Page 29 of Pressure

Marissa blushed. “Maybe a little.”

His gaze grew heated and he smiled wickedly. “I’ve got just the spot for you then.”

She had no idea what that meant. He tugged her along until they got to the door at the other end of the bar. She heard the faint sound of thumping music. He raised one eyebrow at her as if to ask if she was ready before he pulled it open.

Her pulse sped as she stepped across the threshold. Despite the early hour, the room was full. Music with ominous undertones and a loud bass pumped into the space. The track complimented the sounds of flesh being struck, moans of pleasure, and cries of pain. She watched as a Dom—it looked like Russell—pulled a woman across the room by her hair. She winced in pain, but Marissa recognized the bliss on her face.

When they reached their destination, Russell shoved the girl against the cross and sank his teeth into her neck. Marissa’s hand drifted to her own throat as she watched.

“Fuck,” she murmured as Lance pulled her closer to the scene playing out in front of them.

Russell was clearly a sadist, and the woman he played with was getting off on the pain he inflicted. Marissa could appreciate pain and even enjoyed it under certain circumstances, but she was no masochist.

They approached a seating area that was conveniently placed to provide an excellent view of most of the dungeon. People could sit and watch the scenes unfold as they waited to have their own.

Lance dropped onto a loveseat and Marissa bent to sit next to him. His hand fisted into her hair and tugged, twisting until she fell to her knees in front of him.

As her hair fell from his hand, she looked up at him. “Seriously?”

He nodded, his expression stern.

“Why?”

He leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear. “I’m finding it harder than expected to keep my distance. You’re safer down there.” His hand fluttered down her scalp as she sucked in a deep breath and stared up at him. Was he serious?

The look in his eye was one she’d seen before. Serious was an understatement.

Wordlessly, she settled onto her knees, her eyes scanning the room for other submissives who might be house subs. The thought of meeting Jodie still had her on edge.

The array of people in the room was astonishing. Solitaire brought together people from all walks of life and relationship styles. She watched with delight as two women finished tying hip harnesses on themselves. She recognized it as something she’d learned to do as part of the Chicago rope scene. They were about to suspend themselves from the large wooden frame they stood under. She watched in awe as they both hoisted themselves off the floor and into the air, so they were hanging on ropes attached to the hip harnesses they wore.

Obviously a couple, they swung until they were close enough to each other to entwine their legs and lean in for a passionate kiss.

Fucking hot.

As she watched the scene unfold, a loud crack sounded, and she jerked her head in the direction of the noise.

She bit her lip as she watched a man flick his wrist and send a bullwhip flying. The crack it made sounded much scarier than it was. They were close enough to the scene that she could see the tip of the whip barely caress the sub’s back.

An hour passed as they sat and watched the erotic play around them. People approached to talk and introduce themselves. The nature of their questions told her it had indeed been wise to have her come in under the guise of being Lance’s new trainee. Marissa was miserable with need as she found herself just an observer in a world she used to be fully immersed in. The couple she’d watched playing in rope had come down and were now cuddled in a corner. The Dom with the whip was pressed against his sub, peppering her with kisses as they ended their scene, and twenty minutes ago, Russell had disappeared with a satiated submissive in his arms.

God, how was it that she’d allowed herself to go so long without filling this need?”

Lance tapped her shoulder.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he said when she glanced up at him.

He stood and offered his hand. When their skin connected, she gasped and nearly jerked her fingers away as sparks shot through her. Fuck. Horny was not even remotely accurate to describe the intense sexual need she was feeling right now. And If the look in Lance’s eyes was any indication, he was feeling it too.

They walked through the dungeon until they came to a curtained off area. He pulled the curtains apart and tugged her behind them.

Cool air danced on her skin, sending goosebumps down her arm. They were on a balcony of sorts, though they were technically on the first floor of the club.

“You OK?” he asked when she stepped away from him to look at the view below her.

“Not sure. I’m realizing that I’ve missed the energy of a place like this a lot more than I thought.”

He leaned against a small table and watched her. “I’m sorry if I somehow took that away from you.”

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