Once they'd crossed the room, she asked, "Is Ronin already here?"
"Yes."
"How long until the demonstration starts?"
"Half an hour. Is there something specific you'd like to see?"
"I don't know what my options are."
"I'll give you an overview."
She pointed at his armband. "What's that for?"
"To let members know I'm not available tonight."
"Oh." She paused. "Is that unusual for you?"
"Very. Come on."
Knox told her about the club, three levels with a fourth level reserved for private events. Amery didn't ask what constituted an event.
People roamed the halls. Normal-looking people. Some wore fetish wear, but it didn't seem as odd as she'd imagined.
Until they reached the next floor. Holy. Fuck. This area was set up like a big barn with stalls. The first four had stationary X's, which Knox explained were St. Andrew's crosses. In the first stall a naked woman was secured face-first to the cross. A man, cracking a whip, decorated her skin with welts across her backside from her calves to her shoulders.
Every time she cried out, Amery winced. In the far corner a woman on her knees, arms handcuffed behind her back, gave a blow job. A rough blow job since the guy was slamming his hips and fucking her face, while another guy stood behind them, his dick in his hand as he jacked off.
They continued down the hallway. Before they reached the next stall, she asked Knox, "The rules here are anyone can participate? Is there a hierarchy? Are the members singles or couples?"
"There are single submissives and single Dominants. A single submissive not paired with a Dominant is fair game, which is what submissives want. They negotiate what happens between them. It's all consensual. Some members come here to swap partners. Some couples join to use the equipment and indulge in themed rooms. Others join because they're exhibitionists or voyeurs. There are as many different reasons for belonging to the club as there are types of people who belong."
Amery nodded. She couldn't imagine dropping to her knees and giving her lover a blow job in public because he demanded it. In private? When Ronin commanded her to do something, it was sexy and thrilling because she knew she'd affected him deeply enough to earn that demand. Made it sweeter and hotter because it was just between them.
The next stall had chains dangling from the ceiling and O-rings embedded into the floor. She thought it was odd that it was unused until she saw the RESERVED sign.
When Knox said, "Are you ready to go upstairs?" in her ear, she jumped.
"Uh. Sure. I don't suppose there's a real bar around here?"
"'Fraid not. No alcohol on the premises."
So all these people acting this obscene way were completely sober.
Don't do that. Don't judge them. Not your life, not your business.
But part of her worried about what Ronin might expect from her. Maybe the reason such a hot, sexy, intense guy like Ronin was still single at thirty-eight was that he had kinky tastes that most women couldn't handle.
Very scary thought.
They stopped by the elevator and Knox stepped in front of her, blocking her from view.
She looked up at him. "What?"
"You need to lose the scowl."
"I'm scowling?"
"And looking disgusted, which doesn't go over well here as you can imagine."
Amery inhaled a deep breath and let it out. "I don't think I can do this, Knox."
"Can't do what?"
"Any of this stuff. Maybe I am a prude. But I don't ever see myself getting fucked on a pool table in front of a bunch of strangers. I'd be crying for real if I was tied up and being whipped. I'm not saying it's dirty or bad or wrong, it just isn't me."
Knox looked confused. "Why did you think it had to be?"
"Ronin is a member. And doesn't that mean . . . ?"
"You're here to learn, Amery. Ronin has asked that you watch the demo and then talk to him about it. That's the only thing you need to concern yourself with tonight."
So Knox hadn't denied Ronin participated in scenes like those-but he hadn't confirmed it either.
"Come on," Knox said. "The room has probably started filling up."
The cavernous room had a stage on one end, complete with billowing curtains. A lone chair sat close to the stage, with other chairs in a semicircle behind it. People were spread out against the back wall for the best vantage point. Conversation was hushed. The vibe was different in here than the other scenes. No props decorated the stage.
Knox pointed to the chair. "You'll be front and center."