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“Yes. Now here, put this on your wrist,” he said, handing me a red silicone wristband the bartender had passed to him.

“What’s this for?” I asked.

“The red signifies you are strictly here for observation, and you’re not available.”

“Available for what?” I asked in confusion.

“For another Dom. The club utilizes a color system as a protocol for their guests. Red means you are only available to me and will prevent any unwanted advances,” he explained. “If you were wearing blue, it would mean you were available with my permission. Those wearing green send the message they’re free to any Dom.”

I considered his words as he handed me the drink he had ordered.

“Would you ever have me wear another color?” I asked in honest curiosity.

“Let’s just get through tonight, shall we? I know you have questions but be quiet for a few minutes. Right now, I just want you to watch.”

“What am I watching?”

“The people.”

I scanned the room. There was a soft, almost whimsical sort of music playing overhead. Some people were standing and talking while others mingled on various settees and chairs.

My gaze moved to the right and settled on three people sitting on a leather couch. There were two women dressed as sexy felines, and they sat on either side of a man dressed as a vampire.

His costume was fitting for him because he looked like he wanted to take a bite out of one or both women. I watched him place a hand on the side of one women’s neck while the other woman ran a hand suggestively up his thigh. She didn’t quite reach the mark before moving her hand back down to his knee. I felt myself blush, suddenly realizing why Alexander told me to watch. The scene playing out before me was one of seduction.

I brought the glass of wine to my lips and took a long swallow.

I could feel Alexander’s eyes on me as I watched them. After another moment, the three people got up and left through a side door.

“Where are they going?” I asked.

“Either upstairs to the common room and private suites or down to the dungeon.”

“The dungeon!” I exclaimed. I had read about what went on in BDSM dungeons. Images of women and men dressed in skintight vinyl, all tied up and gagged in cages, popped into my head.

“Shhh, Krystina! Lower your voice. It’s not what you think.”

“Well then, what is it?” I hissed.

“It’s like a dance club down there—sort of. Come on, I’ll show you,” he said, taking hold of my hand.

He led me to the door the three people went through, taking me down a long narrow corridor. The lighting was dim, but I thought it was meant to give a cozy and inviting feel to the hallway. I knew the sinister feel was strictly conjured up in my head.

We rounded a corner, and I stiffened in my tracks. The hallway had split. To the left, there was a staircase I could only assume led up to the private suites Alexander had mentioned. Several people were traveling up and down the wide set of steps. To the right, there was a black door with a massive gargoyle head above it. A sign reading “The Dungeon” hung over the monster’s head.

I was seriously starting to get creeped out.

“Do you want to go down, or do you want to go back to the lounge?” Alexander asked.

“What about the common room you mentioned?”

“Oh, no. You’re not ready to go up there.” He paused and looked thoughtful. “Actually, I don’t think you’ll ever be ready for that.”

“Why not?”

“Trust me on this one. Unless you have a sudden interest in orgies, I don’t think you’d like it.”

“Ah, no…um, we can go on ahead…to the Dungeon.” I stumbled in my attempt to mask the hesitation I felt. I didn’t want him to think I was a chicken. After all, I was the one who pushed to come here in the first place.