by Dale Cadeau
Angel knew Lance was right. He was here to help ferret out the weasel that was grabbing the women. At least he knew her name. From that, and with Grant’s help, he could find out everything else. He would have to let it go until then. With her working just on the other side of the building, where Clay was stationed, he would ask Clay to keep an eye on her. If he could get Clay to take his eyes off Laura for a minute.
Clay had gotten himself in deep, and after only a few days of meeting the woman. Angel and the guys had made fun of Clay’s fast drop, but now he could sympathize with him. When something like this smacked one on side of the head, one had to take notice. Looking over Lance’s shoulder, he could see that he had come on too strong. He knew he was a large man, and she was probably intimidated. He would just have to start again, now that he was over the initial shock at seeing her. He would slow down and woo her, but he was not leaving her alone for long. She would have to accept him and he hoped it would be soon. He didn’t think he could stand waiting too long. Getting his mind back on the job, he turned toward the door at the knock. He watched a large similarly dressed man walk in the door and hold out his hand. Lance must have called him while he was musing about Cinnamon.
Lance introduced Angel to Mark and they exchanged handshakes. Angel could tell this man was on the up and up just from his solid handshake. It didn’t take long for Angel to sum up anyone. He just seemed to have a knack for it. The guys relied on him when taking on new cases. He could feel, almost smell anything underhanded in a person. It had come in mighty handy for their unit in the army. He still had a hard time coming to terms when they had been discharged for faulty info. He had never been so glad that Brad was a crack shot and only winged the woman. He wouldn’t want to think of the consequences if she had been taken down. Killing one of their own, he didn’t want to think about it. He had a nice if uneventful life now, ten years after they had pooled their resources and started Braden Security. And if he wanted the firm to retain their stellar rating, he had to find this guy before he really hurt someone.
With a quick look back at Cyn, Angel followed Mark out through the entrance hall and back into the club. Things were starting to hop now as more people mingled around the bar area.
Chapter Two
“So, Mark, how long have you worked at this club?”
The young blond man shrugged. “A year maybe? It feels like home to me now.”
Angel looked at the scenes starting around the club and he couldn’t imagine ever feeling comfortable here let alone feeling like it was his home. More people had arrived and the party was starting in earnest now. At first glance a person could mistake this for a regular dance club with the rich décor and nice bar, but looking a little further, the membership’s activities and their clothing tipped a person off.
“I expected more of this club. The way Clay and James talked about a BDSM club, I thought I’d be looking at a whole lot of naked people with whips and chains. This seems very mellow and just like any other bar, if you don’t look at the clothes everyone is wearing,” Angel told Mark, who was standing beside him on the top step leading down to the bar as he surveyed the people below.
Mark just laughed and slapped him on the back, urging him down the steps.
“This is the first level. You have to go deeper if you want to see any of that. This barroom is just for mingling. Many scenes are discussed here before proceeding further. You see that line of women seated at the table to your right? They’re the stray subs that come in to have a scene with a Dom, or are looking to catch one for themselves. If you look carefully at all the women standing with their Doms, most of them have a collar around their neck. That’s how you know that they are taken. You don’t approach those women without the OK from their Doms unless they say their safe word. But most of them are in long-standing loving relationship, so you shouldn’t have to worry about them.”
Mark had been talking all the time, leading Angel past the bar and to a door halfway down one wall. He stopped Angel with a hand held up. “Before we go in there, do you have any questions? You don’t really have to do anything but observe, as we always have a least two monitors for each playroom. You just have to look like one. And know a few things in case you are needed.”
“OK, first, how do you know if a sub uses her safe word? Clay tried to tell me a few things and James has talked about it some, but I always tune them out. I just can’t see the attraction to this type of lifestyle. I don’t have anything against consenting adults doing what they want, but I just can’t wrap my mind around this.”
Angel wanted Mark to know he had nothing personal against the lifestyle. If he made a wrong step it wasn’t because he disagreed with their choices.
“I’m glad you’re honest and upfront with your beliefs. This whole lifestyle is based on trust between partners. And the first thing we are all taught is to be honest. I think you’ll fit right in after a while. Now back to your question.
“Subs, male or female, when they are involved in a scene, most of the time let their feelings out and might say ‘No’ or ‘Stop.’ Or something like that. When they are in their subspace, they might say anything. So, all of the subs have a safe word that they have chosen. It could be anything. But you will know when you hear ‘watermelon’ or ‘flower’ or some other crazy word that doesn’t go with the scene being played out. That’s when you step in to stop what’s taking place. The Playground and most BDSM clubs also use the word ‘red’ to stop a scene, and sometimes ‘yellow’ if the sub wants to take a breather or slow the scene down. If yellow is used, it is our job to make sure the Dom respects the word and slows down, giving the sub the time to make sure she or he wants to proceed. The other word, ‘red,’ if used we stop the scene right away no matter what the Dom wants. That’s our signal to step in and take over. All the Doms in this place know the protocol and you shouldn’t have any problems with them. We just have to keep a sharper eye on any guests or newbies that come in. With this place they are screened before being allowed in, but you never know when one asshole might slip through our process. Does that answer your question? Are you ready for the real thing?” Mark opened the door at Angel’s nod.
Angel took a deep breath and braced his muscles, preparing himself for the sights ahead. When Mark opened the door, Angel just saw a dark hallway with lights looking like torches placed on the wall, allowing them to see the three large doors leading off. Letting out his breath, he looked at Mark, who laughed at him. “Didn’t want to shock you right away. Where do you want to go first? To the dungeon or would you like to see some role-play being done and warm up to the dungeon?”
“Whatever you want. I’m prepared for anything.” Angel prayed he was telling the truth. He really didn’t know if he was ready.
“There’re other theme rooms in the club, but these are the three you’ll be in charge of.”
“Fine.”
Mark turned the knob on the first door in the hallway. “Let’s take a look at what’s behind door number one. Remember, these three doors lead to people’s ultimate fantasies. Don’t judge them for what you see,” Mark cautioned as he swung open the door.
Angel nodded and stepped into the room behind his guide.
Inside the door, this room could have belonged to an entirely different building. It was as far from a dungeon as one could expect. The décor was lush. The walls were papered in a textured red-and-black pattern, and the furniture belonged to another century. Parlor tables and settees were spread around the room, helping to make the impression that Angel was being lead into a historical mansion and not just some hidden room in a kink club.
The room was also filled to the brim with people. Some relaxed and drank wine while they watched the activities. Other people were actively involved in all manner of play. Some were tied up, some were tied down. Some were even actively engaged in sex.
“Tonight’s orgy night in the Victorian Room,” Mark explained.
Angel’s attention, and everyone else’s, was dra
wn to the middle of the room where a young woman was strapped down on a table. She was completely naked, as were the two lovely ladies who were assisting her by holding her legs up in the air. As a result, the woman on the table was open and spread for anyone to admire her private region. A Dom took her up on the offer. He used his fingers to probe around what she had on display before unzipping his leather trousers and pulling out his ready cock. His first plunge inside of her had her mouth open, gasping. His second stroke inside barely gave her time to recover before he pounded in her for a third time. He took her hard and rough, and she loved it. By the growing crowd around them, the club members loved it, too.
“So I just watch?” Angel asked.
Mark grinned. “Yup, and make sure things don’t get too out of hand. Great job, eh?”
Angel just shrugged in response. This might be a great job for some people, but he wasn’t one of them. He was no novice when it came to sex, but he had never experienced anything like what he was seeing before him. This wanton display of sexuality was not his cup of tea.
Also, the music in the room was pulsing and it was making Angel’s body throb. “Is it always this loud?”
“No,” Mark replied with a grin. “It’s usually louder.”
Angel scowled but followed the young man across the floor. They were stopped a few steps in by a young brunette with a dazzling smile who wore a dress that would have fit better on a doll.
“Hi, Merry.”
The woman smiled and wrapped Mark in a big hug. “Hi there, handsome, who’s your friend?”
“Not interested,” Angel choked out between clenched teeth. When he was on a job, he never looked to hook up with anyone. Although he would be willing to break his own rules in order to get a chance with Cyn. This woman paled in comparison to the spicy lady he had just left in Lance’s office.
Mark smiled. “Merry, this is Angel. He’s one of our new dungeon monitors. He’s on the clock and not here to play.”
Merry looked Angel up and down. “Too bad. Let me know if you change your mind.” With a wink, she turned and danced away.
“Let’s get on with the tour,” Angel prompted.
“Fine by me.” Mark led Angel back out of the room and further down the hallway to the second door. From the outside, this door looked exactly the same as the first. Angel hoped that he wasn’t walking into another orgy.
This time when Mark opened the door, he revealed a more modernly decorated room. The décor was gray spiced with some black and white. Steel- and chrome-footed benches were arranged around a stage, so that whatever was being performed could be seen on all sides. The room wasn’t silent, but there was no music to cover up the sounds the performers might make.
Mark motioned for Angel to follow him as he took a seat on one of the benches closest to the door. Angel sat beside him. It was clear that Mark had picked this particular bench because it was farthest away from the dozen or so other people in the audience. It was also far enough away from the performers so that Angel could ask questions and not offend them.
Good idea, Mark. As soon as Angel took time to actually look at the performance, he had a head full of questions and a rolling stomach that made him regret his promise to Clay to take on this assignment so he could spend more time with his lady.
The guys had told him about public scenes, so he understood their dual purposes of teaching the crowd and titillating them. Here on the stage, an impossibly petite and dainty woman was tied up. It wasn’t just her hands and feet that were bound, but rather her entire body.
“The rope work is what is called Shibari. It’s an ancient Japanese art that not many people know how to do properly. The ropes look industrial but actually they are specially crafted not to burn or chafe the skin. It’s also easy enough to cut off if the sub has to use their safe word.” Mark pointed toward the stage and Angel could clearly see the pair of scissors handily placed on the equipment table.
Angel let his eyes quickly survey the table’s contents. Some he recognized, like clothespins, but others he had no clue of their use. He watched as a Dom picked up something that resembled a back massager. Then he tensed as he watched the man hold it to the woman’s crotch and turn it on. God, it’s a vibrator. Angel tried to focus instead on the man who was on stage. Or rather, men. Both were dressed identically and both were actively involved in giving the sub pleasure. While one wielded the vibrator, the other stood behind the sub, his arms wrapping around her front, his fingers teasing and pulling at her nipples.
The guys had never mentioned more than one Dom being involved with public scenes.
“Which one is her Dom?”
“They both are.” Mark smiled, seeing Angel’s confusion. “In our world, sometimes relationships work a little different. It’s not unusual to see a sub with two Doms that love and Master her…”Mark’s voice trailed off, but Angel could easily fill in the gaps.
“And sometimes each other?”
“Sometimes. The men can have a sexual relationship with each other or just with the sub. It all depends on how their trio works.”
Angel’s head was spinning. “Why would you want to share your woman?”
Mark shrugged. “I wouldn’t, but I understand it. Men working together with the same goal, the sub’s happiness and welfare.”
That comment stopped his spinning head. Angel and the other men at Braden Security worked together all the time on projects with one singular goal. It didn’t seem so bizarre that some of them might team up to love a woman.
He shook his head again. He knew how protective his boss James was of his new woman, Avery. There’s no way that he would share her, even for a second. If Cyn was his, he would never share her. He would hold onto her and—
Time to focus on the job again. “So what am I required to do in here?”
“Watching out for the subs again, listening for safe words, plus crowd control.”
Great, a glorified bouncer. He could do that. “Okay, if this is it, let’s move on to room number three.”
The men stood and quietly walked out of the room. Once they were back in the hall, Angel took a deep breath. In the past few minutes his eyes had already been opened quite a bit to the BDSM lifestyle. He was anxious about what was behind door number three.
“Last one,” Mark announced before swinging open the door.
Angel followed his guide into the room. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. They stood along one wall with a few other observers. This, too, was a public scene room, but the décor and the somber atmosphere of the room was that of a dungeon.
Across one wall was a bank of candles. They had been burning a long time and filled the air with a musty odor. Beyond the display was a stone wall. Steel shackles were affixed to the wall, and a woman was restrained with her arms stretched upward. Angel couldn’t see the woman’s face, but he did see her back, which was exposed and ready for her Master’s whip.
Angel didn’t recognize the man who was her Master, but he did recognize the weapon in his hand. When he threw out the whip and the end hit her back, it took all of Angel’s strength to hold himself back and not interfere. In Angel’s world, women were to be loved, cherished, and protected, not hurt. The other rooms now appeared harmless compared to this one.
He didn’t realize that he had stepped forward until he felt Mark’s hand on his arm holding him back. “You’re only here to watch,” Mark whispered. “You can’t interfere in a scene unless a safe word is said or the sub’s welfare is in jeopardy.”
“It looks like her welfare is very much in jeopardy with that monster whipping her,” Angel choked out.
“I promise you she is fine. Watch her, learn how a sub reacts. You’ll see that she is happy to receive a bite of pain with her pleasure.”
Angel shook his head but made no further move. He tried to do as Mark asked and rein in his anger and really examine the woman’s reaction. Her body was loose, not taut, like someone dreading the next strike. Her breathing
was a little fast, but she wasn’t panting like someone being tortured. With the next strike of the whip, it was very clear that she cried out in pleasure. She looked happy, her head tilted back, and her eyes closed. Mark was right—she enjoyed this punishment.
And her punisher, her Master, was smiling, too. It was clear that he enjoyed administering this equal mix of pain and pleasure. When he again cracked the whip against his submissive, he used all of his strength to throw the whip.
The Sub moaned loudly and found release. It was really something seeing her orgasm. Angel couldn’t help but be aroused by her release. When it was over, she looked so sated she would have pooled onto the floor like a warm stick of butter if the restraints hadn’t been holding her up. Her Master went to her then and touched her shoulders murmuring secret words in her ear. When the sub opened her eyes, she looked at her Master with such love and affection it made Angel ache. He didn’t need second sight to see that these two were very committed to each other. However deviant their sex life was, these two were clearly in love.
Mark motioned for Angel to follow him back out of the room. Now the scene was over it was time to give these two some privacy.
Once the door was shut and they were back down the hall, Mark was able to speak at a normal volume again. “So what did you think?”
Angel shrugged. “It’s not for me that’s for sure.”
“What part? The trust, the open communication, the pleasure?”
“I don’t see it that way.”
Mark walked back up the hallway toward the bar. “Well, remember that even if you don’t agree with it, we do. This is who we are. We’re all here because we’re part of the BDSM lifestyle, and the lifestyle is a part of us.”