Page 12 of A Lesson In Beginning

“Are you sure you’re okay with this, Adah?” Ruth whispered quietly beside me. The van we rode in held myself, Ruth, and Leviticus, along with his brother Bartholomew and his wife, Delilah.

“I am certain, Ruth. If you all are okay with this, then why should I be any different?” I had resigned myself, in stubborn willfulness, to be just that — okay with this. I would not lower myself to being shocked by whatever it was The Temple had to offer, regardless of how sinful it may be.

“I don’t know, I think that big sister Adah is a badass!” Bartholomew cajoled from the front seat beside Leviticus. He was an odd sort of man. For as handsome as he was, he was full of jokes and a jovial attitude that reminded me of Rufus, the pet dog our neighbors had owned when Ruth and I were growing up. He had been a floppy golden retriever, and something about Bartholomew reminded me soundly of that mutt.

“Ollie, behave please.” Delilah’s groan of disapproval had Ruth and Leviticus laughing, but I could only look on in shock. It had become apparent over the week that I had lived with the Temples that the family was unlike anything I had previously expected. Upon telling the family that I was aware of their particular proclivity for the sinful acts enacted and exalted at The Temple, they had welcomed me with open arms, offering any information or advice, should I seek it. Not that I had. No, I felt I had quite enough information to handle the job Leviticus had given me.

I was to help run the kitchen. It seemed simple enough; cook, and keep snacks and drinks stocked for the clientele that frequented the club.

“Now, the club has been open for a few days, and tonight shouldn’t be too busy, according to the books. We will show you where you will be working, as well as the back rooms and offices.” Leviticus explained the plan for the evening for what felt like the millionth time.

“And you’ll show me out on the floor.” I corrected him gently, yet insistently. He had been against me going out onto the open floor where play occurred, but they would not derail me from my decision to see just what it was that this BDSM scene entailed. I needed to understand, and felt that this beat watching Ruth and Leviticus — or Levi, as he continually insisted I call him — or one of the other couples in the family.

“If you insist.” I could hear the hesitation in his voice, but it only made me smile with smug exultation.

“I absolutely do.” I answered, making Bartholomew laugh in the front seat.

“I like her. She’s spicy.” He gestured back towards my seat with his thumb, then turned to give me a wink.

“You are quite incorrigible, Bartholomew Temple.” I chastised him gently, thinking it safe to do so after hearing the banter the group was wont to engage in.

“Isn’t he, though?” His wife agreed behind me.

“Ugh, please, for the love of sky daddy, do not call me Bartholomew.” I could hear the grimace in his voice, though he was facing the front of the vehicle.

“But it is your given name.”

“Yes, given to me by a tyrant of a man. Please, I beg you, call me Ollie.” The man’s begging was strange to me, but I gave him a reprieve, anyway.

“Alright. Ollie, it shall be.”

“Wait a second, you’ll call him Ollie, but you refuse to call me Levi? What gives, Adah?” Leviticus whined from the driver’s seat, making Ruth chuckle.

“Poor Levi doesn’t like not getting his way, does he?” Delilah heckled from behind where Ruth and I sat.

“Not in the slightest. Please continue, Adah. It’s hilarious to watch.” My sister gave me a conspiratory grin, and I found myself feeling more at ease in the light-hearted air of the van.

“We’re here!” Leviticus announced as we pulled into a parking garage in the middle of the city. It was still so strange to be in such a large city, with such bright lights and active nightlife.

He parked the van, and we exited the vehicle, Leviticus leading us through the underground garage to an elevator that took us to the club. It was an internal entrance that was designed for the owners and workers of the club only. Quite exclusive, it would seem.

When the elevator came to a halt, we stepped out into a building I could only describe as extravagant beyond comparison. The wooden floors shone with a gleam that spoke of elegance, while the walls and ceilings were all black. You would think it would feel small with such dark colors, but it somehow only looked lavish and luxurious. We walked down the hall, the sounds of the clientele growing louder with every step.

“The offices are down this hall here to your left. To the right will lead you down to the main floor where the clients assemble, and where you will be working.” Leviticus pointed in each direction. I nodded my understanding and made to turn right towards the obvious crowds below.

“Not so fast, there.” Ollie stopped me with a hand. “Are you absolutely sure?” He turned me until his eyes met mine. Gone was his usual joviality, giving way to only concern. But there was no judgment in his gaze, as I had seen in Leviticus’.

“I could not be more certain. Please show me the way.” With a stalwart nod of his head, Ollie led the way through the hallway and down a flight of stairs. A door was at the base of the staircase, the window made to be opaque, allowing only shadows to show behind the surface.

As Ollie reached for the door handle, Ruth tugged at my arm, pulling me around to face her.

“Adah, please remember that we can leave at any time. Everything that happens on the main floor is consented to, agreed upon, and everyone is happy. Just remember that, okay?” Her brow furrowed with worry, but I shrugged her off.

“I’m not afraid, Ruth. Trust me.”

I turned back to the door just as Ollie opened it, the sounds of the main floor bursting forth so loudly I wanted to cover my ears. Music thumped loudly, a heavy bass so loud it almost vibrated the surrounding walls.

“Down this hallway you’ll find two locker rooms, a few aftercare rooms, and then the kitchen to your right at the end of the hallway before it opens up to the main play space of the club.” Leviticus leaned in close as he spoke, raising his voice to be heard above the music.

---