Kristen and Devon descended the stairs and she held on to his arm on one side and the banister on the other. "I've always loved to wear high heels. I'm so used to them and can wear them for hours before I want to rip them off." She'd discovered designer Manolo Blahnik's shoes to be extremely comfortable, despite the height of the heels, and she owned a few pairs. They'd become her one major indulgence after the sales of her books had increased giving her a tidy savings account. It hadn't surprised her Tom never asked how much she had in the account, which was in her name only, since he couldn't imagine her books would ever be popular to the point she could live off the sales and still have money to splurge on a few indulgences. Boy, was he shocked during their divorce proceedings when he found out.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Kristen noticed a woman a few years older than herself, hurrying toward them. She was wearing a hot pink bra and short pleated skirt which were only a few shades lighter than her bright pink straight hair which fell below her shoulders. The petite woman stopped right in front of them and opened her mouth to say something to Kristen but then her eyes widened a fraction and she closed her mouth again. Turning toward Devon, she lowered her gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry, Master Devon, forgive my impatience. May I please have permission to speak to your sub?"
He smiled at the sub. "Permission granted and, by the way, happy birthday." He then looked at Kristen and nodded. She took it to mean she was also allowed to speak.
"Thank you, Sir." The pink-haired girl turned back to Kristen and began talking with exuberance. "Oh my gosh! You're her...you're you...you're Kristen Anders. I recognize you from your promo pictures."
Realization struck Kristen. "Are you Shelby?"
"Yes! I can't believe we're finally meeting. I mean we've been chatting online for so long I feel like we're already friends but it's so awesome to meet you in person."
She always enjoyed the online conversations with the Beta-reader but now she found she liked the woman even more. She had such a bubbly personality which made Kristen think of rainbows and puppies. "It's so nice to meet you and happy birthday. I can't thank you enough for putting me in touch with Master Mitch. He gave me a lot of information which will help me with my next book."
"I'm glad I could help. Did you start writing it yet? Who did you pick for the hero?"
Kristen laughed at her enthusiasm. Her Beta-readers had been trying to get her to nail down the lead character for Leather and Lace for several weeks now but she hadn't told them yet whom she chose. "The winner is Master Xavier."
Shelby squealed and clapped her hands like an excited child. "I knew it! I fell in love with him during the scene you had him do in the pool with Master Greg and Annette in Satin and Sin. He sounds like the ultimate dreamboat."
As the two subs talked, Devon looked up to see Brody approaching with a broad smile on his face. The geek was wearing his usual dark t-shirt with snug blue jeans and brown cowboy boots. He preferred the well-worn jeans over leathers, saying they were more comfortable having been born and raised in Texas ranching country. Stopping next to him, his friend clapped Devon on the shoulder.
"You're a lucky man, Devil Dog." He tilted his head toward Kristen. "She's hot but there's got to be something wrong with her since she picked your sorry ass over mine. When she shot me down, I thought maybe she played for the other team. I must admit, though, I was a little surprised when Jake mentioned you were on a date tonight. I didn't think you knew what the word meant."
Devon smacked the man's shoulder with the back of his hand. "Knock it off, Egghead."
His buddy chuckled and changed the subject, but Devon knew once Kristen was out of hearing distance, Brody would continue to bust his chops. "Have you spoken to Marco today?"
Keeping an eye on the women next to him, still chatting about Kristen's books and her recent move, Devon shook his head. "No, I haven't. How's his sister doing?"
Brody's face became somber. "Not good at all. The doctors told them this morning to bring Hospice in as soon as they can. She's only got a few weeks left at the most." Marco's sister, Nina, had been battling inoperable brain cancer for over a year but a month ago they discovered it had spread to most of her major organs. Now Devon knew they would need to give their friend a leave of absence so he could spend as much time as possible with her. "The only reason he's here tonight is for Shelby's birthday. She asked us last week if we would tag-team her tonight to celebrate and you know how much I like that. The little girl right there has one of the most talented tongues I've ever had the pleasure of licking my dick."
Both men laughed and then Brody interrupted the women's conversation. "Hey, birthday girl, your spanking bench is almost ready. Why don't you go over there and keep Master Marco company for a few minutes. Give him a little sass so he can look forward to your birthday whacks."
Shelby's grin lit up the room. "Yes, Master Brody." Before she headed to the station reserved for her scene, she gave Kristen a hug and turned toward Devon. "Thank you Master Devon for letting me talk to your sub. Besides Master Brody and Master Marco playing with me tonight, I think it was the best present I could get."
Devon reached out and gave the girl's pink hair a gentle tug. "It was my pleasure, little one. Enjoy your birthday."
As Shelby turned, Brody smacked the girl's backside and she yelped but walked away with a smile on her face. Brody then looked at Kristen and winked. "I'm a little offended you picked my boss here over me. I don't think it's ever happened before, but I'll get over it sooner or later. If you ask Master Devon, I'm sure he'll let you watch our scene with Shelby in a little bit. She'll be getting her birthday whacks along with a few birthday orgasms."
Kristen's eyes widened and she bit her lower lip as her cheeks flamed red. Brody laughed at her expression. "Master Devon, I do believe your sub likes the idea. Bring her over in about ten minutes to the last spanking bench and I'll save a place for you up front."
Devon was focused on his sub as he agreed with his friend. "I think you're right. She does like the idea. We'll be there in a little bit."
Devon continued to stare at her as Brody left them standing a few feet to the left of the staircase. Her mouth became dry and as if he sensed her need, Devon took the bottle of water from her hand, unscrewed the cap and handed it back to her. "Drink up. You'll find it easy to get dehydrated in here."
She took a sip. The water was so cool and soothing to her tongue and throat and she guzzled some more. After she drank half the bottle, he took it from her again and replaced the cap.
"We'll walk around for a little bit on the way to their scene which is toward the back. But before we do, the locker rooms are right around the back of the stairs here. Would you like to use the restroom?"
Now that he mentioned it, her bladder was feeling full. "Yes, Sir. I think I will."
He lifted his hand to cup her cheek and used his thumb to brush her plump bottom lip. "I like hearing the word 'Sir' from your lips. I can't wait to hear you say it while begging me to let you cum." Her mouth gaped open at his statement and he took the opportunity to push his thumb between her lips and rub it along her bottom teeth. Her tongue poked forward and licked the tip of his finger and heat flared in his eyes. His dick hardened painfully and he placed his other hand on her hip and pulled until she was flush against him from their chests to their thighs.
Bending forward, he replaced his thumb with his mouth and tongue. He didn't start the kiss as slow and gentle as he had in the parking lot. This time he plunged right in, taking her intense passion as he gave her his. Their tongues dueled, first in her mouth and then, to his surprise and delight, in his as she explored and tasted him. He took her arms, placed them on his shoulders and left them there as his hands traveled south. One hand stopped to cup the weight of one of her breasts while the other went to her ass and he squeezed her lush flesh. It took everything in him not to lift the bottom of her dress, pick her up and impale her on his rigid cock.
He was about to grind his thro
Kristen glanced over her shoulder at Devon before walking on shaking legs to the locker room door. Holy lip-locks, the man knew how to kiss. With the taste of him still on her tongue, she entered the locker room, walked around a partition which blocked the inside of the room from the doorway and froze at the sight before her.
CHAPTER 9
As Kristen disappeared into the locker room, Devon heard his name being called by someone coming down the stairs. Looking up, he saw his brother and cousin approaching him with amused grins. Both wore similar leather vests without shirts and leather pants, but where Ian's leathers were black, Mitch's were dark brown. Devon rolled his eyes at their expressions, knowing what was coming and there was no way to avoid it.
"So little brother, I hear you went on a date tonight. Do you even know what to do on one of those?"
Of course Mitch had to add his two cents. "I don't think the boy does, Ian, considering his date appears to have abandoned him."
"She's in the bathroom, ass-hat." It was times like this he hated being so close to his family. They never missed an opportunity to give him or each other a pile of shit.
"So who's the lucky lady who managed to get you to pay for dinner before you screw her?"
"Fuck you, Ian."
"No thanks, I’m a pussy lover." Devon growled and Ian relented. "Alright, alright, I'll be good. Who is she?"
"You remember the girl who was typing away on her laptop last week when we were at the pub?"
"The cute brunette you were drooling over in the mirror?" Of course Ian would have noticed since the man never missed much. Devon rolled his eyes again and nodded. "Very nice. Mitch told me how you ran into her here earlier. Just be careful you don't end up being written into a chick-lit book. Everyone will find out about your small Irish dick."
His brother and cousin laughed again and Devon was about to tell them both to fuck off when the door to the women's room flew open. He expected Kristen to walk out but instead a shy little sub named Colleen came running out, her eyes wide in panic.
"Master Mitch, Master Ian, hurry, please help!" She turned around and ran back into the locker room with Ian, Mitch, Devon and one of the nearby bouncers following on her heels.
Ian and Mitch managed to get through the door first and before he finished rounding the corner of the partition Devon heard Ian bellow in his loudest Dom voice, "STOP!" The female screeching and yelling in the room came to an abrupt halt. They hadn't been able to hear the commotion outside the locker room due to the pounding music.
Confused, Devon took in the incredulous scene before him and tried to figure out what the hell was going on. A sub named Heather was face down on the floor with Kristen sitting on her back. His date had the other girl's arm jacked up behind her back and her hand was clenched around a mass of the red-head's hair. Another sub, Michelle, was sitting on the floor holding her stomach, trying to catch her breath, while Colleen was now standing in a corner to Devon's left, her eyes still wide and her hands covering her mouth as she stared at the other women. Although they were all quiet now, he could still hear the heavy breathing coming from the women on the ground.
While Mitch and the bouncer were as confused as Devon, Ian was downright pissed. Mitch managed The Covenant, but Ian was the head Dom and Mitch often deferred to his cousin taking the lead in situations like this. The men watched as the three subs got to their feet with Kristen taking two steps back to avoid Heather's swinging arms which were now loose again. "You bitch!"
"Enough!" Ian boomed, his anger evident. "Knees!"
Without faltering, Colleen, Heather and Michelle dropped to the ground and presented themselves appropriately–on their knees, which were shoulder–width apart, their heads bowed and their arms behind their backs, hands clasped around the opposite forearm. The only sub still standing was Kristen who was looking at the other three in apparent shock.
Devon took a step forward and her eyes swung up to meet his. In a low, controlled voice he told her, "I know this is new to you, Pet, but I suggest you drop to your knees as fast as you can." She hesitated. "Now."
Oh crap, she screwed up big this time. She fell to her knees, mirroring the other sub's postures as best she could. Once she was in position, she heard Devon whisper. "Sorry Ian, this is new to her."
"Then she better learn fast or her ass is going to be red for a month."
Was he serious? Yup, he probably was. Could this get any worse? Yup, it could. She realized if it moved up another inch, the hem of her dress would give everyone a glimpse of her bare crotch. She was desperate to adjust it but since she was in enough trouble she let it stay where it was and prayed it didn't move. She kept her gaze on the floor in front of her, yet she was dying to look up to see what was going on but didn't dare. The door leading out to the club opened again and she heard Tiny's voice.
"I got this in here, Anthony. Wait outside and keep everyone out. Kent is upstairs doing the same." The door closed, once again blocking the music blaring out in the main room.
The man, Ian–she recognized him as one of the sexy six-pack from when she first noticed Devon–spoke in a deep tone she had begun to refer to as a Dom voice. "Does someone want to explain what the hell is going on here?"
Kristen and the girl in the corner, who was now crying quietly, didn't say anything but the other two began talking over each other.
"We were just talking and this bitch comes out of nowhere..."
"She attacked us for no reason..."
"She tried to break my arm..."
"Quiet!" Ian barked, having reached the end of what little patience he had. "Michelle and Heather go get your Masters and wait for me outside the office upstairs. I advise you to hurry because you do not want me to get there before you." Kristen didn't look, but one of the two must have tried to speak again as they got up because Ian added, "No, upstairs with your Doms, I won't tell you again."
As the two women ran barefoot out the door another man walked in and looked around. Through her lashes, Kristen saw him drop to his knees and pull the crying girl into his arms to comfort her. The man appeared to be in his late thirties while the girl was younger than Kristen's own twenty-six years, but she thought they made a cute couple.
"What the hell is going on, Ian? Why is my sub in here crying?"
"I'm about to find out, Reggie." Ian closed the distance between himself and Kristen and she saw his feet stop a few inches in front of her. When he spoke, his voice wasn't as harsh as it had been but she could tell he was still pissed. "Eyes up, sub."
She tilted her head back until she could see his face but remained silent as his eyes bore into her.
"Do you want to tell me what this is all about?"
Kristen's gaze went from the man looming over her to the young girl sobbing in her Dom's arms and back again. "No, Sir, I don't. Not at the moment."
She waited for him to yell at her but instead, the man raised his brow at her words and then proved he was astute. "Tiny, would you take Colleen up to the office and wait with her inside away from the others, please?"
Tiny stepped toward the couple as they got to their feet. "Come with me, Ms. Colleen, I'll take care of you until Master Reggie can join you again."
Colleen looked at Kristen, then at each of the Doms, tears still falling from her pretty eyes. Her lips trembled. "Please, Master Ian. It wasn't her fault. She was helping me."
Ian looked over his shoulder at the sub and his voice softened. "Go upstairs, little one. Everything will be alright. I promise."
The girl started to say something else but Master Reggie gave her a quick kiss before handing her off to Tiny. "Go with Tiny, love. We'll get this all straightened out. I'll be upstairs in a few minutes."
After the young sub and head bouncer left, Ian took two small steps back and his voice sounded weary. "Stand up, girl, and tell me what happened, although I have a feeling I already know."
Kristen stood, tugging the hem of her dress down as she did, and looked at the four Doms in the room staring back at her. She tried not to be intimidated but it was no easy feat with their stiff postures and stern faces. Ian, Mitch and Devon stood in a similar manner, with their arms crossed over their chests and their feet shoulder-width apart while Reggie had his hands on his hips. Kristen swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to cause any trouble but when I came in to use the bathroom those two bit...I mean, those two women had the girl, Colleen, up against the lockers and the redhead had her hand around Colleen's neck holding her there."
"Fuck!"
Kristen's eyes widened and shot toward Master Reggie, who held up his hand in an apologetic gesture. It was obvious the man was keeping his anger in check for her benefit. "Forgive me, girl. Go on."
She nodded and kept her gaze on the man. "I didn't want to say this in front of her because she's upset enough as it is. They were in her face and I didn't hear everything they said, but the gist of it was they thought she was too fat and ugly to keep her Dom happy and if it wasn't for her daddy's money, she wouldn't have a Master."
She winced as Master Reggie's exploded in rage. "They said what?! Fucking cu..." He cut his vulgar insult short when he remembered there was a woman in the room. "God-damn it, Ian! I've had all I can stand from those two bitches. I want their asses out of here tonight!"
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