She downed the rest of her beer in one gulp and pushed aside the bottle. “Deal.”
Less than an hour later, we were driving through the city. I watched out the window as the bright lights of the downtown dimmed and finally disappeared. We drove into a more industrial area. It was dark and somber looking.
I looked over at Julie. “Are you sure you’re going the right way? This area doesn’t look too safe.”
Julie didn’t seem concerned. “I’m just following the GPS. We should be there in a few minutes. Jessica said it was in the middle of nowhere.”
I nervously chewed on my nails while Julie drove. Finally, we pulled into a parking lot behind a huge non-descript building.
My voice squeaked, “This is it? I didn’t see anything. No signs. No lines of people waiting to get in-”
“Chill out, Ava. I told you this is a private club. Jessica said we’re supposed to go knock on a black door back here. It must be that one.” Julie pointed to the plain door at the back of the building.
I was starting to have serious second-doubts. “I don’t know, Jules. What kind of club is this anyway? Is this another male stripper club, like that Australian stripper show you made me go to?”
Julie got out of the car and headed for the door. “It’s some kind of a sex club. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything. You can just hang out and watch if you want to.”
I scrambled to catch up with her. “What? Julie, you didn’t tell me this was a sex club! No way I’m going in there. I can’t believe you!”
Julie huffed. “You’re such a prude sometimes. C’mon, we’re just going to check it out. Jessica told me all about it. Seriously, you don’t have to do anything there that you don’t want.”
My voice was screeching in my panic, “I’m not going in there, Jules!”
Julie stopped and turned to me. “After I drive all the way out here, you’re gonna chicken-shit out on me now?”
I felt bad that she had driven so far, but she should have told me sooner. I took a deep breath. “I’m stone cold sober now, Jules. My buzz has totally worn off. And this place looks creepy. Please, let’s just go home.”
Julie turned and headed toward the door. “You don’t have to go in. But, I’m gonna go check it out.”
I stood staring at her stupidly as she walked to the door and knocked. I suddenly realized that she had the car keys; I couldn’t even wait for her in the car. There was no way I was going to stand out in the dark lot all by myself.
The door opened and I ran to catch up with her.
A big beefy bouncer dressed in a three-piece suit ushered us inside. “Hello, ladies. Welcome to Sanctuary. Do you have a reservation?”
I was hoping we’d get turned back when Julie stammered nervously to the man that we didn’t have a reservation.
Instead the man just smiled. “Is this your first time here, then?”
Julie nodded.
“Just wait one moment while I get Sasha. She’ll take care of you.”
The man crossed the small entrance room and exited out a wooden door.
I grabbed Julie’s arm. “Now’s our chance. Let’s just get out of here.”
Julie shook off my arm. “Stop being a baby, Ava. Jessica said there’s a beginner’s introductory package that caters exactly to your individual needs.”
“Oh my God, Jules. I don’t have any needs. This is crazy! You’re crazy! Just –”
I couldn’t finish, because a petite woman, wearing a scandalously revealing outfit, walked into the room. “Hello, lovelies. My name is Sasha. Since it’s your first time here, we’d like to go over a few things with you first. We’ll have you ready for some fun in no time. Please, follow me.”
Julie followed the woman. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I miserably trailed after them. Sasha led us to a small room, which was bare except for a red upholstered couch and a TV mounted on the opposite wall.
“Please have a seat on the couch and I’ll start your introductory video.”
I was so far out of my depth that the video might as well have been in a foreign language for all that I got out of it. The video focused on proper club etiquette and safe words and always respecting other’s boundaries. I found laughter bubbling up from the sheer absurdity of it all on several occasions.
When the video ended, Julie complained. “So far this is boring.”
Just then, the door opened and Sasha motioned to me. “Come on. We’ll do your interview first.”
I stood and reluctantly looked back at Julie, until I let Sasha lead me from the room. She led me further down the hall and into yet another room. This room was a cozy but cluttered office with a gray-haired older lady sitting behind the fancy wooden desk.
The lady waved me in. “C’mon in. Have a seat. I’m Betsy.”
I sat down. “Hi.”
“Can I see your driver’s license, dear? Just need to double check that you’re of age.”
I pulled my wallet from my purse and fished my driver’s license out of the clear plastic sleeve that was holding it. “Um. This is an interview? Like, for a job?”
Betsy laughed heartily. “No. No. Since this is your first time here, we just need to understand what your expectations are – what you’re hoping to experience tonight. And I want to find out if there are any things you definitely do not want to experience. We like our guests to be comfortable.”
“Um, okay. That’s good.” I didn’t even know what to say. I had no idea what I was doing there, let alone what my expectations were.
Betsy looked up from reading my driver’s license. “So, Ava, what did you want to experience at Sanctuary tonight?”
I had no idea. “Well, I heard there was a beginner’s package?”
Betsy nodded in agreement. “That would be perfect for you! The cost would be $100 for the hour, and then of course, you would be welcome to hang out in the common room or at the bar. It’s a wonderful deal for a beginner like you. Would you like to pay with cash or credit?”
I reluctantly dug through my wallet for my credit card. One hundred bucks! I was going to absolutely kill Julie when this was over.
“Now, Ava, can you give me some guidance on what your personal comfort level is? Or, if it’s easier, let me know if there is anything that you don’t want to experience tonight. Don’t worry, the beginner’s package is very, uh… mild on the BDSM scale.”
BDSM? What the hell was I doing here? Shit! I tried to remember what BDSM entailed from that movie I had recently seen. “Yeah, okay. Um, I don’t want to have sex with anyone.”
“No, of course not.” Betsy seemed nonplussed by my statement.
Here was the chance to set my boundaries. “I don’t want to be naked. And no blindfolds.”
Betsy was busy writing onto a notecard of sorts. “Anything else?”
“No whips or anything. Or restraints. I don’t want to be tied up or restrained at all.”
“Okaaaay. I’ve got it.” Betsy put down her pen.
I thought of a few more. “Oh! No nipple clamps or anything – God no! And no anal stuff. That would freak me out.”
“Okay… starting off slowly is… smart. Is that all?”
I thought for a moment. “Um, am I missing anything?”
Betsy shook her head. “No, dear. I think you’ve got it all covered here.”
I chewed on my lip, worried that I might have missed something big.
Betsy patted my hand. “Remember that you can stop or slow down a scene at any time. Remember the safe words from the video?”
I nodded. “Yellow and red.”
Betsy eyed me thoughtfully. “Sometimes my clients are a bit nervous. I find that a little bit of anonymity helps them feel more comfortable - freer to explore. Would you like to wear a mask tonight?”
I would wear a bag with eyeholes if I could. “Yeah. That might be helpful.”
Betsy tapped her pen on the desk. “Ok. Good. So, can we call you Ava in the club, or would you like to go by a differe
nt name while you’re here?”
I didn’t even have to ponder my answer. “Oh, a different name, I think. Um… April would be good.”
“Perfect.” Betsy picked up the phone on her desk and punched a button. “Sasha? Would you please escort April to the Red Room?”
She hung up the phone and then began digging through a drawer in her desk. “Here it is.”
Betsy pulled out an elaborate mask. It reminded me of Mardi Gras festivals. The eyepiece part of the mask was gold colored and decorated with sequins. Bursting from the top of it was a plumage of peacock feathers. It was elegant and gaudy all at the same time.
“Is that the mask I’m supposed to wear?”
Betsy handed it to me. “Only if you feel comfortable wearing it.”
I slipped the strap over my head and found it fit quite comfortably. It didn’t go very well with my blouse and jeans, but it did feel like it concealed my identity fairly well.
The office door opened and Sasha poked her head inside. “April?”
I stood and it looked like Sasha did a surprised double-take when she saw me, but then she quickly composed the strange look on her face. “Follow me.”
I took a deep breath and then followed Sasha out of the room and down the hallway once again. I was mesmerized by her practically bare ass swaying ahead of me. I almost bumped into her when she suddenly stopped at a door.
Sasha gestured for me to enter the small room. “Please kneel in the center of the room. Master Royce will be in shortly.”
Chapter 4
AVA
I knelt awkwardly on the floor, feeling foolish. Master Royce? Once again, I thought about killing Julie for getting me into this. I wondered what she was doing that very second herself.
Five minutes later I was beginning to get annoyed. This is what I spent a hundred bucks on? Kneeling on a cement floor until my knees were bruised and my back aching?
By the time the door opened, I had grown so weary of kneeling that even my annoyance had faded, but when I glimpsed the giant man who entered the room, my mind immediately snapped to attention.
He looked like a gladiator. I couldn’t help but gawk at him. He had on a gold metal helmet of sorts that covered the top half of his head and only left his mouth and jawline exposed. He had no clothes on except for a form fitted pair of black shorts – they reminded me of biker shorts but a bit shorter, and a long red cape trimmed with gold.
Besides the costume, what made me think gladiator was the man’s body. He had a stunning physique. He was well over six feet tall, extremely toned and incredibly strong looking. He didn’t look like a roided-up body builder; it was just that his muscles were very well defined.
His shoulders were broad. The left side of his chest was covered with tattoos. My eyes lowered down his body, checking out his six-pack abs, his trim waist, the light trail of hair under his belly button that led to…
I swallowed nervously. Not only was he the sexiest male specimen I had ever laid eyes on, he was certainly the most intimidating looking man on the planet. His piercing eyes, staring at me through the holes on his mask, didn’t help. They seemed to be penetrating right through my own mask, straight into my soul.
Holy shit, I couldn’t do this. I felt my whole body slumping under his scrutiny as if I was trying to disappear from his sight. I quickly looked away from that knowing gaze.
“Sit up straight.” His commanding voice startled me, sending shivers down my spine. I complied immediately; there was no mistaking the authority in his voice.
My heart was beating furiously and I felt my body begin to tremble slightly. I was scared out of my mind. I bowed my head slightly and waited with trepidation for whatever was to happen.
My knees were hurting even worse in this unnatural position, but I kept my back ramrod straight. I dared to peek and see what Master Royce was doing, but he seemed to be just staring at a piece of paper that sat on the corner table near the door.
Finally, Master Royce approached me. He circled me slowly. The atmosphere was charged. I was so excruciatingly nervous that I began to visibly shake.
He spoke from behind me. “You watched the safety video, right?”
“Um…yes.”
Suddenly, he was inches from me, on my left side. He grabbed a handful of my hair in his fist and began tugging it downward. It forced me to look directly into his eyes. It didn’t hurt at all, but it scared the crap out of me.
His eyes were flashing coldly. “When you address me, show me some respect. You may call me Sir.”
Oh shit. I felt my lip tremble. “Oh, sorry. Sir.”
He let go of my hair. “Tell me your safe words.”
My voice was shaky, “Uh, yellow is slow down and red is stop… I mean, Sir. Sorry, I forgot to say it. Sir.”
He circled in front of me. “Stand up.”
I stood up but barely felt the burning in my knees, because I realized as I stood before him, just how much bigger he was than me. I was in a room alone with this man – this stranger. In a freaking sex club! There was no way I could physically stop this man from doing anything he wanted to me. He was so much stronger. I began to feel dizzy.
“Take off your shirt.”
My hands flew to my shirt and started unbuttoning it. Why was I following his orders? This wasn’t happening. I was panting now, practically hyperventilating.
I just couldn’t. “Yellow!”
Master Royce folded his arms in front of him. “I know your limits, April.”
I felt my cheeks flaming. “I don’t want to get naked.”
“Are you wearing something under that shirt?”
I nodded miserably as my mind desperately tried to remember exactly what I was wearing underneath. Was it my usual everyday underwear: grannie panties and a no-longer crisp white utilitarian bra?
Master Royce didn’t move a muscle. “You won’t be naked then. Now follow my orders or you’ll be disciplined. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir,” I answered meekly but I was still frozen in place.
Master Royce sighed. He was clearly exasperated with me. “Take. Off. Your. Shirt.”
I began unbuttoning my shirt again. The process was painful, because my fingers no longer seemed to be functioning. I couldn’t concentrate on the task because my brain was running ahead of myself. What was going to happen next?
Reluctantly, I began sliding the silky shirt off my shoulders. Master Royce held out his hand and I gave him the shirt.
I almost giggled out loud with hysterical relief when I realized that I was wearing a black push-up bra - one of my nicer ones. I also recalled that earlier that evening, I had slipped on black panties cut in a bikini style to match. Not exactly the sexiest underwear in the world, but certainly better than the usual style that I wore - grandmotherly.
Thank God he wasn’t looking at me. I noted with near panic that my nipples had hardened and were prominently poking through the thin fabric of the unpadded portion at the top of my bra. I wanted desperately to cover my chest with my arms. It must have been the cold air, there was no way any of this was turning me on. I was too deathly scared to get any pleasure out of this.
“Now, take off your pants.” He voice brooked no disobedience.
I felt helpless to resist when he spoke like that. What had he said? That I’d be punished if I disobeyed? I shivered.
I began to unfasten the button on my jeans. “But, but…. Sir? This…”
“Are you wearing panties underneath those jeans?”
“Yes, but –”
Master Royce tapped his foot impatiently. “Then you won’t be naked. I told you already, April, that I will respect your limits. But I won’t tolerate anymore disobedience from you.”
Oh my God. I was taking off my pants for him. Why? Why didn’t I just leave while I still had some semblance of my dignity intact? He couldn’t keep me here against my will.
I awkwardly stepped out of my jeans and then placed them into his outstretched hand. I stood
uncomfortably while he crossed the room and set my clothes aside.
“Stand up straight.”
The push up bra was already doing fine work with my breasts. When I stood up straight, it felt like I was obscenely sticking out my chest for his inspection.
Master Royce slowly started circling me, looking me up and down. The slight tremor in my muscles got worse. My legs started to wobble. I felt nauseous.
“Use your safe words if you need them.” His voice sounded gentler.
I squeezed my eyes tightly shut. I was panting like I’d just run a marathon. I suddenly couldn’t get enough oxygen into my lungs. When I felt something slightly tickle my collarbone, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“Shit, April. Come here.” Master Royce grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the couch against the back wall of the room.
He sat and pulled me down on the couch at the same time, managing to plant me squarely on his lap. I might have been half-naked and sitting on a half-naked man’s lap, but I wasn’t about to cuddle up with him. I sat up ramrod straight.
He began briskly rubbing my arms. “You’re shaking like a leaf.”
I couldn’t think of a thing except for the fact that my ass was nestled up against his ‘private area’. We fit together like two pieces of a puzzle with only the thin fabric of my panties and his weird stripper shorts separating me from his pure maleness. I could feel the heat coming off him and I actually had to resist the urge to wiggle my bottom against him. I was certifiably insane.
“Are you okay?” He sounded sincerely worried.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Sir. I was… scared.”
Master Royce sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I would never hurt you, April. That’s not what I want. At all.”
I didn’t move.
He grabbed a blanket from somewhere behind the couch and wrapped it around me. “I don’t think you’re looking for a Dom. Or this kind of experience, at all.”
I shook my head, afraid to speak.
His fingers were gently running up and down my arms under the blanket. “Why did you come here tonight?”
I wondered if I should tell him the truth. I was suddenly too weary to put on any more pretenses. And, he was being so nice. In fact, my body had finally stopped shaking in fear. I felt safer. A familiar sense of comfort was seeping into my bones. His voice was soothing. He was no longer barking out brisk commands. He seemed genuinely concerned for my feelings.
My Stepbrother the Dom (Stepbrother Romance) Page 2
