Chapter 3

 

     “I’m not doing it.”

     They’d been arguing about it all weekend long and Derek was tired of the subject. Mark, on the other hand, was still warming up to the subject. A clear reason to keep Doms from working together on a business project. Neither would back off willingly.

     “Dammit, Derek, you don’t have to fuck her, just train her to be a submissive.”

     Easy for him to say, much harder to do, and the look Derek gave his friend was intended to end the discussion. “No.”

     They crossed the main floor and went out to the front walk to inspect the façade. The contractors had worked over the weekend to finish painting the extensive remodel and to get the landscaping done while they could. Taking advantage of a few bright sunny days in February before the weather changed was an opportunity not to be missed.

     The original entrance to the country club had been front and center, with wide steps and a ramp. That entrance was gone and in its place was an oval patio area contained behind a wrought iron fence. A concrete sidewalk ran through what was rapidly becoming a grass yard in front of the patio. The sidewalk extended into part of the existing parking lot and ended in a sloped entrance. Another load of soil was on its way to fill in the area and enlarge the grass yard.

     Mark and Derek watched the landscape crew plant shrubs around the water feature to the right of the entrance.

     “This was a good idea,” Mark said. “I wasn’t sure what you were talking about when we first discussed it.”

     “Yeah, you didn’t want to trust me, but I know what I’m doing.” Derek shut his mouth on a groan, sure of what was coming.

     “Exactly, which is why I want you to train the girl. You know what you’re doing and you’re good at it.”    

     A truck pulling a flatbed turned into the drive and both men pivoted to watch its progress. “The sign,” they both said, grinning at each other like little boys with a new toy.

     “I thought it wouldn’t be here until tomorrow?” Derek asked.

     “They called early this morning,” Mark said, still grinning. “Both the building sign and the one for the street entrance are ready to hang.”

     Derek felt the cosmos close around his throat. “And that means you need to be out here all day to supervise.”

     Mark slapped him on the shoulder. “Yep. Guess you’ll have to handle the new girl.” He turned and strode across the lot to meet the delivery truck.

     Fuck. Derek reluctantly followed, wanting to see the final design for the marquee but unwilling to give in to Mark’s plan. He hated to be manipulated.

     Gorgeous. No neon for this club, just simple lines and classic décor, except for the playrooms, of course. But the exterior remained sophisticated, right down to the marquee.  Private Delights spelled out in a flowing burgundy script and set a few inches out from the brick wall with overhead lights spotlighting it. No flashy strobe. No trashy pictures of strippers. This private club would remain a secluded haven for people with discerning tastes.

     Another car pulled into the lot and Derek watched a slim woman stand next to her car looking for a sidewalk of some kind. She was the one he’d yelled at the other day. The new hire he was being forced to train. Shit. He took a few steps in her direction and gestured for her to come to him. It helped that she didn’t look happy to see him.

     Nevertheless, when she stopped in front of him, her head tipped up and she stood her ground. “I have an appointment with Mr. Harrison.”

     “Yes, I know, but you’ll have to do with me. His schedule has changed and I’ll be taking care of you today.” He smiled when her spine visibly stiffened. “I believe there are papers for you to sign before we begin.” With a tip of his head, Derek strode toward the new entrance, wondering if she’d follow or try to catch up with him. A first test to see how she would adapt to the lifestyle.

     He stopped at the door and she was a few steps behind, ready to enter when he held open the frosted glass door.

     “Wow. This place has changed a lot since I was here last week. You’ve been busy.”

     Derek couldn’t stop a smile. He was proud of the work they’d put in. “We plan to open in two weeks. We still have a long way to go.” He led her to the grand staircase still covered with the old carpet. “Watch your step here. Some of this is still loose, but we aren’t pulling it up until the new carpet is ready to install.”

     “Are they going to make this Friday’s delivery date?” she asked.

     Derek paused. “How do you know about the delivery?”

     “When I was here last week, Mr. Harrison asked me to help him chose the carpet.” She stumbled on a rough patch of carpet and he reached out to steady her. The pink flush in her face caught him off guard and he let go as soon as she regained her balance.

     Instead of responding he nodded and hurried her along. “Can I assume you know what kind of establishment we have here?”

     She huffed. “I would assume it’s a BDSM club, simply because of the position I discussed with Mr. Harrison. Am I correct?”

     “Yes. Have you—do you have any experience with BDSM?” Better to get everything out in the open as soon as possible.

     “Some.”

     “Care to elaborate?”

     She paused at the top step. “Have I been hired yet, or is this still the interview process?”

     “Does it matter?” he demanded, making sure he was calm, cool, and dominant.

     “Yes. Legally, I don’t have to reveal personal information during an interview.”

     “Do you have things to hide?” If she was a problem, they didn’t need her, and he made sure his tone conveyed just that.

     “No, but my sexual history is no one’s business at the moment.”

     Hmm. Strong minded and a little conventional. The makings of a good submissive. Maybe.

     Derek pulled open the door to Mark’s outer office. “Mildred will walk you through the paperwork. Give her everything she asks of you. We’ll also do a background check. Is there anything we should know before we run it?”

     “No.”

     “Good.” Instead of leaving her with Mildred, he walked over to one of the folding chairs lined up against the wall and sat, his eyes following her every move.

     He was making her nervous.  The shift from foot to foot was evident only in the slight sway of the cuffs of her pants. Her slim hips barely moved. And what a lovely ass she had, not too big, but definitely not flat, and it sloped from her small waist to a nice soft curve before ending at her thigh.

     He wouldn’t fuck her, but touching wouldn’t hurt. Surely Mary would forgive him that much.

     The thought of his wife sent a wave of grief through his gut, but the cut wasn’t as deep as it had been in the last two years. If Mary could speak to him, she’d be disapproving of his celibate life these days. She’d told him to move on, but he hadn’t, not really.

     The young woman had finished signing the ream of paper Mildred had prepared, so he stood and waited for her attention. Gathering her copies into the envelope the secretary provided, the young woman slipped them into her purse and rose.

     When she turned to him, he said, “Tell me your name, sub.”

     “Joanne,” she replied, head dipped just enough to hide her eyes. So the answer was yes, she did have some experience with dominance and submission.

     “Come with me.”

     Derek strode out the door and down the hall to one of the open play areas. It was nowhere near finished, but they could use the space for basic instruction. First, he needed to assess her knowledge within the BDSM lifestyle.

     Regardless, he wouldn’t go easy on her.

     He sat in the only chair in the room and looked her over, waiting to see what she would do of her own accord. Joanne’s eyes didn’t meet his, and when he didn’t offer instruction, she fidgeted a minute before going to her knees in front of his chair. It wasn’t the best submissive form he’d ever seen, but it was adequate.

     “How long has it been since you’ve been in this position?” he asked.

     “About four or five years, Master.”

     Her gaze remained focused on his knees, a good start, but he needed her trust and more information before they could get started.

     “Joanne, for now I’d prefer that you look at me while we talk.”

     Soft brown eyes looked at him, her expression hesitantly nervous. The short cut of her dark brown hair fit her gamin face and even in this untraditional situation, she appeared calm and in control of her body. No flitting around with her hands or her eyes like she was a flight risk.

     “Now that you’re properly hired, will you discuss your private experience with BDSM with me? I’d like to know where to begin your training.”

     “Yes, Sir. First, will you tell me how you prefer to be addressed?”

     “When we are in the club, you will address me as Master. Any other time, you may call me Derek.”

     “Thank you, Master.”

     “Good girl. Now, tell me about your past experience.”