by J. A. Kerr
“Shhhhh,” said Niven.
Matt put his arms around her. “You were so brave and I was a coward.”
Tears ran down his face but he didn’t care. “I should have been there for you.”
Niven was crying too. “You were, Matt,” she murmured. “It was the thought of you that kept me going; kept me fighting. When Toby said he’d hurt you I knew I had to get out. I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Matt hugged her tightly, exhausted all of the sudden. “So am I. I became a different person for a while, Niven,” said Matt tiredly. “Depression got the better of me and I’m not sure I’ve conquered it. I still have dark days.”
“Me too,” Niven admitted.
He smiled warmly at her. “Well, we’re a right pair.”
“Speak for yourself,” said Niven, but she was smiling too.
“Truce?”
Niven nodded.
“Can we start again?” he asked, his voice full of hope.
“Yes,” said Niven breathlessly.
Now it was Matt’s turn to feel shy. “Will you help me, Niven?”
Her answer was to kiss him. The softness of her lips took him by surprise. He’d forgotten. Sensation returned to him as he pressed his mouth closer. It was her arms around his waist that made him freeze. His flesh was no longer tender but the wound seemed to pulse like an alarm and the spell was broken. All his old demons returned. Matt felt despair threaten everything he had so carefully built. He turned away. Fear gripped him as he struggled to control his emotions and then he felt her hand. Gently it held on to his. When he looked back, Niven’s expression was calm as she gazed at him.
“I know what you’re going through. I understand,” she said, and her confidence gave him hope. “Let me help you, Matt. Sometimes you have to walk in the dark before you can see the light. I found that light at the Braille Club. I didn’t think anyone would ever touch me or that I would experience desire, but the Braille Club broke down my defences.
“The Braille Club helped?” he croaked.
Niven’s smile lit up her face; her shyness gone. “Yes...and meeting you.”
Matt’s heart leapt and he took a deep breath. “Okay, I want to try this Braille Club.”
Niven beamed at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He had never been more convinced of anything in his whole life. He wasn’t sure what he’d let himself in for but he trusted Niven and he realised with a jolt, he loved her. Suddenly his future looked more promising.
“Let’s find Benedict,” said Niven, standing. She held her hand out to him. It was a lifeline and Matt grabbed it.
Chapter 38
The Braille Club Undone
The Braille Club, London. Two Years On. The high level of interest in the Swingers Zone was no surprise to Guy. However, the complexity of delivering the zone was another matter entirely. Guy’s first challenge was to gather member preferences. That information alone was dynamite. However, once loaded into their software, the matching process began.
Guy
Guy was still angry from his call with Anna. Everything he worked on was for both of them. Anna raved about their last session. He wanted to repeat it but to do that he needed to work. His day had been hectic and he’d got caught up, not realising how late it was until he’d glanced at his watch and groaned. Somehow the hours seemed like minutes but it was after 8.00pm. He should call Anna and arrange to see her but instead he was en-route to an address in London. The doors in front of him looked unremarkable. Guy was more than a little uncomfortable, but also curious. He buzzed the intercom and after a short conversation the door clicked, and he entered. The interior was dark and it took a second for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. His heart rate jumped and his nerves were taunt as he exhaled slowly.
“Mr Walker?”
He turned to see a middle-aged man smiling at him.
“Yes,” said Guy, surprised at how normal the man appeared although what had he been expecting...a gimp mask and leash?
“I’m Adam. We spoke earlier,” he said.
Guy shook his hand. “Yes, Adam, lovely to meet you.”
“As I understand, you’re interested in Kinbaku?”
“Yes.”
“You’re in luck tonight as I mentioned earlier, it is more specialised and we don’t always have a scene.”
Guy nodded while not understanding what Adam meant.
“I will give you a tour and then you are free to mingle and observe. Should you wish to take part, notify me, and I will organise something at a beginner’s level.”
“Thank you,” said Guy.
He was keen to get started. Adam led him into a large room with seating and a bar.
“This is our social area,” he beamed.
Guy stared; it was like no bar he’d ever been too. People were chatting, dancing, kissing and a lot more. There was a lot of nudity and Guy was relieved to follow Adam out and along another hallway with numerous doors. He stopped about halfway along and gently opened the door. The sight of the woman dressed in a leather bustier, thong and thigh length boots was both shocking and exciting. The crop she held in her hand make a thwack. Guy flinched as his gaze shifted to the reddened skin of the man standing chained against a rack of some description. He was moaning in pleasure. To his dismay he hardened immediately as he stared in fascination at the scene before him. Again and again she ruthlessly brought the crop down on his naked body. A body writhing with pleasure.
“He’s almost there...” murmured Adam.
Several strokes later the man’s yell of release filled the room. He sagged almost unconscious. The woman rushed to embrace him while others released his wrists.
“Wonderful,” said Adam breathlessly.
“He’s out of it,” said Guy frowning.
“Oh yes, but his Dom will take good care him,” said Adam. “The high is addictive, but dangerous if proper controls are not in place.”
Guy suddenly realised with the Braille Club...movement ended your session and acted like a safe word. The motion sensors could be altered to suit any zone. He stared at the rack and shackles in wonder. Could he adapt something similar like he was doing with the hood? He was excited and it wasn’t just from what he’d seen, although there was no doubt he was aroused by it. He didn’t want to think about Anna, he wanted to concentrate on what he was seeing and how he could apply it to the club.
“This scene is complete,” said Adam regretfully. “You may enter any of the rooms in this corridor; they are all open to observation but not participation.” He glanced at his watch. “I will meet you in the social area in an hour to take you to your requested scene.”
“Yes,” said Guy uncertainly. “What is behind the doors?”
“Open them and find out,” said Adam cryptically. His eyes twinkled.
“Thank you,” said Guy.
Adam turned and left the room. Guy swallowed. After he had looked at every detail inside the room including its occupants, he left. The next sixty minutes were absorbing. Guy saw things that would stay with him forever, such was their impact. Although he was trying not to let her into his head, inevitably his thoughts turned to Anna once more. Would this world appeal to her? He felt sure it would. They could learn the ropes together. He smiled. The pun had been unintentional as he made his way to meet Adam and witness Kinbaku, up close and personal. This ancient art of rope bondage was a skill he hoped to master.
The scene had been incredible. Guy could already picture the modifications needed to the sensory suit. What adaptations he could make to the Braille cuffs to change them into restraints. Thoughts whirled around in his head. He wanted Anna to see the club. No, he needed Anna beside him; this experience was too explosive to keep from her. When he glanced at his mobile and saw an earlier text from Anna he quickly replied.
Guy: Meet me now?
Her reply was instant and he gave her the address. He told her to text him when she was outside and to ring the intercom. Adam asked Guy to inform him wh
en Anna arrived. Guy returned to the social area and feasted his eyes. He didn’t want to go into “a scene” as they called it, and then have to leave when Anna arrived. He sipped his drink as desire throbbed through him. This was what he wanted he was sure of it. Adam hadn’t seemed surprised when he asked if Anna could join him. He nodded and smiled. Guy took the chance to question him.
“Adam, neither I nor Anna are...submissive,” he said, the word foreign to him.
“Guy, this club is all about testing your limits in a safe and clean environment. Your roles will develop as you gain in experience.”
“I’ve read in a relationship both cannot be dominant,” said Guy worriedly.
Again Adam gave that small smile. “I wouldn’t worry too much. We have something here for everyone; you just need to find it.”
“We are a couple and I want us to stay together,” said Guy firmly.
“Yes,” said Adam. “We try to give people what they desire, but be careful what you wish for, Guy. People’s desires change every hour in this place.”
Guy stared at him but saw no malice in his eyes, only candour. “I’ll wait for Anna in the social area,” he said a little stiffly.
“Excellent,” said Adam.
Guy welcomed the vibration in his pocket and stood to alert Adam but he was already in the hallway. He opened the door. Anna stood in all her finery with a curious look on her face. She was wearing her vampy lawyer look. The sheer black top she wore revealed a Marlies Dekkers bra as sexy as Anna herself. A narrow pencil skirt hugged her curves in all the right places and her black Louboutin’s completed the look. Every time Guy saw those shoes he hardened. He remembered what they had done to him and the memory made him smile. As they came face to face with Adam he placed his arm possessively around Anna’s waist.
Adam stretched out his hand. “I’m Adam.”
“Anna.”
Guy watched them shake hands.
“Welcome. Guy will show you around. I hope you enjoy your evening with us. If there is anything you need or are uncertain of, just ask?”
Guy gave Anna her due, she merely nodded and smiled. As cool as ever, he thought. He led her to the social area and bar, he could feel her slowing.
“Is this place what I think it is?” she asked.
They arrived at the bar. “Drink?” asked Guy.
“Dirty martini,” said Anna. “The dirtier the better.”
The barman grinned at her.
“Shaken not stirred,” Guy teased.
“Something like that...” Anna’s voice trailed off and Guy followed her gaze. The lady next to them was wearing a long leather skirt with her derriere exposed. There were red livid marks across her ample cheeks. Sensing their stares, she turned. Immediately a hand tugged her face back, and then another hand smacked her behind, hard. Her gasp was the most erotic thing Guy had ever heard. He met Anna’s gaze and saw she felt the same. He hurriedly ordered his drink. Handing Anna her glass, Guy attempted to collect his thoughts.
“You said you wanted to talk?” he asked.
Anna didn’t respond. The couple at the bar were replaced by a man wearing what appeared to be a collar and leash. The person holding it looked fierce. Dressed in black leather trousers with a black muscle top and close cropped hair, she was obviously the Dom. “Anna,” said Guy again, trying to get her attention.
“We can talk later,” she said slowly. “Guy, you asked me here for a reason. Time for show and tell,” she stated, draining her drink in one gulp and looking pointedly at the hallway.
“Are you ready for this?” asked Guy huskily.
“As I’ll ever be,” she retorted. “Finally, I feel I’ve come home.”
Together they moved towards the corridor. “Our first stop is the equipment room. Adam recommended we start there first,” said Guy. He showed Anna into the room. A look of wonder crossed her face as she gazed at the vast array around her, all labelled, ‘Display Only. Do Not Remove.’
“Do you know what everything does?” she asked. Her mouth lifted in an amused smile.
“No, but an instructor will join us shortly to explain,” said Guy. “Anna, I’ve only been here a few hours. I needed to check it was suitable before I called you.”
“Did you now,” said Anna sarcastically. “Such a gentleman.”
Guy frowned, about to reply when the door opened and a man entered. He was fully dressed, much to Guy’s relief.
“Welcome,” he said warmly.
His gaze focused on Anna and Guy tried not to let his annoyance show. His description of each item and its use was clear, thorough and exciting. Anna fingered the clamps, whips, restraints and other equipment looking thoughtful, rather than excited.
“As you are beginners it is recommended you both start with a more experienced partner to learn your limits and keep you safe.”
Guy stiffened as he heard Anna ask. “What would that entail?”
“That’s entirely up to you,” he replied. “You must explore what works and what doesn’t.”
Guy could sense his attraction to Anna and his annoyance deepened.
“I’d like to show Anna some different scenes before we go any further,” said Guy curtly.
“Of course.” The man’s gaze lingered on Anna.
“Thank you…sorry, I don’t know your name,” said Guy irritably.
“Nightshade,” he replied.
Guy must have looked confused because he said, “Everyone here has a username they select when they register.”
“But Adam didn’t,” said Guy.
“Adam is not his real name,” said Nightshade, winking at Anna. “Some people lack imagination...what can I say.”
With that he gestured it was time to leave. Guy could feel the tension between Anna and himself.
“Saviour the rest of your time with us,” said Nightshade, looking directly at Anna before slipping out of the room.
“Did you enjoy that?” asked Guy angrily.
“Did you?” she retorted.
Guy looked at Anna intently. “I don’t want you with anyone else.”
“Do you always get what you want?”
“Always,” he replied and pulled her into his arms. She resisted him until he tugged her forward. He kissed her hungrily. Their passion was hot and intense. He wanted her, and none more so than now, but she broke away from him.
“What about what I want?” asked Anna, an edge to her voice.
He stiffened. “I meant what I said, Anna.”
She nodded. “I want to see the rest of the club.”
Guy opened the door and watched Anna leave. If anything, the tension between them had increased. Had tonight been a mistake after all?
Chapter 39
The Braille Club Undone
The Braille Club, London. Two Years On. Swingers Zone. Member identity was protected at the Braille Club. Patrons could see each other but still wore masks. The zones had always been open with the exception of Elysian, where members had the option for privacy. So performing in front of a crowd was hardly a novelty…but, of course, coupling with a stranger while another watched...was.
Anna
When Tess left, Anna went to bed but couldn’t sleep. As she lay in the dark her mind kept going over their conversation and her earlier actions. What was she trying to prove? One argument with Guy and she was throwing herself at another woman’s husband? Had she learned nothing from the pain of her affair? Had she not seen first-hand the damage it could do? And yet she wanted to risk it. Anna was more than tempted by Si Lawrence...she wanted him. Why?
She sat up and swung her legs out of bed. Sleep would elude her tonight. The evening was pleasant and Anna stood on the roof terrace. Tess had done nothing except love the wrong type of man. Anna could say the same herself. Robert was older and more reserved. She had been blinded by love, unable to see they were never a match, and now she questioned her own judgement. With one mistake under her belt, was that the reason she lacked the conviction to commit to Guy? S
he must decide. Either cement their relationship or terminate it. When Tess admitted she was pregnant Anna had been shocked. She didn’t seem the type to want children, or was her judgement wrong about that too? Anna’s own biological clock appeared to be non-existent. She told Robert she wanted to focus on her career and she had. He’d voiced the subject of kids a few times; Anna had promised it was still on the cards, but she was stalling.
When Tess revealed she’d fallen pregnant while on the contraceptive coil, Anna had a stab of terror until she remembered she’d had her period. She relaxed; she took the contraceptive pill and made a mental note to check those percentages Tess mentioned. So it was clear to her now, she did not want children. The revelation left her empty. In the past the timing was wrong, or her job was too demanding. Somehow it had delayed the inevitable. Anna realised it was probably for the best. She could barely sustain a relationship with Guy and children were a lifetime commitment. They were so similar. Her marriage was based on opposites attract and had failed…maybe this way was better.
She wondered if Tess followed her advice. She would need guts and courage but Tess was stronger than she thought. Anna’s remedy had no guarantees but Tess couldn’t go on the way things were. Neither could she and Guy. Anna picked up her phone and sent a text.
Anna: We need to talk.
As she waited for a reply her stomach churned. This was it, decision time. Anna was still unsure what she wanted. She thought about it as she checked her mobile intermittently, disappointed Guy had not responded. She had almost given up when his reply came through.
Guy: Meet me now?
Surprise and curiosity filled her. She didn’t recognise the address Guy wanted to meet up at. His instructions were cryptic but they did need to talk. Arriving at the street, her intuition sensed this building was not what it seemed, rather like the Braille Club, and she’d been right.
Anna suddenly felt alive, her body buzzed as she took in her surroundings. This was what she wanted...what she needed, but did Guy? As always their relationship was at odds. His immediate possessiveness when she entered the hallway irked her. Finally, she was somewhere she belonged, a feeling she suspected Guy did not share. Her emotions were in turmoil. Excitement and longing flowed through her. When Guy had opened the door of the equipment room she was immediately captivated. Her entry into the world of BDSM was long overdue. The ‘scenes’ they’d observed were not to all of her taste. However, she still wanted to try many of the things on show. The last room they’d entered had mesmerised her; Kinbaku. She knew at once this would be their common bond and was practically salivating throughout the demonstration.