Next to the shelf of vibrators is a giant black X standing tall and proud like a dark, kinky monument to be visited by tourists. I may be new to exploring BDSM, but it doesn’t take a genius to identify a Saint Andrew’s Cross. However, this one is special because I’ve never seen one up close before. More bondage rings are located on both the upper and lower legs of the cross, and even a black metal collar is mounted to the upper center of the X, to hold someone in place by their neck. My eyes widen just looking at it.

This is art. A beautiful torture device made to lock me in place so I can’t get away. I’ll be unable to stop the torment. Why am I not already bound to it?

“Have you ever been bound to something like this?” Nas asks as we stand in front of the X together. I’m sure he can see the awe on my face as I look at the device. Standing near it makes me want to put it to use now. How would it feel to be bound with my arms and legs spread this way? What sort of play could Nas come up with if I was tied to this cross? My mind boggles, and I’m dying to learn.

“Never. It’s beautiful,” I reply.

Nas’s eyebrows shoot to the top of his head. “That’s not the answer I expected, but I like it. How about these? Ever seen these before?”

Nas turns to his right and points to a rack of spreader bars on display like fancy wine glasses. There are five bars, all with different attachments on the ends for both arms and legs to be bound.

“The first time I ever saw one was when I watched the Fifty Shades of Grey movie,” I admit with a grimace.

“Ah. Not the greatest example, but not the worst. Let me show you how it works. Lay on the bed.”

To our right is a king-sized bed shrouded in black sheets with mirrors on the walls on both sides and a big one on the ceiling above. The pillows are plump and the comforter looks lush and soft. It’s the most inviting bed I’ve ever seen. When I lay down on my back, I sink into the mattress and feel ready to close my eyes, but Nas grabs one of my ankles and straps one end of the metal spreader bar to my ankle, before repeating the process on the other end. Once I’m securely bound, he presses a button on the bar and pulls it apart from the center, making it extend and spreading my legs.

“Oh, shit,” I exclaim. “That’s wider than I thought it'd be.”