Page 51 of For Love & Torture
Chapter 23
Grant
Two days later
As Tad and I finish our conversation about getting together later in the week to finalize the plans for the Halloween Ball, I see a young man who joined our club when it opened. Owen smiles at me as he pulls along a pretty little thing. “Is that you, Mr. S.?”
“It is.” Owen lets go of the girl’s hand to shake mine. “Asia, this is one of the founders of this prestigious club. You may call him, Mr. J.”
Taking her hand, I leave a kiss on top of it. “Asia, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I heard you’ll be entering into a contract with this man here.”
“Yes, sir.” She looks from Owen to me. “You’re a founder of The Dungeon of Decorum?”
Pushing my hand through my hair, I smile with a sense of pride. “I am the primary founding father.”
Asia’s expression lets me know she’s curious. “What made you want to start a business like this?”
I’m a bit surprised by her question, and by the look on Owen’s face, so is he. “I had a need that wasn’t being fulfilled. It’s not easy to find partners to do the things we do. One can’t simply head out to one of the local taverns and pick up a girl, take her home and string her up, then flog her until she’s going into another state of mind.”
“No, I suppose one can’t do that.” Asia nods then looks at Owen. “You won’t string me up, will you?”
He grins at her. “I’m not into that kind of play, it’s too time-consuming for my tastes. You’ll find out what I like, and I’ve read your list of acceptable kinks—you’ll be fine, I promise you that.”
I can’t help but notice the hesitation that fills her face. I find myself wondering if the girl is all in or if she has reservations about all of this. “Asia, this is a thing you want to do, isn’t it? I mean, the reason we have this club is to make sure all the members, male and female, are doing things they want to. Have you read up on BDSM at all?”
With a shake of her head, I find myself frowning. She should’ve read up on this at the very least. “No, sir. I thought it best to let my Dom teach me what he wanted me to know.”
He leans in to whisper, “Great answer. And I’m glad you thought that way.”
I’m still not convinced she’s up to this. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I look into her eyes. I want to be sure she wants what she’s about to get. “We don’t want you to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with. If you feel like you’ve jumped into something that is over your head, please let your Dom know. He’s not out to hurt you in any way.” I look at Owen to make sure he knows he has a woman who’s not the norm for this club. “She’s not a typical sub. You go easy on her.” I give Asia my attention once more. “If you’re absolutely positive that’s what you want.”
Her smile is sweet. Innocently sweet. “It is what I want. I feel safe with him, Mr. J., and Isabel told me I just need to make one phone call if I ever want out of the contract. I’m not worried at all. I want to do this with him. Thank you for your concern, sir.”
Owen beams as she’s just said all the things he wants to hear. “There you have it, Mr. J., she’s ready and willing. And I’ll treat her very well, you can rest assured of that.”
With a clap on his back, I send them in to see Isabel to make their contract. It seems she’s giving Betty a break for a little while since she’s already up here. Bell smiles and greets them. “You two look like you’re already getting along well.”
With a nod to the couple, I leave them in her care, watching as they take the leather seats in front of Bell’s cherry wood desk. I give Bell a smile and speak quietly to her, “Did you get the information we need?”
Her eyes dart to the left of me, and I can read her like a book. “Um, we’ll have to talk about that. I’ll come to your office as soon as I’m done with these two.”
“I need a drink. I’m going to the bar in the lounge to get one before I head to my office. See you soon.” Leaving her to her job, I head out to the small lounge area to grab a drink there.
Mike, the bartender, gives me a nod as I come up to the bar. “A Scotch on the rocks, coming up, boss.”
I nod and look around to see what’s going on. A handful of people are sitting at the small tables, chatting. Their voices filter through the mostly empty room. And that’s when I hear a name that catches my attention.
Isabel.
Trying to listen even harder, I hear one of the men say something about an amount that’s astonishing. And how she’d be a damn fool to pass that up.
Mike places my drink on the bar and I take it, looking over at him before he takes off. “Mike, what’s this I hear about Isabel? Is this about our Isabel?”
“One and the same.” Mike leans on the bar, the ever-present white bar towel he always carries is tossed over his shoulder as he grins. “You know that man who Isabel took on tour the other night?”
“I do.” I have to sip my Scotch and pray it cools the heat that’s flowing through me.
He smiles at me like that’s a good thing and he goes on, “Well, he’s made a request for her.”
