My eyes flew to Melissa. She looked just as shocked as me.
“What kind of party is this?” I tried to take a step back but couldn’t move. People had joined us on both sides now, packing us in tightly.
“I have no idea,” Melissa giggled, out of nervousness of excitement I couldn’t tell. “But I don’t think it’s entirely what Gary made it out to be.”
“I think those are paddles...for spanking. Like it’s a spanking party,” I hissed, panic rising.
“I think you’re right.”
I swallowed hard. “Let’s get out of here.”
“You go if you want.” She shook her hair over her shoulders. “I’m curious to see what happens next.”
“Seriously?” I looked at her incredulously, but she ignored me. Apparently she actually wanted to stay.
I swallowed hard. I guess I’d have to leave her.
Just as I was about to turn and book it, even if it meant shouldering my way through the crowd, the host walked into the room.
“Welcome, everyone!” He held his arms wide and spoke in a large, booming voice, smiling at everyone in the crowd. He was wearing a black suit and top hat and looked more like a magician than a party host.
“Welcome to our schoolgirl-themed party. For those of you who are new, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Drake Maxim, party host and owner of this house. By day I am a Drake Maxim, Fund Manager—and by night I am Master Maxim, BDSM fetishist.”
BDSM fetishist? Holy shit. I glanced around, searching desperately for a way to sneak out without being noticed, but the circle had only tightened. I’d have to cross the room in front of everyone to get to the front door.
I elbowed Melissa, hoping that now she would be ready to leave, but she only smiled down at me excitedly. Suddenly I worried she was high on more than Vodka.
“Privacy screens have been set up in the various rooms down the hall. You exhibitionists are also welcome to play in any location on the main floor. For those of you who are new to spanking,” his eyes rested on Melissa and me, “or those who simply like to observe, you are welcome to wander around and make yourself comfortable.”
The hairs on my neck stood on end and I glanced to my right. A man in his late thirties with blonde almost white hair was watching me. When he noticed me looking back, his tongue slipped out of his mouth and licked along his dry lips. I tried not to shudder and focused on the host again.
“Requesting a private observing session is allowed as well,” he was saying, “and all requests and responses should be treated with respect. The mansion is a place of acceptance, a place where we can all experience our inner most desires safely and without judgment. Anyone that violates these rules will be asked to leave.”
He paused for a moment, perhaps to give everyone a chance to make a comment or ask a question. When no one spoke, he nodded and said, “Very good, let’s begin. Feel free to grab a paddle.”
The crowd surged forward and I took the opportunity to grab for Melissa’s hand, but she snatched it away. A guy who didn’t look much older than us was stalking toward her from across the room. He was good-looking, I had to admit—he had light brown hair and blue eyes and looked like an all around American gentleman.
Except he was intent on spanking my roommate.
“Gary!” she cried happily and shook her hair out again. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Are you okay with this?” The question implied he wasn’t sure but his face remained smiling, as if he already knew the answer. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Then his eyes landed on me. “Alexis, right? My friend Adam recognized you.”
Oh my God. I wanted to sink into the floor. I was going to end up like Vanessa with a bunch of rumors swirling around about me. Soon I’d wish I’d gotten caught sucking Ian off.
“I’ve got to go,” I said and rushed away.
I didn’t dare go back into the hall; there were too many people there. Instead I went into the next room, which turned out to be a study. The only way out was through a door that led into the kitchen, and a man and woman were in the midst of flirting in the doorway. Through their partly entwined bodies I could see the kitchen was filled with people, including the host. And I didn’t want to risk speaking with the host.
I was trapped.
My legs began to shake. So far no one had noticed the study, so I was safe for now. I just needed to get myself together enough to turn back around, walk past everyone and out the front door.
No one could stop me.
***
I stood in a dark corner of the study gripping my red solo cup tightly. All around me, sounds of spanking emanated from various rooms in the house, and on the couch in front of me a brunette was being pulled over a guy’s knee. Apparently they weren’t going to use the privacy screens and instead give me a private show. My pulse began to pound in my ears. I knew I should leave—especially so that people couldn’t accuse me of wanting to watch—but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was too afraid to move. Moving meant potentially running into someone with a paddle.
The man raised his paddle and hesitated before bringing it down hard on the woman’s bare ass. I quickly looked away, only to sneak a peek again as he continued. Her ass turned redder with each slap, and with each slap I could feel the heat growing between my own legs. I had no idea if it was from embarrassment or because I was getting turned on—but it made me worried about my mental health either way.
It was time for me to get the hell out of that house.
“Well, well,” a familiar voice said behind me. “This is the last place I’d expect to see you.”
No way. It can’t be.
I whipped around to see Ian in the doorway to the study. He looked casual as usual, leaning a forearm against the doorjamb and wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. The position of his arm above his head caused his shirt to pull taut across his strong stomach. His gaze moved lazily around the room, landing on the couple on the couch for only a second as if he’d seen it all before. As his eyes returned to me, he smiled as if I was the real treat.
“Though you certainly look the part. Fuck.”
I moved to cross my arms but stopped myself. Instead, I took a swig of my beer for confidence.
“And here I thought you were a good girl.” He dropped his arm and edged closer, and I didn’t back away.
“Melissa brought me.”
“Let me guess—you thought it was a schoolgirl/Tom Cruise kind of party.”
“Yeah. I did.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, but it’s a whole lot dirtier than that.”
“I figured that out, thanks. What are you doing here?”
His lips turned up in a smirk as he looked at the spanking scene again. “I got a very interesting text from a friend of mine. Said I wouldn’t believe who was here.” His bright green eyes fell on me. “I figured you were either holding out on me or didn’t know what you’d gotten yourself into, and I should come save you.”
I gla
red at him. “I’m fine.”
“You stick out like a sore thumb. Want me to help you out?” From behind his back he produced a paddle, stroked it almost lovingly. “He’s been saving himself for you.”
My breath caught. My cheeks were so hot, they literally burned. I could no longer look him in the eye. I was still the same girl, try as I might to pretend otherwise.
When I ducked my head, he took the chance to move closer so that he was standing directly in front of me. I peeked up from under my lashes to see his broad chest blocking out my view of anything else. His right hand went to my hair, wrapping a pigtail around his wrist. My breathing stopped as his left index finger went under my skirt, pushing it higher up my thigh.
“You look so sexy,” he said in a low voice. “You should wear this to our seminars for me.”
“You’d like that.” I’d hoped to sound biting, but my voice came out soft, barely above a whisper. I was having trouble keeping it from shaking. The skin of my thigh tickled where he was touching it.
“I would,” he said in a deeper voice than usual.
I’d estimated him to be just shy of six feet, but looming over me he seemed larger somehow. The hand touching on my thigh moved to my hip, pulling me closer so I could feel the hot bulge in his jeans against my stomach. Holy hell, why hadn’t I left when I had the chance?
“I’m going to spank you tonight,” he said softly. “Tell me no.”
His hand in my hair was holding me immobile. I knew if I struggled enough, he’d let me go, but I didn’t want to. The heat between my legs had only intensified since he’d started touching my hair and thighs, and fear was mixing with excitement at the unknown.
Was he really going to spank me? Was I actually going to let him?
Behind me, I could still hear the girl getting spanked, and now her breathing was labored and aroused. So was the breathing of the man. Every few hits he grunted a little from either exertion or arousal, I couldn’t tell.