Eternal Ever After by A.C. James Page A

flushed and looked back at the performance.
    The man who had been flogged bowed, clasping both hands in thanks. The crowd roared. The dominatrix curtsied and smiled, revealing her fangs. She turned and made eye contact with Arie. He had watched in silence, with the faint hint of a smile. And with a stab of jealousy I wondered what she meant to him, if they’d been together.
    The woman walked to the bar and downed a shot glass of something red. Then she circled around to our table. Throwing a sexy smile at Arie, she observed me only with mild curiosity.
    “Tell me Arie, who’s the snack? Does she like to play?”
    I frowned.
    “This is Holly. She’s with me.”
    She held out her hand as if she expected me to kiss it. I glanced at Arie who nodded at me in encouragement. I shook her hand instead and she retracted her proffered fingers, looking me over from head to foot. I didn’t like the way she looked at me, as if she’d like to make me into her next meal, or if she already knew exactly who I was. But how could she know anything about me?
    “I’ve gone by so many names. You can just call me Tessa. Too bad you’re taken.”
    After making her introduction she turned her attention away from me and back to Arie.
    “My security detail needs to brief me, and I need to take care of a few things. Go to my office. I’ll meet you when I’m done and we can catch up. It’s good to see you, Arie.”
    Then she spun on her heel and began to walk toward a muscled figure, presumably her security.
    “Snack?”
    Arie grinned. “She was only joking.”
    “Somehow I don’t think so.” I sighed.
    “Relax—she knows you’re with me. She won’t touch you.”
    “Are you sure about that?”
    Arie grinned. “Not unless you want her to.”
    “Absolutely not.”
    Arie laughed.
    “Is Tessa who you’re here to meet?”
    “She might be able to help. Tessa’s an old friend.”
    I wondered if that were true or if there were more to it than that. He didn’t flirt with her or give any indication that made me think they’d been involved. The hint of jealousy that I felt wasn’t supported by anything he’d done, and I hated that I felt that way. I envied Tessa her exotic beauty. And I wondered if Arie found leather and dominating a turn-on. I was seriously starting to question my better judgment. I’d always been curious about kink and I’d read enough to know about it. But how far would I go to be a part of Arie’s world? And did I really want to be?
    Yes.
    The answer was yes. God, I fucking wanted him. This part of the equation might fulfill a fantasy that I’d never been brave enough to indulge in. I wanted whatever came along with his world. Curiosity churned inside me as I thought about everything I’d seen. And more than curiosity, I felt my pussy clench as I thought about the woman being fucked—in public. I didn’t know what to think or how I felt about it other than feeling shocked by the desire thrumming through my body.
    ***
    I looked around the capacious room. We sat in the office of Tessa Green, the most notorious dominatrix known to the Hellfire Club. Clearly a woman of expensive taste; I wondered vaguely what a place like this pulled in every night.
    The desk and coordinating credenza were made from a rare wood called Carpathian elm, and according to Arie it came with a hefty price tag. A classical Greek statue stood in one corner. On her desk sat a timeworn piece of pottery embellished with a homosexual erotic theme.
    I guess when you’d lived as long as they did it made one sexually ambiguous. They probably went for flogging and experimentation just to keep it interesting. I wouldn’t know about any of it personally, but felt grateful for the education from my erotic reading. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably aware of my arousal and my throbbing clit. Arie looked as uncomfortable as I felt, and I wondered if he could somehow sense my arousal. I shifted again in my seat.
    -If you don’t stop fidgeting,