He looked inexplicably cheerful. “I don’t see why not. It sounds like a perfectly nice way to spend the rest of your life.”
She opened her mouth to refute the statement, but a sign caught her eye. There was a large sign saying Do Not Disturb. She knew what that meant. It was a scene room. There were discussion only sessions, and then there were scene sessions. Scene sessions could include anything from mild nudity to outright sex.
“What did Gideon need me for?” She could hear the breathlessness in her voice.
“He needs a female sub to partner with. Don’t worry. I’ll be there, too. Gideon will explain the process, and you and I get to be the visual aid. You trust me, don’t you?” He looked very serious. His emerald green eyes stared down at her. He really was a work of art. He brushed his thumb along her cheek. “You don’t have to do this, you know. But I think you’ll enjoy it. Have I steered you wrong, yet?”
She shook her head, trying to look unaffected by his close proximity. He’d been her guide as she explored this freaky side of herself. He’d taught her the uselessness of shame and the joy of accepting who she was. She trusted him implicitly. “I’ll do it.”
He smiled and winked as he opened the door and guided her in.
“Excellent. Our couple is here.” Gideon seemed to be in full-on professor mode. He stood at the front of the room, dominating it with his presence. “You all know Master Reid. Our pretty submissive is named Jessica. She’s brand new. You haven’t had a true D/s relationship have you, sweetheart?”
“No.” That one night with Gideon didn’t count. She felt Reid’s hand tighten on her arm. Gideon’s eyebrow had shot up. Jessica remembered what she was supposed to do. “No, Sir, I have not.”
She looked around, and there were seven men in the room. Two had female subs at their feet.
“Master Reid, will you bring your sub front and center, please?” Gideon gestured to the center of the room.
Jessica took a deep breath and moved forward.
Reid seemed to grow a couple of inches. She’d seen it before. For the most part, Reid was her playful friend. When they entered a club, though, he became a Dom. His eyes took on a harder glint, and his voice made her sigh. It was deep and dark. When Reid was in that mode, he would envelop her. She sometimes thought Reid and Gideon had ruined her for any future D/s relationships. She doubted the sex could ever be as good as it had been with Gideon. He was tireless at bringing a woman pleasure. She also seriously worried that she would never feel as safe with anyone as she felt with Reid.
She kept her eyes trained on Reid as she stood where Gideon instructed her to stand.
“Jessica, this is a ropes class. I’m teaching a specific design and how to make the experience pleasurable for your submissive,” Gideon explained. “A few of the couples in here don’t believe that a long time spent tying up a sub can be pleasurable for both partners.”
Reid snorted as if to say “amateurs.”
“I’ve passed all my ropes courses but Sylvie gets bored easily,” one of the Doms explained.
“A spanking would take care of that,” another of the Doms cracked. “Step up and be a real Dom.”
Gideon’s eyes narrowed. “That, Master Matthew, will get you kicked out of this conference.” He stood in front of the room, staring them all down. “Master Joe is being a real Dom by trying to find a way to serve his submissive. I understand that everyone practices differently, but we’re tolerant here and embrace the experience. If you can’t do that, you should leave.”
Master Matthew nodded. “I apologize, Master Joe.”
Master Joe shrugged. “He’s a dick. He can’t help it. He’s been that way all his life.”
Reid leaned in. “They’re brothers.”
Gideon’s head shook. “Then let’s get on with it. I’m going to give you a demonstration on how to keep your submissive entertained while doing elaborate designs. Jessica, remove your clothing and kneel.”
Jessica felt her eyes go wide with panic. He wanted her to get naked? In front of a room full of strangers? In front of him? She swallowed. The last few nights had gone a long way in repairing their friendship, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for this.
“Is there a problem with my instructions, Jessica? Was I not clear?”
The words were a challenge. A momentary anger flared up. What right did he have to challenge her? Then reason took over. How did she intend to explore this world if she couldn’t handle a little nudity? Besides, it wasn’t anything Gideon hadn’t seen before. Reid had seen her, too. No one was going to laugh, and no one was going to jump her hot body.