Free Keepsake by Linda Barlow

herself thinner. When she exhibited herself, she wanted no one to see and smile over extra flesh, extra
     fat.
    She felt a surge in her belly as it occurred to her that she could exhibit herself tonight.
    She glanced at the diamond watch on her wrist. Just after eleven. Things at the Chateau would be heating up.It was Friday night, and straights were welcome. During the week the rooms and apparatus in the Chateau were reserved for
     homosexuals—lesbians on Tuesday and Thursday and gays on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. But on the weekend, the heterosexual
     players took over the place.
    Isobelle hadn’t planned on checking out the scene this weekend, but she also hadn’t planned on April Harrington. Her anger
     and frustration were unexpected; she had to work them out.
    She picked up the phone and dialed Charlie’s number. “Are you alone?” she asked.
    “Of course I’m alone,” he said, sounding surprised that she might think otherwise.
    “I’m going to the Chateau. Would you like to come?”
    “Are you all right?” he asked.
    “I’m fine.”
    “I can’t stop thinking about what happened today, Isobelle. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe it. I hope you’re going to challenge
     that new will.”
    “Look, I’m trying to get the whole unpleasant situation out of my head. Do you want to meet me tonight or not?”
    “Okay. Sure. I’m concerned about you, that’s all.”
    “Thanks,” she said, “but there’s no way you can fix this particular situation.”
    “I can try. You know I want only the best for you, always.”
    Her voice turned husky. “Yes, because you’re my slave, pet.”
    Silence. Then he said, “Shall I meet you there?”
    “Mmm. I’ll arrive by midnight.”
    “I’ll be there,” Charlie murmured as she rang off.
    She sat for a few moments staring at the phone. Charlie was loyal and loving, and she could relax when she was with him. But
     being involved with somebody from workwas never smart. Perhaps it was time to start looking for someone to replace him.
    She stripped off her clothes and, naked, poked around in the back of her closet until she found some of the things she needed.
     She donned a black corset made of soft leather. It laced up in front, and barely covered her breasts. She stepped into a pair
     of matching leather bikini panties that covered her crotch in front but was high cut on the sides and back. She added a short
     leather skirt, black fishnet stockings with leather garters, and four-inch patent leather heels. No blouse. It would come
     off, anyway… as would the skirt.
    As would she.
    Charlie was waiting for her inside when she arrived at the Chateau at a few minutes past midnight. He wore a black leather
     vest over a dark turtleneck shirt. Tight leather pants encased his long legs. With his blond hair, gray eyes, and pleasant
     features, he was a good-looking man. Isobelle could sense several women giving him the eye from various dark corners of the
     club. If she did break up with him, he wouldn’t have any problem hooking up with someone new. Assuming he wanted to do so.
     More and more lately, he had been declaring his love for her.
    She walked over to him and arched her neck to receive his kiss.
    “You look gorgeous, Mistress,” he said.
    “Thank you, slave.”
    “I’ve missed you. I’d really like to see you someplace other than here and in the office.”
    “This is all I can handle right now.”
    They moved into a large central area of the club where other couples wandered, most dressed in fetish costumeswith a heavy emphasis on leather and shiny black vinyl. Some were barely dressed at all.
    At one end of the room was a shadowy group gathered around some dimly illuminated apparatus. There was the sound of a paddle
     striking bare flesh, accompanied by cries that spoke far more eloquently of pleasure than of pain. This was indeed the case.
     The whips were real, but they were made of soft leather, bluntly cut and unlikely to injure or mark even