𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 | 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐍 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄

Dakota

The heavy bass thumped through my chest as Avery and I walked into The Vintage Club, a place I'd never have set foot in on my own. The club was dimly lit, casting dark shadows that seemed to dance with the flashes of colored lights. People moved fluidly around us, a mix of mystery and allure filling the air. I was already regretting this decision, even though Avery had persuaded me with her annoyingly effective puppy dog eyes.

"You owe me for this." I muttered to her as we pushed our way to the bar.

Avery grinned, nudging me with her shoulder. "Oh, come on, Dakota! Live a little. It's just a club."

"Just a club?!" I raised an eyebrow, casting a quick look around. "A BDSM club, Avery. This isn't exactly... my thing."

"Yeah, yeah." she replied, waving a hand dismissively as we reached the bar. She ordered us both cocktails, and we leaned against the polished wood as the bartender prepared them. "My friends from college told me about it. I was curious, you know?"

"Curious?" I echoed, taking a sip of my drink once it was set in front of me. "And you decided to drag me along for... what, moral support?"

She laughed, clearly unfazed. "Maybe! Who knows, you might end up enjoying it."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help a small smile. The atmosphere was certainly intriguing, I'd give her that. Looking around, it was easy to spot who was dominant and who was submissive. The air practically vibrated with an unspoken hierarchy, a mix of power and desire that was both intimidating and intriguing. I'd read about things like this in some books during my late teen years, some wlw romance novels that touched on BDSM dynamics. I wouldn't say I'd thought much about it since then, but standing here in this environment brought back a curiosity I didn't even realize I still had.

My gaze wandered around the club, taking in the people, the outfits, the way some leaned confidently against walls, others waiting with a respectful yet eager air. And then, as I continued to survey the room, my breath caught in my throat.

Directly across from me, her gaze locked onto mine, was Ms. Beaumont.

I froze, barely able to believe what I was seeing. My heart started to pound, each beat feeling heavier than the last, and I quickly swallowed the lump in my throat. She was dressed in a fitted black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, her dark brown hair falling sleek and straight over her shoulders, and a pair of six-inch Louboutin heels that seemed to give her an extra dose of intimidation. I'd never seen her look... like this. Powerful, commanding, in her element. Her smirk only grew as she noticed my stunned reaction.

The way her eyes raked over my body made me feel as though she was stripping me bare right there in the middle of the club. I fought the urge to squirm, my cheeks heating up as I realized I was staring. There was an undeniable intensity in her gaze, a confident, knowing look that told me she was fully aware of the effect she had on people, and clearly, on me.

Avery nudged me, oblivious to the silent exchange happening between Ms. Beaumont and me. "Hey, Dakota, you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Uh..." I managed, tearing my eyes away from Ms. Beaumont to focus on Avery. "I... I'm fine. Just... surprised, I guess."

"Surprised by what?" Avery's eyes sparkled with curiosity, but I knew better than to tell her. The last thing I wanted was for her to draw attention to Ms. Beaumont. I knew Avery well enough to know she'd make it obvious, and the idea of Ms. Beaumont knowing I'd noticed her, really noticed her, was enough to make my stomach twist.

"It's nothing." I lied, glancing back over to where Ms. Beaumont stood, only to find her smirk had softened into a knowing smile, as if she could see right through me. I felt my face grow even hotter as I quickly looked away again.

In an attempt to keep my composure, I sipped my cocktail, though my thoughts were spiraling. Why was Ms. Beaumont here, of all places? I'd known her as the ruthless, elegant lawyer, the woman who commanded respect in court and at the office. But here... it was like I was seeing a side of her I hadn't dared to imagine existed. Was she a domme? Did she... like BDSM? My mind raced with questions, each one more intense than the last.

A part of me wanted to approach her, to ask her what she was doing here, but another part, the part that respected her cold authority, hesitated. This was her private life, a part of her world she'd never shared with me. She had always been this untouchable force, and here, I was getting a glimpse of something far more intimate and personal.

I turned back to Avery, trying to distract myself. "So... do you, um, know anyone else here?" I asked, trying to make small talk to stop my mind from wandering too far into uncharted territory.

"Nope! Just wanted to check it out." she said with a grin, taking a long sip of her cocktail. "But hey, there's a lot of good-looking people here. You should totally take a chance and talk to someone, Dakota."

I let out a nervous laugh, but my eyes betrayed me, flicking back to where Ms. Beaumont was now standing by the wall, watching me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. She didn't move, didn't approach, but her gaze never left me. It was as if she was daring me, testing to see how I'd respond.

Avery's voice broke through my thoughts. "Okay, seriously, you're acting weird. What's going on with you?"

"Nothing." I insisted, glancing back at my drink. But I could feel Ms. Beaumont's presence as though she were standing right beside me, that smirk still haunting my thoughts. How could she look at me like that and make me feel so... exposed? So seen?

My fingers tapped nervously on the edge of my glass as I forced myself to focus on Avery. "Maybe you're right. I should... I should try to enjoy it. Get out of my comfort zone a little."

"That's the spirit!" Avery said, lifting her glass in a mock toast.

But as I sipped my cocktail, I couldn't ignore the fact that my comfort zone had already been shattered the moment I saw Ms. Beaumont across the room. Each glance, each fleeting smirk from her felt like a challenge, one I wasn't sure I was ready to accept. But deep down, a part of me wondered what would happen if I did.

Would she continue to keep her distance, teasing me with her eyes alone? Or would she take control, pull me into her world, and show me a side of her I'd only dared to imagine?

The thought made my heart race even faster.

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Things are about to get spicy 🌶️

~ R