Keep Me: A BDSM Romance Read Free

Not a date. Paying work.
    No way. Caleb wouldn’t be... My fingers race. I’m just going to assume this isn’t what it sounds like.
    This time the reply is quick. Nope. You’ll enjoy it. See you on Tuesday. Good night.
    Well, that’s final. Guess he’s not telling me. What could he mean? My mind conjures up scenario after scenario, but none of them make sense. He’s counting on my curiosity to get me there, and it’s working. Damnit.
    I lean back and close my eyes, muscles slowly unknotting in the hot water, picturing his slightly crooked grin while he’s sending me mysterious messages. Even in my mind, his smile’s contagious. I trust him. It’ll be alright.

Chapter 2
Vivian
    I walk in Tuesday night at ten to seven. Caleb’s not working the door, but Adrian, his usual backup, gives me a nod and a smile as I walk by. The line to get in is long for a Tuesday, so it’s good to be a regular.
    Inside, the steady bass thrums so deeply I feel it in my chest. The dance floor’s alive and the bar’s packed. Strobed lights flash in time with the music, making the crowd look like leather and latex clad robots.
    I wave at some familiar faces, but Caleb’s nowhere to be seen. Weaving through the crowd, I try not to touch too much sweaty skin. I’ve got my cutest little red dress on, and it’d be nice to not look like I walked through the rain to get here.
    Towards the back of the club, through a short corridor, are the play areas. It’s packed here too. Some are playing, like the pretty girl on the rack getting worked over by a burly guy in a leather suit. That guy sure knows how to handle a whip. Maybe I should get to know him better. The rest are standing, crowded around the center stage, as if they’re waiting for something to happen. What’s going on?
    I see Caleb. He towers over them. It’s the first time in years I’ve seen him dressed for play, and it’s an impressive sight. Mouthwateringly impressive. He’s shirtless, showing off his broad chest and powerful muscles. Black leather pants hug his tight ass. In his hand he holds a long flogger, the leathery strands alternating between black and deep red. He’s like a god, surveying his domain, and I already want to be a part of it. Wow.
    When he notices me, his strict face breaks into a confident smirk, as if he’d known I wouldn’t be able to stay away. “Viv! Over here.” He motions for me to come closer.
    Suddenly everyone’s eyes are on me. Usually, I don’t have a problem with crowds, but I feel a little put on the spot right now. Especially since I don’t know what’s going on. I wet my lips and swallow the lump in my throat, gathering my courage.
    He’s lucky I trust him.
    The crowd parts as I approach, so I can see what I have in store. A stage fills the center of the room. Caleb’s standing on it, surrounded by fancy old furniture: a deep leather chair, a wooden coffee table with elaborate cutout trim and a heavy bookshelf packed with thick books. A thick, expensive-looking area rug is laid out underneath it all.
    But what draws my eyes is the set of stocks to his side, low to the floor. In sturdy wood with metal fittings, it looks medieval compared to the rest of the furniture. Heavy, simple and intimidating. The shutter can be locked with a padlock, and there’s a big hole for a head and two small holes for wrists.
    My head and my wrists, I’m beginning to realize.
    I tear my eyes away and examine the rest of the scene. A duster and apron hang from a hook on the bookshelves. Is this some sort of role play scenario? Obviously, I’m part of this somehow, but how it’s paid and why? No idea.
    I’m so confused. “Caleb, what’s going...”
    “Quiet, slave.” His face turns hard and his voice stern as soon as I step up on the stage. “Present!”
    Almost without thinking, I drop, finding the thick rug soft under my knees. Straight-backed and resting my ass on my heels, I cross my wrists behind me and look straight ahead. Posture