"You look radiant tonight, Miss Katy." Eric lowers his hand from the small of my back and takes Katy's hand in his. He kisses the back of her knuckles with reverence. "Master Andy would be proud to see how well you honor his memory. This event is beyond amazing. I look forward to the rest of tonight's activities."
"Master Eric," she gives an honest smile, "it's a pleasure to see you. Your slave looks radiant."
"Thank you. I think she cleans up nicely."
It's not unusual to be spoken of as if I don't exist, but I really don't. I'm property, Eric's property, and nothing more.
I kind of bask in the glow of his compliment about cleaning up nicely. It's hard to hold back a grin because all I'm thinking about is sushi, rice, and getting that soy sauce out of my hair.
Katy turns her attention to Thomas. "It's good to see you tonight, Master Thomas. It's nice to see you out of your jeans and in a tux. You're quite handsome."
Thomas releases the death grip he has on my arm and takes both of hers in his. He kind of lifts her arms up and spreads them a little while he takes a good long look at her.
"You're absolutely radiant. I too am looking forward to tonight's events." He shifts his attention to me. "I'm looking forward to what comes after everything even more."
Katy turns her radiant smile on me. "I'm sure you are."
Eric's hand is back at the small of my back and he gives me a little push. "I hear you need a hand getting everything ready back stage. Please accept the services of my slave. She is at your disposal."
"Thank you, Master Eric. I appreciate all the help I can get." She reaches for my hand, and just like that, responsibility for my well-being is transferred from Eric to Katy.
Something captures Eric's attention and he turns to Thomas. "There's Daniel. I want to speak with him."
My Master and Dom wander off without a backward glance, leaving me in Katy's hands. As soon as they're out of earshot, she pulls me in for a hug.
"That dress," she says with a squeal, "is practically indecent. You look amazing." She casts over the crowd, tracking the progress of Eric and Thomas, then looks to me. "So, I take it they're in?"
I give a tight nod. It's required of the participants of the final event of the night, and I officially have the green light.
"I know. I can't believe it." I jump up and down.
We're surrounded by our fellow submissives who listen in to our conversation eagerly. I'm not the only woman in the club involved in a polyamorous relationship—there aren't many of us—and there are far fewer true threesomes.
Eric and Thomas are going to be the talk of the club as everyone gossips about what might happen later tonight.
My stomach feels a little light because I suddenly realize I don't know if they plan to scene in one of the public play spaces or one of the private rooms upstairs. It actually never occurred to me they might want to make our first time as a threesome a spectacle for the club at large.
I don't feel they would, but one thing I've come to realize is to take nothing for granted.
Katy claps her hands and everyone quiets. "Okay everyone, I need to get stuff settled backstage. Anyone who's signed up for the auction, you have twenty minutes to get back there. Penny, I need you to help me with the stage prep."
Katy pulls me along and we leave the gathering through a small doorway in the back corner.
"How are you holding up?" I ask because I'm concerned, but Katy looks great. Not one frazzled nerve.
"It's actually going smoother than I thought. Of course, I have a lot of help." She brings me to the main stage where one of the Old Guard is checking out seven posts set off to the side. I'll be tied to one of those.
"No, there's not enough. We need more rope." Master Edge is a big man, and his bellow makes me quake where I stand, but his smile is true. He quiets down when he notices Katy and I arrive. "Hey there." He's almost sheepish in his response. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. What's wrong?"
"Oh, you know…" His gaze cuts to one of our trial members, a Dom new to the area who is working on his membership to The Ties that Bind. "Give a newbie one task and they fuck it up."
I don't know the Dom's name, nor do I want to. No Dom wants to be ripped a new asshole in front of a pair of slaves. I try to disappear, not that it's possible in my clingy red dress with my nipples practically poking through.
"Umm…" Katy looks between the men. "What do you need?"
"Rope." Master Edge claps his hands together. "Bastard forgot the rope. Fortunately, I have enough chains for the poles, but now I have to go on a little shopping trip and it's fucking raining outside."
The new Dom says nothing. It looks like he wants to disappear too.
"What can we do?" Katy asks.
"Good evening, Penny." Master Edge graces me with his recognition.
"Good evening, Master Edge. How can I help?"
"How do you feel about climbing up and securing the chains while I head out in search of rope?"
There's a step ladder already set out and it's no problem to attach the chains. This isn't the first time I've helped rig the stage. That's why Katy wanted my help and Edge knows what I can do.
"On it."
He already has the chains laid out.
"Thanks." He points to the new Dom. "I'll be back." He storms out with the new Dom on his heels.
Katy snickers. "I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of that ass-whipping."
We giggle together and I kind of snort a little.
Katy glances around the stage. "It's almost ready."
"Don't worry. I've got this and the rope is just needed for the main auction. Everything looks great. I'll get these chains in place, then do a quick check of the lighting."
"You're the best," Katy says. "I need to get back out there and check on a few things. You sure you're good?"
I was a rigger in high school for my drama department and do a little backstage work for the local community theater, and I always help out at the club.
"Go do your event organizer stuff. Where do you want me after?"
"The usual room. I've split the six of you into two rooms to get ready. Your stuff is in the Butterfly room."
"Gotcha. I'll see you there."
Katy wanders off and I get to work. It doesn't take long to attach the chains and it's a little sobering knowing I'm securing the very restraints that will soon be used to secure me to one of these poles.
I try not to think about it too much.
Chapter 13
Once I'm finished fixing everything for the auction, I wander back to the dressing area. When I get there, two of my best friends are already there. Alexa and Michelle jump up and give me a hug.
Alexa is cute as always. She's smart as a whip, a brilliant surgical intern in a forbidden relationship. She's fucking her chief surgeon.
Master Daniel, one of the Old Guard hooked up with her at the club the night before her internship started. Needless to say, after they scened at the club, the next morning came as a surprise to them both when she showed up as one of the new interns.
Their affair is deliciously decadent, wickedly intense, and did I mention forbidden? They play up the naughty school girl and professor dynamic, but Alexa is looking to take things to the next level.
He's hesitant, understandably so.
“How are you holding up?” I ask her.
About the same age as me, Alexa's graced with a slim figure and mischievous eyes. She's the perfect little brat and I love her to pieces. She also looks gorgeous in her evening gown.
Alexa rubs at her arms. “Nervous as fuck.”
I give a low laugh. “I bet.”
“How about you? Are you nervous?”
Michelle giggles. "I bet she is!"
A knockout, Michelle is drop dead gorgeous. She's like Pin Up material and would give Marilyn Monroe a run for her money. Of course, the genie harem outfit she's wearing only makes her hotter.
I might feel a little self-conscious s
tanding beside her with my fuller figure and curves, but Michelle isn't wired that way. I'd never believe it if I didn't know her as well as I do, but Michelle is oblivious to her beauty.
“The butterflies in my stomach are complaining about the butterflies in theirs," I say. "I’m a mess, but an excited mess.” I feel the smile on my face along with the uncertainty.
Michelle pulls me into another hug and whispers in my ear. "You're going to do great and it's all going to work out."
I love her perpetual positivity. Michelle is beautiful inside and out.
“Do you think they’ll bid?” Alexa is inquisitive about my men.
“For at least a night. I think sharing me separately is one thing. Dominating me together is something else. But we’ll see.”
I don't mention they've done more together since lunch than I ever hoped for. If that continues tonight…I really don't know if I'm ready for this.
We’re all here for different reasons and to experience different things. Michelle and Master Tank, like Alexa and Master Daniel, are Dom and submissive pairs looking to try out a Master/slave dynamic.
They're using the auction for a trial run. Alexa and Michelle, like me, will likely have at least the reserve on one night met by their Doms, but they won't know if it's for longer unless Master Daniel and Master Tank tell them.
That's what makes this exciting. We place the reserve amounts on one night, one week, one month and one year. The men bid and whatever reserve they meet is how long we agree to serve them.
It's fun because of the unknown.
There's a sisterhood which unites us. We're all deeply submissive women who love our men. I'm not really worried about Alexa. She's been dying to enter into a Master/slave dynamic with Master Daniel for months. Michelle gives me a little pause.
She didn't ask to be put up on stage tonight. Master Tank made the request. She's humoring him and I can tell she's nervous.
A buzzer in the room sounds and Michelle grabs the phone. Her eyes widen and her mouth forms an ‘O’ of surprise.
When she hangs up, we all look at her.
“What’s up?”
“That was Master Edge. He’s sending someone to us. He's taking the empty spot in our auction.”
Master Andy's post?
What?
Sending someone?
I help Alexa unzip out of her gown and she gets dressed in her school-girl outfit while I find the clothes Thomas bought for me earlier today.
There's a tiny lace G-string and thin bra. Alexa stares at my nipples.
“Do those hurt?”
“Does what hurt?” I hold the red leather corset I'll wear over my G-string.
“Your piercings.”
I give the sapphire a little flick with my finger.
“I guess they did at first. I don’t know, I don’t really think about them much, except I never orgasmed from nipple play before Thomas put this one in.” I glance lovingly at the sapphire.
“Did he give them both to you?”
My attention shifts to my other breast. I feel a deep sense of contentment sweep through me, followed by an almost painful longing.
“No, this one is from Eric.”
“They each gave you one?”
“Yeah, what’s up with you?” I struggle with the flimsy lace bra.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You seem a bit off tonight.”
“Just nervous.”
“Because you don’t think Master Daniel will bid?”
I know she's concerned he will refuse to test the waters of what they could become. I get it. Master Daniel is a formidable man.
We talk for some time, catching up. I’m deep in thought when Michelle returns with a mouse of a girl.
"Hey everyone, this is Ivy."
The girl is dressed in a contraption of leather and lace, definitely something Master Edge likes. I sense Michelle's hand in this.
But her hair looks like she's been out in the rain. She's pretty, but the hair makes her look like a drowned rat.
"Oh, you poor thing." I can't help but go to her. "What happened?"
"Construction. Detour. Got a flat in the rain. Edge said I could come in and he'd help me out, then he mentioned a few other things. Is there really an auction?"
I can't help but laugh and Michelle just looks on with a sly smile.
"Yes, there is."
"Ivy is going to auction under Master Edge's authority." Michelle clasps her hands together.
I'm pretty sure my mouth is gaping. Why would he bring in a new girl and put her on the auction block?
"Our auction?"
Michelle gives a nod.
I'm speechless. Technically, there's one position open—Master Andy's post. We thought it would remain empty as a nod to the late Master Andy.
I guess Master Edge decided to fill the empty spot.
I'm not going to ask if Katy knows about this. Katy knows everything that happens in the club. Not to mention it's not my place.
"Come on Ivy," Michelle says, "let's get your hair sorted out. We want Master Edge speechless."
Master Edge seems to have claimed an inquisitive mouse. Ivy may be new, but she's stepping up to the proverbial submissive's chopping block. The girl is a fucking natural and I suddenly understand what drew Master Edge to this beautiful girl.
"Here, I can help with your hair." I point to a chair sitting in front of a makeup mirror. Ivy's hair is long and beautiful, although damp and heading into frizz territory. "We don't have time to dry it, but let me try something."
"Thanks." Ivy gives me a shy smile.
I lift her hair off her shoulders and twist it into a classy up-do.
I'm curious about this girl. Why would Master Edge not only sponsor her, but ask her to go up for auction?
Ivy and I chat and she returns the favor helping to tie my red leather corset. The corset accentuates my curves and I can't help but smile because I know what Eric is going to do once he sees me.
Thomas already saw me in the corset. He bought it with a wolfish grin and a hard woody practically drilling a hole through his pants.
Auction night is a big deal and a major charity fundraising event for the club.
This will be my second time going up on the auction block and I'm probably more nervous today than when I offered my slavery to Eric so many years ago.
Michelle, Alexa, and I, along with Edge's girl, Ivy, are ready.
Katy comes to collect us and I inhale in a deep breath. It's meant to steady me, but there's nothing that can keep the butterflies from churning in my belly.
The other three women who will be at the posts join us, and then the seven of us join about a couple dozen other women dressed in outfits meant to tantalize the imaginations of the men and stir their darkest desires.
We're a sex club and there's going to be a lot of kinky sex going on pretty soon. Excitement buzzes in the air. We're probably the quietest bunch of excited women on the planet.
Ivy stands by Michelle. Her eyes are big and round as she whispers something to Michelle. Alexa tugs at the hem of her small skirt then glances at me.
"Nervous?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Terrified."
We grip each other's hands and give a little squeeze. I'm trying to keep calm, but with each step I'm giving serious consideration to bolting and running the hell out of there. I don't only because I know Eric would be upset with me. It doesn't help and my heart slams against my ribcage. I may not bolt, but my heart is certainly trying to give it a go. The thing is banging so hard I can hardly breathe.
Michelle and Ivy have their heads together and Michelle places her hand on Ivy's shoulder, reassuring the girl. I think Ivy is in over her head, but I trust Master Edge. He wouldn't invite her in if he didn't sense a connection with the girl. And it's not like Ivy is going to become his slave. I listened in when she was making her reserve bids.
She knows about the lifestyle, is excited by it, and intereste
d enough to try it out…with a man she barely knows. The girl has balls. Master Edge might need to keep a close eye on her, because her balls might just be bigger than his.
Katy leads us all to the door leading backstage. We'll enter there and appear on stage. The entire membership is gathered in the auditorium, waiting for the main event of the night to begin. Eric and Thomas are out there as well.
They want me.
And they're willing to give me one night to live out a fantasy.
I love how they cherish me and give me the things I need. I don't know how to properly thank them for considering such a thing, but I will find a way.
My heart thunders in my chest as Katy places a finger over her lips and commands us to silence. The weight of the stage door can't contain the resonating buzzing coming from the other side. The low rumble of male voices rolls over my skin, lighting up nerves of anticipation as it travels from my head to my toes.
Any chance for backing out is behind me now as Katy slowly leads us onstage. I step onto the stage I helped prep. The chains and cuffs I placed on the poles seem prophetic in many ways. Those chains are the ties that will bind me to two men.
I glance out on the audience, but they are nothing but a black void. No matter how hard I try to peer into the darkness, I can't make out individuals. They're doused in darkness while I'm displayed beneath the stage lights. Lights shine up from the floor and down from the ceiling. We're displayed for the viewing pleasure of hundreds of eager dominant men.
I can't see them, but I feel their hunger pulsing on the beat of the low, sensuous music playing in the room. The raised dais sits to the side of the stage, which is where I will await my fate. Seven posts. Seven heavy rings. Seven sets of chains dangling down. Seven pairs of cuffs to bind us.
The rest of the women line up along the curtain toward the back of the stage and men come toward them with lengths of rough-hewn rope. Their hands are bound while the seven of us move to the poles.
We head to our places. Ivy is beside me but I lose track of the new girl when the heavy tread of two men approach from behind. I feel them prowling toward me. My entire body comes alive. There's a buzzing beneath my skin, that fluttering in my belly intensifies and a generalized anticipation overwhelms me.
Penny: The Ties That Bind (Auction Night Book 2) Page 8