Free The Braille Club (The Braille Club #1) by J. A. Kerr

marble floor before sinking down into the plush carpet as she approached a small desk. The door opened and a slender, elegant woman emerged.
    “Gabriella, so lovely to meet you. My name is Grace,” said the woman, smiling warmly, her hand outstretched. She immediately put Gabriella at ease.
    “Please consider today a journey of both body and mind.”
    “Yes,” said Gabriella. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    “Good,” said Grace, opening a door and leading them inside a large airy room, decorated in shades of cream with high ceilings and ornate moulding. The walls had heavy cream brocade wallpaper with two large windows draped in expensive swags and tails with a fine lace over the glass. A large soft rug covered most of the wooden floor and several chairs with narrow backs were dotted around, along with two large cream loveseats. A small matching sofa with cabinets at each side and an expensive looking coffee table in the middle completed the room. In the corner was a large vintage screen in cream and gold tones. Along one wall were built-in high gloss cupboards, the overall effect elegant and modern.
    “Before we begin, can I offer you some refreshments: tea, coffee, something from our bar, or perhaps water?”
    “Water would be lovely,” said Gabriella gratefully.
    Grace crossed the room, opened one of the cabinets to reveal a fully stocked fridge, and removed a bottle of water. Opening another cupboard, she located a glass and beckoned Gabriella over.
    “Please have a seat here.” She indicated the loveseat, pouring the water into a glass and placing it on the table.
    Gabriella sank into the deep comfortable chair and let herself relax a little.
    “These are the garments I told you about; we have them in the sizes you specified. Please put them on whenever you are ready.” Grace indicated the screen. “We need only the upper garment today.”
    Gabriella lifted the glass and sipped the water, her mouth suddenly dry, then crossed the room to the screen and slipped behind it. She removed her loose red shirt and pulled on the garment. It fit like a glove but felt strange and weighted, while Grace went to another cabinet and removed a locked case.
    “Okay, there are three main rules we observe in The Braille Club, and they are called the Braille Commandments.” She handed Gabriella a printed card. She took it and started to read.
     
    1. Thou shall not see.
    2. Thou shall not speak.
    3. Thou shall not tell.
     
    She then took items from the case and placed them next to Gabriella, explaining what they were. She started with the cuffs, showing them to Gabriella before gently snapping them around her wrists. The cuffs had bells attached, and they tinkled.
    “This is your control; simply shake your wrists to stop. Please try it out.” Gabriella dutifully shook her wrists and the bells tinkled again. Gabriella was trying not to show her alarm; what had she signed up for?
    “These can be linked together, but it is not necessary for today,” Grace said, showing Gabriella how to join the cuffs. “Remember you must keep your hands from moving; ring those bells and everything stops. Be careful; many people forget, ending their session prematurely. Can you put these sensors around your neck and waist?”
    The first sensor—The Lapel, reminded Gabriella of the device used by her hairdresser to keep her gown in place. It was weighted, and fitted snugly around her neck and shoulders, with long panels sitting over her chest. The second—The Belt, was a weighted sensor like a belt with a v-shaped front. She put them on, adjusting them until comfortable.
    “The first rule is blindfolds must be worn; they are compulsory. Can I place this blindfold over your eyes?”
    Gabriella nodded but looked uncertain as the heavy silk hood slipped over her head. Also weighted, it sank against her eye sockets, hugging her ears and skimming across her nose, the fabric soft and luxurious against her face as it plunged her into