“It’s good to know his education wasn’t a complete waste,” Julian tossed over his shoulder as he led them into the playroom. “Lucas at least paid attention in English class.”
Sam walked into the playroom and stared at the stairs in the back that led to the dungeon. He’d been there a hundred times, but it felt brand new. Sam took a deep breath and walked toward his new life.
The dungeon was awfully dungeon-like, Abby thought as Lucas helped her off the last step. Sam’s hand was on the small of her back as she took in the space. The lighting here was soft and lent the entire place a bit of a gloomy atmosphere. The walls were black and the floor a dark wood. The fixtures were all a heavy wrought iron, giving the place a medieval feel. She preferred the playroom. If she had the choice, she greatly preferred the playroom at their ranch. It was more intimate. It didn’t have the amount of toys Julian’s large playroom did, but it was theirs.
It seemed as though everyone had gotten the word. The dungeon was full. Abby knew her eyes were big and curious as she watched the people milling about. She realized that her white silk robe made her stand out in this crowd. Jack had orchestrated this very carefully. The night before, Sam had tried to make her blend in by wearing the leather miniskirt and bustier. The white silk she wore now was very different from the leather and black fetish wear everyone else had on. Her hair was soft and flowed down her back. All he’d allowed her was a bit of lip gloss. As she walked through the severely dressed club members, she knew Jack had done it on purpose. She looked like a virginal sacrifice. Of course, the robe wouldn’t matter in a little while. Jack would take it off, and she had nothing at all on underneath. Abby’s breath caught on a scene in front of her.
“What’s that?” Abby nudged Sam.
There was a young man intricately tied up and hanging from a hook over his head. Abby realized that Jack liked to bind her hands together, but she knew it was nothing like this. Rope wound around every part of him in an elaborate pattern. The thin rope wrapped carefully around his waist and the V of his thighs. His penis was on full display, caught in the bindings.
“It’s called Shibari,” Julian explained as he led them through the dungeon. “It’s a Japanese bondage art. Master Leo teaches a class.”
“I do, indeed.” Master Leo joined them. Abby felt his eyes on her. He appeared to be roughly thirty, though the perpetual air of authority around the Dom made him seem a bit older. He gestured to the man in the ropes. Abby noted that despite the tight bindings, his eyes were closed, and he seemed peaceful. “I taught his Domme how to bind him. I believe this sub finds it soothing. I would be more than willing to show you, little sub.”
“You’re going to get your ass kicked if you don’t leave my brother’s wife alone,” Lucas said before Sam could.
Abby was grateful Lucas was taking charge. Sam was an acknowledged submissive. This Master Leo person didn’t like it when subs offered up a potential ass kicking. Lucas was acting as her guardian. It seemed perfectly acceptable that he make all manner of threats.
There was a slight smile on Julian’s face. Abby got the feeling Julian rarely smiled brightly. Even when he looked amused, there wasn’t a sense of joy about him. He was always in control. “I wouldn’t push Jackson tonight, Leo. It’s a special night for him. He won’t have you disrupt it with your obvious admiration for his wife.”
Master Leo inclined his head toward her. “She’s a lovely submissive. I can’t help but admire her. I think training her would be a challenge.”
“I’m as trained as I’m going to get,” Abby muttered under her breath.
Lucas clutched her arm and stared at the Dom. “We are supposed to be finding my brother, not taking a tour.”
Julian held out a hand. “I believe Jackson has found a loyal friend in you, Lucas.” He turned to Leo, who was following the group now. “Have you prepared the room as I asked you to?”
Leo inclined his head slightly. “Of course, Master Julian. All is in readiness. I have several eager participants.”
“Participants?” Abby wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that.
“Not for you, dear,” Julian assured her. “I have another matter to take care of this evening. Don’t worry about it. It no longer concerns you.”
Abby would have asked about when it had concerned her, but she suddenly saw Jack standing on a large raised stage. He looked dark and dangerous and entirely yummy. He held a long whip in his hand.
“You’re sure it’s not going to hurt?” Abby squeezed Sam’s hand.
She moved closer to Sam. His eyes didn’t move from the sight of Jack with that whip. His clear blue eyes had taken on that sleepy look she equated with desire in Sam. “It’ll hurt a little, Abby, but then it’s going to feel good.”
Julian flicked his wrist. The crowd parted quickly at his command. Abby wondered if everyone obeyed Julian. If everyone did his bidding, who was he friends with? Who did he argue with and discuss things with if everyone was submissive toward him? She felt a little sorry for the Dom.
Then Jack was holding his hand out, and she wasn’t thinking about Julian any more. Lucas gave her a hand up. She was enfolded in Jack’s arms.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, my Abby,” he whispered in her ear. “Show them.”
Abby took a deep breath and shrugged out of her robe. She was naked in front of a crowd of people, but there were only two who mattered. She shivered slightly despite the warmth of the room. Jack ran his hands down her shoulders. “Just follow my lead, and Lucas will be taking care of you in no time at all, sweetheart. I love you, Abby.”
She kept silent because he hadn’t asked her a direct question. She nodded, letting her love for him shine. He put his hand out, and she sank into her submissive position. She tried not to think about the St. Andrew’s Cross that dominated the stage. It was a large wooden X, and she’d taken note of the fastenings she was sure would be used on her wrists and ankles. Once she was bound, there would be no getting out until Jack deemed it time.
Jack sounded very formal as he began. “Master Julian, this woman belongs to me. She wears my collar and my ring. She shares my name and my home. She has offended you and seeks to make reparation. Will you accept?”
“I will,” Julian replied.
Jack turned to her. She could only see the tips of his boots. “Abigail Barnes, who is your husband and master?”
“You are, Jack.”
He used the tip of the whip’s handle to bring her chin up so she looked at him. “Do you submit to me?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation. She trusted him with her body and soul. She breathed out all of her anxiety and let Jack take control.
“Then prepare to serve me.” Jack motioned for her to get up then led her to the cross. Gently he bound her face-first to the apparatus. The straps were leather but cushioned with something soft. Jack made certain they wouldn’t cut off her circulation. He made her wiggle her fingers and toes. When he was satisfied, she felt him pressed against her back.
“Your safe word is ‘pink’, Abby,” he whispered. “I expect you to use it if this gets to be too much to handle. I’ll stop immediately and get you out of here. Julian said nothing at all about silence, so scream all you like.”
He stepped back, and she knew she wouldn’t. She would do anything to avoid it. It would bother Jack. He liked the sounds she made when he spanked her, but she didn’t think he could handle it if she was in real pain. She gritted her teeth and prepared to survive this experience.
Abby closed her eyes. There wasn’t anything to see except a black velvet curtain. She heard the crowd get quiet as Jack probably unfurled the whip. She was glad she hadn’t seen it uncoiled. She tried to think about every fantasy she’d ever had about Indiana Jones.