Scrupulous (An Affliction of Falling Novel Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

around in appreciation.
    “Back in character for the night, Samuel?” I sass.
    “Have to play the part. Or should I say, I play a part most of the time but now I get to be me.”
    “Ha-ha. Great. Then that must mean you made good on those handcuffs tucked in your pocket,” I reply, dryly. He pulls them out and lets them hang on a finger as he swings them back and forth in a taunting fashion. “Jesus, put them away. I’m coming!” I yelp before shooing him towards the couch to wait.
    Running back to the powder room, I take my hair down and side-sweep the waves in a vintage fashion. After relieving myself for what will probably be the last time for a few hours as there is no way in hell I am wrestling this combo in a potty stall, my nervous feet carry me back to Samuel.
    “All right, Master Z, will you please escort me?” The flippancy in my tone is hard to cover.
    “Nice try, your attitude seeps through your every word. Twenty dollars says you get spanked for misconduct within thirty minutes of stepping through the doors,” Samuel sniggers and gives me a playful swat on the butt, eliciting a squeak from me.
    “Thank you for the vote of confidence!”
    “Anything to help.” I playfully smack him on the shoulder as I lock up and pull my knee-length trench coat around tighter against the definite chill in the air.
     
     
    We pull up to the club, hopping out of the cab to join the others waiting in a huddle by the door.
    “About time!” Molly huffs as she opens the door and greets the guard standing just inside. We crowd in from the damp and biting fall air and are waved through immediately to the reception desk. There are about ten people ahead of us, getting checked in.
     
    “Is there a coatroom?” Molly turns to finally get a proper look at me as the tie on my coat slips away.
    “I can’t believe you even dressed up! Yes, the next room has a coat check. Past that is the bar and main viewing room with a center stage. The dungeon is a level below that,” Molly excitedly explains as we advance forward.
    “Ah, baby, I can’t believe you are doing this for me.” Steven jubilantly whispers into Ben’s ear as he leans into his husband, as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. They are too damn cute; it almost makes me want a partner… but not quite.
    We step up to the podium; Sapphire is once again working the front.
    “Welcome back. So glad you could join us. I trust Master Z taught you well?” Sapphire’s blue eyes dazzle in genuine hospitality.
    “Yes, he is quite an effective instructor,” I mock, shutting my mouth when registering the horror in her eyes at my disrespect and hearing Samuel suck in a quick breath. “I apologize; it’s my nerves. He is very good at his job,” I cover with sincerity, suddenly ashamed that she was offended. Nice, haven’t even made it through the damn door before ticking someone off.
    “Thank you. Please enjoy yourselves this evening and feel free to inquire about membership should you wish to come back. Front doors lock at eleven, and no one else is allowed in. If you leave after that time, re-admittance will not be permitted. The club itself has last call at one thirty and closes at two. Weekends have longer hours,” she says, quickly recovering with a curt reply and ushering us through the third door where another guard lurks. Out of the corner of my peripheral, Samuel momentarily hangs back and puts the charm on thick, smoothing things over with Sapphire. Didn’t I warn them it was a bad idea to bring me here?
    We enter through into a plush lounge with a coatroom off to the side after sliding past the intense doorman. Many couples are lingering around the area, deeply engaged in conversations as they arrange for what I am guessing are their scenes from what I learned at Samuels little 101 session. In this room, members can establish recovery suites or specific desires for their scenes with the staff. This ‘staging’ area also proves to be a quieter and