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Lighten up, she told herself. She didn’t have to make any decisions tonight. She was merely there to observe. She would just take things as they came, drinking it all in.
Turning firmly away from the caged woman, she offered Hayden a smile. “How about that drink you promised?”
He bowed in an exaggerated way that made her giggle. “Right this way, ma’am.”
They moved toward a bar set up in a corner of the room. A bare-breasted woman stood behind it, ladling hot cider into a mug for an older gentleman in a red silk dinner jacket, a black mask covering the top half of his wrinkled face. Though the young woman’s eyes and nose were covered by a blue mask, it was still evident she was quite a beauty.
Dahlia tried not to ogle the woman, but couldn’t seem to look away. Her nipples were pierced with gold hoops and she wore a deep blue collar around her neck, small O-rings attached at intervals. Tiny red Christmas ornaments had been attached to each O-ring in a nod to the season, Dahlia supposed. The girl wore matching leather cuffs on her wrists.
“Good evening, Alex,” Hayden said to the man. “It’s nice to see you out tonight. Happy holidays.” He nodded toward the naked bartender. “Hello, Charlotte.”
“Welcome, Sir,” she replied in a high, sweet voice.
“Hayden, my boy,” Alex boomed heartily. “A happy new year to you. It’s good to see you.” He turned to Dahlia, looking her brazenly up and down. “And who is this beauty you’ve brought? No Masters Club’s collar, I see. Is she yours?”
Dahlia was slightly taken aback by this man referring to her in the third person when she was standing right there. On the other hand, it did give her a moment to observe Hayden in his element without having to directly participate.
A subtle shift had come over him when they’d entered the old brownstone. He seemed taller somehow, and carried himself with a more confident stride than she’d seen before. He seemed more “present,” if that even made any sense. If he were an image on screen, it would have been as if he’d suddenly been clicked into focus. Clearly, the man was in his element.
“Dahlia is a friend of mine,” Hayden replied easily. “A non-member.”
“Ah,” Alex replied, touching the side of his mask and giving her a wink. “Welcome to the Masters Club. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight.”
“Thank you,” Dahlia managed, pleased her voice came out reasonably steady.
As the older man drifted away, Charlotte handed them each a flute of champagne. They clinked glasses and then Hayden downed his in a single gulp. Dahlia sipped more slowly, the dry, bubbly wine going down easily.
Setting his glass on the bar, Hayden asked, “Want something to eat before we go up to the dungeon?”
Though the food looked delicious, there was no way in the world she could eat a thing. She was way too nervous and excited to even consider it.
“Thanks. Maybe later.” She drained the last of her champagne. Setting down her glass, she smoothed her short dress over her thighs and blew out a breath.
“I’m ready,” she said with a confidence she didn’t feel. “Let’s go.”
