Page 32 of Only for the Moment
Chapter Thirteen
Club X was typical of so many other venues in Vegas—flashy in the front, discreet in the back. They were taken to the discreet side, a private entrance on the first floor at the adjoining parking garage, through a set of manned gates. After Isaac’s credentials were given, the Escalade was waived through. Nick cleared the area and checked with security at the door beforeallowing Isaac to exit.
This part didn’t feel so bizarre. Kennedy had escorted guests here before; she knew the routine. It was stepping through the door into a secure receiving area that felt unreal. A flutter of panic hit her when Isaac was handed a mask that covered most of his forehead and cheeks, as if hiding his face somehow stole him away from her.
Holding the mask in one hand, he reachedfor her with the other, waiting for her to settle her palm in his. “I can hear you thinking.”
Quite a feat considering the thump of the bass inside the club already made it necessary to raise their voices. Kennedy let him pull her against his side, his breath brushing her neck as he brought his mouth to her ear. “What is it, love?”
A shiver of pleasure sparkled in her mind, along her skin. “You’regoing to have to keep that accent under wraps if you don’t want to be made. That mask won’t be enough.”
She caught the edge of his grin from the corner of her eye. “This?” Isaac asked, sounding distracted as he held the mask up. “It’s just for fun.” He traced a finger along her jaw, her throat, the vee of cleavage left bare by her open shirt. “The main part of the club is more general public,and therefore not as strict about who is allowed entry. It’s not a secret that I’m part of the lifestyle, but it tends to be a small community, a private one. Once we go upstairs, I won’t need to hide.”
Good. She needed to see his eyes, his expression, needed grounding in the world she never thought she’d enter. “Okay.”
“I’ll be right here with you, every step. No worries.” Isaac bent his headand took her mouth, kissing away the worst of her fears. When he stepped back and handed her a mask similar to his, she didn’t hesitate.
The downstairs passed in a blur, her limited range of vision keeping her focused on moving forward. She caught glimpses of stages scattered around the room, occupants in various stages of foreplay—or after play, in a couple of cases—but mostly it was a sea ofPVC and leather and bare skin, heat and the scent of sex.
Upstairs was far different. This was more refined smoking lounge—with whips and chains. More open space. Kennedy took a moment to breathe as she got a feel for the room. Small groups congregated in circles around tables, drinks in hand, Doms in chairs with subs at their feet. Around the outer edges of the room, similar circles were arrangedaround various BDSM implements—a St. Andrews cross, a bench with stocks, a handsome, very naked man hanging from thick chains, spreader bars between his hands and feet.
Isaac seemed unfazed by it all. As he walked toward the bar, he removed his mask, holding out his hand for Kennedy’s. As predicted, their entourage didn’t cause a stir. Well, half an entourage—their security fanned out along thewalls near the elevator. Only Nick and their personal guide accompanied them across the room to meet Perez at the long mahogany bar top.
“How you doing, mate?”
“Isaac! It’s great to see you again, my friend.”
Perez had to be in his late forties, but the salt-and-pepper hair and lines radiating from the corners of his eyes only served to add to the aura of command he seemed to carry so effortlessly—andthe sex appeal. When his near-black eyes moved her way and his mouth curved in a predatory grin, she could definitely see the sex appeal.
“Ms. O’Connell.” He took her hand, but his gaze flicked to Isaac, one brow raised as if in question. Isaac gave a brief nod. “May I say I never dreamed to have you here, Kennedy, but it is certainly a pleasure.”
“Thank you.”
Perez waved a hand at the bartender,who busied himself pouring drinks. “Isaac has explained that you are here as a guest, not as his sub.”
He glanced pointedly at her throat, and Kennedy realized with a start that he was looking for a collar. It had never occurred to her that Isaac might be required to collar her, even temporarily, to allow her inside the club. She flushed, uneasily aware of the need to drop her eyes away fromPerez’s stern look, a gesture that now screamedsubmissiveno matter how many times she’d done it in the past.
“As a rule we don’t allow guests, but if it means getting one of the best riggers I know here to help out…” He shrugged. “For future reference, subs are required to have bare feet and to wear at least a temporary collar signifying their partner for the evening, if they accompanied aDom here. No speaking unless spoken to, eyes down at all times. Most Doms here use high protocol, but there are occasional exceptions.”
His look said he didn’t approve. Kennedy refrained from telling him she had no idea what high protocol was and would not be returning as anyone’s sub. She couldn’t, however, resist a smirk. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
Perez’s gaze narrowed on her as he picked upthe scotch at his elbow. “Sass.” He took a sip, continuing to pin her with nothing more than a look. “I do envy you your…partner, Isaac. The sassy ones are always the most fun to control.”
I bet.She wanted desperately to swallow—hard—but made sure her sarcasm was what shone through.
Isaac picked up a glass of clear, sparkling liquid—seltzer, maybe ginger ale?—his other hand settling heavilyat her nape. There was something about that hold, that spot—it sank into her like a weighted blanket, calming her, reassuring her. And something more…
Controlling her. God, that was it. The sense that he had complete control of her, of the situation sank deep into her being. And lit her up inside.
Shelikedit.
At the realization, panic flared in her chest. Isaac’s fingers tightened aroundthe sides of her neck.
“Ken.”
The bite of the word matched the bite of his fingers. Her gaze jumped to his without hesitation.
“It’s all right.” He drew her closer to his warmth, the broad expanse of his chest warming her, reassuring her, calming the gremlins of the past multiplying in her mind. “No worries, just like I promised.”
