Page 30 of Primary Seduction
Max blew out a frustrated breath and checked the time. It was early, but he still had time to get ready to go out for the evening. If he headed for an AN club, he could chill out and watch the others go at it and maybe find a partner for a few hours. Plan made, he stalked to the bathroom to get sorted.
****
Several hours later, he found himself at Chalice, an AN club about half an hour outside of Cambridge. He was dressed slightly different to his usual fare, as he was not quite sure what he wanted tonight. He wore a black sweater with black tailored trousers visible to others but underneath…a leather chest harness and attached jockstrap. The chest harness felt snug but didn’t chafe. The straps fed from a metal ring place in between his shoulder blades, a strap going over each shoulder and going under each arm then were secured across his upper chest by a metal belt hook. Two more straps smoothed down each side into his trousers and attached to the jockstrap. Basically, he was trussed up like a turkey, but he felt decadent.
Striding into the club after using the fingerprint access, he set himself down at the bar, smiling with the feel and sound of the leather straps moving.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“Whisky, please,” he replied.
“You drink that, no one will touch you tonight.” A woman was sat two seats down from him, looking at him in question.
He hesitated as did the bartender. He thought he’d come here for some fun, but maybe he hadn’t. He knew the rules about alcohol after all. AN had a strict rule that anyone who had drank strong alcohol was unable to take part in scenes or play because it reduces inhibitions and the feel of pain; therefore, someone might agree to more than they could take. He looked at the woman, then at the bartender and said, “Whisky, please.” The bartender nodded and walked away.
The woman nodded. “Probably a good call if you’re feeling out of sorts. You might take on more than you wanted to.”
“May I?” Max indicated the seat next to her. She nodded, so he sat and contemplated his hands, not sure what to say.
“You know, within these walls, I had a sub who’d been with me for a few years. Not in real-life, but here, we would always be together. He’s just got married to a beautiful young woman. I’m not hesitant to say that I know it won’t last. Why would I say that, I hear you think? Because he’s suppressing everything for her. All his urges, his needs, his wants. Everything is being tucked away in a tidy little box inside his head and heart. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy he’s found her, but I hate that he’ll be unhappy. So, here I sit, waiting for my backup sub so we can give each other what we need without having to hide. I’m a Domme, no being able to hide that, here or in real-life.”
Max took a breath and knew he’d been right to come here. “I have confusing feelings for a straight friend. He was having issues, so I went over today to spend the afternoon and keep him company. We got talking about his ex-wife and what a bitch she was. I tried to comfort him. Then I kissed him. I don’t know what made me think it was a good idea. We were sat there, eyes locked, and the next minute, he jumps up yelling he’s not gay.” Max shook his head.
“Not everyone can change the way they’ve always been. Some people have to work hard to change, some people find it easy, and some people don’t want to change. If you’ve seen something inside him, he may not even realise it’s there. Or he does realise and is scared. If he’s been straight for however many years and has had no inclination at all towards men in that time, this may come as a surprise, and with it a struggle, for him.”
“I thought I saw interest, and not just on this occasion, but maybe I was wrong.”
“And that’s what’s worrying you.” Max stared at her open mouthed. She laughed. “You’re worried on two counts. One that you’re wrong and this guy is straight, therefore, you’ve blown your friendship into the wind. The second count is that you’re worried you’re right. And if you are, what does that mean for him? And for you. Because if he is bisexual and is only just realising it, he may not choose you.”
Max closed his eyes and dropped his head. A slim hand rested against the top of his head, stroking through his hair. He felt her lean closer.
“Trust your instincts. Follow them where they lead you. Regardless of the final destination, you will arrive where you need to be.”
Max felt someone come to stand close by. He lifted his head, dislodging her hand, to find a face he recognised but didn’t know by name waiting beside the woman. He was dressed in a suit and looked a little harried.
“Sub.” The woman nodded to her submissive, then turned to Max. “My name’s Staci, by the way.” She held out her hand.
Max was glad to know her name, but he replied, “Thank you for your time, Mistress,” as he shook her hand and bowed his head to her.
“Such manners.” She smiled. “I will leave you to your evening. Think about what I said, and come find me if you need anything, Max.”
He watched as she left with her sub trailing behind her. It was only after she left his sight, that he wondered how she knew his name. He turned to his drink but decided he wasn’t in the mood tonight. He pushed the drink away and stood. He caught the bartender’s eye and indicated he was finished.
“Mistress Staci has already settled your bill, Mr Hughes.”
Max’s eyes widened. “Oh. Please tell her thank you.”
“I will. Have a good evening.”
Max huffed and shook his head, then turned to leave. He had a lot to think about. As he exited the club, he headed towards his car, which was parked a couple of streets over. As he got to the end of the building, he was yanked into the alley by his shirt and thrown to the floor.
“You made me lose my membership!” The guy shouted and threw a fist towards Max. Although Max was fit, he didn’t stand a chance when he was already off kilter.
Max recognised the voice but couldn’t put a face to it. He put his hands up in front of his face as the guy’s fists rained down on him. He felt the punches hit his head, stomach, arms. After a few moments, the guy’s weight was gone, and Max laid back breathing heavily, cradling his nose, which he thought was broken.
“You’re all talk, you are. Getting me thrown out of the club! Who do you think you are!”
All the breath in his lungs was expelled when he was kicked in his stomach. Max groaned as the kicks kept coming: his stomach, his side, his legs, his face. He tried to roll to protect his front but ended up getting stomped in the kidneys instead. He didn’t know which was worse.
