Punished?

The blonde whimpered, then again when the man slapped her ass hard enough to leave a red mark. "Answer me, girl."

"Yes!" she sobbed, arching her spine to get more of his touch. "Yes, Master!"

Master.

I was stunned. My body was thrilling with anticipation over the whole scene. Her words sealed it; my slow boiling suspicion was right. I knew what was happening here. There was no other explanation for this over the top scene.

But... why would Seth Hart allow a sex party down here?

What kind of a man was he?

"Always answer your Master when they ask you a question, girl. Your mistakes reveal why you're here, why you need training." Gently, he ran a finger between the gap of her thighs. I was sure he must have touched her slit, because she moaned louder than before. "Would you like me to fuck you? It sounds like you want that."

"Yes, yes Master, oh god, please!" Squealing, she gyrated her hips. My own pussy quivered in sympathy.

"Well," the man she'd called Master whispered, so that I leaned forward to hear better, "Then beg for it. Promise you'll be a good pet and obey your Master from this moment on. Always." His thumbs peeled her pussy open, vulgarly displaying her twitching clit. "And forever."

I licked my mouth, far too warm from watching this scene. I saw that one of the men sitting down on a plush couch had his legs spread wide. Between them, a mop of brunette hair was moving. He was receiving a blow job, right there in the open.

No one batted an eye.

The man in black followed my eyes. Then, oddly, he stared at me once more. I didn't like that, it made me worry I was drawing attention to myself. Did I stand out that much?

Peering side to side, I frowned. If I am, why is he the only one watching me?

The wet sounds of the blow job made me flinch. At my hips, I clenched my hands roughly into fists. This place is crazy! I should leave, just walk out and go.

But I didn't.

"Please, sir, I'll do anything! I promise." The blonde sobbed, her hair tossing as she lost herself in her desperate need for release. "I'll always obey! Just please, please..."

"Good girl, that will do for now." Gold-Mask laughed, reaching down and rubbing the bulge in his pants.

After he drew attention to his erection, I couldn't look away. Staring, the insides of my thighs damp, the sight of that hand so casually outlining his own cock entranced me.

He freed it, the fleshy tip bouncing into the dim light. His hand, firmly gripping the base and giving it a slow pump, made me inhale audibly.

It was too much.

Finally, I looked away-and right at the black-masked guy across from me.

My observing stranger tilted his head. I realized he'd heard me gasp. For a moment, I was frozen with fear. My mind buzzed, warning me to turn and run, that something awful was about to happen. Perhaps my cover would be blown, or worse.

Soundlessly, he looked back to the bound woman and the other man.

I breathed out in relief. He doesn't care, why am I worried? Everyone else is watching. I'm fine, I don't stand out.

The blonde woman panted loudly, unable to move enough to rock the Master's cock into her. It was clearly torture, being tied down and teased. Blood quickened in my veins when I helplessly imagined myself in a similar predicament.

Watching this is actually turning me on, what's wrong with me? I'd never been interested in this kind of kink before.

Long fingers curled into her mop of hair, pulling her head back. Her lips parted in a silent cry of delight. He crouched, whispering into her ear. I couldn't hear what was said, but I wished I had.

Whatever it was, it made the woman cry out, clear as a bell. "Yes! Yes Master, of course!"

With a slow thrust, his plump cock slid into her from behind. I wondered what that felt like, after being tormented for so long. To finally have such a hard length filling her completely. It had to feel amazing, right? So warm and thick and...

Wow, I need to calm down!

Reaching up, I wiped at the back of my neck. Every inch of me was alive, and still, my senses heightened more as I watched the pair fucking on the table. He moved with purpose, holding her jaw, talking or nibbling at her ear.

The blonde had no control, the one she kept calling 'Master' was able to use her at his leisure. He chose the speed, the force, and the woman could only accept what he gave.

I resisted a lusty hiss between my teeth when he abruptly rocked his hips, burying himself in the woman so hard the impact of flesh rang in the room.

Shifting anxiously, I squeezed my knees. My panties were soaked.

Again and again, he held her down and fucked her. Finally, he reached back between her legs with his slippery fingers. The way the woman squealed, I was positive he'd started rubbing her clit.

My mind was on a ride.

I pictured being bent over, made to scream in front of all these people; a strong man casually fucking me... teasing me towards the pressure of release...

I wonder how that woman got into this situation?

Suddenly, the blonde screamed, a hoarse sound that betrayed what had happened. Her thighs quivered, then they grew weak. Gold-Mask thrust into her a few more times, letting her hair go so her head could rest on the table.

She came, didn't she? I just watched her, everyone watched her!

My belly fluttered, flesh prickling with a growing ache. Watching the man, his arms flexing, his rhythm slowing, I was confused when he suddenly pulled free. His cock, hard and angry in the air, was coiled in his fist.

Rapidly, he jerked his own length. The explosion of pearly liquid hit the woman's ass, coating her skin and dripping down. Standing there, he rubbed the slippery head of his cock on her hip, then tucked it away in his trousers.

With one more final, crisp slap on her thigh, he turned towards us and smiled. "Cora, clean her up and untie her. Make arrangements for her auction."

"Yes, Master." A woman, her hair in a woven, raven braid, offered him a glass of water and a small towel. She began unbinding the blonde, washing her skin as she did so.

The room rumbled to life, everyone starting to move around and talk. It was like a spell had been broken, it reminded me of a crowd after a movie had ended.

Turning my head, I breathed in a few times to try and relax. That scene had been intense, I could never have imagined such a thing existing behind the golden door above.

Someone moved near me, people bustling to exit down the tunnel. I was jostled, so I mumbled a quick apology. As I twisted back around, I found myself face to face with the man who'd been watching me from the wall.

His voice was smooth as smoke. "Hello there, I don't believe we've met. Are you new?"

Oh, shit. "Um, uh," I sputtered, wishing I could melt into the crowd and escape. "I... yes, this is my first time here."

"I thought so." He grinned. "Normally, everyone should arrive in the main room at the start of the night. Late comers are discouraged." He was chiding me, but he didn't seem upset. Inclining his head, he gave me a once over. "I'm Master Onyx, and you are...?"

Fuck fuck dammit make something up!

"Opal," I blurted, thinking about my mask. I forced a smile, hoping he would go along with my lies.

He paused, taking a drink from a woman passing by with a tray. She bowed her head, but when she offered me a glass, I didn't take it. "Opal, that's nice. This is your first time, you said? What about this place brought you here? Curiosity?"

"Actually, sort of, yes." Guess I don't need to lie about everything.

"Then, did you see enough tonight to help you decide which path you'll choose?"

He was losing me. I hesitated, worried I would give myself away if I revealed my lack of knowledge. "I'm not sure. What path did you choose?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He laughed, like I'd made a great joke. Flexing a gloved hand between us, the surface creaking, he bent closer. "The life of a Dom is not for everyone, but I knew right away. We have a few women who do it, but here, it's mostly the men."

A Dom? I wasn't intimately familiar with the title, but I could figure out his meaning from context. A Dom was a Master.

Master...

I'd forgotten to breathe; the air came out in a hot burst. His nearness, the reminder of the show we'd both watched, was making me flustered. "Aha, right, I see. So... the other choice is more common for women?"

"Indeed," he said. "Most become submissives. When you decide, there is a list at the door. Just sign your name on the correct page, indicating you'd like to begin your training." If I could have seen his gaze, I swear he would have winked. "I'd be happy to teach you what it means to bow to a Master, my pretty little Opal."

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. He was so tall, I could have been swallowed in his shadow. If I'd thought the gold-masked man was intense, Onyx put him to shame. He was a tornado of wickedness and turbulence, ready to claw me up.

Someone clapped him on the shoulder. "Sir, Helm would like to talk to you."

Onyx frowned, but only for a second. Nodding his head to me, he turned-but his words were liquid silver on his tongue. "Think about what I said. I'd love to hear you gasping again... and from more than just watching a little show."

Then, he allowed himself to be led away.

I breathed out, hard, leaning on the wall to steady myself. He really was paying attention to me earlier. I was torn between being flattered and terrified. This whole night had been insane. I was ready to leave.

Spinning, I walked quickly from the room, heading out through the group of people gathered in the main area. None of them spoke to me, and I was grateful.

Shoving aside the heavy curtain, my eyes fell on the small table by the archway.

The clipboard, where people sign in... and make their choice.

Peering side to side, finding myself alone, I reached down and flipped through the papers. Now that I knew what I was looking for, it made more sense. These were lists, each of them labeled different things.

Here. I tapped one side. The top read 'New Subs.' This is where he told me to sign. There were only three names. I wondered if one of them had been the blonde I'd watched earlier.

I imagined what it would be like to sign my name there, to put down 'Opal' on that list.

Would I end up tied to a table, spanked and teased until I lost myself in bliss?

Would that man, Onyx, be the one to do it all to me?

If he really meant what he said, then... Trembling, I wrenched myself away and shook my head. No, get a grip. This isn't for you.

With one last look at the clipboard, I fled up the stairs.

- Chapter Seven -.

Naomi.

The paint smudged along the wall, long strokes of ebony, smokey and rich. Carefully, I added some loose swirls of yellow, creating a burst of contrast. It seemed abrupt, a spark of color from the darkness. I liked the effect.

Apparently, so did Seth.

"That's coming along nicely," he said from my left. Shocked, I spun, ocher paint splattering onto the man's dove-grey jacket.

"Seth! I'm so sorry!" Horrified, I reached for a rag, but he only lifted his hands and chuckled.

"Shh, easy! It's fine," he stated, studying the stain. "I didn't mean to scare you, I was just appreciating your work."

My expression smoothed, but I wasn't entirely convinced I hadn't just ruined an expensive outfit. Setting the brush down on my pallet, I put on a frail smile. "I'm seriously sorry. I shouldn't have freaked out. I'm just a little tired."

Seth squinted at me, like he was trying to figure out what I meant. I didn't like him being so interested.

"Well," he began, "I was going to talk to you about that. You've been working very hard these past two days, I don't want you burning out with late hours."

Just like that, I was reminded of last night.

The cries of pleasure, sharp cracks from palms on smooth flesh; it sent a flicker of heat into my belly. I'm not tired from painting all night, I'm tired because I couldn't sleep after...

In my mind, I heard Onyx's voice, his promise.

'I'd be happy to teach you what it means...'

I shivered.

It had been impossible to decompress after everything I'd witnessed. I'd crawled into the guest bedroom, not even debating asking Corbin for a ride home. This morning, my sheets had been soaked in sweat. I'd been eager-more than eager-to get up and get to work to avoid thinking about why.

Seth was still talking. I shook my head, making myself pay attention.

"-for lunch. If that's alright."

"Wait, what?" I stared, wishing I'd heard everything he'd said.

"I mean, if you insist on not eating with me, I'll understand. But getting away from this wall might do you some good." His smile was gentle, his eyes melting over me.