Free Strung Out (Needles and Pins #1) by Lyrica Creed Page B

and spread. “You’ve been a member for a while, but haven’t visited. I’d love to get to know your likes and dislikes before we begin.”
    Gage shifted in his chair, and for the first time, I felt an insecure vibe from him. One of his hands went up, forking through his hair, and he pulled his cap tighter on his head. His nervous gesture, for as long as I could remember.
    When he cleared his throat but remained silent, Selina put the untouched tray down and leaned forward, propping her elbows on her bare knees. I took in the shredded black hose, the high heels, and the short leather shorts. A chain was threaded into the belt loops. Her lacey lingerie was visible beneath a black leather vest, and two ponytails clipped her hair on each side of her head. I knew I’d been staring too long, so I didn’t count the piercings on the woman’s face.
    “You mentioned wax in your phone interview. Will it be your first time?”
    Wax. Like waxing? A Brazilian wax? My mind went wild.
    “Yeah. My first time. That’s why I was hoping Ivy would be here. I know of her. And… a friend told me she’d be here.”
    Good. Gage was steering the conversation.
    “No, Ivy has never worked here.” Selina divulged.
    “Do you know of her though?”
    “I think I do know who you’re speaking of.”
    I straightened in my chair and focused on Selina. But the other woman stood. “Will both of you be participating?”
    “No!” Gage pulled at his hair again. “She… she wants to watch.”
    “Very well, then.” Selina took his hand. I felt my eyes grow wide. I wanted to leap out of my chair and stand between Gage and this leather clad dominatrix-looking being. But Selina had admitted to knowing something about Ivy. Why wouldn’t she just spit it out?
    “I wanted to watch Ivy.” Even though Gage had asked me to let him do the talking, I rushed the words out in a panic. “Where is Ivy exactly?”
    “She doesn’t work here. Like I said. Or anywhere like this as far as I know.” Selina tugged Gage toward a chair I hadn’t seen before. The seat was split, and I saw Gage’s Adam’s apple convulse. “You want to get more comfortable? There’s a changing area.” With a sweep of her arm, she indicated a screen in the corner. “There are robes and other clothing if you didn’t bring your own.”
    “No, I’m fine.” Gage’s voice seemed strangled.
    “Well, at least allow me to take your shirt.”
    Gage hesitated then pulled the fabric over his head, shouldering around Selina’s outstretched hand to drop his black tee shirt onto my lap.
    “Now get comfortable. Any music you prefer?” Selina asked as Gage took a seat. His face had taken on an ashen cast, noticeable even in the dim room.
    “No music.”
    “Sure? Okay” She knelt beside him and with a twist of her wrist, the back of the chair reclined. Gage popped up into a seated position, defying the back now angled like a recliner. “Now, now. I may need to tie you down…” Selina ran her fingers over a rope and some zip ties before turning with arched brows and then quickly flinched at the darkness in Gage’s gaze.
    “There will be no restraints.” His voice transitioned from the nervous almost-squeak it had been before, to a king-like dictator tone.
    “I know this is your first time, but I think in time, you’ll find you’re a Dom,” Selina told him and turned her head enough to wink at me.
    Her ponytails swished as she walked over to the side and spent a few seconds at a countertop preparing something. There was a clink of glass. The smell of matches. And then she turned back to me. “Now about you. You want to watch from the cage?”
    My gaze darted toward the specified area, finding both a metal cage tall enough to stand in, and one that could only be suited for someone on all fours.
    “She doesn’t,” Gage interjected. “She’s into voyeurism. Nothing else.”
    Ivy. Just get back to Ivy. What the hell?
    I determined to gain control of the situation