Page 67 of The Breaking Point

“Jesus Christ,” I groaned.

“But in all honesty, I was just asking the guy some questions. What’s wrong with information? And anyway, I decided to do the limited trial membership to see what this place was all about.”

Information? Yeah, fucking right. Grace was easy prey in a place like this. She was innocent and curious. It wouldn’t take much for some guy to seduce her. Did she even realize how much danger she was in?

“You signed up? Christ Jesus above, Grace. Your dad would kill me if he found out,” I said.

Grace made a face. “My dad has nothing to do with this. Gross. I’m an adult, in case you didn’t notice. What I do on my own time is nobody’s business but mine.”

I sighed. She didn’t get it. It didn’t matter what she thought. What mattered was that my influence had created her interest in this place. And so Coach Dallas would have every reason to take me out back and shoot me.

“What can I do to stop you from coming around here?” I asked.

“Show me what you like.”

“I’m not going to show you anything.” At her frustrated expression, I conceded, “I’ll tell you about it. How about that? You said you just wanted information, right?”

Grace considered my offer and then thrust out her hand like we were in a fucking board meeting. “Spill your guts, Carmichael.”

I guffawed. Then I realized that standing in a supply closet was a terrible place to have this conversation. I found Grace and me a table in the corner of the bar.

I considered booking a private room. But I knew that would test my self-control, which was hanging by a thread already.

At least here, enough people were around to keep me from throwing Grace over my shoulder like a caveman.

It’s a sex club,my brain reminded me.Nobody would bat an eyelash if you did throw her over your shoulder.

Grace took off her mask and folded her hands. I half expected her to pull out a notebook and start jotting down things.

“What do you want to know?” I asked.

Grace tapped her chin. “Well, I guess I’ll ask the same questions I asked the guy you nearly strangled.” She smiled, her expression sardonic. “Do you like to give or receive pain?”

“Give.”

“How did you figure that out?”

“I’ve never been the type of guy to submit.”

She snorted. “Well, that goes without saying. But inflicting pain on somebody—that’s a whole different thing.”

I considered her question for a long moment. “Mac told me this place was a good idea to let off some steam. I was curious, but I wasn’t sure if it was something I’d be into. Then I met a woman—”

I bit my tongue. Did Grace really want to hear about Shayla?

But Grace didn’t seem judgmental, only curious.

“You met a woman,” Grace prompted.

“And she showed me how to whip her.”

“So you liked it.”

I nodded. “Something about being in control like that was intoxicating. I could do whatever I wanted to Shayla. It was ... freeing.”

“But you guys had a safe word, right?”

I raised my eyebrows, surprised. “You’ve done your research, then.”

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