Leaving the towels on a nearby chair to worry about in the morning, he picked her up fireman style and carried her into their bedroom.
* * *
One of the biggest advantages to working for Daniel was not having to rush to the club after work. Okay, there were a lot of great reasons, but that was up there.
Ali met him at his office a little after four and they stopped to have dinner before heading to the club. He gave her a kiss before she headed off to the locker room to change into her outfit for the evening.
Daniel still let her pick her clothes on the nights she was working, and she was grateful for that. It was bad enough being exposed when he was at her side. She wasn’t sure she could do it while she was in the lobby by herself.
Cooper met her upstairs and they went to work getting the playrooms set up. She laid out most of the requested toys, but Cooper adjusted the equipment. While she could probably move the tables and benches if she had to, it was much easier for him to do it.
They worked together, getting everything ready, then she headed downstairs to make sure the locker rooms were stocked. As she was coming out of the ladies’ locker room, she heard someone talking.
She rounded the corner and ran into Katrina. Literally ran into her. If Ali had been wearing her heels, she could have fallen on her backside.
“Are you all right, Ali?” Katrina asked, reaching out a hand to steady her.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Her heart was beating faster than normal, but other than that, she was good. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”
“It was my fault. I was distracted.”
Ali took in the look on Mistress Katrina’s face. She’d known the woman for over two years and Ali had never seen her so agitated. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” Katrina sighed. “Or it will be.” She waved a dismissive hand in front of her face. “Nothing I can’t handle.” Then she changed the subject. “What all do you have left to do for setup?”
“Everything’s ready except the front.”
Katrina nodded, but Ali couldn’t help but feel something was wrong.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Mistress Katrina?”
Pulling back her shoulders, Katrina stood to her full height. “I’m sure.” She glanced at the clock, then back at Ali. “Excuse me. I need to run upstairs.”
Ali watched as Katrina walked up the stairs. She was still baffled by the exchange. Katrina was never distracted.
“Something wrong?” Daniel’s voice pulled her attention away from Katrina.
“Yeah.” She paused. “I mean, no. Nothing’s wrong, Sir. I just ran into Mistress Katrina, and she seemed a little distracted.”
“Distracted how?”
Ali shook her head. “I don’t know. I think she was talking on the phone, but I didn’t hear what was said.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I’m sure Katrina has it under control.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Isn’t it about time for you to get out front?” he asked.
Looking at the clock, Ali realized how late it was. She was supposed to be out front by six thirty, and it was twenty-seven after. “Yes, Sir.”
It took her less than five minutes to get the front organized and ready, which was good because members began showing up soon after. A little after seven, Daniel walked out of the club and opened the foyer door that led to the outside.
A woman around her age with beautiful auburn hair stepped over the threshold. She was wearing a long raincoat and tall black boots. He led the new arrival over to where Ali was standing. “Sarah, I’d like you to meet my submissive, Ali. She’s one of the girls who works the coat check here at the club.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ali.” Sarah’s shy smile spoke volumes. She was nervous.
“Welcome to Serpent’s Kiss.” When she didn’t make any movement to remove her coat, Ali asked, “Would you like me to take your coat? Katrina tends to keep the club on the warm side since most of the submissives aren’t wearing much.”