by Eileen Green
Marble tiled floor in various hues, rusts, blues, and beiges. Red columns with gold-painted tops and bottoms with arches above the space between them painted white, and the wall above the arches was russet in color. Three walls had frescos painted on them. One was a view into an outside square with trees and white and red buildings in the distance. Another was a decadent scene of an orgy, people in various forms of undress. The other was of the Mediterranean in the distance with trees and some land in the foreground. The wall with the viewing windows had columns between the windows with the matching arches from above. The ceiling was gold with black lines painted so the ceiling looked like a tray ceiling.
A large shallow bathing pool sat in the center of the room with a naked lady statue pouring water from a jar into the pool for a fountain. Surrounding it on four corners were plants. On each of the three sides of the pool that didn’t have the statue were three benches, gold with dark red upholstery. The sides were rolled up and over from the seating area. In the middle of the wall under the orgy pic was a California king bed with dark reds and golds for the covers. The bed itself was painted a dark gold. In the corner where the orgy fresco and the ocean fresco met was a St. Andrew’s cross.
On the columns that stood out from the walls were hooks hidden by white billowy drapes hanging from the arches. It was the way the Romans closed off the rooms from the outside. In this room, people could be tied up to the hooks for whippings, floggings, humiliation.
Perhaps she needed to have Thomas bring her and Gerard here the next time they were able to play. With Thomas being the resident dungeon monitor, he didn’t have a lot of time off while the club was open.
* * * *
Looking around the large room at the women who had gathered to support her, Eliza was shocked. Well, she was still in shock from the bombshell delivered just a little while ago, but this was different. As she had been a big part of the Tiger's Lair, she never socialized with anyone. She came to teach and occasionally to play, but she never considered people her friends. By the anxious and worried expressions on the ladies’ faces, she knew they considered her to be one. Perhaps she needed to rethink some aspects of her life starting with her friends, and then on to the one that had come back into her life.
All the guys left, but Eliza knew at least one of them was standing at the door in the hall. Carrie seemed the most concerned as she took a seat next to Eliza and proceeded to wrap an arm around her shoulders. The therapist held Eliza tight, as if she was trying to transfer her good feelings over to her.
“Sweetie, are you all right?” Carrie asked softly. “I mean, truly all right?”
“I’m not sure,” Eliza had to admit. Numb, shocked, sideswiped, confused. That about summed it up. “I am cold.”
It felt as if all the blood in her body had left her, for the second time in her life.
She removed the chain from around her neck and handed it to Emma. It held the key for her locker, but it also held her engagement rings from Bobby and Victor. She couldn’t stand to part with them after she was left alone in the world. Deep in her heart, she knew she would virtually be married to both men forever.
God, that was a lifetime ago, wasn’t it? I’m not the same woman I was then.
Yeah, right! Keep telling yourself that! You know you still love Victor!
Shup up!
Not going to happen!
Holding her empty hand to her head, she asked Emma, “Can you please bring me my clothes and bag? I have some aspirin in there.”
Emma stood. “Of course, honey. Anyone else want their clothing?”
“I’ll go with you,” Abigail piped up as she stood. “I should check my phone.” Being an EMT, she could get called in if there was a wide-spread emergency. And, since there was a major snowstorm going on, it was highly possible.
Guilt swept over Eliza that these women were putting their lives on hold for her.
Savannah, Missy, Clara, and Carrie all asked for their clothes, but their men had the keys in their lockers. They would have to get them from the guys. Emma and Abigail left, yet Eliza knew they wanted to be there for her.
Despite being an integral part of this club for the past six years, Eliza had never been above the first floor. The love she had for her men had filled her heart so much, she hadn’t found anyone to replace them. She considered the private themed rooms to be for kinky liaisons for lovers or those wishing to attain that status. Looking around at the grandeur of the room along with the decadence, an image of her and Victor in there sprang to her mind, along with Todd.
Although the thought was enticing, she didn’t know if she could do it. She had changed so much since that day so long ago. Hell, Victor couldn’t remember their shared past.
Warm cotton was wrapped around her shoulders, bringing her out of her head. Looking up, Eliza found Missy had retrieved one of the aftercare blankets from the towel warmer and covered Eliza’s shoulders and arms. Eliza smiled up at the woman. “Thank you.”
Missy had been one of her students. She had come to the Tiger’s Lair to learn about the lifestyle, but also find a way to get out of her head due to her stressful position as a 911 operator. Missy wound up meeting her two lovers, and now fiancés, billionaire Tate Hawk and police detective Patrick Dunham. She had embraced the lifestyle beautifully and was now an asset at the club. Eliza was very proud of her, as she was with Carrie.
“I want to thank you all for your support,” Eliza said quietly. “I guess I haven’t been a very good friend, have I?”
A gasp sounded from all three women, but it was Carrie who spoke first. “We know you weren’t trying to be stand-offish. You have an image to portray here. You are well respected, and loved here, whether you realize it or not.”
Tears stung Eliza’s eyes at Carrie’s words. It had been a long time since Eliza had girlfriends. Once, she had many friends at the club they belonged to in Fayetteville. Fellow submissives mostly who would get together every week to enjoy each other’s company, but also to compare notes on new techniques and implements. To be truthful, Eliza had missed that camaraderie since she had come to Denver, but she couldn’t let people know she had been that person in the past. Now, all that was out in the open.
“You are a wonderful woman.” Savannah had been one of Eliza’s first students. It had taken her a while to find her lovers and her Master, but once she had, she had them wrapped around her little finger. “We don’t care if you are a Domme or Dom. You are one of us because you are a part of this club. We’ve always wanted you to participate in our get-togethers, but—” Savanna shrugged “—I guess we were afraid you would say no.”
A snort escaped Eliza and then a giggle. She realized she didn’t have to be so uptight and stand-offish. Perhaps she could be one of the girls. After thinking for moment, she said softly, “I guess I have been kind of scary.”
The three remaining women laughed.
“You had the men you taught fearing you, but also wanting to be the wicked schoolboys so you’d be their teachers and would discipline them.” Savannah spoke then laughed.
“Well, then I guess the urging to get Alex to put in the school scene space was a good idea.” Eliza smiled.
“You had a hand in that?” Carrie asked as she pulled her arm from around Eliza’s shoulders and then straightened the blanket that was warming Eliza.
“I did. In fact, I suggested it because it was a scene Bobby loved to play with Victor and me. Bobby was the teacher, and Victor and I the naughty scholars.” Eliza let a small smile touch her lips at the memory. “I think that’s why I took on the persona of the staid schoolteacher in my class. It was an ode to Bobby. It made me feel close to him even though he was gone.”
“And Victor?” Carrie inquired. Her voice was soft and friendly, but Eliza knew she was being analyzed.
Letting her thoughts run through her head for a bit, she realized one thing. When Victor hadn’t come back, nor had gotten in touch with her after his boss said he couldn’t do anything
until the mission was over, Eliza had felt deserted, and unloved. She had to wonder if Victor had even loved her at all or had just put up with her because Bobby wanted her.
She was the one who had invaded their lives. They had been together for several years before she showed up. Routines created, love had been celebrated on anniversaries, and commitments had been made. Upon her arrival in their lives, she had tried to thwart their advances, but to no avail. They had done the pursuing, which included Victor working at breaking her down to say yes, but she had put them off for months.
Eliza didn’t have a big family. She had been one of two children, and her parents had divorced when they were young after their mother had run off with a younger man. Her father had been heartsick and eventually took his life when Eliza was seventeen. Her brother had joined the Army, and that’s why Eliza had been in Fayetteville to begin with. She wanted to be closer to him. He was on deployment when she had met Bobby and Victor, but when he returned, she found out he knew Bobby.
So, when they got the news that Bobby had been killed, Eliza only had Victor to turn to because her brother was in Afghanistan again. But Victor left too, and she thought he hadn’t wanted her without Bobby. Grief and guilt were bedfellows in her life at that point. She second-guessed herself with her studies and her work, but that finally straightened itself out. She needed to get through school, find a good job, and get her shit together to survive in the world. Of course, the days she didn’t want to survive were many, but she knew she couldn’t give up and be a coward like her father. Her entire live was ahead of her, and despite the fact she would never have another lover, she could at least help out those people in need.
Paul, her brother, hadn’t wanted her to move after both Victor and Bobby were gone, but with him being deployed, Eliza knew she wouldn’t stay around the base. In fact, she had waited until he had gone back to Afghanistan before she up and moved.
Carrie’s question weighed on Eliza. She wasn’t sure what to do. The love she had for Victor had always been there, even when she thought he had deserted her. Now, knowing that he hadn’t, and that he was with Todd, she didn’t know what to do.
“It’s obvious Victor remembers some things about you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here,” Missy said as she sat on the edge of the shallow pool in the floor, slowly moving her legs through the water. “You can also see it in his eyes.”
Of course, these three women were going to gang up on her. If Emma and Abigail were still in the room, they’d be putting in their two cents’ worth. Eliza didn’t mind it though. Having others to help her see what was before her was good.
“And that Todd fellow couldn’t take his eyes off you. You can tell he loves Victor, but he was quite attentive to you, too.” Missy giggled at her comment. “So, what are you going to do?”
“Yeah,” Savannah teased. “I don’t think either one of them is going to leave without you.”
“Todd?” Eliza practically shrieked. “Don’t be absurd. He was only interested in my welfare because his boyfriend made me faint.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Mistress,” Carrie said as she patted Eliza’s hand. “Everyone who was watching you guys talk could see the interest. Mark my words. They will both come after you very soon.”
“Victor can’t seem to remember much about his previous life. How can you expect to him to be interested in me?” Eliza let her gaze sweep around the room. She took in the opulence and beauty, especially the orgy scene.
Arms and legs wound sensually around other people. Hands found private body parts and sent arousal soaring. Mouths latched onto said parts, or mouths, heightening feelings and reminding the others of their love, devotion, or even lust.
There had been a place in the Fayetteville area that held swinger’s parties, which Eliza, Victor, and Bobby had attended. They had watched others fuck or make love, but the threesome was committed only to each other. Voyeurism was something Eliza really liked, and truth be told, after the private rooms up here in the Tiger’s Lair had been installed, she had snuck up here on occasion and had watched other people through the viewing windows.
The threesome had also not minded others watching them. At the swinger’s parties, they would make love with the door to the rooms they used left open so others could watch. It had always sent a thrill through Eliza to know that other people got off from their display of love.
“I will speak to Todd about Victor’s treatment and what progress has been made when it comes to his memory, if you want me to.” Carrie was a friend, but she was also a therapist, so Eliza knew she had her best interests at heart. “Since he now remembers you, at least that you were part of his past, it could possibly trigger other memories, and therefore, his former life might come flooding back into his brain. From what I observed while you guys were talking downstairs, whenever he has a memory, he gets a pain in his head.
“With the obvious damage that was done to him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t recover all of his memory. Those scars of his look vicious. He must have been in so much pain after he woke from his coma. He will probably always have some pain in his head. All you can do is help him try to remember, but you can’t force it. Will you want to help him?”
There was still love in Eliza’s heart for Victor. But until he regained his memory about why he had left and didn’t come home, Eliza couldn’t be certain that the man still loved her. Did she want to put her time and effort into Victor knowing he may never remember why he had left her?
Chapter Five
Being around all the men who in some way were close to Eliza sent jealousy surging through Todd. He couldn’t explain it. The feelings he had for a woman he had just met less than an hour ago perplexed him.
Lust and desire had filled him when he met Eliza. It was the same feelings he had for Victor when he had seen him for the first time. Jealousy was the other emotion he had even though he didn’t know her well enough to be possessive.
He had spoken to Alex McDaniels on the phone a few days ago and explained the situation about Victor and his connection to Eliza. Alex had been hesitant about letting Todd and Victor come to see Eliza, especially since Todd had requested their visit be kept secret until they arrived. He wanted to make sure Eliza would accept their visitation.
Alex had told Todd it would be best if they came to the club for the reunion so that Eliza would be surrounded by friends and they could take care of her in case there was an adverse reaction. Todd agreed with the man, but now, she had been whisked away, to where, he didn’t know.
A man with light brown hair sat in the love seat in the aftercare area. He wore blue jeans and a black leather vest, and his hazel eyes kept scanning the large room, but always ended back on Todd and Victor. He looked like a force to be reckoned with. His arms were thick with muscles as was his chest. His jeans were tight on him, most likely from more muscles.
Todd’s heartbeat rapidly in his chest, his nerves getting the better of him under the scrutiny of the man who remained with Todd and his lover. Swallowing hard, Todd finally spoke up.
“You been coming here long?” he asked the man.
The man nodded. “Alex and I have been friends for ages. He was my commander in the Seals, and then when I retired and came to Denver, I started my own security company. I’m not only a member here, but I supply the security officers here.”
Well, that explains a lot.
“So,” the man went on. “Being in D.C., do you have connections to any of the higher-ups in the bureau or the CIA to have helped with an insight to Victor’s identity?”
Todd eyed the man with great interest. The man was interrogating him? Interesting. Here Todd was, in Denver, trying to reunite his lover with his former lover. Todd was trying to do something good to help Victor get his memory back, but this man was acting as if Todd hadn’t done enough.
Sitting up straighter and puffing out his chest, Todd looked the man squarely in the eyes. “First off, I don’t have connections like you are
talking about. Yes, I am a neurosurgeon. I deal with people when they have head injuries. I don’t schmooze with the locals. You know how it is. When you’re in this lifestyle, you do tend to fade into the woodwork so as not to be found out.” Todd tried to control his anger. “After speaking with the police, I did go to the FBI as I had worked on a man’s mother from there, and I took him at his word that they didn’t have any idea who Victor was.”
Raising his hands in feigned defeat, the man said, “Whoa, there. I’m a curious person, hence the security company.” Leaning forward and offering his hand to Todd, he informed him, “I’m Shane Owens, by the way.”
Todd shook the man’s proffered hand, and then Victor did the same. “Nice to meet you,” Victor said, a tremble in his voice.
“I do have connections, as does Alex. If you wish, we could try to find out what we can about Victor before he was injured. Eliza said he worked for the FBI. There has to be someone there who can answer our questions, and also, to find out what kind of mission he was on,” Shane went on.
“I would appreciate that,” Victor said before Todd could as he laid his hand on Todd’s. “I really would like to know what happened to me.”
It was understandable. Todd wanted to know what happened to Victor also for some of the injuries were just odd, as if someone had beaten him. He also wanted Victor to know himself, inside and out.
“Let’s meet here in the morning and go over some information,” Shane offered.
“Thank you.” Perhaps they could get on with their lives after this. Todd also wanted Victor to be happy and comfortable around Eliza, and Todd wouldn’t mind getting to know her more either.
Seeing her in a corset and those small shorts which revealed the bottom of her ass cheeks and then her amazing long legs, Todd had to concentrate hard on why they were at the Tiger’s Lair. His cock had made its presence known, and he feared Eliza had seen it. It had grown inflated with blood and was long and hard, trapped between his body and his leather pants. For a few moments, Todd thought he might pass out from the amount blood that had rushed to that part of his body.