by Skye Warren
I had a boyfriend, Joshua, years ago, who made me want this. He was my first in every way. He teased me with the idea of being a submissive. Really, I teased myself. He wanted me to kneel, to crawl to him, to obey his commands and let him tie me up. I’m wet just thinking about him and his dirty words.
I was convinced that lowering yourself to be submissive was wrong and dirty. That it was degrading.
But I’m obsessed.
Even more, I’m turned on by the idea.
“Come here, Cherry, be a good girl for me,” his seductive words echo in my memory and I have to close my eyes and sink my teeth into my bottom lip. My heart clenches at the memory, so does my pussy. Joshua was good to me.
But he didn’t last. Your firsts never do. We each wanted different things and moved on, going our separate ways. It was hard at first, even if it was my decision.
After all, I was falling for him, I was weak when I was with him. I craved to submit to him and I know how badly he wanted it. But I wasn’t ready back then. I didn’t know that I ever would be. Almost ten years later, ten years wiser and more established, now I know what I want.
And now I’m standing out in front of Club X. It’s not well-known. It’s full of powerful men and rumored to be the hottest BDSM club there is. But it’s secretive for a reason. From outside it almost looks like a mansion. It’s large and intimidating, but aged with beauty. There are details in every aspect of the architecture and landscaping.
It’s a gorgeous building, but I have no idea what it looks like inside. Pictures are forbidden. The only ones I’ve seen are from the emailed invitation I was sent.
And I certainly didn’t focus on the architecture in those pictures.
I almost didn’t open the email. I had no idea who Madam Lynn was and it’s only out of curiosity that I clicked. It was a personal invitation. Somehow she knew what my dark desires were.
My blood heats at the memory. It’s been two weeks since I got the email. Two weeks of warring with myself. But I’m a grown woman. I’m successful and I have everything I’ve wanted out of my professional life. But my love life is nonexistent and I don’t even know how I’d find a boyfriend.
Nor if I’m interested in one. But I can’t deny my curiosity.
It’s only two o’clock on Tuesday, so I’m sure it won’t be packed. I’m surprised they’re even open.
I wanted to see what it was like on my own. I just want a small peek to see if I’m really tempted. I want to know if I can actually do this. The thought of being a submissive is intoxicating; it’s a fantasy. I don’t know if I can go through with it. But I have to try in order to find out.
I ball my hand into a fist and knock against the door. The cold air makes my knuckles hurt at the hard contact. It’s only when I’m pulling my hand away that I see the black cast iron knocker.
I roll my eyes at my stupidity. But before I can dwell on it, the doors open and I suck in a breath.
A large man, opens the door. I have to crane my neck to look him in the eyes. I am a step lower than him, but still, his broad shoulders and towering height are intimidating. He’s handsome enough, but not really my type. He looks down at me and cocks a brow, “Are you a member?” he asks. “I don’t recognize you,” his eyes travel down my body, “and I’m sure I would had I seen you before.”
“I-” I almost stutter from the nerves, my cheeks heating with a violent blush, but I clear my throat and grab a hold of myself. I shake my head, “not yet.” I’m proud of how firm my voice is, but my heart is trying to climb up my throat and my body is humming with anxiety.
This is my choice. I can always leave if it’s not what I expect.
“Welcome,” he says with a smirk on his face, opening the door wider and allowing a warmth to flow through the door, urging me to enter.
Seductive music lures me inside. I give him a small smile and blush again when I catch him blatantly staring at my ass. My heels click on the stone-floored foyer. The ceiling is domed and there’s a large desk to my right, a coat check on my left. Beyond the foyer, the deep red carpet mutes the sound of my heels as I step forward, drawing me to the large open ballroom beyond the lobby. Or is it a dining room? There are tables and what looks like a stage behind a thick velvet curtain. I unconsciously step forward drawn in by the elegance and mystery and, to be frank, disbelief.
It literally takes my breath away.
“Miss?” A woman calls out after me. Her voice breaks me out of my reverie and I turn to face whoever’s calling me.
A gorgeous woman walks towards me with a confidence I can only wish I possess in the boardroom. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a bun and her makeup is flawless and natural with the exception of a slight cat eye and thick long lashes that must be fake. There’s no way those are real.
Although she’s not young, she has a better figure that most and she strides towards me in her Louboutin heels as though she’s owning a runway, the scarlet colored dress clinging to her curves the entire way.
Madam Lynn. She must be the Madam of the club.
I take a step forward and hold my hand out, moving my coat to the crook of my arm. “Madam Lynn?” I say, although it’s a question.
The woman pauses, accepting my hand and smiling with a twinkle in her pale blue eyes.
“You’ve finally come.” She says accepting my handshake and taking me in. “Alena, correct?”
I nod my head and return her smile although my heart’s still pounding in my chest. “Yes, I’m here.”
“I’m glad you’ve accepted the invitation.” She looks at my coat and then back to my eyes. “May I?” She asks while reaching out for it.
“Oh sure, of course.” I hand her the coat and she immediately takes my hand and leads me back out into the lobby.
“I know you’re going to want to look around and,” she looks over her shoulder at me with a mischievous grin, “have some fun.” She stops at the desk and waves over a young woman in a silk black jumpsuit, “but let’s get you checked in first.” My cheeks color with slight embarrassment.
“Yes, Madam Lynn,” I say just beneath my breath.
She looks back at me with slight surprise and tilts her head. “Oh, he was right about you.”
I take in her words, letting them resonate in me slowly, as she walks behind the desk with the other woman tapping on keys at a computer.
Who is ‘he’ and what the fuck was he right about?
Chapter 3
Joshua
I watch on the screen in the security room as Dominic lets Alena in from the cold and takes a deliberate look at her ass. It would piss me off if I wasn’t feeling so fucking confident.
She’s here because she wants this. She wouldn’t have come otherwise. She had one day off this week and she chose to use it to come here.
I should be ashamed that I hacked into her emails, but I’m not. It’s something that’s almost natural at this point. With every application we do a background check. And that includes some digging that’s on the other side of the law. But we have to be careful.
And with Alena, I had to make sure she was single and that she was still the same woman I once loved. The thought strikes me like a hit to the chest. Love. It’s been a long time since I’ve said that word. With no family and no relationship, I haven’t had a reason to. I huff a small laugh as I realize the last woman I ever told those three little words just walked into my club.
I remember her whispering it with such sincerity after I took her for the first time. It was slow and sweet and I hadn’t revealed how much more I needed from her. I was desperate to have her and I wish I’d told her sooner. Regret starts to creep up on me, but I shake it off.
She’s here now and that’s what matters.
I watch the screens in the control room as she walks into the dining hall. She’s beautiful in her cream chiffon pleated dress. She looks innocent and naive wearing that in here. If it were any other time, she’d be struck with surprise at how out of place she is. We u
sually don’t let anyone into the building this early. Some Doms have keys to the private rooms that work from the entrances outside, but not in here.
When she emailed back asking to come, I allowed it. I’m already breaking rules for her. I’ll break them all to get her to submit to me.
Madam Lynn is getting her set up. Watching the two of them interact makes me uneasy. Lynn knows how much this means to me. I turn on the volume for the mics and listen in as they walk through the hall and into the playrooms. There are several on the first floor, and even more in the dungeon.
Alena never struck me as a woman who’d care for the dungeon. She doesn’t want pain. She just wants to give up control. Even if she doesn't realize it.
My thumb rests on my bottom lip as I watch the screen.
They’re quiet as they walk into the first playroom and she eyes the Andrew’s cross in the back of the room.
There are two crosses as well as some other furniture meant for BDSM interaction.
I can see her tied to one. Bound and helpless. Her eyes widen slightly and I can see her breath hitch as she realizes that’s what it’s for. She pauses mid step and looks at the dark raw wood beams as though they may bite her.
I lean forward watching her every move and willing her to explore.
I don’t want her to be scared off just yet. She would enjoy it.
As if hearing my thoughts, she takes a few steps forward and gently touches the wood. Running her fingers down the side of it and eyeing the leather cuffs attached to it.
I can see the wheels turning in her head and finally, those plump lips part with lust clouding her eyes. Yes!
She turns abruptly and clears her throat.
“How are the...” she looks away and then back at Madam Lynn. “How do the Doms choose their subs?” she asks. My skin prickles with excitement.
“Well,” Lynn takes a seat on the dark brown leather chaise and crosses her legs as she leans against the back of it. “Submissives and dominants are free to roam so long as they’re wearing the bracelets that signify their interests.
“So as long as I have no collar and wear this,” she raises her arm, showing off the three layered bracelet, silver, black, silver, bands. “Then the dominants will know?”
Black for carte blanche. A smile slips into place. I have so much to explore with her. So much to teach her.
Lynn nods her head. “That’s correct.” She gestures to the cross. “If you’d like to go up there, you can simply kneel by it and wait for a partner.
Alena’s head whips to the side. “Just wait?” she asks with a higher pitched voice. Her face is etched with insecurity. “What if no one wants to?”
Lynn laughs at the absurdity. It pisses me off that she thinks no one would want to accept the offer. She’d have men lining up for her.
My hands ball into fists. That’s not going to happen though. I’ll kick all those fuckers out before I allow that. She’s mine.
My anger dissipates entirely as Alena asks, her voice laced with fear, “what happens if they just leave me there or-”
Lynn’s quick to cut that off, and I’m relieved she’s there to put Cherry at ease. This was good. I was right to handle it this way. Lynn isn’t intimidating in the least. This is the perfect introduction for Alena.
“We have security in each of the rooms at all times. All you’d have to do is use a safe word. If you’re gagged, then you can use a hand signal.”
I can see Alena taking in the information and letting it calm her down. She nods slightly and looks at the other trinkets and toys around the room. Most items are in packages because of the nature of their use. Vibrators, plugs, nipple clamps. Some paddles and whips aren’t packaged. They can be wiped down and sterilized.
“You can always go up for auction,” Lynn offers out of nowhere. Every hair on my body stands upright, the breath stolen from my lungs. Once a month we hold an auction. It’s a one-month-long contract. Lynn’s eyes meet the camera in the room and I know that comment was meant for me.
I grunt and sit back in my seat. Fuck that, Cherry’s not going up for auction. although. If I bought her she couldn’t say no. I’d have her to myself for an entire month.
She’d have to sign the paperwork afterwards though. And the next auction isn’t for two weeks. I’m not waiting that long or risking her running when she finds out that I’m the one who bought her. Waiting this last week was too much as it is.
I’ve waited long enough.
She wants a Dom and I want her. That’s all that matters.
I watch as Alena shakes her head, although her eyes are hazed with curiosity. “I don’t think an auction is what I’m looking for.” Good girl.
I rise from my seat. Muting the microphones and buttoning my suit jacket. It’s time for me to take over the tour and show Alena what she really needs.
Chapter 4
Alena
The second playroom is even more interesting than the first. It seems more private since it’s smaller and there’s only one of everything … but there are so many items I’m not sure if multiple couples play together or not.
“How many people are usually in here?” I turn to Madam Lynn and ask. I love the idea of being at a Dom’s mercy. But I’m not sure how I feel about other people watching. Especially at first, when I’m just learning. All of this is overwhelming to see in person.
I just don’t think I could do it if strangers were watching. And the insecurity of it all is making me wonder if I can do this at all. I swallow thickly and wait for her to answer.
She’s been patient and I really appreciate the tour. I didn’t expect it. I also didn’t expect it to be so empty.
“The playrooms are usually packed.” My lips purse and my brow raises. Shit. I don’t think I can handle that. I look around the room at the benches and sex swing and try to imagine being fucked mercilessly while tied down and having people watch. The first part heats my blood and makes desire stir low in my belly, but the second … it kills the fantasy for me.
I can’t lie. I’ve been mused about this for a long time. More so recently since getting the email. I’ve touched myself to the thought of what it would’ve been like had I let Joshua dominate me like he wanted.
It caught me off guard back then. I kept thinking it was wrong and that he must’ve thought less of me. But now that I look back on it, he never treated me differently. He was just more aware of what he wanted. He shared his desires with me and fear kept me from submitting.
I wonder what it would have been like if I’d let him cuff me to the bed like he wanted to. What he would have done to me. I stifle my moan at the thought of him strapping me down and spreading my legs while I’m bound and helpless.
Madam Lynn’s cough makes a blush stain my cheeks. I turn and ignore the fact that my thoughts must’ve been obvious.
A frown pulls at my lips as I take in the room, remembering what we were just talking about. Coming here would be nothing like what I fantasize about. I’m not interested in an orgy or voyeurism. Whatever it is that they call it.
I was hopeful that this was going to fulfill my needs, but all this tour has done is fill me with regret. I wish I’d never ended things with Joshua. I let my fear push him away.
I bite the inside of my cheek.
“I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you,” Madam Lynn says, her seductive voice grabbing my attention and bringing me back to the present.
“Why’s that?” I dare to ask.
She may be elegant and graceful, but Madam Lynn seems to be a woman of secrets. She has a look in her eyes and a manner of speaking that makes it obvious that she knows more than she’s telling you. I’m not sure I like that, but considering her profession, it’s admirable.
“I have a feeling you’ll be spending most of your time in a private room.” My shoulders relax slightly at the thought. Yes, I think I’d much prefer privacy.
I open my lips to ask to see the rooms, but my body freezes as my eyes catch sight of him.
My heart, my blood, everything slows and heats to a nearly unbearable degree.
I blink a few times. Not believing he’s here.
“Alena,” Joshua steps into the room, proving that he’s not a figment of my imagination. My entire body feels as though it’s on fire.
Holy fuck!
Ten years ago he was a hot-as-fuck twenty-year-old. The years have aged him beautifully. His strong jawline and broad shoulders heighten the severity of his suit. Joshua has always radiated power, sex appeal and authority to me. But in this moment he is the epitome of dominance.
I almost take a step back as he walks closer to me, out of sheer instinct. But my lust for him has me frozen in place. I can hardly breathe as the images I was just conjuring flash before my eyes.
Prickles of want travel down my body, hardening my nipples.
Desire stirs in my core.
“I have more work to attend to,” Madam Lynn says to no one in particular and not waiting for a response. She gracefully, yet quickly, leaves me alone with Joshua.
This is not good.
As she closes the door behind her, the only thing I can think is that I am so fucked.
Chapter 5
Joshua
I excel at reading body language. And right now my Cherry is looking to bolt, but more than that, she’s turned on. I have to resist the urge to smile. I want her. I want her badly. And it’s obvious that she wants me too.
“Do you want to try it out?” I ask her as she tries to right herself. She still hasn’t spoken and I can practically hear the questions on the tip of her tongue.
There’s a spark between us, a recognition of desire and want. But our past is in the way and all I want is for it to move aside so I can take her like I’m meant to.
“Joshua,” she finally says my name as I walk closer to her, standing at a safe distance, but close enough to talk easily.
