Page 17 of Dare to Love Again

“Did he say what he wanted to see me about?”

“Nope,” she replied. “And he wouldn’t. Master Eric is rather tight-lipped, but I can say from experience, he wasn’t happy.” The young woman slid the clipboard out from under her hand and pulled the pen from her grasp.

As she moved toward the door, crossing the shiny tile floor carefully in her spiked heels, she heard the girl mutter under her breath, “Esme my ass. A fake name if I ever heard one.”

She ignored her caustic remark because she wasn’t entirely incorrect.

Placing a trembling hand on the doorknob, she didn’t turn it right away, not until she took a deep, steadying breath. For the life of her, she had no clue what Master Eric wanted to speak to her about. There was the incident last night with Carlos, but she had done nothing wrong, except...

Her free hand flew to her throat. The pink bow she’d tied moments ago was still in place. Surely Master Finnegan wouldn’t have told him she’d taken it off. He’d warned her, but maybe that wasn’t enough.

Although she didn’t take part in gossip, she couldn’t miss the talk in the women’s locker room. Master Eric was a former Navy SEAL officer, and since he had stern and commanding down pat, she didn’t doubt it for a moment. She also believed the tales that one glance from his arctic-blue gaze could bring even the boldest sub to her knees, make him or her confess their sins, and beg for forgiveness. As the master dom and co-owner of the club, he had the authority to order a mischievous or badly-behaved sub, even one not his own, to ride the dreaded carousel where the entire club could witness her punishment. Or worse, end their membership with the stroke of his pen.

They said marriage had mellowed him somewhat. Esme hoped, for her sake, this was one tidbit of gossip that proved true.

What could he want to see her about? She specifically remembered mailing the check for her monthly membership fee only last week.

“I already texted him you were here,” the receptionist warned. “I wouldn’t make him wait if I were you.”

Although she didn’t want to, she took the catty woman’s advice and entered the administration area. Like the lobby, you couldn’t tell you were in a bondage club by looking at it. Tastefully decorated in neutral tones, there wasn’t a whip or a shackle in sight. Forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other, she made her way to the door at the end of the long hall, the only one with a light on.

She peeked in, finding him working at his desk. Did she knock, clear her throat? As if sensing her presence, because she didn’t move, and she was certain she wasn’t breathing, his head came up.

Ice-blue eyes locked on her. But other than that, he showed no reaction—good or bad—to indicate how this meeting would go. Waving his hand at the two chairs in front of his desk, he murmured, “Esmerelda, please, come in and have a seat.”

Although prefaced politely, it was a command, not a request.

Her eyes on her feet, which felt weighted down with lead, she moved silently across the expensive-looking area rug covering half of the gleaming hardwood floor and perched on the edge of one of the high-backed leather chairs. Done in dark cherry and burgundy accents, either Master Eric or his designer had excellent taste. Once settled, she stared at her hands, waiting for him to start.

“I don’t bite.”

Her head snapped up.

“That’s better,” he said smoothly. “I prefer not to speak to the top of your head.”

“Yes, sir.”

He considered her for a moment then glanced down at the file open in front of him. “Your 90-day introductory period ends next week.”

She blinked. “I hadn’t realized there was an introductory period.”

“We understand membership is an investment, not only monetary but of time and personal privacy what with our extensive pre-screening process and mandatory background checks. Our goal is a safe space with active participation from all our members, unlike a gym membership, which often goes unused after the first month or so. The intro period is the only time we allow month-to-month enrollment. Afterward, renewal is annual. We feel it’s only fair potential members have the chance to see if Decadence will be a good fit for them and vice versa. Master Pax prepaid your first few months, I believe.”

“Yes, sir, but I took care of the rest. I mailed the check in last week.”

“A bit premature, perhaps.”

Oh no, that didn’t sound good.

“Have you been enjoying your time with us?”

“Oh yes. Decadence LA is the best club I’ve ever been to.”

“I’m glad you think so. What specifically do you like about it?”

“Um, well, it’s, uh...” She forced herself to stop stammering as she searched for the right word then blurted out, “Classy, sir.”

“That is a common observation, although it’s usually not the first thing that comes to mind. Usually, it’s the diversity of the membership, the wide array of equipment, the attention to detail in the theme rooms upstairs, or the demonstrations on the main stage.”

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