His brows lift and he leans back. I really believe he only does that to get a better look at the flush on my face and how it trails down my neck to my chest and further down to my… Oh dear, lord. Please let me die right now.
“I promise I won't be a bother. Just a quick call. Please?” Surely, he won't turn me away? It's raining cats and dogs out here, but he doesn't look convinced.
Actually, it feels like he's studying me and from the heat building in his gaze, I'm feeling a little squirmy under his focused lens.
"Do you have any idea where you are?"
"Not really." My attention shifts to the tiny sign by his shoulder.
"You sure about that?" He notices the direction of my gaze.
For some strange reason, I feel a need to be completely honest with this man. It's like his presence demands I tell him the truth.
"I'm not really sure where I am, but I have heard of The Ties that Bind. It's kind of legendary."
"Hm…is that so?"
"Look, if you can't let me in, and if you don't have a phone, do you think you could go inside and ask someone to help me? Or maybe, bend the rules a little and pretend I'm a member? Let me sneak in?"
"You sure you want to sneak in to this kind of club? I'm assuming if you've heard of us, and our legendary status, you know what goes on here?"
I can't help but gulp. "Um yeah, but my flat?"
"Do you have a spare?" He peers out into the street. "Where's your car?"
I point to my little Honda Civic. "I don't know if it has a spare, to be honest. I've never looked."
"Those don't have spares." He blows out a breath then turns his attention back to me. "How did you hear about us?"
It's raining and I'm not getting any drier.
"Do you mind if I get in out of the rain?"
He's standing in the doorway. I'm in the alley getting poured on. What happened to chivalry?
"Tell me how you heard about us first." Damn, he's not budging. It's kind of irritating and sexy at the same time.
"Why?" I'm a little indignant he's not helping me out.
"Because I want to know, and when I ask questions little subbies answer." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Are you…interested in the lifestyle?"
"I'm not sure about interested." What the hell is a subbie? Oh! He thinks I'm submissive. "Maybe I'm curious? Who isn't?" I give a little shrug and watch the corners of his lips tilt into a smirk.
"Well, little subbie...let's see what we can do."
Am I a subbie?
Maybe?
Hell if I know.
But I do know which side of the dominant/submissive coin he lands on.
I think I am—a subbie with a very peculiar ache pulsing between my legs.
"Curious little mouse, I wonder…" He looks down at me, measuring, assessing, seeing right through me. God, why is that so damn erotic. I squeeze my thighs together and kind of shift my weight. He watches me like a hawk.
I huff out a breath. "Everyone's curious. Since those movies came out, everybody talks about it."
"They may talk about it, but not everyone tracks down a secret club. I assume you found us on the web?"
"I am curious, but I didn't track you down. I really do have a flat tire and I have no idea where here is."
"You're serious?"
"I wouldn't lie to you."
"I appreciate your honesty. It speaks well of you. I sense some interest." He ignores everything I said about my car. "Tell me, how curious might you be?" From the grin on his face, he's having fun with me.
"I want to know more." There, I say it.
"I'm going to take a guess and make an assumption. Tell me, curious mouse, how brave do you feel?"
"Excuse me?"
"It would be a shame to let all that research go to waste. You have no spare, which means you need a tow, but it's going to be hours before a truck makes it out here. I'm wondering how adventurous you might be feeling? Are you brave enough to explore? Maybe act on your dirty fantasies?"
"I don't know what that means."
He said dirty and instead of being insulted, I'm even more turned on. Holy fucking shit! Is he suggesting what I think he's suggesting?
"I have a proposition for you, curious little mouse, but only if you're brave enough to act on it."
"Um…"
"I'm not leaving you out in the rain, or leaving you stranded for the night. If you're brave enough to take a chance, you can be my guest, under my protection, and spend a night inside the club you've fantasized about. What do you think? Is my curious mouse willing to take a chance? Or will you run away and always wonder what might have been?"
"You're scaring me."
"I don't think so, not from the flush on your cheeks, but a little bit of fear is healthy. You're interested, aroused, and I'm pretty sure the air sparking between us goes both ways. You're attracted to me and I'm sure as shit interested in you. Nothing will happen inside these walls that you don't want to happen. But, if you decide to explore a little of what's going on inside that head, I'll give you my word as a Master to see to your protection and guide you through a night you'll never forget." He leans really close.
Like, kissably close.
I should say no, but I am curious.
"And what about my car?"
"Don't worry about your car. I'll take care of everything. I'll take care of you, if you'll let me."
I'm pretty certain there's a lot of subtext in what he's saying, but I don't really care. What happens next comes as a complete shock to me, as well as to him.
"Thank you." I launch myself at him and wrap my arms around his neck. I probably just messed up his tuxedo, plastering my wet body against his tux, but I don't care. I don't know why the words ‘I’ll take care of you’ have me leaping into his arms, but I do.
I have zero reason to trust this man. He's a stranger in a strange part of town, dressed in a tux, who invited me into a kinky sex club with the promise to take care of me. Every rational thought in my head tells me to run, but I don't want to run. Something tells me walking away would be the worst decision I ever made, and I don't know why that is.
Except, it feels right.
And for some reason, I trust him.
Chapter 3
“Hey, are you all right?” He traces his thumb along my jaw, pulling my face up to meet the intensity of his gaze. "I didn't expect you to launch yourself into my arms, but I am loving it. You, my little mouse, smell like heaven and you feel like sin."
The contact of his skin against my chin detonates my pulse. I’m practically hyperventilating and don’t understand my reactions. It’s nothing but a simple touch, yet combined with the concern in his eyes, I feel sheltered and protected.
I don’t know how to handle that.
I've always been alone.
"It's been a tough night. I'm a little off my game. I guess I just need a hero." I give a soft laugh at my antics and try to pull away from him. "I don't usually leap into strange men's arms."
"But you leapt into mine. I take that as a promising sign. And while I don't mind being your hero for the night, I'm a Master at heart. That means things, things I hope you'll want to discover."
He refuses to let me move and keeps me snuggled tight against his chest. I glance up at him and watch his lids narrow. I’m under inspection again. My chin remains trapped between his thumb and forefinger. I should shake him off, but I find him oddly entrancing. I need… something from him. What that might be isn’t something I can describe, except I’m no longer afraid.
“Stay, my little mouse.” His words catch me off guard because they resonate with what I desire. "Let me show you my world. Is that something you want?"
“Yes, please.” My voice shakes and there’s weakness in it. I cough and clear my throat. What I don’t do is jerk out of the hold he has on me. I don’t want to. I want to be under his thumb.
With my chin captive between his fingers, the rest of my body stills. I’m waiting for something.
“We’re having a special event tonight. It's a charity auction.” He sounds surprised he's mentioning it to me. “Guests are welcome and you will be mine.” The tone of his voice switches from surprise to eagerness. “Are you game for an evening you won’t forget?”
“I guess?” I sound really unsure, but the truth is I'm very much game.
"You guess?"
"No…I mean yes. Yes I'm game."
He cocks his head. “You’re every man’s wet dream and I bet you don't even know that. You’ll fetch a good price at auction.”
“Excuse me?” I clamp my jaw shut, stunned by his proposition.
I seem to have lost my senses. This man does this to me. He makes me think of unspeakable things and want them with a desperate hunger. I've known him for how long? Five minutes? Maybe ten? And yet, I'm considering spending the evening with him…under his protection. In a sex club. Holy shit.
Are we going to have sex?
God, I hope so.
My insides practically melt with the thought of what that might mean. I've never had a man take care of me. No one has ever wanted to do that. But he does. I see it smoldering in his gaze.
Don’t ask! But I can’t keep the words from sliding out of my mouth.
“What auction?”
“Like I said, we're sponsoring a charity event and part of that is an auction. If you’ve heard of The Ties that Bind, you know what kind of auction we might hold. If you're interested in the lifestyle, and I think you are, this could be a pivotal moment in your life."
"The lifestyle? Like BDSM?"
"You already know the answer to that. Which means you know what kind of man I am and what kind of woman you might be. If you want that tow truck, I'll get one. However, if you're interested…this is the perfect opportunity to get your feet wet. I'd love to show you around. Not to mention you’d be great for the auction, a virginal sacrifice?” His face spreads into a smile with this comment.
I shudder, not with revulsion, but with something entirely different.
“I’m not a virgin.”
Why am I sharing this with him?
“Not that kind of virgin.” His smile becomes a smirk. “A lifestyle virgin. I assume you’ve never been to this kind of club, but I'm betting you're interested in finding out more. Like what a night like tonight might bring with a man like me…”
He lets his words trail off, leaving me to fill in what he meant. This I do with a spectacular imagination. I’m blessed like that. But what does he mean? Is it anything like what I’m imagining? And why the hell am I considering something like this?
Because you're an idiot.
I may be an idiot, but I'm very curious. He's right. When will I ever have an opportunity like this again? And I would regret it if I walked away. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. And this guy is sexy as fuck. It would be fun to explore…that.
What would my sister think? She's always teasing me about my lack of a sex life, but this? This would blow her socks off. Just once, I’d love to see her eyes widen with shock.
What if I actually go inside?
“I’m sorry,” I say, desperately needing clarification and guidance about what might be behind these doors, “but I don't think I'm brave enough to auction myself off to a group of men I don't know.”
I’m much too cautious to consider this. But I’m curious. Especially if I can do those kinds of things with this man.
“I have no intention of letting anyone else bid on you."
"I thought you said it was an auction?"
"It is, and you’ll fetch a high price. I guarantee it, and it's for a good cause.”
“What do you mean? I'm confused.”
"We're raising money for a women's shelter, victims of domestic abuse."
I almost want to snort, considering this is a BDSM club. But I don't, not after seeing his expression.
"And you want me to be your guest? And go up for auction where no one bids on me?" My voice rises in pitch. Clearly, I'm confused.
“I bid on you, or rather how much time you're willing to submit to being under my control.” Unlike me, he isn’t shy or afraid to speak his mind. I have a feeling he wouldn’t shy away from a great many things. “You do know what that means, don’t you?”
I have an idea, but I’m not so brave that I’d confirm it.
Focus on why you’re here, idiot!
“I'm not exactly dressed for a fundraiser." I make a vague gesture toward his tux. "I’m kind of a mess."
"Those are excuses, not reasons why you won't come inside. If you're willing to let me bid on you, none of that matters. Tell me, little mouse, how brave do you feel?"
He finally releases my chin, and an odd look comes over him. That’s when I realize I haven’t moved a muscle since he touched me. He takes a step back and crosses his arms. I try to breathe. It’s harder than it should be beneath his scrutiny. There’s simply something about him which draws me in and steals my breath.
“Your car will be fine. I'll arrange for it to be towed. As for what you're wearing, that's a non-issue. If you're interested and feeling brave, come inside and sign up for the auction. I can answer your questions, although I sense you have a pretty good idea what goes on in a place like this and what a man like me might want from a woman like you. It would be my honor to bid on you, and my deepest pleasure to introduce you to my world."
"You really want to bid on me? I've never done anything like this before."
"I want that very much. To be the one who shows you what you can become? To be your first Master…it excites me to introduce you to my world. Are you interested in letting me be your guide?”
Hundreds of questions float in my head, just waiting to come out. But I say nothing. I can’t. We’re talking about him bidding on me at a BDSM club. If he wins, we'll have sex and do other stuff. Stuff I've only read about in books. My dreams are filled with fantasies I never thought I'd ever have a chance to explore.
He's offering to show me.
And while I don't know him from Adam, I can do this. If it turns out to be a disaster, I can walk away and never see him again.
Bonus.
No one would ever know I was here.
I'm actually considering this and I'm more excited than I realize.
An auction?
How bad can it be?
The man pushes the heavy oak door back, widening the opening and giving me my first glimpse of what’s inside.
Exclusive?
From the dark paneling lining the walls to the stamped copper trays overhead, the place drips in luxury. It’s dark too, which makes it hard to make anything out beyond the walls, the ceiling, and the red velvet carpet stretching down the hall.
My curiosity is piqued. I wish it didn’t do that. I should leave, but I rarely listen to that voice of caution in my head.
Curiosity killed the cat. It’s a saying used to warn the innocent. I’m not innocent and this man knows exactly how to entice me into making a very bad decision. Or good! It could be very good.
He wants to bid on me.
A grin escapes me as the bronze plaque beside the door pulls my eye.
The Ties that Bind.
I duck beneath his arm. His deep chuckle lifts the hairs on my arms, but I’m too far gone to care.
“It’s nice when they’re eager,” he says.
Chapter 4
After ducking under his massive arm, I take a few steps down the hallway and then glance over my shoulder. He follows, a towering hulk escorting a timid mouse into the lion’s den.
"Let me make a call."
There's a phone right inside the door. He smiles at me, then picks up the receiver. Molten hot, his gaze sweeps my body as he speaks to whoever is on the other end.
If I'm going to leave, this is the moment to do it, but if I do I’ll never know what this lightness in my chest might be. I’m excited. And scared. I’ve never done anything like this before.
With a sharp shak
e of my head, I decide doubt will not keep me from exploring whatever this feeling is inside of me.
The hall is dark. The rich paneled walls are like butter beneath my palm. I drag my fingers along the surface, feeling every groove in the polished wood. The carpet beneath my worn sneakers absorbs all sound, and the air thickens around me.
He walks half a step behind me. It's like he's watching me, cataloguing my reactions, and devouring all of it.
My over active imagination is hard at work. My head knows this, but my heart, and something deeper inside feels a transformation at work.
There’s nothing different about the air in here, but everything feels different. Whatever I’m feeling is in my head. Flickering candlelight draws me deeper into the darkness and with it, my pulse roars in my ears, the fine hairs lift on my arms, and my breaths slam into me; too shallow and far too fast.
There are no doors leading off the hall. It’s long and narrow. He needs to walk behind me, because the walls are too close for him to be by my side. That makes my mind spiral down dark and twisted paths. What would it feel like to have him touching me? Looking down on me? Sweeping in to claim a carnal kiss and take me away?
My imagination puts me in his arms as he carries me down the hall where we disappear into the darkness. From there, my mind is hard at work, imagining that kiss and what would surely follow.
The Ties that Bind?
What delicious things might he do with a rope? I’m not wrong in what kind of club this is. I’m not naïve, but I am new to all of this. The direction of my thoughts excites and terrifies me. That needy pulse is awake inside of me and it is ready.
I’m no saint, but neither am I a sinner. I’ve never had a one-night stand. I’ve never kissed on the first date. Men have to prove themselves before I give myself to them. I’m not the kind of person who lets a man set the pace. I need control. I’ve most definitely never done something as reckless as this.
I’m fully aware nobody knows I’m here. It’s not technically safe, but I’m beyond caring.
Perhaps my standoffishness is why it’s been years since I’ve had a boyfriend. My sister runs through scores of boys—men. She kisses on the first date and has no problem with one-night stands. I don’t know the story of how she and her current boyfriend met, except he currently holds the world-record for the longest time any one man has spent wrapped around her little finger or warming her bed.
Ivy: The Ties That Bind (Auction Night Book 4) Page 2