The Arrangement

Chapter Seven

Blair

Again, I have no fucking idea what I was expecting but this definitely wasn't it.

As my eyes dart around the room, it's impossible to fully take everything in. The atmosphere around me is thick, like there's a mix of apprehension and excitement that buzzes all around me. Everywhere I look, there are sex toys lined up on shelves and hanging proudly on the walls. Floggers, paddles and other things I have no idea what they are. All of them illuminated under the lights as if speaking directly to me, promises pain but also pleasure.

I have no idea if it's the anticipation or fear that has my heart racing, but either way my breath catches in my throat from the sheer enormity of what it all represents.

"Holy fuck" I breathe, my eyes wide as they continue to dart from one piece of equipment to another.

I finally manage to take a hesitant step forward almost as if I'm drawn in by the equipment, all of it beckoning me closer. As I do I'm acutely aware of the eyes on me, all of them watching me to see what my reaction is going to be.

When I halt again, Carter comes to my side. "Take your time," he says softly. "There's a lot to see and understand but we're here to help you navigate it" his tone is calm and reassuring, clearly designed to help me feel grounded in this moment and for the most part it does work.

I can feel the tension in my shoulders begin to ease slightly, the warmth of his support seeming to wrap around me. There's no doubt Carter's demeanour exudes an air of confidence and experience, and when I glance at him I can see that he's without a doubt comfortable in this environment.

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I try to centre myself.

Stepping in with us Lennox comes to my other side and gestures to the wall, "How about we go through everything and explain it to you" he suggests, and I find myself nodding along.

He heads over to the wall and picks up one of the floggers, it's tails hanging gracefully like a cascade of silk. "This on is a flogger" he explains, stepping towards me. "It's versatile depending on how it's used, it can create a range of sensations, from light tickles to deeper, more intense thuds."

As he speaks, I find myself captivated not just by the object itself but by the way he talks about it. There's a little flush of heat that runs through me as I consider what it would feel like.

The idea of the light tickles he mentioned sends a shiver down my spine, while the thought of deeper thuds brings a rush of heat to my cheeks. My pulse quickens, and I find myself imagining how it would feel to surrender to the sensations, to trust someone enough to explore this side of myself that I didn't even know existed.

Lennox takes a step closer to me, the flogger still in hand, and my heart races as he gestures for me to come even nearer. "Would you like to feel it?" he asks, his eyes searching mine for a sign of eagerness or hesitation.

I nod, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling within me. He offers the flogger to me, the handle smooth and cool against my palm as I take it from him. The weight feels solid and reassuring in my grip, and I experiment with the movement, trailing the tails lightly across the back of my hand. The sensation is delicate, like a whisper, and I can't help but smile at the unexpected pleasure it brings.

"Good," Lennox encourages, his tone warm and supportive. "Now, try giving it a light flick. Just like this." He demonstrates again, the tails cutting through the air with a gentle swish, before brushing against my arm lightly. "Feel how it can tease? It's all about the intention behind each stroke."

I mimic his movement, a little unsure at first, but as I flick my wrist, the tails flit through the air and land softly against my skin. A gasp escapes my lips, the sensation sending delightful tingles radiating through me.

"Now, let's explore a bit more," Lennox suggests, his enthusiasm infectious. He takes the flogger from me and then leads me along the wall, pointing out various pieces of equipment. He picks up a paddle next, its surface gleaming under the soft lights of the room. "This is a paddle. It delivers a sharper impact, and it can be quite exhilarating." He says and from the tone of his voice I quickly gather that this may be something he quite enjoys.

"Do you guys use these on each other?" I ask turn to face the others to find them all watching us intently.

Ashton chuckles from where he's lent against the wall looking completely at ease. "Some of us do," he says and then winks at Lennox. 

Clearly there's a lot more to this whole dynamic between them that I'm yet to learn.

"And you'll all want to use this stuff on me?" I then ask turning back to Lennox.

He shrugs taking the paddle from me to place it back in its place. "I probably won't, I'm more of a sub in here than a dom, but Henley and Carter definitely will" he then says with a smirk.

"And you?" I ask turning back to Ashton whose smile is a little intimidating.

"I like to get creative in other ways" he replies and the sultry tone of his voice sends an instant shiver down my spine.

He pushes off the wall and takes calculated steps towards me, each one causing a new feeling to ripple through me. It's like nothing I've ever felt before, a mix of so many things at once. Fear, exhilaration, suspense, desire. All of it hitting me like a wave.

"We're all different, each of us with our own needs and kinks" he says coming to a stop directly in front of me. His large frame looming over me.

"And what's yours? What's your thing Ashton?" I ask, my chin tilted up and a level of confidence fuelling my words. Confidence I don't think I've ever felt before.

In quite possibly the most attractive way I've ever seen his mouth pulls up in a crooked smile and his eyes hold mine. Leaning in his breath skirts across my face. "I like to chase" he whispers and I feel every fibre of my being melt.

I am without a doubt out of my depth here yet I'm ready to buckle myself in and enjoy the ride.

Literally.

As he pulls back I'm speechless, not a single word coming to mind as if my brain has been well and truly frazzled.

All I can think is that I would willingly let this man catch and that in itself is a scary feeling.

"So what do you say little mouse?" He says his voice low and enticing. "Are you in or out?"

I quickly take a glance at the other and before I know it the words are flying out of my mouth. "I'm in"