Chapter 4

“NO!”

“NO!”

“NO!”

“Well they’re energetic,” Olivia said, her lips curving into a smile as she examined the lines of women facing off against each other, kitted out in padding and practicing their punches as they shouted ‘no!’ back and forth to each other. The self-defense course taught that a shouted ‘no’ was going to get immediate attention from anyone nearby.

“Punch from the waist, Tori!” Leigh called out from beside her before responding to Olivia’s comment. They were both helping out with the women’s self-defense class Angel offered at Stronghold every week. Now that Angel’s pregnant belly prevented her from doing any real demonstrations there were always two women on hand to assist with the classes. Usually one to actually run the class and the other to babysit Angel and make sure she didn’t overexert herself. “Yeah, they’re all wound up. Apparently Amy went to a private party over the weekend and ended up having to smack an overly aggressive Dom down. They all heard the story and now they’re feeling extra motivated.”

Olivia scowled. “Not someone who goes here, do you know?”

“No, someone she met at the party,” Leigh said, also frowning. “Lexie already talked to her.”

Private parties could be great, or they could be really bad, it all depended on who had been invited. Since Olivia and her friends were so heavily integrated into being at the club—Many of them either had or still did work there in one capacity or another—they didn’t do private parties, but plenty of other members still threw or attended them. Which Olivia hated since it put people she knew and cared about at risk, but there wasn’t anything they could do except take down names of people who misbehaved at parties and make sure they were never approved for the club. Lexie would have already taken care of that if she’d talked to Amy. 

Nodding, Olivia looked around the room again. She caught Angel’s eye just as the other woman started to push herself up from the chair she had been relegated to. She was dressed in stretchy pants and a flowing, muumuu-like sweatshirt which Olivia was pretty sure had been Adam’s—not that she’d seen him wear it. One hard look from Olivia and Angel was slouching back into her chair, pouting and tossing her ponytail. 

Next to Olivia, Leigh chuckled.

“Adam is dying to know how you do that. He’s only successful about fifty percent of the time, but you cow her every time.”

“That’s because she likes it when Adam spanks her, she has no idea what I’ll do.”

“What would you do?” Leigh asked curiously.

Focusing her flinty gray eyes on Leigh’s mismatched hazel and green ones, Olivia just studied her as the other woman’s cheeks started to turn pink and her own eyes dropped away from Olivia’s hard gaze. Hiding a smile, Olivia turned back to the class.

The truth was she hadn’t a freaking clue what she would do. She played behind closed doors for a reason; the only submissives who knew exactly what she did with them were those she actually played with. Olivia often let them suspect she was going ‘easy’ on them too. Mystery was pretty key to a badass persona.

It got things done. Even if sometimes she felt more soft and fluffy inside, especially when it came to her friends. They didn’t need to know that.

Once the class was finished and had left, Angel followed Olivia and Leigh around, holding the pads they picked up. Since the pads were lightweight, that was fine. Trying to get down low enough to pick them up was not. 

“So, how was the first new submissive class?” Angel asked, her hazel eyes sparkling. Her lips pressed together to hold back a smile. “I hear you had a surprise student.”

“We didn’t know beforehand,” Leigh said hurriedly. “I don’t think Patrick or Michael told anyone.”

Olivia gave Angel another look but already knew it wasn’t going to be as effective. Her heart wasn’t in it. And she’d already figured the two jerks had been completely close-mouthed about everything. There was no way Lexie and Ellie would both have been able to keep it completely quiet and it would have gotten around fast. Someone would have told her.

“I know,” she said calmly. “The rest of you all know better than to keep that kind of thing from me.” She paused thoughtfully. “Except maybe Andrew, but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have been able to keep himself from telling Kate.”

“Who would have told Sharon, who would have told Ellie, who would have told Lexie, etc., etc.” Leigh said grinning. “It is awfully hard to keep secrets in this group. I can’t believe they managed it.

“Right, but how did it go?” Angel wanted to know, her voice turning into a plaintive whine.

She was always nosy, but being nearly nine months pregnant made it impossible to resist telling her things. Olivia was scary, but she wasn’t nine-months-pregnant-scary, and there was also no danger of her bursting into tears at the drop of a hat. Feeling like she was being left out because of her condition was the fastest route to a crying Angel and then nobody was happy.

“I paired him up with Kincaid,” Olivia admitted, unable to hide the smirk that came to her lips. Even though Luke had made the best of it and actually acquitted himself well, she still had the memory of his nearly cross-eyed look at being thwarted. 

Both Angel and Leigh burst out laughing.

“You’re so evil!” Angel squealed with complete delight. “I love you so much.” Dropping the pads on the ground inside the closet where Patrick kept them, the other woman sniffed as she reached out to do her best to sideways hug Olivia. It was the only way Angel could be hugged anymore. Angel sniffled and alarm went through Olivia. “You’re just the best.”

“Don’t you dare start crying,” Olivia ordered, patting her arm and wondering whether it was better to let Angel hug it out or if hugging would only make her more emotional. The woman was like a ticking time bomb of emotions. Lately the group tended to pass her around like a hot potato and whoever was unfortunate enough to be the one chaperoning her when she went off… “Leigh, get back here!”

“I’ll be right back!” Leigh called over her shoulder as she ducked behind the bar. “I’m just gonna grab us all some water.”

“Um, so yeah. I paired him with Kincaid. But I’m going to have to top him tomorrow because sticking them together again isn’t really fair to Kincaid since Luke’s totally straight,” Olivia said, telling herself she wasn’t babbling. Angel leaned on her shoulder, still sniffling a little, but also listening. “Mistress Lisa’s going to come in starting this Sunday though.”

“Don’t you want to top him?” Angel asked, straightening up a little bit and rubbing the moisture from her almond-shaped eyes. Olivia nearly sighed with relief. Crises averted. As if on cue, Leigh was already on her way back from behind the bar. “He’s hot. And totally your type. At least, that’s what Adam said.”

Olivia pursed her lips, wondering if Adam deserved some payback too. Maybe she should start a list, if her friends were going to conspire against her. A naughty list, just like Santa.

“He’s also basically my boss,” Olivia pointed out as Leigh reached them, handing over the water bottles she’d taken a suspiciously long time to fetch. Her sweet, little girl-next-door demeanor didn’t fool Olivia; she was pretty sure Leigh was just as much of a handful as Angel. She just hid it better. “If anything goes badly between us, the level of awkwardness would be higher than any other situation. Especially if he decides he’s not actually submissive or is ashamed of being submissive. I’m more like Adam or Patrick when it comes to being dominant; I don’t just keep it confined to the bedroom.”

“Mmmm,” Leigh said contemplatively, unscrewing the cap on her water bottle. Out of the three of them, she’d worked up the most sweat because she’d been doing a lot of the demonstrating while Olivia had been going around and correcting the students’ form and technique. “I can see where that could be awkward. Especially if he started feeling like he needed to exert his own dominance at the club since he’s submitting to you in class.”

“Exactly,” Olivia said.

“Has he tried to yet?” Angel asked.

“No… but he’s made it clear it’s me he wants, not another Domme.” Which she was not going to smile about. Dammit. “He left roses on my desk this morning. And raspberry chocolate. My favorite brand.” She tried to sound indifferent but knowing she wasn’t quite making it. 

“Ha! So that’s what he and Adam were texting about!” Angel said triumphantly. “Adam wouldn’t tell me. I knew they were up to something.”

Yeah, she was making a naughty list before Christmas and Adam was definitely joining Patrick and Michael on it. Interfering jerks. Luke didn’t need any help to make Olivia want him, dammit!

The man in question arrived at that moment to pick up Angel and Leigh and take them home, and Olivia gave him the Look the entire time he was there. Patrick had stayed in his office the whole time she’d been there. Smart man. Adam met her own gaze with cool blue eyes, pretending indifference. Or maybe innocence. It didn’t matter which, it was all a pretense and she so saw through him. That blond goatee and mustache didn’t entirely hide his smirk.

She pointed at him and mouthed ‘You’re on my list’ as he gave her one last glance over his shoulder, checking to make sure she was getting into her car okay.

To her annoyance, he just grinned and waved. Maybe she could convince Angel to scatter some Legos on the floor of his side of the bed tonight. He really hated it when the Legos came out.

Sighing, Olivia got into her car. She needed to go home and prepare for tomorrow’s class. Have a plan in place for exactly how she was going to deal with Luke.

Since she had the excuse to get her hands on him, just this once, might as well take full advantage of it. 

******

“I look ridiculous,” Luke said, walking out of the men’s locker room and into the Marquis’ stage room, which had already been set up with spanking benches for class that evening.

He had a bad feeling about this, which only got worse when he saw, to his dismay, that Michael and Ellie weren’t the only ones standing in the room. Kincaid, Brian, and Morgan had arrived while he’d been changing.

Although, he didn’t feel quite as ridiculous once he really took in what they were wearing. He blended with them at least, rather than being totally on his own in the club wear. The practically skin tight black leather pants he was wearing went with the less clingy leather pants and vests Kincaid and Brian were wearing.

Morgan was kitted out in a tightly fitted black corset that made her ivory skin, red hair, and green eyes all look twice as brightly colorful as they had the week before, and her breasts were plumped up into two inviting mounds. The tiny pair of black panties she was wearing left even less to the imagination and from the way Kincaid and Brian were admiring her from behind, Luke was pretty sure it covered even less on the back view. Michael and Ellie were wearing their regular clothes since they weren’t playing or going to be part of the class tonight.

The admiring looks he received from Ellie, Morgan, and Kincaid made him feel marginally better. Even though he wished he was wearing a leather vest instead of a leather harness and that his pants were a little looser like Kincaid’s and Brian’s.

“I think you look hot,” said Ellie. Beside her, Michael gave her a little look and pulled her in closer to him, using the hand he was holding. She grinned as she turned her attention to her boyfriend and Dom, obviously amused by his little show of jealousy.

“Me too,” said Morgan, sidling a little closer to him, a purr in her voice. Luke wasn’t sure if she didn’t believe he was actually a sub or if she just flirted as naturally as she breathed. Maybe a little of both. It did make him feel a little more confident though.

This was so out of his wheelhouse.

“Me too,” said Kincaid with a wink. “Too bad you weren’t wearing that last week.”

Luke chuckled. “You should see the back.”

“Well then give us a spin,” Brian said, just a hint of order in his voice.

To Luke’s surprise, he found himself obeying. He didn’t really consider himself submissive to the man, but there was just something about being here, in this atmosphere, wearing this leather get up, that encouraged obedience.

Cool air brushed over his bare ass cheeks and upper body as he turned for them, a surprising blush heating his face when they saw his backside and started cheering. It was even louder than he’d expected, and when he got all the way around he saw that Rae and Domi had joined the party just in time to see his little twirl and they’d joined in the applause.

He didn’t feel too much more embarrassed than he already had, since compared to all the women so far he was definitely the most covered up even with his ass cheeks hanging out.

Rae was wearing a frilly, fluffy, many layered black skirt that puffed out all around her but barely covered her ass and a black crop top with puffed sleeves and white lace on the low cut front, midriff hem, and sleeves. With her long braids pulled into two low ponytails on either side of her head, she looked both badass and adorable. Luke was rather strongly reminded of some of the ‘baby girls’ he’d seen in the club and couldn’t help but think she’d look right at home in the ‘little girl’s room’ one floor up.

Beside her, Domi looked almost like she was going for warrior-esque in a black leather halter and matching short skirt which laced up the sides, showing off a lot of her pale skin through the criss-crossing leather laces. Her hair was still a riot of curls around her head, reaching down to her chin, but she’d done her make-up dark and smoky with dark red lips, giving her almost a goth look.

“Do they make those for women?” Domi asked the room at large as she and Rae moved towards the other side of the stage, opposite from where Kincaid, Brian, and Morgan were and putting them to the left of Luke.

“Yes, but skirts are more fun,” Brian said with a wink. 

Moving to Luke’s side, Michael and Ellie were both smiling at him as Domi wrinkled her nose at Brian, and she and Rae started whispering to each other. Morgan was eyeing the two Dom mentors like she was trying to work herself up to approaching them as they started to chat.

“Feeling better?” Michael asked Luke.

“A little,” Luke admitted. Even though he hadn’t particularly wanted more of an audience for his outfit reveal, having the others there did actually make him feel a little better. Especially the other submissives. While he might still envy Kincaid and Brian their leather pants and vests, there was definitely something kind of fun about showing off his assets. Pun intended. 

Ellie grinned. “You’re a lot more covered up than most of the male submissives. And if you decide you do want pants like Kincaid’s or Brian’s, no one’s going to stop you—although you might get a few more confused submissives like Morgan hitting on you.”

“I’m pretty sure Morgan just likes to flirt,” Luke said, his eyes flitting over to where the stunning redhead had joined the Doms in their conversation. Zach and Mitch had both arrived as well and she’d immediately been pulled into their orbit. Mitch was wearing leather pants and a black tank top that fit him like a second skin, while Zach’s leathers were topped with a button down white shirt, open at the neck. 

He wondered if Samantha was coming or if she’d decided the class wasn’t for her.

“How much longer till class starts?” he asked. There was no clock in the room and a watch didn’t really go with his outfit. Ha.

Michael glanced at his watch. “Three more minutes. Um… Ellie and I are going to head out.”

Saying goodbye, Luke couldn’t help but feel his lips twitch. He had a feeling the other man’s eagerness to leave had to do with avoiding a Domme with a grudge. From the smirk on Ellie’s face, she thought the same. Watching the two walk away hand in hand, Ellie glancing up and smiling at Michael as he gestured for her to precede him through the door, Luke felt a definite pang of envy.

There was something about the relationships he saw between people at Stronghold which just seemed special. A level of trust and understanding he’d lacked in every relationship he’d ever had. Was it the BDSM or just the people?

Sighing internally, Luke turned to go join Domi and Rae’s conversation. Even though the Doms were men, he felt more comfortable with the two women. Hopefully they didn’t feel like he was a party crasher.

Since they both smiled in welcome when he approached, he decided they must be okay with him.

“That was one of the owners, right?” Rae asked when Luke reached them. “You’re friends with him?”

“Yeah, I met him when my company was working on the remodel for this club,” Luke said, telling the truth, just not the whole truth. “I’ve been to Stronghold a couple times too.”

“Have you played there before?” Domi asked.

Both of them were full of questions about the two clubs and the people there, which was a nice way to pass the few minutes before Olivia finally arrived.

The entire room went silent when the door at the back of the room opened and she strode in. Luke’s cock swelled, straining against his already tight pants, and the harness suddenly felt like it was gripping his chest a lot tighter than it had before as he took in the sight of the stunning Domme.

Red hair up in a neat French twist, she was dressed entirely in shiny black, from her corset to her tight miniskirt to the thigh-high boots with the impossibly high heels, which didn’t even wobble as she moved. In her right hand she was carrying a crop, and when she came to a halt, surveying the room, the leather flap on the end of it tapped against her ankle as she perused the class.

Luke had seen her at the club before but not in this outfit. He would have remembered that skirt. Those boots—Jesus Christ those boots. His fantasies for the next week were going to be about Olivia wearing nothing but those boots. If she wanted him to kneel right now so she could straddle his face, he’d be the happiest man in the world.

Her gray eyes seemed to pierce his as she met his gaze, like she knew exactly the effect she was having on him.

And she liked it.

It’s a trap.

The cruel little smirk curving her lips promised all sorts of erotic torments.

Tight pants had been a poor choice. 

******

The sweet sound of respectful silence.

Olivia loved moments like this, where she could practically feel the awe emanating off the submissives. The other dominants weren’t exactly immune either. 

Okay, so she might have gone a bit dramatic—but she’d always loved a little bit of innocent drama. She’d never make a great actress, but she could have moments of presentation like this. And the look on Luke’s face… 

Eat your heart out, cupcake.

Yeah. Shimmying herself into the PVC had been worth it. So were the boots, even though she couldn’t move very quickly in them. The four inch heels would put her at just about Luke’s height when she stood beside him, although she’d still be shorter than Kincaid. She didn’t need extra height to dominate, but she also knew the picture she made in full-on Dominatrix mode.

“Good evening everyone,” she said smoothly. “It looks like we’re all here except—”

The door banged open and a flushed, rather anxious looking Samantha came running in, still wearing her coat and regular clothing. She was clutching a bag in her hand, probably with the clothes she’d planned on changing into.

“Sorry I’m late!” she said, panting for breath and still shivering a little.

“That’s all right,” Olivia said, enjoying the expression on Samantha’s face as the other woman caught sight of her and immediately blanched. “We’re just getting started. As soon as we break off into pairs, you can go get changed and your Dom for the evening will just have to give you a couple of extra swats for tardiness.”

Samantha swallowed hard but nodded her head, instinctively skirting around the Doms and making her way to where Luke was standing with Rae and Domi. Kincaid and Mitch exchanged anticipatory glances over Morgan’s head. Olivia wasn’t sure she liked the division between Morgan, who was standing with the dominants, and the other submissives. That was something she would need to keep an eye on. 

“Welcome to your second class,” Olivia said, giving the little subbies—and one not-so-little subbie—an appropriately evil leer. They all looked rather anxious, although Morgan also seemed more excited than the others and Luke was having trouble focusing on her face. Smug satisfaction wound its way through her at the lovely array of reactions. “As you can see, today we’re going to be focusing more on things you might actually do while in the club. You’re all appropriately attired, so we’ll be going over the various submissive positions a Dom might expect from you as well as letting you feel what bondage and a light spanking is like.”

They all looked nervously expectant as the subbies eyed the spanking benches, although Morgan also looked a little disappointed, Samantha a little frightened, and Domi the most eager. Rae and Luke were the hardest to read; Rae because she was obviously trying to keep a blank face and Luke because he hadn’t even glanced at the benches. His eyes were still trained on Olivia and she was pretty sure she could already see a sizable bulge at the front of his pants.

Her own body was already humming with anticipation, the high she got off of dominating a group of people. It made her senses feel sharper, more attuned, and energy fizzed inside of her, just waiting to be let out on some poor subbie’s unsuspecting ass.

Well, maybe Luke suspected, since another Domme hadn’t appeared yet. 

Olivia had decided to give herself permission to enjoy playing with him tonight. Starting on Sunday, she was going to be handing his training over to Mistress Lisa, so she hoped indulging herself a little would help get rid of the temptation. Fulfill the need she felt.

“Rae, you’ll be with Master Brian this evening.” Brian smiled, Rae eyed him nervously. “Samantha, you’re with Master Kincaid.” Kincaid grinned, like a lion sighting its next meal across the benches and Samantha blanched again. Yes, they’d do nicely together. “Domi, you’re with Master Zach, and Morgan you’re with Master Mitch.” Morgan perked up immediately as Mitch leered at her and Domi smiled shyly across at Zach who smiled back at her. 

It was admittedly fun to see how everyone reacted to each other. She was definitely going to be interested to see if any true bonds were formed, although the round robin style of assigning Doms was actually supposed to help prevent that. Submissives new to the scene could become very attached to the first Dom they felt a connection with; enforcing switching Doms each class should help them all get used to playing a little more casually.

Except for Luke, who would have the same Domme every time, but since he professed to already be attached to Olivia, she was really the only person he shouldn’t be constantly scening with. Just tonight.

She met his blue eyes, which were hot with arousal. It wasn’t difficult to admit how attracted to him she was. The rugged hair on his face, his dark locks and bright blue eyes, broad shoulders, and muscled build from construction work all appealed to her. The tight leather pants outlining his erect cock were damn sexy and she knew someone had to have advised him on his outfit. Olivia loved a man in a harness. Harnesses provided so many interesting options to play with. 

“Luke, you’re with me.”

The flame in his eyes flared with excitement and lust, and Olivia felt her pussy clench in response.

Just for tonight, she reminded herself.