She said, “Yes, Ms. Black, we’re expecting you.”
I put the card back in my purse and tried not to show how rattled I was by her use of Ms. and not Mrs. She waved me to the little locker area for me to deposit my belongings for safekeeping. In there, I pulled off the dress I’d worn in, leaving me in a one-piece backless baby doll bodysuit that matched the floral lace of the mask. When I’d tried it on, it made me appear to have more curves than I did, and I’d bought it on the spot. The deep V-neck showed off the Crave necklace he’d bought me. To finish the outfit, I’d worn my over-the-knee boots. After I fastened the mask in place, maintaining my Marilyn Monroe-like hairstyle when she’d worn it longer, I felt fierce once again.
When I turned, a woman in a leather bodysuit that showed off her curvaceous body was in my face. Unlike me, she wore gladiator heels that wrapped around her muscled caves and I hated her instantly. From the way she sized me up, I knew I was in for trouble.
“You’re here,” she said, clearly unhappy I was.
“I’m sorry. Have we met?”
“Not officially, though I remember the last time you came. Guest night. Different mask.”
“This one was given to me to wear,” I said, knowing she’d hate that.
“I told him you weren’t his type.” She looked at the necklace between my breasts before glancing at my hands. “Married too. He’s breaking all his rules.”
I didn’t take her bait. “Is there a problem?”
“No. But he means a great deal to me. I won’t let you hurt him.”
“Who are you anyway?” I asked dismissively.
“I’m Eliza.” I just stared at her. “Fair warning, he doesn’t keep his pets long. So don’t get comfortable.”
“And I should care—why?” I asked.
“I know him better than anyone. Especially since I’m the one who opened his eyes about this life.”
Holy shit. Was Eliza his former sub and the woman he’d met in college that helped him? And she worked for him? Don’t sweat the small stuff, I thought, remembering Bailey’s advice. The woman was obviously desperate and jealous. I trusted Striker. He’d told me everything. Just because he hadn’t connected the dots didn’t mean anything. It just didn’t matter.
“Since you’re not his pet, I imagine he got bored with you.” With that, I walked around the woman and into the club.
I found Striker near the stage, bare chested with a whip in his hand. When our eyes met, he gave me a small imperceptible smile and held out his free hand to me. I walked over and took it. He didn’t say a word, not at first. He led me up the stairs and put me on display. My heart raced for many reasons. I had a feeling he was going to push my limits.
He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, “I’ll give you the option to watch or play. Your choice.”
I glanced at the obedience bench. Could I watch him give pleasure to someone else, especially when I was already drenched thinking about him using the whip on me?
“Play,” I said, not caring that the cops could show up in the middle of it all. I’d weighted all the options, pros and cons. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’d made my peace with the consequences of the night. He’d asked me to come and I’d kept my word, even though I probably could have given an excuse and arranged for a different day.
He spun me around to face the crowd, his big body wrapped around me with one arm under my breast.
“Sexy as fuck,” he said in my ear before engaging the crowd. “Someone’s been very bad. She left without asking permission. Do you think she needs punishment?”
The crowd agreed as my heart thundered. Playing alone with him had been fun. I’d been sure of my limits there. Doing this in front of an audience was giving me a rush at the same time embarrassment turned my cheeks pink.
“I think they agree,” he said loud enough to be heard. To me, he said, “If you want to stop, just say so.”
“Stop?” I asked, but not so the crowd to hear. “No fancy safe word?”
“Not tonight. Just stop and I will.”
He walked me over to the obedience bench as if we were preparing a magic show and he was going to saw me in half. The man was a showman. When he helped me on, I turned my head the other way. There were people on that side, but not as many.
“No, face forward.”
Without hesitation, I did. Even in this moment, I trusted him completely. He wouldn’t humiliate me. I didn’t think that was what this was about. I’d told him that I’d longed to be in that woman’s place, and he was giving me the opportunity. Besides, the people in this club didn’t judge. I could feel it in their excited expressions. There was no hint of mockery. I was free to enjoy what I wanted, and I wanted this.