Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
A payout? They’re paying someone?
Hold the phone.
“I’ll do it,” Liam says. “Take me to Tobias?”
Zoe and I share a wide-eyed stare when the men walk into the bar area together.
“What does he think he’s doing?” I hiss at Zoe.
Shrugging, she just smiles. “Liam’s an expert top,” she says. “Didn’t you know that? He’s an old friend of Tobias’. I’m just a little surprised he’s interested in doing a demonstration, because he’s typically very private.”
Of course he is.
Is he doing this just to show off for me? What the hell?
“C’mon,” Zoe says. “I could use a drink, and you’re the woman for the job.”
Why does it bother me so much that Liam’s considering this? I have no claim on him. He’s made a ridiculous proposition, and one I’m not super into agreeing to. But as I walk to the bar and wrap an apron around my mid-section, I think about his proposition.
What exactly would it entail? God, I could use that money.
I greet Travis in a sort of haze, my mind preoccupied. Pulling drinks, wiping down the counter, refilling the little bowls of roasted nuts. I do my job like an automaton, barely registering what I’m doing.
Could I scene with Liam? Hell, all he did was take me over his lap for a pretty tame spanking, and he made me climax. What would it really be like scening with him?
Tobias approaches the bar and Travis hands him a drink.
“Find anyone to demo yet, Tobias?” I ask, feigning nonchalance. Travis gives me a sidelong look I don’t miss. My voice is unnaturally high-pitched and shaky.
“Got a top,” Tobias says. “Liam’s offered to demonstrate. Still looking for a bottom, though. I would have thought people would leap at a chance to scene with a guy like him, but I think people find him intimidating.”
Oh, really? I think to myself. Good looks, filthy rich, and a dom. What’s intimidating about that?
How about the fact that he’s an asshole?
I look around the room. It really is pretty busy here tonight, busier than usual, and I notice the pool tables and circular tables and chairs have all moved to the side so there’s a wide-open wall in front of us.
“Why is the room all rearranged?” I ask Tobias.
“For the demonstration that might not happen,” Tobias responds, sipping his drink. “We decided to do a demonstration here rather than the Dungeon, because people complained demonstrations in the dungeon detracted from play.”
“Ah. Well, that makes sense,” I say, and I’m surprised I can talk at all given that my mouth is dry and feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton.
Liam steps onto the floor, wielding a wicked looking tool in his hand, crimson red with strips of leather.
Oh my God. That’s the flogger.
“Are floggers super painful?” I ask quietly.
“Nah,” Travis says. “The name makes it sound wicked, but it’s pretty tame. It can produce a good sting, and not all floggers are the same, but it’s a good beginner’s implement.”
“Really?” I say, my voice weirdly squeaky.
“That’s why I chose it for tonight’s demonstration,” Tobias says. “So we can dispel some myths about floggers. Newcomers think they’re brutal, but they rarely are. I mean, like Travis said, you definitely can work up a good sting with one, but they’re nowhere near as intense as a leather strap or tawse.”
I pull a few more drinks and hand them out, smiling at the patrons who come for a drink, but I’m a million miles away.
Liam’s giving a demonstration. They need someone willing to receive the pain. And there’s a payout.
I pour a drink for a customer, and as I hand it to him, Liam approaches the bar. I open my mouth to say something, then realize he didn’t come to speak to me but Tobias. Nervously, I turn away, and accidentally knock the glass of whiskey over and it spills all over a guy sitting at the bar.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I say, heat creeping up my neck, I’m so embarrassed.
“Hey!” the guy says, jumping back from the bar. I grab a bar mop. “Stupid bitch,” he mutters. “Got me wet.”
My cheeks flame with indignation. He did not!
But before I can say a thing to defend myself, Liam’s got the guy by the back of the shirt, pulling him straight out of his chair like he’s a child.
No way. I blink in surprise.
“What did you call her?” he says in a dangerous tone. My heart thuds in my chest. What the hell is going on here? Liam gives the guy a shake.
The man is like half Liam’s size, though to be fair, it seems most guys are, because he’s freaking huge. The man squirms and tries to get away. “Hey!” he yells to Tobias. “No one’s allowed to manhandle anyone. You’re the owner. Do something!”
“You violated the rules of conduct first,” Tobias says coolly. Travis stands next to me with his arms crossed on his chest, glaring at the jerk.