Chapter 9

Maddy

Colin led me through crowds of sweaty, leather-clad and half-naked men to the front of the club. On the way, I couldn't help but again peek into the open doors in the hall. Amid the flogging and rope play, the nearly naked pets running around, and the men hitched up in slings, I glimpsed a few hard penises and some rounded, hard as rock butts, which I had to admit was kind of exciting.

Colin squeezed my hand. "Can you keep up?"

I nodded, moving faster to stay in motion with his long strides.

When we reached the entrance where we'd first locked eyes, he let go. He leaned down and ran his fingers gently, like feathers, over my forehead.

"Yep, definitely a lump but it's not getting bigger. It's a little red. You tell me if you feel dizzy or sick, okay?"

"Yes, sir." It felt right to call him sir. Like a good thing was happening to me deep inside.

When he took his fingers away, it was as if my skin already missed them.

He grabbed a chair by the check-in desk and brought it right up to the wall behind his post. "You sit right here. And remember, you tell me if you feel at all dizzy or sick, okay?" he repeated.

I nodded.

He then walked over to a guy who was even bigger and taller than he was, but younger, and started talking to him.

I hooked my feet up under the chair and leaned forward. I felt out of place and weird, hugging Kornie against my rainbow t-shirt. Dan had insisted boys and littles were popular here at the club, but I still felt like I didn't belong. And I knew for sure I was being a burden to the big and strong club bouncer named Colin even though he'd said I wasn't.

I wondered how long he would want me to stay in the chair so he could keep an eye on me. How long did it take to find out if the lump on your head was anything serious? I wanted to touch it again, but kept my hands locked with Kornie in my lap.

From where I sat and Colin was stationed, I had a great view over a lot of the front part of the club. I could see all the stages and the dance floor and the bar. So many guys in leather. So many men practically making out as they danced. All the things I saw sent little shivers through my body. It was all new and kinky, and I liked it a lot. I wanted to see more.

I watched Colin as he worked. He stood a few feet in front of me keeping an eye on everything while being unobtrusive, his body alert, muscles tensed. At first it seemed like a pretty easy job. But then I realized standing all that time and never letting yourself drift from observing your surroundings had to be hard. My mind wandered so easily. His remained focused.

Colin greeted some people by name as they entered and exited the building, but he never allowed chit-chat. Every few minutes, he turned to look at me, one eyebrow raised.

I felt like he was asking me a question, actually paying attention to me. I nodded to let him know I was okay. My head had stopped throbbing. All I felt now was a little sting at the lump area.

The more I watched Colin, the more I liked what I saw. He was so big compared to me, so strong and sure of himself. His hard looks and seemingly disapproving expressions weren't as scary when I was closer up to see him. Or maybe he had changed for me?

I responded to his authority in unexpected ways. First, when I came into the club, I had cringed, thinking he thought I was weird and not worthy. But when I'd caught his stare again before going to the littles playroom, it kind of thrilled me. When he'd come to break up the fight and then took me away, I felt a bit special. Now, whenever he looked at me, more things stirred up inside me. I started to feel hot under my skin.

What would it be like to be with this man? I couldn't help but imagine it. If he was my daddy, wow could he ever make me into a good boy by just a look. I'd be ready to let him lead me anywhere, an easy boy, submissive and obedient.

But I was far too shy to take that fantasy any further.

I realized my eyes were nearly shut and I was rocking forward when a hand came in front of my face. "Maddy. Are you falling asleep?"

I jerked my head back. Colin stood before me; again, that sinister and angular eyebrow rose. His dark eyes glistened.

"I'm awake. I was just thinking."

"You sure you're not sleepy or dizzy?" He reached out and brushed his fingers over my forehead, feeling for my bump. They were hot but gentle. My skin tingled at his touch. The skin around the bump was still a little numb, though.

"I'm sure."

"The bump isn't any bigger. Just a little pink. Are you getting bored?"

I couldn't admit that to him. He had, after all, rescued me. And he was getting handsomer by the minute. I had zero complaints.

"No, I was just thinking."

"About what, baby?"

I nearly gasped at his use of what I thought of as an endearment. And the fact that it was directed at me.

"Just, stuff. Things in my mind."

The corners of his lips quirked up.

A group came through the front doors. Colin turned away. I watched him assess them with a single up-down look. One of them said, "Hey, Colin."

"Hey," he replied to the customer, then turned back to me.

"You're brand new here," he said. "It's going to be overwhelming."

"That's what greenie means. It's what you called me before."

"It is."

I realized that while he had not allowed himself to chitchat with others, he was doing just that with me. But then I remembered I was his job. He was merely watching me to see if I had a concussion. He was probably talking to me to confirm I wasn't slurring my speech.

"Since you've never been here before, do you find the club interesting?"

"Yes. But a little overwhelming, too, like you said."

He shrugged. "That's to be expected for first timers. I barely see any of it anymore. When I'm off work, the last place I want to go is here."

"Really?" Maybe he wasn't into kink at all. My hope of him being a daddy was starting to dim.

He chuckled without smiling. "Not that I don't like these guys or this place. Don't get the wrong idea."

Well, then, what was the right idea?

Colin's radio beeped. He put his hand to his head where there was an earpiece and muttered a response. He walked away from me so I couldn't hear what he said, then scoped out the club again with his very discerning gaze.

A minute later, he was back at my side. I looked up, realizing my eyes were wide and my mouth a bit open. He was just that mesmerizing.

"I'm off at the top of the hour. I don't like the idea of leaving you. Would your roommate be pissed if I took you out for a cup of coffee?"

Coffee? That was his line? I loved it, actually. "Um, yes. I'd like that."

I could hardly believe he was asking me out, just little old me sitting here hugging a unicorn stuffie. Did he really want to have coffee with me? But no. He'd just said he didn't like the idea of leaving me. I was still a part of his job, that was all.

"My roommate won't be mad at all," I added. "I can text him that I'm leaving. He'll be glad, actually. He wanted me to come with him tonight, but I could tell he couldn't wait to go off in search of love." I bit my lower lip when I said the word love.

A waiter showed up with a tray. On it was a square glass with honey-colored liquid inside, still fizzing. He lowered the tray and held it out to me.

"For you," Colin said. "It's ginger-ale. I ordered it for you. It will settle your stomach if it feels upset with any residual headache."

I didn't feel sick. Just nervous. I took the glass and put it to my mouth, taking a sip. It was ice cold and very refreshing.

"Thank you." I frowned. "You really ordered this for me?"

"I realized I should've done it earlier."

This hard guy with big muscles and star tattoos was really being nice. And getting nicer by the minute. Maybe taking me out after work was more than just doing his job? I had thought of it as being asked out. But I didn't know what he thought.

I watched him finish his shift while sipping my drink, my head spinning, but not from any concussion. It was all Colin.