Candelabras flicker all around the room, their flames dancing across the blood-red walls, and red satin is draped over every surface. Hushed conversations reach my ears over the soft sound of jazz music playing from somewhere. As I move farther into the room and the shadows retreat, I realize there are far more people than I thought.

Most of them are dressed in some of the finest clothes I’ve ever seen, and all their faces are covered by some sort of mask. Most of them are standing in small groups, clutching expensive looking goblets and whispering to each other. But one group stands out thanks to the sheer amount of shining black leather they’re wearing—and because they’ve formed a circle around a couple who are going at each other hard on their hands and knees wearing nothing but their masks.

My face flames, and I turn away instinctively. Even with the club’s classy, upscale vibe, there’s no mistaking what the clientele is here for.

It’s why you came too, Hannah.

The thought doesn’t stop my heart from pounding or extinguish the flickers of arousal sparking in my belly. No one I know back in Denver has a clue I’m into kink—or that I’d be brave enough to set foot in a place like this. But here, hundreds of miles away from everyone I know, surrounded by completely anonymous strangers in masks, something is stirring to life deep inside me. Something that’s been wanting out for a long time.

I’m completely free here. No rules, no limits.

Determined not to look like I don’t have a clue what I’m doing or that I’m here just to be a lurker, I follow a man who’s wearing a crisp suit and working his way through the room confidently, his gaze taking in everything. I keep enough distance that no one will notice I’m following him, but a soft moan from somewhere to my left draws my attention and my eyes drift looking for the source.

But the man spins around abruptly, and before I realize it, I’m crashing right into him. I stumble backward, but his hands instinctively fly out and catch me by the arms. His fingers wrap around me with surprising gentleness despite the strength in his grip, and I can’t stop myself from laughing breathlessly as he helps me steady myself.

“Sorry! I guess this is what I get for paying more attention to what’s going on around me than to where I’m going,” I say, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. I hesitate, then add, “This is the first time I’ve been to a place like this.”