“It can be like that. But it’s not for everyone, and you shouldn’t ever feel pressured to try it if it doesn’t appeal. But kink or BDSM or anything in the lifestyle should never involve forcing a person to do something, much less paying them.”
“So there’s no beatings?”
“Omega, there is so much I’d like to tell you, to show you, but only if you want to learn.” The warm breeze ruffled my hair as I waited to see what he’d say. It mattered so much. But he said…nothing. This omega had never engaged in vanilla sex, much less any kind of kink. “There’s no rush. If you’d like to know more, great. If not, also fine. And I don’t need your answer right this minute, so chill.”
I was about to go on, probably launching into the lecture I’d given a few times to newbies at a club I belonged to right after college, but I bit my lip. The omega didn’t need all that dumped on him at once. The people I’d spoken to in the past already had an inkling of what they were going to hear. They might not have had any experience, but most had spent a fair amount of time doing their own research on the internet before turning up at the club.
“It’s a lot to take in,” he said.
Just then, my phone chimed a notification. “Give me a minute.” I checked the screen. Talon.
If you’d like to stop by later in the week, we’d be interested in discussing the collab.
“Hey, Ches, I have an idea. Instead of talking your ear off, why don’t we take a little field trip. That is, if you think you can get off work.”
“A trip? With you?”
“Yes, but no pressure. I am planning to do some business with the owners of Cuffed and Crowned, two nightclubs. And if you’d like to come along, you can see what it’s about, maybe take a tour of Cuffed and then decide if you can bring yourself to stay here, or if having people tied to the St. Andrew’s cross might not be your cup of tea.”
“The Saint who?”
“Why don’t you just come along and see. It might be interesting, and it will for sure be a break from work.”
“Hmmm.”
“Would you like to see pictures of a club? It’s not Cuffed, and it’s not open, but it should give you an idea of what we’re talking about.”
“Okay.”
I opened my phone to a series of images I’d been sent by another friend who had visited a new club in his area before it opened. Small and intimate, it was intended for a very select group of guests at any one time, but it did have several pieces of dungeon furniture and a great lighting job. “So, this is what my friend’s club looks like.”
Ches leaned in to me as I scrolled through the pictures. He was very quiet, and when I finished, he said, “All right. I’ll come with you, but I’m nervous.”
“No need to be. It’s a business trip and a chance for you to explore a little.” And hopefully find a side of him that loved the club life as much as I did.
Chapter Fifteen
Ches
I met Grant near the lobby and ignored the stares and whispers of the other guests and mostly the staff.
The night before, I’d barely slept a wink. Nerves kept my eyes wide open, staring into the night. He asked me to come to one of the clubs with him, which meant travel. There was one problem. I didn’t have the clothes to go on any excursion but especially one for business purposes.
And to one of the clubs.
He’d shown me pictures. A place where inhibitions were shucked at the door. Where everyone could be free to explore desires and hungers they might never be able to in any other place.
The chance to be yourself, whatever that might be.
I told Grant at once that I wasn’t prepared for such a trip.
His answer? “Meet me in the lobby tomorrow.” He would take care of everything.
My mate taking care of me. After taking care of myself for so long, it all seemed like a fantasy that might be shattered by a villain at any moment.
But this was no fantasy. This was my mate.
I told him I trusted him, no matter how hard that was for me.
