Page 43 of Breaking Free

“Same here,” Josie agreed, her nervous laughter revealing she shared her apprehension.

As they passed the stations, featuring a few kinky things she recognized from their tour and much more that she didn’t, they followed the crowd migrating to the back of the room.

“What part of the dartboard is this?” Piper asked, noting they weren’t even close to the center bullseye.

“The first demo of the night requires more space than the center stage provides,” a tall man in a leather vest and a black armband stamped with bright orange DM explained. “But we’ll put it to use before the night ends.” His gaze shifted between Josie in purple and her in pink, and he grinned. “You two sure brighten up the place. But you’ll have to hurry if you want a spot up front where you can see. The show is about to begin.”

The excited hum in the room was mounting, and Piper was feeding on it, especially after the pall of fear and paranoia hanging over her head the past week. She grabbed Josie’s hand and pulled her along to where a large group had gathered near the rear wall.

Chains overhead rattled, and she heard the distinct creak of leather. Standing on her tiptoes, she tried to see over the people bunched together ahead of her without success.

“Shoes would have been helpful,” her friend, who was half a foot shorter, said pointedly.

A woman wearing a black catsuit resembling one of Josie’s designs heard her. “Clear the way,” she called, authority ringing. “Petite subbies up front.”

Using the riding crop she carried, she quickly cleared them a path to the velvet ropes cordoning off the station.

“Your assistant may stay with you, Josie, of Leather and Lace, but she’ll have to crouch. Consider this a tip for your exquisite workmanship.” The woman ran her hand down her formfitting garment. “This is the most comfortable bodysuit I’ve ever worn. I may never take it off.”

“I’m so glad you like it, ma’am,” Josie said, beaming. “And thank you for your help.”

Cat woman, clearly a domme, didn’t respond as she disappeared into the crowd behind them.

“That’s Mistress Estelle,” a sub next to them with a pink ribbon advised. “Don’t let the special treatment go to your head. One random act of kindness per customer is her strict motto. Believe me, you don’t want to get on her bad side.”

Piper could have sworn the little brunette rubbed her butt. She couldn’t say for sure in the crush of people and didn’t dare ask. Just then, a red spotlight switched on overhead, illuminating the play space in front of them. A collective gasp rose from the onlookers, seeing a sub, bound and gagged in intricately woven ropes, suspended from a chain dangling from the ceiling.

Movement from the shadows drew her eye. When the dom stepped into the spotlight, she and Josie reached for eachother because it was Tristan. He moved confidently around the inverted sub as his deep baritone silenced the hum of the crowd.

“Good evening. I’m Master Tristan. Tonight’s demonstration features Japanese rope bondage, also known as shibari. Centuries ago, it was used to capture, transport, and punish prisoners. In modern times, it has evolved into a sensual art form. While sex is often involved, practitioners also use it for meditation, relaxation, and aesthetic pursuits. It doesn’t come without risks, so training for the rope top, or rigger, is essential. I am fortunate to have the lovely Narissa as my volunteer rope bottom tonight.”

His fingers, long and tapered, gently encircled her upper arm, offering what appeared to be reassurance and unspoken communication before he turned her away from the avid observers. A hum of approval filled the air, seeing her arms crossed behind her, tied at the wrists, a series of complex knots running along her spine.

“Since she cannot speak, the yellow ball she holds is her safe signal. She only has to squeeze it to alert me that something is wrong.”

“Demonstrate for our audience,” he ordered Narissa.

A high squeak came immediately after.

“Very good,” he replied, giving her another squeeze before continuing his introduction. “Please refrain from talking during the demonstration so that I may hear. There will be a brief Q&A session at the end. Let’s begin.”

His authoritative tone had a soothing, almost-hypnotic quality, that was a departure from his usual annoyance when speaking to her. Completely enthralled, she watched as Tristan tightened the slack on the suspension ropes attached to her thighs until, with her spine arched and her knees bent behind her, she faced the floor. He added two more smaller gauge ropesto the mix, tying them around each big toe and connecting them to the ring as well.

“This is called the butterfly.” He gave her a subtle push so that she rotated slowly before the captivated audience. “From this position, I can easily switch to other poses, like side-lying. Or, to intensify the pose and enhance the curve of her spine, I can add a hair tie.”

Tristan demonstrated, weaving another small gauge rope around her ponytail and attaching it to one of her toes.

The way he seamlessly maneuvered Narissa’s body with skill and the utmost care, intently focused on her while still addressing his audience, fascinated Piper. As did the bondage itself, which was oddly beautiful and completely mesmerizing. She never imagined in all her fantasies how sensual and arousing it could be.

Piper would give anything to trade places with Narissa, to be in the confines of Tristan’s ropes, to feel the texture against her skin, and the brush of his fingers as he tested the knots. The idea of relinquishing control and submitting to his every command sent a jolt of desire sizzling through her. As a wave of intense heat followed, she shifted uncomfortably from side to side.

Josie nudged her with an elbow. “Looks like our favorite neighbor isn’t always grumpy,” she whispered. “He’s in his element. I’ve never seen him so relaxed, have you?”

Piper didn’t reply. Instead, she shook her head, afraid a telltale quiver when she spoke might reveal her desires or, heaven forbid, an impassioned moan.

Tristan demonstrated another pose, the crab tie, using quick-release hardware, which he said wasn’t true shibari, but was more practical for the half-hour time slot allotted to him. It placed Narissa upright with her arms bound behind her, knees to her shoulders and feet spread wide apart, which to Piper very much resembled a crab. Then he inverted her, and she dangledupside down, her long braid nearly touching the floor. Without the skimpy thong, there would be no barriers to whatever debauchery her rope master desired.

He further showed the benefits of the pulleys, raising and lowering her so that any of her orifices were at the perfect height for her master to give or receive pleasure. But he didn’t take the demonstration that far, surprising Piper by ending it there.

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