Chapter One
Whistles and applause echoed through the exclusive BDSM dungeon Club Sin. Submissive Kenzie Hart smiled and leaned against the pole off to the side of the stage, the scent of sex and sweat sweeping through her nostrils. There was nowhere in the world she’d rather be than right there, surrounded by leather and lust.
Club Sin had been her kinky salvation since the dungeon opened more than four years ago. She knew for a while she needed the sexier side of life. And she sure as heck relished the Dominant men who called Club Sin home. These men could—and often did—rock her world.
Outside of the club, she was a bookworm and simple in nature, not wanting for much. Inside the walls of the dungeon, she was Club Sin’s brat—a submissive who liked to push the boundaries between pleasure and pain, and who was known to give Dominants a difficult time. But that truly wasn’t her—she had worked hard to create the new identity for herself, because in her mind she wanted to be different from who she was in reality.
Club Sin was the fantasy that aroused her mind, body, and soul.
A soul that she’d known for a long time had been battered by a painful past.
Years ago, she had discovered a way to cope, a way to reach toward happiness, and that came in the form of attending Club Sin. The welts and bruises left on her body after an intense scene overshadowed the demons in her heart that were always right on the surface, ready to threaten to send her spiraling into a deep depression.
She scanned the members of Club Sin, glad that she had even the most observant Doms fooled. Her chin rose with pride, as the act she put on in the club made living outside these walls easier. It made her believe she was that strong woman, at least for a little while.
Movement stirred around her as she was surrounded by submissives in lingerie and Dominants commanding the space. The exclusive dungeon, known for its forbidden desire, with some of Vegas’s finest Doms, was in full attendance tonight. Some were new members. Others, like Kenzie, had belonged since Club Sin’s opening.
The dungeon’s owner, Dmitri Pratt, had taken pity on her at their old club, Chains. If I don’t take you with me, you’re going to end up in trouble, he had told her. Not that Kenzie agreed with him; she could handle herself and proved that time and time again, but she hadn’t argued, either. She loved playing with experienced Doms, and Club Sin had them in spades.
The soft music drifted through the romantically lit room, setting the sensual mood. Even though Club Sin was called a dungeon, the only dungeonlike thing about the space was the stone walls. Black sofas were situated throughout the main room, with fancy chandeliers hanging above them. To a vanilla crowd, the room would appear to be a classy lounge, but the BDSM equipment set this room apart from anything so casual.
Someone laughing drew her back into the moment. She turned toward the stage, focusing on the newest submissive to Club Sin, Ella Snow. Kenzie was surprised Ella still possessed the ability to stand. Her Dom, Club Sin Master Kyler Morgan, had sure as hell claimed her as his, putting her through an intense scene only moments ago.
Tall, powerful, and devilishly handsome, Master Kyler approached Ella in slow strides, savoring the moment. The crowd began to whisper; the bodies that were shifting in movement went still. The light above Kyler sparkled off the diamonds in his hand, and rapid shock fluttered through Kenzie. He doesn’t waste any time collaring his woman, does he?
Kenzie had been in the BDSM lifestyle since she was twenty-one, and she’d never been collared. Ella and Kyler had known each other for only a month, if that, and this symbol was held as strong as a wedding vow to those in Club Sin. Though Kenzie understood why Kyler acted so hastily—Ella was an incredible woman.
She was one of those women who were naturally beautiful, with long blond hair and baby- blue eyes—Kenzie figured Kyler was making sure no other Doms could touch her. And since Kenzie had known Kyler for more than four years, she knew he waited for nothing; he simply took it. She admired and understood that because she did the same.
Kenzie hadn’t waited around for a better life, she had created one for herself.
Kyler drew closer to Ella, and Kenzie’s heart warmed for her friends. While she couldn’t help but be happy for them, collaring wasn’t for her. Seriously, being attached? No, thank you. Wild sex and hot BDSM kept her interested. The challenge of new Doms, while pushing against their mastery, is what she lived for—it’s what kept her sane.
Throughout the years while exploring the BDSM lifestyle, she’d learned that nudging a Dom only made him intensify a scene. Not out of anger or punishment. Doms had too much control for that. It pushed against their authority. That gave Kenzie exactly what she needed, a higher intensity of play.
Pain skirting the edge of pleasure made her forget her old self, past heartbreaks, and everything in between. One intense scene erased her weakness, giving her strength for the workweek, until she could return to Club Sin the following weekend for her next fix.
The crowd went silent as Kyler settled in front of Ella and asked, “Will you kneel for me and wear my collar, Ella, as a symbol of my ownership and of our love?”
Ella smiled and gracefully knelt before him. “I will wear it proudly for all of my days, sir.”
Kyler’s eyes softened in a way Kenzie had never seen from him as he fastened the diamond choker around Ella’s neck. Then he became more serious, tucking a finger under her chin. “You now belong to me.”
A tear slid down Ella’s pinkened cheeks. “Yes, I am yours, sir.”
The crowd shifted on their feet in anticipation as Kyler offered his hand and Ella rose. He took one step toward her, sliding his hands around her face and taking her into a kiss that Kenzie thought was sweet. Intimate. Not at all dominant. Feeling like Cupid had done his work here, she clapped along with the crowd. Until Kyler deepened the kiss, and then Kenzie’s stomach roiled. She’d never been kissed with such devotion. Then again, how could anyone become invested in her when she never let anyone clo
se enough to form a real relationship?
Impossible.
Cupid could keep his cute ass away from her. Lust fulfilled her, because in her mind, this ultimately kept her in control of her destiny and kept her moving forward. Every submissive chose what she wanted out of the lifestyle, and Kenzie wanted casual Doms who could deliver intense scenes. She certainly didn’t want a Dom she belonged to in every sense of the word. For if she went there, her façade would be exposed. That, she couldn’t allow. She didn’t want to drown in the past. She wanted to live in the future.
A future where she was someone different. Someone stronger. Someone happier.
Her heart, her secrets, her soul all belonged to her.
“How is Ms. Kenzie tonight?”
She glanced sideways and smiled at Club Sin Master Aidan Knight. His shadowy gray eyes were kind and commanding, reflecting what existed in all the Club Sin Masters—a confidence that was alluring and that Kenzie often wanted to steal. “Doing well, sir, though I’m carefully dodging Cupid’s arrows.” At Aidan’s low chuckle, she added, “A girl has to be careful of late, but I’m good at swatting them away.”
The stony expression he typically wore softened. “I do wonder if any Dom here will ever win that heart of yours.”
She folded her arms, scrunching her nose. “It can only be won if it were available to win, which it is not—I have no interest in that type of relationship.”
“Yes, I remember,” he replied firmly, yet only amusement shone in his eyes. “But you never know.”
Kenzie’s smile grew. This was what she loved. Even if she tested the Doms from time to time, she always felt appreciated and liked by them. They were good friends to her; she’d always believed that. She liked how easygoing they were around her. The distance she had wanted so desperately in the past she had achieved in Club Sin.
Cora, Aidan’s new wife, stepped in next to him. Her long, dark hair draped her shoulder and her ocean-blue eyes all but sparkled as she smiled up to her husband. He, of course, wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight.
Kenzie groaned. “Okay. All this love is a little too much for me tonight; this is Club Sin, not Club Cupid.”
“Oh, please,” Cora said and snickered. “Better to be in love than to be referred to as the crazy book lady. If you were more open-minded, you might find a Dom who has a collar that fits you, too.”
“There is nothing wrong with being in love with books,” Kenzie defended. Books were fantasy. They were a way to escape to another world and be another person for a little while, just as Club Sin was.
Cora winked. “So says the crazy book lady.”
Master Aidan’s gaze connected with something over Kenzie’s shoulder, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. “A crazy book lady who happens to also be a feisty submissive. Be good tonight.”
Cora all but bounced next to him. “Let’s go grab a seat. I wanna be front row for this show.”
Before Kenzie could figure out what they were going on about, a low voice rumbled behind her. “It’s time to play, troublemaker.”
Kenzie stiffened in that instant. Warm breath trailed over the back of her neck, and shaking it off, she turned to the newest Club Sin Dom, Porter Marshall. He stood right in her space, grinning down at her with his charming and most delicious smile.
She had to angle her head to meet his dark hazel eyes. His tall stature dwarfed her five-foot-five height. Dressed in cargo pants and a black T-shirt, Porter’s beefy, muscular physique filled out his clothing. She supposed private investigators needed to stay in shape, because Porter’s body put most male models to shame. A strand of his sandy-colored hair hung over his brow, and his chin was square, cheekbones defined, lips sculpted to the purest perfection. Porter, so masculine and powerful, pressed all her on buttons.
One brow lifted. “Do you plan on answering me?”