"Our guests have had a chance to meet everyone, so we ought to kick things off with the a brief explanation of rules for our novices. There is no part of this place that is off limits, except food preparation surfaces in the kitchen." There was a good natured grumble from Desi, and Elizabeth smiled indulgently. "I'm sorry if one of your fantasies involves the kitchen table or counters, but the health department would pitch a major bitch. Condoms are to be used for any form of penetration; vaginal, anal, or oral. There are no exceptions to this, people. It's just good sense. Don't worry, we've laid in a good supply. They will be distributed prominently throughout the establishment." She indicated a bowl of foil packs, sitting on the bar as casually as a bowl of peanuts.
"We expect everyone to play nicely together. If someone doesn't want to let you into their scene, don't get your feelings hurt. You'll be able to find someone else to play. No blood play. That's better left to your private times. It's just too dangerous for us to allow it in a group environment."
"Other than that, it's pretty open, people. Does anyone have any personal rules to add?"
Desi raised her hand. "Tarah and I aren't comfortable with scat or water sports." There was a general murmur of agreement, which relieved me greatly. Adelaide shrugged, glancing at William, who looked down. I got the impression that William occasionally got to drink warm, fizzy lemonade. I was beginning to dislike Adelaide.
"Anything else?" Elizabeth asked.
"No breath control," piped up Kira. "I had a friend that almost killed himself doing that self hanging thing. His feet slipped off the stool. If the cord hadn't snapped..." She shuddered. "They were afraid he was gonna have brain damage for awhile." No breath control was agreed on quickly.
Loomis stated that he and Miranda would be watching, and acting out in public, but would not participate with others this time around. Perhaps next time. I looked down at Thomas, and spoke up. "That pretty much goes for us, too. And I'm the only one who disciplines my boy."
Adelaide sneered. "What if I catch him misbehaving? Do I have to tattle to you to get him a proper butt whipping? Can't I just give him a few for you?
I stared at her coldly. "Is English your second language, Addie? I thought I made myself clear enough. No one hurts my boy." I bit each word off. Thomas leaned his head against my thigh, looking up at the other woman.
She smiled. It looked ghastly. "He's your first, isn't he? All right, if you want to spoil him. He'll try to get away with murder if you don't keep a tight rein. Trust me."
Elizabeth raised her voice, obviously worried that this might go further. "Last, and most importantly, safe words. We need to agree on one for all of us, so there'll be no confusion."
Someone suggested mercy, but it was agreed that the word was too appropriate to some role playing scenes to be effective. Desi wanted salsa, but her own partner giggled her down on that one. Kurt offered, "My favorite is crystal."
I couldn't help smiling in remembrance, and lifted my hand. "Seconded." There was a brief vote, and it was agreed on.
"Very well, people." Elizabeth clapped her hands. "Let's have fun!" It wasn't as if the starter's pistol had gone off. People didn't fall on each other and start fucking. But there was a general feeling of relieved tension. Hands started to wander even more freely.
I went to the bar, and ordered a vodka collins. I watched as Keagan emptied a bowl of peanuts into a bowl of pretzels, wiping away the excess salt with a cocktail napkin. He cocked his head affectionately at Boy and inquired, "Red or white?" Boy whined. "Red it is. Linda, what do you recommend?"
"Got a nice '97 Utah Black from the Arches Vineyards. How about that?"
"Splendid." Linda poured wine into the dish, and Keagan set it on the floor before Boy, who began to lap at it eagerly. He smiled at me engagingly. "Yes, I spoil him. But he's worth it."
"I'm sure he is."
Boy had looked up from his bowl, and was regarding Thomas with great interest. He leaned toward him, tugging on his leash. "I think Boy want's to get to know your submissive. Would you mind?"
"As long as he doesn't get carried away."
Thomas had squatted at my side. Keagan unhooked Boy's collar. The second he was free, he crawled to Thomas and shoved his head between his knees, pushing his face into his crotch. Thomas teetered, watching in astonishment as the older man vigorously sniffed his fly. Boy rooted strongly, sniffing and licking at the rough denim. Langely lost his balance and fell back, bracing himself on his hands. Boy crawled up his body, and began hunching against his thigh.
"Boy!" Keagan was obviously embarrassed. "I swear, you just get through bragging about them, and they go and do something impolite!" Boy's ass was moving in short, hard jabs. "Boy, stop that!" Langely looked up at me with a what the hell can I do? expression, and I stifled a laugh. Finally Keagan doubled up the leash and cracked it across Boy's ass. He got him to stop, but it took three strokes. Boy's cock was swollen and drooling clear fluid, and Langely ended up with a wet patch on his leg. As he led Boy over to a sofa, Keagan was scolding, "Daddy just can't take you anywhere."
"I didn't know you had such a way with animals, Thomas," I murmured. He looked at me. "You can speak."
"Believe me, bestiality is not my cup of tea, whether literal or faux." He dabbed at the damp patch, then sniffed his finger.
"I can see that these gatherings aren't as grim as a lot of outsiders seem to think."
"Not with this club, anyway. They aren't into the really heavy stuff."
"Do you want a drink?"
"Please, Miss Emmie." I tipped my glass to his lips, letting him drink. I sat at the bar, feeding him peanuts and pretzels, and occasional sips of my cocktail.
Addie came over and leaned on the bar, William settling near her feet. "Shouldn't he be doing that for you?"
"You run your boy your way, I'll run mine my way." I tickled Thomas's chest. "I enjoy doing it."
Addie reached toward Langely. "You mind?"
Actually, I did. But it didn't seem gracious to start out by denying any contact with my submissive, so I said, "No. Go ahead."
"Thanks." She stroked Langely's chest. "Nice, very nice. Do you wax him?"
"No, he's naturally smooth skinned."
"Lucky you. William whimpers like a baby if the wax is a little to hot to suit him." She was rubbing Langely's right nipple roughly. I saw him bite his lip. "You ought to get him ringed. That would be really hot."
"No. I don't want him marked in any way. Nothing lasting, and nothing that I don't put on him."
She shrugged. "Your choice, of course." She pinched, and Thomas gasped softly. "But you're missing a great way to control. Twist a nipple ring, and they'll do anything for you. Right, snookums?" As if to demonstrate, she reached down and gave one of William’s rings a hard tug. A spasm of pain crossed his face, and he groaned. But his cock also twitched. I decided that Thomas and I might have a kinky relationship, but that the one between Adalaide and William was perverse, bordering on sick.
Kurt came over. "Hello, Addie." He smiled at her, and for the first time since I'd known him, something rang false in Kurt's manner. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm back with William again." She pushed one shiny, pointed toe against Williams swollen looking scrotum, and held it there. William started to sweat and tremble, but she didn't make any other move, didn't press any harder. "He just couldn't live without me. Could you, slutboy?"
"No, Mistress."
"Excuse me. I need to pee." She leered at William. "Thirsty, Willie? Come on."
I watched as he crawled after her. When she was out of the room, I looked at Kurt. "Odious."
He frowned after the departed couple. "I didn't know William was back with her again. Damn it to hell! I thought he'd gotten free of that harpy. William's a good little submissive, and Addie takes advantage of him. She never shows the poor thing any kindness. And she has a truly vicious streak. I'm afraid she's going to go too far, one of these days. I wish I'd known she was going to be here. I might not have come. But you know, it's rather hard to stay sympathetic for someone who hasn't the sense to get out of a destructive relationship. Ah, well." The smile he turned on me was as genuine as usual. "Having fun so far?"
"A blast. Most of these seem to be really decent people."
"They are. Catch them out in a crowd, and you'd never be able to pick them out as kinks. So, Thomas," He ruffled Langely's hair. The professor accepted the caress stiffly. "I see you met Boy. He's not that bold with the Doms, but he loves the subs." Kurt ran his finger under one of the leather straps of the harness. "Nice gear. I have something similar myself. I'm glad I didn't wear it this evening. It would have been like two socialites showing up at a cocktail party in the same designer dress." Langely's lips twitched, fighting down a smile. Kurt could have charmed a bear with a sore foot, given the time and opportunity, I reflected. I certainly hoped he would with Langely.
