Page 79 of The Last One to Let You Down

“Who’s that guy?”

“Jonah? Think of him like a bouncer.”

“People don’t play nice, he bounces them?”

“Exactly.”

Cypress led them to a set of French doors and opened them to reveal an open lounge, and Tom felt his stomach flip when they walked inside.

The light was low with colorful strobes flickering, and there was a monstrous sprawling bar in front of a row of heavily curtained windows. There were plush semi-circle sofas and large chaises, most of them arranged close together for cozy conversation or other activities.

The guests who had opted to come directly here were mingling together on one of the sofas, talking quietly amongst themselves and enjoying some drinks. Everything was completely normal at first glance, but what had so unsettled Tom was what he had seen when he’d looked up at the artwork hanging on the walls.

There were giant posters featuring black and white photographs of explicit sexual images. There was a man’s penis in some sort of metal harness, a blindfolded woman who had a horse’s bit in her mouth, a riding crop caught at the precise moment it was striking a man’s bare ass, and dozens more.

They were so vivid that Tom was startled, and he felt embarrassed for looking at what was essentially pornography right out in the open.

“I’ve got you,” Cypress said, squeezing Tom’s hip. “Want a drink?”

“God, yes.”

The blonde was behind the bar, pouring the contents of a shaker into a long line of shot glasses. She smiled brightly when she saw them. “Hey there, Cypress. Good to see you. This must be Tom, mm?”

“Yes ma’am, this is him.” Cypress sounded proud. “Tom, this is Lady Villalongo, our hostess and the Dungeon Master. Whatever she says goes.”

“Hi,” Tom said, awkwardly reaching over the bar to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” Lady Villalongo quirked a finely painted brow as she looked him over hungrily. “Mmm, you are a pretty one. Figured you would be.”

“Oh, uh, thank you,” Tom stammered.

“Has Cypress gone over the rules with you?” Lady Villalongo asked.

“Some of them, I think?”

“Cypress said you’re only here as watchers tonight,” Lady Villalongo said, handing them both two shots. “Rules are simple. Keep your hands to yourself unless you’re invited to touch and don’t come on my carpet.”

Tom took the first shot, tasted alcohol and fruit, and immediately went for the other. His mind was already reeling from trying to absorb so much at once, and he hoped the drinks would help him settle down. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good boy,” Lady Villalongo said with a wink. “You boys have fun, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me or Jonah.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Thanks, Villa.” Cypress nodded as she slid down the bar to attend to some of the other guests. He took Tom’s hand, asking quietly, “Still okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just… it’s a lot.” Tom smiled nervously. “So, uh, is everyone here a ‘watcher’?”

“At least for tonight. Some of them may be just taking a break. Maybe they’re not in the mood for a scene, but they still wanted to come out and show their support.”

“By watching?”

“For some of us, having an audience is crucial. It’s why we come out to parties instead of messing around at home. There are a lot of people who really enjoy it, knowing they’re turning other people on. To be honest, sometimes the sub is so deep in subspace that they have no idea anyone is even watching or not.”

Tom felt his cock twitch in his pants at the idea of being that blissed out.

“Some scenes will be private,” Cypress went on, taking his first shot and nudging the second one over to Tom. “Those will be the rooms with the doors shut, and no one can enter except for Jonah or Lady Villalongo.”

“Okay. That doesn’t sound so bad.” Tom could imagine Cypress having him bent over a bed like he had that day in the flower shop, spanking him and making him sob, all the while worrying and hoping that someone might peek in—