“How long have you been in the lifestyle, Dee?”Nate asked,his eyes trailing over her.
It felt good to have someone look at her like she wasbeautiful, like she was sexy and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her.“Afew years now, but I’ve never had a permanent Dominant partner.I’ve taken allthe classes, but I haven’t played much.I usually hang out in the lounge.”
“Do the Doms here not have bloody eyes?”Nate muttered thequestion under his breath but seemed to push the thought away.“Well, there’ssome luck for me then.I’ve been in the lifestyle for a long time, was raisedin it.My parents are a D/s couple.I know a lot of the members here grew up inthe lifestyle.My parents aren’t 24/7, but they do bring a bit of it into theirnormal lives.”
“My parents pretty much keep it to the club and thebedroom.”Her parents were an excellent example of true partners.Her mothertook care of the things her da wasn’t good at, and he shouldered the load shewas weaker on.“But that’s all a way of saying even though I haven’t practiceda lot, I’m not a newbie.We don’t need a contract for tonight.I use thestoplight system for safe words.I enjoy bondage and a pretty big bite of pain.Humiliation play is a hard no for me.”
One hand moved up her arm, sending sparks through her.“Ienjoy tying a pretty sub up.How do you feel about getting naked at some pointin time?”
Shedding her clothes for this man wouldn’t be a hardship.“I’m good with it.You should know I react well to praise.Despite what peoplearound here will tell you, I’m not a heinous brat.I would rather please you.”
A brow rose over seriously blue eyes.“Do you have a problemwith the Doms here?Am I getting involved with a sub with a reputation?”
Not the kind she wanted.She had to blink because emotionwelled inside her.She was going to miss this place, but maybe it had been toomuch to think she could fit in at this club.She was always going to be Aidan’skid sister at The Hideout.Somehow it didn’t come into play with the others,but the Doms couldn’t see past it when it came to her.“It hasn’t worked outfor me here.It’s a great club, but this is my last night.I’m moving toanother club.I was hoping to make some memories tonight.”
“I’m struggling to figure out why you didn’t have ten Domson top of you the minute you walked onto the dungeon floor.”He tugged hercloser, his hand going to her chin to tilt it up.“You’re a stunner, love.”
She wasn’t about to tell him why the Doms wouldn’t play withher.The truth was she didn’t understand it herself.Devi didn’t have the sametrouble she did.She didn’t play, but there were always Doms trying to tempther to come out on the dungeon floor.
No one had ever asked her except the two cowboy Doms whocame in from time to time, and they’d changed their minds before she could havea session with them.
“I think I’m trouble, Sir.But you can play with me for anight and not get pulled into my drama.Are you planning on making this yourhome club?”
“Yes.I’m new in town.I recently took a job atMcKay-Taggart,” he said, but the words felt absent since his eyes wouldn’tleave their slow perusal of her body.“I know some of the board members here,so I expect they’ll accept my membership.”
She was absolutely certain of it, and now that she’d seenhim it was probably for the best she changed clubs.He thought she was hotright now because he didn’t know her.When he got to know her, he would likelyput her right back in the sister bin and pant after the twins or her ex-bosses.Harlow and Ruby played here from time to time.Precisely how she’d gotten thejob.They were elegant and competent, and chaos didn’t seem to follow them.“You’ll like it here.I take it you’ve had a tour?”
“I have, but I will admit I didn’t spend nearly enough timein the privacy suites.”
That sounded promising.Privacy would suit her purposesquite nicely.The last thing she needed was one of the Doms seeing her sceneingwith this gorgeous man.They might feel the need to warn him.“What are you upfor, Sir?The night’s young, so most of the rooms should still be open.Ihappen to know the spanking room is open.And the bondage playroom.I think themedical playroom is occupied.”
His nose wrinkled.“I’ll pass on the whole doctor-patientthing.My roommate talks way too much about his profession.Even more than mymum.I’d like to tie you up, Dee.I agree to use the stoplight system.Ipropose we run a bondage scene.I prefer rope.When I have you tied up, I’dlike to do some edging play, and can we both agree we’re open to the idea ofactual sex?I have condoms.”
Her whole body tightened at the thought.She knew she shouldplay this cooler but damn it, she didn’t want to.The day had been awful, andshe was looking at having her freedom curtailed for weeks.She had to find anew club, and the prospect was equal parts scary and depressing.Why couldn’tshe have one night?One night to indulge.One night to pretend.The next timeshe saw him she would be Aidan’s little sister again, and he wouldn’t look ather the same way.“I agree to your terms, Sir.”
“Then lead the way, sub.”He stepped back, but his hand wason hers again.
She led the way through the back of the lounge to where abank of privacy rooms were located.And also a dungeon monitor.Afamiliar-looking Dom.
Hunter McKay was dressed for the party, but it was obvioushe was working.He gave her a once-over.The same one Gabriel Lodge had given.Hunter was six foot four and built like a linebacker, so it was odd to see howsmall he was in comparison to Nate Carter.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he began and then seemed to recognizeher.“Whoa.Sorry about that.Hey, does A…”
She let go of Nate’s hand and moved in closer.“I would liketo remind you what night it is,” she said quietly.“The rules are in play,Hunter.Are you going to break them?Why does my brother need to know what hisadult sister is doing in a club she holds a membership to?Should I have a talkwith your mother?I’m feeling the need for a session or two about how the menin my life treat me.”
Even in the low light she could see the way Hunter paled.His mother was Eve McKay, and she would be pissed if she thought her son wasinfantilizing the perfectly capable adult women around him.The aunties in herlife were pretty kick ass, and she would invoke their names now to get what shewanted.
One hot night with the Dom of her dreams.
“Which room were you thinking of?”Hunter asked politely.“They’re all open except four.”
“We’re going to use room two, thank you,” she said, andstepped back to allow Nate to take the key from Hunter.
Hunter put the key in Nate’s hands.“Go with god, man.”
Daisy tugged him toward the room.
“Okay, that was weird,” Nate said, following along.
