Chapter 3 - Emily

"It's fine, we can continue." I gave her a grateful smile, happy about how understanding she was. She made me feel welcome.

"Alright. Where were we? Oh yes. Not every scene is staged here. As you can see, we have several doors that lead to rooms, both private for those who don't wish for anyone to watch them and others for members who want to watch. We also have private viewing rooms, where you can see a scene undisturbed behind a one-way mirror. No one will be able to see you, but you can see them." It was a lot to take in; I almost felt dizzy from the amount of information I was getting.

I didn't know much about Desire's den, only that it was exclusive and that they didn't have much information made public. The website had also mentioned that it was a cross between a dungeon and a sex club, seeing as public sex was permitted there, while a dungeon normally didn't allow it. I honestly didn't know why I chose this club when there were many others available in New York, but the anonymity of DD drew me in.

"Here's the bar. We have another one upstairs, but it's only for VIP members," Claire explained further. I had noticed that dark oak was a recurrence at this place. First, with the doors, and now with the bar. It was perfect for the sensual setting. As we stepped closer to the bar, I saw padded benches in the same type of oak.

Claire held out a hand, showcasing this side of the building. "This is one of the sitting areas. I'll show you the other in a minute. If you want to socialize with other members, this is the perfect place to do so. It's a great way to get to know others in this community."

There were several people here as well, some in groups and others with just two. Even if I was as prepared as I could be on what to expect at the club, it still shocked me when I saw a woman sitting on the floor with a collar. A leash was attached to it, which another woman sitting on a bench held. She sometimes tugged at the leash, but I didn't know what that meant.

"We have several rules in place here at Desire's Den to assure the safety of our members. A two-drink only rule is one of them. Drunk equals mistakes, and we can't allow that to happen. If anyone disregards our rules, they are kicked out at once. There's no second chance."

I nodded along as Claire filled me in on how their club worked. I could understand where they were coming from, and it made me feel protected if I ever decided to choose this club, which didn't look that improbable.

She moved through the bar and further in; towards a door I hadn't noticed. "In here is another sitting area. This is used for aftercare when doms take care of their subs after a scene. If you're ever in here, you don't interact with anyone besides your Dom. It's important to be quiet so the Subs can be brought down gently after a scene." I'd read about that, the aftercare. It seemed to be a vital part of BDSM and one that intrigued me. I wondered how it felt to be taken care of like that.

Claire didn't go in but instead showed me the door before turning around again. "We don't need to go in there; you'll see it if you decide to become a member."

Through the entire tour, I'd been so engaged that I had forgotten about my own state of nakedness. When we sat down on one of the bar stools, I jumped a little at the feel of the slightly cold leather against my bare thighs. While a huge part of me felt self-conscious when I got reminded of my lack of clothing, another part of me felt freeing. There was something that could be said about owning and accepting the body you were born with.

Looking around from this new advantage point, I could see most of the floor. On my right side, across from me, were the sections with the different scenes. It was six in total; four I hadn't even seen when Claire showed me around. A little away from the sections were the doors, which I hoped I could explore sometime. I saw the stairs going to the upper level, with a man at the bottom, presumably making sure only VIPs got up.

I could feel eyes on me, and when I turned, I saw the man behind the bar sizing me up. He was classically handsome, with short blond hair and blue eyes. I blushed as I looked away. The man wasn't my type, but he still looked good.

"Want a drink? This one's on me," Claire smiled, tapping her hand leisurely on the bar top.

"I would love one," I accepted, smiling warmly back. I really liked this woman.

"Chris," She turned to the man serving the bar. "Could we get a gin for me and...?" She looked quizzically at me.

"Scotch on the rocks, please."

"And scotch on the rocks for this pretty lady?" Claire finished our order.

Chris walked up to us, stopping close by me. "Of course. But first, who's this?" he asked Claire while he looked at me so attentively it made my heart beat a little faster.

"Chris, this is Emily. Emily, this is Sir Chris, although he only wishes to be called sir by his submissive."

"A pleasure to meet you, Emily. I hope you like what you see?" His voice was slightly deep, with just enough of a bass to make my pussy clench.

After everything I'd seen today, I was beyond horny, and I was desperate for relief. My body apparently wasn't as picky as my mind was.

See? Oh, he probably meant the club.

"Yes, very much," I answered politely. He seemed pleased by my answer and went on to make our drinks.

"Really?" Claire said as he left, lifting her brow at me, looking surprised. "I took you more as a Margarita kind of girl."

I laughed. "The first time I ordered a drink at a bar, scotch on the rocks was the only drink I knew. It was my dad's go-to, and it also became mine." Truth be told, I usually struggled in social settings. At first, I didn't like the taste of Scotch, but it was the only thing I felt comfortable ordering. I would've just stumbled over the names of other drinks if I ordered them, so I didn't. With time, it became my favorite as well.

"To each their own, I guess. So, now that I have shown you what we have to offer, do you have any questions?"

If I had questions? I was nearly exploding with them. "You mentioned rules. I would like to know what they are."

"Well, we always give out a list to all of our new members. But yes, we have several in place to protect both the dominants and the submissive. I've told you about the drinking and the aftercare. We also do not allow anyone to touch another person without consent. Consent is our law; we live it and breathe it. You also don't touch anyone's toys without permission. Always negotiate your role before you enter a scene. Safewords are non-negotiable; every submissive needs to have one. Don't interrupt any scenes you're not a part of. Follow the dress code, which I see you have no problem with. By the way, I love your outfit. It's very sexy."

At that, I blushed. I'd never been comfortable in my own body. Whenever I had sex, the lights were turned off. I wanted to shed that and learn to love it. I hoped coming here today, walking around with little to cover my body with, would help with that.

"Thanks, I was a little unsure if this was okay," I admitted. The invitation on the kink site I visited only said something sexy and black. Lingerie was suggested, though, among other things, like leather.

"Nonsense, you nailed it. Trust me, I saw at least ten people eying you as soon as you stepped into the room."

Wow, I didn't know that. I'd been too nervous to notice.

"Back to the rules. You are only allowed to do acts of play and nudity in the assigned areas. There are a few others, but you don't need to know them now."

"That sounds reasonable. What about..." I trailed off as something caught my eye. At the upper level, by the railing, stood three men, all dressed in suits. I couldn't see them clearly, but that didn't keep me from staring. They were tall, with muscular bodies hidden beneath the well-fitted suits­-that much, at least, I could see. Two of them had dark hair, somewhat short in length, while the third had shoulder-length light brown, maybe blond hair.

There was something about these men... this aura around them that stole my attention. When I looked around the room, I saw several others gawk at the men as well.

Evenfrom so far away, I could feel their power. These men were not to be trifled with.

Chapter 4 - Emily

"They're not for you," Claire commented.

I wrenched my gaze from the men, looking guiltily at the glass which Chris had placed in front of us. Had I been that obvious in staring at them? "What?" I murmured, embarrassed about being caught.

"Them." Claire nodded in their direction. "They're not for you. They don't seek a... submissive."

Scrunching my brows, unsure of what she meant. "What do you mean? Are they looking for dominants?" That couldn't be true, not from the immense authority they each expelled.

"No. They're looking for a slave," She answered casually as if she was talking about the weather.

Wanting someone to dominate you, I could understand, but wanting a master? Having someone to control you not just in the bedroom, but everywhere? At all times? That, I couldn't envision anyone wanting. But clearly, someone did want that; it just wasn't me.

"There's no point in speculating, either way, they're the most goddamned pickiest men I've ever met. They've tried finding one for years, but none is good enough for them. Ahh, I wish they were regular dominants." Claire waved her hand in front of her face as if she was warm. "Even I would consider joining the ranks of the submissive if it meant having them ordering me. Damn, they're fine."

I kept listening until I wasn't. My mind stuck on two words, finding one. Did that mean one for each of them or one for them to share? If I weren't wet already, I would be soaked now. Just the thought of what not one, but three men could do to me... I was almost about to ask Claire to clarify, but I kept my mouth shut. As she said, they weren't for me. I wasn't looking for masters, and they weren't looking for a submissive.

"Anyways, was there anything else on your mind?" Claire's question forced me out of my thoughts and into the here and now.

"Yeah." I sorted through my mind, trying to remember everything I wondered about, but came up short. I'd had so many questions but couldn't recall any but one. "At the website where I found your invitation to your open house, I didn't see much information. Could you tell me more about the club in general?"

"That's correct. We don't have much information out there for the public. Let's see-We're a very exclusive club, and not everyone who can afford the membership will be accepted. Truth be told, our members expect the best, and we offer it to them. One part of that is beautiful people. You won't see someone here who's not... above average, to put it mildly." At the mention of beautiful people, I realized she was right. I hadn't seen someone unattractive, not one. When I took in the news, it made me uncomfortable. Maybe this wasn't the place for me after all... I've never seen myself as "above average" when the lights are off while having sex.

And then, I registered everything she had said. Afford the membership. Fuck. As I looked around once again, I saw what I hadn't seen before. This place was dripping in money, from the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling to the bar's liquor. There weren't any top shelves because they all cost insane amount of money; I should know, I was a bartender after all. Thank God Claire said she would pay for mine, or else I would eat noodles for the rest of college.

"How much does it cost?" I had to force the question out, not really wanting to hear the answer. I knew it was way beyond my paygrade.

"Jennifer didn't tell you? The front desk should always disclose the price before allowing them inside."

I just shook my head, heart pounding as I waited.

"It's forty thousand a month for regular membership and seventy-five for VIP membership."

The only thing I heard was forty thousand, and then I blacked out momentarily. Shit, no way could I ever afford that. Suddenly dizzy, I was glad I already sat down; if not, I would probably have ended up on the floor.

"Oh, that's... yeah. I should go." I felt embarrassed as I slowly raised up from my stool after I'd regained my strength.

I couldn't believe I even went to this club, thinking I could just join. Of course, they would be expensive, what did I really think, coming here? These people were several leagues ahead of me, and I would never be at their level. And I hated it, knowing how this place worked, so perfect for me... all the other affordable clubs, preferably free, would never amount up to Desire's den.

"Is something wrong?" Claire looked at me with confusion.

"I can't-" I shook my head once again, feeling stupid. "I can't afford it," I whispered.

Claire's eyes dimmed with sudden understanding. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely. She must've realized how much this place meant for me, and before I could even enjoy it, it was ripped away, leaving me standing on the side watching my dream disappear.

Because this was my dream. A sexual one, but a dream, nevertheless. I had a craving so deep, it was etched in my bones, and now when I found the perfect place... fuck.

"Thank you, Mistress, for showing me around." My voice shook slightly. All I wanted was to get out of here.

"I hope you find what you're looking for, Emily."

I Left the same way I came in, back straight and staring proudly ahead. But on the inside, I was embarrassed and ashamed.