Page 13 of Second Chances

“You know what you need?”

“A smack around the face with a wet kipper?” I reply with the hint of a chuckle in my voice.

“I’ve never got that phrase. Seriously, yuck!” She shakes her head at me. “No! There’s a group of us going to my brother-in-law’s club tonight. I think you need to come with us. Allow someone else to do the thinking for a while. Relax and maybe have a little fun.”

“The getting-my-ass-smacked type of fun?” I laugh.

Amy’s brother-in-law, Grayson Moore, is the legendary star actor in the Renegade films. The handsome, part Native American Indian, kept his interest in the BDSM world a closely guarded secret, but when he married the sister of Amy’s husband, both he and his wife, Sophie, embraced the lifestyle. They outed themselves to the world, confirming they lived together as Dom and sub, twenty-four-seven. Grayson now has a string of clubs across the globe with elite membership, not just for the rich and famous but for all those who truly need the security of being able to practice the lifestyle in a safe place. I’ve been a few times to the club with Amy and James. I’ve never played with anyone there, just enjoyed the shows. BDSM is not something I’ve explored in relationships before, but I’ve definitely seen how it works for Amy and James. If I ever find the right man for me, I’d like to explore it further, as long as he’s willing of course.

“The ass smacking is completely up to you. James and I won’t be participating tonight. We’ll only be watching. He’s had another operation on his arm, and it’s too painful at the moment. But I’m sure there’ll be a lot of men willing to play with you there.” Amy winks at me. “Just remember your safeword!”

“I always do.” I tease her, my mood lightening. I’ve got the worst of my worries off my chest and realize they’re petty when I have such a good life. There are so many people in more desolate positions than me. I need to hold my head up high, put on a tight leather outfit, and find a man to spank me.

Chapter Six

Ryan

Ifollow my brother-in-law, Grayson, as he guides my sister through the main floor of his BDSM club, which is decorated in black and purple, and down to the VIP section filled with the finest leather sofas. Sophie’s dressed in a piece of white silk—it barely covers anything of her body, but nobody dares to look at her. They’re all focused on Grayson, showing a sign of respect for him and giving the couple a safe place to freely express themselves. I found it strange at first, but I’ve come to love this place because it allows me to relax and be myself.

My brother and Amy are already seated at the table we’re always allocated. James is wearing his arm in a black sling from the latest in a long line of operations he’s had to repair the nerve damage caused when he tried to save me. I look away, guilt flashing across my face, but I suppress it as quickly as possible. The last time I reacted against my brother’s injuries here, Grayson strapped me to a St. Andrew’s Cross, and he had the ladies of our group whip me until I acknowledged that James did what he did to save my life, and that the world would be a much duller place without me in it. I had to confirm that it wasn’t my fault the way his arm was now—it was due to an earlier injury he’d received as a result of Amy’s uncle shooting him. It was an experience I’m not in a hurry to repeat, but one that gave me purpose and truth. Shortly afterward Grayson took me under his wing as an apprentice Dom, and I’ve been learning all I need to know about the lifestyle ever since. It’s really helped my recovery.

“Sit,” Grayson orders my sister. Sophie immediately settles herself on the floor at his feet and looks up in adoration at the man she’s deeply in love with. Reaching down, Grayson presses a kiss to her forehead, and when he settles back and beckons the waiter over, she’s wearing a big smile. I take a seat on the opposite side of them, next to my brother.

In the past, before I’d got to know the couples in our group, Sophie and Grayson’s interactions had always seemed the most alien to me. As an onlooker I’d struggled to understand the exchange of power their type of relationship involved, thinking it was sick, and believing my sister to be a weak woman who was allowing herself to be abused. But now, knowing the love between them and seeing how their partnership works on a day-to-day basis, I know it’s the best thing for them and what they both need. They function as a conducive family even with Grayson’s son, Ash, living with them. Ash is perfectly accepting of Grayson’s way of caring for Sophie and knows he receives just as much love and respect from both his parents as they give to each other. Plus, he’s most definitely a little Dom in the making. You just have to see him at school with his friends, especially the girls. He has them eating out of his hand already. It’s funny to watch.

For so long I felt guilty about killing Ash’s mother, Sally Bridgewater, but not anymore. Ash has a perfect life. He’s loved and is growing up to be a fantastic little boy. With her web of lies and disastrous plans, that woman would have dragged him down. He knows the truth about what happened to Sally. Shortly after I was released from the mental health hospital, Grayson and I spoke about it and agreed neither of us wanted to lie to Ash. He’d already been told the full details of his mother’s true nature, and Grayson isn’t the type of person who’s comfortable keeping secrets from people close to him. Together we sat down with Ash and told him that I’d killed his mother. Ash’s primary concern was for me. He wanted to know how I was doing because he was aware of what had happened to me as a child, and how it had played a big part in my decision to kill Sally. Ash is definitely a unique character—a credit to my sister and her husband. They are wonderful parents, and I’m fairly certain they’ve another little one on the way. They’ve not officially told anyone Sophie is pregnant, but it’s obvious in the way Grayson has her wrapped up in cotton wool. I’m delighted for them both.

“No alcohol for you tonight,” Grayson orders my sister with a stern look. “You’re in trouble for being cheeky earlier.”

Sophie turns to Amy and smirks. “Men.”

I take a seat and watch the laughter between the two women.

James leans over to me.

“Misbehaving? yeah right. When do you think they’re going to tell us our sister’s up the duff?”

“Must be early days. Give them a few weeks.” I nod toward my brother’s wife. “You going to be knocking Amy up again any time soon?”

“How’d you know she isn’t already?” My brother gives me a devious wink.

“You seriously need to learn about contraception.” I roll my eyes, and my gaze drifts over to the entrance area of the VIP section. It’s cordoned off with a rope and surrounded by plants and screens to keep out unwanted eyes. A security guard is standing there, checking a list while a brunette taps her foot impatiently on the floor. She’s wearing a short, deep-purple skirt with a matching bodice. The top half of the outfit emphasizes all of her perfect curves, and the length of the skirt shows off her toned legs, which appear to go on forever. Her eyes are focused on whatever the security guard is saying, and as she reaches up to tuck an errant strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, I have an overwhelming and sudden urge to claim her.

Leaning back into James, I point toward the entrance.

“Who’s that?” I question him.

He follows my hand, and a meddling kind of smirk crosses his face.

“Why are you asking?”

“I’m the older brother, doofus, just answer the question.”

“Ow…” James laughs. “It’s Amy’s best friend, Elena. She runs the dance school for us.”

“Explains the endless legs.” Shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.

“Elena,” Amy suddenly squeals and jumps up from where she’s sitting next to my brother. He grabs her hand, and she instantly freezes.

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