Page 234 of Masters of Pleasure
When he’d been with Iris last night, everything had felt right.He hadn’t questioned everything and was able to just be in the moment and enjoy it.He really needed that back.
“Hi, Master Law… are you okay?”Lexie, wife and submissive of Stronghold’s owner, was at the front desk.She was a cute little pixie of a woman, with bright blue eyes and black hair cut short, and in her current outfit, she looked like a goth Tinker Bell.As Master Patrick’s life partner, she got away with a lot of things other submissives wouldn’t dare—like nosy questions.It didn’t hurt that she genuinely cared.
“Fine, just distracted.Is Iris here yet?”He knew the question would divert her attention, and he was right.Lexie brightened up.She was good friends with Iris’ older brother, which meant she was interested in what was going on with Iris, even beyond the usual club gossip.
“She is.She got here a while ago.Are you meeting her here tonight?Do you need a room?”Her eagerness almost made him laugh.She clearly approved of Iris dating him, even if Andrew didn’t, which was nice to know.Maybe some of her attitude would rub off on him.
“Yes and no.We don’t need a room for tonight, but thank you.”Law passed her his phone to be stored and waved as he headed to the main floor entrance.Master Will nodded a greeting from his position as a bouncer as Law passed to go through the door to the bar.
As always, the sounds of conversation and the smell of leather washed over Law as he walked inside, soothing his inner turmoil.Walking into Stronghold, he was in a space where he was at his most comfortable.Looking around for Iris, he frowned when he didn’t see her but caught sight of Master Mitch’s blond head among the bar tables and headed that way.
He turned out to be at a table with Domi, Avery, and Master Brian.Law’s eyebrows rose as he approached.This was where he would have expected to find Iris and Rae as well.Perhaps they were in the bathroom.
“Hello,” he said as he approached, feeling a sense of relieved satisfaction as he was welcomed to the table.Knowing Iris’ friends welcomed him, even when she wasn’t there, was a nice feeling.After he’d greeted everyone, he asked the obvious question.“Where’s Iris?”
“She and Rae went to walk around the Dungeon,” Avery said.“They should be back soon.”Domi glanced at Brian, but only for a moment before her eyes darted away.Law thought he knew why Rae and Iris had chosen to do a walk around, just from that one look.
He didn’t mind that she’d gone with her friend instead of waiting for him.It was a very Iris thing to do, taking care of the person right in front of her.She had a generous heart.But he was antsy to see her, so he didn’t care if it might be a little rude to immediately leave the table.He wasn’t here for her friends—he was here for her.
He needed her to make him feel the way he had last night.Standing around with her friends, who all had a drink in front of them, wasn’t helping his mental state.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hunt her down.”He smiled, hoping it would take the sting out from him barely stopping by to say hello.Thankfully, none of them seemed to think it was odd.
“I’m sure we’ll see you later.”Domi grinned as they all waved him off with understanding.
Relieved, Law headed for the Dungeon… and Iris.
Iris
The dungeon was as busy as ever, with a scene at almost every station.Dungeon monitors were roaming, along with everyone else.Some scenes had small audiences; some didn’t.When it came to watching scenes, Iris disliked Saturday nights.There was just somuchgoing on, it was hard to focus on any one scene.
Rae didn’t seem to mind as much, though she might be trying to distract herself, going from scene to scene with intense focus.That or she really was that focused and was taking notes for her book.She was working on her third book, and Iris knew it was a kinky romance.
“Hey.”Iris elbowed Rae, curious now that she’d had the thought.“Are you planning on using this for inspiration?”
“Huh?”Rae tore her gaze away from the admittedly fascinating sight of Master Victor using a flogger in each hand while he worked over his submissive, Mark.“What?”
“Inspiration for your book.”Iris grinned.“Or are you just having fun?”
“A bit of both?”Rae giggled, her gaze moving on to the next scene, where a man was applying clothespins all over the submissive he had tied to the St.Andrew’s cross.It looked both painful and fun, and from the submissive’s expression, she definitely agreed.“It’s hard not to get ideas when I’m here.”
Iris laughed.“I find that easy to believe.”Heck, if she thought she could write something, she’d be inspired, too.She was still inspired, just in a different way.
Inspired in my panties.
As Rae watched the clothespin scene, Iris’ gaze skipped to the next one, which didn’t seem to have an audience.The submissive already had a few dark wheals across her breasts, and tears were streaming down her cheeks from pain-filled hazel eyes.She didn’t look like she was sighing in masochistic pleasure… and her Dom was picking up another cane.
Where were the DMs?Usually, when there was a more intense scene going on, they made sure to be nearby.Iris turned her head, looking back and forth.The DMs wore leather vests with bright orange or yellow trim to make sure they stood out.Unfortunately, the dungeon was so crowded, she didn’t spot any immediately.
The sound of the cane hitting flesh didn’t stand out in the room, and neither did the submissive’s yelp, but her soft cry of “Red” did.
Iris’ head whipped around, relief flooding her that the submissive wouldn’t be taking anymore.
Except… the Dom was raising his arm again.Had someone else safe worded?
The submissive’s eyes darted back and forth, wide and panicked, and her gaze met Iris’.
“Red!”she said again, her voice strangled.Out of the corner of her eye, Iris could see Rae looking over, frowning as if she was trying to figure out what was going on.Iris was already moving because so was the Dom.
