Page 12 of Dare to Love Again

She whispered to the woman standing beside her, “Things seem a little intense tonight, don’t you think?”

The stupefied look she got was almost comical like she’d sprouted antennae on top of her head, or a third eye or something.

“You’re serious?”

Esme nodded.

“Are you new?”

“Um, not really. I’ve been a member for several months.”

“Don’t you read the newsletter?”

She was too embarrassed to admit she didn’t. Pax had always kept up with the special events and planned accordingly. Since he’d been off somewhere in parts unknown, she was rather out of the loop. He’d warned her, however. “I must have missed this month’s edition. What’s going on?”

“Tonight is Edge Night, advanced players only.” Her eyes dipped to her throat and grew big. “You don’t have a ribbon.”

“Yes, I do,” she exclaimed while fishing it out of her corset where she’d tucked it when the stiff edge—likely off the end of the roll—kept scratching her skin.

All uncollared subs got one at the door when they signed in. Either red, pink, or white, it identified their experience level to the other members. White stood for someone inexperienced, interested in learning what it was all about, though if not handled with extreme care, could bolt, and never return. Since it was Edge Night, she doubted there were any subs in white ribbons running around.

On the other end of the spectrum, red indicated a sub with tons of experience, who felt comfortable negotiating whatever they wanted on their own. Esme had selected a pink ribbon when she’d signed in, meaning she was somewhere in between. She had some experience, was open to playing but within limits, and a scene with her would need to be carefully negotiated with those in mind.

None of the ribbons told the submissive’s interest in sex. The willingness to take a scene to that level was never a given for anyone in the club, and consent in advance had to be clearly established.

The woman blew out a relieved breath. “Good. I was afraid you were a white ribbon who’d gotten in by mistake. Better put that back on. Without a collar, that ribbon might be the only thing that saves you tonight.”

“Come on, Becky,” a man, appearing suddenly by her side, ordered with urgency. “Our bench is open. I can’t wait to try out the new labia clamps and plug.”

She grinned then waved over her shoulder as her dom pulled her away.

Edge night—no wonder!

What she’d experienced in five years as a submissive didn’t compare to what she’d seen in the last two hours.

“I should have asked for white when I checked in,” she muttered.

Swearing to read the darn newsletter before coming back, she thought it wise to make a hasty exit. She hadn’t taken two steps when hard fingers encircled her wrist. Her head snapped up in alarm, and she met the blue-eyed gaze of an incredibly handsome, black-haired, bronze-skinned man.

“Come with me,” he barked. She processed little other than a light Spanish accent before he announced, “I have a station reserved for us.”

With no preliminaries and zero negotiation, he pulled her through the crowd, moving against the flow of traffic that seemed to circle the stations continually.

“I, um...perhaps you have me mistaken for someone else?”

“No mistake. Your red hair is appealing, and your fair skin will display my marks beautifully, I think.”

She didn’t think so.

“I’m here...with, uh, friends...sir,” she lied, stammering as she tried to keep up, afraid if she didn’t, he’d drag her as the image of a caveman came to mind. All he lacked was the off-the-shoulder animal-skin tunic and a club. “They’re leaving soon. Some other time, perhaps.”

She only added the last bit to be polite, having no intention of ever agreeing to a scene with this pushy dom.

“They can wait until I’m done with you,” he replied.

“Sir, please,” she appealed again while trying to twist her wrist free. “I can’t miss my ride home, or I’ll be stranded.”

Apparently, he didn’t care, and continued right on walking while ignoring her protests and struggles. When she saw the station with the reserved sign up ahead, the ropes much farther back than usual for a station, she realized it was one of the extensive areas toward the back set up to allow indoor whip play.

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