Top Bottom Switch (The Club) (2 page)

“Thank fuck,” I mumble. Assholes like this “Dom” she went with turn people off to the kink they came here for in the first place.

“I was so scared of him. When the Suit came in and removed my gag and blindfold and asked if I wanted the scene to end, I said yes. When he pushed me further and asked if the man had done anything to me against my will, I lied.” Her head drops forward, and her hair cascades in front of her face. “I was too scared of him to tell the truth.”

“
Piccola
.” I gently place my arm around her shoulder and stroke her skin. “Come here,” I tell her, urging her to move closer. “Cry on me if you must.”

Without hesitation, she curls into my side, burying her face near my chest, and cries. Her tiny hands fist my shirt, clutching harder, matching her sobs. My hand strokes her hair, comforting her in her time of need.

As a Dom, I have rules. Every Dom should have them.

I never torture anyone against her will. Hell, I’ll push a boundary or two, but only if we have complete trust in one another. Never before, and never without complete certainty that it’s something she truly wants. Too many people come to clubs to play and get their kink on, but without a realization of what the lifestyle truly means or the repercussions playing with strangers may cause.

“It’s okay,” I whisper down at her. “You’re safe with me.”

She cries for a few more minutes, before wiping her tears on my black shirt. She peers up at me with puffy red eyes, and it adds another layer to my fantasy. She’s beautiful, but the tears make her blue eyes almost glow. “Thank you, Ret. You’re a good guy.”

I smile, but I know those words aren’t true. A good guy wouldn’t want to do everything the man who had tortured her had done. A good man wouldn’t sit here with a semi hard-on as she cried into his shirt. Fuck. A good man wouldn’t want to see her cry again and know that he caused her the pain that made her weep. But I wanted all those things. “Would you like me to drive you home?” I ask to keep up with the good guy theme she’s bought into.

She blinks rapidly as her red eyes widen. “You’d do that for me?” Her hand fists my shirt tighter as she gazes up at me.

“I would.” I tap my index finger against the tip of her tiny, slender nose. “I want to make sure you get home safely.” I’ve never driven a girl home from The Club, no matter how rigorous our time together had been. But there’s something different about Alese. I want to explore her depths and crawl inside her brain.

“I’m a mess,” she says and sits up, wiping the tears that have caused her mascara to streak down her face.

“You’re beautiful just the way you are.” Because, believe it or not, there’s nothing sexier than seeing smeared makeup from crying.

“I am?” She gapes at me with wide eyes. “You think I’m beautiful?” she whispers.

“I do.” I smile and squeeze her shoulder tighter, pulling her closer against me. A small smile spreads across her face, and the sadness in her eyes vanishes. Using the back of my hand, I wipe away the few stray tears that cling to her cheeks. “Let me take you home and make sure you’re safe. We’ll talk another day.”

“You want to talk to me again?” The pupils of her eyes dilate as she shifts in her seat.

I have her and I know it. She can’t hide the subtle clues that her body throws off. “I do, but only if you’re comfortable with me.”

“But I…” she starts to say and wrinkles her nose. “I’ve heard things.”

I laugh because I can only imagine the shit that has been said about me. “What have you heard?”

She glances down, unable to look me in the eye. “You never play with someone more than a few times without growing bored of them. You’re strict and want complete obedience. Also, you’re looking for nothing long term.”

“That’s not true.”

She tilts her head back against my chest and peers up at me. “Which part?”

“That I’m not looking for anything long term.” My hand sweeps up and down her arm, the warmth of her skin sending little sparks through my fingertips.

The tiny creases in her forehead deepen, and she pushes herself away from me. She adjusts her body, straightening her back, and looks me straight in the eyes. “Why haven’t you found a partner, then?”

“Are you looking for something long term?”

“Yeah.”

“Why haven’t you found a partner?”

She chews on her bottom lip for a moment. “I haven’t found the right match.”

“Me too, Alese. I refuse to settle for anything less than perfection.”

Her face relaxes and she snorts. “Perfect doesn’t exist. You’re going to be waiting a while.”

I laugh too because she’s probably right. Lifting the scotch to my mouth, I watch her eyes as they twinkle from the overhead lighting.

“I keep hoping to find a partner, but there’s always something that stops me.” She places her hands on the delicate stem of her champagne and turns the glass slowly between her fingertips. “I don’t know if I can keep trying after what happened tonight.” She presses her lips together and narrows her eyes while she’s staring at the glass. “I never thought I’d be that girl.”

“What girl is that?” I ask, taking another sip of my drink, letting it sit on my tongue before swallowing.

She leans backward and slouches down in the booth. “I’m going to be the forty-year-old woman who’s never been married, with a house full of cats to keep me company.”

I move my glass, swirling the ice cubes through the liquid and watching the ripples splash against the sides. “How many cats do you have?” I ask before taking another sip.

“None.” She laughs softly and covers her mouth. “I just see it in my future,” she mutters behind her palm.

I start to laugh and choke on my scotch. “You’re funny.”

She shrugs, dropping her hand, and begins to fidget with the glass. “I just don’t want to be the stereotypical old maid.”

I place my hand on her forearm, rubbing her skin with my thumb. “You won’t be. You just need to be more selective about who you play with.”

“And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“Why are you still single? You’re handsome, Ret.” She smiles sweetly, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.

I smirk at the compliment. “You’re quite beautiful, Alese. Stop selling yourself short and playing with just anyone. Be selective.”

She scoffs. “I’m not easy to deal with.”

I chuckle softly and squeeze her arm. “None of us is.” She gives me a toothy grin, and I use the opportunity to rub her arm with my palm. “Let me ask you a question. I’ve heard you’re a switch and that you keep trying your hand at being a Domme. Why?”

She sits up, keeping her arm under my hand, and props her elbow on the table before resting her head in her hand. “I tried for a while to be a submissive. After I got frustrated, I figured maybe I was wrong and really wanted to be the one in control. So I started training, going to workshops here, and learning everything I could. But then when I find someone to let me play with them, it turns into a total mess.”

“How so?” I ask, watching her reactions carefully.

“I just never know what to do next. Even after we have a lengthy discussion of their hard and soft limits, I freeze up when we’re alone.”

“You’re not a Domme.”

“I’m not?” She gapes at me, her head jerking back slightly.

“You’re not a switch either.”

“I think I am.” Her teeth dig into her bottom lip again, chewing on her tender flesh as her forehead wrinkles.

“I hate to spoil your delusion, but you’re submissive through and through, Alese.”

She purses her lips and narrows her eyes at me. “Then why can’t I find someone who makes me believe it?”

“I can show you.”

H
e said
the words I wanted to hear. For months, I’ve been watching him and dreaming about what it would be like to spend a night with Ret.

Whether he knows it or not, he’s the most wanted unattached Dom here. His large, 6’4” body, wide shoulders, and muscular legs are just the bonus to his handsome face.

“You think you can turn me?”

His full lips twitch. “I think I can make you realize exactly who you are.”

“Hmm,” I mutter and tap my finger against my chin as if I have anything to think about.

“But,” he says and turns his body to face me. “You need a break after tonight. No rough play or scenes for a while for you,
piccola
.”

My chest tightens at the thought. “You think I’m traumatized?”

“I think you’ve been through a bad experience, and he may have ruined your ability to really trust anyone, especially me, without taking time to build a foundation.”

My eyebrows shoot up and my heart begins to race. “So you, like, want to have a relationship?”

He pauses, staring deep into my eyes, and my mouth feels suddenly dry. “I think we need to take some time to explore your boundaries through a power exchange. We’ll start with simple things. After I feel you’re comfortable and trust me enough, we can take it further.”

My throat tightens and I cough. “What are simple things?”

“I won’t touch you until you beg me, but we’ll see how you follow commands. And when the time is right, and you’re crawling on your hands and knees, pleading with tears in your eyes and your cunt dripping for me, only then will I touch you.”

My stomach flutters and I squirm against the seat. “Okay,” I whisper and lick my lips.

His eyes follow my tongue and his body moves. I glance down, and the light hits his lap in just the right way to give me a perfect view. Ret’s turned on, his hard-on evident through his tight-fitting jeans. “Don’t worry,” he says and pushes his cock down. “I know how to control myself.”

I lean forward, gazing at him. “I’m game.” I smile and hope he doesn’t see my body shaking because my foot is tapping wildly against the floor.

“Let’s set some rules.” He pushes a few strands of his sandy brown hair that had fallen loose away from his eyes.

“Okay,” I say quickly and turn to face him, resting my leg on the booth.

“First, I won’t touch you sexually until you ask. Small touches to anywhere other than your pussy or breasts are allowed, especially if done with purpose.” I swallow hard and nod before he continues. “I want you to follow my commands while here at The Club and also at home.”

My eyes widen slightly and my fingertips tingle. “How?”

“You’ll be available to me via phone and text when we’re not here. If I send you a command, you need to follow it. If it’s something you’re not comfortable with, you can tell me and we can talk about it before moving forward.”

“Understood.” I nod and rest my hand on my knee to stop my leg from shaking anymore.

“You can’t have an orgasm unless I allow you.”

“But—” My lips purse, and he places a finger against them.

“Don’t worry. You’ll get to come. Your greedy cunt will need to at some point. But I want to own every orgasm you have.”

I clear my throat and glance down at his finger as he pulls away. “I can do that,” I say, but I wonder if I can keep the promise.

“We’re going to go over your list of limits soon, but not tonight. Right now, it’s about the power exchange and finding trust in each other.”

I nod slowly and feel my palms begin to sweat. “I like the sound of that.”

“I figured you would.” He smirks before his body shifts, lifting from the seat to reach into his back pocket.

I take the moment to steal a peek at his crotch, and there’s a dull ache that settles between my legs. Somehow, Ret made me forget everything that happened earlier.

He’s holding the phone in one hand and watching me. “What’s your number so I can contact you after I drop you off?”

I glance up and flush when he catches me staring. “Um—” I say before rattling off my number. “I can drive myself tonight.”

He shakes his head and rests his palm against my warm cheek. “You’re in my care now. After a night like tonight, you need someone to look out for your well-being. The first part of that is me taking you home. No arguments.”

“Okay.”

“One more thing.” His grip on my face tightens, his fingers digging lightly into the back of my neck. “You’ll only address me as a Sir or Master from here on out. No more Ret.”

My face moves toward his touch, wanting more contact. “Yes,” I whisper and close my eyes, trying to hide my excitement.

“Let’s get you home. Tomorrow you may feel differently about our arrangement.”

My eyes flutter open and my belly flips. “I won’t,” I tell him because I’ve been itching for a shot at
the
Master Ret for ages.

Much of the car ride home we sit in silence. I want to touch him, but I keep my hands to myself. When he pulls up in front of my door, I’m not sure what to say. “Thanks,” I squeak out and reach for the handle.

Ret places his hand on my leg. “Wait.”

I turn to face his penetrating gaze. “Yes?”

“I’m giving you one last out before we start. Are you sure you want to do this?”

I nod and smile, glancing down at where his hand is searing my flesh. His finely manicured fingernails rest against my skin. “Yes.” My voice is breathy and full of want.

“Go inside and take a warm bath before you go to bed.”

“I’m more of a shower person,” I reply and wrinkle my nose.

His grip tightens on my thigh. “A bath, I said.”

“Yes,” I say without conviction.

“Do as you’re told,
piccola
.”

The term makes my toes curl. Maybe it’s the way he holds my leg, but the combination sends tingles down my spine. “I will.”

“Good night,” he tells me, reaching in front of me to push open the door.

“Tomorrow, we start. You’re mine, 24/7.”

I lick my lips, trying to find some wetness besides that which is between my legs. “24/7?”

“You do your normal routine, but when I text, I expect a reply.”

I nod before pushing the door open. When I peer down at his hand, he removes it, and I instantly miss his warmth. “Goodnight, Ret.”

“Goodnight, Alese.”

As I climb out, I almost hate that he uses my name. It sounds beautiful coming from his lips, but not as sweet as
piccola
. I twist the keys in my hands, trying to walk slowly to my house. I worry that this was all just a dream. Looking over my shoulder, I steal a glance at Ret, waiting in his car and watching.

Raising my hand, I give him a small wave and a smile. He lifts his chin and motions with his hand for me to keep walking. When I unlock the front door, he revs the engine and speeds away.

My feelings are a mess as I take a step inside. Part of me is nervous, hesitant about what lies before me. But then there’s another part. One filled with so much excitement I want to spin around my living room and scream that I’m his.

Just as I’m about to start twirling, I realize this is only temporary. He’s helping me find myself. I frown and collapse onto my couch.

What if I want more?

What if I want this to be longer?

Maybe I can be the woman he wants and he can be the Master I’ve always needed—someone to guide me through my experiences, bringing my fantasies to life.

I give myself a pep talk and decide I’m going to let myself give in. For once, I’m not going to overthink everything.

For now, I’m his
piccola
.