Scrupulous (An Affliction of Falling Novel Book 1) (4 page)

“Someone who isn’t offended by your brainy-know-it-all self? Keeper for sure!” I joke to lighten the moment, getting elbowed in return.

“You are one to talk!” she sensitively exclaims, hating that I am right.

“Excuse you? I never claim to be intelligent or make it a point to let others know I am.”

“Yeah, you don’t let anyone know anything, period.”

“What? I like my anonymity, makes my troublemaking easier. My inner circle knows far too much about me as it is.” I sulk, tracking a ménage couple coming out of the coat area and heading down to the dungeon. All three lovingly interlaced fingers as they parted through the crowd.

“That’s for sure!” Molly chuckles. She had been closer to Jade than I had most of our high school days but over the last few years, I have let my guard down and allowed her in far deeper than ever before.

“Hey, love, when is your exhibit going to be?” Steve asks out of the blue, his voice breaking through my minds attempt to wander off again, causing me to stutter a moment. Talk about off the subject. His voice had been hardly audible as he and Ben had been cuddled up, whispering sweet nothings to one another.

“Not for a while. I decided on a holiday party exhibit mixer. I am aiming for a Sunday evening in December. Daz has informed me my ass belongs behind the bar every weekend starting this Halloween weekend until after New Year’s. Thursday through Saturday rotation for me after this weekend for sure.”

“I can’t wait!” Steve’s eyes flicker in anticipation.

“It will be my first, so I am a bit nervous,” I shyly admit. Showcasing my work has never been first priority until now.

“Why would you be? You have a gift! You should have done it long ago. Let us know ASAP when you finalize. We are going to head down to the dungeon and see if we can find a spot to play.” Steve grins and holds up a small, black bag, which is probably full of his personal supplies.

“You came awfully prepared for a newbie,” I chuckle.

“Been waiting for this for a long time, so going to take advantage of my husband in his moment of weakness.” Steve waggles his brow, pulling a nervous-looking Ben up and out of the booth.

“Later, love birds.”

“My sweet Rose, shall we as well, pet?” Gibson asks Molly and is met with an all-too-happy smile. As Molly gazed back, her whole body seemed to reverberate in excitement.

I quickly get up to let them pass. “Have fun, you two. This place is getting crowded. I am going to perch at the bar. Care to join me, Master Z?” Samuel nods and takes me by the elbow as Molly follows her new Dom in perfect submissive form, just behind him at his heels. God bless her, this one couldn’t do it.

Samuel positions his large frame protectively in front of me as we order at the bar.

“Getting kinda cozy for someone who doesn’t like tits,” I harass while trying to find a bit of space.

“This place is crawling with unpaired Doms and Dommes looking for a peach as ripe as you. You are easy pickings.” He winks and tips up his brew.

“I can handle myself, thank you. Go and play. Those boys over there have been eyeing you like a steak since we walked in.” I nod to the table of four guys all having a drink but looking around for someone to play with. It was never my intention to cock block.

“Yeah, had a bit of fun with one of them last week. I wouldn’t mind seconds but have a feeling if I leave you to your own devices, you will end up ball-gagged and strapped to the wooden horse.” Samuel’s blue eyes twinkle in amusement.

I shudder at the thought of being restrained. The level of etiquette and respect here is high, even for a newbie night, and there are plenty of anal-retentive monitors crawling all over the place, keeping everyone in check. The strain in some of their faces makes me wonder if Mistress Diamond purposely put chastity belts on them to keep them amped, on high alert, and borderline nuts on the control side of things. Despite my personal aversion of ever letting anyone dominate me and the monitors with that crazy, control freak look in their eyes, I feel at home here.

“Master Z, please. I can be a good girl. You hardly ever consider seconds with anyone, so you need to take advantage of the opportunity. I can handle myself. Wait, how the hell do you know I should worry about the Doms? Perhaps the subs will be begging for my attention!” I say defensively.

He laughs so deep and loud, I almost do become a bit offended. “L, please. You are a sub to the core of that heaving bosom of yours.” Delight radiates across his handsome face as if I had just told him the best dirty joke he has ever heard.

“Master Z, you should walk away now before I relieve you of your ability to raise anything for the next few days,” I hiss, causing him to narrow his eyes at me in warning.

“I won’t be long; this one will be fun but quick. If you feel the need to open your mouth, I hope it is to only fill it with alcohol.” He takes off to the booth, and is all but knocked off his feet by the eager guy with beautiful caramel skin who has been eye-fucking him the hardest. Samuel barks something in warning and the sub quickly takes position on the floor, sitting back on heels, head bowed and hands up in his lap.

Suddenly feeling very alone in a crowded room of laughter, sexual conversations, and the distant slapping of flesh on flesh, I order a shot of vodka and a lemon drop from the ridiculously hot piece of man meat of a bartender. His muscles flex under his white, button-up that is open at the collar as he works his magic for me. Judging by what he adds to the shaker and how much, this drink will be okay, but not jaw dropping like his wicked smile. Oh well, I can’t expect every bartender to be held to the standards that we are. Sure enough, the mixologist makes a note of how much I have had so far after passing my drinks over. I’ll be damned. I just may be.

Feeling eyes boring into me from multiple directions, I slam the double shot of vodka, palm my martini up and turn on the stool to view the main stage. I need to keep my focus, relax and enjoy the sights while I wait for Samuel… and that is all.

Up on the main viewing stage, a threesome is performing a scene. It is the same ménage who had passed by earlier. The woman is blindfolded and stretched out naked on a table of some sort while one of the men works over her mouth with his and the other partner drops between her legs to torture her into an orgasm with his tongue.

Sudden memories of my sweet and all-too-giving cowboy flash into mind. He was a very generous lover; it had been a long time since I had had one of those. Gently rubbing my thighs together, I realize how turned on I am becoming in this setting. Huh, who knew?

Everything is highly sexual yet controlled with a decorum that makes the real dating world seem like a wild and barbaric free-for-all. Perhaps it is. If I am interested in pairing, I am welcome to sign up in that first room and wear a tasteful gold key around my neck that told others about my free and open stance. As the woman on stage is rocketed into one hell of a screaming orgasm, I find myself downing my martini in one gulp and fighting the urge to go get a damn necklace.

As the glass descends from my lips, a new figure hovers in my periphery, blocking part of my view like a cocktease. Turning toward the intruding presence, I square my shoulders back and stare in a challenging manner into the most beautiful set of whiskey-colored eyes I have ever seen. Stifling a gasp, I exhale through pursed lips instead in an attempt to play off my sudden surprise.

“Can I help you?” I don’t take kindly to having my space invaded without my permission, let alone my lady boner being blocked.

“That is not the proper way to speak to a Dom, girl.” The hypnotic eyes rise under the scrutiny of my own.

“I wasn’t aware that I was speaking with one,” my mouth fires off before it can be stopped.

“Eager for a spanking on your first night?” The words roll over his tongue like an invitation I never knew I wanted.

“How would you know that it is my first time?” My attitude sacks the desire immediately.

“Considering it is a mixer for fresh meat and your body language screams it, it is more than obvious,” he arrogantly chuffs, dismissively turning away to lean back into the bar and sip his water. Bastard.

“And judging by your ego-swollen demeanor and body language, it would appear that you do, in fact, come across as a Dom. One that is quite proficient and used to an overwhelming response from many female followers who trail you in hopes of a single, heavenly crumb of attention to fall for them to lap up in a fit of hair-pulling, jealous rage. If you don’t mind, I am not looking. I am simply trying to enjoy myself.”

“I wasn’t offering anything, girl,” he grinds out as danger flashes through his suddenly heated gaze.

“No, not verbally. No offer was, in fact, made. But your looming presence into my personal space and direct approach with your body language tells me that you are fishing whether it is intentionally direct or indirect. Feeling me out, regardless. Good luck in your endeavors this evening, Sir.” His formal title is clipped by my tongue as I turn and order another drink from a shocked bartender, who quickly casts his eyes down under the glare of the man now straightening to full height next to me. Gone is the couple who had been standing in the spot he now fully occupies.

“I will forgive your disregard for our protocols on how others should be addressed as well as spoken to in this environment, but only if you tell me your name, girl,” he drawls, daring me by squaring off at the shoulders and spinning my stool so that I am, once again, facing him.

An eye roll escapes me, inspired by our interaction. The tension that radiates off the planes of his expansive, muscular chest at my disobedience is immediate. Images of the dreaded wooden horse finally force me to comply. “Sir, my name is L. Thank you for your kindness.” I attempt to say it in a pleasant voice, but it is edged in a sarcasm that has a mind of its own. He catches it as well, as evidenced by the slight lift at the corner of his mouth, which tells me what is easily expected- this man and his mesmerizing eyes miss nothing.

“Why don’t you tell me your real name? Trust is a big factor in this lifestyle, especially those seeking to build relationships with others.” He leans into me, crowding the small space and blasting my senses with his intoxicating, exotic cologne.

“I wasn’t aware I had any desire to build any relationships. I am here to support my friends, whom I care for dearly, and to appease their incessant nagging for me to join them for an evening. While I find it quite a lovely and heady environment, I am not looking for anything. You may call me L, or I can remain nameless.” I shrug and cock a groomed eyebrow at him, forcing his stern face, hard jaw, and burning eyes to lean even closer. With his face inches from mine, he knows exactly how to make me more uncomfortable. Fucking Doms.

“Are you sure that you are not looking for anything? If you rub those pretty thighs of yours together any tighter, you may just come on the spot,” he challenges in a sexy growl that forces my cheeks to betray me by lighting up.

Damn it, I hate that he has an effect on me at all!  Using that as motivation, I quickly concoct another challenge. Running the pink tip of my tongue over my red lips, I suggestively rub my thighs together tighter. “Hmmm, gosh darn it, you’re right! Guess I better have another drink and finish the job on my own.” As I add a subtle groan to sell it, his lips promptly drop to my lobe.

“It is always better with a partner,” he whispers.

“True, but I have yet to properly meet anyone worth gratifying my increasing need with.” What am I saying? My lustful edge is running away with me as we speak. At this rate, I am liable to fuck anything, which is not my typical style. He stands back and offers his hand in a proper greeting.

“Master Gavin. It is a pleasure to meet you, L.” Gavin’s eyes are now dancing in delight as his sharp cheekbones tense in his struggle not to grin.

I laugh as the bartender hands me another lemon drop.

“Drink not to your liking?” Gavin inquires. I must have made a face.

“It will do.” That is the best I can manage with someone who reads people as well as I do.

“As in the answer is ‘no.’ May I assist you in finding something more to your liking?”

“Master Gavin, why don’t you spend your efforts with one of the circling subs, clambering for your attention? I have some friction to build back up in hopes of a mind-blowing, self-stimulated release if you don’t mind.” The waves of my hair fall forward and tickle the tops of my breasts, the extra bit of sensation stimulating my nipples to harden as my mind has already begun to undress the man encompassing me.

His close proximity begins to cloud my judgment. I didn’t even notice when he pivoted my seat once more. Shielding our interchange with his backside, he suggestively but not threateningly rests one hand on my lower back and another just above my knee. The contact ripples through me, lighting a fierce desire. What the hell? It wasn’t that long ago that I satiated my sexual needs; it should have been enough to keep me full for a while. His instant effect proves that theory wrong. My breasts begin to strain through my corset, threatening to pour over the top with each breath as I take him in.

“Are you absolutely sure about that?”

Fuck, the predator has just become the prey.

“As inviting as that sounds, I have to pass,” I croak, fighting my resolve. He senses my barrier beginning to crack. His sexy grin contests my deflection as he slides his palm up my thigh and the other to the nape of my neck in a possessive fashion. I am extremely offended by the boldness yet equally turned on.