low lighting and thudding music that fed through the home’s speaker system. It was transformed from the airy, filled-with-light home she knew from eating lunches or dinners with the family. Everywhere she looked there were men and women in various states of undress. The women wore corsets and tiny thongs or skirts that really didn’t cover much. There were lots of stilettos and plenty of bare feet. She stopped as she watched a woman on a leash. She stared, looking for signs that she didn’t like the leash.
“If that woman didn’t like her leash, she would break it and put her husband on his ass,” Macon whispered in her ear.
Once more, she had the feeling of being completely transparent to these people. Maybe she’d been rude. “Sorry.”
“No, they don’t mind you watching. If they weren’t comfortable with others watching they wouldn’t be here, but you have to get it through your head that these aren’t women who are being abused. They’re women who made a choice a long time ago about who they want to be. The woman on the leash is Karina Brighton. Her husband is a Dallas police lieutenant and former Green Beret, and he wouldn’t try to take her in a fight. She submits to him because she finds it relaxing and pleasurable for both of them. That leash and collar are there for play. The way I heard, Karina lost a bet and Derek forced her to try puppy play and surprise, she kind of liked it.”
Even as he spoke, the big Dom sat down on one of the couches in the designated lounge area of the house.
“So she pretends to be a puppy? Does she sit at his feet?”
“I’m sure she does from time to time, but I think he wants this particular puppy on his lap.” He chuckled as the Dom lightly tugged on his sub’s leash and pulled her into his lap. His hands went over her hair and he stroked her. She cuddled up in his arms as he started speaking softly to another Dom and sub who seemed very cozy.
What would it feel like to be able to cuddle up to Macon and feel completely and utterly like she belonged in his arms? What would it feel like to do it without any secrets between them?
She’d left it too late. She couldn’t tell him the truth now. She would lose him.
“Hey, are you all right?”
She’d gone stiff again, her shoulders up around her ears. He thought she was scared. She forced herself to relax and gave him a smile. “I’m good.”
His hand found hers. “Are you ready for more?”
She was ready to spend as much time with him as she possibly could. She nodded and he led her down the hall.
Three hours later, she helped Serena pack up the last of the food. Big Tag had casually snatched up the lemon cakes before heading across the property with his wife to pick up their babies. He’d also gifted Grace with a gorgeous Tiffany bracelet for her birthday, so Ally didn’t think anyone minded. Grace and Sean had looked completely satisfied with their evening and had even come over to tell Ally how happy they’d been to see her there.
She’d watched all manner of loving perversion and it was making her think.
“Did we freak you out?” Serena asked as she closed the lid on a container of hummus.
“Only the guy with the whip,” Ally replied honestly.
Serena nodded. “Yeah, when Kai gets the right sub, he can really go at it. Maia is a pain slut. She’s also a truly horrible human being, so she’s the perfect person to set off Kai’s inner sadist.”
“They’re a couple?” They’d been the only thing she hadn’t eventually warmed to. There was something cold about the way they’d been, as though there hadn’t been love between them.
“Oh, no. Kai can’t stand Maia and she sees him as a means to an end. It’s not all hearts and flowers and perfectly placed butt plugs. Sometimes it’s simply about getting something you need. It’s like that for a lot of single people who play. They come to Sanctum to let off steam in a controlled way that brings someone else what they need. Kai has a strong sadist streak. He controls it by finding partners who enjoy the pain he gives them.”
He’d been gorgeous, a blond god of a man in leather, but he made her shiver a bit. “Holy shit, he’s like the Dom version of Dexter.”
Serena nodded.