Painful Pleasures

Let's party

I fiddled with the strap of my seatbelt, stealing glances at Nate. He drove silently, leaning on the window seal as he waited for the light to change. He hadn’t said much since we’d left my apartment. When I had pushed him away earlier, I expected him to be just as eager as before I’d gotten dressed, but instead he was lazily scrolling through his phone. He was still his usually polite self as he walked me to his car, but I felt that somehow his energy had changed. Had I upset him when I pushed him away? Was he disappointed? I wanted to ask, but I was afraid of his answer. “I, um…packed a change of clothes. I don’t know what all goes on at these sorts of events. Do I need anything else? We can stop at the store.” My attempt to ignite a conversation fell flat as he didn’t even look at me when he spoke.

“No. You should be fine.”

“I see a small bag in your backseat. What did you bring?” He glanced at me for only a second and his mouth twitched.

“You’ll see after we get there.”

See now, I was getting tight with him. If he was angry with me, he should just say so. Why would he be angry in the first place? It’s not like I completely rejected him. I just wanted to save the fun for later. Am I so horrible for that? He has me over here stressing when I didn’t even do anything wrong. He’s probably doing this to make me feel bad. Ha! I won’t give him the satisfaction. I folded my arms and turned away from him, so he could see I could be mad too. He didn’t react. I sighed loudly and reached for his glove box. “Do you have any gum?” He blocked my hand before I could open it.

“Don’t do that,” he said.

“Why? Hiding something?” I asked.

“Remember that limit I told you about? You shouldn’t go through people’s things without asking first.”

How dare he try to lecture me? “I wasn’t going to look at anything, geez. I just wanted some gum.” he popped open the compartment in his armrest and handed me a small box of gum. I took two pieces and popped them into my mouth. Traffic was ridiculous here. Usually it would lighten up at night, but the streets were as lively as ever. Was it because of the holiday? I scrolled through my phone, trying to distract myself, when I felt Nate tap my knee. I side eyed him.

“Your popping is a little distracting. Please stop.” He looked at me with stern eyes. It thrilled me to see him react. Instead of stopping, I rolled my eyes and turned the music up. It won’t annoy him if he can’t hear it. Instantly, he shook his head and turned it back down. “We’re not going to do that. I prefer being able to hear my surroundings while driving.”

I shrugged. “Suit yourself.” We were silent until my gum popped again. I looked over and cracked a smile as his jaw tightened. We pulled up to Jamila’s building and I texted her that we were outside. After a few minutes, she and Jamie ran out and Nate went out to open the door for them.

“Oh, what a gentleman,” Jamie teased. “Don’t expect a tip, I don’t carry cash.” Nate laughed at this and I got a little upset seeing it. I thought this was the type of thing you only did for the woman you were dating. I then got angrier at myself for reminding myself that we weren’t really dating. But it wasn’t like we were single, right? I’m sure Nate would get jealous too if I was extra friendly with another guy. Wouldn’t he?

“Hi, Aida!” Milly greeted me, reaching around the seat to hug me. I smiled at her, not really trying to show her how annoyed I was. It wasn’t her fault after all.

“Nice ride you got here.” Jamie said as she settled into the backseat. “But doesn't this leather get hot during the day?”

“Sometimes, but I don’t really leave my car out in the sun very often. My apartment building and work firm, both, have covered lots.” I popped my gum again and he glanced over at me. “Where is this place again?”

“It’s a huge house in the suburbs. I can direct you once you hit the freeway.”

“How did you know about it?”

“An old college friend invited me,” Jamila said. “He’s hosting. I was so surprised that someone I knew actually knew about the festival. You don’t meet too many people that are into stuff like that.”

“Oh? I think there are plenty, just not many who wish to be so open about it.” I popped my gum again. “Aida…” he warned. I smiled and batted my eyes at him.

“So, Milly, what are you going to be up to?” I asked, intentionally ignoring Nate. “You didn’t come with anyone, so are you..”

“Damn, what am I? Chopped liver?” Jamie asked sarcastically. I looked back and forth between them.

“Wait…are you two-”

“Don’t be silly, Aida, James has a girlfriend,” Jamila interrupted.

“Yeah, but my girl isn’t really into this kinda thing. She’s kinda shy and way too anxious to show up to these types of events. So, I decided to come with Milly so she wouldn’t be lonely.”

“Well, that’s nice and all, but what are you two actually going to be doing there?” I asked.

Jamie laughed. “It’s still a party, everyone doesn’t have to be f*****g. In fact, there are plenty of people who come to dance, drink, and play games. We’ll probably be mingling and making friends.” she nudged Mila. “Preferably a newer, nicer, and less psychotic friend for Mila.” Jamila blushed.

“Stop it, I don’t even know if I’m ready to date yet.”

“Nobody said anything about dating, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun and distract yourself. It’s high time you reminded yourself that you’re not just a cute, pastel-colored small bean, but also a young woman who can be sexy.” Jamila’s eyes watered and she threw her arms around Jamie.

“Ah, Jamie, don’t you know not to be so nice to a girl fresh out of a relationship? I really don’t want to have to fight your girlfriend over you. She seems so sweet.” Jamie laughed and pushed her off. I smiled and, without realizing it, I popped my gum again. Nate frowned and hovered his hand in front of my face.

“Spit it out,” he demanded.

“But that was-”

“I won’t ask again,” he said. I grumbled, but instead of giving it to him, I lowered the window and spat it out.” He nodded slowly, tapping his finger against the steering wheel. I fought back the urge to laugh.

“Are you two good?” Jamie asked, looking back between us. To my surprise, Nate smiled.

“We will be.”

“Moni!” Jamila screamed as she ran to Monica and gave her a tight hug.

“Milly, it’s only been a week since we’ve seen each other,” Monica said back.

“I know, but I’m always so happy to see you guys.” Me and Nate came up behind her at the entrance of the mini-mansion. My eyes were buck as I looked around the beautiful lot.

“Damn, Mils. Your friend is loaded.” I said as I ran my hand across the marble railings. “How does a guy in his 20s even afford a house like this?”

“Ha! He wishes this was all his. He and a couple of his friends rented it on airbnb for the weekend.” As people were piling into the house, I took notice of two men conversing behind Monica. The shorter one caught my eye as he was wearing a short, satin, pink dress with white lace on the hem of the skirt and 2 white puff balls at the chest.

“Guys, I want you to meet my boys,” Monica started, gesturing to the men behind her. They both stopped talking and took to her side. I hadn’t noticed it before, but both men wore a black choker around their necks, connected to a leash that rested in Monica’s hand. I got a strange feeling as though the Monica I was looking at right now, wasn’t the same girl I’d met at the club when I moved in. “This is Treyton,” she gestured to the taller one. He was cute, with sandy brown hair and dark blue eyes. He smiled politely at us, but didn’t speak. Then she caressed the shorter boy’s cheek. “And this is Sebastian, though you may know him as Bash.”

“Oh, right, he’s the one you talked about in the gc.” Jamie added. His face completely flushed.

“Yes, but be kind to him. He’s shy.”

“Nice dress,” I added. “You definitely have the legs for it.” he grew redder, but he gave me a shy bashful smile.

“Thank you.” he said softly. He had a bit of an accent, but I couldn’t exactly tell where it was from. A man popped out of the front door. He gasped.

“Windmill! How are you?” he said as he pulled Jamila into a hug.

“Please, don’t call me that.” Jamila scolded him.

“I was wondering when you’d show up.” he hugged and bumped fists with Monica and Jamie. He took one look at Nate and smiled bashfully. “Oh, well this a tasty group you got here. Introduce me.” His mannerisms were highly flamboyant as he playfully fiddled with his hair, eyeing Nate. It made me a little upset.

“Guys, this is my college buddy Morgan. Morgan, this is my friend Aida and her dom, Nathaniel.” Jamila put emphasis on the dom. I loved her for it, but I would have felt way better had he been introduced as my boyfriend. Baby steps though.

“Oh, aren’t you a lucky girl,” he boasted. “Keep an eye on him, hun. With a face like that, there’s bound to be some girls here eyeing to steal your ride.” he winked. “And boys,” I frowned as Jamila smacked his arm.

“Stop it, be nice.” she scolded him.

“Oh, relax Mila. I’m just poking fun.” he laughed. “Well, let’s not stand out here all night, come in, come in!” Monica went first, with her men following close behind.

“I hope he didn’t offend either of you.” she said to me and Nate.

Nate smiled. “I’m fine. I’m amazed how you find such charismatic people.” I made a pout and rolled my eyes.

“Oh, please don’t hate him, Aida. He’s usually only this bitchy when drunk.”

“I’m fine.” I said plainly. I catch Nate smiling at me and it’s annoying. I walk ahead not really caring if he follows or not. I hadn’t anticipated how crowded the house would be as I was suddenly pressed between hot bodies coming through the door.

“Sorry there, babe.” a guy said as he squeezed past me. The room smelled of sweat and old leather. Probably because that’s mainly what I saw people wearing. However, there were hints of lavender and sage sweeping through the room. Honestly, I’d expected worse when I’d agreed to this. I thought I’d be walking into a giant group orgy, but apart from the few people walking around with whips and dog collars, it seemed like an ordinary party. Music was blasting and people were dancing. A couple of guys were playing beer pong and card games in the dining area. I caught a guy and a girl who looked so similar they could be twins staring at me and whispering. The girl smiled, winked and went back to her conversation. I felt naked in a room of half-naked people. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I knew nothing about this world. Why was I even here? A pair of hands crept around my waist and I jumped.

“While we are here, do not wander off without telling me.” Nate whispered into my ear. It was almost hard to hear with the music.

“So now you care about me?” I grumbled. He forced me to face him.

“Have I done something to upset you?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Have I?” I asked back. I tried my best to appear intimidating, staring him down, but it didn’t faze him. I furrowed my brows as I saw a smile inching onto his face.

“If you have a problem with me, say it.”

Eager to wipe that smile off his face, I got real close, stood up on my tippy toes and whispered into his ear. “I think...you’re a poor excuse for a dom.” when I pulled away, he wasn’t smiling, which made me want to smile. However, he didn’t look angry either. Jamila squeezed through the crowd.

“Oh, there you two are. Though I lost you for a second," She linked her arm with mine. “Nate, I hope you don’t mind if I steal her away for a little bit. There are a couple of people I want you to meet.”

“Jesus, Mils, how many friends do you have?” I asked. “I’m starting to feel less special.”

“Ha! I hardly know anyone here, but that’s why these events are so fun. It’s the best time to meet like-minded people.” A couple, making out on the wall, caught my eye. The guy picked her up and started taking her upstairs. I caught sight of a woman walking around handing out condoms. Her makeup was amazing, set in a way that she looked like a pink demon; a mouth stitched to her ears, hearted freckles, horns and a long sweeping tail.

“Um, Mils, you're not taking me to…do anything with anyone, right?” I asked nervously. She frowned at me.

“How could you think I’d do something like that?”

“I don’t know. I’m still unsure of what to expect.”

“Hun, you really should relax. We aren’t predators. Not everyone who comes here wants to screw around with just anyone.”

“She’s right, Aida.” Nate chimed in “Honestly, more than half of the people here are likely in your shoes. More people come here for information and connections.”

“And since you’re an upcoming sub, who better to show you the ropes than other subs? Now, come on.” She started pulling me away, but Nate grabbed my hand.

“I’m feeling generous, so I will give you this one chance to apologize,” he said softly. I was surprised to see him still so calm and nonchalant. Was he toying with me? Well, he was up for a rude awakening. I don’t like admitting I take much after my parents, but there was no denying I had my mother’s stubbornness. I smiled sweetly.

“I would, but that would be a lie. And I know how much you don’t like those.” with that I kissed him quickly and allowed Jamila to drag me away.