3. Felix

3

Felix

I checked my watch. It was almost nine. Part of me felt in control of the situation. Garret had asked me to arrive at eight, but here it was, pushing nine o'clock and I had yet to enter the building. That would show him that I could take the reins and call the shots if I wanted to. He was sexy, but he couldn't take charge that easily.

The other part of me had been somewhat hesitant about returning to the club in the first place, under any circumstance. I had stood in front of my bathroom mirror in my apartment, debating my outfit and pondering whether I should take a step in the direction of the front door or stay in and forget the whole thing. I had debated for what had seemed like an eternity.

After some internal contemplating, I made my choice, and here I was, standing at the entrance of the club. I was arriving later than I had intended, but at least I had given myself ample time to prepare—physically and emotionally—for what was to come.

The night air was brisk, and my breath plumed in little white clouds in front of my face. Part of me was excited to get inside, but another part of me was still somewhat apprehensive. I stepped inside the black double doors, breezing past the people waiting to enter.

There was a different bouncer inside the door. As I stood there, he trailed his eyes over me. He looked me up and down as if sizing me up. In keeping with the staff uniform, he too wore no shirt and had on glittery gold tiny shorts that exposed his massive bulge. It was warmer inside the club, but the night wind continued to penetrate through the open doors.

"Name?" he asked.

"Felix Wickham," I professed and shifted my weight, unsure of how exactly to behave.

He scrolled through his tablet, his face aglow from the illumination of the blue screen. He frowned. My heart dropped. Had Garret forgotten to put me on the list? Then, his expression brightened with recognition.

"Ah, there you are." He lifted his gaze and gave me a superfluous smile. "Couldn't find you for a second."

"Here I am," I declared with a nervous chuckle.

"You're all set." He motioned me further inside.

I smiled as he checked me off the list with a simple push of a button. "Thanks."

"Have fun!" he chimed as I walked away.

I instantly felt out of place, like I was trying to fit in somewhere I didn't belong, but I did my best to keep my composure. The part of me that was reluctant to appease Garret became more prominent as I buried myself further into the belly of the club. The bass from the DJ booth rattled through my veins.

On some level, I felt I had no choice but to show my face, like I'd inadvertently accepted a challenge from Garret. If I didn't make an appearance, then he would deem me too afraid, maybe even too weak to compete at his pace. I had to prove myself, even if I was uncomfortable.

I had shown up, and that was the most important thing. I was already venturing outside my comfort zone, and I was still thriving even though I didn't have total control.

I secretly wanted to find Garret quickly, although I pretended to just be observing the atmosphere from the sidelines, all the while privately hoping that Garret would appear. I didn't want to have to wander aimlessly for long.

I kept my shoulders straight and squared, and my stroll was relaxed and confident even though I was a nervous wreck on the inside. Nobody had to know that. I could play the part of experienced BDSM club frequenter and I would exceed the expectations for the role.

My eyes wandered to the staircase, and I couldn't look away when Garret began descending them, suavely sauntering my direction with a handsome grin on his face.

"You made it." Garret's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"I'm not one to pass up an opportunity," I said, matching his grin.

"Walk with me." Garret gently placed his hand on the small of my back and lightly escorted me forward. I felt a sudden surge of arousal at his touch.

"Where are we going?" I questioned.

"To the bar." The gleam in his eyes flared with amusement.

"Oh, okay." I flashed my most enthusiastic smile.

My heart was drumming like a high school marching band in my chest. I wasn't sure I was ready to jump right in and I most certainly didn't want him to try to convince me that I was a sub again.

Once we reached the bar, the bartender behind the counter began sucking up to Garret almost immediately. He fretted and fussed over Garret, ignoring other customers in order to get Garret what he wanted immediately.

"I'm impressed," I said with a chuckle after the bartender speedily handed us two vodka tonics.

"With what?" Garret arched one eyebrow and propped one elbow up on the bar top.

"They treat you like a God around here." I chuckled.

"Well, I am the owner of the club. If they want to be handsomely rewarded for their work efforts, my staff already knows to do what I want. They know I'm good for it, and loyal, as long as they return the favor." He shot me a charismatic wink that made me feel warm all over.

He exuded cool, poised confidence. It wasn't a struggle for him to be breezy, or, if it was, he certainly didn't show it.

"What kind of rewards do you give them?" I asked with a twisted smile.

Garret gave me a flirtatious grin in return. "Use your imagination."

"My imagination tends to run wild," I admitted in a frisky tone.

I didn't mind diving into this flirty banter with him. In fact, I was having fun.

"Isn't that the best way to live life?" Garret whispered in my ear, sending a sensational surge of goose bumps through my body, lavishing me with instant pleasure.

The way he looked at me sent a rushing thrill through my body that I knew I could easily become addicted to. I was already intoxicated by his dreamy gaze.

"To new beginnings," he said and raised his glass in a toast.

I complied. "To new beginnings." I clinked my glass against his and took a relishing sip of my drink.

I secretly hoped that as the night unfolded, and the alcohol freely poured that I would be able to unwind and loosen up beyond my regular self.

I didn't want Garret to view me as a Dom with control freak problems. I wasn't a sub, and as soon as he was clear on that, we'd be in good shape.

"I have a question for you," Garret said, the mischievous glow back on his face.

"Shoot." I cast him a warm and engaging smile.

He touched my hand and flirtatiously grazed his fingertips against my hand, skirting them across my knuckles. His eyes locked with mine. He gave me his full, undivided attention. I didn't know whether to feel lucky or afraid.

"Are you up for trying something new?" His handsome silvery eyes danced with naughtiness.

Since I was still feeling like he was trying to challenge me, I knew I couldn't fold. I put on my best poker face.

"I could ask you the same thing," I said, trying to stand up straighter, squaring out my posture as I mirrored his.

Garret smiled, apparently oblivious to my efforts to dominate the situation. Nothing fazed him. It was both impressive and irritating at the same time.

"I asked you first," he said, tossing me a spirited smirk with those gorgeous eyes of his.

I could get lost in those eyes, but I was still fearful of exactly what he wanted from me. The uncertainty was beginning to unravel the tangled webs inside my head.

I wasn't afraid of Garret, but I was afraid of him putting me in a position where I had to do something outside my comfort zone. I had already agreed to join him at his club, and part of me felt like that singlehandedly proved that I could live up to the expectations. Unfortunately, we were too early into the game for me to back down.

Garret leaned in close to me. I caught a whiff of his masculine cologne. His light blue t-shirt was skintight and complimented his eyes.

"Let me ask you something else," he said.

We were almost nose to nose now, and he was staring at me with an intensity that took my breath away.

"Okay…" I trailed off warily.

"Are you willing to entrust yourself to me, tonight, wholeheartedly?"

I didn't pause for long, not wanting to show any fear. "Sure." My heart pounded nervously.

"Sure?" Garret grinned. "You don't sound very certain—"

"I'm sure," I interjected quickly, nodding fervently and holding my gaze with his.

"Follow me." Garret picked up his drink and I did the same.

I welcomed the coldness of the sleek glass in my fist. The alcohol helped warm me all over and cooled me down at the same time, slowing my senses in a wonderful way.

I felt like my entire body was a furnace set on the highest setting.

I slowly followed Garret with heavy legs and a guarded heart.

Keep an open mind, I tried to convince myself, albeit somewhat doubtfully.

I took a deep breath. Garret would feed off my vulnerability if I allowed it to surface too soon. I couldn't give him an inkling that I was intimidated.

Garret led me down a narrow hallway off to the side of the dance floor to a private room. As we entered the room, I relaxed when it looked like any normal VIP room you'd see in a regular club. There was a black leather couch on the wall opposite the door and a table sat in the middle with a desk tucked into a corner.

"What are we doing in here?" My eyes locked with Garret's.

He smiled and reached into one of the drawers of the desk. He plucked out a black blindfold.

"Wear this." he extended his hand and offered it to me.

I scoffed, chuckling anxiously. "No way."

"I wasn't asking." Garret gave me a scolding expression.

I swallowed hard and stared at him. "You… can't be serious. I'm not wearing that blindfold."

Garret's expression softened somewhat. "You can trust me. You promised to do so, remember?"

"Yes, I remember that," I stated. "However, I only agreed to trust you, not to wear a blindfold," I countered.

Garret took a calculated step toward me. He was still partially smiling, but there was a darker shadow playing on his features now.

"This is what I'm offering." He twirled the blindfold around on his finger.

"I don't follow…" I trailed off, giving him an apprehensive glance. My cheeks felt flushed, as if my skin was burning, hot to the touch.

Garret's smile twisted handsomely. "You can either accept your place as a sub tonight, or," he paused for effect, "you can walk away, no strings attached."

I contemplated. The way he described the offer made it sound like if I refused, I would never get another chance to change my mind. It was either now or never, as if the opportunity would expire should I deny it.

Garret laid it all out on the line, and my head was swimming in response. I had a massive decision to make here.

I didn't like being told I had to do something. I wished he would imply it in a way that wasn't so brazen, but here we were. I boldly looked into his eyes and I felt a current of electricity awaken my senses. There was no doubt the chemistry between us was fiery in all the right ways.

If I walked out, I may have lost my shot with Garret forever, but if I accepted, my pride would fade away like the sunset.

"Well, what is your decision?" Garret gave me a confrontational look, but his lips curled deviously and adorably at the edges.

I inhaled sharply and gazed at the ceiling before setting my eyes back on him.

"I'll do it," I said.

Excitement gleamed in his eyes and his smile widened. "You'll accept?"

"Yes," I whispered. I couldn't believe I was taking it this far. I tried to remind myself that if I kept an open mind, pleasure and adventure awaited me.

"I made a promise to accept a challenge," I added, keeping some of the playing field level. I exhaled slowly to prepare myself.

Garret handed me the blindfold, looking pleased. "Good."

I pulled it over my head, masking my eyes in a shroud of darkness. I had lost one of my senses, but I hoped that it would help enhance the others. If I allowed myself to unstiffen, I might be able to succumb to the pleasure awaiting me.

"Follow the sound of my voice," Garret instructed in a measured tone.

"Okay." I nodded. I was a part of this now, already knee-deep. There was no turning back.

"Listen to my voice. I want you to absorb yourself in the moment and completely wrap yourself around everything I say," Garret cooed.

"I understand." His voice was intoxicating, luring me into an unknown tantalizing situation.

I was still stepping outside of my zone of security, but I was trying my best to be adventurous. My future encounters with Garret depended on how I approached the current situation.

I struggled to listen while Garret reeled me in with a tantric whisper.

"Sit down on the couch," Garret commanded.

"I can't find it with the blindfold on," I retorted.

"Follow my voice, and my touch." His hand cupped mine. His grip was strong as he began to lead me, but I walked with wayward steps, my arms extended out in front of me.

I sensed the frustration in his voice, and I found myself feeling somewhat guilty over the fact that I wasn't rising to the occasion. I couldn't fully immerse myself in the situation as a sub to give Garret what he wanted, but I was trying my hardest to bring us both satisfaction in the moment.

Garret's voice was a convoluted mixture of arousal and annoyance. Wasn't there always a little pain interwoven into pleasure? What was I thinking? I needed to figure out a way to appease my bruised ego before I blew my chances.

"Get down on all fours," Garret demanded.

I didn't move. I couldn't budge from my standing position. It was as if my feet were rooted to the floor.

"Did you hear me?" Garret raised his voice more assertively as he commanded me into the next position. "Do what I say and get on all fours."

"I'm…" I stammered and crouched to my knees, but for the moment it was as far down as I could bring myself to go.

I internally processed the fact that part of me might have some sub tendencies. I found myself wanting to ask Garret to give me another chance, to forgive me for not diving right into the role like he had expected me to. The stubborn side of me couldn't go all the way.

I could only meet him in the middle. How could I beg for forgiveness and plead for mercy when that would just prove to both of us that I was a sub?

I wasn't going to back down that easily. I wanted to tell him I could immerse myself in the fantasy. The words were on the tip of my tongue, ready to burst from my lips but no matter how diligently I tried, I couldn't release them.