Chapter One
Kevin
“I’m not sure this is the best idea I’ve ever had.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you, Kevin,” my best friend Colton said, his voice rattling out of the speaker on my cell phone.
I flicked off the light on my drafting table and leaned back in my chair, giving a quick once-over to the now dimly lit condo. My table sat in the living room, overlooking a large plate glass window that gave me a perfect view of Los Angeles. I’d lived in the city my whole life, and the condo was my first splurge after securing a six-figure contract with the architecture firm I’d been at for the past five years.
“But…” I sighed, pushing the chair back so I had room to stand. “I think it’ll be fun.”
“You and I have very different ideas of fun,” Colton murmured.
“That’s why you have Darius,” I reminded him, padding down the long tiled hall to my bedroom. I tossed the phone onto the fluffy white duvet and started to undress.
Colton made an agreeable noise and I shoved my pants to my ankles.
“What time are you heading out?” he asked.
“When I get off the phone with you, I’m going to shower and shave, and then head over. It gets busy around ten, I think.”
“Do you have any friends there?”
“The point isn’t to make friends,” I said.
I was going out to Rapture, a relatively local BDSM club, with the intention of picking up a man. Not just any man. I had a very specific type of man in mind, and I hoped I would find him there. It seemed like the kind of place where I’d be able to meet a like-minded partner, and someone had told me that Saturday night would be my best chance.
“This is weird—” Colton started.
I cut him off, “Thanks. I’m going to go shower now. I know you don’t approve of my choices, and I don’t want to get into this with you.”
He sighed. “That’s not how I meant it.”
“It’s exactly how you meant it,” I corrected him, “and it’s fine. This life isn’t for everyone. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Let me know you get home okay,” he said.
“I’m an adult.”
“Alright. Bye, Kevin.”
Colton disconnected the call and I watched the phone light up as the call ended and then go black.
I loved Colton; I really did. I’d known him since we were in college together, exactly one day longer than he’d been with his now husband, Darius. We’d immediately clicked and become fast friends, but there was no question that he and I were far from compatible on a relationship level. It was one of the things that made our friendship so solid, but also so rocky.
Even after all this time, Colton didn’t understand the things I liked or the way I wanted to live my life. I had to make sure that was his deal, though, and not mine. While I’d told him I wouldn’t have friends at Rapture, that probably wasn’t true. I’d been going there for a year, sometimes with the intent to play, sometimes only for a drink or two. I did have friends who liked the kinds of things I liked.
“Get over yourself,” I muttered, throwing my discarded work clothes into the laundry and heading into the bathroom.
I ran a steaming shower and stepped under the spray, groaning as the hot droplets sluiced down the back of my neck. I debated taking a prolonged shower, but I was too excited. It had been awhile since I’d been to Rapture on my own, and I was eager to see what the night would bring.
Washing and drying, I picked a relatively nondescript outfit from my closet—black jeans and a tight black t-shirt paired with black leather boots. It was simple and easy and before I knew it, I was on my way to Pasadena.
The parking lot at Rapture was pretty packed, and as I parked and made my way up the stairs to the front door, my heart picked up its pace. I looked up, making note of the way the tall brick spires of the old church always took my breath away, then I showed my ID at the door and slipped inside.
Disco lights strobed, reflecting off the stained glass windows that framed the outer walls, and a steady bass beat echoed through the massive venue. Whoever had the idea to turn this gorgeous old church into a kink club was brilliant. I’d met the owner once, almost a year before. His name was Landon, and he owned the place with his friend Verity. Landon’s partner Gregory was ridiculously attractive, almost unfairly so, with a dominant streak a mile wide. He oozed control and there was a time when I’d been jealous, when I’d wanted that for myself.
Snaking through the dancing crowd, I pressed up against the bar top and waited for Callum, the bartender, to see me. He was someone I knew, since I’d frequented the place enough to be recognized.
