The place was dimly lit and the atmosphere was even more thrilling than it seemed during day time. Red lights flickered from lamps all around the place, shining on the thick velvet curtains that covered the walls. It was too much, and it was perfect. The heavy beat from the speakers added to the allure, almost throwing my pulse off beat.   

The Domme that hadn't introduced herself properly tugged me forward, walking with me in tow right across the room. It wouldn't have been too bad, if not for the fact that I could feel eyes following my every movement. It made my skin crawl, and not in a good way. Apparently this was something else I thought I would enjoy, but once again reality hit me with a bitch slap. 

I wasn't an exhibitionist. 

"Keep your eyes down, kiddo."

So, she noticed it, too. 

I doubted her words were meant to be comforting, but they calmed me down. I didn't need to acknowledge the people swarming around me. 

"Where are we going?"

"Quiet." She tugged at the cuff and the metal chafed against the tender skin around my wrist. I should have known I wasn't supposed to talk. Or had she ordered it? I couldn't remember. My memory issues might become a problem if this kept on happening. 

I followed her, staring at he lower back as we went further inside. My eyes didn't drift down, which I found odd at first, but perhaps it was because I knew that I shouldn't disrespect her. It was a simple explanation, and it made sense. 

"Mistress Jenna?" someone said.

"Not now, pet, I'll come and get you in a minute. Stop annoying me." 

"But...who's he?" I could hear the disdain in his voice, but kept myself from saying something stupid. I didn't even look at him. If I was doing this, I would do it properly, at least for tonight.  

Jenna stopped, and of course, I bumped into her from behind. Her eyes flashed, and I took a step backwards. Not good.

"This is turning out to be an evening for punishment. How quaint."

I didn't think that sounded quaint at all, and who said that nowadays?

Jenna pursed her lips and commenced our strange promenade across the dance floor. Apparently that gesture was enough for the other guy to join us, walking one step ahead of me without sparing me a glance. 

I wanted to snort. He was obviously jealous even if he had nothing to be jealous of. It was hilarious. I didn't even like this Jenna. It was odd; she seemed okay when she let that Dominatrix mask fall off her face, like when she mentioned Lisa. It was that genuine conversation that got me to change my mind. But now, when she was back in Domme mode, I didn't enjoy it one bit. It just sounded like pretense, like she was playing a role. 

I sighed. This was the reality. My fantasies had always played a too prominent part in my life; it was time to plant my feet on the ground, to stop dreaming. But who was I kidding... I had tried that before. I was half-way to that goal right now, but if I walked out from this club tonight, I knew I wouldn't go home. I would end up somewhere else, and wake up with strangers around me, or alone in an  alley. It used to be my life, and I had enjoyed it. Sort of. 

The muted red lighting turned into a soft yellow glow as we progressed. The music faded into the background, but the beat still lingered in the air. I could see walls on both sides of me and steel doors disrupting the black wall paint every now and then. I remembered this corridor. 

The owner's office wasn't far off. I wondered if this Master Matthews and the owner was the same person. I wasn't sure. He had never introduced himself. 

Jenna stopped, and this time I was prepared. For a second we just stood there until the other guy ran past and pushed down the handle, opening the door for his mistress. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. It was all fake. So fucking fake. 

"I saw that." 

Opps...

"You're just watching tonight to get you some perspective, kiddo. But if you continue to pull that shit with me, you're going get the taste of my whip far sooner than you think."

I didn't know if I was supposed to reply to that, but a nod seemed to be an appropriate gesture.

Nope...

"Answer me so I know you understand." She was practically spitting out the words. I didn't like her temperament. She was unpredictable. I knew it was my fault, but couldn't she just cut me some slack on my first night? 

Apparently I took too long to answer because she leaned towards me, invading my space in a very unsettling way. 

"Yes, Mistress." 

"Faster next time."

"Yes, Mistress."

"Good." She removed the cuff from her wrist and attached it to my other one. "Now get inside the room."

I did what she asked, stepping inside while keeping my eyes on the floor. My heart was beating too fast, and not in a good way. I wasn't afraid, and I wasn't turned on. It was something else. 

"Go sit in the corner, kiddo. You're allowed to watch us when you're sitting down."

I swept my eyes across all the corners. None of them had a chair. I went over to the one that was furthest away from the other two. 

"Mistress, am I allowed to speak?" the other guy said, keeping his voice too soft. I hated him already. Such a suck-up. 

"No, you're not. Now get down on the bench before I change my mind and use the cane on you for disrespecting me." 

"Yes, Mistress."

False, couldn't she hear how false he sounded?

I sat down with my back against the wall, looking up at the scene in front of me. It was strange; I had dreamed of seeing a scene like this live, but now when I did, it didn't arouse me at all. All I saw was a whiny bloke with his mouth turned into a petulant pout, and a Domme with eyes that screamed annoyance. 

She headed over to the wall and plucked down a riding crop from the wall, flipping it into her hand a few times before going back to the padded bench. Then her eyes turned directly towards me. 

"This is not a game for kids like you." 

The riding crop fell down on the guy's bare back, producing a sharp 'smack' that sounded through the room. 

Of course, the guy moaned loudly, sounding every bit as fake as he did while talking. 

This wasn't for me. I wanted to leave, but something held me back. Lisa had called them. Perhaps she didn't know who she was calling, but she wanted me to try without bailing out like a coward like I usually did when it came to things that might be good for me.

I continued to stare, slightly disgusted by their display. Clearly, I wasn't ready for this. I didn't like the way he sounded, I didn't like the way she moved. I didn't like any of it. 

It seemed like ages until Mistress Jenna seemed satisfied with her work, flexing the riding crop between her hands. She walked over to the wall again, putting the crop back in its stand. My eyes followed her as she headed towards a large cupboard. When she pulled out a huge dildo and grinned towards me, I knew I this was over and done with for me. I stood up from the floor and walked over to the door. 

A harsh shove pushed me into the wall before I reached the handle. 

"Not so fast, kiddo." 

I met her eyes, not cowering under her stare anymore. "I'm leaving." 

"Pathetic!" She sneered and slapped me across my cheek. 

The door opened, causing us both to jump back. 

"That's enough, Jenna!" 

I took another step back, feeling my pulse skyrocket as I saw who it was. 

The boss. 

"The light isn't green," she said, not acknowledging his warning at all. "I'm not finished in here."

"I've watched from my room, and I don't like the way Ethan responds. Clearly you should have checked in on him. What were you thinking?" 

"He's a brat, he shouldn't be here." Her voice became shrill, and I could hear how threatened she felt. Now she was the cornered animal. It almost made me smile, but I held it off. I just wanted to get out, not get into more trouble. 

"Obviously you weren't the right person for the job. I'm surprised and disappointed." 

He sounded so calm. It was strange and comforting. I shivered as I felt a large hand land on my back. 

"I'll take it from here," he continued, and once again I found myself getting lost in that voice of his. It was like a rumble that echoed back and forth inside of me, resonating in all the right places. I had never heard a voice like that. 

I forced myself to snap out of the trance. This wasn't supposed to happen. I was on my way out of here.

"No, I'm going home." 

"Are you now?" I met his eyes, and couldn't find the words I was supposed to say. The room turned silent. Seconds passed, but to me it felt like eons. Everything was on hold until his other hand started to stroke my hair. I started to wobble and my knees almost gave out. I had no idea of what was happening. I didn't understand. 

No one had ever stroked my hair. Ever. 

"That's what I thought. Now, let's get out of here." 

So I followed, almost smiling as I heard an exasperated huff from behind.