I growled under my breath so only Josh could hear because he still waited for me to walk ahead of him. Josh laughed and shook his head.
“Little Goldilocks is pissed,” he murmured, causing me to stop in my tracks.
“In case you failed to notice, my hair isn’t blonde. I’m not Goldilocks, dickhead. I’m the fucking wolf that’s hiding in the woods for your little golden-brown-haired ass.”
“Wait, did we just jump fairy tales? The wolf was inLittle Red Riding Hood,” Josh explained.
As I stomped by him, I shoved him backward, causing him to fall back onto the loveseat. And the second I did it, I regretted it.
“Ali!” Sam’s voice sharply said my name as he snapped his fingers at me.
Oh my God, what am I doing?
“Get over here. Both of you.”
I hurried over and waited to be reprimanded. James would be disappointed in me. I was even disappointed in me. As a chill washed over me, I realized how that probably looked to other club members that might have been watching. I could be suspended or even banned for putting my hands on someone like that without permission.Just like that fucking pig man.Josh appeared by us, and I quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry, Josh. I don’t know what got into me. I’m sorry I pushed you.”
“It’s okay, Ali. I know you didn’t mean it. You’re upset about something else. I’m sorry for continuing to razz you.”
“Quiet,” Sam demanded. Josh and I looked at Sam. “Follow me.”
I didn’t balk or mess around this time. I followed quickly and quietly. I saw that fucking pig man leaning against the back of a chair with a smug expression on his face. Fucking asshole. As soon as Sam passed him, the fucking pig man had to add his two cents.
“Finally, someone is sorting you out in James’ absence. Hopefully he knocks that bitch attitude out of you,” the pig man said as I walked by.
Since I was glaring at him, I didn’t notice Sam had stopped abruptly, and I bumped into him. Sam’s big hands wrapped around my upper arms to steady me. He let go of me and stood between me and the pig man.
“Pardon me?”
“Nothing,” pig man replied.
“You said something that was disrespectful to my two bottoms and to me,” Sam said quietly.
“I have no problem with you or Josh. I meant no disrespect to you or him.”
“Ali, Josh, stand against the wall and wait,” Sam instructed. Josh stood next to me at the wall, close enough that his forearm touched mine. He did it on purpose, which annoyed me. But I wasn’t about to miss hearing a syllable from Sam.
“You disrespected the three of us by taunting one of my bottoms while we were on the way to our room. You interrupted us and their headspace.”
“Look, I meant no harm. I’m somewhat new here, and I didn’t mean to step on your toes.”
“Might I suggest that you attend the Club Oxygen orientation class to properly acquaint yourself with what is considered appropriate and inappropriate in the club,” Sam advised the pig man.
“Thank you,” the pig man said as he nodded and stood fully upright. “I’ll look into the class when I leave the club tonight.” He patted Sam on the arm and went toward the bar.
Sam watched the pig for a few moments and then turned to us. He shook his head and then gestured with his head for us to follow him. We entered one of the few private rooms that had no viewing windows and a door that closed if those using the room preferred.
“Both of you kneel facing one another, approximately a foot apart. Sit back on your heels and set your hands on your thighs.”
While Josh and I did as we were told, I could hear Sam close the door. Sam’s footsteps grew louder as he approached and crouched to the side of us.
8
Sam
Things had gottenout of control quickly this evening, and I thought the rest of the evening would go well out from under any unnecessary eyes. Ali was out of sorts, and had the owner seen her push Josh, she could’ve been in a lot of trouble. And Josh needs to assert himself with her.
