Page 32 of Teach Me
‘Why is he called a “Marquis”?’ I whispered.
‘That’s a story for another day.’
Warmth wrapped around me as we entered a larger room. A sleek black bar was to our right, with scantily dressed women and dark-clad men gathered around their drinking glasses. Beyond the bar, a man walked past with a blindfolded, naked woman who had a bushy tail poking out of her butt. I wasn’t sure what to think about that, or the man wandering past me with so many red scratches decorating his back that he looked like he’d rolled through a rose bush.
‘We won’t be in public this time, but there are papers you must sign before management gives us a room.’ Dr Braithwaite’s gaze shifted to someone behind me. ‘Ah, Marquis Jack.’
A tall, dark-haired man, wearing leather trousers and a black dress shirt with a red letter ‘M’ embroidered above his heart, approached us. Heat rushed to my cheeks when the man grinned, his eyes lit up by something dark and mischievous as he looked me up and down.
‘Ophelia, I take it? Welcome toThe Aurora.’
‘Th-thank you.’
‘Papers are at the bar, Sir Emmerson,’ Jack said, sounding amused by my sudden stutter. ‘You can have room fourteen.’ His eyes narrowed at Dan. ‘I need a word with you in private.’
Dan raised his hands. ‘It wasn’t me.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Jack crooked his finger.
‘What was that about?’ I asked Dr Braithwaite as we walked to the bar.
He gave me a slanted smile. ‘Master Dan is known for pulling pranks on the other Doms. It’s nothing for you to worry about.’He directed me to a bar stool and put a thick wad of papers before me. ‘It looks worse than it is. These are waivers, the forms you’re already familiar with, plus a member registration form, if you wish to visit again. You may take that home to consider at a later time, of course.’
I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry, making me gulp. ‘What am I waiving the right to?’ I stared at a naked woman passing us. ‘My freedom?’
‘Read it,’ he said sternly.
I did. As he chatted with the barman, I read every word about limits, consent, safewords, supervision, rules, and restrictions. Although I tried to take it all in, my mind was fixed on one important detail: I was in a BDSM club with my dissertation supervisor, and he was asking for my permission to share me with Dan. I had to read that sentence a few times before it sank in. He’d even requested no condoms, provided I was happy with their STD checks, which page fourteen told me had been done a few days ago.
Dr Braithwaite offered me a glass of water. ‘Any questions?’
‘Uh, yeah, why no condoms?’
‘It will work best for what I’ve planned. You’re still on birth control, right?’
I nodded. ‘What have you planned?’
‘You’ll see,’ he said with a small smile. ‘Sign the papers so that we can get started.’
I breathed slowly. This was an experiment, I reminded myself. Tomorrow… no, I didn’t want to think about what would happen tomorrow.
‘Are there other students here?’ I asked after signing the last page. Jack and Dan joined us at the bar. Although they didn’t crowd me, I still felt small surrounded by so many large, dominant men and instinctively took Dr Braithwaite’s hand.
‘If there are,’ he said, squeezing my hand, ‘they will have signed the same confidentiality agreement. Whatever happens at the club stays at the club.’
‘Except for whatever marks you’re left with,’ Jack said. ‘May I?’ I reluctantly passed the papers, mortified at the thought of having a stranger see what I would let Dr Braithwaite do to me. ‘Or no marks, in your case,’ Jack said, flicking through them to check I’d signed on every line. ‘A fun challenge for you, Sir Emmerson.’
‘Which I’m happy to accept.’ Dr Braithwaite raised my hand to his lips, gently kissing the back of it. ‘If she agrees.’
‘No marks?’
He shook his head.
‘And he’s joining us?’ I asked, glancing at Dan.
‘Two Doms will work better for what I have in mind,’ Dr Braithwaite said.
I wanted to ask again what he had planned, but the wicked glimmer in his eyes suggested this was better revealed in private, and dammit if curiosity didn’t get the better of me.
