Free Perfect Stranger by KB Alan

Perfect Stranger
    Dana only gave a brief glance to the poster declaring that there would be an auction that evening. She was at the BDSM club, but she wasn’t even close to being ready to start playing with anyone. Not yet. Probably not for a while. Just getting herself into the club was a big enough step for now, and she’d promised herself she could work her way up into playing, take her time finding someone she’d be willing to take that step with.
    She took a look around and spotted a few people she knew right away, though she’d never been there. Her former Dom had been a member before they’d connected and though she hadn’t been interested in going to the club, she’d been willing to go to play parties with him and had met a lot of people in the lifestyle. Apparently she should have believed Harrison when he’d told her that the club he went to was nothing like the sleazy place she’d explored in college. Then again, he’d been happy enough to stick to playing with her at home or at play parties in private homes, so it hadn’t been an issue.
    Apex was attractive, though. Not too edgy or gaudy. There were comfortable looking seating areas, a bar that she’d been told didn’t have alcohol but did have some snacks, water, soda and juice, and an area set up as a small store, with what looked like floggers, vibrators and various other toys. A man with a clipboard stood in front of a hallway that she suspected had the playrooms and she could hear music coming from behind a curtain, so she figured there was a public play area beyond.
    A hand settled lightly on her shoulder and she only just managed not to jump. Vince met her gaze checking to see how she was holding up. He was one of the club’s owners and a friend of Harrison’s. She gave him a small smile. Though they’d been at the same parties a number of times, she’d never had much of a conversation with him. But when she’d gathered the courage to email him about visiting Apex, his response had been quick, courteous and welcoming.
    She dipped her head politely.
    “Thank you for arranging the guest pass.”
    “You’re welcome. I’m glad you’ve made use of it.” He gestured to the empty stage. “Perhaps you’d like a low-key start. One hundred percent of the auction proceeds go to a charity the members have voted on. The winners get two hours of the Dom’s time. It might be a nice way for you to get to know someone without any pressure.”
    She looked at the stage, more as a way to avoid meeting Vince’s eyes than because she thought anything had changed since her last look around. “I don’t think so,” she said softly. “Maybe next time. I’ll just watch.”
    He carefully placed a finger under her chin, moving her gaze back to his with utter gentleness. “There’s no pressure to move at a pace you’re not comfortable with, Dana.”
    She swallowed around a lump that seemed ever present in her throat these days.
    “Thank you, sir. I’m glad I’m here. It’s good to see some familiar faces and your club is really very nice.”
    He smiled and it was beautiful enough to make her wish she was ready to think about exploring. “I’m glad you came. If you need anything, just look for one of the employees in the white shirts. They tend to stand out, and they can always get word to me.”
    She found a seat in a row of chairs filling up in front of the stage, figuring that watching the auction was a safer way to entertain herself for a while than heading to the public play area.
    A man she didn’t recognize, dressed in an elegant suit, emerged from behind the curtain. He moved to the microphone and gave it a little tap, then spoke.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to start the auction. If you’d like to participate, please take a seat.” Her attention shifted away from him as someone else stepped onto the stage. Though vaguely aware that the MC was still speaking and the crowd had begun murmuring over the arrival of a line of men,