McKay-Taggart had something similar except it was pretty much where employees could punch each other in the face.
“Will there be anything else, Nolan?” The barista was young and like many of the employees here had a smile on her face and seemed to worship her boss.
It was Stepford Wives weird, and he was happy Maddie hadn’t bought into the sunshine Byrne seemed to blow up his employees’ asses.
“I think we’re good now, Cindy. Thank you,” Byrne said as he sat back.
They were in Byrne’s office, a massive space complete with a pinball machine and a full-sized video game console, and this living room area where the man apparently entertained clients. Cindy strode back out of the office where she would pass through the elegant reception area with the three assistants her boss employed. He’d explained they all handled different parts of his life.
Deke got the feeling he was about to get to know a side of Byrne’s life not a lot of people knew existed.
“So Maddie told me you’ve been topping her for the last year or so.” Byrne grimaced slightly. “Am I allowed to talk about this? I waited until we were alone. I don’t mean to come on too strong. I can do that when I’m enthusiastic about a thing. I’m incredibly interested in the lifestyle.”
“I’m absolutely fine talking about it,” Deke assured him. If there was one thing he was confident about it was his ability to sit in a chair and talk about shit most men wouldn’t. Years of therapy had taught him how to do it. In some ways, D/s was therapy for him, too. Having control over his sexuality, being able to explore it, had helped understand the sides of himself he would rather hide away. A memory of Maddie asking him to talk about the worst time of his life flashed through his head. She never had to know about it. He’d dealt with what had happened to him, and she never had to hear a word about that time.
“Good because there are definitely parts of this I don’t want to talk about with a woman who is a friend but also an employee,” Byrne said with a wince. “I have to be careful. I don’t want to offend anyone.”
“I’ll give you my cell number. Think of me as your mentor while you’re being considered for membership at the club,” Deke offered.
A chuckle huffed from Byrne’s chest. “It’s so weird now to be ‘considered’ for membership. I’m usually the one who decides who gets in and who’s kept out.”
The smile was still in place, but there was a tight set to the man’s jaw, as though he was working to keep that happy-go-lucky expression in place. It was his mask, that smile of his. “Clubs like The Reef are usually very exclusive. Most of the clubs I’ve been in are started by a group of people who pool their cash to buy a place to play. They aren’t typically concerned with making money.”
“Everyone is concerned with money. Why else would a club charge fees?” Byrne asked, one brow arched over his eyes.
“The same reason you have building fees with your condo. The equipment has to be kept up. There are property taxes and upgrades to be made, but most clubs aren’t as expensive and influential as a place like The Reef,” Deke explained. “All clubs are going to be careful about who they invite in for memberships.”
“I was surprised at their refusal to even meet with me,” Byrne admitted. “I’m not used to being turned away these days. It reminded me a bit of junior high all over again. I wasn’t the most popular kid. I have some triggers when it comes to being denied.”
He would bet it had been a very long time since Nolan Byrne was denied anything he wanted. The world he’d built catered to his every need. “The Reef has some very high-profile members. They have to be careful about their privacy. It’s precisely why it would be a good place for someone like you to play. They know how to protect their members.”
“Yes, they appear to have many lawyers, too. I received the packet the manager sent me. Is Kayla Summers-Hunt the wife of Josh Hunt?” He held up a hand, waving it. “Don’t worry. I signed everything and sent it back to her. I’ve actually met her before, so I’ll recognize her and Hunt as well. I didn’t see a problem asking, since I’m being allowed in.”
“It’s fine. If you’ve signed everything and she’s cool with you coming to her club, then she’ll be fine with you knowing who she is.” He’d gone over all of this with Kayla. In the beginning her husband’s involvement with BDSM had been a tightly kept secret. It still wasn’t something he talked about a lot, but he wasn’t afraid of people knowing he and his wife played. “Yes. She and her husband play at The Reef, along with some other actors you’ll likely recognize. Discretion is important.”
“So no one is allowed to take pictures,” Byrne asked. “I would definitely not like my private life plastered around the world. There are no cameras in the dungeon?”
“There are security cameras directed outside the building. None inside. The security team isn’t paid. They’re volunteers from the membership. For the most part anyone working in the club also plays there. It’s another way to keep our members safe.”
“What happens in the club stays in the club. That’s good to know,” Byrne mused. “I suspect it would be easy to blackmail members if video or photos got out.”
He wanted to be careful. Deke could understand that. “I assure you no one will be taking pictures or videos.”
“Good.” Byrne sat back. “I read that cell phones weren’t allowed on the dungeon floor, but I wanted to make sure. I can’t imagine what would happen to my stock if pictures of me spanking my girlfriend got out.”
“Have you? Spanked her?” He needed to play this like he was truly mentoring the man. “Maddie explained that your girlfriend is a long-term sub. Has she taught you anything? From what I understand you haven’t had any formal training.”
Byrne set his mug down. “Jane’s been in the lifestyle for a couple of years. I’m afraid her last boyfriend wasn’t the best Dom. He was controlling and abusive. They had a toxic relationship. She trusted him wholly and he betrayed her in the vilest manner, from what she’s told me. Jane was broken for a long time. She’s trying to take back this part of her life. Before I met her, it wasn’t something I would have considered, but I care about her. If this is what she needs, then I want to be able to give it to her.”
There was an earnestness about his words that might have worked on Deke had he not known much of Byrne’s openness was a façade to draw in the wary. “Do you feel like dominance in the bedroom is something that works for you?”
Nolan’s lips quirked up. “I’m finding that letting my slightly darker side come out is refreshing. I’m afraid I’m known as a pretty happy-go-lucky guy.”
“Oh, I don’t think a man gets to your position without some dominant tendencies,” Deke murmured.
“Well, I certainly have a side that wants to dominate the tech world,” Byrne allowed. “And I’ve been known to be a bit ruthless when it comes to a business deal, but this is my first time taking my dominant tendencies into a more intimate setting. As for your prior question, we’re still at the talking stage. I’m looking forward to having a formal mentor. You’ve been in the lifestyle for a while according to Madeline.”