Page 40 of Royal Pain

She rolled her eyes this time. “The same friends I’m here with dragged me to a club once. I don’t think it was a decent representation, more of a glossy overview with dark panels and barely lit sconces. The drinks were flowing, the wild tribal music going, and both men and women were doing everything out in the open. I do mean everything, a lot of flogging going on.”

“Well, some of our rooms are dark while others almost look like a classroom. We allow flogging but drinking is very limited. While we might not be able to control what goes on behind closed doors, we certainly can keep drinking to a minimum inside the club. I’m not going to lie; I’ve seen a dominant become highly intoxicated and take out his anger that had nothing to do with the girl or the act, but he wanted to rid his world of tension. Not allowed.”

“Is he still a member?”

“Not any longer. He’s not allowed on the island. I don’t accept bad behavior.” I enjoyed making her blush but for all the right reasons.

Her long eyelashes batted and while I sensed she was remembering something from her past, she was trying desperately to let it go.

The waiter brought the drinks, a little nervous he was serving the owner.

“Will there be anything else, Mr. Royal?” Even the kid’s voice was shaking.

I quickly glanced at his nametag. “Nothing at all, Evan. Just relax. You’re doing a great job.” You would have thought I’d given the kid a raise from the smile on his face.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

At least there was a little more spring in his step as he walked away.

She sighed. “You’re very good with that.”

“With what?”

“Making your employees and guests feel comfortable and wanted.”

I leaned forward until our lips were almost touching. “Well, if you’re adding yourself to this mix then it was easy to do.”

She laughed, the sound throatier than normal. “I like being wanted.”

There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but I refrained for now. She had to trust me and at this point, I hoped tonight would ease some of her fears.

“Well, you are very much so but I don’t push. That’s not my style.” That was a partial lie given my personality but again, I wasn’t going to try to drive her in any direction.

“You don’t know how much I appreciate that. Back to the questions.” She took a sip of wine first and I could swear therewas fear in her eyes, but it had nothing to do with me. “You said the submissive was in charge. I don’t understand. Aren’t they often tied up?”

“Misnomer number fifty-seven,” I teased. “Not always. There are ways of being the submissive that have nothing to do with being tied down. And no, they are not being held against their will.”

“Are safe words real?”

“Here’s the industry standard. If you’re playing with a partner you don’t know, almost always used. That provides another comfort point. However, when you learn about a partner’s likes and dislikes, especially if you’re in a relationship, often they aren’t used. It’s between the couple and the level of comfort. Besides, it’s the dominant’s job to learn likes, dislikes just like in rounds of passion.”

“Yeah, well, most men aren’t good at that.” She sighed and looked away then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Shit. I didn’t mean you. You were amazing and seemed to know more about my body than I know myself. It was wonderful and exciting and so different. And I’m blubbering.”

Smiling, I rubbed my knuckles down her cheek. “You’re adorable when you blubber. I know very little about you, Evangeline. The more I know personally, the better our passion will be. Learning someone’s nuances and needs takes time. That’s why BDSM is an art. The best dominants will do anything for their submissives. That’s the reality of the lifestyle. Are there bad men and women who use the power in the wrong way? Well, of course. Just like with any traditional lifestyle. There are jerks who think they can lord their size, weight, family wealth, or education over others. I can’t stand people like that. They are rodents as far as I’m concerned.”

Her eyes were still wide but there was admiration in them, maybe a little respect. “You make the lifestyle sound amazing.”

“It can be.”

“You’re not what I thought you were.”

“And just what is that?”

“I don’t know. Powerful yet pushy, a user of women. I know, don’t stereotype. I’m bad about that, but I have my reasons.”

“It’s okay. I am standoffish for a reason myself. Just know that what you’re going to see tonight is safe, sane, and consensual. I won’t allow anything otherwise to occur in my club. Neither will my brothers. One infraction and they are gone.”

She lit up. “You are quite the man and I think I will enjoy what you’re going to show me. I know. I know. No writing about it.”

---