Page 23 of Savage SEAL's Virgin
It was a bit after five in the evening when we left the lavish apartment to head down the dark hallway to the private rooms. We headed into the main room, hardly anyone was there yet. Troy had clad me in a red corset with fishnet stockings. My heels were so high, I had trouble walking. So he held the leash he’d attached to the collar he had put around my neck so other men would know not to touch me, very close to my throat, to help stabilize me. He joked that it made me look like a thoroughbred.
A couple of burly men, wearing nothing but tight, black shorts, were setting up the stage at one end of the room. “A couple will be putting on a show or a scene in a little while. Would you like to watch?”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Please.”
He led me to a small table for three right at the front of the stage. “We’re so close, we should be able to feel their heat. How about a drink?”
“Um, what would you suggest?” I asked as the man who’d kissed my hand the night I was auctioned off came into the room. He looked right at me, tipping his hat as he headed our way.
“Mr. M. and Miss Danner, how nice to see you’ve decided to hang out with us a bit.” He took my hand and kissed it again. “May I say that your Dom has made you even more beautiful than you were when we last met?”
Heat filled my cheeks as shyness took me over. “Do you really think so?” I wrinkled my nose as I didn’t think I looked much different if any at all.
He and Troy exchanged looks as Troy nodded. “I have to agree with Mr. J. You have blossomed, my love.”
Mr. J. looked at Troy with bright eyes. “My love? Did you two make more of a connection than just a Dom and his Sub?”
Troy ran his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him, then his lips touched my cheek. “We did. I’m working on keeping this one for as long as she’ll let me.”
I looked down. He’d been at me to agree to move in with him. He had to stay at the military base on occasion, but if we got a place midway between Stanford and San Diego, he’d get to be home more often. I still hadn’t agreed to it. I wasn’t sure life would be as great as he claimed it would be as a couple.
“Congratulations,” Mr. J. said, then looked at me again as I raised my head. “You seem a little uneasy, Miss Danner.”
“I’m going to go grab us something to drink.” Troy held out a chair for me that was between the other two at the small table. “Would you mind keeping my girl company while I do that?”
Mr. J gave him a nod and took the seat to the right of me. “I’d love to. Take your time. Mr. M.”
Troy left, and I found myself wondering about the man who was sitting next to me. “So, Mr. J. Didn’t my Dom tell me you’re one of the club’s founders?”
“I am.” He sipped his Scotch.
“The woman who helped me in the beginning—Isabel—told me she and one of the founders had a thing. Was that you?”
When he nodded, I felt a little thrill run through me. “She’s so nice. What happened that had the two of you never becoming more than a Dom and Sub? If that question doesn’t offend you, sir.”
“I’m not offended in the least. You see, Isabel and I like each other, but there was no spark. Not like you and Troy have. I haven’t found that spark and might never. I can’t say I’m looking for one.”
My inner psychologist raised her head. “And why not?”
“It’s a sad story. I don’t like to talk about it. Let’s just say that I’m not quite the believer in love that I once was. Not that what you and your Dom have found isn’t real. It probably is for the both of you. I come from a DNA line that makes me think love can’t last, at least not in me.”
“I’m intrigued. You may not know this, but I’m going to be a doctor in a few years. A psychologist to be exact. I’d love to be able to talk to you more. You know, help you with your phobia where love is concerned.”
“I’m aware of your major. You go to Stanford.” He sipped his drink again. “You seem bright and empathetic. Maybe one day, if your Dom will allow it, I might like to talk to you about things. It’s getting a bit old, being alone. But I can’t seem to make myself change. I used to think what I was doing was smart. Now I see it as being stagnant, something I don’t find very attractive.”
“I’m sure Troy would have no problem allowing me to talk with you. And, for the record, you are extremely attractive. I’m sure you could find a woman if you wanted to.”
“And that’s the problem right there. I don’t want to find one. But this life and the things I do are becoming dull. I want more. But I know what comes along with that. I’m not sure I can handle it all. Not sure anyone wants to handle my baggage.” He downed the rest of his drink just as Troy came back. “Good. I need a new drink. Save me a seat for the show, will you, Mr. M? I’d love to watch it with you two, if you don’t mind that.”
“Not at all. I’d love to have you join us. We’ll save your seat, Mr. J.”
The man who seemed to be in his late thirties walked away from us, and I couldn’t help watching him go. “He seems like he has a lot on his shoulders.”
“I’ve never seen him act the way he does with you.” Troy turned me around as he tapped his tall glass to mine. “He didn’t come on to you, did he?”
“Not at all.” I smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for bringing me here. I think I’m going to like it.”
“You seem to fit in, that’s for sure. You’re like a duck to water.” He took my hand and held it under the table. “Okay, the key to this place and these people is to not ask any personal questions. Most of the men who come here don’t want anyone to know much about them. Some will wear masks to hide who they are entirely. Some of the women will too. And if you prefer to be anonymous, due to your impending career, we can go buy us some masks before people begin to get here.”
