Hooked (Decadence Nights Book 1) (13 page)

Joseph fumed for days after the incident, blaming himself for not being on time and being there to defend her. Each time he saw the bruises on her arm was a haunting reminder of what he considered a personal failure. He was gentle with her, planting tender kisses on the discolored skin at every opportunity. They had faded by the following weekend along with most of Joseph’s anger and outrage, no longer brooding over the disturbing event every day. He was, however, more vigilant with her safety and became much more protective.

Another week passed without incident. Although Livvy wanted to switch gyms or not go at all, Joseph was able to coax her back and much to her relief, they’d had no further Vaughn sightings.

By the end of the work week, they were ready to unwind and made plans to travel back to San Antonio. Emma and David’s guest visit had been approved so the couple joined them. Since it was Friday, and Elena’s night off, the lounge and bar were busy but not bursting at the seams as on her prior visits. It was a different story when they entered the jam packed playroom where apparently all two hundred members were in attendance. Livvy closely watched her friends’ initial reactions to the Decadence dungeon. Awestruck, Emma’s eyes were as round as saucers while David’s darted around the room trying to take everything in at once.

“Did I look like that, Master?” she whispered to Joseph with a grin.

He glanced at their guests and smiled indulgently. “I think everyone does when they get their first look.”

The sights, sounds and smells of BDSM play charged the room, exhilarating the senses. The scents of leather and sex permeated the air. The discordant sounds of erotic play combined to produce a unique sort of music, the groans of passion providing the vocals, the thwacks and thuds of floggers and paddles adding rhythm, as the cries of erotic pain filled in the background. Everywhere she looked couples were engaged in some sort of kinky play.

Like her last visit, a couple performed under the spotlight on the elevated stage in the middle of the room. This time, wooden stocks were set up, a male submissive imprisoned within them. His Domme, a voluptuous platinum blonde in red leather, vigorously pumped her hips and rode him hard with a strap-on from behind. He cried out every time she laid her leather strap across his already red buttocks.

Livvy who was still stunned by the blatant sex on display turned to see David and Emma’s response. Both stood bugged-eyed and slack jawed in shock. She tugged on Joseph’s hand to get his attention.

When he saw their stupefied expressions, he chuckled. “Didn’t I mention our private dungeon has no restrictions on sex or bare genitals like the public clubs do?”

“Uh, no,” David replied, his lips turning up in a rapt grin. “I think I would have remembered that part.”

“Holy cow,” Emma murmured, trying to recover, but her mouth still stood agape. “David, Sir,” she breathed. “If we didn’t get a private room for tonight, I might need to visit the bar first.”

Livvy giggled. “Joseph has you covered. He reserved the Sultan’s Chamber for you.” She looked at her friend. “It’s the most popular theme room. I’ve never been, but I’ve heard all about it. You’re gonna love it.”

“Your reservation is in thirty minutes,” Joseph added, “so there’s time for the nickel tour.”

Walking the circuit, which was what the members called the open walkway between the roped off stations that lined the perimeter of the vast playroom, he pointed out the less common pieces of bondage equipment and devices as they made their way to the stairs at the back of the room. After Joseph introduced them to the Dungeon Monitor controlling access to the upper level, they parted ways with David leading a giddy Emma upstairs while Joseph guided Livvy to the station he had reserved.

In minutes, she was bound to a St. Andrew’s cross facing the sizable Friday night crowd. The only barrier to her nudity the minuscule G-string that she knew would be history very shortly. As Livvy looked out at the members gathering beyond the red velvet ropes in anticipation of their scene, she noted many were younger, thinner, and by her discerning eye, much more beautiful. Spurred by Vaughn’s recent comments, long held self-doubts, which clung to her consciousness like scars on her soul, crept in and her anxieties grew.

Reflexively, she pulled at her wrist cuffs, which held firm. Joseph rose from a crouch, where he had been restraining her ankles wide apart leaving her open and vulnerable. His perceptive gaze scanned her face, astutely identifying her unease. In shirtsleeves and khaki trousers, his linen sport coat and tie having been discarded for their session, he leaned in, placing a reassuring hand on her hip.

“You’re on edge, little one. A certain amount of apprehension is expected, but you’re working yourself into a panic. Slow your breathing.”

“Can’t we get a room upstairs, Master?”

“No, they’re all booked tonight and we gave ours to David and Emma. Focus on calming your mind, Livvy.”

“I’m trying.” Her attention was drawn to the crowd that had grown to three or four behind the ropes.

His hand at her jaw guided her face forward until only he filled her vision. “What’s this really about?”

Her lashes lowered, not wanting to disappoint him. She shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“That bastard really did a number on you. You’re thinking about what he said, aren’t you?”

She grimaced. He was too perceptive.

“Look at me, Livvy.”

Her eyes opened and met his concerned gaze, his face so close she could see the tiny flecks of gold and brown scattered throughout the green of his irises. As he spoke, his sweet-scented breath brushed her mouth, his lips a mere whisper away. Passion filled his words as he spoke with searing intensity.

“You’re gorgeous, in both face and form, every square inch of you inside and out. So much so, that I want to show you off. I want the members, both new and long since jaded, to witness the beauty of your submission. You are the epitome of that beauty in the way you respond to me. It’s in the swelling of your breasts at the sound of my voice, the quiver in your belly as you anticipate my touch, and when you come, the rapturous expression on your face is nothing short of breathtaking. That’s something to revel in and I’d like to share it on occasion. Can you give me that, pet?”

She sought the truth in his eyes and found it shining as steadfast and clear as the brightest star in the sky. That he believed she was beautiful was all that mattered to her. Her head nodded vigorously. “I want to give you that, Master.”

“And I’m honored by the gift, Livvy.” Whisper soft, his lips touched hers. “Would a blindfold help?”

“I think it might.”

“I have one in my bag.” Another kiss followed, quick but filled with passion. “Be right back.”

He stepped away, bending to his bag on the floor. While she waited, she closed her eyes, blocking out the avid voyeurs and focusing only on what Joseph planned next.

“Gorgeous, albeit a little hefty and long in the tooth.” Gasps of outrage from the onlookers sounded as her eyes flew wide. Immediately, she found the speaker in the crowd, his face twisted into a derisive sneer. It was Vaughn, standing no more than four feet away.

Feelings of inadequacy rushed over her in a torrent of self-doubt. She jerked at her bindings, wanting only to cover herself and hide from his judgements and spiteful criticisms. Overwhelming panic set in and she did the only thing she could think of.

“Red! Joseph. Red!”

In less than a second, he was beside her. “I’m here, Livvy. You’re safe.” His reassuring voice and his hand at her waist eased her to a certain degree, but not enough. She wanted Vaughn gone, or to be gone herself.

She felt his eyes on her briefly, then he turned his head sharply, searching the crowd. The members were all staring at her ex-Dom with censorious glares. Stepping back, they were giving him a wide berth, so it wasn’t rocket science to figure out who had spoken the harsh insults.

“That’s the son of a bitch, isn’t it?” Joseph confirmed needlessly, his voice shaking with barely contained rage.

A woman’s voice, familiar and soft, offered, “I’ll stay with her, Master J, if you’d like to deal with that pig.”

“Get her down, Mara. This won’t take long.”

What happened next was a sight to see. Livvy watched in awe as Joseph hurdled the velvet ropes and in a flash had Vaughn by the throat. Having at least six inches in height on the worm, his fists in his collar lifted him off the floor. With impressive strength, Joseph slammed him against the nearest wall.

“What’s this about?” Master Sean demanded, seeming to materialize out of nowhere. At his back, was Megan’s big Dom, both were wearing DM badges.

“This piece of shit had the gall to talk to my sub while in scene. He insulted her. He’s also the son of a bitch who abused her. I want him out—permanently.”

“You can’t do that. I merely made an observation.”

“Not true,” someone in the crowd called out. “He was deliberately rude.”

“He insulted her, out of hand,” said another, “in a most insolent tone and manner.”

“I heard it all.” This came from a woman who Livvy recognized as the Domme from the scene on center stage earlier. Her sub, who towered above his diminutive Mistress, was standing protectively in front of her as if ready to do battle. She had a small hand on his bicep, stroking it in a calming manner. “It’s appalling, really, that any Dom at Club Decadence would treat another’s sub so disrespectfully. I second Master Joseph’s motion. He needs to go, now, and not return.”

“Demeaning submissives isn’t something we tolerate,” Cap said with authority. “Unless you’re implying that it was part of a planned scene. Were you invited to play out a humiliation session, by chance?”

“No,” he snapped. “As if—”

Whatever he intended to say was cut off by Joseph’s hand tightening around his neck.

“Who are you to throw me out?” Vaughn barely managed to choke out the words, wheezing as he protested.

“These are two of the owners, and Mistress Anne is a charter member, you pathetic putz,” Joseph’s rage hadn’t diminished and his voice, usually a soothing melodic tenor, had lowered to a harsh growl. “Not to mention this is a private club and they can throw out whoever they damn well please.”

“I’m a renowned author and a PhD! They won’t choose me over a pathetic secretary. I want to see Master Dex.” Vaughn’s grating whine was cut off by an “oomph” and a sickening crunch.

Livvy looked over in time to see Joseph’s fist connect with Vaughn’s middle age paunch followed by a vicious punch to his face. After that, he released his hold sending Vaughn to the floor with a loud thud, blood spurting from his nose. He groaned initially before squealing like the pig Mara had likened him to.

“You broke my nose! I’ll sue.”

“Excellent,” Joseph snarled. “We can bring to light how you prey on innocent young women from your classes, abuse your authority, subjugate them and crush their spirit. I relish the day I have you in a courtroom.”

Mistress Anne murmured, “Obviously this rube doesn’t know he’s dealing with the finest criminal attorney in the state.”

“Try to find a job after this goes public,” Sean sneered.

“Or a club to play at,” Cap added.

“Already taken care of,” Joseph put in.

“You!” The bleeding worm accused. “It was you who had me blackballed. They cancelled my membership at the gym, too.”

“I’ve only just begun. I have an appointment with your Dean on Monday at ten sharp.”

“Your firm donates quite generously to UT Austin, don’t they, Joe?”

“Indeed, Sean. It is five out of six of our partners’ alma mater, mine included.” He looked down at Vaughn coldly as he launched the final salvo. “You don’t have tenure, I understand.”

“You can’t. I’ll be ruined,” came his wheedling whine.

Joseph shrugged, smiling smugly as he straightened his sleeves obviously pleased by the thought of Vaughn’s career in the toilet.

A soft blanket falling across her shoulders alerted Livvy that she was free of the cross. So wrapped up in the drama playing out in front of her, she’d barely registered anything else. She looked up into Master Dex’s sky blue eyes.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, Sir. Just shook up a bit.”

“I’m sorry this happened, Olivia. We’ll make sure he won’t bother you again.”

“Thank you.” Her worried gaze returned to where Joseph still loomed over Vaughn looking ready to tear him limb from limb. “Do you think you can intervene, Master Dex? Make sure Joseph doesn’t kill him?”

“I’m on my way to do just that, but I can’t say I’d be doing the club or the world as a whole any favors. The man’s an ass.”

After giving Livvy’s shoulder a squeeze, Dex moved to Joseph’s side and weighed in. “You’re blackballed at Decadence too, Steros, and statewide after I make some calls.”

“This is ludicrous. I demand a vote.”

Anger emanated off Dex in waves. “Fine. Luckily, Joseph, Anne, Sean and Cap are all on the membership committee. All in favor of dismissal?”

Four “ayes” rang out in the eerily silent room.

“And my vote makes five, which is a quorum and all it takes, you miserable fuck.” Turning away in disgust, Dex looked to Sean and Cap. “If you two don’t mind taking out the trash, it’s beginning to stink.”