The familiar deep, velvet voice sends a shiver down my spine. my hands brace the desk in anticipation.
Bend over.
Are you defying me?
The man of my deepest desires steps closer, tracing his deft fingers down the curve of my ass
I said bend over.
Smack!
I jolt from my daydream at the sound of a flogger against some lucky submissive ass.
Even a floor above the Dungeon, My body hums with excitement.
Nightshade. the most exclusive club in the area. some people don't even think it's real just a rumor.
I straighten as I walk up to what looks like a normal front desk.
I only know about it because my brother and I grew up with Damian, the owner. And now I finally have an in.
Stop right there. No one gets past these doors without a membership. Who referred you?
Actually, I'm here for the event planner position.
Sorry, sweetheart. We service a very specific clientele here, and you don't fit the script. you see yourself out,
The guard looked me over skeptically folding his arms. "Nightshade isn't exactly a normal workplace."
"Good," I replied. "I'm not looking for normal."
I know exactly what you do here .
I'm a friend of Damian's.
Damian's name causes the man to pause. He raises an eyebrow at you.
Our employees have to understand this world. What's your favorite thing about this cub?
Exploring my limits.
My nerve know what I do and don't like until you're at someone else's mercy.
You're a submissive like me.
I'm Elliot. Why don't I show you what you're getting yourself into?
Elliot leads me through a door and down a stone staircase into the club.
Stages and private rooms line the walls. dominant stalk restrained, Whimpering subs. The smell of sex and leather fills the air.
Elliot: Scared yet?
Oh... A little... but in a good way, That suspension bar looks like it hurts.
Elliot: It can if you don't have a skilled Dom, but you're in good hands here.
How do I find a Dominant?
Elliot: You play. unless, of course you have someone particular in mind.
Damian: Trixie.
My childhood nickname rings out over the slap of skin. My stomach swoops. Only one person calls me that.
Damian: Who the hell let you in here? You shouldn't be seeing this. He grabs my arm, the scuff of his palm bringing all of my nerve endings to attention.
You can't tell me what to do. I'm not a little girl.
Damian: Being an adult doesn't mean you're experienced in sex clubs.
Juliet: You don't know everything about me. I yank my arms free, but Damian catches my wrist. He pulls me in, his voice a low growl in my ear.
Don't pull away from me, I'm trying to protect you. There are rules here, Juliet. you can't be in the Nightshade without being a member.
It's okay. I'm here to interview for the event planner position. Something dark flashes in his eyes. Then, he shakes his head.
Damian: Sorry, but you won't be accepted.
Why not?
Damian: Because-
Elliot: You're drawing attention, boss. Damian turns to see everyone in the club staring at me.
Damian: Come with me.
Outside, Damian corners me against the wall, his taut, muscular arms caging me in.
Damian: What are you doing here, Juliet? Did you follow me?
Damian... Don't flatter yourself. I came because I want to work for Nightshade. I s that okay with you, Sir-?
Damian cups my chin, cutting me off. The tip of his thumb ghosts across my bottom hip.
Damian: That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one day, Trixie.
His eyes are locked on mine. The warning in them floods over me until every fiber of my being begs to comply.
Damian: Go home. Don't tell your brother you were here.
Damian disappears inside without another word. Frustrated, I storm off down the street.
It will take me forever to get my foot in the door at another event planning company, and I can kiss playing at Nightshade goodbyes.
Elliot: Juliet, wait.
Elliot? What're you doing?
Elliot: Helping you. Damian doesn't think you belong at Nightshade, so let's prove him wrong.
Juliet: I-
Ethan: Juliet? What are you doing on this side of the town?
I look up to my brother, Ethan, Walking towards me. He eyes fixed on Elliot suspiciously.
Ethan: Who is this?
Ethan has always been overprotective. If he knew I went to Nightshade, he would freak.
This is Elliot, He is a new friend.
Elliot: Nice to meet you.
Ethan: Right... how did you two meet?
Oh, you know. Around. I met him at the coffee shop down the street.
Elliot: Right, I love cappuccions.
You're getting coffee at 8 o'clock at night?
What can I say? I'm a night owl.
Juliet if you're getting into trouble, it will reflect badly on me.
I'm not getting into trouble, Ethan. I swear. I wouldn't hurt your career like that. dad would be so proud you're running in his footsteps. A flicker of grief crosses Ethan's face.
Ethan: I promised I would look out for you after Mom and dad died. Don't make me regret letting you move out.
Ethan gives me and Elliot one last look before walking off down the street.
Elliot: he's cute. Does he play, too?
God, no Ethan's completely straight and narrow. He always gives Damian a hard time about kink.
Elliot: So, that's how you know Damian. You're his Best friend's little sister.
Juliet: Damian helped Ethan raise me after our parents died. Apparently, he will never see me as anything more.
Elliot: Not if I have any say in it.
Elliot pills me into a lingerie store and calls out to the sales girl.
Any chance my friend here can try on that set in the window? We need to show a man she's not a little girl anymore.
Sales girl: You have great taste. No man will be able to keep his hands off you in that set. The sales girl grabs the lingerie from the display, and Elliot pushes me into a dressing room.
I run my hands over the black panties. Elliot sticks his head in. Its not exactly bold. Do you think it will work?
Elliot: There is only one way to find out.
Nerved knot my stomach as I wind through the deserted club to Damian's office the way Elliot told me.
This moment will change everything, one way or the other. I find his office and suck in a shaky breath.
Juliet; Damian.
He glances up from his paperwork. I swear I see a flicker of something in his eye.
Damian: I told you to go home, Trixie.
I know, but... Please hear me out.
Damian: I'm Listening.
Juliet: I want the event planner job. You know I'm talented, and I Know you need the help. Damian sets his pen down and leans back in his chair.
Damian: Nightshade is for people-employees including who live the BDSM lifestyle. It's not for people curious about light bondage.
Juliet: I may not be an expert, but I've done my research. Members love exclusive events. You could open the club for a beginners only night, or a kinky game night,
Damian: Brainstorming BDSM events is not the same as living it, Juliet.
Juliet: So, let me live it, Damian. I want this, I will prove it. With a quick tug, my coat falls to the floor.
Damian lets out an audible breath, his hands gripping the desk as his eyes travel over the lace on my breasts and down my thighs.
Damian: What do you think you're doing?
Submitting sir.
Damian: For Christ's sake...
He shoves back his chair and stands, rounding the desk towards me.
Damian: Hands on the desk, Juliet.
Juliet: No
Damian: Either you can put your hands on the desk, or I will make you. Which will it be?
Juliet: Make me.
Damian: As you wish.
Damian puts a hand on my low back and shoves me forward, I brace my hands on the desk to catch myself. Then, he pushes down, arching my ass in the air.
Damian: There, that wasn't so hard, was it?
I can feel Damian's presence behind me like a magnetic force, His heady scent of leather and spice envelopes me.
Damian: A true submission would never storm into her Dominant's office uninvited without being punished.
A good spanking will teach you a lesson.
He traces his fingers down the curve of my bare ass. every hair on my body stands at attention.
Damian: Are you ready for your punishment, Juliet?
Juliet: I'm ready.
Damian: You're ready sir, say it Juliet.
Juliet: I'm ready sir.
Damian: Good girl.
SMACK!
Damian brings his hands down on the flesh of my left cheek. I cry out at the immediate sting. Then, the sting turns to intoxicating warmth that spreads through my body.
Damian: Hold still, I'm not through with you.
SMACK!
He spank my right cheek, and the warmth burns hotter, I feel myself grow wet.
Juliet: Fuck, Why does the pain feel so good?
Damian: Have you learned your lesson, Trixie?
Yes sir, I won't storm half-naked into your office again. unless you ask me to.
His hand snakes up to my hair and tugs, craning my head back. His lips brush against the slope of my ear.
Damian: I told you Trixie, That mouth will get you into trouble.
SMACK! SMACK!
Tears prick my eyes as the warmth turns to fire on my raw skin. Mercifully, Damian pulls me to standing.
Damian: Are you okay?
I'm okay, It just burns a little.
Damian: Good you've learned your lesson. Now let me make it feel better, He reaches for me, Juliet... I step back, It's okay I like the sting.
Damian: You took your punishment well, Trixie.
Juliet: Did I pass your test?
Damian: It wasn't a test.
He picks my coat up off the floor and helps me into it, his stoic demeanor shifting back into place like a veil.
Damian: Consider yourself hired.
Juliet: Seriously? I got event planner job?
Damian: On a trial basis. Nightshade is the best club in the area, I expect my staff to be as well.
Juliet; Of course, I understand.
Damian: One more thing, You can't tell your brother, Ethan will kill me if he finds out I hired you.
Juliet: I won't tell him, I swear. Thank you, Thank you Damian.
I squeal and throw my arms around him just as the door bursts open.
Ethan: Juliet? What are you doing here?