Chapter Nine

She just about choked on her breath when Cat opened the door. Everything she could see looked foreign and a bit scary to her.

Cat got her attention and then gave her the code and showed her how to work the lock.

"Our family are the only ones that know it and are allowed to use it."

"Family?" Bella asked.

Hannah nodded. "Yes, Cat and I decided it sounded better than a group. Besides, we both have always wanted a family of our own."

Bella smiled at Hannah. "I like that." Even though she technically had a family, her mother had always been weak, so Bella had always had to take care of her, and then there was her brother. He was turning out to be lazy and trashy, and she didn't want anything to do with him. She'd rather not count him as family.

The farther they went into the room, the more wicked-looking machines came into view. A shiver ran down her spine at all the shadows, and the atmosphere seemed to throb with sexual energy even though no one was there. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to be with people there at night.

They went through another door, and the woman showed her the entryway where a tall desk was.

"The guys might ask you to check people in," Hannah said.

"Is that what you do?" Bella asked the two.

They nodded.

"That and waitressing," Cat said. "We didn't have to at first because our guys didn't like us to be alone, but they added a monitor that stands in the entry, watching over the people who come in, and us."

"I've been a waitress for a long time, so I would be good at that," Bella said.

"Good. I'm assuming you'll do both jobs like us," Hannah said.

"So, is the club open tonight?"

Cat nodded. "Yes. The club is open Thursday through Saturday from seven to two in the morning."

"What do you guys do the rest of the time?"

Cat held open the door. "We help in the office and clean or fix things in the building. For example, if someone spends the night, we take care of the room after they leave, cleaning and setting out supplies for the next person."

"There are empty rooms in the building?" Bella asked.

"Yes," Hannah said. "On the second floor."

They stopped outside of a partially open door.

"Why can't I have one of those instead of putting Caden out?"

The other two grinned.

Cat shrugged. "You'll have to take that up with Caden, but I'm guessing he's not going to let you go."

"But he doesn't even know me…"

"Trying to get away from me already, little sub?" The deep, dark voice behind her made her jump and twirl around to face Caden. But this man wasn't the man she'd dealt with before who had been nice and gentle with her. The Caden standing in front of her was bigger somehow, and his stance and dark tone made her quiver inside.

She was confused when her nipples tightened, and cum slid from her cunt. "Oh, I-I'm not trying to get away. I j-just thought you'd want your privacy."

Caden studied her before looking at the other women. "Girls, I need my sub…"

"But I'm not," Bella burst out. "I…"

Caden narrowed his eyes on her, making her snap her mouth shut.

"As I was saying. I need her for a bit, but then I'll bring her to you. Do you girls think you can find an outfit for her until I can get her some?"

"Bu—"

Caden grabbed onto her upper arm, making her stutter, and then stood calm and quiet next to him.

"Absolutely," Cat said. "We've got plenty."

"Good. Go on up to your condos. I'll bring her to Cat's around four."

"That will give us enough time," Hannah said and hugged Bella. Cat came up to her, hugged her tightly, and whispered. "Everything is going to be okay. No one here will ever hurt you."

"Thank you," she whispered back. It had helped settle her more, and she was thankful she now had a few friends.

She waved at them before she lowered her head and waited.

Caden sighed. "Come with me, little sub."

He squeezed her arm when she opened her mouth. "Don't say it," he warned.

He took her to the elevator, and they rode it up to the top floor. When the door slid open, Caden pulled her toward his condo. After they got into his place, he released her arm, letting her move a few feet from him. She twirled when she heard the lock click. It felt like it vibrated through her head.

She looked from the door to him and back. "W-what are you doing?"

One of his brows lifted. "I'm going to have a conversation with my sub."

Her gaze went to the door again. She nodded toward the door. "But why did you have to deadbolt the door?"

"So you won't have a chance to get away," Caden said.

Her thoughts scattered when his muscular legs widened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. He looked like he was bigger than he had been a moment before, and she couldn't figure out why.

She wrapped her arms around her waist. "O … okay. What would you like to talk about?"

His face darkened.

"Why are you mad at me?" she asked.

"I don't like the fear I see in your eyes," he said.

"But we just met," she reminded him. She didn't want to say that all it would take was one punch and she could be killed.

He tilted his head forward. "I understand that, but let me ask you a question. What does your gut tell you?"

"About the situation or you?"

"Both."

Bella looked down to try to find the words she needed. "I don't know. Everything is so new to me. I've never had friends, been in a kink club, or been naked in front of a man. But I can tell you I feel safe with you most of the time."

He snorted. "When don't you?"

"When you look like this. Your whole persona seems to change, and it looks like you're getting bigger. I know deep down you wouldn't intentionally hurt me, but you could so easily and not know it."

"Sweetheart, I will never raise my hand to you, and I know my own strength. At no time will I forget. You are safer with me than anywhere around, and I promise to keep you that way."

"I know that."

"What about me?" he asked.

Bella felt like her face would burst into flames when a dark blush bloomed on her skin. She tried to hide it, but with the grin on his face, she figured she had failed.

"You're telling me without words that you find me attractive."

She almost sputtered. "Of course. There's not a woman in the world who would not find you attractive."

"Oh, you'd be surprised," he said. "There are women that don't like big men or men that are Dominant. The fact that I have scars all over my body from the military would turn some women off. I find that some career women want slender, sophisticated men who are smooth, wear suits and ties, have soft hands, and are indifferent to anyone outside their social circle."

"Then they're idiots." Her breath caught in her throat. Oh, God, she did not just say that out loud, did she?

"I'm glad you think I'm attractive. It will make it easier to get into your panties," he said.

It took her a moment to understand what he meant. When she did, she gasped and felt her nipples harden and her pussy become wet, achy, and needy.

"Y-you want me like that?" she asked.

"Very much."

"But why? I mean, you must be around a lot of women. Why pick someone dumpy like me?"

If anything, his scowl got darker.

"I'm not sure where you heard that shit, but it's wrong. So far, I like everything about you."

She couldn't conceive that this man really found her attractive.

"I see I have some work to do," he said.

"What work?" she asked.

"You. I'm going to show you how beautiful you are, and I find you very hot."

Her mouth dropped open, making him grin.

He couldn't really mean that. Could he? Just the thought of his hands on her made what felt like molten lava race through her. Every thought in her head scattered.