Page 19 of At Her Service (Club Velvet #2)

CHAPTER 19

A bby held up the dress in front of the mirror in her bedroom. Saturday was finally here. It had taken a whole day of shopping before she’d found the perfect outfit in a small boutique on Melrose Avenue. When the sales assistant told her the price, she’d almost put it back. But Valerie was paying for it. And she’d told Abby to buy something that would have every eye in the club on her.

This dress? It would turn heads.

She slipped it on and zipped it up at the side. The short, lacy black dress was woven with subtle threads of gold that shimmered in the light, and it had a low, plunging neckline and thick straps that crisscrossed over her breasts. Luckily, it had built-in support, because it was far too revealing to wear a bra underneath. But where they were going, no one would bat an eyelid at such a risqué outfit. And harnesses and straps were trendy, so it could easily pass as a high fashion piece.

Valerie’s voice echoed from down the hall. “Are you ready, Abby?”

“Almost!” she said. “One minute.”

She turned back to the full-length mirror, inspecting herself from head to toe. The dress looked even better on her tonight than it had when she tried it on in the store. She’d left her hair loose, framing her breasts, and had added a pair of sparkling gold earrings. Her legs were lengthened by her glossy black high heels, and the straps over her chest emphasized her breasts in a subtly provocative way. One strap sat high on her neck, almost like a collar.

She traced her fingertips over it. What would it feel like to have a real collar around her neck, to mark her as the treasured possession of her Domme?

What would it feel like to belong to Valerie, body, mind, and soul?

Something fluttered inside her chest. Ever since Valerie told her they were going to Club Velvet, she’d been filled with butterflies.

Was it a date? No small part of Abby hoped it was. But that did little to quiet the voice at the back of her head. Valerie wasn’t interested in a real relationship with her. Why would she be, when it risked everything she had? When she never wanted anything to happen between them in the first place?

When she insisted on keeping Abby a secret?

“Abby?” Valerie’s voice again, this time from right outside her door. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine!” Abby silenced the doubts in her mind. “I’m coming.”

She stole one last glance at the mirror. Even she had to admit that she looked good.

Would Valerie think so too?

She grabbed her purse and a light jacket, then opened the door to find Valerie standing in the hallway. She was dressed in black stilettos and a long, dark coat, her hair loose and her lips a deep, rich crimson.

Abby’s heart skittered. No matter what Valerie was wearing, she always left her enthralled.

So it took her a moment to notice Valerie staring back at her with ravenous eyes.

“You are exquisite. ” She drew her fingertips up Abby’s cheek. “Every woman in the club is going to be looking at you tonight. Every single one is going to wish they were you. Every single one of them will know that you’re mine .”

Abby’s breath caught in her chest. And for a moment, all she wanted was for Valerie to drag her back into her bedroom, toss her onto the bed, and take her there and then.

Instead, Valerie drew her hand back. “Shall we get going?”

* * *

“Here we are,” Valerie said. “Club Velvet.”

The car pulled to a stop at the side of the busy West Hollywood street. Abby glanced out the window. On the sidewalk, a long line of people stood queued on a red carpet. All were women. And all wore masks or carried them in their hands.

“Tonight is our very first masquerade ball,” Valerie said. “An entire night dedicated to indulging in your every wicked desire, all from behind the anonymity of a mask.” She reached into her purse and produced an ornate domino mask, holding it out to Abby. “I had some made for us, just for tonight. This one's for you.”

Abby took it from her carefully. It was made of delicate threads of gold filigree woven like lace, with tiny diamonds scattered across it.

She traced her fingers over the intricate design. “Are these real diamonds ?”

“Of course,” Valerie said. “Fake diamonds wouldn’t look right next to 24-karat gold.”

“This is… It’s beautiful.”

“It will look even more beautiful on your lovely face.” Valerie took the mask from her. “Allow me.”

Abby turned around. With an expert touch, Valerie swept Abby’s hair aside and drew the mask over her eyes, tying it securely at the back of her head before rearranging her hair to cover the ribbons.

“Now, let me see you.”

Abby turned back around. Valerie examined her face carefully before taking the sides of the mask and adjusting it slightly.

“There,” she said. “Perfect.”

She reached into her purse again, producing a second mask, which she slipped over her head. It was the pair to Abby’s, with the same gold filigree and diamonds. But it was less delicate, more elaborate, with flourishes that flowed down Valerie’s cheekbones and fanned out at either side of her head.

It was a mask fit for a queen.

The driver opened the back passenger door and stood aside. Valerie slid out of the car and held her hand out for Abby. Abby took it, stepping carefully out onto the sidewalk. And together they made their way to the club, breezing past the line.

When they reached the front door, the bouncer, a butch woman almost twice Abby’s size, gave Valerie a nod. “Madame V.”

She unhooked the velvet rope across the doorway and gestured them inside. Valerie guided Abby into the lobby, where a woman sat behind a desk with a tablet. She greeted them warmly, then handed the tablet to Abby.

“Just the standard paperwork,” Valerie explained. “Club rules, NDAs, the standard waivers. Being a guest of mine comes with certain privileges, but everyone needs to sign these the first time they come here, no exceptions.”

Abby nodded. It wasn’t her first time at a BDSM club. She flicked through the paperwork on the tablet, then scribbled her signature at the end and handed the tablet back to the woman, who offered to check their jackets.

As Valerie slipped hers off, it was all Abby could do to keep herself together. Because underneath her coat? Valerie wore a fitted black corset dress made of soft, supple leather overlaid with lace that cinched in her waist and emphasized her chest. It was short enough that Abby could see the garter belt she wore underneath, which held up a pair of lace-topped thigh-high stockings. The outfit was even more risqué than Abby’s. But on Valerie, it looked sophisticated, elegant, oh so sensual .

A blush rose up Abby’s cheeks. She was staring. And Valerie had noticed.

“I… You look…” Abby shook her head. “ Wow. ”

Valerie laughed softly. “Is this all it takes to render you speechless? Oh, tonight is going to be so much fun.” She took both their coats and handed them to the woman. “Shall we go inside?”

Placing a hand on the small of Abby’s back, she led her into the club.

And for the second time that night, Abby was speechless.

It was as if she’d stepped into a different world, a world of luxury, sex, sin . Lush velvet chairs and crystal chandeliers contrasted with neon purple lights and vintage wallpaper. Myriad women filled the room, dressed in everything from cocktail dresses and suits to corsets, nipple tassels, thongs. All wore masks in every style imaginable, and many accessorized with harnesses and nipple clamps, floggers and riding crops.

And they didn’t hesitate to use them. In one corner of the room, a tall brunette lounged on a chaise, a smaller woman stretched across her lap on her stomach, her skirt pulled around her waist. The tall woman held a leather paddle in her hand, which she slapped against the short woman’s bare ass as she conversed with a couple who sat across from them. A handful of other women watched, sipping their drinks casually. All the while, black-clad servers with white domino masks wove through the scene, delivering cocktails and refilling glasses with complimentary champagne.

“It’s extraordinary, isn’t it?” Valerie said.

Abby nodded. “This is incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I felt the same way on opening night. This place is everything we wanted it to be and more. It’s a place for women to explore their every desire, without judgment, without guilt. Tonight, more than ever. These masks? They give us the freedom to truly let go.”

Abby’s eyes fell on a pair of women nearby. One was completely naked, save for the thick ropes bound artfully around her breasts, stomach, and hips like a spider’s web. Her wrists were tied behind her back with the same ropes, and a bright red ball gag was fitted to her mouth. She was entirely at the mercy of the other woman, who teased her nipples and between her thighs with unrelenting fingers. All the while, those around them looked on, mesmerized.

Abby’s whole body throbbed. What would it feel like to be the woman bound in rope? To be teased and tormented and pleasured by her Mistress while everyone watched, knowing who she belonged to?

“Of course, the effect is all in the mind. A flimsy eye mask can’t truly hide one’s identity. It’s about what it represents.” Valerie drew a hand up Abby’s cheek, fingertips grazing her mask. “These masks give us permission to surrender to our true desires. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do here tonight, together.”

Abby’s breath trembled. Valerie hadn’t even glanced at the bound, naked woman, or any of the other salacious things going on around them. Her eyes were fixed on Abby’s with an intensity that set the fire inside her raging.

“All this? It’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Valerie nodded toward a wide doorway at the far end of the room. “Through there is The Playroom. That’s where the real fun happens. It’s set up with all kinds of naughty tools and toys for anyone to play with while others watch. Of course, there are private rooms, equipped with every sensual delight imaginable.” She leaned in close. “But I know how much you prefer an audience. Which reminds me, we just had a stage built.”

Abby’s pulse quickened. “A stage?”

“That’s right. It’s booked tonight for a professional performance. But perhaps one day I can take you up there and we can put on a show of our own. Would you like that?”

“I—” Abby’s skin flushed. The thought alone made her throb between her thighs. “Yes, Madame V. I would love that.”

“I thought you might, my pet. Some other night, then. For now, let’s sit down and have a drink.”

She led Abby over to a loveseat at the side of the room. As soon as they sat down, one of the black-clad servers appeared, a white domino mask over her eyes and a tray of champagne in her hand.

“Madame V.” She held the tray out to Valerie. “Champagne?”

Valerie plucked two glasses from it, handing one to Abby and giving the server a nod. “Thank you.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.” With that, the server disappeared.

Abby took a sip of her champagne, sinking into the plush chair. They were getting the royal treatment tonight.

“So, does everyone know you as Madame V here?” she asked.

Valerie nodded. “The name commands a certain respect. And it carries with it a reputation.”

“I can tell.” Abby glanced around the room. “Everyone is staring at you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, my pet.” Valerie drew a finger up the side of Abby’s throat. “They’re staring at you .”

Her breath hitched. And once again, she was pinned in place by Valerie’s gaze.

She took Abby’s chin between her fingers, her breath whispering against Abby’s cheek. “They’re staring at you, wishing that they were you, just like I said they would. Every single one of them would give anything to be in your place. But none of them hold a candle to you .”

She drew Abby’s lips to hers and kissed, soft and slow and demanding. Abby quivered, desire rising within her. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel the stares of those around her. But Valerie only drew her closer, kissed her deeper, claiming her for all to see.

Abby murmured into her lips, urging her on. Her hands traveled down Abby’s shoulders, pushing her against the armrest of the loveseat and sliding down to her chest, her fingers tracing over pebbled nipples through her dress.

Abby arched against her, a soft moan rising from her lips. Brand me. Take me. Show everyone I’m yours.

Valerie snaked a hand up Abby’s thigh, slipping it under her dress. Abby parted her legs, just enough for Valerie to brush a finger between them.

“You really do like being watched,” Valerie purred. “You’re already so wet.”

She pushed aside Abby’s thong, teasing her folds with her fingertips. Abby shivered, pleasure darting through her.

“As much as I’d love to make you come right here, right now, we have so much to explore tonight. And I want you wet and aching for me the entire time.” Valerie drew her fingers up and down between Abby’s thighs. “The performance in The Playroom is due to begin soon. We’re going to watch it as a little appetizer. And afterward, we’re going to have some fun with all the equipment scattered around, where anyone passing by can watch and see what a good little pet you are.” She skated her fingertip up to Abby’s clit. “And if you serve your Mistress well? At the end of the night, I’ll grant you what you so desperately want.”

Abby’s breath shuddered. Valerie’s feather-light touch only inflamed her more.

“So, will you serve me well tonight, my pet?”

“Yes,” Abby whispered. “Yes, Madame V.”

“Good. Because I want to?—”

“Val, thank god!”

Valerie pulled back. Abby opened her eyes to see a statuesque blond woman in a pearlescent eye mask marching toward them.

“We have a problem…” The woman stopped in her tracks, noticing Abby on the couch next to Valerie. “You’re with someone. I apologize, I didn’t realize.”

Valerie cleared her throat. “Simone, this is Abby. Abby, Simone. She’s one of the other owners of the club.”

“Uh, hi.” Abby glanced between the two women. Wasn’t Simone the person Valerie had told her to contact in case of an emergency back when she hired her? The two of them had to be close. But it was obvious that Simone had no idea Abby existed.

Her stomach churned. Was she Valerie’s dirty little secret?

Valerie nodded to Simone. “What’s the problem?”

But before Simone could say a word, a dark-haired, curvy woman wearing a matching eye mask appeared beside her. “Oh good, you found her. Hey, Valerie.” She looked at Abby. “And, uh…”

“Jade, this is Abby,” Valerie said. “Abby, Jade. Simone’s girlfriend. Now, can we please get to the problem?”

“It’s the performer for tonight,” Simone said. “She got into a minor car accident on the way here. She’s all right, but she’s not going to make it.”

Valerie cursed. “Can we find someone else?”

“We’re trying. Elle and Olivia are making calls, but they haven’t had any luck. It looks like we need to call the performance off.”

“We can’t. Not tonight. Ashton is here. She’s expecting a show, and so is everyone else. She isn’t going to invest in the club if we can’t deliver on our promises.”

“I don’t see what else we can do,” Simone said. “We’re not going to find anyone else at such short notice.”

Valerie glanced at Abby. “I may have a solution.”

Abby blinked. Wait, what?

“But first, I’ll need to talk to Abby here,” Valerie said. “Will you give us a moment?”

Simone nodded and led Jade out of earshot. Valerie turned back to Abby, her eyes smoldering.

“So,” she said. “How would you like to be tonight’s entertainment?”