I definitely looked forward to more time with both of them. However, I had some business to attend to. After that, they would be all mine for the rest of the evening and I would finally have the opportunity to put us back on an even keel.
While I greeted the members, I continued to sneak glances of Clarissa and Troy. They’d taken a seat as I’d requested but neither of them seemed to be relaxing. Granted, I couldn’t necessarily blame them.
Although Troy was keeping his lips firmly closed, likely holding back a dozen questions, I noticed Clarissa seemed quite content to do only what I told her to. She hadn’t questioned the collar or the leash, both of which I’d merely used as an intimidation tool. As I’d feared, Clarissa had very little reaction at all and that worried me. I could tell she was willing to please me in any way that I saw fit, but I had to wonder why she seemed to be fighting me tooth and nail.
I’d enjoyed spending time with the woman these past few days. Despite the fact she tested my control, I wanted more time with her. I had the overwhelming urge to pull her close, to protect her. However, I sensed she needed something more than that. Her inner submissive had been dormant for so long I was eager to draw it out, to give her the things I knew she craved.
But it was almost like Clarissa the woman and Clarissa the submissive were two different people. I’d recognized that the moment she stepped in the door. It was as though she was merely a body for me to use while she was in my presence. Had I insisted she strip and wander around the club naked, I knew she would’ve done that as well. Not that I was opposed to doing exactly that. I was merely gauging the situation, determining what would work best for the two of them tonight.
But I knew Clarissa well enough to know she had the ability to speak up when she was opposed to something. I had seen her interacting with Xander and Mercedes plenty of times, as well as others at Devotion, so her docile obedience was bothering me. She wasn’t meek and timid by any means, so why she acted as though she was confused me.
As for me, I was still debating on what I wanted to do. While I did enjoy spending time in the dungeon, I had a penchant for bondage and I tended to keep my scenes to rooms that could easily accommodate anything I came up with. Since tonight was Troy’s first time in a club, as well as his first time doing a scene, I figured I would go simple on him to start. A little privacy was best where he was concerned.
As the activities were beginning to pick up, I continued having conversations, making an appearance, greeting the new members. I wanted them to know I was there and available should they need me for anything. That was one of the reasons I enjoyed the clubs I was a part of. It allowed me to be the man, not the award-winning actor, which wasn’t something I was able to do often.
“Things are coming along nicely. More attendance,” Xander said when he appeared at my side. “I saw Christian and Tristan came tonight.”
I reached out a hand to shake his. “It’s been slow, but we’re getting there.”
There were quite a few more warm bodies here than I’d expected. I wasn’t sure how word had gotten out that Zeke would be here, but it appeared to be the case. There were several new faces, some already trotting along behind the Sadist.
“Are you satisfied with the turnout?” Xander asked.
“I’d be lying if I said yes. The Chicago club is doing significantly better. Most nights, certainly on Friday and Saturday, we’re generally at capacity with six hours from open to close.” I glanced around. “I know we’ll get there eventually, but I feel like I’m letting the members down.”
“I assure you, they don’t see it that way. In fact, they appreciate your concern for their privacy. You want my advice?” he asked.
Surprised he hadn’t merely dished it out, I grinned. “Nice of you to offer.”
He chuckled. “I suggest you completely step back from the membership aspect. Let Dylan and Sarah handle it. Have Troy represent you. They can reach out to me and Mercedes or any of the other Masters for help. I know you want to be the front man, but you should save your energy for talking to the members once they’ve been vetted.”
I knew he was right. However, it wasn’t easy for me to give up control. When it came to the Chicago club, I’d had no choice. When it first opened, I’d been on set shortly thereafter, which had limited my presence. Since I couldn’t be everywhere all the time, I’d had to entrust someone else to handle matters. I was sure that had something to do with the success of that club.
“Plus, it’ll give you some time to get to know your submissives a little better,” he said, nodding at Clarissa and Troy. “I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming.”
“See what coming?” I asked, not looking away as Troy said something to make Clarissa smile.
“Well, for one, you persuaded Clarissa to come tonight. I thought she turned you down.”
“She did. But she’s coming around.” Or I hoped she was.
“I think I’m most surprised that you’re taking a male submissive.”
I turned to my friend, waiting to hear his thoughts on that. Surprisingly, he didn’t continue.
I could’ve come up with a dozen excuses as to why Troy was with me tonight. He was my assistant, he was curious about the club, I wanted to show him around so he could help me with everything. The list was endless.
But I wasn’t the type to make excuses and I knew they were all bullshit anyway.
Troy was here because I wanted him here. I fully intended to pursue whatever this was between us. I’d never been the type to deny my desires and, as I aged, the things that provided me pleasure had changed plenty of times. This was a first, but I wasn’t going to shrug it off.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes,” I told Xander. “It’s not something I’ve explored before but it feels right with him.”
“Good for you.” He turned around. “Now, I better find my pet before she gets herself in trouble.”
Knowing Mercedes, she was already halfway there.
“Have a good night,” I told him before making my way over to Clarissa and Troy.
It was time to see exactly what this night had in store for us.
Troy
WHEN MASTER INSTRUCTED ME TO put on the leather pants that had been delivered right before we’d come down to the club, I’d been hesitant. But I hadn’t argued, hadn’t balked. If he wanted me to wear leather, I would wear leather.
When Master told me I would be wearing a collar, I’d started to say something but held my tongue, remembering I’d said I was all in tonight. It wasn’t bad, especially since there were plenty of other submissives wearing collars.
When Master produced the leash, I finally spoke up, only to be told that it was his desire to see me wearing the leash, therefore I would wear it. Had it been anyone else, I would’ve told them to take a hike. But when Trent Ramsey said it … I’d been ready to drop to all fours and follow him anywhere.
Thankfully, he hadn’t made me do that.
So, I had followed him down from the apartment, let him lead me through the club while he stopped to talk to a few people. He didn’t introduce me, hardly even acknowledged me. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected—if anything—but it was a learning experience for me.
But the moment I’d seen Clarissa…
My entire outlook had changed.
For one, the second our eyes met, I knew exactly why I’d missed her so much throughout the day. She was just as beautiful tonight as she’d been yesterday wearing that sexy Oscar de la Renta dress that I’d selected for her. Perhaps more so wearing the corset and a tiny G-string that showed off her perfect little ass.
Yeah, as soon as I saw what she was wearing, I was thankful Master had allowed me to wear pants. I’d already noticed a couple of male submissives walking around wearing leather speedos that did little to cover anything.
While Master had given Clarissa the same tour he’d given me yesterday, I had taken the opportunity to watch her. The way she dreamily stared at Trent when she thou
ght no one was looking. Every so often, her eyes would dart over to me and I would catch her checking me out.
But it wasn’t until Master brought us to the submissive holding area that I got the chance to talk to her. Initially, she’d been quiet. We both had. At the point the silence became uncomfortable, I knew I had to make the first move. Thankfully, she’d engaged in conversation and I hadn’t been left to look like an idiot.
I wasn’t sure what it was, but there was something very different about her tonight. The woman I’d been intimate with last night wasn’t here. This version of Clarissa was vastly different and I wasn’t sure it was in a good way.
“What do you think of this place? It’s your first time here, right?” she asked, shifting her body so that she was facing me.
“While it’s open for business, yes.” I peered around. “It’s interesting. I’m nervous. I don’t want to disappoint him.” What I found most fascinating was the way everyone interacted with Master. I’d worked for him for years, so I’d seen plenty of people bow to him as though he was a king. Here, he wasn’t big-screen royalty, but there was a definite level of respect that he was offered. The same respect he showed every person in this place, submissive or Dominant.
I admired Master in ways I didn’t even understand. Even this harder version of him. While he’d always had that commanding presence, he was different tonight. More rigid, more in control. It proved my theory from earlier.
The same went for Clarissa. She seemed off. Almost as though a switch had been flipped and she’d gone from a beautiful, desirable woman to a life-sized doll who did whatever happened when someone pulled a string. I had seen her initial reaction to the leash—the way her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed—before she quickly masked her expression. She didn’t say a word when Master attached that leash to her collar, but I could tell something was on her mind.
Ever since, she had simply followed Master around exactly as he had asked.
“You won’t disappoint him,” she assured me. “And if you do, you’ll be punished, and he’ll move on.”
“He’ll move on if I fuck up one time?” I didn’t like the sound of that.
“No.” She huffed a laugh. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant, he’ll punish you and it’ll be behind you. You know, until you do it again. That’s the way it works. Punishment will erase any transgression and he won’t hold a grudge.”
Thank fuck for that. I knew without a doubt I would fuck up a few times at least. Probably in the next hour. The last thing I wanted was for Master to discard me because of it.
“Is it any easier yet? Accepting that you’re submitting to him?” she asked.
“It is.” My eyes traveled past Clarissa and I noticed Master talking to someone while he kept a watchful eye on us. “I’m rather ignorant when it comes to BDSM,” I admitted. “But it feels right. The more we’ve … interacted, the more I’ve realized it.”
“That you’re a natural submissive?” She wasn’t laughing, but she seemed genuinely amused by my answer.
My thoughts drifted back to the blow job in his apartment, to the way he had fucked my face so brutally. I wasn’t sure if it was because he needed it or he knew I did. Whatever his reasons, it had eased something deep inside me. It made my cock harden just thinking about it.
“Although it might make me sound less macho,” I told her, “I don’t think I’m the Dominant sort.”
“It doesn’t make you sound less macho,” she replied, her eyes pinned on me. “Submissive does not mean sissy. And, truthfully, it makes you sound honest. You’d be surprised how many people fear giving in to their desires because they worry how other people will perceive them.”
I could only imagine.
I didn’t tell her that I would submit in any way, shape, or form to Master. It was probably obvious.
“You do realize there’s a possibility we’ll be naked in front of the entire club,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Perhaps even having sex.”
“With each other?”
“If Master wants that,” Clarissa replied, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
“Do you want that?” I had to know that she truly wanted to see where this went, not that she would fuck me because Master commanded her to. As much as I wanted to believe last night had been about the two of us, I was mindful of the fact Master had set it in motion.
And regardless of the feelings I was developing for Clarissa, I saw the way she looked at Trent. She might not admit it, but the woman was in love with him. The sort of love that threatened heartbreak for someone who wasn’t ready for it. It explained why Clarissa was hurt by Trent slipping out of bed before we woke.
Her golden eyes held mine as she nodded. “I want to explore this. See where it goes.”
“Well, if Master wants it, he’ll get it,” I told her, meeting Master’s eyes across the room.
In fact, I got the feeling anything he wanted, he would have.
TWENTY
Clarissa
I COULD ADMIT, WHILE I was still angry with Trent, I was having a decent time here at Dichotomy. Spending time with Trent as my Dominant was an opportunity I hadn’t had before, something I wasn’t sure I would have again. After tonight, I had to think about these absurd feelings I’d developed for the man. While I was trying to keep an open mind, reminding myself that Trent was not the long-term relationship sort, I was failing because I had developed feelings for him.
It was quite possible I wasn’t cut out for this.
But rather than dwell on my ridiculous emotional issues, I decided to look at tonight as a learning experience. If nothing else, I could walk away with the memories of being with Trent and Troy at the same time. I’d never been with a Dom who had another submissive. Not like this.
When it came to a lot of submissives, there was a significant amount of jealousy. Nothing abnormal and nothing that wasn’t the same within any relationship, vanilla or kink. It was only natural that a submissive who wanted one Dom for themselves did not take kindly to having another submissive vying for their attention.
And yes, when I thought back on it, I’d always wanted Trent for myself. Who wouldn’t?
So, I hadn’t expected I wouldn’t feel that rush of jealousy when it came to Troy. Especially here in a club, where the objective was to find a Dom and get the pleasure one sought from the experience. However, I wasn’t worried Troy would take all of Trent’s attention. I was simply waiting to see how this particular Dom would divvy up the time between us. I had to believe Trent knew what he was doing.
Bearing in mind how long I’d lusted after Trent, it would’ve made sense if the ever-present green-eyed monster had come into play. Except, when it came to Troy, there was something else that kept me from worrying about being cast aside and ignored. Attraction, perhaps. Or maybe because I was seeing this as short-term.
An ache took up space in my chest as I thought about not seeing Troy or Trent after tonight. Even if it was necessary for my sanity, I wasn’t sure I could walk away.
Suck it up, I silently chastised myself. Enjoy the moment. Don’t think about tomorrow. An experience, remember?
While I hoped for some of Trent’s attention, I knew Troy would need most of it here in the club. He was new to this, didn’t understand how it worked. I had been immersed in this lifestyle for as long as I could remember. I knew the ins and outs, had learned what to expect, how to react, how to perform. At this point, I could probably predict everything a Dominant would do. Nothing surprised me anymore.
Truth was, this was new for all of us. Troy was new to the scene, I was new to sharing my Dom with another submissive, and Trent was new to having two submissives, one of them being male. We were all experiencing this for the first time.
Except, Trent seemed to be hiding. He had cast us aside here in this lounge while he walked around and chatted with everyone else. I thought for sure we would be his sole focus tonight, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
&nbs
p; Would we scene? Would Trent want to play? Perhaps in the dungeon? Or one of the more private rooms he’d shown me earlier? Or was his intention to simply parade us around so everyone knew he had two submissives?
I didn’t like the thought of that. Mainly because I needed a way to relieve some of this pent-up tension. The anger that had surged in my veins since early this morning was still a dull throb, an irritating reminder of how I’d let my emotions get the best of me. I simply wanted something to happen. In fact, I would go so far as to say I needed it.
Yeah, I said it.
I needed Trent’s attention, his ability to dominate me in a way no one else could. I was sure he had it in him.
Maybe.
“Pets, please join me.”
I turned at the sound of Trent’s voice, then instantly got to my feet. I dropped my gaze to the floor, placed my hands at the small of my back, and walked toward him, that stupid collar damn near choking me.
Trent reattached our leashes when we were both standing in front of him.
Probably shouldn’t complain about the collar when there was always that stupid leash.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Yep, I was slowly losing my mind. The more time I had to think, the worse it was getting. I needed something to happen before I forgot every single club protocol and told Trent where to shove it.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
“Did you get a chance to relax?” Trent asked, the question directed at both of us.
“I’m not sure relax is a word in my vocabulary at the moment, Master,” Troy said, his deep voice drawing my eyes up to his face.
Yeah. What he said.
“Remember my instructions,” Trent stated as he started walking.
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