”
“I’m ready.” She stood.
Cameron led her back into the room and over to a flogging station. A blonde-haired woman was tied to the Saint Andrews cross, and Jack stood next to her. After a minute, Kristen realized the woman was nude. Funny, after the first couple of people, she never really noticed who was dressed and who wasn’t. Everyone was so open and friendly that it didn’t matter.
“All right, everyone. This is Piper. She volunteered to be my sub for this demonstration,” Jack said.
Kristen shifted, and Cameron pulled her in front of him, giving her an unobstructed view.
“For those of you who have never flogged anyone before, I will be giving a flogging class every Saturday from one to two for the next six weeks.” Jack paced as he talked. “You just can’t pick up a flogger and starting hitting someone. That’s the quickest way to hurt your sub and yourself.”
Cameron slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. The warmth of his body seeped into hers, and she relaxed into his embrace, enjoying the feel of his arms around her.
“If your sub has never been flogged before, I suggest starting with something simple.” He held up a small flogger. “A rabbit hair flogger or something similar.” Jack turned and began striking the flogger against Piper’s ass. “Remember it’s important not to constantly flog the same place and to always avoid the lower back where the kidneys are, the spine, the head, and knees.”
“Notice Piper’s skin,” Cameron whispered in her ear. “Her ass has a nice, light-pink hue to it.”
Kristen nodded as Jack welded the flogger. There was something hypnotic in the way the flogger swung back and forth, and the gentle swishing sound soothing.
“Blood is rushing to the area,” Cameron said quietly, “making it more sensitive.”
Heat filled her veins, and her skin danced with anticipation. How would it feel to have Cameron flog her? She shifted, and his erection pressed up against her ass. He was aroused, and she was getting there.
“No matter how experienced the sub is with flogging, always warm them up.” Jack rubbed Piper’s ass. “How are you doing, Piper?”
