Chapter 1
Skye
ClubRedhasalwaysfelt like a second home to me in busy Chicago.I have missed being here, but at the end of the semester, I had to focus on studying and classes.Then, I had to work my butt off at the salon to make up for the lost hours at work.
Now I'm finally able to breathe, and Dante, a friend of mine who is a Dominant, connected me to a friend of his, thinking we'd be a good match.Neither of us is looking for anything permanent.I just wanted to have some fun over the summer break.
I've missed this place more than I expected.With Gemma deep in wedding planning with Carter, and Summer still in newlywed bliss with Knox, I've had more time to myself lately.Not that I mind, because I'm genuinely happy for them.Though I'd be lying if I said I didn't sometimes feel the sting of being left behind.
I step inside the lobby, which is bright white, almost like a clinically clean doctor's office.This contrasts starkly with the warehouse-like appearance outside.
"Skye!I'm so glad you're back!"Rita, the receptionist, greets me.
"Trust me, no one is more excited than I am!Finals are a bitch," I sigh.
I don't need to dive into how I didn't realize how much more work a master's degree was.I didn't really need a Master's in Business Administration to have my own spa.It was more of a fuck you to my dad, who was footing the bill.
Enough of that, Skye.I scold myself.
I am here to have fun and meet a possible new Dom.Thoughts of my father do not need to be mixed into this.
"Oh, I know it!I'm only going part-time, and I can barely keep up," Rita says as she swipes my card and reads the information on my account.
"Dante is already here."She smiles at me and hands me back my black membership card, which has the word "Member" in red and not much else on it.
Not only is Dante a friend, he was also my first Dom.He helped me learn everything there is to know about the BDSM lifestyle.So, I wouldn't be taken advantage of; he's kept me under his protection, and he also sponsored my membership at Club Red from the start.
Despite what I may have told my friends in the past, if it weren't for Dante, I wouldn't have been able to be here at all.Dante is also introducing me to Gage tonight.We will spend some time together to see if we are a good fit, and if so, we will talk about limits and set up a time to meet.
If not, then we go our separate ways, no harm, no foul.However, Dante has been spot on when he's matched me in the past.This time, I said I wanted to focus more on being tied up.He said he knew just the Dom, because it was his thing.
I tuck the card back into my wallet, turn toward the smaller door on the other side, and head toward the locker rooms.The locker room is clean and quiet as I stow my bag and check my appearance in the mirror.Tonight, I've opted for a simple black dress, something easy to remove but elegant enough to make me feel confident.My dark hair falls in loose waves past my shoulders, and I've put more effort into my makeup than usual.
I program the lock with my code and go out to the lobby through the large leather double doors, which are guarded by a guy who looks like he played as a linebacker in the NFL and could pick me up with one arm and think nothing of it.
The bass of the music thrums through the walls of Club Red, vibrating in my chest as I step inside for the first time in months.This place has always been an escape, a world where I can leave stress at the door and focus on pleasure, control, and trust.
The large, twenty-something-person leather couch is the centerpiece you first see when you walk into the main room.There are couples on the couch enjoying each other out in the open.
One woman is sitting on the couch, legs spread, with a man on his knees in front of her, eating her out like it's his last meal.Another man is on the couch with a woman bent over his knee and is issuing slap after slap on her bright red ass.These people want to be watched, and I love watching them.
I turn toward my right and head to the massive bar but don't quite make it before I hear my name.
"Skye!"
Turning, I see Pink flashing me a grin as she walks over to me.I took some classes from her when I first joined Club Red.She helps teach women who are new to the lifestyle, and she's been here as long as anyone can remember.
"Long time no see," she says, following me to the bar."Thought you'd abandoned us."
"Finals," I say with an exaggerated groan."It was hell, but I survived.Figured I deserved a night of fun."
"Damn right, you do."She eyes me knowingly."Looking for anything in particular tonight?"
Hesitating, I shake my head, smirking."I'm meeting with Dante, who is setting up a meeting for me with someone.Thinking I might have some summer fun, maybe try bondage play."
She smiles, giving me a wink."That sounds like fun!Enjoy yourself."
Returning her wink, I settle in on a bar stool.Then I look around the room, so I’m always aware of who is around.
