by Aoide, Arden
Those nights were how Miranda got her brother to come in. He had been nearly destroyed by his previous girlfriend and she thought unwisely that he needed a little bit of fun in her club. She thought Alex would do well to resurface from his apathy and try to enjoy his life again. It seemed promising at first. He began seeing Brigit after the first themed party. He was smiling again. He was actually seeing a woman, not just for sex, and several times a week. Three weeks to the day, Brigit was back at Dishabille walking up the stairs with another man. She later found out that Alex had been at Brigit’s place working on her computer. Miranda had texted him and he was at Dishabille soon after. He showed no outwardly signs of emotion when Miranda saw him. He went to the bar and chatted up a lonely looking girl and took her upstairs. He did that weekly for the next month until Miranda threatened to bar him from the property. She made him take a few days off and they drove to the coast where they could really talk and relax. They laughed about Miranda’s lack of partner when she ran a glorified sex club and Alex vowed to never date a woman who wasn’t computer literate.
While he and Brigit hadn't had a long-term relationship, it was still a blow to Alex because he had been able to share his fantasy of domination with her. She'd been completely on board for a couple of days, but soon tired of it. Alex had been disappointed, but she'd still been an adventurous and creative lover. Alex had been confident that they'd be able to explore his fantasies further in the future.
Alex had moved into the lower room next to Miranda after their trip. She’d just renovated the quarters next to hers and since hers were plenty big, she thought it practical to offer him a place. He’d thought about buying something, but hadn’t gotten around to committing. So now they could have dinners together most nights. They had been close growing up, but adulthood and responsibilities had separated them.
Alex would indulge his sister for now, but he had no interest in a curious woman who would leave as soon as her curiosity was satisfied. He wouldn't admit his own interest, yet. “How is she different?”
Miranda looked at him. “Well for one, she’s terrified. She doesn’t really want to come to the club sniffing around men to see which one she wants to tie her up.”
How the hell did Miranda come across this woman? Alex held up a hand. “Wait. Where did you meet her?”
Miranda paused. Would Dahlia mind if she read Alex the email? She decided to paraphrase. “I received an email from her asking about the club. She wanted to know how a person who was curious about BDSM was to find the right person. How to find a person who would be patient with her,” Miranda said, looking at her brother. “I actually thought of you right away, so I invited her here so I could see her and talk to her. She talked about her reluctance to answer ads or to even put out her own ad.” Miranda smirked. “She's cute, too. Short, voluptuous, and crazy hair.”
Alex did look vaguely interested, but Miranda wasn't sure how much he wasn't showing. “What did you tell her?”
“I said that I might know someone. Might. I have her number and said that if he’s interested he’d send her a text,” Miranda admitted.
“What if I’m not interested?” Alex asked with a bit more attitude than Miranda expected.
Miranda shrugged. “Then don’t text her. Honestly, Alex. I wouldn’t have said anything, but I don’t think she wants to play around. She said that she’s been wanting to explore this for a while,” Miranda said and realized that she was defending Dahlia like they were old friends. It wasn't every day that she meshed with someone so quickly, especially since she tended to hold people at arm's length. “If you don't want to, I told her to come Friday night. We do have a few regulars that could show her the ropes.” She smiled inwardly, knowing that would get him.
“Those cannibals would eat her alive, Miranda!” Alex was becoming interested despite his instincts, even if it was under the guise of protecting her. He had given up, but maybe he could try to be cautious and make an attempt at going slow. He sighed. “Give me her number. I’ll think about it.”
This pleased Miranda more than she thought it would. She copied the number down and handed it to him. She felt that she wanted to impart some great advice, but it was nothing he didn’t already know. She knew how hard this was for Alex, for him to open up and share his deepest secrets with another woman. Because his need for domination was his greatest secret. All the other women thought it was just for fun, that it was all just a sexual game. Dahlia must have an inkling that the person who was going to text her liked to dominate and was not just indulging sexual curiosities. She knew that Miranda wouldn’t put her in touch with just anyone.
She saw the pensive look on Alex’s face. “Take a few days and think about it, Alex. You aren’t obligated to anything.”
“I think I want to. I just lack the instincts to know what I’m not supposed to say or do. When I do and say what comes naturally, girls don’t stick around for long. If I keep it all in, I'm stuck in another sad relationship.” It wasn’t very often that he looked miserable, but he looked downright pitiful now. Miranda wasn’t sure if it was a put-on.
“What are you telling these poor girls?” Miranda asked him gently.
Alex quirked a smile. “The truth. Sometimes when things are getting intimate, the running commentary in my head comes out of my mouth.” He turned serious. “They like it, but they don’t like it for long.”
“You mean serious things? Like emotions and commitment and things?” At Alex’s nod she continued, “I don’t think it has anything to do with what you do or say. They weren’t looking for monogamy in the first place. That’s why I was impressed with Dahlia. She’s not interested in going through a bunch of Doms to find the right one. She wants to find him on the first try,” Miranda said. “She didn’t come right out and say, but she’s looking for a relationship. If she wasn’t, she’d just come here alone on a Friday.”
“How do I not scare her away, then? How do I know how fast or slow I need to take it?” Alex asked anxiously.
Miranda thought for a minute. These things weren’t so black and white. “I think you should be yourself. I don’t want you to struggle daily with second guessing all your words and actions. In fact, if it’s a visible struggle, it might be a turnoff.”
Alex had always been very intense, even as a child. He felt things differently than most people. There had always been a depth and fervor about him that he hadn't always been able to hide, and when he had tried, the apathy was even more stifling than his passion. Miranda knew that there had to be a girl that would appreciate all that intensity aimed at her.
Alex was reassured, but still wanted to try to be a little normal. At least at first. He knew he wouldn’t be able to change completely, but maybe he could hold off on being so overwhelming. He would try.
Alex got up while looking at the number, and headed for the door. Miranda was hopeful about that.
“Thanks for dinner,” she called after him with a smile.
“Uh huh,” he said absently as he walked out the door, still looking at the paper.
Miranda was optimistic. She knew Alex would text Dahlia tonight. His impulsiveness wouldn't allow him to wait.
Chapter 2
Dahlia hadn't heard her phone go off. With a teenage daughter out and about most days, she kept her phone close and loud enough to hear through her bag or pocket. Tonight though, she had been enjoying some television and dinner with said daughter. With Callie's theatre and school schedule, they hadn't been getting much evening time in. Dahlia liked to try for a dinner together several times a week, but Nick, her ex-husband, was usually with them. So, she felt it serendipitous that Callie was home when she returned, and that Nick had Sunday Night Football to keep him home and occupied.
Callie was leaving for New York City with her theatre troop on Tuesday, so she could share her with Nick the following evening, and breakfast on Tuesday morning.
Now that Callie was fed, cleaned, and in her room, Dahlia checked her phone, not expecting any me
ssages. It took her a few seconds before she realized whom it was from.
Hi, this is Alex. Miranda gave me your number. She told me you were curious about the lifestyle and that you might want to get together at Dishabille.
Alex had thought for a while what to send. He didn't want to sound aloof, too eager, difficult, lecherous, or unpleasant. He thought maybe he'd just be himself.
Hi! I'm Dahlia. Sorry for the delay. I didn't hear my phone. I talked to Miranda for a while today and she was very sweet about all my questions. But yes, I've been interested in it for years, but had no idea of a safe way to explore it.
Dahlia was shaking just a bit. It had been two hours since his text and she wasn't sure if it was too late, but she didn't want to leave him hanging.
No problem. I'm up. I understand. I know that it doesn't seem like it, but Doms have their problems as well. Most subs we find are in it just for a game or two, but never in a serious way. There are probably more people like you, but just don't explore it because it's so fringe.
Alex sat up in bed and turned the television down. He hadn’t thought she was going to text back. He scolded himself for expecting too much too soon, but her response was so articulate and seemingly sincere that he smiled like a teenage boy who was about to get to second base. It never occurred to him to pursue someone with BDSM as the common factor.
I thought I had wanted just the game for a time or two, but it has never left me. In my previous relationship it seemed that I would ask for role playing experiences to spice things up, but it would only increase my desire for it. It's taken me months of no sexual contact with men to make me realize that it had nothing to do with problems with my previous relationship, but of my desires. Christ. I'm not leaving any mystery.
Dahlia cringed hoping she wouldn't scare him off. And she certainly wasn’t going to stretch months to years.
:-D That means I get to ask deep and personal questions. How long was your previous relationship and how long have you been single?
She seemed to be talking, so Alex was going to keep asking.
About 13 years. Got married after I got pregnant at 18, divorced 2 years ago. I've dated a few times the past couple years, but nothing close to serious.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
If you don't mind me asking, why did you split up?
Alex wasn't scared off, and he wanted Dahlia to be comfortable telling him important things about her life.
Over a decade's worth of intimacy issues. We had to split up because I was beginning to hate him and he's a good friend. I didn't want to hate him. As cliche as it is, I didn't want to ruin our friendship. We only got married because I got pregnant. We were best friends who'd tried tequila for the first time and the results were our daughter.
Dahlia got ready for bed quickly, not wanting to delay the conversation. She wondered if he would eventually answer any personal questions.
Why get married at all then?
Familial pressure on my side. His parents wanted nothing to do with me, but Nick has always taken his responsibilities seriously. We liked each other enough to live together and we were too young to think of any reason not to.
LOL It scratched the itch for the physical part. Sometimes. His idea of foreplay was bringing home a bottle of booze and wagging his eyebrows at me. Any role-playing I wanted to try I'd have to be completely plastered to even ask and he would give a few swats, bend me over, and it was over in 2 minutes. Like I said, I was beginning to hate him.
I'm assuming you talked to him about it. What did he say?
Stress from work and tired. Sometimes he would nod and attempt his formulaic version of foreplay, but it would be a one-off and I'd get tired of asking. It got to be redundant. It took me years to realize that it had nothing to do with me.
Dahlia sighed, not really wanting to talk about her ex. She realized that she was making him seem lazy, but that wasn't quite what she hoped was the truth. He hadn't loved her enough to get help, but she wasn't going to spread her speculations of Nick's alleged medical problems. It had never been confirmed, but the alternative would be too much for Dahlia to bear. They were in a good place. She wanted it to stay that way.
Alex wondered if he should chance it, but this would ultimately lead to sex, right?
Verbal. What's yours?
Tit for tat. Dahlia thought it should be his turn to talk.
That's all? Easy. ;-) Mine might be obvious. I like a woman at my whim. I like to be given the gift of her submission. That she trusts me enough with that. Funnily enough, I've never been gifted with it.
Panting and grunting don't count ;-) I've never had mine, either. Unless you count James Earl Jones reading Song of Solomon or saying abomination a bunch of times. But, I was by myself for those times.
LOL I heard Star Wars was playing at the Drafthouse soon. Wanna go? Seriously, where do you get the OT read by JEJ?
I listen to a lot of audio books. At one point when my daughter's theatre was doing Joseph, we had an impromptu lesson on culturally relevant Bible stories. We're not religious, so her education was lacking. She thought it was a laugh that you could buy it with Darth Vader reading it. It's very good. ;-)
LOL I bet. I can't tell if you're having me on.
I'm serious! I can't help it if I have strange kinks!
I'm changing your ring tone to The Imperial March.
LOL I'm going to text you all day tomorrow. And I'm changing yours to Whip It.
Your bottom is going to be so red. :-D
Alex sent it before he thought better of it.
:-D I am so glad I’m in bed right now. I could’ve tripped on the street or choked on lunch.
We wouldn’t want that. I’ll try to be good during daylight hours, but I can’t promise. ;-)
Speaking of daylight hours, it’s going to be in about 4 hours. I’m not tired, yet. Why don’t you bore me with stuff about you. ;-)
Bottom. Red...what do you want to know?
Usual stuff. Serious relationships, age, whether you eat babies. :-D
I’m 30. I think babies are tasty, but empty calories, and I’ve had one long-term serious relationship. Moved in together in college and broke up a couple of years ago.
Can you tell me about it, or is it too personal?
It’s fine. She faked a pregnancy, then a subsequent abortion to try to get me to marry her. I actually might have married her had she asked, but I had no idea that the fake pregnancy was to get me to ask. We'd lived together for so long that it hadn't been on my radar. She looked me straight in the eye and told me that she wasn’t going to have a baby with me unless I married her, so she told me she aborted it. I left. She told me it had all been a lie to get me to come back. I couldn't.
Jesus Christ. Jesus fucking Christ. Women are bitches.
I have thought that a time or two.
Jesus Christ. Did you do the dominant thing with her? Was there anyone after her?
No to both questions. I never brought it up because I thought it was too deviant. There were a couple of hopefuls after her, but nothing that lasted. It was mostly at Miranda’s club. I haven’t been to the club portion for months.
You and Miranda are close?
She’s my big sister.
Get out! I very nearly set her up with my ex today. I think he might actually notice her. She’s gorgeous.
Good luck with that. I don’t remember the last time I saw her with a man, or woman for that matter. She’s married to her work. She likes you, though. She has never given me a number before.
I like her, too. She made me feel comfortable today. I really didn’t know what to do. I still don’t know quite what to do.
Thinking on the fly here, but I think once we’ve gotten to know each other a bit on here, I can set up something for us at the club. In a few days we can discuss initial fears and expecta
tions. I’m certainly not going to bring out the cane on our first date. ;-)
What if I’m particularly naughty? :-)
Now you’ve done it. First meeting will be in the dungeons.
:-D I’m not going to be able to sleep now. I might be in way over my head.
I can take it as slow as you need. Really.
He would certainly try.
I really appreciate that. Thanks for talking to me for so long tonight.