Romance Book Club

Romance Book Club

What really happens behind the scenes?

Michelle Hughes

Tears of Crimson Publishing

Dedicated to a beautiful soul who gave me a love of romance reading from an early age.  Your sweet smile and encouraging words are missed every single day, and I look forward to sharing all the things that have happened since you've taken your walk into peace when we meet again someday.  Granny, if you're looking down I hope you can smile knowing the gift you gave lives on in me every day. 

Acknowledgements

Thank you so much to the incredible friends who stood by my side as I took the time to create a new romantic adventure.  Tammie Clarke Gibbs, SJ Byrne, Brandy Dorsch, and Camille Burgin without your support this book would have never seen the light of day.  To my incredible mom, Susan, and my beautiful sisters, Angela and Rachel your unwavering love reminds me always of how important family is!  To my husband Jay, and my beautiful children Jon, Kayla, Kaitlin, Jeremy and Jacob who don't read romance, but always give me their love; this one is for you.  As always, thank you so much to the Friends of Crimson!

Chapter One

Sensation's

She didn't belong here. That was the thought that pummeled Jessie Lawrence's mind like an unwanted song lyric that got stuck in your head.  All the leather, and deviant acts of pleasure being enacted around her were so far removed from her life, it didn't even make sense that she'd been invited in.

But here she was, her name on a contract stating she wouldn't reveal what went on inside Sensation's Dungeon, sitting across from one of the sexiest men she'd seen outside the movies.  She listened to Chase Davenport casually describe the lifestyle of a master and submissive, as if it were an everyday conversation topic. That kind of talk was almost as unfamiliar to her as the urge to reach up and see if that five o'clock shadow on his face was as rough as it looked.

She'd balked earlier when they'd visited the main dungeon playroom after seeing acts that, in her mind, were so depraved, no person should ever consent to them.  That was how she found herself separated from the group she'd arrived with and listening to the owner of the club as he tried to convince her there was more to this lifestyle than what she'd witnessed earlier.

"Would you like to visit one of the private rooms so you can put a visual to the scenarios I'm describing? I promise it won't be as overwhelming as seeing all those scenes taking place at the same time."

What was he talking about?  Biting her lip nervously, she nodded, hoping that was the right response, since she'd stopped hearing his words somewhere around the point at which he explained the pleasures a submissive might feel when having her hands bound. 

Standing up to his full six foot four inch height, he smiled down on her.  "I think you'll understand a little more if I demonstrate the way we use some of the toys at our disposal."

Jessie gave a small smile, and another nod.  This all started with her romance book club.  At the moment she was regretting letting her best friend Amanda talk her into joining that group of women.   They had a little too much curiosity to understand that everything they read about didn't need to be explored. With her stomach quivering nervously, she attempted to keep up with Chase's long strides.

  She tried never to judge people by their looks, but even she couldn't help but notice how fine his jeans enhanced his well-formed backside.  She suddenly found herself wondering how it would feel to have her hands grip said backside as he brought her body to heights of pleasure she'd yet to experience. 

Maybe laying off the steamy romance books was a good idea?  Why else, after all these years of self-denial, was her libido deciding to kick in? Entering the room that looked more like an ancient torture chamber than a place where a person discovered pleasure, she took a step back and let out her breath quickly.

He heard her gasp and turned to face her. "These objects can't hurt you, they’re just wood, leather, and chains." Smiling reassuringly, he waited for her to join him.

Drawn by the sensual timbre of his voice, she entered the room.  The strange cross in the back corner caught her attention.  Letting her curiosity lead her, she found herself in front of it, her hand running over the smooth wood. 

The polished wood led up to embedded chains at the top. Dangling, angry looking leather cuffs drifted from the links.  What would it feel like, she wondered, to be bound helplessly to this contraption without any way to escape?  She shivered, and then turned her eyes back to the gorgeous man giving her the tour.

He obviously noted her interest and gave a satisfied grin.   "Why don't you strap me in so you can see what it looks like in use?" 

She quickly shook her head no.  Strangely, the thought of this beautiful man trapped helplessly in the device had her body aching with something she wasn't ready to put a name to. 
It has to be the place
, she thought. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. She couldn't really want to explore the actions he was suggesting.

"Maybe you'd prefer allowing me to control you this way instead?" Smirking, he motioned with his hand for her to step toward the cross.

"No!" Flushing, she lowered her tone before speaking again. "I just have no idea how to attach you to this thing." Jessie’s heart was racing, and disgust was the furthest thing from her mind.  She wanted to experience what it felt like to be completely helpless, and that terrified her beyond belief.

"Don't worry. I'll walk you through it," Chase said, moving to position his body on the cross. He chuckled softly.  "Just buckle me in with the wrist restraints." 

Awkwardly she buckled his strong hands into the contraption. Thankful for the small step-ladder that stood on each side of the expansive contraption, she had no problem reaching his wrists.   He was almost completely immobile now, and that forced a small sigh from her lips. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, she attempted to control the desire that had her clenching the muscles in her thighs.  "What next?"  She whispered the words, afraid he would know how the sight of him bound this way was turning her on.

He struggled, and Jessie knew it was for her benefit to show that he couldn't release himself without help.  "Look down at my feet. There are two ankle restraints there. Do the same thing." 

This shouldn't be so sexy
, was what repeated in her head.  She was almost panting at the delicious thoughts moving through her mind, and she had barely even touched him.  Unconsciously, her hand moved up his covered leg as she stood. She needed to have more contact.

He waited for her to stand before speaking again.  "It's a strange sensation being on the receiving end for a change."

"I guess this is what your women feel like?"  Taking a step back, she hesitantly allowed her eyes to roam over him.  

"I don't have women, per sé.  I choose to do this with a partner."  Stretching his arms in the shackles, he shrugged.  "At the moment, I'm single."

"I admit I'm amazed you don't play around." Flushing, she stammered out, "What I meant was, I'm sure women are throwing themselves at ..."  Stopping mid-sentence, she realized her words told him exactly how attractive she found him.

"Thank you, I think," He smiled at the compliment. "So you find me irresistible, huh?" 

She could tell he knew just how attractive he was. "Incorrigible, perhaps." Grinning and rolling her eyes she decided to toy with him a little. "So I have you all tied up and completely at my mercy."  The statement made her heart race and she couldn't resist studying his incredible physique.  Even fully clothed in jeans and a dark t-shirt that accentuated his perfect body, he was unbelievably seductive.

"If the situation was reversed, I'd have you begging by now."

Catching her breath at his words and the smirk on his face, Jessie wet her lips without thought.  "I should let you go." 
In more ways than one
. He was obviously experienced in the game of seduction and she was no match for a man like him. Even if he made her mind ache to explore the possibilities, she was basically working without a script.  Not giving him time to argue, she moved to the ankle cuffs, releasing them before unbinding his hands.

"Shame." Glancing over her wickedly, he patiently smiled.  "Would you like to explore the rest of the room?"

"I'm sure the other ladies are wondering if I left. I should probably get back with my group." 
Before you do something idiotic,
she chided herself as she schooled her expression into one that said it had been fun but the games were over.

"If you're sure?" He forced a small smile.

"I've monopolized enough of your time and I'm sure that's not what you were looking forward to when Carolyn invited us here tonight."  It was Carolyn’s confession of living this lifestyle, combined with the BDSM themed book they were reading this month that had brought them here.

"To be honest, I'm glad Carolyn invited your group, especially you." 

She didn't know how to react to his compliment and decided to change the subject, hoping her face wasn't bright red.  "How did you get in to all this. I mean, you seem like such a normal guy?" 
Mouth filter Jessie
, she reprimanded herself.

"I had a girlfriend in college who enjoyed bondage, and after she moved on I decided to discover more."  Shrugging his shoulders, he added, "That was over ten years ago and I just kept experimenting until I found out what worked for me."

"So no abusive background or a need to degrade women?" She was confused. The romance book characters always seemed to have some horrible past. She’d just assumed that was normal for people in this type of lifestyle.

Chuckling, he shook his head.  "My father is a great man.  As far as woman go, I happen to love them, and consider myself a man that enjoys pleasing not degrading."

"Huh. That doesn't really fit in with the alpha male thing we're reading about."

"I don't read romance, but I doubt much of what you read in a fictional story has a basis in reality.  I've seen many women in the last year finding their way into my club because of some book." Chase grinned, shaking his head. 

"I have to say you're nothing like those men I've read about, which isn't a bad thing."  She'd come here tonight half-expecting to see men who dragged women around by their hair. Instead she'd met this man, who was anything but rude.

"I have my moments. So you haven't run out the door screaming yet. Should I take that to mean you’re still interested in learning more?"

His unabashed grin, made her wonder what he was thinking. She nodded her head, a little surprised. She realized she was actually enjoying herself. "Actually, this has been more educational than I thought. You don't seem like the type of man to drag an unwilling woman into your arms."  She wasn't even sure anymore if she'd be unwilling, if it came to that.  Her face flushed hotly. 

Chase chuckled.  "I'm glad your opinion of me is so high. To be honest, I'm enjoying your company."  Taking her elbow in his hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "We'll venture out into the main area again, but if you feel uncomfortable, just let me know and I'll get you out of there immediately." 

A part of her didn't want to join the others again.  There was no way she could tell this virile man that.  With a small smile, she nodded and allowed him to lead her away from the temptation being alone with him presented.  Reminding herself that he was a stranger and that casual sex was definitely not her thing, helped ease the disappointment her body felt at not giving in to the temptation.

The main room was still overwhelming.  There were so many different scenes taking places in varying corners.  The cross he'd introduced her to in the other room had a shirtless woman attached to it here and she was being flogged by someone Jessie assumed was her master.  The woman seemed to be enjoying
the  punishment, judging from the soft moans pouring from her lips.  The sounds of pleasure resonated within her and she was shocked to realize she was a little jealous she wasn't experiencing the sensation.

On another side of the room, a heavy set male was being paddled on the spanking bench, and the site of his
bare ass was a little more than she was interested in seeing, so she turned away with a flush coloring her cheeks.  Her senses were overloaded and it was hard to know where to rest her eyes.  Some strange bars caught her attention. They were being put to use by a couple whose actions made her cringe.  Each sound of a hollow cane falling on the woman's bare ass made her shiver.

"Caning is something that you need to work up to." Apparently noting her discomfort, Chase steered her away from the play. "I see your friends are enjoying a piercing demonstration. Maybe we should join them?"

She nodded nervously, and he smiled encouragingly before leading her over to the crowd of people watching the scene.  "This is something I don't really enjoy, but it fascinates more than a few of the club members."

She wasn't sure if she was horrified or intrigued as she watched the man having small needles inserted into his back, just under the skin.  She'd never seen anything like this in her life, and she couldn't deny she was somewhat curious.  When the ends of those needles were lit on fire, she'd seen enough, and turned back to Chase.  "That's definitely something that doesn't appeal to me," she whispered into his ear, after standing on tip toes to reach it.

"So does anything else appeal to you here?"  He waited for her to answer patiently.

"Well, the flogging maybe. The sounds of the woman over there tell me she's really enjoying it."  Glancing at her feet, realizing what she admitted,
her face burned.

"Flogging can be very sensual. I could demonstrate for you if you're interested."  Chase smiled warmly.

"I’m still not sure I could do that though.  I mean, it's a lot to think about. What I mean is..," She trailed off not sure why she was suddenly so nervous, but even her hands were shaking.

"Relax.  I'm not asking you to make a decision now.  I'm just saying that the door is open for you if you ever choose to walk through."  Pulling out a business card from his pocket listing his name and the clubs, he took out a pen and wrote his cell phone number on the back.  "If you ever decide you want to explore, give me a call.  Or if you'd just like to talk some more about this.  I've really enjoyed having you here tonight."

She was truly flattered, and overwhelmed that this handsome man was interested in teaching her more, but even so, she didn't think she could accept the offer.  "I really appreciate it, Chase.  If I ever decide to consider this, you'll be the first person I call." That was definitely the truth, she thought, because she didn't know anyone besides Carolyn, who was into this kind of thing.