Page 28 of Compelled Obedience

“Why me? Why my cause?”

“Because you challenged me. Because I believe in your passion. Because I want to believe in something myself. Haven’t you ever wanted anything in your life so badly that you’d do anything to get it?”

She chewed on her lower lip. “That’s what I’m doing right now. Of course I want more. I want to be in an orchestra touring the country, the world. But no one has given me a chance to prove myself. So, I’m a teacher gleaning off what little I can grab of happiness from my students. It’s honorable and I do enjoy it.”

“But your desire to succeed remains strong, so much so it angers you that you can’t catch a break.”

“Yes. Is that so wrong?”

“Of course not.”

When she swiveled her stool, I noticed she was daring enough to allow her gaze to fall to my legs, slowly shifting back to my face. “Okay, I’ll ask another question. Why do you own a kink club?”

I shifted in my seat enough our knees touched. At least she didn’t jerk away as she’d done before. She’d done her homework, which I found fascinating given our exchange in the hotel. “It was an idea tossed out in college with two of my buddies. We wanted to rule the world in our way and weren’t interested in going into the same professions as our parents. Once the idea was on the table, we joked about it but years later, the idea was still simmering. So we made a decision and just did it.”

“Fascinating. Are you still friends?”

“We are, although the distance keeps us apart.” I was curious where she was going with this.

She skimmed the rim of her glass with her pinky, her brow furrowing. “Are you… I mean do you enjoy acts of BDSM?”

Now we were getting to something more interesting. Her question forced a grin. I was unnerved by her actions, the realization that in a town full of fakes and wannabes she was the real deal, beautiful and intelligent, a little scrappy by intent but innocent. That also made her vulnerable, something I needed to remind myself of.

“I enjoy the concept of watching a woman open up like a beautiful flower in the spring sun when she experiences the joy of awakening for the first time. Pleasure and pain are a powerful combination, often misunderstood.”

“What’s not to understand? Men thrive on beating women. BDSM allows them the opportunity to do so without being sent to jail.”

Whatever asshole had hurt her was part of the reason she was terrified to let her guard down. That made me want to hunt the bastard down. Perhaps I would. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Then what is the truth?”

“The submissive is always in control. He or she enjoys the thrill of anguish because it brings a tremendous high. For the dominant, they thrive on witnessing how their submissive reacts. Are some dominants controlling in real life? Absolutely. Do some enjoy providing pain to their submissive? Yes, they do. I can’t deny there is an incredible high when realizing your dominance is allowing someone to experience sheer rapture. It’s addicting, often nothing more than roleplay but the enjoyment of sharing a lifestyle in that manner is attractive as well. And there is no greater trust than between a dominant and his or her submissive.”

The fire was burning brightly inside of her, a need not unlike what I was feeling.

“I can’t imagine enjoying pain.”

“It’s all in the expertise of the person you trust providing it.” I wanted her to feel free asking questions, not to force anything down her throat.

“What are the rooms like in Carnal Sins?”

I sat back, swirling my drink. “There are rooms designed for people who want to watch, the participants craving being humiliated in front of them either by the use of discipline or sex. Then there are active group rooms, where partners are exchanged. I employ four masters to provide education, two male and two female. They are in charge of teaching those who want to learn everything from cupping to the use of the violet wand or lessons in rope bondage.”

“Rope bondage,” she repeated.

“Yes, much different than being shackled to a bed. It’s a true artform that takes years to master.”

Her eyes glassed over as she thought about what I was saying.

And what I was offering.

My balls were blue, the ache was so significant.

“What about the girls who work there? Are they forced? I mean…” She laughed nervously.

“Of course not. They enjoy teaching as well and participating with select members, but if you want the truth, the majority of members don’t participate. They watch.”

“That’s… weird.” When she laughed again I sensed an eagerness that she wasn’t ready to claim. “Membership is a status symbol.”

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