by Eileen Green
“So, you do know about Clara?” Shane sat up straighter.
“I know of a half sister in South Korea. But her name was Ara. My father told me about her when he was dying. I sent a private investigator over to Pyeongtaek to find Min-seo, my…” It sounded as if Jeffrey’s voice cracked. “My father’s mistress, but they found out she had died. Ara was placed in an orphanage and then adopted, but the orphanage didn’t keep good records. They couldn’t provide the name of the adoption agency or the adoptive parents’ names. My guy believes it might have been a black-market situation.”
Shane wouldn’t be surprised. That happened a lot. “Clara said her mother gave her a letter before she died that Clara carried with her even while in the orphanage inside a doll she carried with her everywhere. It told her who her father was. I guess the woman half expected your dad to come back to claim Clara at some point, but she died when Clara was four. It was four years before she was adopted.”
“My mother knew about Ara, and would have taken her in, but she didn’t know where to start looking. I took over and, well, I just told you the rest.”
Swallowing the lump that developed in his throat from that last bit, Shane informed Jeffrey, “She’s had a happy life. At least until her parents were murdered and someone is now threatening Clara.”
“What?” exclaimed Jeffrey as it sounded as if things fell on the other end of the connection. “Why would someone do that to her? Has she done something wrong?”
The man sounded genuinely worried and angered over what Shane had told him. It would have been better to see the man’s expressions to determine if his outrage was real, but Shane actually believed him.
Taking a deep breath, Shane had to confess. “Someone isn’t happy about her looking into you. Any idea why?”
“What do you mean?”
“She received a letter that specifically said she needed to stop searching for you.” Shane didn’t think he would ever get the sight of that letter out of his head.
He could hear a sigh come through the phone. “Is she in good hands?” Jeffrey asked sadly.
“She is. I own a security company and have a good military background.”
“Will she be up to meeting me soon? We’ve waited a long time to meet her.” Jeffrey’s aggravation and anguish over Clara were evident.
“I want her safe before I’ll allow you to meet her.” Shane had promised to keep her safe, and her brother was the reason she was in danger.
“I get it. Please feel free to use this number to contact me anytime and let me know what’s going on. Also, if you have any questions for me, call me.” Jeffrey's sincerity came through the line loud and clear. Shane liked the man already.
“We’ll be in touch,” Shane offered. “And let me know if you think of anything that could help Clara.”
Before disconnecting, Shane provided Chambers with his numbers and a promise to be back in touch. Once he was off the phone, Shane got up to leave but halted when his cell buzzed on the desk. He hit the connect button and then the speaker.
“Owens.”
“It’s Alan. I have an update on that fake homicide cop.”
“What is it?”
“The fire alarm was a rouse. We’ve checked with everyone who would have called a drill, but none was scheduled for that day. Someone managed to empty the building as to obtain what was in that file.” Alan sounded distraught. “However, I was able to pull the CCTV footage for you.”
“And?” Shane was hopeful.
“Got a good pic of the man who took the file. It’s the same man who posed as the detective. I’m e-mailing you the photo. Perhaps you can talk to your fed about getting facial recognition on him.”
Shane had a network of people to obtain information, and they knew about each other, but their paths hadn’t crossed before. Maybe one day they would.
“Thanks, Alan. I owe you big time.”
Alan chuckled. “You know that’s not true. But let’s get together soon for drinks.”
“I’ll be having a housewarming party in the next couple of weeks. Your invite will be on your desk shortly,” Shane offered.
“Great. Look forward to it.”
“Thanks for the help.”
“No problem.”
The call disconnected as Shane picked up his phone. He shoved it in his pocket before grabbing his jacket and heading for the door. He was halfway through the lobby before he informed his receptionist he’d be gone for the rest of the day.
Chapter Ten
The sights and sounds of the Tiger’s Lair were mind-numbing. Even though Clara had read up on BDSM, she should have been prepared for what now lay before her.
Butterflies had been dive-bombing her stomach since Shane had called this morning to let her know that he was taking her and Jeremy to the club tonight. Jeremy had been excited and advised her on how she was to present herself to Shane when he requested. They had knelt on the floor, back straight, knees spread, and hands on their thighs, until she ached. Her foot throbbed, but she pushed on.
Around noon a package arrived for Clara and Jeremy. Upon opening it, the butterflies seemed to double in size.
Clara gazed at a black silk dress that came to mid-thigh. The top part was a halter style that tied around the back of her neck. A mesh tutu in a deep red was to be worn under the dress that would fill out the skirt. It was adorable, but the sides of her breasts would be viewable.
“You’re going to be a knockout,” Jeremy gushed. She eyed him in disbelief. “Shane wants to show you off. He wouldn’t have picked that dress if he felt it would make you uncomfortable. When you get further immersed into the lifestyle, you will most likely wear corsets and a thong, or even less.”
Her eyes popped open wide at what he had said. After reading what she had, she had an idea of what would be expected of her as a submissive. However, she was nervous as hell in anticipation.
Jeremy’s outfit consisted of blue jeans and nothing else. She was thankful she wasn’t just wearing a G-string after seeing Jeremy’s clothes. However, both were to be bare under the clothing which sent a gush of cream from Clara at the thought, along with trepidation. Going out in public in such a dress with no panties where anyone might see her girly parts sounded sexy, but she felt she would be self-conscious all evening.
Now, she was aware of people looking at her with interest and awe. She had to wonder if they thought she was suitable for Shane because she was new to the lifestyle, and because she was so much younger than him.
The thoughts of his daughter still swam through her brain since the previous night although she knew she shouldn’t dwell on it. She had voiced her fear to Jeremy who had told her she was overthinking it, and when she questioned him about why he went so sullen the previous night, he had tried to avoid answering her. When she finally got him to answer her, she was at a loss for words, but she told him what he had told her. She had faith that he would get the job here in Denver.
Loud techno music drifted at her from all angles, yet she couldn’t see the speakers. The building looked like an old multi-storied warehouse and office building. From the outside, a person wouldn’t be able to tell there was a fetish club on the inside.
Draperies of black and burgundy hung on the walls in alternating colors. A big stage stood in the middle of the ginormous open area and on it were various implements of pleasure, pain, or torture. There were cordoned off spaces for what looked like different scenes. She noticed different equipment in each area, such as the space they were standing in front of.
A large wooden desk sat in the middle of the area with bookcases along the walls. Bending over the front of the desk was a young man with dark brown hair cut high and tight with a trim body like that of a swimmer. His ass was beautifully shaped although Clara swallowed hard when she noticed a black knob where his asshole should be, which Clara knew to be a butt plug.
Next to him was a man who appeared to be about the same height as Shane and dressed similarly in black leather
pants and vest. He wore shiny black shoes where Shane wore black motorcycle boots. In the man’s right hand was a riding crop which he was tapping the flappy end on the palm of his left.
A voluptuous woman was kneeling on the floor near the end of the desk. She had golden blond hair that was curtained around her face and ending on the tops of her large breasts. Clara could see the woman’s face, but her body language appeared to be relaxed as if at peace.
Shane and Jeremy bookended her, always keeping her protected, as they waited for the scene to begin. Clara realized her breathing was becoming rapid in anticipation. Her nipples were hard and rubbing against the silky material of her bodice. She could feel moisture on her inner thighs from her cream which was leaking rather abundantly now.
The tall man stepped over to the kneeling woman and squatted down at her side. He used the tip of the crop under her chin to raise her face toward him. She was beautiful but looked a bit sad.
“You put yourself in danger when you climbed that ladder, Abigail, and it wasn’t just you. Tinker tried got involved and fell. Luckily, he only got some cuts and bruises. It could have gone in a totally different direction. Therefore”—the man practically growled at her—“you will both received ten lashes.”
“Yes, Sir,” Abigail acknowledged. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to put up the curtains in the new room before you got home from work.”
“I know, baby girl. But I don’t want you to be climbing up that high. The windows are eight feet tall.”
It touched Clara that the man was so concerned about his subs. She could see Shane being the same way and it warmed her heart.
The man stood and positioned himself off to the left of Tinker. Clara guessed that was the man’s name who was bent over the desk. Tinker’s glutes flexed as the man pulled the crop back and then swung it so that it hit Tinker’s ass. A hiss sounded from Tinker while a sob escaped Abigail.
The threesome seemed quite close, and Clara had to wonder if she, Shane, and Jeremy would be that close.
* * * *
Jeremy couldn’t believe he was standing in a BDSM club. All his experience was in private. Now he got to see how others worked together in the lifestyle they have chosen.
When he entered the large area from the locker room, he looked around in wonder. Besides all the equipment that sat around the room, he looked at the people who he hoped would one day be friends.
They were in all manners of dress, or in a lot of cases, undress. There were some people, men and women, who were totally nude, and it didn’t seem to bother them. Various outfits from total body cover-ups of latex wear to animal wear were seen.
The aromas that tickled his senses were from all the fetish wear, and the smell of arousal. He loved that smell, but not as much as Clara’s scent that was rising up from her cunt. Her arousal spoke to his cock which was straining against the zipper of his jeans.
He glanced down at Clara. Her nipples were tight buds straining against the material of her dress. She was aroused as she watched the scene before them. At first, he had worried that she might not take to this as she had. He was so glad she was welcoming the world Shane was immersing her in. Jeremy was already so in love with her, and Shane, that he wanted them all to enjoy the lifestyle and each other.
Shane had told them before they left the hotel that tonight wasn’t going to be high protocol, so Jeremy slid his arm around Clara’s waist. He savored the fact that she leaned into him and that Shane did the same to her. He wanted them to get one of the private rooms he had been told were at the club. Since they had made love the night before, Jeremy found he wanted them all the time.
The sound of the crop landing on flesh was an aphrodisiac to Jeremy, and so were the sounds from the subs who had done wrong. Jeremy wanted to feel the crop on his body. It had been a long time, and he had missed it.
The man draped over the desk had red squares from the leather end of the crop all over his ass. They looked hot and painful, and Jeremy’s dick was throbbing. He had to wonder if Shane was using this display as a form of torture for Jeremy.
Jeremy let his gaze slip over to Shane who was intently watching the show yet had a small smirk on his lips. He jumped slightly when Shane’s hand slid into the back pocket of his jeans. Clara glanced up at Jeremy, her eyes searching his as if to ask what was wrong. Jeremy returned his gaze to the space before them as the woman rose to her feet.
Abigail, that was her name, looked to be remorseful as she looked at her Dom but then she moved in next to Tinker and laid her torso over the desk. A smile could be seen as she looked at her cohort in crime. Yes, she was enjoying this also.
Once Abigail’s punishment was over, the crowd around them began to disperse. Before Jeremy, Clara, and Shane could move, a trio walked up to them. As Clara spoke with the woman of the group, Jeremy couldn’t help his mouth dropping open in shock.
Clara had mentioned her friend, Missy, was in a ménage relationship with Tatum Hawkins, the billionaire, along with a police officer. Standing before Jeremy was the very wealthy man with his arm around a tall, muscular man with black hair.
A slap to the back of Jeremy’s head brought his attention to the conversation going on. Shane had noticed Jeremy’s faux pas. Heat flooded Jeremy’s face as his embarrassment became evident.
“I get that reaction a lot,” Hawkins said as he looked at Jeremy. “Obviously you already know who I am.”
“I-I’m Jeremy.” Jeremy fumbled over his words. “Jeremy Swenson.” Taking a deep breath, Jeremy apologized. “Sorry. I’ve been an admirer for quite a while.”
Tate chuckled. “No problem. I either get people who are admirers, people who want to know my secret, or people who hate me because I’ve done well for myself. But here, and to my friends, I am a normal person.”
Jeremy understood the raise of Tate’s one eyebrow as if the man was throwing out an unverbalized question. He nodded at Tate as he extended his hand. “Friends then.”
Tate shook Jeremy’s hand in mutual agreement. At the same time, Missy threw her arms around Clara in a big hug. “Oh, my god, you look so cute in that dress!” the woman gushed as she unwrapped her arms from around Clara. “I always knew you should have been wearing dresses.”
Jeremy had turned to look at Shane and Clara, and he noticed Clara’s face tinted red at her friend’s words. He also could see that Shane had looked down at Clara, his brows knit together as if he wanted to react to the statement made. That would have to wait until later.
“I’m also so glad you are recovered enough to come out and enjoy some fun.” Missy looked up at Shane and then Jeremy and then said in a half-whisper, “You got some hot-looking guys.”
Tate cleared his throat quickly causing Missy to stand up straight, remorse written all over her face. Jeremy had to swallow his chuckle. But he had to admit that Missy had two winners herself.
“Sorry,” Missy said with near sadness. It was obvious she wanted her friend to be happy.
Tate looked at Shane. “You were right. A beautiful woman, and a handsome man. I’m glad you’re happy.”
Shane glanced around before looking at Tate. “I noticed the new developments here. Have you guys taken it all in yet?”
“Yes. We came a bit early to check it all out. Missy was excited about the new suspension room.”
“You mean he’ll hang you from the ceiling?” Clara said after she gasped. “Won’t it hurt?”
“Not if it’s done right. Tate is an expert with ropes.” Missy blushed as she spoke. “I also like the sex swing.”
Jeremy loved the various looks on Clara’s face, from shock to surprise, and from uncomfortableness to interest. This was all new territory for her, and they needed to ease her into things. But, with Missy as a friend, Clara had some incite to this lifestyle. It was a matter of finding out what she would enjoy.
“The dungeon at home isn’t tall enough to do suspension, so we have to do it here. I built the addition here for the suspension room and for another play
area, and Alex has given us lifetime membership to the club.” Tate was proud of his statement. Although he was rich enough to build a million clubs of his own, Tate apparently wanted to stay at the Tiger’s Lair, and he didn’t mind offering up his money to a friend.
“They did the work at the same time the apartments upstairs were remodeled into one penthouse, so there wasn’t any downtime,” a new voice explained over Jeremy’s shoulder. “It was all done within a couple of weeks, and now everyone will be happy.”
Jeremy looked over his shoulder and then watched as the tall Adonis stepped between him and Tate. The man had jet-black hair that was nearly shoulder length. He had it pulled back, but it looked good on him. He was muscular and appeared to be about Shane’s age, and he carried himself with the appearance of a leader.
“Clara. Jeremy. This is Alex McDaniels, also known as Tiger, and he owns the Tiger’s Lair,” Shane explained from Jeremy’s other side.
Alex extended his hand to Jeremy and Jeremy shook it. Alex then leaned in and took Clara’s hand. Instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his lips and kissed the bag of it. “Beast told me you were beautiful, but you are absolutely stunning,” he complimented Clara. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Clara blushed wildly while Missy grinned. Alex was a charmer.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Jeremy said quickly. “From what I’ve seen of your club, it’s magnificent.”
“Thank you,” Alex said to Jeremy before he turned toward Shane. “I’m glad you could make it. And, everything is ready for you when you want to go upstairs.”
A small gasp sounded from Clara as Jeremy looked at Shane. A pleased expression was on his Dom’s face which caused Jeremy’s arousal to spike. Within a couple of seconds, his cock was straining painfully against the leather he wore.
It had been Jeremy’s understanding they were just going to be enjoying the sights of the club to help acquaint Clara with their lifestyle. Now, they were going to be doing more.
“Thank you,” Shane said with a smile. “We’ll go now and after we can take in a couple more scenes.”