Page 17 of Echoes of Desire

“Do what, sweetheart?” Blaze asks.

“Jasper says something bluntly, and you try to smooth it out so people aren’t afraid of him.”

I smile at the accuracy.

“It’s more like I smooth out the feelings of others before they think Steel was being rude,” Blaze laughs. “We’re surrounded by many precious people in our lives, and we don’t want hurt feelings.”

“Besides, when it comes down to it, I’m not the one people should fear the most,” I admit. “Blaze turns into a monster when his loved ones are threatened,”

“Steel,” Blaze sighs again, but his grin betrays his enjoyment of our little game.

“Next topic,” I say, logging into my database of members. “What is your friend’s name? The one who tried to gain membership.”

“Oh, Ezzie. Well, Ezra Paul Barker is his actual name. But he likes to be called Ezzie.”

“Found him. We will contact him this evening and invite him to join at no cost for one year.”

“He doesn’t have a Daddy,” Raven rushes to say. “And maybe that’s something you should discuss with the owner of the place before giving someone free access.”

“That rule was put into place with the thought of protecting the Little’s,” Blaze explains. “It never occurred to us that it would do more harm than good. It’s no longer an issue. All age players are welcome. There is an Overseer in the room that watches over everyone, along with the additional help of any Daddy or Mommy Doms present.”

“Now, to get another thing straight,” I say, standing from my desk and moving to sit on the arm of Blaze’s chair. “We are not bodyguards of Oasis, Pet. We are the owners.”

Raven’s eyes widen, her fingers tightening around the water bottle in her lap. “Wait... you’re the owners?”

I nod, crossing my arms. “That’s right. This place is more than just a club to us. It’s a sanctuary. A place where people can be themselves without fear or judgment.”

“D…does that make the two of you…”

“Doms,” I finish, letting the word hang in the air as I lean forward slightly, my smile slow and deliberate. I can see the flush rise in Raven’s cheeks, her gray eyes widening just enough to betray her nervous curiosity.

“Does that surprise you, sweetheart?” Blaze asks, his voice light as if we’re discussing the weather instead of the foundation of our lives.

Raven fidgets with the water bottle in her lap, her gaze darting between us. “I mean... not really. It makes sense, I guess. You both... carry yourselves in a way that feels... I don’t know, authoritative?”

I chuckle, the sound low and amused. “Authoritative, huh? I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Blaze grins, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “It’s more than just authority, sweetheart. Being a Dom is about understanding people, their needs, and their limits. It’s about trust.”

“Trust,” she echoes softly, her fingers tracing the label of the water bottle.

“Exactly,” I say, my voice steady. “And trust isn’t something that’s given lightly. It’s earned.”

Raven shifts in her seat, her cheeks still tinged pink. “So... is everyone here a Dom or a Sub? Or does it work differently?”

Blaze chuckles, his grin widening. “It’s not that black and white, sweetheart. There are plenty of dynamics. Switches, Littles, people who just want to explore without labels. The only constant is respect. Everyone here agrees to the rules, and everyone’s boundaries are honored.”

She nods slowly, her curiosity evident despite her nerves. “And... you’re both Doms?”

“Yes,” I say simply.

“But you’re... different. Your personalities are on opposite spectrums,” she says, glancing between us.

Blaze laughs, the sound warm and genuine. “Caught that, did you? Steel’s the enforcer. The one who makes sure the rules are followed and everyone’s safe. Me? I’m more about making people feel welcome, comfortable.”

“It’s good balance,” I add, my tone quieter. “We complement each other.”

Her lips quirk into a small smile, and I can see her curiosity starting to outweigh her hesitation.

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