No One Until Her

“I’m finally going to see firsthand what all the hoopla is about,” I said into my cell while checking myself out in the full-length mirror. Round ass hugged by a short skirt—check. Tight blouse with the ladies squished together and threatening to tumble out—check.
Muffled giggles filled my ear. “Hoopla?” Charlene finally asked, seeming preoccupied with my brother and shuffling her phone around.
“I’m heading over to Chantelle’s tonight.”
All activity on the line ceased.
I paused in twisting my ankle to admire the new stilettos I’d splurged on for the occasion. “Hello?”
“You can’t be serious,” Charlene hissed in my ear, her voice low.
“What’s the little reporter up to now?” Theo’s voice came through the cell loud and clear.
Charlene cleared her throat. “Nothing. Your sister—”
“Is going to Chantelle’s tonight!” I raised my voice so my brother would hear me.
A thump and furious whispers filled my ear as I uncapped my favorite tube of cherry-red lipstick, smirking and ready for his tirade.
“No way in hell, Livi,” Theo growled as I swiped my plump lower lip, my insides all fluttery.
“I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing.” I sounded breathless even though I hadn’t done a damn thing yet.
“Like hell you do!”
I let out an exaggerated sigh, the noise at odds with my wide grin. “I’ve done my homework. I know how to sink to the floor, stand back up with grace, and—”
“You think you’re a sub?” Theo’s howl of laughter dissolved my smile and dented the skin between my eyebrows. “You’re a reporter, for Christ’s sake! You meet people’s eyes like a speeding Mack truck, search their faces, and find out the truth. So what the hell makes you think you’ll be able just to lay down and let someone tan your hide?”
I wasn’t about to let my brother know about my secret fantasies. The thoughts of how having a domineering man slap my ass made me wet as hell. I applied lipstick to my upper lip and went with a safer answer. “I’m bored with normal men. No one holds my attention for longer than a second date these days.”
“I know, but…fuck.”
I imagined him rubbing the back of his neck.
“The thought of some guy laying his hands on you like that.” Theo’s loud exhale came through clearly over the phone. “If you want a taste of that lifestyle, I’ll set you up with someone to scene with. Someone I know and trust, not some jerkoff who doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing or might end up hurting—”
“Too late.” I pressed my lips together and stepped back from the mirror for one last perusal, my smile returning. “I already bought a membership.”
Silence.
“Look, Theo,” I said, tossing the lipstick into my new Coach bag. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ve been in worse situations. Chantelle’s is a respectable club. Background checks, health checks…it’s only been two months since you gave up your own membership. I doubt much has changed in your absence.”
An exasperated, whispered curse was no doubt accompanied by Theo’s usual running of a hand over his head, causing his thick hair to stand on end. He huffed a sigh. “There won’t be any talking you out of this, will there?”
I turned my head from side to side while peering at my reflection and flicking long black tresses over one shoulder. “How well you know me, darling brother.”
“Fine.” Theo huffed again. “But, do me a favor?”
I raised a perfectly arched brow but didn’t promise a damn thing.
“Go fully dressed.”
“You know the rules,” I said. “I won’t even get to show off this rockin’ new outfit beyond the reception area.”
“Fuck.” Another grumble came through the line. “Just at least wear something over your…you know.” I opened my mouth, but Theo continued. “Ask for Kaden if he isn’t booked for the night. I’ve scened with him before, and I trust him not to take you too far. He doesn’t do relationships either, so you’ll be safe from getting an emotional fuck-over, too.”
That much, at least, I could promise my brother. I’d rather have his support and direction toward a friend than not. “I’ll have Chantelle point him out to me,” I promised, even though my curiosity wanted to question why his friend didn’t do relationships.
“Thank you.” Theo’s evident relief rushed out with his words. “And one last thing. Play in private, please.”
“So, no naughty and naked in the lounge?” I tried to contain my smirk.
“God, no. Please.”
I chuckled under my breath.
“Livi…” Theo’s voice betrayed tensing shoulders.
“Gotta run.”
“Wait!” Theo rushed. “One last thing.”
“You already said that.”
“Don’t tell Kaden you’re my sister.”
I paused in smoothing down the cotton skirt barely covering my thighs and frowned. “I thought honesty was a requirement for your lifestyle.”
“It is, but if Kaden knows you’re my sister, he won’t scene with you.”
“Ah. Well then, I promise to break at least that rule and lie to Master Kaden. If he’ll have me.”
“Fucking hell. Don’t even say that.”
I snickered while ambling back into my bedroom. “Time to get my ass beat by your big, bad buddy.”
“Goddamn brat.”
“Love you, too.” I made kissy noises at my cell as a knock sounded on my condo door. “And, that would be the taxi. Give my love to Charlene. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Text me when you get home so that I won’t be up all night—”
“Goodbye, Theo.” I hit the end button. I’d been curious about my brother’s lifestyle for years, and after getting to know his girlfriend and watching their devotion to each other grow, my desire to know more had tripled.
I strode toward the front door, red heels clicking on the tile beneath me. “And,” I murmured to myself in a breathless tone that gave away my pounding pulse, “everyone knows my curiosity is appeased only by getting to the bottom of a story.”
* * *
Anxiety rarely twisted my insides, but as I stepped through the double doors from Chantelle’s reception area into the club’s lounge, a wave of weakness wobbled my knees. The flutters in my belly were replaced with a rock-like hardness. My breath came in shorter sips, and I struggled to calm myself.
I’d had a private tour the day I had signed up, but it had been pre-hours, the club empty of its patrons.
Although nothing more than mere scraps of scarlet silk hid my nipples and bare girly parts, I kept my back straight and chin high while peeked over the tall blonde’s shoulder—Chantelle herself—for a quick scan of the large, dim room.
Soft music filtered through overhead speakers, muted by the clinking of glasses from the high polished bar on the right and scattered groups of people lounging on couches and mingling. Dry winter wind raged outdoors, but warmth licked at my feverish skin.
A young woman lay across a man’s lap, naked as a jay, with red handprints on her ass cheeks and thighs. The Dom swatted again, making the sub moan, lifting her hips toward his hand as though in need of more. Another man sat beside them, drink in one hand, his hard cock in the other, gaze locked on the sweating, pleading sub.
My arousal, already dampening my panties from the mere thought of what the night might hold, intensified. I swallowed and forced my gaze downward like a good little sub, following close on Chantelle’s heels as she strode across the room.
To please Theo, I’d asked Chantelle to introduce me to Kaden in strict confidence not to reveal my identity. The club owner had frowned, but a quick call to Theo for an explanation led to her reluctant agreement. In exchange, I had promised to tell Kaden the truth of my real identity before night’s end.
“Kaden,” Chantelle’s throaty murmur drew my head up for a quick peek over Chantelle’s shoulder again.
Much taller than my own 5’10”, a blond, broad-shouldered Viking loomed in profile in front of us. I stepped to the side for a better view. Trim waist, body lithe like a swimmer, and ass, bulge, and muscular thighs wrapped in and hugged by black leather…
Mary, Mother of God. My throat dried, the intimidating hotness of his body alone zapping my nipples to attention and soaking my thong.
I lifted my focus higher as he turned to face us.
Light blue eyes, icy and distant, met mine. A cold shiver raised the hair on my arms, and even though his closed countenance intrigued me and prompted reporter’s questions in my head, I remembered the role that I’d studied like hell to master.
I lowered my gaze to his bare, sculpted chest, wondering how hot his skin would feel beneath my tingling fingertips. Beneath my lips and tongue. Drool rose, and I swallowed it down with an audible gulp.
“This is our newest sub,” Chantelle said, ushering me forward by the elbow.
My core tingling with the thought of the Viking tanning my hide, I trembled before him, gaze locked on one of his large hands. Long fingers that could probably locate a woman’s G-spot without even trying.
Deaf, dumb, and mute for the first time ever, I almost gave way to the light-headedness promising a swoon over those hands on me. His fingers in me.
A lock of my knees kept me upright, and I straightened my shoulders, portraying my usual confidence that had fled the building after one cold glance from Kaden Quinn.
Master Kaden.
The type of man I expected could easily mold and bend a woman to his will.
My core wept for him, and I pressed my thighs together to ease the ache just being near him had brought on.
Damn, how I hated to wait.

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