He gave Noah and me both smiles, making himself at home while Noah slowly pushed off of me, and in turn the couch.
“Did you two figure stuff out while I was gone?”
“Yes.” We both answered at the same time. I tacked on, “I’m sorry, for kicking you. And for being rude. And whatever else I may have done.”
“Apology accepted, darlin’,” Beckett dipped his head my way. “Now come eat. I have a feeling neither of you ate lunch.”
Uh, no. We hadn’t exactly been able to pull ourselves away from the couch.
Beckett waited until we all sat before handing out slices of pieces. “How’s your anxiety, Asher?”
“I’m fine,” I answered between bites of cheesy goodness. “I didn’t freak out when we talked.”
“I’d have texted right away if he did.” Noah happily supplied. “But...Asher?” He paused until I looked at him. “We didn’t kiss.”
I just blinked, mostly because I had a mouth full of food. Beckett, on the other hand, burst out laughing. His laugh was light, and filled with warmth.
I was pretty sure we’d be just fine. And maybe, now the anxiety would take a back seat and never bother me again. Although, I highly doubted it. It was something I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. It’d still sneak up on me. But knowing Noah would be there, helped soothe that fear that my monsters were going to drown me.
***
The sun was long gone by the time Beckett pulled into the parking lot of the club. The building was shadowed by streetlights, hiding what really went on inside of the four walls.
Tonight was different. There was no open-to-the-public night. There were only the members allowed in, and a limit of two guests.
I never thought I’d willing to step into this place with a dom, least of all with Beckett.
The dom who knew what he was doing, which gave me the time to settle my thoughts and not make a fool of myself like I’d done so many times before. Also, the hand that Noah held on to tightly helped keep me grounded just as much.
I knew what to expect once we got through the lobby, and what would happen after we left. It was what may have happened afterward that made my heart pound just slightly faster.
Beckett had left no room for me to argue. After tonight, no matter what happened while we were inside the club, I was to leave with him and Noah, to Beckett’s house. A place I had never been to before.
“Remember your safe words,” Noah whispered in my ear as we entered the lobby. I nodded since I was pretty sure I’d never be able to forget them.
Beckett talked for us as we handed over our phones in turn to get a colored bracelet. I was only allowed to play with Oscar for the night, or with Beckett. The latter didn’t want me to push myself too far but also wanted me to find something that I needed.
Apparently, just cuddling Noah wasn’t enough.
“Color, Asher?” Beckett asked right before we entered the club through another door. The music was louder, the bass vibrating the floor.
“Green.” I hoped he could hear my voice because I sure couldn’t.
“What are you to do if you get a yellow?” His eyes looked me up and down, making sure I knew he was in charge for the night. With that look, I was tempted to kneel for him, and only him.
“Tap you or Noah on your arm.”
Beckett nodded. “Good boy. You got this.”
Walking into the main area, there were a lot fewer people than the other times I’d been here. Also, a lot of people dressed in less clothing in different positions.
Beckett didn’t bother to stop and talk to anyone. Instead, he led Noah and me toward the back of the building, where the playroom was. Then past that.
Through another door, this time opened, Beckett led us down further to a room that was nothing like I expected.
On the walls were different types of ropes, paddles, and floggers. The floor was rubber, soft, and slightly squishy as I walked over it. Off to the side was a fridge filled with drinks and a few snacks. And clear plastic drawers filled with bandages and other things.
“Welcome to my favorite room. Well, second favorite. I do enjoy the Playroom, but for right now, this is the one you’ll get to find out what you need.” Beckett stopped in the middle room, looking around it like he was at home. “Explore. Touch whatever. See what speaks to you.”
