Page 53 of James

Laura cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. Sorry Henry, it’s all a bit new for me. If Lincoln can’t speak, how do you know what he needs?”

Henry stroked his slave’s head and his lips tilted up. “It’s about knowing your slave and paying attention tosigns and body language. At the moment, Lincoln’s content. His only need is to be close to me and make me proud of his obedience.” He leaned the older man’s head to his knee, and the slave rubbed his leg like a big cat.

“What about safewords?” Laura wanted to know.

“That’s a great question. My slave and I both love baseball. We have the ‘Out’ sign —” He demonstrated the arm movement. “— as ‘red’ and ‘Time Out’ for our slowdown word, or ‘yellow’ if you like.” Henry smile broadened.

Laura digested the information. “But what do you do when you use bondage? How could he use his arms if he’s tied?”

Henry raised an eyebrow to James. “Smart one, isn’t she?”

James tilted his head in acknowledgement.

“If he’s tied and gagged, he gets a squeaky toy or bell to signal me,” the bearded man answered.

Laura cocked her head to the side and considered the answer. “That makes a lot of sense. Thank you, Henry.”

James thanked Henry as well. After Henry and Lincoln left, James rose from his seat and extended his hand. “Let’s go the dining area for some food.”

The dining room looked much like a restaurant. Laura took it all in wonder in. “How is this all paid for?” she asked.

James explained how the building had been inherited by one of the founding members of the club and the only mortgage on it was from the renovations. The building had originally been a combination of office space and industrial style lofts. There was also a silent partner who had helped out with renovation expenses, but as far as James was aware, only one or two of the members knewtheir name. Income was generated by the fees. They also obtained donations from BDSM stores and members. The founders still took care of some of the costs, but they mostly managed to cover the expenses these days.

“Okay, so you don’t know the silent partner, but do you know the founding members?” Laura inquired.

“Well, yes, it isn’t a secret. You’ve already met one of them. Mitch.”

“Mitch?” Laura exclaimed and clapped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.

James let out an amused laugh. “Yes, Mitch. The other three you haven’t met. They’re touring Canada at the moment with their BDSM show. Ever heard of ‘Capitolina’s slaves’?”

Laura’s eyes grew wide, and she shook her head.

“Capitolina and her two male submissives, Romulus and Remus, founded Club Indigo with Mitch. They’re well-known for their stage performance within the U.S. and beyond. They’ve been to Australia and New Zealand before.” James stared off in the distance for a moment. “I believe they might tour Europe in the near future. Capitolina is originally from Mexico and the men are from St. Louis. They all met in college. After Mitch inherited this building, they came up with the idea for Club Indigo because they wanted a safe place to where anyone could explore their kink.”

There was a buffet, and both selected their food. Julie and Kate sat at one of the tables. Julie’s face lit up as she spotted them, and beckoned them over with a wave.

Both women greeted them with enthusiasm, their smiles warm and welcoming. The four of them settled down for a pleasant meal, engaging in lively conversation and laughter. Laura learned that Julie and Mitch wouldbe assisting at the bondage workshop later, followed by a demonstration of suspension bondage.

“Are you guys coming?” Julie almost bounced out of her chair in her excitement.

The woman was so vivacious, Laura couldn’t believe she had the patience for extended rope play. What did Mitch do to keep her in one place long enough to tie her up? Lost in her own thoughts, Laura barely registered Julie's question about attending the workshop. At a loss, Laura looked over to James for confirmation.

Kate chuckled. “Looks to me like your D/s dynamics are already ingrained.”

Confused, Laura blinked and James smiled fondly at her and explained, “You looked to me instead of answering Julie right away. It shows you’re letting me make the decision. Since you seem to be interested…” He turned to Julie. “Yes, we will be attending. If you ladies will excuse us now, I want to show Laura the rest of the club.”

They cleared their places and James guided Laura around the many theme rooms on the second floor of the building. In one room, the floor was almost completely covered with the biggest bed Laura had ever seen, the next had a piece of furniture James identified as a spanking bench. It reminded Laura of a cross between a gymnastics vaulting horse and a picnic bench, only smaller and padded with leather cushions. Two looked like doctor’s offices – one with an exam table and the other holding a gynecologist’s chair. Then they went up another flight of stairs to where there was a second open space, much like downstairs but without the bar. It also held a seating area, a St. Andrew’s Cross, a stockade for bondage and another spanking bench.

After showing her both floors, James led her downstairs, his hand warm and firm –reassuring – in hers. Back on the main floor, in addition to the locker rooms and dining area, there was also a room with a swing and an odd room, with a black wall leaving a little passage at the entrance. James stood behind her and said, “It’s a maze.”

Overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and energy surrounding her, Laura’s breathing became shallow, and her heart raced. She clutched at her chest, feeling a heaviness that seemed to suffocate her. The room spun around her, and she struggled to find her footing, her mind swirling with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

James wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He whispered in her ear. “Imagine a hide and seek game or role play, where you’re running away from a pirate.”

Laura's body reacted to his suggestion, and anticipation coursed through her as he gently nipped her earlobe.

“There will be time for that another night. Let’s head back to the main room for our workshop. Do you need to use the restroom first?”

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