Chapter Four

Daisy looked up at the man who could only be Nathan Carter and placed her hand in his. Her breath had caught the minute she'd seen him, and she'd been a freaking teenaged girl with a crush all over again.

She knew she should tell him who she was, but names were optional tonight. If he'd wanted to get to know a woman, he would have come on a night when they didn't all wear masks.

Though the mask hadn't helped her with Gabriel Lodge. He'd moved in and started to ask her to play when he'd realized who she was.

Nate didn't seem to have the same instincts. Of course he hadn't spent almost every Saturday night with her for the last couple of years.

"You can call me Sir. What should I call you, sweetheart?" His hand enveloped hers.

That accent went straight to her pussy, or maybe it was how heat sizzled along her skin where he touched her. He was so big and strong he made the other men look like boys. "You can call me Dee."

She wasn't about to say Hey, I'm Daisy O'Donnell. You remember the awkward kid who followed you around and wrote our names together in notebooks with hearts and arrows? No way.

She wasn't Daisy O'Donnell tonight. Tonight she was Dee, an eager to please sub who might get an orgasm from the big bad Dom this evening.

Though Daisy was always an optimist, she had no delusions Nate Carter would fall in love with her. He might be horrified if he ever put two and two together, but after her talk with Carys tonight, this might be her last hurrah at The Hideout. When Gabe had looked horrified to even see her, she'd made the decision to change clubs. She needed somewhere people didn't view her as a joke.

So she had tonight, and she was going to make it count .

"How long have you been in the lifestyle, Dee?" Nate asked, his eyes trailing over her.

It felt good to have someone look at her like she was beautiful, like she was sexy and he couldn't wait to get his hands on her. "A few years now, but I've never had a permanent Dominant partner. I've taken all the classes, but I haven't played much. I usually hang out in the lounge."

"Do the Doms here not have bloody eyes?" Nate muttered the question under his breath but seemed to push the thought away. "Well, there's some luck for me then. I've been in the lifestyle for a long time, was raised in it. My parents are a D/s couple. I know a lot of the members here grew up in the lifestyle. My parents aren't 24/7, but they do bring a bit of it into their normal lives."

"My parents pretty much keep it to the club and the bedroom." Her parents were an excellent example of true partners. Her mother took care of the things her da wasn't good at, and he shouldered the load she was weaker on. "But that's all a way of saying even though I haven't practiced a lot, I'm not a newbie. We don't need a contract for tonight. I use the stoplight system for safe words. I enjoy bondage and a pretty big bite of pain. Humiliation play is a hard no for me."

One hand moved up her arm, sending sparks through her. "I enjoy tying a pretty sub up. How do you feel about getting naked at some point in time?"

Shedding her clothes for this man wouldn't be a hardship. "I'm good with it. You should know I react well to praise. Despite what people around here will tell you, I'm not a heinous brat. I would rather please you."

A brow rose over seriously blue eyes. "Do you have a problem with the Doms here? Am I getting involved with a sub with a reputation?"

Not the kind she wanted. She had to blink because emotion welled inside her. She was going to miss this place, but maybe it had been too much to think she could fit in at this club. She was always going to be Aidan's kid sister at The Hideout. Somehow it didn't come into play with the others, but the Doms couldn't see past it when it came to her. "It hasn't worked out for me here. It's a great club, but this is my last night. I'm moving to another club. I was hoping to make some memories tonight."

"I'm struggling to figure out why you didn't have ten Doms on top of you the minute you walked onto the dungeon floor." He tugged her closer, his hand going to her chin to tilt it up. "You're a stunner, love."

She wasn't about to tell him why the Doms wouldn't play with her. The truth was she didn't understand it herself. Devi didn't have the same trouble she did. She didn't play, but there were always Doms trying to tempt her to come out on the dungeon floor.

No one had ever asked her except the two cowboy Doms who came in from time to time, and they'd changed their minds before she could have a session with them.

"I think I'm trouble, Sir. But you can play with me for a night and not get pulled into my drama. Are you planning on making this your home club?"

"Yes. I'm new in town. I recently took a job at McKay-Taggart," he said, but the words felt absent since his eyes wouldn't leave their slow perusal of her body. "I know some of the board members here, so I expect they'll accept my membership."

She was absolutely certain of it, and now that she'd seen him it was probably for the best she changed clubs. He thought she was hot right now because he didn't know her. When he got to know her, he would likely put her right back in the sister bin and pant after the twins or her ex-bosses. Harlow and Ruby played here from time to time. Precisely how she'd gotten the job. They were elegant and competent, and chaos didn't seem to follow them. "You'll like it here. I take it you've had a tour?"

"I have, but I will admit I didn't spend nearly enough time in the privacy suites."

That sounded promising. Privacy would suit her purposes quite nicely. The last thing she needed was one of the Doms seeing her sceneing with this gorgeous man. They might feel the need to warn him. "What are you up for, Sir? The night's young, so most of the rooms should still be open. I happen to know the spanking room is open. And the bondage playroom. I think the medical playroom is occupied."

His nose wrinkled. "I'll pass on the whole doctor-patient thing. My roommate talks way too much about his profession. Even more than my mum. I'd like to tie you up, Dee. I agree to use the stoplight system. I propose we run a bondage scene. I prefer rope. When I have you tied up, I'd like to do some edging play, and can we both agree we're open to the idea of actual sex? I have condoms."

Her whole body tightened at the thought. She knew she should play this cooler but damn it, she didn't want to. The day had been awful, and she was looking at having her freedom curtailed for weeks. She had to find a new club, and the prospect was equal parts scary and depressing. Why couldn't she have one night? One night to indulge. One night to pretend. The next time she saw him she would be Aidan's little sister again, and he wouldn't look at her the same way. "I agree to your terms, Sir."

"Then lead the way, sub." He stepped back, but his hand was on hers again.

She led the way through the back of the lounge to where a bank of privacy rooms were located. And also a dungeon monitor. A familiar-looking Dom.

Hunter McKay was dressed for the party, but it was obvious he was working. He gave her a once-over. The same one Gabriel Lodge had given. Hunter was six foot four and built like a linebacker, so it was odd to see how small he was in comparison to Nate Carter.

"Hello, gorgeous," he began and then seemed to recognize her. "Whoa. Sorry about that. Hey, does A…"

She let go of Nate's hand and moved in closer. "I would like to remind you what night it is," she said quietly. "The rules are in play, Hunter. Are you going to break them? Why does my brother need to know what his adult sister is doing in a club she holds a membership to? Should I have a talk with your mother? I'm feeling the need for a session or two about how the men in my life treat me."

Even in the low light she could see the way Hunter paled. His mother was Eve McKay, and she would be pissed if she thought her son was infantilizing the perfectly capable adult women around him. The aunties in her life were pretty kick ass, and she would invoke their names now to get what she wanted.

One hot night with the Dom of her dreams.

"Which room were you thinking of?" Hunter asked politely. "They're all open except four."

"We're going to use room two, thank you," she said, and stepped back to allow Nate to take the key from Hunter.

Hunter put the key in Nate's hands. "Go with god, man."

Daisy tugged him toward the room.

"Okay, that was weird," Nate said, following along.

"He likes to joke." She stopped at the door, turning his way. "Everyone's sarcastic around here." Her heart fell as she realized he was glancing back at Hunter, a wary look on his face. Had Nate heard her threaten Hunter with Aunt Eve? Probably not the sexiest thing she could have done. "It's okay if you changed your mind."

He turned back to her. "I haven't changed my mind. Not about you, but I'm starting to wonder about the club. I feel like there's something going on I don't understand. I don't like how they're treating you. "

"They're joking," she said quietly. "But if it bothers you, we don't have to go any further. I will understand, Sir. This night is supposed to be easy. No names if you don't want them. No expectations. No drama. One night of pleasure. You don't have to worry about anything except pleasing me, and I'll do the same for you. But if you're worried I'll drag you into some kind of…"

She wasn't even sure what she would call it, but he stopped her.

"I'm not worried about getting dragged into something. I'm rather worried I won't be. But you're right. It's one night, and I want to spend it with you. I don't think you understand how much." He got into her space again, his body brushing hers. "I'm getting in my head, and I'm pretty sure overthinking could fuck me over tonight."

"Don't think tonight, Sir. Just feel." It was what she wanted to do. It was the only thing she wanted to do. Tomorrow she would go into the office and he would be one floor beneath her and so far away it would hurt. She would watch him from the shadows after tonight, so she wanted to make it count.

"I'm going to kiss you," he said, his voice low.

The truth was the words formed a sort of question. They were a warning so she could use one of those safe words if she wanted to. She simply lifted her chin and went on her toes, thanking the universe Kenzie Taggart loved high heels and they wore the same size shoe.

How long had it been since she'd been kissed? Over a year? Her heart rate ticked up as he lowered his head to hers, and then heat sparked through her. He was overwhelming. There was no soft, sweet brushing of lips. He placed his hands on either side of her face and gently held her while he devoured her mouth.

Longing welled inside her, warring with the outrageous sexual desire she felt for this man. Her body felt electric for the first time in…for the first time. She let her hands find his waist, touching the warm skin covering his muscular body. He was so big. It would be easy to drown in him. And she would do it willingly.

When he opened the door, she followed him. It didn't matter if she was likely making a terrible mistake. She was going to take this time with him, and then she would be done.

* * * *

Nate wasn't sure what the dungeon monitor had been on about, but the mystery of how all the Doms seemed to treat this particular submissive would have to wait.

He closed the door behind them and watched as she ran a hand over the big bed in the corner of the room. The instinct to simply throw her on it and have her was almost overwhelming.

It felt fucking good to feel anything at all. Like someone had switched him back on the minute she'd walked into the room.

He wasn't going to question it. If it was a mistake, then he would make it happily and take it to the outer edges of way too far.

He set his kit on the table by the door. The room had a St. Andrew's Cross and multiple hooks and apparatuses to accommodate bondage and rigging. There was a dresser he was sure was stocked with helpful items should a Dom find himself ill prepared.

Nate was a freaking Boy Scout.

"Where would you like me, Sir?"

Her every word went straight to his cock. It would be so easy to do what she said she wanted—keep this simple. Play and sex and nothing else.

He didn't want simple. "Tell me one thing about yourself."

Her eyes widened behind the elaborate mask on her face. "I thought this was a moment out of time."

She was wary. He could work with that. "Sure. So in this moment out of time, tell me something about yourself."

She bit her plump bottom lip and looked a wee bit nervous. "What kind of thing about myself? Like where I went to high school or college? What my favorite color is?"

He rather thought she was trying to point out how silly he was being when they were here for play. She would be an unconscionable brat. Perhaps that was what had gone wrong with the Doms here. They couldn't handle her. She didn't have to leave her home club. She'd found the right Dom.

It occurred to Nate how oddly he was behaving. He wasn't this guy. He didn't walk into a room, point to his chosen woman of the night, and carry her away. He was thoughtful. He planned. He didn't throw himself into anything.

But this felt right.

She looked gorgeous, like the sweetest, sexiest treat he'd ever been offered. She was petite but had solid curves. "Come here."

She moved across the room, joining him.

"Turn around and place your hands flat on the bench, arse in the air. "

Her mouth came open. "What?"

It was good to know he could surprise her. "It's ten right now. Do you want to make it twenty? I assure you I can spank you for however long it takes."

"Takes to what?"

He intended to make things plain to her. "Get you to understand I'm the Dom in this room and you don't have to hide behind sarcasm. I asked for something of you, something that costs you nothing. You could tell me anything. You could tell me a lie, though I would prefer you didn't. I asked you politely."

"You did not. You didn't ask at all," she shot back, and then her nose wrinkled. "Fine. You want to know something about me? I didn't plan on playing tonight. I had to borrow these clothes from a friend."

She turned and did as he'd asked, leaning over the bench and placing her palms down on the padding. She wore a pair of boy shorts barely covering her luscious backside.

His cock tightened, and he moved in behind her. "Why were you here if you didn't want to play?"

He let his hand find the curve of her cheeks, running over them before delving right past the hem of the shorts.

A gasp came out of her mouth. "I spend a lot of nights hanging out in the lounge or the locker room. My friends are usually here."

He brought his hand back and then slapped her ass. Hard. It would be better if she was naked and he could see the way her flesh pinkened up, but the way her breathing hitched and her hands clutched the bench was more than enough. "Then why would you leave? If your friends are here?"

"This isn't fair, Sir. You said one thing." She'd turned her face toward him, a stubborn expression in her eyes. "Now I'm getting the spanking and all the questions."

He slapped her cheeks again, sending a low groan through her. "Fine. Ask me something."

"Why did you leave Australia?"

Another hard smack. She couldn't know it, but it was precisely the question he didn't want to answer. But she'd been honest with him. "I was in the Army. I thought I would be there for life. It turned out to not be what I needed, so I worked my parents' station for a while. You would call it a ranch. Being a cowboy wasn't for me either. So why did I leave Australia? I suppose I'm trying to find myself, though it sounds ridiculous."

Her head dropped forward when he smacked her right cheek. "No, it doesn't. It sounds real. Thank you for sharing with me, Sir. I'm leaving the club for the same reasons. I thought I could find what I needed here, but I didn't. All I found was frustration."

He didn't get it. She was fucking gorgeous. If he'd taken her into the club in Sydney, he would have to fight to keep the damn Doms off her. "You'll find frustration tonight, but I want you to trust it'll pay off. I promise. You can curse my name, love, but you'll be calling it out by the end of the evening."

He peppered her ass with three quick slaps, moving them around.

"It already is better than anything I've had, Sir. I didn't…I didn't realize how much I needed this," she said, her voice shaky. "I haven't gotten spanked since my training, and it didn't feel like this."

The only reason to come to a club like this was to serve a need deep inside, to find acceptance inside a community of like-minded people. What had happened to Dee? He wanted to push her, to figure out her situation, but that served his needs, not hers.

If he gave her what she required, would she dismiss him at the end of the night? Or would she take the mask off and get real with him.

Was this feeling what he'd been chasing all his life?

Another two smacks. He kept a careful count. "I've had a sub before, but it was more about training. I was the one being trained, of course."

Her lips curled up, and then she huffed out a laugh as he spanked her again. "I like how open you are. Sometimes Doms don't admit they need any training at all. Like they were born knowing how to spank a girl."

"Or a guy." He slowed down because they were approaching the end of her punishment. One more smack, and this time he held his hand to her cheek, feeling the ample curve of her arse. "I trained with her for six months and then I bounced around. Being in the Army isn't conducive to having a D/s relationship in a long-term sense. One more, love. Are you ready?"

"If I say no, will you keep going?" she asked.

He smacked her pretty cheek hard, sending a shiver through her. "No, because there's something else I need. I want you naked and bound. I want to frustrate you in the sweetest way. You say you haven't experienced what you should have. Well, I'm going to change that tonight. Stand."

She raised herself up. Her skin was flushed, and her hair mussed. She looked like sex to him. "You're a bossy man."

He wasn't. He was an easygoing man. He'd learned from a young age his size alone intimidated people, so he had to carefully control himself. He kept his anger in check along with all those other pesky emotions. He was the guy who never let anything shake his calm. Calm was getting boring. "You remember what I said. Turn around and I'll get you out of your corset. Unless you want me to cut it off you. I've got a wicked-sharp knife. It would be quicker."

She seemed to take the threat seriously, turning and holding her arms out so he could easily get at the stays. "Not my corset. I'm already going to have to have it cleaned. I would prefer not to have to replace it. I'm afraid things haven't been easy on the job front."

He quickly worked the ties, a skill he'd learned at the hands of his training sub. She'd been slightly older and kind. He'd enjoyed his relationship with her, including some fairly filthy sex.

But nothing had ever sparked him the way Dee did.

"Then I'll be careful." He wanted to ask her about her job, but he'd pushed her enough on the question front. It was easy to see the woman was wary. As he had no intention of this being some damn moment out of time, he needed to show her what he could offer.

Pleasure.

She wanted D/s sex, he could give it to her.

He eased the corset over her head and set it aside. He pushed her hair back and did what came naturally, running his hands along her shoulders before lowering his mouth to kiss the nape of her neck. "You are the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen. You walked into the room and there was no one else in it for me."

A slow breath shuddered through her. "Thank you, Sir. I'm afraid I haven't been my normal, confident self lately. Thank you for giving that back to me. If it helps, you should know when I saw you in the lounge, I knew you were a tree I wanted to climb."

The words sent a chuckle through him, and he allowed his hands to move around her torso, cupping her breasts. She leaned back in against him.

He went to kiss her cheek, but the mask was in the way. "Can we get rid of these masks, Dee? I don't think we need them."

She went stiff in his arms. "It's not allowed."

"We're alone, and the rules are adaptable." It was the nature of D/s. They made their own rules.

She stepped away from him. "I want to keep mine, Sir. I'm playing a part tonight, one I don't ever get to play."

"It's not a role. It's a part of you."

"It feels very much like a role. I can't…" she began.

He was pushing when she needed his patience. "Put your hands in front of you. Clasp them together. Like a prayer."

She hesitated. "Sir…"

"You want to play a role? You're my sub for the night. I won't touch the mask. I'll leave mine on, but it's nothing more than a flimsy piece of armor, love. You keep it on all you like, but I'll get underneath your skin. I don't think you need another club. You simply need the right top. Do as I asked or it's twenty this time."

She looked so fucking innocent standing there with her pretty tits on display, still wearing white boy shorts and those fuck-me heels. How did she manage to look like a fucking angel? Her arms came out, and he knew they'd passed the crisis. Now all he had to do was convince Dee.

He took out his rope and began to bind her.