Claiming Lauren (eXclave) Read Online Free PDF Page B

intention of pursuing the matter of
her submission, he would have left her alone. His upcoming time in the city
would have been punctuated with the occasional summons and she would continue
on as his for-appearances wife.
    While she was no longer satisfied with that life, was preparing to change
it, she hadn't planned on changing it with him . Not with Master, either.
She'd said goodbye and meant it. Even if speaking the words broke something
inside, she'd meant them.
    Oblivious to her confusion, Elizabeth ushered Lauren and Jacob into an
elegantly-appointed, high-ceilinged room. Low music provided a sensual base
note while the ebb and flow of conversation, voices male and female, aggressive
and gentle, established the melody. Jacob greeted a few people by name but
Lauren barely registered them. Amidst the designer dresses and jackets, bare
flesh caught her eye. Nobody else displayed the same fascination she felt as
she surreptitiously studied the men and women kneeling beside their
fully-clothed companions.
    No, that was wrong. Another young woman stood alone, nursing a glass of
wine and staring with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. Lauren instinctively
recognized the signs of desire. She raised her hand to her cheek, felt the heat
of her skin, and knew she was looking into a mirror. It was a difficult
reflection to observe. She turned away to find Jacob watching her.
    "What is this?" She asked.
    He lifted his gaze to a spot behind her shoulder, prompting her to turn
around. She found the object of his focus immediately. A tapestry hung above
the room's large fireplace, silver and white stars embroidered on a lustrous
black background. At the center of the tapestry, a colorful starburst threw
threads of silk between the tiny stars, and at the center of the starburst, a
bold white X commanded the eye.
    Her breath caught. She recognized the logo immediately. She should
recognize it--its graphic design counterpoint greeted her regularly, welcoming
her to the online community where she'd discovered the world of BDSM and gotten
to know Master.
    Where she'd gotten to know her husband.
    "Come with me." He drew her away from the other guests and led
her into the corridor. With the familiarity of a regular guest, he guided her
deeper into the house, bypassing closed and open doors. From the glimpses she
caught of the open rooms, she wasn't sure whether to appreciate that he passed
them by or be disappointed by the same. The sounds coming from behind closed
doors at once sent chills down her arms and heat to her core.
    Jacob finally paused outside a closed door in the back of the house.
Lauren raised her eyebrows when he unlocked the door with a key from his key
ring. So many questions, but she held them, trusting he would provide answers
soon. Not sure she wanted to know the answers.
    The room they entered was an office. The décor sage walls and blonde wood
furniture deviated from the remainder of the house, which was rich and dark.
Some of the weight of dread lifted from her shoulders as she crossed the
threshold, but it returned when Jacob closed and locked the door behind them.
    "Elizabeth formed eXclave," he said. "She and I have been
friends a long time and we share certain interests. Fifteen years ago she was
involved in a scandal that erupted from her actions at a public fetish club.
The matter quieted but she decided people of our social standing and
responsibility--and interests--needed a private network with a more discreet
venue.
    "The forum came later. Tony, another founding member, is an educator
and lecturer. He believes strongly in making accurate information available,
but like the rest of us, he values his anonymity. He persuaded Elizabeth to
launch the forum. Naturally, it grew. Elizabeth insisted she wouldn't have
outsiders in administrative or moderating roles but we're all busy people. Membership
is restricted, as you know, and the numbers are kept small for the sake of
community control and safety."
    He slid his