excuse to flog your pretty ass in public?”
Cherilyn had to suck in a deep breath to keep from passing out. Between her raging hormones, the way he looked, and what he’d just said, she was ready to straddle the gearshift and beg him to spank her until she cried. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
“That’s better.”
“Thayer, may I ask you some questions?”
“Of course.”
“I’m…I don’t know how to say this. I feel so out of my element. I don’t know what to do, or what to say, or…I don’t know. I’m afraid I’m going to make an ass of myself tonight, and you and Evan will think I’m too silly or something.”
He stopped at a red light, and after giving her a long, searching look, pulled over to the curb and put the car in park. “Come here.”
She leaned over the console as much as possible and took comfort from his arm around her.
“Now you listen to me, Cherilyn Barker. Evan and I have been lusting after you since you started working out at our gym. But out of respect for Chuck we left you alone. Do you have any idea how excited we are about this? We have the chance to help you explore everything you’ve ever fantasized about, and the chance to teach you how to be a sub, if that’s what you decide you want. And as if that weren’t enough, we happen to really enjoy your company.”
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared up into those stormy eyes.
“Don’t worry tonight about what to do, or what to say, or anything. Address us each as ‘Sir,’ and we’ll sort out the rest as we go, okay? A club can be overwhelming the first time you go. But it can also be exhilarating and freeing. We’re experienced Doms. We’ve had subs with no prior training and who had never set foot in a club, and we’ve had subs more experienced than we were. This isn’t only about tying you up and paddling you. Give yourself time to get used to everything, okay?”
“Kari said the same thing. That this lifestyle is more than that.”
He smiled. “Kari Tye is an intelligent woman. You two were good friends in school, right?”
“Yes, we were. I bought the dress and shoes at her shop.”
“And it’s great that you talked to her about this. But I want you to know that you can always come to me or Evan with any questions or concerns, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Thayer.”
He kissed her tenderly, and then he pulled her close and held her for a long time.
* * * *
Once inside Maddox’s house, the confidence she’d felt after talking to Thayer disappeared. For one thing, Maddox’s home looked like a museum and she was afraid to walk on the floor let alone touch anything. Evan was waiting for them in the foyer, and asked how she’d enjoyed the ride in “The Bodmobile.” That had her laughing, but the warning look on Thayer’s face snapped her back to reality.
They were in the house now. Time to act like a submissive. She took his offered arm and linked the other one in the crook of Evan’s elbow. “You look so sexy,” Evan whispered.
“Thank you, Sir. And I love the way you both look in leather.” Evan was wearing nearly identical pants and a vest, but he also had on a braided leather bracelet, and his clothing had fewer studs on it than Thayer’s. And of course he wore a cowboy hat. A dark brown one this time with leather trim.
They led her to a set of double doors at the end of the hallway and a man opened them. Cherilyn crossed the threshold and glanced around. They were on the top of three carpeted steps that led to a large room. A few people stood in small groups, but most were engaged in play. The air in the room was surprisingly cool, and she caught a whiff of leather mixed with the musky scent of sex.
“Deep breaths,” whispered Thayer.
She took several and it did help. As she scanned the room, her eyes grew accustomed to the low light, and while she still felt a bit intimidated, the sight of all that equipment in use made the air around her feel charged. It was exciting