Sophie
“I’m telling you, Soph, if this place had apartments, I’d live here.” Claudia’s bubbly personality was infectious, and Sophie found herself relaxing and enjoying their surroundings.
The girls found themselves against a bartop table tucked in a quiet corner. The soft hum of conversation and the heavy scent of leather filled the space. A few pairings could be spotted throughout the club, coupled up in various states of undress.
“I don’t think your dominant would appreciate that. You’re already here for work and play. Didn’t you take an extra shift in the club store last week?” Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Are you avoiding Brandon?”
Claudia waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, hush, it’s not about me tonight.” Something was definitely going on between the two of them.
“So, have you heard from Ella Bella this week?” Sophie looked down at her friend, surprised she remembered her newest client. Ella, the new sole owner of Bella’s Gourmet Goods, looked to Sophie to clean up the behind-the-scenes operations and implement a new system.
“Yes, we are meeting next week about restructuring her business since she expanded and bought her partner out.”
“I love that!”
“Me too, I’m excited to–” Sophie’s words stopped, a pair of intense hazel eyes bore into hers. She nudged Claudia’s shoulder. “Hey, do you know who that is?”
Claudia set down her drink and followed Sophie’s line of sight. “Oh! That’s Aiden. He owns the club. You met him last year, remember?”
“No…”
“Yes. The charity event I dragged you to because Brandon had to work.”
“Oh god, that was him? I–fuck.” Sophie’s memory clicked into place, and her cheeks reddened.
“What’s wrong?”
“Claudia!”
“Still my name!”
“Don’t you remember what happened that night?!” Sophie squeaked, grabbing Claudia’s arm. She bugged her eyes, staring at Claudia until her memory caught up.
Her eyes rounded with recognition. “Oh. My. God. That was the guy you made out with?!”
“Yes,” she gulped. “I panicked and gave him the wrong number.” Sophie’s throat went dry as he stalked straight to them, his eyes bored into hers.
He wore a dark linen button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off the Celtic knots she’d noticed the first time they met.
“Sophie, right?”
She nodded mutely.
“Well, hello there. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
“Hi. You’re here?”
“Yes, I am, I am a part owner.” He turned to Claudia. “I didn’t know you two knew each other…”
“So of all the clubs, she walks into yours!” The whole table could hear Claudia’s harsh whisper. Sophie wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.
“I see you’re playing the play party roulette.” Aiden nodded at the chip next to her drink.
“Yes she was!” Claudia nudged her elbow. “I was telling her how the club was expanding!”
“Lidia talked me into it,” she confessed.
“Meant to be?” Aiden met her eyes in silent challenge.
Sophie bit her lip, nodding in silence. His presence hasn’t changed since that night. She felt the familiar zing of excitement she’d experienced that night many months ago.
It was the martini, it had to be. Sophie wasn’t this careless and unguarded otherwise. It was the same thing that happened the night they met.
“I wouldn’t want to change your plans.”
“I’ll take it!” Claudia plucked it from the bartop before she could argue. “She obviously has someone to play with, so she doesn’t need it!”
Sophie was going to kill her. They were best friends for over a decade and a half, but at this moment, she wanted to run her over and then cry at her funeral.
To further add to her humiliation, the strong-jawed man that Aiden was with before he came over had joined their gathering.
“This is my business partner and co-owner, Zack.”
“Hello. I had to come see who had my business partner so enamored that we missed our conversation with Jenkin’s that night.”
“I apologized and fixed it, remember? I was otherwise occupied.” Aiden’s eyes darkened. “There were more pressing matters.”
Sophie remembered the smell of his cologne mixed with her perfume when he pinned her in the dark corner, and they kissed like teenagers.
Aiden glanced over Sophie’s head and smirked. “Seems as though Claudia left you in our care, Sophie.”
She looked over her shoulder and sighed at Claudia’s abandonment.
“Come with us, we will give you the tour if she hasn’t already.” Sophie took Aiden’s extended hand, leaving her drink behind as he led her away.
The three of them headed to the lower staircase, toward the upper walkway that circled over the play pit.
“Have you decided if you’d like to be a member? I’d be more than happy to help you fill out the paperwork and answer any questions you might have.”
“I love the atmosphere here, Claudia knows everyone,” she admitted with a laugh. “They’ve all been kind. But I’ve never really been one for clubs.”
“Why’s that, Sophie?”
She shrugged, feeling uncomfortable putting words to the emotions that came with being disappointed time after time.
“Okay, so what makes your club so different from all the rest?”
“We like to give a different experience. At Surrender, we have a rigorous vetting process.” Aiden spoke proudly as they made their way across the third-level landing overlooking the play pit. “Over 80% of our DMs are licensed EMTs or have taken some sort of medical training course. Following an incident a year ago, we have implemented an on-site nurse for all our members, and all latex is clearly marked. There is a member directory for anyone looking for services from lifestyle-friendly professionals.”
Sophie automatically took the offered bottle from Aiden. She sipped as he continued to talk about Surrender with pride.
“On Tuesdays, we are closed to play but have workshops for members. Our store has a variety of items as well as custom pieces from Wes, who manages all the wood and leather that we have in the club.”
“He makes some beautiful bondage furniture. His work is throughout the dungeon floor.” Zack mused out loud, pleased with Sophie’s subtle gasp. Her cheeks reddened.
“We also have options for those in the lifestyle who prefer a few darker urges.”
“Yes, the Dollhouse is upstairs in a separate area. We don’t need to scare our girl off so soon.” Aiden countered. Sophie didn’t miss the surprised look Zack shot him.
Sophie walked up to the next level between the two, as if taking steps to a dance they’d known so well.
“I owe you an—”
“No, you don’t.” Aiden cut her off.
“I don’t like being dishonest.” She tugged at the edge of her skirt anxiously.
“Naughty girl.” Zack cleared his throat and fixed his gaze on Sophie. “If you feel the need to apologize, then I won’t stop you. However, I will let you know if you were mine, a punishment would be involved.”
Thrill and apprehension ran through her spine at Zack’s words. She looked up at Aiden, finding his eyes softer under her current scrutiny.
“I just moved away from a bad living situation, and well, the last thing I was thinking of was getting complicated.”
“You never know what’s around the corner, Sophie.”
“A safe girl.” Zack smirked.
“I think she’s a good girl, brother.” Aiden ran his fingers down her arm.
“What’s one night of fun going to hurt you?”
“Pain only comes with consent,” Zack mused, his brow arched in silent challenge.
“It’s not something I’ve ever tested,” Sophie admitted before she could catch herself.
Aiden leaned in and pressed his lips to the shell of her ear. “Come to the dark side with us, little star.”
Sophie looked from Aiden to Zack, contemplating her situation and current lewd invitation.
If she chickened out, all she would have to show for it is sore feet and an empty bed.
But the reckless part of her wanted to see where it would take her. Claudia would only encourage her.
You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.
Taking in a deep breath, she nodded. “Okay.” Sophie took Aiden’s outstretched hand and followed him toward one of the secluded balconies’ alcoves.
Sophie heard the music from the pit below and nervously peeked over the railing. Zack’s gaze was fixed on them as Aiden caught her attention and gently grasped her waist. He moved with the rhythm, slowly aligning her body against his.
Her breathing synced with Aiden’s, and her head floated with bubbles, quickly drawn into their intoxicating pull.
“You are beautiful, Sophie.” Her belly fluttered, and she felt silly. How quickly he was able to lure her to a dark corner and flatter her with words. They pulled her in like magnets.
Aiden’s fingers ran up her arm, his touch light as he traced the curves of her shoulder. He tugged at the material, pulling the fabric down between her breasts, letting them spill free from their satin confines.
“Fucking perfect.” The pad of his thumb brushed over her nipple in slow circles, and he chuckled darkly when it pebbled beneath his touch.
Sophie’s eyes met his. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Mmmm, that’s a good girl.” He leaned in and captured her mouth, his hands inching up her skirt to expose her to Zack, who closed the gap and pressed himself against her back.
“I’m not one for soft, Sophie. Understand that.” Aiden’s kiss prevented her from objecting or questioning Zack’s words. His arm banded around her middle, limiting her ability to move away from his unyielding hold.
“Did you think I’d stay in the shadows and watch this time?” Zack wrenched her head back away from Aiden’s kiss and whispered in her ear.
“Such a pretty little club bunny. Do you want to know what I do to pretty little bunnies like you?”
Wide-eyed, she silently nodded her head, unsure if she was ready for the answer.
Zack pressed his lips against her ear. “Hunt them down and feast on every fucking inch. Lick and marvel at every scratch and bruise.”
Her knees wobbled and her skin flushed. Sophie pulled at the edges of Aiden’s jacket.
“Don’t scare her away,” Aiden rumbled against her neck. “She’d be so beautiful between us.”
“Show her,” Zack growled the command against her skin, his breath fanning the fire he was stoking. One of his hands splayed across her stomach, holding her steady, while the other came up, his fingers gently brushing her hair aside to give his mouth more room to work.
Aiden’s eyes blazed. He silently shifted Sophie to balance against Zack’s chest. He quickly knelt and lifted her thigh to his lips.
She gasped down at him, his lips trailed warmly from her knee and up her thigh. Sophie reached for his shoulder, her head tipped back as Zack’s hands trailed up her torso and collared her neck.
“I think she’s forgetting her words,” Zack said, his voice a dark caress. He brought his other hand up, the fingers that had just been pinching her nipple now pressed against her parted lips. “Let’s give her something else to focus on.”
He pushed two fingers into her mouth. She tasted the salt of her own skin on them as he pressed down on her tongue, a silent command to suck. She obeyed, her eyes fluttering closed as she hollowed her cheeks, taking his fingers deeper until she choked slightly, the sensation of mild suffocation combining with the pleasure to create something dizzyingly intense. Her muffled moans vibrated around his digits.
Seeing this, Aiden finally gave her what she needed. He grabbed the sides of her panties and smoothly pulled them down her legs. He shifted on his knees against the cool balcony tile, his hands gripping her hips, and his mouth was on her.
There was no more teasing. His tongue delved into her, a flat, firm stroke from her entrance all the way up to her throbbing clit.
Sophie moaned against Zack’s fingers, her hips rocking against Aiden’s hold. She reached up to pull away from the intrusion, Zack grabbed her wrist and pulled it to her hips.
Submit.
Without moving his tongue from between her thighs, Aiden recaptured her wrists and pinned them at her sides, effectively leaving her trapped between them.
“Don’t make a sound, little pixie.” Zack’s words rumbled against her skin. “We wouldn’t want the whole club seeing how needy you are.”
He chuckled at her garbled whine. “That’s what I thought.”
“Look at you, Sophie. So greedy. Two fingers and you still want more.”
Mutely, she nodded, gasping as his fingers shifted inside.
“Can’t speak, can you, Sophie? Good.”
Sophie’s calf tightened against Aiden’s shoulder. He pushed a third finger inside her, angling forward and sparking every nerve to life. Her hips rocked to the rhythm of his tongue as she rode out her release.
Aiden stood and kissed her. Sophie fisted her hands against the front of his shirt; her taste on his lips enveloped her.
He boldly tucked her panties into his pocket with a wink. “Safe keeping until next time.”
