by Maggie Ryan
"Isn't this fun?" Barbara said, her eyes sweeping around the room, her amazement at the sight of costumed couples evident on her face. While it wasn't unusual to see members wearing all sorts of costumes, on any other night, they usually consisted of far more skimpy and risqué lingerie, or supple leather. It was truly a feast for the eyes to see how everyone seemed to have transformed themselves for the party. "Oh my God, is that Nancy?" Her eyes widened as a woman dressed in nothing but a nude colored bodysuit and a long blonde wig walked towards them.
"Yes, and I must say, she's a dead ringer for Lady Godiva," Garrett said, his grin showing his approval of the rather revealing costume.
"Look at Jason—he's 'Peeping Tom' from the story!" Ariel giggled, seeing Jason dressed as a common laborer of the eleventh century, a cane tapping against the floor to show the blindness that afflicted him. The tale stated that he had disobeyed the order not to cast his eyes upon the naked lady riding her horse through the village in protest of the taxation that her own husband had demanded of their people. A villager named Tom had bored holes in the shutters of his window in order to 'peep' at the beautiful woman. Everyone gasped as Nancy gave a shrill cry when the cane was lifted to land across her bottom.
"For a blind man, his aim is impeccable," Craig commented, as Barbara giggled.
"They couldn't have picked better costumes. I mean, Nancy is the exhibitionist, and her own poor husband is her voyeur," Barbara said, her curls shaking as she laughed.
"I'm a little surprised Jason didn't dress as a horse," Ariel teased, and laughter filled the air around them, everyone thinking it would have been appropriate and quite fun listening to Jason inform his lady that it was time for a ride.
Cleopatra and Marc Antony, more commonly known as Elizabeth and Logan, joined the group. Elizabeth was stunning with her black hair flowing around her white gown, a golden crown decorated with a jeweled asp holding it off her face, a necklace of gold around her throat. She wore a belt of gold around her waist, decorated with fake jewels, and a beautiful serpent bracelet seemed to slither up her slender arm from her wrist to her shoulder. Logan looked as if he had stepped out of the pages of history in his white toga, over which he wore a vest of leather armor. His muscular calves were wrapped with the leather thongs of his sandals. One arm was around Cleopatra's waist, the other hand gripped the hilt of a sword that was much more lethal looking than the dagger Garrett wore. The couples had gone all out in their choice of costumes, each selection fitting the individuals perfectly.
As the group talked and sipped from their drinks, Elizabeth seemed too quiet. "What's wrong?" Nancy asked, when she saw her looking over her shoulder for the third time.
Shrugging her shoulders, Liz was reluctant to voice her concern. She had felt uneasy the moment she had walked into the club. The room was full of people dressed in costumes, several wearing masks that hid their identity.
Having heard Nancy ask Liz, but not receive a response from his fiancée, Logan repeated the question. "Schatzlein, what's the matter? You seemed spooked tonight."
"I don't know, perhaps it's just the fact that it's Halloween. I don't know why some people insist on dressing up like characters from slasher films."
Though Liz was attempting to play down her unease, Logan wasn't fooled for a moment. Though she smiled, her eyes showed her concern. "Talk to me, Liz," he directed, his hand going around her waist.
"It's just that I keep thinking someone is watching me," she finally admitted. Looking at Nancy, she managed a small smile. "I know it's silly. If anyone is being stared at, it's Nancy. God, she really does look naked."
Nancy flushed, but refused to allow her best friend to hide behind the comment. "No, you've been acting strange since you got here," she said, looking around the room but seeing nothing to cause concern. "Who do you think it is?"
Liz also glanced around, hoping that the feeling would dissipate with her voicing her feeling. "I know it's silly, but, well, I could swear the monk I saw looked like Greg Spenser. That's impossible, right Logan? I mean, we've got restraining orders."
Logan nodded his head. Liz was correct, and yet his protective instincts ratcheted up a notch. A restraining order was really nothing more than a piece of paper, after all. "Not a chance in hell that he was accepted as a member," he said.
Garrett stood up from where he had been seated. "Any chance he's here as a guest? We need to check."
"No, please, let's not ruin everyone's evening," Liz said, placing her hand on Garrett's arm. "I'm sure it was just somebody who looked a bit like him."
Logan and Garrett shook their heads. Just the thought of Elizabeth feeling uneasy had every protective instinct in them buzzing.
"Craig, please stay with the girls," Logan requested, as he and Garrett began to move towards the foyer. "I've got a new girl helping Susanna. With this crowd, and everyone in costume, it certainly won't hurt to check."
Jason volunteered to take a stroll around the crowded room, as he knew Nancy was now as concerned as Liz. Hiding behind a costume suddenly seemed like something he could easily imagine the sleazebag doing. If Greg were here, he'd better pray Jason found him before Logan did. Jason would be satisfied to see him leaving the club in handcuffs, but he had a feeling Logan would demand a far higher price for invading the sanctity of Tastsinn's.
The men returned within a few minutes. Logan shook his head to indicate that no one named Greg Spenser had been admitted, and Craig returned, stating that the three monks he'd found had not been Greg.
"Look, let's just forget it. Monks and nuns are a pretty common theme tonight. I feel silly," Liz said. "Thanks for checking, though."
"Don't feel silly, Liebchen," Logan said. "I promise I would never allow that man to come near you."
The couples were soon enjoying the party, though Liz continued to feel as if eyes were raking up and down her body.
As the club filled to capacity, Logan and Liz went to the center of the room and the lights around the room dimmed slightly, with a spotlight moving to highlight the couple.
Logan thanked everyone for coming, and then made the formal announcement that tickets for the grand opening of Haven were going to be for sale throughout the evening. Instantly, cheers and hands shot up into the air, with comments of desires to purchase ringing through the crowd.
Though Elizabeth had originally protested against the high rate that Jason had promised she'd have no problem demanding, she had agreed to the fee. Assuming she'd see several hands drop as Logan continued his spiel, explaining that the weekend included all meals, as well as the special meal for New Year's Eve with a party, and all the champagne anyone could desire, and then gave the price—changing what they had agreed upon, she was absolutely shocked as additional hands shot up and began to wave—far more hands than she had rooms available. Liz was both thrilled and anxious, in that she didn't want to disappoint anyone.
As it became evident that some people were going to be missing the event, Logan came up with the solution. It was agreed by all that a lottery should be held. People who wished to reserve the remaining rooms were given a slip of paper to write their names on, and the slips dropped into Craig's extra-large top hat. Elizabeth saw Ethan about to drop his slip in, and reached out to stop him.
"You have a room," she said. "We invited you and Jeanette in thanks for finding us the perfect home."
Ethan grinned at her, his arm around Jeanette's waist. "That's great, and I'll accept the room, but I insist on paying." When Liz began to shake her head, he shook his own. "Royalty or not, my queen, don't think I don't remember how to wield a paddle." The fact that he was dressed as Paul Bunyan, his plaid shirt tight against his muscular chest, his hand as large as the head of the fake axe hanging at his waist, gave weight to his reminder.
"Yes, Sir," Liz said with a smile, the memory of the many times she had been across his lap, his huge palm slapping against her naked rear, making her cave quickly.
The hat soon filled, and Jeanette, dressed
in a calico dress, complete with a huge sun bonnet, was selected to draw the names. As each was announced, both cheers and jeers were heard, with everyone understanding that only a few couples would get to attend the special event.
"Let me assure anyone who hasn't gotten a room that they can still expect a great evening," Logan promised, as he looked out on the crowd that made his club so profitable. "I appreciate every one of you, and your membership at Tastsinn's. The club will also be hosting a party, and if you didn't get a ticket for Haven's opening, please see one of the bartenders for a voucher for a free bottle of champagne to share that evening. Elizabeth and I hope to see you at Haven soon. It is you—people who wish to share a BDSM lifestyle—that make our dreams possible."
His announcement had everyone smiling; the disappointment of not making the cut eased by the promise of still having a fun place to usher in the New Year. When he added that additional weekends could be booked by speaking to Barbara—or rather, Alice—the crowd moved to surround their friend; couples choosing weekends as she filled in the reservation calendar that Craig had brought especially for that purpose.
"When did John book a room?" Barbara asked, seeing the names neatly printed on a line of the reservation book.
"I'm assuming you mean Uncle John?" Craig said, smiling even as his hand moved to pat against the starched pinafore that covered her bottom.
Shivering a little, though it certainly didn't hurt through all the layers of her petticoats, Barbara nodded. "Yes, um, yes, Sir."
"I thought it might be fun for you to have another Little friend help bring in the New Year. Your Uncle John and Aunt Betty were quick to agree."
"Thank you, Daddy," Barbara said softly, and then giggled. "Do you think there is any chance that Angel won't see the Woodshed?" Craig's laugh filled the area around them as he shook his head.
"Little girl, I would be very surprised." His grin grew as he felt his precious Little quiver as he bent to kiss her. "Perhaps you would do well to remember that any naughtiness on your part could land you on a stool right next to your friend."
Giggling, Barbara nodded, her bottom tingling as his hand ran gently across the very area she used for sitting. "But, Daddy, isn't there only one stool?"
"Bunny Grace, you are getting as cheeky as Angel. Perhaps we'll drape you both over the barrel instead. Is that what you want?"
"Oh no, Daddy. I certainly don't want that." Her face flushed red when she realized that Elizabeth had slid onto a stool beside her. The grin, and the look in her friend's eyes, told her that she had heard the exchange.
"I'm thinking there might well be naughty girls draped over every piece of furniture in the Woodshed," Liz said, shaking her head in wonder that Haven's opening seemed so promising.
"I told you that you would have no problem filling Haven," Jason reminded her as he showed her the book.
"I know you did, but God, I still can't believe we had to draw names." She accepted a glass of white wine from Gary, who was tending the bar. "I mean, I know how incredible Haven will be, but still can't imagine paying a thousand dollars for one weekend."
"Remember, that's a thousand per person." Logan grinned as he leaned over and dropped a kiss on her head.
"God, I almost had a heart attack when you changed the price," Elizabeth said, shaking her head in amazement. "I mean, how did you know that people's hands wouldn't start dropping like flies?"
"Liebchen, it's not only a long weekend, it's also the grand opening of a place that has had people buzzing for weeks. Besides, it's New Year's, and something just told me there wasn't a Dom in the room who was going to be seen not offering all he had to make sure their submissive had no cause to question their desire to ring in the New Year in style." He grinned as he took a sip of the beer Gary set down before him. "Each couple receives three nights, eight full meals, a safe place to play, an incredible party, beautiful woods to explore, and, let's not forget, a woodshed to experience. Believe me, it is well worth the price."
Elizabeth still shook her head, but no longer protested. After all, it was her desire to build her dream—but it was also necessary that the business make a profit. The higher rate would give her a cushion for when the hotel was not full to capacity.
Chapter 6
With all business completed, it was time to play. Ariel was helped from her stool and led to the St. Andrew's cross by Garrett. Logan wasn't surprised to hear her giggle as Garrett realized it would be quite impossible to spread her legs wide in the restrictive mermaid tail. When it became obvious that the bottom half of Ariel's costume had to be removed, Logan reminded himself that his sister had every right to play at the club.
Seeing his face, Liz smiled and slid off her own stool. "I'll be back, and we can find a spot to play," she promised, giving him a kiss. Logan grinned, and nodded as he watched her walk towards the back of the club where the restrooms wouldn't be quite as crowded as those located in the front.
Instead of focusing on Ariel, he went over the reservation book with Barbara and Craig, discussing the move they would soon be making to live at the lake.
Jason pulled Nancy away as he spotted Carlton and Beth approaching. Nancy blushed when Carlton, dressed as a Keystone Cop, raised his eyebrow, and reminded her that she owed him a session with his implement of choice. "You're not planning on using that are you?" she asked, her eyes glued to the rubber baton that Carlton was twirling in his hand.
Beth, dressed as his prisoner in a very skimpy black and white striped prison uniform, giggled when her Dom simply wagged his eyebrows up and down. "Stop it, you big meanie," she admonished him, with a smile at Nancy.
"Come on, I'll help you," Beth volunteered, her yelp when Carton popped her rear with the baton doing nothing to reassure Nancy that she had nothing to fear. "I promise, it will be okay," she went on, as they walked towards a play area.
Though the reassurance helped a little, Nancy felt her body begin to tremble as she lay down on the padded spanking bench and allowed her friend to guide her wrists and ankles into the leather restraints. She easily fell into the role of a somewhat reluctant penitent as Jason grinned down at her, making sure she saw him hand a rather wicked looking paddle to Carlton.
"But, Officer, you should know that as a sub, I was simply obeying my Dom's orders that night," Nancy attempted, aware of people beginning to gather to watch the scene. "Don't you think it's just a teensy bit unfair that my butt gets smacked? I can absolutely assure you that mine wasn't the only bare skin revealed." Carlton's grin sent a shiver down her spine, her buttocks clenching beneath their barely there covering.
"Life isn't particularly fair, my dear girl," he replied, as he twirled the paddle that Jason had handed him, while Beth made sure the long wig was parted to pool on the floor, revealing every inch of Nancy's backside. "Ah, my saucy sub, you should know by now that as a Dom myself, I don't particularly care about fairness. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I arrived at the very entertaining scene of the crime, I'm pretty sure it wasn't Jason's bare ass I saw." He chuckled as Nancy growled at her husband. "Besides, I seem to remember you being quite happy to agree to a future paddling in return for my generous decision to give you nothing but a verbal warning."
Any further protests were cut off by her squeal when the first stroke of the paddle bounced off her rounded buttocks. As several more were delivered, it became obvious how little protection her costume provided. A soft pink glow could be seen developing beneath the thin fabric, Nancy's continuous squeals and protests growing louder as the paddling continued.
Jason grinned as his wife's eyes met his, easily seeing beyond her pain to find the arousal that was building inside her, as friends and strangers watched her bottom bounce and jiggle beneath a well applied paddle.
Logan looked over as a louder squeal was pulled from Nancy, followed by a sharper cry from Ariel. Shaking his head, he looked around. "Where's Liz?" he asked. "She should be back by now."
Barbara closed the book, as they were finished with the
reservations, with several weekends now booked well into the next year. "I don't know," she said. "I'll go check the bathroom." Craig helped her from the stool, patting her bottom.
"Don't be long. I'm thinking Alice's ruffled panties need to come down so she can remember how to properly address Angel's parents."
"I won't," she promised, knowing that although it was a really flimsy excuse to give her a spanking, her body was already craving his touch. Barbara hurried towards the back of the club, not aware of the picture she made—a little girl dodging around monsters, firemen, zombies and ghouls, whose eyes followed the beautiful woman in appreciation. Not finding her friend in the first restroom, she moved to the other side of the club, hurrying past couples well into their own scenes. Certain that she'd find Liz, she was beginning to get concerned when she wasn't to be found in the other restroom. After opening each stall to check it, she frowned, and bent down to pick up a large, red ruby. Stepping back into the club, she realized that it was almost impossible to know who was who in their costumes. Barbara kept her eyes peeled as she returned to the bar, shaking her head, her concern growing as she saw a flash of brown fabric disappear down the hall. "I didn't find her, but I found this," she announced, holding out the fake jewel. "Could this be from her costume?"
"Yes. Show me where you found it," Logan demanded, standing up as a sense of doom descended on him. He was taking his first step when a shrill scream made him stop. His head whipped towards the sound, only to discover it was a woman dressed as a witch. She was bent over the horse, her black skirts lifted to expose her pale buttocks to her Dom, who was rapidly striping her with his strap.
Jason had seen Logan stand up, and the look on his friend's face had him raising his hand, signaling to Carlton to stop. "Something's wrong," Logan said. Carlton instantly became the Houston policeman that he was, tossing the paddle aside and helping to undo the restraints that held Nancy to the bench.
