Chapter 15

Alex put the empty water bottle down on the bar. William came over and gave him a questioning look.

“No more, thanks.” Alex looked out on the dance floor.

Any more water, and he’d be spending the next hour in the bathroom. It wouldn’t be a bad place to hide, but he suspected at some point, Veronica would come in there after him.

He doubted he’d find sanctuary in a men’s room.

Not here.

It’d been over an hour since Veronica went off with the unnamed sub. Whatever they were doing back there, she was taking her time.

He closed his eyes and groaned, remembering his sessions with Kate. Limits set because it was in his house, restricted to short sessions with only the toys he had or what she brought.

Here, there were almost unlimited options, unlimited possibilities. And he wanted to share all of them with her.

With Kate.

Katherine.

“You okay?” William’s voice brought him out of his reverie. He looked at him, concern in his eyes.

“Fine.”

Maybe he should leave.

“You can do that,” William said.

With a shock Alex realized he’d spoken it aloud.

“But I got a feeling you’d rather stay now.” He nodded toward the far side of the room. “Haven’t seen her in a dog’s age. You show up, she shows up—doesn’t take a blind man to see what’s going on here.” He grinned. “You got yourself a winner here. Well done.”

Alex caught his breath as the figure approached.

She was a goddess.

Mistress.

It wasn’t the most revealing outfit. By comparison to the others on the floor, it was covering too much skin.

But it was Kate.

His Kate.

His Katherine.

His Mistress.

She wore a black blouse, the buttons half-undone and the long sleeves loose on her arms. The black jeans ended in matching motorcycle boots—hardly what he’d think of as typical wear for a Dominatrix. Compared to the others in the room, she was overdressed.

But on her, it was perfect.

She slid in beside him, settling on the barstool.

She didn’t look directly at him.

William stepped up with a wide grin. “Pleased to see you, Mistress Kate. What can I get you?”

“Water,” Kate replied.

The bartender moved off as Kate let her breath out slowly, studying the top of the bar.

William placed a cold water bottle in front of Kate, taking the cap off for her with a sharp twist of his wrist. He glanced at Alex as if to ask if he wanted another drink.

Alex shook his head. His mind was spinning. He wanted to slide to his knees, kiss her feet, but there was something wrong with her—something off.

Kate lifted the bottle and took a tiny sip. She cradled the bottle with both hands. The gold bracelet slid back and forth on her wrist as if afraid to settle in any one place.

Alex saw the water vibrations, the slight tremble in her fingers as she gripped the bottle.

The realization slapped him across the face.

Kate was terrified to be here.

She’s scared.

Why?

Alex rolled the empty bottle in his hands, trying to find the right words to start the most important conversation he’d have in his life. He thought he’d be waiting for days, weeks before she showed up.

A few hours wasn’t anywhere in his imagined scenario.

The great speech he’d been in the early stages of composing withered up and blew away in the dry desert of his mind.

Damn.

She came here for me.

And I can’t find the words.

“Hello again.” The familiar voice brought his head up and around, away from the woman beside him.

Veronica.

Double damn.

She stood there alone, her hands on her hips. “I said I’d be back.” Her eyes locked with Alex’s. “Ready?”

His mouth went dry as he looked at her. Aside from the flush in her cheeks, she looked like she had earlier, no evidence she’d taken a man in the back and made him—

Do what? What did she do with him?

Alex’s imagination began to run wild.

Veronica extended her hand. “Come on. I’ll show you a good time, rookie. And if you’re good, maybe I’ll consider making you a regular.” She wriggled her fingers. “Come on.”

He stared at the long, slender fingers.

Kate gritted her teeth, hearing Veronica’s speech.

He’s not yours.

She fought the panic attack threatening to overwhelm her, the fear of being called out clamping her mouth shut.

Speak up. Say something.

She wasn’t sure if she was talking to herself or Alex.

If you speak up, you claim him as yours.

Are you ready for that?

Does he really want this?

Do you?

“Come on,” Veronica urged Alex. “I promise you an experience you won’t soon forget.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Kate saw Alex bend backward, away from the Domme’s hand. He probably didn’t even know what he was doing, but it sent a clear signal. A good Domme, a smart one, would have caught on to the body language and backed off.

Veronica did not.

“Look,” the woman said, a note of impatience working its way into her words, “I’m offering you a good time. You tell me what you want, and I’ll give it to you. Spanking, flogging, pegging—name it, and it’s yours. No strings attached.” She smirked. “I’ll make you come so hard, you’ll faint.”

Heat surged through Kate’s veins at the tone and language. It wasn’t the words—she’d said the same and more explicit in the past.

It was the attitude.

This wasn’t anywhere near a fair offer of exchange.

The heat congealed in her spine, stiffened her resolve.

This isn’t what Alex wants.

Because I know.

I know.

“Don’t push him.” Kate slid off the stool and stood beside Alex.

She fought against the nervous spasms in her gut.

This woman wasn’t in it for the right reasons.

Kate could tell by the tone in her voice, the way she spoke to Alex.

She was a damned bully.

A Dominatrix who got off on the pain and didn’t give a crap about the sub she was with.

She’d given herself away by not picking up on Alex’s cues, his body language.

Veronica turned her attention away from Alex and focused on Kate. Her eyes narrowed. “And who the hell are you?”

“None of your business. Just pointing out the obvious.” Kate resisted the urge to turn her head to the side and glance at Matthew’s office. The one-way window meant he could be watching the entire encounter, waiting to see what would happen. “You seem to be pretty determined to take him no matter what he says or does. Doesn’t seem right to me.”

Veronica studied Kate for a long minute, like a botanist observing a rare butterfly. “I think I remember you. I joined the club about a year ago and saw—” Her eyes widened. “Now I remember. We talked about you in the locker room, giggled about you while stripping off the leathers.” She pointed at Kate. “You’re the one who lost her sub.” She grinned. “How sad for you. And how embarrassing.” Veronica raised her voice on the last sentence, making sure others could hear. “I’m surprised you have the nerve to show your face here.”

Kate resisted the urge to punch her.

It was against the rules.

Alex looked from one woman to the other, the confusion evident on his face.

Kate tried not to focus on him.

Here you go, Alex—Dommes in the wild.

William moved a little closer, strategically wiping the bar with a damp cloth. Out of the corner of her eye, Kate spotted his right hand slipping under the bar to the panic button she knew was there.

Nearby conversations ended with their participants moving in to see what was going on.

Kate could have sworn she heard the canned music drop in volume to allow everyone to hear what was being said.

Great. Just what I need. An audience.

In the right time and place, she’d have welcomed it. But not here and not now.

“That’s in the past.” She jerked her thumb toward the dance floor. “I think it’s time for you to move on. I’m sure there’re plenty of other men who’d like to be with you.”

Maybe not so many now.

“Excuse me?” Veronica glared at her. “I don’t believe I was addressing you. I was having a chat with—” A blank look appeared as she looked back at Alex.

“Alex,” Kate offered. “His name is Alex. And if you’re going to take him into a back room, the least you can do is know his name.” She ground her teeth together to hold the rage at bay. “Seriously. Have the club’s standards dropped that low?”

“As I was saying,” Veronica repeated, raising her voice, “I don’t believe I was talking to you. I was talking to him, which means you should mind your own damn business.”

“Ladies.”

The single word brought everything and everyone to a halt.

Matthew, the manager, strode up to the bar. He was just as Kate remembered him—a handsome face, with short black hair and an impeccably trimmed goatee, set on a gorgeous body. Tonight, he wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and blue jeans, a single silver chain around his neck. “Is there a problem?”

His gaze swept over them, startling Kate.

She’d forgotten how intense he could be when it came to guarding what was his.

And the club was definitely his.

“This”—Veronica gestured at Kate—“is trying to muscle in on my sub.” She reached out and took hold of Alex’s wrist. “I don’t know if it’s jealousy or she’s still freaking out from losing her own man, but—”

A panicked look crossed Alex’s face. He sucked in his breath, stuttering as her nails pressed into his flesh.

“Hold on.” Matthew’s hand landed on Veronica’s forearm, his grip tightening. “You don’t touch unless asked. You know that. Basic rule. Did you ask permission?”

Veronica said nothing.

Matthew turned to Alex. “Did she?” The low voice demanded an answer.

Alex shook his head. He didn’t twist out of Veronica’s grip, her fingers tight on his wrist. The fire-red nails glittered against his skin.

He stayed still, waiting to see what was going to happen.

Kate resisted the urge to interrupt, to tell Alex what to do.

Good boy. Let Matthew take care of it.

Veronica pouted. “Oh, come on. He wants it. He might be a newbie, but he wants it. That’s what he’s here for tonight, right?” She drew herself up, stretching to match Matthew’s height. “I can read cues as well as anyone else. Just because he hasn’t said yes doesn’t mean he’s not interested.”

“Interested isn’t the same as giving permission.” Matthew increased the pressure on Veronica’s arm. “Especially where new members are involved.” He looked at Alex and nodded as Veronica’s grip lessened.

Alex pulled his wrist free and massaged it. There was no doubting the fear in his eyes.

This wasn’t what he wanted.

“You know what night this is. You know the rules. You should know the fuck better than to pull a stunt like this.” Matthew’s lips curled into a snarl as he glared at her. “My office. Now.” He released Veronica’s arm and strode toward a door in the corner of the room.

Veronica put her hands on her hips, looked after him and stuck out her tongue. She turned back and glared at Kate. “Bitch.”

“Hey, this is all on you. I didn’t do anything.” Kate crossed her arms in front of her. “But he might if you don’t get your ass in there pronto. If you’re lucky, you’ll go on probation.” She couldn’t hold back the anger in her voice. “Even if it weren’t new members’ night, you should know better.”

“What?” The snarky reply had Kate seeing red. “What are you babbling about? And what would you know about it?” Veronica snorted. “Couldn’t even keep her own man.”

Kate couldn’t hold back anymore, her voice rising with anger. “You don’t know the first thing about what it takes to be a submissive. What it takes for them to be who they are, what a gift they are to women and men like us.” Kate swept a hand toward Alex. “They give themselves with the expectation we’ll be alert, receptive to their needs, know what they want even if they don’t, and respect the boundaries.” She felt a dozen sets of eyes watching her. “We take care of them first, put them ahead of ourselves. And in exchange, they show us how strong they are, how much they love us to take what we give them. We won’t do anything that’s not consensual, sane and safe.” She glared at Veronica. “Or did you forget that while you were busy getting off on hurting someone?”

Veronica’s face reddened. “Fuck you,” she snarled as she spun on one heel and strode away toward Matthew’s office.

The door opened as she approached and slammed shut behind her, signaling Matthew had been watching everything.

The curious spectators returned to whatever they’d been doing before the confrontation. It was entertaining, but not what they’d come to see or do.

Kate turned to Alex. “Are you okay?”

He continued to rub his wrist, avoiding her gaze. Finally, he pulled his eyes up to lock with hers.

“What the fuck was that?”

Alex wasn’t sure whether he was more embarrassed or excited.

He did know he was angry. Angry at the way this entire visit had turned out, angry at his body for reacting so strongly to seeing Kate and angry at himself for getting into the situation with Veronica.

His carefully laid plan was in tatters, and he had no idea what to do.

“What?” Kate answered.

“You—” He drew a deep breath, trying to channel his emotions into words. “You had no right to make up my mind for me.”

She stared at him.

“It’s my decision, my choice.” he snapped. “I didn’t need your help.”

“Did you want to go with her?” Kate’s disbelief was clear in her voice. “You wanted to be hurt?”

“No,” Alex snarled. “I was going to sit here all night, hard as steel with my balls aching for you, watching everyone else get what they wanted and going home alone and horny as hell to jerk off to dreams about you.” He ignored the audience gathering again for a second round of entertainment at the bar. “If she had forced me to go with her, I’d have regretted that decision, of that I’m sure. But it was mine to make. I could have safe-worded out, walked away at any time. But instead, you intervened. You took that choice from me.”

“I did,” she answered. “Because I know what you want. I know what you need.”

The words that should have soothed his soul instead felt like live brands on his skin.

“Then why didn’t you say something? You sat here; you sat right here beside me and said nothing, said nothing even when she approached me. After all we’ve done, after all I’ve tried to do to prove myself worthy to be yours—”

Kate lifted her hand.

He fell silent.

She looked at William. “What’s the nearest open room?”

The bartender glanced down at something under the bar. “Room eight. Clean and ready to go.”

“Good.” She pointed down the hall to the left. “I’m not going to have this discussion out here in front of everyone. If you want to talk to me, then come down to the room. If not, then go home.”

Without waiting for an answer, she stomped away from him.

Alex sat back down on the stool.

“What the hell,” he said to no one specifically.

Around him, the crowd dispersed, leaving him to his own thoughts. They wandered back to their booths and immersed themselves in one another.

Alex slumped against the bar as he gathered himself. The encounter with Veronica had shocked him out of the calmness he’d mustered to stay here waiting for Kate.

Katherine.

He needed a moment, a moment to get his act together. A moment before he went down there and—

A water bottle slid against his arm, the cold, wet plastic startling him back to full awareness.

William wasn’t smiling. “You’ll need this. Talking tends to dry a throat out.”

“You know I’m going?” He couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice.

“I know nothing.” He shrugged. “But I do know Kate’s a damned fine woman. She deserved better than what happened to her.”

“Her sub left her?” Alex had picked up that much from Veronica’s ranting.

William paused for a second and cast a glance down the hall where Kate had gone.

“That’s for her to tell you. Not my place. But—” He shook his head. “She hasn’t stepped in here for a year. Imagine what it’s like to be here, freeing your mind and body to do what you want without anyone judging you, criticizing you for your choices. Now imagine denying yourself that pleasure because you’re afraid of what people are going to think about you, whisper about you behind your back.” He jabbed a thumb in the room’s direction. “She came here tonight for you. That should at least earn her an audience.”

Alex took the bottle and walked down the hall, stepping over the yellow line with ease.

He’s not coming.

Kate leaned against the spanking bench, holding back tears. The confrontation with Veronica had stirred up old memories, none of which she wanted to revisit.

At least this wasn’t their favorite room.

They hadn’t had one, to be honest.

Carl had enjoyed public scenes, especially the St. Andrew’s cross in the lounge. In retrospect, that bitch Lily had to have been watching, waiting for a chance to make her move on him.

Not that Carl was innocent in the entire affair. She hated those movies and books where the woman stole someone’s man away and he stayed lily-white with his hands up in the air looking totally innocent while the catfight between the two women took center stage.

No one cheats alone. There were two in that tangle.

He was as guilty as Lily was.

Kate sniffed the air, taking in the laundry-fresh scent pumped in via the vents. Even though each room was thoroughly cleaned between customers, there was a constant need to keep the rooms smelling clean.

There was nothing funkier than sweaty leather.

Kate resisted the urge to look at her watch. She didn’t want to walk out of the room alone, but she’d have no choice.

Another public embarrassment.

Stumble back to the locker room to get her coat and slink out, get the boys in front to call her a taxi.

What were you thinking, coming here?

Kate drew a ragged sigh and readied herself for a walk of shame.

The door opened.

Alex walked in and closed it behind him. He placed the bottle of water on the floor.

He stuck his hands in his pockets and sighed.

“I—” Alex started and then stopped. “No. You first.”

Take the bull by the horns…

“I’m sorry for lying to you about being sick.” She leaned back against the leather, feeling the supple material under her hands. “I was wrong.”

“Yes, you were.”

Startled at the anger in his voice, Kate stuttered. “I… I—”

He didn’t let her finish.

“Do you know how I felt when I saw you at the charity event?” Alex growled. “I felt like a fool. A complete and utter fool. I opened my heart, my soul to you. I let you—” He clenched his fists. “Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? What you were going through, what you were thinking?” He lowered his voice. “Tell me about him.”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“No. No, it’s not. It’s part of what you are, what drove you to Hooded Pleasures. What brought you to me,” Alex said. “Tell me.”

His tone left no room for compromise.

She wanted to touch him but held back. Instead, she hugged herself. “His name was Carl. We met a few years ago, when we were both regulars here, both playing the field. A different sub every night for me, a different Mistress for him. At least that’s how it started. We found ourselves together more times than apart. We met outside the club and found more interests than just the leather. He ran an electronics store, and I was just getting into online gaming. He liked my art, and I liked his ability to build computers.”

Alex nodded slowly, urging her on.

“He moved in with me not long after that. We came here as a couple and played in private, played in public.”

The ache started in her chest again, the memories stealing her breath. It took all her energy to keep talking.

“I was working at an art gallery, helping a friend set up an exhibit. Carl was working late at his store. I didn’t want to go home to an empty condo.” She rocked back and forth on her heels. “I came in to see William, have a drink or two. Relax among people I knew and who knew me.”

It was getting easier to talk around the pain.

“Some sub was up on the St. Andrew’s Cross. I didn’t pay much attention to him at first because I was there for a drink, a drink—” She gasped for air.

Suddenly, Alex was in front of her. He didn’t touch her, didn’t put his arm around her. He twisted the cap off the water bottle in his hand and held it out, waiting for her to take it.

She did and sipped it, grateful for the chance to catch her breath.

“It was Carl.” Alex finished her sentence.

Kate nodded. “Everyone stopped looking at him and looked at me. They thought I’d given my permission to Lily or Carl, worked out some sort of arrangement with them.” She shook her head. “From my expression, it was obvious I had done nothing of the sort. The pair kept on—they didn’t look at or talk to me, even though they knew I was there watching them. It was as if I didn’t exist.”

“He two-timed you here. He dumped you here.” Alex shook his head. “He humiliated you here.”

Kate closed her eyes. “I cut and ran. Carl came home, packed his things and left. A few days later, Wendy called me. We’d chatted before, and I knew she ran Hooded Pleasures. She offered me a chance to keep doing what I loved and stay away from the club for as long as I needed to recover. I decided to take her up on her offer. I’ve never been back here until tonight.”

“You came here for me. To get me,” he corrected himself. “Who told you I was here?”

“Wendy called. She’s here somewhere. I couldn’t leave you to—” She waggled her hands. “It wasn’t right.”

“Wasn’t right because…” He paused. “Because…”

“Because I care for you,” Kate blurted out, too weary to censor her thoughts. She put the water bottle down. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t—” She drew a deep breath. “I can’t quit you. I thought I could by taking a break, letting you experience another Domme. Thought you’d change your mind and move on to a woman who deserves you, deserves a good man like you. But you’re here, and you’re waiting for me, and I can’t stop wanting you. I just can’t.”

“Why would you want to?” The pain in his voice startled her.

“You don’t know anything about me,” she wailed. “Except that I’m a lousy Domme who lost her man.”

His chuckle startled her.

“Do you fall in love with all your customers?”

“No.” Kate sniffled.

“I know you got turned on during our sessions,” he whispered, his voice a low warm caress. “I could smell it. I could practically taste it. When you went home, did you ever touch yourself, think of me?”

She felt her cheeks burn.

“Because I sure as hell thought of you. Every time you left, I’d grab myself and see your face, smell your scent, imagine touching you, stroking your soft skin. So tell me—did you ever think of me when you were in the shower after our sessions or clutching your vibrator in bed?”

Kate nodded, eyes shut tight.

“And now you’re here. With me.”

She felt his breath brush over her lips. Her cheek. Her ear as he moved in to whisper to her.

“This isn’t my home. This isn’t an appointment. I’m here with you of my own free will, and no one’s paying you to be with me. What are you going to do about it?” He paused. “I know more about you than you think. I know who you are.”

She froze.

He nipped her earlobe with his teeth and felt her shiver.

“I know who you are,” Alex repeated. “Katherine Dubois.”

The trembling under his lips told him he’d hit home.

“Katherine Dubois. Talented artist and one hell of a Domme. A gamer who hates the trap doors I put in Dungeon Dive Dweller Four. A dedicated woman who believes in game balance and will defend other gamers from online bullies.”

She didn’t say anything.

Alex felt the tension coming off her in waves, her muscles stretched so tight he was afraid she would shatter if he touched her.

“I got an email not long before coming out tonight. A friend of mine showing off his commissioned artwork.”

Her eyes went wide.

“He showed me the picture. All I had to do was compare your work to what I had on hand and read the signature at the bottom.” Alex paused, relishing the control he had of the situation. “The napkin you left behind at the charity event. The elf.”

Kate frowned for a second before her face lit up with recognition. “I didn’t sign it.” The whispered reply made him smile.

“No, you didn’t. But I knew you drew it. Even that rough sketch had enough to let me know who you were.”

Kate smiled. “Wow.” She shook her head. “What are the odds of that?”

“Probably astronomical. Or next to nothing, given we moved in similar circles even before I heard of Hooded Pleasures. The point here is I know who you are,” he repeated. “And you know who I am. But I don’t need to know you by any other name than Katherine. And Mistress.” He drew back and studied her. “The question is what you want to do with me now.” Alex dropped his gaze. “Mistress.”

He stared at the floor, forcing himself to stay silent.

The seconds ticked by.

“Strip. Use the bench by the door to stack your clothing.” The tone threw him back to his living room, to the first time they’d met.

He swallowed hard, pulse pounding in his ears as he did so. He went to the wall and began working on his shirt buttons with trembling fingers.

It took a few minutes for him to fold it and place it on the wooden bench, the shelf underneath perfect for his shoes and the rest of his clothing. He folded his pants and underwear as carefully as he had the first time they’d met.

He put his hands behind him and faced the pile of clothing.

“Turn around.”

Alex spun.

His breath caught in his throat.

She was naked too, her clothing in a neat pile on the floor. The gold bracelet glittered under the track lighting.

“This,” Kate gestured at herself, “this is me. This is what I am.”

He nodded, bereft of words.

“When Carl left, I wondered what I had done wrong, what I’d screwed up to push him away.” She drew in a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about that for a long time. But that changed when you came to the office. You thought you were going to interview me, but it was the other way around.”

He grinned at the memory.

“What I’m trying to say is that—” She hesitated. “What I’m trying to say is I want you.” The ragged sigh brought his cock to full attention. “God, I want you. But I need more than just a sub. I need a soul mate. I’m too old to play games anymore. If you want this, want me, you’re going to have to be in this for the long run. Want me, want my artwork and my cranky mornings until I get my coffee. Take me and take an obsessed gamer who’ll order in pizza for lunch and dinner if I can’t get through a level. That’s who I am, and I can’t change, won’t change. If that’s not something you can live with, you can go back out there and find a Domme for the evening.”

He saw the panic in her eyes.

“I won’t stop you,” Kate whispered. “If that’s what you want.”

Alex raised his hand, putting her on hold. “One minute.” Alex turned back to his pile of clothing and dug in one pocket.

Yes.

He spun to face her.

Her eyes widened as she recognized the worn leather collar, the lock hanging free.

Alex walked up to her, close enough to brush her bare toes with his own.

“I canceled my contract because I don’t want anyone else. I want you. As far as the rest goes, you showed me what you were and who you were when you stayed and helped me with the patch. That’s all I need to know. I want you.” He locked eyes with her. “Only you.”

He handed her the collar. “Please let me show you how much.”

Kate took it with trembling hands. He bent down and let her put it on.

The click of the lock echoed around the room. Alex lifted his head and felt the familiar restraint on his neck.

Yes.

“Thank you.” He drew a shallow breath. “Can I touch you, Mistress?”

She nodded, biting her lower lip.

He put his hands on her waist, thrilling to the softness of her skin. “May I kiss you, Mistress?”

“Yes.” The whispered response sent his soul ablaze. “But not yet.”

She gently pushed his hands down and stepped back. Kate sniffled and gestured at the spanking bench. “You know what this is?”

Alex nodded, holding back a shiver at the sight of leather and wood.

“It’s a bit different from your couch.” Kate wiped her eyes. “Let’s see how you like the real thing.” She twirled her fingers with a smirk.