Page 6 of Too Hot

A shiver crawled up her spine. She wouldn’t think about that night. She didn’t need to. It was in the past. Six years of therapy had helped her to see that.

All too soon, they were pulling up to Wicked Sanctuary. Once inside, it took her and Ellie no time at all to take off their street clothes and store them before walking out. Brianna admired Ellie’s purple and white wristband. Hers was white. A novice. Well, in a way she was.

She’d discovered BDSM years ago before moving to Pleasant Valley. Circumstances prevented her from exploring it. Now, she was ready to delve into the lifestyle she’d heard so much about. The classes Master Max insisted upon were good. They cleared up some misconceptions and, more importantly, made her feel safe in the club.

Hopefully, she wouldn’t run into any of her students’ parents. That thought sent a chill through her heart. While there wasn’t any rule against it in her contract with Pleasant Valley Elementary School, it could make things uncomfortable.

She’d cross that bridge when it happened, if it happened. There was a strict NDA here, so that shouldn’t be a problem, right? Brianna sent a look skyward, hoping fate was on her side tonight.

Logan took Ellie’s arm and then held his arm out to her. Brianna took a deep breath and slipped her arm through Logan’s.

“Shall we, ladies?”

“Yes,” Ellie said.

Brianna nodded. They walked to the door being held opened by a man she didn’t know, and in they went. She stopped just inside the main room of the club. While she’d been through the classes with Noah, it had been very platonic. The club hadn’t been very busy either.

The number of people surprised her. The lighting was low, but not so much she couldn’t see where she was going. Hard tech music played in the background. “Unusual music,” Brianna commented. All the music she’d heard before had a beat, but wasn’t as heavy.

“Not really,” Logan answered. “Look to your right, about eleven o’clock.”

She did and then saw the flogging scene, the strokes landing in time with the beat of the music. “Oh.” Brianna hadn’t seen anyone flogged to music before. Her body heated.

“Shall we go into the sub area?” Ellie asked.

“Please.” Brianna needed to get her bearings. She’d mainly been in the club on Thursday nights, and it was a lot quieter. Her last class had been on a Friday night, but she’d left before eleven. She was grateful to be able to sit down in the sub area with Ellie.

“I’ll be at the bar.” Logan swept a kiss over Ellie’s lips before walking away.

“Are you okay?” Ellie asked.

“I think so. It’s different from class nights.” She looked left and right. People everywhere. She wasn’t claustrophobic. She just hadn’t expected… Brianna took a deep breath. She wasn’t afraid but maybe apprehensive.

Her gaze traveled around the club, noting three primary exits and emergency exits. She was pleased to see several fire extinguishers in the club as well. Master Max had told her they had procedures, and they didn’t allow an open flame on the play floor. That had relieved her fear of a massive fire.

“Busier. Yes, usually Friday and Saturdays are.” Ellie grinned as another woman bounced into the area, wearing a white corset and a thong.

“Hey, Tessa.”

“Hi, Ellie.” She glanced at Brianna. “Who is your new friend?”

“Brianna, meet Tessa. Her partner is Damon.”

“Hi.”

“Welcome to the club. I don’t remember seeing you around.”

“I finished my classes a couple of months ago but haven’t been able to come until now.”

“Glad you could make it. The holidays are a hard time for people.” Tessa smiled.

“Damon on duty?” Ellie asked.

“Yeah. I don’t mind. Gives me a chance to talk with everyone. What do you do, Brianna?”

* * * *

Rafe strode into the club with a grin. It felt good to be back. He’d spent some time at Christmas with his parents, then work picked up. He missed the club. He noticed several of the Doms at the bar, Logan included.

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