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CHAPTERONE
Not surprisingly Maddie was running late—a result of an over-committed schedule. She said yes to too many things, hoping she could somehow figure out how to meet all her obligations.
Less than an hour before, she’d been a volunteer, helping people select the perfect Christmas tree. At least New Orleans was unseasonably warm, and it hadn’t been raining, so her fingers hadn’t frozen like they had the previous year.
Still, she hated not being on time, even if it couldn’t be helped.
After slinging her bag over her shoulder, she reached for the bell next to a nondescript door in the French Quarter.
Once she gave her name and turned her face to the camera, the lock released, and she slipped inside the BDSM club.
Christmas music thumped through her, not a thing like the piped-in stuff she’d been listening to all day. This sub-bass version of “Carol of the Bells” reverberated atmospherically off the black-painted walls.
In honor of the season, garland—decorated with festive, twinkling lights—wove around the stairway banister and the spindles.
At the top of the stairs, Trinity, the Quarter’s receptionist, was in place behind the podium. Tonight she wore her usual catsuit, but she’d switched up her hair. Instead of pink or purple, her chin-length bob was colored half in red, half in green. As she looked up from a sheaf of papers, she offered a bright smile. “You came!”
“Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”
“I’m grateful for whatever time you can give us. We’ve got a record crowd tonight.”
Maddie wasn’t surprised. The owner, Mistress Aviana, had been planning the holiday extravaganza for months. And a surprise was expected to happen at midnight. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
“Your elf outfit is in the locker room. You’ll be working the check-in desk with me and another volunteer.”
She nodded. “Perfect.” It was a job she’d done before, so she knew the basic routine.
As she hurried down the hall, she forced herself not to stop to look at all the items at the holiday bazaar. There appeared to be more vendors than usual, everything from clothing to vibrators, to hand-hewn discipline instruments, even imaginative furniture.
Her friend, Abigail was in front of a mirror, touching up her lipstick. As she turned, Maddie’s jaw dropped.
Abigail was staffing the corset booth, and she was eye-catching in steampunk style. Her black overbust corset made her waist impossibly tiny. A bustled purple- brocade skirt trailed behind her, yet it was cut short in the front, dropping down to upper thigh. She completed her look with a hat, and Victorian style boots.
“Oh my God. You look sensational.” She always did, but tonight she’d taken it up a notch.
“This outfit’s my new favorite.”
“You make me want to buy one.” Even though she’d probably need to carry smelling salts if she wore something so tight.
“I’ll give you the friends-and-family discount.”
They exchanged hugs before Abigail hurried off, leaving Maddie alone.
Since most of tonight’s volunteers were going to be dressed as elves, dozens of costumes hung from a wheeled garment rack. Quickly she found one with her name attached.
She unzipped the bag, then stared at the offering. No. No.No.Frantically she shook her head. There was no way she could wear…this. The pieces were skimpier than anything she owned. Her swimsuit had at least twice that fabric—and she added a coverup on top of it.
Trinity pushed open the main door and popped her head inside. “The other elf just called. She’s running late, so it’s just you and me for now.”
No doubt that was Trinity’s polite way of saying,“Hurry up.”
The door closed behind her with a quiet click. With a soft sigh, Maddie reached for her costume. Stalling wouldn’t make this better.
The long-sleeved shirt had tails that knotted just beneath her breasts, leaving her midriff bare. Thankfully there was a green fringed vest that offered a tiny bit more modesty.
The bottoms were not much bigger than her panties. Bending over could expose enough of her rear to be a ticketable offense in some jurisdictions.
She slipped into the short elf boots, complete with ridiculously high turned-up toes, then grabbed the remaining item.A hat. She scowled at it since it was bigger than anything else she was wearing.
