Page 7 of Beneath the Surface

“Brad, didn’t think I’d see you tonight. Thought you had the Everhart family dinner,” Jesse said, his broad grin evident as he crossed the room to meet him.

“I did,” Brad replied, his voice steady but betraying a hint of something unresolved. “Just needed to clear my head.”

Jesse’s grin faded, replaced with a knowing look. “Uh-oh. Which daughter?” He folded his arms over his chest. He knew the Everhart family, Charlotte—a force in her own right— and her five redheaded daughters. They were well-known in the community, and Brad’s connection to them had always been a topic of casual curiosity.

Brad hesitated, but then the truth slipped out. “Belle.”

“Belle.” Jesse raised an eyebrow. “Isobel Everhart? Didn’t see that one coming.”

“Neither did I,” Brad muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. He hadn’t planned on this—hadn’t planned on letting his feelings out. “It’s complicated.”

Jesse motioned for him to follow as they moved into the quieter part of the club. Faint sounds of activity filled Brad’s ears—a whip cracking in the distance, the low murmur of orgasmic cries—but it was all background noise. His mind was still on Isobel.

“Talk to me.” Jesse leaned against the bar. “What’s going on?”

Brad sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been quietly interested in her for years,” he admitted. “But I stayed away. I’m twelve years her senior. She’s Olivia’s sister, and their family... You can figure out the reasons why. But tonight...”

“But tonight, you saw something in her. You saw submission,” Jesse finished for him, nodding knowingly. “I get it. It happens.”

Brad leaned against the counter, his eyes distant. “I didn’t expect it. She was asking about D/s, researching it for a case. But the way she looked at me when I explained it... It wasn’t just professional interest. It felt like more.”

“Sounds like it could be more,” Jesse said. “You know, sometimes people surprise you. Isobel might be curious about this world. Hell, she might even want it.”

“Yeah, but she doesn’t know what she’s getting into,” Brad replied, his voice tinged with frustration. “I’m a Dom, Jesse. It’s not just some fantasy for me. It’s who I am. And I can’t—won’t—get involved with her if she doesn’t understand what that really means.”

Jesse was quiet for a moment, then spoke. “Look, man, I’ve known you for a long time. You’ve always been cautious. Hell, you barely even play anymore. But this... it sounds like someone’s finally gotten under your skin.”

Brad glanced at him, then nodded slowly. “She has,” he admitted. “But I don’t want to mess things up. If she’s not really into this—if it’s just curiosity, then I can’t... I won’t take it further.”

Jesse studied him for a moment, then clapped him on the shoulder. “Then talk to her. You’re good at that—better than most. She’s a strong woman, Brad. If she’s interested, she’ll tell you. And if she’s not... well, then you’ll know. But don’t not try just because you’re afraid of what might happen.

“Bring her by the club for a visit. We’re having a vanilla meet and greet. Let her meet some folks.”

Brad exhaled slowly, Jesse’s words sinking in. Maybe Jesse was right. Maybe it was time to stop hiding behind the boundaries he’d set for himself all these years. If Isobel was truly interested, then he owed it to both of them to explore what that meant.

“Thanks, man,” Brad said, his voice calmer now, the tension easing slightly. “I just needed to clear my head.”

“I figured as much when you walked in here,” Jesse replied with a grin. “And, hey—don’t be a stranger. We could use a whipmaster around here more often.”

Brad smirked, his mood lifting a little. “You know me,” he said, his tone lighter. “I’m always in control.”

As he headed back toward the main floor, the familiar sounds of the club surrounded him—the crack of a whip, the soft murmur of submission. For the first time in a long while, Brad felt the pull of his own desires, no longer suppressed. He was a Dom through and through, and the need for control and connection ran deep in his veins.

But now, for the first time in years, his thoughts weren’t just on the space he could control within the club walls. They were on Isobel—her curious eyes, the spark of something new, and the undeniable chemistry simmering between them.

Maybe it was time to stop fighting it.

Four

Isobel stepped into the elevator, the familiar hum vibrating through her as the doors slid shut. The early morning sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a warm glow on the polished metal walls. She straightened her blazer, mentally preparing for the day ahead. But as the elevator ascended, her mind kept drifting back to the dinner last night and, more specifically, to Brad.

She had known him for years, always seeing him as Olivia’s close friend, the reliable guy who was just part of their family orbit. He had always been kind, easy to talk to, and if she was honest with herself, more attractive than she’d ever admit out loud. At forty, he was twelve years older than her, and she had always dismissed her crush on him as something childish, something fleeting. But last night changed that.

The way Brad explained D/s dynamics stirred something in her. The trust, the control, the idea of being vulnerable in a safe space—it was more complex, more intriguing than she had imagined. It wasn’t just about power; it was about letting go, about finding someone who could handle that responsibility and protect you. As he spoke, she’d felt something inside her shift—adeep, unexpected pull of curiosity. And if she were truly honest, something else had stirred within her too.

She felt aroused.

It wasn’t just the concept that had sparked her interest, but Brad himself. The way he looked at her while explaining it—intensely, almost as if he was speaking directly to her, not the room. For years, she’d pushed any thoughts of him away, convinced they were just remnants of a silly crush. But now, she wasn’t so sure. She couldn’t deny it anymore: her feelings for him had never really faded. They had just grown up, evolved into something far more serious, far more adult.

---