by Alta Hensley
“No. And even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t be you!” Ruby struggled to undo the man’s hands that clasped behind her waist. And then, suddenly, the man was yanked off her. It took Ruby a moment to understand what just happened before she realized someone had shoved him out of the way. To her surprise, her rescuer was Evan.
Chapter 2
“Get the hell away from her,” Evan demanded, his eyes dark with fury.
The man’s face went pale as he looked around to see who was watching. “Just a misunderstanding.” He quickly backed away and disappeared in the crowd without protest.
Evan turned to face Ruby. She stood there wide-eyed and embarrassed by the commotion the incident had caused. “Are you okay?”
A few people noticed the scuffle and slowed as they walked by, but the disruption was not enough to call the attention of security. The stares made Ruby want to crawl off into a hole. She hated being the center of attention.
Ruby nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She attempted to smile and wash away the fear. She was embarrassed to have so much attention on her. She also hoped her boss wouldn’t get wind of this. Off duty or not, she didn’t think he’d be happy about it.
An awkward silence sat between them.
“You didn’t have to do that. He was just being a little too forward. I could’ve handled it.” Ruby craned her neck, looking for Melanie, who had disappeared and missed the whole incident.
“I’m sure you could’ve. I just don’t like seeing men treat women like that. Nothing should be against a woman’s will. Ever. Sometimes in places like this, men can forget that.”
Ruby nodded, shrugged, and started toward the restrooms. She needed to get out of there fast. “I need to find my friend. I really do appreciate your help.”
Evan followed beside her, walking close. Ruby’s heart skipped when their hands touched for a mere moment. She tried to refocus her attention on finding Melanie and heading home. The night was long overdue to come to an end.
“Let me help you find her.”
Ruby noticed all the people in the VIP section now stared at them, especially Maxine. Evan seemed oblivious to the group. His eyes were fixed on Ruby now. “No, it’s all right. Really.”
Evan reached out and softly placed his hand on Ruby’s arm. The touch sent a shiver through her body. “I really hope to see you around.”
Ruby nodded, never completely looking Evan in the eye. She worried she would say or do something stupid. “Thanks again for helping back there. I really appreciate it.”
****
Evan couldn’t help but stare at Ruby’s eyes. No way was he letting her slip away. Something about this woman made Evan feel the need to be near her. Evan grabbed Ruby’s hand as she turned from him. It was soft and small, fingers intertwined with his own. Evan’s heart pounded as Ruby turned towards him. Evan tried focusing on something other than her eyes but found it impossible. Ruby had the power to captivate with one simple look.
“Would you like to go and hang out tomorrow night? I have an appearance at another club called Gaslight, and if you and your friend want to come, I would love to have you along. It's an invite-only party, but I'll add you two to the list.” Evan was sweating, nerves a foreign sensation for him. “It's pretty hard-core, though. So I hope that doesn't bother you.”
Ruby studied him for a moment, and then her voice cracked as she answered. “I can’t. I’m working.”
“Where do you work? Until what time?”
“I work here until eleven.”
Evan smiled. “You work here, huh? Well, I guess I’m going to see a lot more of you. I’m at this club a lot. What about after your shift? I don’t usually show up until then, anyway.”
“Okay, I’m sure Melanie would love it, too.” Ruby broke her hand free from Evan’s. “I really need to go, though. So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Evan stood staring after her as she walked away. Why did he feel like a love-struck schoolboy? Then it dawned on him. He hadn’t actually asked a girl out in a very long time. He’d always just hook up with someone at a bar or club, since all of them sought his attention. Evan never had the desire to ask anyone out… until he met Ruby.
****
Ruby sat in the kitchen, watching the phone, willing it to ring. She needed to talk to Harold. She’d already left a few messages for him, and he still hadn’t called her back. She tried to work on the initial outline of her story to keep her mind busy but couldn't focus long enough to even write a few words. Not to mention that she found describing a club next to impossible. All her attempts kept sounding like some paranormal novel in an underground coven. Ruby glanced at the clock as she typed the word ‘leather’ again. Wishing she could come up with a different word, she realized she’d hit her writing wall for the day.
Ruby jumped when the phone rang. She grabbed it as fast as she could. “Hey, Harold.”
“It’s good to hear your voice. How was your first day of work last night?”
“I’ve been dying to talk to you. You’re never gonna guess what happened.”
“What? You sound really happy.”
Ruby took a sip of her coffee before speaking. “Okay, remember I told you about that group of men Melanie always talks about? Well it's the same group Evan Steel hangs around with.”
“Evan Steel? He's the whole reason you're there.”
“Well, I met them! I met Evan Steel and he wants me to hang out after work. He invited me to an exclusive club. I got the in!” Ruby continued to explain the details of the night, barely pausing to take a breath. She was more excited than she’d realized.
Harold asked, “You gonna go?”
“I’m not sure. I feel so stupid around them. They’re completely above me. But if I want to truly get the meat for my story… I guess I have to. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to dive in so quickly.”
“Are you kidding me, Ruby? Shut up. This is your chance to have some fun out there and make some friends. This is also your chance to get the information you really need to make your story genuine. Not to mention that Melanie will kill you if you say no.”
Ruby smiled. Harold was so good for her. He was forever her built-in cheerleader. He always had a way of making her feel good about herself and give her the self-confidence she knew she lacked. “You don’t understand. I’ve seen the women he hangs out with. They’re so mysterious and sensual and… urban looking. Their style is their own. I honestly worry that I’ll look like a Plain Jane compared to them.”
She stood up with the phone against her ear, then walked over and stood in front of the mirror. No tattoos, no piercings, nothing original about her. She looked at her less-than-exciting clothes and grimaced. Although she couldn't picture herself in leather and a collar, either.
“Who cares? Let me tell you something, Ruby. You need to stop thinking so little of yourself. I can guarantee you this group of women would die for your natural beauty. Evan asked you out for a reason. Stop knocking yourself down.”
“I know. You’re right.” Hearing Harold’s advice made Ruby miss him even more.
“You need to promise me something?” he said.
Ruby hesitated. “What?”
“You’ll have a good time while you’re out there. Don’t limit yourself because you’re scared or lack the confidence. Step out of your introvert box and live a little. And don't forget to take mental notes. You'll have your story sooner than you think.”
“Okay, I’ll try. But you’re asking a lot. PJ bottoms, a glass of cheap chardonnay, and reality TV sounds pretty good right now.”
“Ruby, I swear. Now, go get yourself ready, don’t just put on black for the sake of it, and have a good time.”
Chapter 3
They'd just left the restaurant, which was their first paid appearance for the night, and were all in good spirits as they rode in the limo to the club. Adam opened a bottle of Jack and began to pour everyone a drink.
Evan tried not to groan. As much as he was trying to have a good tim
e, he was tired and not really in the mood for partying. He’d never admit it to anyone, but the only reason he went at all was for the possibility of seeing Ruby. She had been on his mind ever since last night. Hell, “consuming his thoughts” would be a better way to describe it.
The line outside the nightclub always made Evan feel odd. All these people patiently waited to get inside, when Evan and his crew would just waltz up to the door and be escorted in the minute they arrived. He knew it was all part of the scene and nightlife, but it made him feel arrogant. He swallowed the lump in the back of his throat, feeling his palms sweat against his whiskey glass. As they parked, everyone began to move toward the door.
“Hold on, give me a sec.” Evan downed the whiskey as quickly as he could. He needed some liquid courage.
“Just bring the bottle with you,” Gage said. “I’m ready to get my party on.”
Evan turned to Adam, who checked his image in the mirror one last time. He took another long swig to help ease the flips going on inside his stomach. “All right, I’m ready.” It wasn’t the appearance that made Evan nervous, but rather who may be inside.
Gage reached for the door and put his classic meet-and-greet smile on. “Let’s do this.”
Evan and Adam laughed. Evan grabbed what was left of the Jack and followed him to the club.
****
“They have viewing rooms here,” Melanie informed Ruby as she excitedly pulled her friend through the crowded club.
“Viewing rooms? What do you mean?”
“There are rooms where BDSM acts are going on. This will be great for your research!”
Ruby's heart skipped. “Wait. You want to go watch people have… sex?”
Melanie continued to tug Ruby’s resistant weight past dancing bodies. “Exactly!”
Walking into the viewing room, Ruby could smell the arousal. She could almost taste the sexual need of the raven-haired beauty splayed naked across the makeshift bed. Her ebony curls concealed parts of her breasts, allowing her hard nipples to peek between her cascading hair. Her pale body glistened in the colored club lights that swirled around her as she writhed in want.
A gradual hush worked through the crowd as the bass music still pounded from the main room. Ruby positioned herself near the exit so she could observe, but flee if it ended up being too intense. She watched in amazement as a man with a scarlet-red scarf around his neck walked into the room. He was obviously the person people wanted to see, the man who would act out the scene.
He closed his eyes, taking in the energy, the smell, the passion rushing through the audience’s veins. It was almost as if Ruby knew this man could feel their desire, hear each breath they took, and taste the anticipation of the show to come. His dominance almost took Ruby's breath away.
His dark brown hair rested slightly below his ears: his pale skin and ominous appearance gave him an aura that intrigued Ruby. She watched the black jacket he wore sway as his body moved. The tight, black pants clung to his muscled thighs. His button-down white shirt revealed enough of his chest to make Ruby and every audience member's mouth water in anticipation of glimpsing more. Watching his performance pulled at every sensation in Ruby's body. She wanted to run away, close her eyes, or do anything but stand in that room. On the other hand, her curiosity about the taboo won over.
“Master?” the woman on the bed questioned.
“No. I'm here to prepare you for his return,” the man with the red scarf answered softly.
“I want Master.”
“You will have him.” The man moved to the bed. “Place your arms above your head,” he commanded.
The dark-haired girl hesitated for a moment. Any doubt she may have had was overpowered by the seductive energy this man possessed. Her dilated eyes twinkled with arousal as she gradually brought her hands over her head. Her lips parted in desire, beckoning the man for the simplest of touches. She arched her back just enough to thrust out her hardened nipples, pleading for him to take them under his control. The man reached for each of her wrists and wrapped them with the red scarf from around his neck and tied them to the headboard of the bed. He then grabbed each ankle and repeated the step of securing her to the bed.
“Kiss me,” the woman gasped.
Ruby could see the moisture along the soft folds of the woman's recently waxed pussy. She gyrated her hips in desperate need to be satisfied. Ruby could only imagine how the woman felt. The sexual spell this room had on the spectators was all-powerful. It was an assumption of course, but Ruby could almost feel the craving, needing, longing, and desire that people felt as everyone watched on. Ruby could feel the pulsating between her own legs. Surprised by her feelings, she couldn't look away. Ruby hungered for more.
The man slowly and seductively began to remove each item of his own clothing. Each movement of the man had the naked woman groaning for more. The girl's exposed pussy delicately dripped in anticipation for what he had in store.
“First rule is never command. You are not the one in charge.” The man straddled the raven beauty and pressed his hard cock against her. “Your Master is the one to give commands. Only your Master.”
The man lowered his mouth to the woman's hardened nipple and began to suck. He sucked and nibbled while softly massaging the girl’s mound with the tip of his cock. He moved his mouth to the other nipple and continued to drive the girl to the edge of pleasure.
“More!” The girl begged as she flung her head in wild abandon.
The man reached down to the girl’s pussy and briskly slapped the swollen folds. “I see that you don’t understand that you are not the one in control. Your Master will not tolerate being told what to do.” The man slapped the woman's pussy once again, releasing a moan from her. “You obviously need to be trained before his arrival.”
“Yes, please,” the dark-haired girl begged as she thrust her hips to meet the man's cock with more force.
The man reached for a satin bag on the floor beside the bed. He pulled out a pair of silver nipple clamps adorned with small emeralds. Ruby swallowed hard, liking the idea of having jewelry placed on the most intimate of places.
Still straddling the woman, the man grabbed one of her hardened nipples and very gently clasped the biting teeth. The woman let out a gasp as her back arched. Ruby watched the slight grimace of pain on her face return to the sedated look of pleasure. The man bent down and softly placed his lips to the nude beauty's mouth, giving a kiss as a reward for her ability to accept the jewelry.
“Very good,” the man whispered between the kiss.
He slowly lowered his lips to the other nipple and lightly licked along the surface. Grabbing the other nipple clamp, the man tenderly applied it, allowing it to join the other. Ruby almost gasped as she took in the magnificent sight of the sexual woman writhing only a few feet away. The silver, the jewels, her breasts, and the beginning of her submission were breathtaking. Ruby loved watching how the man had the power to dominate, the power to control, and the power to please. Ruby was learning how one could demand another's ecstasy.
Ruby briefly closed her eyes and slowly took in the aroma of the girl's sex as the man lowered his mouth to the woman's wanting pussy. Pressing his tongue lightly to the velvet skin, he began to lick his way up and down the folds of the dripping-wet mound. He danced his tongue in a circle around her clit, causing the girl's moans to become more of a scream. The man pressed his finger past the entrance of her pussy, pulling out to reveal the wet heat of the girl's passion.
“That feels so good… so good,” the woman moaned.
The man hooked his finger into the depths of the girl’s pussy and reached for the satin bag once again. He pulled out a clear glass dildo that had two leather straps lined with crystals attached. The man took the clear penis and rubbed it along the girl’s wet pussy, collecting her moisture. Ever so gently, he replaced his finger with the large dildo. Once he had the dildo snugly in her depths, he placed the straps around the girl's thighs, securing the toy in place.
Without pause, the man flipped the girl onto her stomach. “I warned you about issuing the commands.” He swatted the girl's creamy white behind. “You are to submit, you are to accept, you are to surrender.” He spanked the girl’s ass again. “You are to do only as your Master, and those he deems fit, requests… nothing more.”
He grabbed the remaining item from the satin bag. Pulling out a steel butt plug, he rubbed the emerald that decorated the base with the tip of his finger. Smaller diamonds circled the emerald, making it sparkle in the swirling lights of the club. Ruby loved the intricate workmanship of this toy above all. Using the woman's wetness from her pussy, the man lubricated the girl’s tight hole with his finger. In and out, slowly, he stretched the girl’s anus, so she would be able to accept the last of the jewelry. Ruby assumed the Master would be pleased with the jeweled items chosen, as well as the frenzied state his submissive was in.
“I want you to relax,” he ordered as he placed a soft kiss on the reddened ass of the woman.
Ruby watched in awe as the man pressed the steel plug past the tight ring of her ass. The woman moaned and bucked against the mattress. The man rolled her over onto her back and took a moment to admire the jeweled beauty before him.
He bent down and pressed his lips to the woman's mouth one last time. “Very good. You did very good. Your Master will be pleased.”
****
They walked to the front door, past the bouncer and the red rope. There were a lot more people than they'd expected. A fairly big-name DJ played at the venue tonight, so the promo was pretty large. They started making their way through the crowd. Evan had just begun to scan the place when he saw her. She stood by the doorway of one of the viewing rooms. She looked embarrassed and out of her element. He could see interest, and even a hint of arousal, but he also saw something different. He couldn't put his finger on it. Ruby seemed out of place.