“Wait for it, Beautiful. Wait for the pain to morph into something more—something on the other side of the coin.”
Bristol understood the reference, one the Wests often referred to during her training. As a physician, she was programmed to believe, while pain wasn’t pleasant, it could be an indication the healing process was beginning. The concept of pain and pleasure being two sides of the same coin had taken a while to wrap her head around.
“I know the submissive training at Prairie Winds is top-notch, but it’s only meant to teach you the basics. The Doms want to give you enough information, so you can make informed choices and hopefully, keep you from making any major mistakes in protocol.” Kyle West had said essentially the same thing at the beginning and end of the mandatory training. Bristol hadn’t made any mistakes because she’d been meticulous during the few evenings she’d been able to visit the club.
Israel’s warm mouth surrounded her nipples, his teeth biting down on the stiff tip as he pulled back, elongating the peak. He held up two oddly shaped pieces of metal, and it took Bristol’s brain several seconds to kick into gear. Nipple clamps. She’d heard subs say their nipples hurt for days after wearing certain types of clamps, but her thoughts were racing too fast to remember which ones were the worst.
“These are very mild, Beautiful. They aren’t intended to cause pain—these little beauties will keep your nipples aroused. They’ll look like gorgeous flowers under your dress. While I put them on you, I want you to tell me what your safe words are and when you are supposed to use them.”
Aww, another test—something she was good at. She’d no sooner started explaining the stoplight system for safe words, reciting the information verbatim, when her entire body felt like it was heating from her core and spreading outward in rolling waves of pleasure. Leaning her head back, Bristol forgot all about being topless in the backseat of a car with a man, she’d only just met, driving them to a club where she would probably be even more exposed than she was now. A needy moan vibrated from her core all the way up her throat until the sound escaped on a slow exhale.
“You are so responsive. If I’d drawn up the plans for my perfect mate and sub, I couldn’t have done better. I’m going to thank the great Goddess every day for the rest of my life.” He blew puffs of air over the sensitive tips, and Bristol felt the clench all the way to her toes. Her pussy was so wet, she hoped the evidence of her arousal wouldn’t slide down the inside of her thighs when she stood. Israel lifted the front of her dress and leaned close to retie the ends.
“If it does, I’ll be the cockiest bastard to walk through the doors of the club. Fuck me, that would be hot as hell.”
She appreciated his words, even though they didn’t do anything to make her worry less. She’d finally gotten her heart and respiration rate under control when they parked in front of the club. Lincoln opened her door, giving her a quick nod before turning to Israel.
“I’ll be inside in a few minutes. I want to check for Ms. Williams’ car. We have reason to believe she is onsite.”
Israel nodded his understanding, his eyes continually scanning the area surrounding the club’s impressive entrance. Bristol thought they were overreacting but was wise enough to keep it to herself. After they’d signed in, she hurried along the outside edge of the main room to the hall leading to the women’s locker room. Bristol planned to store her shoes in her personal locker and freshen up before rejoining Israel.
The music was cranked up with dancers packed like sardines on the small dance floor. The line dances would soon give way to pairings, where the moves were decidedly sexier.
Bristol was distracted as she turned the corner into the short hall leading to the locker rooms, quickly apologizing when she ran into someone moving so fast, she wouldn’t have been able to identify them if it hadn’t been for the woman’s distinctive scent. Why hadn’t Clovia Williams stopped to say hello? Maybe she was frustrated with you for walking around with your head up your ass. Great, now she was talking to herself.
Walking into the locker room was usually uplifting, the other women always laughing and joking about something. They left titles at the door, Dommes and subs all the same behind the heavy wooden door. Today, Bristol was greeted by an eerie silence and a sense of foreboding. Tobi, Jen, and Gracie were standing in a semi-circle, staring at Bristol’s locker. Their arms crossed over breasts barely contained in the skimpy outfits they were wearing as they focused their attention on her locker.
“What’s going on?” Bristol tried to keep her question upbeat but knew she hadn’t been successful. Even she could hear the worry in her voice.
“I saw Clovia come in while we were in the sitting room. She was carrying a burlap bag. It thought it was weird, but people surprise me all the time.”
“I just met her in the hall, and she wasn’t carrying anything.” The hair on the back of Bristol’s neck was standing on end. She sensed danger but couldn’t get a lock on where it was coming from.
“She was in this area. I heard a padlock being opened but didn’t remember her locker is on the other side of the room until Gracie mentioned it. When I called out to her, the spooky bitch took off like her tail feathers were on fire.”
“Your locker is making a strange sound, Bristol. I called Micah, he should be here in…” The door of the locker room crashed open, the space quickly filling with so many people, Bristol wondered if the entire club was now standing in the ladies’ dressing area. Jax McDonald’s booming voice startled her as Israel’s warm arms pulled her back against his chest, wrapping her in his embrace.
“Come with me, Beautiful. I want you out of here while this is sorted out.” His warm breath moved over her ear, making her pink bits tingle.
“What about my friends? I don’t want them facing something scary when it wasn’t intended for them. I don’t understand this. I bumped into Clovia when I came into the hall but didn’t realize it was her until it was too late. When I walked in here, everyone was staring at my locker. The whole thing is like some cheesy movie plot… one of those straight-to-video specials in the dollar bin, six months after they’re released.” She felt his chest vibrate against her back and felt his amusement wash over her. “It’s not funny. I worked so hard to build a practice I could be proud of, and somehow, I’ve landed a starring role in a no-budget nightmare.” Israel spun her around so fast, Bristol wobbled in the heels she’d been looking forward to ditching.
“This is not your fault and doesn’t reflect on you in any way.” Before he could say any more, he frowned at something behind her. Turning back to the group, Bristol was surprised to see Del West with a stethoscope pressed to the front of her locker. His frown told her, he wasn’t at all happy with whatever he’d heard.
“Get everybody out and call Animal Control. The ladies were right, it’s a rattling sound, for sure. Probably several small rattlers, and they’re going to be pissed off when the damned locker door is opened.”
Bristol felt her knees fold out from under her. Snakes? Fucking hell in Hollywood. This lame-ass B movie was sinking lower and lower by the minute. Voices were shouting around her, but thankfully they sounded oddly distant… and why was she floating through the air? Very odd, indeed. Reality was fading fast, and she was grateful for the reprieve. Hell, she couldn’t have pulled it back if she’d wanted to, and at this rate, she honestly didn’t care.