by Renee Rose
I ignore his call, and text Aurelia.
I’m up! Long night last night at Club Toxic.
She answers a minute later. You went? Alone?
I brush my hair back from my face. Did I go to Club Toxic? It all seems like a dream. I remember walking up to the club in my white dress. The bouncer let me inside. I wanted to order a drink. Chad was there—with his boyfriend… The rest is a blur. I danced all night. I feel sure of that, yet can’t remember a single moment of doing so.
Yes. I text. Chad was there.
Little dots appear and disappear a few times. Then my phone rings.
“Chad?” Aurelia snaps without preamble. “That dickhead was there?”
I giggle. “Don't call him that.”
“He deserves it. He was a dick to you.”
“Yeah.” I leave out the part where I caught him talking to his new male lover.
“Well? Did he talk to you?”
“He said hi. The conversation was short. It was fine.”
Aurelia isn’t buying it. “I’m sorry he ruined your night.”
“He didn’t ruin it. I had a good time. I met someone.” I touch the hickey on my neck. I think. My thoughts are shadowy, but I remember a face. Dark eyes, dark hair, swarthy skin. A close-clipped goatee framing perfect lips.
“Oh?” Aurelia’s tone turns wary. “Who?”
“Just a guy.” I reach for my memory but it’s a blur.
“What was his name?” Her voice sounds a little sharp.
I bristle, not at her tone, but because I can’t remember his name. I can barely remember the face. “Um…”
“Maybe I should go with you if you want to go again. That place is a little sketch.”
Nothing about Club Toxic is sketchy. But I get what she’s saying. There’s an undercurrent of caution when people speak of Club Toxic. Like it’s dangerous.
But I wasn’t in danger when I was there. The opposite, in fact. Something about the place made me feel safe. Even if I can’t remember everything. “It was okay. I had a nice time.”
“You don't go to Toxic to have a nice time,” Aurelia says. “But I’m glad you did. Next time, Charlie and I will go with you.”
For some reason, I have the idea I wasn’t going to go back there again, but her words open up the possibility. Yes, I’m definitely going back.
“How about tonight?” I ask. “For Halloween?”
“Wow, you really did have a good time. Okay, I’ll check with Charlie, but I think that works.”
It’s after dark by the time I arrive at Club Toxic. I’m in a tight black bondage dress. I’ve never owned a dress like this—I went out and bought it at noon. I don’t even know why; I just really wanted to wear something black and kinky to the club.
There’s a line at the door, but the bouncer does a double take and beckons me to him. I get the biggest feeling of déjà vu, staring up at his rough-hewn face.
“Hello,” I say.
“That your costume?”
I touch the hairband I’m wearing and fondle the little ears. “Yep, I’m a cat.”
“Well, little kitty, there’s a special dress code tonight.”
“Oh.” My happy bubble deflates.
“Masquerade.” The bouncer steps aside, opening a red cord to allow a fancy couple to swan inside. Both are women, one with long blonde hair, the other with short pink hair. The blonde is wearing a fancy ball gown and the other a tux. Both are wearing elaborate white and gold masks. The pink haired lady in the tux winks at me.
“Love the ears, kid,” she says as she disappears inside.
I turn away and start back to my car. I wanted so bad to be at Toxic tonight. I just felt like it was meant to be.
I’ve gone only a few steps when a dark form blocks my path.
“Are you lost, babygirl?”
I look up and see the man from my dreams. The man looms over me. He’s in a tux, with a black mask obscuring some of his face. The black fabric gives a dramatic frame to his beautiful dark eyes.
“H-hi.” The word falls from my lips.
He looks me up and down and raises a brow. “Black tonight.”
“Yeah.” I hesitate. “Do I know you?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Do you want to go inside?”
“More than anything,” I say.
He chuckles and I have to laugh at myself. I sound pretty desperate. He offers his arm. “Do you trust me?”
“No.” I shouldn’t, anyway. The truth is, I do. Because I feel like I know him. I take his arm. “But I’ll go with you, for a night.”
“My name is Dimitri,” he says. Its seems familiar.
I want to tell him I knew his name, but there’s no reason to say that. “I’m Gwen.”
His gaze flicks over me, taking in the kitty ears. He guides me up to the bouncer.
“This is my guest for the night,” Dimitri explains.
“She needs a mask,” the bouncer says.
“Ah, yes.” Dimitri pats his pocket and draws out a silky mask. White. I’d worn white last night. The color makes me pause. For a moment, I think I remember something about him commenting on my white dress, but it passes.
I tip my face up and let Dimitri secure the mask. He ties it into place and offers his arm. “Shall we?”
Inside, the dark space feels both new and familiar. I stare at the dance floor where I danced last night, but still can’t quite remember actually dancing.
Dimitri starts to lead me to the bar and I hesitate. He senses it and stops, waiting silently. I get the feeling he’s waiting for me to say something.
I glance around and see the door to the coat check. A memory skips through my mind, scampering just out of reach.
I lick my lips. I’m not sure what I’m going to say next, but I trust my instincts. “I want to go downstairs.”
“Have you been before?”
I wrack my memory. I should say no, but there’s something resisting the word. “I have,” I say slowly.
He seems on the verge of saying something. But without protest, he leads me through the coat check area, past two huge bouncers, and down a hidden set of stairs. The scent of the place, a mild but sultry perfume that tickles my memory, rises up to greet me.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I step forward eagerly, greeting the sight of the BDSM club like an old friend.
Dimitri has a thoughtful look on his face. He leads me to a red leather chair and makes sure I’ve settled before sinking into his own seat.
“Drink?” He raises a finger, and a black clad server comes over and bows close enough for Dimitri to whisper in his ear. I cross and uncross my legs, too excited to sit still.
Dimitri finishes ordering our drinks and settles back into his chair, steepling his fingers.
“You seem very familiar with this place, Ms. Gwen,” he says.
“I remember it. I think.”
“You think?” His black brow rises.
I shrug. “Once upon a dream.”
More couples are pouring down the stairs, the ladies and one or two men clad in dresses and fancy updos that would make Marie Antoinette seethe with jealousy.
I press my legs together, suddenly unsure of my outfit.
“Relax,” Dimitri murmurs like he can read my mind. “You’re adorable. I wouldn’t change one thing about you.”
I lick my lips. “Thank you.”
“And who are you for Halloween?”
“I’m a cat. Meow.”
“Shall I pet you?”
“If you like,” I say primly, but I let my legs fall open.
I’m not wearing any panties.
Dimitri’s eyes darken as he stares between my legs. “Kitty wants to play?”
“More than anything.” My voice is low, sultry.
The server returns with a tray holding two items. Dimitri takes his drink and removes the second item, holding it up for me to see. My stomach flips, my mouth going dry.
“Every kitty needs a tail
.” He shakes it, turning it to show off every angle. It’s a silver metal bulb with a long fluffy tail attached. Pink fur.
“Well, kitty cat? Are you ready?” His smirk is a dare.
He outplayed me. But not for long.
I slide from the chair to my hands and knees. I crawl across the floor as sensuously as I know how. The black fire in his eyes tells me I’m sexy as hell. When I reach him, I nuzzle his knee.
“Good kitty.” He sounds a bit surprised, but he strokes my hair back. “Lie over my lap.”
I do, stretching onto his hard legs. He rolls up my tight dress. I try not to quiver, and fail.
Dimitri drags the soft fur over my bottom.
“The question is, which hole to use.” He teases my wet pussy folds with the cold metal. I squirm and he smacks my bare ass. “Behave, little one.”
I wriggle harder, and he chuckles. “Very well. I will give you what you want. After I insert this plug.”
He slides the plug into my pussy. It stretches my delicate entrance, but my body soon swallows it whole, embracing it.
“Let’s warm you up, shall we?” He grips my bottom, hard, and the nerve endings flare to life. I don’t remember, but my body remembers this position over a tall man’s lap, ass in the air, being spanked by his hard palm.
That’s just what Dimitri does. He warms my ass cheeks up with a few squeezes, then smacks each one hard enough to make me squeak. He spanks me for a solid minute, pauses to tug and twist the plug in my pussy until I squirm, and then spanks me again. Round after round, until my ass is hot and glowy. My pussy throbs, tightening on the plug.
“You’ve done so well.” Dimitri’s murmur is pure seduction and sin. The snake tempting Eve. “But I’m afraid you’re not wearing your tail properly.” He tugs it out and it comes free with a slick sound.
Oh no. I shift on his thighs, but it’s too late to escape.
“Reach back, pet, and show me where this belongs.”
Nope, not happening. I grip the well-tailored slacks, trying to hug his calves. Not gonna do that, nope, nope, nope. A chuckle tells me Dimitri knows exactly what’s going on in my mind.
The plug comes to my pussy lips again, and strokes between them, soothing the deep itch in my sex, gathering more of my wetness. “If you do, you’ll get a reward.”
Damn. Slowly, I reach back and grab my chastised buttocks. The skin of my bottom is hot in my hands. I hesitate, then pull my ass cheeks apart. Damn, this is embarrassing. My face is as hot as my butt. I duck my head, trying to hide in his pants leg. But I keep holding my bottom open.
“Good girl.” Of course, he doesn’t stick the plug in right away. Why would he, when he can dip a finger into the valley between my reddened ass cheeks and tease the tender skin around my rear hole? “Such a pretty hole,” he tells me, still exploring the crinkled area. I want to clench my cheeks, but he thought this through. I can’t clench when he’s made me hold them open. I’m dying. This is so wrong.
I am so wet.
It’s almost a mercy when he finally sets the metal tip of the plug against my butt.
“I have some lube at hand, but this is already quite wet. Let’s see how far we can go.”
Dyyyying. The tip swirls into the crinkle, and starts to press in. My muscles tighten. I whimper.
“Shhh, it’s all right, pet. This plug is small. It will be uncomfortable, but you’ll be all right.”
Well, thanks. I bite back all manner of snarky responses.
He applies pressure to the plug, and I’m grateful he doesn’t just slam it home. It feels so weird, so wrong. I am panting, head tipped to the floor, but my pussy is a waterfall. If I grind on his leg, I’ll leave it an absolute mess.
“You’re doing so well. Here.” His finger returns with a dollop of something cool he spreads around my back hole. Lube. He presses his finger in and it somehow breaches the clenched ring of muscle and enters my bottom.
Ladies and gentleman, Dimitri’s finger is up my ass.
“I could sit here all night, like this,” Dimitri says. “You’re so hot inside, and tight.”
Dead. I am dead. I rock my hips and whimper. His finger comes out, and I sag for the second the pressure’s off. But the plug soon follows. It slides in with only a little resistance.
“There it is. Good girl.”
I wriggle but can’t get comfortable. There is a plug up my butt, and my body keeps warning me it doesn’t belong.
“Now for your reward.” He presses something to my sex, sliding between the folds and up against my clit. It’s a slim plastic toy that comes alive, buzzing. The intense vibrations flip a switch and my orgasm hits me. I convulse, still ass up over his lap, the toy stretching my rear, silky tail fur tickling the back of my leg.
“Good girl. Again.” And he makes me come again and again, then shows me the dripping toy.
“Well done, Gwen. I think you like it when I plug your ass.”
I want to complain, but I really can’t argue with that. Dimitri helps me up and brushes the hair back from my face.
I scrunch up my nose, shifting on his hard thighs to show my displeasure.
“Don’t pout, kitty. You look so nice.” He smooths down my dress, making a show of straightening me out. “Your costume is almost complete.”
He’s right. Now, when I look around the room filled with people in fancy outfits, I don’t feel like I stick out. I worked as hard on my costume as they did theirs. Maybe harder.
“There. Are you going to be good?”
“Meow.”
He looks away for a second but I catch his grin. “I thought so. You’re a good kitty, but you’re missing one thing.”
He holds up a length of white ribbon. The sight of it unspools a memory, but then it’s gone, flying away in the face of what comes next.
Dimitri ties the ribbon around my neck; a makeshift collar. My heart thuds so loudly. “When you wear this, you call me Sir.”
Call me Sir. Memory tugs so hard, I jerk back.
“Pet?”
Pet. I was here last night. I was spanked by a handsome man I gave all my trust. He called me pet.
“Gwen? Everything all right?”
The darkness opens and swallows the memory whole. “Yes, Sir. Thank you.” I’ve just been collared. It feels important. I bury my face in the crook of his neck and shoulder, wanting to snuggle as close to him as possible. If he pulls me away, I’ll go, but for a second, I need this closeness.
He doesn’t pull me away. His arms come around me. “My pleasure.” Is there a hitch in his voice? Is he having second thoughts?
I stay like that, curled up in his lap, letting him stroke and soothe me.
“Who is this, Dimitri?” says an amused male voice, with a slight accent.
Dimitri runs a hand down my back. “This is my darling, Fluffy.”
“I see.” If the man thinks it’s at all weird that there’s a grown woman sitting in Dimitri’s lap, with a fluffy pink tail disappearing up her dress, he doesn’t mention it. “So good of you to join tonight’s festivities. Would you like to reserve the St. Andrew’s Cross later tonight? In case your pet misbehaves?”
“Ah, no.” Dimitri keeps stroking my hair, as if he is petting a cat. “She’s very well trained. I’ve seen to that.”
“Very good.”
There’s a pause, and I sense the man has drifted away.
“You’re attracting attention, pet,” Dimitri whispers to me. “They’d all pet my kitty, if they could. You’re so lovely, who can resist?”
I quiver, still curled into him with my eyes shut. “You wouldn’t let them, would you?”
“No. Not tonight. Not ever, unless you wanted it.”
Hmmm. I try to imagine wanting something like that, but all I can think about is how good it feels to be in Dimitri’s arms. Maybe I should stop thinking and just focus on that.
We lounge together, watching the couples make use of the club. I stiffen when I see Chad’s here again. Oh God! He’s as scan
tily dressed as I am.
His lover leads him to a spanking bench and folds him over it, attaching cuffs to his ankles and wrists.
I don’t want to watch, but I can’t look away. It strikes me that it’s no wonder we were such good friends. We’re both submissives. We both crave the same kind of lover: a sexy, powerful but loving master.
“You know him?” Dimitri asks, although I don’t know how he could possibly know that.
I nod. “We were engaged. He never told me he was gay. I found out here, last night.”
Dimitri lets me sip a little from his drink. “He looks fulfilled. Are you happy for him?”
Happy for him? Hmm.
“Not yet,” I admit. “I’m still angry at him for not telling me. Eight years we were together! Not having sex!” So much wasted time.
Dimitri’s lips twitch. “There’s still time to make up for it.”
Yes. With him.
I find myself studying his features. I’m getting déjà vu so strongly.
“I know you,” I say. His face tugs on the edge of my memory. “I’ve met you before. Once upon a dream.”
“Pet…”
“Do you believe in true love? In fate?”
“Fairytales and happily-ever-afters?” He scoffs.
“Why can’t it be true?” I roll my lips inward, but it’s too late to take back the question.
“I’ve lived a long time,” he says. “I’ve seen a lot of things. Even if you do find true love, there’s no such thing as a fairytale ending. All beautiful things die.” He sees my fallen expression and taps my lip. “Keep dreaming, pet. All we have are our dreams.”
“You sound so cynical.”
“I’ve lived too long. I’ve loved and lost.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” I murmur, and the weariness in his expression softens. I want to ask him more—who he lost, but he traces my nipple through my dress, pre-empting me.
“If it’s any consolation, Gwen, you make me want to believe again.”
I don’t know how I get the nerve, but I loosen his mask. I do it slowly enough he could protest if he wanted, but he doesn’t stop me. The silky fabric falls away. The sight of his face is a punch in the gut. He’s handsome as sin, but that’s not what makes me gasp.
“I know you. I do.”