by Marie Tuhart
And she loved every minute of it.
She’d more than wondered when she was a child how the club survived in the small town of Lobster Cove, but she found out it wasn’t that hard. There were other towns close enough, and people were curious.
When Jessie was twenty, she convinced her mom to split the club into two—a public side and a private side. The minute they did, business skyrocketed. The public side was more for the tourists who were curious. It gave them a safe place to experiment or just watch. The private side was more for regulars who wanted more options and privacy.
A year later they included the colorful masks as part of the club allure. And it worked. People loved the anonymity of being in the club, both tourists and private members. She was happy with the business aspect. Now if she could only be happy with her love life...
What love life? Her last relationship, if one could call it that, ended when Daryl couldn’t handle what she wanted sexually. Then her mom had died.
An image rose in her mind. The dark stranger from last night, the way his lips brushed against hers. Not too hard but not too soft. And his husky voice...
Her nipples tightened. By the time she’d finished helping out and returned to the public area, she couldn’t find him. Damn, she hadn’t had a man since high school who could make her wet just by lifting her chin to see into her eyes. But this Dominant did and more.
A shiver hit her body. There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. A knock on the door brought her out of her musings.
She glanced at her watch. Ten. Right on time. She went over to the door, made sure the heavy chain was in place before opening it. Lobster Cove was safe, but she also made sure she knew who was on the other side of the door.
“Can I help you?” she asked through the narrow opening.
“I’m Caleb. I’m here for the interview set up by Rusty.”
He smiled at her. Jessie took a deep breath. “Just a minute.” She shut the door and held her hand against it for a second. Something nudged against her brain, but disappeared just as fast. Undoing the chain, she reopened the door. “Come on in.”
“Thanks.” His husky voice sent a tremor up her spine.
He wore dark slacks, a sports jacket with a white shirt beneath. When he moved, the material of his jacket shifted over his impressive shoulders and damn if his ass didn’t make her ache to touch it.
Jessie shook her head. This was a job interview, but there was something in the way he walked that was so familiar to her. Enough. Maybe she needed to take a weekend and go to Boston and play in one of the clubs there. She shivered. Not a good idea.
After locking the door, she turned to him. “I’m Jessie. Come on back to the office.” She gestured to the small hallway.
“After you.” He swept his arm out and grinned.
His grin sent a zing of awareness straight to her clit. What was wrong with her? Her body was acting out of character, and she couldn’t stop it. She led him down the hallway. “Would you like some coffee?” She gestured toward the pot.
“Yes, please. Black is fine.”
She refilled her mug, adding cream and sugar before filling a cup for Caleb. She handed him the mug before taking her seat behind the desk. “Did you bring your application?”
He reached inside his jacket and handed the application to her. It was really a formality. She found the file she had on her desk. With his recommendations she wasn’t too hesitant about hiring him.
She read his name on the application. Caleb Drake. Rusty had told her his first name, but she never put two and two together. Her head snapped up. “Caleb Drake?” She knew he looked familiar. Was he in the lifestyle now? If the rumors were true, he’d have been in it for a long time.
“Yes.”
“The Caleb Drake who played quarterback at Lobster Cove high school?”
“Guilty as charged.” He grinned at her. “You grew up, Jessie.”
And so had he. His raven hair brushed the collar of his jacket, the cut accentuating his broad shoulders. His bright blue eyes twinkled, and her gaze drifted lower to his strong chin and wide chest.
“I can’t believe it’s you.” She shook her head. Caleb had up and left right after he graduated high school. It had been about twelve years ago. There were rumors as to why he left. She didn’t believe them but others had. “You left without a word.”
Part of his leaving still stung. It wasn’t like they’d really been dating, but she had thought they were friends. Friends with benefits, even if all he’d ever done was kiss her. But she had thought he might take it further when she turned eighteen. Why was he back now?
“Yeah.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “It was a quick decision, but once I made my mind up, I left.”
She nodded. He was playing his cards close to his chest. Interesting. “It says here you’ve been a DM at a club in Chicago. What made you come back here?” She picked up her coffee cup and waited.
“I needed a change of pace.”
Jessie almost choked on her coffee. “This is about the opposite of Chicago as you can get. But why now?”
“I have my reasons.” He looked around the office. “I’m surprised you’re running the place rather than your mother.”
Setting her mug down, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Mom died three years ago.”
“Aw, shit, I’m sorry, Jessie.” He leaned forward and touched the back of her hand. The compassion in his eyes made her heart skip beats. “I know it hurts.”
He would. His mother had died when he was sixteen, his father the day after he graduated high school.
“Thanks.” She sucked in a breath and pulled her hand away from his heat. It was too easy for her to hang onto all the support in his eyes and touch. How was it he could affect her like this? Maybe because he was the only boy she ever considered defying her mother over. “Well, I have no problem hiring you.” She slid a set of papers over to him. “If you’ll fill these out, once you’re done I’ll give you the club rules.”
“Do I get a tour?”
“In a bit.” After he left she was going to need some time to herself to deal with her up and down emotions. “I need you to start right away, which means tonight. If you come back at five, I’ll give you a rundown on the equipment.”
“Works for me.” He picked up the pen and began filling out the paperwork.
****
Caleb watched Jessie from the corner of his eye while he filled out all the standard paperwork. Damn, she’d grown up into one hell of a woman.
Her fingers tapped against the desk, and he had to concentrate to write. His gut told him this was his redhead from last night. Her effect on his libido confirmed it. Oh, this was going to be fun. The Jessie he remembered from high school was submissive, and she was last night, too.
She was two years behind him in high school. They had a date or two, but they mainly hung out together. They both had wanted more than the few kisses they had shared, but he knew her age and who her mother was. Lacy Michaels had warned more than one boy away from her daughter.
But now Jessie ran the club. He was surprised but not surprised. The club was part of the town history, and the locals loved it. The club had been handed down from daughter to daughter for generations.
He finished filling out the paperwork and handed it back to her. “I’ll have my medical report sent to you from Chicago.” He wasn’t surprised by the requirement; it made sense to make sure he was clean.
“Good.” She flipped through his paperwork before looking at him again. “We’re open Wednesday through Sunday.” She glanced down at his paperwork. “I won’t be able to pay you what you were making in Chicago.”
He shrugged. “It won’t be a problem.” And it wouldn’t. He didn’t care about the money. He had enough.
“Everyone in the club is masked. I’ll make sure you have one.”
“Why is that?” Was that what made the club so special?
“A
nonymity. Many who play here in the private rooms live in town or close by. And the tourists find it fun.”
“But you know who everyone is.”
“I know all the members of the club, yes. Becky—you’ll meet her tonight—is my right hand gal so to speak and knows everyone, too.”
“How do you handle the tourists’ health issues?”
“That’s a little trickier, we could ask for a health report, but most don’t carry stuff like that with them. They sign a special wavier, and since we have no genital contact allowed, it hasn’t been an issue.” She turned and picked up several pieces of paper and slid them across the desk to him.
Caleb silenced a groan. Lord, he hated paperwork.
“These are the rules of the club that everyone abides by. If they don’t, then they are barred. Also our private members go through very thorough screening before they’re allowed to be members.”
Caleb picked up the papers and began reading.
Rules of the Red Club
1. Masks are provided free of charge to protect everyone’s privacy. If you do happen to recognize someone, see the next rule.
2. Confidentiality—everyone is bound by this. If it is found you have violated this rule you will be blacklisted from the club.
3. There will be nudity. If you can’t handle it, please leave.
4. Don’t touch without asking. If you don’t know this person, hands off until you get expressed permission from them or their Dominant.
5. Don’t touch anyone’s toys—ask first. If you need toys they are available for purchase.
6. No genital sex allowed. Toys, fingers, and mouths are permissible.
7. Clean up—there are cleaning supplies available.
8. Respect space—the play area is clearly marked. Respect those in the scene.
9. No alcohol allowed. Water, juice, or soda is provided at the bar. Anyone caught with alcohol will be escorted out and banned.
10. No drugs, no smoking.
11. No playing impaired. If a Dom or sub is impaired in any way they will not be allowed to scene. This is the dungeon master’s call. If you disagree, talk with the owner, but the owner’s word is law.
12. Safe, Sane and Consensual—any violation will cause expulsion.
13. Play in the dungeon, not in the lounge area near the bars or restrooms
14. No cell phones, cameras, or audio equipment allowed. Violation means expulsion and destruction of equipment.
15. Never enter another’s scene unless invited.
16. No blood sport or breath play allowed anywhere in the club, public or private. Fire-play can be requested and arrangements made ahead of time in the private area only.
17. The house safeword is “Red.” If a gag is used or the sub is unable to speak, a safe sign must be arranged ahead of time with the DM. If this does not happen, the scene will be stopped.
18. If the safeword is spoken and the Dom does not stop, this acknowledges a need for immediate outside attention. If you don’t see a DM, find one. Only the DMs are allowed to interrupt a scene.
19. If you feel a scene has taken a bad turn let the DM know. It is better to be safe than sorry.
20. The same goes if you’re on the floor. If you feel anyone is being harassed, has received unwanted attention, or is very uncomfortable with another person, let the DM know and they will sort it out.
21. Make sure you dress appropriately before leaving the club. There are laws against nudity. There are areas available for you to change and private lockers to store your things.
Caleb smiled. These rules were very similar to the rules he had in the Chicago clubs, except the masks. But there was a thread here. Jessie made sure all subs were protected through the rules and enforcement. Funny he was now the enforcer.
He flipped the page. Job description.
Dungeon Masters
Inspect all equipment before the doors open.
If there are any problems with the equipment, let the owner know immediately.
Make sure all disinfectant bottles are full and available in the baskets.
Make sure paper towels are available in all the baskets.
Verify all equipment is wiped down after the players are done with each scene.
There are well-stocked first aid kits in the red baskets if needed.
There are fire extinguishers placed all around the dungeon.
Music is played in the background and sets the mood.
Keep alert on player activity. Your job is to ensure player safety.
If in doubt, intervene. Err on the side of caution.
Toys and condoms are available for purchase at the bar.
Caleb set the paper down. “Are there other duties besides these?”
“Not really. You’re here to keep the peace and make sure everyone is safe.”
“I can live with that.” He relaxed back in his seat. “Are the employees allowed to play?” Because he really wanted to play with her.
Her eyes widened. “Most don’t, but if you want to play I have no rules against it. There is a signup sheet to use either the dungeon itself or the private rooms the days the club is closed. It does have to be arranged ahead of time, especially if the employees want a DM available.”
“And if I want to scene with another employee?” His cock jumped. She wasn’t shooting him down.
Jessie squirmed in her seat. “As long as it’s consensual, I have no problem with it.” She began shuffling papers on her desk.
He wanted to ask her if she’d play with him but held off for the moment. This wasn’t the time. He forced his libido down and concentrated on the job. She put the papers in order, and then put them into the folder. He didn’t miss the slight trembling of her fingers. Was she as affected as he was?
“Pay starts at fifty thousand a year. After six months you’ll receive one week of paid vacation. After a year, two weeks of paid vacation and four personal days.”
“Sounds fair.” Actually more than fair. “Do you have a big turn over?”
“Not really. Most have been here for at least five years. “
“Then why do you need another DM?”
“Business is getting busy, and I’m finding I need at least one more DM to help out.” She shrugged her shoulders. “That’s why I need you to start tonight.”
“Not a problem. Any clothing requirements?” So business was that good? His curiosity was piqued and for more than just what he could use at one of his clubs. He wanted to know more about the woman who ran the club.
“Whatever you feel comfortable in. All DMs wear red armbands on both arms.” She opened a drawer, took out the armbands and a cell phone. “All DMs also carry this phone.” She pushed everything across the desk to him.
“A cell phone?”
“Modified.” She waited until he picked it up and turned it on. “It has no picture capabilities.”
He turned the phone over in his hands. But it looked like a regular cell phone to him. “And you use this for?”
“Emergencies. You press one and it will vibrate to every DM and myself. You can also dial 911 if you need emergency services.”
“I…” He didn’t see the phone on her the other night.
“What?” She tilted her head and stared at him.
“Nothing. I’ve just never seen this in a club before.”
“Another safety measure with having both public and private scene areas, I’d rather be safe than sorry.” She glanced at her watch. “Let me give you a quick tour of the public area. That’s where you’ll be working for a while.”
“Let’s do it.” He stood up.
****
Two hours later, Caleb kicked off his shoes and flopped onto one of the Adirondack chairs on the porch outside his room at the Frenchman Bay Motel. Russ and Jolie French had done a great job with the place. Not only was it comfortable, but very suitable for his short-term needs.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of the sea, and he stared at the calm blue waters
of the bay. So far he’d been able to keep a low profile, but it wouldn’t last long. Caleb crossed his arms over his belly as the scenic view faded out and a more appealing one appeared. Jessie. The black corset pushing her breasts up until they almost spilled out, her hair twisted up on top of her head, and those eyes filled with want and lust. Damn, she was hot.
She’d been completely professional during the tour of the public area. Well, what had he been expecting? She wasn’t going to jump his bones. That wasn’t Jessie.
She had told him what to expect when he came into work tonight and to be there at five. The club was open from six at night until two in the morning. He would meet everyone tonight because their work hours were five to three.
Pulling his cell phone out, he flipped it open and dialed.
“Hey, Matt,” he said when his business partner answered.
“So how’d it go?”
“I got the job, but then we knew I would. I start tonight.”
“Great. We really need to know what makes The Red Club so special so we can duplicate it.”
“Yeah.” Caleb rubbed his forehead. He didn’t like deceiving Jessie. But he owed Matt. And so far there was nothing proprietary about what she’d told him. “How are things going with the San Francisco club?”
“Better. I’ve been talking with city officials, and I’ll be taking a trip out there to discuss the concerns people have. But it should all be good.”
Usually Caleb would be the one to make the trip, but Matt had him here. “What made you send me here, Matt?”
Matt was quiet for a minute. “You need a break. All the traveling was wearing you down. I knew you’d be the right one to figure out how The Red Club survives in such a small town.”
“Yeah.” Matt had no idea he’d grown up in Lobster Cove.
“Is there a problem?”
Damn, Matt was still tuned into him. “No.” And there wasn’t. Well, okay, maybe there was the fact that he wanted to see Jessie tied up and begging for him to touch her, to play with her body, to fuck her… Nothing he couldn’t handle. “All is good. I’ll call you in a few days with an update.”
