Perhaps I should have focused on studying the apparent uniform while researching everything BDSM related I could get my hands on over the past few days.
But my mask helps me blend in with the crowd—hard black plastic shaped like a skull with a layer of mesh underneath so I can see out but my eyes are obscured to others. My mouth and jaw are the only parts of my face visible, and I’ve shaved since I last saw Maya.
Most patrons appear to be human, although the cold scent of death from one corner lets me know there are vampires here too. I glance in their direction and see two males with a naked human female trussed up like a sacrifice before them, tied to a St. Andrew's cross. My heart pounds faster, and panic surges instantly. The last thing I need right now is to get into a fight on their territory. They’re stronger than me, but they also haven’t spotted me yet. They don’t have my sense of smell to alert them to the presence of another predator in their midst.
I hate leeches. Shifters may avoid humans, but we don’t wish them harm. Vampires feed on them. They can suck the very life out of them. And unlike shifters, vampires aren’t born. They are made. It’s why we stay away from each other. Wolves want to be part of a community, while vampires never stay anywhere long enough to build one. They float from city to city, leaving before the pattern of deaths becomes noticeable.
My worry passes quickly when the human starts begging them to touch her. The cruel tone of their laughter at her pleading seems to make her want them even more. She’s clearly a willing participant in whatever they’re doing, and that’s all I need to know.
The salty scent of sexual arousal and bodily fluids assaults my sensitive nose as I move further into the space. I try to tune everything else out and let my wolf guide me toward our prey. Toward the reason I’m here.
Maya sits alone at the bar, talking to the female bartender. Even from behind, I would know her anywhere. Her sleek black hair has been pulled into a high ponytail. She’s wearing a tight, purple latexdress that cinches her waist and barely covers her ass. I thought the shoes she wore to work were fuck-me-heels, but I was wrong. I was so gloriously wrong. The thigh-high leather boots she’s wearing now are the definition of fuck-me-heels. It looks like they were painted onto her skin, and the gold heels look like they could gut a man.
She somehow still looks altogether classy while dressed so beautifully slutty, and my mouth waters as I take her in. Fates, she truly is exquisite. My eyes trace the long line of her neck that curves down to the spot I will leave my mark once she accepts the bond. I’m still not sure what she is, but I’m positive she’s neither human nor wolf. I hate the idea that she may not be able to return the favor of a claiming bite, but perhaps I will tattoo her name on my neck instead.
My jaw tightens, a primal heat rising in my throat as I stare at her, wanting to claim her. I had planned to hang back and watch her from a distance for tonight. Use this as an opportunity for reconnaissance as long as Maya didn’t engage with any other males. But that was a stupid plan. There’s nothing that could keep me away from her.
I move silently through the booths where couples are engaged in different intimate acts while others are sharing drinks and chatting in groups. The juxtaposition of sexual acts happening so close to friendly drinks is obviously something these humans are used to, but it’s not something I particularly care about either way. None of them draw my attention. Nothing could ever pull my interest away from the only female I could ever want.
I slide onto the stool beside her, the worn leather cool beneath me, and order a bourbon. Glasses clink together as the bartender’s pours my drink. Ambient music and the low murmur of conversation are interrupted by the sounds of moans of desire. I run my fingers along the rich, dark lacquered wood, finding the smooth surface slick under my touch.
Maya’s gaze burns into me, a prickle of awareness moving over my skin. I don’t look at her. Not yet. The mask I’m wearing covers most of my face, but it’s not impossible that she might recognize me. I would know her with my eyes closed—as long as I could smell her—but she doesn’t know I’m her mate. It’s fair to assume she doesn’t have the same scent recognition I do.
“Excuse me… Sir?” she asks after a moment and, fuck, I could get used to her calling me that. I tilt my face and take her in. A small black leather mask circles her eyes but reveals much more about her identity than my hard mask does. As if she’s not afraid of being recognized by anyone. Like she wants to be seen. And I can’t blame her for that. She looks incredible.
“Yes?”
She pushes away from the bar, spinning her stool to face me. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
“My first night,” I reply, trying to remain calm about her initiating conversation with me, but my wolf pushes forward, and my voice comes out in a deeper timbre than usual. “Is it that obvious?”
“Not at all; I just think I would have noticed you. Do you have a submissive?” she asks before inhaling sharply. “I’m sorry, Sir.That was far too forward. I just meant to ask, are you waiting for someone?”
She glances down and misses the smile that lights up the visible part of my face before I can get it back in check.
“Are you?” I ask, spinning my stool toward her so I can take her in without pretending not to. Her pulse flutters, and her heart hammers, loud even amidst the ambient music playing and the sounds of bodies coming together mere feet away from us.
“No,” she replies, shaking her head slowly but keeping it bowed. This mate of mine is a sexy little enigma. Confident and sure of herself when she’s in her therapist's chair, but meek and submissive here. “I don’t have a Dom currently.”
“Then perhaps you would like to give me a tour?” I ask, holding my hand out to her. I’ve already had a tour. It was yesterday with Madame Veleta when the club was closed after she confirmed my membership, but I’m going to take any chance I can get to be in Maya’s presence.
“Of course, I would be honored.”
Maya gasps when she places her hand in mine, and tingles erupt where our skin connects. If what she’s feeling is anything like the sensation I’m experiencing, sparks of electricity are skittering down her arm from our point of connection. Her eyes track upward before she climbs down from her seat and adjusts the tiny dress molded to her body. She’s standing between my open thighs, and it’s taking all of my restraint to stop myself from pulling her closer so I can press my lips against hers. Fates, she’s flawless.
But I don’t; I move my leg enough for her to slide past and watch as Maya leads me along the side of the bar. “This is the main hall where people meet socially, engage in sexual activities with their partners, or get to know other members. The stage over there will have shows.” She gestures with her eyes rather than pointing.
“What kind of shows?” I ask, my gaze never leaving her face.
“There are exhibitions on most Saturday nights,” she explains. “Madame Veleta brings in experts in different kinks: shibari, impact play, all kinds of fetishes. You can submit requests through the members area on the website if there’s something you would like to see.”
Maya looks at me expectantly, goading me into telling her what I’m interested in with her silence. The same technique she uses in therapy. I don’t fill the silence, though. Not yet. Realizing I’m not giving away any secrets for now, she continues walking forward with an unmistakable sway to her hips that isn’t normally there. When she leads us into a corridor, my wolf urges me to shove her up against a wall and fuck her senseless. My cock leaks at the thought, but I push it down.
I need to do this right. Fates, I need her to accept my claim.
“These are the public scene rooms, and each one has a theme. These can be booked in advance or used if available, and others are permitted to watch members participate in each of them.”
She glances over her shoulder, and I nod slowly to indicate that I’m listening. I don’t glance in the direction she indicates though because I refuse to look at anything but her. Maya watches me, waiting to see my reaction to the rooms. Her breath hitches whenI don’t pull my gaze away. I wonder if she can feel the intensity of my desire for her.
