Dex wore black leather pants and a charcoal gray dress shirt. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, and the material of his silky shirt was strained as it tried to contain his bulging biceps. At his waist, she noticed a pair of lined leather cuffs hooked to his belt, making him look even more intimidating than usual.
Dex gave Lexie a small nod in greeting, his lips quirking up in a hint of a small smile. That all changed when his gaze fell on the petite woman standing at her side. His face lit up and his smile was infused with what Lexie could only describe as pure joy. Without pause, he raised his hand, an obvious summons to his observant fiancée.
“There’s Dex. He needs to see you before you go in. Come on.”
As they approached, Elena dropped her arm from Lexie and stepped into her man’s arms. The love they shared was palpable. She smiled up at him, her hands sliding up over the smooth material of his shirt, coming to rest on his well-muscled chest. As they kissed, Lexie noticed the huge diamond on her friend’s left hand as it twinkled in the light.
“You aren’t dressed yet, Chiquita. We’ll have to hurry both you and Lexie along. You know how the crowd gets if you don’t start on time.”
“I wanted to greet Lexie and make sure she didn’t turn tail and run before she got in the door.” As she said this, Elena looked over her shoulder and winked at her.
“Lexie, it’s natural to be nervous on a first visit,” Dex assured her as he opened the door behind him. Holding out an arm, he guided the two women inside. “Tonight is very low key. Like a mixer, if you will. It’s just a time for fun, conversation, dancing and good music. It’s also an opportunity for you to meet like-minded people.”
“What if I’m not like-minded?” She blushed when he raised his perceptive gaze to hers, an eyebrow quirked in challenge. He saw right through her evasive question. They both knew that was a whopper. She’d had a secret interest in D/s for years. Her Kindle was jam-packed with at least 2500 titles of erotic fiction, most related to bondage and spanking. She had a few other genres like shifter or vampire romances, but they all featured strong, dominant male characters who took control of their women in one aspect of their lives or another, but always in the bedroom. Embarrassed at being caught in a fib, she lowered her gaze.
“You wouldn’t have gotten an invitation if I wasn’t certain of your interest, my dear Alexis.”
Not knowing what to say to that, she decided silence was better than opening her mouth and inserting her foot further. She wasn’t the biggest fan of the taste of shoe leather, after all.
“Don’t worry, Lex; we’re all kink-friendly here. Every one of us was a newbie at one time or another. Believe it or not, even big bad Doms like Master Dex had to start somewhere. They didn’t come out of the womb wearing leather and carrying single tails, despite rumors to the contrary.”
“In a sassy mood tonight are you, my little subbie?” he asked as he opened his office door, motioning them to enter first. Dex swatted Elena’s bottom with a resounding thud as she passed. Although she squealed and scampered away, she couldn’t have felt much through the thick denim skirt she wore.
“I was just teasing, mi amo.”
“As was I, Chiquita, or that skirt would be raised and your bottom blazing by now.”
Lexie looked on as her friends playfully teased one another. She was delighted that after being estranged for years, they had found each other again. Lexie was also green with envy over the love her friends shared. They were nearly inseparable. Dex, being extremely protective of his tiny fiancée, rarely let her out of his sight. That she had been abused and traumatized by the man she had thought was her brother and kidnapped by his cohorts made his possessiveness justifiable.
At twenty-eight, Lexie had been on scores of disastrous dates and already had one failed marriage under her belt. She was disillusioned with love and doubted that there was a soul mate out there for her anywhere. Sadly, for Lexie, starry-eyed, passionate romance didn’t exist outside of the pages of a novel. Unlike Dex and Elena, love didn’t seem to be in her future.
Lexie felt eyes upon her and turned to find Dex and Elena both staring at her, each with smiles on their faces. She could feel the sweep of their gazes as they tracked down her front, stopping at her shoes before returning to her face. Elena giggled.
“What?”
Looking down at her yellow halter dress, she checked to make sure nothing was hanging out or bulging and that she didn’t have a big glob of toothpaste anywhere. Her dress came to mid-thigh and the hem was where it was supposed to be, both in front and back. The deep neckline of her top still covered her large breasts thanks to the double stick tape—a handy trick she’d learned during her short stint of modeling as a teenager. Finding everything in order, she raised her eyes in question. “Is something wrong?”
“Didn’t you tell her it was LBD night, Chiquita?
“I thought I did.” Elena frowned, trying to remember.
“What’s LBD stand for?” Lexie’s mind flew through her BDSM vocabulary searching for an answer for the acronym. When they just smiled at her in amusement, she made her best guess. “Lesbian Bondage and Discipline?”
Laughing, they both shook their heads, and Lexie frowned. Her eyes fell to Elena’s slave collar and she guessed again. “Leash your Bitch Day?
They found that hilarious, and Elena fell into Dex as they roared with laughter.
“Lash your Booty Down? Lick Big Di—uh, no, surely not—I know, Black Lightning Discipline? No, that would be BLD. Oh, please, tell me.”
Both Dex and Elena had sobered, staring at her in horror after her last guess.
Dex asked sternly, “How do you know about Black Lightning, Lexie? I thought you were a newbie.”
“I am, but I’m not completely ignorant.” She wasn’t about to admit that her research included a thorough investigation of all things related to bondage and discipline. Black Lightning, she had learned, was a nickname for a wicked black fiberglass cane often used for extreme discipline and pain play.
“Sir, Lex.”
When Lexie looked at her in question, Elena elaborated, “You need to address Dex and all the other Doms as Sir or Master. Since you’re in The Club now, you’ve got to follow the rules.”
“I’m sorry. I forgot. Please forgive me, Sir Dex.” Lexie felt strange speaking those words, but oddly satisfied, too. What did that mean?
“It’s Sir or Master Dex, my dear. Sir Dex sounds like we’re hosting a Renaissance fair.” He winked at her and Elena giggled again. Elena had told her that The Club was like an adult playground. Although scenes were often very real, the costumes, titles and protocols were used to set the mood and added to all the sexy fun and games. She did say there were some couples who were heavy into the lifestyle and very intense, but for the most part, The Club was an escape and a chance to play.
She knew Dex outside The Club; he was always friendly and kind to her as Elena’s friend, but also seemed imposing. After that wink, she was thinking she needed to add teasing and playful. Maybe Master Dex wasn’t as menacing as he’d like people to believe. She was proven wrong by his next words, however.
“Your little lapse is forgiven, Lexie. A word of warning, though: you won’t find Black Lightning in my club and I don’t want to hear about you using one either. It can cut and cause severe injury. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir, but I really just read about it online.”
Nodding, he looked relieved as he held out his hand for her paperwork. “You’re better off taking one of our classes and staying off the internet.” He perused her medical clearance form and general sub contract; scaled back severely according to Elena since she didn’t have a Dom and wasn’t going to play. It was a basic non-disclosure agreement and outlined the simple rules for the public areas. This restricted her to the bar and lounge, which was fine with Lexie.
Dex nodded after looking over each form. “As an unattached sub and our guest, you are under my protection tonight. If you feel uncomf
ortable or afraid, calling out the safewords will bring help. We use the stop light. Are you familiar with that, Lexie?”
“Yes, Sir. Red for stop, yellow for slow or with caution, and green means go.”
“Correct. I promise you that red will have every available owner and dungeon monitor at your side. I don’t anticipate you’ll need to use safewords in the bar or lounge, but they are always there for your safety. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Any questions?”
“Yeah, what’s LBD?”
***
Little Black Dress night had become a regular event ever since the twins had started it in the lounge on Wednesday nights. It began as a girl’s night out and an opportunity to see Elena perform, but it had quickly morphed into an official club event. Word spread to other subs, who also started coming dressed to the nines in their best little black dresses. The Doms had responded in return and were often seen wearing dress shirts or sport coats instead of bare chests or leather vests.
Tonight was also open sub night, which meant non-members could attend by invitation. The group of friends sat at a table in the front row, but off to the side a bit so they wouldn’t be a distraction to Elena as the liquor flowed freely. Lexie and the twins were joined by their other guests, their cousins Moon and Angela, as well as Jenny, the pastry chef at Megan’s bakery. They were sharing a pitcher of strawberry margaritas and singing along with Elena as they enjoyed the mellowing effects of the alcohol. Lexie, who had laughingly introduced herself as the odd man out due to her shockingly bright yellow dress, opted for a lemon drop martini because of her strawberry allergy.
The girls had a wonderful time chatting and reminiscing about high school, all under the watchful eyes of The Club owners, including the twins’ husbands Tony “Cap” Rossi and Rick Spencer, as well as Dex, who was never far away when Elena was performing. Lexie noticed another handsome man—tall, sandy-haired, killer smile—was also watching the room and asked Regan about him. Regan identified him as Jonas Mitchell, another one of the handsome owners. He was slowly making rounds, chatting with guests and closely monitoring the non-members in the lounge and bar areas. Regan and the girls informed her that he was single, available and openly looking. Lexie’s eyes followed the handsome Dom with interest. She should have been more careful because her friends noticed and instantly went into matchmaking mode, waving Master Jonas over.
He gave them a chin lift as acknowledgement and began making his way toward their table. As Jonas Mitchell wound through the large crowd, Regan helpfully filled her in, giving her so many details that Lexie suspected she could write the man’s biography. Lexie was surprised to hear that she and Jonas shared an interest in martial arts and that he was busy opening a mixed martial arts studio. He was also looking for a model to help him with a private project. Regan suggested that with her gymnastics and modeling experience, she’d be perfect for Jonas. Lexie found that last comment odd and wondered what one had to do with the other. Then she tried to see a correlation with something BDSM.
Still puzzling over it a minute later, she turned to ask Regan for an explanation just as the extremely easy-on-the-eyes, well-built Dom reached their table. He was strikingly good-looking, and Lexie couldn’t take her eyes off him. Although not as big as some of the other owners, he was still an imposing figure, muscular and well over six feet tall. As he walked up, Rick and Dex joined them, each stealing their subs’ chairs before pulling them onto their laps.
Lexie lost track of the conversation as Master Jonas took the only vacant chair, coincidentally right next to her. She picked up a subtle woodsy scent of cedar and sandalwood as he settled in his chair. She inhaled deeply. He smelled fantastic, the barely-there cologne mixing with another clean smell she couldn’t place. She sat quietly soaking in the intoxicating masculine scent as it swirled around her.
“Lexie!”
Elena’s voice calling her name startled her back to awareness. To her mortification, the entire table was watching her stare at Jonas like a lovesick girl. Could they tell? Was she drooling? It took every effort to keep from wiping her chin. Elena, who was on a break, was watching from Dex’s lap, an amused smile on her face. Her eyes glinted as her gaze shifted from her to Jonas, the knowing look telling Lexie that her old friend knew exactly what was on her mind when she’d zoned out a moment ago.
Regan was also watching Lexie with a twinkle in her eye. All the meaningful glances were making her uncomfortable. She hadn’t spoken a word to the man, and already her friends were planning the bachelorette party. Giving Regan a frown and a subtle headshake was useless, her only response a delighted giggle. Lexie gave Jonas a sidelong look, trying to see what they found so amusing, when a splash of vivid yellow caught her eye. Seeing her and Jonas’ reflection in the wall mounted mirror across the way, she saw what they saw and had to agree—they looked good together. Lexie had always been told she looked like the wholesome girl next door, and her natural beauty perfectly complemented Jonas’ all-American good looks.
“You know, Master Jonas, Lexie has done some modeling. She might be interested in that project you have in the works.”
Regan let out a startled yelp. Lexie turned back to the table and noticed Rick whispering into his wife’s ear, a stern expression on his face. Lexie bit back a smile, enjoying the little bit of retribution. Rick had obviously picked up on his wife’s matchmaking, Jonas and Lexie in her sights. Regan appeared to heed his warning and nodded dutifully. Lexie wasn’t fooled; there was more to come, she was sure.
“That’s a very pretty dress, Lexie. Are you typically a non-conformist or is something else at work here?” Like a warm hug, Jonas’ rich baritone voice wrapped around her, his tone soothing and relaxing but at the same time stimulating a tingle of excitement deep inside. Of course he would notice her dress and think she was a free spirit. She was the only one wearing color and stuck out like a beacon in a sea of black.
Her friends, giggling at her expense, had her mind conjuring various plans for payback, which she kept that to herself while sending the culprits a mockingly vengeful glare. “Thank you. It seems someone forgot to give me the memo that it was little black dress night.”
His laugh, deep and full, changed the tingle to a buzz of awareness, which coursed through her body. Yowza! This man was dangerous.
“I think you’re a refreshing ray of sunshine in a sea of perpetual black.”
Startled, Lexie stiffened at his words, so similar to her own thoughts. Regan and Elena sighed, charmed by his eloquent words and oblivious to their men’s eyes rolling. Conversation ceased as the others looked on, making Lexie even more ill at ease. Her gaze returned to Jonas, who was watching her intently, a small smile on his handsome face. She melted a bit beneath his regard. He was a heartthrob that was certain, and probably had women throwing themselves at his feet. With his good looks and smooth, effortless James Bond delivery, she knew he’d be hard for any woman with a pulse to resist.
“Do you have an interest in the lifestyle or are you like the twins’ cousins, only here for the band?”
Lexie froze, heat flooding her face. Good grief, since walking through the doors, she’d blushed more than ever before in her life. She was unused to such open discussion of sexuality—not that she was a prude or anything, she was a nurse for heaven’s sake—it was just… disconcerting. How did she answer such a question in front of an audience? Yes, I like the band, but I’m also curious about bondage. Master Jonas, please, could you strip me, spank me and tie me up between sets?
Dear Lord, where had that thought come from? It must be this place, as addictive as crack, or maybe it was Jonas. Either way, she was jonesin’ for a fix.
Crack being unavailable, she sought liquid courage and downed half of her newly refilled lemon drop in one gulp. Glancing back at him, she saw his smile had widened to a full grin. Had she thought him merely handsome? No way, for when he smiled, he was unbelievably gorgeous, and like a fool over a pretty face, she l
ost her ability to speak. As she sat there dumbfounded, the other girls took note and came to her rescue, speaking at once on her behalf. Lexie couldn’t hear their remarks, their chattering drowned out by the pounding of her heart in her ears.
Lexie’s sluggish brain knew that this was the time to come clean about her fantasies, yet she couldn’t do it, not in front of the golden Adonis and amidst a riveted crowd. No, three martinis hadn’t loosened her inhibitions that much. She wondered whether she could ever do it, set her reticence aside and ask for something she wanted. Jonas’ deep voice sounding next to her again jolted her back to awareness.
“Ladies, let’s give Lexie a chance to answer my questions on her own, shall we? I asked about your interests.”
Just do it!
“Uh—I actually have some experience with, um—” Despite the little voice of encouragement, she lost her nerve and purposely misinterpreted his question. Blurting out the first thing that came to her mind, she said, “Martial arts.” There, she’d given him an answer, not what he was looking for, but it was the truth.
Her tongue, having found a familiar topic, loosened, and she began babbling on like an excited child. “I’ve been practicing Tae Chi since college. I also do some yoga. I enjoy the meditation and health benefits of both.” A nervous habit, she became Chatty Cathy and yammered on about a recent Harvard study proving that practicing martial arts reduced stress and helped fight disease. She paused for breath before starting a new discourse on the Mayo Clinic’s findings. Thankfully, Regan rescued her with a soft whisper in her ear.
“Lex, honey… chill.”
She flushed yet again as she saw everyone’s amused expressions. This time, Jonas was the one to bail her out, his hand capturing hers as he squeezed it reassuringly.
“Lexie, I apologize for being so insensitive. I suggest we move our conversation to that corner table where we will have more privacy.” She immediately agreed to his request, maybe because it was actually more of a command. Leaping at the chance to escape the scrutiny of the others, she allowed him to assist her from her chair. Murmuring a polite excuse to the rest of the group, Jonas guided her to the private table, signaling for a waitress to bring him a beer.
Unbind My Heart (Club Decadence) Page 2