He gently elbowed me in the arm and pointed to the cross.
“It’s interesting, isn’t it?”
I looked back at the cross and felt another sliver of arousal. The picture in my head had me strapped up there with three familiar silhouettes surrounding me.
“Uh-huh. Interesting.”
“Do you want to get closer? I happen to know that particular cross has the softest leather.” He stepped back, giving me space finally, and smiled. “Come on, Sutton. Live a little. I can tell you want to get closer.”
I did want to get closer. I stared at him for a little bit longer, hoping I’d feel something.
“Um, sure.”
He held out his elbow for me to take and I argued with myself in my head that he was being a perfect gentleman. There was no reason to not walk across the room with him. For all I knew he was just being nice to a woman who probably looked terrified standing at the end of the bar.
“I haven’t seen you here before.” He led us the long way around the room to avoid the dance floor. “Are you new to the scene?”
CHAPTER 36
Sutton
“Is it that obvious?”
He laughed and shook his head.
“No, no. I mean…yeah. Your eyes looked like they were going to fall out of your head.”
I relaxed a little as I laughed and nodded.
“I’ve been here a few times but never alone. I wanted to try it, though. It’s a lot busier tonight.”
“Friday nights always are. I’ve been to a few other clubs and this one is the most popular. It’s amazing there are so many people into the lifestyle. You’d never know.” We stopped in front of the cross and he stepped aside so we weren’t touching anymore. “Feel the leather.”
I did and was struck with a wave of longing. I wanted to be strapped in. But glancing back at him and then at the other men I could see in the club told me what I already knew. I didn’t want or trust any of them to touch me. My body only wanted my bosses.
“Do you want to try it?” David saw my face and held up his hands. “Sorry! I just wanted to offer to help you try it. I promise I’m not being a creep. No matter how stunning I find you, I would never push anyone into doing a scene that they weren’t fully into.”
I found myself smiling and shaking my head.
“No, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous. I appreciate the offer but I don’t think I’m ready.”
“Of course! Here. Why don’t we sit down and you can study this thing?” He motioned to a table close by. “I remember when I was new to this world. Everything can be so overwhelming. Especially if you don’t have someone holding your hand through it.”
Sighing, I looked back at the cross. It seemed like I’d lost the someones who’d wanted to hold my hand through it.
“Come on. You’re breaking my heart. You look so sad. Let me show you how it works.” He reached over and patted my hand. “Purely experimental.”
I shook my head.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Sutton, Sutton, Sutton. Live a little. You know you want to try it.” He grinned at me and he looked so much like an eager little boy that I felt bad turning him down.
“No, no. Thank you, but no.”
“Come on, Sutton. I’ll unstrap you right away. Just let me do this for you.” He stood up and came around to me. He gripped my hands and gently pulled me up. “Don’t make me beg, lady. Just say yes. Say yes, Sutton. Just three little letters.”
I was so uncomfortable and I was regretting leaving the bar with David but he was full-on pulling me from the table and I didn’t want to make a scene. I felt like a fool. I’d come to the club but it was clear that I wasn’t cut out for it. Not without the guys.
