Page 17 of Whispers In Wonderland

DISCOVERING DESIRE PREVIEW

~~~Jordan ~~~

The scent of vanilla and sandalwood permeates the air as I arrange the last of the candles around the classroom. Soft lighting, thick velvet curtains, and classy black and white erotic art canvases transform the cold stone walls into an intimate den of sensuality. It’s an excellent environment to invite calm, trust, and surrender for the newest submissive members of Club Shattered Embrace.

I meticulously arrange each station, every prop and tool purposefully chosen to provide interesting conversations between partners and a tantalizing promise of what’s coming. Soft lighting casts a warm glow throughout the room. Quiet music plays, something with a steady sensual beat. I want our new submissives to feel safe. These classes are as much about turning their nerves into excitement as it is teaching club rules.

My thoughts drift to Derek as I place plump velvet cushions in a line in front of the room where newbies will learn about the importance of clear communication when choosing a new partner to scene with. Derek and I first met in this room when I joined Shattered Embrace, almost four years ago now. I landed in the lap of my favorite Dom while playing the same game of musical chairs that the newbies will play tonight. The memory ignites a flame deep within me, as do all the nights since. He’s the only one that understands my deepest needs: to submit and dominate, to love both men and women.

Callie, the club’s head submissive, saunters into the room in all her blonde bombshell glory, wearing a killer deep purple slip dress that highlights her ample curves. My best friend turns heads wherever she goes. Her quiet self-confidence, easy sense of humor, and short list of hard limits ensures she never lacks for attention in the Club, and makes her the ultimate submissive trainer.

“Hey, chica,” Callie grins, “everything looks great. Thanks for helping tonight.”

“No problem,” I say. “I’m glad to get to know the new members more. Just a quick opening session and then musical chairs?”

“Yep,” she nods, “we’re nearly done with sessions for this group.”

“Is it going well enough that the DM’s won’t tar and feather Graham?” I tease.

Graham’s the manager of Shattered Embrace, one of its most experienced Dominants, and the man in charge of member intake.

“Since he’s one of the Doms giving the lessons, I should hope not,” she laughs.

That’s right. Derek is happier about being a trainer for this group because both Graham and his brother, Zachary, are also mentoring. With Zachary’s firecracker of a new sub, Ashton, and longtime observer, Justine, both in the group as well—tonight’s session will be interesting.

Especially since Justine was supposed to have Zachary as a Dom until he hooked up with Ashton.

I love these classes. As a Switch, I can often spot others who may have a similar disposition. Desire to be both a top and a bottom in power exchange can be really confusing for those new to the lifestyle. I enjoy guiding others to explore their desires fully and fearlessly. A gift that Derek has given me over the years by unlocking and accepting my deepest cravings. I try to help others discover the power of finding and exploring their own needs.

I prop open the door invitingly, even though everyone knows this is the room. I just hope that everyone arrives on time so class doesn’t run late. Maybe I can entice Derek to play tonight. Maybe Shiloh can join us too. She’s always up for some impact play and orgasms. Especially sandwiched between Derek and I.

“Hi,” I greet each new submissive that drifts through the door and towards the cushions in the front of the room. There’s nervous energy blending in with the excitement in the air. The Doms of Shattered Embrace are excellent at creating delicious tension. With Derek, Graham, and Zachary all in the same room, it’s guaranteed.

Since I’m filling in for Caleb, a dominant that’s not feeling well tonight, I settle comfortably onto a chair rather than a cushion on the floor. Most of them are still empty because Callie asked the submissives to arrive thirty minutes early.

Yep, it’s a night of discovery alright. Ashton keeps looking at me over her shoulder with a curious little smirk, probably expecting me to be seated next to her. I keep my confident Domme face in place. It’s sure to be an interesting conversation if the woman that’s quickly becoming my friend lands in my lap. Callie begins the opening remarks of the class with the importance of communication, a message that has been constant throughout every lesson.

I hear a couple of soft sighs, and Erika, a sub I don’t know well, even shifts restlessly at the now familiar message. It doesn’t last long. The corners of my lips curve as the line of submissives freeze in unison and stare as Callie explains how the musical chairs game works. Even those in committed partnerships will negotiate with whichever Dom they find when the music stops.

Ashton raises a hand, and Callie nods in her direction with a warm smile. “Hi, Ashton.”

“We’re Dom hopping? All of us? Into the lap of whoever is closest?” the petite auburn-haired sub, who Zachary calls his mischief, asks nerves leaking into her soft voice. The sound of the uncertainty alone makes my fingers twitch to stroke her hair like a siren’s song.

No wonder Zachary keeps her within arm’s reach at all times. The pairing of the shy, yet surprisingly feisty, Ashton with Shattered Embrace’s extroverted owner has been the talk of the club for weeks.

“Yes.” Callie answers. “Since it’s critical, every sub is comfortable communicating with the dungeon monitors, the dominants have all agreed to allow their subs to play tonight’s game.”

Ashton nods, the tension in her shoulders relaxing as Callie explains that permission has been given before the class. I bite my lip to keep from snickering. It would’ve been great fun to watch Ashton ask for permission to put her sweet little ass into a lap that isn’t Zachary’s.

Callie continues with the introduction to tonight’s activities, but my attention is drawn to Justine. Despite her being an observer at the club for a couple of years, this class is the first time she’s ever agreed to participate. I wonder how she’s getting along with Derek. He’s the most intense of all the Dom’s in this session. Only Victor, our scary as hell resident sadist, tops his imposing presence. Masochists chase after Victor like kittens to catnip, but his vibes make some instinctively nervous. So Victor’s the only dungeon monitor that gets a pass on newbie’s diving for his lap when the music stops. Those that land in Derek’s are just going to figure out how their backbone fits in with submission. If they don’t, they’ll be running for the hills knowing just a little more about what kind of Dominant partner they enjoy.

Let the games begin.

~~~ Justine~~~

I’m not a submissive.

Even though I support the choice of those who enjoy handing over power to a dominant partner, it’s just not for me. The only reason I’m going through the motions of learning about power exchange and submission in Shattered Embrace’s esteemed beginner’s class for those exploring the BDSM lifestyle is to further my dissertation research on sexual authenticity.

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