“Yep. He has a vision for this place that goes far beyond anything I’ve ever seen in a club.”
“This place is pretty special. Not going to lie… I expected whips, chains, and gimp masks everywhere.”
“Well, you can definitely find all of those things within these walls,” I say with a chuckle. “But you’re right, it’s special. You’re thinking BDSM, but this place is a kink club. Most people wouldn’t take the time to distinguish the difference, but it’s there, and it’s huge. I didn’t come into the lifestyle through a club.”
“How did it find you?” His question is telling.Insightful.
“One of my college professors. She wanted a young guy to mold into her perfect Dom. After her, I never really found a woman who could tick all the boxes for me. I started looking into the practices I enjoyed and found a local club to train. When the guys opened this place, I heard good things, and here I am.”
“So, it was a Mrs. Robinson-type situation. Hot.” That makes me laugh, but he’s not far off.
“I guess she saw something in me that I never realized was there.”
Eli busies himself behind the bar before leveling me with a steely gaze, his brow furrowed. “You were in your early twenties then. Do you really think someone could find this lifestyle later without any previous signs that it’s something they’re interested in?”
“Hypothetically?” There’s a hint of trepidation in his voice that has me wondering.
“Of course,” he says, running his hand through his raven black hair.
“I think most people find it later. Let’s face it, none of us know our ass from our elbow when we’re young. You don’t bed the high school cheerleader with kink in mind. It’s something that comes with time and experience. I know for most of us, there was something… lacking… in our dalliances. We all justpiece it together at some point. Why do you ask?” I already know the answer, but I doubt Eli is ready to unpack his intrigue.
“Just wondering. I’m a vanilla guy who thinks sex in the shower is adventurous enough.”
“Do you, though? Think that’s adventurous?”
“Not anymore. But it’s enough for me.”
I opt to redirect the conversation a little. “Are you dating anyone right now?”
“I’ve had some hookups, but nothing I wanted to pursue past that. I’m busy with this place, and I’m just sort of bored having the same first date over and over again, it seems.”
“I get that. The longest relationship I’ve had was my last, and we all know how that turned out.” I nod in her direction.
“She’s not worth your time. Once a cheater…”
“Yeah. Doesn’t make me feel like any less of an idiot for not seeing it.”
“She wasn’t parading around here with anyone when you weren’t here, if that makes you feel any better. If she had, you know one of your friends would have told you.”
“I guess.”
“Are you looking for a new submissive?”
I smile. “Check you out, learning the lingo. Did you get a taste for it after seeing the voyeur floor? Next, you’ll be cracking a whip.” I know with certainty that Eli wouldn’t be the one brandishing any implement of punishment.
“I hear a lot of stuff. Seeing it is something else. It’s… intriguing.” Oh, hell, he’s coming over to the dark side, sooner or later.
“If you ever have other questions, hit me up. I’ll be happy to answer anything you want to know. I appreciate your help tonight. I’m going to make this restaurant work.”
“I don’t doubt it for a second.”
“Thanks, man. If you can send me that NDA tomorrow, that would be great.”
He pulls his phone from his back pocket, and within seconds, I have a notification on mine. “Done.”
“You’re a legend, Eli.”
“I do my best. A guy has to work pretty hard around here to be noticed,” he says with a wry grin.
