AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good girl. Now go and enjoy.”
She held her breath as she took a long stride further into the room. A myriad of sconces and candles highlighted the expansive space. Two massive bars flanked both ends of the room. The setting was inviting, leather couches and chairs nestled on splendorous rugs. Filled with mostly men, the few women adorning the surroundings were an offering of submission. The powerful aura filtrating the area was oppressive. “I believe I should go.” She shifted, taking a step backward. Mistress Jade had disappeared. For a few seconds she thought about retreating to the safety of her car. Then a small voice reminded her why she was here. The purpose was palpable.
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. How could she go through with this? A series of tingling sensations crept down along the back of her neck. He was close. He was watching, forever taunting her. Thirty minutes. Gather information. That’s it then. Leave. Go home. The pep talk did nothing but increase the butterflies in her stomach.
Her heels clipped against the wooden floor as she walked with purpose toward the closest bar. The echo, a slight ring in her ears, mixed with her ragged heartbeat. As she walked past several groups of men, she could tell she was being studied. Fresh meat. The thought was riveting.
Destiny gripped the edge of the bar and realized none of the other women in the room had a drink in their hand. She hugged her purse and scanned the perimeter. The shadowed balcony above drew her attention and her mind allowed visions of belts and floggers, spanking benches and nipple clamps. A moan threatened to give her away.
All eyes seemed to be on her, watching every move as if determining her worth. She purposely turned away, praying to God she could keep up the charade. She walked with quick steps toward an ornate bar. When the bartender acknowledged her presence, she gave a sigh of relief. In the young man’s hand was a hefty glass of red wine.
He said nothing as he slid the crystal across the top of the bar, yet his eyes told her a story. She was in the looking glass of desire, a subject of interest. Accepting with a nod, she took a sip of cabernet, grateful for the distraction. This was a stage, an event, and she was being tested. There was no way she could do this. Breathe. Just breathe. Hair stood on the back of her neck. This was the same feeling she’d had during her time with Michael. Unsettling. Unnerving. Terrifying.
“A woman so distinguished seems out of place.”
The tone of his voice was practiced, smooth with a hint of an accent.
How in the world was she going to play the submissive when everything screamed for her to pepper the entire room of men with questions? “I am out of place but longing to find myself.” She dared not look in his eyes. His cologne reeked of woods and dirt. She swallowed hard, curtailing the instant nausea. Play the part. What little she knew about the lifestyle meant quiet and reserved.
He chuckled and touched her cheek with his pinky. “Then you’ve come to the right place. Women who learn their place make fine companions.”
Destiny bristled, clenching her teeth. “Yes, sir.” The words were stated with disdain.
“I may come for you later. We will see what the evening brings.” The man left as quickly as he’d come. There was no second glance, no hungry stares. He was bored with her. Test failed.
Exhaling, she took short steps, advancing into the crowd. When no one attempted to stop her, she made her way to the bank of windows on the opposite side of the room. Stars twinkled in the sky and the sliver of moonlight, as well as a gathering of low-level lighting, illuminated an impressive fenced in back yard. She lost herself in the reflections cast across the pool water and placed her hand on the glass.
The reflection became muddled as a man moved directly behind her. He remained silent. His scent was exotic, intoxicating.
Electricity swept through her entire body. Goose bumps popped along her naked skin. She refused to acknowledge his presence, remaining in the same position. Even in the window she could tell he was handsome, his features chiseled. While the lighting only allowed her to see a portion of his face, his eyes penetrated the dimness.
“When a woman understands the need buried deep within her, she begins to blossom. The very moment she not only accepts but also embraces who she is, the realization is intoxicating and will never be able to be denied. Only then can she flourish. I suspect you’ve found this within yourself.”
When he started speaking, she closed her eyes. The words tingled her very soul. His breath was hot as it streamed down the side of her neck. His voice was comforting, inviting.
“Learn and refuse to deny. You are your own destiny. You’ll find your inner strength in the knowing.”
Shuddering, she opened her eyes. The mystery man was gone. The air around her remained stagnant. She was shaking as she searched the room in the reflection. Finally, her eyes captured him. He lifted his glass in reverence and disappeared.
Destiny dropped her head, panting. Inner strength. He knew her inside and out. She clawed at the window. The electricity remained and she knew this man, this incredible specimen was the one from her dreams. Finally able to pivot, she darted her eyes back and forth. He was nowhere to be seen. Her skin crawled as she took another sip of her wine. This was no coincidence. He was here for a reason. He had found her, and she would figure out why and what he had in mind. She refused to be a game piece.
For a few minutes she milled through the crowd, able to engage in conversations with men who had no interest but politely acknowledged. Every one of them kept their distance as if she’d already been chosen. Absolutely she had. She belonged to him.
She gulped down the rest of her wine and placed the empty glass on the bar. The visit tonight wasn’t going to give her any answers. Keeping her head down, she walked toward the door, chastising what had been a ridiculous decision. She was no detective and had no place being here. Coat or no coat, she was leaving, heading for the sanctity of her home.
“You’ve made an impression.” Mistress Jade appeared out of the shadows.
“I’m not certain what that means. I’m nothing but a piece of meat. That’s not who I am.” The edge in Destiny’s voice was evident.
“Interesting,” she said after a few seconds. “You came here for a reason. I think I know why. If you’d like to find the real woman hidden behind the mask you’ve woven into a mesh of steel, then follow me. If not, I’ll have a member of my staff retrieve your coat. The choice is entirely yours.”
Destiny held her breath as the Mistress sashayed toward a staircase. Everything about the setting and the evening was wrong. She should go home. She should go… Wiping a single bead of perspiration from her forehead, she took tentative steps toward the stairs. There was no harm in learning more about what was going on behind the scenes.
Forever mine…
When she was on the second step, she heard the distinct sound of his voice. She glanced over her shoulder and into the eyes of her mystery lover. He was real. He was alive.
And so, it begins…
