Strictly Business: Hooded Pleasures, Book 1 (19 page)

Alex gave another nod, staying silent.

“Behind me is the main door. It leads to a locker room. You can take any open locker you want but you must empty it at the end of your stay tonight. After tonight you can be assigned a private locker with a key where you can store your clothing and your personal items for the long term. It’s easier than dragging a suitcase back and forth.” She leaned in, locking eyes with him. “We used to take away cell phones, but too many of our members need to have them on hand for emergencies, so now we allow you to keep them. We trust you to keep your secrets and those of the other members. One ‘selfie’, one intimate image of anyone here online, and not only will your membership be canceled, full legal retribution will be taken.” A smile curved her lips. “We have quite a few lawyers here who would love to destroy someone in court.”

Alex couldn’t help grinning in response. “I can imagine.”

“Your wristband gives you unaccompanied access to the arrival lounge. The bar there will be pleased to serve you for the duration of your visit if you wish. Stay within the yellow lines.” She spoke slowly, watching him for any reaction. “Do not wander off into any of the other areas without an escort. An escort is another member, not another visitor. If you feel uncomfortable with the way a conversation is going, raise your right hand, the one with the wristband. A monitor will come over to discuss the situation.”

His stomach twisted into knots.

I’m actually doing this.

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.

“If you do go anywhere with an escort, please make sure it’s your decision. Panic buttons are installed in each room. Hit the button, and a monitor will be there within minutes to assess the situation and respond to your concerns. Again, if you’re feeling pressured or harassed while in the arrival area, raise your hand.” She opened another drawer. “Sub or Dom?”

There was no judgment in her voice, no curiosity.

She had to know it was in his file, but she wanted him to say it, declare it out loud.

“Sub,” he murmured.

A white paper wristband snapped onto his wrist, rubbing against the green one.

He cleared his throat.

“Are you okay?” She patted his hand and smiled. “Don’t faint on me here.”

“I’m fine. First-time jitters, I guess.”

She squeezed his arm, a light reassuring touch. “We all had our first time here. Sit, relax and watch. If you want to get into a scene, that’s fine. If not, that’s fine as well. No one is going to make you do anything you don’t want to do. If you feel pressured, put up your hand, and help will be on the way.” She studied him. “You’re sweet. I might come back and see you myself when my shift is over. I’m Jackie.”

“I’m Alex.” He chuckled. “But you know that already. Thank you.”

She stood, and he followed. “Enjoy yourself.” She opened the door. “Welcome to Boots ’n’ Chains.”

Alex moved through into the locker room. For a second, he flashed back to his high school days, the tedious physical drills when all he wanted to do was get to the library and catch up on the newest technical magazines.

He walked right through without stopping. He didn’t want to leave anything behind to keep him here if he had to leave in a rush.

The exit door opened easily, admitting him to the inner sanctum of the club.

It took him a few minutes to adjust to the dim lighting. The door gently smacking his ass propelled him onward toward the bar at the far end of the room.

He couldn’t stand still. Walking hid his nervous shaking.

At first glance, it looked like every other club he’d ever been in—people milling around in small groups, booths filled with couples pawing each other over, and a few out on the dance floor working their best moves.

As he sat at the bar, his eyesight sharpened, and he saw clearly.

Oh. My.

The threesome in the booth was barely dressed, with maybe enough fabric for one T-shirt spread out among the three bodies. The bare-chested man kept a firm grip on the redhead nibbling on his neck as he caressed the blonde on his lap. He sighed and gripped her collar, pushing her down onto the floor.

She didn’t hesitate and slid out of sight under the black tablecloth.

He groaned and shifted his hips as he pulled the redhead in for a deep kiss.

Alex looked away, suddenly self-conscious.

On the dance floor, one woman held the leash connecting her to her partner as they both moved to the music, wrapped around each other. He wore only a silver bracelet and a loincloth, which was perilously close to slipping down and exposing everything.

From the bulge, there was a whole lot of everything.

She wore a tight leather corset and pants, the gold band loose on her wrist.

He didn’t seem perturbed by his lack of clothing or the amount she wore.

She wrapped the leash around her fingers and whispered something in his ear, making him laugh and rock even closer against her.

Alex turned his attention to another woman. She was dancing by herself, rotating her hips to the music. The light blue dress turned translucent under the lights to show off all her assets.

Her two wristbands matched his.

Two men stood by watching her, murmuring to each other. They wore jeans and black T-shirts, a matched set.

Brothers, Alex figured, from the way they looked. Not twins, but close enough in years.

He spotted a gold bracelet on each man’s wrist.

He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was easy to guess by the way the pair were eying her.

And by the way she kept dancing and glancing over at them, she knew she had their attention and had no problem with that.

Alex couldn’t breathe. It was all too much. He turned away and slumped down, his elbows resting on the bar.

The mirror behind the bar showed the same scenes he’d been watching, the parallel-universe Alex staring at himself in disbelief.

I’m here. I’m really here.

“Welcome to Boots ’n’ Chains. Here.” The beefy bartender put a bottle of water in front of him. “Water here is always free. Ask me or Jenny, and we’ll get it for you.” He waved at Jenny, who was at the far end of the bar dealing with her own customers. “We carry beer, liquor, all reasonably priced. But because it’s your first time I’m not going to serve you anything stronger. ’Kay? We want you totally awake and aware of what you’re doing.”

Alex nodded, wrapping both hands around the cool plastic. “Thanks.”

The bald man smiled. “Just stay within the lines and enjoy yourself. I’ll be back to check on you later.”

Alex looked down and saw the fluorescent yellow tape surrounding the bar. It included the dance area, a pair of booths and a few tables, allowing a degree of privacy if needed.

Enough to let the new kids wander away from the bar without going too far afield.

He rolled his shoulders, feeling a bit more confident.

This might be his first time here, but he wasn’t ignorant. Or naïve.

He was right where he wanted to be.

Where he needed to be.

The bartender moved down the bar, where two women were busy trying to undress each other. He wagged a finger at the pair, who giggled back and gestured him on.

Alex looked into the mirror, trying not to focus on any single person or group.

It was and it wasn’t like what he’d expected.

The music playing in the background, for one. A mixture of jazz and soul, low enough to talk to the person beside you without screaming and yet loud enough to keep anyone not engaged in the conversation unable to listen in.

Perfect for discussions and negotiations.

Like the one he was witnessing right now.

The two brothers had gone over to the dancing woman, and now the three of them stood there, the lights flashing over them in measured staccato bursts.

Alex watched the reflections in the bar mirror, not wanting to turn around and gawk.

One brother brought his finger under her chin and tipped her head up as the other moved behind her and placed his hands on her hips.

She shuddered under their prying eyes but kept smiling as the older brother in front of her whispered something and licked his lips with a sly grin.

The man behind her kissed the side of her neck. His fingers dug into her hips to hold her tight against him as he dictated how he wanted her to move and when. They began to dance together with her allowing him to lead her, a wide grin spreading on her face as he continued to control her.

She didn’t flinch or pull away at his actions. Instead, she leaned back as she spoke to the brother in front of her.

He touched her wristbands and said something again.

She nodded and took hold of the hand on her waist while offering her other hand to the older brother.

The three of them walked away, past the fluorescent line and down a hall. Alex saw a door to the right open, and then they were gone from his sight.

Whoa.

He grabbed at the bottle of water and ripped the cap off before taking a long drink of the chilled liquid.

He turned his attention to the other parts of the lounge, away from the individuals. It was easier to focus on that than let his mind wonder what was going on with the threesome he’d just seen form.

The décor reminded him of a friendly neighborhood pub. Booths with leather seats lined the walls, and there was even a dartboard on the far wall. Upon further scrutiny, Alex saw various sexual options listed on the dartboard, some of which he hadn’t even heard of. Darts stuck in the board signaled a finished game and someone had gone off to collect their winnings—or pay for their losses.

A St. Andrew’s cross sat in a corner atop a pedestal, unused at present. A series of track lights shone down to accentuate its presence.

He looked at the leather restraints and felt himself getting hard despite his nervous shivering. It didn’t take much to imagine being up there, strapped down for his Domme’s pleasure.

Maybe not so much the neighborhood pub.

“Sort of overwhelming, hmm?”

He turned to see the woman seating herself beside him. Her long sleeves covered her wrists, and he couldn’t see what color wristband she wore.

The arousal evolved into a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Is she? Will she—

“Whoa.” She lifted her hand. “Don’t panic. I’m here to get a drink.” She reached over and tapped his arm. “Breathe.”

Alex realized he’d been holding his breath.

“Sorry.” He took another sip. “I’m a bit nervous.”

“I can see.” The blonde woman laughed. She wore a black business suit with matching pants, the white blouse open enough to give him a flash of her bra. “How are you doing?” She gestured at his wristband. “Welcome to the club.”

“Thanks.” Alex smiled. “Sorry ’bout that.”

“Totally understandable. On new members’ night, we’re used to seeing new faces. And reactions.” She crooked a finger at the bartender. “Some of the regulars take the night off so they don’t freak anyone out. The extremists, as you can guess. The rest of us enjoy being around to welcome new people. And there are some who love to bring newbies into the fold personally.” She gestured toward the hall where the two brothers and the woman had gone. “Mike and Bill love making new friends.”

“Ah.” Alex couldn’t help glancing over at the crossed wooden beams again.

“Not that way.” She nodded as the bartender placed a mixed drink in front of her and moved away. “Not unless you want it, I should say. Most don’t want to do a public scene on their first visit and that’s perfectly acceptable. For those who do we appreciate it and welcome it. But nothing’s expected of you. Safe, sane and consensual.” She took a sip and winced. “A wee bit strong, William.”

“Sorry.” The bartender returned to stand in front of her. “Do you want another?”

“No, this is fine. Just keep it in mind.” She nodded, dismissing him.

Alex watched the server head back down the bar to the two women who had paused their undressing to make out. He turned his attention back to the woman beside him.

She’s sure as hell no submissive.

He felt a delicious lick of desire run through his groin.

“You’re a member.” He kept a firm grip on the water bottle.

She nodded. “Yes I am. But you knew that already.” Her voice dropped down to a heated whisper. “The question you wanted to ask was if I was a Domme.”

He nodded without thinking.

She pulled her sleeve up to expose a gold band, glittering in the dim light. “Yes. Which is what you’re seeking.”

Alex suspected she would have known without seeing his white wristband. “Yes.”

She eyed him, locked him in her sights. “I like you. Would you be interested in coming to one of the back rooms with me?” She reached out and stroked the back of his hand. “I’ll be gentle. Until you don’t want me to be.” Her low, throaty voice swept over him like a wave. “Just say the word. It’s your call.”

Chapter Fourteen

The memory of Kate wrapping the leather cuffs around his wrists flashed in front of his eyes.

He was hard in an instant, the heat burning up his spine.

He closed his eyes and pushed the mental images back into a corner of his mind.

Kate.

Katherine.

He forced himself to look at his bar companion. “Thank you, but I have to decline your offer.” Alex shook his head. “You’re lovely, but there’s only one woman for me. I’m waiting for her.”

She smiled and took a sip of her drink. “No problem. I didn’t know you already had someone picked out.”

Alex chewed on his bottom lip, trying to find the words.

“Hey. It’s okay. I appreciate the kind words—she’s a lucky lady to have a sweetie like you. I’m not surprised you’re already spoken for.” Her attention wandered down the bar. “Have a good night, and welcome to the club. Excuse me.”

She slid off her stool and walked toward a pair of men, both with white wristbands.

Alex let his breath out slowly.

Tempting.

But it wasn’t going to happen.

“Hey.”

Alex looked up to see William staring at him, a slight frown on the bartender’s face.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” Alex raised the water bottle in a salute. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

The bald man leaned in, resting his forearms on the bar. “I’m asking because I just saw you pass up a luscious lady willing to take care of you. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t speak up, but you said you were waiting for someone. If you tell me who it is, I can make sure she finds you when she arrives.” William winked. “I can call Jackie at the front.”

“Ah—”

Here’s where it gets complicated,
Alex thought.

“My Domme doesn’t know I’m here.”

William raised an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.”

“She doesn’t know I’m here because—” Alex cleared his throat. “She decided not to see me anymore. Canceled our last appointment.”

“Interesting phrasing.” William nodded. “I’m going to guess here—it was a paid relationship?”

Alex didn’t feel embarrassed at admitting it here, in this place. “Yes. I found her through a company that deals in this sort of—” He gestured at the images in the mirror. “Alternate lifestyle. She thinks she can’t be in love with me because it’s the experience I’m in love with. Not her. Not Kate. Katherine.”

He felt better and worse by saying her name. It made it more real and increased the pain.

“Hooded Pleasures,” William said.

Alex nodded.

“We get quite a few of them here.” He nodded at the dance floor. “Works both ways. Some members come here when they leave HP, and some go from here to work for HP.” He grinned. “The circle of life.”

Alex nodded.

“But back to your Domme. She thought you’d feel the same about any Domme.”

“Yes.” Alex cleared his throat. “I can see why she’d think that. So I went with another woman, another paid Dominatrix to verify what I felt in my heart, in my soul. She was nice, but she wasn’t Katherine.” He took a mouthful of water before continuing. “It was good, but I wasn’t in the zone, not as far as I went with Kate. As far as I’d like to go.” He exhaled, not caring how it felt. “It’s got to be with her. Only her.”

“Hmm. So let me get this straight.” William pulled an unopened water bottle from under the shelf. He popped the top off and took a swig. “You think you love her—”

“I know I love her,” Alex interrupted.

William chuckled. “Excuse my error. You know you love her. So what was her reaction when you didn’t mesh with the other woman, the fill-in?”

“She told me I needed a Domme. Any Domme.” Alex rubbed his forehead. “I’m not sure if she believes it herself. I know someone hurt her in the past, something happened to mess with her mind. She doesn’t believe she’s good enough for me.” He licked his lips, remembering the taste of her. “She’s more than I deserve.”

“Okay,” William said. “So what, if you don’t mind me asking, are you doing here without her and turning down offers?”

“I—” Alex felt his chest tighten as he worked the words out. “I want to prove to her it’s not the experience, it’s her. I’m in love with her whether or not she’s got me tied up or down or sideways. I’d be in love with her sitting on the couch reading a novel or seeing a movie or playing video games—” He paused, out of breath.

“Okay. Slow down.” William gestured with his hand. “I understand part of this. So you’re here to prove something to her or to yourself?”

Alex took another swig of water before answering. “To both of us. I’m going to sit here all night and deny myself.” The words dried his mouth up like he’d been drinking sand.

“Really?” The disbelief in William’s voice cut deep. “You’re going to do nothing but watch?”

“Yeah.” Alex watched the two women from farther down the bar saunter off toward one of the private rooms, holding hands. “I figure if I can keep from going with someone tonight, it shows it’s not all about the sex or the domination. It’s about the emotions, the needs of the heart over the needs of the body.” He tried not to imagine what the two women would be doing behind closed doors and failed miserably.

It was a concentrated effort to force his mind back on his chosen goal.

Fantasizing about the women wouldn’t make his task any easier.

“Interesting theory.” William emptied his bottle with two long draws. “Of course, you punishing yourself by not going off with a Domme might be seen as masochistic behavior. There’s plenty of people into that, but—”

“All I know is if I can resist tonight and every night I come here, it’ll prove to me and to her that I love her,” Alex said.

“Hold that thought. Back in a minute.” William put up his finger before trotting down the bar to answer to a blonde wearing a tight black leather jumpsuit.

Alex glanced over to see the woman he’d been chatting to earlier moving away from the safety area with two men in tow. He raised his water bottle in a quiet salute.

Godspeed, fellows.

Just don’t forget your safe-word.

William moved back in front of him. “Got Jenny to cover me for a bit.” He grinned. “This situation is something that requires all my attention.”

“I don’t need—” Alex stopped, seeing William’s wide smile.

He held up a hand, silencing Alex. “I’m a bartender. Whether it’s here or in some Irish pub down on King Street or some high-priced rave on Queen, it’s what I do. And what I do is help people, sometimes just by listening and helping out if and where I can. Tonight, I’m trying to help you.” He leaned in. “So let me ask you this. What makes you think she’s in love with you? If it was a paid relationship and all, how do you know she wasn’t pretending to like you?” William reached out of sight to bring up a fresh cold water bottle and swapped it with Alex’s half-empty drink. “I don’t mean to insult you or her, but maybe you misread her. Happens every night to a thousand people in a thousand bars. Signals get crossed and assumptions made leading to wrong impressions.”

“She, ah…” Alex blushed. “We kissed the last time we were together. It was off the clock, nothing to do with our regular appointment. I asked her first and then moved in. It was—” He spread his hands, unable to find the words.

He shifted on his stool, feeling his arousal grow. Just thinking about it was pushing him almost to the edge of no return.

Show some control
, he berated himself silently.
Control yourself.

William raised both eyebrows, and Alex knew what the bartender was thinking.

“She wasn’t faking it.” The confidence in his voice grew the more he spoke. “I’ve seen women fake it, and I know the difference.” He rubbed the bottle with both hands, keeping them busy. “It was just a kiss, but there was so much in it, so much passion, so much—” He sighed at the memory.

“Wow.” William nodded. “I hear you, buddy. Those don’t come along every day. Few and far between.” He pulled a cloth out and wiped the bar clean of the condensation from their water bottles before motioning at the crowd around them. “But how would she know of your evening of denial? She’s not here.” He shook his head. “This isn’t the only BDSM club in town.”

“No she’s not.” Alex took a sip of the fresh cold water. “Tomorrow, I’ll leave a message with HP to tell her what I’m doing. I’m not a client anymore, but I hope they’ll pass it on to her.”

“You hope?” William shook his head. “No offense, but I’m not sure I would. It’s sort of personal stuff. Plus, with you not paying them—”

“I don’t have any other way to reach her.” Alex ran his thumb along the cool plastic bottle edge. “I don’t have her phone number.” He felt the rough edges of the cap and pressed against them. “Although I could hunt it down if I wanted to. She’s given me enough crumbs that if I put my mind to it, I could find out everything about her.” He tapped his temple. “I’m a smart guy. With the right technology, I could easily find her address, her phone number and probably her entire work and educational history if I tried. But I won’t.”

William frowned.

Alex rolled his shoulders back. “I don’t want to invade her privacy, scare her by showing up at her front door like some bad stalker movie. She knows where I live; she knows my full name and has my phone number. I’m placing this all in her hands, in her control.” Alex gestured at the mirror showing various couples arriving and leaving, some going through the exit door and some headed for the private rooms. “I know something about communities, and the BDSM community is the same as any other.” He ticked off the points on his fingers.

“There’s a one in three chance I’m at the same club she’ll eventually visit and hear about me. If not, word will spread.” He saluted William with the water bottle. “Courtesy of people like yourself and the lovely lady I turned down. You tell two friends and so on and so on and so on. I’m sure after a few weeks, my reputation will get back to her, either through online chats or word-of-mouth. Gossip travels fast, and I don’t doubt my story will generate quite a bit of chatter. The sub who’s waiting for his one true love, his one true Domme.” He sipped his drink. “She’ll be curious. Who wouldn’t be? Maybe she’ll come in here; maybe she’ll go to some other club and ask around. She’ll find out it’s me sometime. And I’ll be here waiting for her.”

Alex scratched his knee in a vain attempt to quell the desire in his groin. He was rock-hard and aching for relief.

It was going to be a frustrating night.

“It could be a damned long wait,” William replied. “She might not find out about you for weeks, maybe months.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Saying it out loud helped firm his resolve. “I’ll be here. Here until I prove to her that I’m only hers. I love her, and there will be no one else for me. Ever.” He shifted his hips as the woman leading her sub on a chain walked by, headed for the other end of the bar. She sat on a stool while the man knelt at her feet, eyes down.

“Hold on.” William moved down the bar. He nodded at the Domme and passed her a small dog bowl and a bottle of water.

The Domme placed it on the floor and poured the water in. She nodded at the sub, who dipped his head down to lap up the water.

Alex heard someone sigh and realized it was himself.

It was going to be a long, long night.

Kate snarled and pushed herself away from the computer, her mind tangled up with thoughts of Alex. She’d spent hours killing orcs and the occasional dragon who had wandered into the kill zone. All in a vain attempt to try to clear her thoughts.

It hadn’t worked. All she could think of was the decision she had to make.

To go back to work for Hooded Pleasures or not.

Her leave was almost up, and she’d have to make up her mind.

She could go back to work as soon as tomorrow. Make a phone call and bump Danielle or whoever had slipped into her spot.

Mentally, she flipped through her calendar.

It was Rick’s turn. Nice guy who loved her toes. She could wear a pair of those high-heeled silver stilettos, slap some nail polish on her nails and send him over the edge by simply walking across his threshold.

Kate sighed. The anticipated thrill of being adored and worshipped wasn’t there. The job felt like a grind, a case of watching the clock until she could finish up and come on home.

She wasn’t looking forward to going out on visits. Not just to Rick, to any of her other clients.

It didn’t appeal to her at all. Whatever was going on in her mind and her heart had totally screwed her up as far as working as a Domme-for-hire went.

She couldn’t do this anymore. She couldn’t pretend Alex hadn’t affected her.

Kate lightly slapped her cheeks, trying to snap herself out of her ennui.

She went to the couch and sat down, torn between picking up the remote and grabbing the nearby sketchpad.

The sketchpad won out.

Kate chewed on the end of the pencil and spat out bits of eraser as she drew with sharp, quick strokes. One of her art teachers had recommended this type of mental therapy, letting her mind conjure up the image without consciously dwelling on it.

She’d come up with quite a few interesting pictures using this technique. A few of them had been salvageable and incorporated into future projects, but for the most part, they were easy, throw-away sketches that cleansed her mind and soul.

The pencil jabbed pointy ears onto the page, cut a jawline that could slice paper.

It took her only a few seconds to recognize the elf from the charity event, larger and in more depth.

The puckish grin, the sparkling eyes promising a good time, the laugh hidden behind the curved lips—

Kate tossed the pencil to one side. She ran her fingers over the soft pencil imprints, tracing his cheekbone, his lips…

Fuck.

Alex.

She’d drawn Alex, albeit in fantasy garb.

Kate dropped the sketchpad on the floor as if it were on fire.

She didn’t know what to do or how to even start fixing herself. Everything she’d done, everything she wanted to do, had slammed into her like a stone wall and she couldn’t stay still.