by Ivy Nelson
The senator handled the news better than expected. Sean thanked Bradley for giving him a heads up before it leaked to the media. He assured him he had a job as long as he wanted one.
“Your father is a good man. I may not agree with his platform, and I'm sure he disagrees with mine, but I trust him not to cheat. More importantly, I trust you.”
For the first time since he found his dad waiting in his office, Bradley could breathe easy. He inhaled as the weight lifted from his shoulders.
“Thank you, Sir, I appreciate the confidence. At any rate if I know my father, he won’t announce for at least another week. I don’t even think he has a full staff together yet.”
The senator nodded. “We’ll be fine son. The first primaries are still several months away, and you’ve assembled an excellent team for us.”
They spoke for a few more minutes about the election before moving to the agenda for their scheduled meeting. Bradley left Atleigh's office with confidence about his job and telling his father no. That Darci knew his father planned to run before he did perplexed him though. It was important to gather research on her.
Her blog was carnal and appealed to certain desires he had. It never occurred to him she might hold power in the sphere of D.C. politics. He packed up his briefcase and got on the elevator. His fingers brushed the business card in his pocket as he rode down to the first floor. He intended to learn all he could about the stunning redhead tonight.
Chapter Four
Darci stood in front of a full-length mirror examining her look for Exposure. It had been months since she’d gone to the exclusive BDSM club. When she was collared to Damion, they had gone every weekend. Fear of running in to him kept her away, but she missed her friends and needed to meet new people.
It took all day to work up the courage to attend and choosing an outfit had been painful. She couldn’t back out now. The black over-bust corset with hints of teal blue seemed to speak to her. She paired it with a pair of black stockings and a garter belt with the same shade of teal running through it. A black miniskirt, and thin leather choker completed the look. The necklace reminded Darci of her time as a collared submissive, and it felt odd. She hadn't worn one since Damion released her last year.
She glanced at the clock while she pulled on her long dress coat. Almost half past nine o’clock, things would be hopping at Exposure. She slipped on a pair of sky-high stilettos and stepped outside into the crisp night to wait for the cab. She prayed that Damion wouldn’t be there but knew she would undoubtedly run into him. While he violated her trust, which led to the removal of her collar, it hadn’t been egregious enough to get his membership revoked.
Damion didn’t miss an open weekend at the club, which was part of why she’d been avoiding it. After that relationship went south, Darci struggled with her identity and withdrew from the public scene.
She still attended the occasional house party, but she hadn’t engaged in power exchange or kinky sex with anyone since Damion. She wasn’t sure if she wanted the kind of intense Dominant/submissive relationship she’d had with her ex again. They made a lovely couple, but he wasn’t interested in anything more than the power exchange aspect of their relationship. It had been a mistake to let him collar her. Now she wondered if she would ever commit to another man that way. If she did, it would be with someone who shared her interests and could be as romantic as he could be dominant.
Club Exposure was a massive warehouse on the outskirts of town and usually stayed full on Friday and Saturday nights. The decorations were a mix of vibrant reds and blacks. The lobby held a small hostess station for collecting door fees. Behind the station double doors led into the heart of the club. The main play space held St. Andrew’s crosses, spanking benches, and other furniture for attaching people to. To the outsider, it might look like a medieval torture chamber, but to those in the lifestyle, it looked like pure ecstasy.
Everything was spaced so people had room to play. Nobody wanted a whip to the face from somebody else’s scene. Off the main play area, a smaller play space had been outfitted for quiet play. The main dungeon could get loud sometimes as cries of pain mixed with pleasure echoed throughout the room. A social area housed a small bar and couches and tables where people could chat without disrupting the play of others.
Darci had been at the club for less than twenty minutes, and she regretted coming. She spotted Damion right away, and not surprisingly, he brought a companion. It was the first time they had seen each other since their breakup. He said hello to her, but it was awkward, so Darci escaped to the bar.
There was no chance of playing tonight, so a drink was OK. She sighed as she sipped her whiskey and settled onto one of the black leather couches. The club opened a few years ago as a private, members only venue. Membership had grown but it was still exclusive and difficult to gain access to since it wasn’t a club that advertised its existence. Darci, along with her dearest friends Peter and Carrie, had been among the founding group of members when the club first opened.
Mid memory, she choked on her drink as the doors to the main space swung wide and a tall, dark-haired man entered. He paused once inside the door.
I can’t believe Mr. high-and-mighty Bradley Givens is here! She picked a bad night to come back. She looked at the door again. Bradley hadn’t moved. He wore dark jeans and a black button-down dress shirt un-tucked. If it was possible, Darci thought he might look hotter in jeans than he did in that suit he had on when she met him. She had to force herself not to stare. Gathering her courage, she got up intending to say hello when the main door opened again.
That woman! Darci had to stop herself from gasping as a tall blonde stepped through the doors. They were having lunch at Acqua al 2. The leggy Miss Jacobs hadn’t struck her as submissive. She watched Bradley interact with her, and it was clear he was in charge. The girl disappeared again.
It seemed odd to Darci that they were here together. Based on their body language in the restaurant it was a business meeting and a tense one at that. It appeared Mr. Givens had no trouble mixing business with pleasure. She sighed and sank back into the couch. Oh well, you don’t like him anyway; she lied to herself. He was a pompous asshole with questionable ethics if he worked for the likes of Senator Atleigh. How anyone could support such a reprehensible man was beyond her.
“Fancy seeing you here.” A quiet voice interrupted her musings, and she looked up from her drink, startled to find him standing over her.
“Likewise, Mr. Givens,” she muttered. “Where’s your date?”
“Not a date, just a friend. And she’s in the changing room. Please call me Bradley. Especially here. I thought it was you and had to come and say hello. I hope I’m not intruding.” He smiled at her. He’s got a great smile, she thought as she stared up at him from the couch.
“No, not at all, I’m here alone tonight.” though it would seem I’m the only one.
“I must say I’m intrigued to find you here at all, Miss Sanders.”
“I’m... fascinated that you’re here as well,” she replied. “Considering your bosses views on sexual deviancy as he puts it.”
Bradley rolled his eyes. “Please let’s not bring politics into this.”
“Oh, politics are in everything wouldn’t you say?” she asked, overcome by the urge to be confrontational. Maybe he brought it out in her.
“You may be right, but I come here to get away from such things. I’m intrigued because I’ve been coming here for almost a year and I’ve never seen you. Also, your blog refers to private parties. I assumed you didn’t attend clubs.” Darci's mouth dropped open. He reads my blog!
“I didn’t realize you were a fan,” she said. Her desire to argue with him vanished with the realization he read her blog. She had never met one of her readers before; at least not one she didn’t know before she started writing it.
“I’ve been reading your blog for two years. I recognized you in the restaurant when we first met, but I thought it would be indiscreet to say s
o in such a public setting.” His wink sent a deep flush up her cheeks. She recovered and put on a smile as she finished the last of her drink.
“At least you understand the importance of discretion. I would never mention Exposure on a blog. This isn’t a venue open to the public.”
“Fair point,” he said before switching gears. “I don’t like discussing business in settings like this, but I want to tell you I’d like to address your wish to meet with my boss. I’ll call you sometime next week.”
Her eyebrows shot upward in surprise. “Thank you, Mr... I mean, Bradley. I know I gave you my card the other day but here’s my personal cell number just in case.” She produced a scrap of paper and pen from her small handbag and scribbled her number. He tucked it in his front shirt pocket and flashed her a grin.
At that moment, Peggy returned from the changing room. She had removed her modest dress and wore a collar and under-bust corset that pushed her exposed breasts upward. She also had on stockings that made her legs look even longer and slimmer. Her bright red heels finished the look. Bradley held up his hand when she started to speak and pointed to the floor behind him. She knelt without question. Darci watched intrigued. Dominant Bradley was hot. She banished the thought. It was inappropriate.
“Darci, this is my friend and current submissive Peggy. You met the other day.”
He looked down at her. “You may say hello.”
“Pleased to meet you again.” The beautiful blonde smiled as she spoke, happy to be at Bradley's feet. Darci smiled back. She knew that pleasure all too well.
“Lovely to see you again as well Peggy. Perhaps you’ll share a drink with me later.” She offered a smile to the girl. “If you're permitted,” she added, glancing up at Bradley.
“We’ll see. If you’ll excuse us, I have plans for this one.” He flashed a wicked grin and bent to clip a leash to the girls’ collar. For a moment they reminded her of Peter and Carrie. But something seemed off between these two. Peggy appeared delighted to be in the relationship, but in the restaurant the other day, Darci got the feeling that Bradley didn’t enjoy interacting with this woman. She wondered how a man like Bradley got into this scene. Over the years, she had witnessed plenty of politicians and power brokers come through the clubs, but most of them were one-time attendees looking for a thrill. Bradley seemed comfortable in this world and gaining a membership to Exposure was further evidence of that.
She watched as he led Peggy to a corner to play with her. Feeling uncomfortable watching, she moved to find friends to socialize with. She spied Damion in another play space with his date and shook her head. This was awkward.
“Don’t let that bastard get you down,” a voice from behind her said. She turned and grinned at the feisty older woman she found.
“Marlie! Keep your voice down,” she admonished as the woman pulled her into a hug.
“We’ve missed you so much Darci. I get the pleasure of seeing you at charity events but not everyone is so lucky.”
Marlie Dixon ran a high-profile charity for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence among other things. The organization often held events in the city. In fact, she was hosting one this weekend.
“I decided it was time to come back. It’s awkward but I’ve missed you all.”
Marlie had been there through her breakup with Damion and was always prodding her to return. Darci knew she was excited that she finally had. Marlie’s partner for the night called for her and she excused herself with a peck on the cheek.
“I’ll see you at the benefit darling.”
Feeling lost again, she found Gary Newhouse, the club owner. He was usually fun to talk to, and he didn’t hang out in the play space so she could avoid Bradley and Damion. When she found him, he was showing off a new set of restraints he had made. Gary could craft anything out of leather, and his creations were always stunning. He winked at her when she joined the circle of people admiring his work.
“Good to see you here Darci. We’ve missed you.” Gary opened his arms for a hug and Darci stepped into them.
Squeezing him tight, she said, “It’s great to be back again. I’m sorry I’ve stayed away so long.” She spent the next couple of hours in the social area catching up with Gary and some other club regulars. Being among these people again was calming and helped ease the awkwardness of being back. She discovered Bradley had been a member of the club about as long as she had been away. What a small world it was. She wondered how often he came here. As she was finishing a drink, a hand touched her shoulder. Turning, she smiled when she saw Michael.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” she said as she stood to hug him.
“I wasn’t going to, but when you told me you might show up for the first time in almost a year, I figured I needed to come keep an eye on you.” Michael grinned when she punched him in the arm. “I’m kidding. I came to talk to Gary and no, you cannot have details,” he added before she could ask.
Michael and Gary excused themselves to Gary’s office. Darci looked at the clock; it was already midnight. The club would stay open until two, but she wouldn’t stay that late, without a partner to play with.
She thought she made it through the night with no more awkward encounters when she heard a voice behind her.
“Master says you're a fan of whiskey. Would you like to have a glass with me?” It was Peggy, and she had already picked up two glasses from the small bar across the room. The night was winding down, and most people were enjoying a drink after their scenes. Not wanting to be rude, Darci accepted the drink and found a couch so the two could sit and chat. She was grateful that the girl had changed back into her dress. Talking to a topless Peggy would have made her more self-conscious.
“I've been a fan of your work for years, Darci,” Peggy gushed as they settled onto the couch. “You're so lucky to be able to be so open with your life.” Darci tried her best not to grimace, the girl was too energetic for her taste.
“I count myself fortunate. I wish everyone could be open about the lifestyle they enjoy, but I also wish that more people would learn to stay out of the affairs of others.” She put on her spokesperson face to make it easier to get through the conversation. It lasted only a few more uncomfortable moments, and Peggy did most of the talking. For that, Darci was thankful. She finished her drink and excused herself to gather her belongings and say goodbye to a few friends who were leaving.
“It was lovely to chat with you Peggy. Perhaps we'll run into each other again soon.” Peggy offered an enthusiastic hug and pranced off to find Bradley. Darci rolled her eyes at the ball of energy and left the club. She waived at the security guard stationed outside the building as she climbed into a waiting cab to head back to her apartment.
Chapter Five
Darci spent the latter part of the day at her standing appointment with her therapist, Dr. Martin. The conversation this week had been emotionally taxing because Darci couldn’t shake Tessa from her mind. She had told the good doctor all she could without breaking confidence. Her sessions with Dr. Martin usually energized her but this week it had drained her. She also mentioned meeting Bradley and the conflicting feelings she had about him. The therapist was kink friendly, so she was able to go into detail about the places she had run into him. Now, she was on her way home to get ready for Marlie’s benefit, and she was looking forward to spending time with friends tonight.
She rushed through the door of her fifth-floor, downtown apartment after walking from the metro station. On her way through the small living-room, she kicked off her work shoes by the couch and dropped her purse on the coffee table. In the bedroom, she walked into the small closet, pulled a black cocktail dress from the rack and laid it on the bed. If she was going to make it on time, she needed to be dressed and back on the subway in forty-five minutes. After a quick shower, she towel-dried her hair and went to work trying to tame the curls.
Thirty-five minutes later she was slipping into slim black heels that would have her feet throbbing before
the night was over. Her hair was styled in a fashionable up-do with a pile of curls spilling down. Silver jewelry and simple makeup finished her look. She grabbed a black clutch and tossed her phone, ID, and other essentials from her purse into it before running out the door. The nearest subway stop was only three blocks away and Darci felt comfortable walking, even in heels.
She arrived at the platform seconds before her train arrived and her perfect timing made her smile as she pushed her way into the car. Traveling by Metro was her favorite. It gave her time to watch all the fascinating people who lived in and visited her city. What kind of music was that man listening to? What’s going on at that woman’s job that has her so stressed out? So many stories and Darci wanted to know them all. Sometimes she would strike up a conversation. Other times she passed the time by making up stories in her head about fellow passengers.
Tonight, she was watching a family of tourists heading to dinner. They were having an animated conversation about all the monuments and museums they had visited today. The little girl preferred the Lincoln Memorial while the older boy enjoyed the International Spy Museum. She smiled. Most residents of the city hated tourists and all the touristy spots. but she loved it all. And she enjoyed playing tourist in her own backyard whenever she got the chance.
When the train arrived at her stop and offered a wave and a wink to the little girl as she stepped off. Five minutes later she was in a cab on her way to the hotel. She messaged Marlie to let her know she was almost there.
There was a line at the coat check station, but it was moving at a steady pace. At the counter, she smiled at the woman taking coats. When the attendant smiled back, Darci thought she looked familiar. She handed over her coat, and they exchanged pleasantries. “Have I seen you at one of these things before?” Darci asked as the young woman handed her a ticket.
“I don’t think so ma’am. I haven’t been doing this long, but I’ve already been at several events across the city, so I suppose it’s possible.” The attendant winked at her and told her to have a fun time. She shook her head and made her way into the ballroom. It wasn't a formal dinner party like some of these events were. Instead, there would be cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dancing, a silent auction, and later a decadent dessert buffet. Darci told herself she should skip that part.