by Cassie Ryan
“Basement 2 is a more tame version of 4. There are bondage beds, spanking benches, more St. Andrew’s crosses and those types of things. Basement 1 overlooks Basement 2.”
He cocked his head toward the floor they’d just left, pride shining in his eyes, and he watched her as if waiting for her reaction. “I wanted you to see the layout while Basement 4 isn’t in use.” His gaze flashed with molten heat and he looked at her lips, with a quick betraying glance down at her breasts before meeting her gaze. It gave Sandra the distinct impression that he might like to introduce her to the workings of Basement 4 himself, and the thought filled her with excitement.
She was surprised to realize she already trusted Master Brent, and even beyond that, she might like to explore things outside of her comfort zone with someone who wouldn’t push her before she was ready. Normally she would lecture herself that this would be much too soon to be thinking any of those things. However, the chemistry between them felt so right that she was making a definite exception.
Master Brent cleared his throat again. “Would you like to go up to Basement 2 and see some of the play scenes in progress?”
Was she imagining the note of anticipation in his deep voice?
“I could introduce you to some of the staff and other members. Or would you like to go to Basement 1 and watch a bit before we continue our tour?”
His eyes darkened again, and she saw definite hunger in his gaze before he looked away. A quick glance down at his crotch assured her she wasn’t the only one affected by their proximity to each other. His large cock was a definite outline in the front of his tailored slacks, and she had to dig her nails into her palms to stop from reaching out to touch him.
When she took a deliberate step back, she caught Master Brent’s gaze and realized he’d seen her looking at his cock like it was on the dinner menu. Heat blazed into her cheeks again, and she took a deep breath and blew it out before forcing herself to turn and head back to the elevator.
When he joined her, she realized all the spotlights still blazed. “Don’t we need to turn off the lights?”
“I’ll send Jake down to do it.”
“Jake?”
“He’s the man who escorted you up to my office. I think he was also covering the door for another of the managers when you arrived.”
She nodded as Jake’s identity fell into place. He was the doorman outside, who had also caught her watching the scene in the waiting area. Oddly she could only smile at the memory, and wondered if he caught people pleasuring themselves often.
“He’s one of our main managers here. If you ever have any questions or concerns and you can’t find me, you can talk to one of the managers. If need be, they can find me immediately.” His words were said as if imparting hard facts, certainties she could count on, which she was very tempted to accept and take comfort in.
“But…” She bit her lip against the stupid questions that nearly spilled out.
He turned to face her. “It’s all right, Sandra. You can ask me anything.” He gestured for her to continue.
Against her better judgment she had to ask. After all, these were the types of questions she hadn’t asked the first time she joined a club, and she’d regretted it. “Jake’s not a Dom. Aren’t dungeon managers usually Doms? And how can they find you immediately if you’ve already gone home for the day, or if you’re out of the building somewhere?”
She cringed as she realized how invasive the last question sounded.
Brent only smiled. “You’re correct, Jake isn’t a Dom. In fact, he’s pretty vanilla for the most part. But he’s excellent at administration and security, and I hired him for those traits. He does a great job, and I pay him well, so it’s a good situation for both of us.”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I’m sorry, it’s really none of my…”
He held up a hand, interrupting her. “Sandra. I told you to ask me anything, and I meant it. If there’s ever something I can’t or won’t answer, I’ll let you know.”
She nodded, and wished she’d never let her mouth and brain have free rein. They had always gotten her into trouble. “To answer your other question,” Master Brent said slowly, “I live here on the property, and we have a fully staffed kitchen. I rarely leave except for occasional business, or to reacquaint myself with the real world.”
He turned toward the elevator panel, inserting his key before hitting the button for Basement 2.
Excitement flooded through her. Basement 2. She would meet the staff and the other members and find out if she fit in. She hoped she would feel welcomed here. She missed the feeling of inclusion and belonging that she’d had in New York before Diego had destroyed the life she’d built there.
She caught herself nibbling on her bottom lip—a nervous habit—and put a stop to it. “Master Brent?”
“Hmm?” he said without opening those sensual lips.
“The basement dungeons seem to be a bit higher on the kink scale than the one on the main level—the one where I was watching while waiting for Jake. Is that to ease people in as they adjust to the higher levels of kink?”
He nodded, amusement dancing in his gaze. “The dungeon on the main level is mostly used for Dom training, sub training, people trying out new low-level kinks, or attending a munch to see if they’re interested in the lifestyle. Or if they are interested in joining Club Desire. It’s distinctly different from the other levels. Most of the more edgy kink goes on in Basement 2, and the extreme in Basement 4. My office, where we met, is on level 4, not to be confused with Basement 4.” He grinned. “Also on level 4 are my personal suite of rooms, the public dining areas, and the pool and spa.”
Sandra tried to picture where everything was and frowned as her picture came up with a flaw. “Don’t you have members frequently walking into your office off the elevator? Doesn’t that get distracting?”
His sensual lips curved and he met her gaze. “My office and my personal suite are reached by two separate elevators that aren’t for public use. They require special access, so I have complete privacy in both of those areas if I want it.”
The last four words burned along her skin like an erotic promise. With the timbre of his voice and insinuation of his words, her nipples hardened and the sensitive flesh brushed against the silky material of her bra, which now felt like sandpaper.
“How often do you want it?” She froze, her muscles suddenly tight as her brain registered the words that had poured from her mouth. Embarrassment flared and she had a sudden urge to run, but then common sense caught up, reminding her she was in an elevator and had nowhere to run to, so she locked her knees and purposely raised her gaze to see Master Brent’s reaction.
His eyes flashed fire, and electricity arced between them, tingling along Sandra’s skin, igniting every nerve ending and making her stare down at his straining erection. At the sound of him sucking in a breath she bit her tongue to keep from licking her lips, or shamelessly plastering herself against him.
Master Brent cleared his throat, which only seemed to amp up the electrical current zinging between them, but did help her tear her gaze away from that very hard cock so she could look up into his eyes again.
“It’s been a while since I’ve wanted to…have my privacy invaded. But I might need to rethink that.”
It was Sandra’s turn to suck in a breath as she drowned in the fiery promise blazing in Master Brent’s eyes.
The elevator doors whooshed open on Basement 2, startling Sandra. She raised her chin and clenched her fists, firming her resolve as if she were going into battle. This was the start of her new life here in Phoenix, and it would go well. She chanted that silent mantra as she followed Master Brent out onto the brightly lit floor.
Out here she did hear the sound of floggers, paddles, and even flesh hitting flesh, and she couldn’t help but flinch as long-ago memories tried to rise up to haunt her.
When would she be able to get past this? It had been ten years, and even now Sandra could feel the st
inging sensation burning across her cheek and the fiery stab of betrayal slicing her heart.
Master Brent took her hand, distracting her and pulling her back from the past. “Why don’t I introduce you around first? The locker room is this way.” His speculative look told her he hadn’t missed her reactions, and that he was concerned.
Damn. She wanted to fit in, not stand out.
Master Brent led her into a large room that looked like a gathering hall rather than a locker room. There were couches, tables, televisions, vending machines, a refrigerator, and even a microwave. He guided her inside and the soft sound of ’80s rock music washed over her, making her smile. She wondered briefly if it had been playing out on the dungeon floor too. But then she hadn’t been aware of any sounds out there except the crack of different toys, and even hands, hitting flesh.
She startled when Master Brent took her chin between his fingers and raised her face just enough so he could capture her gaze.
“Why don’t we sit awhile, and then we can resume our tour?”
She shook her head, almost desperately. She didn’t want to sit. Didn’t want to talk about this. Didn’t want to see his sympathy or his pity about Diego, and definitely didn’t want him curious about her past and her many fears that past had caused. “I’d rather we keep going, if you don’t mind.” She sucked in a quick breath. “This doesn’t look like a locker room,” she countered, trying to change the subject.
Master Brent continued to watch her, those blue eyes seeming to take in everything around him for future study. “The locker room is through that door.” He gestured toward the back of the room and she turned to see the door he meant. “Aftercare is there.” He nodded to the right, and she obediently followed his gaze to a door with a large window in the top half showing a darkened room with several mysterious shapes she assumed were couches and chairs.
“We’ll go into each in a minute. This main room is something of a staging area. People can meet each other here before or after scenes, or hang out and be social. We do have a very social atmosphere at Club Desire.”
He pointed to a door off to their left. “There’s a full list of the official meet-ups posted there by the door, and there are a few that may interest you.” He guided her over to the list and scanned one large finger down the page past munches, membership information tours, and several things that made her smile, including “Switches for Sushi.”
She reached out to tap that one and sent Master Brent a questioning look.
His expression turned mischievous and he took his time answering her. “They actually do meet up at a local sushi restaurant and talk about the ins and outs of being a switch.” He chuckled. “Get your mind out of the gutter, woman. Where do you think we are, a kinky sex club?”
His mirth was infectious and she couldn’t help but laugh with him. She shrugged. “I really hope so—otherwise this is the weirdest karaoke bar I’ve ever been to.”
He laughed again. She really loved his playful manner and could envision how that would insinuate itself into a scene with him.
“Master Mason said you enjoyed friendships with many of the subs in New York. Several of our subs have a regular meeting each Wednesday evening. I don’t think they have a Subs for Sushi meeting, but I do seem to recall them having a penchant for desserts during their meetings.”
An “mmm” sound escaped before Sandra could stop it, earning her another wide smile from Master Brent.
“I’ll definitely make a note of that meeting.” And she would. She wasn’t sure why she’d bonded so well with the subs back in New York even with all of her issues. Her roommate had told her that under all the fears she truly was a sub; she just needed to find her true self under all the “stuff” life had piled on top.
Sandra wondered if that was true. It would explain her strong reaction to a Dom like Master Brent, and her immediate draw of friendship to most of the subs she’d ever met.
She turned, not surprised to find him watching her again. He always seemed to be watching her. She just wasn’t sure why.
Sandra knew she was attractive. Since middle school when she’d started developing before all the other girls, men had always taken long looks at her, most often centering on her breasts or her ass. There was something about the intense way Master Brent watched her, though, often focusing on her face and not her body, that made this different. But that still didn’t explain why a man like Master Brent would continue watching her. Maybe he thought she was unstable? A laugh bubbled up before she could stop it.
Great. Now he’ll know I am. I’ve removed all doubt.
He smiled at her in question and she shrugged, hoping he didn’t pursue it.
He didn’t, but he did continue watching her with that inscrutable gaze.
“Back here is the locker room,” he said as he led her to the other door past several people chatting, laughing, or flirting.
He must have noticed her gaze because he cleared his throat. “No sex play of any type is allowed here in the meeting area. There are plenty of areas for that, so this is a play-free and sex-free zone. It allows people to have somewhere to go to unwind, or to gear up before heading out to the floor.”
At the “pttthhhh” noise, Sandra turned to find an enormous Dom, with the smoothest brown sugar–colored skin she’d ever seen, rolling his eyes at Master Brent.
“Now Dexter, what kind of impression are you going to make on the new members?” Clear amusement and affection were in Master Brent’s voice.
“Oh, I don’t know, that you can be a pain in the ass?” From the warmth in the man’s manner, the affection was obviously returned.
“Rules are in place to help everyone feel more comfortable.”
Dexter smiled and shook his head. “Yeah, yeah, so that they can explore their inner kink in a safe and supportive atmosphere.” He snorted, showing that he’d heard this explanation several times already and had it memorized. He turned to Sandra, and she was pinned in place by his large, dark eyes.
“Don’t let me throw you off, sweetheart. I’m just messing with our boy here. Since he’s giving you the tour instead of Jake, I figured you could take a little teasing. He doesn’t do the tours for just anyone, so you must be special.” He winked and she felt a smile blossom, although she was sure Master Brent was only giving her this tour because of her connection with Master Mason’s dungeon.
“Don’t let either one of them fool you,” a squeaky female voice broke in.
Sandra turned to see a perky brunette with wide, green eyes watching the byplay between Master Brent and Dexter.
“They are all sunshine and roses in here and in aftercare, but they’ll both kick your ass out there.” She gestured with her chin to indicate the dungeon floor.
A shudder ran through Sandra before the woman continued.
“Of course they both do the ass-kicking so very nicely that none of us complain. We scream, yes, but in a good way.” The woman turned to point toward a redhead dressed in a leather thong and nipple pasties. “Don’t you think, Min?”
Min nodded enthusiastically. “I definitely agree. I’ll chat later—gotta run! I can’t be late or Master Cameron might paddle me.” Although the wide smile she flashed showed erotic anticipation and not chagrin or fear.
“Sandra,” Master Brent began. “This lummox here is Master Dex. He’s one of our main Doms, although he can be a pain in the ass.” From the tone of his voice it was obvious that there was a great deal of respect between the two men. “If you ever have any issues, you can always go to him if you can’t find me or one of the dungeon managers. Master Dex was the first Dom who joined us when Club Desire opened, so he knows nearly as much about this place as I do.”
Master Dex stood and Sandra tipped back her head as she had to look up, and up, and up to meet his gaze. He had gorgeous dark eyes, and his steady gaze left her no doubt he was a Dom, but it also told her that he was highly protective of those he considered his or under his protection, and that she had now joined
that group.
A comforting warmth coiled inside her as she started to think she could feel safe here.
Chapter 3
Master Dex wore leathers that reminded Sandra of those worn by bikers, and a sleeveless leather vest that showed off bulging muscles and several tattoos, centered around red roses, which contrasted beautifully with his smooth, brown skin.
“Hi, Sandra. It’s nice to meet you.” He looked down at her as if trying to accentuate their height difference.
“Wow.” Sandra found herself liking him immediately. He seemed to engender trust and safety, almost like a big brother. She couldn’t see herself playing a scene with him, but she could see him becoming a confidant and maybe even a friend.
He smiled. “I’m not that tall, only six-eight or so.” He waved his unusual height away. “But Master Brent’s right. If you ever need anything, my door is always open. Even if I’m mid-scene, if something has you spooked and you can’t find anyone else, the safety and well-being of our subs comes first. Come find me and I’ll take care of it, whatever it is.”
She nodded solemnly, impressed that he’d just given her permission to break a scene if she felt she needed to. She would definitely make sure to never use that permission lightly.
Master Dex smiled, and she resisted the urge to say “wow” again. He was gorgeous in every way. But he wasn’t Master Brent.
Master Dex cocked his head to one side to indicate the brunette with wide green eyes beside him who had called out in a squeaky voice a few minutes ago. “This is Sherri. She’s one of my subs, but I’m by no means her only Dom.” There was no censure in his voice, only amusement, and at Sherri’s chuckle, he smiled wider.
“I don’t think one woman will ever be enough for Master Dex, and I know one man will never be enough for me,” the brunette said with a cocky air.
Master Dex growled playfully and turned his head to mock glare at Sherri. “Is that so?”
When she stubbornly nodded, he shook his head. “You are begging to have rope burns on your wrists and ankles, and wax marks on that pale stomach of yours by the end of the night, aren’t you?”
