Page 48 of Back Up Plan

Ari stepped through the threshold into a room covered in wood paneling and a gorgeous, comforting orange glow. Her mouth fell open as her eyes darted from corner to corner.

A cage.

A cross.

A bench.

Whips. Chains. Paddles.

Cass shut the door gently behind them and set her bag on the bench.

“Where are we?” Ari asked, barely able to peel her eyes away from the various attractions.

“My old job,” Cass said.

Ari turned, shocked.

“Like, a receptionist?” Ari asked.

Cass shook her head, “This is a members-only dungeon. Domme’s work here, helping clients get in touch with their bodies, deal with trauma, and just have a good time.”

“Sex work?” Ari asked, looking at Cass.

Cass nodded, “I did it through college. It paid well and it helped me feel in control at a time I didn’t feel like I had much of that.”

Ari nodded, wandering through the room, running her hand along the various toys. At the back of the room was a glass case of dildos, strap-ons, and various bondage tools.

“Are you okay with that?” Cass asked, her voice cracking as she asked.

Ari turned around, surprised, “Of course I am. Sex work is work, and all that.”

There was a moment of silence as Cass watched Ari examine the room.

“And you think I don’t have enough control?” Ari asked, no longer looking at Cass.

Cass shrugged, “More that I think you could benefit from feeling more in control.”

Ari nodded. She took advantage of Cass’s serious tone to crack a joke, “Is this just an excuse for you to fuck me more?”

Cass walked toward Ari, “You’re very funny. But no… it’s just a convenient bonus.”

“In all seriousness, this isn’t entirely about sex. It’s about asking for what you want, what you need, and setting your expectations clearly. It’s a negotiation with both parties having equal power,” Cass continued.

“Where do we start?” Ari said, more confident than she’d felt in months, maybe even years.

Cass turned her back on Ari and walked to her duffel bag, unzipping it.

“You have to feel powerful,” Cass said.

Ari walked over to the bag where Cass had delicately packed an array of clothes: lingerie, trousers, ties, heels, boots, stockings.

“And you have to select something for me,” Cass added.

Ari raised her eyebrow, Cass was unlocking fantasies she never knew she had.

Cass looked into Ari’s eyes, recognizing the overwhelmed yet excited face. Ari’s heart was racing, her body growing excited at the thought, maybe the entire intention wasn’t sex, but that was the part she craved the most.

“I’m gonna step out and let you get dressed,” Cass said, as Ari passed her a black, lace one piece with a deep v in the front and very little to cover her ass and back.

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