“Damn, you’re not messing around tonight, are you?”
I give her a weak smile. “I’m absolutely terrified.”
She stands, walks over, and brushes a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Do you still want this?”
I nod. “More than I can put into words.”
“Then there is no reason to worry. Besides, even if you change your mind, you spent your week on every fetish-based website you could find. You read threads, and even asked a few questions of your own. What’s the one thing you found over and over?”
I fidget slightly. “That play is to stop immediately once consent is revoked.”
“It’s something that should be true no matter where you are, but it’s especially important in these situations. Do you trust him?”
“Yes.”
“Then trust that he’ll honor your wishes.”
“I can do that.”
She smiles. “And, Harper?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t forget to make him wrap it.”
I gape before I start laughing at the absurdity.
“You want a good night,” Lee laughs with me. “Not a souvenir in the form of a mini-human.”
I hug her. “Thank you.”
“Get going. The sooner you get out of here, the sooner you can be on the receiving end of that man’s dick.”
“I hate it when you say things like that.”
She chuckles. “It’s the truth, now go.”
I nod, making sure my cell phone, ID, and a bit of cash are tucked into my small clutch. Then, I head out to the parking lot, where Axel is looking at his phone. I walk over to his car and tap the window right as my phone chimes with a notification.
Axel turns, smiles, and motions me back so that he can step out of the car. “You look stunning.”
I smile, admiring the way a black button-down shirt and black trousers cling to him. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
He steps in, tilts my chin up, and kisses me. “Shall we?”
“Yes, sir,” I reply softly.
“I can’t wait to hear those words in another context,” he replies, his voice a deep rumble that washes over me.
He leads me by the elbow around the car to the passenger side, which he opens for me. I slide in and watch as he returns to the driver’s side.
“You’re sure you’re ready?” he asks.
I take a deep breath, then nod. “I’m ready for you, and I understand what that entails.”
He studies me for several seconds. “Okay.”
Soon, the sleek car is slicing through traffic, and a few minutes later, he pulls into the parking lot of what appears to be an old warehouse.
“Here?” I ask, part of me not convinced that the building houses a sex club.
“Here,” Axel confirms as he steps from the car again.
My fingers tremble as Axel helps me out of the car and guides me to a short line where a bouncer checks our IDs and stamps the back of my hand with a red star. The inside of the club isn’t what I expected, as we walk into a sophisticated bar. People mingle, dressed for the evening, cocktails held in their hands.
Axel guides me to a table, holding a chair for me. “What can I get you?” he asks.
I’m silent for a moment before deciding. “I’ll take a Mai Tai.”
He smiles. “You got it. I’ll be right back.”
Axel disappears into the crowd near the bar, and it gives me a moment to look around. At first glance, I would never guess that the building is anything more than a high-class bar in a boring building. After a couple minutes, I notice a group of men looking in my direction. One starts towards me, but Axel returns and sets my drink on the table.
“You okay?”
I smile. “Just glad you’re back. I was starting to feel a bit naked over here.”
Axel’s eyes darken. “Naked comes later.”
I squirm as my pussy once more reminds me of my desire. “So, what’s the plan?”
Axel smiles. “Good girl, you did study.”
My breath catches at the praise.
“I’ll take you back,” Axel continues. “We’ll find an open room and observe. I want you to see exactly what you’re agreeing to. Once I’m satisfied that you are ready and are still willing, we’ll find a private room, where I will restrain you. You will do as I command, and only when I’m satisfied will I take you and allow you your pleasure. Understood?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
“What is your safe word?” he asks.
“I…” I lick my lips. “I read something about traffic lights.”
Axel nods. “Okay, that makes sense since you don’t know your limits. But I want to make sure you know what it means.”
“Yes, sir,” I say softly. “Green means I’m good. Yellow means I don’t like something, but I’m not ending the scene as long as you back off. Red means stop.”
Axel nods, his fingers dancing up my forearm. “Very good. And you’re comfortable with this? You’re willing to tell me to stop if you don’t like something?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll head back.”
“Okay.” I take a sip of my drink, but somehow, even the alcohol does little to settle the butterflies in my stomach.
Axel attempts to keep silence from falling between us, telling me about a new client he’s hoping to land. But I find I can hardly pay attention because I’m too focused on what I’m about to see and do.
Finally, my drink is gone, and it’s time. I either swallow my fears and follow him deeper into the club, or I go home without Axel West.
“Let’s go,” I say, smiling weakly. “I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want this.”
Axel considers me for a moment, then stands and offers his arm. “Then, if you’ll allow me, pleasure awaits.”
I stand, once again feeling the eyes of the other men as Axel guides me to a door on the far side of the room.
“We…” I pause. “I don’t have to let them watch, do I?”
Axel smiles. “No. Not unless you like the idea of an audience.”
“Do you?”
Axel chuckles. “Sometimes, but not often. I’m not much of an exhibitionist, and I have to be in the mood for it.”
I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Not interested in being on display?” he asks.
“Not particularly.”
“Good,” he purrs, opening a door for me. “Because I want you all to myself.”
A shiver runs down my spine as we walk into a room furnished in pillows, a hanging bed, and plenty of couches. Couples and small groups are kissing, talking, and groping over clothes.
“The meet-and-greet room,” Axel explains softly. “For those who are meeting their partner for the first time and want to see if there’s chemistry before moving on.”
I nod. If I had come to the club without somebody, it would have been a nice place to decide if a partner was right. But the chances of me stepping foot inside the club without Axel were almost nil.
We continue on through another door that leads to a long hall with doors on either side. Some of the doors are open, others are not. The sounds of moans, begging, barked orders, and various toys filter in from the rooms.